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Niger Delta

Muslim Leader Condemns Attack In Oyigbo

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The Rivers State Islamic Leader and Vice President General of the Rivers State Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor has equivocally condemned the pre-mediated, unprovoked and unwarranted attack by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on defenceless, innocent, law-abiding Muslims and the vandalisation of their mosque in Oyigbo, penultimate Tuesday.
Uhor made the condemnation during a press briefing at the council’s secretariat in Port Harcourt.
According to him, the IPOB attack on the police and military personnel who were deployed to ensure peace and order was also condemnable, as it had led to the untimely death of two police officers, burning down of patrol vans as well as injured scores of Muslims in the area, saying that “enough is enough”.
He said Muslims concede that IPOB members have a right to agitate for the actualization of whatever they perceived to be their interest as well as their right to lawful and peaceful gathering for legitimate protest, but added that the pursuit of IPOB members’ rights should not also be at the expense of the rights of Muslims who were equally guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.
The Muslim leader recalled that over the years, the Muslim community had suffered so many unprovoked attacks and persecution by the Igbos in Rivers State, especially in Port Harcourt, pointing out that in the last two years, IPOB protests have always targeted Muslims and mosques at Gambia Street, Elelenwo, Eleme and Oyigbo, among others.
Uhor noted that the fateful Tuesday attack was not new.
He also noted that in 2003, seven young men dressed as Muslim caftans, carrying kettles and rosary were caught in the premises of a church in Rumuokurushe, near Port Harcourt, trying to impersonate Islam.
Uhor explained that when the suspects were searched, the kettles were found to contain petrol, saying that police investigation revealed that they were Igbos and Christians.
He added that following the discovery, the then Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, had seriously warned any promoter of inter-religious and inter-ethnic crisis of the consequences of such actions as the law would take its cause.
“We are saying that enough is enough. We insist and demand peaceful inter-ethnic and inter-religious co-existence. We remain committed to it at all times. But the Igbos will be making dangerous mistakes to take our peaceful disposition as a sign of weakness,” he posited.
He added that “Allah has not created any ethnic nation that has a monopoly of violence. The Igbos should, therefore, be reminded that violence, hatred, arson are neither rocket science nor do they take multitude to perpetuate”.
Uhor further stated that their grievances against the Nigerian government should not be visited on the Muslims in Rivers State as some Muslims were from the North and West, stressing that any attack on them would be viewed as ethnic assault, pointing at the last crisis in Eleme which claimed an entire Muslim family.
He, however, commended the General Officer Commanding and officers and men of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in the state, the police commissioner and the authorities of the DSS for swift response and professionalism in quelling the conflict.
The leader appealed to the Muslims to remain calm and law-abiding, and advised them not to resort to self-held while urging governments at all levels to discourage such avoidable senseless show of ethnic bigotry.

Collins Barasimeye

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Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

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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.
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Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

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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.
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Niger Delta

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

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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.
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