Rivers

Group Seeks Prosecution Of Clergy, Others Over Attempted Murder

Published

1 week ago

July 11, 2025

The Rivers State Response Team on Violence Against Women and Children has called on the state Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, to order the arrest and prosecution of one Pastor Ugochukwu Udechukwu Hede, the General Overseer of Divine Grace City of the Great King Deliverance Ministry.

The group also called for the arrest of Prince Thompson and 30 other members of the church, located at Umuebule 4, in Etche Local Government Area, Rivers State, alongside Pastor Hede, over the alleged attempted murder of Chief Gerald Okpara Obinozie.

According to a release signed by the Communication/Public Enlightenment officer of the group, Queeneth Igbara, Pastor Udechukwu and Prince Thompson allegedly “led over 30 members of the church, armed with various dangerous weapons, to attack Chief Gerald Okwara Obinozie, inflicting matchet cuts on him, poured fuel on him, and asking female members of the church to urinate in buckets and forced him (Obinozie) to drink.”

Coordinator, Rivers State Response Team on Violence Against Women & Children, Tombari Dumka-Kote, lamented that the 64 year old Obinozie was subjected to “all manner of inhuman treatment, stripped naked, videoed and had the videos posted on social media platforms, defaming him on false allegations, and only handed him half dead to the Police after his colleague escaped and raised alarm for residents to come out.”

Dumka-Kote, who spoke to newsmen after an Oyigbo Magistrate Court remanded two of the suspects arrested in connection with the matter, called on the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to order the manhunt, arrest and prosecution of the prime suspects and not allow the case be swept under the carpet, adding that the state Response Team on Violence Against Women and Children “will leave no stone unturned in pressing for justice on the matter.”

The Response Team, which frowned at the alarming level of violence in the state within the month of June, warned all those still circulating the nude video and pictures of Chief Gerald on Social media to immediately discontinue the act, or have themselves to blame.

“As a team, we are committed to curbing the growing menace of sexual and gender based violence in Rivers State, and suspects must be made to face the law to serve as a deterrant to others”, Dumka-Kote said.

Speaking on behalf of Concerned Civil Society Organizations who were also present in court, Chief Remi Agu, Deputy State Lead, Behind Bars Human Rights Initiative, said the Police should go after the suspects and have them face the law, as nothing short of it will be accepted.

Agu, who commended the Police for not taking long in finding the truth, called on the Police in the State to intensify efforts to have the prime suspects and others at large arrested and prosecuted.

Meanwhile, The Tide gathered that Chief Gerald Okwara is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility, in Port Harcourt.

The Centre for Justice, Empowerment & Development (C4J), Together to Win Foundation for the Deprived (T2W), and CAP-WIN Foundation were also at the Oyigbo Police Division to demand for Justice on the matter.

Narrating his ordeal to newsmen, Chief Gerald Okwara Obinozie, expressed his appreciation to God for keeping him alive despite the incident, saying that the mob was sent to kill him.

The 64 year old man wept while telling how female church members urinated in buckets and he was forced to drink while being tortured on false allegation of trying to vandalize the church transformer, a report Police investigation has shown is untrue.

Effort to reach the General Overseer of Divine Grace City, Pastor Ugochukwu Udechukwu Hede, proved abortive, as he was said to be at large.

Rivers

Motor Spare Parts, Industrial Generators Dealers’ Union Swears Gets New Chairman in Port Harcourt

Published

1 day ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Owhonda Dickson Motor Spare Parts and Industrial Generators Dealers’ Union operating in Ikoku Port Harcourt, Rivers state has sworn in Mr. Cyril Igbokwe, popularly known as Onyeoma Cy, as its new Chairman.

The brief swearing _in ceremony was held at the union office in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Igbokwe expressed gratitude for the trust and confidence his members had shown in him, despite his perceived educational background compared to others. , “I feel very happy to be the chairman of this great union in this great market. I’m proud of my executives for demonstrating commitment and cooperation.” Notably, the executives raised over ?1 million for the inauguration ceremony within an hour.

The new Chairman promised to tackle key challenges facing the union, including security and indiscipline. He vowed to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, who he praised for excellent performance, and aimed to possibly do better.

Mr. Igbokwe emphasized maintaining a robust relationship with the host community and conducting his affairs within the ambit of the law.

In his remarks,the Electoral Committee Chairman’, Igwe Amobichukwu Eze Okorie, assured that the elections were conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner. Despite facing challenges such as non-compliance with guidelines and unfounded propaganda campaigns, no formal protest letters had been received.

Also speaking, the Women’s Leader, Lolo Nkechinyere Okolie, expressed faith in the new Chairman, citing his integrity and experience. She highlighted her role in ensuring women’s voices are counted in the union and vouched for the credibility of the election, noting that Mr. Igbokwe was the popular choice among members.

Rivers

CDS Urges Communities To Protect Pipelines

Published

1 day ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has urged Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) host communities to protect national assets located within their areas.

Musa made the appeal at a monthly stakeholders’ meeting organised by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) in Port Harcourt.

Represented by Navy Capt. Lassie Ozovehe, he said the effects of oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism were mostly borne by the host communities themselves.

He noted that the environmental and health risks from pipeline damage affect locals more than the oil companies operating in the region.

“These assets are on your land. You benefit from them, so you must protect them and safeguard yourselves from the hazards”, he said.

He praised PINL for its consistent efforts in securing the assets, particularly its record of zero infractions on the Trans Niger pipelines.

Earlier, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, PINL’s Community Relations Consultant, urged host communities to collaborate in tackling security challenges in the Niger Delta.

Mezeh said PINL had expanded its mandate to include the security of all oil and gas infrastructure in the Eastern Corridor, including gas pipelines.

He explained that the meeting aimed to reduce pipeline vandalism and oil theft, which have major economic consequences for the country.

He stated that PINL had seen near-zero incidents over the past month, crediting host community cooperation for the achievement.

He, however, identified ongoing issues such as poor information sharing, threats to surveillance guards, stakeholder collusion, and leadership disputes.

A keynote speaker, Mr. Otoyo Sunday, discussed the serious health effects of gas flaring in the Niger Delta region.

He urged people to view the environment as living, warning that harmful activities have long-term consequences for people and nature.

Sunday condemned gas flaring caused by well testing, pressure releases, and illegal refining activities.

On his part, Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eastern Zone, Mr. Datolu Sokubo, called for a balanced focus on security and human development.

“You can’t protect pipelines without addressing people’s welfare. Without our cooperation, infrastructure is never truly secure”, he said.

He urged the Federal Government to prioritise development, especially in education and healthcare, across the region.

The Traditional Ruler of Ekpeye Land, Eze Kelvin Anugwu, called on oil companies to end gas flaring immediately.

Represented by Dr. Patricia Ogbonnaya, he urged PINL to raise awareness of the health and environmental concerns of the communities.

“We keep advising our youths against bunkering. But oil firms must take responsibility for the long-term effects of their operations”, he stated.

Other traditional leaders at the meeting requested improved welfare for surveillance workers, chiefs, and communities to maintain stability and protect oil infrastructure.

Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Monarch Cautions Youths Against Illicit Drug Consumption

Published

1 day ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Eze Igbu Orlukwor II, Eze Ehie II, HRH Eze Prince Ike Ehie, has cautioned youths in his kingdom and Ekpeye at large on the need to abstain from illicit drugs consumption.

Ehie said this recently while fielding questions from newsmen in commemoration of the 2025 World Drug Abuse Day at his liaison office, Ahoada.

He emphasized that drug abuse was dangerous to the body system as it had harmed many physically, mentally and otherwise.

The Monarch noted that people should always take ‘drugs’ based on prescription by qualified medical and health personnel.

He said youths’ alleged disrespect for constituted authorities, mental challenge and various types of illnesses can be linked to the consumption of illicit drugs.

The Royal Father further noted that except government agencies saddled with the requisite responsibilities synergized with traditional institutions and other like-minded organizations, much may not be achieved against the campaign and fight against illicit drug consumption.

According to him, most youths today can do nothing without taking hard drugs, which he said makes them ‘high’ and hyper elated.

The Orlukwor Monarch wondered how the youths would take over the mantle of leadership at both communities and federal levels with such uncultured behaviour and repugnant attitudes.

The World Day of Drug Abuse, was tagged, “Breaking The Chains, Prevention, Treatment And Recovery For All”.

King Onunwor