News
Rivers CP Orders Probe Of Alleged Killing Of 20-Yr-Old RSU Undergraduate
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, says he has ordered full scale investigation into the alleged killing of a 20-year old undergraduate student of the Rivers State University (RSU), late Miss Beauty Nwigbaranee by her pastor-friend, Sodje Masodje, over the weekend.
It would be recalled that, late Miss Beauty Nwigbaranee was declared missing December 25, 2020, by her parents, and her lifeless body was found at a mortuary in Ahoada East LGA, last Saturday.
The spokesman of the Rivers State Police Command, SP Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the death of the Rivers State University undergraduate, saying that the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, has ordered a full scale investigation to unravel the cause of her death with a view to apprehending anyone found culpable.
According to him, the family was before the CP the other day during which the CP ordered an investigation into the matter, and appealed to “all parties to maintain restraint until we are able to conclude our investigation.
“Whatever our findings are will be made public. So far, we (police) have been able to locate and sight the corpse of the deceased girl and ‘accident’ vehicles have also been sighted. Investigation will reveal what really happened. We can assure the public that at the end of the day, justice will be served.
“All the parties will get justice, including the late girl. She will get justice based on what the CP has put in place. Nobody will be spared from the long arms of the law,” Omoni assured.
The Tide reports that tension is mounting, as the family of the 20-year-old undergraduate late Beauty Nwigbaranee is accusing the pastor of a new generation church, Mr Sodje Masodje of having a hand in the former’s death, who they said, paid him a visit the day she was declared missing.
It would be recalled that the family had reported Masodje to the Nigeria Army, 6 Division in Port Harcourt, alleging that their daughter who was the pastor’s lover, had visited him on December 25, 2020 (Christmas Day) but did not return two days after and could not be reached on her mobile phone.
The Tide learnt that Beauty’s family members became suspicions after Masodje, whose new generation church is located in Eneka, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, put a call across to them, asking of her whereabouts.
This development forced the girl’s family to officially report the matter to the Army, which led to the pastor’s subsequent arrest.
Counsel to Beauty’s family, Barrister Gobari Deebom told journalists in Port Harcourt that Masodje surprisingly refused to disclose the whereabouts of the girl during interrogation, with a promise that she would return home.
The lawyer, however, said Beauty’s alleged disappearance was initially a case of suspected abduction, saying that the family had to plead with the Army to hand over the matter to the police for proper investigation.
But speaking to The Tide, last Saturday, Deebom said Beauty’s lifeless body was found at the Ahoada General Hospital mortuary in Rivers State.
He, however, queried the information given to them that the girl died in an accident, saying that there was no trace of injury on her corpse.
“We discovered her dead body. Somebody that died through motor accident: would there not be bruises or wounds on the person’s body? Even if it is internal bleeding, there must be wound somewhere!
“They said there was a collision with two vehicles. They only saw one vehicle and the vehicle they saw also belongs to the pastor; and the police at Rumuji Police Station said the second vehicle involved in the accident is damaged beyond repair. If a vehicle is damaged beyond repair, where did you keep it, so that it will form part of the investigation?”
Asked how the family knew that Beauty’s corpse was deposited at the hospital mortuary, he said a kinsman of the family who saw the body at the mortuary contacted the family, having read the report of the girl missing in the media.
“A good Samaritan, who happens to be from the same tribe with the family members, after we posted it on social media, sent a message that so-so person is lying in the mortuary at so-so place. They should contact him.
“People started bombarding him with question: how he was able to discover the name of the person.
So, they happened to know the guy, and they called him. He said he went to that mortuary.
“They said there was accident, from there, they discovered an ATM card of the girl bearing the name that we posted. Lo and behold, they had to go there, and confirmed her body lying lifeless. No single spot. When they got to the police station at Rumuji, they saw her bag, and one oil that the pastor gave to her. For what purpose, nobody knows,” he explained.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi