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Police Kill Another Cult Leader In Rivers
The Rivers State Police command has recorded another milestone in its fight against cultism in the State, as it has hacked down another cult gang leader, Peter Chukwu popularly called “Daddy Chukwu.”
Daddy Chukwu is a cult kingpin terrorizing Mgbuoshimini community and its environs in the State.
The killing of Chukwu who hailed from ONELGA is coming barely two weeks after police operatives eliminated two notorious cultists who were associates of late 2Baba in Ahoada Local Government Area of the State.
Chukwu, a 34-year old cultist and kidnap kingpin was the anchor head of Marine Iceland in Orashi Region in Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni local Government Areas of the state before he met his waterloo.
The late Iceland hitman was said to be the second in command to the infamous ONELGA cult leader, late Don Wani and was declared wanted in 2017 by the State Police command for his involvement in various killings in the State.
The State Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, while briefing journalists at the state police command in Port Harcourt, last Thursday, disclosed that late Daddy chukwu was responsible for the killing of over 21 persons in Mgbuoshimini community in Rumueme, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in October 2017.
Disu disclosed that the late Chukwu was killed by the combined team of policemen from the state, Delta and Force Headquarters, Abuja and was trailed to his hideout in Delta State where he had gone to fortify himself with his native doctor at Obosi in Delta State after allegedly escaped from police arrest in a hotel in Igwuruta community, last month.
“Following his close shave with the authorities, he fled to Asaba in Delta State. He remained in hiding before returning briefly to Port Harcourt, where he boasted about his invincibility and the power of his charms. He returned to Delta, where he began plotting to kill the investigating police officers and to launch attacks on police facilities to free his arrested associates.
“Undeterred by the notorious gangster’s initial escape, on April 5, 2024, around 4 am, a coordinated team launched an assault on his hideout. The team, comprising the Rivers State Command Tactical Team and the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), advanced to Delta to locate the criminal’s hideout. With support from the Delta State Commissioner of Police, operatives from the command joined the conclusive operation, resulting in the neutralisation of the suspect following a fierce operation.
“He was tracked down and apprehended in Ibusa, Delta State, and found in a herbalist’s home where he sought spiritual fortification. Upon realising the presence of security forces surrounding the premises, Peter Daddy Chukwu fiercely resisted and attempted to flee. He put up a fierce resistance, and in an attempt to escaped he was fataly wounded and later was confirmed dead in a hospital where he was rushed to”, the CP stated.
He added, “In his scramble to escape, he left behind his personal effects, including a hit list containing names of his next victims and other vital documents and gadgets that gave the Police a clear picture of the extent of sophistication he operated with. This necessitated the urgency in arresting the notorious criminal.”
According to the police commissioner, the Police recovered tinted Black toyota highlander, AK 47 riffle, Pump Action gun, IED, Camouflage of Police and Army uniforms from the hoodlum.
He said the Police discovered a list of 11 persons Chukwu wanted to kill when the Police went to his hideout at a hotel in Igwuruta.
The CP, while given the breakdown of the various heinous crime committed by late Chukwu and his gang said they were responsible for the killing of the former Community Development committee (CDC) of Ngbuoshimini community, late Mr Ndidi Livingstone on January 13, 2024 at the Faith Ministry Church on January 13,2024
“The gang dressed in police uniforms on that day and brought out Ndidi Livingstone,Chairman of Comminity Development Committe(CDC)of Mgbuoshimini community,Obio/Akpor and killed him in the presence his wife,children and church members at the community on January 13,2024 ,and also responsible for killing of twenty -one in 2017.He also killed and multilated the body of one Miss Grace Asuquo who declined to honoure his invitation He is also in the business of hiring assasination job for people. He was contracted to kill a hotelier,one Victor .In a bid to kill the hotelier he installed tracker in the hotelier’s car and after unsuccessful two attempts to kill the hotelier, he planted bomb in his hotel which exploded and damaged big part of the hotel”, he stated.
The Police boss added that the late cult kingpin had a network of informants who shared to him intelligence information about activities of the people and the operations of the Police in the community.
Also speaking at the press briefing, the representative of Mgbuishimin community, Mr livingston Weche, thanked the State Commissioner of Police and the IGP for their timely intervention and urged the police not to relent in taking further proactive steps to eradicate crime and criminality in the community.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.