See Jonathan's Otuoke and Die

From being another rustic, agrarian and fishing Ijaw community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State a few years ago, Otuoke Community is fast becoming the envy of communities in not only the state, but across the Niger Delta region. SHOLA O'NEIL and Mike Odiegwu reports on the emerging Eldorado in the Niger Delta

Otuoke Hospital

Fed Uni of Technology

When Niger Delta Report visited Otuoke recently the community was one massive construction site: from the recently establishment Federal University of Technology to the Otuoke Hospital and massive road construction projects, it was bustling with development activities.

Why not? One of its sons from the illustrious Ebele Family, one of the seven that make up Otuoke, is President of Africa's most populous nation.

Still, even the most optimistic of them never envisaged that this fishing, cassava and plantain farming community surrounded by water would make such giant progress in such short time.

A proud indigene of the community predicted that Otuoke will be to the Southsouth what Paris is to France. "Then, a slogan, 'visit Otuoke and die', will be assigned to it," he said.

The first indication that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan's hometown is not one of thousand others in the region is the number of heavily armed, but well behaved security personnel that maintain a post just after the bridge leading to the community.

Otuoke, a mere 15 - 20 minutes drive from Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, has really changed into a satellite town. Driving through the narrow and bustling road of Azikoro Village, one meanders the treacherous bends, navigates ubiquitous sand dumps and the shoddily constructed road that leads to the community through Otu-Ogidi.

From the bridge, Otuoke comes alive. Shanties of a few years ago have given way to modern buildings. All the buildings along the road are either reconstructed or renovated. Mud houses which used to dot the community are gone. There is a general belief that Jonathan has empowered his kinsmen with contracts to enable them build good houses.

The hitherto narrow road has been expanded. Solar-powered streetlights dot both sides of the road; at night they cast golden glows on the neatly swept street.

The construction of Jonathan's house which is located at the waterfront is nearing completion. The compound has been redesigned and remodelled severally perhaps to befit his new status.

When our reporter visited, rubbles of buildings demolished to create more space littered the wide expanse of land. A lone, nondescript church building stood out on the wide space on the fore ground. On the background, an uncompleted 2-storey building, with a penthouse stood smugly above the skyline of the city.

The president was said to have acquired all the land bordering his fence in order to isolate his compound from those of other neighbours'. Their uncomplaining owners reportedly received handsome pay off to build better houses elsewhere.

Directly opposite the President's house which is still work-in-progress, are twin duplexes newly erected by Jonathan for his mother and his late father. Though not gaudy, their simple splendour distinguishes them from other structures around them.

Located nearby is the new ultra-modern St. Stephen Anglican Church, a controversial building which was donated to Jonathan by Gitto Construction Ltd, an Italian contractor working for the Federal Government.

Road in Otuoke

There is also a Skill Acquisition Centre that is nearing completion in the town. In addition, there is a mini “Eagle Square” built by former Governor Timipre Sylva and named after Mrs. Jonathan. The Dame Patience Jonathan Square registers its significance with two torn Nigerian flags hoisted.

To ensure that members of the National Youth Service Corps serving in Otuoke enjoy the benefit of serving their country in the president's community, the old 'Corpers Lodge' have been repainted. A new fully-air-conditioned 40-bedroom apartments with a kitchen and restrooms for each apartment being built by the state government is nearing completion.

On the streets of the city, the Bayelsa State Government, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other Federal Government agencies strive to outdo the each other in the race to develop Otuoke.

The state government under present occupant of Creek Haven - Hon Seriake Dickson - has been active. Apart from the NYSC Lodge, Dickson completed one of the most modern health facilities in the entire the state in the town. Simply named Otuoke Hospital, N3.5bn facility was conceived as a cottage hospital by then Governor Goodluck Jonathan, shortly after he succeeded his impeached boss, DSP Alamieyeseigha. But the project dragged for years before it was revived by Dickson. The finishing touch was applied by the Millennium Development Goal (MDGs), allegedly on the directive of Mr. President.

But the main catalyst for the massive development in the hitherto rustic and out of the way community is the Federal University of Technology, Otuoke.

The establishment of the higher institution has unleashed a flurry of economic and social activities. It is a major federal presence that has redefined the community. Independent observers believe that establishing a tertiary institution of that magnitude in his small community was a masterstroke by Jonathan.

Within months after its establishment structures have sprung on the large expanse of sandfilled land that is the permanent site of the institution. 

Sch for Deaf

Similarly, millions of naira is being paid as rent to a private firm that owned rows of bungalows that house the administrative block of the institution.

A multibillion naira project awarded to OnePlus Holding Limited for construction of internal road networks within the university community is seen as one that benefits the town even more than the university. As one critic of the choice of the site noted, "Is it going to be called a community university or university community?"

With the presence of the university which is directly opposite Margel Resort, a hotel owned by the wife of the President, Dame Patience, land speculators and developers have stormed the community. Land is hot cake and people are erecting different shades and sizes of buildings with aesthetic beauty.

While some are building hostels to accommodate students, others are erecting hotels, clubs, shopping malls and shops to promote increased social and economic activities.

Besides, businesses are closing shops in Yenagoa and elsewhere and moving Otuoke. Boutiques, cosmetic shops, restaurants etc are springing up. Eucharia, one of the owners of the new restaurants said the university attracted her to the community.

"I came here to take advantage of the university. Business is good but we expect it to be better soon", she said.

Apart from escalating a boom in property development, most of the influential members of the president's clan have since dropped their farming hoes and fishing net in favour of contracting work.

"Most of the new houses in Otuoke are owned by contractors, who are said to be using their 'brother's' connection to get contracts from the Presidency, NDDC, Niger Delta Ministry and other agencies. "Most of them come back home to build modern houses," a source added.

However, the Paramount Ruler of Otuoke, His Royal Highness, Ogiasa said development started before Jonathan was inaugurated as president.

Speaking with our reporter in May 29, 2011, HRH Ogiasa, said, “It started from the time our son became the vice-president. He has brought improved primary and secondary schools and even nursery school. That alone has given a desired change to the community.

"There is electricity. There could have been water but in this present day, all the sources of water are bad. He has acquired a standby generator so that immediately PHCN takes its light, the generator will be switched on.’’

It is therefore not surprising when the monarch described May 29 2011, as a day that "is glorious and joyful. In the first place, all the glory should go to the heavenly father. I know that this happening is just a divine one."

The wise monarch though advised Jonathan to remember that "Every Nigerian citizen gave him the mandate and he should try not to disappoint the people...There should be one purpose and one goal in his administration.” 

Our investigation revealed though that although Jonathan has impressed most of his kinsmen, there are some Niger Deltans and indeed Bayelsans who are uncomfortable with his quest to develop Otuoke at the expense of other communities.

One of the sour spot is the choice of the president's home town as the site for the university. Critics of the choice argued that the location made nonsense of the benefits such project would have given to the entire region or states like Bayelsa.

A source who pleaded that his name should not be mentioned, said: "We have expanse of land even in Ogbia Local Government Area where development hasn't got to. We also have other strategic and central locations like Sagbama.

"The university should have been sited in those areas. A federal university is supposed to be located where there is no development or known community so that it will help to attract development to such areas.

"The university in Otuoke in my opinion is selfishly located. How can a big institution like that be squeezed into a small community?" 

More ongoing project

Urhobo groups protesting marginalisation of the ethnic group have also compared the pace of development at the university which was set up barely two years ago with the age-long Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State. They often lament that the budgetary allocation for the young university far outweigh FUPRE, which is nearly a decade old.

However, no matter what the critics say, the university is achieving the purpose of its establishment - immortalising Otuoke, creating human and vehicular traffic in the area as well as turning around the economy of the community. It is, indeed, a lasting legacy that a President has bequeathed to his community.

The Otuoke Hospital is said to be awaiting future upgrade to serve as a teaching hospital. The facility which could be likened to a general hospital has attracted criticisms.

Some said Jonathan foisted the project on the MDG Office, which he directly supervises, and ensued it was completed on time with whooping N3.5bn. Others are also angry that instead of centrally locating the hospital to serve more than one community in Ogbia, the President tucked it into his Otuoke hometown.

"It appears that the President only knows about Otuoke. Doesn't he know that Bayelsa State and other states in the Niger Delta region are expecting similar developmental projects? The office of the presidency is too big for development to be concentrated only in a community", an aggrieved persons who identified himself simply as Emmanuel said.

But Mr. Mica Eki, said the community was being transformed through proceeds from land. "People are selling land to build houses", he said.

He added: "That is the only reason why Otuoke is developing. As Goodluck became a President everybody rushed to our community to buy land because they want to identify with the President's community. Now Otuoke that was a village before has become a town".

He, however, said the President had done little for them. "Some of us are angry with him because whenever he comes, he doesn't share money to us. He only advises us to work hard. Apart from the university and the hospital Goodluck has not done anything for Otuoke."

Pointing at the direction of the State School II, Eki exclaimed: "Look at the primary school he attended, he is supposed to have rebuilt it. No Nigerian should say that Goodluck is sharing money in Otuoke, he doesn't share money but he must come back in 2015 even though I have not received any money from him. He is busy developing other places. Let him come back so that he can develop Bayelsa."

How JTF Burnt our town, threw us into poverty - Agge Residents

In the wee hours of August 4, 2008, the people of Agge, a bustling fishing and business town on the tip of the Atlantic Ocean woke up to the unwanted visit of hundreds of armed troops of the Joint Task Force tagged 'Operation Restore Hope'. One hour later the entire town with a population of about 4,000 was turned into a massive bonfire.  Residents say over 500 houses were burnt down.

SHOLA O'NEIL, who visited the town hours after the incident five years ago, returned to the scene of the destruction.

When our reporter returned to Agge, Kou Kingdom in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Tuesday morning relics of the devastation of half a decade ago dotted the landscape.

Stumps of burnt houses littered the ground. Most victims who have rebuilt their homes used fire-bronzed zinc sheets savaged from what was left of their old houses. Others mixed them with new ones to create an admixture that is neither new nor old houses. An indigene told our reporter "our houses are not new, they are not old; they are confused like us."

Most of the victims still sleep in the open - some inside the wreckage of their former homes or under roofs hurriedly thrown over them. In place of masses of charred roofing sheets, verdure grasses have sprouted.

In spite of their collective and individual misfortunes, the entrepreneurial spirit and zeal of these Ijaw people remain strong. New shops have sprung up on the same spot where older more stocked ones were either burnt or looted, five years ago. Music still blares from giant speakers in some houses. But their lives will never be the same again.

"We are determined to carry on with our lives," one resident said.

The Amananawei (traditional ruler), His Royal Highness David Isiaye, Itorogidi I of Agge and its federated communities, told our reporter that the schools in the town are deserted because teachers have absconded due to lack of accommodation.

Chief Clement Korus, father of 32 children - one of which has just graduated from the University of Port Harcourt - from four wives was one of the worst hit. Our reporter met him mending fishing nets and gears and cleaning his fishing boat fitted with 45 horsepower outboard engine.

The renowned fisherman said his entire assets, property and business worth over N30 million were extinguished within the blink of an eye. He is one of hundreds like him left to pick up the pieces of broken lives.

"I lost nine houses, including my hotel," he told our report in a deep baritone voice. "I only managed to rebuild one of the houses since that incident. I had three fishing boats like this; they were all burnt. Now I have just one boat that I bought with a loan from a cooperative society. I pay interest monthly and that is affecting me," he said.

Korus said his dislocated family were yet to recover from the trauma and pains from the incident. "My wives were scattered; one went to Ogulagha to live with her parents, the others went to Ogbeintu etc. That was how we managed to weather the storm."

 

Nevertheless, HRH Isiaye said his people were grateful that nobody died from the accident. "If they (soldiers) had wanted to kill us, they would have done so; but we thank them for sparing our lives, not for reducing my entire clan to ashes and visiting poverty on my people."

Recalling the sad day, the monarch said the troops came and encompassed the town as early as 6am. "They fired heavy mortar and shells into the air to scare away the people. The lucky ones were able to make it to their boats and scamper to nearby communities including Ogbeintu, Amazor and Amatu.

"Women with children on their back had to rely on their swimming skills to cross the river to safety. Children who were able to swim were left to fend for themselves while the young and old were either ferried on the back or helped to waddle to safety.

"The soldiers did not shoot anybody. But two days after, Youmo Mietuade died from heart related ailment as his blood pressure shot up during the invasion and he could not survive," HRH Isiaye recalled.

 Agge: 5 years on

 

 A member of Agge Community

White: military tagged the youths militants in order to invade and plunder it..Photo Shola O'Neil

For Mrs Iyadefegha Alfred, beyond the loss of property, cash and her home, the destruction of her childhood memorabilia and those of her children is very painful.

Speaking in Pidgin English spattered with Ijaw, she said, "All the black and white pictures that I had of my children, the handmade toys, the history and heirloom that my family handed down over the years are gone. They may not be worth much money but they are very expensive in terms of who I am. I intended to hand them over to my children as my mother did to me."

Not all the victims were lucky to lose their own assets. Mr Paul Ogedegbe, a famous outboard engineer mechanic in the area lost items worth over N50m, most of which belonged to his clients not only from the town, but from other riverside communities.

"I have customers from everywhere," he told our reporter in his new workshop in the town. "I was thrown into debt because nearly 20 (outboard) engines that were burnt in my workshop belonged to my client. Some of them were understanding and knew that it wasn’t my fault, others were not willing to listen to that excuse," he said.

Col Rabe Abubakar, who was Joint Media Campaign Coordinator of the JTF in 2008,  told newsmen that the operation was targeted at illegal bunkering syndicate in the town.

Col Abubakar denied that houses were burnt, insisting that the few houses razed down were those used to store illegally refined crude oil. The Nation's exclusive report and photographs of August 16, 2008, however, showed that hundreds of houses were burnt down.

The traditional ruler lamented to Niger Delta Report on Tuesday that the invasion of Agge by the JTF was based on flawed "intelligence report" that the town harboured illegal bunkerers and militants. 

"Look around this town, do you see any sign of such opulence and wealth that illegal bunkering brings. We are poor people who work hard for everything that we get. When the soldiers came, no single shot was fired from this town because we do not have arms," he added.

A local youth named Agge White said the soldiers merely gave the town a bad name to hang it.

"They say we are militants, criminals and illegal bunkerers." Pointing to a military post nearby, he said, "That houseboat with soldiers was there when they burnt down Agge. It was there years before it. How can we engage in illegal bunkering with those soldiers breathing down our necks? This should tell you something."

It did.

Our investigation revealed that all boats, including passengers boat, passing the  Ramos River are subjected to search by troops stationed at a comfy houseboats near the town. Oil industry experts say that it was impossible for bunkerers to operation in the area without 'settling' the soldiers there.

"Crude oil is not stolen with brief case; it is transported with barges and vessels. Even speedboats that pass through the river have to go close to the houseboat of the soldiers for clearance. So, it is impossible to steal crude oil or engage in illegal bunkering if the soldiers there do not allow it," our source, who asked not to be named, said.

High Chief Smith Mientuade, Tonkepa of Kou Kingdom, also flayed the attack, likening it to setting an entire building on fire to kill a tiny rat. The titleholder whose two wives lost houses regretted that no effort had been made the Federal Government to rebuild the town, five years on.

Also speaking, the Secretary of the Traditional Council, High Chief Lawrence Orukeme lamented that several petitions to the government failed to yield any meaningful result. "Our people are still left to suffer for sins they did not commit."

Mr. Timi Etuele, secretary to the monarch revealed that relief materials sent by then Governor Timipre Sylva were grossly insufficient. "What they gave even caused problems in the community because it set brothers against themselves. When people are hungry and desperate, tempers are usually short and angers are high."

Besides, sources said a prominent politician from LG council was accused of confiscating some of the relief materials, including outboard engines to her personal property.

Why Is Government So Wicked?

The anger of the traumatised people was unabated five years after. Monday Lugbeinwe, who lost property worth millions of naira is one of those yet unable to rebuild his house. His relatives said he has been turned into an itinerant man. He was was on a religious retreat in Lagos when the incident occurred.

Chief Williams Isiaye and Samuel Alla, among other victims decried the perceived abandonment of their community by the government.

Led by their monarch in protest, they said, "We did not commit any crime before they burnt down Agge. Today, communities in Gbaramatu and Ayakoromor (in Warri South West and Burutu local government areas of Delta State) that were razed as a result of militancy have been rebuilt."

The Amananawei lamented that government rebuilt those communities whose indigenes took up arms against the nation at various times but abandoned those who were victim of JTF's aggression.

"Those other communities were targeted because of some specific persons. In Ayakoromor it was John Togo, in Gbaramatu it was Tompolo. These persons were accused of killing soldiers, destroying the nation's assets yet their communities have been rebuilt because government appreciated that it was not the action of the entire community.

"We did neither; we were victims of flaw intelligence report. Still five years after not even a brick has been laid in Agge. Why the double standard? This is an injustice that they comfortably forget," he added.

Mr Osteen Igbapike, a lawyer and legal representative of the community, told our reporter on telephone that they might resolve to legal action if efforts to get the relevant authorities to rebuild Agge fail.

"We are encouraged by the recent Odi judgment. We can seek to enforce our fundamental human rights. Before then, we are appealing and begging movement to rebuild our town."

Igbapike decried the attitude of the various levels of government to the plight of Agge people.

                                                                                                                Igbapike

"We are located on the fringe of the Bight of Benin. May be        because we are far from government, they forget that we are a part of Nigeria. It is painful to note that a town of Agge statue lacks any form of government presence," he stated.

More on www.thenationonlineng.net

BLOODY WEDNESDAY IN WARRI

Prison warders, civilians shot dead
Panic grip residents

Fresh facts have emerged over today's early  morning gun fire that led to the death of no fewer than five persons, including three official of the Warri Federal Prison in Warri, Delta State.
Eyewitnesses say they were shot by a gang of gunmen who attacked a vehicle conveying criminal suspects to court for trial. The gunmen reportedly launched the attack with a Toyota Camry and Lexus Rx 300 SUV.
It was gathered that a top kidnap kingpin was among four suspect freed by the gunmen.
Reports indicated that at least four prison official reportedly died at the scene.
Security source said an inmate was also killed during the exchange of gunfire between the gunmen and the prison guards.
Three other prison officials were lying critically injured in an undisclosed hospital in the city following gunshot wounds they sustained during the ensuing gun battle.
The Warri Area Commander of the Nigerian Police, Mr. Hussaini Rabiu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), said initial reports indicated that two warden and an inmate where killed.
He said, "three of the prison inmates, who fled with the attackers after the encounter, have been re-arrested by the police and handed over to the Prisons Department in Warri.
ACP Rabiu said that the police and other security operatives had attempted to plug every possible escape route for the gunmen in Warri and adjoining Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area but they beat the security network set to snare them.
 Meanwhile, the gunfire caused panic in the city, especially within the expatriate communities, where foreigners quickly went into hiding.
German firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Limited, sent its workers home when sporadic gunshots died down, while activities at oil multinational Chevron and Shell were also paralyzed.
Some morning worshippers in the premises of Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral also ran for cover as did dozens of early shoppers at the Warri Main Market.

N'Delta Govs are failures - Aginighan

**Fmr NNDC Ag MD fumes over non-development of oil communities

**Says Competition for 5-Star hotels shameful

 **History will judge governors harshly

 

A former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Pastor Power Aginighan, has taken the six Niger Delta states governors to the cleaner over the non-development of oil bearing communities in the region.

Aginighan, in a statement on Valentines Day, particularly faulted what he termed 'cutthroat competition' among the governors to develop cities in their various states at the detriment of the inaccessible communities of

their state where they derive revenue.

He said the activities of the governors in the cities is to hoodwink visitors into believing that they are working and justifying the billions of naira they receive monthly from the 13% derivation fund from the Federation Account.

He said, "My attention has been drawn to an on-going competition amongst the oil mineral producing States in the Niger Delta in delivering development projects in the respective States.

"In this club of major oil producing States that have received hundreds of billions of naira as 13% derivation from the Federation Account from 1999 to date are Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta.

"The press is awash with cut-throat competition amongst these states to build five-star hotels, airports and flyovers to mention a few. Governors of these states have argued that they are embarking on these grandiose projects to prepare for their states beyond oil.

"My point of departure from this chain of thought is that these development initiatives, some of which should have been private sector-driven, have not taken cognisance of environmental sustainability in the oil bearing communities in the respective States that are mostly located in the coastal and riverside areas of the States," he lamented.

Aginighan, who was the foundation Secretary of the Ijaw National Congress (IYC), noted that thousands of communities in the four core oil bearing states that have benefited from the largess of oil windfall still wallow in abject poverty and deprivation.

He said communities such as Kula, Soku, Old Sagama, Ke, Bille, Krakrama, Obuideinde, Ekerekana, Okujagu, Ofiomina-ama (Alakiri) and Orubiri in Rivers State; Egbema Angalabri, Peretorugbene, Ekeni,Sangana, Brass, Ogbolomabiri and Bassambiri in Bayelsa State; Ogulagha, Odimodi, Obotobo, Sokebulou, Kokodiagbene, Jakpa, Tisun, Bateren, Ugborodo, Okerenkoko, Kokodiagbene, Ogidigben, Ojobo, Tsekelewu (Polobubo), Alagbabri, Inyi, Obikwele, Afor, Olota, Ederie-Araya and Enhwe (Isoko) in Delta State and Amadaka, Kampa, Alile and Amazaba , Atabrikang, Ntafre, Opolom, Okorutip, Okposo 1 and 2 in Akwa-Ibom State, which account for over 70% of the 13% derivation funds received by these States remain inaccessible by road.

"If this state of affairs persists until the oil gets exhausted these communities cannot be part of the dream post-oil economy which is expected to be driven by mechanised agriculture and industrialisation; no tractor can move to any of these communities.

"It is therefore my counsel that oil rich States of the Niger Delta should compete, not in building five star hotels in non-oil producing state capitals, but in linking up the criminally alienated oil bearing communities in their states, which have borne the excruciating pains of the destruction of their ecosystem for so many years."

In his parting shot, Aginighan warned that governors of the oil bearing states who fail to heed the advice risk going down in the history book as those who laid the foundation for the destruction of those communities.

 

 

Ogbe-Ijoh/Warri monarch is dead

Ogbe-Ijoh/Warri traditional ruler is dead

The Ogbe-Ijoh traditional council in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State yesterday announced the demise of the monarch, His Royal Majesty Pere Amakosu Oduwor III of Ogbe-Ijoh/Warri Kingdom.

A statement by the Fiyeowei (spokesperson) of the kingdom, Chief Favour Izoukumor, said the monarch, who ascended the throne in 1976 and was later gazetted in 1979, passed on at the age of 90 years.

He said the late traditional ruler was the third in the lineage of Oduwor, the first child of Ewein, founder of Ogbe-Ijoh/Warri Kingdom.

Izoukumor, who made the announcement at the Ogbe-Ijoh/Warri Kingdom hall yesterday, said, "His passing away is a painful and unexpected loss. An iroko has fallen. The traditional council and indeed the entire kingdom are shocked beyond imagination and no words can adequately give expression to the depth of our grief."

The kingdom's spokesperson described the late monarch as a very fair and just man whose reign brought peace, progress and development to Ogbe-Ijoh/Warri.

He further noted that the late monarch was "a man of tranquillity, who built peace across board", adding that "It was during his reign that Ogbe-Ijoh town became the headquarters of Warri South West LGA council."

"We also wish to express our heartfelt condolence to the entire members of the kingdom for this inestimable loss. God gives, God takes. Let us take solace in the good name and great deeds he left behind," the statement added.

It was gathered that the burial of the monarch would take place three months from the date of announcement, according to the traditional of the people while a search for his successor would commence after the burial.

16 yr old cultist paraded by soldiers

*I was initiated at the age of 11
   * I have butchered many rivals, but never killed

A 16-year-old junior secondary school three (JSS3) student, Ochuko Okpako, was yesterday paraded by the Joint Task Force in Effurun, Warri, Delta State, for alleged involvement in secret cult activities.

Okpako, who was arrested along with three of his cult members, was picked up by JTF operatives in Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state when they were reportedly unleashing mayhem on members of rival cult group.

JTF sources said the gang the suspect were members of a cult gang which recently engaged him cannibalism by roasting and eating the body parts of a victim who was hacked to death with machete.

Ochuko, however denied involvement in that incident but confessed to our report that: "I am an Eiye member, we were arrested when we clash with some Bagga (Red Beret) members in a revenge mission.

Ochuko

"They had earlier scattered my mother's house and I had to mobilize my members and attack them back," he added.

He told our reporter that he joined the Eiye Confraternity at the age of 11 when he was a  primary four pupil of Agbarho Model Primary School, adding that he was 'blended'  in the bush by leaders of the cult who initiated him by asking him to drink an admixture of wine and other concoctions.

"They (cult leaders) told me during the initiation that I would be popular and would have a lot of fans and that if anything happens to me, if anybody dares me they would 'get my back'," he added.

The suspect, who said he had taken part in the attacks of many rivals, said they were balmed (fortified) with various charms during operations.

Ochuko and other alleged members of the cult

 

Speaking with our reporter after the parade, Commander, 3 Battalion of the Nigerian Army and head of the Warri Sector of JTF, Lt. Colonel I. Otu, regretted that Ochuku and others arrested during the raid were youths who should be putting their times to use that would improve their future and better the society.

The Army top brass also paraded a 41-year-old old man, who was allegedly arrested while escaping with a nine-year-old kidnap victim, Master Ogheneobruke Gbogbo, at Ovwian, Udu Local Government Area of the state.

The suspect, Mr. John Panama, reportedly hijacked the child and was fleeing away when the child's father stumbled on the scene and rescued his child.

Panama however told newsmen that he took the child because he thought he was his friend's son, adding that he never meant to abscond with.

 

 

 

 

Royal Rumble in Niger Delta

GOVERNOR AMAECHI BLASTS MINISTER ORUBEBE

Ordinarily, I would not respond to the ludicrous, thoughtless and bizarre rantings of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Godsday Orubebe against Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, but it has become imperative for me to do this and show clearly that the Minister’s game is just to divert attention from his ineptitude and abysmal failure.

Contrary to his madcap vituperations, Governor Amaechi has tremendous respect for the office of the President of Nigeria and President Goodluck Jonathan. The office of the President of Nigeria is a big institution that deserves utmost respect and it would be grossly irresponsible for anyone to disrespect Mr. President, which unfortunately Minister Orubebe is doing by dragging the President’s name into his inability to deliver on the East –West Road. Minister Orubebe seems to suffer from a severe form of selective amnesia as he conveniently forgets that the same Amaechi he(Orubebe) now contemptuously, disgraciously and insolently disparages and flippantly accuses of not respecting Mr. President, led Rivers people to overwhelming vote for and gave President Jonathan the highest votes by any State in the country at the last Presidential elections. Minister Orubebe should please tell us, what respect, regard and show of love is bigger than that?

Minister Orubebe’s imprudent and reckless attacks on the person of Governor Amaechi is a dubious but obvious attempt by the minister to divert attention from his abysmal failure to deliver on the East- West road. This callous attempt to drag the President’s name into it is what is most disrespectful and irresponsible.

I challenge Minister Orubebe to show the world projects he started and completed in the Niger-Delta as Minister of Niger-Delta affairs. I challenge Minister Orubebe to show the world one project he started and completed in Rivers State with the huge resources allocated to his ministry.Or is Rivers State not part of the Niger-Delta, Minister Orubebe?In the same vein, I challenge Minister Orubebe to come to Rivers State at anytime of his choice and since he has become too blind to see Governor Amaechi’s monumental developmental strides and projects in the State, I will be most delighted to show him the kilometres upon kilometres of brand new roads and bridges, the world-class new hospitals and health Centres scattered all over the State, the exquisite primary and secondary schools that has become the model for many, the robust urban renewal programme, and many more developmental projects of the Amaechi administration.I will advise him to make sure he brings the press along as well; so when he suffers from his selective amnesia again, the media will be quick to remind him that they saw the projects with him.

What an irony, for an appointed minister who has failed woefully, who has been unable to complete one single road, to cast aspersions on an elected governor who is judiciously using the resources of his people to better their lives and develop their State. What a shame! This is indeed most ridiculous and laughable.It’s no longer in doubt that Minister Orubebe does not like Rivers State. Minister Orubebe should please face the simple task of completing one road, just one road, the East- West road, as this dubious diversionary attempt to attack Governor Amaechi will not complete the road that is most dear to the hearts and lives of Niger-Deltans.

DAVID IYOFOR

Chief Press Secretary To The Rivers State Governor