News
Police detain four cops, begin investigation into alleged kidnapping of Rivers hotel worker
This was as the command has paraded 12 suspected armed robbers, kidnappers and cultists for their involvement in different criminal activities at different parts of the state.
It was gathered that some policemen on patrol had intercepted one Darlington Bieh, who hails from Taabaa in Khana Local Government Area of the state, around Choba in Obio/Akpor LGA and taken him to an unknown destination and demanded the said amount of money.
It was learnt that the policemen had apprehended their victim around 8pm on Saturday on his way to work and searched his bags, pockets including his phone, but did not see anything incriminating.
A source, who hinted newsmen of the development, said the police while scrolling through their victim’s phone had seen pictures and found out that the young man works in a big hotel around the area.
The source said the police men had told the victim to call his family to send N1 million for his bail out, threatening to kill and throw his corpse into Choba river should his family fail.
The source also claimed that the policemen took their victim to Aluu in Ikwerre LGA, while awaiting the payment from his family.
However, the victim had instead of calling his father had called his boss, the owner of the hotel where he (victim) works and that his boss in turn called a DPO in the area who pretended to be the victim’s father to discuss with the criminal officers.
The source further revealed that the criminal minded officers negotiated the amount of money with the DPO through the boy’s phone believing he was the young man’s father.
But at about 1:00am on Sunday, the DPO who pretended to be the young man’s father took his men and met them and the Rogue cops at an agreed area in Aluu, disarmed them and arrested all of them.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Disu Olatunji, in his maiden press briefing in Port Harcourt on the achievement of Police within last month said some officers have been arrested on the said allegation, but that no official complaint has been raised against them.
He said: “I have read something like that on the social media over the weekend, I have not gotten any official complaint about it. Despite that, I went to town with my officers and I want to tell you that officers who had contact with that victim have been arrested.
“They have been arrested. So, I am waiting for complaint from the victim, so that I will know what and what to look out for. The officers are there in the custody, we are not hiding anything. When the complaint comes, we will give you details of what we have done.
“If I don’t get complaint from members of the public on this, I will believe everything is okay. All of us are in this together,” he stated.
Speaking on the arrest of the 12 criminals, Olatunji, noted that two cult leaders from Kereken Community in Khana LGA were arrested after they kidnapped the Community Development Committee Chairman of the Community, collected N200, 000 ransom and still buried their victim alive.
He said: “On the day of resumption, I had before me a security deficit in many areas of Rivers State. One of those areas was Khana Local Government, and we immediately deployed tactical units to quell the situation. Gentlemen of the press, after concluding intense surveillance on 15th November, in separate crack operations, men of the Anti-Cultism Unit arrested Baridapdo Igia, 33yrs and Elvis Gordon, 26yrs two suspected Armed robbers and kidnappers in Kereken-Boue community of Khana Local Government Area.
“After a series of interrogations, the duo confessed to being leaders of Iceland and Degbam cult groups in Khana Local Government Area, respectively and have been terrorising Khana Local Government Area for the past three years.
“These cult groups have been known to have endless clashes in the community. During interrogations, they also admitted to kidnapping and burying alive one Praise Daakian, a former CDC Chairman in Khana Local Government Area. They murdered the victim after collecting the sum of NGN200,000 as part of payment for his ransom from the victim’s wife,” he said.
He noted that all the suspects would be charged to court for prosecution upon completion of investigation.
Arrests 13 officers for indecent dressing
However, the Commissioner of Police in the State, Disu revealed that the command on Friday December 1st, arrested 13 officers over indecent dressing.
The CP gave the assurance in a radio programme organized by the Force Public Relations department in Abuja which was monitored in Port Harcourt on Saturday December 2,2023 by our reporter.
Disu, who disclosed that the officers were arrested during patrol by a monitoring unit in various part of the Port Harcourt noted that the arrest is part of an ongoing effort to eradicate indecent dressing by officers of the command.
He also revealed that the head of the Units or Divisions where the arrested Police officers are serving would be vicariously liable too, for the personnel action, noting that the arrested officers are in detention.
Meantime, the Rivers State Police Command has not commented the arrest of the policemen involved in the alleged kidnap of the worker in a hotel. (Vanguard)
• One casualty recorded, three hospitalized
The Anambra State Government has sealed the site of the collapsed building at Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barr. Chijioke Ojukwu announced immediate closure of the site pending comprehensive investigations and structural integrity assessments.
He said preliminary findings indicated structural failure as the likely cause of the collapse.
While reaffirming government commitment to stricter enforcement of physical planning regulations and the elimination of unsafe construction practices, Ojukwu vowed that the incident would mark a turning point in enforcement of building regulations across the state.
He assured that owners and developers of defective or non-compliant structures would face sanctions, while ongoing projects would undergo stricter inspections.
On his part, Commissioner for Works, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, said technical investigations were ongoing to determine exact cause of the collapse.
He added that government had engaged a team of professionals to carry out a comprehensive structural evaluation.
Recommendations will be implemented
He assured residents that government would implement recommendations from the investigation to strengthen the state’s building control system.
Implementation will also prevent future occurrences while ensuring prosecution of culprits in accordance with the law.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, said government immediately deployed medical personnel and ambulances to the scene to provide emergency care for the injured, while the Ministry of Health worked closely with other emergency response agencies throughout the rescue operation.
Obidike commended the swift and coordinated response of the Anambra State Government and emergency agencies, describing it as crucial to the rescue efforts and timely medical treatment of victims.
The Mayor of Orumba North Local Government Area, Rtd. Captain. Casmir Nwafor, praised the rapid intervention of the state government and emergency responders, noting that their coordinated efforts helped contain the situation and minimize further risks.
Nwafor urged developers, property owners, institutions, and residents to comply strictly with approved building regulations and safety standards, reaffirming the local government’s support for the enforcement of physical planning laws.
Running to safety
Eyewitnesses, Prince Ifeanyi Ezefunamba said the building, reportedly occupied by students of Federal Polytechnic Oko, collapsed at about 10:00 p.m. after occupants heard cracking sounds and evacuated.
One survivor, Miss Chioma Akabike narrowly escaped moments before the collapse, while rescue operations commenced immediately.
Also present during the inspection were officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) headed by the Enugu State Head of Operations, Mrs. Priscilla Mbaekwe, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
Others include: the Anambra State Fire Service, and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), who participated in rescue, security, and preliminary technical assessments.
As of the time of filing this report, one fatality had been confirmed, while three injured victims were receiving treatment at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) and St. Michael’s Hospital, Oko, as rescue operations continued.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, on Saturday commended the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for demonstrating that Local Content Policy could be a force for transforming lives and creating socio-economic value through community-focused interventions.
Speaking at the commissioning of a state-of-the-art Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre at IkaComprehensive High School, Ikot Akpan Anwa, Akwa Ibom State, the Minister said such a strategic investment in the area, with vast possibilities for research and online learning through diverse educational platforms, would bolster human capital development, digital literacy and sustainable community development.
The ICT Centre, built and equipped by the NCDMB, comprises a modern computer laboratory with 50 networked desktop workstations, an interactive smart board, projector, server room and Starlink high-speed Internet connectivity to support digital learning, research and computer-based examinations. Designed to accommodate up to 70 users, the facility also features air-conditioned learning spaces, a staff room, store and separate convenience facilities. Power reliability is supported by a 15kVA generator and a 15kVA solar power system with battery backup, complemented by a dedicated network infrastructure for seamless connectivity.
“This ICT Centre,” according to the Minister, “is far more than a building equipped with computers; it is an investment in the future of our children and a gateway to knowledge, innovation, creativity and opportunity.” Continuing, he noted that, “Nations that invest in the digital education of their young people today are the ones that will lead the world tomorrow.”
He said the initiative of the Board aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by advancing access to quality education, youth empowerment, digital transformation and inclusive economic growth, as young Nigerians in rural communities acquire relevant digital skills and competencies to participate effectively in a technology-driven economy.
Representing the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Director, Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, stated that digital literacy and ICT capacity development remain a key component of the Board’s human capital development mandate aimed at building a skilled workforce for the Nigerian oil and gas industry and the broader economy. He noted that the facility would provide students with access to digital learning, research tools, artificial intelligence and global knowledge resources.
“This ICT Centre is more than a building; it is an investment in the future of our young people,” he stated, adding, “It represents our commitment to extending Nigerian Content objectives beyond industry into classrooms, where innovation, technology and skills development can empower the next generation.”
Halilu stressed that the project’s long-term success depends on collaboration among the Board, the school and the host community. He urged the community to take ownership of the facility and ensure its proper maintenance and sustainability for future generations.
“Our expectation is not simply to hand over a facility but to see measurable outcomes in the lives of the students who will use it. We therefore call on the school and the host community to safeguard this centre and ensure it continues to deliver value for many years to come.” He added.
Speaking on behalf of the project delivery team, the Managing Director of Standard Institute of Technology Limited, Engr. Alexander Nsidibe, expressed appreciation to NCDMB for the confidence placed in the company to deliver the project. He described the ICT Centre as a demonstration of the Board’s commitment to quality infrastructure development and human capital advancement. He pledged the company’s continued support for the facility’s maintenance for one year after handover, noting that the Centre would enhance students’ digital competencies and prepare them for productive life in industry.
In her welcome address, the Principal General of IkaComprehensive High School, Mrs. Nkom John Umoette, described the ICT Centre as a transformative intervention that would bridge existing digital access gaps. She noted that the school lacked an ICT facility, which constrained students’ exposure to digital learning and computer-based education.
She expressed appreciation to Rt. Hon. Ekpo and the NCDMB for making the project a reality, stating that the facility would equip students with essential digital skills, improve their preparedness for computer-based examinations, and create greater opportunities for academic excellence and future careers.
A representative of the community commended the Minister and the NCDMB for the delivery of the ICT Centre, noting that the facility would significantly improve access to digital learning and computer-based examinations. He recalled that students previously travelled to Uyo and neighbouring communities to register for and take examinations such as JAMB, incurring additional costs and facing logistical challenges.
Many students are reportedly trapped even as rescue operation is ongoing in Oko community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State where a private student hostel reportedly collapsed Sunday night.
Several occupants are feared trapped beneath the rubble of the three-storey building identified as Elite Five Star Lodge collapsed at Amokpala, Oko.
Eyewitnesses said a loud bang was heard moments before the multi-storey building gave way, sending students and residents rushing to the scene in confusion and fear.
“We heard a loud bang, and within seconds people were screaming for help. Everyone rushed out to see what had happened,” an eyewitness said.
Videos and photos circulating on social media showed a large crowd gathered around the collapsed structure as residents, students and emergency responders launched frantic rescue efforts. Local volunteers were also seen assisting in clearing debris in a bid to locate survivors.
Rescue operations ongoing – Police
The Anambra State Police command confirmed the incident in a statement Monday morning saying a coordinated rescue operation was underway.
The building, located beside Tonimas Filling Station, caved in on July 26, prompting an immediate emergency response from the Anambra State Police Command and other security agencies.
The statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the Police-led joint security team swiftly mobilised to the scene upon receiving a distress call adding that the area was secured to prevent further danger while rescue efforts commenced in collaboration with relevant emergency responders.
According to the statement, personnel of the Anambra State Fire Service and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) joined the operation to assist in searching for survivors and evacuating victims from the debris.
The police command disclosed that some injured occupants have already been rescued and taken to a hospital in Oko, where they are receiving medical treatment.
However, rescue operations are still in progress, and authorities said the number of casualties or persons trapped could not yet be confirmed.
The command appealed to residents and members of the public to remain calm, refrain from spreading unverified information, and stay away from the disaster site to enable emergency personnel carry out their duties without obstruction.
Ikenga assured that further updates would be provided as more verified information becomes available.
-
News1 day agoGunmen abduct High Court Judge from his residence
-
News3 days ago
Police arrest ASP, three inspectors over viral video of ‘ethnic comment’ against motorist
-
News3 days ago
BREAKING: Bandits abduct Zamfara LG chairman, kill four security men
-
News2 days ago
Enugu Govt begins Revalidation, Digitisation of Survey Records
-
Nigerians were repatriated from Niger RepublicNigerians were repatriated from Niger RepublicNews3 days ago
Japa: 1,429 Nigerians repatriated from Niger Republic – Report
-
News3 days ago
Troops neutralise 85 bandits, rescue 283 hostages as 1 Brigade intensifies operations in Zamfara
-
News14 hours ago
Many feared trapped as three-storey hostel collapses in Anambra
-
International1 day ago
India’s Education Minister resigns
