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Military Kills Kidnap Kingpin, Don Waney …Rivers Agog As Corpse Arrives PH …RSG Lauds Success, Pledges Continued Partnership With Security Agencies
Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, went agog yesterday as news of the arrival of the corpse of the notorious kidnapper and murderer, Don Waney spread throughout the city. The corpse was brought to the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, yesterday morning, by soldiers and operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS).
Waney, whose real name is Prince Igwedibia, was shot and killed alongside his second-in-command and another member of his gang in their hideout in Enugu, Enugu State.
The notorious kingpin and members of his gang were fingered in the gruesome murder of 23 persons in the early hours of the New Year in Omoku.
It was gathered that the hoodlum was shot in a community near Enugu.
An Army source confirmed that contrary to an earlier report, Waney was trailed and killed in Enugu.
In a statement by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col Aminu Iliyasu, “The authorities of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, wish to inform the peace loving people of Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area in particular, Rivers State, and indeed, the entire good people of Niger Delta in general, that the notorious cult leader, kidnap kingpin and mass murderer, Don Waney is dead.
“Recall that in the early hours of Monday, 20th November, 2017, troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, acting on credible information from some patriotic members of the public, raided the evil Don Waney enclave in Omoku, where shocking discoveries of assorted weapons, dynamites, bags of suspected cannabis, full military camouflage uniforms, military boots, military communication radios, 10 human skulls and human bones were discovered. Additionally, in continuation of the operation on Tuesday, 21st November, 2017, the troops also exhumed decomposing bodies of some of his victims in his shrine in the glaring eyes of the media who were invited to witness first hand.
“Perhaps, not satisfied with the numerous lives of innocent citizens he took, Don Waney masterminded the despicable New Year Day mayhem in Omoku, in which, he led his notorious gang of criminals to murder 23 peace-loving citizens of Omoku when they were returning from Cross Over Night Service at about 1:30am on Monday, 1st January, 2018.
“Intense surveillance activities on him and his gang by the Department of State Services (DSS), Rivers State Command, revealed that after committing these atrocities, he relocated to a neighbourhood within Enugu Town in Enugu State, where he rented an apartment and started living among unsuspecting neighbours within the community.
“From the relative safety of his newly-rented apartment, Don Waney was already perfecting plans to wrought another mayhem in Omoku, in which he was to attack churches, schools, Army and Police locations, and the residences of the generality of the already traumatised people of Omoku.
“However, following his successful geo-location to his new Enugu neighbourhood hideout by the DSS, Rivers State Command, a combined team of troops of 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, and personnel of DSS, Rivers State Command, raided the hideout to arrest him and his other accomplices.
“Incidentally, on sensing that the combined team were closing in on his residence, Don Waney, his Second-in-Command, Ikechukwu Adiele, and another gang member, Lucky Ode, attempted to escape through the back exit of the apartment, and were shot down by the eagle-eyed troops in the process. One of them died on the spot while the other two, who sustained gunshot wounds, eventually died while being evacuated for medical attention.
“The remains of Don Waney and his cohorts were brought back to Port Harcourt, Rivers State by the combined team, and handed over to the Rivers State Police Command for further action.
“To this end, the authorities of 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, wish to use this opportunity to extend their condolences to the families of all the victims of the evil Don Waney and his gang. We also wish to solicit your further cooperation in volunteering useful information to track down and arrest the remaining gang members so as to bring them to justice for a peaceful, prosperous and secure Omoku community, ONELGA, Rivers State, and the entire Niger Delta region,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government says she will continue to partner security agencies in the state in the combined effort to rid the state of cultists and criminals.
In a statement issued yesterday in Port Harcourt, in response to the death of Don Waney, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barrister Emma Okah said the success recorded in the operations that terminated the lives of Don Waney and his men was a victory for the law-abiding people in the state.
“It underscores the desirability of honest partnership and synergy between the government and security agencies as well as the public in tackling security problems in the state,” Okah said.
“This victory gladdens our heart and we remain more committed in the fight against crimes and will continue to support the police and all security agencies in the onerous task of securing our dear Rivers State and her people”, Okah stressed, noting that no cost will be spared to make our people sleep with two eyes closed.
“We thank President Muhammadu Buhari for not playing politics with the Omoku massacre but gave a marching order, which galvanised the efforts of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Security, police and everybody or agency who played a role to avenge the death of the innocent people killed in Omoku on 1st January, 2018.
“The success of our collective effort has shown that there is no hiding place for the wicked,” Okah added.
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.