Rivers

Gunmen Kill Two In Rivers Community

Published

4 years ago

July 22, 2022

The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a member of a local vigilante group, Osite Wosu, and a youth, Gift Augustine, by gunmen in separate attacks in Elibrada Community in Emuoha Local Government Area of the State.
The Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-koko, who disclosed this in Port Harcourt, also said four suspects in connection with the killings have been arrested.
One of the suspects and a member of a vigilante known as the Emuoha Local Government Vigilante Service (EMOLVICE), Godknows Wakama, was arrested while the three other suspects were nabbed for their alleged involvement in the killing of Wosu.
The Tide gathered that Wakama, a member of EMOLVICE, had reportedly fired a shot when members of the outfit went to the community in search of a cult gang that killed one of their members, as the bullet hit Augustine.
The PPRO told our correspondent via telephone that Wakama has been transferred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department for a proper investigation into the killing.
Iringe-Koko said, “Currently the suspect has been arrested and transferred to the state CID for discreet investigation.
“The Command sympathises with the family of the bereaved and we advise that they remain law abiding and not to go against the law.
“They should work with the police division closer to them,” she stated.
On the death of Wosu, she said, “Three persons have been arrested. Their arrest was due to discreet investigation and the proactive posture of the command.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Commander of EMOLVICE, Zone 2, Emeke Woris, who confirmed Wosu’s death, said he was shot dead by a suspected cultist, while sitting with an old woman in the community.
Woris denied claims that his men shot a youth from the community, saying the activities of the miscreants in the area were unbecoming.
He said, “What happened yesterday, we don’t know who is innocent and who is not innocent in Elibrada because of what is happening.
“We are trying to see that every person, apart from the chiefs, who we don’t even know, will say is who not a cultist in Elibrada.
“The chiefs and elders in Elibrada are supposed to stop what is happening in Elibrada. What happened was that because I was not there, they said they were going to look for the cultist.
“The people that killed our soldier (member), in the process, they said they saw the boy jumping the fence. As he was jumping the fence, the other guy was coming from the other angle, and what he did was, he started dragging the gun with him.
“They said the gun exploded immediately. That was the story I heard yesterday because I wasn’t with them there.”
Wori, however, expressed worry that nobody was talking of the dead member, who, he said, was committed to securing the community.
“A man who has dedicated his life to make peace in Elibrada Community to fight cultism and terrorism, they saw him sitting with an elderly woman, and they shot him at Elibrada on Saturday at 4 pm.
“Up till now I am talking with you, no member of Elibrada has gone on air to say what these boys are doing is wrong. And people are posting rubbish on Facebook.
“He (Wosu) is a native of Elibrada and the Chief Security Officer of Elibrada who has been helping the police to make sure there is peace in Elibrada, and they killed him,” Wori stated.

Rivers

Group Seeks Police Support to Tackle GBV

Published

10 hours ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Multi-Stakeholder Action Committee on the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a non-profit organization dedicated to combating gender-based violence in the State, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to seek his support and partnership for a planned sensitization programme for Police GBV Desk Officers.

The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies Dimpka, alongside the Committee’s Coordinator, Barr. Evelyn Membere Asimiea.

Speaking during the meeting, the Coordinator explained that the committee comprises various stakeholders, including FIDA, the media, security agencies, and traditional and religious institutions.

She noted that the initiative is funded by ActionAid Nigeria with support from the Ford Foundation, with the goal of strengthening efforts to eliminate gender-based violence in Rivers State.

“We have carried out several engagements, including community advocacy programmes and the training of female cultural influencers, among other activities,” she said.

In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, pledged his full support for the initiative and assured the committee of the Police Command’s readiness to collaborate in strengthening GBV response mechanisms across the state.

Members of the delegation also included heads of sub-committees within the group: Barr. Ere Boma (Advocacy); Dr. Mary Obisike (Response); Martha Igbiks ( Information and Awareness); and Brown Musa Afonyagha (Religious/Traditional).

Observers described the engagement as a significant step toward enhancing coordination and improving the response to gender-based violence in Rivers State.

Rivers

Youth Body Condemns Killing Of Member … Demands Immediate Suspension Of Bike Operation

Published

10 hours ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

Youths from Igwuruta Community in Rivers State have condemned the killing of the Secretary of Omuolu-Omunwei Community in Igwuruta, Mr. Nchelem Samuel Festus, describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable.

In a communiqué issued on February 12, 2026, the youth body said Mr. Festus was allegedly murdered on Tuesday February 10, 2026, by commercial motorcycle operators identified as “Aboki bike riders” within the community.

The group expressed sadness and outrage over the development, stating that the killing has heightened tension in the area and disrupted the peace for which Igwuruta has long been known.

According to the communiqué, the incident is part of what the community described as a growing wave of criminal activities, including rape, kidnapping and other violent crimes allegedly perpetrated by the same group.

The youth body said Igwuruta has historically maintained a reputation as a peaceful and hospitable community where residents and visitors carry out their daily activities without fear.

It, however, noted that recent events and what it termed as “escalating violence” have created fear among residents and necessitated urgent intervention.

The communiqué called for the immediate suspension of all motorcycle operations by the group within Igwuruta.

It also demanded the closure of scrap-dump sites in the community allegedly operated by the said individuals.

Furthermore, the youth body urged security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the killing of Mr. Festus and perpetrators of other alleged crimes in the area.

It also called on cattle herders to vacate farmlands in Igwuruta and urged herdsmen to stay away from bushes within the community with immediate effect.

While pledging to uphold the rule of law and refrain from self-help, the youth body gave security agencies a 48-hour ultimatum to act on some of its demands, particularly the suspension of motorcycle operations and closure of scrap sites.

The communiqué appealed to security agencies, local government authorities and other stakeholders to treat the matter with urgency and collaborate with the community to restore peace and ensure justice.

As at the time of filing this report, the Police has not issued any official statement about the incident.

By: King Onunwor

Rivers

NDDC, REA Seal Pact On Sustainable Electricity Expansion In N’Delta

Published

10 hours ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand access to reliable and sustainable electricity across the Niger Delta region.

The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the REA in Abuja, is intended to strengthen institutional collaboration in accelerating development in underserved communities in the region.

A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the pact underscores renewed efforts by the two federal interventionist agencies to deepen cooperation and fast-track infrastructure delivery.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described the MoU as a strategic step towards realising the Commission’s vision to “light up the Niger Delta” in line with national priorities on distributed energy expansion.

Ogbuku said “the agreement represents a shared institutional responsibility to deliver reliable energy solutions that will enhance livelihoods, stimulate local economies and create broader opportunities across the nine Niger Delta states.”

According to him, electricity remains a critical enabler of national development, support for job creation, healthcare delivery, education and inclusive economic growth.

He noted that the collaboration would help unlock the economic potential of rural communities while advancing broader national development objectives.

The NDDC boss added that the Commission has consistently adopted partnership-driven approaches in executing projects in the region and is prepared to support the implementation of the MoU by leveraging its community presence and infrastructure development capacity.

He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the REA to ensure the timely and effective execution of the agreement.

The NDDC delegation at the event included the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde; Director, Legal Services, Mr. Victor Arenyeka; Director, Finance and Supply, Mrs. Kunemofa Asu; and Director, Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs. Mary Nwaeke.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the MoU as a natural collaboration between two agencies with complementary mandates, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to sustainable electricity in rural communities.

“The Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic fortunes and must be supported by infrastructure capable of driving productivity, enterprise and improved living standards”, Aliyu said.

He adding that the partnership signals readiness to deliver stable power to communities that have long awaited reliable electricity supply.