News
Rivers Policemen Abducted Man, Extorted N1m Via POS, Activist Reveals
Point-of-Sale agent, Uzoma Godswill, was abducted by some men armed with AK-47 rifles who were later identified as police officers along Eleme Road, Rivers State.
Human rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, disclosed this in a video posted on X.com yesterday.
He tweeted, “They arrested him around Port Harcourt/Owerri Road and took him to Port Harcourt/Warri Road where they took his ATM card and PIN and withdrew the sum of N1m and N20,000 PoS charge.
“The PoS agent confirmed that the man who came to withdraw with Mr. Uzoma’s ATM card came with a fully loaded magazine.”
Enyinna recounted his ordeal in the video, confirming the abduction, threat to his life, and eventual release.
He explained that he was driving back to his base in Awka from Port Harcourt, where he went to welcome his brother, who had arrived from abroad when the incident occurred.
He said, “I was on the way around 6pm on Elele Road where I encountered about four police checkpoints. After searching my car, they found nothing except baby items.
“I drove about 10km further where I encountered six men dressed in black overalls with their Sienna car. They stopped three cars, including mine. The man who approached me questioned why I was driving at speed. I explained that I was heading to Awka and needed to beat the time due to the bad road conditions.
“The man searched my car thoroughly. After checking my documents, he asked if I had anything else in the car, and I mentioned my two Android phones and a Nokia phone. Then, he took me to the back of the car.”
Enyinna stated that trouble started when he refused to give out his phone as demanded by the men, leading to his abduction.
He added, “The man asked me what I do, and I told him I am a businessman who sells drinks in Awka. He demanded to see my phone, and I questioned why I should do so. I requested to call DSP, but immediately after I mentioned the DSP, he began to beat me. I can hardly hear with both ears now, my eyes are swollen, and I’m still bleeding.
“They beat me severely and forced me into their vehicle to unlock my phone. The only thing they found on my phone was a credit alert. My account officer had sent money for water. They demanded N20,000 from me, and when I questioned why, they beat me again inside the vehicle.
“Later, they accused me of internet fraud, which I denied. They threatened to kill me and asked about my car’s tracker and security code. From Elele Road, they drove me to Warri Road around 7.30 pm.
“They also inquired if my ATM could withdraw N1m. I told them I hadn’t done it before, after which they demanded my ATM PIN. I gave it, and they withdrew N500,000 twice, with a PoS transaction charge of N20,000. Afterwards, they left me with my car and instructed me to give thanks. They left with my money.”
Enyinna trailed the police officers, who eventually noticed and stopped their vehicle for him to pass.
“When they realised I was behind them, they stopped, and I overtook them. After about three minutes, I made a U-turn and returned to where I left them. Immediately, they drove off into another road. After driving a short distance, I found a police checkpoint where I narrated my ordeal.
“They took my first photograph and asked me to report to the police command, which I did this morning.
“Before I reported, I contacted my brother, who also involved the military to intervene. The soldiers instructed me to take them to the PoS operator. The man confirmed that one of the policemen came with three magazines. The POS agent complained about the man’s behaviour as he was chasing customers before he could withdraw the N1m with my ATM,” he added.
The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Tunji Disu, in response, told our source that he was not yet aware of the complaints.
He added that officers from other zones also operate in the area where Enyinna claimed he was abducted.
“I have seen your message and forwarded it to our PRO to find out what happened. I am not aware of it yet. So, if the person is around, the complaints will be lodged so that they can identify the person, trace the money, and work on it.
“At the same time, we have officers from other zones around here as well. We shall work on it if they give me the complaints,” he said.
News
RSG Cancels ?134BN Secretariat Contract, Orders Refund Of ?20BN Mobilisation … Revalidates Four Projects
The Rivers State Executive Council has revoked the ?134bn contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex by the State of Emergency Administration.
The council directed the immediate refund of the ?20bn mobilization fee already paid to the contractor.
Relatedly, the Council also approved the revalidation of the bidding processes for four contracts, consisting of the renovation of the State Secretariat Complex, construction of reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation works in several riverine communities of Opobo/Nkoro, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas. The projects earlier advertised for which bid documents were cancelled by the Emergency Administration and fees returned to the companies that had earlier purchased them.
The decisions were reached during the State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, and presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Briefing newsmen, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart explained that the contracts had been awarded in a hasty manner without following due process. He said the council, therefore, approved the revalidation of the bidding process for all four contracts that were earlier advertised in national dailies on February 19, 2025.
With the revalidation process now on, Dr. Ezekiel-Hart stated that a fresh bidding will be advertised in newspapers for competent and experienced contractors to prequalify and submit both technical and commercial bids.
He listed the projects to include, “The construction of 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation of Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area in Rivers State. The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
“The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Utuechi, Obiofu, Isala, Ani-Eze, and Odugri communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area. The renovation, retrofitting and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex,” he added.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, announced that the council approved the constitution of a committee to develop a proposal for the creation of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres and ICT Laboratories across the three senatorial districts of the state.
She explained that the initiative is in line with the Federal Government’s directive that beginning in 2026, all examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will be computer-based.
The committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, has the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Education, Works, Information and Communications and Commissioner for Energy as members. Dr. Uzoma-Nwogu said the move will prepare Rivers youths for a digital future and improve the quality of education across the state.
On issues of employment, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom Gbali, said the council reviewed ongoing efforts to create jobs for Rivers youths. He disclosed that his ministry has been directed to develop a framework for job creation and economic empowerment, noting that the government is determined to open up more opportunities for the young population.
“We want to assure Rivers youths that there will be a rising tide of employment and steady waves of economic empowerment,” Dr. Gbali said. “We know our Governor, when he makes a promise, he ensures it is fulfilled.”
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said council also deliberated extensively on the recent flash floods experienced in some parts of the state. He said the council directed immediate remedial intervention to address the situation, and cautioned residents against the indiscriminate disposal of waste into drainage channels and building on waterways, which worsens flooding.
Dr. Sirawoo further noted that Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the development of Rivers State and determined to accelerate the pace of governance despite time lost. He added that the administration’s renewed focus and energy will soon place Rivers State firmly back on the path of sustainable growth and progress.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the completion of the 62.650km Port Harcourt Ring Road project, despite the setbacks that have slowed its progress.
The Governor gave the assurance during an on-site inspection tour of the project on Monday, where he emphasised that the state government remains resolute in its determination to deliver the massive infrastructure for public use.
Addressing journalists at the Eneka Flyover axis of the project, Governor Fubara stated that his visit was to verify the level of compliance and commitment shown by the construction firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
Governor Fubara noted that discussions with the contractor had been ongoing to ensure that work resumes at full capacity after a period of financial challenges that affected the project’s continuity.
“You are aware that this project was, I won’t say abandoned, but somehow, for lack of funds, the contractor withdrew from the site. We have been discussing with them, and they gave me their word that although we have not finished all the discussions, they have already moved back to site, and I’m here to confirm that.”
The Governor described the Port Harcourt Ring Road project, which traverses six local government areas, as one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in the state’s history, noting that its completion would not only ease traffic congestion in the capital city but also stimulate economic activities across multiple local government areas.
Governor Fubara reiterated his administration’s resolve to continue prioritising infrastructure development as a foundation for economic growth and social progress.
“I want to make this promise to our good people of Rivers State,” the Governor declared. “This project that we started, by the special grace of God, we are going to complete it. We owe our people a responsibility to deliver on our commitments, and this project will not be an exception,” he added.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the 2025 Batch B, Stream II National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the State, to use the NYSC skill acquisition training programme to build capacity.
Governor Fubara gave the charge on Tuesday when he declared closed, the 2025 Batch B Stream II orientation exercise in the State.
Represented by the newly sworn-in Secretary to the State Government and Chairman NYSC State Governing Board, Hon. Benibo Anabraba, Governor Fubara enjoined the Corps members to embrace skill acquisition wholeheartedly in order to elevate themselves as wealth creators and employers of labour.
“Take Rivers State as your home. Be assured of the warmth, hospitality, and accommodating disposition of the good of our people at all times.
“Take the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development post camp training very seriously and equip yourselves with the capacity to compete favourably in the nation’s huge economic space,” he stressed.
The Governor called on the Corps members to see their mobilization into the NYSC Scheme as a fundamental way to provide humanitarian services.
“Remember that you owe it to yourself, family, and the nation, the responsibility to serve selflessly and honourably,” he admonished.
In his farewell address, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Moses Oleghe appealed to the Corps members to use the opportunity of the service year to discover their true purpose.
He further encouraged them to embody selfless service and empathy in serving the people.
The colourful ceremony witnessed a vibrant parade.