News

Rivers Policemen Abducted Man, Extorted N1m Via POS, Activist Reveals

Published

2 years ago

May 17, 2024

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

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

10 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

11 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

11 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.