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Tag: ABA

  • Soldiers nab two robbery suspects in Aba

    Soldiers of the 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Abia State, have arrested two suspected robbers accused of terrorising motorists on the Opobo-Azumini highway.

    It was gathered that the robbery suspects named Victor John and Nsikak Johnson were nabbed by soldiers at a checkpoint along Azumini Road and handed them over to the Abia State Police command.

    Abia State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Leye Oyebade confirmed the handover of the suspects to the police.

    Oyebade, said, “The robust synergy of the Abia State Police Command with other sister agencies paid off when officers of the Nigerian Army, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, on checkpoint at Azumini Road in Ukwa East, arrested the suspects and handed over to the operatives of the anti-kidnapping section of the State Criminal and Intelligence Department. They confessed to the crime and effort is being intensified to arrest other members of their gang.”

    The CP added that the suspects are among notorious criminals who have been robbing motorists along Azumini highway and listed items recovered from them to include a locally made single-barrel pistol, two live cartridges and a small bag.

  • Soldiers nab two suspected robbers

    Soldiers nab two suspected robbers

    Soldiers of the 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Abia State, on Wednesday arrested two suspected robbers who have been terrorising motorists along Opobo –Azumini highway.
     
    The Nation gathered that the robbery suspects; Victor John and Nsikak Johnson, were nabbed by soldiers at a checkpoint along Azumini road and handed over to the Abia State Police command.
     
    Abia State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Leye Oyebade confirmed the handover of the suspects to the Police.
     
    Oyebade said: “The robust synergy of the Abia State Police Command with other sister agencies paid off, when officers of the Nigerian Army, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, on checkpoint at Azumini Road in Ukwa East, arrested the suspects and handed over to the operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping section of the State Criminal and Intelligence Department. They confessed to the crime and effort is being intensified to arrest other members of their gang.”
     
    The CP added that the suspects are among notorious criminals who have been robbing motorists along Azumini highway and listed items recovered from them to include a locally made single barrel pistol, two live cartridges and a small bag.
  • Osinbajo enlivens SMEs in Aba

    Osinbajo enlivens SMEs in Aba

    The visit of Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo to Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, to flag off the maiden edition of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Clinic lifted the spirits of small business owners who turned up in droves, reports SUNNY NWANKWO

    On January 24, the acting President and Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo launched the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Clinic. At the launch, in Abuja, Osinbajo said, “Nigerians complain about how practically difficult it is to get approval on practically everything. When I toured the nation with the support of USAID, the whole idea was to signal our support MSMEs and to find out what their problems were. But almost every stand I went to had complaints about how it was so difficult to get approvals for practically anything. I was frankly taken aback on that occasion because practically every point we went to had the same complaint. We also went to Kano on one of our social intervention programmes and it was the same problem, same issues.”

    On Thursday, January 26, Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State and the Southeast was agog as traders’ unions from every part of the state moved their wares to the Golf Course of the Aba Sports Club were Prof Osinbajo was to flag off the SMEs clinics.

    The event provided the acting president and government agencies such as Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), Nigeria Export Promotion Council, and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC), among others, the opportunity to register, certify and approve the use and consumption of several products.

    The August visitor could not hide his amazement at the craftsmanship and the technological ingenuity of the people of Aba who will virtually replicate almost manually what their counterparts overseas in some cases may not use their machines to produce or replicate. No wonder owners of shipping companies and other conglomerates have so much relied on the ingenuity of Aba fabricators to keep their ships afloat on our waterways.

    The event also gave the traders high hopes that the incumbent government of President Buhari mean well for the SME’s. This as some of them in a chat with The Nation expressed hope that the steps taken by the federal government would help to reduce some of the challenges they face in registering their products, importing raw materials and exporting finished goods to other parts of the world.

    Speaking after the inspection, the Vice President assured the Aba SMEs of the commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to support the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Abia and other states of the federation to grow the country’s economy in the face of the present economic challenges.

    Osinbajo who described the SMEs as the highest employers of labour and engine house of every great nation’s economy said that President Buhari has great interest in the growth of the SMEs and stressed that it was the intention of the incumbent administration to make the industry to compete favourably and to even surpass their counterparts at the global stage.

    He said that the essence of visiting Aba, Kano, Nnewi, Onitsha and any other parts of the country is to interact with the people, identify their problems and as well finding a lasting way to tackle some of the challenges that are hindering the SMEs from performing optimally.

    “Mr. President gave two examples of how some of our agencies make it difficult for people to be able to register anything or do business and I think that everybody today understands that if we are talking about diversification of Improving our economy, it starts from those who are manufacturing, those who are doing local manufacturing. I am sure you know that the biggest employer of labour and the largest earning to our GDP comes from the local manufacturers and the local industries; that is how it is in everywhere in the world. Our focus is to support the local industry. I have seen all sorts of things today. I want to encourage those who are in manufacturing and industry to know that whatever that it will get you to do you business well and to become major competitors worldwide, that is exactly what we intend to do and that is why we are going round, we are making sure that we understand what the problems are so that we can be able to address all of those problems. We are looking forward to a greater Aba, an Aba that will compete with any of the industries that are established in China and any other part of the world.”

    Earlier in his remarks, the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu said that the choice for Aba for the flag off of the MSME Clinics was apt and that Aba merited it.

    Ikpeazu who hailed the resilience of Aba manufacturers and industrialists said that the state government was working assiduously to ensure that the goods of the SMEs produced in Aba will get the requisite certification to meet best global practices and standard.

    Lauding the energy that the Aba manufacturers deploy in producing their wares, Ikpeazu said he was excited that the efforts of the state government in promoting Aba made wares have been receiving acceptance and at the same time, getting the endorsement of the President of the country, Muhammadu Buhari.

    The governor urged the manufacturers to be proud of what they produce, adding that the state government was building “a one-stop shop specifically to make businesses to excel” and promised that the state would be giving land freely to any agency of the federal government involved in the certification of locally manufactured goods that wishes to establish its office(s) in any part of the state.

    In their separate reactions, some of the traders at the event, including Mr. Fidelis Offor, Christian Madukwem amongst other traders from Ariaria International market thanked the federal government and Abia State government for their initiatives.

    They were unanimous that if the Bank of Industry (BoI) and other commercial banks gives them soft loans with low interest rate, concerned government agencies register and approve their products without being exploitative and making the process of registration and certification of products cumbersome, that they would help the country raise its GDP (Gross Domestic Product) especially now that the country is facing economic recession and the federal and state government respectively talking about economic diversification.

    The traders while calling on the federal government to address the issue of poor electricity supply and road network in the state and other parts of the country, this is even as they also lamented excessive levies and taxes by agencies of government who most times doesn’t remit such monies to government coffers.

    The traders expressed hope that the multiplier effects of the SME’s Clinics will be beneficial to both the government and traders if the state and federal government would back their plans with action.

    The event attracted various dignitaries across the state and country including the Hon. Minister for Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelama, Hon. Ossy Prestige, member representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Abia State Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Okochukwu, State Commissioner of trade and investment, Chief Henry Ikoh and amongst others

     

  • BoI offers Aba manufacturers loan tips

    BoI offers Aba manufacturers loan tips

    The Bank of Industry (BoI) has offered tips to Aba-based manufacturers on ways to secure its facilities to expand their businesses.

    BoI’s Acting Managing Director Mr. Waheed Olagunju coordinated  the National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise clinics for viable enterprises, organised by the Federal Government in collaboration with the Abia State Government.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo opened the event, which had various Federal Government agencies involved in economic development interacting with Aba traders with the aim of growing and supporting their businesses.

    Olagunju noted that to easily access a loan, a business owner must imbibe some cardinal virtues, such as character, capacity, and commitment. He added that skills, requisite knowledge, and responsibility are needed to ensure that the person is committed to the business.

    Identifying collateral as a major constraint to accessing loans by most businessmen, Olagunju noted that the government had taken steps to make businesses viable by providing relevant tips to break the barriers of difficulties faced by some in accessing loans.

    “The first aim starts with marketing, how do manufacturers market their businesses? Hence the government has been coming up with procurement policies that are in favour of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs),” he said.

    Noting that this had been done in other parts of the world, the BoI chief said: “We are evolving the same thing in Nigeria so that the government patronise MSMSEs so that what happened in the past do not happen again.”

    Olagunju, however, said there was the need for Nigerians to change their taste for foreign goods and consume what they produce rather than consuming what they do not produce. He said now that Nigeria has foreign exchange crunch, the country is being forced to leave  foreign goods the more.

    Abia State Governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu expressed happiness that the Federal Government has finally recognised Aba as the hub of manufacturing not only in Nigeria but also in sub-Saharan Africa.

    He enjoined Abia indigenes to freely interact with various government agencies at the two-day event, noting that it was held to make their doing business in the state easy.

    On his part, Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) Director-General, Imo Anasonye, described the event as a welcome development, adding that it was a good start for the government’s diversification programme from the non-oil sector.

    “What is happening here is a good thing in the sense that Nigeria wants to rebrand economically, diversifying from oil to the real sector, which is the productive sector.

    “That the maiden edition of the MSMSE Clinic is happening in Aba is not by accident because Aba has been the cradle and home of craftsmanship in Africa. There is no product that can be made locally that is not made here”, Anasonye added.

  • Questions as Army burns kidnappers’ den in Aba

    Questions as Army burns kidnappers’ den in Aba

    Soldiers from 144 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have set ablaze a house near Aba, Abia State, allegedly used by kidnappers to detain their victims until ransom is paid. But how long was the den used by the criminals, and why did it escape the villagers’ notice? Sunny Nwankwo reports 

    IT was a small shelter, no bigger than a farm hut. Its corrugated roofing sheets had seen better days. The mud wall looked fairly strong, dignified with sheets of window louvres. But tucked in the bushes  in the backyards of a village near Aba in Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State, the mudhouse was a curious structure.

    What was it used for in Umuagbai village, a sleepy community not too far from the bustling Enyimba City?

    The soldiers who visited it had one answer: a kidnappers’ den where victims were holed up while ransom negotiations went on.

    It won’t serve that purpose anymore. For the soldiers promptly descended on it, smashing its wall down before setting it on fire. The operation was led by the Commanding Officer of the battalion, Umar Sidi Kasim.

    The gang was said to be operating from neighbouring Rivers State. The kingpin and members of the group, it was gathered, relied on some local members, usually commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators, who tracked and provided information on targets before the kingpin and others would move in for the kill.

    The local foot soldiers reportedly set up the small den where the victims were kept pending the outcome of negotiations.

    Speaking on how his men busted the kidnappers’ hideout just over 30 minutes’ drive from the heart of the commercial town, Lt. Col. Sidi brought it all down to a persistent, long and meticulous effort of the battalion’s intelligence team following a tip-off.

    Sidi said the hoodlums had been terrorising Aba and its environs, kidnapping many, one of whom was a Dubai-based businesman.

    It was gathered that the Dubai based victim whose name was yet to be ascertained was said to have been kidnapped by the gang at Okpu Umuobo being being taken taken to a location which was discovered to be Umuagbai village.

    It was gathered that while the kidnappers were on their way to their hideout, soldiers got hint of their movement and laid ambush for them. On sighting the soldiers, the kidnappers reportedly engaged the army in a shootout which forced them to abandon their victim and a black coloured Land Rover Sports Utility Vehicle with registration number Lagos FST 754 DC.

    Two members of the gang were reported dead during the shootout, while two others said to be kingpins of the group escaped during the crossfire; the victim was said to have escaped from them.

    Questions arise: how long has  the kidnappers’ hideout been in existence? How many victims were taken there? Why did the villagers not spot the den as soon as it was put up, and why did they not report to the authorities?

    Sidi said that other gang members were being trailed even as he confirmed that the gang came to Aba from Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, to strike whenever their target was spotted in town by their informants in Aba and would immediately leave for Port Harcourt after their operation, leaving their victim in the custody of their gang members in Aba. It was said that the local gang members were the ones who released the victim as soon as a deal was struck with the  family.

    He said that burning down the house was part of government’s step to discourage people from using their houses as hideouts for kidnappers and keeping victims of kidnapping.

    Urging the residents of Aba to provide the army with prompt information about the activities of criminal elements within their vicinity, the army colonel assured that the army would ensure that residents of Aba sleep with their eyes closed.

    In a similar development, the soldiers attached to Operation Mensa 14 Brigade, Ohafia Forward Operation Base (FOB), Owaza in Ukwa West Local Government of Abia State have confiscated an unmarked white truck carrying about 50,000 liters of unrefined crude oil.

    Speaking to newsmen at Umuebulungwu village in Asa, Ukwa West LGA, the 14 Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General Lawrence Fejokwu represented by Captain Ishaya Banki, the Officer in-charge of FOB, said they were able to trace and confiscate the truck through with the assistance of the Umuebulungwu community. He, however, attributed the success of the operation to the fallout of the operation “Crocodile Smile” recently launched by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur  Burutai.

    Banki, lamenting that the country was losing so much money to the activities of vandals, described the act of the vandals as economic sabotage to the country’s economy and President Muhammdu Buhari administration’s efforts to reposition the economy in the face of the global economic downturn.

    He warned vandals to look for something meaningful to do, saying that they would not fold their arms to watch criminals satisfy their selfish desires and cause more pains to Nigerians.

    “The hoodlums laid a pipe from the source where they were siphoning the crude from to the bank of Ohando waterfront, using a pumping machine to pump the crude into the waiting truck. When we got the information, we analysed and swung into action. But by the time we got to this waterfront they had already moved the truck and smartly covered their tracks. But with the help of the villagers and our intelligence, we were able to trace the truck to this village (Umuebulungwu) and have been guarding it since Wednesday.

    “We are however making arrangements to tow back the truck to safety and awaiting further directives. So far, from our investigations, we believe the crude in the truck is about fifty thousand liters and efforts are on to track the owner of the truck. But like I said, our next moves will be determined by the orders I get from my superior”.

    Some of the nearby residents denied having knowledge of the vandals as they claimed that they saw the truck parked in their neighbourhood while they returned home from their farms.

    Recall that the federal government had launched the operation “Crocodile Smile” to curb the activities of vandals and pirates on the country’s waterways, an exercise that has started yielding fruit in Abia State.

     

  • Jungle justice: Mob set robbery suspect ablaze in Aba

    A yet-to-be identified young man in his late twenties have reportedly died after a mob beat him to pulp before setting him ablaze in Aba, Abia State.

     The incident, Nation gathered happened at Amucha off Ngwa road, one of the ever busy roads in Aba South Local Government Area.

     A source at Amucha that gave her name as Chidinma said that the suspected robber had came to the area to rob, but the residents of the yard they entered resisted and over powered the gang.

     Chidinma said that while other members of the gang escaped with injuries inflicted on their bodies, the suspect was however unlucky as the occupants of the residence held him firmly and raised alarm which attracted the presence of other members of the area.

     She said that the mob, apparently angry over the spate of robbery and other violence in the area descended heavily him with dangerous weapons and inflicted bodily injuries on him.

     She said that the crowd after beating the suspect to pulp later set his body ablaze with used tyres and other materials that they (mob) could lay their hands on.

     Another source within the area told our correspondent that the incident forced a lot of people to scamper for safety to avoid an anticipated police arrest.

     Another respondent that gave his name as Godwin lamented the rate of robbery incidents at Ngwa road especially Umuogele area where robbers come to rob the residents and go home freely without being confronted by the police and other security agencies.

     Investigation by our correspondent reveal that the deplorable nature of roads leading to Amucha and Umuogele including some parts of Ohanku and Ngwa has made the terrain to be impassible using cars which gives the robbers and hoodlums the leeway to operate without the fears of being apprehended or confronted by security agencies in Aba.

     The residents of Ngwa road, however appealed to the Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu led administration to come to their rescue by fixing the Ohanku road and adjourning roads and streets.

     They said that if the state government fixes their roads, it would make the people to sleep with their two eyes closed and also help police and other security agencies to have access their area and respond to distress calls promptly.

     The State Police Spokesman, ASP Ogbonnaya Nta could not be reached for comments as at the time of filing this report as his phone numbers were not reachable.

  • Fresh challenge for Aba residents after bleak Yuletide

    Fresh challenge for Aba residents after bleak Yuletide

    As it was during the Yuletide when residents contended with exorbitant prices of goods, so it is in the New Year as parents struggle to return their children to school. SUNNY NWANKWO reports

    Prices of goods are on the high side,” declared Mrs Ihuoma Chike, sadly. “The traders are taking advantage of the rush, especially on educational materials, to sell at exorbitant prices. Prices of such things as toiletries have been increased by 50 per cent from what they were last year.”

    The Yuletide was largely forgettable, but the New Year has offered little cheer so far in Aba, Abia State’s commercial nerve, as Mrs Chike observed.

    Between December 25 and 26, most markets and shopping centres lacked the customary crowds. Why? Prices of goods were prohibitive, and the pangs of the economic recession were still fresh. So, many would-be shoppers stayed away. The famous Ariaria Market and Ahia Ohuru or New Market, usually patronised by traders from far and near at this time of year, were unrecognisably scanty.

    At Good Morning Market, a bag of pepper which usually sold for about N4,000 before December 25 was sold for between N1,800 to N2,200.

    While some loading bays at the Aba Central Motor Park charged the usual fares, others seized the opportunity of the  Christmas rush to jack up their  fares.

    Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ututu-Aro-Ihechiowa loading bay, Mr. Marcus  Iroamachi also lamented low patronage, saying that they had no need to increase fares because of the recession and the fact that there was no increase in the pump price of petrol. Yet, fewer people travelled.

    Beauticians also explained why they charged N1,500 for pedicure instead of N1,000, and N400 for manicure instead of N300, saying  that the little increase was because of the cost of materials. Like others, they equally bemoaned poor patronage.

    Even the churches, according to our correspondent, recorded low patronage, as many worshippers retreated to prayer camps, hoping for a better year from on high.

    Perhaps only the security community buzzed, as various agencies mobilised to secure residents and keep robbers, kidnappers and fraudsters at bay.

    Health workers of the Abia State Teaching Hospital, Aba had a bleak season too, as they protested the non-payment of their over eight  months’ salary and pension arrears of about 18 months.

    Some said they hoped 2017 would be better.

    Well, January of the new year is in its second half and there is pretty little to lift the spirits. Business and commercial activities have gradually started picking up in the state’s commercial hub after the celebrations but residents are still grappling with exorbitant prices. Our reporter who visited various markets in the city reports that most shoppers who came to textbooks, exercise books and other educational materials ahead of the resumption of schools in the state found the prices prohibitive.

    Mrs. Chike, who complained about soaring prices, said, “We don’t have any other choice but to buy [the school materials] because our kids and wards will definitely go back to school and these are some of the basic and essential things that our children will need when they go back to school especially the ones living in the dormitories.”

    Reacting to the allegation by parents, some of the traders said that the sharp increase in the price of goods weas not their making.

    “Many companies are yet to supply new stock to us and people who stored the products in their respective warehouses are selling their own at exorbitant prices,” said one of them. “So, there is no way we are going to sell below what we bought them. Some of us have placed orders for goods, but we were asked to wait. The companies where I buy are still taking stock and are yet to conclude whether to review their price or not. So, until they are through with what they are doing and start supplying us, the market price of goods will be determined by what we buy from the people that have the old stock in their warehouses,” Ifechi said.

    Respondents at some banks visited told our reporter said they were  to complete payment for their children or ward’s school fees among other payments as demanded by their schools. Others stated that they were at the bank to carry out several transactions, though they lamented the queue that was building up at the banking hall and the slow pace of service delivery by the bank officials.

    Some of the bank staff who spoke to our reporter said that they were well prepared to handle the crowd in the banking halls because it has been the situation over the years.

    A visit to Aba North and South Local Government Area Councils showed that the workers reported to work and in high spirits to perform their duties diligently after enjoying what they described as “a long holiday that doesn’t come quiet often.”

    Some of the children that accompanied their parents to the market said that they were in high spirits to go back to school after a long holiday, adding that they couldn’t wait to see their teachers and friends who they said that they have missed so much.

    The only concern is that their parents are not quite as excited. Blame the slump in the economy and the prohibitive cost of goods.

     

  • NPFL: Plateau United defeats Enyimba

    NPFL: Plateau United defeats Enyimba

    Plateau United Football Club of Jos on Wednesday defeated Enyimba International FC of Aba 3-1 in their Match Day 2 fixture in the 2016/2017 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).

    Plateau United took the lead in the 11th minute of the encounter through a well-taken free-kick by Golbe Elisha, the club’s captain.

    Kabiru Umar doubled Plateau United’s lead in the 52nd minute during a goalmouth scramble.

    The hosts, who were clearly the dominant side, almost made it three in the 57th minute after a cross which the Enyimba goalkeeper had to push over the crossbar.

    Umeh Emeka, who came in as a substitute, made it 3-0 in the 80th minute of the match.

    Enyimba, however, reduced the deficit through Ikechukwu Ibenegbu less than two minutes after Emeka’s goal.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Plateau United have so far won their two matches in the league, and therefore lead the log with six points.

    They had on Sunday defeated Remo Stars 2-1 away in the opening week of the season.

    Kennedy Boboye, Plateau United’s Chief Coach, told newsmen that the Jos-based club were “on course to achieve their target of winning a ticket to play on the continent next year’’.

    Boboye said he was happy with the squad at his disposal and commended the players’ performance.

    The chief coach also expressed satisfaction with the support he was enjoying from the club’s fans, the management and the state government.

  • ‘We’ll make Aba hot for criminals’

    ‘We’ll make Aba hot for criminals’

    Soldiers from the 14 Brigade Command of Nigerian Army converged on Ngwa High School Forward Operation Base (FOB) to embark on a military exercise tagged Operation Show of Force on Monday, December 19.

    About 50 personnel from various army formations that made up the 114 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Aba participated in the exercise during which they moved round the state to ward off internal or external aggressions. It was also meant to assure residents of the readiness of the military to protect their lives and property at all times, especially during this year’s Yuletide.

    Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State usually witnesses high volume of economic and commercial activities and movement during festive periods such as Christmas and the New Year. This situation, over the years, has resulted in increase in crime rate. The situation exerts more pressure on security agents and other para-military organisations that ensure that they were not caught unawares by hoodlums who believe that the “ember” months are periods for their prosperity. This informed the Operation Show of Force in Aba.

    The exercise, which lasted for about three hours, the military convoy moved from Ngwa High School through the ever-busy Aba-Owerri Road to Factory Road, Asa Road, Ngwa Road, Ogbor Hill, Azikiwe Road, Okigwe Road, Brass Road and later terminated at Ngwa High School.

    While addressing reporters after the exercise, the Commanding Officer, 144 Battalion Ukwa West Local Government Area, Lt. Col. Kasim Umar Sidi assured visitors and the entire Aba business community of a crime-free Yuletide celebration as the command has ensured tight security in Aba and its environs.

    Sidi said the exercise was expected to last throughout the festive period and to further assure residents and visitors of safety of their lives and property.

    According to him, the exercise was an off-shoot of the Operation Python Dance (Egwu Eke) that was launched in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

    He further assured that the command had the necessary logistics to respond swiftly to distress calls as soon as they were contacted. He urged residents of Aba and its environs to give the command maximum co-operation by reporting any case of criminal activities  in their areas for prompt action.

    “Aba is the commercial nerve of Abia State which also serves as a melting point for traders across the country and neighbouring West African countries. By this time of the year, a lot of people from neighbouring Southeast and South-south states and those from Cameroun and Ghana come here to buy what they need during the Christmas. We are therefore aware of the increase in commercial and economic activities.

    “What you have just witnessed was part of our proactive steps to ensure that Aba is safe this festive period and after. It is also a way of showing off the strength of the Battalion. We also use the event to warn those who want to use the opportunity of the festive period to steal from the residents or commit any form of crime that we (the army) is battle-ready for them.

    “We will make the city uncomfortable for them to operate. We also  assure them that they will not  succeed or escape. Our men are always on the ground and we will be doing a spontaneous stop-and-search on the road at some of the locations where we may deem fit to.

    “All we need from Aba residents is to inform us promptly of any criminal activities and suspicious movements around their areas as soon as possible. I assure you that residents of Aba will sleep with their two eyes closed.”

    He debunked the rumours getting the rounds that the Python Dance was targeted at some people, saying that it was to ensure that there was peace in the Southeast, especially during the festive period.

     

  • ‘We’ll make Aba hot for criminals’

    ‘We’ll make Aba hot for criminals’

    Soldiers from the 14 Brigade Command of Nigerian Army converged on Ngwa High School Forward Operation Base (FOB) to embark on a military exercise tagged Operation Show of Force on Monday, December 19.

    About 50 personnel from various army formations that made up the 114 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Aba participated in the exercise during which they moved round the state to ward off internal or external aggressions. It was also meant to assure residents of the readiness of the military to protect their lives and property at all times, especially during this year’s Yuletide.

    Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State usually witnesses high volume of economic and commercial activities and movement during festive periods such as Christmas and the New Year. This situation, over the years, has resulted in increase in crime rate. The situation exerts more pressure on security agents and other para-military organisations that ensure that they were not caught unawares by hoodlums who believe that the “ember” months are periods for their prosperity. This informed the Operation Show of Force in Aba.

    The exercise, which lasted for about three hours, the military convoy moved from Ngwa High School through the ever-busy Aba-Owerri Road to Factory Road, Asa Road, Ngwa Road, Ogbor Hill, Azikiwe Road, Okigwe Road, Brass Road and later terminated at Ngwa High School.

    While addressing reporters after the exercise, the Commanding Officer, 144 Battalion Ukwa West Local Government Area, Lt. Col. Kasim Umar Sidi assured visitors and the entire Aba business community of a crime-free Yuletide celebration as the command has ensured tight security in Aba and its environs.

    Sidi said the exercise was expected to last throughout the festive period and to further assure residents and visitors of safety of their lives and property.

    According to him, the exercise was an off-shoot of the Operation Python Dance (Egwu Eke) that was launched in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

    He further assured that the command had the necessary logistics to respond swiftly to distress calls as soon as they were contacted. He urged residents of Aba and its environs to give the command maximum co-operation by reporting any case of criminal activities  in their areas for prompt action.

    “Aba is the commercial nerve of Abia State which also serves as a melting point for traders across the country and neighbouring West African countries. By this time of the year, a lot of people from neighbouring Southeast and South-south states and those from Cameroun and Ghana come here to buy what they need during the Christmas. We are therefore aware of the increase in commercial and economic activities.

    “What you have just witnessed was part of our proactive steps to ensure that Aba is safe this festive period and after. It is also a way of showing off the strength of the Battalion. We also use the event to warn those who want to use the opportunity of the festive period to steal from the residents or commit any form of crime that we (the army) is battle-ready for them.

    “We will make the city uncomfortable for them to operate. We also  assure them that they will not  succeed or escape. Our men are always on the ground and we will be doing a spontaneous stop-and-search on the road at some of the locations where we may deem fit to.

    “All we need from Aba residents is to inform us promptly of any criminal activities and suspicious movements around their areas as soon as possible. I assure you that residents of Aba will sleep with their two eyes closed.”

    He debunked the rumours getting the rounds that the Python Dance was targeted at some people, saying that it was to ensure that there was peace in the Southeast, especially during the festive period.