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Tag: rivers

  • COVID-19: Police arrest two pilots for flying unknown expatriates into Rivers

    COVID-19: Police arrest two pilots for flying unknown expatriates into Rivers

    The police have arrested two pilots of Carveton Helicopter for flying expatriates into Rivers State in violation of the ongoing lockdown in state borders to fight the Coronavirus pandemic.

    The pilots accused of illegally bringing the expatriates were reportedly arrested by the Rivers Taskforce on enforcement of directives against Coronavirus.

    They were said to have been taken to the Rivers Police Command where Governor, Nyesom Wike visited them to assess the development.

    The Governor was said to be worried that the identities of the expatriates were unknown and had demanded the company to fish them out to verify their medical status.

    Wike had signed an executive order closing all land, air and sea borders as part of his numerous measures to contain the spread of the pandemic.

    Rivers Police Commissioner, Mustapha Dandaura, who confirmed the development said that the command arrested the pilot and co-pilot of Carveton Helicopters who ferried unknown passengers to the State. He said that the pilots violated the regulations regarding the safety of the state.

    He said: “Recall that when this coronavirus issues started, there was ban of local flight from coming into the State. Since that time we have been monitoring the activities of these private airlines.

    “To our surprise, we received an intelligence report that an aircraft has landed at the Airforce base and that it was carrying some passengers. We have apprehended the Pilot and the Co-pilot by the NAF commander that’s why they alerted the chief executive Governor of the state who had given an order that on no account should any aircraft land on Rivers State without clearance.

    “We don’t know the people they brought. Whether they are positive or negative of Coronavirus. Where are the heading to and where they came from

    He commended Wike for his commitment to the protection of Rivers people.

    He said: “To our surprise this morning this aircraft landed without any signal or permission from the authorities. We don’t know their mission here. Maybe they are coming here to sabotage the activities of the state and the security agencies that are putting efforts on ground to ensure that Rivers State enjoy peaceful atmosphere throughout this pandemic period”.

    Wike declared his willingness to set aside his immunity to testify against persons violating the state’s border closure aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus.

    Speaking at the office of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Wike said the two pilots of Carveton Helicopters operated illegally.

    He said that the protection of Rivers people remained an important assignment that must be executed with the seriousness it deserved.

    He said: “I am willing to drop my immunity as a governor as far as this case is concerned . I am ready to be a prosecution witness. ”

    He charged the police to prosecute the matter to its logical conclusion to serve as deterrent to those interested in violating the regulations of the state regarding the fight against coronavirus.

    He said: “I want to say this is a serious matter to us and police should handle it seriously. That’s why I am here at the state command to show the seriousness of this issue.

    “No body says that you can’t go to any state but now we are in a war situation. This Covid-19 is even worse than a conventional war. We want to know who are those people you brought in, so that we have to trace them to know their identity and status. Luckily we have seen the pilot and the Co-pilot. They will assist the police to assist in identifying them”.

    Wike reiterated that though the state government had no power to close airports, it had the right to check those coming into the state in order to ascertain their status.

    He wondered why Carveton Helicopters decided to cut corners when the state government outlined the procedure for flying expatriates from Lagos into the state.

    He said: “I have always said that we need the support of everybody. Nobody knows the status of those coming into Port Harcourt. Nobody knows whether they are positive or negative. I have said before that I don’t have right to close the airport. But I have the right of saying don’t enter my state because we want to know your status.

    “The company wrote to us about bringing people which I forwarded to Commissioner of Police to perform security checks and the health officials to perform their duties before allowing them to come in. That is for those performing essential duties. But they decided to violate the regulations.”

    Wike insisted that his administration was duty-bound to protect Rivers people from coronavirus.

    He confirmed the second case of coronavirus in the state saying the person is a 62-year-old and recently returned from United Kingdom and entered the state through Lagos.

    Wike also confirmed that the index case of the state had been discharged from the treatment/isolation centre in Eleme.

    He said: “The positive index case of the virus we had by the grace of God has been discharged. What we have now is another case of a 62 years old person who came in from UK and landed in Lagos and then moved to Port Harcourt.”

  • COVID-19: Wike imposes dusk to dawn curfew

    COVID-19: Wike imposes dusk to dawn curfew

    Residents of parts of Port Harcourt were forced off the streets on Tuesday by security personnel as Gov. Nyesom Wike imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in parts of the state.

    Residents who went out as early as 6am were driven back by security personnel in Obiri-Ikwerre Junction (Ozuoba, Rumualogu) – Choba and from Education Bus Stop – Agip Junction.

    Some residents in the affected areas told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they woke up to see that stern-looking security personnel had taken over their streets.

    “Anybody who ventured to go out was driven back except those who can identify themselves as essential workers,’’ Pius Edemeka, a resident of Ikwere Road said.

    NAN reports that Wike had in a statewide broadcast on Monday night announced that the curfew followed violations of the market closure order by the State Government.

    The state government’s order is part of preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

    The governor said that the State Security Council reached the decision after monitoring compliance with the directive.

    According to the governor, all beer parlours and public drinking joints have been closed because “they have suddenly become an extension of night clubs that were earlier shut down’’.

    He stated that any beer parlour or public drinking joint found to be open would be acquired by the state government.

    Wike said: “All landlords are advised to warn their tenants who use their property as beer parlours or public drinking joints to adhere to this directive.

    “Traditional Rulers, Youth Leaders and Community Development Committees are to ensure that beer parlours and public drinking joints in their areas remain closed. Any Traditional Ruler who allows markets to be open in his domain will be deposed.

    “Government is investigating the illegal operation of markets at night at Woji and Elelenwo Communities. Further violation by residents of these two communities will attract declaration of curfew.’’

    Wike said further violation of the directive for markets to remain closed would attract a state-wide curfew.

    He also announced waivers to different categories of persons in view of the directive of the state government.

    “They include Medical and Pharmaceutical Personnel, Food and Beverages, Essential Oil and Gas Staff, Petroleum Products and Media Workers and Newspaper Distributors.

    “All these categories of staff must identify themselves with valid identity cards,’’ Wike said.

    Wike stated that based on suggestions by well-meaning Rivers people, government was considering to set up food markets across the state.

    He also announced the immediate suspension of the Council Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and his Deputy for failing to implement government’s directive on the closure of markets.

    He said: “Let me reiterate that this government will continue to do what is right no matter who is involved. As you are all aware, no conventional war has grounded global life and economy like coronavirus.

    “Everybody is affected. Therefore, all hands must be on deck to defeat coronavirus. I want to sincerely express my heartfelt gratitude to our health professionals on the frontline of this fight.

    “Let me also thank all the security agencies, individuals and organisations who are collaborating with us to make Rivers State safe.

    “I am confident that with our collective resolve our dear state will contain the spread of this virus.”

  • Coronavirus Pandemic: Gov Wike should stop acting in panic and set up a strategic action plan for the state

    Coronavirus Pandemic: Gov Wike should stop acting in panic and set up a strategic action plan for the state

    By Achinike William-Wobodo

    As the Government of Rivers State had announced, residents woke up in morning of Saturday 28th March 2020 to a vigorous enforcement of the closure of all markets in the State. At first, I was struggling to come to terms with the reasoning of the Governor for announcing the indefinite closure of all markets in Rivers State (till further notice), so soon after he had proclaimed a complete lockdown of the State. However, after listening to the Commissioner for Information in Rivers State, Mr. Paulinus Nsirim on a Saturday Radio Programme (View Point) at 93.7FM in Port Harcourt, I come to the conclusion that the Governor and His Medical Team have no strategy in place to tackle the pandemic. They are merely reacting to every impulsive advice from Tom, Dick and Harry, without putting the advice to critical and analytical tests.

    The subsequent decision of the State Government to close down all markets in the State was baseless. It was a decision reached purely in panic, and arising from lack of leadership, lack of basic framework and preparedness to confront the challenge. The Government’s actions so far are diversionary and are intended to cover up the Governor’s failure to appreciate the magnitude of problem at hand and the ability to give direction to the problem.

    The Governor during the broadcast in which he announced the Executive Lockdown Order painted a picture of near certainty: that Covid-19 was not in Rivers State, thanks to the efforts of some security agents that fished out a lady who tried to smuggle herself (and the disease) into the State, according to him. This being the case, and with the complete lockdown of the State (which by the way I had commended in another piece), what then was the rational for closing down all markets in the State?

    So far, Rivers State has no established case of Covid-19. On the other hand, Lagos State has more population than Rivers State, with established root of over fifty percent (50%) of the Covid-19 cases in the Country and ninety-five percent (95%) of all confirmed cases currently residual in Lagos where they are receiving treatment. Curiously, Lagos is yet to close down markets. Whilst the Governor of Lagos was addressing his State a few days back, he said the numbers that would warrant the decision to close down the markets were not there yet. If at that, the State was already pondering on how to mitigate the pains of residents, by creating makeshift markets around the State.

    The opposite is the case with Rivers State. The decision of the Government to close down markets was informed more by fear and the desire to cover up failure, insensitive and irresponsibility on the part of Rivers State Government than it was of strategy. The times are critical and every minute counts. There is no time to waste playing ostrich or pondering if one would be reprimanded or shamed for “not-knowing” the right actions to take.

    Should that be the case, I remind the Governor that Rivers State has so many brilliant Administrators and Medical Services Managers, even within the private sector, that could be brought on board in the campaign against Covid-19 in Rivers State. If the Governor thinks otherwise also, he may opt for Lagos, to understudy how and what Lagos State is doing differently in addressing the situation instead of aggravating anxiety in the State by taking thoughtless decisions and actions.

    Dear Governor Wike, it is time to seek better counsel and to reassure the residents of the Government’s commitment to address their concerns. Residents are making the necessary sacrifices (staying at home, some without salaries or means of livelihood), believing that the Government is preparing for when or should the disease breakout in the State. Therefore, the State Government must go beyond mere rhetorics and establishment of ill-empowered Task Force to walk-the-talk. Government should organize the markets, come up with action plans that would minimize human contacts and allow the residents shop for food and enable those who depend on daily incomes from the markets to eke out a living for themselves.

    Meanwhile, we shall continue to advise and encourage residents to STAY SAFE by STAYING at HOME, except when going out becomes unavoidable, i.e to shop for food or drugs and those providing essential services.

    We urge Rivers State Government to rise up to the occasion. Long live Rivers State

    Achinike William-Wobodo
    Lawyer & Public Policy Analyst
    Writing from Port Harcourt.

  • Herdsmen kidnap, kill 2019 guber aspirant in Rivers

    Armed herdsmen have kidnapped and murdered a 2019 governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Soala West.

    According to a report by The Nation, West, who hails from Abonema, Akuku Toru Local Government Area, Rivere State, was abducted at his poultry farm at Aluu back of OPM in Port Harcourt on March 12 but was reportedly found dead on Wednesday evening.

    Further findings and pictorial evidence showed that West was brutally killed by the armed herdsmen days before his corpse was discovered at a bush along Eleka pipeline, Port Harcourt.

    The decomposing remains of West were said to have a bullet wound and matchet cuts.

    The family of the deceased, who until his death was a popularly lawyer and promoter of small businesses in Port Harcourt, was thrown into confusion and mourning.

    According to the report, Emmanuel, the elder brother of the deceased said his brother was rounded up by the herdsmen, at Aluu where he went to inspect his poultry project.

    Emmanuel said the victim was at the site to pay his workers when the herdsmen, who were armed with Ak -47 rifles, seized him and led him into the bush.

    He said the bandits first demanded N30milion but brought it down to N2.5million before it was discovered that they had already killed the victim.

    “This is shocking to us. We dont know why they should kill our brother this way. Our entire family has been thrown into mourning. We just hope that the police will arrest all those involved in the killing of our brother,” he said

    It was, however, gathered that the anti-kidnapping squad of the police, had arrested a kingpin in the kidnap saga.

    A senior police officer, who spoke in confidence, said the anti-kidnapping team through intelligence gathering picked the suspect, who later confessed to the killing.

    The anti-kidnapping team was working on assassination theory following the insistence of the bandits on killing the victim despite negotiating for ransom.

    Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Worldwide, condemned the attack and raised the alarm over infiltration of the zone by criminal Fulani herdsmen.

    The Secretary-General of IYC, Alfred Kemepado, said investigations by the council revealed that there were ongoing systematic abductions and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta by armed Fulani herdsmen.

    He wondered why West was horribly killed by the bandits despite demanding and receiving ransom.

    “The body of West was discovered a day the persons killed by criminal herdsmen in Delta State were being buried. This confirms our fears that our land has has been invaded by criminal Fulani herdsmen.

    “We are living at a dangerous time which requires absolute vigilance. It is time to identify these criminals and chase them out of our towns, clans, communities and villages.

    “The murder of West, a prominent lawyer, a sound politician and philanthropist is very painful and cant be forgotten in a hurry. We so far commend the anti-kidnapping squad of the Rivers State police command for their professionalism that led to the arrest of the kidnap kingpin.

    “We are appealing to the police to ensure that others who were involved in this unwarranted and gruesome murder should be arrested and brought to book”.

  • Ex-Rivers Governor Odili under investigation for N100b ‘fraud’

    Ex-Rivers Governor Odili under investigation for N100b ‘fraud’

    A probe into how a former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, allegedly diverted N100 billion for personal use, has commenced.

    Odili, who was governor between 1999 and 2007, was alleged to have moved about N4 billion in cash to a bank between 2004 and 2006, in favour of his Aide-De-Camp, Isaac Onyesom, and Emmanuel Nkata who worked in the Rivers State liaison office in Abuja.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in a fact sheet on the probe also alleged that N1.5 billion out of the amount was used by the ex-governor to obtain a doctorate degree and naming of a Hall after him in Lincoln University, USA.

    It alleged that about N100 million was doled out to a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party on November 28, 2005.

    But while still under probe, the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike was alleged to have transferred suspicious N2billion (public funds) to some firms belonging to Odili between 2016 and 2018.

    There were signs that Odili might be put on trial by the EFCC.

    But Odili in a suit FHC/ PHC/C3/26/2020 dated March 12, 2020, asked a Federal High Court to restrain the EFCC from investigating him.

    He said the EFCC was bound by the 2007 judgments of the Federal High Court on the perpetual injunction against his arrest and prosecution.

    He said the EFCC had been threatening to arrest, detain and prosecute him.

    According to document on the status of investigation on Odili, the EFCC claimed that the ex-governor allegedly laundered the N100billion under the guise of pursuing a Power Project in Rivers State.

    The document reads in part: “The Commission wishes to once again explain the case being investigated for which some restraining orders were obtained by both the representative of Rivers State Government and Dr. Peter Odili and also the new intelligence that were got against the third party which had link with some group of companies belonging to Odili.

    “For the purpose of clarity, the commission wishes to put more light on the ongoing investigation in 2006 before it was aborted by some high court, based on a suit instituted by the former Governor of River State and some officials of the State govt.

    “The petitioner had alleged that Dr. Peter Odili, then a governor of Rivers State had conspired with officials of his government and the chairman, Rocksons Engineering Group of Companies to divert over N100billion from the account of Rivers State, alleging that he used same for Power Project in Rivers.

    “The petitioner also went further to say that part of the state fund was moved to the Government House account, from where it was distributed to the then governor and his relatives and investigation commence.

    “The said account of the Government House was immediately obtained and details of the account revealed that about N4 billion between 2004 and 2006 was moved in cash in favour Odili’s ADC, Isaac Onyesom and one Emmanuel Nkata of the Rivers State liaison office, Abuja.

    “These funds were withdrawn in cash for the former governor of Rivers State. Emmanuel Nkatah was arrested and he confirmed that the funds were withdrawn for the former governor through his ADC.

    “ Investigation was on when the ADC, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), suddenly retired from the Police and disappeared into thin air.

    “ Among those who also benefited from the funds from Rivers State was a former National Chairman of PDP who received a manager’s cheque of N100 million from the same account on November 28, 2005.

    “ Between 2005 and 2006, the former governor Odili paid about N1.5billion which was used to obtain a doctorate degree and naming of a Hall after him in Lincoln University, USA and so many others.

    “ From the same account, he moved N3 billion to an oil company for shares, N1.4 billion to a bottle water company, and about N1.8billion to a communication company which as of 2006, had no share as it was not a quoted company.

    “ When the investigation commenced, he quickly involved the State Govt to take over the shares but the State Govt was not comfortable and requested that the companies return their money.

    The EFCC averred that despite being under investigation, about N10billion questionable deposits were found in some accounts traced to Odili and a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police.

    It said N2billion out of the suspicious N10billion was lodged in some companies belonging to Odili by the Rivers State Government between 2016 and 2017.

    The document added: “Sometimes in 2018, information was received that some Companies belonging to a retired ASP: NUMAC Project Company Ltd and NUMAC Global Resources Ltd, had between 2004 and 2018 received over N5 billion into the account and the funds came in tranches of N500, N300 millions etc, which is suspicious.

    ”These Companies and their accounts were thoroughly investigated. It was discovered that the inflow into these accounts are mostly cash.

    “ On few occasions, about N2billion came in from Rivers State Government account between 2016 and 2017.

    “These funds were traced to the following Companies: Pamo Group of companies Ltd, Pamo Clinic and Hospital and Pamo Educational Foundation. The above companies were found to have belonged to Dr. Peter Odili and his family.

    “Based on the above, and in view that the above companies were not part of restraining order of the Federal High Court, the EFCC commenced further investigation.

    “ It was further established that the funds were moved from the banks in Abuja contrary to the claims that the money formed part of the security .

    “The ADC, the principal suspect in the alleged fraud has been in hiding, he has refused to honour the invitation of the Commission. The commission reliably gathered that it was because of the case that he prematurely retired from the police voluntarily.”

    The former governor is however fighting back by approaching a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt seeking a fresh injunction against EFCC.

  • Recruitment: Army engages Rivers youth on Special Forces training

    The Nigerian Army has started engaging Rivers youth planning to enlist in the army to boost its internal security operations in the country, an official said.

    Brig.-Gen. Emmanuel Akpan, Director, Directorate of Army Recruitment, Resettlement and Reserve (DARRR), said this to newsmen on Saturday in Port Harcourt shortly after meeting with various youth leaders in Rivers.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the sensitisation forum was part of a nationwide campaign to inform Nigerians on the new recruitment and training policy by the army.

    According to Akpan, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has made it mandatory for the inclusion of Special Forces training for all recruits.

    “So, we are in Rivers state as part of a nationwide tour at the instance of the COAS Strategic Directive 2020 that would take us to every state in the federation.

    “The tour is aimed to appraise the youth on the current approach of the Nigerian Army to the training of its personnel to serving as well as recruitment into the system.

    “The essence of the special forces training is to ensure that all army personnel can adapt and function efficiently in any operating environment.

    The director said the army had also met with the youth in South Eastern states of Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states to inform them of the new strategy.

    “So, we have just commenced the exercise for the South-South zone starting from Akwa Ibom and now in River state. It has been tremendous so far.

    “We solicit the support of government in the area of information dissemination, support for state recruitment office as well as seek support of successful indigenes in future recruitment process,” he appealed.

    A cross section of youth leaders in their numbers representing their various communities in the 23 Local Government Areas (LGA) of the state lauded the army for the sensitisation exercise.

    Ikechukwu Nwodu, Youth President of Ubimiri community in Emohua LGA, said the meeting was timely as it addressed the negative perception some youth in the community had about army recruitment.

    “We are happy that the army decided to come to the grassroots to engage us on its recruitment. This has not happened before,” he added.

    On his part, the National Council Coordinator in Ulakwo, Etche LGA, Promise Onyekam, said that lack of information was partly responsible for low enlistment of his people into the army.

    “So, from what we have learnt so far, we will communicate same to people at our various communities and local government areas,” he noted.

  • Exposed: How 11,000 civil servants on Rivers payroll forge their ages

    Exposed: How 11,000 civil servants on Rivers payroll forge their ages

    The Rivers Government has said that during the recent biometric exercise on civil servants and pensioners as directed by Governor Nyesom Wike, it uncovered no fewer than 11,000 civil servants who forged their age in service.

    The government also discovered not less than 1,500 civil servants with more than one pay point, meaning that they were stealing from the government by earning double salaries from different ministries.

    It also identified no fewer than 5,000 fake pensioners during the last biometric exercise, just as the government has concluded plans to begin fresh biometric capture of all retiring civil servants from next week.

    According to The Tide, the Rivers Government newspaper, these details were made public by the Senior Special Assistant to the State Governor on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mr. Ibifuro Asawo, in Port Harcourt, on the activities of his department in the past two years.

    Asawo explained that the new policy of the Wike administration was to ensure that all sectors were driven by ICT to inject transparency and accountability in the system.

    “We plan to synergise and link all ministries, departments and parastatals for the ease of doing business in the state,” he emphasised.

    On the new policy of government to run an ICT-driven administration, the governor’s aide said that the new automated public service system was such that no civil servant can cut corners.

    “What we have done now is such that we know how many people will be retiring each month and at each quarter, and so, nobody can short-change government”, Asawo noted.

    The plan in the upcoming months, according to Asawo, is to move down to the grassroots, stressing, “We plan to cover the 23 local government areas. Our vision is to encourage them to invest in ICT because that is the way to go now.”
    Currently, he revealed that the ICT department has covered all health institutions in the state through an automated and integrated system.

    “Everything we are doing now is going digital. So, if you go now to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, doctors are now using the system to register patients and keep records for easy tracking and retrieval.”

    The next step, he revealed, is to capture all health facilities and professionals online. This, he said, will curb quackery.

  • JUST IN: Lassa Fever kills three in Rivers

    The Rivers State Government has confirmed three persons dead in an outbreak Lassa Fever in the State.

    The Acting Permanent Secretary ,Ministry of Health, Dr Chinwe Atata, confirmed this on Wednesday during a press briefing to give an update on the status of the disease in the State.

    She told newsmen in Port Harcourt that the ministry had earlier begun proactive effort o contain the outbreak.

    Atata said “we have received preliminary confirmation that three of the samples tested positive to Lassa virus, the Rivers State Public Health Emergency Operation Centre had earlier commenced proactive effort for containment of the outbreak.

    ”All hands are on deck for facility decontamination, line-listing, presumptive prophylaxis and surveillance to ensure public health safety and security of people.”

    Atata, who is also Director Planning, Research and Statistics assured that the state had procured large quantities of anti-viral agents, adding that isolated centres had also been setup across teaching hospitals in the State.

    In her words: ”the state has procured large quantities of antiviral agents and isolation centres have been designated and are being setup across the teaching hospitals in state in case of any eventuality, the state government is doing everything to contain the Lassa virus.”

    She called on residents of Rivers to continue all necessary preventive measures and enjoined all to promote good community hygiene to prevent rodents from entering homes.

  • Bayelsa appeals judgement ceding Soku Oil Wells to Rivers

    The Bayelsa Government on Monday said it has appealed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which ceded the disputed Soku oil wells between Rivers and Bayelsa to Rivers.

    Solicitor General of the state, Mr Preye Agada, disclosed this during an interaction with newsmen in Yenagoa.

    Agada, who led the state’s legal team to file the appeal on behalf of the state Attorney General, said that the state is seeking a stay of execution of the judgment pending determination of the appeal.

    The judgment was delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo on December 26, 2019.

    Agada said that the lower court delivered judgment against the state without joining it as a party in the suit.

    He noted that in the motion on notice in the suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2019, Bayelsa was not served the processes in the suit before the lower court delivered the said judgment.

    He said that the state government had also sought an order of the court to appeal the judgment as an interested party in the suit between the Attorney General of Rivers State and the National Boundaries Commission.

    The solicitor general said that the state had written all relevant federal agencies to stay action on the enforcement of the judgment.

    The agencies include the Attorney General and Minister of Justice; the Minister of Finance; the Accountant General of the Federation; the Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission; and the National Boundary Commission.

    He added that the contested oil wells, which Rivers described as Soku Oil Wells are in Oluasiri in Bayelsa, stressing that Bayelsa had been receiving the 13 per cent derivation accruing from the oil wells for a long time.

    He explained that Bayelsa government had been waiting for Rivers and the National Boundaries Commission to cooperate with the Supreme Court directive to properly delineate the disputed areas in the affected areas once and for all.

    The Solicitor General said that it was regrettable that Rivers government, which pulled out of the boundary delineation exercise in 2013, surreptitiously filed the action after years of inactivity.

    He appealed to the people of the affected communities who are all Ijaw people to await proper delineation of the boundaries, which he said did not have any effect on the historical ties and relationship between them.

  • Rivers DPO dies after undergoing brain surgery

    The Rivers State Police Command lost CSP Sanni Summaila, who was until his death the DPO of Rumuokoro Police Division.

    The late Sanni Summaila fell to the cold hands of death after brain surgery.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Rivers State Command DSP Nnamdi Omoni, in a press statement titled, “Death While in Service” disclosed the sad incident.

    He said “with a deep sense of loss but with total submission to the Will of the Almighty, the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Mustapha Dandaura, regrets to announce the untimely death of Late CSP Sanni Summaila, who died last night after undergoing Brain Surgery.

    The Commissioner of Police on behalf of the Officers and Men of the Command conveys the Command’s sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Officer and prays God to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    The statement added that the remains of the late Officer have been deposited in the mortuary and that his family has been contacted. Further developments regarding the Burial arrangements will be communicated accordingly.

    The statement regrets that Late CSP Sanni Summaila died when his services to his fatherland were most needed.