Niger Delta

Journalist In Police Net For Alleged Blackmail

Published

5 years ago

November 2, 2020

A practising journalist-cum contractor in Rivers State, Mr. Innocent Amadi, appears to have shot himself on the leg this time around in his crass ambition to get-rich quick.

The ‘’Independent Monitor Newspaper’’ reporter, who specialises in blackmailing his victims into submission for the purposes of extorting huge amounts of money from them, was, last Wednesday, caught red handed by the police in the civil service commission, while trying to perfect a scam operation.

The Tide learnt that he is now cooling his feet in the police cell awaiting trial.

According to an eyewitness account, the journalist made himself available to a plot to steal copies of Eze Mike Elechi’s certificates and other documents at the State Civil Service Commission, which Chief Okechukwu Okah’s group claimed, were fake in order to implicate and embarrass the former permanent secretary with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Tide gathered that Amadi equally went to Elechi and played out the rehearsed storyline, urging his victim to part with a specific sum of money in order to ‘’kill’’ the story to avoid the embarrassment.

However, Elechi smelt a rat and told him that he was not interested as he was sure his certificates were real and genuinely earned.

The sources further narrated how the suspect, who has benefited a lot from his latest victim, suddenly turned to Judas Iscariot, and pitched his tent with Okah’s camp, which had assembled some journalists and directed them to procure Elechi’s documents at the CSC for the purpose of blackmail and character assassination.

According to sources, the Okah’s camp also planned to use such publication to further their court case against Elechi, alleging he became permanent secretary fraudulently.

The journalist eventually approached an administrative officer in charge of the Records in the civil service commission (name withheld) for the deal, lured the young man with his company’s (Ideca & Sons Service Nig) Polaris Bank cheque: No 47923729 valued at N50,000.00, promising to issue another cheque with an increased figure at the end of the deal, when all the service records of Elechi have been procured.

The storekeeper accepted the offer and started bringing out the documents in piece-meal but became dithery, and decided not to cash the cheque on September 17, 2020, but rather informed the CSC authorities, for necessary action.

The authorities, it was learnt, asked him to play along with the suspect and his group to a logical conclusion.

“On Monday, October 26, 2020, the duo agreed to meet at the civil service commission to conclude their transaction but the coast was not clear, and it was postponed to Wednesday, October 28, 2020.

“At this point, the authorities of the CSC felt it was time to call in the police to pick the culprit, especially with all the evidence gathered, including the video/audio recording gathered of their conversations.

“And so, on the D-Day, the police laid ambush at the civil service commission, and the traitor eventually surfaced, collected an envelope containing all the documents needed, and was happily hurrying out when he was arrested and forced into the police van after a fierce struggle.

“The Omerelu-born journalist in Ikwere LGA of Rivers State, in his confessional statement to the police, confirmed that his master, Chief Okechukwu Okah, assembled some journalists with a mouth-watering offer, and contracted them to procure the documents in order to use same to make a publication to boost his court case against Elechi”, the source added.

When contracted, Eze Mike Elechi, said that has left Innocent Amadi with his conscience and God, and urged the government to go to any length to unravel all the reasons why some people storm the office to steal the records of retired and serving officers of the state civil service.

The suspect was later arraigned before a Magistrate Court, where he was granted bail after taking his plea.

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

5 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The National Population Commission (NPC), on Friday, launched the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (eCRVS) in Delta State, designed to strengthen data generation and vital statistics management.

The Tide’s source reports that the system was launched by the Delta Federal Commissioner, Mrs. Blessyn Brume-Ataguba, at a news briefing in Asaba.

Brume-Ataguba recalled that President Bola Tinubu formally launched the eCRVS in November 2023 as part of the efforts to modernise Nigeria’s civil registration process.

She said the initiative followed resolutions reached at the Sixth Session of the Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Addis Ababa in 2022.

According to her, African ministers urged member states to automate civil registration processes and implement the UN Legal Identity Agenda.

“Nigeria responded by developing an electronic, technology-driven system to enhance data generation and improve civil statistics nationwide,” Brume-Ataguba said.

She said NPC, in collaboration with UNICEF, produced an eCRVS Operational Readiness Assessment Report to guide implementation.

She explained that the partnership aims to establish a fully digital civil registration system that converts records of vital events into reliable statistics for effective planning and decision-making.

Brume-Ataguba described the initiative as a complete shift from paper-based documentation to a modern digital platform aligned with international best practices.

She said the system would transform the way births and deaths were recorded, tracked and analysed across the country.

“This process marks a complete departure from the traditional paper-based recording of vital events to a state-of-the-art digital solution that conforms to international best practices.

“This eCRVS promises to revolutionise how vital events are recorded, tracked and analysed in the country.

“This will ensure commitments, and a sustained national, international financial and political investment for birth registration within the CVRS in Nigeria, ” Brume-Ataguba said.

She also said the launch demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening civil registration data capture and processing.

She further said improved vital statistics would support national development planning and help Nigeria achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Brume-Ataguba continued that the state-level launch was necessary to sensitise the media and the public on the significance of the digital registration system.

She described the media as a vital partner in informing and educating citizens about the importance of registering vital events electronically.

She further assured residents that competent ICT personnel were available at the state level to address technical challenges and provide support.

The NPC commissioner emphasised that the eCRVS would overhaul the registration of births and deaths in the country and lay a solid foundation for efficient civil statistics management.

She urged stakeholders to collaborate with the commission to realise its goal of providing accurate and timely vital registration data.

She announced that the current phase of the e-CRVS programme would be concluded in March.

In her remark, the NPC State Director, Mrs. Jane Odigwe, appealed to the Delta Government to support the implementation of the system in the state.

“Your partnership is vital in helping us to reach this goal,” Odigwe said.

She also urged parents to register their children, saying that a birth certificate is essential for access to education, healthcare and other opportunities.

She said that registering children today would secure their identity and future participation in Nigeria’s development.

“To every parent in Delta, I urge you to bring your children forward for birth registration.

“A birth certificate is not just a document but your child’s key to education, healthcare and global opportunities.

“By registering your child today, you are giving them a voice in Nigeria of tomorrow,” Odigwe said.

Niger Delta

Police Uncover Suspects’ Armoury … Recover Weapons In Delta

Published

5 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has recovered assorted weapons from a criminal hideout in the state.

Spokesman for the Command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this to newsmen, who on Friday in Warri, said the weapons were recovered on Thursday by the operatives of the Command’s Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson.

He said the feat was achieved following a confession by a suspect handed over to the police team by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Orerokpe Division, for further interrogation.

Edafe said the suspect was alleged to be a member of a criminal syndicate terrorising commuters and residents on the Warri/Sapele Road.

“On February 19, acting on information obtained during interrogation, the suspect led the operatives to a concealed armoury located on the Sapele/Warri Road by the Adheje Community axis.

“A thorough search of the hideout resulted in the recovery of a locally made long gun, a locally made cut-to-size gun.

“Also recovered were a fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with five rounds of live ammunition, 10 live cartridges and a dagger,” he said.

Edafe stated that the investigation into the matter was ongoing.

He, however, quoted the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Command, Mr. Aina Adesola, to have reiterated the command’s resolve in dismantling criminal networks, and mopping up illegal firearms, among others, in the state.

Niger Delta

Police Caution On Lawless Protests On Court Matters In A’Ibom

Published

5 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has cautioned on threats of lawless protests by some members of the public over matters that are already before the courts.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, told newsmen in Uyo on Friday that illegal protests could undermine public peace and order.

“When matters are already in court, let’s follow legal and civil means to seek redress. That is how a civilised society works.

“Although we recognise the constitutional rights of citizens to lawful expression and peaceful assembly, illegal protests are not allowed,” he said.

Azare said the Command would not tolerate threats or acts of nude protests, unlawful occupation of public or private facilities, and disruption of government, economic or social activities.

He said anyone found culpable of engaging in acts or threats of illegal protests would be prosecuted in line with the law.

“As a Command, we are committed to the maintenance of law and order, we are also committed to protecting lives and property”, he stated.