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Rukpokwu Residents Send SOS To Wike, IGP Over Looming Crisis
Residents of Royal Estate Phase 2 on SARS Road, Rukpokwu in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State have called on the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, and the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to urgently wade in to forestall the possible breakdown of law and order as well as the breach of public peace by hoodlums in the area.
The residents, who made the call while speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt, last Monday, expressed regrets over what they described as horrifying brutalisation of legitimate land owners by a notorious gang of land grabbers operating in Rukpokwu axis.
The residents and legitimate purchasers also warned that if nothing was done to halt the violence, there may be a resort to self-help.
“There is no way that someone can be forced out of his land after he has spent four to N10million”, the residents said.
A resident, who identified himself as Eric Jackson, alleged that the head of the grabbers’ gang was one, Mr. Douglas Tenko, fondly referred to as ‘The Don’.
He alleged that ‘The Don’, who heads the land grabbers’ gang, also has more than 50 goons who help him to achieve his purpose.
Jackson said ‘The Don’ was working in connivance with some chiefs, elders and community development committee members to wreak mayhem and grab people’s property.
He explained that top police officers in Port Harcourt, Zone 16, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, and Force Headquarters, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, were in league with ‘The Don’ and his goons.
Jackson also expressed regrets over what he described as terrifying brutalisation of bonafide purchasers and the framing of phantom charges against them in effort to dispossess them of their parcels of land.
He said that the Royal Estate Phase2 had been overrun by the grabbers who extort money from landowners in the area.
Jackson accused one Mr. Jacob Samuel from Delta State of being the mastermind of the land grabbing scheme in the area.
He said that Samuel had been hired by the real owner of Eliokpokwu marshy area, Rukpokwu, Mr. Nnanta Chinedu.
He alleged that because of greed, Samuel elicited the support of ‘The Don’ and his goons to dispossess Nnanta permanently of his property.
He said most purchasers who bought their parcels of land from the beneficial owner were often marooned and framed up with phantom charges to cower them into the abandonment of their legal ownership of the land they purchased.
He said that a picture of a corpse lying in a canal was used to slam phantom charge of murder to purchasers who bought directly from the beneficial owner and dispossess them.
Jackson also said Chinedu was remanded in prison custody over a phantom charge of murder with the intention of compelling him to back out of his heritage.
He said the police officers who caused Chinedu to be remanded in custody were working for ‘The Don’.
He said some of the police accomplices in the scheme claim to be working on the order of IGP.
A Port Harcourt-based lawyer and counsel to Mr. Chinedu Nnanta said that the marshes in dispute belonged to his client who inherited same from his father according to Ikwerre native laws and customs as applicable in Eliokpokwu-Odu, Rukpokwu.
He remarked that the ownership of the land in dispute was already pending in the High Court but noted that Mr. Douglas Tenko and Elder Prince Sunny Okpara were defendants in the matter but would not come to court to defend their matter.
He pointed out that ownership of land was civil matter and not criminal.
Also speaking, the acting head of Eliokpokwu-Odu community, Chief Achineke Mecha, accused Rumuagholu community of using hoodlums and certain police officers to dispossess them of their land.
He also called on the IGP to wade into the matter.
Mecha claimed that the land they sold to a certain estate developer was being challenged by a privileged police officer and his tugs.
He warned the police to stay away from Eliokpokwu-Odu community land.
Mecha said Rumuagholu was using the matter they won in 1961 to claim adjoining lands not captured in the survey plan.
Also speaking, a principal member of Eliokpokwu-Odu community, Elder Sunny Okpara, expressed regret that Rumuagholu was trespassing into their exclusive possession.
The Tide investigation revealed that Tenko was selling land he retrieved from legitimate purchasers to an estate development company whose owner has clout all over the Nigerian federation.
The Tidealso gathered that the owner of the estate, who worked behind the scenes, made it difficult for ‘The Don’ and his goons to be prosecuted for the plethora of heinous crimes they have allegedly committed by reportedly dispossessing legitimate owners of their lands
By: Chidi Enyie
The Rivers State Government has commended the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) for its outstanding contributions to the development of Rivers State, particularly in the areas of peacebuilding, education, healthcare, and moral development.
Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, stated that the Church has remained a dependable partner in promoting peace, unity, justice, moral discipline, and social harmony across society.
The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, made the remarks during the thanksgiving service marking the 30th Anniversary and First Session of the 11th Synod of the Diocese of Niger Delta North, held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Sunday.
Governor Fubara described the Synod’s theme, “Kingdom Advancement: The Priority of Every Believer,” as timely and relevant, considering the prevailing realities in society.
According to him, the Church continues to play a vital role in shaping societal values and inspiring hope among citizens.
“The Church remains a vital partner in promoting peace, unity, justice, and moral discipline. Its role in shaping values and inspiring hope cannot be overemphasized,” he stated.
The Governor further acknowledged the Anglican Communion’s contributions in education, healthcare delivery, youth empowerment, humanitarian services, and spiritual guidance across communities in Rivers State.
“The Rivers State Government appreciates the invaluable contributions of the Anglican Communion in education, healthcare, youth development, humanitarian support, and spiritual guidance. Your impact across communities in Rivers State continues to strengthen families and promote peaceful coexistence among our people,” he added.
Governor Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a peaceful, united, and prosperous Rivers State where all citizens can thrive irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or social background.
He also urged the Synod to continue praying for sustainable development and progress in Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
Earlier in his sermon, the Guest Minister, Joseph Olushola, spoke on the topic, “Kingdom Investment and Internal Rewards,” urging Christians to remain faithful stewards of God’s blessings and committed to advancing God’s kingdom through service and generosity.
The cleric emphasized that believers are custodians of the virtues and resources entrusted to them by God, stressing that divine rewards are based on faithfulness and impact rather than material possessions.
The Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), has reaffirmed support for efforts to expand gas distribution infrastructure in Rivers State as part of initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable, cleaner and more reliable energy for industries across the South-South region.
The commitment was highlighted during the SNG–MAN Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, where stakeholders from the industrial and public sectors examined the role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, boosting local production and strengthening energy security.
Speaking at the forum on behalf of the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, the company’s Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos Ejesi, described natural gas as a critical component of Nigeria’s energy mix and a key driver of sustainable industrial growth.
According to him, Nigeria’s gas development agenda has reached a stage where policy direction must be matched with practical implementation capable of addressing the energy challenges confronting manufacturers.
He noted that pipeline gas offers industries a cleaner, more dependable and cost-effective energy alternative capable of supporting uninterrupted operations, reducing emissions and improving production efficiency.
“Gas is the backbone of manufacturing, and we are encouraged by the growing recognition among stakeholders of the need for cleaner and more reliable energy solutions,” he said.
Ejesi stressed the need for sustained collaboration among energy providers, government institutions and industrial stakeholders to maximise the country’s gas resources for economic development.
He added that improved gas infrastructure would strengthen manufacturing value chains, enhance productivity and promote more competitive industrial operations across Rivers State and the wider South-South region.
Participants at the forum also emphasised the importance of expanding energy infrastructure as a pathway to unlocking industrial capacity, reducing operating costs and promoting sustainable industrial development.
Representing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with private sector investors to revitalise industrial activities in the state.
He identified key projects targeted under the initiative to include the revival of the Ahoada Industrial Park, the New Port City project and the proposed Bonny Industrial Park, all aimed at stimulating economic growth and expanding industrial opportunities along the Bonny corridor.
According to the governor, the long-term vision is to position Rivers State as a leading manufacturing hub in Southern Nigeria through strategic public-private partnerships.
Governor Fubara also commended Shell Nigeria Gas and MAN for sustaining engagements geared towards improving industrial energy access, noting that gas infrastructure development remains central to the state’s economic recovery plans.
He further observed that the gas sector presents enormous opportunities for economic growth, especially as global energy systems continue to shift towards cleaner energy sources.
The governor called on stakeholders to work collectively towards developing a practical and sustainable gas framework capable of supporting the state’s industrial and energy development objectives.
By; Kevin Nengia
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has charged newlywed couples to build their marriages on the virtues of love and submission as taught in the Word of God.
Prof. Odu gave the charge at the wedding ceremony of Amblessed Favour Sunny-Cookey and Samson Jesuganji at Lifegate Power Ministries, Dominion Cathedral, in Port Harcourt on Saturday, 16th May 2026.
The Deputy Governor congratulated the couple on beginning a new phase of life together and prayed for God’s blessings upon their union, noting that the couple had been raised by godly parents and encouraged them to uphold the Christian values instilled in them.
Referring to the sermon delivered during the ceremony, Prof. Odu emphasized that the principles of love and submission remain fundamental to a successful marriage.
According to her, genuine love reflects the nature of God, stressing that love should remain the foundation of the couple’s relationship as they journey through life together.
Prof. Odu further prayed for enduring peace, happiness, and progress in the home, expressing confidence that the marriage would continue to flourish under God’s guidance.
The Deputy Governor also commended the families of the couple for their support and upbringing, while urging the newlyweds to always remember the significance of the day and the commitment they had made before God and witnesses.
In his sermon at the wedding, the Founder and Presiding Pastor of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, stated that marriage did not originate from Western culture, traditions, or human ideas, but from God, whom he described as the “manufacturer” of marriage.
According to the cleric, couples seeking lasting and peaceful homes must rely on biblical principles rather than societal trends or assumptions.
He explained that many marital crises and rising divorce rates stem from ignorance and failure to apply scriptural teachings in family life.
Drawing from the biblical parable of building a house on a rock, Pastor Ibiyeomie said the Word of God remains the only solid foundation capable of sustaining marriages through challenges and difficult times.
He noted that marriage naturally comes with unexpected realities and pressures, stressing that religious ceremonies or cultural practices alone are not enough to sustain a home without proper understanding of God’s instructions.
The pastor further warned that ignorance of scripture remains one of the greatest weapons against believers, urging Christians to study and practice the Word of God rather than merely attending church services.
It would be recalled that the bride is the daughter of Pastor Sunny Cookey the Founder and Presiding Pastor of Lifegate Ministries. The Ceremony had lots of Ministers in attendance which includes Apostle Zilly Aggrey, Pastor George Izunwa, and Bishop Winston Iwo