Niger Delta

Imo’s Amnesty Doesn’t Cover Don Waney’s Gang Members – Wike

Published

8 years ago

February 9, 2018

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that the amnesty granted by the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to cultists who killed 23 persons in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, will have no impact in Rivers State.
Speaking during bills’ signing ceremony at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Wike said that the wanted cultists, who are kingpins of the Don Waney gang, would be brought to justice.
He declared that the N20million placed on their heads still stands, adding that the security agencies would be empowered to bring the criminals to account for their crimes.
Wike said that the action of Governor Rochas Okorocha was a proof of the intelligence available to the Rivers State Government that the All Progressives Congress (APC) planned to grant amnesty to wanted cultists for political reasons.
The governor berated the APC and her officials for politicizing security to the disadvantage of the rest of the country.
He said: “just yesterday, the governor of Imo State granted amnesty to the cultists we declared wanted. These are cultists of the Don Waney gang who killed 23 persons on New Year Day.
“These are cultists, who have been killing security agents. That amnesty offered by Governor Okorocha cannot cover Rivers State. These criminal cultists are still wanted for their crimes against Rivers State and her people”, Wike emphasised.
He stated that it was wrong to introduce politics into security affairs because nobody knows what the outcome would be in future.
“There is no need playing politics with the security of lives and property. Before Governor Rochas Okorocha granted amnesty to those who killed our people, he did not deem it fit to call me.
“They should always weigh the implications of these actions to the security of the region. Whether you are in Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) or APC, there is no need to politicise security”, Wike said.
The Rivers State governor said despite the obvious political sabotage against the security infrastructure of the state, the government will continue to work towards improved security in the state.
RSG Wades Into Afam, PHED Power Crisis
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Rivers State Government has reiterated its position in ensuring conducive environment for private investors to thrive, saying that the lingering disagreement between Afam community in Oyigbo Local Government Area and Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) over power supply and alleged failure to pay for consumed energy was unacceptable.
The state Commissioner for Power, Hon Shedrack Chukwu, made this known during a meeting with power Generating Company (GenCo) and Distributing Company (DisCo) as well as representatives of the Oyigbo Youth Assembly (OYA) and host communities in the Oyigbo Local Government Area at the Ministry of Power, in Port Harcourt.
A statement signed by the Press Officer to the Ministry of Power, Sele May, quoted Chukwu as saying that the Rivers State Government was taking necessary steps to ensure that both parties reach mutually beneficial agreements.
He urged all stakeholders in the crisis to ensure their presence at the rescheduled meeting, where far reaching decisions will be reached to avoid breakdown of law and order in Afam and Oyigbo LGA at large.
The commissioner, however, expressed displeasure over the absence of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and General Electric (GE) in the meeting, stressing that their further absence in subsequent meetings will send a negative signal to the effect that they were sponsoring the looming crisis in the host communities.
Also speaking, the member representing Oyigbo Constituency at the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Chisom Dike, who was present at the meeting, sued for peace in the local government while urging companies in Oyigbo to fulfill promises they had made to host communities.
On their part, spokespersons of the Oyigbo community, Comrade Light Nwankwo and Prince Ejike Dike lauded Rivers State Government’s effort in wading into the matter to forestall further crisis in the area.
They assured the state government and the companies that all barricades will be removed forthwith while expressing confidence in the ability of the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration to sustain the development momentum in the area.

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to ensure improved welfare for personnel and more patrols on the maritime corridors of the nation.

He disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of things at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Wednesday.

According to him, there is the need for officers to always be ready, by improving on their welfare, in a bid to keep the country secured.

“I am here for an on the spot assessment of our operations and like you have seen, I have also gone round to check the ongoing buildings.

”These are welfare issues and for us to be able to have our men ready and keep us secured, their welfare needs to be catered for.

“So, we are here to kill two birds with one stone, which are basically operations and welfare issues.

”I am happy with what the command is doing; it is doing well in terms of keeping the maritime environment safe.

“We will continue doing what we are doing and improve on that, which is patrol of the waters and increase in the area of surveillance”, he stated.

As part of his visit, Abbas commissioned the 12×1 Junior Rates Accommodation Block A and B, at the Navy Barracks at Atimbo in Calabar.

The naval chief also inspected other ongoing projects in the Akim Barracks, 1006 flats and the Navy hotel, all within Calabar.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.