Niger Delta

Army Commissions Projects, Flags Off Medical Outreach In Delta

Published

5 years ago

August 16, 2021

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Farauk Yahaya has commissioned a perimeter fence at Saint Pius Xth Grammar School, Onicha-Ugbo, Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State as part of the Nigerian Army civil-military projects aimed at bridging the gap between them and civilians in the society.
Yahaya who spoke while commissioning the projects which were initiated by Maj General Lawrence Fejokwu, commended the State Governor, DrIfeanyi Okowa for the support his administration was given to the Army in the state.
The Chief of Army Staff who was represented by the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army and the Land Component Commander, Operation Delta Safe, Maj General Sani Mohammed, said the project was painstakingly monitored and supervised.
Yahaya said: “Today we are witnessing one of the very many innovations that have been introduced by the Nigerian Army to foster the civil-military relationship. Charity begins at home and it is in this quest that I deemed it fit to support Senior Officers to carry out intervention projects in their homeland such as this one.
“The renovation and construction of perimeter fence for the school in this community is part of the Nigerian Army civil-military projects which are aimed at bridging the gap of communication between the soldiers particularly in the community and the people and also enhancing our relationship.
“It is also part of the Army’s efforts at ensuring sustained peace and development particularly in our various areas of operations as well as an avenue to appreciate the good people particularly of Delta State and people of this very lovely community. These kinds of projects are very much in line. It is my vision to have a professional Nigerian Army accomplishes assigned missions within a joint environment in the defence of our lovely country.
“Accordingly, the renovation of this School was undertaken in recognition of the need for the Nigerian Army to intervene positively in our common efforts to address infrastructural deficit particularly in the area of education in our communities”.
In his remarks, the initiator, an alumnus of the school, Class of ’84 and General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Maj Gen Lawrence Fejokwu, said; “security is what prompted me to embark on this project. I wish to place on record that it took me four years to complete this project”.
While commending the Traditional Ruler of Onicha-Ugbo, for wading into the land dispute that almost crippled efforts to continue the project, he lamented that the initial structure was pulled down.
Fejokwu who spoke further, commended the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt General TY Buratai and friends who supported him in ensuring that the project came to the limelight. He also thanked the present Chief of Army Staff for his support and encouragement.
“So, the representative of the Chief of Staff, please help me to convey first to Lieutenant General Buratai for the impetus given and secondly the present Chief of Army Staff for approving of this”.
The Vice-Principal of Saint Pius Xth Grammar School Onicha-Ugbo, Rev. Fr. Francis Mekako, an Assistant Director, Diocesan Education Commission, Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku, while appreciating Major General Lawrence Fejiokwu and the Army authority, noted that security was a measured challenge facing the school.
The GOC 81 Division, who had earlier flagged off Medical Outreach at Gbonoza Primary School at Onicha-Ugbo community in the Local Government Area as part of Civil-Military Co-operation (CIMIC) activities to commemorate the commissioning of projects, told the people to take advantage of the programme to take care of their health needs.
During the event, the beneficiaries who turned out in their numbers were tested for blood pressure, sugar level, HIV as well as tooth and sight-related illnesses.
Treated mosquito nets, eyeglasses among other items were distributed for free while drugs were also administered accordingly to the beneficiaries at the event ground for free.
Two beneficiaries, Mrs Amaka Chiogor and Mrs Chima Mary, who spoke separately, thanked the Army for coming to their aid at a time when the economy was hard, adding that the free medication would save them the cost of visiting the hospital.
The ceremony was witnessed by the Director Department of Army Civil-Military Affairs AHQ, Brig-Gen LT Omoniyi, Commander 63 Brigade, Brig-Gen A Idris, Obi of Onicha-Ugbo, Obi Victor Chukwumalieze 1, Principal Staff Officers of 81 Division, Senior Officers from 63 Brigade and top state Government officials that were invited.

Niger Delta

CSOs, Bille Community Urge Solution To Persistent Underwater Gas Eruption

Published

3 days ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the people of Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State have called for government’s urgent intervention to end the suspected underwater gas eruption in the community.

The groups, under the aegis of the Environmental Rights Action and Social Action, made the call during their advocacy visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), in Port Harcourt.

The Programme Manager of Environmental Rights Action, Mr. Kentebe Ebiaridor, said the visit was to seek clarity on the response efforts of the regulators to the development in the community.

Ebiaridor expressed concern over what he described as “inadequate response from regulatory agencies and the government concerning the incident”.

He said discussions with some officials revealed that there was still no clear timeline for action to address the situation.

According to him, in the absence of clear ownership of the facility linked to the incident, companies operating within Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 should be held accountable.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) had in a statement issued on March 20 by its Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said the commission had commenced an investigation into a gas bubbling incident in Bille Community.

Eyesan said the commission expressed concern over the development and assured residents of its ongoing efforts to address the situation.

Also, the Resource Justice Manager of Social Action, Dr. Prince Edegbuo, warned that the situation could escalate into a public health emergency, if urgent steps were not taken.

Edegbuo called on relevant authorities to release the results of the tests reportedly conducted in the area, stressing that residents had the right to know the condition of their environment.

He also said CSOs were prepared to intensify advocacy on the matter, urging the development of emergency response measures, including possible evacuation plans.

A legal practitioner and community stakeholder, Mr. Commission Deinbo, had, on March 20, said residents had continued to witness unusual signs on the waterways in the area.

Deinbo said the signs included boiling and bubbling from the ground and river, sometimes within residential areas, as well as fire outbreaks, which the residents had always managed to contain.

He appealed to relevant authorities to come to their aid and find a lasting solution to the problem.

In a response, the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of NOSDRA, Mr. Bello Augustin, assured the community that he would relate its concerns to the appropriate quarters.

Augustin also commended the CSOs for their advocacy and concerns to community development in the state.

By: Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Frederick

Niger Delta

Police Detain 7, Recover Arms In A’Ibom

Published

3 days ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has detained seven suspects and recovered firearms after raiding a criminal hideout in Ndiya Mfia, Ikono Local Government Area.of the State.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, made the disclosure in a statement in Uyo on Wednesday.

John said that the breakthrough which occurred at about 6.00a.m on Wednesday, followed credible intelligence from members of the public.

“We reliably gathered that criminal suspects were hibernating in a compound disguised as worshippers.

“In a decisive operation, our personnel conducted a thorough search of the premises which led to the detention and recovery of arms,” she said.

According to her, the operation was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police to decisively combat crime in the country.

The police spokesman further said that two locally made double-barrel guns, five expended cartridges, four motorcycles and three generators were recovered during the operation.

She also listed 10 mobile phones, one police crest, four jungle boots, one peak cap, saw blade, spanner, number plates, machetes, a special force vest as other items recovered.

“We also found bottles of suspected spiritual oil and one enlarged photograph linked to an ongoing investigation,” she said.

John said that preliminary investigation suggested that the location was being used as cover for criminal operations.

She said the State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, has directed a comprehensive investigation on the matter in order to apprehend the principal suspect.

John expressed the commitment of the Command to rid the state of crime, and urged members of the public to always support the police with timely and credible information.

Niger Delta

Otu Launches Grassroot Security Network In C’River

Published

3 days ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has launched a grassroots security intelligence network, named, ”Homeland Safety and Security Agency,” to strengthen community-based surveillance and enhance safety across the state.

Otu, who inaugurated the agency’s office in the Southern Senatorial District of the state on Monday, in Calabar, said similar offices were being inaugurated in the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts.

The Governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Emmanuel Ironbar, said the officials of the agency would serve as first point of call before matters would be escalated to main security architecture in the state.

He described Homeland Security as an intelligence-driven structure focused on neighbourhood monitoring and early threat detection through coordinated local efforts.

He said the initiative constituted the directors and field operatives, tasked with gathering and forwarding intelligence to relevant security agencies for prompt action.

Otu noted that the network would serve as a first point of contact before intervention by conventional security agencies.

“It is important that we enhance monitoring of movements across our communities, border areas, and riverine zones to identify suspicious activities and enhance security response.

“The state government will provide necessary gadgets and communication tools to improve efficiency and real-time intelligence sharing,” he said.

Otu called for public cooperation, stressing that ‘’security is a collective responsibility requiring timely information from residents.’’

He said, ‘’to ensure that the security outfit works like a model unit, proper screening would be conducted on the volunteers to weed out undesirable elements from the system.’’

The Tide’s source reports that the Governor handed over 14 motor bikes to the agency’s southern Senatorial district office to enhance their efficiency.

On his part, the Director-General, South of the agency, Mr. Michael Nsan, said the volunteers had played key roles in reducing crime through coordinated patrols and intelligence sharing.

Nsan said over 1,300 volunteers currently supported the operations with additional informants providing critical information across communities.

“Crime rates dropped significantly during the last festive period due to our collaboration with law enforcement agencies in the state,” he said.

The Director-General said volunteers would undergo training and screening, with plans underway for formal recruitment through a government employment portal.

According to him, communication tools, including walkie-talkies, and patrol motorcycles had improved rapid response to security incidents.

He commended the governor’s commitment, noting that the initiative would further strengthen security architecture and community safety across the state.

The source reports that some of the dignitaries who graced the occasion were traditional rulers and government officials.