The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Police nab IPOB/ESN commander, Imo monarch

    Police nab IPOB/ESN commander, Imo monarch

    Imo State Police Command says it has arrested the Commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra’s armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network, Ikechukwu Uba, of Emoha Mgbidi, in Oru West Local Government of Imo State.

    It said it also arrested one of the sponsors of the group and a traditional ruler of Isi Mgbidi, Emoha Mgbidi autonomous community, HRH Eze Anozie Augustine Agbarambo, who is now cooling off in the police net.

    The command, in a statement signed yesterday by its spokesperson, Henry Okoye, added that the operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad led by CSP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa stormed the hideout of the suspects on December 16, 2023 and arrested him and three others.

    According to the police, “following a diligently gathered actionable intelligence on a deadly IPOB/ESN Terrorist Commander named Ikechukwu Uba, of Emoha Mgbidi, in Oru West Local Government of Imo State, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad led by CSP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa stormed the hideout of the suspects on December 16 and arrested him and three others.

    “On interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) Terrorist group, commanding Mgbidi axis and stated further that he masterminded the attacks on Omuma Police Station and soldiers at Mgbidi and Awo-Mmama, narrating further that he receives funding from the Finland-based Simon Ekpa to carry out terrorist attacks in the state.

    “The suspects provided useful information to the determined operatives that led to the arrest of one of their alleged sponsors, HRH Eze Anozie Augustine Agbarambo ‘m’, 51 yrs, the traditional ruler of Isi Mgbidi, Emoha Mgbidi autonomous community.

    “Two locally made revolver long guns, one double barrel long gun and 33 rounds of live cartridges were recovered from his house during an intense search. Investigation is in progress and the suspects will be arraigned in court upon completion of a diligent investigation.

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    “In a different development, operatives of Nekede Divisional Headquarters while on intelligence-led surveillance patrol on December 10, 2023 arrested a suspected kidnapper, Sylvester Humble, ‘m’, of Umuoma Nekede, searched and recovered one locally made pistol in his possession.

    “In the course of the investigation, the suspect admitted to being a member of a notorious kidnapping syndicate terrorising the residents of Nekekde and Ihiagwa in Imo State and volunteered useful information that will assist the police in the arrest of his cohorts at large. He will be arraigned upon completion of a comprehensive investigation.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Imo State, CP Aboki Danjuma, while appreciating the gallant operatives for sustained efforts in achieving this operational feat, urged them to sustain the tempo in the fight against all forms of crime and criminality in the state.”

    The CP assured the good people of Imo State that the command has placed enhanced proactive security strategies that will ensure the entire length and breadth of the state is adequately policed during and after the Yuletide.

  • Gunmen kill 19-year-old, injure two in Plateau

    Gunmen kill 19-year-old, injure two in Plateau

    Gunmen have reportedly killed a 19- year-old, Jude Nicodemus, and injured two others at Gana Ropp village in Barkin Ladi Local Government of Plateau State.

    Sources said the incident occurred on Wednesday night around 8pm.

    The Nation reports that this is one among the recent renewed attacks and killings without any form of provocation in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos and Mangu by the hoodlums, who have vowed to disrupt peace during the Yuletide.

    The tragic incident, among others, occurred, following security intelligence, which showed that militant groups had vowed to resume hostilities in villages and communities during the Christmas celebrations.

    Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), under the leadership of Solomon Dalyop Mwantiri, Esq., condemned the recent killings in some parts of Plateau State and called on security outfits, particularly ‘Operation Safe Haven-OPSH’, under the able and patriotic command of Maj.-Gen. A. E. Abdulsallam, who is also the GOC 3rd Armoured Division, to redouble efforts in combating resurgence of acts of terrorism, and flush out the terrorists that are said to have been stationed on the hills of Were in Ropp of Barkin Ladi Local Government and some parts of Plateau. 

    Berom Youth Movement (BYM) 

    Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, who confirmed the incident to The Nation, also commended the rapid response of Sector 4 Commander, Col. US Abdulsallam, for his swift action that forestalled further casualties in the general area. 

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    BYM sympathised with the families that lost their beloved ones in the recent unprovocative attacks and appealed to the public to be more vigilant before, during and after the festive season.

    BYM appealed for calmness, and called on the federal, state and local governments as well as other relevant bodies to come to the aid (hospital bills) of the deceased’s families and those injured, to ameliorate the plight they have been plunged into and ensure restorative justice is served.

    Spokesman for Operation Safe Haven, (OPSH) in-charge of maintaining peace in Plateau and part of Kaduna states, Capt. James Oya, confirmed the incident to The Nation on the phone.

    He said: “I confirm the incident, it happened. What happened is that the incident would have been a disaster.

    “The assailants that came opened fire on those making preparation and also celebrating and holding Christmas Carol at that moment. One person was killed.”

    He added that because of the quick intervention of the troops, the assailants could not continue their mission. “Unfortunately, one person lost his life and other people were injured. The injured ones have been taken to hospital.”

    Oya said three days ago, some bandits and kidnappers were arrested at that axis. “As I speak, the commander informed me that the troops are conducting aggressive raid in that area.”

  • Command arrests three with suspected human hearts

    Command arrests three with suspected human hearts

    Operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, comprising Lagos and Ogun state, have arrested three men with two suspected human hearts.

    The Zonal Public Relations Officer, SP Tunni Ayuba, confirmed the arrest in a statement yesterday in Lagos.

    According to Ayuba, the suspects are men.

    Ayuba said the suspected human hearts were discovered in the house of one of the suspects at  Oke-Ola area of Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State during a search.

    The spokesperson said during interrogation, the suspect implicated a man, whom he claimed to have paid N50,000 to assist in obtaining two human hearts.

    Ayuba said the second suspect identified the third suspect as the source of the hearts.

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    She said investigation had begun into the case, adding that the two suspected human hearts had been sent to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital for examination.

    According to Ayuba, AIG Ari Muhammed in charge of the zone, implored residents of the states to be vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police formation.

    The image maker said Muhammed reiterated commitment to ensuring safety of lives and property in Lagos and Ogun states.

  • Police arrest ex-Enugu lawmaker, six others over robbery, cultism 

    Police arrest ex-Enugu lawmaker, six others over robbery, cultism 

    Police operatives in Enugu State have arrested seven youths, including a former local government councillor, for alleged conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearm.

    .The ex-lawmaker, whose name was given as Henry Agbo Ogbonna, is a former councillor in Enugu South Local Government.

    A statement signed yesterday by the  Police Public Relations Officer, Dan Ndukwe, said the lawmaker and six others were apprehended at various times in the state.

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    The statement said: “The Commissioner of Police Enugu State Command, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has reaffirmed the commitment of the police to continuously clamp down on unrepentant criminals.

    “The reaffirmation is following the arrest of seven male suspects, including a former local government councillor, for alleged conspiracy, armed robbery, secret cult and unlawful possession of firearm.”

  • Court remands suspected WhatsApp hacker over N700,000 fraud

    Court remands suspected WhatsApp hacker over N700,000 fraud

    Justice Akintayo Aluko of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the remand of a suspected WhatsApp hacker, Stephen Andrew Ojo, over alleged N700,000 fraud.

    Justice Aluko ordered that the defendant would remain in the custody of Ikoyi Centre of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) till January 24, 2024 when his case would be re-opened before a substantive judge.

    Stephen was yesterday arraigned before the court by the officers of Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, on a four-count charge of conspiracy, identity theft and obtaining the sum of N700, 000, by false pretence.

    The prosecutor, Mr. Zebedee Arekhandia, told the court that the defendant and others now at large, on September 12, 2024, at Ajao Estate, Lagos, conspired among themselves and engaged in identity theft, by hacking the WhatsApp of Mrs. Laraba Shuaibu, and impersonated her.

    Arekhandia also informed the court that the alleged hacker and others now at large, used the hacked WhatsApp to fraudulently obtained N700, 000 from Mrs. Osasu Tina Eriamiatoe.

    The prosecutor further told the court that the money was paid into the defendant’s Union Bank account and PalmPay account number 9550723433 belonging to one Michael Ijua.

    He said the offences committed by the defendant contravened sections 8(a) and 1(3)(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

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    He also the court that the offences contravened sections Section 24 (2)(a)(b) (i)(ii) and (iii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. And Section 15 (1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2022 as amended in 2012.

    The defendant, while pleading guilty to the offences, however told the court that he was not the person that committed the alleged crimes.

    With his guilty plea and his statement, Justice Aluko recorded ‘not guilty plea’ for him and ordered that he be remanded at Ikoyi centre of NCoS till January 24, 2024, when the court’s chief judge will reassigned his case file to the substantive judge.

  • 15 killed, others injured in Prague varsity shooting

    15 killed, others injured in Prague varsity shooting

    • •Shooter ‘eliminated’, police say

    A gunman killed 15 people and wounded dozens of others at a Prague university yesterday, before the police “eliminated” him, authorities said.

    The violence in the Czech capital’s historic centre sparked panic, a massive police response and warnings for people to stay indoors.

    The bloodshed took place in the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the shooter was a student, Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said. He has not been named publicly.

    “More than 15 people have lost their lives and at least 24 have been wounded,” Vondrasek told reporters following the shooting.

    “The building is currently being evacuated and there are several dead and dozens of wounded people on the scene,” police wrote earlier on X.

    Police said they were still searching the area, including the balcony, for possible explosives. The building was evacuated, Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda said.

    An email sent to staff and students at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University, seen by Reuters, had said a shooter was in one of its buildings and had told staff to “stay put”.

    “Don’t go anywhere, if you’re in the offices, lock them and place furniture in front of the door, turn off the lights,” the email said.

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    One X user posted a photo of a group of students, hiding crouched on a ledge of the building.

    The police have sealed off the square and the area adjacent to the university building, which is located in a busy part of town that has a popular street leading tourists to Old Town Square

    “According to preliminary information, the shooter himself should be dead, there are dead and wounded on site, I will not speculate now about the final number,” Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said on Czech Television.

    Prime Minister Petr Fiala cancelled his trip to the east of the country and was en route to Prague, he said on X.

    Gun crime is relatively rare in the Czech Republic. In December 2019, a 42-year-old gunman killed six people at a hospital waiting room in the eastern Czech city of Ostrava before fleeing and fatally shooting himself, police said.

    In 2015, a man fatally shot eight people and then killed himself at a restaurant in Uhersky Brod.

  • ICC gets list of 40 Israeli commanders for probe into ‘war crimes’

    ICC gets list of 40 Israeli commanders for probe into ‘war crimes’

    • Israel expecting another prisoner-hostage deal with Hamas next month

    A united States-based NGO said they submitted a list of 40 Israeli soldiers to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for investigation into “war crimes” in Gaza.

    “The International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor should investigate as suspects for war crimes and crimes against humanity the senior Israeli commanders,” Democracy for Arab World Now (DAWN) said in a statement.

    The statement said the names of 40 Israeli commanders have been submitted to ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, asserting that these individuals have “taken part in, or who have direct command responsibility over operations that likely comprise indiscriminate and deliberate attacks on civilians, the use of starvation as a weapon, blocking humanitarian aid, and the imposition of the siege on Gaza”.

    Sarah Leah Whitson, executive director at DAWN, said that the 40 Israeli commanders “who have been responsible for planning, ordering, and executing Israel’s indiscriminate bombardment, wanton destruction, and mass killing of civilians in Gaza should be prime suspects in any ICC investigation.” ?

    “At the top of the list of suspects is Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. On October 9, 2023, Gallant ordered a complete siege on Gaza City, cut off the supply of potable water to the entire population of the Gaza Strip — over 2 million people, blocked the entry of humanitarian aid, and oversaw the indiscriminate bombardment of Gaza,” the NGO said.

    The list also includes Maj. Gen. Ghassan Alian. According to the NGO, Alian is “responsible for administering the siege of Gaza and was responsible for cutting off the supply of water, food, and fuel in the early days of the war.”

    The list also included Lt. Col. Dvir Edri, the commander of the 460th Armoured Brigade, which DAWN said participated in combat operations in northern Gaza on Nov. 4.

    “Between noon November 4 and noon November 5, according to data published by the UN, 243 Palestinians were killed in Gaza. Infantry, combat engineering, and armoured forces like those under the command of Lt. Col. Edri have been documented attacking protected civilian sites such as hospitals, houses of worship, and schools,” the NGO added.

    Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man, the director of research for Israel-Palestine at DAWN, said: “Israeli criminal law does not establish any type of ‘command responsibility’ for war crimes, which means Israeli courts never hold senior officers accountable — while it almost always absolves their subordinates of committing serious war crimes.”

    Official Israeli estimates indicate that another prisoner-hostage exchange deal with Hamas, and a humanitarian pause in the Gaza Strip could be achieved by January, Channel 13 quoted officials as saying on Wednesday.

    The negotiations will include the release of some Israeli hostages in Gaza in exchange for a two-week humanitarian pause, setting free prominent Palestinian prisoners, and withdrawal of the army from certain areas in Gaza, the officials said.

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    Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh reached Cairo on Wednesday for talks believed to focus on the cease-fire and the exchange deal.

    Egypt, along with Qatar, helped mediate a weeklong cease-fire in November in which Hamas freed over 100 hostages in exchange for Israel’s release of 240 Palestinian prisoners. Hamas and other groups are still holding about 129 captives.

    At least 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since Oct. 7, according to health officials in the enclave. There’s also been widespread destruction of homes and other infrastructure.

    Israel says 1,200 people were killed in the October attack by Hamas.

    The U.S. said “very serious” negotiations were taking place on a new Gaza ceasefire and release of more Israeli hostages.

    Prospects for a deal remained uncertain as Hamas insisted it would not discuss anything less than a complete end to Israel’s offensive in the Palestinian enclave.

    Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh visited Egypt on Wednesday for the first time in more than a month for discussions with Egyptian officials who are seeking to mediate another truce.

    A source briefed on the negotiations said envoys were intensively discussing which of the hostages still held by Palestinian Islamist militants in Gaza could be freed in a new truce and which Palestinian prisoners Israel might release in return.

    Islamic Jihad, a smaller Palestinian militant group that is also holding hostages in Gaza, said its leader would visit Egypt in the coming days as well to discuss a possible end to the conflict.

  • UN’s WFP temporarily suspends food assistance in Sudan

    UN’s WFP temporarily suspends food assistance in Sudan

    The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) has temporarily suspended food assistance in some parts of Sudan’s state of Gezira as fighting spreads south and east of Sudan’s capital Khartoum, the aid agency said in a statement.

    WFP has put food deliveries on hold in some locations in Gezira, said Eddie Rowe, WFP’s representative and country director in Sudan, adding that its teams are working around the clock to provide food aid in locations where it is still possible.

    As many as 300,000 people are fleeing Sudan’s second-biggest city, Wad Madani, in the latest wave of large-scale displacement after fighting spread across the region, the UN migration agency said on Thursday.

    According to initial estimates by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), more than half a million people had taken refuge in the Al Jazirah state since the start of the crisis in April and they are again on move following a fighting which broke out in the outskirts of Wad Madani last week.

    “This is a human tragedy of immense proportions, deepening the country’s already dire humanitarian crisis,” IOM Director General Amy Pope said in a statement, adding that the intensifying conflict and growing displacement underscore “the urgency of a peaceful resolution, the need for a cease-fire and a robust response to avert a wider catastrophe.”?

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    The latest movements will push Sudan’s total displaced population beyond 7.1 million – “the world’s largest displacement crisis,” the IOM said.

    It added that more than 1.5 million people have fled to neighboring countries due to the conflict,? food insecurity,? and economic collapse.

    Sudan has been mired by fighting between the army, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the country’s ruling Sovereign Council, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April.

    Several cease-fire agreements brokered by Saudi and US mediators have failed to end the violence.

  • 2023 AFCON: Nwabali excited over Super Eagles prospects

    2023 AFCON: Nwabali excited over Super Eagles prospects

    Chippa United Goalkeeper, Stanley Bobo Nwabali says he is poised to give his best if he makes the final list of Super Eagles squad to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations holding  next year in Cote d’Ivoire.

    The former Go Round and Enyimba Goalkeeper is in the 40 man list submitted to the Confederation of African Football  (CAF) and with the squad to be trimmed to between 23 and 27 on or before January 3rd, 2024, Nwabali said he is eagerly expecting the final list.

    Nwabali who spoke glowingly of his admiration for the Eagles invitation promised to give his best adding that having the privilege to be in the midst of the Eagles is a great motivation to him.

    “I feel very happy. It is something I can’t explain how I am feeling about it.  I appreciate it even though it is not the final list yet,” Nwabali disclosed on  Lagos based Sports Radio station. “Everyone will like to give to his best to the country. I am ready to give my best and I won’t keep anything behind. I am looking forward to the final list.  To see myself among this  group of players is a motivation for me. I know I must work harder because the task ahead is huge.”

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    Meanwhile, former Under 23 goalkeeper, Greg Etafia has appealed to the Super Eagles technical crew to give Chippa United Goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali a chance to prove himself.

    Etafia, a former Goalkeeper of Moroka Swallows of South Africa and Lobi Stars admitted he never heard of Nwabali while playing in the Nigerian league but noted that his performance since he got to South Africa with Chippa United has been top notch.

    “I don’t really know him until I saw him in South Africa because it has been long i left Nigeria. He came in here not quite long but he is a top goalkeeper from what I have seen thus far,” Etafia, who now works in South Africa noted. “I just hope he can continue there in the national team. I will also like the Eagles technical crew to give him a chance and support for him to be stabilized.”

  • NPFL approve Rangers’ return to Enugu

    NPFL approve Rangers’ return to Enugu

    After playing away from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu for over two seasons the organizers of the Nigeria Premier Football League have accepted the request of Rangers International FC to return back home as from their next week home game with Shooting Stars.

    Rangers have been making use of the Awka City Stadium, Awka for over two seasons but with the completion of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu and the inspection from the NPFL the league body has written to the General Manager of the Flying Antelopes, Amobi Ezeaku that the club can return home as from their NPFL Matchday 16 tie with the Oluyole Warriors billed for December 28th, 2023.

    The NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi wrote: “We refer to your letter on the above and the subsequent inspection exercise carried out by our team, and hereby convey our approval for the use of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu as your home ground with effect from Matchday 16 fixture involving Rangers Vs Shooting Stars in the 2023-24 NPFL season scheduled to take place on Thursday 28th  December, 2023.

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    “You are to ensure that all necessary logistics are put in place for hitch free fixtures, both before, during and after the matches. The above is for your information and compliance, accept our sincere sporting regards.”

    Rangers played a 1-1 draw away to Enyimba on Wednesday in a Matchday 15 tie and their return home to Enugu will be a big boost to Fidelis Ilechukwu and his boys ahead of their subsequent games.