Category: Southeast report

Edo State Government has called on the Federal Ministry of Works and other concerned agencies to fix Benin/Auchi Expressway, as it is causing economic hardship to Nigerians and in particular, the people of Edo North.

It said failure to fix the strategic road was not only fuelling economic hardship, but was also endangering people’s lives.

Governor Godwin Obaseki made this known in Lagos while speaking at the 40th anniversary of a leading socio- cultural organisation, Etsako Club 81.

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Represented by his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, the governor called on the Federal Government to consider as priority, the fixing of road infrastructural gaps in the country before extending goodwill to neighbouring countries.

He said: “The Benin-Auchi road is a Federal Government headache, but we are not seeing it as a Federal Government headache alone, the state has been putting pressure on the Federal Government to fix the road. Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Ltd and Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd are now also part of the solution. They have joined the state to insist that the road be rehabilitated and they are ready to commit funds to it.

 

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki yesterday sacked the Commissioner for Roads and Bridges, Newton Okojie, an engineer.

This followed the deplorable condition of Benin-Sapele-Warri and Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi-Abuja expressways, which have become dens of kidnappers and robbers, despite protests by motorists, commuters and villagers,

Communication and Orientation Commissioner Chris Nehikhare said it was unfortunate that Obaseki’s administration had not made progress in road infrastructure, particularly in the last 12 months.

He said in a statement: “Sadly, the commissioner (Okojie), as much as he has tried, has not made progress for the state government to achieve its goal.”

Nehikhare quoted Obaseki as thanking the sacked commissioner for his service to the state and wished him well in his future endeavours.

He said the permanent secretary in the ministry, Osikhena Ojior, an engineer, will take charge until a new commissioner is appointed.

•Okada riding outlawed from 7pm to 6am

Ebonyi State Government has banned political rallies in primary and secondary schools from November 1 (today).

Governor David Umahi announced the decision at the citizens’ input and consultation for the 2023 budget estimation and Nigeria’s 2023 pollution and housing census.

He said the rallies, including those of the All Progressives Congress (APC), must get approval from the Commissioner for Education before they would hold.

Umahi said the ban followed the defacing and destruction of facilities at the schools with faeces and other dirty materials during such rallies.

He also banned the movement of motorcycles popularly called Okada from 7pm to 6am.

The governor said the decision was taken to secure lives and property, as criminals used motorcycles to perpetrate nefarious activities.

Said he: “The Attorney-General will come up with an executive order banning motorcycles in every part of the state from 7pm to 6am. If you want to use it, use it before 7pm. We have to do everything to secure your lives.

“When we take a hard decision, it is because we have to take it. The primary responsibility of government is to secure lives and property. So you must make sacrifice to do it.”

Umahi said those calling for ban on Ebubeagu were wasting their time, adding that the outfit had come to stay.

He said the group was filling the gap caused by inadequate manpower in the security agencies.

A group, Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI), has expressed worry about Nigerians’ level of preparedness for the coming election, despite increasing education and enlightenment campaigns.

It decried the reasonable number of eligible voters yet to obtain permanent voter cards (PVCs), less than three months to the election.

CATYCOI Executive Director Nonso Orakwe spoke yesterday in Awka, Anambra State, while launching the ‘Vote Not Fight: Election No Be War’ campaign targeted at ensuring violence-free elections.

He said: “The process of electing leaders has been plagued by a myriad of problems, ranging from voter intimidation to suppression to harassment and outright violence.

“We tested the level of knowledge and preparedness of the public about the coming election and found out that the majority have poor knowledge of the poll.

“We are also worried that most Nigerians are yet to get their PVCs. This is why we engaged this kind of relaxation centre to ascertain actually if what we heard outside was true.”

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Orakwe, who is also the ‘Vote Not to Fight’ convener, added: “This campaign is to change the ugly trend to bring lasting peace in our political space. We want to pass the message to youths, politicians and other stakeholders that the general election should not be a do-or-die affair.

“We’re also here to partner business owners to sensitise fun seekers on the dangers of election violence and the need to exercise their civic responsibilities in the election.

“We urge our youths to prevent electoral violence by upholding democratic principles before, during and after the elections, because there is a connection between violence-free election, peace and development.”

Anambra South District Coordinator Chiamaka Okparaojiego noted that since 2015 the group was launched, violence associated with elections had reduced, stressing that the group could not afford to lower the bar, hence the need to re-launch the campaign.

•Miyetti Allah laments confiscation of cattle

The President General of Mzough-u-Tiv, a Tiv  socio-cultural organisation , Cp Iorbee Ihagh (rtd) has kicked  against calls by Miyetti Allah Kautal Hole, that grazing reserves be gazetted in Benue state.

Speaking in a telephone interview with The Nation, Cp.Ihagh, said Nigeria of today is no longer Nigeria of the 1950, when the population was less than 20 million.

“I think nomadic herdsmen should be thinking of ranching their cattle, rather than going about destroying farmlands and causing conflicts between them and farmers,” he said.

President of Tiv Youths Organization (TYO), Comrade Timothy Hembaor, said there is no land for animal rearing in Benue state.

Hembaor said there is an existing anti open grazing law which forbids open rearing of animals.

He called on those involved in animal husbandry as a business to look for land to ranch their cattles

Meanwhile, the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore have protested against the confiscation and auctioning of millions of cattle belonging to Fulani’s in Benue state.

The group also condemned the continuous profiling of Fulani pastoralists by the Governor Ortom through the anti-grazing law.

Leaders of the group made their displeasure known through a communique issued at the end of the expanded National executive meeting of state Chairmen in Abuja.

The communiqué, signed by the National President Alhaji Abdullahi Bodejo and Secretary, Saleh Alhassan called for the immediate designation, gazetting and development of all the 415 grazing reserves across the states of the federation.

It also called for the establishment of a Federal Ministry of Nomadic Affairs, whose mandate would be to broaden educational opportunities and address pastoral challenges.

They dismissed the consistent claims of farmers- herders conflicts as a major setback of instability and insecurity in Nigeria but insisted that the conflicts are exacerbated by activities of states sponsored vigilantes and tribal hordes who wilfully continue to carry out extra judicial killings of Fulani pastoralists.

YOUTHS under the auspices of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC) has called for a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the new wave of kidnap incidents along Enugu-Ugwuogo Nike-Nsukka Road.

Commuters have been attacked frequently on the road in recent weeks, leading to the abduction of some persons, including students of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).

However, there were allegations that the kidnappers have some insiders among security agencies manning various checkpoints on the road.

According to the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, information extracted from one of the victims showed that there was a chain of communication between the hoodlums and the security operatives manning various checkpoints on the road.

The National President of the OYC, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike told journalists in a statement on Saturday that all the security operatives on duty when the incidents took place should be probed.

He also accused the operatives of working with hoodlums from a particular ethnic group to create chaos in the state.

While describing the development as importation of insecurity into Enugu State to dent its peaceful status, Okwu said a victim of the kidnap incident narrated that “the police and the army are complicit in the act of kidnapping at the Opi-Ugwuogo axis.

“That the police at the checkpoints usually select expensive cars conveying persons who appear to have financial muscle. The police will pull over all such cars and ask them to move at once and the moment they move, the police will release a gunshot alerting the kidnappers to come out.

“That from the discussions between the kidnappers and some of the victims, it is clear that some of the kidnappers are serving soldiers.

“That the kidnappers are using AK-49 and berretta pistols.

“That most of the soldiers involved are imported into the state from Umuahia, Abia state.”

He said consequent upon these allegations, “we, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths are demanding a re-organisation of security architecture in Enugu state. This entails a detailed redeployment of all security chiefs in the state.

“We call on the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Army Staff to open up an inquiry into the kidnap incidents recorded at that road. These allegations are too heavy and should not be swept under the carpet. They are not too different from the experience of the then Methodist Prelate, Most Rev. Samuel Kanu-Uche who was abducted in Abia state. We have the feeling that the same gang just relocated to Enugu state.

“We also demand the immediate rescue of all the hostages.

“The imported crime is nothing but a calculated attempt to destabilise Enugu state. This is why we call on Ndi Enugu to rise up, irrespective of political affiliation, and say no to this evil plot.

“Enugu remains the only peaceful state in the Southeast and that is the record they want to dent. We urge Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi not to be intimidated but to stand firm,” Okwu declared.

The Ambassador of France in Nigeria, Mrs. Emmanuelle Blatmann, has acknowledged the huge potentials of Enugu State especially in agriculture and other resources that guarantee food and security.

Blatmann spoke when she paid a courtesy visit to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state at the Government House, Enugu, yesterday.

The French Ambassador was in Enugu on a visit to the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) and the Alliance Française, as well as the groundbreaking ceremony of the medicinal plant processing facility, among other official engagements.

The project is a partnership between a French company, Cailleau Herboristerie and a Nigerian company, Priscilla Davis.   

Besides, the Rwandan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Stanislas Kamanzi, was also at the Government House, Enugu, on a courtesy visit to Governor Ugwuanyi.

The Rwandan High Commissioner who was accompanied to the Government House by a member of Board of Trustees (BOT) of Life In My City Art Festival (LIMCAF) Chief Loretta Aniagolu, Prince Victor Ogakwu, among others, was in Enugu for the grand finale of the 2022 LIMCAF competition.

Kamanzi expressed gratitude to Ugwuanyi for warmly receiving him in Enugu on his first visit.

The envoy appreciated Enugu’s hospitality and peaceful ambience, stressing that “the city is very hospitable.”

He said that the visit was an opportunity to expand bilateral ties between Rwanda and Nigeria, particularly Enugu state, disclosing that it was a great pleasure for him to start engaging with the people of the state.

“As we came, we were received with honour and the reception was so befitting. So, I conclude by once again thanking and assuring  you (Ugwuanyi), that we will convey the positive message of what we witnessed here,” the Rwandan Ambassador said.ax

THE Delta State Police Command said it has arrested two suspects for allegedly defrauding POS operators with fake bank alerts.

It said operatives, acting on a trip off, busted a robbery syndicate operating in Anambra state along Akwa/ Enugu axis but hibernates in Oduke-Okwe area in Asaba Delta Capital.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Edafe Bright, in a statement in Asaba, said the some suspects were arrested and are police in custody.

The suspects are Ofemu Obus and Henry Ekpu, according to the statement.

In a related development, police operatives also arrested were Francis Agbarho and Godsent Orogun for being possession of stolen phones.

According to the statement, a Toyota Seinna SUV with Reg. No. ASB 781 YF was also recovered from fleeing armed robbers during a separate operation.

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Parts of the press release reads: “ Ofemu Obus ‘m’ age 23yrs and Henry Ekpu ‘m’ age 28yrs, the two suspects were arrested by Operatives attached to the Command’s Raiders squad on 27/10/2022, the suspects are alleged to specialise in defrauding unsuspecting POS operators by generating fake alerts which they use to deceives their victims and defraud them of their money. Suspects are in custody and investigation is ongoing.

“On the 26/10/2022 at about 1700hrs, operatives of Dragon patrol teams 29 and 26 led by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, while on stop and search duty along Warri-Sapele road by Okwuvo Okpe LGA, intercepted a Daylong motorcycle with Reg. No. Delta UGH 353 VQ carrying two male occupants, the policemen conducted a search on them during which, one (1) Iphone, one (1) Infinix phone, one (1) Nokia torch phone.

“While the search was being conducted, the owners of the Phones started calling, and they alleged that they were at Sapele and Oghara respectively.

“The two suspects were later identified as John Francis ‘m’ age 26yrs of Uru-Ughelli Street Agbarho and Godsent Orogun ‘m’, age 25yrs of No. 18 Ovwiagba. Suspects are in custody while Investigation is ongoing.

“Acting on intelligence report about an armed robbery syndicate who operates around Awka-Enugu highway axis but hibernate in Asaba, at about 1145hrs of date operatives of CP.-Decoy squad acting on a tip off, mobilised to Oduke-Okwe axis of Asaba where the suspects who were driving a Toyota Sienna SUV with Reg. No. ASB 781 YF, upon sighting the Police, abandoned the said vehicle and took into the crowd at the market.

“Upon search of the vehicle, one locally Made Barretta Pistol, and a Samsung phone was recovered beneath the driver’s seat. Investigation is ongoing.”ax

THERE was outrage weekend over the alleged dehumanisation of a woman in Agunese Affam-Mmaku Community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The woman was stripped naked on Friday and paraded round the village without clothes for daring to pick snails from a forest regarded as sacred in the village.

In a viral video of the woman on the social media, a mob beat her up and then stripped her naked, tied palm fronts round her naked waste and neck before parading her round the village.

Her abusers, who were mostly youths of the village, also forced the middle aged woman to carry the basket of snails on her head while parading the entire community naked.

The incident has expectedly drawn condemnation from the members of the public, particularly women groups in Enugu State, who described the act as dehumanising.

In a joint statement, the women groups said it was inhuman to strip a woman of her pride which is her covering for mere pieces of snails.

“It hurts further to know that these snails are not lab-manufactured or already offered to the god’s but termed sacred on the basis of archaic laws.

“We raise our voices in the loudest to condemn this impunity, this shame called protecting a supposed sacred site. We outrightly lend our voices and actions to declare to the world that this is totally unacceptable. This act is wild and desperately annoying.

Read Also: Suspected gunman stripped naked in Anambra

“How do we preserve this woman’s nudity after parading her nakedness to the world? The swiftness and virility of the social media is not one to be joked with as we can shamefully agree that half of the world must have seen this by now.

“We condemn every part of this and say that the culprits must be brought to book. They must apologise to the womenfolk nationwide and pay a huge sum to this woman after packing bags of snails to plead with her.

“As we write this, we wish it never took place, how much longer will the women continue to be a societal ridicule and thrash. This is totally unacceptable and devastating. We condemn every spot of chauvinistic decision taken on this woman. Would they have done this to a man? Yes!! Maybe if he was caught as a highway thief or a killer absolutely not for picking snails.

“God have mercy on the future of women in our society. No single man said hold on, not even one. It’s totally regrettable and no amount of plea can cover our minds eye from remembering her nakedness.

“We condemn this with all of our hearts as women, human rights activist, organisations for women and all humans.”

Those who signed the statement include Amb. Onyii mamah, Executive Director/President Heroine women foundation and president women support women, Amb. Mrs Amaka Nweke JP, Country Director/Executive Director, Global Society for Anti-Corruption and Amaka Nweke Foundation, Mrs Ndidiamaka Ikeobi, Coordinator Anambra Women General Assembly Enugu State Chapter and Lolo Ngozi Mbah BOT Nigeria Association of Women Journalist, South East zone.

The Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Maj-Gen. Barry Ndiomu, yesterday held a meeting with ex-warlord High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, over PAP’s future.

The Nation gathered that the meeting was held at Tompolo’s country home in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government of Delta State.

It was learnt the meeting was in continuation of an ongoing consultation by Ndiomu with stakeholders on his new mandate for PAP.

Ndiomu reportedly sought the cooperation of Tompolo on his mandate to bring PAP to its termination stage.

Ndiomu, it was gathered, hailed Tompolo for his feat in the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to his company by the Federal Government.

The PAP helmsman visited the Pere of Gbaramatu, King Williams Ogoba Oboro Gbaraun II, at his palace.

Ndiomu said he was on a familarisation tour of the kingdom to inform stakeholders of the new directive of the government about the amnesty programme.

Read Also: Lawyer faults Southwest governors, Falana over ‘grouse’ about Tompolo’s pipeline security job

Ndiomu said: “I don’t want to go into details for want of time. But I want to assure His Royal Majesty that I will come back within a few weeks, because we are returning again for proper, much more comprehensive stakeholders’ consultations.”

“Since I assumed office in the last one month and a couple of weeks or so, I have found out that a lot of things are wrong with the programme. Without doubt, it has derailed from the purpose for which it was established and as I speak to you, there are many people who are not even ‘Niger Deltans’ that have been awarded scholarships.

“We cannot allow this to continue. It is for this reason and more that I believe the government is saying no, this programme has lost its focus, let us all sit together.

“So this is why they’ve asked me to have consultations with the people of the Niger Delta. We sit together and tell ourselves the truth, has it really served the interest of our people? What do we propose collectively as an alternative as something better, which we have to take back to the government and say, this is how we want this programme to go that will be beneficial to the interest of our people.”

The monarch, who congratulated Ndiomu on his appointment, acknowledged that the amnesty programme had derailed from its original idea and urged him to do what was right for the interest of the people and the region.