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
A former supervisory councillor for Health in Etche local government of Rivers state, Eld Chimezie Ogbu has been honoured with an excellent service Award by the Adventist men Organisation (AMO), Port Harcourt west mission.
Eld Chimezie Ogbu, received the award for alongside fifteen others for his contributions and support to the association and uplifting humanity.
Elder Chimezie Ogbu left receiving the Rivers west mission AMO Excellent Service Award from the former AMO Director and the former General manager, RSNC, Eld Vincent Ake during the extra ordinary meeting of AMO held at Rumuolumini, Sunday.
Speaking during an extra ordinary and end of year meeting, the Director of Adventist men Organisation, Port Harcourt west mission, Dr Sam Emejuru said the award was in recognition to Hon Ogbu’s contributions and support to the association, noting that Eld Chimezie Ogbu have been one of the sponsors of the Association in the mission.
Dr Emejuru who was a fomer chairman of the state secondary school Board noted invaluable contributions of the recipients to the association and the church at large and urged them to continue to be generous in the development of church and humanity.
In an interview with the tide, Hon Chimezie Ogbu, a serving elder in the seventh-day adventist church, Rumuolumeni District expressed appreciation to the Association, adding that the award will encourage him to do more
He highlighted the importance of investing in God’s vineyard and to help humanity and dedicated the award to God Almighty and members of his family.
Members of landlords of Ceenamore and Iroko Drives in Cedarwood Estate, Rumuaholu, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, have urged the Inspector General of Police and the State Police Commissioner, CP Olungbenga Adepoju, to urgently act on the petition they sent to him regarding the alleged move by the Managing Director of Niger Delta Technology & property development Ltd, Engr. Stephen Nyegwa, to demolish their estate.
The group alleged that the MD of Niger Delta Logistics Limited had purportedly, through a court judgment notice, claimed that he had gotten an order to demolish the estate.
Speaking to journalists at the estate, Mr. Manuabuchi Elem Chioma, one of the affected landlords, said the call becomes very imperative following the continued harassment by Mr. Nyegwa and his associates, noting that they woke up and discovered that their houses have been marked for demolition.
Also speaking, Barrister Victor Okezie urged the police to act swiftly to save landlords of the estate from the impending problem, stressing that they are ready to comply if there is a confirmed valid court judgment.
Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have inaugurated an ultra-modern, specialised Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for youth empowerment in innovations.
The fully equipped ICT centre, located at Baptist High School in the city, was inaugurated as part of the close-out ceremony for the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme.
Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Felix Ogbe, stated this in a statement issued on Friday by the Manager of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs at NLNG, Mrs. Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku.
He described the ICT centre as a gateway to knowledge and innovation, as well as a window to future opportunities.
Represented by the organisation’s General Manager of Institutional Strengthening, Mr. Olugbenga Sheba, Ogbe explained that the project was designed to equip young Nigerians with digital skills to prepare them for a technology-driven world.
“The remodelled ICT centre is more than a building. It is a statement of belief that students here can learn coding, design, and innovation that connects them with the wider world.
“It represents our confidence that when given the right tools, Nigerian students can become creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs”, he said.
Ogbe commended NLNG for its continued collaboration with the NCDMB and its steadfast commitment to advancing Nigerian Content objectives.
He added that the partnership demonstrated what could be achieved through meaningful collaboration between government and corporate stakeholders, noting that such investments would help build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to compliance with Nigerian Content regulations and its dedication to improving lives sustainably.
She emphasised that NLNG was passionate about enhancing human capital development and promoting technological inclusion, both of which were aimed at improving employability and industry-relevant skills among young Nigerians.
According to Horsfall, the project aligns with NLNG’s vision of empowering communities through education and technology.
“The upgraded ICT centre, which complies with existing NCDMB regulations, is an investment that provides students with a modern learning environment and equips teachers with improved tools to deliver quality education”, she said.
The Tide reports that the ICT centre has been upgraded to a 40-seater facility and equipped with 20KVA solar and inverter system.
The facility also includes renovated classrooms and administrative buildings, as well as digital smart boards and modern learning tools.
Meanwhile, Palmer-Ikuku, in the statement, announced the graduation of 30 trainees under the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme jointly organised by both organisations.
She stated that the trainees earned international certifications after completing rigorous training in Engineering, Marine Operations, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), and Entrepreneurship, among other disciplines.
According to Palmer-Ikuku, the training underscores the shared mission of NLNG and NCDMB to build local capacity, promote technological inclusion, and support Nigeria’s broader vision of sustainable development through education and skill acquisition.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso