News
Easter: NSCDC Deploys 1,585 Officers To Beef Up Security In Rivers
The Rivers State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has said it has deployed 1,585 personnel to ensure adequate security of lives and property across the 23 local government areas of the state during and after the Easter celebrations.
While briefing the officers and men at the command’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, the state Commandant, Abu Tambuwal charged the personnel to discharge their duties with utmost diligence, alertness and professionalism, noting that the public has very great expectations in the corps in line with her mandate to safeguard all critical national assets and local disaster management.
According to him, “it includes warning the public against pending disasters, providing humanitarian services and rescuing of victims during emergencies, intelligence gathering, training, supervision, issuing of license and monitoring of private guard companies and protection of lives and property, among others”.
A statement signed by the spokesperson of the command, DSC Olufemi Ayodele, said the commandantdecried all human activities leading to environmental degradation, air pollution and indiscriminate dumping and burning of refuse, adding that these activities endanger the health and wellness of the people of the state.
He maintained that the deployed personnel must be proactive in gathering credible and actionable Intelligence that would enhance the eradication of illegal refineries, oil theft, oil bunkering and illegal dealings in petroleum products affirming that such unscrupulous acts are tantamount to economic sabotage.
“They have to identify various flash points and disaster prone areas. The personnel were drawn from the Command’s Anti-Vandal Squad, Marine Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit (CQU),Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), and Nuclear Explosives Unit (CBRNE) intelligence team and the Rapid Response Squad. They have been briefed to provide security coverage at strategic locations such as recreational centres, churches, mosques, motor park and public places.
The statement also said Tambuwal expressed the readiness of the NSCDC, Rivers State Command, to strengthen collaborations with the traditional and religious institutions and other relevant sister agencies in the fight against vandalism of oil pipelines, cultism, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and other criminalities.
He noted that all stakeholders must awake their consciousness to the fact that oil was the mainstay of the nation and any act of sabotage by vandals and oil bunkerers would automatically impede the nation’s oil revenue.
“As I charge you to be more resilient, determined and committed to the corps statutory duties and also to abhor any behaviour that is unbecoming of a public servant; I wish to sincerely appreciate our traditional rulers and religious leaders for the existing synergy with the NSCDC as I also pray that the we continue to make conscious efforts by sensitising and encouraging the youth in various communities and religious circle to cooperate with the government and security agencies so that the state would be totally rid of oil pipeline vandalism and unlawful dealings in petroleum products.”
Ayodele solicited the public to provide the command with sustained intelligence and information that would enhance the arrest of criminally-minded persons before, during and after the Easter celebrations.
He, therefore, wished the people of the state happy Easter celebrations, and assured of maximum security during and after the festivities.
By: Amadi Akujobi
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.