Niger Delta

PAP Dispels Staff Corruption Rumours

Published

3 years ago

January 11, 2023

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has reacted to a recent online publication about its officials being involved in alleged financial corruption.
To this end, the management of the Programme has described the allegations levelled against its officials as dishonest and untrue.
A statement from the office of the media aide to the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr Thomas Peretus condemned the publication, describing it as spurious.
The statement read in part, “The attention of the management of Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has been drawn to a spurious story published on the 3rd of January 2023 by PMEXPRESS, an online publication.
“The author of the unsubstantiated story, one Aisha Abubakar, alleged that some staff members of the finance and audit departments are involved in mind boggling corrupt practises through what she called ‘Advance Payment’, despite the new Interim Administrator’s concerted efforts to stamp out corruption in the system”.
He noted that the said story which was entitled, “Presidential Amnesty Programme still a cesspool of mind-boggling corruption”, was nothing but a figment of the author’s imagination.
He added that: “From all indications, the misguided reporter was on a mission to dent the image of the programme.
“We are at loss to understand what the writer means by Advance Payment (AP) and how it is being used to perpetrate fraud in the system”.
The Interim Administrator’s Media aide also said it was unfortunate that the reporter did not substantiate her bogus claims with verifiable evidence of corruption in the programme.
”The story is diversionary and totally at variance with the good traditions of journalism.
”We challenge the reporter or her co-travellers to provide proof of her claim with facts and figures of such ‘mind boggling’ underhand dealings.
“We hereby demand an unreserved public apology from the reporter and the PMEXPRESS for misleading the public.
”The management of the PAP may be constrained to take a legal action to redeem its image.The author of the report and the PMEXPRESS are hereby given 7 working days from today, Thursday 5th January 2023, to retract the story, and render public apology to PAP or be faced with a legal action”, he said.
Meanwhile the management of the programme has enjoined the public to discountenance the said report, reiterating that it lacks merit and does not represent the real picture of activities at the PAP.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.

Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.

Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.

He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”

“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.

In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.

“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.

Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.

“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.

The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.

He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.

“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.

“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.

“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.

The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.

Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.

The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.

The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.

Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.

The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.

Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.