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Bayelsa Women Alert On Herders’ Threat

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Okutukutu-Epie women in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have sent a Save Our Soul (SOS) appeal to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, to come to their aid over threat on their lives by herdsmen in the community.
The plea for urgent intervention is coming on the heels of alleged repeated destruction of their crops and farmlands by herdsmen, saying that all efforts made to stop these herders and their cattle from destroying crops and farmlands have been unsuccessful.
Arising from a meeting at the Okutukutu-Epie town hall, Mrs Tina Etime, who spoke on behalf the women said there had been constant harrasment, threat of rape from the herders, adding that some of the herders even bear dangerous weapon.
Etime stated that because of the constant destruction of the crops and farmlands the women decided to report the matter to the police in company of the the community’s Paramount ruler and to their surprise police detained the former woman leaders, Mrs Sarah Wilcox, Mrs Ovieya Franklin and Mrs Victoria Emmanuel.
“For over 10 years now these herders have been eating and destroying our crops until last year November the women had to report the matter to the police. Even the men of the community are afraid of the herdsmen because of what has been happening in northern part of the country, where there has been clashes between cattle rearers and farmers. “What is most annoying is that after we have cultivated our crops in the morning, these herders with their cattle will invade our farms in the evening and destroy what was planted in the morning. Some of these herders normally threaten us for daring to challenge them.
“As it is we the women are even afraid to go to our farms, because we do not know what will happen to us if these herders confront us as they normally bear dangerous weapon. They even boasted that our cassava leaves give their cattle enough breast milk as if that is not enough they said that the land doesn’t belong to us. We want the government to come and help us as we are helpless and do not know what to do to stop these cattle from destroying our farmlands. Our source of livelihood is being threatened and if we don’t go to farm what will we eat? So we want government to do something about our plights,” she stated.
Also speaking, Assistant Secretary of Okutukutu-Epie Women Council, Mrs Jesinta Okiese, said that the women of the community were not doing any other work apart from farming, and through the produce they take care of their families.
“ If things continue as they are we don’t know what will happen next, we are praying that it doesn’t lead to killings. We are appealing to government to come to our rescue from the daily threat and harrasment from these herdsmen”. she said.
Condemning destruction of the crops and farmlands by herders as well as the detention of the Epie women by the Police, the Provost Marshall Epie-Atissa Developmental Assembly Chief Bunas Wumbo, accused the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police of doing the bidding of his paymasters by looking the other way when matters that concern the destruction of crops and farmlands by herdsmen are reported.
Chief Wumbo noted that the laws of Nigeria did not provide for cattle rearers to use their cattle to destroy farmlands belonging to others, but rather animals should be confined to a particular place to prevent from straying about.

 

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells Yenagoa

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Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

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The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.
Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.
Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.
He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”
“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.
In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.
“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.
Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.
“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.
The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.
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Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

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The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.
Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.
He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.
“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.
“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.
“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.
The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.
Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.
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C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

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The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.
Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.
The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.
The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.
Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.
The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.
Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.
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