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Police nab One-chance Robbery gang ,Arrest Six, Rescue Baby in Rivers

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The Rivers State Police Command said one robbery suspect was fatally wounded while four female and two males in kidnapping and one-chance robbery incidents were arrested by operatives of the command in twin operations in the state.

 

The command police public relations officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko who briefed the press at the command headquarters in port harcourt on Monday ,said a total of six suspects including one-chance robbery gang and child trafficking gang in the State were recently arrested.

 

The gangs comprise four females and two males. “On September 4, 2024 at about 9pm, Operatives of the Command attached to the Intelligence and Surveillance Unit on a routine patrol along Garrison axis of Aba road, Port-Harcourt, sighted a Purple coloured Volkswagen Golf 3, with registration number RIVERS -ABU 738 LS with six occupants. As the patrol van approached the vehicle, one of the occupants was pushed out of the Car around the Garrison flyover area.

 

“This heinous action heightened suspicions of the Operatives who then gave the vehicle a hot chase, eventually intercepting the suspects at the Eleme junction just under the bridge,”the PPRO said.

 

 

According to her,”the driver and one other escaped, while the Police apprehended three suspects namely,Thaddeus Sunday Ogu ‘m’, a 42-year-old native of Orlu Community in Njaba LGA of Imo State and self acclaimed artisan residing at Camp Pipeline, Oyigbo, Chinagorom Eze ‘f’, aged 35 years, a native of Ekpija Community in Enugu North LGA of Enugu State, but resident at Railway, Oboama Oyigbo and Favour Yusuf ‘f’, aged 30 years and a native of Plateau State, presently residing at Anele Filling Station, Mbano Camp, Oyigbo. “One of the suspects, Thaddeus Sunday Ogu ‘m’ attempted to evade arrest by opening fire on the Police operatives which led to him sustaining bodily injuries that eventually proved fatal.

 

He was taken to the Police Clinic, Port-Harcourt where he succumbed to his injuries after receiving treatment. “Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects specialize in one chance operations, luring unsuspecting victims into their operational car posing as a commercial vehicle.

 

 

They would create a single passenger space (chance) at the front seat, while the gang members would occupy every other chance. When a victim gets in, they would raise a false alarm in order to get the victim agitated, eventually dispossessing him or her of their money or phones and pushing them out of the moving car. They would then sell the stolen items to awaiting receivers and share the proceeds amongst themselves.”

 

The suspects were said to have confessed to the crime and revealed that they have been operating in Port-Harcourt and its environs between 10 pm to 5 am daily for the past three years before meeting their Waterloo on that fateful day.

 

 

Items recovered from the suspects include their operational Golf 3 Volkswagen Car and one locally made pistol with one live cartridge . Investigation is ongoing, while efforts have been intensified to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate.

 

The suspects and exhibits are in Police custody and will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.

 

 

In a related development,the Police said they cracked a child-trafficking syndicate operating in Rivers State. According to the PPRO;

 

 

“On August 25, 2024, at about 6.35 a.m., Operatives of the Command attached to Ubima Divisional Headquarters received a complaint from a middle-aged woman (name and address withheld) indicating that one Queen Orlu ‘f’ aged 20 years was seen lying unconscious in Omeka Farmland at Ucheabuor.

 

Operatives immediately mobilised to the scene where the victim was met in a pool of blood with multiple injuries all over her body and her intestines protruding out of a cut on her stomach. “Police investigations revealed that the victim was lured into a bush path at Ubima by one Polycarp Uzoma ‘m’ of Akwa in Ohaji LGA of Imo State, but presently resident at Ubima”.

 

 

He was said to have used a bicycle to convey his victim to the designated spot and then attacked her, hitting her repeatedly with a stick and a yet-to-be-identified weapon. When she became unconscious, he took her one-year-old baby boy, Desire Orlu and left her to die.

 

 

The baby said to have been sold to one Happiness Amadi ‘f’ for N1.4m .The deal was brokered by one Chinyere Ordu ‘f’ an acclaimed auxiliary nurse who received the sum of N800,000.00 as part payment for the trafficking deal. The Police Spokesman said three suspects have been arrested in connection with incident and have confessed to the crime. The Police said they have recovered the N800,000.00 and bicycle as exhibits.

 

The one-year-old baby boy was also rescued and the victim is currently on admission at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital for medical treatment. The PPRO said suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation

 

Akujobi Amadi

 

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Rivers

Rivers Diaspora Lauds Fubara Over Credible LG Polls

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The Rivers people in diaspora have commended the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for successful conduct of local government elections across the State.
The President of the group, Mr Churchill West Jack made the commendation in a press release made available to The Tide, stressing that the elections were fair and transparent.
He averred that the elections were described as the best local government elections in the State,  and urged those who won to be magnanimous in victory.
“Warmest congratulations to the newly elected chairmen and councillors of our dear State. We sincerely thank the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission ( RSIEC ) for standing firm and conducting the fairest and most peaceful election in the history of our State.”
To our humble governor, a man of few words with so much action, who has continuously shown that God prepared him for this moment, to save the good people of our dear State from the hands of greedy men.” Finally, we want to say a big thank you to the Chief of Staff to the Governor, the Secretary to the State Government, the honourable speaker  of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Mayor of Port Harcourt, the chairman of Obio/Akpor, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, and many more for their doggedness, and resilience in fighting side by side with the governor to save the soul of the State.
God bless the governor and God bless the good people of Rivers State.”

Akujobi Amadi

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Rivers

Former Guber Candidates Hail LG Polls …Congratulate Winners

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The Forum of Ex-Governorship Candidates in Rivers State from 2011-2023 has scored the just-concluded Local council elections in Rivers State.
Chairman of the forum, Prof. O. T. Gillis Harry; Secretary, Hon. Chinesum David Godwin; and Publicity Secretary, Hon Deekae Richards, in a statement on Saturday said the election has demonstrated that it is possible to conduct elections across much of the country without relying on Nigerian security agencies.
“It highlights the notion that these agencies may be a significant barrier to achieving transparent, free, fair, and credible elections. Moving forward, the Civil Defence Force should be utilised for all our elections nationwide to ensure integrity and public confidence in the electoral process”, they stated.
The forum also described the elections as the most peaceful ever conducted in the State’s history.
In their words, “it is clear that love and integrity can guide our electoral processes, demonstrating that the fear of God can lead to a harmonious outcome. As the scripture says, ‘When the righteous rule, the people rejoice’, and today, we have witnessed that truth in action’.
They also observed that the absence of police during the election did not hinder the process, but rather highlighted the remarkable organization and coordination of the event.
Commending Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for their near perfect logistics, the forum noted that the early arrival of electoral materials across all three Senatorial Districts, covering all 23 local government areas was commendable.
They emphasised the need for unity and collaboration among all stakeholders to sustain this positive momentum.
”The election has proven that good can indeed triumph over evil, and the collective effort of the people of Rivers State has been instrumental in achieving this peaceful outcome.
“Let us celebrate this milestone and continue to foster a spirit of unity and progress in our great state. God bless Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and God bless the good people of Rivers State”, the forum further said.
Congratulating the winners of the election, the Forum described the victories as a testament to the trust and confidence reposed in them by Rivers people.
“We urge you to hit the ground running, consolidate the good efforts of the Governor, and replicate his exemplary leadership in your respective Local Government Areas”, they charged the winners.
They urged the new leadership at the local government levels to improve the lives of the grassroots, and make a positive difference.
They also commended the Governor for what they called his “visionary leadership”.

Kevin Nengi

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Rivers

New Omuma LG Boss Promises Fresh Lease Of Life

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Newly sworn-in Chairman of Omuma Local Government Council, Hon. Promise Reginald, has pledged to continue providing sustainable development in the area.
Reginald, who won the local government chairmanship elections on Saturday, expressed appreciation to the people of Omuma for their massive participation in the elections, noting that his victory was affirmation that the area is ready for a new lease of life.
Speaking to newsmen about his plan to transform the area, he said, “this is a ticket for us to continue what we have started. And as we have done before, we will continue to empower our people”.
He also promised to key into the policy objectives ofthe Staye Governor, Siminalayi Fubara’s administration by ensuring development and human capital development.
Hon. Reginald won the Chairmanship under the flag of All People’s Party (APP) and assured that he would never fail the confidence reposed on him by Omuma people.
In a similar vein, Vice Chairperson of the LGA, Mrs. Regina Princewill, pledged to give new lease of life to Omuma women.
She told newsmen after casting her vote at Ward 10 Unit 8 in Omuma that the welfare of the womenfolk will be her priority.
She also promised to support the Chairman in giving advice and any other responsibility that maybe required of her office.
“I will be a team player and provide the needed support for the transformation of Omuma LGA”, she promised.

Kevin Nengia

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