Niger Delta

Immigration Arrests Two Suspected Human Traffickers

Published

10 years ago

January 18, 2016

The Nigeria Immigration
Service (NIS), Cross River State command, says in Calabar that two suspected human traffickers with 29 victims were arrested on January 10.
The state Comptroller of NIS, Mrs Funke Adeuyi, who addressed newsmen, said that the suspects were apprehended by men of the NIS on border patrol at Itigidi in Abi Local Government Area.
“On January 10, the immigration border patrol officers at Itigidi intercepted two buses carrying 29 youths which we found out to be victims of human trafficking.
“On first line interrogation, we discover that a lot of them were going to an unknown destination.
“We have profiled them, and we have cause to suspect that they were about to be trafficked to an unknown destination.
“The better information on where they intend to traffic them to would be better unraveled when we hand them over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP),’’ she said.
Adeuyi said the two suspects had some money with them during the arrest, while some of the victims had cell phones with them.
“The victims told us during our first line investigation that they were being taken to a place where they would work and get some money.
“We reliably gathered from some of the victims that their parents were aware that the suspected traffickers were taking them away to do menial jobs that would earn them money.
“We would hand them over to NAPTIP for further investigation on the matter’’ she said.
She advised parents to be careful in giving out their children or wards to people whom they do not know much about.
Receiving the victims and suspected traffickers, Mr Victor Odudukudu, an official from NAPTIP, assured that the agency would continue with the investigation.
“We are going to interview the victims and interrogate the suspects.
“We are also going to trace their family members and find out if they actually gave out their children to the suspects,’’ he said.
One of the suspects, Dennis Agbor, said that he was taking the victims to Akure, Ondo State to work in his restaurant.
Agbor said he took the victims from Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River.
“When I was about going back to my base in Akure, these people met me and appealed that I take them along with me and engage them in menial jobs.
“I agreed to their appeal and promised that I will be paying those that will work in my restaurant some token while I will engage others elsewhere.
“I am not taking them for anything bad; I was only trying to help them earn a living and I even know some of their parents,’’ he added.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

1 week ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

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.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

1 week ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

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.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

1 week ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

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.