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Tag: Abia State

  • Traders make brisk sales as Aba hosts IPOB leader Kanu

    Traders make brisk sales as Aba hosts IPOB leader Kanu

    The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State on Sunday August 27 to further push the course of his group. Sunny Nwankwo, who was at the event, writes on how many traders made fortune from the visit.

    Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, gained its popularity through the ingenuity of its residents and their huge interest in trade and investment in economic activities. This accounts for why the city would be bubbling with human and vehicular movement in many parts of the city within the week days except Sundays when major markets of Ariaria, Cemetery/Eziukwu, Ahia Ohuru (New market), Shopping Center among others remain closed.

    But the long held belief that Sundays, usually provide residents of Aba the opportunity to commune with their maker (God for Christians) and also provides them the space to attend social functions and to meet family and friends who they may have not being able to see for a very long time was set aside at the weekend.

    While the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was in Aba at the weekend to further preach the message of emancipation he has for his supporters who thronged the premises of Boys Technical College (BTC), Aba located along Faulks road, many SME owners took the advantage to display their wares to make brisk cash at the event.

    From Biafra insigma to food items and amongst others were all on display for people to buy.

    Some of the traders who spoke to our reporter said that they couldn’t afford to miss an event that would help them make some sales in order to put food on their family tables.

    They however told our reporter that they reduced the price of their items at the rally ground to ensure that as many that would want to buy the items can buy such.

    One of the traders, Ikechukwu Goodluck said that he has been preparing for the event since last two weeks when he got wind of Kanu’s imminent visit to Aba as he stated that he knew that many people would be in attendance.

    A food vendor, Mrs. Ifeoma Uzoma said that she has not recorded the kind of patronage she recorded since she started selling food and prayed that a day like that would continue to be witnessed.

    While these people were having a field day, Kanu had a message for his supporters and to the federal government of the country.

    The IPOB leader, who described Aba as the “Spiritual Land of Biafra”, said that he was not going to go on exile, urging his supporters and those who believed in the Biafra course to be strong and resolute.

    He also used the opportunity to reiterate that there won’t be election in Anambra in November or any part of “Biafra Land” even in 2019 unless there was a date for referendum which the group has been clamouring for.

    Kanu who paid tribute to those reportedly killed at National High School Aba by security agencies in his words said “Here we are, is Biafra Land. Aba is the spiritual capital of Biafra land. We started in Aba in 2015 at CKC (Christ the King Catholic Cathedral). That day, heaven authenticated our move that IPOB will restore Biafra and that’s what we’ve come to do. We died in Aba; At National High School.

    “They shot and killed us in other places in Biafra land when they were protesting for my release. As our people rest in the grave, we’ll never rest until Biafra is restored. I don’t care what they say in Abuja. I don’t give a damn what they say in Lagos.  “I’m a Biafran and we are going to crumble the zoo. Some idiots who are not educated said that they’ll arrest me, and I ask them to come. I’m in Biafra land. If any of them leaves Biafra land alive know that this is not IPOB. Tell them that’s what I said.

    “Tell buhari that I’m in Aba and any person who comes to arrest Nnamdi Kanu in Biafra land will die here. I’ll never go on exile I assure you.

    “Some people talk about restructuring, are we doing restructuring of Nigeria now? Are we doing fiscal federalism? Are we doing devolution? What we want is Biafra!

    “Forget all the nonsense they write about us. We are not slowing down and no man born of a woman can stop us. They thought we are joking and God gave us a simple message that no one can stop us. The movement to restore Biafra is unstoppable.

    “God sent me to you, Aba people and I am giving you His message. Our veterans here, your own message is that you’ll see Biafra alive not in death.

    “The message of heaven is what I bring to you. Don’t be afraid. The plans of our enemies are not going to be actualized. The enemies are planning, but we are formidable.

    “We are going to boycott Anambra State election. After Anambra 2017, in 2019, there’ll be no elections in Biafra land. Signed and sealed. My message is that there’ll not be election in Biafra land ever again until they give us date for referendum.”

     

  • Importation of vegetable oil killing local industries, says industrialist

    An industrialist in Aba, Abia State, Chief  Emma Obi, has decried the continued  importation of banned Olin (vegetable) oil into the country.

    Obi, the immediate past chairman of Industrialists Association, Aba (IAA) and managing director of Polema Industries Ltd, said: “Government should check if the importers are paying duties at all for these goods because we are sure that if they pay 35 percent duty on all these goods (vegetable oil), they can not sell at the cheaper rate they are presently selling them thereby trying to close local industries, particularly the agro allied industries today.

    “The duty for palm oil is 35 percent, Olin is totally prohibited, but what they are doing now is to front their importation with palm oil, but in actual sense, palm oil will not be more than 5 percent of the total goods and they would now bring it in. Even at that, with the 35 percent duty, the price they are selling it now shows that they are not paying the duty because if duties are paid, they couldn’t be selling at the price they are selling today.”

    Advising the Federal Government, the industrialist said: “Government should go back to cross check all the documents importers of palm oil present in recent past because a ship loads of oil is about N2bn and if you check 35 percent duty on it, it is N700m. So, if they had paid it, there is no way they would have been selling below the global price here in Nigeria. They are only doing that because they cut corners to bring the goods into the country.”

    Obi  went on: “Government should understand that the cheapness of goods that are imported from outside is not the actual price at their country of origin. Their governments give over 15 percent subsidy to make sure that the private industries are working because what they are aiming at is not for profit, but for the industries to retain production and continuously employ and pay their workers, but here we don’t see unemployment as anything.

    “What we have had over the years is a situation whereby imported goods are cheaper than those manufactured in the country and this is killing local industries and creating serious unemployment. Government should make it attractive for people to invest their money in production, but if those who have invested in this sub sector are being frustrated through high electricity tariff and making the country a dumping ground for foreign goods, it means it will not be attractive for others to enter.”

  • Abia police smash kidnap syndicate

    Abia police smash kidnap syndicate

    The Abia State police command has smashed three kidnap gangs. The success resulted from quickly following up on tip-offs from members of the public.

    According to the police, two of the suspects, who were among 30 paraded, were nabbed in a hotel room as they were sharing the ransom paid by a victim’s family on July 27.

    A military rifle and loads of ammunition used by another fleeing kidnapper were recovered after officers were led to a hospital where a suspect had died while being treated of bullet wounds he sustained during gun battle with the police. After the gun duel, a kidnap victim identified as Onyemaechi Mbamaonyeukwu Ijeoma was rescued.

    Three members of a gang had earlier been killed on July 18 at Osisioma Ngwa, where they had abducted the Managing Director of Mba Hotels, Aba, and held him hostage at an uncompleted building in Umuajuju Ovungwu, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area while negotiating for ransom.

    Abia State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Adeleye Oyebade attributed the increasing success story of his men to the growing support from members of the public.

    He said: “Operatives attached to the Command’s Dragon Squad in Aba, while acting on a tip off, arrested two men, Samuel Akoma and Kenneth Ananaba in a hotel room in Aba where the hoodlums lodged after collecting ransom to release their hostage. Two vehicles including that of the released hostage were recovered.”

    A victim identified as Ijeoma Okereke was also rescued by the police from another gang of kidnappers at 1:00 p.m. on July 22.

    Oyebade said: “The victim was rescued when PMF 55 men on nipping point duty, at Owerrinta acting on a tip-off, intercepted a 14-seater Mitsubishi L300 bus with registration number SB 639 WER painted white and green. They arrested the duo of Chinemere Amamba aged 39 and Nnamdi Monday, both from Nmelele Isiala Ngwa South.”

    The victim identified as a student at Imo State University (IMSU) was abducted at 12 noon along Emekuku Junction, on Douglas Road Owerri.

    On the suspected kidnapper found dead at a hospital, Oyebade said: “The deceased suspect identified as Charles Ndubuisi Nwaichi of Eziudo, Ezinihitte Mbaise in Imo State was, on information, traced to Abia State Teaching Hospital in Aba where he was taken to by his brother, one Obioma Monday Nwaichi for treatment. He eventually gave up the ghost on July 22. Prior to this development, one Military-type AK 47 rifle with bayonet, double magazine and 10 rounds of live ammunition were recovered on July 24, during further combing of a bush in search of wounded suspects.”

    Other suspects at the parade included burglars, cultists, motorcycle snatchers and members of various robbery gangs.

    Oyebade said, “There was a robbery incident at Akwette in which a motorcyclist was shot by one of his Fulani passengers as he resisted attempt to snatch the motorcycle from him on June 20. The next day, one of the suspects was arrested following the combined efforts of the police and vigilance group in the area and one locally-made gun recovered.

    “During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime. He said the gun belonged to his cohort, one Suleiman, who had used it to shoot the victim. Following the lead from the first suspect, Adamu Abubakar, the said Suleiman Muhammed from Zamfara State was arrested on July 14 at DE-DORIS Hotel, Omuma Igurita in Rivers State by operatives attached to Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Obehie. The suspect has also confessed to the crime and both will be arraigned in court soon.”

    It was gathered that two suspects identified as Ugochukwu Ugwumba, 22, and Goodnews Uwem, 18 were arrested after their gang allegedly snatched a N500, 000 handset, at gunpoint, from a lady who was receiving a call on the road.

    Two others named as Onyekaozuru Emenike and Chibuzo Okoroafor were identified as members of a four-man gang that used machetes and daggers to snatch cash and GSM phones from three victims.

    The police also revealed how a brave passenger had assisted them in smashing a gang of robbers when he grabbed one of them as they were escaping after raiding a commercial bus marked ETU 66 XA. The victims were said to be travelling to Arochukwu for a traditional wedding.

    The suspect, identified as Maduabuchi Ekeleme, led detectives to a hide-out at Ubakala area in Umuahia South Local Government Area where a man identified as Bright Iroakazi, and two women, Chizoba Ede and Adaugo Onuoha were arrested at a hideout in possession of substance suspected to be Cocaine.

    The police also paraded three suspected cultists accused of killing a man simply identified as Prince.

    The suspects arrested by the Divisional Crime Officer, Isuochi, were identified as Samuel Chukwuemeka, Abdulazeez Mukaila and Obisike Ekezie, all members of ‘Red Barger’ confraternity.

    Oyebade said: “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.”

  • Honour for ex-Abia Deputy Gov.

    Honour for ex-Abia Deputy Gov.

    He may have left office but Abia State former deputy governor Chris Akomas has a warm place in some hearts. The Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM), Southeast chapter, has given him the “Distinguished Manager” award.

    The award ceremony which took place in Umuahia, the state capital, attracted Emeritus Prof. Munzali Jibril, President and Chairman of Council of NIM, Prof. Ogochukwu Tabugbo, BoT member of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Sam Nkire, APC Abia Chapter chair, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa, Hon. Acho Obioma, former Abia State SSG, Ralph Egbu, Senator Chris Adighije, and former Abia Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chair, Tony Ukasoanya, among other dignitaries, including traditional rulers.

    Speaking to newsmen after receiving the award, Akomas noted that Abia has the needed human and natural resources to manage the state efficiently, adding that there is need to prioritise resources at “our disposal in order to grow the economy of the state.”

    Akomas called for an end to hate speech in the country, stressing that Nigeria can only grow in an atmosphere that is devoid of rancour and intolerance.

    He added that the APC was working to ensure that it captured power in Abia in 2019.

    He said the award is a challenge for him to do more for the institute and the society at large, stressing that it was his desire that the youths would get exposed to leadership programmes if they must do well in their areas of endeavors.

    The APC State chairman, Donatus Nwankpa described the award as one that was well deserved, stating that Akomas was a man that has distinguished himself in both public and private positions where he used such portfolios to touch lives of people around regardless of the persons’ ethnic, religious, political or social background.

    Nwankpa who stated that the APC family came to rejoice with “our own who deserved to be honoured and the honour having come from a group that do not collect bribe before bestowing any honour on individuals shows that Akomas is a man that has truly distinguished himself in places and positions that he had served before now. For me, Akomas is a leader that has the interest of the people under him at heart.”

    Prof. Munzali Jibril in his speech charged business owners in the southeast to imbibe the act of social corporate responsibility which he said was aimed at aiding an organization attain its missions and as well serve as a guide to what such company represents for its consumers.

    “This means having the best interest of the region at heart at all times by delivering only projects best suited for the people without losing sight of the impact of such efforts on the people, economy and the environment…”

    In his welcome address, Prof. Tabugbo, the Southeast zonal chairman thanked members and gussets for finding out time to come.

    Tabugbo said it was regrettable that despite the abundance natural and human resources available in the country, crimes amongst other social ills were on the increase and attributed high rate of crime in the country to unemployment.

    He said, “We are a people blessed by God with natural and human resources that are of high values. The happenings in the states of southeast are worrisome to any sound mind. The natural endowment of the states are mismanaged and many people, especially youths, are unemployed and many have resorted to kidnapping, armed robbery, prostitution etc.”

    Others honoured at the event were member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Hon. Sam Onuigbo and Navy Captain Abdulahi Aminu, Commandant Nigerian Navy Finance and Logistics College, Owerrinta.

  • Aba residents raise alarm over rise of street cult activities

    Aba residents raise alarm over rise of street cult activities

    Residents of Obohia in Aba South Local Government Area of the commercial hub of Abia State have raised alarm over the increasing activities of some youths who they identified as members of street cults sprouting up in their area.

    Some residents of Obohia who spoke to The Nation Wednesday stated that the activities of the youths within the age bracket of 12-30 and above was posing great threat to lives and property in Aba South.

    They attributed the activities of these cult groups to the reason why crime was high within Aba North and South LGAs respectively.

    Investigation by our reporter reveals that the teenagers mostly primary and secondary school pupils were being initiated and indoctrinated into the cult group by the older ones especially members of secret cult groups of various higher institutions across the country.

    It was gathered that their recruitment takes place on the street while initiation was usually done in the bush with full compliments like their parent bodies.

    A source told our reporter that the cult groups rotate their meetings between Aba North and South LGA where they equally had roots.

    A parent who spoke anonymously stated that the situation has become worrisome that parents now live in fears and could not punish their children as any such parent risks being dealt with by the group members.

    “The situation is bad that some of us cannot talk to our children without facing challenge from them (children) or being warned by their group members,” a parent stated.

    A source who gave his name as Chiboy told our correspondent that the activities of the street cultists has led to high rate of criminal activities in the area including unreported cases of rape amongst other anti-societal activities.

    Chiboy and other respondents however appealed to security agencies to spread their tentacles in their area especially in Primary Schools and abandoned buildings which they stated serves as a safe haven for the cult groups.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer, Geoffrey Ogbonna could not be reached at the time of this report, but a senior Police Officer in Aba Area Command promised that the police and other security agencies would collaborate to see how they would address the situation.

  • Hope in Enyimba City

    Hope in Enyimba City

    A Federal Government’s electrification plan could put business people who generate most of Abia State’s revenue out of years of anguish, reports SUNNY NWANKWO

    The Federal Government has a plan to provide 24-hour power supply for Ariaria International Market, where most of Abia State’s internal revenue is generated. The plan will clean up the market, speed up the traders’ business and generate more cash for the state.

    It will be historic if the plan works out. Aba, where the market is situated, has had its fair share of electricity agony. Power supply through the public grid is woeful. It is irregular; when it is available, it does not last, and when the bills come they are so inflated that the frustrated consumers call them crazy. This has had untold effect on the products which Ariaria traders and fabricators push out: they are overpriced because they are produced with privately generated power. Some otherwise talented workers have taken to violent crime because they were unable to cope with the power challenges. Other residents take to demonstrations. A House of Representatives member who represents Aba North and South Ossy Prestige favours dialogue rather than protests. That was why he set up a town hall meeting with the traders and others stakeholders to talk things over, suggest what to do and leave the rest to him and other others.

    “Many persons are not here today because they said this was not the initial plan,” Prestige said at the town hall. “They preferred demonstration which they believed that after it, they would be called and addressed, but I said no. If there is an opportunity for us to discuss, it is better than any demonstration. There is nothing better than dialogue in conflict resolution. All groups and representatives are free to tell these people our problems here today so that we can reach a conclusion that will be binding. If this dialogue fails, then we will do the obvious of which you know I’m ready to lead.”

    While Hon Prestige is working out things from his own perspective, the federal government has a plan of its own: to light up the nest where the golden egg is laid.

    The Managing Director Rural Electrification Agency and Special Assistance to the Office of the Vice President on Power, Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi in an interactive session with leaders of various unions in Ariaria International Market held at the secretariat of Aba Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA), said that the power project will be executed by Total Support Energy; an Independent Power Project agency commissioned by the federal government to provide 24 hours power supply to traders of Ariaria International Market.

    Ogunbiyi described Ariaria International market traders as key to the economic growth of the country especially now that the federal government is committed to promoting the local manufacturing sector. She expressed the hope that the project, on completion, would reduce the cost of power supply to the traders.

    She said that the essence of the meeting was to interact with leaders of various market unions and to get accurate data; number of traders, shops and an estimate of power regularly consumed on a daily basis to enable them estimate what amount of power to be provided.

    Ogunbiyi said the power plant project would specifically be for Ariaria traders, artisans and fabricators, adding that Geometrics would be providing power to homes and offices in the commercial city and its environs. She also used the opportunity to urge the market leaders to sensitise their members on the need to provide accurate information to the team to avoid underestimation.

    In an interview, the Managing Director of Total Support Energy, Mr. Ubani Nkagineme stated that if his team would get the needed cooperation from the market leaders and their members, the power project would be ready for use by December.

    “If Ariaria market cooperates with us, we will use two to three weeks to gather data that we need. We will be able to advise government on how much power that is required to give steady power supply to the traders in Ariaria International Market. We can also be able to project the amount of power that they would require in years to come so that the infrastructure would be planned properly.

    “Government is not promising to solve all their problems at once, but it is good to start somewhere. The reason Ariaria was picked is because it is a key market to the economic growth of the state and the country at large. If Ariaria is working and everybody knows that Ariaria is working, it becomes easier to get others. Once we finish the study, like I said, if Ariaria market cooperates with us well, before Christmas, you will have 24 hours power supply in Ariaria.”

    Elder Emeka Igara, chairman Ariaria International Market in his speech disclosed that the market has over 200,000 shops with average of 10,000 customers patronising the market on a daily basis and expressed hope that the number would increase as soon as the project comes to fruition.

    The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Youth Empowerment, Mr. Chinenye Nwogu said the state was to ensure that the project worked, stressing that the importance of Ariaria International Market to the incumbent administration in the state cannot be overemphasised.

    Nwogu also expressed hope that the power project would boost trade and investment, create employment and job opportunities to teeming unemployed Abia youths as well as reduce crime rate in the state.

     

  • Ikpeazu’s wife challenges women on home-building

    Ikpeazu’s wife challenges women on home-building

    Abia State Governor’s wife Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu has urged women to see their place in the home and the society as a divine call leading to a better home and a better society.

    She challenged them to build their homes as well as the church by complementing their husbands, adding that the only way they may succeed in executing this responsibility is seeing it as a divine call.

    Mrs Ikpeazu told The Nation in Umuahia, the state capital, that she gave the charge at Babcock University, Ilesan-Remo, Ogun State during the Seventh Day Adventist Church Women’s Ministries National Convention 2017.

    The Abia governor’s wife who spoke with The Nation on her return from the Seventh Day Adventist women conference said that women must always complement their husbands for them to have a solid home that would produce quality and well-trained children.

    She said that the theme of the convention for this year was ‘Revived for Service’, which she described as apt as well as an avenue for women to renew their strength and services in the vineyard of God.

    The governor’s wife said that she told the participants at the convention that they need to learn skills in addition to whatever professional career they have chosen in order for them to be economically empowered.

    Mrs Ikpeazu said, “I told them that when they are economically empowered that they could contribute in the growth and provision of employment opportunities in the society as well as help in increasing revenue base of the homes”.

    She said that a society where women are economically empowered is always in an advantage as they are not only good managers but also good employers of labour and urged women to always partner their husbands in whatever they are doing.

    In his sermon the Western Nigeria Union conference president, Pastor Oyeleke Alabi Owolabi said that God always gives His people testimonies whenever they gather to seek his face, stressing that nothing is impossible with God.

    Pastor Owolabi charged the women at the convention to always seek the face of God in whatever they are doing as doing such will always give them the courage to overcome any challenge that may come their way.

    Welcoming the participants, the director of women ministries, western Nigeria Union conference, Mrs Heather-Dawn Small, thanked them for assembling at the convention which she said had about 5000 women from across the country.

    Mrs Small said that God is aware of their presence at the convention, “As we spend time with each other let us also spend time praying for each other, since we face many challenges and storms in our lives, as God will always be with us”.

    In his address at the convention the Vice Chancellor of Babcock University Prof Ademola Tayo said that the convention will provide them a platform for spiritual and social networking for the work in God’s vineyard.

    Prof Tayo said, “I encourage you as women of faith and value to remain steadfast in your unique roles as mothers, faith builders, meaning maker and co-laborers in the Lord’s vineyard”.

  • 500 Abia PDP women defect to APGA

    Women numbering over 500 in Aba North and South Federal Constituency, Abia State have defected from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    The PDP women under the aegis of Amalgamated Abia Women led by their leader Madam Peace Uwalaka said they decided to dump the ruling party in the state because of what she described as the inability of the incumbent administration in the state to fulfil its promises to the people of the state.

    Uwalaka who recalled how past elected representatives of Aba North and South federal constituency had failed the electorate, hailed House of Representatives lawmaker, Hon. Ossy Prestige for quality representation in less than three years of being in the House.

    The group members who vowed to assist and support the lawmaker in any way that they can to improve the lives of the constituents, urged the lawmaker to continue in his good works.

    In his response, Prestige thanked the women for identifying with his service to the people and promised not to rest on his oars until Aba is fixed.

    He also told the women that their solidarity would encourage him to do more.

  • Four in critical condition after a ghastly motor accident

    Four in critical condition after a ghastly motor accident

    Four passengers of commercial tricycles involved in an auto accident that occurred along Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Highway were reported to have been battling for survival at an undisclosed hospital in Umuahia, Abia State capital.

    Our reporter who visited the scene of the accident reports that passengers of the Uyo Based Commercial Bus said to have been heading for Lagos were unhurt. They were said to have been evacuated to the Abia Command Headquarters of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) for safety as at the time of filing the report.

    The accident which occurred directly opposite Ehimiri Police Station, eyewitnesses told The Nation occurred at about 11am.

    According to an eyewitness who gave his name as Clinton, the driver of the commercial bus was said to have dosed off on the steering while he was descending the hill on a high speed.

    Clinton stated that the driver on realizing what has happened ran into the Zone 9 Police headquarters located not too far from the scene of the accident in an apparent move to escape the wrath of angry mob.

    “The driver rammed into the two commercial tricycles as he veered off his lane while descending the hill on a high speed. You know that the road is narrow and before the driver could realize his mistake, the deed was already done.

    “Some of the passengers said that they noticed that the driver on their way would intermittently close his eyes, showing that the driver may not have slept well before embarking on such a journey and from the look of things, it seems like the bus was heading towards Lagos.

    “The victims were badly injured. As you can see, there are traces of blood here which is an indication that they sustained serious injuries. But the second tricycle driver and its passengers sustained minor injuries. Usually, when this type of accident happens the passengers are rushed to the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia but I can’t say for sure where they (passengers) were taken for medical treatment.”

    Attempts to speak with the Public Relations Officer of the FRSC, Abia Command  over the matter failed.

    Sympathizers at the scene however blamed the accident to lack of proper monitoring on the part of transport companies who were concerned about making more money than the safety of their passengers as many of the transport owners would subject their drivers to stress and over labor in a bid to outsmart other transport owners.

     

    They called for stiffer penalties on transport companies and their drivers if found culpable of taking driving precautionary measures to ensure the safety of their passengers and other road users.

     

  • Kidnappers die in gun duel with police in Abia

    Kidnappers die in gun duel with police in Abia

    Two members of a four man kidnapping gang who have been terrorizing the people of Abia State and Aba in particular have reportedly been shot dead by detachment of police personnel attached to Omoba Police Division during a gun duel.

    While the detectives was said to have been rescued, a police detective, The Nation learnt was not lucky as he was reportedly hit by bullets in the gun duel.

    The detective was said to be responding to treatment in an undisclosed hospital while filing this report.

    Information made available to The Nation by the Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Abia Command, Geoffrey Ogbonna disclosed that the hoodlums had on July 18 in Osisioma Ngwa local government area abducted one Onyemaechi Mbamaonyeukwu Ijeoma, the Managing Director of Mba Hotels Aba in his ash colour Nissan Infinity Jeep with Reg. No. GWA 807 DH.

    Ogbonna said that the victim was kept in uncompleted building at Umuajuju Ovungwu, Isiala Ngwa South LGA while negotiating for ransom.

    According the PPRO, Omoba detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), on a tip off swooped on the hoodlums in their den and the gang on sighting the police personnel engaged the police officers in a gun duel.

    He said that two of the Kidnappers later identified as Nwadibia and Monday during the shootout were gunned down while others escaped with bullet wounds.

    He disclosed that some items including the victim’s Nissan Infinity Jeep, two (2) motorcycles and four (4) GSM phones were recovered from the gang.

    He said that victim has been reunited with his family while police have launched man-hunt on the fleeing members of the gang.

    Ogbonna however urged members of the public to volunteer information to the Police or any other Security Agency on anyone found with bullet wounds.