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COVID-19: RSG Releases 22 ExxonMobil Staff …As Caverton Helicopters Apologises To Wike

The Rivers State Government, yesterday, released the 22 staff of United States oil and gas giant, ExxonMobil, who were arrested for violating the Executive Order restricting movement in the state.
The state Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Prof Zaccheus Adangor, explained that the ExxonMobil staff were released without charges.
Adangor said that the state government would no longer press charges against them, stressing that they were released following interventions by well-meaning Nigerians.
The Attorney-General of Rivers State confirmed that he monitored the release of the 22 ExxonMobil staff at the State Isolation Centre at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt.
He noted that the Rivers State Government remains committed to implementing the Executive Order issued to check the spread of the novel Coronavirus in the state.
It would be recalled that security agencies arrested 22 staff of ExxonMobil who entered the state from Akwa Ibom in violation of the Executive Order signed by the governor.
The order stipulates that health authorities ascertain the Coronavirus status of those entering the state.
Earlier, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, had announced that security agencies arrested 22 staff of ExxonMobil who entered the state from Akwa Ibom in violation of the state Executive Order.
Wike also announced that the management of Caverton Helicopters has apologised to the state government over the conduct that led to the arrest of their pilots and passengers who violated the restriction orders of the state.
Addressing a press conference in Port Harcourt, last Friday, Wike stated that the ExxonMobil matter would be a test case in legal jurisprudence in the country.
Wike said: “Security agencies arrested 22 staff of ExxonMobil who came into the state from neighbouring Akwa Ibom State in violation of the extant Executive Order restricting movement into the state. We do not know the Coronavirus status of these individuals.
“Even though security agencies advised that they be allowed to go back to Akwa Ibom State, I insisted that the law must take its course. This is because nobody is above the law.
“As a responsive government, we have quarantined them in line with the relevant health protocols, and they will be charged to court.”
The Rivers State governor regretted that the federal authorities were working dangerously to compromise the health protection system of Rivers State, and thereby make them vulnerable to Coronavirus.
He said: “Some people want the escalation of the virus in Rivers State. People were paid to canvass a negative narrative on Caverton pilots.
“We are doing what we can within available resources to fight Coronavirus. You can fly, but as you fly and land, don’t enter our territory.
“We will fight this matter legally. ExxonMobil does not operate in Rivers State. That they have a point at the Onne seaport does not mean that they operate in Rivers State.
“People in Abuja are not happy. They want Rivers State to be infected. They want to kill Rivers people and I will not allow it. I was elected to protect Rivers people. Rivers State is not a pariah state.
“Nigerians shake when they hear oil companies they shake because they have compromised. Imagine an appointed minister issuing an order to an elected governor. They wanted to rig us out and lost. Recall that the former DG of DSS ordered his men to leave the INEC Collation Centre for the invasion of the centre. They lost.
“The right must be done. We are talking about something that is killing people. They want Coronavirus to escalate in Rivers State. The law must be tested. Make sacrifice and let us contain the virus.”
Wike said that Rivers State cannot be manipulated from any quarters.
“Nobody will use Rivers State as a toy. This Federal Government does not like us, but a government will come that likes Rivers State.
Wike stated that the state government followed due process in its actions against Caverton Helicopters, and noted that state government was focused on implementing extant laws aimed at protecting Rivers people.
He said: “On 7th April, 2020, two pilots of Caverton Helicopters flew in and landed at the Air Force Base, Port Harcourt with 10 passengers on board their Twin-Otter Helicopter without any prior notice or approval from the state government, and in clear breach of the extant Covid-19 Regulations and Executive Order. The pilots and 10 passengers were promptly arrested by security personnel and arraigned before the Port Harcourt Chief Magistrate Court in two separate charges”.
Wike noted that his administration established the right legal framework to assist it effectively fight against the spread of Coronavirus, stressing that the second case in Rivers State has been discharged.
He thanked God for His blessing to the state, insisting that the law will take its course.
The governor said: “People selling Akara are being charged to court in Lagos. But they want us to allow oil companies to flout the law. I am a boy to Rivers people, not to anybody outside Rivers State.
“You have been fighting Rivers State since 2015. They challenged me in 2015, I defeated them. In 2019, I defeated them. There is no third term.”
The governor praised the management of the NLNG for cooperating with the state authorities to fight the spread of Coronavirus.
“I must commend the management of Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) for obeying the established health protocol to check the spread of Coronavirus. They have consistently liaised with the state government in the movement of their staff on essential duties. This is what is expected of a responsible corporate organization,” he said.
The governor expressed gratitude to individuals and corporate organizations that have strengthened the state’s capacity to fight Coronavirus.
He said: “Our pragmatic leadership style has therefore earned our state individual and corporate support that have strengthened our prevention strategies.”
Wike noted that his administration has developed a comprehensive palliatives scheme to support less privileged Rivers people survive the sit-at-home directive of his administration.
He said: “I directed the palliatives committee to ensure that their activities must not be partisan, religious or ethnic based.
“Let me state here that following my directive, the committee adopted a community based approach in the discharge of its assignment.
The distribution of the foodstuffs is supervised at the ward level by a five-man committee made up of a clergy man, traditional ruler, Community Development Committee chairman, woman leader and youth leader.
“So far, the palliatives committee has distributed foodstuffs to Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ikwerre, and Eleme local government areas. The committee has also distributed foodstuffs to special homes in Port Harcourt.”
The governor, however, announced the suspension of the ongoing distribution of palliatives due to complaints by some members of the public, stressing, “In order to make the exercise more inclusive, members of the civil society and the media”.
Wike stated that the state government established the Foodstuffs Purchasing Committee with a directive to buy foodstuffs and fish from Rivers farmers, adding that the committee has procured foodstuffs and set up food banks in the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
“To ensure that nobody complains of hunger during this period, the Foodstuffs Purchasing Committee has set up food banks across the 23 local government areas of the state. These food banks are to be supervised by agricultural desks in each local government area.
“So far, the committee has purchased a large quantity of garri, yam, rice, palm oil and fish from local farmers and fishermen. The overall objective is to empower our farmers and fishermen while also providing enough foodstuffs for the less privileged in the state.”
He said that it was imperative that all companies or organizations doing full or partial business in the state support efforts at containing Coronavirus.
“Failure to support us shows total disregard for corporate social responsibility. I want to sincerely thank all individual and corporate donors who have supported us in the fight against Covid-19. At the appropriate time, the Rivers State Government will publish their names in national dailies and local tabloids for posterity. These individuals and corporate organizations are indeed friends of the state,” he said.
Wike said his administration chose to be proactive because it places premium on the lives of Rivers people, and pointed out that Rivers State was the first state to close her borders to check the spread of Coronavirus.
He noted that this step was greeted by criticisms at the time, but several states have emulated this pragmatic approach.
“We were the first state in the federation to close our borders. This attracted criticisms, but we have been vindicated as other states emulated this positive strategy.
”Even though we have recorded two cases, the index case has been discharged while the second case is doing well at the treatment centre. It is obvious that our containment strategies: closure of borders, closure of schools, closure of markets, closure of night clubs, closure of cinemas, as well as the ban of public worship, ban of public burials and weddings have helped to check the spread of Coronavirus.
“This is in addition to the conduct of our healthcare professionals who have demonstrated a high level of patriotism and sacrifice in contact tracing and case management,” he said.
The Rivers State governor warned those plotting to disrupt the distribution of palliatives will be sanctioned, and pointed out that some persons only criticise for the sake of political mileage and not to add value.
The governor said that nobody can threaten Rivers State with strike, warning that the state was ready to tackle anyone trying to compromise the health of the state.
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Tinubu Commissions Afam 11 Power Plant …Urges Stronger Private Sector Partnership In Power Sector

President Bola Tinubu has restated the commitment of the Federal Government towards achieving sustainable electricity supply and industrialisation in Nigeria.
Tinubu gave the declaration during the commissioning of the newly constructed 180 megawatts Afam 11 Power Plant located in Afam, Oyigbo Local Government Area in Rivers State on Wednesday.
He said the completion of the project within just 16 months was a key achievement in the power sector.
The President who addressed Nigerians virtually during the event, emphasized that the project, which is a landmark partnership between Crescendough Nigeria Limited (CNL) and Sahara Power Group, underscored the tenacity of his administration to promote success in private sector partnership and development, adding that the feat will increase industrialisation and economic growth in the country.
The president commended the Rivers State Government, the contractors, Sahara Energies and Crescendough Nigeria Limited (CNL) for the successful delivery of the project on record time.
While urging stronger collaboration among stakeholders to achieve a more globally competitive Nigeria, Tinubu said achieving sustainable power supply remains an unwavering goal under his administration
The President described the project as a testament to the blossoming investment opportunities fostered by his administration’s well-structured policies, which prioritize national development and private sector participation.
He emphasized that the Afam II Plant will not only bolster Nigeria’s power generation capacity by adding 180MW to the national grid but also energize businesses, industries, healthcare facilities, and households, igniting hope for a brighter economic future.
“The completion of the Afam II Plant within just 16 months reinforces our capacity to overcome challenges through collaboration, tenacity, and unwavering commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” President Tinubu stated. “Achieving stable power supply remains a top priority for this administration. I have directed the Honourable Minister of Power and all stakeholders in the power value chain to work collectively towards our declaration to light up Nigeria.”
“We solicit the support of all Nigerians as we implement reforms and strategies to transform the power sector. Our administration will continue to enforce policies that attract investments—both local and foreign—to achieve this critical goal,” he affirmed.
In his remarks, the Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), hailed the project as a product of visionary leadership and private sector empowerment.
He noted that President Tinubu’s enabling policies have spurred bold investments across key sectors, including power, agriculture, oil and gas, education, and transportation.
“This power plant reflects the long-standing vision of successive Rivers State administrations to expand energy infrastructure beyond oil and gas, driving industrial growth,” Vice Admiral Ibas said. “Beyond boosting electricity supply, this project has created jobs and skills development opportunities for youths in Afam. I commend the host community for their cooperation, proving that peace and development go hand in hand,” he said.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, described the Afam II Plant as a commendable milestone showcasing the private sector’s pivotal role in enhancing power generation within a conducive business environment.
Similarly, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, applauded Rivers State’s sustained investments in energy infrastructure since 2011, culminating in the Afam II Plant’s success.
Speaking at the event, the Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, Kola Adesina, highlighted that the partnership reinforces Sahara’s position as Nigeria’s largest private-sector electricity provider, contributing 20% of the nation’s power supply and driving sustainable development.
He described the project as a celebration of collaboration, intentional strategic and sustainable partnership that make Nigeria an industrial hub.
He commended President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, while also thanking the host communities for their support.
The Tide reports that the Afam II Power Plant stands as a beacon of progress, underscoring Nigeria’s resolve to achieving energy security, economic growth, and industrial transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Taneh Beemene
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Tight Security As Muslims Celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, Today

As Muslim faithful celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir today, security agencies, including the Federal Road Safety Corps, National Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Nigerian Police have deployed over 50,000 personnel to secure shopping malls, prayer grounds, motor parks, markets, recreational centres and various government buildings for the celebrations.
The FRSC, in a statement by its spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Wednesday, stated that over 36,000 personnel, including regular and special marshals, will be deployed across the country.
This is as he disclosed that the FRSC has commenced a nationwide special patrol operation in preparation for the Eid el-Kabir celebrations slated for today.
The operation will be supported by 750 patrol vehicles, 120 ambulances, 25 tow trucks, and more than 200 motorbikes.
The initiative, which runs from June 5 to June 11, aims to ensure road safety and manage traffic flow during the festive period.
The statement read in part, “Pursuant to the declaration of Friday, 6 June 2025 as the day of Eid el Kabir in Nigeria, the Federal Road Safety Corps has commenced massive Mobilisation of its personnel and operational equipment for the Sallah special patrol aimed at ensuring safer road environment, before, during the festive period and beyond.
“The Operations Order states that not fewer than 36,000 of the FRSC regular, special marshals, and about 750 patrol vehicles, 120 ambulances, 25 tow trucks and over 200 Bikes would be on the road during the special operation that would commence from 05 to 11 June 2025.”
The statement noted that the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, disclosed that the special patrol was designed to facilitate free vehicular movement, enable prompt rescue operations, and promptly clear road obstructions.
Mohammed stressed the corps’ commitment to reducing road traffic crashes through effective patrols and public enlightenment.
The statement read in part, “To ensure the effectiveness of the operations, the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, directed commanding officers operating across various formations nationwide to ensure that the 52 corridors are properly manned throughout the operations.
“He, however, appealed to motorists to obey all traffic rules and regulations and cooperate fully with the FRSC and other law enforcement agencies that would be deployed for traffic management duties, saying mobile courts would be in session across the country for prompt dispensation of justice to recalcitrant traffic violators.
“The Corps Marshal also directed that the operatives pay first-rate focus on effective traffic control, wrongful overtaking, use of phone while driving, driver licence violation, lane discipline, removal of rickety vehicles on the road, driving with expired/worn-out tyre and those without spare tyre etc.”
The statement added that commanding officers have been instructed to ensure full coverage of 52 key corridors across the country, including major highways such as Akwanga-Lafiya-Makurdi, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano, Sagamu-Mowe-Lagos, and Jos-Bauchi-Gombe, among others.
The corps also stated that it had equipped its officers with radar guns and breathalysers to monitor speed and deter drunk driving.
It urged all road users to cooperate with enforcement officers and to advocate for responsible driving habits during the festivities.
In the same vein, The Lagos State Police Command has rolled out a robust security plan to ensure a safe and peaceful Eid el-Kabir celebration across the state.
This was contained in a statement yesterday, by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, issued on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh.
According to the statement, the CP has ordered the deployment of various tactical and conventional police teams across the State to preempt and prevent any form of criminal activity during the festive period.
The statement partly read, “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has ordered the immediate deployment of conventional police personnel, the Rapid Response Squad, the Eko Strike Force, and other tactical squads of the Nigeria Police Force to all strategic locations across the length and breadth of Lagos State.
“Special anti-crime prevention teams have also been deployed to identified black spots, criminal hideouts, and other flashpoints to prevent crimes and criminality throughout the state, build public confidence, and dispel the fear of crime from the minds of all Lagosians and visitors alike, to guarantee safety and ensure a hitch-free Eid el-Kabir Sallah celebration during this festive season and beyond.”
It added that to strengthen operational coverage, the commissioner also deployed highly trained officers from the Force’s elite units.
“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police has deployed strike forces of the NPF and tactical squad officers from the Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Protection Unit, Intelligence Department, Anti-Bomb Squad, and conventional teams across the state, with Armoured Personnel Carriers and other vehicular patrol teams, to focus strictly on providing security and protection at all Eid praying grounds, mosques and religious facilities, venues of gatherings and celebrations, and other areas of recreation, in order to ensure the safety and security of Muslim faithful and other non-Muslims who will be joining in the celebrations”, the statement further stated.
The command also assured Lagosians that key public areas would be closely monitored, stating, “Particular security attention is focused on recreation centres and other public spaces where large gatherings are anticipated. These spaces will be thoroughly policed to ensure effective crowd control, traffic management, and ease of movement across Lagos State.
“Additional proactive measures are being implemented to prevent crimes, ensure prompt detection of criminal activity, and address any emerging security concerns across the state.”
The statement further added that maintaining peace throughout the celebration remains a top priority for the Lagos Police Command, stating, “The maintenance of public order before, during, and after the festivities remains the utmost priority of the Command.
Meanwhile, the NSCDC in Lagos has also mobilised 2,150 officers across the state.
A statement by the Lagos Civil Defence Public Relations Officer, Oluwaseun Abolurin, indicated that the officers are to ensure adequate security and prevent unscrupulous elements from vandalising critical national assets and infrastructure in the state.
The statement quoted the Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Adedotun Keshinro, as assuring that operational strategies had been put in place to help rid the state of criminals and eradicate the nefarious activities of vandals and other criminal elements that take action inimical to the economic growth and development of the state.
“The officers and men across all formations of the command have been charged to bring the right and appropriate impetus on board to protect all strategic locations, points, facilities, right of ways, oil pipeline installations, religious and worship centres, parks and gardens and all assets belonging to the local, state, and Federal Government of Nigeria and more in the state,” the statement read.
In Katsina, the State Police Command said it had deployed adequate security measures to protect lives and property during and after Sallah celebrations across the state.
This was contained in a statement by the Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq and made available to newsmen in Katsina, on Wednesday.
According to the statement, “The Katsina State Police Command under the able leadership of CP Bello Shehu, is pleased to announce that given the forthcoming Eid-el Kabir festival, it has put in place adequate security arrangements to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free Sallah celebration throughout the state. To achieve this, the command has deployed adequate personnel and assets to strategic locations across the state.”
It warned against reckless and unlawful horse riding, dangerous driving, unlawful gathering, substance abuse, etcetera, which may cause chaos and endanger the lives of good people of the state.
In Delta, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, ordered massive deployment of personnel from Area Commands, Tactical formations, and divisions to provide adequate security in all Muslim prayer grounds and strategic locations across the state.
The commissioner also directed all Divisional Police Officers to intensify raids of criminal hideouts and black spots within their areas of responsibility.
This was contained in a signed statement by the police public relations officer for Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the police boss has assured the public, particularly the Muslim faithful, of adequate security and free flow of traffic in the state during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The Commissioner of Police noted that “in recognition of the significance of the sacred occasion, the Command will be working in close synergy with other sister security agencies which include the Military, DSS, NSCDC, Road Safety, etc to ensure that the activities of all unfriendly forces such as kidnappers, armed robbers, cultists, etc are nipped in the bud.”
In Kwara State, the NSCDC assured all residents and visitors of a peaceful and well-secured festive season across the state.
The State Commandant, Mohammed Umar, ordered the deployment of 2,900 officers and men across all 16 local government areas to ensure full coverage of critical infrastructure, prayer grounds, recreational centres, and other high-traffic locations.
A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Ayoola Michael, on Wednesday, said, “All area Commanders, Divisional Officers, and Tactical Units have been directed to remain on high alert and sustain proactive engagements with communities.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory Command of the NSCDC has “deployed 4,500 personnel across the nooks and crannies of the FCT” ahead of the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
Commandant Olusola Odumosu, who heads the FCT Command, announced the deployment as part of efforts to ensure public safety and the protection of critical national assets before, during, and after the festivities.
According to a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, Monica Ojobi, on Wednesday, the deployment spanned specialised units, including the Female Strike Force, Arms Squad, Operation Adkasu, Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Unit, and the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives Unit.
The statement revealed that officers had been stationed at key public locations considered vulnerable, such as shopping malls, prayer grounds, motor parks, markets, recreational centres, the City Gate, the Three Arms Zone, amusement parks, and various government buildings.
Odumosu emphasised the importance of full personnel deployment and warned that lapses would not be tolerated.
Residents of the FCT were urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest security agency. The command assured the public of its readiness to provide a safe environment throughout the celebration period.
Odumosu also warned criminals and vandals to steer clear of critical infrastructure, noting that covert security personnel are actively monitoring the city and will take swift action against any offenders.
“My personnel are ready to ensure you have a peaceful celebration, you have a part to play too by being proactive,” he stated.
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Federal High Court begins annual vacation July 28

The Federal High Court (FHC) of Nigeria will on July 28 begin its annual vacation.
The Chief Judge (CJ) of FHC, Justice John Tsoho, made this known yesterday in a statement by the court’s Director of Information, Dr Catherine Christopher, in Abuja.
The statement is titled “Notification of Federal High Court Annual Vacation for the Year 2025 and Roaster for Vacation Judges.”
Tsoho said the announcement was by virtue of the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4 (d) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019.
“The vacation will commence from Monday, the 28th day of July 2025, to Tuesday, the 16th day of September, 2025.
“The court shall resume sitting on Wednesday, the 17th day of September, 2025.
“During the vacation period, the core Divisions; Abuja, Lagos and Port-Harcourt Judicial Divisions will remain functional for cases of extreme urgency.
“Consequently, the litigating public will be at liberty to approach ONLY the above listed Courts located nearest to them,” he said.
The CJ said the vacation judges are Justice Emeka Nwite and Justice Musa Liman for the Abuja division while Justices Deinde I. Dipeolu and Musa Kakaki would serve for the Lagos division.
The CJ said Justices P. M. Ayua and A. T. Mohammed will serve as vacation judges for the Port- Harcourt.
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