Rivers
Police Parade Eight Officers For Extortion, Assault In Rivers
The Rivers State police command has paraded eight officers for an alleged extortion and assault in the state.
Four of them were among the eight police officers paraded by the State Commissioner of Police at the Police Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt, Monday, while the other four were among the operatives who allegedly assaulted three men and extorted N6.5million from them.
The policemen who are not serving in the command but from a neighbouring Delta State command were said to have arrested some men from Omoluwabi in the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of the state “The men were tagged Internet fraudsters and were arrested by the police men ferried them to Delta State where they reportedly collected the money from them after detaining them for two days.
It was also learnt that the cops arrested the men on July 31, 2023, and laterv released them on August 1, 2023 after they had paid a whooping sum of money for their release.
The state Commissioner of Police, Emeka Nwonyi, while parading the police officers said he was working hard to rid the command of bad eggs,adding that consequences of crime are the same whether committed by civilians or security personnel.
Nwonyi said, “You can see some police officers. they have been in detention for more than two weeks now for an offence. They are not from this command, but we arrested them to show that we are here to purge ourselves.
I don’t think any other organisation has been more stringent in discipline like the police in cleaning up the bad eggs in their system and I want to be challenged on that.
The police boss however,did not reveal the identities of the alleged policemen from the Delta command who were paraded.
In a related development, the CP also paraded another set of four policemen serving in the command. They included three Inspectors and one Sergeant who were arrested for allegedly assaulting a female commuter which the video clips went viral on social media over the weekend.
He gave the names of the arrested police suspects as Inspector“Agba Emmanuel, and three others namely, Inspector Abgani Peter, Inspector Ozenewa Amadi and Sargeant Akuigbo Bartholomew. Nwonyi averred that the policemen were on a stop-and-search operation when they allegedly assaulted the lady around Arcania Junction, Ada George Road in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
According to him, “Upon receipt of the complaint, the commander of the CP Monitoring Unit swung into action and identified the officers as men of an Anti-Cultism Unit on a stop-and-search led by Inspector Agba Emmanuel.
They have all been arrested and in custody undergoing interrogation.
“We want to inform our esteemed friends that the police officers allegedly involved in the incident from the video have been identified and are now in custody as part of our ongoing investigation. We are committed to ensuring a fair and thorough examination of this matter.
However, to ensure transparency and gather all perspectives, we urgently request the lady seen in the video to please come forward and share her side of the story. Your input is crucial in helping us understand the situation fully. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities. “Also, I am appealing to the lady who was assaulted to come to my office and give us her side of the incident for proper investigation to be carried out.
The commissioner of police also told journalists that as a follow-up to the kidnapping and release of one victim (name withheld), on 29/08/2023 at about 1830hrs, the Operatives of the Command arrested one Henry Thomas ‘m’, aged 40yrs, a native of Akinima in Ahoada-West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
According to him, during interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and later led operatives to Akinima Community on 30/08/2023 at about 0400hrs where their operational vehicle, a Toyota Sienna car with Reg. No. MUS 606 AR, two pump action guns with breaches No. 23-0411 and 2h21yt-28, respectively, 20 rounds of LAR ammunition, 25 rounds of AK47 ammunition, and six cartridges were recovered from him.
An effort is ongoing to arrest other members of the dreaded syndicate and recover more of their operational weapons.
The CP said in a follow-up to the death of a cultists/kidnappers, police operatives of the command on 30/08/2023 arrested one Godspower Salete ‘m’ at Rumodogo at about 1424hrs and one Temple Emmanuel Woke ‘M’ of Rumuodogo-1 in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State were also arrested in connection to the case.
The two suspects led a team of Policemen to Rumuodogo Forest for the recovery of their arms. During the process, their gang members engaged the police in a gun battle, and in the process, the two suspects were fatally wounded while others escaped with bullet wounds.
One AK49 rifle with breach no. Ek3911 and six magazines with twenty rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered.
The corpses have been deposited at De-light Mortuary, Ogbakiri, for autopsy, while intensive efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and recover more of their operational weapons.
By: Akujobi Amadi
The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages
The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.
National Youth Council of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter, under the dynamic leadership of Amb. Ambrose Sopuruchukwu Okpor, has called on the result-oriented National President, Amb. Sokubo Saraigbe Sokubo, to re-contest.
This call stems from the overwhelming confidence reposed in him by Nigerian youths, based on his outstanding track record, charismatic leadership, and unwavering commitment to youth development.
This was contained in a statement made available to news men, yesterday.
Amb. Akpor explained that under the leadership of Amb. Sokubo the NYCN has experienced unprecedented progress in youth empowerment, advocacy, and national unity.
“I want to say that Amb. Sokubo’s ability to maintain harmony, sustainable peace, and foster an inclusive atmosphere within the youth leadership structure is a testament to his visionary and tactical approach to leadership.
“The Rivers State Chapter, with other progressive and stakeholders, believes he is best positioned to continue piloting the affairs of the Council towards greater heights”,he said.
The youth council chairman in the State further appeal to Sokubo to answer this noble call to serve once again, for the sake of continuity, growth, and the collective aspirations of Nigerian youths across the country.