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Gunmen Attack Abuja, Kidnap Scores

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The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, yesterday, inaugurated a seven-man committee to revitalise some dormant health institutions in the state.
The Implementation Committee, chaired by the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor and the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Princewill Chike, as members.
Others are, the Chairman of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Dr. J. N. Hart; Chief Medical Director of RSUTH, Dr. Friday Aaron; Chief Medical Director of Rivers State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Kenneth Okagwa; and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mrs. Ndidi Uchay; who is to serve as secretary.
Wike charged them to deploy every measure required to revamp the Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital that has been dormant for quite some time.
He urged them to engage competent personnel that would deliver the best results so that the hospital would begin to offer services to the people of the state.
“Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital has not been operational because of litigation over the agreement between International Trauma and Critical Care Centre Limited (ITCC) and the Rivers State Government.
“The committee set up by the State Executive Council made fundamental recommendations. We, therefore, decided to ensure they are implemented immediately without bureaucracy.
“You are saddled with the responsibility of how Kelsey Harrison Hospital should be revitalised and made more functional. It should serve people in the densely populated area of Diobu.
“There will also be the need to hand it over to the Rivers State Hospitals Management Board at the end of the day,” he said.
On the need to reposition the Dental and Maxilo-Facial Hospital to serve Rivers people efficiently, Wike urged the committee to integrate it into RSUTH.
He wondered why such facility would exist and the state teaching hospital would be offering dental services from a makeshift accommodation.
“I also learnt that RSUTH has lost accreditation for internship for dental residency training. So, we have decided that it should be handed over to the teaching hospital in order to retain accreditation,” he stated.
The governor also described as unacceptable the poor financial remittance by the Ashes to Ashes Funeral Limited to RSUTH.
He urged the committee to look at the existing agreement and structure it to benefit the state government.
“Why will the hospital rely totally on government when they charge for the services they render. As a government, we pay salaries of workers and we have fixed modern infrastructure and equipment for the hospital.
“We have to look at the 25:75 per cent revenue sharing ratio between government and the Ashes to Ashes Funeral Limited, and review it.
“It is not right that government that built and equipped the mortuary will be collecting 25 per cent profit and the service provider collects 75 per cent.
“The new arrangement will also create room for the hospital to train pathologists and morticians at no extra cost.
“I believe that members of this committee are quite experienced and you will be expected to submit your report within the next one month,” he added.
In her response, the Chairman of the committee and Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, noted that the governor has never politicised issues of health and education.
She said that the state succeeded in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic because of the governor’s commitment.
“We are quite privileged to be saddled with this responsibility that will further enhance the quality of life of our people in line with your vision.
“We promise that we will attend to this task with utmost sense of urgency to restore the affected health facilities to optimum use,” she added.
Earlier, the Rivers State Executive Council had approved the revamping of the Kelsey Harrison Hospital located in Port Harcourt Local Government Area.
This was part of the resolutions reached at its meeting presided over by Governor Nyesom Wike at Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, the Commissioner for Health, Prof Princewill Chike, said the council also approved the revitalisation of the Dental and Maxilo-Facial Hospital at Garrison Junction in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.
Chike explained that with the approval, the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) would get accreditation for internship for dental residency training by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
He also said council approved the review of the operational agreement between the state government and Ashes to Ashes Funeral Limited on the management of the mortuary at RSUTH.
The proposed agreement, he said, would provide an opportunity for RSUTH to train pathologists and morticians for the state.
Chike said an implementation committee has also been set up for the actualisation of the approvals.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Tonye Oniyide said the council approved the sum of N472, 920, 88million for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Zoological Garden.
Oniyide explained that the approved sum would be used to renovate the administrative block, museum, staff quarters, snack kiosk and the general conveniences.
Also to be rehabilitated is the retaining walls, gate house, outside perimeter wire mesh, and remodelling of the front gate of the premises.
Oniyide said the rehabilitation, when completed, would boost tourism development in the state.

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

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