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  • We need to apologise for messing up Rivers youths – Senator-elect, Uchendu

    We need to apologise for messing up Rivers youths – Senator-elect, Uchendu

    Chief Andrew Uchendu, Senator-elect for Rivers East Senatorial District has blamed political leaders in the state for non-empowerment of the youths in education.

    Uchendu said this at a forum organised by the Inter-Ethnic Network for Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi on Thursday in Port Harcourt to celebrate his victory at election tribunal.

    He said that political, traditional and religious leaders in the state did not deserve to be praised for failing to build the youths of the state.

    The senator-elect said that the first administration in Rivers embarked on an aggressive educational development scholarship programme that involved training of youths overseas.

    “Our state provided everything for us in our days; we went to school with scholarship and jobs were available when we graduated from school.

    “Whatever I have been, I am the product of the Rivers society. I have been given every opportunity to grow, to be myself by this same state.

    “From secondary school, I was offered a scholarship, I was given a scholarship to the university and when I graduated after my service, I had about three jobs,” he said.

    Uchendu said that after his graduation from the university, he had training with different government establishments for two months with a hotel accommodation.

    “By the time I finished the two months training in Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, a car was available for me with a driver and a furnished three bedroom apartment.

    “That was the Rivers I was born into but there is nothing near to that today,” he said.

    Uchendu said that the last time such empowerments were given was under the administration of Mr Chibuike Amaechi, now Federal Minister of Transportation.

    He said that Amaechi resurrected the scholarships and overseas education during his administration.

    “Today I am being told that those scholarships have been cancelled and our young boys and girls are loitering the streets of London.

    “These people cannot be proud of coming from Rivers.

    “This is not the state we expect to have, I became GM of Rison Palm at the age of 32, so, what am I trying to infer?

    “We need to apologise to this generation of young men and women; we have messed you up big time; we don’t need to be praised,” he said.

    Uchendu said that he had decided personally to use the mandate given to him by his constituents which were recovered from the court, to identify well-meaning Rivers sons and daughters.

    “So that those mistakes and problems created for them will be reversed now.

    “We should come and rebuild this state so that the youths will have the benefit some of us had in the remaining part of their life,” he said.

    Uchendu said that it was not going to be easy for the youths, and urged them not to carry arms or fight anybody but must stand up and exercise their rights legally.

     

     

    NAN

  • Meet Nigerian lady, Chioma Pius allegedly beaten by police for tattooing her body

    The reports of a Nigerian lady, Chioma Pius who is demanding justice, after being allegedly brutalised by police operatives in River State for tattooing her body has got Nigerians talking and the internet buzzing.

    Pius shared some of the photos of her injured body on Facebook and narrated how she was allegedly beaten by police.

    Her words, “Today was a horrible day. I experienced the worst day in my life. Today I was brutalized by police officers. This happened at emohua axis of river state. At the highway leading to bayelsa. My crime was that I tattooed my body. In this modern age . A police officer asked me to step down from the taxi I was traveling with from bayelsa to portharcourt. I asked to know why and he asked again so I got out of the car and then he asked to know who I was and what I did .

    “I gladly introduced my self .after which i had a big smile on my face and my phone rang but I couldn’t answer and then he said I should I identify myself to his superior which i found funny and I was just looking at the guy when he said I should get detained. That I don’t have manners and that am a cultist , prostitute,armrobber, there is no disgusting name this men didn’t call me and all this time I was just laughing and telling them am not entering their mobile cell.they seized my phone’s so I couldn’t record them.

    “They searched my purse And when they couldn’t find any money they got more angry And said that I don’t even have money And am showing myself And before I know if one of the officers grabbed me by my trousers and pushed me to the van and the other guy slapped me and punched me repeatedly .

    “I was asking why they are beating me up and their boss used his gun to hit me on my thighs.went away came back with cane And was flogging me And calling me names. And pushed me into their cell. During the struggle, i lost my ring and while this was happening they were collecting money from highway drivers and letting them through without searching them…They touched the wrong one.They will not go unpunished. They sent away my taxi driver. Passer by were watching it couldn’t do anything.

    I will not be humiliated for no reason. this police officers are not here to protect us but only to hurt innocent ones but its enough what’s wrong with one tattooing their body.
    Please share and repost .

  • Navy intercepts 1.1m litres of alleged stolen diesel in Rivers

    Navy intercepts 1.1m litres of alleged stolen diesel in Rivers

    The Nigerian Navy has intercepted 1.1 million litres of diesel allegedly stolen from pipelines belonging to multinational oil companies in Rivers.

    No fewer than 13 suspects have also been arrested on account of their alleged role in illegal shipment of petroleum products to undisclosed locations in the state.

    Capt. Victor Choji, the Executive Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder (NNS), Port Harcourt, disclosed this to journalist on Sunday in Port Harcourt.

    Choji said the seizure and arrest was sequel to the intensified mop-up operation in the Niger Delta ordered by naval authorities to stamp out oil theft and illegal refining in the region.

    He said that a vessel, a tug boat, a barge and five large wooden boats were also seized at different locations during the operation.

    The seized items and suspects were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further action.

    “In line with strategic directives to rid Rivers State of oil theft and illegal bunkering, troops of NNS Pathfinder under Operation Delta Safe, made some arrests and seizures at different locations.

    “On May 6, troops intercepted and seized a vessel, MT Preye I and five very large wooden boats with about 409,399 litres of suspected refined diesel at Eagle Island.

    “Eleven crew members on board the vessel were subsequently arrested and had been in our custody undergoing investigation,” he said.

    Choji said the suspects were caught while loading the petroleum product from five wooden boats in the late hours of the night.

    “Similarly, on June 19, troops impounded a tug boat, PK II, and a barge, Naomi 03, laden with about 700,000 litres of suspected illegally refined diesel.

    “Two suspects were arrested over their involvement in the illegal shipment of the petroleum product,” he added.

    He said that a large number of troops had been deployed in the region in line with a harmonised standard operating procedure aimed at enforcing law and order in the area.

    The executive officer of the NNS assured that the navy would not rest in its bid to stop all forms of illegalities in the maritime environment.

    Receiving the items and the suspects, Mr Micheal Adukwu, a senior official of the EFCC, commended the navy and said that there was a synergy in the operations of the two security outfits.

    Adukwu assured that EFCC would carry out further investigations and prosecute the suspects.

     

  • Police dismiss sergeant for allegedly aiding escape of suspected ritual killer

    Rivers State Police Command has dismissed a police sergeant, Johnbosco Okoroeze, who was allegedly involved in the escape of a suspected ritual killer, Ifeanyi Dike, from the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Port Harcourt.

    Recall TheNewsguru.com earlier reported that had reported that the prime suspect, Dike, defiled, killed and removed the organs of one Miss Victory Nmezuwuba, before he was arrested and taken to the SCIID.

    Dike who was arrested last week Friday by local vigilantes was handed over to operatives of the Rivers State Police Command attached to Okporo Police Station.

    Okoroeze, who was also arraigned by the police before a chief magistrate’s court on two counts bordering on obstruction of justice and conspiracy, was remanded in custody for the alleged offences.

    Though the charges were not read to the accused, the Chief Magistrate, Sokari Andrew-Jaja, cautioned him as he cried uncontrollably inside the court before his case was mentioned.

    Okoroeze, who was the Investigating Police Officer, had removed the suspect’s handcuffs while he took his statements.

    The victim’s father, Dr Ernest Nmezuwuba, who was also in the charge room at the time, had said he used candlelight while making his statements, adding that there was no power supply in the area.

    The suspect was reported to have fled the SCIID under the cover of darkness and his whereabouts had remained unknown.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ahmed Zaki, had ordered the dismissal and arraignment of Okoroeze for criminal conspiracy.

    The accused, who was brought to the magistrate’s court in handcuffs, cried profusely on the premises.

    “What have I done to myself? What did I do? Call my wife for me,” he said.

    The charges read, “That you, Johnbosco Okoroeze, on August 19, 2017, at about 8.30pm at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Port Harcourt, in the Port Harcourt Magisterial District, did assist one Ifeanyi Dike, who is to your knowledge guilty of the offence of murder of one Chikamso Nmezuwuba, aged eight years, for rituals, to escape when he was to be detained for prosecution, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 322 of the Criminal Code Cap 37, Vol. II, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.

    “That you, Johnbosco Okoroeze, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district, did conspire with a suspect, Ifeanyi Dike, and allowed him to escape from prosecution to prevent and defeat the course of justice, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 126 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap 37, Vol. II, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999.”

    The chief magistrate observed that while the first charge could earn Okoroeze a life sentence if found guilty, the second charge could earn the dismissed police sergeant a seven-year jail term if found guilty.

    Andrew-Jaja, who immediately declined jurisdiction of the court to handle the matter, directed the court registrar to transfer the case file to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

    The chief magistrate then remanded the suspect in prison, just as he adjourned the matter till September 14, 2017 for adoption of written addresses.

  • South-south, South-east governors to meet in Rivers August 27

    South-south, South-east governors to meet in Rivers August 27

    Governors from the South-south/South-east geopolitical zones will meet on August 27, 2017, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Rivers State by 7 p.m.

    Interim Chairman of the South-south/South-east Governors’ Forum and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, made the announcement on Wednesday.

    Emmanuel, in a statement, said the meeting would provide another avenue for deliberation between the governors of the states in the regions on issues of regional and national interest, with a view to solidifying the ties that bind the people of the states together.

    Emmanuel added that the meeting would also explore areas of economic, socio-cultural and political cooperation between the states to the overall benefit of the citizens and residents of the regions.

    “I hereby extend an invitation to all the governors in the two regions to attend the meeting as a follow up to the successful inaugural meeting held in Enugu on July 9, 2017,” he said.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the governors had earlier met on Sunday, July 9.

    They discussed restructuring and re-echoed calls for the implementation of the 2014 national conference resolutions, among others.

    The also said it was regrettable that the entire South-East has only 5 percent allocation out of the entire power generated in the country.

  • Man who killed eight-year-old girl escapes from police custody

    There was outrage in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on yesterday when members of the public learnt that Ifeanyi Dike, the man who allegedly raped, killed and removed vital organs of an eight-year-old girl, Victory Chikamso, had escaped from the police custody.

    The father of the victim, Dr. Ernest Nmezuwuba, who was at the State Criminal Investigation Department when the suspected murderer and ritual killer escaped from police custody, said Dike took advantage of the darkness within the SCID’s premises to escape.

    Nmezuwuba, who spoke during a Port Harcourt-based radio’s programme, added that the suspect was able to escape because one of the policemen on duty on Saturday night identified as Johnbosco had unlocked the handcuffs for Dike to write his statement.

    The father of the deceased explained that Johnbosco did not handcuff the suspect after he (Dike) finished writing his statement, adding that the suspect fled while he was about to be taken into the cell.

    Nmezuwuba said, “We were there with the suspect in handcuffs. When we got to the state CID, there was no light in the entire State CID. I wrote my statement with candle; imagine a whole state CID (without light). Then Johnbosco removed the handcuffs from the suspect’s hands for him (suspect) to write his statement.

    “At a point, the boy (Dike) said he was thirsty and Johnbosco said I should buy pure water for him and I asked him (‘John; are you crazy? Is something wrong with you? Why would you ask me to buy water for a person that killed my daughter? Why would I buy water for a ritualist?’ And I told Johnbosco that it was none of my business.

    “Some policemen were at the gate with guns while we were at the charge room writing statement. After we finished writing our statements, Johnbosco called the IPO to go and put the suspect in the cell. The suspect was not handcuffed at that time.

    “They did not walk up to a pole when I heard hold am, hold am; he has escaped. Whether he jumped the fence or not, I cannot say because the entire place was dark; it was between 7.30 and 8pm (Saturday night). I now told Johnbosco that you know what you are doing.

    “They (policemen) came out with torchlight and checked under the cars parked there. Then I saw the DCP, I mean the Deputy Commissioner of Police and he said; what nonsense is this? He then asked after Johnbosco and he was told he (Johnbosco) was inside. The DCP then said that they should handcuff both his hands and legs.”

    Nmezuwuba expressed disappointment in the police, accusing them of playing game with a heinous crime against humanity, even as he vowed that he would never allowed it to be swept under the carpet.

    He said, “My brother, I cannot understand this country; this must be a planned game and I must fight it to the end. They have to provide that suspect. The Rivers State Police must provide him while Johnbosco should remain in detention.

    “This incident has proven the kind of country we are living. What is going to happen in this particular matter; honestly speaking, heaven will hear it. The whole world will hear it.”

    On his relationship with Dike, he said, “The boy (suspect) is related to me; we are from the same village. He killed my daughter inside his room. Ifeanyi Dike’s landlord is my in-law and also his own in-law. The landlord was arrested and the same day, they released him (landlord). The name of the landlord is Pius Nwoko.”

    Dike, who had allegedly defiled, killed and removed the vital organs of eight-year-old Chikamso, was caught by a local vigilante, who immediately handed him over to the police on Saturday.

    However, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zaki Ahmed, who was visibly sad and angry over the development, explained that the suspect escaped under the cover of the night and promised that the police would soon arrest him.

    Describing the incident as an individual negligence, Ahmed stressed that the police had deployed human and material resources towards ensuring that the suspect was apprehended.

    The CP said, “What I am saying is that it was an individual negligence that caused it. The escape happened in the presence of the complainant; that is the parent of the girl. The boy (suspect) escaped under the cover of the night.

    “But we are making every effort, every move and by the grace of the Almighty God, within a short time, he will be arrested. We are not relenting. We know that this is a serious problem; it can happen to anybody.

    “We are not relenting and by the grace of God, we will get him arrested. It is too bad it happened, but it is one of those things. Sometimes, things can happen this way.

    “We have moved a lot of resources; both human and material resources, to ensure that the culprit is arrested. We call on the people to confide in us if they have any useful information. I will act on it.”

  • We have overwhelming evidence of Amaechi’s corrupt acts as Rivers Governor – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the evidence of corruption against the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is so overwhelming that the Minister of Transportation admitted to them publicly.

    Addressing the 106th Quarterly Meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt on Monday, Governor Wike said that Amaechi admitted paying $39million for a non-existent Justice Karibi Whyte Mega Specialist Hospital.

    He added that the Former Governor confessed publicly that he sold the State’s Gas Turbines, which the immediate past administration diverted the funds.

    Governor Wike said: “All the documents that proved Amaechi’s corrupt acts are authentic. We never forged documents. The former governor himself admitted that he paid out $39million to Clinotech, without a single block laid anywhere. Is that a document he claims was forged. Where is the Hospital?

    “He has agreed in different interviews that he sold the state gas turbines for $309million. Convert $309million United States dollars to naira and you will understand the level of fraud. Amaechi left only $204,000 in the state account.

    “The bank statements of the pattern of withdrawals from that account are there for all to see. Can that be forged? The dates and amounts withdrawn are clearly written”.

    The governor berated the Minister of Transportation for engaging in the blackmail of the Supreme Court because his appeal is pending before the Apex Court over the establishment of the Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

    “There is no time that he loses a case without blackmailing the Judiciary. He feels that the only way he can do it is to blackmail the Supreme Court. You cannot play politics with everything “.

    On the use of hotels for electoral fraud, the governor warned that any hotel that opens its facility for electoral fraud and malpractice will lose its operational certificate of occupancy.

    He said: “Any hotel that is used to rig elections, that hotel’s certificate of occupancy will be withdrawn. I will not all that anymore “.

    He regretted that the Former Rivers State Governor has continued to work against the interest of the State, refusing to use his position as a Minister to attract benefits to the people.

    Speaking further, he warned traditional rulers against working with armed gangs to cause insecurity in their communities.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Amayanabo of Opobo, King Dandeson Jaja commended the governor for the commencement of the reconstruction of 175 public schools across the state.

    He appealed to the governor to set up a process to check the sale of illicit drugs in the state.

  • Rivers APC crisis: No amount of intimidation will make me leave APC – Sen. Abe

    Rivers APC crisis: No amount of intimidation will make me leave APC – Sen. Abe

    Senator Magnus Abe, representing Rivers South East constituency in the National Assembly has vowed that nobody can push him and his supporters out of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State.

    He said they would remain and fight impunity and ensure that there is an internal democracy where party members are allowed to freely choose who leads and represents them.

    Senator Abe advised those who are nursing the feelings that he and his loyalists would be blackmailed or frustrated out of the party to perish the thought because he is going nowhere despite the trials he has been through.

    “If I was a politician who runs whenever anybody shouts, I won’t be here. I am one of those who struggled to build this party in the state. No amount of intimidation or “magomago” will make me leave the party. At the end, it is the people who will decide their leaders.

    We are members of one party, whatever we do, we must struggle and protect our party,” Abe said

    On his part, Chidi Wihioka, a member representing Ikwerre/Emohua federal constituency, said what happened yesterday was that the leaders of the party sent to conduct the non-elective Congress were holed up in Novotel hotel in Port Harcourt writing the results while party supporters were waiting at the party secretariat and different local government areas for materials for the congress.

    Barry Mbigi, representing Tai-Eleme-Oyigbo federal constituency expressed disappointment because “the other faction (Amaechi) was afraid of a healthy contest and they are afraid that in the 23 LGAs we are more popular and on ground. So, they decided to sit in a hotel and write results they will send to Abuja. This is why we are protesting. As a result, the Congress didn’t hold.

    Sensing that there will be a breakdown of law and other, the Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed, stepped in and brokered peace between the two factions.

  • In-Photos: Osinbajo storms Rivers, commissions two roads

    Acting President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has declared that the Federal Government will support every effort to improve the living condition of Nigerians.

    Speaking while commissioning the Chokocho-Umuechem-Ozuzu road and Chokocho -Igbo-Etche-Rumuokurushi Inter- Change in Etche Local Government Area on Thursday, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo lauded Governor Wike for embarking on pro-people projects.

    He charged leaders to always work for their people, saying that is the only way that the people can feel the impact of government.

    The Acting President charged leaders to de-emphasize partisan concerns and work in the interest of their people.

    He said: “We must always look for ways to advance the interest of our people. We are greater together than apart. Today is a very happy day. We will always have happy days.

    “Here with us to commission the project of the Rivers State Government is Senator Magnus Abe, who is from another party. The Federal Government supports every effort that benefits the people “.

    Earlier, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike said the two roads were constructed to revive the economy of Etche Local Government Area.

    He said that the roads were death traps and completely damaged the economy of the area as they could not take their agricultural products to the market.

    He said: “The condition of the two roads to be commissioned today were so bad that the people of Etche could not use them to transport their agricultural products to markets.”

    The Chokocho-Umuechem-Ozuzu road is 16 kilometres while the Chokocho -Igbo-Etche-Rumuokurushi Inter- Change is kilometres .

  • BREAKING: Wike sacks Rivers cabinet

    The governor of Rivers State Nyesom Wike has sacked all members of his cabinet, less than 48 hours after the State’s Commissioner of Information Austin Tam-George resigned.

    No reason was given for the dissolution of the cabinet

    “Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has dissolved the State Executive Council. The governor directed all former commissioners to hand over to their respective Permanent Secretaries,” Wike’s special assistant on electronic media, Simeon Nwakaudu. said in a statement.

    “Governor Wike thanked the former commissioners for their service to the state and wished them well in their future endeavours.”

    Nwakaudu said the governor had directed all the former commissioners to hand over to permanent secretaries in their respective ministries.