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Gbaragbe’s Murder: Ogonis Declare Amaechi Persona-Non-Grata …As MOSOP Raises Alarm Over Safety Of Ogonis

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As Ogonis and Nigerians at large continue to mourn the death of a senior lecturer and former chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Kenule Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic (Kenpoly), Bori branch, late Dr. Ferry Gbaragbe, who was gruesomely murdered by men of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) during the March 9, 2019 governorship election in Bori, a socio-cultural group, Ogoni Ethnic Nationality (OEN) has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu and other relevant security agencies not to leave any stone unturned to arrest and prosecute the culprits and their collaborators in Ogoniland.
The OEN, in a statement issued in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area after an emergency meeting, last Wednesday, described the murder of Gbaragbe as outrageous, sacrilegious and a desecration of the land.
Consequently, the group has declared those Ogonis who led the F-SARS Commander, ACP Akin Fakorede and his murderous team to the Bori Collation Centre where Dr. Ferry Gbaragbe was shot and killed, persona-non-grata.
Among those so declared, according to the statement, are former Rivers State Governor and Transportation Minister, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi; Emma Deeyah, Victor Giadom, George Feyii, Greg Nwidam and Eric Nwibani, amongst others.
In the statement, which was signed by the group’s Secretary, Dr. Baribe Yorko, the OEN said they would invoke the gods of Ogoniland to avenge the death of Gbaragbe and other Ogonis who lost their lives during the elections.
Wondering why an illustrious son of Ogoniland, who was carrying out a legitimate election duty should be the target of elimination by enemies of the people, the group vowed that all those declared persona-non-grata would be visited with dire consequences any day they step their feet on Ogoniland.
“They should better be advised to stay away from Ogoniland. Should they choose to try our resolve, we assure them that their blood will flow, just like those of the people they have killed”, the statement said.
On the statement credited to Chidi Lloyd that the death of Dr. Ferry Gbaragbe was an ‘amateur Nollywood movie’, the OEN described the comment as the height of sacrilege, regretting that it was not surprised, knowing Lloyd’s antecedent and disregard for human life.
“It is quite unfortunate that Chidi Lloyd, rather than empathise with Ogonis who are mourning with a heavy heart, decided to dance on the grave of the man slain by F-SARS and his party men”, the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) says it is becoming increasingly clear that “the Nigerian Government is not bothered about the genocide against the Ogoni people in Nigeria.”
Speaking in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, a factional President of MOSOP, Fegalo Nsuke, said that the Nigerian Government does not care about the poor living conditions in Ogoniland.
He accused the government of using the Ogoni clean-up programme to deceive the people while their real intention is to resume oil production in the area without the consent of the people.
Nsuke said “It is pitiable to find that all Nigerian Government is interested in is the Ogoni oil and gas and definitely not the people.”
The MOSOP president also said that the clean-up programme under the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) had been shrouded in secrecy, and maintained that HYPREP was corrupt and not implementing the UNEP report on Ogoniland.
“The very first recommendation of UNEP is the issue of water provision. HYPREP has ignored that fundamental recommendation, and moved on to award contracts because that enriches the beneficiaries. The very key aspect of the report dealing with water provision which benefits the Ogoni people has been jettisoned,” Nsuke said.
Lamenting the neglect of Ogoni people despite their enormous contributions to the economy of Nigeria, Nsuke said: “In over 50 years, Shell and the Nigerian Government have polluted Ogoniland; our land and resources have been carted away to the detriment of Ogonis and to the advantage of the rest of Nigeria. This is really a sad story and a very ugly side of our national history, which I expect the Nigerian Government to quickly address instead of chasing the Ogoni oil like people without conscience.”
Nsuke also condemned, “the militarisation of Ogoniland and the extra-judicial killings which have characterised the presence of the security forces in Ogoniland.”
He cited the recent case of the shooting of a polytechnic lecturer, Dr Ferry Gbaragbe, in Bori.
While calling for an immediate investigation into the killing of Gbaragbe and others, Nsuke described the involvement of the Nigeria Police in the shooting of defenseless and innocent Ogoni citizens as reflecting Nigeria’s degeneracy and a threat to national unity.
The MOSOP president said that the gradual militarisation of Ogoniland, “only reminds Ogoni people of the evil Shell and Nigeria have done to us in the past which led to the death of over 4,000 Ogonis.
“The military only remind us of our loved ones they have killed. It would have been better for our country to negotiate any issues they have with us instead of sending the military whom we only know and remember for the killing of over 4,000 Ogonis,” the MOSOP president said.
He said that MOSOP was raising the alarm “because Nigeria appears to be implementing a policy to kill the Ogoni people.”
He noted that the recent directive to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to take over Ogoni oilfields was one of such decisions not acceptable to the Ogoni people “and the government knows it has not allowed any reasonable discussions on the matter nor has it taken steps to address the demands of the Ogoni people as contained in the Ogoni Bill of Rights.
“The failure to allow broad-based discussions with the Ogoni people opens the window for conflicts which the government seem to prefer as it gives them the opportunity to crush our peaceful protects.”
While maintaining that the struggle of the Ogoni people is justifiable, Nsuke charged MOSOP leaders at all levels to educate and mobilise the people “to peacefully protest the dangers the security forces now pose to the peace of Ogoniland and resist attempts by the government to trample on the people’s rights.”
The MSOP president assured Ogoni people that freedom is sure.
He said: “The Ogoni demands are legitimate and Nigeria cannot be allowed to continue to trample on citizens’ rights. We will continue to protest the violence and injustice against the Ogoni people until we are truly free and protected like other Nigerians.”

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

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