News
Gunmen Kill Three Police Officers, Raze Station In Delta
Three policemen have reportedly been shot dead after gunmen allegedly attacked Nsukwa Police Station in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, and razed the only police station in the remote agrarian community.
Sources told The Tide that three policemen were set ablaze by the gun-trotters, who launched the surprise attack from the back of the station, which is located at the edge of the town.
“The attackers stormed the station at about 2:00am, early hours of Sunday, May 16, 2021, shooting sporadically to ward off any challengers.
“It was the sporadic and intense shooting that woke many of us up from sleep. We were afraid because of the shooting. On our checks at dawn, we realized that the police station was attacked and burnt”, a resident in the agrarian community, who claimed anonymity, said.
The three deceased officers, whose names are yet to be released, are said to be an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), an Inspector of Police and a Police Corporal.
A source, who craved anonymity, said that the ASP hails from Kogi State, and was transferred to the station just two weeks ago, while the Inspector is from Orogun in Ughelli North LGA of Delta State.
Another source, an Okada rider, who plies between Nsukwa junction through Isheagu to Ogwashi-Ukwu on the Asaba-Ughelli Expressway, alleged that the station may have been attacked for reportedly giving tacit support to Fulani herdsmen, who had invaded the community’s forests in the last couple of years.
It was gathered that the Fulani herders literarily used Nsukwa forests as artery to access thousands of vast stretch of forests in Ossissa and Isheagu.
The Tide learnt that tension is reportedly high in Nsukwa and the adjoining communities over the incident, just as Delta State Police Command has sent reinforcement to the area while security operatives are now patrolling the town to curtail further attacks.
The South-East and South-South regions have been under siege in recent months with incessant attacks on security agencies and personnel.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the report.
According to the PPRO, the state Commissioner of Police, Ari Mohammed Ali, has called for calm, and was also taking measures to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
He assured that the perpetrators of the heinous crime would be brought to book in no distant time.
By: Albert Ograka, Asaba
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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