Niger Delta

Sylva Lobbies Former Aides, Others For Buhari

Published

11 years ago

January 28, 2015

Former Bayelsa State
Governor Timipre Sylva has begun intense lobbying of his former top aides and leading members of the Peoples Democratic Party to support the All Progressives Congress candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, in the state.
While Sylva has won over a former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Venezuela, Felix Oboro, one of the founding fathers of the PDP in Bayelsa into the APC, he led a team of ranking party leaders to visit his then Special Adviser on Security, Chief Richard Kpodo.
Kpodo, a former Chairman of the defunct New PDP that metamorphosed into APC in the state, has dissociated himself from the APC after he was denied the Chairman of APC in Bayelsa.
He was the Protem Chairman of the APC before he was dropped over undisclosed rift with Sylva. Sylva, it was learnt, led the APC Chairman, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe, and over 500 party loyalists to a
meeting with Kpodo at his (Kpodo’s) De Rich Park Hotel in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital recently.
Sources at the meeting said Sylva begged Kpodo to return to the APC and unite with others to ensure the victory of Buhari at the presidential poll in February.
An executive member of the party, who pleaded anonymity, said the visit was to bring back the former aides of Sylva and build a solid support base for APC’s victory in Bayelsa.
Kpodo, who was a very close aide of Sylva when the latter was Governor of Bayelsa, is said to have no fewer than 1.5million supporters across the length and breadth of South-South.
When contacted for his reaction on the visit and his position, Kpodo said the visit of his former boss was a private one.
He said, “Yes, my former boss visited me with his supporters and party candidates. He wants me back to give support to his party.
“And I have yet to give a reply. I have equally told my supporters all over the state and the region to be on standby.”
It was further learnt that Sylva was not resting on his oars to ensure that the APC took over Bayelsa from the PDP in all strata of elections in the state.
He was said to be in consultations with aggrieved members of the PDP and other members to join the APC train in the state.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

3 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.

Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.

Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.

He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”

“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.

In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.

“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.

Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.

“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.

The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

3 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.

He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.

“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.

“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.

“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.

The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.

Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

3 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.

The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.

The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.

Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.

The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.

Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.