Niger Delta

Police Rescue Abducted Victims In C’River

Published

3 years ago

November 16, 2022

Police in Cross River State have rescued a 28 years old taxi driver, Mr Joseph David from his abductors.
David was rescued last Saturday at Esuk Mba in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of the State.
Police spokesperson in the state, SP Irene Ugbo, confirmed the rescue, explaining that David’s vehicle was also recovered during the operation.
She stated that the rescue operation was carried out inside a forest at Esuk Mba by the Anti-Cultism and Anti-Kidnap Squad, a police tactical unit in collaboration with Army’s “Operation Akpakwu’’.
She stated that the operation was carried out following a distress call.
Irene said the kidnappers abandoned David when they discovered that a search-and-rescue team was closing in on them.
David told newsmen that he was hired to take a passenger to Esuk Mba to take palm oil at a mill, but unknown to him, it was a setup.
“On our way to Esuk Mba to carry the palm oil, the man who hired me suddenly asked me to stop at a spot.
“All of a sudden, two young men came out of a nearby bush with guns and marched me into a speed boat and took me into the creeks.
“They left the person who hired me from Calabar with my vehicle but the car wouldn’t start.
“In the process, some youths from the area suspected something was wrong and accosted the man that hired me, but he fled after which the youths alerted the police.
“I believe he gave his accomplices a tip-off because they were receiving calls and they beat me up badly with cutlass.
“They dropped me off at Anantigha before the anti-kidnap and `Operation Akpakwu’ operatives came to my rescue,’’ he said.
David added that he could identify the assailants anytime they were arrested.
Similarly, a carpenter identified as Otobong, has also regained freedom from his abductors after five days in captivity.
Otobong said he was left off the hook after he parted with the N37,000 found on him by his abductors who had tricked him under the guise of giving him a job.
“They called me with a number not registered on my phone and asked me to meet them at WAPI Junction in Calabar that they had a job for me.
“Before leaving, I called my wife to inform her; unfortunately her phone line didn’t connect, so I had to inform my daughter about my movement instead.
“On my way, I received another call from the same person that I should stop at Stadium that they would pick me up from there which they did.
“They were three in the car, a Toyota Camry. Since I didn’t suspect any foul play, I joined them.
“It was while they were driving me to their destination on the highway that I lost consciousness.
“They kept me in a room for five days blindfolded and without food. Even the N37,000 I had with me to buy materials for another customer was collected.
“When they checked my account balance they knew I was a wrong target, because I didn’t have a kobo in it. They questioned me if I had money and I told them that I am just a poor carpenter,’’ he said.

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

1 day 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.