Niger Delta

COVID 19: Churches’ Compliance Excites Commissioner

Published

5 years ago

April 2, 2020

Rivers State Commissioner for Power, Elder Damiete Hebert Miller has rated very high the level of compliance by churches in Degema Local Government Area on social distancing.
The commissioner said this during a tour of some churches and other worship centres in the local government area to observe their level of compliance to Government directive on social distancing.
He said the churches had shown that they were in support of government’s effort to curb the dreaded coronavirus pandemic.
“We went to St. Alban’s Anglican Church, Obuama, First Baptist Church Degema Town and other smaller churches including the children sessions in the local government area and were very much impressed on how the church managements complied to governor’s directives in the aspect of maintaining social distancing, running-washing water, sanitizer placed at strategic positions of the churches,” the commissioner said.
Miller also urged the churches to provide the faithful with nose masks and hand gloves in addition to the existing released materials.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development, Dr Rowland Obed White, the Director, Federal Road Maintenance Agency, Mr. Believe Igani and the Coordinator, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Degema Local Government Branch, Mr. Isobe Bille who were on the Commissioner’s entourage expressed gratitude for the level of compliance which the faithful in the Degema Local Government Area displayed.
They encouraged the church managements to continue to oblige to the instruction of hand washing and sanitiser for safety of their lives.
Responding, the Vicar of St. Alban’s Anglican Church, Ven Simeon L. Nteil and that of First Baptist Church, Deacon S.T. Okueno and the CDC Chairman Obuama Community, Mr. Harry Clifford Ibanibo respectively said that they were impressed on the proactive, measures the government had taken to ensure “the dreaded disease called Covid-19 (Coronavirus) does not come here”.
They also pleaded with the government to provide the people with the “temperature gauge”, nose masks and hand glove for their protection.

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.