Niger Delta

Bayelsa Declares War On Illegal Revenue Collectors, Others

Published

2 years ago

May 27, 2024

The Bayelsa State Government has issued a stern warning to individuals and groups involved in illegal collection of levies and taxes under the guise of non-existent revenue contracts in the state to either desist from the criminal act forthwith, or face sanctions.

The Tide reports that the State Government similarly warned those sabotaging oil pipelines and facilities in the state to refrain from the unwholesome practice, saying anyone found culpable would be dealt with according to extant laws.

Deputy Governor of the State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the warnings at an enlarged security meeting with First Class traditional rulers, service commanders, local government chairmen, and the leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Central Zone, and other youth bodies in Government House, Yenagoa.

Ewhrudjakpo decried the vandalism of oil pipeline, stressing that it was not only an economic crime, but also a problem with long term effect that adversely affects the environment and revenues of the state.

He noted that the State’s monthly revenue drops each time there is a shortfall in its output in oil production as greater part of its income from the Federation Account actually comes from the 13 percent derivation, which is intricately tied to oil production.

On illegal roadblocks and collection of levies on the highways, especially the East-West Road, Senator Ewhrudjakpo said the image of Bayelsa had been badly dented, adding that such activities were scaring away investors from the state.

He further said the collection of unauthorized levies contributes to high cost of goods in Bayelsa, and therefore called on the IYC and its affiliates to engage the youths of the state on the need to refrain from the practice.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo also directed the local government chairmen to convene security meetings with traditional rulers, the police and other stakeholders every month to address security issues in their areas.

“There are so many roadblocks along the East-West expressway. There is also the issue of vandalization of oil pipelines. The most recent case took place in Gbarain in the Yenagoa LGA of the state.

“Bayelsa cannot make progress in this kind of atmosphere. When oil pipelines are burst, it affects our output, and consequently our monthly revenue.

“Bayelsa gets just about N2billion as allocation monthly; the rest comes from the 13th percent derivation.

“Bayelsa is wooing investors to come, yet some of our actions are scaring away investors from the shores of our state. We need investors, but investors can’t come to do business in an hostile environment”, he said.

In their contributions, the Ebenanawei of Bomo Clan, King Joshua Igbugburu, the Obenibe of Epie Clan, King Malla Sasime, and Ibenanaowei of Gbarain Kingdom, King Funpere Akah, promised to work closely with security agencies to curb criminal tendencies in their domains.

Others, including the Obanobhan of Ogbia, His Eminence Charles Owaba, the Pere of Kumbowei Clan, King Boloyi Sufadoh, the Clan Head of Kou, King Olamene Egberibine, and their Kolokuma counterpart, King Mozi Agara, thanked the State Government for the meeting and stressed the need for same at the local government area on a regular basis to enhance security.

On his part, the Chairman of Ijaw Youth Council, Central Zone, Comrade Pere Inefie, pledged to collaborate with the State Government in tackling security concerns such as pipeline vandalism, illegal taxation and challenges confronting youths in the state.

He said the present leadership of IYC was focused on effecting a paradigm shift from unnecessary confrontation and restiveness to intellectual agitation in its quest to better the lot of Ijaw youths as evident in this year’s Boro Day celebrations.

The Secretary to Bayelsa State Government, Professor Nimibofa Ayaowei, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Peter Akpe, service commanders, including the Commissioner of Police, Mr Francis Idu, among other top government functionaries attended the meeting.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

CSOs, Bille Community Urge Solution To Persistent Underwater Gas Eruption

Published

3 days ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the people of Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State have called for government’s urgent intervention to end the suspected underwater gas eruption in the community.

The groups, under the aegis of the Environmental Rights Action and Social Action, made the call during their advocacy visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), in Port Harcourt.

The Programme Manager of Environmental Rights Action, Mr. Kentebe Ebiaridor, said the visit was to seek clarity on the response efforts of the regulators to the development in the community.

Ebiaridor expressed concern over what he described as “inadequate response from regulatory agencies and the government concerning the incident”.

He said discussions with some officials revealed that there was still no clear timeline for action to address the situation.

According to him, in the absence of clear ownership of the facility linked to the incident, companies operating within Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 should be held accountable.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) had in a statement issued on March 20 by its Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said the commission had commenced an investigation into a gas bubbling incident in Bille Community.

Eyesan said the commission expressed concern over the development and assured residents of its ongoing efforts to address the situation.

Also, the Resource Justice Manager of Social Action, Dr. Prince Edegbuo, warned that the situation could escalate into a public health emergency, if urgent steps were not taken.

Edegbuo called on relevant authorities to release the results of the tests reportedly conducted in the area, stressing that residents had the right to know the condition of their environment.

He also said CSOs were prepared to intensify advocacy on the matter, urging the development of emergency response measures, including possible evacuation plans.

A legal practitioner and community stakeholder, Mr. Commission Deinbo, had, on March 20, said residents had continued to witness unusual signs on the waterways in the area.

Deinbo said the signs included boiling and bubbling from the ground and river, sometimes within residential areas, as well as fire outbreaks, which the residents had always managed to contain.

He appealed to relevant authorities to come to their aid and find a lasting solution to the problem.

In a response, the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of NOSDRA, Mr. Bello Augustin, assured the community that he would relate its concerns to the appropriate quarters.

Augustin also commended the CSOs for their advocacy and concerns to community development in the state.

By: Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Frederick

Niger Delta

Police Detain 7, Recover Arms In A’Ibom

Published

3 days ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has detained seven suspects and recovered firearms after raiding a criminal hideout in Ndiya Mfia, Ikono Local Government Area.of the State.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, made the disclosure in a statement in Uyo on Wednesday.

John said that the breakthrough which occurred at about 6.00a.m on Wednesday, followed credible intelligence from members of the public.

“We reliably gathered that criminal suspects were hibernating in a compound disguised as worshippers.

“In a decisive operation, our personnel conducted a thorough search of the premises which led to the detention and recovery of arms,” she said.

According to her, the operation was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police to decisively combat crime in the country.

The police spokesman further said that two locally made double-barrel guns, five expended cartridges, four motorcycles and three generators were recovered during the operation.

She also listed 10 mobile phones, one police crest, four jungle boots, one peak cap, saw blade, spanner, number plates, machetes, a special force vest as other items recovered.

“We also found bottles of suspected spiritual oil and one enlarged photograph linked to an ongoing investigation,” she said.

John said that preliminary investigation suggested that the location was being used as cover for criminal operations.

She said the State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, has directed a comprehensive investigation on the matter in order to apprehend the principal suspect.

John expressed the commitment of the Command to rid the state of crime, and urged members of the public to always support the police with timely and credible information.

Niger Delta

Otu Launches Grassroot Security Network In C’River

Published

3 days ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has launched a grassroots security intelligence network, named, ”Homeland Safety and Security Agency,” to strengthen community-based surveillance and enhance safety across the state.

Otu, who inaugurated the agency’s office in the Southern Senatorial District of the state on Monday, in Calabar, said similar offices were being inaugurated in the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts.

The Governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Emmanuel Ironbar, said the officials of the agency would serve as first point of call before matters would be escalated to main security architecture in the state.

He described Homeland Security as an intelligence-driven structure focused on neighbourhood monitoring and early threat detection through coordinated local efforts.

He said the initiative constituted the directors and field operatives, tasked with gathering and forwarding intelligence to relevant security agencies for prompt action.

Otu noted that the network would serve as a first point of contact before intervention by conventional security agencies.

“It is important that we enhance monitoring of movements across our communities, border areas, and riverine zones to identify suspicious activities and enhance security response.

“The state government will provide necessary gadgets and communication tools to improve efficiency and real-time intelligence sharing,” he said.

Otu called for public cooperation, stressing that ‘’security is a collective responsibility requiring timely information from residents.’’

He said, ‘’to ensure that the security outfit works like a model unit, proper screening would be conducted on the volunteers to weed out undesirable elements from the system.’’

The Tide’s source reports that the Governor handed over 14 motor bikes to the agency’s southern Senatorial district office to enhance their efficiency.

On his part, the Director-General, South of the agency, Mr. Michael Nsan, said the volunteers had played key roles in reducing crime through coordinated patrols and intelligence sharing.

Nsan said over 1,300 volunteers currently supported the operations with additional informants providing critical information across communities.

“Crime rates dropped significantly during the last festive period due to our collaboration with law enforcement agencies in the state,” he said.

The Director-General said volunteers would undergo training and screening, with plans underway for formal recruitment through a government employment portal.

According to him, communication tools, including walkie-talkies, and patrol motorcycles had improved rapid response to security incidents.

He commended the governor’s commitment, noting that the initiative would further strengthen security architecture and community safety across the state.

The source reports that some of the dignitaries who graced the occasion were traditional rulers and government officials.