Niger Delta

Edo Police Rescue Abducted Kids

Published

6 years ago

May 27, 2019

In its efforts to rid the state of criminal elements, the Edo State Police Command recently made some remarkable achievements
The command also arrested an operator of an illegal orphanage home.
The command’s spokesman, Chidi Nwabuzor in a statement at the weekend said, the command on the 4th of June, 2018 received the compliant of missing children, Christabel Osarounamwen, two years old and Amada Osarounamwen, age four years from their parents Mr. and Mrs. Edosa Osarounamwen of Otesi village Benin City.
Subsequently, the operatives of Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber crime unit through a Hi-Tech intelligence probed into the phone number of one Mary Paul, a co-tenant of the missing children’s parents and it revealed that she was last seen with the children. This intelligence eventually led to the arrest of one Joy Odey, age 33 years at Ondo town in Ondo State. during intensive interrogation, Joy Odey confessed that she received the stolen children Christabel and Amada Osarounamwen from Mary Paul before she disappeared with them to Onitsha in Anambra State where she sold the children to one Rita Eze, age 49 years.
According to the spokesman, Christabel was sold for =N=450,000:00 while Amada was sold for =N=300,000:00.
“Extending investigation to Anambra State, one Rita Eze was arrested and she admitted buying the children from Joy Odey and reselling them to different persons as follows; Amada was sold to one Uju favour while Christabel was sold to one Ogechi Ejike. Uju Favour was arrested and she confessed that she sold Amada to a woman at Ogwashi-uku in Delta State. On enquiry it was revealed that the woman at Ogwashi-Uku is no longer alive and this made it impossible to trace Amada.”
He added that, the commissioner of police Edo State Command, Danmallam Mohamed upon receiving a brief of the case directed the head of Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber crime unit, SP Richard Balogun to go after the rest suspects.
Subsequently, Ogechi Ejike was arrested on 01/05/2019 at Afam community, Rivers State.
She made statement and confessed selling Christabel to one Comfort Dike John who runs Orphanage home at Okigwe in Imo State at the amount of =N=500,000:00. The operatives moved to Okigwe, Imo State where the said Comfort Dike John was arrested, She also made statement and confessed that some Enugu State based business women, Glory Onuoha age 38 years Okeke Chinyere age 39 years, Akubor Evangelina age 38 years, and Ifeoma Adindu age 40 years have conspired and assisted her in selling Christabel to one Anioke Augustina age 48 years old for =N=850,000:00.

Niger Delta

Police Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Edo State has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered multiple firearms and ammunition during a week-long operation targeting cult-related violence in the Benin metropolis.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, disclosed this in a statement made available to The Tide’s source.

Yamu said operatives of the command also seized two locally made pistols, a single-barrel shotgun, and 24 live cartridges during intelligence-led raids.

According to him, the suspects are alleged members of the Maphites, Eiye, and Aye confraternities, which authorities say are responsible for recent cult supremacy killings in the state.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Agbonika, warned youths against joining unlawful societies.

He noted that the commissioner urged parents to monitor their children’s activities.

“These groups destroy futures and end lives, both of members and innocent citizens”, he said.

Of the 95 suspects, he said that 64 had been charged to court, and remanded in custodian center, while investigations continued on the remaining cases.

The command’s spokesperson assured residents of Edo of continued efforts to dismantle cult networks and restore public safety.

Niger Delta

Oyetola Distributes Life Jackets To Water Transportation Users In Bayelsa

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has distribution of 3,500 life jackets to water transportation users in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital.

The Minister said the gesture was part of Federal Government’s efforts to tackle recurring boat mishaps in the country.

Oyetola explained the critical role water transportation had played in the daily lives of Nigerians, particularly in coastal and riverine communities.

He described the life jackets, which were long overdue, as reflecting the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving lives and promoting a safe marine environment.

“What we are doing here today is saving lives. It is that simple. With these life jackets, we are empowering our waterways users, fishermen, traders, students, and transport operators with the basic tools to survive and be safe”, Oyetola said.

The Tide’s source reports that similar life jackets were distributed in Minna, Niger State on April 29.

The programme is part of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s first phase of intervention.

The minister said Bayelsa was a priority in the campaign and commended Governor Douye Diri for aligning with the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.

Oyetola applauded Bayelsa’s creation of a state Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and commitment to the development of the Agge Deep Seaport.

He described the seaport as “transformative and visionary,” capable of reshaping the economic landscape of not just Bayelsa, but the entire South-South region.

“The Agge Deep Seaport will serve as a major maritime gateway, facilitating international trade, reducing congestion at existing ports, create jobs, boost investments, and accelerate development in the Niger Delta.

Oyetola urged all boat operators and passengers to wear life jackets at all times, stressing that safety could not be compromised.

“They are not for decoration, they are for your protection. Safety is everyone’s responsibility”, Oyetola said.

Speaking earlier, Diri commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to harness Nigeria’s maritime potential.

Diri also praised Oyetola for fostering cooperation with Bayelsa and stressed the need for continuous public education on water safety.

“Education about safety on the waterways must be sustained if we are to reduce the tragic loss of lives from boat mishaps”, Diri said.

Niger Delta

C’ River Repeals Essential Drug Programme Law 2002

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has repealed the essential drugs programme law 2002 and passed the state’s Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency bill, 2025 into law.

The bill, which was sponsored by the member representing Boki 2 State Constituency, Mr. Hillary Bisong, was first read at plenary on September 12, 2024.

It was later referred to the House Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security after the second reading.

Speaking on the bill, Bisong, who doubles as the Chairman of the Health Committee, recalled that the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced the Essential Drug Programme globally in 198, noting that in 2002, the programme was passaged in Cross River State.

He, however, said while several provisions of the Essential Drug Programme Law were retained, the new law offered a more comprehensive framework.

“The law was transited from a programme-based structure to a full-fledged agency model, thereby expanding its scope of operation to meet the present day healthcare delivery realities.

‘’The proposed agency will take charge of enforcement of standards for proper management and distribution and overseeing circulation of drugs and health commodities across the state,’’ he explained.

In separate contributions, the lawmakers unanimously supported the bill, maintaining that the proposed agency would enhance the performance of the existing health insurance scheme as well as create employment opportunities.

Expressing happiness over the passage of the bill, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, said the 10th Assembly would continue to enhance good governance through people-oriented legislation.