Niger Delta

COVID-19: Bayelsa Confirms 54 New Cases

Published

5 years ago

June 17, 2020

The Bayelsa state taskforce on the corona virus disease, Covid-19 says it has recorded 54 new cases in the state.

A press statement made available to The Tide Wednesday by the taskforce indicates that the 54 new confirmed cases were part of a total new 76 covid-19 sample cases tested which returned positive within the past weeks.

The statement quoted the Deputy chairman of the state Covid-19 taskforce and permanent secretary of the state Ministry of Health,Dr Inodu Apoku to have said:

“In the past two weeks, we have had over three hundred pending samples of COVID -19 suspected cases in various COVID -19 laboratories across the South-South.”

“The laboratories were having issues with reagents and supplies and as such the delays in returning results.Yesterday, we received results from Seventy – six samples. Fifty – four of these returned positive for COVID -19”, he added.

Apoku noted that with the confirmed 54 new cases,the state now has cumulative 86 confirmed covid-19 cases.

The taskforce stated that eleven of these new cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases in the state just as they said Eight out of the 54 new cases are Health care givers,saying all the new positive cases are being reached by the taskforce and counselled for evacuation to the state covid-19 isolation facilities.

“This brings the total number of confirmed cases to eighty-six in the State. We are expecting more test results from today as well.
Eleven of these positive cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases. Eight are health care professionals. All the positive cases are being reached and counselled for evacuation to our Isolation Facilities. All their contacts are being line listed and adequately followed up including necessary environmental decontamination”, the taskforce reiterated.

“Samples have and are still being collected from their high -risk contacts while they have all been counselled on self-quarantine. Risk communication and community engagement are ongoing”, the taskforce noted.

Apoku restated that the tadkforce sends an averagely of forty samples on daily basis to the UPTH Reference and other Laboratories across the South -South zone,reiterating that the core of the state COVID -19 containment strategy is mitigation, aggressive testing,isolation treatment and conducting robust contacts tracing.

‘It is also now apparent we are dealing with community transmission. We are leaving no stone unturned to ensure we have our own Molecular laboratory in the State following the donation of a brand-new RT -PCR Machine by the SHELL Joint Partners to the State. The State Government Quarantine Facility has since being admitting contacts who are unable to self-quarantine. They have been very cooperative while enjoying the luxury provided at this centre”,the Deputy chairman added.

By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

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.