Prison inmantes detonate explosive in attempted jail break

 Some inmates of Okaka Prisons in Yenagoa on Monday detonated improvised explosive device in an attempted jail break but six of them inmates were said to be rearrested even as sources near the facility say some prisoners may have escaped given the time it took for reinforcement to come.

Nigerian Prison Authourities habitually cover up jail break attempts to save their jobs.

Mr Victor Chiabua, Controller, Nigerian Prison Command in the state said on Monday, that the incident occurred at about 9.02pm on Sunday, and denied the escape of some prisoners.

Group appeals to Police to free Nursing mother kidnapped in Brass LGA, Bayelsa

Group appeals to Police to free Nursing mother kidnapped in Brass LGA, Bayelsa

A lactating mother was on Tuesday separated from her few weeks old baby by kidnappers who abducted her and whisked to an unknown destination, denying the newborn of nourishment.

The Supreme Council for Non-Indigenes in Bayelsa State has condemned the kidnap of Mrs. Roselyn Okokingho by yet to be identified criminals who broke into her home around 8.45pm on Teusday at Twon Brass in Brass Local Government Area of the state.

Militants attack JTF again, 5 die during cross fire in Rivers

An early morning attack on the joint military force deployed to Rivers state , the second within one week left five people dead amidst fears of renewed agitation in the Niger Delta region.

The Joint Task Force (JTF) deployed to the Niger Delta announced on Wednesday that troops had killed four militants, following an encounter with troops in Rivers.

The Deputy Commander of the JTF, Brig.-Gen. Kevin Aligbe, who confirmed the development in Yenagoa, said that a civilian member of the JTF crew aboard the troops’ boat died in the attack.

Aligbe explained that four other soldiers, who sustained injuries in the attack, were currently receiving medical attention in Port Harcourt.

He recalled that on July 13, troops deployed to Ogboubagbene Community in the Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta came under similar attack that resulted to the death of a soldier.

According to him, an operative of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps as well as a policeman, who are members of the task force, got injured in the attack.

He said that the militants had carted away some military hardware during the attack.

Aligbe said, however, that troops were trailing the suspects, whom he said, had fled to some communities after the incident.

The JTF chief warned the communities to refrain from shielding or habouring criminals.

He enjoined residents of Ogboubagbene Community to reveal the identities of the criminals before they would be “smoked out’’ from their hideouts to face justice.

Aligbe dismissed reports that the military invaded the communities, molested innocent people and destroyed property.

Stakeholders including the Ijaw Youths Council and the Civil Liberties Organisation had raised alarm and alleged that the military had overrun the communities and violated the rights of residents.

He said that the ongoing effort to fish out those behind the attack was within the rules of engagement and operating procedure of the task force.

“Following the malicious and unsubstantiated reports, I and other component commanders of the JTF and the Paramount Ruler of the community, Chief Godspower Oporomo, Pere of Kerebiri and Chiefs from 10 communities visited the sites they said hadbeen razed by troops.

“We found the entire communities to be in a calm and peaceful state while the residents were seen going about their normal activities. The reports were false,” Aligbe said.

He applauded residents of the Niger Delta for their support to the task force, urging them to sustain the support.

The commander also told the residents to assist the task force with timely information that would assist them in ridding the region of criminality

Cultism and Crime: Bayelsa Police takes campaign to schools

The Bayelsa Police Command has commenced a campaign against cultism following the spread of the menace amongst teenagers and is taking its advocacy to schools in Bayelsa.

Most violent crimes resulting to killing of victims recorded within the past six months in Bayelsa including the most recent killing of a former Defense Academy cadet in Bayelsa have been traced

 Assistant Commissioner of Police, (ACP) Bayelsa Command, Mr Mike Vigara, who flagged off the campaign on Tuesday urged young people to shun crime and cultism in the society.

He gave the advice during a campaign visit to Billari International School, Tombia Imiringi road in the outskirts of Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.

The title of his campaign is "why young people must shun crime and cultism.

The ACP implored the young to be courageous in life, and shun any act

which will put them into criminality to warrant their arrest.

The Police Chief, said the essence of living is to find solutions to the problems of humanity, adding that students are in school to get knowledge to solve the problems of mankind and make the earth a better place.

According to him, "Once a person goes into crime it is always difficult to come out of it.

"Crime is evil and wicked; it does not pay anyone but destroys society

and the future of the person committing it.

"Take the massage home to your friends and families that crime can

destroy, if the person is caught, will be arrested by the police for prosecution," he said.

Vigara, said criminals do not last long in criminality as they always leave trails that eventually give them out for arrest by law enforcement officials which includes the Police amongst others.

In his remark, the Principal of the School, Mr. Benjamin Osei-Tutu,

commended, the Police Command for the campaign to shun crime amongst youngnpeople.

He urged the POlice to sustain the campaign and take it to other private and public schools in the state.

The Principal lauded the campaign carried out by the Police to make young people become better people in their future.

In his address, the Senior Prefect of the School, Miss Filomina Anzewei, expressed satisfaction for the sensitization to better their future.

She described the advice as one which will shape their future, and the

way they will be doing things going forward.

She, urged her fellow students to imbibe and put to use what they have learnt from the Assistant Commissioner of Police. 

We remain professional, civil in search killers of soldier in Niger Delta- JTF

The Joint Task Force  (JTF) deployed to the Niger Delta on Tuesday assured that its ongoing operation to fish out killers of its soldier in Delta at the weekend is within its rule of engagement.

Unidentified gunmen had killed a soldier on duty at Ogbugbagbene settlement , Burutu Local Government Area of Delta on Saturday and made away with the slain soldier’s arms.

The assurance followed concerns expressed by stakeholders who claimed that the military had invaded communities near the crime scene.

OF NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION(NNDC)AND A NEW DAWN

OF NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION(NNDC)AND A NEW DAWN

by Hon Eseme Eyiboh

"IN EVERY DIFFICULTIES LIES OPPORTUNITY" Albert Einstern.

Our democracy has thrown up the emergence of quasi ethnic sentiments, unbridled cultivation of poor national consciousness,weak institutions, poor perception of government, deteriorating national values and insecurity. In context, the present government's CHANGE MANTRA is intended as it were, to jumpstart a new thinking with the recruitment of new national leadership with lens to ignite our strength in diversity; trigger new opportunities founded on ethical values, national integrity and to drive our development process.

Supreme Court judgement on PDP: Obi says it is victory for democracy

Chief Ben Obi, National Secretary, Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday described the Supreme Court judgment which affirmed Ahmed Makarfi-led committee as “judgment for democracy and political parties.”

Obi, who stated this in an interview with newsmen in Awka, said the Supreme Court’s decision had put to rest any doubt about who was supreme in all matters of the party.

“The truth of the matter is that, since the commencement of the crisis that engulfed the party in May 2016, all the organs of the party had remained with the caretaker committee that was set up by virtue of the party’s Constitution at the convention.

“Attempting to usurp the Constitution is in futility; and graciously, the Supreme Court judgment has re-affirmed that position in no unmistaken terms,” he said.

Radio Bayelsa GM on N2.5 m ‘tackles station’s accountant for recovering staff loan deductions from advert revenue

The General Manager of Radio Bayelsa Mr John Idumange has raised alarm over the disappearance of N2.5 million revenue accruing from outside broadcast of the station.

Idumange who withheld N1.7 million loan repayments to a commercial bank said on Friday that he had submitted a written petition to the Bayelsa Police Command on the alleged ‘disappearance’ of the station’s accountant with the revenue.

“The Accountant of Radio Bayelsa had connived with our client and collected  N2.5 million revenue for live coverage and outside broadcast services from Bayelsa State House of Assembly.

Gowon inaugurates N3.3 bn Bayelsa Govt. House, lauds Dickson on development strides

Gen. Yakubu Gowon, (Rtd) Former Head of State, on Wednesday inaugurated the new Government House built at cost of N3.3 billion.

Gowon, while performing the official commissioning of the new governor’s office complex in Yenagoa, commended Gov. Seriake Dickson’s development strides.

“I must congratulate the governor on the structures that I have seen, especially on his new office complex.

Ijaw stakeholder Ijaw Nation Forum writes Dickson seeks clarity on grazing policy

 Ijaw Nation Forum (INF), an online social mobilisation platform for the Ijaws, have queried  Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa over the controversial allocation of a grazing land in Yenagoa measuring about 1200 hectares to cattle herdsmen.

 In an open letter addressed to the governor dated 6 July 2017 and entitled, "The Menace Of The Cattle Herdsmen And Ijaw Peoples' Security", the forum questioned the rationale behind the allocation of the grazing area to the herdsmen.

 In the eight-point-demand letter signed by Benedict Amaebi Okoro, INF’s moderator, the forum asked Dickson to "give reasons why Bayelsa State in the South-South region seems to have officially established "grazing land" for the cattle herders from outside the state".

 

The INF also asked the governor to explain how the cattle would access the allocated space without passing through other areas.

Nigeria's unity is not negotiable"- Bayelsa Monarch

King Joshua Igbugbugburu, the 80 year old Traditional Ruler of Bomo Clan in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa has said unity of Nigeria is sacrosanct

Igbugbugburu told those agitating for secession of some parts of the country from Nigeria to stop as the nation's unity is not negotiable.

Igbugburu, who has ruled for 58 years as the Ibenanaowei of Bomo clan said the agitations of those clamouring for secession may have arose from issue of exclusion.

He said the agitation should be directed at political leaders who have failed to deliver dividends of democracy and not threaten the unity of the nation.

Bayelsa ex-legislators seek pension

Amidst biting economic recession and public outcry on the cost of governance to the public treasury, former members of the Bayelsa House of Assembly have asked that they be included in the pension scheme being enjoyed by past governors and deputy governors in the state.

The Acting Chairman, Forum of Bayelsa Ex-legislators, Chief Robert Enogha, made the request on Thursday at a special session of the state legislature to mark the end of the second session of the sixth Assembly in Yenagoa.

The session was attended by current and former members of the Assembly, including lawmakers in the old Rivers State House of Assembly.

Enogha, who is also the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Environmental Sanitation Authority, said it was wrong to treat the former lawmakers as ‘casual workers’ without any benefit after their service.

”Since it was the Assembly that passed the law making ex-governors and their deputies beneficiaries of pension after serving the state, it is wrong to treat the former lawmakers as ‘casual workers.’’

He said the ex-law makers had been without any benefit after contributing their quota to the development of the state.

”We, therefore, urge the Speaker and members of the House to do the needful and enact a legislation that will accommodate former lawmakers in the state pension scheme,” he urged.

Enogha said their inclusion would help the former lawmakers to live well without many difficulties.

The special session, which marked the end of second session of the current Assembly, had as its theme, ‘Impact of the Legislature on Development, Bayelsa State in Retrospect’.

Contributions to the occasion were the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Jonathan Obuebite; member representing Kolokuma/Opokuma 1, Tonye Isenah (PDP); Southern Ijaw111, Daniel Igali (PDP).

Others were former member of old Rivers State House of Assembly, Chief Thompson Okorotie, the Political Adviser to Gov. Seriake Dickson.

Mr Fyneman Wilson; Chief of Staff, Government House, Talford Ongolo; Mr C.J Ayabowei, Monday Bolou Obor also contributed.

The speakers, in unison, acknowledged the role of the legislature in a democracy, saying the arm had particularly impacted tremendously in the development of Bayelsa.

They, however, urged the current Assembly members to improve on their oversight function and engage their constituents more regularly to get their inputs in law making.

High point of the session was the defection of the member representing Ogbia Constituency 2, Gibson Monaleyefa, from Labour Party to PDP.

Current and former members of the state Assembly as well as lawmakers in the old Rivers House of Assembly attended the session. 

Bayelsa Ministry decries low LG revenue

The Bayelsa Ministry of Local Government Administration on Wednesday decried the dwindling revenue accruing to the councils, resulting in their inability to pay workers’salaries.

Dr Agatha Goma, the state Commissioner for Local Government Administration had said that local government workers were being owed nine and half months salaries.

Goma, in a statement on Wednesday, said that the state had received from the Federal Account, the sum of N1.11 billion accruing to the eight local governments for the month of June 2017.

According to her, the money is insufficient for the councils to meet their salary obligations to local government.

JTF raids arms factory in Ughelli, recovers cache of arms –Commander

The Joint Task Force (JTF)) deployed to protect oil installation in the Niger Delta, has raided firearms making facility in the region where various calibre of light firearms are manufactured.

Rear Admiral Sulieman Apochi, the Commander of the Joint Military Force code-named Operation Delta Safe, made the announcement on Monday in Yenagoa.

He said that troops discovered the armed manufacturing camp in Arhavwarien community in Ugheli South Local Government Area of Delta.

He said that in a sting operation, the troops approached the local arms makers and placed orders for some single barrel guns.

Briefing newsmen on raids conducted over the weekend, Col. Moses Grema, Land Component Commander of the JTF, said that 3 suspects were arrested after a shootout during the raid on the local arms hideout.

“Three principal suspects were arrested following shootout with the suspects.

“Items recovered from them include 13 short barrel locally made guns, five double barrel locally made guns, 10 locally made pistols.

“Others are, three live cartridges, one empty cartridge and two rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition,” Grema said.

In a related development, Grema said the troops arrested a 50-year-old man for alleged theft and sale of oil wellhead popularly called ‘Christmas Tree’ and other accessories.

He said that the wellhead was stolen from an oilfield operated by an International Oil Company.

Grema said the troops also arrested a 42- year-old oil theft suspect, who had been on the wanted list of the security agencies in the region.

He said that 10 cheque books, international passport, five different identity cards and N1, 000,100 (One million, one hundred naira) cash were amongst items recovered from the suspect..

He commended members of the public for providing information that led to the arrest of the suspects and urged them to sustain the support.

Kidnappers of Bayelsa principal’s wife demand N3m ransom

The gang of kidnappers who abducted Mrs. Edith Moron, the wife of the Principal of Gbanrainowei Grammar School, Okolobiri, Bayelsa have demanded a ransom of N3 million to free her.

Mr. Moron Pereowei who confirmed the kidnap of his wife said that the abductors of his wife had established contact with the family.

The incident occurred about 2:03 a.m. on Friday in their residence at Azikoro Village, Yenagoa Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

Kidnappers of School principal’s wife in Bayelsa demand N3 million ransom

The gang of kidnappers who abducted Mrs. Edith Moron, the wife of the Principal of Gbanrainowei Grammar School, Okolobiri, Bayelsa have demanded a ransom of N3 million to free her.

 Mr. Moron Pereowei who confirmed the kidnap of his wife said that the abductors of his wife had established contact with the family.

The incident occurred about 2.03 am on Friday in their residence at Azikoro Village, Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.

Niger Delta youth leader urges peace in Brass LGA to attract investment

Mr Kenedy Tonjo-West, a Niger Delta youth leader has urged youths in Brass Local Government Area  (LGA) of Bayelsa to promote peace to sustain investors interest in the coastal settlement. .

Tonjo-West, who is also a Senior Special Assistant to Bayelsa Governor on Niger Delta Youth Matters made the call in an interview session in Yenagoa on Saturday.

The youth leader gave the advice against the backdrop of leadership crisies following election of youth leaders in the area which compelled the local government chairman to suspend the youth election to avert violence.

Salary arrears: Bayelsa NULGE clarifies stance on payment of LG workers

The Bayelsa chapter of  the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), on Friday clarified the level of indebtedness of local government workers in the state.

The clarification came on the report released by the national headquarters of NULGE which listed Bayelsa as the most indebted of 23 states with a salary backlog of 16 months.

The leadership of NULGE had published the list earlier in the week against the backdrop of diversion of the Paris Club refunds by state governments.