Niger Delta
Armed Robbers Terrorise Uyo Residents
Residents of Uyo, Capital of Akwa Ibom State are now walking on the streets with their hearts in their hands for fear of being attacked by armed bandits.
Recently the banking area of Olusegun Obasanjo Way, formerly Abak Road was turned into a war front where a combined team of men of the Nigeria Police Force battled it out with men of underworld who were on evil mission to rob, maim and kill.
According to an eye witness account, the gang of robbers were riding on motor bikes on a hot chase of staff of GSM outfit, Idems Ultimate Limited who were on their way to one of the banks to lodge a huge sum of money.
The robbers succeeded in stacking the vehicle, a Hyandai Accent model salon car with registration number AP674UYY used in moving the money, killed the police escort, three staff members of the organisation and carted away the money. The robbers were shooting sporadically and in the commando-like style took off with the haste toward Abak town.
Before they could get to Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat round about they were intercepted by a patrol team of the Nigeria Police Force who engaged them in a shoot out which lasted for about twenty minutes.
The account further had it that the security men had upper hand in the shoot out, the fallout being the successful arrest of three members of the gang.
The arrested culprits are presently cooling off their heels in the police detention at headquarters of Akwa Ibom State command, Ikot Akpan Abia and are being interrogated for useful information.
In another development residents of Ikpa Road in Uyo earlier the same day had their rush hour interrupted by yet another robbery incident.
Another eye witness reported that three men decided to make fast money that morning by robbing a lady who deals on second-hand clothes of undisclosed sum of money.
The victim who did not know what to do next, shouted to the commercial motorcyclists who chased the bag snatchers and outran one of them while others disappeared into thin air.
Our source said but for the timely intervention by the police at CCC Junction on Ikpa Road, the robber would have been lynched. He was immediately taken away from the scene and escorted in an open van to the nearby police station.
Armed bandits have of late unleashed mayhem on residents of Uyo using motorcycles as the main means of their transport. Due to this siege by men of under world on Uyo, some residents are relocating to outskirts which report reaching the press said are not safe either.
Since the inception of this administration Uyo in particular has lost the toga of being the most peaceful state capital in Niger Delta region.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.
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