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Tag: Abia State Police Command

  • Abia: Police parades cultists, armed robbers

    Abia State Police Command on Monday in Umuahia, Abia State capital paraded suspected cultists, armed robbers and others accused to be involved in snatching cars of their victims at gun points.

    The State Police Commissioner, Anthony Ogbizi told journalists that the suspects were arrested in different parts of the state through intelligence report, while others were arrested at the scene of the crime.

    Leader (Capo) of the Black Axe confraternity, Princewill Okechukwu, a final year student of Political Science in ABSU was also among the people that were paraded by the Police Commissioner.

    The Police Commissioner added that the suspects would be arraigned in court as soon as investigation was concluded.

    A female cultist and final year student of Political Science at Abia State University, ABSU, Uturu, 22 year old Chika Ogwalachi reportedly confessed that she was arrested in the vicinity of an initiation exercise in one of the student lodges off the campus by a cult group.

    Ogwalachi who was paraded with two other male members of the same fraternity said her boyfriend who also is a cult member had asked her to wait for him at the scene of the initiation before her arrest.

    She further explained that while waiting for her boyfriend, one of the boys gave her a parcel which the boyfriend reportedly asked her to collect and keep for him.

    According to her, she didn’t know that the parcel contained Indian hemp. This is even as she denied having knowledge that the boyfriend was a cult member.

    “We just met recently and he promised that because of me he will leave the cult. It was while I was waiting that the police came out and asked what I was doing there.

    “I told them that I was waiting for my boyfriend. They seized my bag, searched it and found the parcel. They unwrapped it and saw it was hemp. That was how they arrested me,” she said.

    Also paraded was 23 year old final year student of History and International Relations, Salvation Chialu. He confessed that he was arrested during initiation. He said that while the other older cult members escaped he was caught by the police.

    Chialu, a native of Awkuzu, Anambra State said he was tricked into cult by people who came to him as friends. “I was buying something for them to keep them at bay but three days after my exam as I was packing my clothes, they came into my room and ordered me to follow them.

    “When I saw the fierce look on the face of one of them I hesitated then he used a machete and cut my hand.” He however failed to connect the attack with the initiation angle.

    Okechukwu told newsmen that he was arrested in the exam hall while writing his final examination.

    He admitted that he was the leader for only two weeks but that those opposed to his emergence as the new leader planned his arrest.

    He said he was aware that the items recovered from his room were dangerous weapons which they use for cult activities.

    Okechukwu, from Isuikwuato council area of Abia state, admitted that seven live cartridges, a dagger, a machete and Black Axe black and red uniform were recovered from him.

    Also paraded was Uchenna Okorocha. Okorocha who said that he was arrested when the police searched his house in Aba following the report of his master’s brother.

    Okorocha  said he spent his masters money on MMM and other gambling engagements but when he could not give proper account of pay back after stock taking his masters brother invited the police to arrest him with the aim of recovering the money.

     

  • Abia Community in tears after gunmen kill 4 persons

    Abia Community in tears after gunmen kill 4 persons

    It was a tragedy at Ihieorji in Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State as unknown gunmen struck and reportedly killed about six persons in the village.

    Unconfirmed reports from the area on Tuesday night, however, gave the death toll to ten with several persons injured and currently receiving medical attention in an undisclosed private Hospital in Aba.

    It was learnt that about four persons died on the spot, while two others died at the hospital while they were being given medical attention.

    Sources at the area told our reporter on Thursday that the gunmen numbering five had struck the village at about 7.45pm in an ash colour Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and started shooting sporadically at anyone on sight.

    A source who pleaded anonymity said that while the gunmen were shooting, they overheard them telling their victims that kill them since they wouldn’t let them (gunmen) operate within the community.

    At the end of the attack which was said to have lasted well over one hour without any challenge from security agencies in Aba.

    One of the victims whose name was simply given as Herbert and believed to be the major target of the hoodlums had his stomach ripped open by bullets and his intestine splattered on the ground during the shootout.

    But another account of the incident from a resident of the area alleged that the gunmen whose identity were yet unknown shot their victims in a drug bunk and after the operation shot sporadically into the air while they were escaping in a commercial bus.

    The source who simply gave his name as Chetachukwu said that they have been living in fear since after the incident over the fear of being unduly arrested by security agents who couldn’t come to their area while the shooting lasted.

    They appealed to government and security heads in Aba and the state at large to come to their rescue, stressing that they have been sleeping with eyes open since Tuesday that the incident happened.

    When contacted, the spokesman of Abia State Police Command, Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed the shooting incident and described it as a drug war between two rival groups.

    Ogbonna stated that they were investigating the matter and would soon come out with a statement on the true account of the event.

  • Police to arraign 37 suspected IPOB members in court on Monday

    Police to arraign 37 suspected IPOB members in court on Monday

    The Abia State Police Command of Nigeria Police Force on Saturday disclosed that it has arrested 37 suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who were reportedly arrested during the unrest in Abia State would face prosecution.

    While 30 were reportedly arrested by soldiers along Isiala Ngwa area of the state, seven persons were allegedly amongst the arsonists that burnt and looted Ariaria Police Divisional Headquarters in Aba, the commercial nerve center of the state at the early hours of Friday.

    This was disclosed by the State Police Commissioner, Anthony Michael Ogbizi who took Inspector General of Police Team led by AIG Operations, Force Headquarters Taiwo Lakanu that arrived the state on Friday with about 500 Mobile Policemen deployed to the state by the IGP, Idris Ibrahim Kpotum to access the level of damage on Ariaria Police Division.

    Ogbizi stated that the suspects would be arraigned in court on Monday while investigation into the matter would continue, adding that efforts were ongoing to track others that were still at large.

    The suspects, it was gathered were arrested through intelligence gathering by the combined team of the IGP team and officers of the NPF that were on ground in Aba.

    Ogbizi further disclosed that Improvised Explosive Device (IED); Petroleum Bomb (Bottle containing fuel, pieces of broken glasses and other dangerous materials) were equally recovered from Nnamdi Kanu’s house by the army and has since handed such over to the police.

    He added that the Station Officer, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, who sustained serious injuries after he was attacked by the arsonists, died early hours of today in an undisclosed hospital where he was receiving medical attention.

    He used the opportunity to warn anyone sponsoring IPOB to desist from such especially now that the group has been declared a terrorist group and stressed that anyone caught would be tried according to the stipulations of the terrorism act.

    “You recall that on the 10th and 14th of this month, the very police division was attacked by IPOB members. They came in droves in early hours of the day. They forcefully broke the entrance zone and destroyed almost everything.

    “They were armed with petrol bomb. They burnt police vehicles and carted away three pump actions and other police materials. Some officers were injured and in fact as I’m talking to you, one of the injured police officer, an ASP is dead. The doctors tried their best to save him, but they couldn’t. Now, we have lost a soul. And you know what it takes to train a police officer. And you know the vacuum created. Once a police officer is gone, it takes a minimum of one year to train another

    The seven we arrested will be charged for murder, arson and conspiracy for breach of the law.

    “Simultaneously, they carried other attacks on law abiding citizens of this nation. You could see along the road the destruction of vehicles belonging to citizens. Certainly you cannot say that that is a peaceful demonstration. I think this attack was orchestrated to get arms which they succeeded in doing. Thank God the police succeeded in securing other arms. They attacked a bank may be with the intention to get more money to buy arms.

    “IPOB going to that extent cannot be said that it is a non-violent movement. While this one was happening here, along the road in Isiala Ngwa, the same IPOB members in droves confronted the military and the military was able to arrest up to 30 of them.

    “They will be prosecuted for rioting and unlawful assembly and other things. While that was going on, the same IPOB carried attack of various manner in Umuahia and even tried to collect a riffle from a female military officer. In the processes, the military resisted and was able to arrest 19 of them.

    “At the same time, along the road leading to Umuahia, they set up bonfire attacking the police and innocent citizens and pulled out traffic stands. The vicinity where the Attorney General of the State, Assistant Inspector General Zone 9, Commissioner of Police, and other residents live. They attacked the quarters of the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 9 and that of the Commissioner of police.

    “And the house of the self-acclaimed leader of IPOB, Nnamdi KANU was the house they usually come out from to carry out these attacks and information reaching us is that they have started gathering there. Many exhibits were recovered from there like, petrol bomb and coat of arm of Biafra.

    “I know that 90% of Abians are not in support of this, but a few hoodlums and some others from other states operating under the disguise of IPOB with the motive to cripple the economy of Abia. If this is not planned, how could they come in droves to carry out these attacks? At time, a mobile patrol vehicle was moving and IPOB members poured petrol on the van with intend to burn it. Imagine if that was successful. I’m glad that eastern governors have proscribed the organization.

    “And any individual, or group of individual operating under the disguise of IPOB with Biafran flags and any other materials will be arrested and prosecuted. You test they law of the state. They state is superior. IPOB has grown up to this level, and it must be stopped. And because it has been proscribed, any individual, that aid, council, finance, harbour all these hoodlums as IPOB will be prosecuted. Even those who instigate by their speech, action and conduct bring breach of peace will be prosecuted. This place is calm as IGP has deployed 500 mobile police men to put things in order here. As you can see, we are beefing up security.”

    On the allegation by the IPOB that security agents whisked away Nnamdi Kanu’s father and some members of the IPOB leader’s family, Ogbizi said “We don’t have Nnamdi Kanu’s father in police net”, but however accused Nnamdi and his brother, Prince Emmanuel of feeding the public with fake information which he asked the public to disregard.

  • Abia police parade suspects

    Abia police parade suspects

    Abia State police command has paraded a crop of suspected hoodlums for allegedly committing various criminal offences in Aba, the state’s commercial heartbeat, and other parts of the state.

    The hoodlums, The Nation learnt, were reportedly responsible for heinous crimes including kidnapping, armed robbery and car theft, among others, in different parts of the state.

    The State Commissioner of Police Adeleye Oyebade in a briefing at Umuahia, the state capital, lauded his men for rising to the challenge of insecurity in Aba, Umuahia and other parts of the state.

    Oyebade said some of the suspects were arrested while carrying out the act, others before or after the act, but all nabbed using a well-planned information gathering method.

    He lauded the synergy between the police and other security agencies in the state, stressing that the era when criminal came and operated in the state freely and undetected is gone. He said it is the desire of the police and sister agencies in the state to stop crime before it happens.

    The police said some of the suspects undergoing interrogation would be arraigned in court as soon as investigations into their matter were concluded.

    Oyebade said, “On 23/07/2017 at about 0010hrs, information was received that there was a corpse later identified simply as Prince ‘m’ of Ngwa and works in a bakery at Garki (Catlle Market) Lokpanta reasonably suspected to have been stabbed to death by his fellow cult members. Sequel to the information, the Divisional Crime Officer Isuochi raced to the scene with a team of detectives, removed the corpse to the mortuary and commenced investigation into the incident. The trio of Samuel Chukwuemeka, Abdulazeez Mukaila and Obisike Ekezie all males and members of ‘Red Barger’ confraternity were arrested. The suspects have confessed to the crime, search was conducted in their houses during which the following items were recovered: three red caps, four bangles, two daggers, one Samsung TV with its remote control, one Sony Speaker, one DSTV Decoder and a pair of canvas. The dagger used in the act has been identified in the two recovered. Effort is intensified toward the arrest of other fleeing members of the cult group.

    “On 27/07/2017 at about 1100hrs, responding to a distress call on the presence of strange faces in Nkwoudara Ovungwu, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, patrol team attached to Omoba Division in raced to the scene and with the collaborative efforts of the Vigilante men in the Community, arrested the following four suspects: Chisom Chimezie 19yrs, Ogbonna Onyeka 22yrs, Kingsley Onyemuru 20yrs and Chinonso Madugba 18yrs all males of Osisioma LGA. Search on them resulted in the recovery of the following items: One locally made pistol with two live cartridges, two jack knives, four ATM cards, Wallet containing sum of N9,090.00 and six ID cards. One Uchenna Ikpendu ‘m’ of Ibeku- Ngwa in Osisioma LGA has identified the suspects as hoodlums that snatched from him on gun-point, his brand new Qlink 150 Motorcycle on 23/07/2017 at about 1730hrs in Umuehim Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South. Discreet investigation is in progress.

    “On 27/07/2017 at about 0500hrs, the operatives attached to the Command’s Dragon Squad Aba acting on a tip off, arrested the duo of Samuel Akoma and Kenneth Ananaba both males in an Hotel room at Aba where the hoodlums lodged after collecting ransom to release their hostage. Two vehicles, including that of the released hostage were recovered.

    “On 24/07/2017 at about 2205hrs along Milverton Area Aba, patrol team attached to Central Police Station Aba while on routine patrol, intercepted one Obasi Chibuike ‘m’ putting on Police bullet proof jacket and extorting motorists. On sighting the patrol team, suspect fled the scene but was over-powered by the team. The following items were recovered from him during search: three live cartridges, one bullet proof, one jack knife and an International Passport. The suspect has however, confessed to being a member of four man robbery gang terrorizing Aba and its environs. Effort is put in place toward arresting the other members of his gang as well as recovering their weapons.

    “On 22/07/2017 at about 1305hrs, PMF 55 men on nipping point duty at Owerrinta acting on a tip off, intercepted a 14 seating Mitsubishi L300 bus with reg. no.SB 639 WER painted white and green and arrested the duo of Chinemere Amamba aged 39yrs and Nnamdi Monday both males of Nmelele Isiala Ngwa South. The suspects abducted one Ijeoma Okereke ‘f’ of Imo State University Owerri at about 1200hrs along Emekuku junction, Douglas road Owerri.

    “On 27/07/2017 at about 0645hrs, acting on a tip off, detectives attached to Abiriba Division arrested the duo of Ifendi Eke and Nwokocha Ndukwe both males of Abiriba who are behind series of house burglary and stealing in the Community. The suspects confessed to the allegation and led the investigation to the arrest of one Arua Uta Agbai ‘m’ of Abiriba that aids them in disposing their loots. Items so far recovered are bags, Electronics, empty carton of plasma TV carted away from the house of a Cameroun based business man, Hon. Agbara Ashiegbu. Investigation is in progress toward recovering more stolen items.

    “On 25/07/2017 at about 0015hrs, a distress call was received from one AzubuikeEjikeme ‘m’ of No. 24 Okigwe Road Aba that his residence was under siege by hoodlums. In response to the call, team of patrol men attached to Central Police Station Aba raced to the scene and laid ambush against the hoodlums during which one Frank Egure ‘m’ of no fixed address was arrested at about 0050hrs with Generating sets and motor tyres. On interrogation, the suspect confessed to have burgled an apartment in the complainant’s residence from where, he carted the recovered items. Similarly, another patrol team attached to the same Division had on 20/07/2017 at about 0015hrs arrested the duo of Joseph Patrick and Chinedu Elewechi both males of no fixed address in their area of responsibility following a distress call received from one Amarachi Patrick ‘f’ of No. 142 Jubilee road Aba on 19/07/2017. Items recovered from the suspects are: One Elemax SH 2900 DX Generator, two Century Stabilizers, one Plasma TV, one truck and assorted drinks. Suspects will be charged to Court as soon as investigation is concluded.

    “On 21/07/2017 at about 2105hrs, a distress call was received from one Ezinne Okorie ‘f’ of No. 132 Terryvin road Aba that while she was making call from her Tecno Y2 GSM phone valued #500,000.00, a group of four armed men accosted her, pointed guns at her and robbed her of the phone. In a swift response, patrol team attached to Central Police Station Aba raced to the scene where the duo of Ugochukwu Ugwumba 22yrs and Goodnews Uwem 18yrs both males were arrested with a machete while others fled with their guns. The suspects confessed to the crime and are leading the investigation toward arresting their cohorts cum recovering the phone.

     

  • Abia: Police arrest fake Soldier, rescues kidnap victim

    Abia: Police arrest fake Soldier, rescues kidnap victim

    The Abia state police command has arrested one suspected fake soldier who gave his name as Okezie Chukwuebuka and his girlfriend Ugonma Arisa Kalu from Ozuabam for allegedly using military uniform to steal from people.

    Speaking in Umuahia while parading the fake soldier, his accomplices and other criminals, the Commissioner of Police (CP) Leye Oyebade said that one Stephen Nwokoma reported that his phone worth N28, 000 was robbed along Uzuakoli road Umuahia.

    Oyebade said that the victim said that three men and a lady with one of them dressed in a military uniform were the ones that robbed him of his valuables which led to the arrest of one Nwadi Paul by a team of mobile police men.

    The Abia CP said that the arrest of Nwadi led to the arrest of the fake soldier with his girlfriend in a hotel room in Umuahia and the items recovered from him include, two pairs of army camouflage uniform, UBA cheque leaves belonging to Uwajumogu Ikechukwu.

    He said that other items recovered from them are fidelity bank cheque leaves belonging to Eni Virginia Enyinnaya, one Peace Corps identity card for Nwadi, one UBA ATM belonging John Oluchi, one Skye bank cheque leaflet belonging to Eni Virginia Enyinnaya among others.

    Oyebade said that the suspects are members of robbery gang which has been terrorizing the state capital and its residents and dispossessing them of their valuables.

    Responding to questions from newsmen, Chukwuebuka said that he was dismissed from the army after running away from the battle field for lack of weapons and after being court marshaled, he was dismissed.

    Chukwuebuka said that he had a quarrel with one of his friend and that he collected his phone from him, “He (my friend) then went to the police to report which led to his arrest and his girlfriend”.

    The Abia CP said that with the arrest of the notorious kidnapper, Evans by the IGP’s team that the era of kidnapping being profitable is gradually coming to an end as he has been talking and very soon his accomplices in any part of the country will be apprehended.

    He said that the new strategies the command has set in place and the free giving of information has led to the rescue of a kidnapped victim, Fredrick Osuya of Rainbow feeds limited.

    Oyebade said that the victim was kidnapped while driving home in his black Toyota Corolla car along Ogbor hill area of Aba, “The men of Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) swung into action and rescued the victim at Umuokeonyi village in Obingwa council area of the state”.

    The CP said, “The hoodlums on sighting the police team escaped into the bush and abandoned their hostage, we have to commend the general public for giving us prompt information which led to the rescue of the kidnapped victim”.

    He said, “Items recovered from them include one cut to size locally made double barrel gun, one locally made revolver gun and five live cartridges while we are still looking for the victim’s car”.

    In his speech the victim, Osuya said that he was kidnapped while coming back to his house after buying some drugs, “As I was driving home a white Toyota Hilux van double crossed me and nine people came out and said that they are kidnappers and assassins, today is your day”.

    Osuya said, “They forced me out from my car and took me into their van while my car was in front and they drove for a while and later stopped, where they removed my dress and tied my hands and took me into the bush”.

    “They took my ATM card and asked me to give them the pin code or they will kill me, around early hours of the following morning I heard gun shots and later some men came and said they are SARS people, that was how I was rescued”,

    In his reaction to the rescuing of the kidnapped victim, Oyebade said, “We were able to rescue him because information was given to us and we moved in immediately, so I want to appeal to people to always give us information to enable us work better and faster”.

    The CP also paraded other suspected criminals including armed robbers, burglars, cultists and recovered stolen vehicles some of which were stolen outside the state and brought in to be sold in the state.

  • Police arrests Pastor for operating fake maternity in Abia

    Police arrests Pastor for operating fake maternity in Abia

    The Abia state police command has arrested and paraded a pastor who operates a church and a medical centre which has been converted in to a baby factory at number 252 Faulks road Aba.

    Speaking in Umuahia while parading the pastor who gave his name as Christopher Adebanya Tochukwu and other suspected criminals, the Commissioner of Police (CP) Leye Oyebade said that the pastor has been raping the pregnant girls at his medical centre.

    Oyebade said that when one of the girls was interrogated she claimed that the pastor has been raping them and in one of his attempt to rape one of the girls, he was stabbed on the neck by the victim with a glass object she laid her hands on.

    He said that one of the girls who gave her name as Imeobong Udoh under interrogation alleged that her two months old baby she delivered there was forcefully taken away from her by the wife of the pastor and sold to an unknown person.

    The Abia CP said that his men from Ariaria police station who went for the operation was able to rescue a two weeks old baby girl who has been taken to a motherless baby’s home for care and custody.

    In an interaction with Blessing Ariet, she said that the pastor tried to rape her and when she refused that he started beating her with belt leaving several marks on her body.

    She said that there was a time when he attempted to sleep with her forcefully but had to stop, “When his wife came suddenly into the room she was kept and he pretended that he was examining her stomach”.

    The other girl who gave her name as Ikechukwu Jane said that the wife of the pastor who is now as large is aware of her husband’s raping of the girls in the medical centre, “The wife said that when he sleeps with the girls that the babies in our womb are being fed naturally”.

    Oyebade said that the operatives of Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the command stationed at Obehie division arrested Godspower Emeka aged 28 years of Orji street Obehie for allegedly stealing Mercy Emeka aged 3 years of the same address.

    He said that Mercy was sold to Kelvin Ogbunigwu aged 35 years of Omuma in Rivers state for the sum of N150,000, “The baby who has been recovered and the suspect who sold her is her uncle”.

    When The Nation spoke with the Emeka, he said that the load of feeding eleven children in their family was becoming too much, “So when one of my friends Ogbunigwu came and told me that there is someone who would buy the baby I sold her to him”.

    When asked why did he not sell one of his children since he said that he is married with children, he said, “It is the devil and I regret my actions and plead that my sister should forgive me for my devilish action”.

    Oyebade said that the strategy the command has out in place in fighting heinous crimes has started yielding fruits as has his men under Ndiegoro division intercepted and engaged a five man armed robbery gang in a gun duel very close to a first generation bank in Aba.

    He said that after the gun battle, “Two of the hoodlums were gunned down, while three of the suspects escaped their operational car a Nissan Laurel with registration number AE 221 ARG and other items were recovered”.

    The CP also paraded several other suspected criminals including burglars who specializes in breaking of shops, including recovery of fire arms from suspected armed robbers.

     

  • Police smashes armed robbery gang in Abia

    Police smashes armed robbery gang in Abia

    The Abia state police command said that its men has smashed an armed robbery gang that has been terrorizing the commercial city of Aba while vehicles, arms and ammunition were also recovered.

    In statement issued by the commands Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Geoffrey Ogbonna said that his men in Aba received a distress call that Dan Dollars filling station at Ogbor hill area was being robbed by armed robbers.

    Ogbonna said that the information revealed to them that the armed robbers were escaping through Eziukwu road by the railway line, our men moved into action to confront them.

    He said, “When the call came we alerted our men at both Ndiegoro and the Central police station led by the DPO of Ndiegoro and the commander of the newly formed Tactical Response Squad (TRS) and they moved in to intercept them.

    “On sighting our men the armed robbers opened fire on them and during the gun battle two of the armed robbers were gunned down and one of them who was identified as Ugochukwu Emeka Uche was arrested.

    The Abia PPRO said that two Toyota vehicles a 4Runner SUV with registration number DR 413 ENU and a Corolla saloon car with registration number EPE 568 EM which was snatched from David Gobble of Ogbor hill area were recovered.

    He said that other items recovered include three locally made short guns, live and expended cartridges, nine GSM phones, one wrist watch, one national ID card bearing the name Uzoefuna Ifechi Kingsley, two wedding rings and a cash sum of N65, 020.

    Ogbonna said that the command is after the fleeing members of the armed robbery gang who has been terrorizing the people of Ogbor hill area of Aba, adding that they will be caught and brought to book.

     

  • Abia Police smashes armed robbery gang

    Abia Police smashes armed robbery gang

    …Recovers vehicles, arms and ammunition

     

    The Abia state police command said that its men has smashed an armed robbery gang that has been terrorizing the commercial city of Aba while vehicles, arms and ammunition were also recovered.

    In statement issued by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Geoffrey Ogbonna said that his men in Aba received a distress call that Dan Dollars filling station at Ogbor hill area was being robbed by armed robbers.

    Ogbonna said that the information revealed to them that the armed robbers were escaping through Eziukwu road by the railway line, our men moved into action to confront them.

    He said, “When the call came we alerted our men at both Ndiegoro and the Central police station led by the DPO of Ndiegoro and the commander of the newly formed Tactical Response Squad (TRS) and they moved in to intercept them.

    “On sighting our men the armed robbers opened fire on them and during the gun battle two of the armed robbers were gunned down and one of them who was identified as Ugochukwu Emeka Uche was arrested.

    The Abia PPRO said that two Toyota vehicles a 4Runner SUV with registration number DR 413 ENU and a Corolla saloon car with registration number EPE 568 EM which was snatched from David Gobble of Ogbor hill area were recovered.

    He said that other items recovered include three locally made short guns, live and expended cartridges, nine GSM phones, one wrist watch, one national ID card bearing the name Uzoefuna Ifechi Kingsley, two wedding rings and a cash sum of N65, 020.

    Ogbonna said that the command is after the fleeing members of the armed robbery gang who has been terrorizing the people of Ogbor hill area of Aba, adding that they will be caught and brought to book.

     

  • Police parades suspected criminals, busts 419 syndicate in Abia

    Police parades suspected criminals, busts 419 syndicate in Abia

    The Abia State Police Command has paraded suspected criminals including two young men who have been terrorizing residents of Federal Low Cost Housing Estate Umuahia, the state capital.

    Speaking while parading the suspects in Umuahia, the Commissioner of Police (CP) Leye Oyebade, said that the suspects had ransacked the shop of one Emeka Aharaumunna at the same estate and carted away six generating plants valued at N450,000.

    Oyebade said that luck ran out on them as they on Tuesday 21/03/2017 at about 0130hrs, the hoodlums stormed the house of one Pastor Gabriel Nwankwo of the same estate and fired some shots in an attempt to break into his house for robbery.

    He said that the two men, Obinna Anyanwu and Chinedu Awa on March 16 and 17 2017 raided the house of one Mrs Beatrice Okpi at the Low Cost Housing Estate Umuahia.

    The CO said, “For two consecutive days they parked every item of clothing and kitchen utensils belonging to the woman who was staying alone at the time of the raid”.

    “But luck ran out of them when on a serial attack raided the house of one Uche Jonathan of the same estate and robbed him of two wielding machines valued at N46, 000.00 when vigilant neighbors alerted my men”.

    Oyebade said that the duo were arrested following the intervention of the neighbourhood watch who apprehended and handed them to the police where they confessed that they had moved the items of the earlier robbery at Mrs Okpi’s house to Ohafia where their ringleader resides.

    He said that items recovered include, glass table, one Tiger generating plant, two bed mattresses, one television set Two DVD, among other household properties.

    In an interview with The Nation, Obinna, from Mpam, Ahiazu Mbaise, Imo State, confessed to committing the crime saying that he was introduced by a friend by name Flex.

    He said he has been involved in robbery operation five times, however Chinedu Awa alias Pastor, from Ndi Uduma Awoke, Ohafia LGA Abia State, said he was not part of the robbery but bought some of the stolen items.

    The Abia CP also paraded a two man gang of a notorious “419” syndicate popularly known as “One Chance” which specialises in picking unsuspecting passengers to an unknown destination where they are defrauded of  their possessions.

    Oyebade said that they were intercepted by vigilant members of the public while attempting to pick some unsuspecting victims at Owerri by Kaduna Street Umuahia.

    Oyebade gave their names as Lucky Nwokocha from Ntigha in Isialangwa North council of Abia State; and Mrs. Rekiyat Sunday who said she hails from Ibila in Ankpa, Kogi State.

    The CP said that one Volkswagen Vento Saloon car marked Rivers PBT 422 DT used by the syndicate as operational vehicle was recovered in the process and that efforts is in progress to arrest other members of the gang and their sponsors.

    In an interview, one of the suspects, Nwokocha, 23, confessed to the crime but said he was introduced to the act by those who defrauded him of N300,000 he wanted to use and sponsor the burial of his late father who died last year.

    Nwokocha narrated that he had innocently boarded a taxi operated by the syndicate who defrauded him of the burial money he wanted to use to bury his late father, after which they later encouraged him to join them.

    Similarly, the other suspect, Mrs. Sunday said she joined the syndicate in January after the death of her late husband, a solder, adding that she has no one to help her and her children.

    The mother of eight said it was Nwokocha who she identified as her class mate in one of the schools in the state capital that “converted” her to the group, stressing that because of her financial predicament she had no choice than to join them.

    On how they operate Mrs Sunday said that she would pose as a passenger  escaping with a bag load of money belonging to her master and looking for a native doctor that would neutralise the effects of charms allegedly placed on the money by her master.

    She said greedy and gullible persons usually fall for the pranks even though they also cast spell on them, adding that once the person falls victim they the rest becomes history.

     

  • Pro-Biafra groups hold peaceful protest in Aba 

    Pro-Biafra groups hold peaceful protest in Aba 

    Members of the Movement for the Actualization for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) under the leadership of Mr. Uchenna Madu and other pro-Biafra supporters on Tuesday in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State held a peaceful protest.

    The Protesters in black apparel, The Nation gathered matched from Powerline by Ariaria-Brass while another group matched from Main Park to Brass junction and later terminated their march at Osisioma junction as they chanted pro-Biafra and anti President Buhari’s songs.

    Our reporter gathered that while the groups’ protest lasted, business and economic activities were going on while residents of the city were seen going about their lawful business except for the traffic gridlock on the road while the protesters numbering over two thousand marched on the major roads.

    Sources in MASSOB said that they decided to embark on the protest to protest against last Thursday killing of three butchers at the Waterside abattoir located along Aba-Ikot Ekpene Expressway, Nimbo-Uzo Uwani killing by a soldier serving under 144 Battalion and purported armed herdsmen in Enugu State and the recent statement by President Buhari that Biafra will not be achievable under his watch.

    They said that they took the step as a measure to let the world know the injustices that the people of the Old Eastern Region have been suffering in the hands of Nigerian government and also to pass a strong message to the federal government that it was high time it called its agents (security operatives) to order.

    They warned that despite the fact that the group had resorted to fighting their cause through peaceful means, they may be forced to use every means available to ensure that “territories of Biafra” remains free from any form of invasion even as they warned that they would not hesitate to strike back should its territory be invaded again.

    In a telephone chat, Comrade Anayochukwu Okpara, MASSOB Abia State coordinator said that they were protesting against the statement credited to President Buhari that he will crush Biafra.

    According to Okpara, “We want to assure him that nobody can assure Biafra, not even a thousand Buharis. It will surprise him that Biafra will be actualized during his reign as Nigeria’s President.”

    He vowed that the group may be forced to continue the protest after their meeting on Tuesday’s night where they hope to discuss other issues.

    A source from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who simply identified himself as Chukwuma said “It was in the news that Buhari supported and is still supporting the secession of Western Sahara from Morocco and why is he suppressing the emergence of the Sovereign State of Biafra. Is this double standard? In fact, Buhari will be the last President of Nigeria.”

    In a release issued to the press, leader of MASSOB, Uchenna Madu said “The world is a global village. Autocratic and Tyrannical leadership doesn’t prevail in this present world; it is a free platform for everyone to express himself. Biafra actualization is a struggle of survival and advancement which Buhari can never stop. Obasanjo, Yar Adua and Jonathan could not stop it. Buhar’s system of governance openly and evidently support, motivate and inspire the zeal of Biafran struggle. God, History and Humanity are on our side; Biafra.”

    Abia State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Ezekiel Udeviotu Onyeke could not be reached for comment, but a senior police officer who pleaded anonymity warned groups like MASSOB against any form of protest, stressing that the state government’s ban on any form of protest in the state still subsist even as the source warned that Police and sister agencies would not fold their arms an watch some individuals or group of people threaten the relative peace in the city of Aba.