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Police Parade DSS Official, Three Others
The Cross River State Police Command has paraded an official of the Department of State Security (DSS) and three others including a female for alleged kidnapping in the state.
Those paraded include Sylvia James F 26 years, Eyo Edet Okon M 29 years, Jason Udo, M 36 years and Eyo Bassey M 31 years who claimed to be a DSS official.
Briefing newsmen in Calabar yesterday the Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo said, “Ogar Bassey M reported at Uwanse Police Station that unknown men came to their house, abducted his two brothers, Isaac Sampson, M 21 years and Brown Irek Ofadim M 23 years to an unknown destination.
“Through intelligence-led policing, the suspects were trailed to Atimbo where they were arrested. One Toyota Camry Car, CAL 237 CG, one Jackknife and assorted phones were recovered. Investigations are ongoing.
She said the incident occurred on Wednesday at Uwanse by 8pm. “They have kidnapped two persons, it occurred on Wednesday at 8pm. It was anti-kidnapping and cultism and DPO Uwanse that ran after the suspects.
“For DSS personnel, we have written a letter to his organization to ascertain if he is a serving DSS man or not. These suspects went to a certain house and kidnapped the brothers of Mr Robert Bassey and demanded a ransom of N250, 000 if not the victim would be killed”
One of the suspect, Eyo Edet Okon who spoke to newsmen denied their involvement in the alleged kidnap. Okon said “I am not a kidnapper, the allegation is a lie and it is a big fabrication.
“We went to Robert Bassey’ s house to ask him for our money, he promised to help and give us admission in Unical, he collected N107, 000 from me, and he collected N48, 000 from my sister which was looking for a change of course, nothing was done and our money was not given back to us.
“We have gone to him several times begging him to return our money and he kept on posting us and sometimes, he will say he will meet the head of the department. On Sunday, I went to him and asked him for the money and he promised to give us but did not. My parents are aware of this and more so, I am a member of Jehovah Witnesses.
“On Wednesday, we met our DSS friend and told him everything about the matter and he asked us if we have attempted to make peace with him, we said yes but he has refused to give us our money. We requested for DSS to invite him to their office for questioning but since we could not lay our hands on him, we now invited his two brothers who came with us to DSS and the DSS interrogated them and asked us to return them since they were not the person who owed us.
“On our way to return them, the man that owed us called one of them and spoke in their language and the DSS man asked him to bring in our money, he however arranged with the Police and alleged that we are kidnappers. We want justice to be done; the man should be interrogated to know the truth” he pleaded.
Also speaking to us, the victim, Brown Irek Ofadim and Victim Isaac Sampson gave different versions to the event that led to their alleged kidnap. Ofadim said “On Wednesday while I was copying my note, three boys and one girl came into our house and asked for my elder brother Bassey Robert and my elder brother said I should ask them what they wanted and when I told them, one of the suspects showed him his ID that he was a DSS personnel.
“Police came to our rescue at opposite Unical hotel. They said my brother should pay them N200, 000 before they release us. I don’t know the name of our street at Atimbo. I am a student of Unical studying Mathematics, 200 level” he said.
Sampson said, “While I was reading at Twins Street, Uwanse, the suspects entered, they did not ask us anything, they went and knocked on the door and came back and asked us about my uncle and I went in and saw my uncle and he told me that whenever he was sleeping, nobody should wake him up and I came back and told them that and they now picked us and took us away. “My uncle is a student in Unical, and I came to Calabar on Saturday for Police recruitment,” he stated.
News
NPF Warn Applicants Ahead Of Constable Recruitment Exam
The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.
News
Monarch Pledges Strong Action Against Gender-Based Violence
The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.
The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.
News
Tinubu Support Group Canvasses Second Term For President Ahead Of 2027
A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.
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