Rivers

Rerun: Lawmaker-Elect Dismisses Police Claim

Published

9 years ago

December 19, 2016

The lawmaker-elect
representing Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Boma Goodhead, has denied the claim by the Nigeria Police that he has a link with one Dike Deinpiribo, Owunari Warmate and three others, who were paraded for allegedly hijacking electoral materials during the December 10 Rivers legislative rerun election.
Goodhead (PDP-Rivers), described the claim by the police as an underhand tactics and an afterthought by the police to justify their hijack of the collation of election results in his federal constituency and Abonnema to favour the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.
The lawmaker-elect, who spoke through his lawyer, Mr. Tubotamuno Dick, yesterday, said, “our attention has been drawn to a media publication where the Nigeria Police Force PRO paraded one Dike Deinpiribo, Owunari Warmate and three others at Abuja purporting that they were found with two AK 47 rifles, which were allegedly given to them by the member-elect for Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency, Hon. Boma Goodhead, to rig elections in Abonnema, Ikwerre, Emohua, Port-Harcourt and other parts of Rivers State.
“We hereby reject the claim of the Nigeria Police in its entirety as it is both an underhand tactics and an afterthought of CSP Akin Fakorede-led Rivers State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) to justify their colossal failure to hijack the collation of election result for the Akuku- Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency on Sunday, 11th of December 2016 in Abonnema to favour the APC candidates.
“We hereby state categorically that the arrested persons, who are well known commercial drivers shuttling Buguma and Abonnema, have no link whatsoever with Hon. Boma Goodhead.
“The guns allegedly found on them were planted by CSP Akin Fakorede and his men of the Port Harcourt SARS, whose anti-people antics of planting incriminating items like firearms and ammunition on innocent citizens is legendary and a thing of common knowledge.”
According to him, he will take solace in the fact that the Nigeria Police is not a court of law to be the accuser and Judge in the matter.
Goodhead added that the police would be put to “the strictest” proof of their unfounded, baseless and trumped-up allegations and attempt to tarnish his
He said, “By the special grace of God, we shall overcome their anti-democratic evil plots once again.”

Rivers

CDS Urges Communities To Protect Pipelines

Published

7 hours ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has urged Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) host communities to protect national assets located within their areas.

Musa made the appeal at a monthly stakeholders’ meeting organised by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) in Port Harcourt.

Represented by Navy Capt. Lassie Ozovehe, he said the effects of oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism were mostly borne by the host communities themselves.

He noted that the environmental and health risks from pipeline damage affect locals more than the oil companies operating in the region.

“These assets are on your land. You benefit from them, so you must protect them and safeguard yourselves from the hazards”, he said.

He praised PINL for its consistent efforts in securing the assets, particularly its record of zero infractions on the Trans Niger pipelines.

Earlier, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, PINL’s Community Relations Consultant, urged host communities to collaborate in tackling security challenges in the Niger Delta.

Mezeh said PINL had expanded its mandate to include the security of all oil and gas infrastructure in the Eastern Corridor, including gas pipelines.

He explained that the meeting aimed to reduce pipeline vandalism and oil theft, which have major economic consequences for the country.

He stated that PINL had seen near-zero incidents over the past month, crediting host community cooperation for the achievement.

He, however, identified ongoing issues such as poor information sharing, threats to surveillance guards, stakeholder collusion, and leadership disputes.

A keynote speaker, Mr. Otoyo Sunday, discussed the serious health effects of gas flaring in the Niger Delta region.

He urged people to view the environment as living, warning that harmful activities have long-term consequences for people and nature.

Sunday condemned gas flaring caused by well testing, pressure releases, and illegal refining activities.

On his part, Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eastern Zone, Mr. Datolu Sokubo, called for a balanced focus on security and human development.

“You can’t protect pipelines without addressing people’s welfare. Without our cooperation, infrastructure is never truly secure”, he said.

He urged the Federal Government to prioritise development, especially in education and healthcare, across the region.

The Traditional Ruler of Ekpeye Land, Eze Kelvin Anugwu, called on oil companies to end gas flaring immediately.

Represented by Dr. Patricia Ogbonnaya, he urged PINL to raise awareness of the health and environmental concerns of the communities.

“We keep advising our youths against bunkering. But oil firms must take responsibility for the long-term effects of their operations”, he stated.

Other traditional leaders at the meeting requested improved welfare for surveillance workers, chiefs, and communities to maintain stability and protect oil infrastructure.

Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Monarch Cautions Youths Against Illicit Drug Consumption

Published

7 hours ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Eze Igbu Orlukwor II, Eze Ehie II, HRH Eze Prince Ike Ehie, has cautioned youths in his kingdom and Ekpeye at large on the need to abstain from illicit drugs consumption.

Ehie said this recently while fielding questions from newsmen in commemoration of the 2025 World Drug Abuse Day at his liaison office, Ahoada.

He emphasized that drug abuse was dangerous to the body system as it had harmed many physically, mentally and otherwise.

The Monarch noted that people should always take ‘drugs’ based on prescription by qualified medical and health personnel.

He said youths’ alleged disrespect for constituted authorities, mental challenge and various types of illnesses can be linked to the consumption of illicit drugs.

The Royal Father further noted that except government agencies saddled with the requisite responsibilities synergized with traditional institutions and other like-minded organizations, much may not be achieved against the campaign and fight against illicit drug consumption.

According to him, most youths today can do nothing without taking hard drugs, which he said makes them ‘high’ and hyper elated.

The Orlukwor Monarch wondered how the youths would take over the mantle of leadership at both communities and federal levels with such uncultured behaviour and repugnant attitudes.

The World Day of Drug Abuse, was tagged, “Breaking The Chains, Prevention, Treatment And Recovery For All”.

King Onunwor

Rivers

NDDC Inaugurates Ultra-Modern Market In Rivers Community

Published

7 hours ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has inaugurated an Ultra-Modern International Market in Ibaa Community, in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, as one of its projects to impact lives across the region.

The Rivers State Representative on the NDDC Board, Chief Tony Okocha, who was also at the event, said the project would improve local commerce and uplift economic activities in Ibaa and its environs.

Okocha commended the contractor for executing a quality job and appreciated the people of Ibaa community for their cooperation towards the timely completion of the project.

The Rivers NDDC representative said he was inspired to build the market after his visit to Ibaa community in 2024, where he witnessed women trading in makeshift stalls.

The Delta State NDDC representative, Mr. Monday Igbuya, said the market was one of its kind.

He urged the community to maintain and utilise the facility effectively.

The Traditional Ruler of Ibaa, Dr. Wobodo Jonah, the youths and the entire community presented traditional food items to Okocha as a mark of honour and appreciation.

Also, the Student Union President presented an Award of Excellence to the Rivers State Representative in recognition of his commitment to community development.

The ultra-modern market had a storey building with 20 lock-up shops, 126 open stalls, modern toilet facilities, a 12,000-gallon potable water tank, and two office rooms, fully fenced with a secured gate.

The inauguration was attended by dignitaries, including the North Central Representative, Mr. Nicholas Wend, among others.

Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso