Tag: Port Harcourt

  • Suspected Cultists Fatally Shoot Man After Football Match in Port Harcourt

    Suspected Cultists Fatally Shoot Man After Football Match in Port Harcourt

    By Milcah Tanimu

    In the Rumukalabo area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, gunmen suspected to be cultists shot and killed a young man identified as Akpan, popularly known as Fregene. The incident occurred on Wednesday night as Fregene was making his way home after watching a football match.

    According to reports, the assailants, who had been trailing him, attacked him after the match. Fregene was shot twice in the neck at close range, and the gunmen quickly fled the scene, leaving him in a pool of blood.

    Residents in the area, lacking the means to confront the armed assailants, could only witness the aftermath of the attack. The normally peaceful neighborhood was thrown into chaos, with people running for safety.

    Akpan, originally from Akwa Ibom State, had been residing in Port Harcourt for several years.

    The spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, was contacted for information on the incident. As of the time of reporting, she had not provided feedback from the police division near the area. The motive behind the attack and the identity of the assailants are yet to be confirmed.

  • Arrests Made After Gombe Policemen Shoot Man in Port Harcourt Bar

    Arrests Made After Gombe Policemen Shoot Man in Port Harcourt Bar

    In a tragic turn of events, two serving policemen from Gombe State have been taken into custody in Rivers State after being accused of fatally shooting a father of four, Mr. Peterside, within a bar located in Port Harcourt. The incident unfolded during a tumultuous encounter at the lounge, shedding light on a distressing situation that has gripped the community.

    Sources indicate that the policemen responsible for the shooting were part of a specialized team dispatched to the state for a significant operation. The tragedy struck at a lounge situated within the Elelenwo Community of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. Mr. Peterside had been present at the establishment alongside his wife and three children when a dispute escalated into a chaotic scene.

    Witnesses recount that amidst the chaos, the policemen present at the lounge resorted to firing their weapons, inadvertently causing a fatal gunshot to strike Mr. Peterside. The heartbreaking incident has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving a family shattered and a community in mourning.

    Confirming the incident, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police and the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, revealed that the matter was reported by the widow of the deceased, Ebikere Peterside. She stated, “On Monday, August 7, 2023, Rivers State Police Command received a complaint from one Peterside Ebikere…that on Thursday, August 3, 2023, at about 2200 hrs, while at a Bar/Lounge in company of her husband and three children, all of a sudden, pandemonium broke out, and in the midst of the confusion, mobile policemen from 43 PMF Gombe on special duty in Rivers State on guard fired several shots that hit her husband.”

    The tragic outcome resulted in the victim being rushed to Save-a-Life Hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead by attending medical professionals. The slain man’s body has been entrusted to the Military Hospital Mortuary. In response to the incident, the policemen responsible have been taken into custody and are being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further inquiries.

    As the investigation unfolds, the Rivers State Police Command has pledged to keep the public informed about the outcomes and developments surrounding this distressing incident. The community’s collective thoughts and concerns are with the bereaved family during this difficult time.

  • “NAF Air Strikes Disrupt Stolen Crude Oil Operations: Boats Destroyed in Niger Delta”

    “NAF Air Strikes Disrupt Stolen Crude Oil Operations: Boats Destroyed in Niger Delta”

    The Nigerian Air Force’s decisive air strikes have effectively dismantled operations involving stolen crude oil in Rivers State. The ongoing efforts of the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) are targeting the core activities of oil thieves and their allies in the Niger Delta Region.

    In a recent operation on August 5, 2023, approximately 4 nautical miles southeast of Bille, a riverine area near Bonny Island and south of Port Harcourt, the Air Force engaged and destroyed three boats that were illicitly siphoning crude oil from a pipeline. The operation was conducted in coordination with flights toward Port Harcourt.

    During this mission, the crew identified an active site for illegal refining, complete with tanks and reservoirs housing suspected illegally refined products. Located about 4 miles southeast of Idama in Rivers State, this site was subsequently targeted and obliterated.

    According to Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, these air strikes will persistently continue against those who undermine the economy through theft and sabotage. This resolute effort aims to deter further acts of thievery and economic sabotage from these perpetrators.”

  • 2 APC Governors Visit Wike In Port Harcourt Amid PDP Crisis

    2 APC Governors Visit Wike In Port Harcourt Amid PDP Crisis

    Amid political permutations ahead of the 2023 general elections, two All Progressives Congress (APC) governors on Wednesday night visited Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    The two APC governors – Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and his Cross River State counterpart, Ben Ayade; were accompanied by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State.

    Wike and Ikpeazu are power brokers in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The duo alongside three other PDP governors (Oyo, Enugu and Benue) have for months demanded the removal of PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu as a precondition to support the party’s Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

    On the other hand, Umahi dumped the PDP in November 2020 and joined the APC. He would later contest the APC presidential primary mid-2022 but lost to former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu.

    Similarly, Ayade left the PDP for the APC in May 2021 and jostled to be the ruling party’s flag bearer. However, like Umahi, he was trounced by Tinubu.

    Wike and Umahi were former allies before the latter’s move to the APC. The two engaged in war of words following the defection of the Ebonyi State governor to the APC.

    However, the former foes may have perfectly sealed their reconciliation as Umahi, for the third time within six months, on Wednesday night, visited Wike in Port Harcourt. He previously visited the Rivers governor in June and in August 2022.

    Though the details of Wednesday’s meeting were unknown as of press time as none of the four governors addressed journalists after the closed-door session, there are indications of a formidable political alliance ahead of next February’s presidential poll.

  • Kwankwaso Meets Wike In Port Harcourt

    Kwankwaso Meets Wike In Port Harcourt

    Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso on Friday paid a visit to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt.

    While the meeting’s purpose is yet unclear, it may not be unconnected to the 2023 general elections.

    Also present at the meeting was former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose.

    Other political players such as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, have visited Mr Wike in the past few days.

    Mr Wike on Thursday received Senate Minority Leader, Philip Aduda and other PDP politicians, also in Port Harcourt.

    Others who have visited Mr Wike recently include Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, and former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoki.

  • Senate Minority Leader, Others Visit Gov Wike in Port Harcourt

    Senate Minority Leader, Others Visit Gov Wike in Port Harcourt

    Senate Minority Leader, Philip Aduda on Thursday led the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Senate to meet with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt.

    Senator Aduda who has been a long-time ally of Governor Wike was nominated as Minority Leader two days ago to replace the former, Enyinaya Abaribe who defected from the PDP.

    On the entourage are, Deputy Minority Leader, Shuaibu Lau, Minority Whip, Chukwuka Utazi, and Deputy Minority Whip, Danjuma La’ah.

    Senator Barry Mpigi from Rivers State was on hand to receive the guests alongside Governor Wike.

    The meeting was held behind closed doors in the private residence of Governor Wike in Port Harcourt.

    The senators who arrived at about 3:10 pm, departed at about 6 pm, without stating the purpose of their visit.

    The visit of the Senators happened a few minutes after the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe equally visited Governor Nyesom Wike at his residence.

    Governor Wike had in the past days received top political figures at his private residence in Port Harcourt.

    Some of whom have visited the Rivers State Governor include the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, Governors Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.

    Like the other visits, that of Elder Orubebe was also private.

    Elder Godsday Orubebe who served in the Goodluck Jonathan administration, resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party this week.

    In his resignation letter addressed to the National Chairman of the Party, the former Minister said the present situation in the party does not inspire confidence that the party is ready to regain power in 2023 because the party disregarded its constitutional provisions and threw the zoning of the Presidency open, which created a situation that led to the emergence of a Northerner as the party’s presidential candidate, thus making the two topmost positions in the party, after the emergence of another northerner as the National Chairman.

  • Peter Obi Visits Gov Wike In Port Harcourt

    Peter Obi Visits Gov Wike In Port Harcourt

    Presidential Flag Bearer of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has paid a visit to Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike at his private residence in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    On arrival, Obi was taken inside where he had a meeting with the governor behind closed doors.

    Both men, however, did not speak on the purpose of the meeting, as Journalists were not granted access.

    Peter Obi’s visit comes four days after the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi also met with Governor Wike at about 9:00 pm behind closed doors.

    The meeting also comes days after Obi returned from Egypt where he went to “understudy by what miracle the third biggest economy in Africa after South Africa and Nigeria moved their power generation from 20,000 megawatts to over 40,000 megawatts in four years,” a statement by his aide stated.

    Governor Wike, on the other hand, had run for the People Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket but lost to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    Thereafter, he was considered as a viable running mate to Atiku alongside two others.

    He, however, lost the chance to Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.

    Speaking about Okowa’s nomination, National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, said a 17-member committee had been set up by the party to pick a running mate.

    According to him, the committee had submitted three names to Atiku to choose from and the former Vice President made a final decision.

    Atiku said choosing from the options was difficult.

    He also noted that some of the qualities he looked out for included someone who understands the enormity of the challenges facing the country and one who has demonstrated, from experience, that he can proffer some solutions.

    The Waziri of Adamawa said he looked out for one who has the qualities of a president, who can stand in for him when he’s not around.

    According to him, while all the three names submitted were qualified, he had to settle for just one – Okowa.

  • Police Confirms 31 deaths In Stampede at Rivers Church Event

    Police Confirms 31 deaths In Stampede at Rivers Church Event

    The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the death of 31 persons in a stampede that occurred during a church program in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Saturday.

    The command also disclosed that those who were injured were “swiftly evacuated to the hospital for immediate medical treatment”.

    According to the statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe Koko, preliminary investigations conducted by the command indicate that the “unfortunate incident occurred when the management of Kings Church Assembly organised a crusade which attracted mammoth crowd”.

    The church was meant to give out food items to the less privileged.

    The police said the crowd was “uncontrollable” and “all efforts made by the organisers to bring sanity proved abortive”.

    The Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, while condemning the incident, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Charge of the State Criminal Investigations Department to carry out discrete investigations into the incident.

    He further called on religious and charity organizations to ensure they work with the police for security and crowd control management in organising their programmes in the future.

    The commissioner also commiserated with the bereaved families and prayed to God to comfort and grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • 50 Passengers Rescued After Fire Guts Aircraft Tyres At Port Harcourt Airport

    50 Passengers Rescued After Fire Guts Aircraft Tyres At Port Harcourt Airport

    All passengers onboard an aircraft have been rescued after its tyres caught fire after a planned trip out of Rivers State was aborted.

    The incident which involved an aircraft operated by Dana Airlines Limited occurred on Monday in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    A spokesman for the airline, Kingsley Ezenwa, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday said no life was lost and no passenger was injured.

    He explained that the aircraft with registration number 5N JOY was set to take off from Port Harcourt to Lagos when the incident occurred.

    Ezenwa stated that the pilot in command had noticed an anomaly before take-off which he queried with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) before embarking on a ramp return.

    He said the impact on the brakes affected the aircraft tyres, causing them to spark off while the aircraft was taxiing to repark.

    According to the airline official, all 50 passengers onboard disembarked safely while the aircraft was immediately grounded by the company’s maintenance team.

    He apologised to the passengers on the flight for the inconveniences caused due to the eventual cancellation of the flight, adding that the incident was being investigated.

  • Ibom Air commences daily flights from P/Harcourt

    Ibom Air commences daily flights from P/Harcourt

    The management of Ibom Air on Monday in Uyo announced the commencement of daily flights from the Port Harcourt International Airport to Abuja and Lagos.

    A statement from the Airlines’ Group Marketing Manager, Mrs Aniette Esienette and made available to newsmen said the launch of the Port-Harcourt flights was part of it’s ongoing expansion program.

    “Our aim is to be able to offer our promise of schedule reliability, on-time departures, and excellent service to a wider pool of domestic travelers across the country.

    “Port Harcourt will bring to six the total number of destinations we cover in the country, in addition to Uyo, Lagos, Abuja, Calabar and Enugu.

    “We want to take this opportunity to assure our passengers that safety and customer satisfaction will remain at the center of Ibom Air’s operations, and we will continue to work hard to meet and exceed your expectations, so that you continue to see us as your airline of first choice.” The statement said.

    Ibom Air is a limited Liability company wholly owned by the Akwa Ibom state Government, which aims to set the standard as an Airline of choice for passengers by focusing on schedule reliability, on-time performance, and excellent service with a Vision to be a world-class, African regional airline and Mission to build a safe, service-focused and profitable Airline.