Rivers
LG Boss Warns Oil Companies Against Selective Judgement
The Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Rivers State, Hon. Erastus Awortu, has warned oil companies operating in Andoni to desist from employing selective judgement approach in their relationship with their Host Communities, saying that such is capable of causing crisis and instability.
Hon. Awortu issued the warning at a dialogue with the Traditional Ruler of Ikuru Town in Andoni, His Royal Majesty, King Aaron Miller Ikuru, Ikwuit VII and members of the Council of Chiefs of Ikuru Town as well as representatives of an oil company operating in the area, “Green Energy International Limited”, to resolve a conflict between the Youth and the Chiefs on employment slots in the company.
The meeting followed a recent protest by the Youth of Ikuru Town who accused the Chiefs of allegedly hijacking employment slots in the oil company meant for the Youth.
Some persons were reportedly injured during the protest by the Youth which turned violent, while some Chiefs were said to have been threatened by the protesters.
The Council Chairman accused the oil company of creating the confusion which created the tension in the community and triggered the anger of the Youth thereby leading to the violent protest.
He urged Green Energy to desist from actions capable of pitting the people against themselves as such could undermine law and order in the area, create instability and interrupt their operations.
“I want to urge oil companies, particularly, to try not to create confusion in Communities where there is no confusion. They must not divide a place to operate peacefully. Creating division in the community is also going to make their operation even more difficult.
“I want to urge Green Energy to give employment to all those that they promise employment and stop creating the impression that some people hijacked slots meant for some other persons”, he urged.
Hon. Awortu called on the aggrieved Youths of Ikuru Town to halt further hostility in the area on account of misinformation or confusion resulting from employment slots in Green Energy, saying he would ensure that no member of the Host Community is shortchanged or deprived of their rights and benefits in the Company.
He urged “everyone to maintain the existing peace in the area as they go about their lawful businesses without let or hindrance”.
On his part, the Chairman of Council of Chiefs of Ikuru Town and former Commissioner of Special Duties in Rivers State, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, debunked allegation of hijack of employment slots in Green Energy meant for the Youths.
He also debunked allegation of marginalization of the Youth in the relationship between the oil company and the host community.
According to Ikanya, “The Youth were not correct on the point they raised in their protest. No Chief went to Green Energy to remove any list, and if Green Energy agreed with them for a number of employment slots, they did not also relate with the Council of Chiefs.
“I also hear the Youths were complaining of marginalization. Again, this is also not correct because in every meeting of the Community, the Youth are invited. In fact, sometimes if we want to discuss about our relationship with the oil company, we invite the BOT, we invite the leadership of the Youth.
“We invite every organ of the company to attend, the Youth are always in attendance of our meeting. So, I can’t find any reason why they should conduct the kind of protest to the extent I hear they conducted, and I can’t find any reason they also issued threat to the life of all the Chiefs and the King of Ikuru Town.
“In the meeting, we have been able to tell the Council Chairman that there is no truth in all the allegations raised by the Youth, and the Youth themselves know that there is no truth in all the allegations.
“I hope that the Youth will learn a lesson that violence does not pay any nation, it doesn’t pay any Community, there are dispute resolution avenues.
“Even the PIA provided for dispute resolution, if they were aggrieved or if there was any information they wanted to find out, they would have written to the Council of Chiefs or, at least, find out from the Council of Chiefs and hear their explanation before taking to the street in protest but this was not done.
“Our appeal is to the Youth to sheath their sword. I appeal to them to obey the law of the Nation”.
By: Theresa Fredrick & Charity Amiso
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Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Dr. Benibo Anabraba, has reiterated the commitment of the Rivers State Government to the welfare of military veterans, widows of fallen heroes, and officers currently serving in the State, saying they will be honoured this year.
Dr. Anabraba made this known during the Central Planning Committee meeting for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day held in Port Harcourt.
He commended members of the Committee for their contributions to the successful Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently conducted in the State and urged them to intensify efforts to ensure a resounding success in the remaining activities lined up for the celebration.
According to him, activities commenced with Juma’at Prayers on Friday, January 9, at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township.
As part of events marking this year’s event, a special engagement was also hosted by the wife of the State Governor, Her Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, to honour, celebrate, and interact with widows and veterans.
On Saturday, January 10, a Humanitarian Outreach, Family and Community was hosted for widows and veterans by Her Excellency, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, wife of the State Governor.
Yesterday, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service was also held at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township.
The grand finale, the Wreath-Laying Ceremony, is billed to take place on Thursday, January 15, at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt.
Dr. Anabraba noted that a major highlight of the programme would be the laying of wreaths by the Governor alongside heads of security agencies in the State.
Rivers
Police Recover Remains Of Missing Man, Arrest 2 Suspects In Rivers … 12 More Suspects Over Mbodo-Aluu Attack
The Police Command in Rivers State has recovered the remains of the late Sampson Worianime, who was declared missing on November 11, and arrested two suspects linked to the case.
The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to newsmen in Port Harcourt, stating that the suspects were arrested following investigations into the crime.
Iringe-Koko recalled that Worianime was declared missing after accompanying an unnamed community youth leader from Ogbogbo Community in the Okrika area of Rivers State to inspect and measure a parcel of land.
She explained that following the report to the police, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched an investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding Worianime’s disappearance.
“Upon receipt of the petition, we commenced intelligence-led policing, which led to the arrest of two suspects, including the Chief Security Officer of Aleto-Eleme Community”, she said.
According to her, the suspects, during investigations, confessed to abducting two youths from Okrika Local Government Area.
She said one of the victims, whose identity was not disclosed, escaped, while Worianime was killed.
She added that the suspects later led police operatives to the location where the victim’s remains were recovered from a shallow grave.
“The suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting with investigations.
“Efforts are currently ongoing to apprehend other accomplices involved in the crime”, Iringe-Koko stated.
In a another development, the Police Command also announced the arrest of 12 suspects in connection with a violent attack of Unity Estate on Mbodo-Aluu Road in Port Harcourt.
Iringe-Koko said the suspects, alleged to be members of a vigilante group, alongside hired thugs, reportedly invaded the estate on January 5, armed with pump-action guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.
“The assailants allegedly fired gunshots indiscriminately, causing panic and fear among residents”, she said.
She continued that the estate suffered significant damage, with several vehicles destroyed during the attack.
“One of the residents, Stephen Nmacha, sustained a shattered leg from gunshot injury and was subsequently abducted by the attackers.
“He was later rescued by police operatives and is currently receiving medical treatment at a healthcare facility”, she said.
Iringe-Koko further disclosed that several other residents sustained varying degrees of injuries while fleeing into nearby bushes to escape the violence.
She listed the items recovered from the suspects to include one automatic pump-action gun, a live cartridge, spent cartridges, charms, five motorcycles, two minibuses and a Sienna bus.
Speaking on the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Olugbenga Adepoju, described the attacks as reckless and reprehensible.
He noted that vigilante groups were legally required to operate strictly under police supervision, and questioned why the group failed to coordinate with the police.
Adepoju said efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects involved in the attacks, including the Akpor Commander of vigilante group, currently at large.
“We call on members of the public to provide credible information that will assist the Command in apprehending the fleeing suspects”, Adepoju urged.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
The people of Jumbo Akatikpo Park Community of the Jumbo Chieftaincy House in Bonny have accused TotalEnergies, Amni International and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited of sidelining legitimate landowners in Bonny, Rivers State, in a manner community leaders warn could trigger unrest.
This, they said, will likely negatively affect ongoing construction projects along the Bonny 48” Offshore Loading Line.
A statement issued by the Jumbo Akatikpo Park Community of the Jumbo Chieftaincy House spokesman, Dr. Fidelis Jumbo, alleged that the companies have been dealing solely with the Brown House while neglecting the joint ownership structure legally established for the land where the project sits.
“This stretch of land belongs jointly to the Jumbo House, the Brown House, and Bonny Kingdom on a 30-30-40 basis.
“For the Brown House to present itself as the sole landlord is bereft of altruism and sincerity. TotalEnergies, Amni and Renaissance must retrace their steps to forestall avoidable crisis”, Dr. Jumbo said.
The land in contention hosts the pipeline route being constructed by TotalEnergies to convey gas from Amni International’s offshore facility to the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal (BOGT) operated by Renaissance.
Referencing a 1972 agreement signed by representatives of the Jumbo House, Brown House and Bonny Kingdom, Dr. Jumbo noted that all six original signatories had long passed, stressing that no party has the authority to unilaterally alter the established structure.
Chairman of the Jumbo Akatikpo Park Community, George Sunju-Jumbo, said peace in Bonny depends heavily on respect for due process.
“We want peace in this Kingdom. Whatever our forebears agreed on must be upheld. Why should the Brown House present themselves as the only family TotalEnergies should talk to? We cannot take it. We will not allow it”, Sunju-Jumbo said.
He stressed that the Kingdom ought to show greater interest in the project, given its implications for the two primary families and Bonny’s traditional authority.
Despite protests, checks at the project site confirmed that construction continued uninterrupted, a development some observers described as “corporate insensitivity.”
Community leaders allege they were excluded from a November 12, 2025, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) review meeting in Port Harcourt.
A former senior oil and gas executive, who requested anonymity, criticized the companies’ posture.
“In this age where everything is being done to de-escalate tension in the energy sector, such corporate misdemeanour is shocking”, he said. “How do you disrespect and disenfranchise landowners of their own property? Bonny Kingdom is taking a whole lot of nonsense.”
As of press time, TotalEnergies and Amni International were yet to react on the matter.
By: Enoch Epelle
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