Niger Delta

Udom Directs Owners Of Compensated Properties To Vacate

Published

4 years ago

March 14, 2022

Occupants of structures constituting an impediment to construction work along the NsitUbium-Eket axis of the Eket-Etinan road, who have been compensated, have been urged to vacate and allow the right of way, as the government was committed to completing the dual carriage expressway from Etinan to Eket.
The AkwaIbom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel stated this, while speaking at a funeral service in AfahaAtai, Eket local government area, in honour of the late Pastor Benjamin James Bassey, father of Elder Samuel Bassey, Special Representative to the Governor, AkwaIbom State Liaison Office, Lagos.
While restating the commitment of his administration to complete all ongoing projects in the state within record time, he appreciated the pace of work by CCECC along the Eket-Etinan road and sued for the cooperation of all to expedite completing a dual thoroughfare from NsitUbium across Okon axis to the Eket roundabout.
“If you’ve been given the compensation, please, please, please vacate in peace. Those compensations are based on professional valuation.
“We are a government of peace, we don’t like forcing people out, but please don’t take us for granted. We’ve given money, some people have collected the money and have refused to leave and that is slowing down the pace of work.
“So let those people peacefully give us the right of way so that we can finish the work in time. I have approximately one year to tidy up all these things and we are determined to tidy up everything we’re doing in the state as soon as possible,” Governor Emmanuel pleaded.
The governor commiserated with the bereaved family and commended the church for their support in ensuring a befitting funeral, while thanking God for the blessed life of the deceased, describing his death as a glorious exit.
Building on his administration’s gesture of establishing a school in AfahaAtai to bring secondary education nearer to the teeming children of the entire area, Governor Emmanuel also announced a donation of 20 new computer sets for the new Government Secondary School, AfahaAtai.
This, he stressed, was to ensure the student is groomed to meet up the latest ICT requirements.
Governor Emmanuel also extended his kindness to the AfahaAtai community by directing immediate renovation of a dilapidated residential building, belonging to one Mr. Anietie Victor Isangedighi, near the school compound.
Delivering a homily at the event tagged “Repeating the Mistake of the Past”, culled from Luke 2:25-32, the General Superintendent of Qua Iboe Church, Rev. EkpedemeEffanga, likened the deceased to the biblical Simeon who never abandoned the altar, but stayed to witness the salvation of God despite not being recognized in the line of the priesthood.
He, therefore, urged present-day clergymen not to abandon the altar of prayers, intercession, and ministry of the gospel to run after politics, to avoid the mistake of the biblical Caiaphas who, despite being the high priest of his days, was so indulged in politics that he could not discern the coming of Jesus Christ as fulfillment of God’s promise.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.

Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.

Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.

He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”

“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.

In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.

“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.

Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.

“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.

The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.

He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.

“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.

“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.

“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.

The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.

Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.

The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.

The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.

Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.

The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.

Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.