Army kills suspected oil bunkering kingpin in Rivers

NEWS

Army kills suspected oil bunkering kingpin in Rivers

 

A suspected notorious cultist and illegal oil bunkering kingpin, Korobe Menele Loveday, who has been on the wanted list of the security agencies for terrorizing communities in Rivers State has been killed.

He was killed in a shootout with security operatives.

Six Division of the Nigerian Army said the shootout happened when its personnel, in conjunction with personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps guarding Shell Petroleum Development Company Trans National Pipelines at Gio community in Tai Local Government Area of the State were attacked by suspected militants who were hitherto prevented from vandalizing the pipeline.

Acting Deputy Director of the Army Public Relations, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu in a statement added that during the ensuing fire, one soldier and two personnel of the NSCDC lost their lives and their weapons were carted away by the assailants.

The army was able to track Loveday also known as Mene and shot him dead.

According to the Army, “In the early hours of today Sunday the 16th of June 2019, troops of 29 Battalion of 6 Division Nigerian Army (NA) in conjunction with personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) guarding Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Trans National Pipelines at Gio community in Tai Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State were attacked by suspected militants who were hitherto prevented from vandalizing 24″ and 28″ TNP thereby putting them out of the illicit business.

“Unfortunately, during the ensuing fire fight one soldier and 2 personnels of the NSCDC lost their lives and their weapons (one AK 47 and 2 G3 rifles) were carted away by the assailants.

“An immediate reinforcement by troops at the location led to the cordon and search of the general area with the view to finding any criminal believed to be harbouring within the communities.

“Reliable intelligence led to the tracking of the prime suspect, a notorious cultist and illegal oil bunkering kingpin Korobe Menele Loveday who has been on the wanted list of the security agencies for terrorizing communities in the state.

“Consequently, at about 9:00am, troops cashing on available information sighted a white Toyota Hilux vehicle without number plate, hastily driven with 4 occupants. Efforts to stop the vehicle by troops at a check point was ignored. The gallant troops chased the speeding vehicle and caught up with the suspects around Kira Junction, along Ken Saro Wiwa Polytechnic.

“Sensing danger, the occupants opened fire at the troops in a bid to escape. Troops reacted, and incapacitated the militants’ vehicle. As a result, the bandits abandoned their vehicle and fled to the bush. However, one of the criminals was gunned down and was identified as the wanted notorious cultists and illegal oil bunkering kingpin Korobe Menele – popularly known as MENE. Others with him, believed to escape with gun shot wounds – leaving trails of blood.

“The following tems were recovered from the scene and in the vehicle:, 1 x K2 Rifle, 2 x Magazines loaded with 52 Rounds of 5.56mm, some personal effects, one pair of vehicle plate number KRK 95DP RIVERS and some documents.

“The body and other recovered exhibits have been handed over to the NSCDC Rivers State Command for further action, while troops continue to track the remaining fleeing bandits to face justice.

“The General Officer Commanding 6 Division Maj Gen Jamil Sarham use this opportunity to rereaffirm the commitment of the Division in protecting lives and properties of law abiding citizens in Rivers state. He also solicits the cooperation of all stakeholders in tackling insecurity within the Niger Delta region through sharing of credible information to the security agencies.”

 

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Photos: Rotimi Amaechi's son graduates from Canadian University

EDUCATION

Photos: Rotimi Amaechi's son graduates from Canadian University

 

Obinna Amaechi, the son of ex-Rivers State governor and Nigeria's immediate past Minster for Transport, Rotimi Ameachi has graduated from the Simon Fraser University, Canada.

His proud father, dressed in a dark blue suit and a green tie, joined his son on Thursday, 13th of June, for his convocation ceremony.

 

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Rivers: Wike blows hot, warns communities against shutting oil production

NEWS

Rivers: Wike blows hot, warns communities against shutting oil production

 

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday warned that he would no longer tolerate the shutting down of oil production facilities by communities in the state.

He handed this warning at a meeting with Chairmen of Cluster Development Boards in Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru and Degema Local Government Areas as well as oil companies and security agencies at the state’s Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Wike warned that under no circumstances should communities take the law into their hands by preventing oil production companies from carrying out their duties.

He also directed the immediate revival of the State Steering Committee on Cluster Development Boards responsible for intervening between oil companies and communities.

According to Wike: “I will not support any company not to carry out their corporate social responsibilities to their host communities.

“However, communities must not take laws into their hands. They must not stop production by the operating companies.

“Such actions will negatively affect the finances of the Federal Government, the state and the local government areas.”

The governor also stated that in cases where companies failed to act within the expectations of the communities, the State Government will mediate through the Steering Committee on Cluster Development Boards.

“It is important that we do not allow crisis to occur in the communities. The Aeroton rig in one community was seized.

“That rig should be allowed to work. I called this meeting because of the concerns raised by the operating companies in the area,” he said.

Wike said the Steering Committee on Cluster Development Boards would have the Permanent Secretary, Community Development, Security Agencies, Community Development Clusters and oil companies as members.

The governor said the committee will meet at regular intervals to address challenges in order to forestall escalation of conflicts.

He regretted that most problems in the Niger Delta are caused by oil companies who patronise and engage with criminal elements to the disadvantage of the host communities.

In his remark, former Commissioner of Environment, Samuel Horsfall pointed out that though the oil companies knew the right things to do, they have never taken the right steps.

 

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Rivers: Police speak on Port Harcourt mall explosion

NEWS

Rivers: Police speak on Port Harcourt mall explosion

 

The Police in Rivers State have ruled out terrorist attack in the explosion that occurred at a Port Harcourt mall.

We reported that some persons were on Wednesday feared injured following a gas explosion that occurred at the Port Harcourt shopping mall in Rivers State on Wednesday.

Eyewitnesses said the incident caused a stampede as many customers who were on the holiday visit tried to escape from the building.

But reacting, the Rivers Police Command spokesman, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said no life was lost to the explosion which occurred on Wednesday and injured five shoppers.

Omoni said, “The explosion occurred at 5.50pm at the kitchen section with five persons sustaining various degrees of burns.

“They (victims) are currently receiving medical attention at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital in Port Harcourt,” he said in a statement.

Omoni said the police had launched full investigation with a view to unravelling the cause of the incident.

“However, preliminary investigation conducted revealed that the explosion has no semblance of a terrorist attack.

“Also, no life was lost as being speculated in some quarters. There is no cause for alarm,” NAN quoted him as saying.

The spokesman added that normal business activities had since resumed at the plaza.

 

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