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Tag: rivers

  • BUSTED: Church facility converted to baby factory in Rivers, different price tags for baby boys, girls

    BUSTED: Church facility converted to baby factory in Rivers, different price tags for baby boys, girls

    For many unsuspecting residents, the Great Mercy Deliverance Ministry located at No 5 Giwa Street, Rumuolumeni in Obi-Akpor Local Government area of Rivers State was a worship centre till the nefarious activities carried out behind its doors was uncovered by detectives attached to the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT). The church premises turned out to be a lucrative baby factory.

    When the IRT team busted it, three newborns, their mothers and three pregnant teenagers, were reportedly found at the facility.

    Another couple ready to take away two babies bought at the church, Grate Mercy Deliverance Ministry, were also apprehended by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team, IRP.

    The operators reportedly scouted for teenagers who could not take care of their pregnancies across Rivers, Abia, Akwa Ibom and Imo states.

    It was gathered that the Martins worked with a woman identified simply as IB, who found buyers for the babies. IB is still at large at the time of filing this report.

    To fast-track the criminal deal, they reportedly induced their victims to give birth at eighth months. After births, they allegedly gave them drugs that would make them sleep off.

    It was learnt that the syndicate was busted recently after a relative of one of the victims, Patience, lured into the Church from Akwa Ibom State, reported her missing to the IRT.

    Consequently, a team of detectives trailed Patience to the church where they found three pregnant teenagers, three newborn babies and their teenage mums, including Patience.

    The source stated, “One of the pregnant teenagers, Loveth, is five months’ pregnant. She is from Ngor-Okpala area of Imo State. We also found one Chisom, from Ohaji Egbema, Imo State. She is 18 years old and seven months’ pregnant. The third pregnant lady is Chioma.

    “Patience was found with a day-old baby boy and two other teenagers Favour and Chizaram, were found with a baby girl and a baby boy respectively. In the course of investigations, it was discovered that pregnant teenagers were usually induced into labour in their eighth months due to demands from people who wanted to buy the babies.

    “The suspects, Maureen Martins, and her husband Chidi, who used the church to perpetrate the criminal act, promised the expectant teenage mums accommodation, feeding and maternity care and assured them they would be sent back after delivery. They worked with a woman known as IB who is on the run now.

    “A couple, who came to buy a baby boy and a girl from Maureen, were also arrested. They paid N3.5m. The children are those of Patience and Favour. The two babies were sold to the couple as twins. There are over seven rooms in the church where the girls were kept. Maureen said she had lost count of the number of babies she had sold.”

    Another source disclosed that after selling the babies, Maureen and her husband would give the mothers N30,000 to travel back to their states.

    He added, “It was discovered that Maureen had been operating the baby factory for over six years and people came from across the country to buy babies from her. She usually sold baby boys for N1.5m each, while baby girls were sold for N1.1m each. Maureen is the general overseer of her church, while her husband is an associate pastor.

    “We are currently tracing over 20 children which they have sold. When children are born, Maureen will ask their mothers not to breastfeed them so that they don’t get used to breast milk.”

    While being paraded, Maureen, 45, said she is a nurse and only helped to take delivery of babies at the church. She stated that it was IB who scouted for the pregnant teenagers and sold the babies.

    She said, “I am from Isiamba North, Imo State, but I reside in Port Harcourt. I am married with two children and I am also a nurse. It was IB who introduced this ‘business’ to me. She was the one who brought the pregnant ladies and sold their babies.

    “I don’t know where she got them from; mine was to look after them until they were delivered of their babies. IB would take the babies to the buyers and I would tell the girls that their babies are dead and give them money.”

  • [Graphic photos]Three human skulls, body exhumed from serial killer’s septic tank in Rivers

    Police in Rivers State Monday led a notorious kidnapper and serial killer, Anthony Ndubuisi to exhume three human skulls and a decomposing body of victims from a septic tank in his home at Umuebulu, Etche Local Government Area (LGA) Rivers State.

    Nnamdi Omoni, Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers Command, in a statement Tuesday said the suspect, Anthony Ndubuisi, who hails from Ngo-Okpala, Imo State, but resides in Umuebulu, was arrested Monday afternoon, by men of Operation of Sting security team.

    Omoni narrated that, “Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in a Sting Operation 29/6/2020 at about 1330hrs, arrested a notorious kidnapper and serial killer, one Anthony Ndubuisi ‘m’ from Ngo-Okpala in Imo State but resides at Umuebulu Etche LGA.

    “The suspect on interrogation confessed to have carried out several kidnappings and killings, including three Foreign Nationals and a Nigerian, recent, being kidnapping and killing of one Ajumiene Offor, lured from Aba to his house, for a business transaction but kidnapped and killed on 9/6/2020.

    According to reports, Tony – who is also into the sales of shoes and own a church – kills mostly his business associates after business deals, especially the ones he is owing. He kills them in one of his unoccupied houses.

    In the course of the investigation, the suspect led Operatives to his house at Umuebulu, where he pointed to a Septic Tank that contained the bodies of his victims.

    On exhumation, the police recovered three human skulls and the decomposing body of his recent victim. They have been evacuated and taken to the mortuary for Autopsy.

    In the wake of his arrest, two Pump action guns and some Cartridges were recovered

  • BREAKING: Rivers court dismisses suit against Obaseki

    BREAKING: Rivers court dismisses suit against Obaseki

    A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Wednesday has dismissed a suit seeking to bar Governor Godwin Obaseki from contesting the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship primary scheduled for Thursday.

    The Court took the decision after parties to the suit agreed out-of-court settlement and withdrew the matter which was before Justice E. O Obile.

    Counsel for the plaintiff in the matter had earlier sought for leave of the court to settle with the defendants, which counsels for the defendants did not object.

    The court took a recess in the morning to allow parties in the suit amicably settle their contentions out of court.

    But the court upon resuming on the matter in the afternoon, struck out the suit after the plaintiff’s lead counsel, D. C. Denwigwe (SAN), withdrew the suit on the grounds that all parties had settled amicably.

    Justice Obile commended the parties for settling out of court, adding that it was the proper thing to do.

  • Bank manager dies of COVID-19 in Rivers, gateman, others test positive

    Bank manager dies of COVID-19 in Rivers, gateman, others test positive

    There was panic in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area, Rivers State, following the death of a manager of a new generation bank from health complications caused by coronavirus.

    It was gathered the development compelled the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to seal the bank and commence testing of all employees for COVID-19.

    Sources said the testing conducted by NCDC showed that most of the employees, including the gateman tested positive for COVID-19.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said the employees, who tested positive, were moved to the isolation centre for observation and treatments.

    Recall that Governor Nyesom Wike had raised the alarm over lackadaisical attitude of banks and supermarkets, over the issues of maintaining coronavirus preventive rules.

    He said operators of banks and supermarkets were allowing customers into their premises without mandating them to observe the safety rules.

    He particularly lamented that customers were going into such premises without wearing their face masks and threatened to seal them off.

    Rivers has been recording high cases of the virus as the NCDC confirming highest infection rate of 103 positive cases on Tuesday.

  • BREAKING: Obaseki runs to Governor Wike in Port-Harcourt … [PHOTOS]

    BREAKING: Obaseki runs to Governor Wike in Port-Harcourt … [PHOTOS]

    The embattled governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, is presently meeting with the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.

    The meeting may be connected with Obaseki’s defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest the Edo state gubernatorial election billed for September 19 under the party.

  • COVID-19: Rivers records 51 more cases, total now 454

    COVID-19: Rivers records 51 more cases, total now 454

    Rivers has recorded 51 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of the infectious disease cases in the state to 454.

    The figure is the highest number of confirmed cases in a single day since the state recorded its index positive case on March 27.

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) released the latest figures in its verified Twitter page late on Thursday.

    According to the NCDC, the country recorded 681 new cases of the disease, bringing total confirmed cases to 14,554 as at 11:48 p.m. on June 11.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new figure is the highest number of confirmed cases in a single day since the country recorded its index positive case on Feb. 27.

    The NCDC said that 12 states and the FCT recorded the new cases with Lagos accounting for 345 cases, followed by Rivers at 51.

    A breakdown of the figure showed that Ogun had 48 cases, Gombe 47, Oyo 36, Imo 31, Delta 28, Kano 23, while Bauchi State recorded 18 new cases.

    Others are Edo and Katsina States which had 12 cases each, Kaduna State nine, Anambra seven, Jigawa five, while Kebbi and Ondo States recorded four cases each with Nasarawa State recording one case.

    NCDC said that of the 14,554 confirmed cases in the country, 4,494 had been discharged with 387 deaths.

    According to the latest figures, the 10 states with the highest number of confirmed cases are Lagos with 6,611, followed by FCT 1,097, Kano 1,048, Ogun 523 and Edo 490.

    Others are Rivers with 454, Oyo 434, Katsina 411, Bauchi 392, while Kaduna State has recorded 392 confirmed cases.

  • 17 suspected sea pirates nabbed in Rivers

    17 suspected sea pirates nabbed in Rivers

    No fewer than 17 suspected sea pirates have been arrested by the Police Command in Rivers following a major raid on their hideout, an official said.

    The command’s spokesman, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said in a statement in Port Harcourt on Friday that the suspects were responsible for recent coordinated attacks on policemen in the state.

    “The 17 sea pirates attacked the men of Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base five, Benin on May 24 while they were on duty at Egelegele River in Degema Council in Rivers.

    “The dastard act by the sea pirates resulted to our men losing their arms and ammunition during the attack.

    “However, in a well coordinated operation in the late hours of Wednesday night, operatives of the Marine Division of the Rivers command arrested the suspects.’’

    Omoni said items recovered from the suspects includes, two AK 47 magazines, charms and amulets, mobile phones, gas cylinder, N50,000 cash and two speed boats allegedly used in the attack.

    “The suspects are currently helping the police with useful confessions to the attacks on personnel.

    “Also, the command has intensified efforts to arrest the remnants of the criminal gang that attacked passenger boats along the Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru waterways,” he added.

    The police spokesman said that the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Mr Joseph Mukan appealed to residents of coastal communities to be conscious of activities of sea pirates in their localities.

    He urged residents to assist the police with useful information on the whereabouts of sea pirates through the telephone numbers: 08032003514, 08028915462 and 08182157778.

  • COVID-19: Rivers cuts 2020 budget by 48 percent

    The Rivers State Executive Council has approved the review of the 2020 Budget in line with the present economic realities occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.

    Accordingly, the State’s 2020 Budget has been reviewed by 48 percent from N530,813,357,619.00 to N300,370,071,183.00.

    The State Commissioner for Finance and Supervisory Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Isaac Kamalu announced this on Friday while briefing journalists after the State Executive Council Meeting presided over by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike at Government House, Port Harcourt.

    Kamalu stated that the State Executive Council also gave approval for the review of the 2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework, accommodating a downsizing of the budget, pointing out that the decision was taken in consideration of all necessary parameters geared towards offering the state purposeful service and effective leadership.

    Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Sunny Ejekwu said the State Executive Council also approved a Free Bus Scheme with a fleet of 28 Luxury Buses to convey commuters free of charge during this COVID-19 period.

    He said the Scheme which would start from Monday, June 1,2020 is part of measures introduced by government to ameliorate the sufferings faced by those living and doing business in the state.

    Mr. Ejekwu announced that the Free Buses would convey commuters in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt, Eleme and Oyigbo Local Government Areas.

    The Commissioner also stated that wearing of face masks would be a compulsory requirement for any commuter who would want to enjoy the free service.

    Earlier, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Paulinus Nsirim announced the setting up of an Executive Council Committee to work out modalities that would outline conditions that would be met by those who intend to bury their loved ones during this period.

    According to him, the Committee is headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo while the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zaccheus Adangor, Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Thomas Bariere, Commissioner for Youths, Mr.Prince Ohia and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects, Mr Dax Kelly are to serve as members.

  • JUST IN: Wike splashes N450m cash on victims of Rivers 2019 ‘bloody’ poll

    JUST IN: Wike splashes N450m cash on victims of Rivers 2019 ‘bloody’ poll

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has released a sum of N450m to victims of the 2019 bloody general elections in Ijaw communities in Abonema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state.

    The governor, who met with the victims, deceased families and the council of chiefs at their townhall in Abonema on Monday said their bank account numbers would be credited with the amount of money due them from Wednesday.

    There were indications that the families of 37 persons, who paid the supreme price, were entitled to N9m compensation each.

     

    Details shortly…

  • ‘Executive rascality’: SERAP drags Wike, FG to ECOWAS court over rights violations in Rivers

    ‘Executive rascality’: SERAP drags Wike, FG to ECOWAS court over rights violations in Rivers

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has launched legal action against governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state and the government of President Muhammadu Buhari at the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja over the “brutal crackdown, repression, and grave violations and abuses of the human rights of the people of Rivers State.”

    SERAP said in suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/20/20 filed last Friday: “Governor Wike is using COVID-19 as a pretext to step up repression and systematic abuses against the people of Rivers state, including by carrying out mass arbitrary detention, mistreatment, forced evictions, and imposing pervasive controls on daily life.”

    According to SERAP: “Governor Wike is using executive orders 1 and 6, 2020 as instruments to violate and abuse the rights to liberty and freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention, to a fair trial, and to property, contrary to Nigeria’s international human rights obligations, including under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”

    SERAP said: “This suit is primarily against Governor Wike and the Rivers state government for failing to respect, protect and ensure the constitutionally and internationally guaranteed human rights of the people of his state. The governor has used executive orders 1 and 6 to run roughshod over the human rights of Nigerians.”

    “Ultimately, the Federal Government, being the signatory to ECOWAS treaties and protocols, cannot escape its responsibility to ensure that the human rights guaranteed under human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party, are fully and effectively realized throughout Nigeria, including in Rivers state.”

    “Suing the Federal Government alongside Governor Wike is entirely consistent with article 27 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, which provides that a state may not invoke the provisions of its internal law as justification for its failure to perform a treaty.”

    SERAP is asking the court for an order of injunction to “restrain and stop Governor Wike from further using, applying and enforcing executive orders 1 and 6 or any other executive orders to harass, arbitrarily arrest, detain and demolish property of the people of Rivers state.”

    SERAP is also seeking an order directing “Governor Wike and the other defendants to pay adequate monetary compensation to the victims of human rights violations and abuses, and to provide other forms of reparation, which may take the form of restitution, satisfaction or guarantees of non-repetition, and other forms of reparation that the Honourable Court may deem fit to grant.”

    The suit filed on SERAP’s behalf by its solicitors Kolawole Oluwadare, Atinuke Adejuyigbe and Opeyemi Owolabi, read in part: “SERAP contends that several people were arbitrarily arrested and detained in various police stations and isolation centres in Rivers State and without any regard for due process of law.”

    “Governor Wike and his agents used, applied and enforced executive orders 1 and 6 to suppress and repress the human rights of the people and business operators, including harassing, arbitrarily arresting, detaining, and torturing anyone found exercising their rights within Rivers State, all in the guise of enforcing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the state.”

    “The wanton destruction of people’s property, harassment, arrest, and detention of persons exercising their rights to personal liberty and other human rights amount to an affront to the Nigerian constitution of 1999 (as amended) and the country’s international human rights obligations.”

    “The executive orders, including executive order 6, by Governor Wike are invalid, illegal and unconstitutional, having not complied with the requirements of due process of law. The order by Governor Wike to demolish any hotel or guest house found operating in Rivers state is ultra vires the penalty stipulated in executive order number 6.”

    “Demolition of hotels and guest houses is illegal and unconstitutional, as it runs afoul of the penalty stipulated in the Quarantine Act, which provides only a fine of N200 or imprisonment for a term of six months or both. The demolition is a blatant violation of article 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”

    “Governor Wike, demolition workers and security agents without due process of law demolished Prudent Hotel, Alode in Eleme, and Etemeteh Hotel in Onne on Saturday, May 9, 2020, and fragrantly breached the rights of the owners, employees and occupiers. The demolitions were supervised by Governor Wike in the company of security agents of the Federal Government.”

    “SERAP contends that Governor Wike with the complicity or support of the Federal Government of Nigeria carried out these demolitions without giving adequate notice, compensation, alternative hotel or affording the victims legal remedies. Many people have now been deprived of their means of livelihood, employment and shelter, and exposed to other serious human rights violations and abuses.”