News

Fubara gifts widow of slain Rivers inspector N20m

The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has presented N20 million to the widow of Inspector Monday Issah who shot dead by gunmen in Port Harcourt.

While presenting the cheque, Fubara commended the Rivers State Police Command for their laudable efforts in fighting crime in the State, which has produced tangible results like the neutralization of a notorious criminal and killer, David Gift Opara, popularly known as 2Baba, who was accused of killing the late Ahoada Divisional Police Officer, Bako Angbashim and causing harm to others.

Fubara spoke when when he paid a condolence visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu at the Command’s Headquarters in Port Harcourt on Monday, over the murder of Inspector Monday Isah recently.

According to Fubara, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, he came to extend his condolence directly to the widow and family of Inspector Isah and officers of the State Police Command.

He explained that the government and people of Rivers State, especially those who were directly affected by the actions of the gang were elated when 2baba and his gang of criminals were eliminated.

“Rivers people are happy at your efforts to bring peace to the state. We are very grateful and commend your efforts.”

While presenting a cheque of N20m to the widow of Inspector Issah, he clarified that the Rivers State Government takes it as a point of duty to relate with the officers who are making daily sacrifices of ensuring peace in the State.

The Governor admonished the widow to keep faith in God and be steadfast in the care of her children.

According to him, “The reason we are here is to share in your pain. I always say, this token is nothing compared to life. What is key is to inform you that the Governor and the people of Rivers State appreciate the effort of your husband and father and sincerely sympathize with you over the loss.

“I always say, when a man dies in the cause of serving God and man, God will never leave the people he left behind. Your husband did not die in luxury but while serving the country to secure the safety of the state.

“Place your faith in God, for death is a necessary end for all humans irrespective of who we are or where we are. If you place your faith in God and concentrate on this additional responsibility God has given you, which is to be both father and mother to your children, God will reward you. God is able to see you through this situation,” he said.

Responding, Disu thanked the Governor for his magnanimity to the State Police Command.

He noted that the Governor has again raised the hope of the bereaved family and members of the State Police Command as he affirmed that the sample of this goodwill would reinvigorate the spirit of all officers.

‘Inspector Friday was a gallant officer and all officers of his team showed gallantry. They fought back and neutralized one of the murderers. We will go after everybody who kills a police man or anyone for that matter and bring them to justice,” he vowed.

News

Eko bridge repairs: LASG announces 18 weeks traffic diversion

The Lagos State Government has announced that traffic will be diverted away from the Eko Bridge to facilitate emergency repairs by the Federal Ministry of Works.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, made this known in a statement on Friday, noting that “the traffic diversion will commence on Sept. 16 and will last for 18 weeks.

“The repairs will be carried out in four phases, during which the bridge will be intermittently, fully or partially closed, depending on the work schedule.

“Motorists are advised to use alternative routes during the repairs, but motorists heading to the Island from Funsho Williams Avenue can make use of the service lane at Alaka to connect Costain and access Eko Bridge to continue their journeys.

“Alternatively, motorists heading to the Island can access Costain to connect Eko Bridge to link Apongbon for their destinations.

“Motorists can also connect Apongbon inwards Eko Bridge to link Costain to access Funsho Williams Avenue.”

He added that motorists could also make use of Costain inwards Alaka/Funsho Williams Avenue or alternately go through Apapa Road from Costain and link Oyingbo to access Adekunle to link Third Mainland Bridge for their desired destinations.

“Motorists heading to Surulere are advised to use Costain to link Breweries inwards Abebe Village to connect Eric Moore/Bode Thomas to get to their destinations,” he stated.

Osiyemi assured that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority officers would be deployed to the rehabilitation areas and alternative routes to minimise travel delays and inconveniences.

News

Rivers: Police detain 5 over CDC chairman’s death

The Police Command in Rivers has apprehended five suspects over the alleged killing of Chief Ndidi Livingstone, a former Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman, Mgbuoshimini, Rumueme, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Disu Olatunji, told newsmen in Port Harcourt that after the killing, the command launched a nationwide manhunt to apprehend the perpetrators.

It would be recalled that Livingstone was murdered in front of his wife and son during a church service in his community on Jan. 13.

Olatunji said that the FID-Intelligence Response Team and personnel of the command later identified nine suspects, including the mastermind of the killing.

He said that five of the suspects died from gunshot wounds sustained after attempting to resist arrest.

“Peter Chukwu, who masterminded that operation, was tracked down in his hideout in Ibusa, Delta, on April 5. His attempt to resist arrest led to his death,” he said.

The commissioner listed other suspects linked to include, Adebayo Adebayo, 48; Success Oge, 39, Nnamdi Emmanuel, 35, John Lucas, 34, and Sunday Godspower, 33.

Others are, Ifeanyi Nwadike, 30, Chigemezu Anochirimoyeanya, 29, Chimezie Adiele, 29, and Ogolo Promise, 25.

He further said that four of the suspects, Adebayor, Emmanuel, Lucas and Promise, led the police to the gang’s hideout in Aluu Village, where their cache of weapons were recovered.

“While approaching the camp, our personnel came under heavy gunfire from hoodlums suspected to be members of the gang.

“The four suspects attempted to escape during the ambush but were caught in the crossfire, they died in the process.

“There bodies have been deposited at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital morgue for autopsy,” he clarified.

Olatunji said that two AK-47 refiles, two SMG rifles, an assault rifle, a shotgun rifle, a pistol, 10 magazines, and 150 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the gang.

He said that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects that were linked to the criminal syndicate.

News

Police arrest 9 suspects over communal crisis in Kogi

The Police Command in Kogi State has arrested nine suspects in connection with a communal crisis in Itamah area of Kogi.

The crisis occurred after the assassination of the community traditional ruler, Onu Itamah Job Shagari.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Bethrand Onuoha, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja on Thursday.

The late Chief Job Shagari was on Aug. 12 assassinated by some gunmen who invaded the community.

The traditional ruler’s death had created rift between two families — the Okenyi Abu-Atika and Shagari-Ebijegor, resulting in communal crisis.

But the police said they had arrested nine suspects and they were trailing other suspects.

“What the police are calling for now is for peace to be allowed to reign in Itamah community.

“The destruction done in that community is very unfortunate and uncalled for.

“We want a situation where the aggrieved families should come to round table for dialogue toward finding a lasting solution.

A situation where the community members are involved in an eye for an eye, the whole community will be blind and there won’t be peace there at all,” he said.

Onuoha denied the allegation that the command did not respond to petitions brought before it on arson and hostilities that left some houses and other property razed destroyed.

Mr Akoh Jonah, spokesman of the Okenyi Abu-Atika, claimed that more than 40 houses were burnt during the crisis, alleging that the police arrested 11 members of his family