The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abia State

  • Murdered motorcyclist: Provide evidence of arrested killer-soldier, IPOB tells Ikpeazu

    THE Indigenous People of the Biafra (IPOB) has asked Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, to provide pictorial evidence to confirm the arrest of killer of the commercial motorcyclist in his state.

    The slain cyclist, Chimaobi Nworgu was allegedly shot dead following his refusal to offer N100 bribe to a military officer at a checkpoint.

    The Biafra agitators, in a statement on Friday by the Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said no arrest was made as claimed by the governor.

    It said the death of Chimaobi represented a watershed, insisting that no amount of photoopportunity or public relations would diminish the fact.

    The statement partly reads: “It is unbelievable that Okezie Ikpeazu and the Police Commissioner in Abia State announced the arrest of the killer soldiers involved in the death of Chimaobi Nworgu.

    “Nobody has ever seen any picture or video of the murderers as is customary with Nigerian Police anytime they arrest suspects in high profile cases.

    Read Also: IPOB slams military over alleged killing of cyclist

    “No news conference where their full names, ranks and division they are serving in the army were made public. Biafrans must know there is no iota of truth in the widely circulated lie that those soldiers responsible for the death of Chimaobi are in custody.’’

    The youth wing of apex Igbo socio cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has described as an assault to Ndigbo, a statement credited to the Nigerian Army over the murder.

    In a statement signed by the national President, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Igbo group said: “We are shocked by the compromised and distorted statement marred with deceptive intentions credited to the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations 82 Division Aliyu Yusuf, that the killing was perpetrated by gunmen in military camouflage.

    It is the a height of assault on Ndigbo. “The military should apologize to Ndigbo as we have uncovered from intelligence report that Cpl Ajayi was arrested on Wednesday trying to flee and he’s currently detained. This contradicts the earlier falsehood dished out to deceive the public.

    We laud Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for his timely intervention to halt further violent protests that would have led to reprisal attacks on the military by Biafra agitators and angry Igbo youths over the untimely death of Chimaobi.

    We call on President Muhammadu Buhari as a matter of urgency to give a matching order to redeploy all the military leadership in the South East. “As Ndigbo awaits the unreserved apology from the military, we call on aggrieved persons, youths and Biafra agitators to shelve any planned violent protests or reprisals attacks as Abia State government had brought succour to the deceased family

  • Soldiers arrest ‘notorious’ kidnapper in Abia

    SOLDIERS attached to 144 Battalion, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State have arrested an alleged member of a notorious kidnapping gang operating in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state and its environs.

    The suspect who is also known as Phyno and Red Mood respectively, military sources claimed has been on their wanted list for various crimes that he and his gang have allegedly committed.

    A military source who pleaded anonymity said that ‘Phyno’ was arrested through intelligence information in a hotel located on the outskirts of the commercial city where he had taken refuge after a robbery operation.

    “He snatched a motorbike from somebody at Uratta junction before he was apprehended by soldiers. Information has it that he was in a hotel (outside Aba main town). On getting the information, soldiers traced him to the said hotel in mufti where he (the kidnap kingpin) was picked.”

    The military source who hinted that efforts were being made to track down other members of the gang, added that the suspect would be handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.

    Read Also: Soldiers allegedly rape varsity student

    The source who stated that the Nigerian Army was committed to making sure that Aba was safe for residents and visitors to carry out their businesses without any fear of molestation from any person warned that they were going to make Aba and its environs unsafe for any person or group of persons to carry out their illicit business.

    In another development, Soldiers of 144 Battalion on routine patrol at Uratta Area of Aba on Monday saved a pregnant woman from losing her pregnancy.

    The incident it was gathered happened at about 11 am near the ever-busy Uratta junction off Aba-Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

    It was gathered that the expectant mother who lost consciousness while walking was about to be wheeled off in a wheelbarrow by early callers to the scene as there was no vehicle that stopped to render assistance to her.

    It was gathered that while some of the callers were rallying round to ensure that she was evacuated from the scene to a nearby Chemist shop for treatment, soldiers on patrol who met the woman gasping for breath quickly evacuated her with their vehicle to a distant private hospital where they made deposit of sum of cash for immediate treatment to be administered on her.

    The yet-to-be known woman is said to have been brought to stability at the time of filing this report.

     

  • New cars for monarchs of Abia oil-producing areas

    Lack of basic amenities is said to trigger agitation, in some cases, militancy, in oil-producing areas. In Abia State, the government has distributed cars to traditional rulers in its oil-rich parts. Will it help to cool tempers?

    The Chairman of Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC), Chief Sam Okezie Nwogu handed over 18 brand new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to the traditional rulers of the communities.

    The gesture is said to appreciate the efforts of the monarchs in the oil communities in maintaining a peaceful atmosphere in their jurisdictions.

    Handing over the SUVs to the traditional rulers, Nwogu, who was accompanied by other members of ASOPADEC board, thanked the state governor Okezie Ikpeazu for his magnanimity and immense support to the traditional rulers of the oil producing communities.

    He maintained that the board would continue to fashion out programmes that were in line with the visions of the Ikpeazu led administration which is geared towards enhancing the wellbeing of the indigenes of the various communities in the state.

    The ASOPADEC Chairman reiterated the commission’s readiness to partner with the traditional rulers of the oil producing communities in the commission’s programmes aimed at ameliorating the age long sufferings of the oil producing communities.

    Read Also: I’m hale and hearty, Ikpeazu tells Abians

    He further thanked the traditional rulers for their immense contributions in maintaining a peaceful coexistence in the various communities and promised them of the commission’s support in making sure that the communities remain peaceful and supportive of the PDP led government in the state.

    Responding on behalf of the traditional rulers, the traditional ruler of Isimanu Autonomous Community and the Chairman, Ukwa West Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Highness, Eze Chinyere Di, appreciated the chairman and members of the board, for their kind gestures towards the wellbeing of the traditional rulers and maintained that the traditional rulers, would continue to do everything within the ambit of the law in maintaining peace and order in the various communities while promising to always support the visions and programmes of the Ikpeazu administration.

    The handover ceremony was conducted by the chairman of ASOPADEC, Chief Sam Okezie Nwogu, flanked by members of the Board of ASOPADEC, led by the Commissioner in ASOPADEC; Barr. Henry Chilaka, Hon. Kelechi Dede, Hon. Orji  Simeon Udeagha, Hon. Hope Uwaga, Hon. Mrs. Kate Maduako, Chief Uzo Ihuka, the Permanent Secretary of ASOPADEC, Mr. Director, Finance, Mr.Kelechi Uwaoma, the Director Works/Projects, Engr. Emeka Gberemakor and other dignitaries including; a Exec Chairman of Ukwa West, Chief Felix Ebere, Chief Ben Nwankpa, a crowned Prince of Ukwa Land, Mr. Emeka Adiele.

  • Security agencies brainstorm info exchange during crisis

    The General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Abubakar Maikobi has flagged off the “Indoor Telephone Battle, Exercise Quick Dragon II” at the 14 Brigade headquarters in Ohafia, Abia State.

    He said the exercise is one of  Army Headquarters training directives for 2019 designed to acquaint staff officers of commands and units under the Brigade with operational staff procedure during internal security operations.

    It will cover the dynamics involved in various aspects of internal security operations such as handing and taking over procedure between the military and sister security agencies, peculiarities of crowd dispersal, road blocks, curfew, internally displace persons (IDPs), patrol, cordon search and clearance operations, among others.

    Speaking to journalists after the flag-off, the Chief Umpire for the exercise, Brigadier General Sani Yahaya Bashir explained that the objective of the training follows the contemporary security challenges facing the country.

    “Training is the best welfare you can give to a soldier and this is a routine training.”

    “The Indoor Telephone Battle Exercise is meant to train our personnel to be able to address issues in operations and to also achieve synergy with sister security agencies.”

    “With the contemporary security challenges, operating with other security agencies, it is important that we need to create a forum where we can train together so that we can understand our operations, work together and achieve the objectives.”

    When asked if the exercise is simultaneously going on across the country, Brigadier General Bashir said: “There are training cycle and activities allotted to different units within the divisions so other trainings are going on in other divisions.”

    Providing further insight into how the exercise aims to achieve its objectives, Bashir said, “This is more of an office exercise that borders on how to address issues, send messages, pass information, directives and receive response in synergy with other security agencies.

    Synergy is very important because it is not the duty of soldiers to prosecute, that’s why the police, civil defence, prison officials are involved, we provide fire cover and also ensure that crime suspects arrested are properly handed over to appropriate security agencies for prosecution.”

    The GOC, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Abubakar S. Maikobi, took over from Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Kabuk, some months ago with a promise to maintain ‘the enviable standard of the Division.’

  • Abia to get modular refinery soon

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has said the government would soon build modular refinery in the state.

    The refinery, which is expected to be cited around the Ukwa axis, would ensure adequate supply of petroleum products.

    Ikpeazu, who spoke when the management of ESKOM PLC visited him at the Government House in Umuahia, described job creation as a direct link to security and sustainable economy for those in the Southeast and South South. He added that the only way forward is to create jobs for Abians.

    The governor, who stressed that Agriculture and Industrialisation are fundamental to the economic vision of his administration, hinted that the modular refinery is the philosophy behind the flagship project of the Enyimba Economic City and the proposed Agro-Industrial City.

    Read Also: I’m hale and hearty, Ikpeazu tells Abians

    The governor noted that his administration will not spare any effort in providing necessary institutional support needed to get the projects working. He reinstated that the state is the SME capital of the country, saying the state was number three in Foreign Direct Investment by the close of business in 2018 due to the prospect of the Enyimba Economic City Project.

    Chief Executive Officer of David Twin Oil West Africa Chief Emmanuel Obiora, and his counterpart at ESKOM, Orjiakor said the visit was to explore and cement the possibility of establishing a modular refinery in Abia.

    According to them, the governor has demonstrated a huge passion for investments, to the point that no serious business that seeks expansion and growth can afford to ignore Abia state.

    The delegation was led by front line businessman Chief Jerry Kalu.

     

     

  • Father of six cries for help after wife’s death

    FATHER of six – Mr. Okezie Friday – has cried for help following the death of his wife after she was delivered of triplets.

    Friday, an indigene of Umuokenyi in Ndiolumbe Nvosi Autonomous Community, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State, described his wife’s death as a surprise.

    Sources close to the bereaved said the expectant mother knew she would be delivered through Caesarean Section.

    According to them, the couple left their home on July 12 for a private hospital – Shalom Hospital Umuafor – where the wife was operated on.

    Read Also: Senator Makarfi loses father

    The woman was allegedly wheeled into the theatre about 1pm on July 13, and was successfully operated upon, with the babies – two boys and a girl – and the mother in good health.

    “But about 8pm same day, the Doctor called the husband and on getting to the hospital, he was told  his wife has died,” the source added.

    Friday said he is soliciting for government’s intervention and the help Nigerians to take care of the children. The couple have three other kids apart from the new triplets. His account name is Okezie Friday (2052667844), with the United Bank of Africa (UBA). He can be reached on 07052334146 or 08102535831.

  • Judge gets fiat to conclude trial as Kalu opens defence

    Former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu on Monday opened defence in his money laundering trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned him for allegedly laundering N7.65 billion state funds.

    Justice Mohammed Idris, who was elevated to the Court of Appeal, on January 23, adjourned the trial indefinitely because he was not given a fiat to adjudicate on the matter.

    The judge informed the parties Monday that he had been given the fiat.

    He said: “By a fiat, dated July 8, the President of the Court of Appeal has directed that I conclude this part-heard matter. Trial will now run from day to day until we finish.”

    Prosecuting counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) said he was ready, but defence counsel Prof Awa Kalu (SAN) said he was not.

    Prof Kalu said after receiving a hearing notice, he informed the court about his involvement in election petition matters, which are constitutionally time-barred.

    Pleading for an adjournment, the lawyer said he had to be in court to explain his constraints, adding that the casefile was also not in his possession.

    But Jacobs said the former governor should open his defence so that some progress could be made, a submission the judge agreed with.

    Responding to a question, Kalu said: “About few weeks ago, I was a manufacturer of home goods but now a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    Read Also: Orji Kalu and Ruga controversy

    The senator explained that the home goods included “seasoning and tomatoes” and that he resigned following his election.

    Kalu also confirmed that he was standing trial along with two other defendants, who were absent.

    At this point, the defence counsel told the court that he could not continue with the examination, and sought an adjournment, which Jacobs did not oppose.

    Justice Idris, on July 31, last year, dismissed Kalu’s no-case submission and ordered him to open his defence.

    EFCC said Kalu, whilst being governor between 2001 and September 2006, procured Slok Nigeria Limited, a company belonging to him and members of his family, to retain N7.2 billion in its Inland Bank Plc account, on his behalf.

    The commission said the money “formed part of the funds illegally derived from the treasury of Abia State government and which was converted into several bank drafts before they were paid into the said company’s account”.

    Kalu was accused of collaborating with Udeh Jones Udeogu, Slok Nigeria and Emeka Abone (alleged to be on the run) “in concealing the genuine origin of an aggregate sum of N7,197,871,208.70…”

    The alleged offence violates Section 17(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004, and liable to be punished under Section 16.

    The defendants were also accused of receiving N460 million allegedly stolen from the Abia State government treasury between July and December 2002.

    Udeogu, Slok Nigeria, Abone and Michael Udo, also said to be on the run, were accused of collaborating with Kalu to conceal the “genuine origin” of allegedly stolen funds.

    Kalu and Udeogu, a former Director of Finance in Abia State Government House, pleaded not guilty to the amended 39-count charge.

    They were initially arraigned on a 34-count charge, to which five fresh counts were added.

    Justice Idris, while adjourning till August 26, said trial would hold day-to-day.

     

  • Abia deputy gov charges mothers on polio vaccination

    ABIA STATE deputy governor, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, has urged mothers in the state to ensure that their children were adequately administered with poliomyelitis vaccines to guard against the disabilities arising from polio.

    He restated the state government’s commitment to the total eradication of poliomyelitis in the state by meeting up its commitment to relevant bodies as well in mounting consistent awareness campaign to enlighten the citizenry.

    Read Also: I’m hale and hearty, Ikpeazu tells Abians

    Speaking to journalists shortly on arrival from his short vacation in the United Kingdom, Chukwu stressed the need for mothers to observe the various rounds of immunisation programmes by presenting their children for immunisation to avoid infection or re-infection from poliomyelitis.

    The deputy governor disclosed that his trip abroad which was part of his annual leave was used to consolidate his interactions on behalf of the state government with foreign investors in the property and agric sectors as well visit the Vatican City for continued prayers of peace and progress of the state under the leadership of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.

     

  • Residents, Enugu Disco square up over 10-month blackout

    Residents of Federal Housing Estate, Ogbor Hill, Aba, Abia State, have blasted the management of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) over 10 months of power outage experienced in the area.

    A spokesman of the residents, Navy Lt. Faraday Richardson (retd), said for the past 10 months, residents of the area have not had power supply despite repeated assurances given to them by the management of the electricity company.

    Richardson who was visibly angry said in September last year, the electric transformer, which residents contributed money and bought, packed up as a result of the impact of a wind storm.

    He said after waiting in vain for over three months for EEDC to replace the transformer, residents decided to contribute money to purchase another transformer as they were tired of staying in darkness.

    He alleged that they had already contributed over N2m when officials of EEDC in Aba told them to hand over the money to them to enable the company to mount another transformer in the area.

    Read Also: Police parade 33 suspected criminals in Enugu

    The retired military officer said two months after the receipt of the money, EEDC mounted a moribund electric transformer in the area, adding that after about 36 hours, the said transformer blew up.

    “We have been the ones buying electric transformers in the area each time the one we are using gets bad, even the one that packed up last year, we bought it and we had not complained.

    “Why we are pained this time around is that we had already contributed over N2m and made arrangements to purchase a new transformer before the EEDC people told us to give them the money, assuring that they would mount another transformer for us.”

    The worst of it all, according to the retired military officer, is that residents including widows who contributed the money for the electric transformer are accusing officials of the FHE landlords association of conniving with the EEDC personnel to dupe them.

  • Insecurity: Army drills officers

    Against the backdrop of insecurity in the land, the Army toughens its personnel in a competition for warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers. SUNNY NWANKWO, who covered the event at 14 Brigade Headquarters, Ohafia, Abia State, reports

    One of the major challenges facing Nigeria across the six geo-political zones is insecurity. From militancy to insurgency, herdsmen attacks to banditry and agitation for secession by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Army has been battling to ensure peace in the land while performing their statutory role of warding off external aggression.

    This was why the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai directed heads of military formations across the country to ensure that their officers participated in the 2019 Inter-Brigade Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Competition.

    In compliance with the directive, the leadership of the 82 Division of the Army with its headquarters in Enugu, Enugu State, has held the military competition at Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Barracks, 14 Brigade Headquarters, Ohafia, Abia State.

    The participating personnel were drawn from various 82 Division’s Areas of Responsibility (AOR) participating in the exercise even though some of them just returned from the Northeast where they have been over the years, engaging the outlawed members of Boko Haram sect in severe gun battle.

    The event provided the leadership of the 82 Division the opportunity to select the exceptional personnel among the participants that will represent the command at a similar event later in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    The Inter-Brigade Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Competition for 82 Division held at Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Barracks, 14 Brigade Headquarters, Ohafia, Abia State saw the personnel participating in Drill Competition, swimming competition which took place at Hotel Damgrete in Umuahia, shooting range competition which took place at the command headquarters of 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze in Imo State, Obstacle Crossing at the 14Brigade Headquarters, Ohafia, among other competitions.

    The General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Major-General Abubakar Maikobi represented by his Chief of Staff Brigadier General Clement A. Atere at the closing ceremony of the exercise, extolled the Brigade for engaging in the training which he said would help enhance and improve their physical fitness, leadership qualities, discipline, efficiency, effectiveness, cooperation and esprit-de-corps that will prepare the warrant officers and senior non commission officers for more challenging tasks and responsibilities especially now that the country is bedeviled with series of security challenges.

    According to Atere, Maikobi used the opportunity to congratulate the winning team and further commended the efforts of the officers and men of the Division for their professionalism.

    The GOC also appreciated the support of the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen Tukur Y. Buratai for his contributions to the success of the competition.

    He also appreciated commanders of various formations that participated in the competition for the timely preparation of their teams and equally commended other security agencies for the synergies and cooperation in ensuring that Abia State remains safe and peaceful.

    The Special Guest of Honour, Abia State Governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu ably represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Sir Ude Oko Chukwu extolled the Division for organising the competition especially by choosing 14 Brigade in Abia State as the host. He used the opportunity to congratulate the winning team and further commend the efforts of the officers and men of the Brigade for their professionalism in ensuring peace and safety of Abians especially at the just concluded 2019 General Elections in Abia State.

    He said, “I want to conclude by commending the Commander 14 Brigade and his team of officers and men for organising this worthwhile competition.

    “I want to also appreciate the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, other Services, the Nigeria Police and Para-Military Security Agencies for the synergy and cooperation in order to ensure Abia State remains safe and peaceful”. The Governor asserts.

    At the end of the keenly contested competition, 34 Artillery Brigade came 4th with 240 points, 13 Brigade Akim Barracks, Calabar scored 340 points to emerge 3rd, the host Brigade came 2nd with 400 points while the 82 Division Garrison was the overall best with 420 points.

    The highlight of the event includes an Award of Excellence to the Governor of Abia State by the General Officer Commanding 82 Division Enugu.