Niger Delta
Ex-Ogbia Youth Leader Lauds Police, Others Over Kidnap Victims’ Rescue … Condemns Kidnapping
Former Youth President of the umbrella youth body of Ogbia Kingdom, the Ogbia Brotherhood Youth Council (Worldwide), Dr. Laguo Gilbert, has lauded officers of the Nigerian Police Force, and other security operatives for their swift response which ensured the successful rescue of Mr. Loveday Akari and Mr. Emmanuel Ogbuku from their abductors.
Akari is the Special Assistant, Domestic Affairs to the Managing-Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, while Mr. Emmanuel Ogbuku is the MD’s brother.
Gilbert, an academic with the Federal University, Otuoke, in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday, described the failed dastardly act as “barbaric and dehumanizing”.
He noted that kidnapping was alien to the people of Ogbia Kingdom, while also decrying its resurgence in the once crime and criminality free kingdom.
The Tide gathered that Mr. Loveday Akari and Emmanuel Ogbuku were whisked away by yet to identified abductors close to the Onuebum and Ayakoro communities of Ogbia Local Government Area of the State, Friday 7th March, 2025.
The erstwhile youth President in his statement tagged: ”Resurgence of kidnapping in Ogbia Kingdom is condemnable”, commended the various security formations for rescuing the duo unconditionally”, questioning the rational behind the dastardly incident
The Statement reads in parts: “The recent kidnapping of Mr. Loveday Akari, SA, Domestic, to the MD, NDDC, and the MD’s brother, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbuku, at Ayakoro, Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State is disgusting and condemnable.
“What does this mean to Ogbia/youths of the Niger Delta? What Dr. Samuel Ogbuku needs from us is our support, not acerbity.
“Kidnapping in a way shows that we do not need development in our communities or region as Dr. Samuel is currently working to achieve.
“What Dr. Ogbuku needs as MD, NDDC, is our love and total support from not just the Ogbia extraction of the Niger Delta, but every single individual in the region. So, this level of harm does not worth it.
“Let me remind us what the Bible says in Romans 13:20, ‘Love does no wrong to others. So love fulfills the requirements of God’s law’. The emphasis here is that we must not cause harm to others.
“About the Consequences of causing pain, the Bible warns that causing pain to others can have consequences. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists seven things that God hates, including hands that shed innocent blood and feet that make haste to run to evil.
“Remember that God has plans for every life, (Jeremiah 29:11).
“Resorting to kidnap isn’t part of God’s plan for anyone. So, I want to join all those who prayed for the quick and unconditional release of the duo who have been working so hard to see Dr. Ogbuku succeed as MD.
“Moreover, we must desist from this acrimony of kidnapping, and embrace a more creative and ethical way of thriving through life.
“I commend the security agencies and every other person who acted promptly to ensure the unconditional release of Mr Akari and the NDDC MD’s brother.
The Tide reports that operatives of the Operation Puff Adder of the State Police Command have confirmed that they have rescued the duo.
The rescue tactics deployed by team of the Operation Puff Adder, a special drone team of the State Police Commissioner and another private drone company, as well as men of the Nigerian Navy, NNS Soroh, The Tide learn, led to the timely rescue operation of the duo.
Security sources further confirmed to The Tide that the kidnap victims were abandoned at a cemetery around Anyama Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of the State after a hot exchange of gun fire.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.
Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.
Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.
He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”
“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.
In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.
“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.
Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.
“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.
The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.
The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.
Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.
He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.
“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.
“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.
“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.
The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.
Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.
The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.
Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.
The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.
The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.
Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.
The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.
Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.
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