Category: South East

GOVERNOR Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has appointed pioneer Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Barr. Enyinnaya Onuegbu as his Chief Political Adviser and Head of Political Bureau of his administration.

Onuegbu, who also had a short stint as Commissioner for Power before the Governor dissolved his Cabinet that affected him was unveiled on Saturday at a meeting where Governor Uzodimma addressed the All Progressives Congress candidates in Imo state.

His appointment takes immediate effect.

Onuegbu, a native of Ngor Okpala is also an ex-officio member of the APC is a committed member of the Party and has many years active experience in legal practice.

Governor Uzodimma expects Onuegbu to bring the weight of experience he has acquired in the traditional, political and legal institutions into the office he has just been appointed into and make a mark that will not only be irresistible but an envy to many.

YOUTHS from Ihieorji and Umuocha villages in Obingwa local government area of Abia state have taken to the streets to protest the killing of their kinsmen by a reckless driver whose identify was yet unknown.

The deceased persons were identified as Mr. Chibueze Ugorji, the Youth President of Umuocha village, Obi Mgboko Amaise autonomous community and his, one Mr. Chibuike Nwaobilor Ogidi; Ugorji’s apprentice.

The accident was said to have occurred within the Mgboko community.

They were said to be returning from where they had gone to mount canopies for an event in a commercial tricycle when they met their untimely death.

The tricycle they boarded was said to have had head-on collision with a speeding car at a sharp bend of the Obikabia-Umuene road in Obingwa LGA.

The impact on both automobiles was said to have caused bodily injuries on the commercial tricycle occupants.

It was gathered that Ugorji died instantly while Ogidi died on the way to the hospital, forcing the youths conveying him to turn their tricycle to head back to the scene of the accident.

SECURITY operatives in Anambra state have recovered war weapons at the hide out of the criminal elements in the state.

Two policemen and a civilian tracker were abducted by the hoodlums, who killed and set their bodies ablaze.

The recovery came, according to the Police spokesman, Ikenga Tochukwu, following a counter- offensive operation launched against criminal elements who had on Friday, laid an ambush against a six-man police team and a civilian car tracker who were on a recovery operation.

The recovering operation, he said, was of a Toyota Sienna Space Wagon vehicle earlier snatched on gun point on last weekend in Oye-Agu Abagana.

In a statement Saturday in Awka, which was made available to reporters, Tochukwu said, four of the police operatives escaped the ambush, while two of the police operatives and the car tracker were captured by the criminals.

According to him, “the Anambra police Command, Friday, 15/07/2022, _recovered a human skull, one locally made rocket propelled grande RPG launcher, two (RPG) bombs, one single- barrel long gun.

“Others are empty chain of bullet, one Toyota Sienna, one Mercedes Benz Formatic jeep, two cylinders, a huge quantity of hard drugs and other items.

“Also recovered included a police beret and a police belt, in a criminal den at Amukabia, Achalla, Awka south LGA in Anambra state.

“The police operatives, during the counter offensive operation, neutralized some of the armed men and destroyed three of their camps.

“Unfortunately, some of the hoodlums escaped with bullet wounds, having already murdered their captives and set their bodies ablaze.

“The remains of the two murdered police officers and the civilian tracker have been recovered and deposited in a morgue, while police operation is still ongoing in the area to track the fleeing gang members.”

A bloody clash looms between the Okpoama and Odioma communities of Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa state over the ongoing ‘trial census’ following the issuance of eviction notice to indigenes of the Otokoloama fishing community by some armed youths.

It was learnt that some armed youths from Odioma had allegedly warned Otokoloama indigenes to quit their fishing community within 24 hours or face wanton killings and destruction of their property.

The worried indigenes of Otokoloama fishing community, whose allegiance is to the Okpoama community, alleged that the armed youths that issued the notice came from Odioma community.

It was gathered that youths, numbering about 10 and armed with an AK-47 assault rifles and machetes, allegedly stormed the Otokoloama fishing community in a speedboat and warned the residents to quit in their own interest or face their wrath.

They were said to have boarded their boat and zoomed off after dropping the warning.

A fisherman and resident of Otokoloama community, who pleaded anonymity, said on the telephone that they had lived in the community for over 30 years, noting that the warning that they should vacate was shocking and worrisome.

He claimed that the eviction notice was not strange, saying that about three days ago, they stormed the area and started shooting to drive home the message that they meant business of evicting them.

The source said: “They came on Wednesday and started shooting into the air to show they meant business. Last time, the armed youths came with an exercise book requesting that we write the names of the residents but I refused because when I came in 1989 it was the Okpoama people that gave me permission to live in the community. The threat made us to leave immediately because we don’t know what they have planned.”

He called on the police and the Bayelsa state government to come to their aid, saying that it would be a challenge to feed his wife and six children if they abandoned their fishing community.

Also, a 52-year-old woman, who also craved anominity, said: “When they came, they asked her questions which she refused to answer. So, they took her basin of fish and threw it into the river.

“They were about 10 of them. One of them asked me to tell those our Okpoama people that the day we meet them, there will be shootout.”

She said her sister has a four-month-old baby and in order not to endanger the life of the baby they left for Okpoama with the help of one of her sisters who brought a canoe to carry her belongings.

Speaking on the development, Chairman, Okpoama Kingdom Council of Chiefs, Chief Inikio Sam Dede, described the alleged action of the Odioma youths as an attempt to truncate the existing peace in the area.

”The trial census is ongoing and Odioma youths are going round our communities chasing people away just to ensure that our population is reduced. We know their fishing ports and they know ours. Our youths have not gone to their fishing settlements to cause trouble. We are too refined for that.”

It was gathered that an attempt by the Brass Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force, Oche Ochenika to resolve the matter on Friday failed because Odioma youths allegedly failed to turn up for the parley.

THE people of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu state have reassured Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of their unflinching support, loyalty and solidarity towards his senatorial bid come 2023 general elections, stressing that the governor is their indisputable leader, in whom they are well pleased.

Uzo-Uwani people, who were led by their political leaders, traditional rulers and elder statesmen such as Chief Maxi Ukuta and Chief Dr. Michael Ajogwu (SAN), on a thank-you visit to Governor Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, at the weekend, said that their total support and loyalty to the governor were in recognition of his unprecedented interventions in their council area in terms massive infrastructural development and human empowerment, after decades of neglect.

The elated people, who disclosed that Uzo-Uwani LGA has seen light under Ugwuanyi’s administration, stated that no past government had remembered the council area, until the present state government stepped in and changed the narrative.

The people reaffirmed their commitment and faith in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and assured the governor that the PDP remains their party come 2023 general elections.

Speaking, the Chairman of Uzo-Uwani LGA, Hon. Chukwudi Nnadozie, told Ugwuanyi that they came to thank him for the good works of his administration in Enugu state and particularly, in their council area.

Enumerating the numerous achievements of Ugwuanyi’s administration in Uzo-Uwani LGA, such as massive road projects, health and education facilities, political appointments and security, in spite of the nation’s economic challenges, the Council Chairman maintained: “PDP has shown us love through you (Ugwuanyi). We have come to tell you that we are solidly behind you come 2023. We want to assure you that all the candidates of the PDP will be delivered 100 percent in Uzo-Uwani LGA.”

Also speaking, an elder statesman, Chief Maxi Ukuta reiterated that “we came here to thank you (Ugwuanyi) and to reassure you that the people of Uzo-Uwani LGA are the most loyal local government in Enugu state.”

CROSS River state Governor, Professor Ben Ayade has congratulated Mr. Gill Nsa on his emergence as the new state Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).

A statement by the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Linus Obogo, quoted Ayade as wishing Nsa a successful tenure.

The governor expressed optimism for a cordial and robust working relationship between NUJ under Nsa’s leadership and the state government.

“I convey my hearty and warm felicitations to you on your election as the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Cross River state chapter.

“Your qualification for the exalted office was never in doubt. Given your sterling performance in the print media sector of the industry and your impeccable contributions to its growth, I’m not surprised that your colleagues in the Cross River chapter of the union found you worthy to lead them,” Ayade said in the statement.

Continuing, the governor said: “As an accomplished professional in the field of journalism and illustrious son of the state, the government and people of Cross River look forward to a robust working relationship with you. Once again, I congratulate you and wish you a successful tenure.”

Two persons narrowly escaped death in a fire incident at one of the commercial banks in Onitsha Anambra state.

The fire was said to have emanated from heat in the generator located within the bank premises.

The Nation gathered that the incident caused commotion in the banking hall as customers scampered for safety, with some sustaining injuries.

“Some of customers sustained injury while running as some broke the glass windows to jump out. Luckily, two persons trapped in one of the offices were rescued by the police who arrived the scene shortly after,” one of the witnesses told our correspondent.Confirming the incident, Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga said the fire had been put off while the situation is being monitored.

He said, “Today 15/7/2022 at about 10:am, Anambra State Police Operatives rescued two victims of fire incident at UBA bank, opposite Ejison plaza main market, Onitsha.”

Men of Anambra State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested seven-man syndicate in Obeledu town in Anaocha Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects, reportedly terrorising the community, were said to be specialised in act of vandalism of electrical installations, stealing and dispossessing residents of their belongings.

Parading the suspects in Awka on Friday, the newly deployed State Commandant Mr. Isidore Chikere said they were rounded up following information received and activated by combined team of Intelligence and Investigation operatives.

Chikere ordered for discreet investigation after which the suspects would be charged.

He listed the suspects’ names to include Onyimonyi Chinedu (34) from Onueke Izza South L.G.A Ebonyi State, Elesi Promise Chikamso (32) from Oji River L.G.A, Enugu State, Nwube Sunday (32) from Onueke Izza South L.G.A Ebonyi State and Nwankwo Solomon (22) from Okofia Izza South L.G. A Ebonyi State.

As a sage once wrote, “The mystery about love is that it has neither boundaries nor limitations and most certainly happens on its own terms.”

This wisecrack becomes apposite in describing the love romance between two individuals, Mr. and Mrs. Emmanuel Chukwugozie, who met while in transit some couple of years ago.

The lovely couple who hail from Enugu and Abia states met while on board the Peace Mass Transit bus while travelling to Nsukka enroute Gariki, Abuja, precisely on December 12, 2020.

As the couple would later confide in this reporter, when they first met it was not a case of love at first sight really but providence had something in store for them.

After that brief encounter, a platonic friendship was forged and would later grow into a serious relationship leading to marriage.

With the preliminary period of courtship which lasted a few months only, a formal introduction ceremony took place on September 5, 2021 and subsequent traditional marriage rites almost a month apart, precisely on October 2, 2021.

One year down the line, the fairy tale of a marriage was consummated as the lovely couple welcomed a set of twins last month.

Naturally, the couple decided to bring out their drums and cymbals to celebrate their good fortune during their children’s dedication ceremony recently in Abia state.

Although it was meant to be a soiree, a close door ceremony hosting just a few friends, it snowballed into a shindig with friends from far and near assembling for the big bash.

Expectedly, upon invitation, Peace Mass Transit Aba branch’s Manager and PRO were there to grace the occasion. On behalf of the company, they gifted the babies the sum of fifty thousand naira.

While commenting on the development, the management of Peace Mass Transit (PMT) said commitment to quality and convenient transportation services for travellers has always been their utmost priority. But in the course of this, the company has come across several heartwarming stories of passengers-turned-life partners. One of such is the love story of Mr. and Mrs. Emmanuel Chukwugozie.

“Peace Mass Transit will continue to look forward to more heartwarming stories like this, whether of love, friendship, or some other connection that ended up continuing long after the journey with PMT ended.”

On their part, the couple thanked the management for the good gestures  even as they assured that they would forever remain eternally grateful to Peace Mass Transit for providing the medium for them.

A group of suspected Cultists numbering three have reportedly killed a yet-to-be identified young man at the popular Ehere Timber Market in Obingwa local government area of Abia state.

Ehere Timber Market is a popular wood market located at the Alaoji axis of Aba-Ikot Ekpene Expressway off Ogbor Hill, Aba playing host to visitors from neighbouring Akwa Ibom and Rivers states respectively.

The gunmen numbering three were said to have arrived at the market in a commercial tricycle without the traders suspecting of anything in the offing.

According to a source that gave his name as Ifeanyi, the incident which happened Thursday evening about 5pm while the traders were closing their shops for the day’s business activities caused pandemonium in the market as many scamper for safety.

Information has it that the gunmen on sighting their target, went to the shop where he was seated and shot him severally on the neck.

Sources within the market told our correspondent that the unmasked gunmen ensured that their target died in the pool of his blood.

One of the sources who chose anonymity while narrating the incident said “it was about 5pm when we were closing for the day’s business that about three guys walked into the market.

“Normally, here is always busy as people from Akwa Ibom, Aba and other suburbs come to buy woods and other building materials. It is usually a rowdy time as people who came late try to buy what they need, while traders are closing their shops to go home.

“The gunmen who walked in bare faced, cashed into the rowdiness of the market, with the help of a pointer who was in the market monitoring their target, went straight to him and shot him severally.”