News
Rivers Pipeline Explosion Death Toll Hits 46 …LG Boss Sets Up C’ttee
The death toll from last Saturday’s pipeline explosion in Kom Kom community, Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State has risen to 46, even as the community has begun profiling victims.
The Tide gathered reliably that three more corpses were removed from the scene of the unfortunate incident, last Wednesday, bringing the number of dead victims to 43.
Leader of the youths evacuating the corpses, Ethel Wokobia told newsmen that the three more corpses were recovered, last Wednesday evening, even as he said bodies were still trapped in the swamp.
He further said that they had informed those whose family members were still missing to check the swamp for possible identification and recovery.
Neither the police nor any agency of government is yet to make known the official casualty figure; though a team of four youths evacuating the corpses gave figures daily, based on their recovery efforts.
However, a register for families who lost loved ones in the incident has been opened in the community, as residents are expected to write their names and the number of their family members missing.
The Tide reports that as at Wednesday, no fewer than 26 families have written their names, with victims numbering 29.
Meanwhile, the Oyigbo Local Government Council Chairman, Hon Gerald Oforji has set up a five-man probe committee to ascertain the causes of the explosion.
Offorji, who inaugurated the committee at the council headquarters in Okoloma-Afam, described the explosion as one of the worst incidents in the area.
The LG chairman, who said that the incident had caused untold hardship on the people, also called for compensation for the families of the victims.
Responding on behalf of the committee, Hon Ndubuisi Okere, assured that the committee would never fail to deliver on their task, saying, “We will work as a team to deliver in the interest of Oyigbo”.
In a related development, the Oyigbo Local Government Council Chairman, Hon Gerald Oforji has said that the youths were losing patience over the deplorable condition of Afam-Obete Road, which, according to him, was a Federal Government road.
Oforji said this, yesterday, at the council hall during a meeting with security heads, traditional rulers, CDCs, youths and women leaders, and all key stakeholders in the LGA.
He decried the alleged negligence on the part of Federal Government having written series of letters on the said road.
“A council that produces over 20 per cent of the nation’s economy should not be allowed to suffer untold hardship. Afam-Obete road cannot be built by the council or state. It is Federal Government road as such we expect the needful to be done on the road”, he said, adding that the security meeting was in consonance with the directive of the State Chief Executive to ensure peaceful environment.
John Bibor & Dennis Naku
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
-
News22 hours ago
Obuah’s Victory Excites Former Lawmaker as APC Primaries Conclude in Rivers West
-
Politics3 days agoAPC PRIMARIES: FUBARA’S WITHDRAWAL, HISTORIC SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ……. GROUP
-
News3 days agoCourt Sentences Seven To Death Over Murder Of Cleric In Rivers
-
News23 hours ago
105 Nigerians Killed In S/Africa In Seven Years
-
Sports3 days agoPH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
-
Politics3 days agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
Politics3 days agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries
-
Politics3 days agoEx-IGP Defects To SDP After APC Primary Fiasco