Niger Delta

JTF Frees Kidnap Victim, Arrests Two Oil Thieves

Published

11 years ago

February 13, 2015

The Joint Task Force (JTF)
in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, says it has rescued a kidnap victim and arrested two suspected oil thieves within the last 10 days.
The task force, in a statement issued in Yenagoa by Lt.-Col. Isa Ado, said it had also recovered arms from the suspects and destroyed two illegal refinery sites during the multiple operation.
“ Troops of the JTF have rescued Mr Julius Omeregie who was kidnapped by gunmen at Okhuaihie community in Uhumwode Local Government Area of Edo.
“The victim and his family of five were abducted in his Honda CRV Jeep but the kidnappers later abandoned the vehicle with the family members before whisking the victim away.
“On getting the information, troops of the JTF in conjunction with the Nigerian Police and the local vigilante, combed the area and rescued the victim.
“One of the kidnappers was killed during a shootout between the troops and the kidnappers.
“ A pump action gun with 10 rounds of cartridges was recovered while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects,” the statement said.
It said that in another operation, two suspected oil thieves were also arrested at Oreerokpe community in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta while conveying illegally refined diesel in a Volkswagen Jetta car marked Delta AM 306 JRT.
It said the suspects reportedly confessed to have carried out oil bunkering around Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) waterside in Warri South Local Governmemnt Area of Delta.
“The vehicle and the products were moved to a safe place and destroyed while the suspects are in custody of the JTF for preliminary investigation before they are handed over to the police for prosecution.
“Also, the JTF troops in collaboration with the Department of State Security (DSS) destroyed two illegal oil refining camps around Akasa 06 and 103 Cawton Channel 2 in Rivers,” Ado said.
The JTF spokesman said that the task force had recovered more arms following the arrest of some suspected pirates that attacked the JTF patrol troops on Jan. 8, 2015.
“This is the aftermath of a cordon-and-search operation conducted by the 146 Battalion of the task force.
“During the operation, one AK 47 rifle with registration number 02430 and Butt number 897 were recovered together with two magazines loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition each.
“Also recovered are parts of two AK rifles with 13 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

Niger Delta

Royal Father Endorses PH Arsenal Community, Pledges To Support

Published

19 hours ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The Amanyanabo of Koniju town, in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Winston Odiye Alamina Oputibeya XII, has expressed satisfaction over the activities of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community.

He further said that bringing Arsenal fans together for a common purpose, which is love, unity, and peace, is commendable and pledges to support the community in his own little way.

HRM Oputibeya said this when some members of the community, led by Ugochukwu Oputa, paid him a courtesy visit in his house in Port Harcourt yesterday.

According to him, he started supporting and following Arsenal Football Club some decades back, saying that anybody who loves good football must love Arsenal because players in Arsenal play good football.

“I was longing to meet leaders of the community to also be part of it because I like their organizational structure and I love Arsenal.

“The activities of the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community for me are satisfactory; that is why I am associating with it.

“I would like members to conduct themselves in a civil manner because football fans all over are the progress of their club and love,” he said.

Earlier, the coordinator of the Port Harcourt community, Ugochukwu Oputa, thanked the royal father for accepting the community, assuring that the group will do her best to get recognition and connection with Arsenal FC in London.

Oputa narrated the activities lined up by the community on Saturday, saying that everything had been put in place for the street procession.

In his vote of thanks, a member of the Arsenal Community, Com. Tonye Orabere also thanked the Amanyanbo for his magnanimity and pledged to assist the community. He prays God to continue to bless him.

Tonye Orabere

Niger Delta

BPP Backs NDDC’s Digital Procurement Reforms

Published

21 hours ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for initiating reforms aimed at digitising its procurement processes to enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability.

Speaking at the NDDC Procurement Policy Reform and Digitisation Stakeholders’ Sensitisation and Training Summit in Port Harcourt, the Director-General of the BPP, Adebowale Adedokun, described the initiative as a significant step towards modernising public sector operations.

Adedokun said the transition to paperless governance had become imperative as government institutions seek to reduce delays, eliminate waste and improve service delivery.

According to him, public procurement remains central to the execution of government policies and must embrace modern technology to boost productivity and strengthen public confidence.

“Procurement lies at the heart of public service delivery. It determines how resources are allocated, how projects are executed, and ultimately, how development reaches our people”, he said.

The BPP boss stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration in ensuring a seamless transition to digital operations, noting that the reforms align with the broader agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build a more responsive and citizen-focused public sector.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, said the sensitisation workshop formed part of the Commission’s efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and adopt innovative solutions in line with global best practices in governance and service delivery.

He stated that the Commission was implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration in the Niger Delta region, while commending the BPP for supporting the Commission and facilitating the speedy completion of projects.

Ogbuku noted that the workshop came at a critical period when public institutions across the country were embracing reforms aimed at improving governance systems, eliminating inefficiencies and rebuilding public trust.

He said empowering stakeholders, contractors and service providers with the required knowledge would accelerate development and create sustainable value across the Niger Delta.

“We are not only reforming, but we are also transforming the Niger Delta region”, he stated.

Ogbuku explained that the Commission’s reforms would move procurement processes from manual, paper-based operations to a fully digital platform designed to improve accessibility, reduce delays and minimise opportunities for corruption.

According to him, digitisation of procurement processes goes beyond technological advancement and represents a critical governance reform aimed at promoting transparency, improving service delivery and ensuring responsible management of public resources.

Earlier, the NDDC Director of Procurement, Chuks Osuji, said the policy reform and digitisation initiative would improve workflow, eliminate inefficiencies and strengthen accountability in the Commission’s procurement system.

He added that all contractors engaging with the Commission would henceforth operate through the online procurement platform, which would also provide an effective feedback mechanism for stakeholders.

Speaking on behalf of contractors and consultants, Maraizu Uche lauded the initiative and pledged their cooperation towards ensuring a seamless transition to the digital platform.

He, however, appealed to the Commission to review its payment system to address delays in settling executed contracts.

The workshop, themed “Promoting Best Procurement Practices and Digital System for the NDDC”, was held across the nine states of the Niger Delta region.

Niger Delta

Navy Inaugurates 8 Housing Units In Calabar

Published

21 hours ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy has inaugurated eight units of two-bedroom flats at the Ikot Ansa Senior Staff Quarters as part of efforts to boost personnel welfare and operational efficiency.

Speaking at the event in Calabar on Monday, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said similar housing projects would be inaugurated in Port Harcourt and Uyo.

Represented by Rear Adm. Chidozie Okehie, the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Abbas said the navy would always give priority attention to personnel welfare.

He stated that the housing units would not only translate to decent homes for officers, but boost their morale for greater efficiency.

“I have repeatedly tied welfare projects to better operational readiness against maritime crimes.

“We are very deliberate about closing the accommodation gaps for officers and ratings”, he said.

The CNS charged recipients of the housing units to ensure good maintenance culture while in occupation.

Abbass reiterated the commitment of the navy to initiate new housing projects while taking steps to complete all pending ones.

“The newly inaugurated units of flats are part of the projects that we inherited from our predecessors”, he said.