News
Kidnapped Wike’s Aide, Nte Regains Freedom …As Gunmen Kill Policemen, Five Others In Rivers
The Police in Rivers State have rescued the former chairperson of Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mrs Emilia Rogers Nte, who was, last Friday night, kidnapped at gun point by unknown gunmen at her home in Uyeada.
The Rivers State Police spokesman, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the good news last night.
He said she was rescued by the police but didn’t give details.
It would be recalled that gunmen had allegedly shot her on the thigh before taking her away during her abduction.
Nte had also served as a Special Adviser to Governor Nyesom Wike.
The kidnap took place exactly, two weeks after a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monwan Etete and his elder brother were killed by unknown gunmen in Asarama, in the same LGA.
It was not clear whether the kidnap was politically-motivated or a separate incident of kidnapping for pecuniary gains.
Information from credible source from Andoni who does not want his name mentioned, confirmed the incident.
According to the source, the gunmen first shot her on the thigh before taking her away.
It was initially speculated that she was dead, but a close family member of the abducted politician had corrected the impression, saying she was still alive.
Andoni is the local government area of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus.
Also, no fewer than six persons including a policeman on election duty were killed at separate locations across the state.
Spokesman of the state Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, had said, last Friday that the police officer was killed when he and his colleagues tried to rescue Mrs. Nte, from kidnappers who eventually succeeded in whisking her off to an unknown destination.
According to him, “Emilia was not killed; she was only kidnapped by unknown gunmen. It was only a policeman that lost his life in that incident.
“It was in an attempt to rescue her we lost a policeman. So, she was kidnapped.
Nte, a PDP chieftain in Andoni LGA, was snatched at gunpoint at her home in Unyeaba community, Andoni LGA.
Meanwhile, four persons, two of them were beheaded at Luawii community in Khana Local Government Area of the state by unknown gunmen during the election and their heads taken away by suspected cultists.
Sources said some gunmen invaded the community about 7am, last Saturday, shot sporadically, destroying cars and houses and reportedly killed four persons.
Confirming the killings, Chief Security Officer of Khana LGA, Letam Kine called on security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the wicked act.
Also, the Youth President of Luawii community, Bariere Fadeh and the President, National Union of Luawii Students Worldwide, Comrade Egere Smith have condemned the killings.
Fadeh said, “Some unknown gunmen came to our place, entered Luawe community and killed about four persons, destroyed houses and burnt cars. I am appealing to the Rivers State Government to intervene in the matter.
On his part, Smith said, “We are calling on the Government of Rivers State and the security agencies to immediately intervene in the occurrence of the unknown gunmen that invaded Luawii community by 7am (on Saturday). So far, four deaths have been recorded,” he stated.
When contacted, Omoni said the command was yet to receive information concerning the violence in Khana.
Also in Ahoada West LGA, the Chairman of the council, Hon. Hope Ikiriko confirmed that one person was killed in the area.
Ikiriko also alleged that men in military uniform also invaded and intimidated voters there.
“They were in police and SARS uniform. Some of them we could say are fake policemen, but some are real SARS officers because we could identify two or three of them who have been consistent since the Presidential elections and now.
“We have got some evidence. Anyway they shot at one of our supporters directly and shot another one on the leg and then, when we raised an alarm, they drove off. One of them died instantly,” the council boss said.
Dennis Naku
The ECOWAS Parliament has adopted a budget of 19,636,030 Units of Account (UA) (26 million dollars) for the 2026 fiscal year, and announced plans to commemorate its 25th anniversary in November.
The Speaker of the Parliament, Hadjia Memounatou Ibrahima, who announced this, said the development followed the recent conclusion of its 2025 Second Extraordinary Session in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
She said the budget was adopted by the Parliament during plenary, stressing that, beyond being a mere accounting act, it was the engine of parliament’s commitment to West Africans.
”It will enable us to carry out our priority missions, including implementing the conclusions of the seminar on AI, while ensuring virtuous and transparent management of public funds entrusted to us.
”This budget represents a five per cent increase compared to the 2025 fiscal year budget, reflecting an upward adjustment of UA 939,233 from last year’s UA 18,996,897.
”Out of the budget of UA 19,636,030 for 2026, the sum of UA19, 368,394 representing 98.64 per cent is expected to be financed through the proceeds from the Community Levy, while UA257,636, equivalent to 1.36 per cent, will accrue from other sources,” Ibrahima said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ECOWAS Community Levy is a mandatory 0.5 per cent tax imposed on goods imported into ECOWAS member states from non-ECOWAS countries.
Member states are under statutory obligation to pay the community levy, which is the main source of funding for ECOWAS institutions and their activities.
Ibrahima, however, expressed dismay that some members of the community were still defaulting on the payment of the levy, and warned that, going forward; such would be met with sanctions.
She also said that the commemoration of its 25th anniversary in November would highlight the ECOWAS Parliament’s achievements in deepening regional democracy, cooperation and growth, amid formidable challenges.
The Speaker described the forthcoming anniversary as “a chance to showcase resilience and chart a more innovative, youth-focused future for the community”.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
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