News

Sekibo Destroys 27 Illegal Refineries, Nabs Eight Suspects

Published

4 years ago

January 31, 2022

No fewer than eight persons suspected to be pipeline vandals have been arrested in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The suspects were nabbed by operatives of a task force set up by the council chairman to fight illegal oil bunkering in the area.
The team, in an operation led by the Akuku-Toru Local Government Chairman, Hon Rowland Sekibo, last Wednesday, also destroyed 27 illegal refineries in Obonoma creeks in the LGA.
Sekibo said four of the sites were destroyed at Agama creek, adding that the operation was still on.
He said, “A total of six locally-fabricated ovens/artisanal refineries and five oil reservoirs filled with products suspected to be crude oil and refined petroleum products allegedly owned and operated by one Mr Ikior, were discovered.
“The task force was able to manually dismantle and destroy the ovens to avert any outbreak of fire that will further pollute the already combustible environment, thereby adding to the menace of black carbon in the atmosphere, rather than diminishing its effect.
“On Sunday, January 23, 2022, which was the Day Two of the clampdown on illegal bunkering, alias ‘Kpofire’ in AKULGA, the task force on illegal bunkering, with the assistance of the joint team of the military and para-military personnel, invaded yet another camp situated deep in the creeks of Fonosama and Agama in Obonoma community, where we uncovered another four illegal refinery sites and makeshift storage facilities. The owner of the camp is yet to be identified.
“On Monday, January 24, 2022, members of the task force and a team of combined military and para-military personnel, uncovered more sites in the mangrove swamps of Fonosama in Obonoma, were a total of 10 locally-made refineries and over 20 reservoirs, containing products suspected to be crude oil and already refined petroleum products, were stored. The alleged owner of the site is one Mr Portus.”
Sekibo noted that the task force dismantled the ovens and the makeshift huts, and confiscated some equipment on the site, adding that a total of 27 illegal oil refineries were uncovered and destroyed in Obonoma.
He said the team arrested eight suspected pipeline vandals, adding that they were apprehended with their equipment.
The council boss called on the youth of AKULGA to desist from the criminal venture and reconsider the harm it was causing to the environment.
Similarly, as part of his commitment to rid the LGA of illegal bunkering activities,Sekibo, and the taskforce on illegal bunkering, together with members of the local vigilante and a joint team of the Nigerian Navy, Department of State Service (DSS), and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), stormed Idama community, last Thursday, in continuation of the clampdown on illegal refineries in the area.
A total of six locally fabricated tanks/ovens used for the refining of crude oil were discovered, including seven metal and two dugout reservoirs containing petroleum products and its derivatives at Kala Idama and Imokolo in Akuku-Toru LGA.
Also found at the illegal bunkering site, which appeared to be in active production, were materials for the construction and assemblage of another artisanal refinery, and a makeshift camp of about eight huts.
The task force was able to manually dismantle the tanks, confiscate the materials on site, and also destroy the makeshift camps.

By: Nelson Chukwudi

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

18 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

19 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

19 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.