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Niger Delta

Group Wants Security At Bonny Waterways

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4 years ago

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The Bonny Improvement Association (BIA), has called for a review of the security situation in Bonny Local Government Area of the State over the kidnap of five persons from Banigo compound in the Kingdom.
In a statement on Monday, President of Port Harcourt branch, Prof Sodienye Abere insisted that issues surrounding the kidnap of the Banigo 5, Dema Abbey 2, and incessant sea pirates’ attacks on the Bonny waterways should form a critical part of the discussions during the Ibanise Kobiri Conference.
In the statement, the BIA called out both the political and traditional authorities in Bonny LGA to explain to the people the fate of the Banigo 5 and what steps were being taken to halt the spate of attacks on the waterways in the area.
The Banigo 5 comprising Thompson Allison, Theophilus Ibiama, Sunny Hart, Daniel Hart and Dagogo Jackmay were whisked away by daredevil kidnappers from a funeral venue at Banigo Isile-Ogono on Saturday, September 12, 2020. Their whereabouts were yet unknown a year after the incident.
On Tuesday, January 5, 2021, Macdonald Banigo and Kingsley Allison were brutally murdered by sea pirates at creek off Dema Abbey Community and dumped in the river.
There have also been several other incidents involving the loss of lives and brutalisation of passengers along the Bonny waterways.
Bonny is host to oil and gas facilities belonging to Nigeria’s economic behemoths; the Nigeria LNG, Shell Nigeria, ExxonMobil, and Chevron, among others, which ramp up over a trillion naira annually into the nation’s coffers. The Bonny River is also the gateway into Nigeria’s South-Eastern economic hub comprising the Port Harcourt Harbour, Federal Ocean Terminal, Onne, Nigeria’s oil and gas capital, Port Harcourt, and commerce capital, Aba.
The calls for an overhaul of the security configuration of the area appears belated given the presence of all aspects of the nation’s security architecture in the island LGA, except the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). Bonny LGA is host to two divisions of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), one division of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the 146 Battalion of the Nigerian Army (NA), Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy (NN), and a division of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

By: Kevin Nengia

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Niger Delta

Police Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids

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1 week ago

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May 12, 2025

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The Police Command in Edo State has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered multiple firearms and ammunition during a week-long operation targeting cult-related violence in the Benin metropolis.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, disclosed this in a statement made available to The Tide’s source.
Yamu said operatives of the command also seized two locally made pistols, a single-barrel shotgun, and 24 live cartridges during intelligence-led raids.
According to him, the suspects are alleged members of the Maphites, Eiye, and Aye confraternities, which authorities say are responsible for recent cult supremacy killings in the state.
He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Agbonika, warned youths against joining unlawful societies.
He noted that the commissioner urged parents to monitor their children’s activities.
“These groups destroy futures and end lives, both of members and innocent citizens”, he said.
Of the 95 suspects, he said that 64 had been charged to court, and remanded in custodian center, while investigations continued on the remaining cases.
The command’s spokesperson assured residents of Edo of continued efforts to dismantle cult networks and restore public safety.
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Niger Delta

Oyetola Distributes Life Jackets To Water Transportation Users In Bayelsa

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1 week ago

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May 12, 2025

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The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has distribution of 3,500 life jackets to water transportation users in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital.
The Minister said the gesture was part of Federal Government’s efforts to tackle recurring boat mishaps in the country.
Oyetola explained the critical role water transportation had played in the daily lives of Nigerians, particularly in coastal and riverine communities.
He described the life jackets, which were long overdue, as reflecting the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving lives and promoting a safe marine environment.
“What we are doing here today is saving lives. It is that simple. With these life jackets, we are empowering our waterways users, fishermen, traders, students, and transport operators with the basic tools to survive and be safe”, Oyetola said.
The Tide’s source reports that similar life jackets were distributed in Minna, Niger State on April 29.
The programme is part of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s first phase of intervention.
The minister said Bayelsa was a priority in the campaign and commended Governor Douye Diri for aligning with the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.
Oyetola applauded Bayelsa’s creation of a state Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and commitment to the development of the Agge Deep Seaport.
He described the seaport as “transformative and visionary,” capable of reshaping the economic landscape of not just Bayelsa, but the entire South-South region.
“The Agge Deep Seaport will serve as a major maritime gateway, facilitating international trade, reducing congestion at existing ports, create jobs, boost investments, and accelerate development in the Niger Delta.
Oyetola urged all boat operators and passengers to wear life jackets at all times, stressing that safety could not be compromised.
“They are not for decoration, they are for your protection. Safety is everyone’s responsibility”, Oyetola said.
Speaking earlier, Diri commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to harness Nigeria’s maritime potential.
Diri also praised Oyetola for fostering cooperation with Bayelsa and stressed the need for continuous public education on water safety.
“Education about safety on the waterways must be sustained if we are to reduce the tragic loss of lives from boat mishaps”, Diri said.
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Niger Delta

C’ River Repeals Essential Drug Programme Law 2002

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1 week ago

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May 12, 2025

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The Cross River State House of Assembly has repealed the essential drugs programme law 2002 and passed the state’s Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency bill, 2025 into law.
The bill, which was sponsored by the member representing Boki 2 State Constituency, Mr. Hillary Bisong, was first read at plenary on September 12, 2024.
It was later referred to the House Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security after the second reading.
Speaking on the bill, Bisong, who doubles as the Chairman of the Health Committee, recalled that the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced  the Essential Drug Programme globally in 198, noting that in 2002, the programme was passaged in Cross River State.
He, however, said while  several provisions of the Essential Drug Programme Law were retained, the new law offered a more comprehensive framework.
“The law was transited from a programme-based structure to a full-fledged agency model, thereby expanding its scope of operation to meet the present day healthcare delivery realities.
‘’The proposed agency will take charge of enforcement of standards for proper management and distribution and overseeing circulation of drugs and health commodities across the state,’’ he explained.
In separate contributions, the lawmakers unanimously supported the bill, maintaining that the proposed agency would enhance the performance of the existing health insurance scheme as well as create employment opportunities.
Expressing happiness over the passage of the bill, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, said the 10th Assembly would continue to enhance good governance through people-oriented legislation.
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