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We’ll End Serial Killings In Rivers, CP Assures
The Rivers State Police Command has vowed to end the menace of hotel killings in the State, just as it disclosed the arrest of another suspected serial killer at the Rumuokoro axis of Port Harcourt.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mustapha Dandaura disclosed this when about 74 women groups led by the Rotary Club protested to the command’s Headquarters in Port Harcourt, yesterday, over the killing of young women in hotels in the state.
Some of the groups that joined the protest include, ‘Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA), among others.
Dandaura further disclosed that the latest suspect was arrested while trying to strangle a young lady with a white towel in a hotel room they lodged; just as he said that no fewer than nine young women have been killed in the same circumstance in the state in the past two months.
He stated that two previous suspected serial killers arrested earlier were still in police custody and giving useful information, noting that the third suspect was picked up in the early hours of Tuesday.
The state police boss said, “We already have two suspects in custody. I am glad to announce to you that we have arrested a third suspect at a hotel in Rumuokoro.
“He locked the door, we had to force the suspect to open the door, and we now saw a lady there. A young lady and a middle-aged man so to say. We now asked them what happened. The lady said that he took her and booked that hotel room, and in the night while she was asleep, the man wanted to strangle her with a towel”.
Dandaura assured the protesting women that the command would arrest those responsible for the killing.
“We want to assure each and every one of you here that the command will not relent in our effort to see that these cultists who go around killing these innocent women are brought to book.
“It is a cultist activity. I discovered that all the victims that were killed, they used to put a white cloth round their waist or round their neck. So, it is a sign that it is a cultist activity going on.
“It is not only one person doing it. They are a group. We will continue to pursue them and make sure that we get rid of this menace that is going on. Efforts are on the ground to end this serial killing in Rivers and we will do that,” he assured.
Earlier, the protesting groups led by the Rotary Club, had asked security agencies to be tough on crime in a bid to fish out those responsible for the killing of young women in hotels in Port Harcourt.
The women said this during a peace walk to some institutions, including the State Police Command, the Department of State Services (DSS) and Government House, Port Harcourt during which they presented a petition to them.
President of Rotary Club, Port Harcourt South, Rita Marley, said that the women in the state were worried over the killings, and called on government and security agencies to step up their operations to ensure that perpetrators of the act were arrested and prosecuted.
“We are saying that a thorough, unbiased and speedy investigation by the police should be looked into in all the killings. We also want a public apology to be made by the police regarding the statement that all the women being killed are prostitutes. We are also saying that all hotels should have a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Camera.
Also speaking, former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, stressed the need for people in authority to be held accountable on issues of security.
The group demanded justice for the families of female victims who have been murdered by the killers within the state.
The walk was a sequel to the alleged recent killing of women in some hotels in Port Harcourt.
With the dress code, ‘All Black’ which symbolises fear, mystery, death, evil, and aggression, authority, rebellion among other things, the groups came out en masse to register their grievances in the way to fish out the serial killers in the state.
From the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, where the walk kicked off, the female groups in their numbers went around the city.
They carried placards with different inscriptions, including, “The serial killers who called a woman prostitute should apologize”, “We demand justice and for those victims who have been killed”, “We are not saved anymore”, among other things.
According to the groups, “Women should not be killed rather they should be protected from the hands of ritual killers and ensure that families of those killed get justice”.
Similarly, the Rivers State House of Assembly has joined in the crusade to condemn the recent murder of young girls in hotels across Port Harcourt and environs.
This formed part of the resolution of the House during plenary, yesterday, as a three-man committee headed by Hon. Kelechi Wogu was set up to liaise with other relevant agencies to check the menace.
The resolution was a result of a motion presented by Hon. Sam Ogeh of Emohua Constituency, together with Chairperson, House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon Linda Stewart of Okrika Constituency.
Both Ogeh and Stewart had through their motion, raised alarm over the recent murder of young ladies by yet-to-be uncovered syndicate at various hotels in Port Harcourt.
Already, the police had put the figures of victims at nine.
Ogeh submitted that, “It appears that there is no end to it and the recent protests by different women groups call for action.”
He emphasized that the hotels have the moral duty to protect the lives of their guests as provided by the law, and “it has come to a point such that as a responsible House, we have to add our voice to this problem”.
Before subjecting the motion to debate and vote, Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi -Owaji Ibani said, “This is a basic and underlying motion that should be taken seriously.”
He hailed the security agencies for the arrest so far made, while commending the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for the security measures put in place to secure lives and property in the state.
Kevin Nengia, Dennis Naku & Nancy Gbarabuleh
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to smuggle illicit substances concealed in carton walls, winter jackets, and body cream containers through Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a Lagos-based courier firm.
The agency said two consignments bound for Italy were intercepted at the Lagos airport, leading to the arrest of suspects linked to the shipments.
In a statement released yesterday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said one of the suspects, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was intercepted on Friday, March 20, 2026, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Rome, Italy.
The statement partly read, “Two of the consignments heading to Italy were to be moved through the Lagos airport where two suspects linked to the shipments were promptly arrested.
“One of them, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was going to Rome, Italy on Friday, March 20, 2026, when he was intercepted while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight with 2,698 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in containers of skin-lightening body cream, all packed in the suspect’s luggage.
“In his statement, Ehianuka, who is a resident of Milan, confirmed that he was to be paid a negotiated fee in Euros if he had succeeded in trafficking the consignment to Italy.”
In another operation on Wednesday, March 18, Babafemi said NDLEA officers at the departure hall intercepted another passenger, Christian Agbonhese, attempting to board a Lufthansa flight to Milan.
A search of his luggage uncovered 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg, 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg, and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg concealed in two large winter jackets.
“No fewer than 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg; 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg; and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg, all concealed in two large winter jackets, bringing the total number of opioids recovered from him to 28,470 pills. The 38-year-old Agbonhese is also a resident of Milan,” the statement added.
In a separate operation at a courier firm in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA officers on Monday, March 16, intercepted two parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 1kg, hidden in a carton shipped from the United States.
“Also thwarted was an attempt to export 158 grams of methamphetamine concealed in the walls of a carton to New Zealand,” he said.
In Kano State, operatives arrested Abdulkadir Mamuda, 35, with 102.5kg of skunk at Dan-Tsalle, while another suspect, Uche Johnson Festus, 47, was nabbed at Naibawa Gabas with 95.5kg of the same substance.
Babafemi said the agency also recovered 21,737 bottles of codeine-based syrup during a raid at Otto, Ijora area of Lagos on Wednesday, March 18, adding that two suspects, Chidiebere Anigbogu and Paul Nwagbara, were arrested the same day on the Third Mainland Bridge while conveying 8,380 bottles of the syrup.
In Edo State, operatives recovered 97.5kg of skunk from the residence of Akeem Idde, 37, in Ojah, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area on March 16.
In the FCT, officers intercepted a commercial bus along the Gwagwalada Expressway on March 18, recovering 91,840 pills of tramadol hidden in body compartments of the vehicle. The driver, Aminu Ali, 27, was arrested.
In Oyo State, a suspect, Bankole Bari, was on Tuesday, March 17, arrested at Oke-Oyan, Ibarapa LGA, with 71.2kg of skunk, which he smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic through the Oyan River.
In a similar development, “Not less than 586,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 were recovered by NDLEA operatives from Lawal Anas, 28, along Kaduna-Zaria Highway, Kaduna, on Tuesday, March 17, while 7,290 tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized from Musa Shuaibu, 22, at the same location on Friday, March 20,” Babafemi said.
In Taraba State, officers intercepted Aliyu Adamu, 26, along the Takum-Jalingo Highway with 77,660 capsules of tramadol, while in Adamawa State, six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 82.8kg of tramadol in a truck in Yola.
The suspects include Ramatu Aliyu, Jungudo Abdullahi, Najid Abdullahi, Musa Mohammed, Usman Abdulrahim, and Musa Mohammed.
The agency said its commands across the country also intensified War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, and communities during the week.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Oyo, FCT, Taraba, and Adamawa commands for the arrests and seizures, urging them to sustain the balanced approach to drug control efforts.
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RSG Applauds FRSC, NDLEA For Enhancing Security In Rivers …As NDLEA Pushes For Drug Tests In Schools, NYSC Camps
The Rivers State Government has commended the dedication and collaboration of federal government agencies in sustaining security in the State.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the State Commander of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), CN Bature Dawa, in Port Harcourt, last week, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, said Governor Siminalayi Fubara appreciates the strong synergy between the agencies in promoting his administration’s vision of peace, prosperity and progress in the State.
Wokoma urged residents to remain law-abiding, noting that respect for the law is essential for good governance and sustainable development in all parts of the state.
He stated that the governor has remained committed to initiatives that promote peace and social order, stressing that the administration will continue to support programmes of federal agencies aimed at strengthening security and public safety.
“Our governor is committed to peace, progress and prosperity in Rivers State. I therefore encourage all residents, especially young people who are often targeted by those involved in drug abuse, to stay away from drugs, crime and reckless driving,” he said.
In his remarks, the State NDLEA boss, Dawa, disclosed that the agency has arrested 39 suspects in the state from December 2025 to date, including 16 new cases currently under investigation.
He explained that the NDLEA, through its Drug Demand Reduction and Drug Supply Control Units, has intensified efforts to curb the spread of illicit drugs and ensure offenders are brought to justice.
Dawa also called on parents and guardians to closely monitor their children, while urging hotel owners and managers to remain vigilant and prevent their facilities from being used for drug-related activities.
He further advocated the introduction of drug integrity tests in schools and within the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as part of measures to discourage drug abuse among young people.
In a related development, Dr Wokoma received the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), CC Inyang Umoh, during a courtesy visit, and urged residents to abide by road safety laws and drive in consideration of other road users.
In his remarks, the FRSC boss expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the continuous support to the Corps.
Muslims in Rivers State have commended Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his dedication and commitment to the development of the state.
They also lauded the governor for promoting peaceful co-existence among various religious groups in the state.
Vice President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs ,Alhaji Nasil Awhelegbe Uhor, gave the commendation last Friday during the Eid-el Fitri prayer to mark the end of Ramadan fasting period, at the Port Harcourt Central Mosque, Niger Street, Port Harcourt.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the prayer, Alhaji Uhor said Governor Fubara has shown exemplary leadership in the affairs of the state.
Uhor who is the leader of the South South Muslim Ummah of Nigeria, called on Muslims to remain committed to the ideal of peace and fear of the Almighty Allah.
According to the Rivers State Islamic leader, the message is for Muslims to imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink into their lives and shape their ways of doing things.
He urged Muslims to imbibe the culture of love and respect for one another.
“My message is that all Muslims should imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink with them,” he advised.
Uhor stressed the need for Muslims and all Nigerians to remain patriotic, while avoiding all forms of anti-social behaviours.
He also called on the political leaders to put the country first, stressing that there is no need for Nigerians to continue to wallow in abject poverty when the country is so rich with natural resources.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Rivers State, Alhaji Ibrahim S Yalo, urged Muslims to fear God, and speak the truth always.
According to him, time has come for Nigerians to cultivate the habit of peaceful coexistence, speak the truth and be each others keeper.
“Nigerians own a duty to ensure peace, live together in fear of God and speak the truth always,” he said.
By: John Bibor