Niger Delta

Insecurity: Lawmaker Decries Killings In Rivers LGA

Published

6 years ago

August 24, 2020

Sequel to the recently rise in cult clashes and related killings in some communities in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, the member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dumnamene Dekor, has called on chiefs, elders and youths of the affected communities to make available names of cult gang members who are directly involved in the killings, including their sponsors to the security agencies to immediately come after them.
He made the call last Saturday in an interview after a visit to Bangha, Baa-Lorre, and Luebe communities in where cult clashes have claimed lives of gang rivals, and other innocent persons in the communities.
In a statement signed by Hon. Dumnamene Dekor and made available to The Tide by his Media Aide, Nwazim, Barikui Clever, Dekor said, “I understand that in Bangha communities, six (6) persons were killed within the spate of two weeks and I’m informed that those ones were cultists who fought and killed themselves, but of course they live in the midst of people and whatever they do has some negative multiplier effects on the society.
“We have also visited Baa-Lorre where the paramount ruler, by name Chief Cletus Mene was killed and his house burnt down by assailants who pointed guns at him in the name of cultism. Also in Lua Luebe, a community in Khana LGA, one Chief Neeka Alumaa, chief of the community was also murdered in cold blood and we have visited the scenes of the crimes and have condoled with their family members. I appeal that it is high time those who are into these nefarious activities turned a new leaf to be prepared to face the full wrath of the law from the government”.
The federal lawmaker condemned the inhuman acts describing them as dastardly.
He however applauded the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Bori Police Division, SP Bako Angbasim, for his swift response and determination to fighting crimes and criminality in Khana LGA despite the distance between some communities where these crimes took place and the Bori Divisional Police headquarters.
He explained that ugly events like cult killings were some of the reasons he has consistently advocated for community policing.
He disclosed that he had written an application to the Inspector General of Police to approve another police division in Khana LGA, stating that the Rivers State Government has supported the gesture and would soon have approval.
He urged the security Agencies to go after the cult gangs as efforts are on ground to prevail on the chiefs, elders and youths of the affected communities to name those directly involved including their sponsors, declaring Government readiness to provide all necessary support and logistics to provide solution to the ugly events.
Also speaking, the Hon. Commissioner for Special Duties Rivers State, Dr. Bariere Thomas Ariar, said, “the visit is a sign that Rivers State Government is concerned about the safety and security of the people of Khana, hence, an assurance that all hope is not lost”. He called on them to go about their lawful businesses and assured that all those who have committed these crimes will face the full wrath of the law.
The visit had onboard; Special Adviser to the Rivers Government on project monitoring and implementation, Hon Austin Sor,
Hon. Barr Dinebari Loolo, former Deputy Majority Leader, RSHA, Rivers State PDP Publicity Sec Hon. Tambari Sydney Gbara, PDP Assistant Organising Secretary 1, Hon. Sunny Daniels, Hon. Gbara Erelo, past CTC chairman Khana LGA, Dr. Peter Kaananwiidum, PDP Stakeholder, Hon. Lenebari Saro, PDP Chairman, Khana LGA, the Councillor representing ward 19 in Khana Legislative Assembly, Hon. Lesor Emmanuel, and many PDP Stakeholders across Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency.

Niger Delta

Stakeholders In Delta Seek Stronger GBV Action, Women’s Leadership

Published

5 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Stakeholders in Delta State convened in Asaba for a leadership workshop organised by Otdel Health Heritage and Environmental Initiative (OHHEI), focusing on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and women’s participation in decision-making processes.

OHHEI Project Director, Mr. Peter Olayinka, represented by a consultant, Juliet Obiajulu, urged participants to contribute meaningfully toward advancing women’s leadership and combating GBV across communities in the state.

He said the workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity to influence policies, challenge harmful cultural norms, and reinforce initiatives designed to prevent and respond to GBV.

Olayinka said women often faced bias even when they occupied leadership positions, and stressed that gender diversity improved the quality of decision-making and promoted innovation and accountability in governance structures.

Speaking, the Chairperson of the Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Mr Eris Jewo-Ibi, identified cultural norms, domestic responsibilities, political resistance, and grassroots barriers as constraints to women’s participation.

Delta State GBV Desk Officer, Mrs. Rosemary Okpuno, emphasised that effective decision-making required women’s perspectives, adding that inclusion remained critical to addressing persistent gender-based challenges.

Voke Angbagh of the Delta State Ministry of Justice outlined penalties for rape and called for the establishment of special courts to handle sexual offences cases.

Angbagh said frequent adjournments delayed justice for survivors, stressing that dedicated sexual offences courts would ensure timely trials and stronger protection for victims in Delta State.

The Tide’s source reports that facilitators identified cultural acceptance of violence, unequal power relations, discrimination, poverty, limited education, and low self-esteem as major drivers of GBV.

They emphasised that violence and exclusion resulted in social, physical and emotional harm, imposed economic costs, reinforced harmful stereotypes, and widened existing gender inequalities.

The source also reports that OHHEI, a local non-profit organisation, focuses on education, health, environment, and social justice, promoting sustainable development initiatives with gender equality at the centre of its interventions.

Niger Delta

C’River Suspends Taskforce Activities Over Drivers’ Protest

Published

5 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has suspended all taskforce activities connected to commercial transportation and ticketing across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Otu, announced the suspension at an emergency stakeholders meeting on Friday in Calabar.

It would be recalled that commercial drivers in Calabar metropolis took to streets on Thursday to protest alleged multiple taxation and extortion by government agencies.

During the protest, the drivers alleged that taskforce groups claiming to represent the state government openly harassed and extorted them.

Represented at the meeting by Ekpenyong Akiba, his Special Adviser on General Duties, Otu said the suspension would subsist pending further review of the situation.

The Governor stated that the state government did not commission anyone to extort drivers in the name of task force.

He urged commercial drivers and other road users to remain law-abiding while government worked out a lasting solution.

On his part, the Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Calabar Metropolis, Mr. Sunday Dennis, expressed optimism that the dialogue would yield positive results.

He said the meeting had provided an opportunity for the aggrieved commercial drivers to present their concerns directly to the state government.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Unified Drivers Association, Mr. Nta Henshaw, described the harassment on drivers as worrisome, and urged the state government to be decisive in resolving the matter.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Assembly Urges More Private Investments In Agriculture

Published

5 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has called for more private sector investments in agriculture.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Moses Essien, made the call when the committee visited Aviclaire Farms, a private establishment in Usung Idem, Uruk Usoh in Abak Local Government Area.

Essien, who represents Ibiono Ibom in the Assembly, commended the Management of the farm for partnering an NGO, ECEWS, to promote private investment in agriculture.

He commended the partners for adopting climate-smart agriculture initiatives in their operations, adding that such move would promote food security.

“Your interest in using transformative intervention to promote food security is a veritable way of complementing the efforts of the state government,” he said.

The lawmaker continued that adopting practical climate-smart agriculture model would help to generate employment, improve nutrition outcomes, and strengthen food sufficiency.

He further said he was impressed with the strides recorded by the partners, saying, “your investment has created jobs for no fewer than 2,000 youths.

”You are an example of an environment-friendly investor. I urge Akwa Ibom residents to embrace environment-friendly and technology-driven agriculture models,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, ECEWS, Dr. Andy Eyo, who conducted the committee round the farm, said the collaboration was conceived to demonstrate the viability of climate-smart farming in ensuring food sufficiency.

Eyo said the farm, which commenced operations with four greenhouses, had expanded to 14 within two years, and currently supplying high-quality produce to major markets in Uyo and neighbouring communities.

He said ECEWS was exploring cooperative frameworks to enable rural farmers and women’s groups to adopt greenhouse technology for sustainable livelihoods.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Aviclaire Farms, Mrs. Victoria Eyo, said the controlled-environment ensured precision cultivation and consistent yields.

She further said the farm served as a capacity-building centre for students, interns, and agri-business trainees.