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Rivers Police Arrest Two Serial Gang Rapists

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested two alleged serial rapists who specialise in luring women into hotels and dispossess them of their valuables.
A statement signed by the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe Koko, described the arrest of the duo as a significant breakthrough in the ongoing efforts to combat crimes against individuals perpetrated through online platforms.
Koko said following a reported abduction case involving one Agor Ogechi ‘F’, a 28-year-old resident of Elele in Ikwerre Local Government Area, on July 1, 2023, the police swiftly intervened and successfully apprehended the prime suspects involved in a series of heinous crimes.
According to the statement, investigations revealed that the suspect, identified as Louise Brutolu, ‘M’, a 32-year-old resident of Igoni Street, Abuloma, employed the use of phone chat to lure his victims to the Pacific Suite Hotel in Abuloma.
“Upon booking a room, the suspect drugged the victims, rendering them unconscious, and subsequently stole their valuables. In the case of Agor Ogechi, her iPhone, a sum of N28,000, and her ATM card were reported stolen”, the statement said.
It further stated that the acting on the victim’s complaint, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Police promptly initiated an operation that culminated in the arrest of Louise Brutolu.
During the arrest, it continued, the substance used to drug the victims was successfully retrieved.
Meanwhile, the suspect has claimed to work for an unidentified master and has pledged cooperation towards capturing the gang leader.
“After months of persistent investigation, the State Police Command successfully apprehended the gang leader, whose identity is being withheld for investigative purposes.
“As a result of this arrest, various items belonging to different victims were recovered, including 21 mobile phones, three female bags, and receipt booklets.
“It is noteworthy that the gang leader had previously been arrested in 2021 for similar offenses and was charged in court. The recurrence of such heinous crimes underscores the importance of continued vigilance and proactive measures in tackling the menace of online criminal activities.
In a related development, the Rivers State Police Command also arrested Jenifer Timi, ‘M,’ a 28-year-old native of Burutu in Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State.
According to the statement, the suspect specialized in luring individuals through social media platforms such as Instagram, Tinder, and Badoo. Notably, the suspect targeted not only women but also Bolt and Uber drivers.
“By exploiting their expensive phones displayed online, the suspect invited victims to hotel rooms where they were offered drinks laced with Tramadol, and subsequently subjected to rape, and also robbed of their belongings.
“Jemifor Timi Collins has been engaging in these criminal activities for over three years and has been arrested and charged to court on two previous occasions. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover further details and bring all responsible individuals to justice”, it stated.
The State Police Commissioner advised everyone, particularly the youths, to exercise caution when making friends online, saying it is crucial to prioritize personal safety by meeting new individuals in safe and public places.
“Additionally, individuals should inform their relatives and friends about their movements for added security. The Police remain committed to providing protection and raising awareness about emerging crimes and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety of all residents”, the statement concluded.

Akujobi Amadi

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Rivers

Youth President Launches N10m Grant For Obio/Akpor Women

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The leader of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area Simplified Movement, Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo, has unveiled a N10 million grant aimed at empowering women in Ward 1 of Obio/Akpor LGA.
Making the announcement during the recently concluded Obio/Akpor Ward 1 town hall meeting, Ihunwo revealed that the grant will be distributed in amounts of N100,000 to 20 women per community, including non-indigenes.
He stated that the gesture is a token of appreciation for the women’s unwavering support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Ihunwo emphasised the Governor’s commitment to ensuring that Ward 1, Obio/Akpor LGA, and Rivers State as a whole benefit from good governance.
Special Adviser on Power to the Governor, Hon. Solomon Abel Eke, highlighted the transparency and fairness that define the current leadership of the Obio/Akpor Simplified Movement, assuring that it operates without nepotism or impunity.
During the event, former leader of the Obio/Akpor Legislative Assembly, Hon. Achor Nna, criticised former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Amaewhule, who is also from Ward 1, for actions deemed uncharacteristic of true sons of Obio/Akpor LGA.
Also in attendance at the town hall meeting were Hon. Darlington Orji, Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Governor of Rivers State, along with other prominent figures as well as other sons and daughters of Obio/Akpor.
They congratulated the new Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, and collectively reaffirmed their support for the Fubara-led administration, underscoring a shared commitment to the progress and development of Rivers State.

Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

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RSG Approves N225bn For Trans-Kalabari Road Project

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The Rivers State Executive Council, on Wednesday, approved N225 billion for the construction of the Trans-Kalabari Road project.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Joseph Johnson, disclosed this while briefing newsmen after the State Executive Council meeting.
The meeting was presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the state Government House in Port Harcourt.
He said the project would be funded with savings from the state’s Internally Generated Revenue.
“We shall not borrow to fund the project. We are bent on generating money to fund our projects”, he said.
Johnson stated that the contractor had been mobilised with 30 per cent of the contract, worth to commence implementation.
The commissioner further said the project would be completed within a period of 32 months.
“This is the main Trans-Kalabari Road, the one that happened in the past was building of bridges.
“We are now doing a Trans-Kalabari Road that will run from NSS Pathfinder, immediately after Mgbuodohia community and extend to about 2km to the Aker Base Road in Rumuolumeni”, he said.
He also said the road would pass through the swamps behind the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, moving southwards towards the first bridge crossing.
“It will continue through a series of bridges, connecting many communities up to Tombia Town.
“The road will traverse very difficult terrains of swamp across rivers and creeks upon which series of bridges, decking and piling works will be done”, he said.
The Commissioner further said the state recently recorded some giant strides in the sporting sector.
Also briefing, the Acting Director-General, Rivers State Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr Ine Briggs, explained that the bureau diligently managed the proceedings leading to the award of the Trans-Kalabari road contract.
Briggs said the submissions of the state Ministry of Works were reviewed and all the supporting documents examined by the Ministry.
“Having fulfilled all the necessary procurement procedures and guidelines as prescribed by the Rivers State Public Procurement Law 2008 as amended, the Bureau is satisfied that all the elements leading to this award is sufficient to issue a certificate of no objection.
“Therefore, in consideration of all the relevant documents submitted by the Ministry of Works pursuant to the construction of Trans-Kalabari Road and bridges, the Bureau has issued the certificate of no objection, and that the contract be awarded to Lubrick Construction Company Limited”, Briggs said.

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Ongoing Elele-Omoku Road Awarded At N80bn – RSG

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The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Joseph Johnson, has said the ongoing dualisation of the Elele/Umudioga/ Egbeda/Ikiri/Omoku Road was awarded at N80 billion.
Johnson disclosed this in Port Harcourt yesterday while speaking to newsmen on the achievements of the Governor Siminalaye Fubara-led administration after one year in office.
He said the road, which cuts across three Local Government Areas, would facilitate easy movement of people and goods, saying “it will boost cross-community commerce.
“The farming communities along this area will find it easy to move their produce to markets in neighbouring towns.
“This project is a deliberate effort to make movement easy for our people, it’s no politics but service delivery”.
The Commissioner said the State Government had already paid 50 per cent of the contract value amounting to N40 billion.
“We are not paying lip service to governance, we mean business. We want Rivers people to see something new.
“We have devised ways of generating money to fund our projects, we are not indulging in any borrowing festival”, he said.
Analysts say the state capital will be decongested if the government successfully implements the line up of road projects in the state.

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