The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • APC women hail Oba of Benin on peaceful poll

    APC women hail Oba of Benin on peaceful poll

    All Progressives Congress (APC) women in Edo South Senatorial District have hailed Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, on his fatherly roles and prayers that made the September 21 governorship election in Edo State to be peaceful.

    Their leader, Mrs. Itohan Edokpolor, yesterday during a solidarity visit to the first-class monarch, said ‘’as mothers, we are thankful to God Almighty and Oba of Benin that no life was lost during the election, which was anticipated to be violent.’’

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    Edokpolor, a former chairperson of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government, appreciated the foremost traditional ruler for defending Edo heritage and urged him not to relent in his prayers for the state, despite the subterranean moves by some persons to thwart the victory of the Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, which she insisted had come to stay.

    The Esere of Benin, Chief Stanley Obamwonyi, according to the Chief Press Secretary to the Oba of Benin, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, speaking on behalf of the royal father, described the king as a detribalised and peace-loving father.

  • Southeast realtors conference, awards to hold Nov 8th

    Southeast realtors conference, awards to hold Nov 8th

    The Southeast Realtors Conference and Awards 2024 is set to hold on November 8th.

    According to the organisers, all eyes are on this landmark event, which is set to redefine the real estate sector in Southeast Nigeria. 

    Realtors, investors, and key players in the industry are gearing up for an event that promises to transform careers and elevate business practices. 

    One of the most significant contributors to this year’s event is Braudy Global Limited, a leading real estate company.

    Under Jeff Anozie’s leadership, Braudy Global Limited has become synonymous with excellence in real estate, particularly in Enugu. 

    The company has built a reputation for delivering personalized real estate solutions to clients, whether they’re seeking a family home, commercial property, or a lucrative investment. 

    Jeff Anozie’s hands-on approach and deep understanding of the market have propelled Braudy Global to the forefront of the industry.

    But the company’s influence doesn’t end there. Recently, Braudy Global expanded its operations to the nation’s capital, Abuja, bringing the same level of professional service to a new market. 

    This move signals the company’s intent to become a major force not only in Southeast Nigeria but also across the broader national real estate landscape.

    The Southeast Realtors Conference and Awards 2024 is not just another conference—it’s a platform for realtors to gain insights from industry leaders, network with peers, and adopt strategies that can skyrocket their careers. With Braudy Global at the forefront as a key sponsor, the company is positioned as a catalyst for innovation, growth, and success within the real estate industry.

    With Braudy Global’s backing, the Southeast Realtors Conference and Awards 2024 is shaping up to be a must-attend event for real estate professionals. 

    Whether you’re a realtor looking to elevate your career or a property investor eager to network, this conference, powered by industry leaders like Braudy Global Limited, is an unmissable opportunity to stay ahead in a competitive market.

  • Forum postpones Summit in honour of late Chief Iwuanyanwu

    Forum postpones Summit in honour of late Chief Iwuanyanwu

    The much-publicised summit of the Greater Igbo Forum (GIF) Worldwide, originally scheduled for October 9 and 10, 2024 in Abuja, has been postponed due to the upcoming burial of the President of the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief (Dr.) Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

    President GIF, Greater Igbo Forum, Lady Amb. Lois Jonathan, made this known in a statement in Abuja.

    Jonathan said a new date, venue and time will be announced in due course.

    According to her, the decision to postpone the summit was made by the National Planning Committee of the event, following calls and advice from prominent Igbo individuals in Nigeria and the diaspora, who suggested that the summit be rescheduled in reverence of Chief Iwuanyanwu. 

    Iwuanyanwu had before his sudden demise approved the hosting of the summit. 

    Jonathan said, “the National Planning Committee of the summit, after extensive deliberations on the crucial matter, unanimously resolved to shift the date of the summit after the burial of Chief Iwuanyanwu and some other great men and Women of Igbo extraction who are still in the Mortuary awaiting burials”

    The summit of the Greater Igbo Forum Worldwide the statement indicated, “aims to attract the participation of all Igbo stakeholders, including governors, ministers, National Assembly members, diplomats, traditional rulers, chief executive officers, high-calibre individuals, business gurus, and government officials”

    The GIF President said new date will be announced after the burial of the late  leader of Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide.

    “We shall have a reflection point of a one-stop Summit of years to come” she said.

    She said the planned Summit is choreographed to address fundamental Issues of concern affecting the Igbo nation, especially insecurity problems bedevilling the region such as the illicit activities of Unknown gunmen, and Kidnapping. 

    “Others are Police extortions in the Southeast, Rape of our women, hatred of Igbos in high and low places including other perceived vices and treatment meted against the Igbos in Nigeria and diasporas by fellow Nigerians.

    “Greater Igbo Forum worldwide is a non-governmental non-political organization founded and dedicated to promoting Igbo cultural heritage and values, fostering brevity and cooperation amongst Igbo nation/people worldwide.

    “The GIF worldwide shall remain faithful and committed to a focused leadership, we will continue to encourage entrepreneurship, business innovations and economic development of nation – “Aku Rue Ulo” Supporting good governance and raising transformational Leaders in all Igbo Communities and diasporas,” Jonathan said.

  • Alumni demand withdrawal, review of requirements for Nnamdi Azikiwe University VC

    Alumni demand withdrawal, review of requirements for Nnamdi Azikiwe University VC

    The UniZik Medics Alumni Association (UMAA) representing graduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s Medical School, has strongly condemned the recently published requirements for the institution’s Vice-Chancellor position.

    The association described the criteria as skewed and damaging to the university’s global reputation.

    During a media briefing in Abuja on Monday, UMAA called for the immediate withdrawal of the selection criteria, citing concerns over its legality and fairness.

    Led by the National President, Prof. Evaristus Afiadigwe, and other key members, including Chinenye Ekpeh, the representative of the International Alumni UNIZIK Medics Alumni Association Worldwide and Prof. Chukwudi Okani, Chairman of the Committee on the NAU VC Advert, UMAA expressed alarm over the discriminatory nature of the requirements, which they argue violate the NAU Act of 1992 and its amendments.

    The advertisement, which was published on September 12, 2024, sparked immediate backlash, including a strike by lecturers at the Medical School and an official complaint to the Federal Ministry of Education.

    UMAA contends that the Governing Council’s modification of the selection criteria without proper statutory approval contradicts the university’s legal framework.

    The alumni were particularly disturbed by the focus on minimum qualifications and personal achievements, especially the mandatory requirement for a PhD and evidence of securing specific research funding.

    They argued that this effectively excludes clinical lecturers and other qualified candidates, undermining diversity in the institution’s leadership.

    Prof. Afiadigwe said: “This approach risks disenfranchising competent candidates, particularly from clinical fields, whose professional pathways differ.

    “There is no evidence to show that the Visitor to the School approved these requirements,” UMAA stated, warning that the university could become a laughing stock if these discrepancies are not corrected.

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    “The council did not, in the advert, specify the qualities of the persons who may apply for the post of Vice-Chancellor.

    “Instead of specifying the qualities as statutorily required, the Council made a U-turn and listed the minimum skills and personal achievements of prospective candidates.

    “Neither the NAU Act nor any NAU Statute provides for personal achievements as requirements to be included in the advert for Vice-Chancellor.

    “Neither the NAU Act and its three Schedules, nor any NAU Statute, empowered the Council to add achievements, Master’s or PhD as compulsory requirements in the advert for Vice-Chancellor.

    “The advert stipulated first degree, Master’s degree, and PhD as a mandatory requirement for candidates who want to apply for the position of the Vice-Chancellor of NAU when there is no such mandatory and limiting requirement in the NAU Act or NAU Statute jointly made by the Council and Senate.

    “This advert ignores the fact that the clinical science lecturers of the University do not run PhD pathway stated above but follow the pathway of MBBS/BDS through Postgraduate Medical Fellowship. 

    “The requirements are more like a particular set of prospective candidates are being discriminated against when we look at the criteria that the candidate must have attached a grant of N400m.

    “This has never happened in any University before because the ability to attract grants to the school is one the areas considered desirable but putting a specific amount to it makes it look like it’s somebody’s CV that was pasted as the advertisement”.

    Given these, and while addressing the Visitor to the school and Pro-Chancellor specifically, the Prod. Afiadigwe listed the demands of the association following the emergency meeting convened on September 23, 2024, saying, “We reject the advert in its entirety and call for its withdrawal. Any new advert should only include the qualities required and nothing else.

    “Even if Professorship will be added as a requirement, which we vehemently contend that such a requirement is not part of NAU laws and thus ultra vires the Council, such requirement will just be because all the persons interested in applying for the post are professors. 

    “A new, simple, lawful, non-discriminatory advert that is intra vires the powers conferred on the Council should be released. For us as a body, the new advertisement should delete a PhD as a requirement once the person has attained the rank of a Professor; otherwise Medical Fellowship should be mentioned immediately after a PhD as an alternative.

    “The new advert should factor in the academic pathway of clinical lecturers, by inserting Medical Fellowship wherever PhD is mentioned as its equivalent.

    “The requirement of any specific amount of money in a grant should not appear again in the next advertisement. Specific amounts should not also feature at the selection stage unless as evidence of a needed quality, as it is embarrassing to us, all the alumni, our revered institution, and to the name of the great Owelle of Onitsha, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.

    “Premium should be placed on administrative experience alongside academic excellence in any discipline, but this will have to come up only at the selection stage, not at the advertising stage.

    “If nothing is done to expunge this anomaly, we may be forced to escalate the matter.

    “The Council and Senate are free to commence a modification of the Statute of NAU in the Third Schedule to the NAU Act on advert for the post of Vice Chancellor for future Vice Chancellorship if they wish, but any attempt to exclude medical professionals will be heavily resisted at the Council and Senate levels, as well as at the level of the Presidency.

    “Pending when such modifications are done to the NAU Statutes, about the contents of an advert for the post of Vice Chancellor, the law remains that the Master, PhD or personal achievements of prospective candidates, are not requirements for applying for the post of Vice Chancellor of NAU in the advert.

    “The requirements are the Council’s specified personal qualities needed in the prospective candidates or persons.”

    The national President however emphasized that as a body, the UNIZIK Medics Alumni Association is not as interested in who eventually emerges as the next Vice-Chancellor, “As we are in a transparent and equitable selection process.

    “Hence, we will support and work with anyone legitimately appointed”.  

  • Centre condemns Rivers Gov over council poll

    Centre condemns Rivers Gov over council poll

    The Centre for Truth and Justice (CTJ) has condemned the recent Local Government elections in Rivers State.

    The group alleged that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s actions undermined the democratic process, violating every principle that Nigeria stands for.

    Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Executive Director Obinna Francis, said the elections were conducted without transparency, accountability, or legitimacy, and were instead a coronation of Governor Fubara’s puppets.

    Francis also highlighted Governor Fubara’s disregard for the law, including his unilateral suspension of members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and installation of a three-man committee to function as the state assembly.

    The CTJ further criticised Fubara’s use of proxy parties to advance his political agenda and the involvement of RSIEC in the illegitimate process.

    “We condemn in totality the charade, mockery, and the total abuse of our democratic process by the purported conduct of Local Government (LG) elections in Rivers State,” Francis said.

    “What transpired in Rivers State is a travesty of democracy, an affront to the will of the people, and a direct assault on the rule of law. The so-called election that took place within the confines of the Government House is not only an illegal act but also a violation of every democratic principle that this nation stands for.

    “Moreover, the actions of Governor Fubara are a dangerous precedent that threatens the very fabric of our democracy. Nigerians can now understand clearly that Governor Fubara is ready to destroy whatever is left of our democracy if he is not urgently called to order.

    “Evidently, one of the most alarming aspects of Governor Fubara’s tenure has been his unilateral suspension of members of the Rivers State House of Assembly using kangaroo court orders. In defiance of legislative autonomy and the separation of powers, Governor Fubara has installed a three-man committee to function as the state assembly.

    “This illegal structure is a mockery of the democratic process, and we must all ask ourselves what kind of state operates without a legitimate legislature. The answer is clear: a dictatorship. Furthermore, Governor Fubara’s disregard for the law extends to the recent conduct of a sham LG election in Rivers State.

    “The election, which was conducted within the Government House, is an embarrassment to the state and the nation as a whole. This process lacked transparency, accountability, and legitimacy. There were no observers, no genuine electoral oversight, and no opportunity for the people of Rivers State to make their voices heard. Instead, it was a coronation, not an election—a process aimed at installing Governor Fubara’s puppets in key positions of power across the state.

    “It is pertinent to mention that a judgment from a Federal High Court in Abuja had already restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing voters’ registers to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

    “Yet, in typical fashion, Governor Fubara obtained a questionable court order to override this judgment, demonstrating his utter contempt for the judiciary and the rule of law. Hence, the involvement of RSIEC in this illegitimate process raises serious concerns about the impartiality and independence of the electoral body.

    “Rather than upholding the sanctity of the electoral process, RSIEC has become a tool in Governor Fubara’s hands to manipulate elections and install his loyalists in office. This flagrant abuse of power must be addressed if we are to preserve the integrity of future elections in Rivers State and Nigeria at large.

    “Additionally, Governor Fubara’s manipulation of the election process extended to the use of proxy parties to advance his political agenda. The so-called Action Peoples Party (APP), a relatively unknown political entity, conveniently “won” 22 out of 23 chairmanship seats in the Rivers State LG elections.

    “This result, which defies all logic and understanding, is the culmination of a highly orchestrated and manipulated electoral process aimed at securing Governor Fubara’s dominance over local government structures in the state.

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    “It is therefore heartbreaking that despite all these glaring irregularities, the state government and RSIEC have boldly declared the election to be smooth, safe, free, fair, credible, transparent, and violence-free.

    “Evidently, Governor Fubara’s actions are not those of a democratic leader but of an autocrat intent on consolidating power at the expense of the people’s will. Democracy is our collective asset, and its growth and progress are dependent on a government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and pursuing the interests of peace and justice at all times.”

    The group called on relevant authorities, including the National Assembly, judiciary and international community, to intervene and restore the rule of law in Rivers State.

    The CTJ urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and defend democracy, emphasizing that the actions of Governor Fubara threaten the democratic progress made as a nation.

  • NPHCDA moves to revitalise Southeast cold chain store, PHCs

    NPHCDA moves to revitalise Southeast cold chain store, PHCs

    The Executive Director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, (NPHCDA) Dr. Muyi Aina, has promised to revitalise its Cold Chain Store in the Southeast Zone for the preservation of vaccines and other related items.

    Dr. Aina, who made the promise weekend while inspecting some of the Agency’s facilities in the Southeast zonal office, including the cold and dry stores, in Enugu, lamented the poor state of the cold store.

    He said: “I came to Enugu to do a number of things. One is to engage with our critical stakeholders in the primary health care programme that we do.

    “I’m here also to look at the some of the facilities that we have in the Southeast zonal office as well as the cold and dry stores.

    “I looked at our cold store here and am not exactly very happy with what I saw. I think there are a few gaps in the functionality that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency”.

    Also speaking during a visit to Governor Peter Mbah at the Government House, Enugu, executive director commended the transformation of primary healthcare in Enugu State by the Governor Peter Mbah Administration, saying the state was well ahead in repositioning that layer of the healthcare system.

    “Enugu people are happy with you. The Federal Government is happy with you too for a number of reasons. When we came up, we said we want to revitalise our primary healthcare centres across the country. You got ahead of us. The news we are getting is extremely encouraging and that is one of the reasons why this is the first stop. This is my first visit to any state.

    “You have gone ahead of us to commence the construction of 260 new health facilities. That is no mean feat. You have not just talked about it, you have actually completed some. You have awarded contracts for all. It is indeed a great honour and privilege to be here today given all of these strides.

    “Beyond what I have just said, you have also focused on health workers, which is another big thing. You know that there is a shortage of health workers in the health sector broadly, but also in the primary healthcare system specifically. You are recruiting health workers of different cadres. You should be congratulated for this.

    “We are also aware and we want to thank you because you are one governor, who is prompt to his counterpart-funding responsibility when there is funding needed for health activities and for health campaigns. I have never had to call you to plead to release funding,” he stated.

    Dr. Aina said given the strides, the FG was going to support the state with N254m to help revitialise existing facilities to complement the new ones being constructed by the Governor Mbah Administration.

    “Encouraged by all of these strides you are making, I would like to also tell you that Enugu State will benefit from the ongoing revitalisation of PHCs. We have completed the assessment of 253 facilities here and from what we found, there are quite a bit of gaps and we also stepped up.

    “About 162 of them have the number of skilled birth attendants that you need to fully operate. Also, some of them need staff accommodation. We are going to support you.

    “The sum of N254million has already been earmarked as part of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund that you will use to revitalise some of these facilities. We have over twenty that we will also be revitalising for the state to support your efforts.”

    He added that the agency was ready to collaborate with the state in the area of training of manpower and replacement of obsolete cold chain infrastructure, among others.

    Governor Mbah welcomed the support, noting that FG’s effort to reposition the health system was in sync with his administration’s priorities.

    “We identified primary healthcare as one of those critical subsectors that we need to address. When we went out there to campaign in our various communities, there was hardly anyone that did not raise the issue of access to healthcare facility.

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    “We saw that with the state of the infrastructure we have and we are working on improving them. But we also saw the need to build brand new facilities. We are doing 260 Level 2 PHCs. But we are also more intrested in the equipment or facilities. In each Type 2 PHC we are doing currently also has a staff quarters to ensure a round the clock access to healthcare in these villages and rural areas. It was critical to us.

    “But we know that 260 will not cut it for us. So, that is why the announcement you made here about the FG working with us to revamp some of the existing PHCs that may be reviveable excites us so much.”

    The governor said the government was recruiting 2,200 health workers to address the deficits in the healthcare space in the state.

    “Even though what you may notice is our recruitment of 450 health workers, but the approval is actually 2,200. We did the analysis and the data we saw on pregnant women that have no access to healthcare personnel at delivery was scary. We knew we needed to ramp up very quickly,” Governor Mbah stated.

  • CJP denies calling for ex-Gov Bello’s arrest

    CJP denies calling for ex-Gov Bello’s arrest

    The Center for Justice and Peace (CJP) has disassociated itself from a statement calling for the arrest of former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello.

    In a briefing in Abuja, the Director General of the Center, Dr. Stephen Okparaibe categorically denied authorizing the statement.

    Okparaibe expressed dismay at the attempt by politicians to compromise the organisation’s principles.

    He described the individuals as paid agents bent on causing confusion and disrepute to democratic institutions.

    “We are shocked that desperate politicians would sponsor criminals to impersonate our organization and release malicious statements.

    “This blatant attempt to undermine our integrity and independence will not be tolerated.

    “We are perturbed that some section of the media would grant audience to these unknown faces to impersonate and release a statement on behalf of the group,” Okparaibe said.

    CJP emphasised its commitment to justice, peace, and adherence to the rule of law, and reaffirmed its independence and non-partisanship.

    The group, comprised mostly of lawyers, underscored its dedication to promoting Nigeria’s democratic values.

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    According to Okparaibe, the impostors’ statement contradicts its core values, as it would not call for the arrest of someone who voluntarily surrendered to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    “If the EFCC, which declared Mr. Bello wanted, had him for over four hours and refused to arrest and prosecute him, how could we?” he queried.

    CJP condemned the derogatory statements made against the judiciary and urged relevant authorities to take action against the impostors for impersonation.

    The group warned that Nigeria’s progress would be hindered if individuals are allowed to masquerade as activists, causing confusion and disrepute to democratic institutions.

    CJP also called on the National Security Adviser, Department of State Security Service, Inspector General of Police, and other relevant agencies to investigate and prosecute the impostors.

    The group reaffirmed its commitment to allowing the judicial process to run its course, rather than taking sides in the EFCC-Yahaya Bello matter.

    “We don’t want to be dragged into this issue. Let the court decide,” Okparaibe stated.

  • Mbah charges Enugu LG chairmen on performance, lean spending

    Mbah charges Enugu LG chairmen on performance, lean spending

    Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has charged the newly elected Local Government chairmen in the state to be creative and innovative in their performance while focusing on optimising values that will create solutions through lean spending.

    This is even as the council chairmen pledged to align their administration’s goals and objectives with the governor’s robust policies of disruptive innovation to bring quality governance to the grassroots.

    The governor, who gave this charge, over the weekend in Enugu, at an ongoing three-day Enugu State Local Government Executive Leadership Retreat, with the theme, ‘Aligning Strategy for Sustainable Economic and Infrastructure Delivery at the Local Government Level,’ reminded the council chairmen and their deputies that the euphoria of honeymoon was long over, saying it’s time to hit the ground running in their respective local governments.

    Advising the participants on effective leadership, the governor said everybody in the council areas was looking up to them to deliver on their promises which should take the path of a fast-paced governance model for their impact to be meaningful.

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    “When you develop your strategies, what will keep you moving is your love for your people. You must have a clear action plan. As a leader you must have measurable indicators. Your vision and action plan must be strategic and borne out of a framework that will guide your structure. In the private sector, you must have your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis. The same applies to the public sector,” Governor Mbah added.

    While tasking them on transparency, prudence, accountability, and accessibility to the people, the governor reiterated that public money, which is not their personal property,  must be used for the collective interest of the people.

    Speaking on optimal performance, Mbah said the only way council leaders could transform their areas was through disruptive innovation, target setting, key performance indicators, frequent review and evaluation management, and thinking outside the box to disrupt the status quo.

  • Obasanjo, Adebanjo, Ukiwe others for Iwuayanwu’s funeral

    Obasanjo, Adebanjo, Ukiwe others for Iwuayanwu’s funeral

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, foremost Yoruba leader, Pa. Ayo Adebanjo and former military administrator of Lagos State, Ebitu Ukiwe, are among dignitaries that will grace the final burial ceremony of the late President-General of Ọhanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuayanwu.

     Chairman of the Burial Planning Committee, Senator Ben Obi, who made this known in a briefing in Abuja, said more prominent Nigerians have expressed commitments to participate in the activities.

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     Obi also said governors from the five Southeast states have also reaffirmed their support towards a befitting burial ceremony.

     Represented by the Chairman of Media Sub-committee, Professor Ike Ikechukwu, he said, “We have continued with the needed sensitisation of respected elder statesmen and women, as well stakeholders, friends and well-wishers within and outside the country.

     “The south east governors, in their last meeting of yesterday, reaffirmed their resolve to give our leader the befitting and dignified exit rites he deserves.

  • Enugu demolishes another kidnappers’ den, warns property owners

    Enugu demolishes another kidnappers’ den, warns property owners

    The Enugu State Government has demolished yet another property linked to kidnapping activities in the state, warning landlords that it would not entertain any excuses in enforcing relevant laws of the state mandating the government to bring down any property linked to such evil acts.

    Section 315 (Second Amendment) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 30, Laws of Enugu State provides, “If the building or structure owned by the offender or any other person, who knows or ought to reasonably know that the building or structure is so being used for that purpose, the building or structure shall be demolished or forfeited to the State Government.”

    Speaking to newsmen at the site, the Executive Chairman, Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, Uche Anya, explained that the mansion located at Amaebo Owelli Autonomous Community in Awgu LGA of the state, was said to be used for keeping victims of kidnapping.

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    According to him, the  video of a male kidnapping victim, who had several AK-47 rifles pointed at his head  in May 2024, was recorded in the same building, but security agencies were able to track the building, rescuing the victim, while also apprehending most of the criminals and recovering a cache of arms and ammunition.

    “What you see here today is the continuation of the war of the Enugu State Government against all manner of criminality. Today, we are here to take down a kidnappers’ den. The property you see us taking down right now is a place where horrendous criminal activities happened.

    “For instance, on 25th of May 2024, some deadly kidnappers abducted a man in Enugu, brought him here, stripped bare, even naked to his red boxers, bound him, pointed guns at him, and forced him to start talking to his family to request for money. They posted that video to his relatives.

    “They held him down, but to the glory of God and the commitment of Governor Mbah, who is giving his all to security, the government and security agencies, through our state-of-the-art security system, were able to see what was happening in this rural community.

    “Security agencies moved to the place. Every other person was arrested, but the kingpin escaped to Ebonyi. We tracked him to Ebonyi, and he escaped to Lagos where the Enugu State Government and the security agencies caught up with him.

    Several AK-47 rifles, semi-automatic weapons and all manners of ammunition; dozens of proscribed and offensive weapons were recovered. 

    “Interestingly, the kingpin of the gang that did this nonsense was a member of the same gang we went after somewhere at Ogbeke Nike.

    “To those who say why not convert these properties to good use, we want these to serve as a deterrent in accordance with the law. The Enugu State Government does not want anything that will remind us of the deadly criminality. We just want to put it out of our minds. We do not need to acquire a criminal’s property to use it to serve the public.  We bring it down and we do our own thing. We do not want to profit from their criminality,” he stated.

    Calling for vigilance on the part of property owners, he said, “So, this is a warning to every landlord. The Enugu State Government will never accept it as an excuse. I am in Australia. I am in America. My brother-in-law took people to my property. Every landlord, once you put up a house in Enugu, we hold you responsible for any criminality that happens in your property; and once it becomes a violent crime, kidnapping, killing, armed robbery, we will take down the property in line with the law that was made by our predecessors. We will enforce it to the letter.”

    “As I speak to you, the government has taken over this property. That is why we are tearing it down. The title deed is revoked. The government of Enugu State will probably put up a clinic or something that will be more beneficial to the people of Owelli Court.”

    The Mbah Administration has been carrying out a demolition campaign on properties linked to kidnapping and violent crimes to serve as a deterrent, insisting that no criminal would be allowed to enjoy the proceeds of crimes in the state.

    Recall that the state government had also in August demolished properties linked to kidnapping at Ogbeke Nike and Nkwubor Nike both in Enugu East LGA, recovering a cache of arms and ammunition.