News

10 Beheaded In Cults’ Clash …As Gunmen Attack ATM, Kill Bank’s Customer

Published

10 years ago

February 17, 2016

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo welcoming Chief Prince Longjohn, an APC Decampee to PDP during a victory celebration organised by Kengema Unity Forum of Kalabari in honour of the State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike in Buguma, Asari-Toru LGA, recently

The Presiding Bishop of God’s Victorious Church, Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Bishop Eleanya Ugorgi, has narrated how over 25 people were killed, including his younger brother, with 10 others having their heads chopped off by unidentified gunmen who invaded Omoku community last Friday.
The bishop told journalists, who were on a guided tour of the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area headquarters, said his younger brother, Ekwela, was killed along with his wife, Victoria, on that fateful night.
The cleric disagreed with the blanket insinuation that the death of his brother and others was caused by rival cult clash.
Ugorgi said his late brother was a staunch member of one of the two major political parties in the state.
He pointed out that before his brother’s death, Ekwela, who is in his mid-40s, was a member of one of the major political parties in the state.
He said, “It was on Friday, and we started hearing gunshots between 9:00pm and 10:00pm or thereabouts. After a while, it ceased and shortly after, I heard a smash on my window, and if you go round, you will see that all the windows were smashed.
“By the time the day broke, we saw my younger brother, Ekwela Ugorji, and the wife, Victoria, lying dead outside. My younger brother was beheaded. My younger brother was a politician and that is all that I know about him. My younger brother’s wife was a trader. He is in his mid-40s.
“I don’t think the killers are armed robbers. In Rivers State, actually you know this politics of a thing is what has been on the ground, and you talk of cultists. Cultism has been there, but it has been lying low. When you come to ONELGA, these two parties are really struggling to see who takes over.
“But, things were also moving on well until after the announcement of the Supreme Court. We felt that everything had ended but before we knew it, things started coming up again. Gunshots of that day were something else; everywhere. I think, at least, 25 people were killed that night, and 10 were beheaded in Omoku here.”
Also speaking to journalists who were on a guided tour of the deserted Omoku town amidst very tight security, the father of another victim, Mr Martin Ugo, said his 31-year old son, Elemchukwu, and two others, were killed when the gunmen invaded his house that night.
Ugu said, “Unfortunately, they killed three people, including my son, Elemchukwu, aged 31. He was a butcher. They killed him in his room, and marched the other two people outside, and killed them. They were all shot. Then, my daughter in-law received gunshots too, but she did not die.
“If it is possible, government should step in, and I know if government really means it, they can stop this kind of things.”
Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA and host to TotalENP, Agip and other oil companies, has been in the news for more than a year for the wrong reasons.
Meanwhile, one person was shot dead and unconfirmed number of bank customers injured as gunmen, suspected to be armed robbers, stormed an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), along Ada George Road in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, at the close of work on Monday.
Eyewitnesses told newsmen that the gunmen, who might have carried out adequate surveillance on the bank staff and timed the loading of the ATMs struck at the nick of time.
According to the sketchy account, the gunmen arrived at the ATM in an SUV, and opened fire sporadically killing one person at point blank range while other bank customers and the bank staff sustained bullet wounds.
“As soon as we saw them park their jeep, we thought that they had come to make some withdrawals. Immediately they emerged from the jeep clutching AK47, they started shooting at anything in sight but targeting the bank staff loading the ATMs.
“Customers scampered for safety. Some people may have been injured by stray bullets,” an eyewitness narrated.
As at press time, it was not clear if the robbers succeeded in carting away cash in the ensuing melee.
The Rivers State Police Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Muhammad, confirmed the incident but could not give any casualty figures.

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

15 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

15 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

15 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor