News
Banigo, Jonathan Condole With Late Alamieyeseigha’s Family
The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, has commiserated with the families of the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief D. S. P. Alamieyeseigha, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson and the good people of Bayelsa State over the painful demise of Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha on October 10th, 2015 at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt.
A statement by her Press Secretary, Paul Damgbor, described Chief Alamieyeseigha as an icon of Niger Delta who devoted his life to the struggle for improved standard of living and development of the people of the Niger Delta.
Banigo noted that the former Bayelsa patriot was a pace-setter in Bayelsa State, and a strong voice for the emancipation of Bayelsa State in particular and the South-South as a whole, stressing that the late political icon left the scene when he was most needed.
The deputy governor described late Alamieyesigha as a trusted friend and a brother to Rivers people, and prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Meanwhile, the immediate past President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan at the weekend lamented the death of Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha, the first civilian governor of Bayelsa State, saying he had lost an elder brother.
Jonathan, who served as Alamieyeseigha’s deputy from 1999 to 2005, said he was saddened by the sudden death of his former boss.
He said their relationship was not that of a governor and a deputy governor but that of an elder brother and a younger brother.
Jonathan was speaking in an emotion-laden voice when he paid a condolence visit to the Alamieyeseigha’s family at their residence in Opolo,Yenagoa, on Friday.
He said, “It is sad. I directly worked as a deputy governor to Alamieyeseigha. I knew Alamieyeseigha during the UNCP days when we were working for him.
“I never knew I was going to be his deputy because that was not my interest then. From that time, the political evolution in the country and the state brought me to work with him.
“And from 1999, we have been together. He always took me as his younger brother. Our relationship was not that of a governor and a deputy but it was that of a younger brother and an elder brother”.
Jonathan was accompanied by Governor Seriake Dickson, his Deputy, John Jonah, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Edmund Allison-Oguru and other officials of government and elder statesmen.
Alamieyeseigha’s widow, Margaret, broke down in tears and wept uncontrollably as Jonathan walked into the cosy sitting room in the palatial residence, with those on his entourage.
Jonathan, who admitted that “it was only God that stopped tears from rolling down my cheek” when he saw her wailing, said he considers the Alamieyeseighas as his family.
Jonathan noted that without the Alamieyeseigha family, nobody would have known him in the world.
He recalled that it was his late former boss who made him to begin to celebrate his birthdays as he never did so until about three years into their first tenure.
He explained that he decided to visit the bereaved family on Friday because he would be away to Tanzania this week where he would spend about 12 days.
He stated that Alamieyeseigha’s demise was a rude shock not only to his immediate family but to Bayelsans and the Ijaw nation.
Jonathan eulogized Alamieyeseigha, stressing that he was a courageous man who had a good heart for Bayelsa, Ijaw land and the South-South region.
“Alamieyeseigha meant well for Bayelsa. He stood very firmly for the Ijaw people. Alamieyeseigha wanted to advance the South-South. He is somebody we had collective love for”, he said.
Jonathan encouraged Mrs. Alamieyeseigha, members of the nucleus family and his admirers not to cry anymore because God was in control.
“So, mommy, I have lost my elder brother. I’m your son. God will see us through. Be courageous so that the younger ones will have the strength to bear it.
“If you break down, it will be very catastrophic for everybody. We are all with you. God is with us. God, who took him away from you at this critical time that we needed him most, will surely open other windows for the family and for us”, he said.
He assured the family that upon his return from Tanzania, he would join hands with Dickson, the state government and elders of the state to ensure that the departed ‘Governor-General of Ijaw Nation’ was given a befitting burial.
Earlier, a member of the family and Commissioner for Transport, Akpoebide Alamieyeseigha, had on behalf of the family, welcomed Jonathan and members of his entourage.
He said the bereavement was the most difficult time for the family, and called on well-meaning individuals, Bayelsans and the people of Ijaw land to pray fervently for the family.
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
-
News3 days agoRSG Targets Nine Million Residents in Mosquito Net Distribution Campaign
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoAiyedatiwa Signs New Electricity Bill
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoNLNG Commissions Research And Innovation Centre In RSU
-
Maritime3 days agoMarine Minister Commends President Tinubu On NPERA Bill Assent
-
News3 days agoKenPoly Holds Eight Convocations, August 29
-
News3 days agoRMAFC Completes Revenue Sharing Review, Proposes New Pay
-
News3 days agoRSG Begins Another Phase of Projects Commissioning Today
-
Maritime3 days agoNAGAFF Petitions IGP Over Alleged Maritime Police Harassment
