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CP Gives Parting Gifts To Rivers With Arrest Of Criminal Elements

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The outgoing Rivers State Commissoner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, has presented a parting gift to the State as the police operatives in a sting operation across the State arrested fake employment raceteering and a notorious dreaded criminal gang leader, ChukwumelaImela, known as Boy Satan as well as recovering of various assualt riffles and ammunition.
This appeared a major breakthrough in the ongoing assault against banditary and criminal activities in the State under the watch of the immediate past Commissioner of Police.
Briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt at the police command recently, CP Disu said the operatives of the State command arrested a gang of online employment racketeering syndicates that specialises in obtaining money by pretence from unsuspected members of the public with intent to secure fake job employment opportunities in an oil and gas company in the State collecting from them the sum of N450,000 to N850,000 each.
According to him ,the operatives of octopus strike force of the state command ,on August 29, 2024, at about 3 pm, acting on a credible piece of information about a possible hostage situation in a compound at Igwuruta, swung into action and arrested one of the suspects, Chukwudi Okoli ‘m’, who posed as a staff of a company, Qjoseansel International Global Limited , adding that during the operation, Amiye Joseph and 15 other victims comprising 13 males and two females (2) were rescued and led to the station.
He said preliminary investigations revealed that the unsuspecting victims had each paid monetary sums ranging from N 650,000 to N 850,000.00 each to the phoney company with vain assurance that they would be given jobs within the oil and gas sector and receive payment in US Dollars.
“The fraudsters operated in such a way that they would call their unsuspecting victims over the phone after a random selection of phone numbers. They would then introduce them to job opportunities and invite them to Port Harcourt where they would undergo fake interview processes.
“The victims are extorted huge sums of money and held in a facility where they would be keenly monitored. After this is achieved, the victims will be subjected to training where they will be taught to convince potential victims about the job opportunities with a pay of USD 450 per week.”
“New entrants were tasked to pay USD 25 to facilitate a registration process.
The suspects designed an online platform that generated a username and password for registrants upon completion of registration.
Throughout the process, the victims are instructed to alienate themselves from other people.”
CP Disu further sophisticated gadgets and items revealed that were recovered from the operational office of the suspect including phones, laptops, television sets, generators, industrial fans and office furniture, stressing that the suspect and the exhibits are in police custody while the investigation is ongoing.
“We have intensified efforts to apprehend other members of the syndicate.”he stated.
Again, the state Commissoner of Police said that operatives also arrested a five-man notorious criminal gang said to have been responsible for car snatching and burglary in the Ada-George, Iwofe and Ogbogoro areas of Port Harcourt as well as Egbelu, Diobu, D-line, GRA II and Borikiri.
The gang has been responsible for snatching, at gunpoint, over 10 cars in the past 3 months and responsible in terrorising residents of the state seeking to enjoy their comforts and thrills of nightlife in the GRA II axis of Port Harcourt.
The state Commissioner of Police, disclosed this while parading the suspected twelve suspects at the command headquarters in Port Harcourt , Tuesday that were allegedly arrested by the operatives of the command in various operations across the State.
Disu disclosed that the gang was led by a recidivist, one ChukwumelaImela, aka Boy Satan, who had been to prison on four occasions for various crimes, ranging from cultism to raping and armed robbery along side with his childhood friend and companion, Precious Adiele, he joined the Iceland cult group in 2009.
He averred that the duo iare famed for being merciless in killing both rivals and allies, thus, earning him the moniker, ‘Boy Satan’.
“In 2022, he disagreed with the Iceland cult group over loot sharing from a robbery and angrily moved to join a rival group, ‘La Mendians Bobos’. To celebrate his defection, he decided to make a bold statement by accosting his friend, Precious Adiele and macheting him to death in his residence. After killing his friend, he boasted that he was not afraid to hurt even his family to prove a point.

Akujobi Amadi

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Rivers

Residents Embrace MNCH Week Services In PH

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Antenatal care and immunization services recorded high patronage during the just-concluded Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week as residents in various communities across Port Harcourt took advantage of the free healthcare interventions.
The exercise, which was aimed at improving maternal and child well-being, attracted women, caregivers and children to different health facilities where a range of free healthcare services were provided.
Findings from selected health centres visited during the exercise showed encouraging participation by beneficiaries despite a few operational challenges experienced by health workers.
At Ozuboko Health Centre, the doctor in charge, Dr. Flag Amachree, said the facility recorded a good turnout throughout the exercise.
 The Tide  gathered that the team of immunization officers embarked on outreach immunization activities to schools to ensure that more children benefited from the programme.
She, however, identified inadequate supplies of deworming tablets as a challenge, noting that available stocks were being carefully managed to meet demands.
One of the beneficiaries, Emmanuella Edwin, who visited the facility for antenatal registration, expressed satisfaction with the services provided by the health workers.
She commended the staff for their dedication, professionalism and friendly disposition, adding that the registration process was stress-free and without any major challenge.
Similarly, Mrs. Esther Abbey said she registered for the free medical services offered during the healthcare week and described the process as smooth and simple.
She added that the programme also created an avenue for her daughter to benefit from immunization services through arrangements by her school.
Another beneficiary, Mrs. Philomena Ezekiel, said she was unable to access the service for her children after she was informed that a National Identification Number (NIN) was required before the test could be carried out.
At Amadi Health Centre, the Medical Officer in charge, Dr. Ebere Ikonwa, attributed the low turnout recorded at the facility to inadequate community mobilization, noting that no town crier was assigned to create awareness.
Despite the situation, she said the facility carried out outreach immunization services successfully and recorded significant patronage in antenatal care and immunization services.
By: Esuuk-Awaji Oyet, Princess Akinyemi
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Rivers

NUJ Summit to Strengthen Media/Security Partnership, Tackle Misinformation

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The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is set to convene a two-day National Security Summit in Abuja aimed at strengthening collaboration between the media and security agencies in advancing national stability, public trust and sustainable development.
The summit, scheduled to hold on June 18 and 19, 2026, will bring together key actors in governance, security and the media sector to deliberate on pathways for improved engagement in addressing contemporary national security concerns.
Themed, “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building”, the gathering is expected to serve as a strategic platform for dialogue on responsible information management and enhanced institutional cooperation.
Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Comrade Abimbola Oyetunde, who disclosed this in a statement, said the initiative was conceived as a high-level engagement to deepen understanding between journalists and security operatives in safeguarding the country.
She explained that the summit would provide opportunities for critical conversations on crisis communication, information sharing, conflict reporting and strengthening citizens’ confidence in public institutions.
According to the statement, the event will attract senior government officials, heads of security agencies, media executives, editors, civil society groups and other stakeholders drawn from across the country.
According to the organizers, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, will attend as Special Guests of Honour.
The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, is expected to deliver the keynote address, while the National President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, will host the summit.
Also expected to chair the occasion is the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
The statement noted that the summit comes at a critical period when Nigeria continues to confront evolving security challenges, growing concerns over misinformation and heightened public anxiety over national issues.
It emphasized that structured engagement between the media and security institutions has become imperative in improving crisis communication, reducing panic, combating fake news, and ensuring the dissemination of timely, accurate and responsible information.
Participants at the summit are expected to examine issues such as responsible reporting of security operations and conflict situations, access to credible information and official briefings, management of sensitive information and the safety of journalists covering security-related assignments.
Other areas of focus include countering disinformation, propaganda and hate speech, as well as building mutual trust and professional respect between journalists and security personnel.
The summit will also feature goodwill messages, panel discussions, breakout sessions, experience-sharing by frontline reporters, and interactive engagements with security chiefs before concluding with the adoption of a communiqué and an action framework to guide future collaboration.
The NUJ restated its commitment to press freedom, ethical journalism and promoting national peace, security and democratic governance.
By: King Onunwor
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Rivers

Anaka Community Seeks Development, Unity  … Advocates Devine Guidance In 2027 Leadership Selection

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The Paramount Ruler of Anaka Community in Akpor Clan, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, HRH. Eze  Marcus Oriji, has reiterated the kingdom’s commitment to unity, development, and peaceful coexistence among its people.
HRH Oriji, who spoke through his son, Alloy Marcus, in an interview with newsmen in the community, said the community is committed to peace.
 He described Anaka as a community known for peace and unity, noting that the kingdom continues to attract visitors and residents because of its welcoming nature.
According to him, while the leadership of the kingdom has recorded progress in various fronts, several challenges still remain.
Anaka Community, he continued, has faced developmental challenges similar to those confronting many communities across the country.
He identified the provision of key infrastructure, including a modern market, schools, healthcare facilities, and a police station, as critical areas requiring attention to enhance the growth and development of the kingdom.
On concerns raised by residents over the poor condition of the road linking St. John’s to Ogbogoro, Eze Marcus commended the Rivers State Government under the leadership of the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara,ii for commencing work on the Ring Road project, which he described as a significant development for the area.
Marcus explained that Anaka Kingdom stands to benefit from the project and appealed to the government to accelerate construction efforts, particularly on sections connecting St. John’s and other adjoining communities, to ease traffic congestion and improve accessibility.
Expressing optimism about the project’s completion, he said improved road infrastructure would not only enhance movement within the area, but also attract investors, businesses, and visitors to the kingdom.
Commenting on the 2027 general elections, Eze Alloy Marcus called for divine guidance in the selection of leaders, stressing the need for God-fearing individuals who would govern with integrity and commitment to national development.
He also advised young people to shun electoral violence and resist being used by politicians for unlawful activities such as ballot box snatching and election-related disturbances.
He urged youths to play constructive roles in strengthening democracy by supporting free, fair, and peaceful elections.
The royal representative emphasized that sustainable development, improved infrastructure, and peaceful democratic processes remain essential for the continued progress of Anaka Kingdom and Rivers State as a whole.
By: Azubuike Chiwendu, Akpelu Godspower
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