Awajis George News

 One Mr  Iyke Opara has accused the Elele Police Division in Ikwerre Local Government Area, of Rivers state,of compromise in the case  in which alleged illegal bunkering activities of a serving Police Sergeant,Bassey Stanley led to fire accident that razed his one storey and six rooms building  opposite old Delta hotel along Port Harcourt road,Elele,Ikwerre Local Government Area. Speaking to our correspondent, Mr Opara explained that on the fateful day in September 2020, the vehicle conveying the illegal bunkering product allegedly owned by the Police Officer  serving in Mopol forty -eight, Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local Government Area of the state gut fire in front of his compound and later spread to his building and that of his Uncle, Mr. Thompson Okoko.  Mr. Opara said that the inferno razed his one storey building, six rooms as well as five  and one bedroom flats with four lock up stores  which belongs to his Uncle,Mr Thompson Okoko Mr Opara alleged that before the incident,he h

  The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr Eboka Friday has dissolved the  Eagle Crack Squad. The squad was dissolved after a meeting with the Management Team. Police Public Relations Officers Mr Nnamdi Omoni in a press statement said the dissolution was coming on the heels of Complaints of unprofessional conduct exhibited by the Personnel of the Unit.   Earlier , in his Maiden Press Briefing on Tuesday the Commissioner of Police promised to address all cases of infractions by the Police and increase supervision  of the men, with a stern warning to deal with erring officers and hold DPOs/HODs vicariously liable.  Mr Omoni noted that the dissolution is with immediate effect and all Personnel attached to the Unit are to report to the Headquarters for redeployment.  The public is  enjoined to rekindle their trust in the Police, as the Command is committed to giving them improved Policing services that will stand the test of time. 

 The new commissioner of police in Rivers State Mr Eboka Friday has declared war on crime and criminality in the state. Mr. Friday in a maiden media  briefing said armed robbery, Kidnapping,sea piracy, Cultism and all kinds of social vices will no longer be tolerated and  warned criminals to turn new leaf or leave the state. Mr Friday also urged HODs, DPOs, and the various Area commanders to monitor their men to ensure none is involved in corruption as his office will have no room for it. On the issue of sea piracy and the recent kidnapp of a royal father and a lecturer from the Andoni extraction , the commissioner reaffirmed his commitment in ensuring their unconditional release and the safety of the waterways for sea travellers. The Commissioner of Police added that the command under his watch will not welcome any arrest by proxy and unlawful detention of innocent citizens.

 Reports says, the Okanama of Ikuru Town in Andoni local Government of the state His Royal highness King Doctor Aaron Ikuru has been kidnapped. The Government recognized traditional ruler and Chairman, Andoni Area Traditional Rulers Council was whisked away on Sunday night at his hometown, Ikuru in Andoni local government by yet to be identified gunmen.  Doctor  Ikuru who is also the Pro Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt was in his town for a function when he was kidnapped. Similarly, a lecturer at the Linguistics Department, University of Port Harcourt, Doctor Jones Ayauwo was also kidnapped at gun point close to Bori, Khana Local Government Area. According to reports, the incident occurred at about 6pm on Sunday while he was returning from an event at Andoni Local Government. Doctor Ayauwo who hails from Andoni was returning from the Obolo Bible Translation meeting in company of three Port Harcourt based journalists when

 Councillor representing Ward 17 in Port Harcourt City local government area Mr Chigozie Woka  has been accused of stabbing the Leader of vigilante group of Okuzu by Iloabuchi street Diobu, Mr. Isaac Ohaukwu during exchange of words over Councillorsip tussles in the Ward. Speaking to our correspondent, Mr  Ohaukwu popularly known as Grade A1 alleged that the incident happened around 9pm Friday night along Anozie street.  Mr Ohaukwu has been admitted at  the Rivers state  University Teaching Hospital after the matter was reported to Azikiwe Divisional Police headquarters in  Port Harcourt. In a reaction, the councillor Mr Chigozie Woka denied the allegation noting that he was shocked when someone called that he stabbed the vigilante leader. Mr Woka said he suspects his political opponents were behind the attack on his person. When contacted the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officers Mr Nnamdi Omoni said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.

 A tanker driver was allegedly beaten and stabbed by security agents last night at a check point  before the International Airport Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. The  incident led  angry tankers and trailers drivers to block the highway with their vehicles and destroying property belonging to the Joint Taskforce at the check point. Speaking to Radio Nigeria ,National Chairman Frieght Forwarders Transport Owners Association of Nigeria Comrade Idris Ali said for over five years  now their drivers have been molested and attacked by security Agents  . Comrade Ali thanked the chairman Ikwerre Local Government Area Mr Samuel Nwanosike for  footing the hospital bill of the victim and repair  of the damaged truck. On his part, chairman Ikwerre Local Government Area Mr Samuel Nwanosike frowned at the attitude of the security agents whom he said were supposed to protect lives and property. Mr. Nwanosike assured the Association of the Council's support as they go abo

 The Rivers State Police Command now have a new Commissioner of Police.  He is CP Eboka Friday who  hails from Agbor in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State. Mr Friday took over from Mr. Joseph Mukan who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police and redeployed to Zone 8 Headquarters Lokoja as the Zonal Commander. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree Bsc (Hons) in Political Science from the University of Nigeria (UNN) Nsukka, Enugu State. He was appointed into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in 1988 and on completion of  his training was posted to Delta State, where he did his one year compulsory attachment and later served in various  Police Departments across the country as follows:-   Divisional Police Officer in about six  Divisions in     Lagos State, including Lekki.   Assistant Commissioner of Police, Explosive Ordinance  Disposal  (EOD) Force Headquarters, Abuja.   Assistant Commissioner of

Tragedy struck in Ubima community,Ikwerre Local Government area of Rivers State  as one Aleruchi Awuzuruike was allegedly hacked to death by one Chibueze ojiriome over the killing of a goat owned by the deceased. A native of the community who identified himself as Gift Chimele said that the deceased victim went to the house of Mr. Ojiriome and reportedly accused him of stealing and killing his goat.  Mr Chimele revealed that an argument broke out and the suspect took a machet and allegedly cut Mr Awuzuruike severally which led to his death.  We gathered that the suspect was apprehended by OSPAC group in the community and handed over to the Police Division in Ubima.  Meanwhile a Human Rights activist in Rivers State, Amadi Onuoha who is a native of the community condemned the killing and called for a thorough investigation into the incident.  Rivers State Police public Relations Officer Mr Nnamdi Omoni was yet to respond to text messages by our correspondent on enquiry into the incident

 Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ Rivers State chapter has elected new Executives to pilot her affairs for the next three years. In a keenly contested election held at NUJ press center in Port Harcourt Mrs Susan Serekara-Nwikhana scored 92 votes to beat her opponent Joy Grant-Amadi who pulled 46votes to emerge as the chairperson of the association. Also, Daba Benebo with 75 votes defeated her opponent, Sele Aso who scored 61 votes to become the vice chairperson.  For the position of secretary Doris Morrison  was returned unopose  while Assistant Secretary,  Ngozi Anosike and Treasurer, Beauty Nteugot were elected unopposed. Announcing the results ,NAWOJ Vice president Zone F, Mrs Uduak Obeten-Okorn who presided over the election thanked Nawojians for their peaceful conduct during and after the election. In her acceptance speech, the newly sworn-in chairperson of NAWOJ Mrs Susan Serekara-Nwikhana appreciated Nawojians for the opportunity given to her to serve and promised

 High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has  sentenced  Sodeinye Mbatumukeke to death by hanging for the murder of the Jumia delivery agent Chukkwuma Eleji.  Justice I. P. Chigoezi-Igwe while delivering the judgment said the prosecution team was able to convince the court that Mbatumukeke committed the crime. The convict was also found  guilty of armed robbery.   Justice Chigoezi-Igwe  who described the murder of the Jumia delivery agent as unlawful and gruesome said the sentence will serve as a deterrent to others.    The judge however discharged and acquitted the second defendant   Divine Naabe of murder and robbery.  He said there are doubts in the evidence provided by prosecution team to find him guilty of committing the crime.  Meanwhile, lawyer to the convict,Bonaventure Ugwu, shortly after the court proceedings faulted some of the bases for the conviction.  He said that they will appeal against the decision of the lower court.  On her part,  Director Public Prosecution Ibiene Mbano

 The Rivers State Police Command has announce the unconditional release of , a reporter with NTA Port Harcourt  Mrs Chidiebere  Onyia who  was kidnapped last week.  Police Public Relations Officer Mr Nnamdi Omoni in a press statement said the rescue was made possible due to the intense pressure mounted by the Command as directed by the Authority.  Mr Omoni stated that her abductors on seeing the red flag and oblivious of the fact that the police were closing in on them,abandoned her, from where she was sighted and rescued.  He noted that Mrs Onyia was currently receiving medical attention and will be debriefed and released to reunite with her  family.  The Police Image maker said upon abduction, the Command assured  the family, NUJ and the Civil Society Groups that, with the strategies in place, she would be released in record time. 

   A Hight Court  sitting in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, docked a Kalabari chief, Gaskin Sobrasuaipiri, and a journalist for alleged court contempt.  Tuesday's proceeding was supposed to be for pre-trial; but because counsels in the matter between the claimant, Sobrasuaipiri, and defendant, Prince Gbogboade Akitoye, wanted to amend their processes, the claimant's lawyer asked for adjournment. Meanwhile, counsel for the defendant, C. Chikere, reminded the court of a publication by the defendant, which was against the rights of his client. Chikere told the court that the claimant was in court with a journalist and Sobrasuaipiri admitted that and the court got infuriated. The journalist was ordered to enter the dock, preparedly for contempt of court proceedings; he was sworn in and led in evidence as to his mission in court. The judge, Justice Okogbulem Gbasam, of High Court 25, asked the journalist who invited him to court and he admitted that it was the claimant. The court order

 The Nigeria Union of Journalists ,NUJ; Rivers State Council, has called for the immediate release of its member, Chidiebere Onyia, a reporter with the Nigerian Television Authority NTA , Port Harcourt zonal office. Mrs Onyia, a nursing mother, was allegedly kidnapped by her abductors at a gunpoint last night along the railway line, Woji in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on her way home after work.  In a statement jointly signed by the state Chairman, Stanley Job Stanley and Secretary, Ike Wigodo, the NUJ condemned the alleged kidnap, describing it as inhuman and heinous, especially against a journalist and a nursing mother. The statement noted that the incessant attacks on journalists in recent times are becoming worrisome and therefore unacceptable. According to the statement, "it is worrisome and regrettable that  journalists are now victims of abduction and held for whatever reason. A fundamental prerequisite for a free media is that journalists should be al

 Vigilante groups in Emohua local government area of Rivers State  are to be reposition  for effective service delivery. To this end,  members of the dissolved vigilante group in the area will undergo fresh profiling and reorientation by government security agencies in the state. Senior Special Assistant on security  to the chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Mr Emmanuel Okogbule made this known after a meeting with heads of security Agencies and special security units at the council secretariat . Mr. Okogbule said the profiling of members of the vigilante groups will enable the  security agencies to fish out those hiding under the guise of the groups to perpetrate crime and criminality in the area. The meeting which was also attended by heads of the suspended  community vigilante groups, was held to review the security situation of the area following the alleged involvement of some members of the vigilante groups in criminal activities in the area. The leadership of the differen

 Three OSPAC members have been arrested by the Rivers State Police command. They were arrested during a raid at  OSPAC office in Rumuolumeni,Obio Akpor local Government area of the State. The raid was said to be connected to the alleged assault on  Mr  Clifford Woko by OSPAC members at Rumuolumeni over failure  to pay 'matching ground fee' on a land that was intrusted in his care  under construction.   Our correspondent gathered that the Human Rights Desk of the Rivers State Police command headquarters had earlier invited the OSPAC members on three occasions which they  declined honouring the invitation.   Reacting to the arrest, Mr. Clifford Woko commended the Police and reiterated  his call for justice on the matter.  Earlier,  leader of  OSPAC in Rumuolumeni,Kenneth Olumeni had denied the allegation and accused Clifford Woko of being a cultist who goes about disturbing land developers.

  Chairman, Emohua Local Government Council, Mr Tom Aliezi, has approved the dissolution of all community vigilante groups, also known as OSPAC in the area. The dissolution followed several reports of unlawful activities of some members of the vigilante groups, which is a complete deviation from the aims and objectives behind the establishment of the community vigilante groups in the area. The chairman in a press statement suspended the operations of members of the different vigilante groups across the local government area. He directed Security agencies to arrest and prosecute any person or persons operating in the area in the name of OSPAC or any other illegal community vigilante group. Mr Aliezi also enjoined traditional rulers in the various communities to report anyone operating in the name of community vigilante group to relevant security agencies.