TheNewsGuru

Tag: rivers

  • COVID-19: Rivers announces date for reopening of schools, public places

    COVID-19: Rivers announces date for reopening of schools, public places

    The Rivers State Executive Council has approved the reopening of schools in the State with effect from Monday, October 5, 2020.

    The Council took the decision at an emergency session presided over by the State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Friday, September 25, 2020, at Government House, Port Harcourt.

    The Commissioner for Education, Professor Kaniye Ebeku announced this while briefing journalists at the end of the meeting.

    According to him, all Secondary Schools, Vocational Schools, Universities and other Tertiary Institutions are to comply with the directive.

    He however stated that Council did not approve the reopening of primary schools based on expert medical advice.

    Professor Ebeku added that the Council also approved the setting up of a Seven-man Taskforce to monitor and enforce the compliance of COVID-19 protocols in the various schools.

    The Taskforce, he said, has the Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt, Ambassador Desmond Akawor as Chairman while Mr. Rufus Godwins, Head of the State Civil Service, Commissioner for Health, Professor Princewill Chike, Commissioner for Social Welfare, Mrs. Inime Aguma, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nwankpa and Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim are to serve as members.

    The Commissioner for Education, Professor Kaniye Ebeku is to serve as Secretary.

    Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim also announced the reopening of public places such as parks, cinemas and restaurants that would operate within the hours of 6am to 9pm daily.

    Nsirim stated that nightclubs and bars as well as Oil Mill Market and Slaughter Market, Oginigba remain closed.

    He noted that all the reopened public places must adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocols or face severe sanctions.

  • Four policemen detained over killing of Rivers musician

    Four policemen detained over killing of Rivers musician

    The policemen involved in an operation that led to the killing of an upcoming musician, Daniel Ikeaguchi, aka, Sleek, have been detained and transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

    Sleek was reportedly shot on Monday in the Elelenwo area of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, while fleeing from an anti-kidnapping squad that stormed the area for a special operation.

    Police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni identified the suspected killer policeman as Sgt Isaiah Ben attached to the 35 PMF Jigawa.

    He said the sergeant and others from the anti-kidnapping unit had been transferred to the CID for interrogation.

     

  • 30 feared dead as fully loaded commercial bus plunges into Ebonyi river

    30 feared dead as fully loaded commercial bus plunges into Ebonyi river

    More than 30 people were feared dead in a road accident on Akaeze-Ishiagu highway in Akaeze Development Centre, Ivo Local Government Area, Ebonyi State on Friday.

    It was gathered that the accident occurred at about 5.45 pm.

    The bus conveying the passengers reportedly plunged into a river near a bridge along the road.

    A source from the area said that the accident occurred when an Enugu-bound 608 bus conveying some people on their way back from a burial ceremony in Ebonyi State attempted to overtake a trailer just before a bridge in the area.

    The driver of the bus was said to have lost control of the vehicle and veered off into the river with the vehicle and its occupants submerged immediately.

    About five persons in critical conditions had been reportedly rescued and rushed to the hospital for treatment.

    A source said: “An accident has just occurred at Akaeze Development Centre.

    “The driver of a 608 bus carrying 36 persons and returning from a burial in Ebonyi on the way to Enugu, lost control while trying to overtake a trailer, and the bus plunged into the river.

    “Up till now, more than 20 minutes after the incident occurred, none of them has been found.

    Police spokesman in the state, Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident, describing it as “very unfortunate.”

    She, however, said about five people had been rescued from the river, adding that efforts were on to rescue others.

    “It is a very unfortunate incident. The DPO of the area just told me that about five persons have been rescued and rushed to the hospital while efforts were on to see if some other persons could be rescued too.

    “Our men are already on ground to see what can be done to help the situation,” Odah said.

  • Two Rivers pastors arrested for raping corps member

    Two Rivers pastors arrested for raping corps member

    The Police in Rivers State have arrested two pastors for allegedly raping a 27-year old member of the National Youths Service Corps.

    The corps member is observing her primary assignment at the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

    The pastors, identified as Austin Emmanuel and Peter Davies, are currently being detained at the State Criminal and Investigation and Intelligence Department, Port Harcourt.

    Emmanuel reportedly invited the victim to his house for an indoor birthday party and in the course of the celebration, he was later joined by Davies.

    It was gathered that the suspects offered to pray for the victim and in the middle of the prayer, they applied a-yet-to-be-identified liquid on her face which made her unconscious.

    Speaking with journalists, the corps member said she experienced pains in her private parts after regaining consciousness.

    She said, “Actually, it was after I regained consciousness that I was feeling pain in my vagina. I told my mum and she reported to the police and they said that they should take me to doctors without borders for checkup. I found out that I was fingered according to the report and saw bruises seen all over my body.”

    Meanwhile, parents of the victim, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Bonko called on the Rivers State Police Command not to allow the accused persons go scot free to serve as a deterrent to other persons.

    The father of the girl said he had approached the International Federation of Women Lawyers in the state to ensure the prosecution of the case.

    “When I saw her, she was not in her senses. I started asking questions. Then they told me that they have arrested the suspects. I saw the suspects and they told me what happened.

    “We took her to a psychiatric hospital. They tested her and did everything. Wherever we went, the NYSC followed us on the matter. An NYSC official reported the issue to the headquarters. If we allow this matter to die, they will do the same thing to other female corps members. That is why I decided to come to FIDA,” he explained.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, said the matter was under investigation.

    “Yes, we refer to this issue, but the matter has not reached my desk. I believe it is still under investigation,” Mukan stated.

  • Gunmen storm burial ceremony in Rivers, abduct many, injure others

    Gunmen storm burial ceremony in Rivers, abduct many, injure others

    There was pandemonium over the weekend at Banigo Isile-Ogono community in Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State when gunmen invaded a funeral ceremony injuring many of the guests and abducting others.

    According to reports, a top official of the legislative assembly in the council was battling for survival at an undisclosed hospital following the attack.

    Eyewitness confirmed that the gunmen stormed the ceremony a few minutes after the deceased, Kenneth Banigo was interred shotting at different directions and abducted many people.

    Some high-profile guests, who were in attendance such as the Chairman of the council, David Irimagha and lawmaker representing Bonny Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Abinye Blessing Pepple, escaped by the whiskers.

    One Sunny, Allison and Theophilus were named among the abducted victims.

    “The lawmaker, local government chairman, together with other guests tried to get to the waterfront to board their boats and escape.

    “The gunmen later abducted a number of persons and took them away into the nearby creeks. The matter has been reported to security agencies,” an eyewitness said.

    The Special Assistant to the Chairman on Media and Publicity Kingsley Jumbo, confirmed the incident in a statement.

    He said: “The unfortunate incident happened at Finapiri Ama (Amauda) village in Banigo Ishilegono where they attended the burial ceremony of an elder statesman in Bonny Kingdom, Late Amaopusenibo Kenneth Miebaradima Kalada Banigo when masked gunmen arrived and began shooting sporadically from the jetty.”

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed that gunmen disrupted the funeral by shooting sporadically but fled on sighting a detachment of policemen.

    Omoni, however, said the police could not confirm the case of abductions because nobody had reported such matter to their division

    He said armed policemen had taken over the entire Bonny to avoid a reprisal attack and further breakdown of law and order, adding investigations had begun to unmask the identities of the gunmen and their motives.

  • Wanted criminal ‘Boboski’ dies hours after arrest

    Wanted criminal ‘Boboski’ dies hours after arrest

    The police authorities in Rivers have arrested a suspected kidnapper said to be the most wanted in the state, Honest Digbara, popularly known as Boboski.

    Boboski, said to have come from Nwidera, Gokana Local Government Area was nabbed at Korokoro community in Khana Local Government where he was hiding with his gang members.

    This was confirmed on Saturday by the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, at the state police headquarters in Port Harcourt.

    The police boss said the arrest of the criminal followed credible information by members of the public.

    To Mukan, Boboski and his gang members were responsible for the kidnapping and killing of one Barrister Emelogu after collecting ransom.

    Boboski shortly before he died from injuries.

    He also blamed the group for the killing of a Divisional Police Officer in Afam Division, Moses Egbede, killing of a civil defence at Glo pipeline, the kidnap and killing of Chief Mbu of Ogu/Bolo after collecting N7million as ransom among others.

    “This suspect is responsible for most of the criminal activities in the state. He was responsible for the kidnap of Barrister Emelogu who was killed after collecting ransom, he is also responsible for the killing of a Divisional Crime Officer Afam Division, SP Moses Egbede, as well as the killing of a soldier and personnel of Civil Defence at Gio pipeline in Ogoni last year, killing of two Policemen at a Federal Highway at Botem among others,” he said.

    Although the suspect was arrested alive, it was gathered that several gunshots could not penetrate his body.

    Also, several attempts made by Boboski to disappear was resisted by the police. The suspect, however, died from matchet cuts.

    Sequel to his arrest, Governor Nyesom Wike had earlier placed a N30 million bounty on Boboski’s head, saying he will reward any member of the public who can provide useful information that will lead to the arrest of the criminal.

  • Photo: Police arrest Bobisky in Rivers

    Photo: Police arrest Bobisky in Rivers

    The Rivers State Police Command on Saturday morning arrested the most-wanted armed robber and kidnapper in the state, Honest Digbara, popularly known as Bobisky.

    Bobisky, whose real name is , was arrested at Korokoro in the Tai Local Government Area in a sting operation led by the Divisional Police Officer of Bori, Superintendent Bako Angbashim.

    He was paraded at the headquarters of the command on Mosco Road, Port Harcourt.

    Bobisky, a terror to many residents in the Ogoni area of the state, has been linked to most of the criminal activities recorded in the area.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Governor Nyesom Wike had earlier placed a N30 million bounty on Bobisky’s head, saying he will reward any member of the public who can provide useful information that will lead to the arrest of the criminal.

    Bobisky’s arrest on Saturday was greeted with wild jubilation as residents throng out to celebrate the capture of the man behind their pains in recent years.

  • Five to die by hanging for kidnap, murder in Rivers

    Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced five persons to death by hanging for kidnapping and murdering Mr. Anthony Okoro.

    The five defendants out of seven persons in suit number PHC/324/2017, are Oluchi Charles, Miracle Anumuna, Ifeanyi Simon, Koko Basset and Uchenna Stanley Amaechi.

    They were convicted on the 10 charges preferred against them by the Inspector-General of Police bordering on conspiracy, stealing, armed robbery, kidnapping and murder.

    However, the fifth and sixth defendants, Chukwudi Etete and Anthony Ugwu, were discharged and acquitted by the court.

    It was gathered that the convicts had on May 26, 2016, attacked the home of Anthony Okoro in Woji area of Port Harcourt, shot him and carried his body away.

    The convicts were also said to have stolen a Range Rover jeep, Kia Optimal car, television sets, an Infinix phone and other valuables belonging to the victim.

    The judge, Justice George Omereji, in his verdict yesterday, held that the prosecution proved its case that the first to fourth and seventh defendants were as guilty as charged. Omereji, in discharging and acquitting the fifth and sixth defendants, stated that the prosecution could not prove that they had knowledge of the crime, rather they unknowingly bought phones belonging to the victim.

    The judge also held that the prosecution proved the case of conspiracy against the convicts.

    “It was proven that the convicts had met at Genesis area of Woji in Port Harcourt and planned the kidnap of Okoro and the death of the victim was caused by the convicts,” the judge said.

    He regretted that Okoro was shot on his arm and taken away alongside his cars and other valuables by the suspects. The judge based his verdict on Section 410 of the Administration of Criminal Justice 2011.

    He said the convicts should be held by the rope till they are confirmed dead.

    The prosecution counsel, I. Ubulom, described it as justice done. He said the verdict would serve as deterrent to others involved in criminal activities.

  • Rivers Gov’t reopens secretariat as NLC suspends rally

    Rivers Gov’t reopens secretariat as NLC suspends rally

    The Officials of the Rivers Government, on Tuesday, unsealed the Nigeria Labour Congress secretariat in Port Harcourt, following collective bargaining agreement signed with the union.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government had sealed the NLC secretariat in March for correction of structural deficit.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, NLC President, on Sept. 4, issued a notice to hold mass rally over the sealed secretariat among other lingering industrial dispute.

    However, after a six hour deliberation on Monday, the organised labour reached an agreement with the state government to address all contending issues and for the protest to be called off.

    Government officials arrived at the secretariat at about 7.00 a.m. and remove the seal to fulfil part of the agreement.

    Wabba, who addressed workers of the affiliated unions at the secretariat, said the government promised to address all the issues that caused the labour movement to declare trade dispute with the state.

    He said that labour would ensure that the agreement was implemented to the later.

    He noted that the planned rally was a warning to other states not to neglect the welfare of workers. (

  • NDDC IMC member escapes assassination attempt on way from church

    NDDC IMC member escapes assassination attempt on way from church

    A member of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Caroline Nagbo, has narrowly escaped assassination in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

    It was gathered that gunmen suspected to be assassins trailed Nagbo while she was returning from a church service at Ozuoba in Obio-Akpo Local Government Area on Tuesday morning.

    Nagbo, who confirmed the incident through his Special Assistant, Technical and Youth Matters, Sogbeye Eli, said the operation to kill her was aborted by the police and the Department of Security Service (DSS), which reacted swiftly following distress calls.

    Nagbo, who expressed shock over the development thanked God for her protection and commended the gallantry of the security officials.

    She showered praises on the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command; the Director, State Security Services, Rivers State Command and Head of Security at the NDDC, Mr. Tonye Frank Oputu, saying their professionalism and timely intervention saved her life.

    Nagbo also thanked her colleague in the Interim Management Committee and Acting Executive Director, Finance & Administration, Mr. Effiong Akwa, for his prompt response to the rescue effort.

    She called on the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies operating in the state to intensify efforts in tracking down persons after her life.

    She said that criminal elements terrorizing the state must be flushed out to secure the lives of law-abiding citizens and stop scaring investors in the petroleum and gas resource-rich state.

    Meanwhile, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) condemned the attack on Nagbo and called on security agencies to investigate the incident.

    MOSOP in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Alex Akori said: “MOSOP is appalled by this act and calls for an immediate and full scale investigation into this act.

    “While we commend the security forces for living up to the expectations by averting the assassination, we note that this act of assassination attempt on a high profile personality like Ms. Nagbo further reflects the vulnerability of our society and reinforces the need for an upgrade of our intelligence and internal security system.”