News
Cult Groups Invasion: Residents Flee Ogoni Community
Residents of Okwali Community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State have fled their homes as cultists invaded the community.
Some of the residents were seen with their luggages fleeing with their families Saturday and yesterday moring.
One of them who identified himself as Mr. Leeko said he was packing out because the cultists, suspected to be enjoying the sponsorship of some disgruntled politicians in the area have taken over the community, killing innocent people.
Leeko said, “I don’t want to be counted among the dead”. Others who spoke to The Tide said that they were relocating temporarily away from home, pending when the government would look into the invasion of their community.
“Our village is not safe for now, I am moving away with my family to stay with my cousin in Beeri village”, Mr. Legborsi ,another villager, told The Tide.
Our investigation in the community revealed that two notorious cult groups Dewell and Degbam have been launching mid-night attacks on the community since January 28, 2017.
The attacks had so far left five persons allegedly killed, many raped and property including garri and pots of soup, carted away or destroyed.
Another resident, Madam Barisi blamed the unrest in the area on a politician who she claimed, sponsored bad boys in the village for selfish interest.
She appealed to Governor Nyesom Wike and security agencies to act fast to rescue the people from the attacks of the gangsters.
Our findings in the community revealed that a seasoned politicians is said to be behind the cult groups cold war. It was also gathered that the politician allegedly sponsored Degbam while Bestman, a notorious gang leader now in Police custody over criminal offences sponsored Dewell cult group.
A source in the community told our reporter that the frequent attacks on the community by the Dewell group was in solidarity with their leader Bestman who they want released from Police cell.
Okwali community may not know peace until the release of the gang leader, the source said.
When contracted on phone, the Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers State Police Command, Mr Nnmdi Omoni,an Assistant Superintendent of Police said he had not been briefed by the Area Commander in charge of the area.
Omoni promised to get back to our correspondent today when he would have been properly briefed.
McDominic Mkpemenyie
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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