Niger Delta

Delta Community Petitions Reps Over Police Brutality, Harassment

Published

9 months ago

September 29, 2023

Kwale Community in Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency of Delta State, has petitioned the House of Representatives over alleged police brutality, dehumanisation and constant harassment of constituents by a police officer.
Rep. Nnamdi Ezechi (PDP-Delta) laid the petition on behalf of the community before the House at the resumption of plenary yesterday in Abuja.
In the petition, the community accused one ASP, currently serving under the Rapid Respond Squad (RRS), of being behind the harassment.
Ezechi while reading the petition, said the complaint was long overdue owing to the nefarious activities of harassing young boys within Kwale and the surrounding communities by the police.
The petitioners accused the officer of extorting the constituents of their hard earned money at every given opportunity.
The community said the petition became necessary in order to call for urgent intervention as most young men within the Kwale and environs now lived in fear of death and daily attacks.
Reading the petition, he said most of the complaints had always been hinged on extortion.
This, the petitioners said, had instilled fear in the young men and women, who no longer felt free to move about, especially with money.
The petitioners alleged that the officer often threatened with a boast that he represented SARS in the community and had the protection of his superiors whom he was working for.
“It suffices to point out the fact that he operates without restraint from anybody, not even his immediate senior officers as he claims to have senior godfathers backing him.
“It took the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) to secure our client’s release after he was brutalised and taken into custody.
In view of this, we write with serious concern with demand that you give urgent attention to this petition, ensuring justice is done.
The community demanded that the responsible officer and his team is called for investigation and appropriate sanctions meted out.

Niger Delta

Police Rescue Kidnapped Ex-Shell Worker In A’Ibom

Published

1 day ago

June 26, 2024

The Tide

The Police in Akwa Ibom State says it has rescued a 63-year man and retiree of Shell Petroleum Company who was recently kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

The command’s Spokesperson, ASP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Uyo, the State capital.

John said the victim, who was abducted on June 17 and held hostage by his abductors, was rescued unhurt in a compound at Ikot Udobong Village in Etim Ekpo.

She said the rescue followed reliable intelligence information which prompted the Command to swing into action.

According to her, the kidnappers engaged the police rescue team in a gun duel in the process of rescuing the victim.

“Upon sighting the police, the kidnappers opened fire at them, one of the kidnappers was fatally wounded in the process while the others fled”, she said.

The police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Waheed Ayilara, had ordered the command’s SWAT operatives to immediately swing into action.

”Efforts are seriously ongoing to arrest the fleeing members of the gang for possible prosecution”, she said.

John further said that preliminary investigations revealed that the kidnappers had initially demanded N50 million as ransom for the release of their captive.

“They later agreed to take N20 million, but I tell you on good authority that no ransom was paid as at the time of the rescue.

Niger Delta

Delta C’ttee Takes Drug Abuse Sensitisation To Streets

Published

1 day ago

June 26, 2024

The Tide

As part of activities to mark the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse, the Delta State State Drug Control Committee on Monday took sensitisation campaign to streets of Asaba on dangers of drug abuse.

Members of the committee, drawn from the State Ministries of Health, Education, Justice, as well as representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Police, amongst others, converged at the Oshimili South Arcade from where they walked through some streets of Asaba.

Mrs Helen Orie, the Chairperson of the committee and Director, Pharmaceutical Services, State Ministry of Health, who led the campaign/road walk, said drug abuse was on the increase and needed to be curbed before it got worse.

Orie, speaking on the theme for the 2024 celebration: “Say No To Drug Abuse”, noted that drug abuse always had devastating effects on individuals involved, the family setting and society at large.

Orie, a Pharmacist, explained that the fight against drug abuse was in two dimensions; supply reduction, being championed at the Federal level and demand reduction, being handled by the Drug Control Committee at the state level.

She said the committee, with the support of the State Government, had recorded some successes in the prevention and control of drug abuse in the state.

According to her, we have taken sensitisation campaigns to public places, including places of worship, markets, schools and communities with significant impacts.

“Today’s sensitisation/road walk is meant to further create more awareness on the need for a drug-free society”, she said.

Orie commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his support toward the campaign against drug abuse in the state.

Also speaking, the Assistant State Commander, Drug Demand Reduction, NDLEA, Delta Command, Silas Omobude, said 14.4 million Nigerians, aged between 18 and 29, were involved in drug abuse and trafficking.

Omobude, who is also the State Secretary of the committee, said fighting the drug war was a Herculean task which required the collective effort of all critical stakeholders.

He noted that the State Government had reasonably supported the committee to record some breakthroughs.

On his part, the Chairman, Actors Guild of Nigeria, Delta State Chapter, Mr Emmanuel Onyemeziem, debunked insinuations that the Nigerian movie industry had contributed to societal ills, including drug abuse.

Onyemeziem said the guild was in partnership with the NDLEA and the Delta State Government in the war against drug abuse, and urged youths to say no to drug abuse and embrace meaningful ventures.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Urges Farmers To Adopt Good Agronomic Practices

Published

1 day ago

June 26, 2024

The Tide

Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Offiong Offor, has urged cocoa farmers in the state to adopt good agronomic practices in order to ensure improved yields.

Offor gave the advice on Monday at Odoro Ikpe, Ini Local Government Area, during the distribution of cocoa seedlings to farmers to mark the beginning of the 2024 cocoa planting season.

She disclosed that the State Government had made available over 150,000 cocoa seedlings to be distributed to cocoa farmers across the state.

The Commissioner said the distribution of the cocoa seedlings to farmers signaled a significant step to increased cocoa production and improvement of livelihoods.

“We know the current price of 1kg of cocoa in the market, it is very expensive. So, it is a wake-up call by Governor Umo Eno for all to return to the farm.

“When you receive the cocoa seedlings, make the best use of them. Do well to maintain good agronomic practices, to reap bountiful harvests.

“This year, we have provided over 150,000 cocoa seedlings to be distributed to cocoa farmers in the state. I implore you to make good use of the seedlings”, Offor said.

The Commissioner called on cocoa farmers to notify extension agents in the ministry early if they were confronted with of any challenge

In his remarks, the State Chairman, Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr Ekikere Bassey, said it was expedient for agriculture stakeholders to support the cultivation of cocoa to improve the economy of the state.

He said cocoa farming was a lucrative agribusiness, and urged farmers to show interest in the cultivation of the cash crop.