Niger Delta

Delta Resolves Heritage, OML 30 Landlords’ Feud

Published

1 year ago

April 5, 2024

Delta State Government has resolved the brewing crisis between Heritage Energy Limited, operators of the Oil Mineral Licence OML 30 and landlords over rents and expired leases.

The State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Chief Vincent Oyibode, who resolved the dispute during a meeting with the parties in his office in Asaba, urged Heritage Oil Company to expedite action in paying the rental fees and expired leases.

He said delay in budgeting process was cumbersome among oil companies and urged the company to work hard to ensure the new rates for rent were paid in the next year.

Chief Oyibode said the State Government would soon hold a stakeholders’ engagement with oil companies and host communities to resolve lingering issues militating against sustainable oil production in the state.

The Oil and Gas Commissioner, while commending the oil landlords for their peaceful disposition and for not taking the laws into their hands, called on the Oil company to cut down the agitations by processing the payments on time.

He said Delta State remained the most investor-friendly destination in the country despite the recent happenings at Okuama and urged all stakeholders to ensure enhanced peace and security as encapsulated in Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda.

On the expired lease, Chief Oyibode urged the oil company to carry out legal verification within two months to resolve the matter and pay the oil landlords as soon as practicable.

Speaking on behalf of Heritage Energy Limited, Dr Jerry Oharisi and Mr Edesiri Akpomudjere of the company’s Government and Community Relations Department, said the land rental payment was undergoing verification exercise, assuring that it would be paid next month.

Earlier, National Chairman of the OML 30 Landlords and families, Barr. Alfred Serumeh, expressed regret that Heritage Oil had refused payments for expired leases which was last paid by SPDC over 20 years ago.

He said oil landlords were ready to cooperate with government and the oil company to ensure sustainable oil production in the state, but urged the Government to prevail on Heritage Energy to fulfil its obligations to the oil landlords.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week 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.