The Rivers State Police Command has detained an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Ekawhe Thomas, over an alleged escape of a suspected criminal from the police custody.

The command said the officer was arrested as part of ongoing disciplinary measures initiated after the incident, while efforts have also been intensified to rearrest the fleeing suspect.

Spokesperson of the Command, Blessing Agabe, disclosed this in a statement issued last Friday.

According to the statement, preliminary findings from an internal review of the incident revealed that ASP Ekawhe Thomas, attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), was allegedly responsible for the lapse that led to the suspect’s escape.

The statement noted that the officer has since been taken into custody and would face formal interrogation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the development.

“Investigations were ongoing to determine what transpired during the handling of the suspect and whether established operational procedures were compromised”, it said.

The police image maker, in the statement, further explained that the Command had commenced a manhunt for the escaped suspect, whose whereabouts were still unknown as of the time of filing this report.

The command assured residents that tactical measures had already been put in place to ensure the suspect was tracked and apprehended.

Reacting to the incident, the State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, expressed displeasure over the development.

The commissioner, according to the statement, warned that the command would not tolerate negligence, misconduct, or abuse of office by any officer or personnel under its watch.

He maintained that any officer found culpable after the conclusion of the investigations would face appropriate sanctions in line with existing police regulations.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to professionalism, accountability, and the protection of citizens’ rights in the discharge of its duties.

The Police appealed to members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could aid the re-arrest of the fleeing suspect.

The statement also assured residents that the matter was being handled with utmost seriousness to prevent a recurrence of such incidents within the state.

 By: King Onunwor

?The Rivers State Government has expressed appreciation to the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) for its significant contributions to the growth and development of the state.

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?Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, said the Church remains a critical partner in promoting peace, unity, justice, moral values, and social harmony across society.

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?The Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, stated this during the thanksgiving service marking the 30th Anniversary and the First Session of the 11th Synod of the Diocese of Niger Delta North, Church of Nigeria, held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Rumuepirikom, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, yesterday.

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?Gov. Fubara noted that the theme of the Synod, “Kingdom Advancement: The Priority of Every Believer,” is timely and relevant to the current realities facing society.

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?According to him, the Church continues to play a vital role in shaping societal values and inspiring hope among citizens.

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?“The Church remains a vital partner in promoting peace, unity, justice, and moral discipline. Its role in shaping values and inspiring hope cannot be overemphasized,” he said.

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?He further acknowledged the contributions of the Anglican Communion in areas such as education, healthcare, youth empowerment, humanitarian services, and spiritual guidance.

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?“The Rivers State Government appreciates the invaluable contributions of the Anglican Communion in education, healthcare, youth development, humanitarian support, and spiritual guidance. Your impact across communities in Rivers State continues to strengthen families and promote peaceful coexistence among our people,” the Governor stated.

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?Gov. Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a peaceful, united, and prosperous Rivers State where every citizen can thrive regardless of their background or religious affiliation.

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?He also called on the Synod to continue praying for the sustainable development and progress of Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.

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?Earlier, the Guest Minister, Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Ijesa North-East, the Rt. Rev’d Joseph Olushola, speaking on the topic, ‘Kingdom Investment and Internal Rewards’, admonished faithful to  submit to the Lordship of God, remain faithful even in little and  always impact God’s kingdom.

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?”Every believer is a steward to the virtues given by God.  God rewards faithfulness not by how much we have but how much we give to men. God owns everything, we are only stewards,” he said.

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has said that the structural imbalance in resource ownership, weak fiscal federalism, environmental degradation, political exclusion, and the implementation of anti-oil-producing community policies still continue in the Niger Delta 58 years after Isaac Adaka Boro died for the struggle.

MOSIEND made this observation in commemoration of 58^th Isaac Adaka Boro Day in Port Harcourt at the weekend.

Boro was a revolutionary leader of Ijaw extraction in the Niger Delta who fought for the emancipation of the minorities in the region.

The group described the late hero as a visionary son of the Niger Delta whose struggle transcended ethnic identity and spoke for the collective aspirations of all minority nationalities of the region.

The statement noted that though Boro was of the Ijaw heritage, “his agitation was never for the Ijaw extraction alone, his revolutionary call was for the emancipation, dignity, justice, and equitable treatment of all oppressed minorities of the Niger Delta.”

This was contained in a statement by the MOSIEND President, Comrade Kennedy Tonjo West.

MOSIEND said 58 years after Boro’s prophetic declaration, the injustices and dissatisfaction he identified remain substantially unresolved.

“The structural imbalance in resource ownership, weak fiscal federalism, environmental degradation, political exclusion, and the persistent implementation of policies perceived as anti-oil-producing communities continue to validate Boro’s concerns.

“The continued operation of laws such as the Land Use Act, and policy frameworks many consider unfavorable to host communities, has sustained the painful contradiction whereby the Niger Delta bears the burden of exploration while often seeing inadequate proportional development.

“This inequity becomes even more troubling when compared with differing approaches to resource governance across other parts of the federation.

“It is  important to state that the commemoration of Boro’s Day must not be reduced to an Ijaw youth event alone, doing so diminishes the broader significance of his sacrifice and narrows the historic burden he carried for the entire Niger Delta.”

“The group urged the Federal Government to “revisit all policies that inhibit host community participation and to sincerely address the demands for true restructuring and fiscal federalism, which remain essential for national stability and justice.”

The statement reads in part, “We also note with concern the slow pace of strategic marine and blue economy development within the Niger Delta, despite the region’s immense maritime potential, while comparable developments elsewhere often receive accelerated implementation. This imbalance reinforces long-standing perceptions of exclusion.

“To the Ijaw nation, Boro’s Day calls for sober reflection. Disunity remains one of the greatest obstacles to our collective progress. Internal divisions create loopholes for manipulation and weaken the strength of our advocacy. We therefore call on all Ijaw sons and daughters to embrace peace, unity, and purposeful engagement.

“To all Niger Deltans, this is a moment to rise above ethnic boundaries and work together in harmony for the advancement of our shared destiny. To Nigeria as a whole, the time has come to confront the unresolved questions of justice, equity, constitutional balance, and national inclusion.

“The strength of any federation lies not in the dominance of some, but in the fair accommodation of all.

“This 58th Boro’s Day is not merely a remembrance of history; it is a solemn reminder that Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro was a man far ahead of his time. His vision remains alive because the issues he raised remain alive.

“May this day inspire courageous leadership, sincere dialogue, national rebirth, and a renewed commitment to building a Nigeria where every region can truly call this nation home.”

By: Chinedu Wosu