News
Police Confirm Killing Of Three Persons In Ogoni Community
The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the killing of three persons during a cult clash in Uegeree community, Khana Local Government Area of the state, last Monday.
The police spokesperson, SP Nnamdi Omoni, who in a statement, confirmed the incident, said three persons lost their lives during the clash.
“I can confirm the cult clash, yesterday, in Khana where three persons were killed.
“Namely: Namene Kialede ‘m’ 33yrs from Luiwi, Muaka Ikara ‘m’ 42yrs and Kingsley Kponee ‘m’ both of Uegere in Khana LGA.
“No arrest yet but efforts are seriously on to arrest the perpetrators.
“Meanwhile, as our men were combing the forests in Kono Boue in search of the hoodlums, they ran into one Enyindah Lawson Ndu ‘f’ who was kidnapped at Elelenwo on 19/8/2021 at about 1750hrs. He was immediately rescued from where he was kept in the forest and released to take medical care”.
The statement further said that investigation was ongoing as on the matter as directed by the commissioner of police.
An eyewitness said that natives of Kono, Boue and Gwara in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State have deserted the communities following invasion of the area by unknown gunmen last Monday, and reportedly killed three persons each in the two communities.
The source further said that the rampaging gunmen invaded Gwara in the morning hours and reportedly shot three persons dead and later invaded Kono, Boue later in the afternoon and shot three persons dead while many natives fled the community.
The Public Relations Officer of Community Development Community (CDC) of Kono, Boue, Mr Nwibakpo Golden, in an interview, disclosed that three persons were killed in his community while some natives fled the community.
Golden called for the citing of a Police Division in the community and rehabilitation of the bad portion of the roads in the area to effectively tackle the incessant attack by gunmen.
He narrated that the incident caused panic in the area, as residents fled into the bushes for safety.
Golden said, “This afternoon unknown gunmen invaded Gwara community, killing about three persons. They went into Kono-Boue, killing three too. A motorcycle rider and the persons that were with him were killed.
“They were coming from Thanksgiving when they ran into the gunmen and were shot dead.”
Golden said he called the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Bori Division, but regretted that before the police team could arrive the community the hoodlums had already taken to flight.
He said, “As we speak now, some people are hiding in the bush. The way they (gunmen) came, they were not looking at anybody. They were just shooting.
“The governor of Rivers State once came to this place and promised that there will be a police station there. Kono-Boue is a very large community. We are still hoping that he will fulfill his promise.
“Secondly, the road there is bad. If they fix the road, the police can easily access the area anytime we call them. The DPO came with his team, but the gunmen did not waste time. He (DPO) was able to restore normalcy.”
A source privy to the incident, who gave his same simply as Lekia, said the indiscriminate shooting by the bandits left three persons dead.
Lekia noted that the killers had later Monday afternoon stormed neighbouring Kono-Boue where they shot dead a motorcycle rider and his two passengers.
By: Akujobi Amadi
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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