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Wike Eulogises Alabraba’s Dedication, Service To Rivers
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has eulogised the flawless dedication and selfless service to Rivers State of late elder statesman, Chief Godwin Ngogo Alabraba, saying that the people and government of the state would forever remain grateful to him, even in death, for the sacrifices he made for the unity and peace of the state.
Wike made the remarks when he and leaders of the state attended the funeral service of late elder statesman, Chief Godwin Ngogo Alabraba in Abonnema, last Saturday.
Those who attended the funeral service along with the governor, include Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani; and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, Amb Desmond Akawor, among others.
The funeral service of late elder statesman, Chief Godwin Ngogo Alabraba took place at St. Paul’s Nyemoni Lutheran Church in Abonnema.
Wike commended the dedication and commitment to work of late Alabraba, who was also a former commissioner in the Rives State Civil Service Commission.
He was the elder brother of the Chairman, Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPHCDA), Chief Ferdinand Alabraba.
The governor, in his condolence message to the bereaved family said, “It was with a very heavy heart that my wife and I received the sad news of the death of your elder brother and patriarch of the Alabraba family, Chief Godwin Ngogo Alabraba, Oruwari VI and paramount head of Oruwari Briggs War Canoe House of Abonnema.
“The funeral service was held at St Paul’s Nyemoni Lutheran Cathedral, Abonnema, Akuku-Toru LGA, Rivers State. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and the Abonnema community at this period of grief.”
The governor recalled that late Alabraba served Rivers State with dedication, and contributed to its development as a civil servant, member of the Board of Directors of the defunct PABOD Finance and Investment Company, and commissioner in the Rivers State Civil Service Commission.
Wike described the deceased as a well-respected family and community leader and elder statesman, whose tenure as the chairman of Abonnema Council of Chiefs was marked by peace and progress.
“His death is a loss not only to his family and Abonnema community, but also to the entire Rivers State. But we thank God for a life’s race well run, a long and eventful life well lived and worthy legacies left behind for us to remember him”, Wike said.
The governor urged the Alabraba family to accept the heartfelt condolences of the government and people of Rivers State.
In his sermon, Most Reverend Nimi Benson Fyneface, who spoke on the theme: “The Hope of a Christian”, urged Christians to always believe in the redeemer, Jesus Christ as exemplified by the life of Job.
He said Jesus Christ was available for all Christians who have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
He commended the contributions of the late Alabraba to the unity, peace, growth and development of the Lutheran Church in the country and Abonnema in particular.
Fyneface said the late elder statesman fought a good fight as a peaceful man who always stood by the truth, feared God, kept the faith and has gone to be with the Redeemer.
He also used the forum to commend Governor Nyesom Wike for changing the landscape of the state with developmental projects and for including the Trans-Kalabari Road project in the 2021 budget.
In his remarks, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, lauded the governor and all who attended the funeral of his elder brother for their show of love and support.
Present at the service were: the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani; Senator Sam Anyanwu; Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Amb Desmond Akwor; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo; members of the State Executive Council, Kalahari chiefs and several other dignitaries.
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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
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.
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
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