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Police Arrest Seven Robbery Suspects, Recover Arms, Two Stolen Vehicles, Others In Rivers
The Rivers State Police Command has said that its operatives in various security operations have arrested a total of seven notorious armed robbery suspects terrorising Port Harcourt and its environs.
The criminal suspects are said to specialise in vehicle snatching from owners who are mainly Bolt/Uber drivers.
A statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Grace Iringe-Koko, said one revolver pistol and two vehicles were among other items recovered from the suspects in different operations.
According to the statement, notable among the cases were the arrest of one Saviour Gbarale ‘m’ aged 24yrs, and Onyedikachi Uhala ‘m’ aged 18yrs, who were arrested at No 12, Etche Street, Borikiri, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area by operatives of C4i Intelligence Unit of the command, adding that the suspects specialise in house breaking and have been linked to series of recent armed robbery incidents in the Port Harcourt metropolis and environs.
The statement further said that investigations revealed that the suspects also allegedly raped and sexually abused a pregnant woman in the cause of their nefarious operations.
Also on July 24, 2022, operatives of C4i Intelligence Unit, while on routine anti-crime patrol along Eleme road junction, ran into a gang of armed robbers.
The police operatives engaged the hoodlums in gun duel.
“The duo were subdued by police superior fire power. One Victor Okona ‘m’ age 23yrs, and one Onuoha John Odinaka aka Precious ‘m’ age 22yrs old of Farm Road, Eleme junction were arrested while others escaped with various degrees of injuries.
“One American revolver pistol with breech No. 134581, and one motorbike with Reg/No. BGM 74VL were recovered from the suspects, efforts being intensified to arrest others at large.
“In another breakthrough, operatives of Anti-Cultism Unit of the command, while on normal patrol at Teke Sogo in Tai Local Government Area, sighted a Ash colour Honda Odyssey bus without registration number plate with six occupants. On sighting the police, the motorist zoomed off on high speed and the police team gave them a hot chase to ascertain who they are and why fleeing. The occupants, after a long drive, abandoned the vehicle, and ran into nearby bush at Teke Sogo in Tai.
“The abandoned Honda Odyssey bus without Reg/No. was recovered and towed to the station. Search in the car led to the discovery of four PVCs, bags of substance suspected to be cannabis, one jack knife, one plier, machetes, face masks, among others inside in the abandoned vehicle.
The command has commenced full investigations towards identifying and apprehending the occupants of the vehicle.
“In the same vein, following recent complaint of car snatching at Sani Abacha Division, police investigations have led to the arrest of three members of a car snatching syndicate in the state. The suspects namely; Gladstone Anderson ‘m’ age 22yrs, Emmanuel Hezekiah ‘m’ age 26yrs, and Chika Obiorah ‘m’ age 29yrs, were arrested along Amechi Drive in Obio/Akpor LGA.
“On interrogation, the suspects were found to be members of a notorious syndicate that specialises in snatching cars from innocent victims, particularly Bolt/Uber drivers in and around Sani Abacha/Casablanca area.
“They use jack knife to threaten the victims and rope to strangle their victims in case of any resistance. One Toyota Corolla saloon car, Reg/No. AAH 382 RM, ash colour was recovered from them. Effort is being intensified to arrest other members of the gang.”
The statement averred that the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Police Command, Friday Eboka, while assuring of the commitment of the police to the safety and security of all law-abiding residents in the state, reiterated that there shall be no hiding place for criminals in the state.
The CP assured that the momentum in the fight against crimes, criminality and other vices would be sustained for a safer Rivers State.
“All the suspects would be charged to court on completion of investigations”, the statement added.
By: Akujobi Amadi
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.