News
JTF Warns Oil Thieves, Pirates In N’Delta …Says, We‘ve Curtailed Boko Haram
The Commander of the Joint Task Force, in the Niger Delta, Major-Gen Beita Debiro has vowed to bring illegal bunkering to an end as he appealed to youths and oil companies to cooperate and support the outfit.
Maj Gen Debiro who made the appeal during an inspection tour of Bonny area of Rivers State, said the task force was determined to rid the area of all criminals sabotaging the pipelines and other oil facilities, warning that government was against these activities.
The Joint Task Force boss called on all Nigerians to come together to fight the scourge, as he promised to make life unbearable for those who are making life difficult for the people of the country.
According to him, ‘’the Government and all Nigerians are against these crimes and all Nigerians should come together and fight the scourge called illegal oil bunkering and piracy” he appealed.
Beita assured that men of the task force will consistently make life difficult for the perpetrators of the crime in the region while also maintaining high level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
During the tour, there were revelations that 17 vessels and boats have been arrested by the Sub Sector 5 of the JTF (which consists of Bonny, Andoni and Gokana areas of Rivers State) between April 2012 and July 2013.
The Tide learnt that the 146 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, and all the other components of the JTF on the Island have destroyed eight boats and vessels between April 12 and August 30, 2012, while they have arrested nine other vessels, which have all been detained at the Bonny Anchorage, Oyorokoto Jetty, Peterside, Coal Beach, Cawthorne Channel and Oloma House boat around the Bonny Island.
At the NPA Jetty, four vessels including EFCC 224, EFCC 116, Rockfish and one other were impounded, and are being guarded by men of the Joint Task Force while the crew have been taken to the Sector 2 Headquarters, Port Harcourt for further interrogation and investigations.
During the inspection, a super vessel, VLIE LAND, with a storage capacity of about 1,300 metric tons and about 100.9 metres long(the size of a football pitch) was seen grounded at the Bonny Island Beach, and guarded by men of the JTF.
According to the JTF command, the crew of the vessel are now under detention at its Port Harcourt offices for further investigations.
Speaking with journalists after the exhaustive inspection of all the formations of his outfit, JTF commander, Major General Beita Debiro, who was satisfied with the level of performance of his men, said he has not been at the area for a while, adding that his visit was necessitated by information of an upsurge in Illegal bunkering and piracy in the area.
He added that he also undertook the inspection to encourage officers of the outfit, noting that the impressive performance of the task force in the area can be seen.
‘’I have not been here for a long time, but I had to come because of certain information concerning an upsurge in Illegal bunkering and piracy in the area. You can see the efforts of the men here, we have made a lot of arrests and their performance is impressive.
I also came to encourage the men to continue to improve on their performances and to raise the morale of the officers,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, the Commander of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in Yobe State, Col. Ibrahim Ali, yesterday said that activities of Boko Haram insurgents had been curtailed, following the declaration of state of emergency in the state.
Ali told newsmen in Damaturu that attacks by the insurgents, especially in the volatile areas of Damaturu and Potiskum had reduced, after security forces pushed the insurgents out of their enclaves.
“We have not had any major encounter except on June 16 when they attacked a school in Damaturu. We have pushed them out of town.’’
The commander said that the JTF had discovered, particularly in Potiskum, that armed robbers had seized the opportunity to rob people under the guise of insurgency.
Ali said the situation in Yobe had remained “relatively stable’’, noting that the JTF was doing everything possible to contain the situation permanently.
He said that the task force had been having a good working relationship with members of the public, whom he said, had continued to provide vital information on the insurgents.
Ali urged the populace to continue to cooperate with security agents, saying that the JTF was aware of the inconveniences and challenges the public was facing because of the declaration of state of emergency in the state.
On allegations of long detention of suspects, the commander said that the JTF was being meticulous to ensure that only those found to have participated in criminal activities were held.
He said that suspects were made to go through careful and meticulous documentation and interrogation by a special team, made up of personnel from the police, SSS, army and the NDLEA.
Ali said that all suspects were being treated well, adding: “they eat the same food being served to my soldiers.
In another development, the Yobe State Government has appealed to the Federal Government to float an intervention fund to cushion the effects of the Boko Haram insurgency on affected states.
The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Media and Information, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu yesterday.
Bego said that while the Yobe Government was totally in support of the declaration of emergency in the state, it would also like the Federal Government to set up a fund to assist people affected by the insurgency.
He said that the state government had been cooperating and providing logistics to the Joint Task Force (JTF), tackling the security problems.
“We have provided more than 200 vehicles to the JTF in addition to paying allowances to the operatives.’’
He said that the state had spent about N4 billion a since the insurgency started, describing the insurgency as a big drain on the meagre resources of the state.
The special adviser also appealed to the Federal Government to provide modern equipment to the security agencies, praising the troops for sticking to rules of engagement.
Bego said that the state government had also disbursed about N197 million to victims of the insurgency as relief for their losses and also rehabilitated 300 classrooms destroyed by the insurgents.
News
Ibas Inaugurates RSIEC, Service Commissions, Healthcare Board In Rivers …Charges Appointees To Embrace Principles Of Service

The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, has charged newly appointed Board members to uphold the highest standards of discipline, competence, integrity, and unwavering dedication in their service to the State.
He emphasized that such commitment is critical to stabilizing governance, restoring democratic institutions, and advancing the principles of good governance in the State.
This was contained in a statement by the Administrator’s Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo on Monday.
Ibas issued the charge on Monday while inaugurating the reconstituted Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, and the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The Administrator urged the new appointees to embrace their roles with diligence, patriotism, and a commitment to transforming Rivers State through excellent service.
Addressing the Chairman and members of RSIEC, Ibas underscored their pivotal role in ensuring credible local government elections that reflect the will of the people.
“Your task is clear but demanding: to conduct free, fair, transparent, and credible elections at the grassroots level. You must resist bias, favoritism, and external interference while restoring public confidence in the electoral process,” he stated.
“The independence of your actions is crucial to sustaining peace, stability, and grassroots governance. I urge you to act with fairness, impartiality, and professionalism—even in the face of difficult choices,” Ibas added.
The Sole Administrator also charged the Rivers State Civil Service Commission on the need to eliminate mediocrity and foster a culture of excellence through merit-based recruitment, training, and promotions.
“The civil service must transition from favoritism to competence, integrity, and accountability. Your commission will lead reforms, including digital transformation and standardized practices across ministries, departments, and agencies,” he said.
He disclosed that extensive training programmes are underway, with a committee set up to overhaul the public service framework for greater efficiency.
Meanwhile, Ibas urged the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission to ensure professionalism and discipline in local government administration.
“As the closest tier of government to the people, you must drive reforms that insulate the system from politics and mediocrity. Your mandate includes merit-based recruitment, training, and enforcing standards for effective service delivery,” he stated.
In the same vein, the Administrator charged the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board with revitalizing healthcare delivery across the state’s 23 local government areas.
“Primary healthcare is the foundation of a sustainable health system. Your board must ensure facilities are adequately staffed, equipped, and operational focusing on maternal health, immunization, malaria control, and community health services,” he said.
He emphasized data-driven operations, incentives for rural health workers, and restoring the referral system to improve healthcare access.
He also assured the Board of sustained government support, including funding, for the effective discharge of their mandates but warned that board members would be held accountable for their performance.
The newly inaugurated members include: RSIEC: Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey (Chairman) with Prof. Arthur Nwafor, Prof. Joyce Akaninwor, and others as members.
Civil Service Commission: Dr. Livinus Bariki (Chairman), Amb. Lot Egopija, Mrs. Maeve Bestman, and others.
Local Govt. Service Commission: Mr. Isreal Amadi (Chairman), Rear Adm. Emmanuel Ofik (Rtd), Dr. Tonye Pepple, and others.
Primary Health Care Board: Dr. Dawari George (Chairman), Dr. Chituru Adiele (Executive Director), Prof. Kaladada Korubo, and representatives from key ministries.
News
Rivers PDP Debunks Sale Of LGA Election Forms

The Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Dr. Kenneth Yowika, has debunked claims that the party has commenced sale of forms for chairmanship and councillorship elections across the 23 local government areas of the state.
Yowika made the rebuttal in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, describing the publication on the social media as baseless and untrue.
He urged members of the PDP to disregard the claim, saying that official communication regarding the sale of forms would be disclosed through the appropriate channels.
“With reference to information trending on social media, it has been falsely claimed that the sale of forms for Chairmanship and Councillorship elections in the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State will begin soon.
“However, the party has firmly denied these rumours, stating that they are baseless and untrue.
“The party has its own established methods of reaching out to its numerous supporters.
“The People’s Democratic Party, a law-abiding organisation, will patiently await the release of guidelines from the recently inaugurated Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) before considering any sale of election forms.
“The PDP is urging its members to remain calm as official communication regarding the sale of forms will be disclosed through appropriate channels,” the statement read.
Enoch Epelle
News
South-South contributes N34trn to Nigeria’s economy in 2024 – Institute
Prof. Pius Olanrewaju, President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), has stated that the South-South region contributes N34 trillion to country’s economy in 2024.
He made the remark at the South-South Zonal Banking and Finance Conference in Calabar, yesterday.
He spoke on the theme, ‘’Building An Inclusive South-South: Economic Diversification as a Catalyst For Development.’’
Olanrewaju, who quoted the data from the Cable Data Index, said the feat was more than 21 per cent of Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The president described the growth as ‘’ impressive,’’ saying that it was not driven by oil alone but significant expansions in trade, services, and the creative industries.
According to him, to fully harness this potential, coordinated financial, technological, and policy support is essential.
“As we work to reposition the South-South for broad-based prosperity, the financial system must play a central role, not merely as a source of capital, but as a catalyst for innovation, ideas incubation, and inclusive economic growth.
“This conference, therefore, provides a strategic opportunity for stakeholders to reimagine the South-South economy, not merely as a resource belt, but as a region of diverse capabilities and resilient enterprises.”
Olanrewaju added that Nigeria must move beyond old models and chart a new course for the development of the South-South region, where financial institutions and stakeholder collaborate to diversify the economy for shared prosperity.
He, however, commended Gov. Bassey Otu for his pledge of land for CIBN Secretariat in Cross River and being the first sitting governor to willingly undergo and complete the Chartered Bankers Programme.
On his part, Gov. Otu said that the conference discussion on the economic diversification in South-South region was timely against the backdrop of global trade and economic volatility that was affecting the nation’s economy.
Represented by his deputy, Mr Peter Odey, Otu said the South-South region must now act with urgency to diversify its economy while leveraging its shared natural endowment in agriculture and extractive resources.
“This conference must help develop tailored financial solutions that reflect the unique strengths and realities of states like Cross River in the south-south.
“Diversification should be evidence-based and must be backed not just by financial advice but project focused financing and real investment support,” he noted.
He said that Cross River had taken the bold step to invest in its agricultural sector by launching an Agro processing hub.
Otu further said that the state had invested in aviation by acquiring more aircrafts for Cally Air, construction of the Bakassi Deep Seaport and injecting N18 billion in its tourism sector.
Similarly, Mr Tolefe Jibunoh, Cross River Branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said that the region was blessed with natural resources, cultural diversities and immense human potentials.
Jibunoh, who was represented by Mr Segun Shittu, Head, Currency Control Office, CBN, Calabar, noted that strategic diversification could unlock unprecedented opportunities for growth in the region.
He added that the CBN remained steadfast to maintain monetary possibilities and promote a sound financial system as a catalyst for sustainable economic development for the benefit of all.
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