News

Gunmen Abduct 18 Bus Passengers In Ondo

Published

4 years ago

September 10, 2021

A Lagos-bound bus with 18 passengers was attacked by armed men, yesterday, along Idoani-Ifira Road in Akoko South-East, Ondo State.
An undisclosed number of passengers were also abducted by the armed men.
The incident, according to local, sources occurred on the failed portion of the Idoani-Ifira Road.
It was gathered that there was sporadic shooting as the gunmen carried out their operation, causing the passengers to run for safety.
The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Isua Akoko, Mr Hakeem Sadiq, confirmed the incident to newsmen, yesterday.
He said the police are already working with other sister agencies to ensure that the travellers were rescued unhurt.
In the meantime, an Ifira Akoko community leader, Chief Boboye Ojomo, has attributed incessant robberies and kidnapping on that axis to deplorable condition of federal road from Orita Ipele to Idoani.
He called on Federal Government through the Minister of Works, Mr Babatunde Fashola, to look into all federal roads in Ondo State as many are now in state of disrepair.
However, the Ondo state security outfit codenamed, ‘Amotekun’ has rescued nine out of the 12 passengers kidnapped in a Lagos-bound commercial bus between ldoani/lfira in Akoko South-East area of the state.
The state Commander of the security outfit, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, confirmed this to newsmen in Akure.
It would be recalled that the abduction of the travellers occurred at a failed portion of the highway.
The commercial bus was coming from Abuja and heading to Lagos when it was attacked by bandits.
A police source said that the kidnappers who were Fulani herdsmen reportedly ambushed the commercial Toyota Hiace bus and shot at which forced the driver to stop.
In the process, the passengers reportedly took to their heels while the kidnappers doubled cross them and abducted those that could not escape from the scene at gunpoint.
The report said that many of the passengers were thereafter marched into the forest.
Adeleye said that nine of the victims had been rescued by his personnel.
“The gunshot from the bandits attracted the officials of the Amotekun in the area who pursued the criminals into the bush.
“Nine of the 12 passengers in the vehicle were rescued overnight by the Amotekun men while they are still combing the forest to rescue the other three victims”.
Adeleye assured that the three other victims will be rescued unhurt.
He said that the hoodlums will be brought to book while the anti-kidnapping unit of the command had swung into action to ensure the release of the victims.
Reports had it that local hunters in the community have joined to comb the thick forest.
Contacted, the spokesperson of the state command, Olufunmilayo Odunlami, also confirmed the abduction of the passengers.
According to her, “There was actually a kidnap case as I speak to you our anti-kidnapping unit has taken over that case and we expect something positive.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

4 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

4 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

Here is a clean, professional, publication-ready edit of your report with improved flow, clarity, and SEO strength while retaining all facts:

News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

4 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.