Awajis George News

 Rivers State Security Council has imposed dusk-to- dawn curfew on the entire 23 Local Government Areas of the State with effect from today. Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, in a statewide broadcast said the decision to impose the dusk-to-dawn curfew on the entire State was taken after an exhaustive deliberation by the State Security Council at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday. The governor recalled that on 28th April 2021, the State Security Council, in consideration of the recent murderous attacks on security personnel in Ikwerre and Abua/Odual Local Government Areas had imposed a night time curfew on all entry and exit points with Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Imo States. But, after a review of the present security situation, the governor said there are possibilities of further deadly attacks on hard and soft targets across the State. And to this end, he said it has become imperative for the State Government to take further necessary measures to secure our State and safegu

  The Paramount Ruler of Omelema community in Abua/Odual local government area of Rivers State, Chief Imeraani Mopho has condemned the killing of five soldiers by unknown gunmen in the area.   The Soldiers were killed in a hotel where they lodged in the community.   Chief Mopho, who made the condemnation in an interview with our Correspondent described the act as inhumane, and a threat to the existing peace in the area.   He narrated that they heard heavy gun shots during the attack on the Army personnel early hours of today and alerted security agents.     The Paramount Ruler of Omelema community in Abua/Odual said the reason for the attack could not be ascertained and assured that the community would assist in providing intelligence to security agencies to fish out the perpetrators.

  A lawyer with a Human Rights Advocacy Group Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign Barrister Festus   Bonwin has called for proper investigation into the incident. He  urged the Police Authority in the state to bring to book any of the officers found culpable in the course of investigation. Mr Bonwin regretted that some Police officers seem to be sabotaging the good efforts of the Commissioner of Police, Eboka Friday in upholding the rights of people in the state.

 A Staff of Port Harcourt refinery Mr Chukwu Emmanuel  has called for justice after medical surgery was conducted  on his right eye due to injury he sustained as a result of alleged torture by a Police Officer named Bright serving at Anti-Cultism unit headquarters of Rivers State Police command  Rupokwu . Narrating his ordeal , the alleged victim Mr Emmanuel who has temporarily lost vision on the right eye said that on March 27th, a fight ensued between  a tricycle repairer and a shop owner near his wife's store.  He said the cement dealer reported the incident to Anti-Cultism unit that effected the arrest of the tricycle repairer who was released the same day. Mr Emmanuel said when he rejected the accusation by the officer,the Policeman,Mr Bright handcuffed his hands and gave him several punch on his eyes for fifteen minutes.  He said despite his plea that blood was coming out of his eyes,he continued to punching his eyes . According to Emmanuel, he was thrown into the cell by off

 Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer Mr Nnamdi Omoni has  confirmed the attack on security Personnel along the Omagwa/Isiokpo/Elele Owerri Road.   The Police Image maker said although the details are sketches but the Commissioner of  Police had launched a full scale Investigation into the dastardly attacks to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.  Mr Omoni noted that the area is calm with reinforced and increased joint Patrols of the area and other areas in  the State by the security Agencies. Similarly, Public Relations Officer Nigerian Air Force , Abdulrazak  Ola said he got information that the check points were attacked by unknown gunmen but was yet to confirm Casualties. Mr Ola promised to get the full details and get back to our Correspondent. In the same vein, Public Relations Officer Nigeria Customs Service Area One, NPA Port Harcourt, Oscar Ivra confirmed the death of the Customs officers but did not give details.

 Eight security personnel have been killed by unknown gunmen along Omagwa to Elele road , Rivers State .  The Gunmen, suspected to be IPOB/ESN Members  attacked two security check points at the axis last night killing three Air force personnel, three custom officers and two policemen while some of them were beheaded. Our correspondent gathered that the attacks by the gunmen were carried out simultaneously on the JTF checkpoints along Airport Road, Omagwa and Customs checkpoint at Isiokpo in Rivers State. Items belonging to the security personnel were taken away by the hoodlums .

  A native of Mba community in Etche local government Area Mr Nwanyanwu Promise  has accused OSPAC members in the community of torturing and detaining him and his three other colleagues for two days over their refusal to pay illegal fees otherwise known as 'matching' ground to members of the vigilante.  The victim Mr Promise  in an interview with our correspondent, said that he and his colleagues were at their beat, where they were posted to by Rivers State Ministry of Commerce and industry when some members of OSPAC came and demanded that they should pay 'matching'  ground levy.  He revealed that they disagreed on the ground that the state Government has abolished the illegal fee. Mr Promise said he came back and heard OSPAC has arrested his colleagues and taken them to their barracks, on getting there to enquire what the issue was ,he was detained  along his colleagues and tortured for two days.  He alleged that they were released by the OSPAC members after paying 50,

 The chairman elect of Andoni local government Area Barrister Erastus Awortu has appealed to youths of the area to shun evil and maintain peace for the rapid development of the area. Barrister Awortu made the appeal while appreciating the people of the area for their support during and after the local government Election. The chairman elect noted that there is no doubt that Andoni is facing serious security challenges as the youths have continued to engage in senseless cult related violence. Barrister Awortu while frowning at the attitude of the youths , urged them to seek peace, and stop the killing which he said was making life unbearable for everyone. While  appealing to security agents to intervene, Mr Awortu called on all and sundry to join in the healing and restoration process of the area.  Barrister Awortu enjoined the people to assist security agencies with credible informations.

 No fewer than twelve people including women and children have been killed after gunmen suspected to be cultists stormed several communities in Andoni local government yesterday. Some residents are also believed to be missing or drowned with several houses burnt.  The communities including Ajakajak, Samanga, Ibotirem and Dema are now  deserted with residents including the elderlies taking refuge in neighbouring Kaa community, Khana local government. Our correspondent gathered the incident was a reprisal attack from the Iceland Cult group that came to overthrow the MEND Cult group which had hitherto controlled the area. Some of the fleeing residents who spoke with our Correspondent  via the telephone, decried their helpless situation and called on the Rivers State Government to consider their plights as citizens of the state. They also called on heads of security agencies to come to their aid and urged Andoni political leaders to step in ,in order to save them from becoming permanent ID

 Three  Persons have been  killed following a cult clash at railway axis of  mile one Diobu PortHarcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State.  The  unknown gunmen were said to had invaded the area  today shooting sporadically . Police Public Relations Officer Mr Nnamdi Omoni in a statement said one of the suspects had been arrested while bodies of those killed  deposited in the Mortuary. The statement further stated that the suspect  Ejike Paul  36years old is  helping the police in  Investigation.  Meanwhile the Area is calm and the police are on Patrol of the area and the entire Metropolis.  The public is enjoined to go about their lawful activities without fear of molestation, as the Commissioner of Police, Mr  Eboka  Friday had vowed to deal decisively with all criminal elements in the State, while appealing for credible information from the public.

  Three  Persons have been  killed following a cult clash at railway axis of  mile one Diobu PortHarcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State.  The  unknown gunmen was said to had invaded the area  shooting sporadically . Police Public Relations Officer Mr Nnamdi Omoni in a statement said one of the suspects had been arrested while bodies of those killed  deposited in the Mortuary. The statement further stated that the suspect  Ejike Paul  36years old is  helping the police in  Investigation.  Meanwhile the Area is calm and the police are on Patrol of the area and the entire Metropolis.  The public is enjoined to go about their lawful activities without fear of molestation, as the Commissioner of Police, Mr  Eboka  Friday had vowed to deal decisively with all criminal elements in the State, while appealing for credible information from the public.

 Members of the Rivers State Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA; has joined members of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria to demand for Financial Autonomy. The Port Harcourt Branch Chairman of NBA, Prince  Nyekwere who spoke to Newsmen during a protest to State Government  said they were in Government House as directed by their National President to ask Governor Nyesom Wike to implement the financial Autonomy approved by President Muhammadu  Buhari. Mr Nyekwere who commended the governor for his developmental projects for the Judiciary said the financial Autonomy if implemented will help correct negative narratives. The NBA Port Harcourt Branch Chairman said the judiciary has all it takes to manage their funds and carry out infrastructural development. Meanwhile,Rivers State Governor Nyesom  Wike has described as uncalled for the protest embarked upon by Members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria and Nigeria Bar Association in the state. Our Correspondent reports that Govern

  Some lawyers have given the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Adanma Iyaye-Lamikara  twenty-four hours Ultimatu m to clarify governor Wike's claims that he has being implementing the Financial Autonomy in the state.  Chairman of the Eastern Bar Forum, Soseipiriye Long- Williams who spoke to Newsmen in reaction to the governor's position said they are willing to interface with Judiciary Staff Union Workers to end their three weeks old strike if the Chief Judge will clarify matters. Mr Long -Williams  doubted the governor, saying if he was right, why  is he still in charge of Judges and Magistrate welfare .

 Security intelligence reports says some person's have perfected plans to Unleash terror in Andoni  Local Government area during today's council elections in the area. Representative of  Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency, Mr. Awaji-Inomek Abiante called on the Rivers State police Commissioner, the Director of State Services and the General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army as well as other sister security agencies to take urgent steps to avert such situation. Mr. Abiante appealed to the security agencies to provide adequate security for a peaceful atmosphere in the Chairmanship and Councillorship elections in the area. He  called on the youths of Andoni not to allow themselves to be used as agents of destruction as the security of Andoni is everyone's business.  Mr. Abiante however enjoined people of the area to came out en masse to vote the Candidates of their choice.

 The Rivers State Police Command said in view of the forthcoming Local Government Elections scheduled to hold on Saturday 17th April 2021, adequate Security has been emplaced to ensure that the exercise is conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.   The Command spokesman Mr Nnamdi Omoni in a press statement noted that seventeen thousand five hundred personnel has been deployed to be complemented by other Sister Security Agencies, aimed at providing safety, Security and the due maintenance of Law and Order, before, during and after the Elections. The statement further said that the Commissioner of Police , Mr Eboka Friday  after a Meeting  of the Agencies and other bodies has ordered a restriction of movement of persons, vehicles or any mechanically propelled engine either on land or waterways.   The police image maker explained that very important personalities  and Politicians are   barred from going to any voting center with their Security details.  Movement is only allowed from their ho

  Ahead of local government election slated for April 17 in Rivers State, the State police command has called on all political parties in the state to be of good conduct before, during and after the election. Commissioner of Police Mr Eboka Friday who made the call at a security meeting held with all political parties chairmanship candidates in Port Harcourt said the parties will be given a level playing ground, warning that any person who goes against the laws governing Election will be arrested and prosecuted.  Mr Eboka Friday advised candidates of the political parties not to see election as a do or die affair. He  assured that adequate security personnel will be deployed to all the local government Areas including waterways. On his part, chairman Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission RSIEC justice George Omereji said they are ready to conduct a free and credible election come April 17. Justice Omeriji represented by Dr Iyeneomie Tamunobereton noted that no political party w

  Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign has called on the Police Authorities to investigate the alleged brutality of a pregnant woman, Mrs Joy  Ihunwo  by men of Anti-kidnapping unit  that led to the lost of her pregnancy A lawyer with the group Mrs Jane James called on the Police Authorities to ensure the officers found culpable of the act are brought to book.  Mrs James pleged to seek  justice for Mrs Ihunwo whom she described as innocent and does not deserve to be treated like a criminal.

A pregnant woman, Mrs Joy Ihunwo allegedly brutalized by men of Anti-Kidnapping unit in Rivers State says she lost her baby after the incident.  In an interview with our correspondent, the woman who wept uncontrollably said the scan result dated 10th April,2021 showed that she lost the pregnancy as a result of the beating. Mrs Ihunwo appealed to human rights organizations and well meaning Nigerians to help her get justice.  Narrating her ordeal, she said men of Anti-kidnapping unit  came looking for her husband who is the Chief Security Officer of Rumu-Elechi community in Mile  3 Diobu, Port Harcourt broke into their house, arrested her husband and his workers, beat her up before taking them all to their office. Mrs Ihunwo said the intervention of a human rights group secured her release later in the night that same day. She also accused the unit of stealing her money, some other valuables and engaging in wanton destruction of her property.   

 Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Professor Princewill Chike has charged journalists to speak up against societal ills as  the forth estate of the realm.  Professor Chike gave the charge on Thursday, April 8, 2021, during a courtesy visit by members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Rivers State Chapter, at the State Ministry of Health, Port Harcourt. The  commissioner, who received NAWOJ, decried the poor state of Nigeria harsh economic and insecurity  experienced in all the states of the federation, urging     members of the fourth estate  to go all out to reports issues negatively affecting humanity in the nation as well to  commend good works done by their leaders. He expressed disappointment that  the chemist , laboratory scientists, pharmacy have hijacked the work of professional doctors by converting there stores to hospitals at the same time, carrying out tests and  prescribing drugs to patients which was meant to be done by the professional doctors.

 The remains of  Community Development Committee ,CDC Chairman of Kereken-Boue in Khana local government area of Rivers State Mr. Prince Deeka has been recovered from a shallow grave in a thick forest between Andoni and Bonny Local Government Areas. Divisional Police Officer ,DPO ; of Bori in Khana local government area  SP Bako Angbashim  led his team to the forest where he  was buried alive. The body of the late CDC chairman was exhumed from a shallow grave to his immediate family. Report says  some hoodlums had broke into the abode of the Chairman few weeks ago and took him  to unknown destination.

  Rivers State Police command said no life was lost in the shooting that rocks PortHarcourt township area last night. The command noted that officers and men were immediately deployed  to the area to maintain law and order. Police Public Relations Officer Mr Nnamdi Omoni while noting  it was two cult groups that clashes however said the hoodlums took to their heels when they notice the present of security personnel leaving one of their pistol behind. The police image maker explained that no arrest has been made so far , but investigation has commenced to bring perpetrators to book. However, contrary to the claims of the Police PRO r esidents claimed two persons were killed by the rampaging cultists  . Reports said the hoodlums shot sporadically for over two hours. The incident which occurred along Victoria Street by the Ben Harry Hotel,Aggrey Road axis,left pedestrians, commuters and residents of the area scampering for safety. Our correspondent gathered that a popular businessman in t

  President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of DIG Usman Alkali Baba as acting Inspector General of police. He immediately replaces Mohammed Abubakar Adamu. The Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi disclosed this to State House correspondents today. The president had on the 4th of February, extended the tenure of Mohammed Adamu as the Inspector General of Police for three months out of which the erstwhile police boss spent two months and three days. According to the minister, Baba’s appointment was carefully made, after the president considered issues of professionalism, competence, and numerous years of service. The president urged DIG Usman  Baba to among other things ensure that policing reform policies are fully prioritized to engender peace across the country. The newly appointed acting inspector general of police born on the 1st of March 1963 and hails from Yobe state, bags a Masters in public administration from the University of Maiduguri, Borno state in 1

 A Right Advocacy Group the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign has described as insensitivity the demand notice served on business owners using POS machine purportedly by the Authority of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council to pay ten thousand naira revenue to the council.  Coordinator of the group, Prince Wiro expressed worry that the business owners who complained that they had earlier paid between range of 5,000 to 15,000 naira tenement rate for their shops and supermarket are being asked to pay ten thousand naira for POS.  Mr.Wiro said the policy of the council asking business owners to pay ten thousand naira for POS machine will amount to double taxation as some of the business owners also pay Personal Income Tax to the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service.  The Coordinator called on the Authority of the Council to have a rethink on the Policy in order not to worsen the plight of businessmen in the area. Our correspondent reports that the three account

 Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria ,JUSUN; has begun an indefinite Nationwide strike  to press further their demand for the financial autonomy of the judiciary.   The National leadership of JUSUN in a circular ordered the shutdown of various courts across the country as from today, April 6.   The Rivers state chapter of JUSUN has joined their counterparts across the country to shut down  courts in the state. Our correspondent reports that members of JUSUN in the state were seen picketing the front gate of the Judiciary premises. National Vice President, South-South of JUSUN, Mr. Sokari George in a chat with our correspondent said the union had withdrew their service, adding that all allowances due  to them had not been paid. Also speaking , state chairman of the Union , Mr Wachukwu  Anthony explained why the entrance to the court premises was locked.   Mr Anthony said that the state chapter of the union has joined their counterparts nationwide to do the needful