The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abia State

  • Abia commissioner of police disband police team over unprofessional conduct

    Abia commissioner of police disband police team over unprofessional conduct

    Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isah, has disbanded the command’s Quick Intervention Unit over reported cases of unprofessional conduct and replaced it with a new tactical crime-fighting team known as the Strike Force.

    The police chief reaffirmed his commitment to promoting professionalism within the command, stressing that the move aligns with the vision of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Agbetokun, to build a service-driven, law-compliant, and people-friendly police force.

    State Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, explained that the decision was taken to address concerns of misconduct and strengthen public trust in the police.

    DSP Eze Augustine Eke has been appointed to head the newly established Strike Force, which has been tasked with upholding discipline, professionalism, and strict compliance with the rule of law in carrying out its duties.

    Read Also: PDP demands upward review of Abia workers’ minimum wage

    “To further strengthen the operational efficiency, the Command has established new tactical unit: Strike Force, commanded by DSP Eze Augustine Eke, as an Intervention Team. 

    “These unit comprises of well-trained, disciplined, and combat ready officers strategically deployed as an additional tactical team to combat crime in the state.

    “The Commissioner of Police has charged the newly inaugurated team to uphold professionalism, remain disciplined, and ensure strict compliance with the rule of law in the discharge of their duties.

    “CP Danladi reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to professionalism in the discharge of the constitutional mandate of the force in line with the vision of the IGP.

    “He further calls on the good people of Abia State to promptly report any form of misconduct by police officers to the Complaint Response Unit of the Abia State Police Command through the following contact lines: 09031593827, 09035401645.”

  • Four dead, five injured in Abiriba truck accident

    Four dead, five injured in Abiriba truck accident

    Four persons have been confirmed dead in an auto crash involving a heavy-duty delivery truck in Abiriba, Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, near Enuda High School.

    The truck, reportedly conveying tiles and doors from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to the Abiriba community, collapsed on nine male victims, killing four and injuring five.

    While some eyewitnesses attributed the accident to overspeeding, others said the truck may have suffered brake failure, causing the driver to lose control.

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    Personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in collaboration with officials of the Abia State Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA), evacuated the injured to a private hospital in Abiriba for urgent medical care.

    Confirming the incident, FRSC Sector Commander in Abia State, Mrs. Ngozi Ezeoma, said, “There was a crash involving nine male adults, and four male adults out of the nine regrettably lost their lives while the rest were injured.”

    Chairman of Ohafia LGA, Eleanya Ojuu Kalu, described the loss as a tragedy to Abiriba and Ohafia at large, while appreciating security and traffic agencies for their swift response at the scene.

  • Two die, others injured in Abia Deputy Speaker’s convoy crash

    Two die, others injured in Abia Deputy Speaker’s convoy crash

    Two persons have been reported dead in an auto-crash involving the convoy of Abia Deputy Speaker. Austin Okezie Meregini.

    Our correspondent gathered the accident, which happened at the Obehie axis of the popular Enugu-Umuahia-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, left other occupants of the Deputy Speaker’s convoy badly injured as the driver risks paralysis, except urgent spinal surgery by team of medical experts.

    While the deceased were said to have died on the spot, other injured occupants of the affected SUV said to be some of the Deputy Speaker’s security personnel, The Nation learnt are on admission at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, the state capital.

    The Nation learnt the deceased Ifeanyi Maduako, 45, and Onyedi Obasi ,35, were brothers from Ehime Mbano local government area of Imo State.

    Maduako and Obasi were said to have visited home for the burial of their relative and preparing going back to their bases when the unfortunate incident happened.

    A source sai:d: “They came back from overseas to come and do their mother’s burial.

    “One of them came back from Gambia and the other one from Philistines. They were on their way back when the ugly incident happened.

    “One of the deceased persons has a child, while the other one has two children.

    “There is no official cause of the accident, but we learnt that the convoy of the Abia State government official were said to be on high speed.

    “It is for police and Federal Road Safety to tell the public how it happened. But like I said, information available has it that the state Assembly official’s convoy rammed into their car, resulting not just the accident, but the loss of lives,” said a source who preferred anonymity.

    The two cars were said to have been towed to Obehie Police Station.

    The Abia Police Command and their Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) counterpart were yet to officially comment on the incident, at the time of filing the report.

    Reacting to the ugly situation, the Deputy Speaker, who debunked being in the convoy, said that the convoy team were coming back from an errand in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    In a response to the critics of the Deputy Speaker, who was accused of abandoning the bereaved families, Grant Okeigbo, a member of the Media Unit, Office of the Deputy, Speaker, said “the tragic incident involving the driver and two security details driving in the official pick-up truck of the Deputy Speaker and a Toyota Spider with two occupants was an unfortunate tragedy.

    “Regrettably, both occupants of the Toyota Spider (The driver and passenger) lost their lives in the collusion.

    “It is important to state clearly that the Deputy Speaker was not in the pick-up vehicle at the time of the accident. The truck was alone returning from an errand to Port – Harcourt when the unfortunate accident occurred.

    “The Toyota Spider was driving against traffic (one-way) because of the bad condition of the other side of the lane. According to an eyewitness accounts and submission of the surviving truck driver, the Toyota Spider either suffered a burst tire or brake failure, which caused the spider to lose control and veer into the path of the Deputy Speaker’s pick-up truck.

    “This resulted in a very bad collusion between the two vehicles and, unfortunately, led to the death of the two occupants of the Toyota Spider.

    “The driver of the truck and the two policemen sustained serious injuries, putting their lives under very critical conditions, to the extent that the driver of the truck is currently on life support and being considered for a spine surgery, following the recommendation of a Neuro Surgeon at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.

    “The Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly considers this a tragic incident and sent emissaries to the bereaved family the following day after the accident (Monday, August 4th, 2025) while working round the clock with medical professionals to save the lives of his surviving driver and security details.

    “The interface and discussion between the emissaries from the Deputy Speaker and the bereaved family is still ongoing to agree on how best the bereaved family can be supported during this very difficult time without consideration of the circumstances leading to the accident in the first place.

    “The Deputy Speaker is surprised and pained that such unconfirmed News is being peddled and circulated on the social media spaces against his person without hearing from him and does not believe that the bereaved family can be behind such misrepreaentation of facts, considering the circumstances and the communications thus far.

    “The Deputy Speaker is appealing to the general public, especially the media, to exercise caution to avoid spreading unverified reports, especially in such sensitive matter, involving loss of lives.

    “Out of respect for the deceased and their family, The Deputy Speaker’s Office has deliberately refrained from going into certain details.

    “The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie Meregini is a man of empathy and responsibility who has consistently supported individuals and families in distress across the State and beyond, even when he is not in any way connected to the parties involved.

    “The Deputy Speaker once again extends his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and pray for the repose of their souls in God’s bosom.”

  • JUST IN: Two brothers killed in Abia road accident

    JUST IN: Two brothers killed in Abia road accident

    Two brothers have lost their lives in a fatal crash allegedly involving the convoy of Abia State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie Meregini.

    The crash occurred on the Obehie axis of the Enugu-Umuahia-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, leaving other occupants of the Deputy Speaker’s convoy injured. 

    One of the injured, the driver, is reportedly at risk of paralysis without urgent spinal surgery.

    The deceased, identified as Ifeanyi Maduako, 45, and Onyedi Obasi, 35, were brothers from Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State. 

    They were said to have returned home from overseas for their mother’s burial—one from Gambia and the other from the Philippines—and were on their way back when the incident occurred.

    Sources alleged that the convoy was at high speed when it rammed into the victims’ vehicle, though the cause of the accident has yet to be officially confirmed by the police or Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). Both vehicles were taken to the Obehie Police Station.

    The injured security personnel are receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia.

    In a statement, the Deputy Speaker denied being in the convoy at the time, explaining that his team was returning from an errand in Port Harcourt. 

    His media aide, Grant Okeigbo, described the incident as “an unfortunate tragedy” involving the official pick-up truck and a Toyota Spider.

    “Regrettably, both occupants of the Toyota Spider (The driver and passenger) lost their lives in the collision.

    “It is important to state clearly that the Deputy Speaker was not in the pick-up vehicle at the time of the accident. The truck was alone returning from an errand to Port Harcourt when the unfortunate accident occurred.

    “The Toyota Spider was driving against traffic (one-way) because of the bad condition of the other side of the lane. According to eyewitness accounts and the submission of the surviving truck driver, the Toyota Spider either suffered a burst tire or brake failure, which caused the Spider to lose control and veer into the path of the Deputy Speaker’s pick-up truck.

    “This resulted in a very bad collision between the two vehicles and, unfortunately, led to the death of the two occupants of the Toyota Spider.

    “The driver of the truck and the two policemen sustained serious injuries, putting their lives under very critical conditions, to the extent that the driver of the truck is currently on life support and being considered for spine surgery, following the recommendation of a neurosurgeon at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.

    “The Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly considers this a tragic incident and sent emissaries to the bereaved family the following day after the accident (Monday, August 4th, 2025) while working round the clock with medical professionals to save the lives of his surviving driver and security details.

    “The interface and discussion between the emissaries from the Deputy Speaker and the bereaved family is still ongoing to agree on how best the bereaved family can be supported during this very difficult time, without consideration of the circumstances leading to the accident in the first place.

    “The deputy speaker is surprised and pained that such unconfirmed News is being peddled and circulated on social media spaces against his person without hearing from him, and does not believe that the bereaved family can be behind such misrepresentation of facts, considering the circumstances and the communications thus far.

    Read Also: Three die in Abia road accident

    “The Deputy Speaker is appealing to the general public, especially the media, to exercise caution to avoid spreading unverified reports, especially in such sensitive matters involving loss of lives.

    “Out of respect for the deceased and their family, the deputy speaker’s Office has deliberately refrained from going into certain details.

    “The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie Meregini is a man of empathy and responsibility who has consistently supported individuals and families in distress across the State and beyond, even when he is not in any way connected to the parties involved.

    “The deputy speaker once again extends his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and prays for the repose of their souls in God’s bosom.”

  • Otti advocates stringent laws for drug dealers, offenders

    Otti advocates stringent laws for drug dealers, offenders

    Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has called for stringent legislations against drug dealers and drug offences as a way of curbing drug abuse in Nigeria. 

    He made the call when he played host to the New National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) State Commandant for Abia State, Mr. Joseph Owoputi, who came on a familiarisation visit.

    The Governor further called for the crack down on drugs cartel in order to cut off the distribution of illicit substances. 

    He argued that since over ninety percent of crime is connected to drug abuse, upscaling the punishment would go a long way in discouraging youths from going into drugs.

    “We just need to crack the drug cartel. So, if you crack the drug cartel, then the crime disappears. 

    “Unfortunately, the law is a bit lenient on the use of drugs. I didn’t know that until I was in one of the security council meetings. 

    “They said that whenever you apprehend somebody using drugs, you counsel and rehabilitate the person. That’s not enough punishment. 

    “So, we need to, maybe lobby, and get it passed at the National Assembly. So that the law can be tougher because if you are not dealing with the source, you are just wasting time. So, I think we should do that.

    “Because it’s destroying a lot of young people. Some of them are not able to remain in school. For those that are of school age,” Gov. Otti stated. 

    The Governor welcomed the new Commandant to the State and assured him of the support of his administration to the agency in its fight against drug abuse.

    He further approved 2 new Hilux vans for the agency and directed that the agency’s abandoned vehicles be retrieved and fixed by his Government. 

    Earlier, the Abia State Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Joseph Owoputi saluted the achievements of the Governor and his support to the NDLEA, saying that the support has assisted the agency in its fight against drug abuse and illicit drug trade.

    “I was reliably informed by my predecessor that you have been a dependable ally and Messiah to NDLEA”

    Read Also: Abia APC chieftain challenges Otti over ₦54bn school renovation controversy

    In assessing his scorecard, the Commandant disclosed that 65 suspects were arrested by the Command between June and August with about 82 kilo gram of substances seized from them. 

    He added that seven convictions were obtained within the period under review, and 12 are currently being prosecuted, while 38 individuals are undergoing both counselling and rehabilitation in the command’s facility.

    He assured that he would consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor and solicited the assistance of the State government in providing them with operational vehicles for more performance.

    The meeting was attended by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Navy Commander Mcdonald Ubah (Rtd), the GM/CEO, Abia State Homeland Security Board, Col. Chidi Kalu Ukoha (Rtd), the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Homeland Security, Medical and Fire Emergency, Mr. Chukwunenye Alajemba, CSOs to the Governor, Sir Ken Nwosu, and Maduka Obiora.

  • Abia APC chieftain challenges Otti over ₦54bn school renovation controversy

    Abia APC chieftain challenges Otti over ₦54bn school renovation controversy

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Prince Paul Ikonne, has called on Governor Alex Otti to provide clarity on the alleged ₦54 billion school renovation expenditure, accusing him of distracting the public with contradictions.

    Governor Otti, during his monthly media chat last weekend, dismissed claims that ₦54 billion was missing from the state treasury, describing the allegations as baseless and stemming from ignorance about government budgeting and spending.

    Reacting in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ujo Justice, Ikonne questioned why a governor who prides himself on having “seasoned accountants” in his administration would contradict his own government’s records. 

    He insisted that Abians deserve answers on “where the schools are, and where the ₦54 billion went.”

    The APC stalwart recalled that similar sums had been earmarked in the past, including ₦18 billion reportedly set aside for school renovations, with little to show on the ground.

    Citing a recent online investigative report, Ikonne noted that official budget performance documents contradict Otti’s claims. 

    According to the report, Abia State recorded ₦54.066 billion spent on rehabilitation and repairs of public schools in the last quarter of 2024 alone, while total expenditure for the fiscal year stood at ₦58.323 billion.

    Ikonne argued that if the governor insists only ₦2.1 billion was spent on schools, then he must explain why his own administration’s records show otherwise.

    He further pointed to the approved 2024 budget, which allocated ₦64.7 billion for the renovation or modelling of 51 schools, averaging ₦1.26 billion per school — a figure he said raises more questions than answers.

    The APC leader urged Governor Otti to be transparent and accountable, stressing that education is too critical an issue for Abians to be left in the dark.

    “This data,” Ikonne stressed, “makes it clear that the governor is either deliberately misleading Abians or is unaware of what his government is signing off.”

    Read Also: Otti, S’east leaders, APC stakeholders hail Tinubu’s appointment of Peter Eze as FCC commissioner 

    He welcomed the Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD), which is demanding a breakdown of the ₦54 billion, including the list of schools supposedly renovated, their names, locations, and the nature of works done.

    “Governor Otti should stop hiding behind semantics. Budgets are estimates, but expenditures are facts. The documents clearly show ₦54 billion was reported as spent between October and December 2024. If he disputes this, let him publish the schools. Abians are not asking for excuses — we are asking for evidence,” Ikonne said.

    The APC chieftain concluded by urging the governor to prioritize truth over propaganda. He added that Dr. Otti should realize that leadership is about accountability, not storytelling. He cannot claim to be the face of transparency while avoiding the simplest of questions: show us the schools.

  • Wanted: stringent laws against indiscriminate felling of trees

    Wanted: stringent laws against indiscriminate felling of trees

    Stringent laws are needed to end the indiscriminate felling of trees.

    This call was made by stakeholders and environmental experts in Abia State.

    They warned about the negative effects and dangers of the high rate of illegal wood logging and indiscriminate sinking of boreholes.

    They spoke at the end of a week-long Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) sensitisation workshop for stakeholders and other key players in the campaign on tree planting.

    They attributed the continued harmful effect of climate change on the ecosystem to the arbitrary and indiscriminate felling of trees and the inability of government and private individuals to imbibe the culture and habit of tree planting.

    They noted that one of the most effective ways of addressing climate change is an aggressive planting of trees by the government across the three tiers of government.

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    Member representing Abia State on the Board of NDDC, Chief Honourable Dimgba Eruba, who lamented the negative impact of deforestation on society, said it weakens the environment, with adverse effects on the people.

    “We no longer breathe in fresh air in our houses, and the environment is usually hot; it is unhealthy.”

    Eruba, who said NDDC would be planting 30 trees in each of the selected schools in the pilot project, assured that the agency was going to plant more trees in all 17 local government areas of the state.

    “NDDC is not only intervening in infrastructure, but also intervening in making sure that the erosion that is earmarked for the region is controlled.

    “The population that comes from oil exploration in the region is controlled.

    “It is time to make sure that nature is restored so that the people will live a quality life, that is the campaign of the NDDC.”

    Managing Director (MD) Foundation for Sustainable Development Options (FOSDO), Dr. Anthony Chovwen, lamented how the environment of the Niger Delta is being threatened by the effects of climate change.

    He noted that the foundation had already started planting trees along the eastern bypass corridor and had deployed an ICT mechanism, “Joro fencing”.

    He said the process is being replicated in selected Abia schools.

    He emphasised the need to teach the younger generation the importance of tree planting if the goals of the project are to be achieved.

    He stressed the three Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) of the campaign.

    He said that to sustain and safeguard the environment, citizens must learn how to imbibe the culture of protecting it.

    “Instead of celebrating your child’s birthday and throwing a lavish party, plant a tree to mark the birthday of such a child,” Chovwen said.

  • Suspected vandal arrested in Abia for stealing EEDC property

    Suspected vandal arrested in Abia for stealing EEDC property

    …confesses plan to fund trip to Libya

    A 27-year-old suspected vandal, Chidiebere Ohama, from Umuariaga Ohoma in Ikwuano Local Government Area, has been arrested in Umuahia, Abia State, for allegedly stealing a ladder belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) at the Mission Hill area of the state capital.

    Ohama was caught in the early hours of Friday by a local vigilante group while attempting to flee.

    During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to dismantling the ladder and selling it to a scrap dealer, identified as Chima, at New Road, Umuahia.

    The suspect also revealed that he lives in a forest settlement alongside other alleged vandals, Arinze, Chiluwa, Chimdia, and Chigozie, who have been targeting both government and private properties.

    “I take drugs, mainly SK and Igbo (Indian hemp). I wanted to use the money from selling stolen items to travel to Libya. I am begging for forgiveness. My father is late, and my mother lives in the village,” Ohama said.

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    Vigilante operative Mr. Chinonye Ikwuagwu, who was on duty at Mission Hill, noted that the area has been plagued by persistent theft and vandalism.

    “They come from the forest near New Road to Mission Hill, both day and night. Whenever you catch them, they claim it’s their first time. Thank God we caught one today,” he said.

    The suspect has been handed over to the Rapid Response Squad at the Central Police Station, Umuahia, for further investigation and prosecution.

    Authorities have urged residents to stay alert and promptly report suspicious activities, as vandalism continues to cause significant losses for public utilities and property owners in Abia State.

  • JUST IN: One dies, others injure in Abia road crash

    JUST IN: One dies, others injure in Abia road crash

    A tragic road accident at the Isiala Ngwa–Ntigha Junction axis of the Enugu–Umuahia–Aba–Port Harcourt Expressway has claimed the life of a young child.

    The incident involved an 18-seater commercial bus travelling from Ebonyi State to Aba, Abia State’s commercial hub. 

    According to eyewitnesses, the vehicle veered off the main road and somersaulted, though the exact cause of the crash remains unclear.

    Sources at the scene told our correspondent that several passengers sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital by officials of the Abia State Response Team who arrived shortly after the crash.

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    While some eyewitnesses speculated that the driver might have dozed off at the wheel, others believe mechanical failure could have led to the accident.

    Reports also indicate that the expressway has witnessed a series of unreported accidents in recent times, many resulting in severe injuries and fatalities.

    Concerned road users are now calling on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to intensify efforts in ensuring road safety along the busy expressway to prevent further loss of lives.

  • Abia CP decorates 60 newly promoted officers

    Abia CP decorates 60 newly promoted officers

    The Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Isa Danladi has decorated 60 newly promoted personnel serving under the state command.

    The decoration of the affected officers was performed at the command’s headquarters in Umuahia, the state capital.

    The decorated personnel include 60 newly promoted ASPs, Inspectors, rank-and-files.

    The decoration of the promoted personnel was followed by the monthly command’s conference for strategic officers at the officers’ mess.

    The conference featured a session on’ Life After Retirement’ handled by the Assistant Commissioner of Police Administration, ACP Enahoro George and the Pension Officer of the Command.

    Speaking at the lecture, the CP commended the officers for their dedication and relentless efforts towards ensuring that the state was secured, particularly the tactical teams.

    Danladi acknowledged the significant achievements recorded by the command, attributing them to the professionalism and resilience of officers of the command.

    Read Also: Correctional Service clears misleading report over dismissed officer

    He used the opportunity to remind the personnel of some of the key points of the recently concluded IGP’s conference; professionalism, integrity, intelligence-led policing, and timely response to security matters, which they must bear in mind as they do their work.

    He also informed the audience of the improvement on the welfare of retired police officers, performance evaluation, and the need to uphold confidentiality of official documents.

    Additionally, the CP urged officers to take care of their physical and mental health, increase intelligence gathering efforts, and avoid unprofessional practices such as unnecessary inspection of vehicle particulars with the view to extorting money from unsuspecting victims.

    He warned against over-detention, corruption and any form of misconduct and called on HODs to properly supervise their subordinates and monitor their Area of Responsibilities (AOR), ensuring the safety and security of lives and properties across the state.