Niger Delta

Police Arrest Boy, 13 For Using Gun To Threaten Colleagues

Published

10 months ago

February 10, 2025

The Police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested a 13year old boy identified as Samuel Sunday for using his father’s gun to threaten his classmates at St. Paul Primary School, Ikot Ibiok, Eket Local Government Area of the state.
The Police at Akpan Abia Police Station also arrested the father who owns the gun and kept it in his wardrobe from where the son carried it to school.
Parading the suspect at the Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, last Thursday, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfon John, said the biy took the gun from his father’s wardrobe since November 24, 2024 but was arrested on January 30, 2025.
The PPRO said the Police, acting on intelligence, arrested the suspect and his father while the gun was recovered for further investigation.
“On 30/01/2025 at about 0800 hrs, based on credible information at the Command’s disposal, that on 28/01/2025 one Samuel Sunday ‘m’ of Ikot Ibiok Village in Eket LGA, a 13 year old pupil of St. Paul Primary School, Ikot Ibiok, in Eket LGA was going armed in the school and threatening to fire at his fellow pupils.
“The operatives of the Command immediately swung into action and arrested the suspect and recovered a locally made pistol.
“On interrogation, the suspect confessed that he has been with the said gun since November 2024, that he got the gun from a wardrobe in his father’s bedroom. The father was later arrested. Investigation is still ongoing”, the PPRO stated.
The Police also paraded one Roseline Maurice ‘f’ and Eno Udoka ‘f’ for conspiring and stealing a child at Obong Itam village in Itu LGA in June, 2024, and sold the victim for the sum of N200,000.00 to their regular customer in Cross River State.
Suspects were said to have used the money to purchase a refrigerator, television, fan, etc., saying all the items have been recovered from them.
John also paraded a child trafficking syndicates that lures young girls into having affairs with men who eventually get them pregnant and the babies sold.
“In another development, on 01/02/2025 at about 0800hr based on a complaint from two young girls, 18 yrs of age, that one woman attempted to traffick them to Cross River State for them to have affair with men and get pregnant in order to sell the babies and share the money.
“Operatives of the Command swung into action and arrested One Gift Essien Tommy ‘f’ and Peace Ekanem ‘f’”, he stated.

By: Christopher Tom, Uyo.

Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

Published

5 days ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has awarded damages to a masquerade who was arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly disturbing public peace during traditional worship rites.

The arrest followed an executive order reportedly issued by the State Governor, directing the Commissioner of Police to detain any masquerade seen performing during the Yuletide period.

Acting on this directive, a masquerade, identified as Mr. Effiong, a practitioner of traditional worship, was arrested and subsequently charged to court.

In a landmark ruling, the court sided with Mr. Effiong and his custodian, affirming that Ekpo, a recognised traditional religious practice in Akwa Ibom State, is protected under the law, and that its adherents are entitled to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The judge held that Mr. Effiong’s arrest and detention violated his rights to personal liberty and freedom of religion.

The court ordered his immediate and unconditional release and directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay damages for the infringement of his fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.

Human rights experts have hailed the judgment as a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s constitutional protection of traditional religious practices, emphasising the importance of respecting the country’s cultural and religious diversity.

By: Enoch Epelle

Niger Delta

MOSIEND Seeks Water Projects In Buguma From NDDC … Urges RSG To Revamp Fish Farm

Published

5 days ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embark on water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), Rivers State

The Group also called on the Rivers State government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths.

On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously and that the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people.

The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the LGA to assist in making the project a reality and also attract more developmental projects to the LGA.

MOSIEND’s Eastern Zonal Coordinator, Half Hour, Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, made the call on a radio programme in Rhythm 93.7fm, “Talk of the Town”.

LongJohn, who made the call alongside the Chairman of MOSIEND in Buguma, Mark Ojuka, and his counterpart in Obuama, Hon. Sandra Owunari, also called on the Management of Nigeria Liquidifed Natural Gas (NLNG) to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kalabari communities to improve their health status.

He appealed to NLNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting that the company is doing same in Bonny, while abandoning Kalabari communities

“We need contracts, free medicals, scholarships and employment, including skill acquisition programmes for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions”, LongJohn stated.

On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Amama soldiers, saying “the city is more peaceful and investor-friendly as the youths of the area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area.

“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”

On revamping the Buguma fish farm, he said, “The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment.

“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence.”

By: Chinedu Wosu

Niger Delta

Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

Published

1 week ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.

Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.

Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.

According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.

The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.

“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.

He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.

On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.

“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.