Niger Delta

Security Agents Hail Peaceful Election In Calabar

Published

2 years ago

February 27, 2023

Security agencies in Calabar, Cross River State, have commended the peaceful conduct of the presidential election.
The security agencies, comprising the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and Nigeria Correctional Service, made the commendation at a polling unit in Ward 12, Unit 022 in Goldie, Calabar South LGA.
Commenting on behalf of the combined team, ACG James Bassey, Commander NSCDC, Zone L in Port Harcourt, said generally the election had been very peaceful except for minor skirmishes that were promptly handled.
Bassey said although they got intel that some hoodlums were causing problems by preventing boats from moving in the creeks, they handled the situation quite well.
“So far nobody has been arrested for violence, the major challenge some polling units in the state had was that of the operation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
“In this polling unit, the BVAS stopped working for some time, it is an innovation and some challenges are expected, with time we will get it right.
“While I commend the synergy among the security agencies, I expect a fair and credible election at the end of the day,” he said.
Similarly, Mr Patrick Umor from the same polling unit, said he could not be accredited because the BVAS could not identify both his fingerprint or recorgnise him facially.
Umor said he voted in the same polling unit in the 2019 general elections and did not see any reason why the BVAS could not accredit him.
He said they also had the challenge of the BVAS in his polling unit as it stopped working due to poor network while the people had to wait for service to return, this delayed voting in my polling unit till past 7:00 p.m.
Earlier, Mr Justin Ebum, Labour Party (LP) Agent of of Ward 8, Unit 042 Federal Housing, Calabar, who spoke to The Tide source at INEC’s office, said he came to the office to find out if the BVAS for his polling unit could be reconfigured or a new one given to them.
Ebum added that eight other Polling Units in Calabar had to come back to INEC office to ask for a reconfiguration or outright change of their BVAS, this is not so good in our electoral process.
“Will they disenfranchise the voters from all these polling units in the state? That would be unfair,” he narrated.
The source reports that due to the malfunction of BVAS in some polling units in the city, voting was prolonged to as late as 7.30 p.m.

Niger Delta

Police Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids

Published

16 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Edo State has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered multiple firearms and ammunition during a week-long operation targeting cult-related violence in the Benin metropolis.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, disclosed this in a statement made available to The Tide’s source.

Yamu said operatives of the command also seized two locally made pistols, a single-barrel shotgun, and 24 live cartridges during intelligence-led raids.

According to him, the suspects are alleged members of the Maphites, Eiye, and Aye confraternities, which authorities say are responsible for recent cult supremacy killings in the state.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Agbonika, warned youths against joining unlawful societies.

He noted that the commissioner urged parents to monitor their children’s activities.

“These groups destroy futures and end lives, both of members and innocent citizens”, he said.

Of the 95 suspects, he said that 64 had been charged to court, and remanded in custodian center, while investigations continued on the remaining cases.

The command’s spokesperson assured residents of Edo of continued efforts to dismantle cult networks and restore public safety.

Niger Delta

Oyetola Distributes Life Jackets To Water Transportation Users In Bayelsa

Published

16 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has distribution of 3,500 life jackets to water transportation users in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital.

The Minister said the gesture was part of Federal Government’s efforts to tackle recurring boat mishaps in the country.

Oyetola explained the critical role water transportation had played in the daily lives of Nigerians, particularly in coastal and riverine communities.

He described the life jackets, which were long overdue, as reflecting the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving lives and promoting a safe marine environment.

“What we are doing here today is saving lives. It is that simple. With these life jackets, we are empowering our waterways users, fishermen, traders, students, and transport operators with the basic tools to survive and be safe”, Oyetola said.

The Tide’s source reports that similar life jackets were distributed in Minna, Niger State on April 29.

The programme is part of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s first phase of intervention.

The minister said Bayelsa was a priority in the campaign and commended Governor Douye Diri for aligning with the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.

Oyetola applauded Bayelsa’s creation of a state Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and commitment to the development of the Agge Deep Seaport.

He described the seaport as “transformative and visionary,” capable of reshaping the economic landscape of not just Bayelsa, but the entire South-South region.

“The Agge Deep Seaport will serve as a major maritime gateway, facilitating international trade, reducing congestion at existing ports, create jobs, boost investments, and accelerate development in the Niger Delta.

Oyetola urged all boat operators and passengers to wear life jackets at all times, stressing that safety could not be compromised.

“They are not for decoration, they are for your protection. Safety is everyone’s responsibility”, Oyetola said.

Speaking earlier, Diri commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to harness Nigeria’s maritime potential.

Diri also praised Oyetola for fostering cooperation with Bayelsa and stressed the need for continuous public education on water safety.

“Education about safety on the waterways must be sustained if we are to reduce the tragic loss of lives from boat mishaps”, Diri said.

Niger Delta

C’ River Repeals Essential Drug Programme Law 2002

Published

16 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has repealed the essential drugs programme law 2002 and passed the state’s Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency bill, 2025 into law.

The bill, which was sponsored by the member representing Boki 2 State Constituency, Mr. Hillary Bisong, was first read at plenary on September 12, 2024.

It was later referred to the House Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security after the second reading.

Speaking on the bill, Bisong, who doubles as the Chairman of the Health Committee, recalled that the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced the Essential Drug Programme globally in 198, noting that in 2002, the programme was passaged in Cross River State.

He, however, said while several provisions of the Essential Drug Programme Law were retained, the new law offered a more comprehensive framework.

“The law was transited from a programme-based structure to a full-fledged agency model, thereby expanding its scope of operation to meet the present day healthcare delivery realities.

‘’The proposed agency will take charge of enforcement of standards for proper management and distribution and overseeing circulation of drugs and health commodities across the state,’’ he explained.

In separate contributions, the lawmakers unanimously supported the bill, maintaining that the proposed agency would enhance the performance of the existing health insurance scheme as well as create employment opportunities.

Expressing happiness over the passage of the bill, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, said the 10th Assembly would continue to enhance good governance through people-oriented legislation.