Niger Delta
Gunmen Abduct Four, Injure One In C’River
A former Accountant General of Cross River, Mrs Rose Bassey, was abducted on Tuesday along with three others at Uyanga axis of the Calabar-Ogoja highway.
They were abducted by gunmen who laid siege on that axis of the busy highway by shooting at the traveling motorists to force them to stop.
The Tide source reports that a popular evangelist in the state, Edim Edim Omin, was also shot during the process.
The evangelist, who escaped with bullet wounds, is said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in the state.
The incident is coming barely 24 hours after the State Police Command said it has deployed tactical team, including Anti-Cultism and Kidnapping Squads, to that axis of the highway to safeguard motorists and commuters plying the highway.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Irene Ugbo, confirmed the incident, saying the Command “is working to see that the four abducted persons are released unharmed”.
She reiterated that the Command is working to see that normalcy returns to that axis of the highway.
“It is a sad reality for us and as I speak with you, the Commissioner of Police is heading to that axis to assess the situation of things himself,” she stated.
It would be recalled that the Uyanga-Ikomita axis of the Calabar-Ogoja highway has become notorious for kidnappers in the past two months.
About 20 persons, including two medical doctors in the state, have been abducted at that axis of the highway.
The abduction of the medical doctors led to industrial action by the state chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) that demanded for their release unhurt.
Niger Delta
Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday
The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.
Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.
Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.
According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.
The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.
“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.
He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.
On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.
“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.
