Niger Delta

Traditional Rulers Raise Alarm Over-Bayelsa Nov Elections …Want FG’s Intervention On Worsening Security Situation

Published

3 years ago

August 28, 2023

The Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council has raised alarm that the forth-coming November 11, 2023 governorship poll in the state may witness violence in parts of the state.
Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, and Ibenanaowei (Monarch) of Ekpetiama Kingdom, HRM, King Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada IV, during the week expressed the concerns of the Royal fathers at a press briefing in Yenagoa, the state capital.
He noted that while the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has been championing the course of peace and development in the state upon assumption of office during the past three years, violence orchestrated by some political office seekers in the state has recently been on the increase in parts of Nembe Council Area of the state.
King Dakolo, who condemned in totality all forms of politically influenced violence as the governorship polls draws closer, also tasked various security formations to live up to their billings, saying reports reaching the traditional rulers council in their most recent meeting showed that there was the likelihood of perpetration of similar acts of violence in parts of Brass, Southern Ijaw, and Ekeremor Local Government Areas of the state in the coming weeks.
A statement from the State Council of Traditional Rulers condemning the recent violence in the Nembe Council Area of the state and any further violence as the elections gets closer made available to newsmen read in parts:
“The attention of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council has been drawn to the recent violent incident in Nembe Local Government Area of the State.
“On Saturday 12th August, 2023, the peace, which Nembe had enjoyed for a reasonable while, was breached in the most unfortunate manner, creating serious sense of insecurity, panic and fear amongst the people of the town, the local government and the state in general.
“Looking back at recent historical precedence, it could be inferred, and rightly so, that the attack on the community is not unconnected with the upcoming November 11 gubernatorial election in the state.
“We do not think that law enforcement agencies should allow political actors to violate all the laws of the land and freely walk away in the name of politics”.
The statement added that “It is particularly worrisome to the traditional institution in the state that some political gladiators are bent on destroying the peace that the prosperity administration has brought about and served all and sundry in the state for over three years.
“Unfortunately, we have seen similar acts of violence being meted to Bayelsans in other election seasons in this state and the perpetrators walked away free. We wish it does not repeat in this season.
“Law Enforcement agents must therefore do everything within the law to ensure that there is no further violence in Nembe LGA in particular, and in other parts of the State”.
The traditional rulers council also noted that: “All incidents of violence in the state must be properly investigated and suspects brought to book irrespective of status, and we should know that it has been done, because it could be done.
“Politicians must know that election is no war. They do not need to spill anybody’s blood for a so-called electoral advantage. We strongly believe that it is time to stop handling the tormentors of the Nembe people with kid gloves. We cannot afford to lose lives every season”.
The monarchs also said: “There is also a high level of apprehension that there would be outbreak of politically orchestrated violence in Southern Ijaw, Ekeremor and Brass LGAs in a short while.
“If so, this is a call on law enforcement agencies to not only verbally reassure the people of the State, but ensure that there is no spilling of blood before, during and after the November 11, 2023 gubernatorial election. Abuja, please let Bayelsans breathe, let the Nembe people breathe, and let’s breathe”.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa

Niger Delta

850-bed UCTH overstretched, services 5m patients – CMD

Published

4 days ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, has said the 850-bed hospital is overstretched, as it currently serves over five million patients.

He disclosed this on Friday during a media tour of the facility to showcase ongoing renovations and facelift in the hospital.

The CMD noted that, aside being the only tertiary healthcare facility servicing the state, UCTH also serviced neighbouring states of Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi.

He said the hospital also received referrals from neighbouring countries, including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic.

According to him, the 850-bed hospital faced persistent space constraints because of increasing patients inflow and expanding healthcare demands.

“This hospital currently operates 62 clinical and non-clinical departments as well as between 30 and 38 wards covering medical, surgical, paediatric, orthopaedic and specialised services.

“Most wards have undergone facelift, remodelling, or complete renovation to improve patient care and working conditions for healthcare professionals”, he said.

He disclosed that the hospital was constructing a new 106-bed emergency medicine facility to address the rising demand for healthcare services.

According to him, the facility will include trauma bays, intensive care units, neonatal wards, and three fully equipped trauma theatres.

Speaking on the remodeled wards, Ikpeme explained that they followed modern nursing principles, allowing one nurse to attend to a maximum of 10 patients.

He said relatives would be restricted to designated waiting areas to reduce interference with medical procedures and improve emergency response efficiency.

The CMD noted that the hospital had strengthened specialist services in orthopaedics, neurosurgery, obstetrics, radiology, and minimally invasive surgery.

“UCTH now performs hip and knee replacements, arthroscopy, sports medicine, and complex brain tumour surgeries.

“Our surgeons also conduct keyhole procedures for appendectomy, hysterectomy and other conditions with faster patient recovery periods,” he said

In power, the CMD said the hospital relied on solar power from a seven-megawatt plant, constructed by the Federal Government at the University of Calabar, as well as public power supply, and generators to sustain its operations.

He appealed to governments, organisations, and philanthropists to support infrastructure expansion, equipment procurement, and specialised healthcare projects.

The CMD said the hospital required additional incubators, ward expansions, and a stand-alone amenity facility for private healthcare services.

He used the opportunity to dismiss allegations of ethnic discrimination, insisting that the hospital does not reject workers or patients based on tribe or origin.

According to him, the institution recently honoured an Igbo pioneer physician by naming a ward after him in recognition of decades of service.

The CMD said the hospital maintained strict disciplinary procedures to address negligence, poor attitude, and unethical conduct among staff.

The Tide’s source reports that some of the units visited include, intensive care unit, Department of Radiology, Urology Clinic, and Opthalmology Clinic.

Niger Delta

Police Burst Child Trafficking Syndicate In A’Ibom … Nab 3 Suspects

Published

4 days ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State says it has busted a child trafficking syndicate and arrested three suspects for conspiracy and unlawful sale of a newborn baby in the State.

The State’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfom John, who disclosed this in a statement in Uyo on Friday, said the three female suspects were arrested on Wednesday at about 1900hrs.

She said a complainant reported that his wife gave birth to a baby boy on May 7 and shockingly, shortly after delivery sold the newborn child to one of the suspects for N145, 000.

“Upon receipt of the report, operatives immediately swung into action, leading to the arrest of the suspects and the successful recovery of the baby boy.

“The suspects reportedly confessed to the crime during interrogation, while investigation has been expanded to identify and apprehend all individuals connected to the trafficking syndicate”, John said.

She said the State’s Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, reiterated the Command’s commitment to sustaining aggressive intelligence-led policing in the state.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Launches Operation Crack Down Scrap Dealers

Published

4 days ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa-Ibom State Government has launched a statewide crackdown on unregistered scrap dealers and scavengers, shutting down illegal operations and arresting operators accused of violating environmental and public safety regulations.

The enforcement operation, led by the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), followed the implementation of the state’s Waste Metal Scrap Law 2026, officials said.

AKSEPWMA Chairman, Obong Prince Ikim, said the exercise was aimed at regulating the scrap sector, protect the environment, and prevent criminal groups from operating under the guise of waste collection and metal trading.

“If you want to do scrap business, you must register,” Mr. Ikim said during the operation in Uyo, the state capital.

“Many people now hide under scrap trading to perpetrate nefarious activities”, he said.

According to him, dump site operators and scrap dealers who failed to register with the government risked closure and prosecution.

Authorities accused some operators of involvement in vandalism of public infrastructure and indiscriminate waste disposal, adding that investigations had uncovered criminal activities linked to several dump sites across the state.

“Some people vandalise government facilities in the name of scrap business and encourage indiscriminate dumping of refuse,” Mr. Ikim said.

He added that the state government and security agencies would continue efforts to enforce compliance and maintain public order.

“The Commissioner of Police has zero tolerance for criminality, and the Governor wants Akwa Ibom people to sleep with their eyes closed. We will fish out every defaulter”, he said.

Police officials involved in the operation said investigations showed that some criminal suspects used scrap yards and refuse dump sites as cover for illegal activities.

CSP Okwuzulike Vincent of the Itam Police Station said some suspects pretended to be mentally unstable while hiding ammunition and other suspicious items in makeshift shelters around dump locations.

The police officer praised the environmental agency for what he described as proactive efforts to sanitise the sector and pledged continued cooperation between law enforcement and the agency.

Officials said some first-time offenders arrested during the operation were released after profiling and signing undertakings, while repeat offenders would face prosecution.