Rivers

Police Officer Kills Man Over iPhone In Obio/Akpor

Published

4 years ago

December 21, 2020

A police officer attached to Elelenwo Police Divisional headquarters at Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, has reportedly shot dead one Jimoh Abiodun, a native of Kwara State, over an iPhone.
This incident occurred 10 days after a policeman shot dead a civilian and Keke driver in Rukpoku, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, over alleged N100 bribe.
The Tide gathered from the deceased’s brother, Ismaheel Jimoh, that what transpired between the victim and suspect (policeman) was that the Police officers on a routine patrol van stopped him and his late brother while they were on a motorbike going back to the house on Friday night, December 18, 2020.
Mr. Ismaheel explained that the Police officers searched them and saw nothing except their ID cards and iPhone and another handset.
He disclosed that one of the Police officers insisted on taking them to the Police Station at Elelenwo which they obliged.
Ismaheel further explained that he rode on his motorbike and was at the front while his deceased brother was inside the Police patrol van as they were heading to the station.
He stated that at the front of the station, one of the Police officers allegedly asked them to bail themselves; but, he told the officer that they had only N1,500.
According to Ismaheel, other Police officers told the suspect to release them, since nothing incriminating was found on them, but the officer refused.
Ismaheel alleged that the suspect beat his brother at the front of the Police station before shooting him twice.
The deceased’s brother said he and the other Police officers took the victim to three different hospitals, but they declined attending to him.
Late Abiodun, according to Ismaheel, fell out from the back of the patrol van on their way to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) because of the driver’s reckless driving and the victim sustained several degrees of injury.
Ismaheel disclosed that it was in the morning he went back with his brother’s wife to Elelenwo Police Station where they discovered that Abiodun had passed on.
Ismaheel called on Nigerians to ensure justice is done on the matter.
Meanwhile, the state police command has condemned the killing of the victim and ordered investigation into the matter.
State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni, a Superintendent of Police (SP) in a statement, said the Police sergeant, who carried out the dastardly act was in custody for debriefing and psychological evaluation.
Omoni said the Orderly Room Trial of the suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, would commence in ernest, for possible arraignment.
He disclosed that the command was in touch with the family of the victim and has commiserated with them over the unfortunate incident, assuring them that the interest of justice would be served in the circumstance.
He, however, appealed for calm and allow the law to take its full course.

Rivers

Expert Demands Full Implementation Of PIA In N’Delta Oil Communities

Published

4 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

An expert in Natural Resource Governance, Dr. Mike Uzoigwe, has called for the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for the development of oil communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Uzoigwe made the appeal during a training for community representatives under the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

He noted that five years after the PIA was enacted, funding under the HCDT framework for member communities had yet to be fully implemented.

He attributed the slow pace of implementation to oil companies’ failure to remit funds, ongoing litigations, internal community disputes, and regulatory challenges, among other factors.

According to him, these challenges have made it difficult to properly assess the effectiveness of HCDT implementation in host communities.

Uzoigwe also expressed concern that several communities were yet to establish HCDTs, which are essential for accessing funds designated for local development.

“Fortunately, there are communities that have successfully leveraged the HCDT to advance development in their localities.

“However, we want every host community to access these funds to accelerate development in their respective areas and contribute to the broader transformation of the Niger Delta”, he stated.

Uzoigwe urged host communities to familiarise themselves with the provisions and regulations of the PIA to enable them to fully benefit from the Act.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of Kebetkache Development and Resource Centre, Dr. Emem Okon, explained that the training was organised for HCDT communities in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, and Rivers States.

According to her, the objective of the training was to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the PIA’s provisions, conduct needs assessments and undertake community development planning.

“We examined how the HCDT can be made effective and efficient in utilising the three per cent operational cost allocation for community development projects, as stipulated in the PIA.

“This allocation is structured as follows: 75 per cent for project execution, 20 per cent for savings, and five per cent for administrative costs.

“HCDT members are responsible for identifying and prioritising community needs through a transparent, sincere, and people-centred decision-making process in managing these funds”, Okon explained.

She encouraged host communities to engage actively with various stakeholders, including women, youth, farmers, and community leaders, to identify development projects that reflect the genuine needs of their communities.

Rivers

Opobo/Nkoro SOLAD Pledges To Prioritise Workers’ Welfare

Published

4 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Sole Administrator of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr. Frederick Apiafi, says he will run an all-inclusive government for the betterment of the local government.

He stated that his priority is workers’ welfare in all ramifications and the good people of the area.

Apiafi stated this recently while addressing workers at the council’s headquarters in Opobo, saying that his direct mandate is to ensure that the existing peace is sustained.

According to him, he is a technocrat, hence he will carry out his functions accordingly.

“Thank you all for welcoming me as your administrator. My mandate here is to ensure that you, workers, are well treated, with your salaries paid promptly, and give you what you deserve.

“You all are my brothers, sisters and friends. I know that together we can take this local government to an enviable height. What I need from you is cooperation.

“I solicit for your support to enable us all succeed because I alone cannot achieve the desired development”, he urged.

The administrator used the forum to thank the Sole Administrator of the State, Vice – Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) for giving him the opportunity to serve his people and pledged that he will not disappoint him in any aspect, while promising to discharge his duties in strict compliance to the charge of the Sole Administrator.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the LGA, Comrade Diri Dandison, commended the administrator for placing workers’ welfare top on his list.

According to him, what workers want in the LGA is someone who can give them listening ears, and also give them what they deserve.

“I am happy that Mr. Fredrick Apiafi has placed welfare of workers first, but we pray he fullfills his promises. What we want is for people at the grassroots to also enjoy dividends of governance”, he said.

By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso

Rivers

Navy Saves 99 Persons From Drowning In Rivers

Published

4 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy Rescue Team from Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER have saved 99 persons from drowning in Rivers State during an operation.

A statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, in Port Harcourt, said the incident occurred when a barge, ADAM (Damen Buba) was involved in a head-on collision with a market boat en route Akuku Toru Local Government Area in Rivers State, resulting in significant structural damage to the market boat.

He said the Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER personnel deployed to Naval Security Station 035 in collaboration with four other Navy Gunboats launched a coordinated and effective search and rescue operation, saving all 99 passengers onboard.

According to him, most of the passengers’ goods were also salvaged successfully.

“The timely intervention and prompt response of Nigerian Navy personnel ensured that no lives were lost and most of the valuable properties were preserved.

“The Nigerian Navy hereby restates that under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the service will continue to ensure the security and safety of all legitimate sea farers within Nigeria’s maritime domain”, Adams Aliu said.

By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso