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Tag: Abakaliki

  • NiMet predicts thunderstorms, rains, cloudy weather for Monday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted morning thunderstorms over cities in the Central States of the country such as Ilorin, Minna, Abuja, Jos, Lafia and Bauchi on Monday morning.

    NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Sunday also predicted day and night temperatures in the range of 25 to 33 and 18 to 23 degrees Celsius respectively.

    It added that there were chances of thunderstorms over Gombe, Lafia, Jos, Kaduna, Abuja, Makurdi and Lokoja axis later in the day.

    The agency predicted that southern states would experience prospect of cloudy morning with chances of rains over places like Awka, Ikom, Abakaliki, Obudu, Ogoja, Port Harcourt, Eket, Warri, Calabar, Ijebu-Ode and Lagos.

    It also predicted chances of thunderstorms and rains over most parts of the region with day and night temperatures of 27 to 31 and 21 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.

    According to NiMet, Northern States will experience cloudy condition over the Inland of the south west with possibility of light rains over the remaining parts of the region in the morning.

    It also predicted thunderstorms and rains over the entire region with day and night temperatures in the range of 27 to 32 and 20 to 25 degrees Celsius respectively.

    “Cloudy conditions with prospects of thunderstorms and rain in varying intensities are anticipated over the country within the next 24 hours” NiMet predicts.

  • Nigerian prisons below UN standards – Dambazua

    Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau on Tuesday said the Nigerian prisons are still below United Nations minimum standard even as he revealed that efforts were being made to meet up with the UN requirement.

    The Minister who disclosed this in Abakaliki while inspecting the new prisons being constructed by the Ebonyi state government regretted that over 70 percent of prisons inmates in Nigerian prisons are awaiting trials.

    He was in the state on a two days working visit.

    Dambazau said the Nigerian Prisons Service, NPS, was working hard to ensuring that prisons are decongested across the country.

    He however, noted that the task of decongesting the prisons did not squarely rest on NPS as the Nigeria Police and the Judiciary have enormous role to play.

    “We need to get to the UN minimum standard of rehabilitation of prisoners. But one of the most important things is to make sure the prisons are decongested, because 70% of inmates in Nigeria prisons are waiting trials. We need to deal with that issue but this cannot be done by the NPS.

    “Nigeria prisons are just a ware house for inmates who are either convicted or awaiting trials. If a warrant is given to them they cannot reject it. So, they have to keep the inmates. But we are working on how to decongest the prisons.

    “To deal with decongestion, we have to work with the police and the law court. The police must have to properly investigate before charging a matter to court. Otherwise, if you charge a matter to court without it being properly investigated,it certainly hamper speedy dispensation of justice; and the law Court we have to deal with unnecessary court adjournment”.

    “But what the NPS will do is to concentrate on the issue of rehabilitation of prisoners,because it doesn’t make sense when you send one to prison and he returns worse than he came”.

    Dambazau said NPS was also working hard to improve the welfare of both prisoners and the prisons officials as especially on the areas of training and capacity building.

    “Also, we are working on the welfare of prisoners and the prisons officials. Another thing is capacity building. The issue of capacity building was a serious when we came to office and we have been able to deal with it though the challenge is still there. But we have come up with trainings and capacity building”.

    He further disclosed that the days of indiscriminate promotion in NPS was over as every promotion would now be based on merit no matter your rank.

    “As a matter of policy, now, we have said nobody can be promoted from one rank to another without certain requirements. What you find is that we have two groups of persons who form the majority of the service.  One group, you find somebody within 1-2-3 years is getting promotions up to three times without working for it; and you have another group who stay for 10 to 15 years without promotion”.

    “And you will find out that both groups don’t have motivation. The first group will say, after all I can be promoted any time, why do I need to work hard; and the other group will say, I have been there, no promotion; why do I need to work. But now, we want to remove that, so that merit will determine who gets promotion. These are some of the reforms we are doing in the NPS”.

    While commending Ebonyi state government for their cooperation and support to NPS especially for embarking on the ultra-modern prison, Mr Dambazua urged other states to emulate the state’s gesture so as to improve the living standards of prisoners in their states.

    “So, we need cooperation and support from the state government. After all, if we check the prison, you will find out the majority of the inmates are Ebonyians and if you go to Kano, you will find out that the majority of the prisoners there are from Kano.

    “So, we need more of this and we thank you for this support. I have an idea of how much you spent on this project because I am also involved in this building process. That is why I know that Ebonyi state government is putting huge resources into this project and we really appreciate. I will even ask the Comptroller General to write letter of appreciation if he has not done that to Ebonyi state government”, he concluded.

  • 7000 displaced in Ebonyi/Cross River boundary crisis’ – Official

    Over 7000 Igbeagu Izzi indigenes of Izzi local government area of Ebonyi State have so far been displaced following clashes between Izzi people and their Ukele, Cross River State neighbours .

    Also 1500 houses had been allegedlly destroyed in the area by millitia groups from the area.

    Chairman of Izzi LGA, Hon. Paul Nwogha stated this on Monday while briefing the Ebonyi State Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe on the crisis.

    Meanwhile so many displaced Izzi peesons were seen on Abakaliki-Ogoja highway trekking with their belongings to Abakaliki capital to seek refuge.

    The crisis between the two border communities had reignited last week leading to loss of lives and counter accusations by the two states governments over which side that started the attack.

    The Deputy Governor was on an assessment visit to the troubled area and also addeessed the displaced persons at Ndi- Akparata Nwenyi village in Igbeagu community in Izzi LGA where some of them had taken refuge.

    Mr Igwe directed the Cantonment Commander, Lt. Sa’aad Sadiq to immediately deploy more troops to the troubled zone to ensure the safety of both Ebonyians in Izzi and foreigners travelling along the Abakaliki-Ogoja trans Sahara highway.

    While appealing to Izzi people to maintain peace and order, Mr Igwe assured them that the State government would not fold its arm and watch Ebonyi people slaughtered.

    He further condemned the killing of human beings in the crisia which according to him remains sacred and should be held in high esteem by all and sundry irrespective of the issues at stake.

    The Deputy Governor’s convoy along with other security personnel including the Army, police and DSS took a ride along the Abakaliki-Ogoja trans Sahara highway to access the level of carnages meted out on Izzi people by the Cross River militia group.

    Chairman of Izzi LGA, Hon. Paul Nwogha who lamented over the level destruction in all the affected villages in Izzi community noted that most of the villages had been deserted as some of the displaced persons were still in dire need of refuge and relief materials.

    He appreciated the State government for coming to the aid of Izzi people adding that what is needed now is a holistic and sincere approach to the matter by both sides of the divide.

    According to him, no human beings or goat or chicken is seen within the affected community as everybody had ran away for safety.

    The Commander, Nwakgu Military Cantonment, Lt. Col. Sa’aad Sadiq stated that more troops had been deployed from Cross River and Abakaliki to quell the crisis.

    He called on the people of Izzi to cooperate with the peace process by attending security meetings intended to bring an end to the crisis.

    The Cantonment Commander assured the Izzi people of their safety as the military was working round the clock to bring lasting peace in both affected LGAs of Ebonyi and Cross River States.

    At time of filing this report, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Kelechi Igwe entered a security meeting with stakeholders of Izzi LGA and security personnel on how to peacefully resolve the inter communal clash between Ebonyi and Cross river States. Ends

  • Ras kimono: Rastafarians to hold candle light procession in Ebonyi

    Rastafarians in Ebonyi have concluded plans to hold candle light procession for departed Nigerian Reggae icon, Ekeleke Onwubuya, popularly known as Ras Kimono.

    Kimono died on Sunday at the Lagos Lagoon hospital of an undisclosed ailment at the age of 60.

    Rastafari, sometimes termed Rastafarianism, is an Abrahamic religion that developed in Jamaica during the 1930s. Scholars of religion and related fields have classified it as both a new religious movement and a social movement.

    The reggae artists told our reporter in Abakaliki on Monday that the procession was to honour Kimono “because of his great contributions to the development of the brand of music in the country.”

    James Okoh, alias Rasta Omege, said he would coordinate the activities to ensure that Kimono was given a befitting tribute by Rastafarians in the state.

    “We would immediately convene a meeting to deliberate on ways to honour our departed father and further propagate the reggae gospel in the state and the country.

    Read Also: Reggae in Nigeria, Blues in Ethiopia

    “We would also organise candle light procession, hold road-shows, music concerts, Rastafarian-night, among other activities, to give Ras Kimono a befitting farewell.”

    Another Rastafarian, Charles Nduka, alias Rasta Iree, said Kimono’s contributions to the development of music, especially reggae and the entire social sector of the country, was unparalleled.

    He added that “Kimono inspired young musicians in the country to embrace reggae and this helped in some of the positive changes witnessed in the society.

    “Kimono, through his songs, ensured that music was given its pride of place in the country and corrected the wrong notion that it is a venture for school drop-outs and never do wells.”

    Bede Asomugha, alias, Ras Uncle, noted that he had a personal experience with Kimono in 1997, shortly after the death of late Afro-beat music icon, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

    Ras Uncle said “I was a drug addict and was resident at Fela’s African Shrine with others affected by the demise of the late afro-beat star.

    “Kimono encouraged me to return to Ebonyi after I had shun drugs one year earlier. I am a living example of Rastafarian not engaged in drug abuse.”

    Christy Mbaleke, a Reggae fan, urged the federal, state and music organisations not only to immortalise Kinomo but enhance the welfare of artists in the country.

    She said “Ras Kimono used his songs to fight apartheid in South Africa, military dictatorship in Nigeria, poverty, oppression, among other malaise in the society.

    “Relevant stakeholders should look into the welfare of artists and the entertainment industry to check the rising cases of death among them.”

    Some of Kimono’s hit songs include: Whats Gwan, Rumba Stylee, Natty Get Jail, Senseless Killings.

  • Why we tried to kill Ebonyi businessman- Gang members

    Some members of the six man robbery and kidnapping syndicate that kidnapped, robbed and attempted to murder a businessman in Ebonyi State, Mr Monday Udoka Oke, have recounted how the operation went down and why they tried to kill the businessman.

    They spoke in Abakaliki after they were paraded by the Police in the state alongside other crime suspects recently arrested by the command for various crimes.

    In an interview with journalists, Chinonso Desmond who led the group confessed to the crimes.

    He said they shot and tried to kill Oke because one of them MD who is still at large suspected that the businessman who owns Monabliss hotel Abakaliki knows him and will identify him.

    ”It is my friend MD Mohammed that introduced me into kidnap of Monablis. It was in the night that they called me on phone in Enugu state and I came down to Abakaliki for the kidnap of the man. I was smoking with them, we discussed how to execute the kidnap,” he began.

    On how the kidnapping was carried out Desmond has this to say: “We moved to the street where Monablis hotel is located. We were smoking and saw Monablis when he was coming out of his hotel and we followed him up.

    Read Also:Four alleged serial rapists ‘Badoo’ gang members lynched in Lagos

    “We blocked him with his car. After we blocked him, we took him to a place called Azugwu in Abakaliki and when we reached there the man gave us N150, 000. MD forced him to do mobile transfer for us to get more money from him and he did the transfer. He transferred to me N1.5million into my account. MD did not have account and he transferred money for MD also into my account, he transferred N1million for MD and it became N2.5million he transferred into my account for me and MD”

    Desmond who confessed to being the one who shot the businessman said they took the decision to kill him so that he will not implicate them.

    “After the transfer, MD said the man knows him very well. We took him (Monablis) to one River and I don’t know the name of the river but they called it Ebonyi river. The man was begging us, when he tried to escape, we shot him. I was the one that shot him, we were not sent by anyone to kidnap him”.

    For Loveth Nnenna, a female student of the Ebonyi State University, she was introduced to the group by her boyfriend who was arrested on his way to into the state from Enugu with some guns.

    “I was arrested for kidnapping and armed robbery. I was at home when Desmond and MD the one that ran away came to me at Azugwu where I was staying and told me to enter car and I entered. I didn’t know where we were going to but we landed in a bush and when we got to the bush, I saw two guys lying down. Within a short period of time, Desmond carried Monablis and came in. Then, they released the two guys that were lying down”

    “Desmond told the Monablis ‘oga, let’s do business’ and he said no problem. He asked Monablis how much do you have in your account and he replied him. He told Monablis that he will transfer monies into our individual accounts and he agreed”.

    “He sent N1.5 million into my own account and Desmond told me to give N500, 000 to one of us here, I should also give N500, 000 to the one that ran away and then leave the remaining N500, 000 in my own account. They kept two guys with me so that I will not run away from the area.

    “They then carried Monablis into one bush where they shot him; I was not there when they shot him. When they came back, they started fighting themselves saying they didn’t shoot the man very well that he ran away. Desmond then ordered two guys to go into the river and find Monablis that the man is not dead,” she said.

    She further narrated how she was initiated into the cult group by members of the gang.

    “I am final student of Ebonyi state University department of Sociology. I know this group as cultists and I met them this semester. My boyfriend was once in police cell in Enugu and it was through him that I met Okechukwu one of us”.

    “They told me that my boyfriend is coming from Enugu to shoot me because I reported the person that stole my cell phone, that he asked me not to report to the police and I reported to the police. On his way coming back with two guns, they arrested him. It was on that day that Monablis was kidnapped that I was initiated into cultism, it was the group that initiated me. I belong to bagger confraternity”.

    Another suspect, Murtala Usman who was arrested for buying the necklace stolen from the businessman denied being involved in the kidnap.

    “I don’t have any role in the kidnap. I am doing Bureau De change business and on Wednesday Morning I was in my shop when the gang leader with a young woman brought necklace to me to buy. The lady told me that she lost her mother and that they want to do her burial and that they need money for the burial”.

    “After we finished doing the business and I gave them the money, two days later police came and arrested me. They asked me where the necklace was and that I should provide it for them and I did as they said. I bought the necklace at the rate of  N600, 000,” he said.

    Earlier, Police spokesman in the state, Loveth Odah said five out of the six members of the gang involved in the kidnap and attempted murder of top business mogul and owner of popular Monabliss hotel in Abakaliki, Monday Udoka Oke were arrested.

    The spokesman said the six man gang led by Ikpuecha Chinonso Desmond first attacked one Ikwuobe Odeh Samuel at his residence, No 10 Ofor Street Abakaliki, kidnapped him and his friend in his Toyota Highlander Jeep with Reg No. MKD 421 TS and whisked him to a nearby bush at Azugwu Onuebonyi in Abakaliki on 21st of May.

    “After robbing them of some cash and other valuables including phones and laptops, the gang blindfolded them and kept them hostage after which they proceeded with the said highlander jeep to kidnap Mr Oke,” she said

    According to the police, one hour later at about 11 pm, the gang double crossed Mr Monday Oke as he left his Hotel, located at 95 Nnorom Street Abakaliki kidnapped him in his Honda car and took him to Onuebonyi River

    Once there, they proceeded to rob him of a cash sum of N200, 000 in his possession and other valuables such as gold necklace, hand bangle, belt, ring, shoe, wrist watch, hand bag, iphpone8plus and Samsung galaxy edge plus phones.

    Odah said the kidnappers then took his phone and transferred various large sums of money to their respective bank accounts which total amounted to N5.2m.

    After robbing him, “Mr. Monday Udoka was shot and pushed into the river by the gang believing that he was dead while the first victims Mr Samuel and friend were released unhurt”

    On receiving the news, Odah said the command immediately commenced intelligence led investigation which took its operatives to Enugu/Nsukka where five of the gang members were arrested.

    She gave the names of the five arrested members as: Ikpuecha Chinonso Desmiond, 32 years, Uguru Okechukwu 22 years, Nnaemeka Nwinya, 32 yrs, Igwe Ekene 28 yrs and the only female member of the gang, Loveth Okpara Nnenna, 26 yrs.

    The Police also paraded eight persons who allegedly killed one Anselem Omah at Onu-Orie Umuoghara Ezaangbo, Ohaukwu local government area on Tuesday.

    The Nation had earlier reported how the 32 years old Mr Omah was killed in cult clashes in the area.

    Parading the suspects at the State Headquarters of the Police in Abakaliki, spokesman of the command, Loveth Odah said the suspects also robbed other innocent citizens of their belongings.

    “One English berretta pistol, one live cartridge, 10 live ammunition, one Volkswagen car, one long machete and substance suspected to be charm were recovered from them”.

    She added that they have also confessed to the crime.

    Odah, an Assistant Superintendent of Police further said that the command arrested one Awoke Ikechukwu also known as  ‘IK Dokpor’, a prime suspect in the robbery and murder of one Michael Nwodom at Afikpo street Abakaliki on July last year.

    Recovered from the suspect are one barreta pistol with 10 lives 9mm ammunition and the phone of the deceased.

    The spokesman said the police also arrested one Oken Chimezie with one revolver pistol in his tricycle along G-hostel Abakaliki whle the duo of Ifeanyi Onyibe and Nweke Joshua were arrested for unlawful possession of a revolver pistol, one axe and a machete at Ezillo junction Ishielu local government area.

    “One Nwabuike Nnabuike was arrested along No. 2 Nsugbe Avenue Abakaliki who robbed one Ugochi Chukwu of her phone valued at N12, 000 with constructed locally made pistol. The said gun and phone were recovered from him”, Odah said.

    “In the same vein, on 23rd March, One Friday Chibuike, 21years, was arrested at Umuoru Obode road Ezzangbo who robbed Igboke Ngozi and her son at gunpoint. One locally made single barrel short gun with one live catridge, four 6mm live ammunition and one dagger were recovered from him,” she added.

  • Police disrupt MASSOB march, arrest members in Ebonyi

    The Police in Ebonyi state, assisted by other security agencies on Tuesday arrested scores of members of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB in Abakaliki the Ebonyi state capital who were on a peaceful march round major streets of the city.

    The group had earlier announced the event through the media and social media channels in the country. It said it is to commemorate the declaration of Biafran Republic by its leader, Ralph Uwazuruike.

    But, security agencies in the state accosted them along Nkaliki road as they started the peaceful march, sprayed teargas on them and arrested some of them, it was gathered.

    The Army, Department of State Security, DSS and the Police carried out the joint operation.

    Commander of Nigerian Millitary Cantonment in Nkwegu, Col S. O. Sadiq confirmed the participation of the Army in the incident and arrests. He added that all the arrested persons were handed over to the police.

    He explained that MASSOB did not notify security agencies in the state of the event in writing which necessitated the action to stop them by security agencies.

    Police Spokesman in the state, Loveth Odah confirmed the incident to our reporter but could not give the actual number of persons arrested.

    “I don’t have the details of the actual number of persons arrested right now, when I get the full details I will let you know” she said.

  • Policeman injured during clash with motorcyclists, dies after surgery

    One of the Police officers who was injured in the clash with motorcyclists last week in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has died from the injuries he sustained during the clash.

    Governor of the state, David Umahi confirmed the death of the Police officer whose name could not be ascertained at press time.

    A motorcyclist, Mr. Ofim Ejike was shot along the popular Waterworks road in Abakaliki last week Wednesday by a trigger happy police Sergeant, Onyebuchi Nweke attached to the Anti-kidnapping squad of the command.

    The policeman has since been tried in his Department, Anti-Kidnapping, AK, and summarily dismissed from the force.

    The Police also said they will also arraign him in court for murder at the end of their investigations.

    Motorcyclists in the city had staged a protest the next day following the killing of Mr Ofim, which later degenerated into a clash with the Police, despite the arrest and dismissal of the officer by the Police.

    During the clash, some police officers sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to the hospital.

    Speaking during an enlarged State Security Council meeting in Abakakaliki on Monday, Mr Umahi regretted the death of the Police officer.

    He said about 7 Police officers sustained various degrees of injuries when the protesters pelted them with stones.

    “One of them sustained a serious injury on his head and was rushed to Enugu where he was operated upon but unfortunately he died”, Umahi said.

    He commended the Police in the state for handling the matter in a professional manner even as he promised to assist in the burial of the late Police officer.

  • 40 years old restauranteur commits suicide in Abakaliki

    THE Ishielu Campus of Ebonyi State University (EBSU) Abakaliki was thrown into a sober mood on Friday after the body of a restauranteur, Emmanuel Igwe was found dangling on a tree in the area.

    The residents discovered his body hanging from a tree behind a Pentecostal church along Highlander Street, Ishieke. The 40 -year- old man popularly known as Ezeugo, it was gathered, hails from Amechi Idodo in Enugu State. The Nation learnt that the residents quickly alerted the police who went to the scene and brought down Igwe’s corpse from the tree. The deceased is survived by his wife and four children.

    His daughter, Uzoamaka Igwe told journalists that his father left their house as usual for his restaurant but later called her mother on the phone and told her to take care of the children.. According to the girl, her father did not respond to her mother questions but was unexpectedly found hanging on the tree.

  • Police arrest, dismiss officer for killing motorcyclist

    *Motorcyclists protest, clash with anti-riot policemen over killing

    *Governor Umahi appeals for calm

     

    The Police have arrested and dismissed the Police officer who shot and killed a motorcyclist in Abakaliki the Ebonyi state capital on Wednesday night.

    Despite the arrest, the city boiled on Thursday as motorcyclist shut down the city for hours to protest the killing. They also clashed severally with anti-riot policemen even as businesses around water walks rod-scene of the incident- remained closed for hours as the protest lasted.

    The Okada rider, Mr. Ofim Ejike was shot along the popular Waterworks road in Abakaliki by a trigger happy police Sergeant, Onyebuchi Nweke attached to the Anti-kidnapping squad of the command.

    Reacting to the incident on Thursday, Police spokesman, Loveth Odah said the suspect who was tried in his Department, Anti-Kidnapping, AK, has been summarily dismissed from the force.

    He stated that such dastardly would never be condoned by the police.

    Mrs Odah said that the suspect would be charged to court today (Friday) to face charges bordering on murder.

    She said: “The incident that happened is indeed an unfortunate one; we are appealing for peace and order; there is no way the police command would condone such dastardly act; if I may tell you, the

    suspect, Sgt. Onyebuchi Nweke was tried yesterday at the department level and was summarily  dismissed from the force.  He will be charged to court tomorrow”.

    Mrs Odah while appealing for calm and understanding with the Police regretted that one Police officer was injured by the protesting motorcyclists on Thursday.

    “We are the only force or institution that washes our dirty linen in public; what happened is indeed unfortunate; if any Okada rider was arrested or his bike confisticated following the incident, as soon as there is calm, they will be released and their bike returned to them. Every strategy is aimed at bringing peace to the state capital”.

    “Even as senior officers of the Command went on patrol to quell the situation, they were stoned by the Okada riders; as I am talking to you now, a police officer who was hit by stone, is now on admission at the Federal   Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki”.  He is presently battling between life and death; another officer with traffic was today beaten to stupor by the rampaging Okada riders”.

    “We appeal for peace and order as no stone would be left unturned to ensure justice for the victim, Mr. Ofim Ejike  whoresides at 32 Linus Ede Street, Convent Road, Abakaliki.”

    There were tensions in the city on Thursday as the Police clashed with Commercial Motorcyclists popularly known as Okada riders who are protesting the killing of Mr Ofim Ejike.

    The motorcyclist was accosted by Police officers of the Anti Kidnapping squad, AK, of Ebonyi State Police Command at Anan world junction by water walks road on Thursday.

    A source who witnessed the incident said, the Okada rider in his 20s was carrying a female passenger when he was flagged down by the policemen, who are notorious for fleecing motorists of their hard earned money at night at the junction.

    “When they stopped him, they demanded for their usual N50n but he gave them N20n and wanted to drive off when ọ we of them opened fire on him. The bullet shattered his head and he died instantly”, said the source.

    The incident caused pandemonium along the road as residents along the adjourning streets gathered and attempted to lynch the officers. They also used tires to set burn fires on the road.

    But the arrival of a new detachment of Police officers to the scene saved the day as they used teargas to dispel the crowd while also shooting sporadically into the air to scare them away.

    It could not be immediately ascertained if the female passenger of the slain Okada man was also hit by the bullets of the policemen.

    Following the incident, Governor David Umahi issued a statement calling for the arrest and prosecution of the Police officers involved in the shooting.

    The motorcyclists, however, regrouped on Thursday Morning and embarked on protest round the city causing traffic gridlock on major roads.

    The Police also chased them and attempted to repel them with teargas but it failed to stop them. For hours they battled with the police causing business activities to shut down for hours along water walks road and adjourning streets.

    They motorcyclists in their numbers will runaway when they are tear gassed and regroup at another part of town to continue their protests.  And yet again the police will chase them to the new location and the process will be repeated again.

    The Police also arrested a few of them but this did not deter them from continuing with the protests.

    Meanwhile, Umahi who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor described the incident as barbaric and calous and expressed confidence that justice will be done in the killing of the deceased.

    He said the incident has further called for more dedication, commitment and professional training for the country’s security personnel to stop further killings of innocent Nigerians on the line of their duties.

    The governor also assured that he would take up the matter to the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the trigger happy policeman who shot and killed the boy is punished inline with the rule of his engagement.

    Umahi warned that his administration will not tolerate any form of killing of innocent citizens or extra judicial killing by the security agencies and ordered the Commissioner of Police in the State,  Mr Titus Lamorde to arrest the trigger happy policeman who shot the deceased and other members of the team to face full weight of the law.

    He called on the public to remain calm as the situation was already under control and never to resort to taking laws into their hands. Ends

  • Police dismiss officer who killed motorcyclist in Ebonyi

    The Police have arrested and dismissed the Police officer who shot and killed a motorcyclist in Abakaliki the Ebonyi state capital.

    The Okada rider, Mr. Ofim Ejike was shot along the popular Waterworks road in Abakaliki last night by a trigger happy police Sergeant, Onyebuchi Nweke attached to the Story kidnapping squad of the command.

    Reacting to the incident, Police spokesman, Loveth Odah said the suspect who was tried yesterday in his Department, Anti-Kidnapping, AK, has been summarily dismissed from the force.

    He stated that such dastardly would never be condoned by the police.

    Mrs Odah said that the suspect would be charged to court tomorrow (Friday) to face charges bordering on murder.

    “The incident that happened is indeed an unfortunate one; we are appealing for peace and order; there is no way the police command would condone such dastardly act; if I may tell you, the suspect, Sgt. Onyebuchi Nweke was tried yesterday at the department level and was summarily dismissed from the force. He will be charged to court tomorrow”

    “We are the only force or institution that washes our dirty linen in public; what happened is indeed unfortunate; if any Okada rider was arrested or his bike confisticated following the incident, as soon as there is calm, they will be released and their bike returned to them. Every strategy is aimed at bringing peace to the state capital”.

    “Even as senior officers of the Command went on patrol to quell the situation, they were stoned by the Okada riders; as I am talking to you now, a police officer who was hit by stone, is now on admission at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki”.

    “He is presently battling between life and death; another officer with traffic was today beaten to stupor by the rampaging Okada riders”.

    “We appeal for peace and order as no stone would be left unturned to ensure justice for the victim, Mr. Ofim Ejike whoresides at 32 Linus Ede Street, Convent Road, Abakaliki.”

    Meanwhile, Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi is still boiling as Police on Thursday clashed with Commercial Motorcyclists popularly known as Okada riders who are protesting the killing of Mr Ofim While.

    The motorcyclist was accosted by Police officers of the Anti Kidnapping squad, AK, of Ebonyi State Police Command at Anan world junction by water walks road.

    A source who witnessed the incident said, the Okada rider in his 20s was carrying a female passenger when he was flagged down by the policemen, who are notorious for fleecing motorists of their hard earned money at night at the junction.

    “When they stopped him, they demanded for their usual N50n but he gave them N20n and wanted to drive off when ọ we of them opened fire on him. The bullet shattered his head and he died instantly”, said the source.

    The incident caused pandemonium along the road as residents along the adjourning streets gathered and attempted to lynch the officers. They also used tires to set burn fires on the road.

    But the arrival of a new detachment of Police officers to the scene saved the day as they used teargas to dispel the crowd while also shooting sporadically into the air to scare them away.

    It could not be immediately ascertertained if the female passenger of the slain Okada man was lso hit by the bullets of the policemen.

    Following the incident, Governor David Umahi issued a statement calling for the arrest and prosecution of the Police officers involved in the shooting.

    The motorcyclists, however, regrouped this morning and embarked on protest round the city causing traffic gridlock on major roads.

    The Police also chased them and attempted to repel them with teargas but so far it has failed to stop them.

    They always runaway when they are teargassed and regroup at another part of town to continue their protests. And yet again the police will chase them to the new location and the process will be repeated again.

    The Police also arrested a few of them but this has not deterred them from continuing with the protests. As at the time of writing this report they were seen at the Abacha roundabout near the Abakpa main market driving towards water works junction through Nnamdi Azikiwe road.

    Meanwhile, Umahi who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor last night described the incident as barbaric and calous and expressed confidence that justice will be done in the killing of the deceased.

    He said the incident has further called for more dedication, commitment and professional training for the country’s security personnel to stop further killings of innocent Nigerians on the line of their duties.

    The governor also assured that he would take up the matter to the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the trigger happy policeman who shot and killed the boy is punished inline with the rule of his engagement.

    Umahi warned that his administration will not tolerate any form of killing of innocent citizens or extra judicial killing by the security agencies and ordered the Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Titus Lamorde to arrest the trigger happy policeman who shot the decaesed and other members of the team to face full weight of the law.

    While expressing his sincere condolences to the family of the deceased, Governor Umahi promised to visit the family when full information concerning his family is made available.

    He called on the public to remain calm as the situation was already under control and never to resort to taking laws into their hands.