Operatives of Akwa Ibom state command of Marine Police, acting on a tip-off, have foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Oron waterways in the state.

The police spokesperson in the state, DSP Timfon John, who made this known during the week via a press statement in Uyo, said operatives of the Marine Police, Oron, acted on credible intelligence regarding the planned kidnapping operation.

She also disclosed the police embarked on the joint intelligence-led operation with Marine Hunters to the suspected criminal camp along the Calabar–Oron Channel.

She said the operation was targeted at disrupting the activities of a suspected criminal syndicate allegedly planning to carry out a kidnapping operation within the Oron axis.

“Upon arriving the camp, the operatives recovered the following items: one (1) Jojeef English pump-action gun; Two (2) cartridges; One (1) white rope suspected to be intended for criminal use; Two (2) speedboats; Three (3) 200HP outboard engines; and One (1) 15HP outboard engine,” the statement said.

She added that the recovered items have been secured for safe custody, proper documentation and further necessary investigative action.

The statement noted that the commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed, while commending the operatives and the marine hunters for their professionalism and proactiveness has reassured residents, particularly those in riverine communities, boat operators, fishermen and other waterways users, of their readiness to protect them and maintain security.

Fetus Keyamo, SAN, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has condemned the disruption of Peter Obi’s political engagement in Benue State, saying no candidate should be prevented from moving freely because of political differences.

Obi, the presidential candidate of National Democratic Congress, NDC, was reportedly stopped from proceeding to the venue of his planned visit in the state on Tuesday.

The minister said the incident should be condemned regardless of who was behind it, including claims by the Benue State Government that the disruption was connected to disagreements within Obi’s party.

He also dismissed suggestions that Obi’s planned visit to Yelwata, the scene of deadly attacks in 2025, justified attempts to stop him.

“Yesterday’s report of the prevention of the Presidential candidate of the NDC, Mr. Peter Obi, by some angry protesters from proceeding to the venue of his visit in Benue State must be condemned by all men of goodwill,” Keyamo said in a post on X on Wednesday.

“That is still not acceptable; everyone should be allowed to move about freely and play their politics without such crude interference,” he added.

Beyond the Benue incident, Keyamo turned his attention to the way political confrontations are portrayed in the media, accusing some outlets of using different descriptions depending on the party involved.

He alleged that when an APC candidate encounters an angry crowd, some media reports portray the incident as evidence of “rejection” by Nigerians, whereas similar confrontations involving opposition politicians are described as attacks by “sponsored thugs” or “hoodlums.”

“Many a time when an angry crowd confronts or molests an APC candidate at any level, the partisan Press shamelessly dubs or spins it as ‘rejection’ by ‘Nigerians’. When it concerns the opposition, then it is ‘attack’ by ‘sponsored thugs’ or ‘hoodlums’,” he said.

Keyamo urged journalists to apply the same standards to all parties and candidates, warning that partisan reporting could further deepen political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections.

“What is good for the goose is also good for the gander. The Press must extricate itself from such partisanship and be fair to all,” he said.

The minister also criticised opposition politicians who, he alleged, encourage supporters to attack APC candidates in areas where the party has little support.

He maintained that voters should express their approval or rejection of candidates through their votes rather than violence.

“Whoever is angry at any candidate of any political party should display the anger with the ballot paper on voting day by a simple thumbprint, not by violent acts during campaigns,” Keyamo added.

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Rivers State Government will from Monday, August 17, begin the commissioning of 10 major people-oriented projects across the state as part of efforts by Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration to deepen development at the grassroots.

The commissioning programme, which will run through August 31, will cover projects across several local government areas, include roads, bridges, healthcare facilities, educational infrastructure and other public facilities.

The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Dagogo Wokoma, disclosed this on Friday during a media briefing in Port Harcourt.

According to Dr Wokoma, the projects are tangible evidence of the Governor’s commitment to transforming communities and addressing the developmental needs of residents across the state.

A statement by Juliana Masi, Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, office of the Secretary to the State Government, said that Dr. Wokoma disclosed that the commissioning will commence on August 17 with the Buguma-Degema-Abonnema Road, which links communities in Asari-Toru, Degema and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas.

The Egwi-Afara-Mba Road in Etche Local Government Area will be commissioned on August 18, followed by the Capt. Elechi Amadi Polytechnic’s Entrepreneurship Centre/Engineering Faculty Building on August 19.

The statement which was shared by  Onwuka Nzechi, Chief Press Secretary to the River State Governor also stated that on August 20, the Governor will commission the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Dual Carriage Way in Ikwerre/Emohua/Onelga Local Government Areas, while the Omoku Zonal Hospital, Omoku in ONELGA, will be commissioned on August 21st.

The commissioning programme will resume on August 24 with the Omademe Internal Roads in Ikwerre LGA and attention will shift to Port Harcourt LGA on August 25 for the Commissioning of the New Runway at the Air Force Base, Rumuola.

On August 26, attention will shift to Emuoha LGA for the commissing of the Agba Ndele Road and Bridge while two major health facilities — the Neuro Psychiatric Hospital and New General Hospital, Rumuigbo, both in Obio/Akpor — are scheduled for commissioning on August 27.

The 10-day programme will end on August 28 with the commissioning of the Bonny National Grammar School in Bonny Local Government Area.

Dr. Wokoma said the projects reflected the administration’s determination to ensure that government policies and programmes affect citizens positively.

“These projects scheduled for commissioning are tangible evidence of His Excellency’s unwavering dedication to transform our communities and address the developmental needs of our people,” he said.

He added that the projects underscored the administration’s commitment to ensuring that governance produced “meaningful and measurable benefits for every citizen across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State.”

The SSG also acknowledged the contributions of government officials, contractors, host communities and other stakeholders to the completion of the projects as he urged Rivers people to participate in the commissioning activities and continue to support the administration in its pursuit of peace and development.

“We invite all Rivers people to join in celebrating these milestones and to continue supporting the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara as it advances peace, development, progress, and prosperity,” Dr Wokoma said.