The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Police arrest five kidnappers in Imo, rescue victim

    Police arrest five kidnappers in Imo, rescue victim

    The Imo State Police Command has arrested five kidnapping syndicates responsible for terrorizing residents in Obinze, Avu, and environs in connection to the kidnapping of a 26-year-old woman from her residence in Obinze in Owerri West local government area.

    The suspects are: Umaru Usman, 40, from Mauree in Sokoto State; Tukur Yau, 25, from Dawakinkudur in Kano State; Musbau Sabo, 18, from Warsaw Local Government in Kano State; Abdul Ibrahim, 30, from Sokoto State; and Jubrin Idris, 35, from Sokoto State.

    A press release by the Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye on yesterday stated that the Command, in response to a reported kidnapping of a 26-year-old woman from her residence in Obinze, on August 18, 2024, swung into action.

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    The release said that the Commissioner of Police promptly deployed the Command’s anti-kidnapping unit with all available operational resources and intelligence to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the safe rescue of the victim.

    According to the release, the operatives targeted a forest hideout in Avu, where the suspects were located and successfully rescued the victim unharmed and arrested the suspects.

    Items recovered from the suspects include one pump-action gun, five cartridges, two daggers, a cutlass, and various criminal charms.

    He said  that investigations are still ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the gang and ensure they face the full extent of the law.

  • IPOB warns Southeast youths against British Army recruitment

    IPOB warns Southeast youths against British Army recruitment

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has cautioned Southeast youths against joining the British Army’s recruitment drive, describing it as a “deceptive move” to use them as “sacrificial lambs” in future wars.

    The separatist group warned  Southeast youths to shun calls to join the British  Army, saying the previous efforts made by the African youths to fight various wars for Britain that made Britain superpower,  were not rewarded by the British government.

    “We warn Biafran youths to avoid being used by the British government, which has no respect for your lives,” said Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary in a statement on yesterday.

    Powerful emphasized that the British government has a history of exploiting Africans, citing World Wars I and II, where thousands of Africans were recruited and sacrificed for Britain’s interests.

    “Our fathers fought for Britain but were abandoned and never recognized. Instead, Britain supported the Nigerian government’s genocide against Biafrans during the 1967-1970 war,” Powerful stated.

    IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Okwu Kanu’s words were echoed: “Biafrans should not allow themselves to be slaughtered for a nation that doesn’t care about their freedom or existence.”

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    Powerful urged parents to advise their children against joining the British military recruitment, saying, “Do not be a sacrificial lamb for your oppressors. Instead, join hands with IPOB to restore the Biafra we can all be proud of.”

    The group said that Britain should recognize Biafra’s right to self-determination and release Kanu from detention before seeking their cooperation.

    “Biafrans cannot be sacrificed for Britain to be a superpower anymore declared.

    “If Britain can have a very strict visa policy for African immigrants, why then do they have a very relaxed and easy application to join the British Army?

    “African countries must understand that Britain is preparing to war with Russia and should recruit and deploy their citizens to defend their own country, ” Powerful said.

  • Be patient with Tinubu, APC Welfare Secretary tells Nigerians

    Be patient with Tinubu, APC Welfare Secretary tells Nigerians

    The National Welfare Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Donatus Nwankpa has asked Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Tinubu whom he affirmed has the capacity of not just turning around the fortunes of the country, but placing Nigeria among powerful economic nations of the world.

    Nwankpa speaking in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State, further noted that President Tinubu and his economic team with what they have been able to do to rejig the economy of the country, were committed towards ensuring that they stabilize Nigeria’s economy.

    According to Nwankpa, who is also the immediate past state chairman of the APC in the state, President Tinubu through some of his policies has shown that he has the political will to lead Nigeria out of its present doldrums, urging Nigerians to give the President the chance and support as he works to revamp the economy of the country which he inherited from his predecessor.

    The APC National Welfare Secretary while receiving a delegation of the APC women group, Nneoma Women Forum, from Osisioma, Obingwa, and Ugwunagbo Local Government Areas of the state, respectively, while soliciting their continued support for the party and President Tinubu, called for increased women participation in politics as critical stakeholders in the political development of the state and the country in general.

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    According to him, women given the chance will make a great impact just like the late Dora Akunyili, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and others have exemplified when they had the opportunity to serve in various public and political offices, adding that, time has gone when women sit idly at home and allow the men to be the major role players in the society.

    “Days are gone when women sit idly at home to rely on their husband or family members, but they should see themselves as a people that should utilize their god-given potentials to affect their world positively.

    “You should emulate the likes of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, late Dora Akunyili and among others who have been able to perform their duties exceptionally and also promoted high moral standard.

  • Soludo’s wife to mothers: prioritise children’s health, future

    Soludo’s wife to mothers: prioritise children’s health, future

    Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has urged mothers to prioritise the health and future of their children. 

    She made the call on Saturday,  August 24, in Awka during the 2nd Anambra State Women Health Summit.

    It was organised under her Healthy Living Initiative in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO).

    She lamented low uptake of immunisation in the state despite free vaccines,  describing immunisation as critical to the protection of children from life-long illness.

    She said: “I’m not happy to hear that our state is recording low in immunisation uptake. 

    “Mothers need to create time and take their children to health facilities to get them vaccinated.

    “These childhood vaccines are free, safe and effective. 

    “Mothers should see immunisation as a top priority because when your child is healthy, you are free from stress and expenses experienced when a child is ill.

    “Since Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration started the free antenatal and delivery policy, Anambra is now one of the states with the lowest maternal mortality. 

    “We want to record same in the area of immunisation too.”

    While urging women to appreciate their God-given skin colour, Dr. Soludo advised them to desist from spending so much on bleaching creams.

    “Instead of spending so much on bleaching creams, women should spend more on regular health checks, eating balanced diets and engaging in regular exercises to stay fit and healthy,” she said.

    Dr Uju Obiagwu of the WHO decried gradual reduction of immunisation coverage in the state.

    “The state government is doing so much in partnership with WHO to ensure availability of all the childhood vaccines across the health facilities but we are not happy that the uptake is low.

    “These vaccines help to prevent  acute paralysis, measles, polio, meningitis, Lassa fever, yellow fever, cholera and neonatal tetanus.

    “We recorded several outbreaks of Measles at Anambra East, Anambra West, Ogbaru and Ayamelum, because they do not take their children to the hospital for immunisation.

    “Our mothers have a huge role to play in ensuring that children in Anambra are vaccinated. So,  spread the message in your various communities to help our children live heathier and longer lives,” she said.

    State Coordinator, WHO, Dr Mohamed Bonos appreciated the state government for providing the enabling environment and partnership that promoted the health of residents. 

    Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Brian Adinma,  called women to view their reproductive health as priority.

    Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, described the health summit as a demonstration that government recognised health and welfare of women and children in the state.

  • Police kill 30 kidnap-suspects in Enugu

    Police kill 30 kidnap-suspects in Enugu

    • Residents urge govt to demolish properties used as hideouts

    No fewer than 30 kidnappers, including members of the Biafra Auto Pilot, also known as Unknown Gunmen, a faction of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) loyal to the Finland-based, Simon Ekpa, which terrorised Enugu and its environs, have been gunned down by security operatives, a police detective has said.

    In a statement, Governor Peter Mbah’s Media Office, said while a joint security operation rescued some kidnap victims in Ugwuogo Nike-Opi Road yesterday, a seven-man gang of kidnappers were killed.

     A Police Superintendent, Onochie Ezeh, reportedly said: “We were on the trail of these kidnappers for more than three months. They had been operating within this axis where they kidnapped their victims and kept them at a large poultry farm at Ogbeke Nike until ransoms were paid. So, on a tipoff , we swung into action. On sighting us, these men opened fire on my men, and we retaliated and overpowered them.’’

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    Ezeh added: “This is a gallant crack squad with the mandate to eliminate every form of threat in the state. We have recorded huge successes over the past months. You know our role is not to rush to the media to tell our story but to ensure that every citizen and resident of the state has peace.

    “I can tell you that we have already neutralised over seven criminal gangs who were mostly kidnappers and unknown gunmen. We are going after them. We are taking the battle to their doorsteps because the governor said we should not come back home if we don’t rid the state of threats.

    “So, we are on it. In fact, during our operations, we identified many criminal hideouts that serve as rogue premises where kidnap victims and dangerous weapons are kept. These include New Artisan Market, and  Akwuke community, and some parts of Isi Uzo Local Government. During rescue operations, we were able to neutralise over 30 of the kidnappers and recovered guns and valuables.’’.

     Meanwhile, residents have appealed to the governor to invoke the state’s Criminal Code and demolish the properties used by kidnappers and other criminal elements as stash houses, saying it would serve as a deterrent to criminals.

    The residents told Mbah to go beyond arresting and hunting down the kidnappers to invoking his power as the chief security officer of the state through the demolition of all the properties harbouring the kidnappers.

    According to them, the law empowers the state government to demolish buildings used for kidnap activities, including hotels and private facilities.

    A senior lawyer, Chief Ani Iheanacho, who spoke to reporters in Enugu, said the state has a criminal law which was amended in 2016 to accommodate a new section which empowers the governor to pull down structures used for kidnapping.

    “We cannot continue like this. Yes, beyond going after the criminals, the governor must show both political and legal courage to go after properties used as hostage holding cells and bring them down irrespective of who the owner or owners are.

    “The state must deter these criminals and those enabling their access to such buildings. That is what justice is all about. It’s justice to the kidnap victims; justice to the family of the victims, and justice to the society at large,” the legal practitioner submitted.

    One of the rescued survivors, Dr Kate Pamela, said: “Each time I pass through that poultry, I feel I have been denied justice by still allowing it to operate. They kidnapped us and kept us there for five days. They even killed two of the victims because their families could only afford N10 million each against the N50 million demanded. Notwithstanding that I was able to identify the bodies of three of the kidnappers when they were killed, I still feel that the area should be cleared.

    “The government must ensure justice by turning that place to a landfill.”

  • Enugu govt demolishes kidnappers’ dens

    Enugu govt demolishes kidnappers’ dens

    • Says more to go down

    The Enugu State Government yesterday demolished properties used by kidnappers for detaining their victims in the outskirts of Enugu, the state capital.

    Among the properties were an uncompleted storey building with an underground tunnel at Nkwubor Layout in Emene Nike where a large cache of arms and ammunition were recovered and a large farm housing a poultry, piggery, and plantain plantation at Ogbeke Nike in Enugu East Local Government Area.

    At Nkwubor Nike, 17 firearms were recovered, including eight AK47 rifles, seven pump action rifles, and two short guns, while two AK47 rifles were recovered at the Ogbeke Nike farm. Shrines, charms, and mini-Indian hemp farms were also destroyed.

    Security operatives had, following months of discreet investigation on the activities of the kidnappers, stormed the two hideouts, where they made the startling discoveries and rescued some victims after gun duels with the criminals.

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    It is recalled that the Enugu State Government had in line with the Governor Peter Mbah Administration’s determination to eradicate crime and criminality in the state, announced its readiness to demolish properties being used for kidnapping purposes in line with Section 315 of the Criminal Code (Second Amendment) Law Cap. 30, Laws of Enugu State.

    It said Section 315, which had been redundant since 2016 when it was so amended 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 reporters at the criminal hideout at Ogbeke, Nike, the Chairman of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, Uche Anya, said the demolitions were illegal, stressing that there is no hiding place for criminals.

    “This government is determined to exterminate all manner of criminality. So, people were kidnapped and brought here, including the woman that was kidnapped near the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

    “You can see the trouble we took to get here. So, this has been ongoing. But after today, this place will never exist again in the manner you met it. That is why we are here to send a strong signal and we are also warning property owners not to come and tell us that they are in South Africa, China or Germany and do not know what is happening. Once your property or commercial entity is used for kidnapping or anything involving grievous bodily harm or threat, including attempted murder, we will come after you and your property,” he stated.

    At Nkwubor, Emene, Nike, Anya told reporters, “The activities here were even more gruesome.You have seen the underground cell they built and covered it with a manhole. Ordinarily you will think nothing is happening there, but the eagle eye of the security in the course of doing their work detected that something was amiss, only to discover that there’s an underground where human beings are kept and we found their armoury, many AK47 rifles and other crazy equipment that no civilian is entitled to hold. But, today, it has to go down as directed by the governor in accordance with the Laws of Enugu State,” he said.

    The ECTDA chief said the government would, in addition, take over the properties and put them to good use, noting that the demolition is an ongoing process as more structures were already marked to go down.

    “So, all these places will be taken over by the government and we can turn it into a children’s playground, garden, park or primary health care. But whoever thought he or she owned this place before this hour will no longer touch his or her foot here forever.

    “Enugu State has an anti-kidnapping law, but beside that, the Criminal Code covers that whatever that deprives you of your liberty and leads to death is what the government cannot condone,” he added.

  • Ex-Minister Wogu backs Kalu over call on Gov Otti to rejoin APC

    Ex-Minister Wogu backs Kalu over call on Gov Otti to rejoin APC

    Former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeke Wogu has thrown his weight behind Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu on his recent call to Abia Governor, Dr. Alex Otti to rejoin the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). 

    Reacting to the debates that have greeted the call in a viral video, Wogu, a chieftain of APC, said that it has been hijacked by mischief makers who have interpreted it out of context. 

    Describing it as a political clarion call, Wogu said it serves as a reminder to all party faithful in the State and Nigeria to work hard. 

    Wogu recalled that the Deputy Speaker in the video also commended Otti for his giant strides in the State, wondering why some people will want to deliberately twist Kalu’s position to cause disaffection between him and Otti. 

    The former Minister said that it was natural for a person of Kalu who occupies an exalted position in Nigeria’s political hierarchy to make such a call. 

    According to him, Otti and Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State have no misunderstanding between them. 

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    He added that both are working in tandem for the overall good and development of the State. 

    “The call by the Rt. Hon Benjamin Kalu has been hijacked by mischief makers who have interpreted it out of context. It was a reminder to party faithfuls to work hard and also a political clarion call to the incumbent Governor Dr Alex Otti to consider rejoining his former party. 

    “Both gentlemen are working in some cases as partners to develop the state. What else do you expect from high ranking leader of APC. The DS also commended the Governor for his good works in Abia,” Wogu said.

  • Shaibu urges Obaseki to obey Appeal Court judgment

    Shaibu urges Obaseki to obey Appeal Court judgment

    • ’Victory will promote rule of law, strengthen democracy’

    The reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to obey yesterday’s judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, rather than proceeding to the Supreme Court.

    Shaibu, yesterday evening, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Ebomhiana Musa, said peace was needed to move Edo State forward.

    Musa said: “It is another victory for democracy and the rule of law. We hope Obaseki will obey this latest judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

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    “Obaseki has no respect for court judgments and judicial pronouncements. He is law unto himself.

    “By this judgment, we expect Obaseki to swallow his pride, invite Shaibu for meaningful discussions and move on from there, in the interest of the good people of Edo State.”

    The CPS described power as transient, noting that on November 12, another politician would become Edo governor, while Obaseki would become a former helmsman, at the completion of his two terms in office.

    All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State chapter, has described yesterday’s judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which favoured Comrade Shaibu, as a decision that would promote the rule of law and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

    Edo APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Prince Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, a lawyer, said the landmark judgment would end impunity and lack of due process in the state.

  • Ohanaeze hails Obasanjo, others for decrying Igbo-Must-Go hashtag

    Ohanaeze hails Obasanjo, others for decrying Igbo-Must-Go hashtag

    Apex Igbo sociocultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has hailed former President Olusegun Obasanjo on his recent remarks about the Igbo-Must-Go hashtag by some persons in Lagos State.

    Obasanjo had in a statement admonished that “those saying the Igbo must go in Lagos will be the ones to leave”, noting that he did not believe anybody in Nigeria should be driven away from any part of the country, ‘’because we own this country together.”

    Ohanaeze also lauded Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Yoruba sociocultural group Afenifere for condemning the Igbo-Must-Go mis-adventurers, saying their statements were reassuring to the Igbo.

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    In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr. Chiedozie Ogbonnia, yesterday, Ohanaeze noted with grave concern, “the orchestrated ethnic profiling, hate speech, incendiary, inflammatory rhetoric and demolition of Igbo property and liquidation of their sources of income in Lagos State since a few years now.

    “The most recent recrudescence is that “Lagosians and every Southwest stakeholder should prepare for the massive protest of #IgboMustGo on the 20th-30th of August, 2024. An X handle named ‘LagosPedia’ recently demanded “the forced relocation of Igbo people from Lagos and other Southwest states within one month”. The hashtag #Igbomustgo also called on “the Yoruba living in the Southeast to return to the Southwest.”

    The statement also recalled past events, especially during elections, where some high-profile individuals made some inciting remarks that led to the Igbo being violently manhandled on the streets of Lagos, while political thugs set their property ablaze.

    It, however, said it was joining millions of patriotic Nigerians and members of the civilised community to commend Chief Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, over his stance on the matter.

    The statement said the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Amb. Okey Emuchay, was highly elated by the intervention made by Chief Obasanjo, describing his dispositions to equity and fairness in all matters affecting Nigeria as very legendary.

    “It was Obasanjo who insisted that the presidency of Nigeria should move to the North after his tenure, as a southerner. It was again, Chief Obasanjo who insisted that Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from the Southsouth should become the President of Nigeria.

    “When it mattered most, it was Obasanjo who lent full weight that the presidency of Nigeria should go to the Southeast of Nigeria in 2023.

    “It was Obasanjo who handed over power to Alhaji Shehu Shagari with Dr Alex Ekwueme, an Igbo, as a Vice-President, nine years after the Nigerian civil war. It was Obasanjo who condemned the persistent aversion to the Igbo, which he described as Igbophobia.

    “It was Obasanjo who posited that unless ‘Nigeria throws its doors open to merit, competence and full inclusion of the Igbo in national affairs, the country will continue to flounder and grope in the dark’.

    “The Obasanjo presidency was very blind to ethnicity. The Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government under Obasanjo were presided by qualified eminent technocrats with track records of accomplishments. All the federal boards were brought to the table and maximum prudence and equity were applied in the distribution to the six geo-political zones of the country. The above qualities and more stand Chief Obasanjo out as the conscience of the nation,” the statement added.

    Ohanaeze also commended Afenifere for living up to expectations by calling on “all Nigerians living legitimately in any part of Yorubaland to entertain no fear about their safety or be afraid of being forced out of the area.”

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo praised the statement by the Lagos State Government.

    “It is indeed very reassuring. However, it is certain that such reckless, provocative, divisive, instigative and inflammatory dispositions towards the Igbo in Lagos State will remain unabated, except of course, there are manifest consequences for such vexatious, unscrupulous, loose-cannons and hate-mongers.’’

  • LP to challenge Anambra council poll

    LP to challenge Anambra council poll

    Labour Party (LP) in Anambra State is set to challenge the September 28 Local Government election in court.

    The party said the decision followed alleged irregularities in the planned poll, including amended Anambra State electoral law and non-budgetary allocation for it in the 2024 Appropriation. 

    Addressing reporters in Awka after a meeting of newly inaugurated State Working Committee, Publicity Secretary, Theo Egbe, alleged that the hastily amended laws were not unconnected with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s bid to conduct the election before October or lose the monthly fund allocations to a holding account as ruled by the Supreme Court.

    Egbe, flanked by other state executives, 21 LGAs and 326 electoral wards, however, said the party was getting prepared to participate in the election.

    He said: “After after careful study of the amendments, we have resolved to approach the courts to challenge the observed obnoxious clauses in the hastily amended law. 

    “However, we are getting prepared also to participate in the election without prejudice to the outcome of the court processes pending before the court.

    “We, therefore, enjoin party faithful at the grassroots to prepare for the elections while we work assiduously to release the party guidelines within the next 24 hours. 

    “We shall remain on constant alert, observation and analysis of unfolding events and will from time to time, update our members with current developing events.”

    State Secretary of the Party, Okorie Akirika, listed some key provisions the party would challenge in the state amended electoral law.

    They include sections attempting to regulate the conduct and management of political parties, political party dispute and results collation. 

    “There are outstanding provisions that purported to regulate the conduct and management of political parties. 

    “There are also those dealing with dispute in political parties and collation of results. 

    “We will challenge these and other unbridled illegality which are in direct conflicts with new National Electoral Act,” he explained.