Niger Delta

Illegal Trading: 100 Arrested, As Hoodlums Attack Task Force Personnel

Published

6 years ago

September 16, 2019

About 100 hoodlums arrested after they attacked personnel of the Rivers State Task Force on Illegal Street Trading, Markets and Motor Parks will be charged to court today.
The task force coordinator, Bright Amaewhule who disclosed this to newsmen at the weekend said the hoodlums had swooped on his men who were enforcing the mandate given to the task force at Rumuokoro in Obio/Apkor Local Government Area of the State.
This, Amaewhule stated amounts to an extention of threat to his life and those of his family since he assumed office and started work as the task force coordinator.
While noting that he will continue to discharge his duties, Amaewhule further said that the hoodlums, including suspected cultists, numbering about 200 used dangerous weapons to attack his men and pelt stones at them in a bid to prevent them from carrying out their duties.
He further disclosed that of the 200 hoodlums, about 100 of them were arrested with the help of security agencies attached to the task force and handed over to the police for interrogation and prosecution.
“First of all at Oil Mill, we were attacked by some suspected cultists and criminal gangs. The suspects are at large and we are believing that we will surely apprehend them.
“While we proceeded to Rumuokoro surprisingly, a group of suspected cultists and criminal gangs came out with arms, machetes and stones to attack us.
“They (hoodlums) were over 200 that attacked us and we were able to apprehend about 100 of them, including the two gang leaders. We have taken them to Operation Sting and they have made useful statements. We will take them to court on Monday,” Amaewhule said.
He however noted that the attack on his men would not deter the task force from sanitizing and decongesting roads in the state.
“I stand firm and because I am working with the spirit of the Almighty God I fear no man and I fear no evil and not even any kind of attack on threat to my life.
“I have been receiving threat on my life and even against my family in the last two, three weeks, but that cannot deter me. I have assured my family that nobody should be afraid of anything. God is on our side!
“We will continue to do our work in so far as we are not witch hunting anybody, either an individual or group of persons. We will do that work which the Governor of Rivers State has assigned to me and my team to do in the State,” the task force coordinator stated.

Dennis Naku

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.

Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.

Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.

He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”

“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.

In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.

“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.

Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.

“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.

The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.

He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.

“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.

“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.

“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.

The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.

Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.

The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.

The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.

Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.

The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.

Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.