Awajis George News

  By: Martha Igbiks  Rivers State Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Honourable Arugu Ilamuskami has charged staff of the Ministry to work assiduously towards the attainment of the mandate and vision of Governor Siminalayi Fubara led administration in the State. Honourable IIamuskami who stated this during a brief reception held in his honour in his office in Port Harcourt, said Governor Fubara is committed to redefine good governance and purposeful leadership in the State, stressing that the Ministry is saddled with the responsibility of lifting vulnerable citizens from poverty to affordability. In his words "let us change the state of the poor so that people will start seeing you in a better light and appreciate you for the hard work you have done". Rivers State Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Hon Arugu Ilamuskami(middle) in a group photograph with his Permanent Secretary, Dr Mrs Justina Jumbo, Director Administration, Barr Darlington K

  By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  Akwa Ibom State community in Rivers State yesterday, 23rd August 2024, defy the heavy downpour to  protest  the death of twenty -three year old Asher Christopher who died inside the premises of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited,NNPC; in Port Harcourt on Tuesday in an unclear circumstances . The Protesters with different inscriptions such as 'we want explanation on Asher's death', 'who killed Asher'? matched to the gate of Rivers State Police Command headquarters at Moscow,where the family,representatives of the group were invited for a meeting with top senior Police officers. The protesters later matched to the NNPCL headquarters where they sealed the gate with native palm front and the picture of the deceased placed at the gate before leaving to State CID. In an interview with Newsmen, Coordinator of Akwa/Ibom community in Rivers state, King Albert said they were surprised when the news came that Asher who resumed duty in the

By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu    The family of Asher Christopher,23 year-old native of Akwa Ibom State, has called for thorough investigation into circumstances surrounding the death of their Son inside Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL in Port Harcourt on Tuesday 20th August 2024.   Father of the deceased, Mr. Christopher Dan in an interview with our correspondent said he is shocked that until now, he has not seen the corpse of his Son.   Mr. Dan explained that he was invited by the police but when they visited the company no one could explain exactly what happened to his son.   He appealed to relevant authorities to help him get justice for his late son.   Our correspondent reports that the deceased is a contract staff as a cleaner in NNPCL. Meanwhile, National Coordinator Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability campaign, Mr. Prince Wiro has called for a thorough investigation into the matter to ascertain what really happened to late Asher Christopher.   Mr

By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  The Rivers State Police Command has revealed that the suspect Preye Josiah who allegedly detonated a dynamite along the Port Harcourt Aba Expressway on June 25, 2024, had been on the police wanted list. Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko in a statement stated that the suspect  participated in some high-profile bank robberies led by one Daniel Gogo, popularly known as Full Payment, between 2012 and 2016. SP Iringe-Koko noted that during the robbery attacks, three AK47 rifles, a Lar rifle, 360 rounds of live ammunition, 20 magazines, five dynamites, two pistols, a rifle servicing equipment, and three exotic cars were recovered in Bayelsa State by Operatives of the then IGP-IRT.  The suspect Preye popularly known as Metusah aged 40, a native of Kabiama community, Sagbama local government area of Bayelsa State who sustained serious bodily injuries, has been undergoing treatment and will be charged to court after investigations. Preye,

 By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the dynamite explosion that rocked the Secretariat of the Action People's Party along the GRA axis of Port Harcourt in Rivers State.    Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu while briefing Newsmen at the scene of the incident said his men had been deployed to secure the area.   CP Disu however advised citizens of the state to take their security seriously, while going about their normal businesses as investigation is ongoing.   It was gathered that the incident occurred in the wee hours of today.    The assailants allegedly threw substances believed to be dynamite into the building housing the secretariat, shattering windows and doors, as well destroying other property of the party.    Our correspondent who visited the scene reports that the ceiling and fittings in the building were also destroyed while some party officials were sighted discussing the development.           

 By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  National chairman of the Action People's Party, APP Mr. Uchenna Nnadi has condemned the attack at the party Secretariat in Port Harcourt.   Speaking with Newsmen after inspecting the level of damage at the party Secretariat in company of the State Chairman of the party and the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nnadi described the incident as an act against democracy and called on President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to ensure that those behind the act are fished out and punished.   The national chairman also alleged that those behind the attack are afraid of the APP in the forthcoming local government election.   On his part, Chairman of the Party in the State, Mr. Sunny Nwokekoro said the party is not deterred by the threats.   Mr. Nwokekoro added that the party in the state has received many PDP members and is ready for the forthcoming local government election.  

 By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  Property worth millions of naira were destroyed yesterday, 9th August 2024 at Okwele/Lumumber street Mile 2 Diobu,Port Harcourt in Rivers State. The cause of the inferno is yet to be ascertained but there are speculations that the fire may have been caused by cooking gas leakage in one of the apartment at the area. A resident of the area  identified as Ifeanyi told our correspondent that at about 4 am yesterday they were awaken by screaming from occupants of the compound . He stated that before residents mobilized to the building,the fire has spread to over 8 apartment and the roof of the building. Meanwhile, the Police and  local vigilante group were on ground to  prevent hoodlums from stealing the little items some of the occupants were able to rescue from their apartments. Our correspondent who visited the scene of the incident reports that the building contains twelve big stores and ten rooms .  

By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  Ahead of the planned "One Million Man Protest" scheduled to take place across the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday, August 10, 2024. The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu has directed all would-be protesters to converge at the designated areas of Abali Park and Pleasure Park to carry out the exercise.  In a statement by the Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the designated areas will enable the Police to effectively protect the protesters and curtail any breakdown of law and order in the state.  According to the statement, the Command will not condone any protest or procession outside the two designated areas. SP Iringe-Koko said that the Commissioner of Police has further instructed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Team Commanders to implement robust patrol strategies and maintain close monitoring across their respective Areas of Responsibility (AORs). 

  By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the release of Pastor Kingsley Anosike of Light Intercessors Church branch in Ebelu area of Oyigbo Local Government and three workers of Endtime Fire Intercessory Ministries by kidnappers. Public Relations Officer of the Command SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed to Newsmen the release of of the Pastor and three others. SP Iringe-Koko stated that investigation is ongoing to apprehend those behind the kidnapping.  Suspected herders had earlier invaded Light Intercessors Church at Chimezie Street in  Ebelu axis of Oyigbo local government area last week Friday, 2nd, August, 2024 at about 3am, shot sporadically before  kidnapping the branch Pastor, Kingsley Anosike and three ministers who were in the entourage of Bishop Blessed Moses Uzodinma, Presiding Bishop of Endtime Fire Intercessory Church who was a guest speaker in the midnight programme. The four kidnapped were released by their abductors on Wednesday 7th August,

By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  The Rivers State Police Command says the ongoing protests in the state have been hijacked by hoodlums, resulting in criminal activities, as the organizers have lost control of the crowd.   Police Public Relations Officers, SP Grace Iringe-Koko in a statement noted that the so-called protesters have resorted to harassing other residents going about their lawful business activities.   According to the statement, the protesters have disrupted traffic flow, forced passersby to attach leaflets to their vehicles, erected canopies on major roads, destroyed billboards, threatened traders to cease operations, and set tires ablaze on the roads, actions that are uncharacteristic of a peaceful protest.   SP Iringe-Koko advised the protesters to confine their activities to the designated areas of Abali Park and Pleasure Park, as any disturbance of the peace in the state will be resisted, and individuals found taking the law into their hands will be arrested and prosecute

 By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  The Rivers State Police Command said they have been  monitoring the nationwide "End Bad Governance in Nigeria" protest within the State and has expressed concern on the new turn the protest is taken. In a statement  by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the protesters were earlier advised to conduct their demonstration peacefully within designated locations, while the police would provide adequate protection and isolate any criminal elements. However, SP Iringe-Koko stated that the command has noticed a lack of identifiable leadership or coordination among the various groups, burning of tires, extorting motorists, blocking roads, damaging vehicles, harassing business owners, and stealing from innocent residents. The Police image maker  further revealed that, a group has threatened that the pattern of the protest will change on August 7, 2024, calling on traders and motorists to stay at home or join the protest. SP Iringe-Ko

 By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  As the nationwide  #EndBadGovernance protests  continue, President Bola Tinubu will address the nation in a broadcast tomorrow 4th August 2024 at 7:00 am.   In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale enjoined Television, radio, and other electronic media outlets to plug into the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN for the broadcast.   Chief Ngelale said the broadcast will be repeated on the network services of the NTA and the FRCN at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm same day.  

By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  Relief International Africa has commended the Rivers State Police command led by CP Olatuji Disu and security agencies in Rivers State, for their exemplary conduct during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests. The organization appreciated the professionalism and discipline displayed by these forces, contrasting them with reports of more aggressive actions by security personnel in other regions, such as Abuja, Kaduna, Borno, and Kano, where incidents of teargas deployment and provocation towards peaceful protesters were reported. In a press release by the group program officer Comrade Ejit Josiah, the organization also acknowledged the proactive and compassionate approach of the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS for engaging directly with the protesters.                Governor Siminalayi Fubara  The gesture of the Governor has been identified as a positive example of leadership and responsiveness to public concerns. Relief International Africa how

By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Police Command, CP Olatunji  Disu, said he has assessed the conduct of the protests in Rivers State and commended the officers of the command for their professionalism in managing the situation, as the officers peacefully related to and accompanied the protesters throughout the process. The CP however, frowned at the conduct of some groups of persons along NTA Road, Pleasure Park, Igwuruta-ali, and Airport Road, who were restricting vehicular movement, banging on vehicles, and extorting passengers,as some were even seen brandishing sticks. CP Disu addressing officers and men of the command   CP Disu cautioned the protesters to conduct themselves peacefully and desist from infringing on the rights of others, blocking roads, harassing passers-by, and engaging in looting or other crimes do not constitute lawful protest and will not be tolerated. The police will take necessary action against such unlawful acts.