Rivers Insider

11/06/2026

Apostle jailed 49 years for ra**ng daughter

A 50 year-old father of faith from Ikono in Akwa Ibom State, Apostle Williams Okon Bassey of Mount Zion Lighthouse Full Gospel Church, Uyo, has been sentenced to 49 years in prison for ra**ng and impregnating his 16 year-old biological daughter in 2012, 2014 and 2015.

Apostle Bassey was convicted this afternoon by Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo and presided over by Hon. Justice Bassey Nkanang.

“I called my daughter (name withheld by me) to come and scratch my back, as she was scratching my back, I became aroused, my daughter climbed on top of me and I fu**ed her. That was my first time of sleeping with my daughter and she was about 16 years old then.

“I took her to her mother’s place at Eket, after telling her that our daughter was pregnant, I handed her over to the mother who promised to get rid of the pregnancy. After the pregnancy was terminated, I continued having s*x with her each time I have misunderstanding with my wife.

“She became pregnant the second time. I still returned her to the mother who still took her to abort the pregnancy. When she returned the second time, I continued the act of s*xing her which resulted in the third pregnancy and the mother still took her for abortion.” The convicted man of God confessed.

C) Harrison Essien

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

First batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa commend the federal government for rescuing them.

11/06/2026

Asarama Kingdom condemns murder of commercial driver, seeks enhanced security presence

The Asarama General Assembly has strongly condemned the gruesome murder and secret burial of an innocent commercial driver in Asarama Kingdom, describing the incident as a tragic and disturbing act that underscores the growing security challenges facing the community.

In a press statement delivered on Thursday in Port Harcourt by the paramount of Asarama kingdom, King Appolus Nteijaewaye, Asat VII, they expressed shock over the killing of the victim, whose body was buried in a shallow grave within Asarama Town before being exhumed following police investigations.

The community commended officers of the Nigeria Police Force for their professionalism and bravery in investigating the crime, arresting suspects linked to the incident, and recovering the victim's remains. The Assembly also praised the leadership of the Rivers State Police Command for its prompt response and commitment to combating criminality.

According to the statement, the murder represents a grave violation of the sanctity of human life and highlights the vulnerability of citizens in a society where security should be guaranteed by individuals, communities, and government institutions. The Assembly noted that the incident was one among several criminal activities recorded in the kingdom in recent times and called for stronger measures to curb insecurity.

The people of Asarama extended their condolences to the family of the deceased, describing him as a hardworking young man who had gone out in pursuit of a legitimate livelihood. They prayed for the repose of his soul and for divine comfort and protection for the family he left behind.

The Assembly urged security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend and prosecute all individuals connected to the crime, stressing that justice must be served to deter future acts of violence. It also pledged the full cooperation of the leadership and people of Asarama Kingdom in assisting security agencies with their investigations.

Speaking on the broader security situation in the area, the Assembly highlighted the strategic location of Asarama as a densely populated gateway community connecting parts of Andoni, Ogoni, and Opobo/Nkoro areas. It recalled the community's long struggle to secure the establishment of a Divisional Police Headquarters in the kingdom, a feat achieved through sustained advocacy and self-help efforts with the approval of the then Commissioner of Police in Rivers State.

However, the Assembly lamented that despite the establishment of the police division, the facility has allegedly suffered years of neglect. It claimed that the Asarama Divisional Police Headquarters currently lacks fi****ms and ammunition and is facing severe personnel shortages, a situation it said has weakened its capacity to effectively police the area.

The community warned that the poor state of security infrastructure has compounded existing security concerns in the amphibious kingdom and surrounding communities. Consequently, it appealed to the relevant authorities to urgently deploy adequate personnel, arms, and ammunition to the division.

The Assembly further called for the establishment of special security formations, including Mobile Police Force, Anti-Cultism, and Marine Police units, to be attached to the Asarama Divisional Police Headquarters. It argued that such deployments would strengthen security operations in the kingdom and enhance policing across neighbouring communities.

The statement concluded with renewed appreciation to the Nigeria Police Force for its efforts in addressing the recent crime, while thanking members of the public and the media for their support and understanding during the difficult period

11/06/2026

In a remarkable display of community solidarity, residents in Rukpokwu, Rivers State, have successfully thwarted an attempted kidnapping of a six-month-old baby, apprehending two women suspected to be involved.

The child's mother had left the infant with her sons while she went out, and upon her return, she found the baby missing, prompting a swift response from the community.

The residents quickly mobilized, intercepted the suspects, and rescued the baby, sparking widespread relief.

As the community continues to prioritize the safety of its residents, this incident highlights the importance of vigilance and cooperation with security agencies to prevent such crimes and build a more secure environment.

10/06/2026

IGP Disu orders nationwide crackdown on vehicles without number plates

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has ordered a nationwide enforcement operation against vehicles operating without number plates or with concealed, altered, defaced, or tampered registration numbers, warning that such practices pose serious threats to public safety and national security.

The police chief described the growing use of unregistered vehicles and manipulated number plates as unlawful, noting that criminals often exploit such vehicles to evade detection and accountability while carrying out illegal activities.

In a directive issued to police commands across the country, Disu instructed officers to stop, impound, and subject to legal procedures any vehicle found operating without valid registration or displaying hidden, obscured, or altered number plates.

According to the IGP, every vehicle on Nigerian roads must be properly registered and must display its approved registration number in compliance with the law.

“Every vehicle operating on our roads must be properly registered and must display its approved registration number in accordance with the law. Any vehicle found without number plates or with deliberately obscured, concealed, or tampered registration number will be stopped, impounded, and subjected to the appropriate legal process,” he stated.

Disu stressed that vehicle registration is more than an administrative requirement, describing it as a critical tool for crime prevention, intelligence gathering, and national security operations.

He noted that kidnappers and other criminal elements frequently rely on untraceable vehicles to perpetrate crimes, making proper vehicle identification essential for effective policing and public safety.

The IGP further directed all Commissioners of Police, tactical commanders, and heads of police formations nationwide to intensify enforcement efforts and ensure strict compliance with the directive.

He also warned that there would be no preferential treatment or selective enforcement during the exercise, emphasizing that all violators would be treated in accordance with the law regardless of status or influence.

The latest directive forms part of the Nigeria Police Force’s broader efforts to strengthen security, improve crime detection, and curb the use of anonymous vehicles in criminal activities across the country.

10/06/2026

Rivers government to shut illegal schools

The Rivers State Ministry of Education has announced plans to commence a statewide enforcement exercise aimed at closing unapproved private schools operating across the State.

According to a public interest announcement signed by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, the enforcement exercise will begin on Monday, June 15, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen quality assurance and regulatory compliance within the education sector.

He stated that all private schools operating without registration and official approval from the Ministry of Education, as well as schools failing to meet the required educational standards, will be shut down in line with the provisions of the State's Private Schools Law and other extant regulations.

Dr. Nwagor, said the exercise is intended to ensure that children in Rivers State receive quality education in safe and conducive learning environments.

He further directed all approved private schools with outstanding annual renewal fees to immediately settle their arrears, warning that only schools with valid approval certificates and up-to-date payment records would be allowed to continue operations.

The Commissioner reiterated the government's commitment to enforcing standards in the education sector and ensuring compliance with established regulations. He noted that the move would help protect the welfare and future of children while promoting excellence in private school administration across the State.

He urged School proprietors seeking further information to visit the State Quality Assurance Services (SEQAS) Office located at Government Girls' Secondary School (GGSS), Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt, or contact the Director of SEQAS, Dr. Chinedu Wordu.

The Ministry assured residents that the enforcement exercise is part of ongoing efforts by the Rivers State Government to improve the quality of education and uphold best practices in school administration throughout the State.

10/06/2026

Bayelsa govetnor, Douye Diri dissolves board and management of Bayelsa United following the team’s poor performance and relegation from the NPFL to lower division despite huge state’s investments on the team.

10/06/2026

June 10: Finima renews call for justice, resettlement, recognition as NLNG host community

The Amadabo of Finima, HRH Aseme Alabo Dagogo Lambert Brown, Kongo XVII, has reiterated the community's demand for justice, proper resettlement, and recognition of its rights as the host community of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) project.

Speaking during the commemoration of the June 10 anniversary of the 2021 attack on Finima residents by neighbouring communities during a protest against alleged neglect and abandonment by NLNG, the monarch described the date as a "historic reminder of the sacrifices made by the people of Finima for Nigeria's economic development."

According to Aseme Alabo Dagogo Brown, who is also the Chief and Head of Buoye Omuso Brown Major House, June 10 has become a permanent memorial for present and future generations of Finima people.

He stresed that the "occasion serves as a reminder of the community's lost natural ecosystem, the unresolved challenges arising from involuntary resettlement, and the plight of many residents who remain displaced years after surrendering their ancestral land for the NLNG project."

The monarch lamented what he described as the abandonment of the Finima Resettlement Project and several outstanding commitments contained in the community's legacy agreement with NLNG.

He listed unresolved issues to include "waste management, rehabilitation of internally displaced persons, establishment of cottage industries, and sustainable power supply through the proposed Finima Independent Gas Power Plant."

HRH Brown noted that despite the provision of some infrastructure within the resettlement estate, many residents continue to face hardship, particularly those affected by displacement. He further disclosed that legal action taken by the community resulted in a favourable court judgment, including an injunction tied to unresolved lease agreements between NLNG and the landowners.

While acknowledging NLNG's right to appeal the judgment, the monarch expressed disappointment that the "company had not initiated dialogue with the community," while insisting that meaningful engagement and negotiation are the most responsible path toward resolving the lingering dispute.

The traditional ruler also argued that Finima, as the original land-owning community, deserves greater participation in the benefits derived from the NLNG project. He maintained that the community's ownership rights predate the 1978 Land Use Act and insisted that the people of Finima should be accorded a stake in the economic value generated from their ancestral lands.

He further emphasized that recent court pronouncements have affirmed Finima's status as the host community under existing petroleum and local content laws, noting that the land upon which NLNG facilities and the Train 7 workers' camp are located was provided directly by Finima.

The monarch appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene by "establishing a special task force to address the outstanding resettlement issues and ensure the fulfilment of agreements entered into between the community and the project's promoters."

Also speaking, Dr. Bara Kabaka Brown, a member of the Finima Capacity Development Committee (FCDC), said the committee led the 2021 protest to demand benefits and protections already guaranteed to host communities under Nigerian law.

According to him, the committee's objective has always been to secure employment opportunities, contract participation, capacity development, and meaningful engagement between operating companies and the host community. He described the violent disruption of the protest as unfortunate, noting that many victims still bear physical and emotional scars from the incident.

Dr. Brown said the events of June 10 have strengthened the committee's determination to engage companies operating on Finima land, including NLNG and Seplat, to ensure that the community enjoys the benefits provided under the Host Communities Development Trust framework.

Reflecting on the events of June 10, 2021, Warisenibo Igbewari Prince Brown described the attack as one of the most painful experiences of his life. He expressed disappointment that fellow Bonny residents allegedly attacked Finima people who were peacefully demanding their rights.

He further lamented the absence of any "formal condemnation or reconciliation effort from institutions within Bonny Kingdom since the incident occurred," stressing that lasting peace can only be achieved through justice, fairness, and genuine efforts to address the grievances.

10/06/2026

Magistrate's Car Disappears In Umuahia

A Toyota Corolla belonging to a Chief Magistrate in Abia State has reportedly been stolen from outside the court premises in Umuahia, prompting an appeal to the public for assistance in recovering the vehicle, ABN TV reports.

The owner of the vehicle, Chief Magistrate Mrs. Ngozi Pearl Lekwa of Court 2, Umuahia, narrated that she parked the black Toyota Corolla outside the court premises along Finbarrs Road, at about 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday before proceeding to her office for official duties.

According to Mrs. Lekwa, she had intended to briefly leave the office later in the day to attend to some personal errands. However, upon stepping out of the court premises shortly after noon, she discovered that the vehicle was no longer where she had parked it.

Speaking on the incident, the Chief Magistrate revealed that a friend later informed her that she had seen the vehicle being driven at high speed after exiting the vicinity of Market Square. The witness reportedly noticed a man behind the wheel but did not see Mrs. Lekwa in the vehicle.

The friend initially assumed the driver had been sent on an errand by the owner and therefore did not raise an alarm, although she found the speed at which the vehicle was being driven unusual. The vehicle was reportedly heading towards the Bende Road axis.

Mrs. Lekwa stated that she had not authorized anyone to use the vehicle and still had the car key in her possession at the time she discovered the theft.

In a twist of irony, the magistrate disclosed that she had only a day earlier ordered steering locks for two vehicles as an additional security measure. However, only one steering lock was delivered, while the second one intended for her vehicle had yet to arrive before the incident occurred.

The stolen vehicle is a black Toyota Corolla, 2008 model, commonly referred to as a "bank car."

Vehicle details are as follows:

Registration Number: AA579NBB

Engine Number: 2565542

Chassis Number: JTDR22E1D0247899.