Niger Delta

NDLEA Seizes Illicit Drugs, Arrests 68 Suspects In Bayelsa Community

Published

4 years ago

June 24, 2022

The Bayelsa State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested 68 persons suspected to have engaged in sale and addiction to illicit drugs in the state.
The Tide learnt this during a press briefing held by the state command of the agency in Yenagoa, the state capital as part of activities commemorating the 2022 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking which holds officially on Sunday, 26th, June.
In his briefing, the state commander of the NDLEA, Mr Ali Aminu stated that meeting with the press became necessary as according to him, the media serves as a platform to educate as well as enlighten the general public, especially the vulnerable groups on the menace of illicit drug abuse and trafficking.
Ali, who also noted that from the 68 Suspects arrested, the command has successfully convicted eight persons, reiterated the command’s resolve towards getting the state rid-of illegal drugs, reassuring that following the command’s resilience, no fewer than 34.526kg and 630ml of various classes of illicit drugs and substances have also been seized by the command between January and June this year.
He hinted that from January to June, 2022, through constant intelligence-led raids on black spots and on identified drug dealers as well as through continuous patrol operations, the command arrested 57 males and 11 females illicit drug suspects, making it a total of 68 persons so far arrested by the command in the year.
He said while one hectare of cannabis farm was discovered in Oruama (Yiba-ama) Community of the Ogbia Council Area of the state in March, the drug demand reduction unit of the command he stated, has also been assiduously discharging its functions.
The state’s NDLEA helmsman noted that the drug demand reduction unit between January and June,2022 admitted a total of 13 clients, 5 out of the 13 he said, have been successfully treated and discharged, while eight were still undergoing treatment and rehabilitation, revealing also that the unit has successfully counselled a total of 52 arrested persons with a breakdown of males and eight females, respectively.
Ali commended the Chairman/Chief executive officer of the agency, Brig. General Buba Marwa(rtd) for repositioning the agency, saying the chief executive of the agency has brought in a new zeal into the personnel of the agency which has made them rededicated themselves to fighting the scourge of illicit drug abuse and trafficking in the country.
“The national drug law enforcement agency is the lead agency in the war against illicit substance abuse and trafficking. However, the agency cannot win this war alone.
“It’s up to all and sundry, individuals, state governments, NGOs, Schools and religious bodies. Our Sister security agencies and the press too are needed to enable us raise awareness and share information on the cancerous menace of the spectre of illicit substance abuse and trafficking to our persons, immediate environment and nation.
“ It is usually said, ‘if you’re not infected, you’re affected’ “, the NDLEA commander said.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

5 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to ensure improved welfare for personnel and more patrols on the maritime corridors of the nation.

He disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of things at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Wednesday.

According to him, there is the need for officers to always be ready, by improving on their welfare, in a bid to keep the country secured.

“I am here for an on the spot assessment of our operations and like you have seen, I have also gone round to check the ongoing buildings.

”These are welfare issues and for us to be able to have our men ready and keep us secured, their welfare needs to be catered for.

“So, we are here to kill two birds with one stone, which are basically operations and welfare issues.

”I am happy with what the command is doing; it is doing well in terms of keeping the maritime environment safe.

“We will continue doing what we are doing and improve on that, which is patrol of the waters and increase in the area of surveillance”, he stated.

As part of his visit, Abbas commissioned the 12×1 Junior Rates Accommodation Block A and B, at the Navy Barracks at Atimbo in Calabar.

The naval chief also inspected other ongoing projects in the Akim Barracks, 1006 flats and the Navy hotel, all within Calabar.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

8 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

8 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.