Police arrest anti-cult operative over death of Nurse

The Delta Police Command says it has detained an operative of an Anti-cult Volunteer Corps in connection with the shooting to death of an auxiliary nurse, Isioma Nwayalani, in Okpanam Community, near Asaba.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 19-year-old victim was allegedly killed by a stray bullet from the gun-wielding operative, whose identity has yet to be disclosed.

The command’s Spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the tragic incident to newsmen on Sunday in Asaba.

Edafe said that the suspect had been caught and presently in police custody.

“Yes, the unfortunate incident is confirmed and we are investigating to unravel the circumstances behind the shooting.

“When the police are through with their investigations, we will update you with the necessary information,” he said.

Eye-witness account said that the deceased was hit by a bullet allegedly fired by the suspect, who was shooting sporadically along with his colleagues, after they returned from a burial in Agbor.

The account further said that the deceased, who worked in a patent medicine store on the ground floor of the building housing the anti-cult office, was hit in the hand and part of her stomach.

“Usually, whenever they went out for a burial or any celebration and come back, they will start shooting to herald their return.

“So, that Saturday, at about 6.30pm when they returned and began to shoot, the deceased and her colleague, who were outside, started running back to their store for safety.

“Unfortunately, she was hit on her hand and part of her stomach,” the account added.

It was further learnt that the suspect quickly carried the girl into their vehicle and she was rushed to the Delta State Specialist Hospital, near Midwifery, Okpanam, where she later gave up the ghost around 7.30pm.

Meanwhile, a member of the bereaved family, Dr Christopher Nwayalani, has expressed deep grief over the tragic death of his niece and called for justice.

“Our family is in deep shock over the tragic incident.

“Normally, as a Sabbatharian, she always did not go to work on Saturdays.

“However, on that Saturday, she merely went to a salon near her workplace to make her hair but since the hair dresser did not open, she decided to keep her colleague company.

“That was how she met her death. All the family wants is justice for her.

“Her life was cut short by the recklessness of an excited operative, so we will not want her killing to be swept under the carpet.

“We have made attempts to see the authorities at the anti-cult outfit but nobody is willing to see us,” Nwayalani said.

In a similar vein, a Delta-based rights activist, Mr Victor Ojei, who is the lead activist of the Young Nigeria Rights Organisation, has also demanded justice for the deceased.

“The late nurse should get justice. There is nothing like accidental discharge, a gun has a safety pin.

“You only cock your gun when you are faced with a threat, else you ensure it is on safety lock.

“It is criminal offence. The actions of the anti-cult member resulting in the death of the nurse in Okpanam can indeed constitute criminal liability.

“The term, accidental discharge, does not absolve an individual from responsibility, especially when negligence or recklessness is involved,” Ojei said.

BREAKING,27 Pro Wike Lawmakers react to Gov Fubara’s invitation for crucial meeting

The pro Nyesom Wike-led Rivers State House of Assembly, has asked Governor Siminalayi Fubara to channel his invitation to the members properly and not through social media.

The reaction followed the invitation to the Assembly to a meeting with the governor at the Government House, on Monday (today).

Fubara, through the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, said the meeting, scheduled for 10 am, was expected to address key issues, including the provision of sitting space for the Assembly, payment of outstanding allowances, and the presentation of the 2025 budget.

The 27 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the former governor, Nyesom Wike, may, however, reject the invitation except their condition is met by the governor.

One of the lawmakers, Isaiah Opuende who represents Akuku-Toru Constituency 2, blasted the governor for inviting the Assembly members via social media.

Opuende urged the governor to communicate with them appropriately, adding that it was surprising that Fubara would call them after he had told them at several fora to “dey their dey.”

He stated, “It is time for us to determine our dey. When the ‘dey your dey’ started, our principal said the time for our own ‘dey your dey’ will come. Now, our ‘dey your dey’ has come.

“Dey your dey make we dey our dey. How can you wire a letter and post it on social media and expect us to honour it? You know we are not kids. The governor should properly write to the Assembly. That’s all. Thank you.”

Similarly, some former local government chairmen who served during the tenure of Wike were also seen in a viral video, singing and mocking Fubara over the invitation extended to the Assembly members.

A former chairman of Ikwerre LG, Dr Samuel Nwanosike, with scores of other dancing and singing in a mocking manner, asked the governor not to disturb the Speaker, Amaewhule.

They sang repeatedly, “Dey your dey, make I dey my dey, dey your dey, nobody worry Amaewhule.”

Following the Supreme Court judgment affirming their legitimacy, the lawmakers, in their first sitting, urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 budget. They also demanded that he submit nominees for commissioner and other appointments, insisting that those currently serving in the cabinet lacked legal backing.

Additionally, they summoned the chairman and commissioners of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission to appear before them on Monday.

However, the requests were ignored, as Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, stated that the government was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment before taking action.

The CTC was eventually released on Thursday evening and widely published in national dailies on Friday.

In a bid to establish a relationship and woo the lawmakers, the SSG, Danagogo, wrote a letter addressed to the Speaker, Amaewhule, on Sunday, titled, “Meeting between the Governor of the Rivers State and the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”

Danagogo stated in the letter that the meeting became necessary following the governor’s receipt of the CTC of the Supreme Court judgment.

The letter said the discussion would centre on the provision of a space for the lawmakers to be sitting, presentation of the 2025 budget, among others.

The statement read, “I hereby write in furtherance of His Excellency’s promise stated in my letter dated 5 March 2025 to notify you that His Excellency has received the Supreme Court judgment, and has, therefore, directed me to invite you and your colleagues – the honourable members of Rivers State House of Assembly, to a meeting to discuss:

“Provision of a befitting space for the Assembly’s sittings, payment of all outstanding remuneration or allowances of the Honourable members;

“Presentation of budget and sundry matters. Any other matter(s), as may be necessary, to chart the way forward in the best interest of the state.

“Sequel to the above, I hereby humbly invite the Rt. Hon. Speaker, and all the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to a meeting with the Governor as follows”

The invitation of the lawmakers by the governor came as the 72-hour ultimatum given to the RSIEC chairman to appear before the House expires today.

Amaewhule had, during plenary on Friday, said the Assembly had taken legislative notice of Fubara’s failure to forward names of his commissioner nominees to the House for screening.

Efforts to reach the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Johnson, failed as his mobile line was not connecting as of the time of filing this report.