Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Rivers State have arrested four suspected kidnappers allegedly responsible for a series of abductions across several communities in the state.

The suspects were apprehended by officers attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit, Emuoha Annex, in connection with the kidnapping of Favour Chika from Igwuruta community in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

Spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Monday, noting that the arrest followed sustained intelligence-led operations by the police.

According to her, the victim was abducted on February 25, 2026, at about 9:00 a.m. while on her way to her farm and was later released on March 2 after her family allegedly paid a ransom of N3 million.

Iringe-Koko identified the suspects as Usman Dan-Mama, 20, from Mubi in Adamawa State; Abdullahi Kabir, 27, from Damaturu in Yobe State; Idris Ismaila, 20, from Taraba State; and Mohammed Dalandi, 22, from Yobe State.

She said the suspects were arrested in the early hours of the day at about 5:20 a.m. along Ipo/Ozaha Farm Road, where they were allegedly planning another kidnapping operation.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one locally made pistol, one cut-to-size single-barrel gun and 20 live cartridges,” Iringe-Koko said.

During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to carrying out several kidnapping operations within the Igwuruta-Ali, Omagwa, Ozaha, Ipo and Etche Local Government Area axis of the state.

The police spokesperson further disclosed that the suspects admitted to the abduction of Okoro Osita, an engineer, and his friend on February 12, 2026, along Airport Road, Port Harcourt. The victims were later released after their families paid a ransom of N3 million.

Iringe-Koko added that the suspects also confessed to the kidnapping of Sympathy Agu of Umuka-Mba and Chioma Njoku of Obiri, both in Etche Local Government Area. The victims were abducted on January 31, 2026, along Afara/Egwi Road and were released after their families reportedly paid N3 million ransom.

She said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal syndicate who are still at large.

The Rivers State Police Command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, urging residents to provide timely and credible information that would aid ongoing efforts to combat crime across the state.

A Rivers State woman, Winnie Miller, has rejected N2.5 million allegedly paid into her bank account by the Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Area, Cheta Epelle, describing the payment as an attempt to bribe her following her claim that she was assaulted by thugs linked to the council chairman.

Miller, who had earlier accused the council boss of leading a group of thugs to attack her, made the latest disclosure in a post shared on her Facebook page.

The controversy began after Miller posted a video highlighting the deteriorating condition of Community Secondary School Odioku, a public school in her community located in Odioku, Rivers State.

According to her, the video drew the anger of the local government chairman, whom she alleged later mobilised thugs who assaulted her over the post.

Providing an update on the incident, Miller claimed that the sum of N2.5 million was subsequently transferred into her account by Epelle as “bribe and compensation” following the alleged attack.

She, however, insisted that she neither requested nor agreed to receive any financial compensation, stressing that the payment would not silence her.

“I cannot be bribed. I never agreed to any compensation,” she wrote.
Miller further disclosed that she has been making efforts to return the money to the sender but has been unable to complete the transaction due to network issues with her bank.

“I have been trying to return the money through the same account it came from, but I have not been able to because the bank network has been failing,” she stated.

The incident has generated reactions on social media, with many users calling for a thorough investigation into the allegations surrounding the reported assault and the circumstances of the payment.

As of the time of filing this report, the chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Area, Cheta Epelle, had not publicly responded to the latest claim regarding the alleged N2.5 million transfer.

The alleged assault and subsequent payment have further drawn attention to the condition of Community Secondary School Odioku, which Miller said prompted her initial video exposing the state of infrastructure in the school.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has commenced the implementation of a new Performance Management System (PMS) aimed at improving staff productivity and strengthening service delivery across the commission.

The Managing Director of the commission, Samuel Ogbuku, announced the initiative during a two-day retreat organised for the deployment and institutionalisation of the system at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt.

Ogbuku said the new PMS would replace the Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER) currently used in the public service, noting that the system is built on the Balanced Scorecard model and designed to measure both organisational and individual performance.

According to him, the adoption of the new framework reflects the commission’s commitment to efficient service delivery in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He commended the Federal Government for introducing reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s public service to align with global best practices, while urging NDDC staff to prioritise performance, teamwork and continuous improvement in their daily duties.

Ogbuku also disclosed that the commission would move towards full automation to enhance efficiency and accountability in its operations.

He explained that the new employee management system would drive productivity, adding that promotions would henceforth be determined strictly by measurable performance.

“Every staff member must cultivate the habit of learning to be familiar with computer systems. This is mandatory under the new policy, particularly as all directorates in the commission will be fully automated by the end of March,” he said.

The Managing Director added that staff would undergo training across various operational areas to facilitate a smooth transition to the new system.

The Director of Planning and Statistics at the commission, Patterson Ogon, said the PMS would enable the organisation to track progress, identify operational gaps and support evidence-based decision-making.

He noted that the initiative represents a significant step toward strengthening accountability, efficiency and service delivery within the commission.

Similarly, the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Kelechi Nwelue, said staff performance would now be evaluated on both quarterly and annual bases to identify areas requiring improvement.
According to him, support systems would also be put in place across all directorates to help staff adapt effectively to the new framework.

A consultant on the project, Offiong Achibong, explained that the PMS is designed to promote excellence in the workplace through measurable performance indicators across units and directorates.

She added that key features of the system include regular performance evaluations, clear goal-setting and promotion based on performance outcomes.

Achibong emphasised that the ultimate objective of the reform is to institutionalise a culture of excellence within the commission, where dedication and hard work are duly recognised and rewarded.

Emirates Airline has suspended all flights to and from Dubai’s two major airports indefinitely, citing ongoing airspace closures across parts of the Middle East linked to rising regional tensions.
In a statement posted on its official X account, the Dubai-based carrier said all operations to and from Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport had been halted with immediate effect as a safety precaution.

“All flights to and from Dubai have been suspended until further notice. Please do not go to the airport. Emirates will share updates when available,” the airline said.

Emirates urged affected passengers to remain patient while the situation is being closely monitored.
“We would like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience as we closely monitor the situation,” the airline added.

Earlier travel advisories had indicated that commercial operations would remain suspended until 23:59 UAE time on 7 March. However, the latest update extends the disruption indefinitely as authorities continue to assess the evolving security situation in the region.

Several airlines operating across the Middle East have been forced to adjust routes or temporarily halt services due to airspace restrictions linked to escalating military strikes and broader security concerns.

Passengers scheduled to travel through Dubai have been advised to monitor updates from Emirates and check their flight status before making arrangements to travel to the airport.

A pro-government group, Rivers Women Unite for Tinubu, has sought collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Affairs to advance youth empowerment and development initiatives in Rivers State and across Nigeria.

The group’s leader, Ashley Igbara, led a delegation on a familiarisation visit to the ministry in Abuja, where they were received by the Minister of Youth Affairs, Ayodele Olawande.

The visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration with the ministry and building a working relationship that would support youth-focused initiatives, including empowerment programmes, capacity building and sustainable development projects.
During the meeting, both parties discussed strategies to deepen youth engagement, particularly in Rivers State, where the group noted an increasing need for programmes that equip young people with practical skills and opportunities.

Igbara said the organisation remained committed to supporting initiatives that empower youths through training, mentorship and grassroots mobilisation.

She emphasised that youth development must remain central to national growth, noting that women groups and community-based organisations have a key role in mobilising support for government programmes.

The Rivers women leader also highlighted the importance of unity and strategic collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that young people across the country benefit from meaningful empowerment initiatives.
She stressed the need to promote skills acquisition programmes under the “One Youth, Two Skills” concept, which she said would equip youths with multiple competencies required to thrive in an evolving economy.

According to her, such initiatives would help reduce unemployment while encouraging entrepreneurship and self-reliance among Nigerian youths.

Responding, Olawande commended the group for its commitment to youth development and grassroots mobilisation.

He assured the delegation that the ministry remained open to partnerships with organisations willing to contribute to youth-focused programmes nationwide.

Both parties expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between the ministry and Rivers Women Unite for Tinubu would help drive impactful initiatives for young people in Rivers State and across the country.

The Chief of Air Staff, Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has commended the management and board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for supporting the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies with critical infrastructure across the Niger Delta.

Aneke gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, where he highlighted several development projects executed by the commission to enhance security operations in the region.

He said the NDDC’s interventions, including the installation of solar streetlights and the provision of 713 solar inverters, had significantly improved safety and operational efficiency.

The Air Chief also praised the commission for donating a multi-purpose facility to the Nigerian Air Force in Kolo‑Otuoke, Bayelsa State. The facility now hosts the Nigerian Air Force’s Administrative and Management School, as well as a physical education and skills acquisition centre.

According to him, the training centre—relocated from Kaduna—serves as a mark of appreciation for the commission’s contributions to the force and will provide learning opportunities for Nigerians, foreigners and NDDC personnel.

Aneke noted that the NDDC’s mandate of promoting socio-economic development in the Niger Delta aligns with the Nigerian Air Force’s responsibility of providing a secure environment for national growth and development.

He appealed to the commission to consider rehabilitating and equipping Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) centres with modern facilities that could serve as training hubs.

The Air Chief also sought NDDC’s intervention in providing accommodation for Air Force personnel deployed to Yenagoa, Port Harcourt, Benin City, Asaba and Warri.

Responding, the Managing Director of the commission, Samuel Ogbuku, said the NDDC remained committed to partnerships with both public and private institutions to drive development and strengthen security in the region.

Ogbuku described terrorism as a threat that could spread if not properly addressed, while commending the Nigerian Air Force for its efforts in tackling insecurity.

“There can be no development without peace. What we do in the Niger Delta is to support security agencies because peace is critical to development,” he said.

He added that the commission’s “Operation Light Up the Niger Delta” initiative had illuminated communities across the region, helping to curb militancy and criminal activities while boosting commerce.

Ogbuku also commended the Air Force for maintaining facilities donated by the commission and appreciated the service for allowing NDDC staff to participate in training programmes at the newly relocated School of Administration and Management.

He expressed confidence that the partnership between the commission and the Nigerian Air Force would continue to strengthen peace and development in the Niger Delta.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of Rivers State University, Blessing N. R. Jaja, has congratulated the Vice-Chancellor, Isaac Zeb-Obipi, on the first anniversary of his assumption of office as the institution’s 12th Vice-Chancellor, describing his leadership as visionary and transformational.

Jaja, who spoke on behalf of the Principal Officers of the university, commended Zeb-Obipi for what she described as remarkable progress recorded within his first year in office, particularly in the areas of innovation, digital transformation, academic excellence and strategic institutional development.

According to him, the Vice-Chancellor’s clear vision and purposeful leadership have continued to reposition the university for greater relevance and global competitiveness.

“In just one year, the administration of Professor Zeb-Obipi has demonstrated visionary and transformational leadership, driving significant progress through innovation, digital transformation, academic excellence and strategic institutional development,” he said.

He noted that the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure has been marked by proactive governance, strategic foresight and a strong commitment to excellence, adding that his technology-driven approach to leadership has helped advance modernisation, operational efficiency and global engagement within the university.

Jaja further described Zeb-Obipi as a forward-looking academic leader whose emphasis on digital innovation and result-oriented management has strengthened institutional growth.

He also commended the Vice-Chancellor’s accessibility, emotional intelligence and collaborative leadership style, which she said have fostered inclusiveness and strengthened teamwork across the university community.

“We commend your accessibility, emotional intelligence, collaborative spirit and commitment to inclusiveness, which have inspired confidence and strengthened a culture of teamwork and excellence across the university community,” she added.

Jaja prayed for continued wisdom, strength and good health for the Vice-Chancellor as he begins the second year of his tenure, expressing optimism that his leadership would sustain the momentum of progress already recorded in the institution.

He reiterated the commitment of the university’s management team to support initiatives aimed at further advancing the growth and global standing of the institution.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has brokered a settlement in the long-running dispute over Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245, paving the way for major deepwater investment that could significantly raise Nigeria’s crude oil production.

The agreement, reached between the Federal Government, Eni and Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAEL), was concluded during a meeting presided over by the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

At the meeting were the Chief Executive Officer of Eni, Claudio Descalzi; the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Guido Brusco; Head of Sub-Saharan Region, Mario Bello; Managing Director of NAEL, Fabrizio Bolondi; and the President’s Special Adviser on Energy, Olu Arowolo-Verheijen.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the agreement brings to an end a 15-year dispute over the ownership and development rights to the oil block.

The resolution restores clarity to the prized offshore asset, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most commercially promising deepwater blocks.

With the dispute resolved, the parties are expected to move towards a Final Investment Decision on the Zabazaba-Etan development project, a major offshore field projected to add about 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) to Nigeria’s production capacity when operational.

Nigeria currently produces between 1.68 million and 1.71 million bpd. The additional output from the project is expected to support the Federal Government’s target of raising production to at least two million bpd.

Tinubu described the agreement as a milestone in his administration’s economic reform agenda, noting that it underscores government’s commitment to resolving legacy disputes and strengthening investor confidence in the country’s energy sector.

“This resolution sends a clear signal to global investors that Nigeria is prepared to address legacy issues transparently, uphold the rule of law, and create a stable environment for long-term capital,” the President said.

According to him, the settlement also reinforces the government’s determination to ensure that Nigeria’s natural resources generate sustainable value for the country and its citizens.

Providing further insight, Arowolo-Verheijen said the new arrangement significantly improves on the 2011 resolution framework, aligning it with reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act, which has reshaped governance and fiscal structures in the oil and gas sector.

She explained that the revised agreement balances investor clarity required for large-scale deepwater investments with stronger value accrual and safeguards for the Nigerian Federation.

The resolution, she added, removes one of the most prominent legacy risks that has long weighed on Nigeria’s upstream oil sector.

“By resolving the OPL 245 dispute, the Federal Government has eliminated one of the most prominent legacy risks in Nigeria’s upstream sector and reinforced its commitment to predictable regulation, transparent governance and commercially viable investment frameworks,” she said.

The settlement also forms part of broader reforms initiated by the Tinubu administration since 2023 to reposition Nigeria as a competitive destination for global energy investment.
Industry analysts have long identified the OPL 245 dispute as a major obstacle to unlocking the full potential of the oil block, believed to contain vast deepwater reserves.

The Zabazaba-Etan project is expected to increase crude output, create jobs, stimulate local industry participation and boost government revenues when it comes on stream.

Tinubu commended institutions that played roles in resolving the dispute, including the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and NNPC Limited.

He emphasised that responsible investment and transparent governance would remain central pillars of the administration’s strategy for managing Nigeria’s natural resources.

According to him, the agreement represents not only the resolution of a complex legal dispute but also a decisive step towards strengthening Nigeria’s long-term energy outlook and economic growth prospects.