Niger Delta

Subsidy Removal: Otu Begins Palliatives Distribution In C’River

Published

2 years ago

October 13, 2023

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has officially begun the distribution of palliatives in the state as part of the efforts to alleviate the pain occasioned by subsidy removal on the citizens.
In a brief speech, the Governor, represented by his Deputy, Mr Peter Odey, said the process was devoid of partisanship.
He expressed the confidence that the Palliative Sharing Committee, headed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, would do the needful.
“This distribution is not about the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party or any other political party but for the people of Cross River.
“Apart from adding N500 million to what we were given by the Federal Government, the State Government also added N10,000 to the salaries of the civil servants, which they have started receiving from September.
“So, I appeal to everyone present in this distribution not to fight or struggle because every group has been captured and will get what is due them”, he said.
The Governor also appealed to the groups to ensure that the palliatives collected got to their members in the rural areas who, he said, were in need of the palliatives more.
Owan-Enoh also said equity and fairness would guide the process of the distribution, adding that this was the reason the distribution was done in the open.
He further said only the state chapter of the Youth Council of Nigeria (YCN) would receive its 100 bags of rice at the symbolic take off of the distribution.
He said for other groups, they would need to go back to their offices and draw up a structured plan of how their share would be distributed from the top to the least persons in other Local Government Areas.
“For today, we will only give to YCN, they have brought their colleagues from the 18 LGAs because we insisted they must do so.
“For other groups, the distribution won’t be done today, we will go back to our office and whatever group that gives us a structure of how they will share theirs from top to bottom will be given a pass.
“That pass qualifies the group to approach the warehouse and we will monitor the distribution to the group in the presence of its members”, the SSG said.
The State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr Gregory Olayi, appealed for equitable distribution of the palliatives in the 18 LGAs of the state.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

3 days 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

3 days 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

3 days 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.