Niger Delta

‘Poor Implementation Of Laws Stalls Fight Against SGBV’

Published

5 years ago

March 5, 2021

Founding Director of Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL), Prof. Joy Ezeilo, has said that the poor implementation of extant laws was stalling the fight against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in Nigeria.
Ezeilo said this at training for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) organised by WACOL in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) Women, under the Spotlight Initiative Project in Calabar.
Speaking to newsmen on the sideline of the programme, the professor said the initiative focused on law reforms that would provide adequate protection for women.
According to her, at the moment, the Nigerian laws are inadequate to deal with the issues concerning violence against women thereby causing high level impunity.
“The fact that perpetrators of violence against women can get away with their crimes means others will see no consequences and so continue to abuse women and girls.
“We are seeking effective implementation of extant laws, law reforms to take care of where there are gaps and where there are no laws and the implementation of international laws, treatise that Nigeria has ratified.
“Nigeria has ratified a number of treaties that protect women from all sorts of violence but the problem has always been effective implementation.
“So, CSOs need to take the mantle of leadership by holding government at all levels accountable.
“These are the kind of skills we are given to demystify the legislative process so that they will be able to engage with the legislators,” she said.
Similarly one of the resource persons, Dr Sam Nwatu, Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria Nsukka, in his lecture on legislative processes in the nation’s legislature, said legislators should be seen as partners in progress.
Nwatu said CSOs must be acquainted with the knowledge to engage their law makers because it was by doing so that they would be able to see through some of the legislations they had so much yearned for.
The Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Cross River Chapter, Mrs Ann Awah, also one of the participants said the training gives the participants an insight on what to do.
“It is also to ensure that relevant bills are made and women are empowered to push for law reforms,” she said.

By: Christian Njoku

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

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.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

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.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

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.