The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Harvest of murders in Enugu

    The first victim was a priest, the second a local council secretary, and the third a head nurse. CHRIS OJI reports how, in two weeks, three high-profile murders were committed in Enugu State, once regarded as one of the safest in the country

    Reputed to be the most peaceful and safest state in Nigeria, Enugu State within the last two weeks has recorded three high profile murders that have thrown the residents into panic.

    First on the line of the murders was a Catholic cleric, Rev. Fr. Clement Ugwu who was abducted around 9pm on March 13. He was shot and taken to an unknown destination by his abductors.

    This happened at the gate of his church, St Mark Catholic Church, Obinofia Ndiuno, Ezeagu local council. He was the parish priest.

    He was reported to have been shot on the leg before he was forcefully taken away.

    After a frantic search by some local residents in collaboration with the Enugu Diocese, the parent diocese, for a whole week, his already decomposing body was found in the bush about 20km from his parish where he was abducted.

    The abductors were said to have demanded N50 million ransom which they later reduced to N20 million. Nobody knew exactly what happened. The decomposing body was recovered and buried at the priests burial ground at the Holy Ghost Cathedral Enugu amidst tears after a requiem mass presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Reverend Callistus Onaga.

    Visibly distraught, Bishop Onaga said he personally visited the police in Enugu three times seeking for urgent help to rescue the priest “but they kept on telling me they are on top of the situation and closing in on the kidnappers.”

    Although the priest could not be rescued by the police, the police have got a clue that would eventually lead to the arrest of the killers of the man of God.

    Enugu State commissioner of police, Suleiman Balarabe told reporters that the killers have been using the slain priest’s ATM card to withdraw money from his account.

    Chairman of Ezzeagu Local Government Area Chief Chukwudi Ezinwa who also hails from Obinofia community condemned the murder.

    He noted that it was the first of its kind in the community, insisting that the people must dig deep to wash their hands off the murder.

    Ezinwa who said he was in the village on the day of the incident recalled that they heard a gunshot and rushed to the parish house where they discovered that the priest had been abducted and driven away in his own vehicle.

    He noted that the community immediately mobilised a search party which found his decomposed body about one week after.

    He described the deceased as a gentleman who didn’t have issues with parishioners and urged the police to get to the root of the matter so that culprits would be brought to book.

    The second high profile killing was that of the secretary of the Uzo Uwani Local Council in Enugu State who doubles as a lecturer at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

    He was allegedly shot dead by herdsmen around Olo town in Ezeagu local council of Enugu State.

    The late secretary identified  as Dr Nnamdi Ogueche was said to have gone for a peace talk between  communities and the herdsmen that have been terrorizing parts of Uzo-Uwani local government area in the recent past.

    It was gathered that the council secretary was in company of three others in a vehicle were returning from the peace meeting when the alleged herdsmen attacked their vehicle.

    There was stampede and uneasy tension while the occupants of the vehicle jumped out in different directions for safety.

    The assailants were said to have pursued the council scribe shooting him in the process.

    The fate of the other three occupants of the vehicle was yet to be known at the time of this report while the immediate cause of the killing of the council scribe has not been established as confusion, fear and heightened tension engulfed the entire local government area.

    Contacted for comment over the killing, the chairman Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area Mr. Fidelis Ani confirmed the killing of the council scribe along Olo community road while returning from a peace meeting, adding that immediate cause of the killing has not been ascertained but entry has been lodged at Ezzeagu police division at Aguobu Owa for investigations.

    Enugu State commissioner of police Sulaiman Balarabe who confirmed the incident during a press briefing said there was an ambush against the deceased.

    He confirmed that three people have been arrested in connection with the murder.

    The CP declined to confirm the involvement of herdsmen until after investigations.

    The third high profile killing during the period was that of the Head of Nursing Services at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu Mrs Mary Amadi who was gunned down by unknown assailants.

    She was reportedly shot dead in front of her house at the Federal Housing Estate, Abakpa Enugu.

    She was said to have closed from work and got to her house, and was about to open the gates when she was shot by her assailants who made a U-turn and sped off.

    Read also: Murder at the cathedral

    She was said to have been rushed to Parklane Hospital, where doctors battled unsuccessfully to save her life.

    The deceased who worked at Parklane Teaching Hospital, Enugu later moved to the State Ministry of Health before she got appointed Head of Nursing Services at the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Enugu.

    The mother of two is said to be studying for her doctorate degree before her death.

    A statement by Enugu Police spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu on the matter read: “The Enugu state commissioner of police Sulaiman Balarabe has expressed displeasure on the reported murder of Mary Amadi at Federal Housing axis of Trans Ekulu.

    “Following the development, she was subsequently rushed to ESUT Parklane Hospital for medical attention and was later confirmed dead.

    “On receipt of the report, the commissioner of police Sulaiman Balarabe has directed the state Criminal Investigations Department Enugu state to commence a full scale investigation which has given birth to the arrest of two vital suspects in connection with the incident.

    “The suspects are now helping the operatives in their investigations.

    “The commissioner of police has further assured that all the people linked to the said crime will be arrested, investigated and be brought to book just as manhunt on the remaining fleeing suspects have been intensified.”

  • Blood on the campus

    Ten students of Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Imo State have been killed, scores wounded in campus cult war, as police seize suspects. OKODILI NDIDI reports

    They invaded the poorly guarded hostels with dangerous weapons, mowing down their victims in broad daylight. They decapitated a corpse as a sign of final desecration of the dead victim.

    No less than 10 students have been tragically cut down in the last two weeks, but the blood of these victims has not been enough to satiate the fury of this band of killers.

    They are not members of the dreaded Boko Haram, who kill innocent Nigerians with impunity. They are students, sent to school to learn but chose to become killers instead, and the victims were their bosom friends and schoolmates.

    Ten students have so far been killed and several others severely wounded in the raging cult war that is currently rocking the Federal Polytechnic in Nekede.

    The killings carried out by rival cult groups on vengeance mission have been going on unchecked for the last two weeks. Victims were either shot or clubbed to death before being decapitated by the daredevil cultists.

    It was reliably gathered that the clash between two rival cult gangs, the Aiyes and Baggers confraternities had lasted for over two weeks.

    Residents of the host community who have been witnessing broad daylight massacre have all fled their homes for fear of being attacked. Academic activities have ground to a halt in polytechnic; students have all deserted their hostels.

    Read also: ‘Why we keep talking about endometriosis’

    The management of the institution, The Nation gathered restricted movement after 6pm.

    One of the students who didn’t want his name to be mentioned, said, “We are under attack by cultists. Please help us to inform the police because our lives are in danger. Since ten days now, there is serious cult clash between two disagreeing cult groups. They said it is a supremacy war. No fewer than ten persons have been shot dead.”

    The visibly scared student added: “Since I gained admission into this Polytechnic I have never seen it this bad. The gunshots are frightening. Please don’t mention my name.”

    An indigene of one of the host communities who does not also want his name in print, said that since the deadly cult clash started they have been locking themselves inside their houses.

    The middle-aged man said, “Here in Umudibia Nekede we are sleeping with our eyes wide open. There is this boy they killed around our neighbourhood few days ago. The boys who are members of different cult groups are on rampage. Please inform security agencies to come to our rescue immediately.”

    One of the attacks which happened at Umuerim Junction just opposite the polytechnic gate in Umudibia Autonomous Community caused a stampede in the area as people scampered for safety on hearing gunshots.

    It was learnt that the gangster suspected to be members of Vikings chased the student identified as Okorie Noah to the junction at about 9pm before shooting him dead.

    According to eyewitness, the body of the deceased showed bruises, an indication that he was beaten severely before he was shot.

    Some people interviewed said the gangsters later drove off allowing their victim to die in a pool of his blood. They were not confronted by anyone despite the fact that a vigilante office was nearby.

    It was gathered that the student was a member of another cult group known as Black Axe who had earlier gone to retrieve a handset forcefully snatched from a girl by the Vikings.

    According to an eyewitness trouble ensued and in the process the student was shot dead.

    The killing, it was learnt, aggravated the situation as the Black Axe members went on a revenge mission last Monday, killing a member of the Vikings, Ebuka Okoroafor.

    Ebuka, an indigene of Umuofocha was returning from a night club when he was attacked and hacked to death.

    Also, at the weekend, two other killings took place at the school back gate when the two cult groups exchanged gunshots.

    A detachment of police from the state Police Command has been deployed to the polytechnic and other troubled areas, while several arrests have been made.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer, Orlando Ikeokwu, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed that some suspects, including those with arms, have been arrested.

    Ikeokwu said that the operation which led to the arrest of the suspects was carried out by the Anti-Cult Department of the Command.

    The Rector of the Polytechnic, Martin Aligbe, in a telephone chat, stated that, “We have not confirmed any of the victims to be our student. The cult clashes are happening in the villages, it is not happening in our campus. But our concern is that our students live in the villages where these clashes are taking place. We have equally reached out to the police.”

  • FERMA tidies up seven roads in Abia

    The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Abia State chapter, has kicked off a plan to keep seven federal roads in Abia State neat and tidy.

    The agency has started cutting grass and mopping up refuse along various federal roads in the state to make way for easy vehicular movement.

    The roads which are in different parts of the three senatorial zones of the state witnessed several truckloads of refuse being evacuated along the Enugu-Port Harcourt express way and cutting of grasses along the median which was being done through direct labour.

    Speaking with newsmen at one of the venues of the exercise, the state resident engineer of FERMA, Osita Ezenwaka said that the cutting of grass and clearing of refuse will complement the efforts of federal government on road repair.

    Ezenwaka said that the management of FERMA decided to introduce Shareholders Assisted Right of Way Maintenance Intervention Program (SHAROW-MIP) with the aim of making the highways safer and more environment-friendly.

    He said that the exercise will help in ensuring that the roads are in clean and good condition, stressing that a healthy environment makes for a healthy living and called on all to join hands to make it work.

    The Abia FERMA boss said that he is satisfied with the level of work being done by his agency in ensuring that all the seven roads being cleaned will make motorists to see better during the day and in the night while driving.

    He noted that before now that the median and other parts of the federal roads in the state have been littered with refuse and cabbages which is not supposed to be so, “You can see that people have formed the ugly habit of littering our roads with rubbish which we intend to stop.”

    Ezenwaka explained the FERMA exercise will also help in a long way to reduce the mountain of refuse that have been constant ugly sites in several parts of the state, stressing that it does not portray the state in good light.

    He recalled that the grasses along the Enugu-Port Harcourt express way had been cut recently, “But you can agree with me that constant dumping of refuse along the median has made it (grasses) to grow to a higher level which needs urgent attention.”

    The roads being attended to include, Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Azumini-Aba Road, Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road, Arochukwu-Ohafia and Uturu-Okigwe Road.

    Ezenwaka said that the agency would have loved to be clearing the medians every month, “However we are handicapped with lack of funds, as we are determined to ensure safe motoring on all our roads across the federation.”

    He noted that if the medians and road shoulders are kept clean that the waste water will find a way to drain on its own instead of percolating on the roads which will in turn destroy the roads which have been done with several millions of naira.

    The Abia FERMA resident engineer explained that the exercise is to ensure that all the motor ways are kept clean which will in turn make the contractors working on the road from Enugu-Port Harcourt express way and other roads to have a clear vision on the roads without entertaining fears of hidden hoodlums.

    Ezenwaka used the forum to advise Abians against dumping refuse along the medians and road shoulders, adding that they should be dumping their refuse at designated dumpsites.

  • Onitsha accident: ‘I was in pain while people were busy taking my photo’

    If you have witnessed an emergency scene like a car crash, bomb blast, fire outbreak or building collapse, you would have noticed that a good number of onlookers do not actually empathise much with the victims, if at all.

    While some do indeed feel for those struggling for their lives, several others quickly reach for their smart phones and start taking shots and videos, with the primary aim of being the first to post it on Facebook, WhatsApp or any other social media platform.

    Rescue operatives, like the national and state emergency management agencies, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and Red Cross, among others, have severally complained of how they struggle with sympathisers in such circumstances.

    According to them, some of the victims who could have survived the misfortune, lost their lives in the process due to the time wasted attempting to disperse the crowd in order to access the victims.

    A similar scenario played out recently in Onitsha, the Anambra State commercial capital, where a ghastly accident claimed no fewer than 20 lives, with several others sustaining varying degrees of injury.

    A tanker loaded with kerosene reportedly lost control and rammed into the ever busy Upper Iweka area of the commercial city, killing lots of people from MCC Bus Stop down to Peace Motor Park Gate.

    Although, there were conflicting reports on the casualty figure by various agencies involved in the rescue operations, but the fact that the incident was tragic was beyond question.

    Narrating his ordeal to The Nation at the hospital, one of the survivors, Clement Jackson expressed disappointment at the attitude of some sympathisers who besieged the scene of the accident.

    He said he was on his way to Imo State on a business trip when the incident happened.

    He said, “I boarded a commercial keke (tricycle) that would take me to Oguta Road where I would get the prices of the items I needed. We were three in it waiting for it to load.

    “I suddenly saw a truck coming towards us at top speed, knocking things and people down as it came.

    “Before I could jump down from the vehicle, the truck had already collided with it and one of the trucks climbed my left leg while another hit me on the shoulder.”

    Jackson, an Akwa Ibom-based technician, regretted that while he was reeling in pain and beckoning for medical attention, sympathisers and passersby were busy taking photos and video shots of him and other victims.

    “I was disappointed that while I was in pain and praying for medical attention to come my way, passersby were busy taking photo and video shots of me and other victims.

    “It took the intervention of one man who later came to me and helped me into a nearby tricycle and I was brought to this hospital,” he added.

    Jackson revealed that the other two passengers died while he only had a fracture on his left leg and feeling some pain on his back.

    Another survivor, Aloysius Chidera Atuegwu, said he could not recollect what happened as he lost consciousness immediately the accident occurred.

    Atuegwu, an immigration officer from Enugwu-Ukwu who sustained an eye injury in the accident, said he was on official duty from Enugu to Kano before the accident occurred.

    “I only regained consciousness when I found himself in the hospital,” he added.

    Also speaking, Lilian Nwankwo, mother of six, said she was hawking roasted cashew nuts when the vehicle ran into her path.

    Nwankwo, who hails from Ebenebe in Awka North Local Government Area of the state, said she suddenly lost consciousness and regained it on the hospital bed.

    Her husband, Gilbert Nwankwo, said he was at Ogbo-Mmanu at Upper New Market Road Onitsha looking for work as a mason assistant when he was informed that his wife was involved in the accident.

    “I quickly left everything and ran to this hospital and it turned out to be true. I am grateful to God that she is alive,” he said.

    Nwankwo however complained that he had no means of paying for the wife’s hospital bills.

    “The hospital said a pint of blood worth N10,000 was needed by my wife as she lost a lot of blood from the injuries. I am finding it difficult to raise the money,” he lamented.

    A resident of the area, Mr Emma Mbieli called on government to enact and implement a law prohibiting underage persons from driving such heavy duty vehicles as they lacked the experience to take decisions in the event of such incident.

    Others called for total ban of heavy duty vehicles plying the area in the day time, noting that three persons were killed along the same spot earlier in the week.

    “I saw it happen, that the ill-fated tanker lost control as a result of brake failure and started somersaulting and hitting people and objects within reach.

    “Most of the things hit were those at the Adam and Eve axis where many were crushed to death instantly,” Mbieli disclosed.

    The Nation further gathered that an Onitsha South Transport Company Toyota Sienna bus with 10 passengers discharging passengers from Enugu was among the vehicles crushed beyond recognition.

    Body parts and blood littered the scene, making it difficult to identify most of the victims.

    About 10 corpses were deposited at the Toronto Hospital morgue, Onitsha while others were rushed to St. Charles Borromeo Hospital morgue and other unidentified hospitals for medical attention.

    Medical personnel of Toronto hospital had it rough controlling scores of people who wailed and cried as they thronged the hospital to have glimpse of the victims and possibly to identify their relations.

    The matron of the hospital, Ijeoma Ogoegbulam, told newsmen that, “10 corpses were deposited in the hospital morgue, and out of the ten, two died at the emergency theatre due to excessive bleeding, while eight died at the scene of the accident before they were brought to the hospital.”

    She added that seven survivors, four females and three males, admitted at the hospital were recuperating. Among those that rushed in during the accident were men of the FRSC and Onitsha Central Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr. Ifeanyi Iburu.

    Ogoegbunam said, “the prognosis on the patients showed that the victims have 100 percent chance of surviving.

    “We received 17 victims from the scene of the accident. While three of the victims died on arrival, after failed efforts, another seven were already dead before they got to the hospital.”

    She said the hospital commenced tests and treatments as the victims were brought in and that two males and one female were discharged the next morning by the hospital.

    The matron also disclosed that the corpses had been claimed by their owners adding that one of the corpses that had its head chopped off was the only one difficult to identify until Thursday morning when a lady came around and identified it as that of her brother.

    “We have not received such body count from accident in a long time. The incident is indeed a shock to us,” she bemoaned.

    Official report from the police had it that the accident involved a Mack tanker with Reg. No. EFF 81 XA loaded with kerosene and driven by 35-year-old Junior Agari from Delta State.

    According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, Agari had lost control of his vehicle “along the service lane of the road and knocked down 19 persons.”

    “Police patrol team attached to CPS Onitsha visited the scene and rushed victims to Toronto Hospital, Onitsha. Seven of them; six males and one female whose identities are yet to be ascertained were confirmed death by the medical doctor while 12 others are receiving treatment,” the statement read.

    He disclosed that the driver (the suspect) was arrested, adding that the case was still under investigation to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident.

    Meanwhile, the state Governor, Willie Obiano has set up a panel to investigate the circumstances of the accident, advising the government on ways to avoid recurrence.

    The panel will be headed by the state Commissioner for Transport, Uche Okafor, with Commissioner for Health, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice as members.

    Other members include the commandant of the Anambra State Traffic Management Agency (ASTMA), the state commandant of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and a representative of the Nigeria Police Force.

    Obiano, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, also directed that the surviving victims be given the best medical attention available as the state will bear the cost entirely.

    The governor also promised to intensify enforcement of ban on street trading in the coming weeks.

    “Investigation is ongoing which will help to work out ways to prevent future accidents in the area,” he assured.

    He urged the people of the state to enroll into the State Health Insurance Scheme to give them easy access to quality health services, especially during emergencies.

  • 90-year-old woman gets lifetime award in Anambra

    A 90-year-old woman, Mrs Elizabeth Okafor has been honoured with a lifetime service award in Aboatulu, Abomimi village in Enugwu Ukwu community, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    Rotary International, District 9412, Awka Metropolis amplified the celebrations by giving soft loans to widows and indigent women to improve their businesses.

    There were 13 recipients of the award.

    Ngozi White Agu was given the excellent leadership award while Salome Emoka got the humanitarian service award.

    Rotary International said it was part of its social responsibility with the women wing of Aboatulu kindred.

    Apart from the widows, other beneficiaries of the soft loans were farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs.

    They were empowered during the Aboatulu kindred meeting and they were all drawn from the kindred.

    Presenting the cash gifts, the President, Rotary Awka metropolis District 9412, Mrs Ngozi Mbachi said both her member and the women group presented different economic empowerments apart from the loans.

    She told The Nation that the aim was to encourage the women to thrive in their petty businesses.

    Mbachi said, “This will also discourage them from engaging on social ills. One of the core areas of Rotary Club International is economic development. We want them to remain the salt of the world. We want them to make a difference wherever they find themselves. Women are agents of change and should always be ready to bless people around them.”

    Mbachi chairs the Aboatulu kindred meeting (Women Wing).

    She said, “Watch and pray as we are heading to the middle of 2019. We should be weary of what we do today because in due course,  we shall reap what we sow. We are special people. We should hold unto God by standing by what we do. God will see us through in all we do. We are to bring peace, love and unity where we are married.”

    Speaking with The Nation, one of the women leaders, Lady Seraphine Okafor, charged women to be steadfast.

    Two of the  awardeess, Ngozi Anagor and Mrs Azuka Okafor thanked God and the organisers, stressing that they would not relent in their quest to better the society through skills and humanitarian services.

    Ninety-year old Mama Okafor, told The Nation that it is good to do good in one’s life, adding, ‘People believe I’ve done enough in my lifetime. My prayer is for the young ones to continue in that direction without relenting and by that, the society will be a better place for everyone.

    “I thank the young president of Rotary for recognising hard work, honesty, sincerity and humanitarian service in rural areas and God will continue to direct her in her endeavours.”

  • EEDC is number one

    The Enugu Electricity Distribution PLC (EEDC) emerged overall first position in the 2018 cumulative Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) safety ranking.

    This is a testament of sustainable safety practices which EEDC has consciously and consistently instilled in her staff and customers through the various trainings and enlightenment programs.

    NEMSA is an agency of government responsible for ensuring safety of lives and property in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

    EEDC moved from the fifth position which it occupied in the 2016 ranking to first position in the 2017 ranking; and has jealously retained the first position in the 2018 ranking.

    The result of the ranking was released in a presentation by the Managing Director/CEO, NEMSA and Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, Engr. Peter O. Esewor.

    It was gathered from the report that in the course of the year under review, EEDC consistently maintained the first position in eight out of twelve months, this underscores the passion and conscious effort put in by management of the EEDC in ensuring that safety rules are strictly adhered to, and safe environment consistently maintained.

    The criteria used for the ranking ranges from, fatalities (that is the number of deaths within the network), major injuries as well as network resolved.

    In the report, NEMSA charged the distribution companies to intensify effort in rectifying defective networks to prevent electrical accidents and reduce technical losses. They are equally expected to intensify effort in enlightening and educating the general public on the need for extreme caution with the use of electricity.

    According to the Head of Health, Safety & Environment, EEDC, Mr. Francis Iwu, this effort is as a result of the commitment of the management of EEDC in ensuring strict adherence to safety rules and regulations by staff of the company and its customers.

    Iwu also attributed this feat to the consistent Public Safety Awareness Campaign the organisation embarked on through interactive radio programs across its franchise area, as well as Town Hall meetings held to educate and sensitise the general public on the need to be safety conscious.

    “This achievement affirms the seriousness the organisation has been giving to safety, and the continuous investment in qualified Safety personnel and equipment,” Iwu said.

  • Enugu PCRC parleys with new CP

    The executive members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Enugu State command have visited the new Commissioner of Police, Sulaiman Balarabe, assuring him of their quest for robust police community relations in the state.

    The PCRC members were led by the coordinator Superintendent, Ebere Amaraizu, the command’s spokesman, who also informed the Commissioner of Police that the committee members were up and kicking in their day to day activities as it affects police community Relations/Partnership which has greatly impacted in the relationship between the police and its communities.

    He pointed out that the committee has a wider spread and coverage as all the area commands and Divisional Police Headquarters were covered.

    The state chairman of the committee, Hon. Dr. Dominic Ezema thanked and welcomed the commissioner and maintained that the committee would continue to involve in those programmes of action which would promote Police Community Relations/Partnership in conjunction with the Police Public Relations Officer who has been guiding the committee very well in the state.

    The state Commissioner of Police in his response thanked the committee for the visit which he said he cherished so much since it revolves around partnership and assured that the state command under his watch will continue to support all police community relations programme and aspirations.

    He noted that the committee is an integral part of the Nigeria Police Force whose importance cannot be over emphasised.

  • Ikpeazu to security agencies: clamp down on hoodlums

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has directed security agencies in the state to urgently review the security situation around major streets in Umuahia, the capital city.

    The streets including Orlu, Kaduna and Arochukwu by Calabar Road were identified as black spots where hoodlums and criminal elements gather before they go out to execute their nefarious acts.

    Our reporter gathered that the activities of hoodlums around Orlu, Kaduna and Arochukwu streets have caused fear among residents while road users avoid the road especially at night because of the activities of hoodlums who dispossess them of their valuables between 7pm and 6am.

    A release by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Enyinnaya Apollos said that the move by the state governor was geared towards clearing the area of hoodlums who have been accused of robbing and molesting innocent citizens on a regular basis.

    The release said the governor has also directed the state Commissioner for Public Utilities to immediately commence the deployment of street lights around the area including Umuwaya Road to Shopprite and the aforementioned flashpoints as well as ensure that previously deployed street lights within the state capital function optimally.

    Governor Ikpeazu who expressed the determination of his administration to tackle crimes through job creation and proactive security engagement also directs that brothels located around the aforementioned areas be closed down immediately and proprietors of such facilities, including joints where hard drugs are sold, be prosecuted.

    Unconfirmed reports in Umuahia on Tuesday had it that in line with the marching orders, the state security agencies on Monday night raided four notorious brothels in the capital city.

    The brothels which have now been shut down were said to have been used as hideouts after perpetuating their evil act.

    It was gathered that some suspected hoodlums were arrested during the raid.

    Efforts to speak with the spokesman of the Abia State Command on the Nigerian Police, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna proved abortive as his mobile lines were not reachable at the time of filing the report.

  • Applause, knocks for Anambra Assembly poll

    Last week’s House of Assembly election in Anambra State has been hailed as successful, but some have also thumbed it down for its violence and irregularities, EMMA ELEKWA reports

    The House of Assembly elections in Anambra State has come and gone, but the fallout of the exercise is still generating mixed reactions across the state.

    Although the state was among those that governorship elections were not conducted, that of the state House of Assembly has generated mixed reactions.

    While some described the exercise as one of the most peaceful and credible elections so far conducted in the state, others said it was characterised by irregularities.

    One of the outcomes of the exercise which had received accolades was the landslide victory of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) at the poll.

    Out of the 30 seats contested by over 518 candidates from various political parties, APGA won 24 seats, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got six seats.

    The state governor Willie Obiano applauded the people of the state for voting overwhelmingly for the party at the poll.

    He was particularly happy for their peaceful, orderly and law-abiding disposition throughout the exercise.

    Obiano who spoke through the Commissioner for information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C Don Adinuba, described the overwhelming support for the party as a referendum on the performance of the party.

    He said the party’s victory has further bridged the gap between the executive and legislative arms of government, saying it would guarantee accelerated development and enhanced living standards.

    He said, “The elections confirm Anambra’s reputation as Nigeria’s safest and most peaceful state, despite one or two incidents.

    “Our people inspire the world with their love of democracy and the rapid development which comes with it.

    “APGA won 24 of the 30 seats, leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with only six seats.

    “Their support is as inspiring as it is challenging because it makes all of us in government constantly to seek to attain greater heights for the benefit of our people.

    “With both the Executive and Legislative arms of government on the same page, our people are guaranteed accelerated development and enhanced living standards.”

    Also speaking, National chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Victor Oye, said the party would continue to win elections in the state.

    He said the state had been and would remain an APGA party state, insisting that no other party could win elections in the state.

    Attributing the party loss in the last Presidential and National Assembly elections to what he called sentiments, Oye said such experience would not repeat itself again.

    He said, “APGA is controlling and will continue to control a comfortable majority in the house. There is no other political party in Anambra state.

    “The only party here is APGA. Forget about PDP and APC. They are just pretenders. They can’t win any competitive election in the state.

    “What happened two weeks ago was a contraption. It wouldn’t be a parameter to measure the performance of APGA.

    “People voted emotionally and had their eyes set somewhere and followed that line and satisfied themselves.

    “I don’t have problems with that. There’s one thing I believe in life, whatever will be, will be.”

    On his part, former House of Assembly aspirant, Njikoka 1 Constituency, Hon. Chidi Okoye, extolled the elected members of the party for their victory.

    He also eulogised the Governor and his wife, as well as the National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Oye for the wonderful outing.

    He encouraged other members who left the party to return and join hands to make APGA and the state great again.

    Meanwhile, member representing Idemili North and South Federal Constituency of Anambra state, Chief Obinna Chidoka condemned shootings recorded in some parts of the state during the exercise.

    He described what took place on March 9 as a sham.

    Chidoka who was particular about the shooting in Obosi, which led to the death of two persons in the community, asked the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to investigate the killings.

    The lawmaker regretted that despite assurances by security agencies of adequate safety of lives, more casualties were recorded, including loss of lives and gunshot injuries on over six persons in the community.

    Narrating his experience at the scene of the incident, Chidoka said he escaped death by the whiskers.

    “I was using my smart phone to video the commotion which greeted the sudden order by the DPO who was posted to Obosi on the eve of the election from Achalla Police station that the collation of results at Chuke Memorial Primary School, the ward collation centre be moved to Ogidi, the Local Government Headquarters when I started hearing gunshots.

    “I was standing less than 10 metres across the road from the school while the shooting lasted.

    “My orderly rushed me to a container used for mini shop but the owner who was already inside locked it and refused to open for us after we knocked severally.

    “At that point, I decided to hide myself beside condemned tyres and goods until the end of the shootings by the Police and DSS personnel who parked their vehicles there.

    “At the end of the incident, I was driving out when I saw the convoy of the Commissioner of Police, and turned back to meet him; it was then that we uncovered that two persons were killed during the shooting by police and DSS personnel,” he said.

    The lawmaker said he could not believe the story attributed to the Police that the deaths recorded during the exercise resulted from rival cult clash.

    Alleging that the security agencies and some INEC officials disappeared with the election materials after the incident, Chidoka said they later produced results which contrasted real results from the polling units.

    He said, “IGP should look into the matter and direct that autopsy be conducted to unravel the cause of the deaths of the duo, while INEC should void the rerun election.

    “The February 23 Presidential and National Assembly election had already produced results for all polling units in Idemili North and Idemili South Federal Constituency.

    “After the interruption of collation of results at Chuke Memorial Primary School, Obosi on Feb.23, police submitted duplicate copies of results from various polling units to INEC.

    “It was these results that INEC used to return the outcome of Presidential and Anambra Senatorial Central elections for Idemili North; my question is what then happened to the results of polling units across Obosi which police equally had in their custody? Why didn’t they also tender them?”

    Also, some APGA faithful in Onitsha North 1 Constituency alleged that the result declared by INEC was the opposite of polling units’ results which showed that APGA won the election.

    They protested the declaration of Mr Douglass Egbuna as the winner of Onitsha North 1 State constituency election by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    The aggrieved members who were denied entrance into INEC premises, displayed placards which read “We want our mandate restored”, Tony Nwora is our choice”, “we cry for justice”, among others.

    Transition Committee Chairman, Onitsha North Local Government Area, Mr Patrick Aghamba, urged INEC to declare Mr Nwora winner or cancel the election and conduct a fresh poll for the Constituency in the interest of justice.

    Other speakers stated that there was colossal rigging of the election in favour of the PDP by the INEC at its collation centre in Onitsha, as INEC and Security Personnel did not allow APGA agents to monitor the exercise.

    They urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to always follow Electoral Laws in discharging its responsibilities to encourage transparency.

    A legal practitioner, Kaodienye Ibenegbu, expressed surprise at the number of people that died untimely in an election that was supposed to be civil and democratic.

    He called on both the government and the INEC to up their game in surveillance during the exercise in order to make the results more acceptable.

    A human rights activist, Comrade Obi Ochije, regretted that youths were used as political thugs, attributing it to lack of prosecution by relevant authorities.

    The state Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), Comrade Emma Ifesinachi, wondered why an election involving voters of same homogeneity should be characterized by violence.

    While blaming it on desperation among politicians, Ifesinachi charged the electoral body and security personnel to ensure expedition to all cases of electoral offences brought to them.

    Reacting, the police spokesperson in the state, Haruna Mohammed, assured prosecution of all arrested suspects after thorough investigations were carried out on them.

  • Child theft: Daycare owners trained in child management

    Worried by the spate of child theft, trafficking and abuse in the country, the Anambra State government has commenced training of proprietors of Daycare centers across the state.

    The training being organized by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, would involve no fewer than 100 daycare proprietors.

    Speaking during the training, Special Adviser to the state governor on Women and Children Matters, Hon. Onyeka Ebelebe, said the training was aimed at equipping the Daycare owners and handlers with basic skills needed for the job.

    He said, “It has become necessary to equip the proprietors with skills following the discovery that children are being stolen from the daycare centres across the country due to lack of proper training on the part of the owners and management of these centres.

    “The purpose of the training is to educate the participants on how they can operate in a good working relationship with the state government in terms of social amenities needed for the upkeep of these centres, like CCTV installation, the building of electrical fans, first aid facilities in case of emergency, among others.”

    According to him, the challenges represented clear danger as it threatened the attainment of key government policies.

    Ebelebe who revealed that the participants were duly registered with the state government, urged other proprietors yet to register across the state to key into the training for the interest of a better society.

    He further disclosed government’s plans to provide starter packs to every participant to ensure all beneficiaries run their businesses with ease.

    On his part, a consultant with the ministry, Dr Emeka Ejide, who was the resource person, said the training would enable the trainees showcase their passion for children.

    He challenged them to be determined to succeed by remaining focused throughout the training.

    One of the participants, Onyinyechi Eze, was full of appreciation to the state government for the initiative, expressing optimism that the training would go a long way in reducing the rate of child theft in the state.