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Boko Haram Kills 11 In Yobe, 17 In Chad …Takes Over Highways In Damaturu

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Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Barr Kenneth Kobani (left) conferring with Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr Emma Aguma (SAN),during inauguration of CTC Chairmen ceremony at Government House Port Harcourt ast Friday

Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Barr Kenneth Kobani (left) conferring with Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr Emma Aguma (SAN),during inauguration of CTC Chairmen ceremony at Government House Port Harcourt ast Friday

Suspected members of the Boko Haram terrorist group have attacked Gamdu town in Yobe State, killing 11 residents and taking over Damaturu-Maiduguri highway.
Gamdu is a commercial and agricultural settlement along Damaturu-Maiduguri highway and is located 35 kilometres east of Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State.
A resident of Gamdu town, Mallam Bukar Gamdu, told newsmen yesterday that the militants came to town in the midnight of Friday and carried out some killings.
“The attackers came in the night and killed people of our community and as the day breaks, we counted eleven inhabitants killed in the dastard act,” Gamdu said.
Apart from the killings that were carried out on Friday night, Gamdu said the insurgents had formed the habit of mounting temporary road blocks on the busy Damaturu-Maiduguri highway to terrorise people travelling on the road.
Another traveller on the security-threaten road, who asked not to be mentioned, said “travellers often wait for each other to move in long convoy for fear of attack”, and called for more security patrol along the road.
He also confirmed that the insurgents had by noon on Saturday blocked the Damaturu-Maiduguri highway which lasted for several minutes, as several vehicles had to stop at nearby villages to avoid the attackers who were later chased away by security forces.
“We were travelling from Damaturu to Maiduguri in a long convoy and luckily security operatives on patrol were leading the convoy and suddenly we had a loud sound and the security men immediately had a stopover and run into the bush.
“We later heard that they sighted the insurgents who were strategising to mount a road block. We stayed there for over an hour and the security operatives later returned and we continue the journey but no one knows what really transpired between them and the insurgents deep in the bush,” he explained.
The traveller called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the relevant authorities to step up efforts towards ending the insurgency which had held back development in the two states and the north-east in general.
Some travellers from Maiduguri to Damaturu told newsmen in Damaturu on Saturday afternoon that several cars along the Damaturu-Maiduguri highway around Benesheiehk, the headquarters of Kaga Local Government Area, were set ablaze by the insurgents, as at the time they were plying the route.
Boko Haram attacks on innocent people in Borno and Yobe States are gradually on the rise, with wide spread cases of suicide bombings, attacks on communities, places of worship and areas believed to have crowds.
President Buhari had, during his inaugural address on the May 29, assured Nigerians that his “administration will fight and subdue the militants,” the Boko Haram.
Despite the assurance by the President, the terrorist group, which had lost some of the territories it had captured to heightened counter-terrorism operations by Nigerian Armed Forces, have intensified attacks, killing over 300 persons since May 29.
Meanwhile, a Boko Haram suicide bombing in a crowded market in Chad’s capital has killed 17 people on Saturday, just days after the militant group claimed a previous bombing in the city that left 38 people dead.
The attack in N’Djamena, by a man disguised as a woman in a full-face veil, came after a botched bombing in Maiduguri, Borno State, which killed two pedestrians.
The attacks underlined the threat still posed by the militants in the region, despite the authorities’ claims of recent military successes and with a new regional force set to deploy at the end of the month.
Police Director-General, Taher Erda said the N’Djamena bomber detonated his explosives belt when he was stopped for security checks at the entrance to the market.
Chad banned the full-face veil, ramped up security measures and bombed militant positions in Nigeria last month after the first ever Boko Haram attack in its capital.
The provisional toll on Saturday was 15 dead and 80 injured, four of them seriously, said police spokesman, Paul Manga.
Nine of the victims were female traders and one was a police officer, he added. An AFP correspondent there described a gruesome scene of carnage and pools of blood.
The area, in the heart of the capital, was cordoned off by security forces after the attack at about 8:45am (0745 GMT), and a police source said there was “no doubt it was Boko Haram”.
Prime Minister Kalzeube Pahimi Deubet called a crisis meeting to discuss the attack.
Foreign Minister of Chad’s former colonial masters France, Laurent Fabius,  called the bombing “despicable”.
Experts said the latest bombing in Chad, following previous strikes in Niger and repeated targeting of northern Cameroon, showed the need for a joined-up solution involving Nigeria and its neighbours.

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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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.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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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

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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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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