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Quit Notice: RSG Grants 21-Day Extension To Street Traders, Others …Mulls New Security Measure In Rivers

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The Rivers State Government has announced a 21-day extension of the initial deadline given to street traders, car sales operators, mechanics and operators of private commercial vehicle parks to quit Port Harcourt streets and roads.
A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, yesterday, indicated that, “His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike, has graciously extended by 21 days, the deadline given to those involved in the illegal use of the streets of Port Harcourt for street trading, car sales, mechanic workshops and private taxi parks”.
The statement noted that, “As a responsive government, the new deadline of July 21, 2019, is to assist those involved in the aforementioned businesses to adjust to the new reality.
“Therefore, all those concerned are advised to reciprocate the magnanimity of the state government by ensuring that they do not fall foul of this directive, as government will not extend this second deadline”.
It further said that, “The Task Force set up for this purpose will impound the goods of defaulters. Impounded goods would be forfeited.
“All well-meaning residents of Rivers State are encouraged to join hands with Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to restore the Garden City status of Port Harcourt”, the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has disclosed that the state government plans to initiate a comprehensive security architecture that would improve peace in all parts of the state.
Wike also stated that his administration would continue to encourage security operatives who support the state government to fight crime in different communities.
He spoke, last Monday, during the meeting with chiefs and security officials from Ahoada East and Ahoada West local government areas at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
The governor said, “Very soon, we will roll out comprehensive security architecture for the State to improve security in all communities of the state.
“The state government is committed to encouraging security operatives who assist us in improving security in our communities. Today, we are honouring the area commander of Ahoada East and West and the JTF Commander of Ahoada.
“They have placed their lives on the line to defend our people. It is not easy. Now that they are alive, it is for us to appreciate them. This will encourage others to serve the state. These officers have shown that they are prepared to defend the state and fight”.
On the decision by Ekpeye youths to turn a new leaf and surrender their arms and embrace peace, Wike directed the police to bind over the youths so that they don’t return to crime.
He regretted that criminal activities have negatively affected the development of Ekpeye Kingdom.
“If you have volunteered to embrace peace and drop your arms, the state government will support you. Nobody will arrest you.
“If the police bind you over, the Rivers State Government will rehabilitate you. I want peace in all communities of the state because government cannot execute projects where there is no peace”, he said.
Wike assured Ekpeye people that his administration would develop platforms that would encourage oil companies to employ the youths of host communities.
In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Ehie Edison urged the Rivers State governor to forgive the youths and encourage them on the path of peace.
“We are aware of your selfless efforts to ensure that peace returns to Rivers State. It will be insensitive for us not to take the lead and support you in Ekpeye land”, he said.
Edison said that the least that Ekpeye leaders can do was to create the right environment for peace to return to the area, and urged the governor to give Ekpeye leaders two weeks to mop up arms in the communities.
Also speaking, Eze Igbu-Upata, Dr Felix Otuwarikpo said that 113 youths had earlier surrendered their weapons, with another 216 youths joining the programme, last weekend.
He said that Ekpeye leaders were committed to peace in the area, hence they ensured the arrest and prosecution of a local gun manufacturer, adding that Ekpeye people were not in support of criminality.
He assured the governor that more arms would be mopped up by community leaders in the next two weeks.
The service commanders presented the cash gifts of the Rivers State Government to the security officials.
It would be recalled that Ekpeye leaders worked out a traditional amnesty programme which led to local criminals surrendering their arms in a ceremony at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last week.

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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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