Rivers
Police Arrest Nine Suspects For Various Crimes In Rivers
The Rivers State Police Command has paraded nine suspects for their alleged involvement in various criminal activities across the state and its environs.
Those arrested and paraded by the police include, a gang of kidnappers who lured one Adele Emmanuel from Delta State to Port Harcourt for a non-existent employment scam through Facebook.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP NnamdiOmoni while briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt, over the weekend, said the victim was lured from Delta State to Port Harcourt,and held him hostage in a hotel at Obeama, Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.
According to him, operatives of the command, acting on credible information through intelligence-led policing, stormed the area and rescued the victim unhurt.
Omoni said the prime suspect, Bright Williams, aged 22 years, including the director of the hotel and a female staff were arrested during the raid in Oyigbo.
He further disclosed that men of Anti-Kidnapping Unit, working on credible intelligence, arrested the trio of Julius Amadi, IyakNayene and Gift Frank for alleged involvement in the kidnap of one Williams Etuk on September 11,2021 along Igbo-EtcheRoad while armed, adding that the Toyota Highlander Jeep the alleged kidnappers took from their victim was recovered.
The police image maker said that further investigation revealed that Julius Amadi was a member of the syndicate that kidnapped and killed a retired Army Captain whose decomposing body was recovered at Igbo-EtcheRoad last month.
Also, the duo of John Ifeanyi, aged 23; and Orji Ndukwu, aged 24; were arrested for alleged kidnap of one Michael Oladipo, 42 years; who was kidnapped on October 3, 2021, at Igwuruta in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Omoni while briefing journalists said that the suspects were arrested at Boki in Cross River State and that the Lexus Jeep belonging to the victim was recovered, adding that the suspects would be arraigned in court as soon as investigation was concluded.
Meanwhile, Gift Frank, the wife of Ahie Frank, who was arrested for participating in alleged kidnap of the late retired Army Captain, told Journalists that she was not aware that her husband was into kidnapping business.
Gift explained that she wanted to sell the Highlander Jeep to enable her pay somebody who offered to assist get her husband out of police net without knowing that the Jeep was not owned by her husband.
The victim while speaking to newsmen, alleged that he was lured from Delta State to come for the position of secretary in a company he applied online.
The victim disclosed that on arrival in PortHarcourt sometime in November, 2021, he was kidnapped by his supposed prospective employers,stripped naked while they made video recording of him and sent to his family demanding $20,000 ransom before he was rescued by men of Anti-Kidnapping Unit in the state led by CSP Edward Shadare.
Also speaking, Bright Williams,the prime suspect in an interview with journalists disclosed that the victim contacted them through a website demanding to be linked to a homosexual.
He explained following the bait, they kidnapped and video-recorded him, with intention of extorting money from his family.
Williams added that he was not aware of the amount of money the gang leader demanded from the alleged victim.
He also exonerated the director of the hotel and the female staff of being accomplices in the crime.
The director of the hotel, in an interview with journalists, disclosed that the alleged victim and the suspects came to the hotel to drink and did not lodge in the hotel before the police raided the hotel.
By: Akujobi Amadi
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.
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