Niger Delta
Bayelsa Ministry Resorts To Intimidation, Arrests … As Journalists Uncover Fraud
The Bayelsa State Ministry of Education has launched arrests and intimidating tactics against Journalists practicing in the State over reportage of fraud in the Ministry.
The Tide learnt that trouble started when the duo of Mr. Francis Dufugha, Publisher/Editor-in-chief of the Niger Delta Herald and Mr. Emem Idio of the Vanguard Newspapers reported on fraudulent deductions allegedly perpetrated by the Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) of the Ministry against contractors handling projects in the Ministry.
Journalists who fielded questions from the duo, when they visited them upon hearing that they were arrested by officers of the Zone 16 of the Nigerian Police Force in Yenagoa, the State capital, owing to a petition allegedly entered against them by officials of the Ministry, report that the reportage did not fall short of ethical practice and conventions.
They noted that upon getting wind of the fraudulent allegations levelled against some officials of the Ministry, as chequered professionals, they also resorted to hearing from the DFA before Press time.
“We never imagined doing our jobs legally and professionally could incur the wrath of the ministry officials who from their actions were hell-bent on arresting us as a ploy to intimidate and silence the media in the state.
“When we got wind of these allegations on fraudulent deductions on various sums of money due contractors executing projects in the Ministry of Education, we quickly reached the DFA to hear from him before publication, yet the ministry petitioned us and got us arrested by the Police”, they said.
Calling on the State Government to be weary of some of its appointees and others holding positions of trusts in the State, the duo said though they were unhurt on the first day of their arrest, they were again invited on Wednesday to appear before the Police for further questioning and investigation.
“But we’ve never been so surprised that in this information age, beaming our searchlight as Journalists, through investigation, in order to illuminate the truth has become an offense due to someone’s high handedness and phoney deals in the State’s Ministry of Education”, the duo added.
By: 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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