Army kills suspected oil bunkering kingpin in Rivers

NEWS

Army kills suspected oil bunkering kingpin in Rivers

 

A suspected notorious cultist and illegal oil bunkering kingpin, Korobe Menele Loveday, who has been on the wanted list of the security agencies for terrorizing communities in Rivers State has been killed.

He was killed in a shootout with security operatives.

Six Division of the Nigerian Army said the shootout happened when its personnel, in conjunction with personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps guarding Shell Petroleum Development Company Trans National Pipelines at Gio community in Tai Local Government Area of the State were attacked by suspected militants who were hitherto prevented from vandalizing the pipeline.

Acting Deputy Director of the Army Public Relations, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu in a statement added that during the ensuing fire, one soldier and two personnel of the NSCDC lost their lives and their weapons were carted away by the assailants.

The army was able to track Loveday also known as Mene and shot him dead.

According to the Army, “In the early hours of today Sunday the 16th of June 2019, troops of 29 Battalion of 6 Division Nigerian Army (NA) in conjunction with personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) guarding Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Trans National Pipelines at Gio community in Tai Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State were attacked by suspected militants who were hitherto prevented from vandalizing 24″ and 28″ TNP thereby putting them out of the illicit business.

“Unfortunately, during the ensuing fire fight one soldier and 2 personnels of the NSCDC lost their lives and their weapons (one AK 47 and 2 G3 rifles) were carted away by the assailants.

“An immediate reinforcement by troops at the location led to the cordon and search of the general area with the view to finding any criminal believed to be harbouring within the communities.

“Reliable intelligence led to the tracking of the prime suspect, a notorious cultist and illegal oil bunkering kingpin Korobe Menele Loveday who has been on the wanted list of the security agencies for terrorizing communities in the state.

“Consequently, at about 9:00am, troops cashing on available information sighted a white Toyota Hilux vehicle without number plate, hastily driven with 4 occupants. Efforts to stop the vehicle by troops at a check point was ignored. The gallant troops chased the speeding vehicle and caught up with the suspects around Kira Junction, along Ken Saro Wiwa Polytechnic.

“Sensing danger, the occupants opened fire at the troops in a bid to escape. Troops reacted, and incapacitated the militants’ vehicle. As a result, the bandits abandoned their vehicle and fled to the bush. However, one of the criminals was gunned down and was identified as the wanted notorious cultists and illegal oil bunkering kingpin Korobe Menele – popularly known as MENE. Others with him, believed to escape with gun shot wounds – leaving trails of blood.

“The following tems were recovered from the scene and in the vehicle:, 1 x K2 Rifle, 2 x Magazines loaded with 52 Rounds of 5.56mm, some personal effects, one pair of vehicle plate number KRK 95DP RIVERS and some documents.

“The body and other recovered exhibits have been handed over to the NSCDC Rivers State Command for further action, while troops continue to track the remaining fleeing bandits to face justice.

“The General Officer Commanding 6 Division Maj Gen Jamil Sarham use this opportunity to rereaffirm the commitment of the Division in protecting lives and properties of law abiding citizens in Rivers state. He also solicits the cooperation of all stakeholders in tackling insecurity within the Niger Delta region through sharing of credible information to the security agencies.”

 

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Photos: Rotimi Amaechi's son graduates from Canadian University

EDUCATION

Photos: Rotimi Amaechi's son graduates from Canadian University

 

Obinna Amaechi, the son of ex-Rivers State governor and Nigeria's immediate past Minster for Transport, Rotimi Ameachi has graduated from the Simon Fraser University, Canada.

His proud father, dressed in a dark blue suit and a green tie, joined his son on Thursday, 13th of June, for his convocation ceremony.

 

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Rivers: Wike blows hot, warns communities against shutting oil production

NEWS

Rivers: Wike blows hot, warns communities against shutting oil production

 

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday warned that he would no longer tolerate the shutting down of oil production facilities by communities in the state.

He handed this warning at a meeting with Chairmen of Cluster Development Boards in Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru and Degema Local Government Areas as well as oil companies and security agencies at the state’s Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Wike warned that under no circumstances should communities take the law into their hands by preventing oil production companies from carrying out their duties.

He also directed the immediate revival of the State Steering Committee on Cluster Development Boards responsible for intervening between oil companies and communities.

According to Wike: “I will not support any company not to carry out their corporate social responsibilities to their host communities.

“However, communities must not take laws into their hands. They must not stop production by the operating companies.

“Such actions will negatively affect the finances of the Federal Government, the state and the local government areas.”

The governor also stated that in cases where companies failed to act within the expectations of the communities, the State Government will mediate through the Steering Committee on Cluster Development Boards.

“It is important that we do not allow crisis to occur in the communities. The Aeroton rig in one community was seized.

“That rig should be allowed to work. I called this meeting because of the concerns raised by the operating companies in the area,” he said.

Wike said the Steering Committee on Cluster Development Boards would have the Permanent Secretary, Community Development, Security Agencies, Community Development Clusters and oil companies as members.

The governor said the committee will meet at regular intervals to address challenges in order to forestall escalation of conflicts.

He regretted that most problems in the Niger Delta are caused by oil companies who patronise and engage with criminal elements to the disadvantage of the host communities.

In his remark, former Commissioner of Environment, Samuel Horsfall pointed out that though the oil companies knew the right things to do, they have never taken the right steps.

 

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Rivers: Police speak on Port Harcourt mall explosion

NEWS

Rivers: Police speak on Port Harcourt mall explosion

 

The Police in Rivers State have ruled out terrorist attack in the explosion that occurred at a Port Harcourt mall.

We reported that some persons were on Wednesday feared injured following a gas explosion that occurred at the Port Harcourt shopping mall in Rivers State on Wednesday.

Eyewitnesses said the incident caused a stampede as many customers who were on the holiday visit tried to escape from the building.

But reacting, the Rivers Police Command spokesman, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said no life was lost to the explosion which occurred on Wednesday and injured five shoppers.

Omoni said, “The explosion occurred at 5.50pm at the kitchen section with five persons sustaining various degrees of burns.

“They (victims) are currently receiving medical attention at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital in Port Harcourt,” he said in a statement.

Omoni said the police had launched full investigation with a view to unravelling the cause of the incident.

“However, preliminary investigation conducted revealed that the explosion has no semblance of a terrorist attack.

“Also, no life was lost as being speculated in some quarters. There is no cause for alarm,” NAN quoted him as saying.

The spokesman added that normal business activities had since resumed at the plaza.

 

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Rivers gov, Wike describes Nigeria’s major problems, warns of the country's impending danger

NEWS

Rivers gov, Wike describes Nigeria’s  major problems, warns of the country's impending danger

 

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has identified politicization of everything and pervasive injustice as the two major problems facing Nigeria.

Wike said this while stressing that insecurity continues to thrive in Nigeria because the authorities have refused to listen to the cries for justice.

Speaking in Port Harcourt, the state capital, yesterday, Wike warned that if attention was not paid to justice, Nigeria “may crash-land”.

According to him: “Although I lack the intellectual impetus to join issues with the learned Professor, but for me, Nigeria’s problems, which are largely self-inflicted, can be reduced to two: the politicization of everything and pervasive injustice.

”Over the years, we have allowed the entire governing system to be corrupted by banal politics and the courage to do what is right and fair to all parts of the country had since departed.

”As a result, we are increasingly become insensitive or rather impervious to the injustices and the horrific happenings in our country that have reduced our humanity.

“In our case, everyone is crying out for justice and because we’ve as a nation blocked our ears and hearts to the deafening cries for justice, peace has become a rare commodity in our country. a rare commodity.

”My take is that we are going nowhere as a country; we will continue to run round in circles and possibly crash-land in a very hard way unless we change our narratives about justice because peace or peaceful co-existence cannot be decreed in a multi-cultural society such as ours, or in any society at all. It is only a real sense of justice that can command and guarantee enduring peace, patriotism and solidarity in Nigeria.”

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Continued cult war in Rivers leaves 16 dead, many injured and palace burnt

CRIME NEWS

Continued cult war in Rivers leaves 16 dead, many injured and palace burnt

 

No fewer than 16 people are feared dead following cult crises that broke out in two different local government areas of Rivers State, Sunday. 

It was alleged that 14 people were killed by the said cultists at Kono Boue and Gbam Boue communities of Khana council, while two people were killed in Ishiodu village, Emohua community, Emohua council. 

It was also gathered that seven people were abducted when the bandits struck at Khana council, while many properties were also destroyed. However, there are conflicting reports on the number of deaths in the Khana incident. 

Whereas some reported 20, others said 14, while the Police claimed five people lost their lives. The clash in Khana is believed to be a reprisal attack from the Iceland cult over the killing of a notable member of their gang earlier. 

The Paramount Ruler of Kono Bo-ue community in Khana council, HRH, Mene Taalor Tornwe, described the incident as shocking, adding that the cult boys were incited against him and other members of the community. 

Tornwe, while condemning the killings and burning of his palace and other buildings by the cultists, noted that he had carried out the instruction of the governor of the state to restore peace in the area, but regretted that some persons incited the cultists against him. Also, the Community Development Committee Chairman, Prince Christian Borlo-One, alleged that over 40 persons were feared killed, adding that some persons were beheaded and five abducted. 

He also called on government and security agencies to urgently intervene so the community will not be totally deserted. Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said the Police are aware of the incidents, noting that two people died in Ishiodu village and five in the Khana incident.

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Nigerian Army reacts to Wike’s oil bunkering allegation against General Sarham

NEWS

Nigerian Army reacts to Wike’s oil bunkering allegation against General Sarham

The Nigerian Army has reacted to Governor Nyesom Wike’s allegations against the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division and Land Component Commander Operation DELTA SAFE, Major General Jamil Sarham.

Wike had accused Sarham of promoting illegal bickering in the Niger Delta region to enable him finance his ambition to be appointed the Chief of Army Staff.

Reacting, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, Deputy Director Army Public Relations, in a statement on Monday, said the claims were false and a deliberate effort to tarnish the towering image of the Chief of Army Staff and the GOC 6 Division.

The statement noted that the campaign of calumny against General Sarham and the Nigerian Army leadership by Governor Wike did not just start.

“Recall that on 22nd February 2019, Governor Wike brazenly alleged that there was an attempt to exterminate his life by assassins organised by the GOC 6 Division.

“As weighty as the allegation was, we are yet to know any action taken by Mr Wike that guarantees his safety. Mr Wike has since failed to use civilised legitimate options to prove his allegations against Maj Gen Sarham.

“On the mischievous accusation against General Sarham leaking proceeds of State Security Council Meetings to criminals in Rivers State, Mr Wike knows well that Maj Gen Sarham is not a member of the Rivers State Security Council, neither has he ever approached the gates of Rivers State Government House since his assumption of office as the GOC 6 Division.

“Mr Wike only came face to face with General Sarham on the 15th of January 2019 during the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Parade at Isaac Boro Park. However, the Nigerian Army challenge Wike to provide the public with any evidence of such meetings with Maj Gen Sarham in attendance.

“Accordingly, Wike’s allegation against Major General Sarham’s selfish involvement in illegal oil bunkering is another reckless, spurious and mischievous accusation. Hence, Headquarters 6 Division wish to request the Governor to take the most civilised way of putting up a petition to the relevant authorities to make a point.

“Mr Wike’s resentment against the GOC is based on the latter’s choice of professionalism and integrity over the billions of naira offered to him by the Governor to compromise the 2019 General Elections. His refusal to be bought over and the rejection of such hefty offer is the genesis of Wike’s hatred and vociferous criticisms against Maj Gen Sarham.

“Consequently, 6 Division Nigerian Army wish to reiterate its commitment to the protection of lives and properties as well as the protection of critical national infrastructure in its Area of Responsibility for the benefit of the nation. The Division wishes to also state that no amount of blackmail and Area boy gerrymandering will affect its resolve and commitment to discharge its roles professionally and in line with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff,” he said.

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Gov. Wike dethrones top monarch in Rivers

NEWS

Gov. Wike dethrones top monarch in Rivers

 

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has approved the immediate withdrawal of Certificate of Recognition and staff of office from His Royal Majesty, Chief Frank Noryaa, Gbenemene Baabe.

This was made known yesterday in a statement by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media.

According to the statement, the withdrawal of government’s recognition from HRM Noryaa followed his alleged indictment on cult-related activities within his kingdom.

“The traditional ruler was also indicted for harbouring cultists, leading to insecurity in the area,” he said.

The statement quoted Governor Wike as saying his “administration remained committed to the promotion of peace and security across the state.”

Also the governor warned other traditional rulers and government functionaries against being indicted for promoting insecurity, saying they will face the full weight of the law.

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15 killed, many injured in a fresh cult clash in Rivers

CRIME NEWS

15 killed, many injured in a fresh cult clash in Rivers

 

At least, 15 persons have been killed and some beheaded by suspected cultists in Kono Bo-ue community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State in a fresh cult clash in the area.

Rampaging armed cultists invaded the community, raiding the homes of rival cult members, killing at random.

A source in the community, who confirmed the killing, said the community have been witnessing cult related attacks as result of supremacy battle among rival gangs.

The source, who is a youth leader in the community identified as, Ana Hyacinth, said the incident has forced inhabitants to desert the community.

He called on government at all levels to urgently intervene in the situation to rescue the people.

“We woke up to a very gory situation in Kono Bo-ue Community to the fact that over 15 fifteen people were shot and killed by an armed cult group.

“It is unfortunate that despite moves by the governor to put an end to these killings, cultists have continued to carry out attacks,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State police command has been contacted and were yet to react to the killing in Kono Bo-ue community in Khana Local Government Area at the time of this report.

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Rivers Gov., Nyeson Wike recalls 12 suspended LG chairmen

POLITICS

Rivers Gov., Nyeson Wike recalls 12 suspended LG chairmen

 

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has recalled the 12 suspended Local Government Council Chairmen.

They are heads of Okrika, Emohua, Abua/Odual, Degema, Khana, Gokana, Ahoada East, Ikwerre, Eleme, Andoni, Omuma and Ogu/Bolo Local Government Areas.

A statement on Sunday night by his Special Assistant Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, said the recall is with immediate effect

Wike charged the council chairmen to “diligently serve their people and shun all forms of lackadaisical behaviour in governance”.

He urged them to tackle security challenges in their areas and warned that any chairman who continues to act in breach of extant laws would be removed.

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Photo of a young woman injured during raid near football viewing centre in Rivers State

BREAKING NEWS

Photo of a young woman injured during raid near football viewing centre in Rivers State

Listen to Twinchild Edozie - Tonight (Kwanangida) while you read. 

 

The young woman pictured above was injured in Eneka community in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State when a group of gunmen started shooting sporadically near a football viewing centre.

Listen to Twinchild Edozie - You Are Beautiful while you read

Several persons, mostly youth, sustained various degrees of gunshot injuries as the gunmen opened fire on residents of the area.

Listen to Twinchild Edozie - You Are Beautiful while you read

It was gathered that the incident happened when the premiership match between Liverpool and Huddersfield was ongoing, and the residents ran helter-skelter looking for cover to avoid being hit by bullets.

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