News
Fubara Delivers Residential Quarters To NAF
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has explained that the residential building constructed by the State Government for officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) was to enable his administration complement the efforts of the military and the Federal Government in providing welfare support to Servicemen.
The Governor also said that the housing facility, started in 2017, and reviewed from N212million to N454million, demonstrates a modest contribution to the Air Force personnel in appreciation of the existing mutual collaboration in the fight against crime and criminality.
Governor Fubara made the explanation at the inauguration of two (2) Blocks of 12 Flats each of 2-Bedroom NAF Prototype Residential Buildings for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) at the Port Harcourt NAF Base in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, last Monday.
He said that the eventual realisation of the project speaks to the commitment of his administration to ensure that the deriveable benefits of the project are accessed by NAF officers.
The Governor said, “This project that we are commissioning today did not start in our administration. It was conceived in 2017, and it wasn’t completed.
“But our government came in and we were approached, and knowing the importance of the welfare of the officers of the Air Force, knowing fully well that when they are comfortable, they will perform effectively, we executed it.
“Like the contractor said, the project was initiated in 2017 at the cost of N212million. For one reason or the other, it wasn’t completed. When we came on board, we had to review it, and it was valued at over N454million. We felt what is N454million to the support that we are getting from the Nigerian Air Force?”
Governor Fubara emphasised the need for the State Government’s support not to be restricted to communities of electorate alone but to institutions that play critical roles in the protection of lives and property, while also advancing the interest of the State.
He stated that the housing facility will contribute to the housing comfort of personnel, enhance their performance and productivity.
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will continue to extend support to all security agencies to strengthen collaboration towards protection of national economy and assets, while also frustrating oil thieves.
He said, “We are here to say, as a government, our support is not only to those who elected (voted for) us, and those communities that we have to oversee their welfare. But we also have to contribute and support the agencies which also protect lives and property in our State.
“We have a very difficult situation in our hands, were we are battling the cases of oil theft; we have the cases of vandalisation of our oil pipelines. These are men who are always flying to ensure that those national treasures are secured.
“Our little contribution to their welfare can just be these. I consider it not much, but just a little thing that we can do to appreciate the sacrifices they are making for us.
“It is not only Mr President that will carry this burden. We, in our little corner, are also supposed to contribute to the welfare of these officers.”
The State Chief Executive said his administration is committed to making the 115 Special Operations Group Base of the NAF more attractive and to become an envy of others.
Governor Fubara further assured that already, other requests of the Base to the State Government were being considered, and will be eventually addressed in the characteristics manner of his administration as listening and supporting government.
He added, “We use their (NAF) airstrip; they are also part of the joint task force that are securing lives and property in Rivers State. We said, this is the little thing that we can do and that was why the government immediately approved and released the said amount.
“And what we are seeing today is the realization of commitment, not just verbal, but seeing it to the end. So, it is just an event to say, our government will continue to support all the security agencies in our dear State. Our government will continue to collaborate with them to protect lives and property.
“Our duty is to provide services, protect lives and property, ensure that we support the government at the centre for effective governance, to make our people happy, and that is what I believe and that is what I stand for.
“I assure you that we will work with your boss to make this base, 115 Special Operations Group more attractive. Other requests made by the commander, I believe, we are already working on them.
“We are doing it because we want this base to enjoy effective operational system. We want this base to see itself as the envy of all bases in Nigeria because you have a government that listens, and supports.”
Performing the inauguration, Chief of the Air Staff of Nigeria, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, described the project as a demonstration of the commitment to the welfare of NAF personnel and a testament to the strong partnership that exists between Rivers State Government and the Nigerian Air Force.
Air Marshal Abubakar said the project is very significant because it will undoubtedly have positive impact on the quality of life of NAF personnel and their families, boost morale, and also promote civil-military cooperation while contributing to the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Air Force.
He said, “Indeed, we are deeply indebted to the Rivers State Government for the kindness and commitment to our well- being for nearly six decades. As the saying goes, ‘One good turn deserves another’, and Nigerian Air Force has reciprocated by contributing towards the peace and security of the State, primarily through air operations against illegal oil bunkering.
“This has helped sustain the economic lifeline of the State, and created the enabling environment for businesses to thrive. We have also allowed the Rivers State Government unfettered access to our airfield facilities, while also providing security and handling services for the State-owned aircraft free of charge.
“This mutual cooperation exemplifies a strong partnership between the Nigerian Air Force and the Rivers State Government,” he added.
In his welcome address, the Commander, 115 Special Operations Group, Nigerian Air Force Base, Port Harcourt, Air Commodore Ali H. Idris, said the housing facility represents an exemplary leadership of Governor Fubara to improve the welfare of NAF personnel, enhance their operational readiness and strategically strengthen partnership towards crime fighting in the State.
Providing the description of project, Rivers State Commissioner for Special Projects, Dr Rowland Obed-Whyte, said the 2-blocks of 12 flats of 2-bedrooms each is a monumental project that has been conclusively completed after it was abandoned when it started in 2017.
In his speech, representative of the contracting firm, Tee Gay and Associates, Onyeama N. D., thanked Governor Fubara for trusting them with the project and supporting them to deliver it to specifications.
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor
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