News

Police Arrests Suspected Killer Of Ex-Rivers CoS Aide

Published

3 years ago

July 28, 2023

The Rivers State Police Command said its men raided the den of notorious kidnappers, killing one suspect and arresting another in Emuoha Local Government Area of the state.
The command said the arrested hoodlum is a member of the gang that abducted and killed one Justice Azundah, the Chief Protocol Officer of the former Chief of Staff, Rivers State.
The State Commissioner of Police, Emeka Nwonyi, disclosed this at a news briefing in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Nwonyi revealed that the suspects before killing Azundah, received the sum of N2 million as ransom through a bank transaction from his family.
He further said following credible intelligence, men of the command raided the suspects’ camp on July 20, 2023, injuring many of the criminals who managed to flee with bullet wounds, adding that the police were on their trail.
He stated, “Operatives of the C4i Intelligence Unit while acting on intelligent-led policing and a follow-up in a case of kidnapping/murder, arrested one suspect that ran away to Magboro Community in Owode Ibafo of Ogun State in connection with the kidnap and murder of the late Justice Azundah.
“He was the Protocol Officer to the Chief of Staff to the former Governor of Rivers State from Isiodu Community in Emohua Local Government Area of the state.
‘During interrogation, the suspect confessed to having collected a ransom of N2 million through a bank transaction from the family of the victim, before he was murdered. On June 4, 2023, operatives raided the camp of the kidnappers, during the raid on the camp located in Isiodu/Elibrada Forest.
“On July 20, 2023, members of the gang engaged the police operatives in a gun battle during which one suspect was fatally wounded while others escaped with gunshot injuries.
“The fatally wounded suspect was identified as one Chinedu Azunda, popularly known as Omo, aged 36 years, a native of Isiodu Community in Emuoha Local Government Area.”
The CP said one pump action rifle with a bag containing 22 rounds of live cartridges was recovered from the scene.
“Investigation is still in progress, as every effort to recover other operational weapons and arrest of the fleeing suspects is ongoing, “ he said.
Nwonyi noted that on Thursday, operatives of the command following intelligence burst into another kidnappers camp in Ahoada West LGA of the state where the criminals upon sighting the police opened fire, promoting a gun duel with the police leading to the killing of one of the suspects, while others escaped.
He stated “On 27/7/2023, at about 0400hrs upon credible information received by Operatives of the Command stormed one Dangerboy and Double Chief Camp at Ebrass Community Forest both notorious cultist in Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state.
“The hoodlums in their numbers, on sighting the police operatives, engaged them in a gun dual and one of them was fatally wounded by the superior firepower of our operatives, while others escaped with bullet injuries.
“Exhibits Recovered; One AK-47 rifle with breech number 549168 and five magazines loaded with fifty-one (51) rounds of live ammunition, three live cartridges, one live GPMG ammunition and some assorted charms.”

By: Akujobi Amadi

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

Here is a clean, professional, publication-ready edit of your report with improved flow, clarity, and SEO strength while retaining all facts:

News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.