Rivers

CSOs Demand Re-Arrest Of Child Trafficking Suspects

Published

5 years ago

December 17, 2021

A non-governmental organisation, Centre for Justice, Empowerment and Development (C4J), Rivers State Response Team on Violence Against Women and Children, as well as other civil society organisations have demanded the immediate re-arrest of Chinyere Ohanyere, by the Imo State Police Command over the case of alleged child trafficking against her, and her suspected accomplice, Ngozi Egbuson Ebuzoaju.
The Tide reports that 55-year old Chinyere Ohanyere, popularly known as Madam Chichi, and Ngozi Egbuson Ebuzoaju, a nurse were arrested in October 2021 for alleged stealing and trafficking in two children suspected to have been stolen from a yet to be disclosed location in Rivers State, and are standing trial before an Owerri High Court in suit No. OW/54C/2021 between the Commissioner of Police Vs Ebuzoaju, and at Owerri Magistrate Court in suit no. OW/505C/2021 between Commissioner of Police Vs Chinyere and Anor.
The order was made in a statement signed and made available to The Tide by the Head, Communication/ Child Rights Officer (C4J), Maureen Udeagha last Tuesday.
The civil society groups also called on the Commissioner of Police, to ensure professionalism, due diligence and speedy investigation of the matter as returned to the state police command by the Office of the Imo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
Coordinator of the Rivers State Response Team on Violence Against Women and Children, Tombari Dumka-Kote, made the position of the groups known, in reaction to the statement credited to the office of the Imo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Cyprian Akaolisa and published in some national and online dailies, Tuesday.
Dumka-Kote, who spoke to newsmen on Wednesday, at the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Court Complex, during the resumed hearing on the matter, quoted the Imo State Attorney-General as saying the return of the case files to the police was for a holistic investigation to be carried out.
The human rights activist however, said the failure of the police to produce the woman who allegedly sold the children to the nurse, Ngozi Ebuzoaju Egbuson, nor the mothers of the children, should not be used as an excuse why suspects that are found to have been involved in a heinous crime of human trafficking should not be prosecuted by the State.
He called on the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command to resist being intimidated and blackmailed into covering up the findings of their investigation, and go ahead to make public and available to the courts, the original written and audio confessional statement of Ngozi Ebuzoaju Egbuson while in police custody.
‘This way, the State Police Command would free itself from the complicity and issue of poor investigation now beclouding the case in court”’ Dumka-Kote stated.
On her part, Maureen Udeagha, Head, Communication/Child Rights Officer at the Centre for Justice, Empowerment & Development (C4J) said the Imo state Attorney-General had always been quick in dishing out blames since his move to withdraw the case from court and stop the prosecution of suspects was rejected by civil society groups that raised the alarm.
Udeagha said in the phase of the recent development, the civil society community in the State were demanding the immediate re-arrest of Chinyere Ohanyere, who was arraigned separately on same matter, for child stealing and was granted bail, as well as one Chinelo, and others still at large.
She also insisted that the police investigation should be speedy and timely.
She agreed that a DNA test will resolve the puzzle about the claims of Chinyere Ohanyere that she conceived and gave birth to the children.
She said the civil rights community, Nigerians, as well as the international community are watching what the AG and the Imo State Government will make of the case.
Meanwhile, during resumed hearing of the case Wednesday, Hon. Justice I.M. Njaka adjourned ruling on the bail application brought before the court by Counsel to the accused, to the next adjourned date.
The court’s decision was based on the fact that both the State counsel, and lawyer representing the Imo state chapter of the African Women Lawyers Association both rejected the application by the defence counsel, informing the court that child trafficking was a very serious offence.
Although, the Attorney-General was not available to inform the court of the position of Imo State Government to return the case files to the police as expected both at the magistrate and High Courts of Justice.

By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

Rivers

Residents Embrace MNCH Week Services In PH

Published

19 hours ago

June 17, 2026

The Tide

Antenatal care and immunization services recorded high patronage during the just-concluded Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week as residents in various communities across Port Harcourt took advantage of the free healthcare interventions.

The exercise, which was aimed at improving maternal and child well-being, attracted women, caregivers and children to different health facilities where a range of free healthcare services were provided.

Findings from selected health centres visited during the exercise showed encouraging participation by beneficiaries despite a few operational challenges experienced by health workers.

At Ozuboko Health Centre, the doctor in charge, Dr. Flag Amachree, said the facility recorded a good turnout throughout the exercise.

The Tide gathered that the team of immunization officers embarked on outreach immunization activities to schools to ensure that more children benefited from the programme.

She, however, identified inadequate supplies of deworming tablets as a challenge, noting that available stocks were being carefully managed to meet demands.

One of the beneficiaries, Emmanuella Edwin, who visited the facility for antenatal registration, expressed satisfaction with the services provided by the health workers.

She commended the staff for their dedication, professionalism and friendly disposition, adding that the registration process was stress-free and without any major challenge.

Similarly, Mrs. Esther Abbey said she registered for the free medical services offered during the healthcare week and described the process as smooth and simple.

She added that the programme also created an avenue for her daughter to benefit from immunization services through arrangements by her school.

Another beneficiary, Mrs. Philomena Ezekiel, said she was unable to access the service for her children after she was informed that a National Identification Number (NIN) was required before the test could be carried out.

At Amadi Health Centre, the Medical Officer in charge, Dr. Ebere Ikonwa, attributed the low turnout recorded at the facility to inadequate community mobilization, noting that no town crier was assigned to create awareness.

Despite the situation, she said the facility carried out outreach immunization services successfully and recorded significant patronage in antenatal care and immunization services.

By: Esuuk-Awaji Oyet, Princess Akinyemi

Rivers

NUJ Summit to Strengthen Media/Security Partnership, Tackle Misinformation

Published

19 hours ago

June 17, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is set to convene a two-day National Security Summit in Abuja aimed at strengthening collaboration between the media and security agencies in advancing national stability, public trust and sustainable development.

The summit, scheduled to hold on June 18 and 19, 2026, will bring together key actors in governance, security and the media sector to deliberate on pathways for improved engagement in addressing contemporary national security concerns.

Themed, “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building”, the gathering is expected to serve as a strategic platform for dialogue on responsible information management and enhanced institutional cooperation.

Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Comrade Abimbola Oyetunde, who disclosed this in a statement, said the initiative was conceived as a high-level engagement to deepen understanding between journalists and security operatives in safeguarding the country.

She explained that the summit would provide opportunities for critical conversations on crisis communication, information sharing, conflict reporting and strengthening citizens’ confidence in public institutions.

According to the statement, the event will attract senior government officials, heads of security agencies, media executives, editors, civil society groups and other stakeholders drawn from across the country.

According to the organizers, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, will attend as Special Guests of Honour.

The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, is expected to deliver the keynote address, while the National President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, will host the summit.

Also expected to chair the occasion is the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

The statement noted that the summit comes at a critical period when Nigeria continues to confront evolving security challenges, growing concerns over misinformation and heightened public anxiety over national issues.

It emphasized that structured engagement between the media and security institutions has become imperative in improving crisis communication, reducing panic, combating fake news, and ensuring the dissemination of timely, accurate and responsible information.

Participants at the summit are expected to examine issues such as responsible reporting of security operations and conflict situations, access to credible information and official briefings, management of sensitive information and the safety of journalists covering security-related assignments.

Other areas of focus include countering disinformation, propaganda and hate speech, as well as building mutual trust and professional respect between journalists and security personnel.

The summit will also feature goodwill messages, panel discussions, breakout sessions, experience-sharing by frontline reporters, and interactive engagements with security chiefs before concluding with the adoption of a communiqué and an action framework to guide future collaboration.

The NUJ restated its commitment to press freedom, ethical journalism and promoting national peace, security and democratic governance.

By: King Onunwor

Rivers

Anaka Community Seeks Development, Unity … Advocates Devine Guidance In 2027 Leadership Selection

Published

19 hours ago

June 17, 2026

The Tide

The Paramount Ruler of Anaka Community in Akpor Clan, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, HRH. Eze Marcus Oriji, has reiterated the kingdom’s commitment to unity, development, and peaceful coexistence among its people.

HRH Oriji, who spoke through his son, Alloy Marcus, in an interview with newsmen in the community, said the community is committed to peace.

He described Anaka as a community known for peace and unity, noting that the kingdom continues to attract visitors and residents because of its welcoming nature.

According to him, while the leadership of the kingdom has recorded progress in various fronts, several challenges still remain.

Anaka Community, he continued, has faced developmental challenges similar to those confronting many communities across the country.

He identified the provision of key infrastructure, including a modern market, schools, healthcare facilities, and a police station, as critical areas requiring attention to enhance the growth and development of the kingdom.

On concerns raised by residents over the poor condition of the road linking St. John’s to Ogbogoro, Eze Marcus commended the Rivers State Government under the leadership of the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara,ii for commencing work on the Ring Road project, which he described as a significant development for the area.

Marcus explained that Anaka Kingdom stands to benefit from the project and appealed to the government to accelerate construction efforts, particularly on sections connecting St. John’s and other adjoining communities, to ease traffic congestion and improve accessibility.

Expressing optimism about the project’s completion, he said improved road infrastructure would not only enhance movement within the area, but also attract investors, businesses, and visitors to the kingdom.

Commenting on the 2027 general elections, Eze Alloy Marcus called for divine guidance in the selection of leaders, stressing the need for God-fearing individuals who would govern with integrity and commitment to national development.

He also advised young people to shun electoral violence and resist being used by politicians for unlawful activities such as ballot box snatching and election-related disturbances.

He urged youths to play constructive roles in strengthening democracy by supporting free, fair, and peaceful elections.

The royal representative emphasized that sustainable development, improved infrastructure, and peaceful democratic processes remain essential for the continued progress of Anaka Kingdom and Rivers State as a whole.

By: Azubuike Chiwendu, Akpelu Godspower