A fire broke out on Monday morning at a building belonging to Aba Power Electricity Limited in Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but sources revealed that the affected building was previously used by the now-defunct South African electricity firm, Group 5, during facility construction for the integrated power company. The structure had reportedly been largely unused for over 12 years.
Despite the incident, power generation and distribution within the Aba ring-fenced area remained unaffected.
In a statement on Monday, the management of Aba Power did not specify the extent of the damage but confirmed that staff managed to contain the fire before the arrival of the State Fire Service.
The statement read, “There was a fire outbreak early this morning in a temporary building in the premises of Geometric Power, Nigeria’s foremost integrated power company, located in the Osisioma Industrial Layout, Aba, Abia State.
“The building was used by a defunct South African electricity firm known as Group 5 during the construction of facilities in the integrated power company and has been of little use in over 12 years.
“Though the cause of the fire has yet to be determined, it was contained by the Geometric Power staff before the arrival of the Abia State Fire Service which responded promptly to the emergency call.
“Geometric Power management commends its staff members for their vigilance and gallant efforts in containing the fire and the Abia State Fire Service for its swift response and professionalism.
“The management also appreciates members of the public for their concern and support.
“Geometric Power assures the public of their commitment to work assiduously for constant, quality and affordable electricity in the Aba Power ring-fenced area and elsewhere for the rapid socioeconomic progress of the Nigerian nation.”
The Senate on Wednesday approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to terminate the appointments of the Resident Electoral Commissioners in charge of Sokoto, Abia, and Adamawa States.
The affected RECs include: Dr. Nura Ali (Sokoto); Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari (Adamawa State and Prof.Ikemefuna Chijioke Uzochukwu (Abia)
The resolution of the Senate followed its consideration and approval of a motion moved by Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, during plenary.
Tinubu had earlier in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged the Senate to approve the termination of the appointments of the RECs who had been on suspension since 2023.
Bamidele in his lead debate said: “Senate: Aware of an Executive Communication from Mr. President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation, requesting the Senate to invoke Section 157 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, to formally terminate the appointment of Dr. Nura Ali (Sokoto State Resident Electoral Commissioner); Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari (Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner) and Prof. Ikemefuna Chijioke Uzochukwu (Abia State Resident Electoral Commissioner), respectively;
“Also aware that the aforementioned Resident Commissioners were earlier suspended in 2023, bordering on allegations of infractions of Electoral Act; compromise of elections and abandonment of duty without cogent reasons.
“Notes from security reports from the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Department of State Services that Dr. Nura Ali was indicted for compromising the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections through acts of incompetence and corruption, whereby he reportedly confessed to having received the sum of $150,000 from politicians upon investigation by the DSS;
“Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari was suspended by former President Muhammad Buhari after a prima facie case was instituted against him for usurping the power of the Returning Officer to declare the governorship election result; and Prof. Ikemefuna Chijioke Uzochukwu was suspended for undermining election processes by mishandling of logistics and abandonment Governorship and State Assembly elections as well as his refusal to rescheduled Supplementary elections;
“Aware that by virtue of the provisions of section 157 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, which stipulates that: “…a person holding any of the offices to which this section applies may only be removed from that office by the President acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed for inability to discharge the functions of the office whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for misconduct”, the Senate is empowered to embark on this legislative process, which is aimed at setting the stage for the eventual removal of the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioners;
“Also aware that the Independent National Electoral Commission is one of the offices mentioned in Subsection (2) of the aforementioned provision of the Constitution.
“Accordingly, it is apt for the Senate to invoke and activate the provision of Section 157 (1) of the Constitution to remove the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioners in line with the resolve of the 10th Senate to uphold the rule of law and sustain the ideals of morality and the tenets of corporate governance in Nigeria,
“Accordingly resolves to: Invoke and activate the constitutional provision as enshrined in section 157 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, by forwarding an address, supported by a two-thirds majority of the Senate to be acted upon by Mr. President for the official removal of Dr. Nura Ali (Sokoto State Resident Electoral Commissioner); Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari (Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner); Prof. Ikemefuna Chijioke Uzochukwu (Abia State Resident Electoral Commissioner), respectively.
The Senate approved the prayer of the motion to terminate the appointments of the three RECS when it was put to voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during the plenary.
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia on Thursday said the Abia Airport project would be completed on schedule.
Speaking to newsmen after a meeting of the state government with Nsulu Airport Communities Landowners Forum in Umuahia, Otti said the government had taken several steps to ensure the project would not be abandoned.
The governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Caleb Ajagba, expressed the resolve of the government to constantly engage host communities to secure their “productive collaboration” towardvthe project.
“There is need for us to make sure that host communities are carried along and that is why we are here and had a number of meetings with individual host communities and also collectively.
“Also, what you are seeing here is a collection of the host communities, and they are the people representing the landowners.
“We have tried to underscore the need to move forward in order to make sure that the project is actualised and completed on schedule.
“There is no doubt that all of us here are on the same page in terms of the relevance and importance of this project to Abia.”
He said the government had taken into cognisance, the fact that a project of this magnitude would require a lot of sacrifice from host communities.
“We have been able to touch base with them, also to seek their productive collaboration to make sure that within the space that has been projected for the completion of this airport work continues,” he said.
Otti thanked President Bola Tinubu for giving his approval for the siting of an airport in the state and for choosing Nsulu as a place for it.
He also thanked the people of Nsulu for their commitment to his administration’s agenda to ensure that every project initiated in Abia would be completed.
Otti restated the commitment of the government to adopting ongoing engagement with genuine landowners until the successful completion of the airport project.
“It has been a very productive meeting, and we have agreed that this meeting will continue and this engagement will continue till the project is finally completed.
“We have also on the same platform that the cutting of the traces must be completed to ensure that we identify the genuine landowners.
“We have agreed that after that is done, enumeration will continue and adequate compensation will be paid.
“We also agreed that Abia indigenes, especially Nsulu people, will have the right to work and benefit from the project, so the first right of employment will be extended to Nsulu people.
“Also, we are on the same page that as earmarked, the project will not be abandoned, he said.
Responding, a representative of the Forum, Chief Uzo Azubuike, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting.
Azubuike charged those, whom he described as intruders, to steer clear of the project to enable state government identify the real land owners for enumeration and payment of adequate compensation.
He thanked the government for making the first adjustments by reducing the size of the area intended for use of the project.
Azubuike, also pleaded with the government to further consider reducing the size of the land mass already earmarked for the airport project.
Azubuike, further, said that this was necessary for survival of the communities, predominantly made up of farmers.
He expressed determination of the host communities to continually support the government to facilitate the realisation of the project.
Chief Executive Officer of Gold Stripes, Chidiebere Ogbonna, who chaired the event, said the aim is to train 15 law graduates, 15 medical, 10 engineering and other graduates in different disciplines. He made an initial donation of N1million for the education endowment fund and promised to sponsor a free medical outreach for those above 30 years in February.
He said there will be more beneficiaries as funds improve.
Ogbonna spoke at 2024 Eziukwu-Day festival: “Promoting our cultural heritage.”
Ogbonna, represented by Okenwa Ahuruonye, a lawyer, said the fund is to empower indigent students, artisans and small and medium-scale entrepreneurs in the community.
Beneficiaries will be selected on merit by a committee.
The aim, he said, is to ensure indigent youths are not denied opportunity to achieve their dreams due to lack of funds.
“For us to have a responsive and responsible future, we must ensure we empower our youths and channel their energy positively,” he said.
Six passengers in a green-colored Sport Utility Vehicle have reportedly lost their lives in a tragic accident in Abia State.
The Nation gathered that the accident occurred at the popular Mmuri River along the Umuahia-Bende-Ozu Abam-Ohafia expressway.
The commercial bus, inscribed with “Ochendo Mobile,” had departed from the Ohafia motor park and was en route to Umuahia when the unfortunate incident took place.
Eyewitnesses reported that a heavy-duty truck carrying chippings lost control, collapsing onto the passenger bus and trapping all passengers and the driver inside the vehicle.
According to the eyewitnesses, the passengers succumbed to their injuries before help could arrive, as the truck’s load compressed the vehicle.
In a statement, the Abia State Road Traffic and Safety Management Agency (ARTSMA) expressed regret over the unfortunate incident.
ARTSMA officials, led by General Manager Col. Ezichi Kalu (Rtd.), promptly responded to the distress call and arrived at the scene to provide critical intervention. The team mobilized resources, including a crane and two towing vans, to rescue victims and manage the situation.
“Regrettably, six individuals lost their lives on the spot. One passenger sustained severe injuries, while two others suffered varying degrees of injuries.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and to the affected road transport workers. We also wish the injured a swift and full recovery”.
“While we mourn the unfortunate loss of lives, we are pleased to announce that the road has been fully cleared and reopened to traffic.
“Motorists are strongly advised to drive cautiously and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
“ARTSMA remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the safety and efficiency of Abia State’s roadways. This incident highlights the critical need for collective responsibility in upholding road safety guidelines.”
Meanwhile, Ohafia indigenes have bemoaned the abandonment and politics some politicians from Abia North are playing with the road which has affected the pace of work on the road by the contractor handling the project.
They added that the abandonment the road has suffered over the years contributed to the dilapidated natured of the road which has continued to redegenerate over the years.
They appealed to both the state and federal government to intervene on the road which they said have been awarded severally and yet, without being completed.
The Ohafia indigenes called for probe into the award of contract of the road, adding that they would support the prosecution of anyone found wanting in the abuse, squandering or misappropriation of cash allocated for the construction of the road project.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered dangerous counterfeit products during an extensive operation at the Eziukwu Market (Cemetery Market) in Aba, Abia State, describing the items as “weapons of mass destruction.”
The operation followed a similar raid in the same market months ago, targeting shops dealing in fake and adulterated products.
Martins Iluyomade, Director of NAFDAC’s Southeast Zone, who led the operation, emphasized the agency’s commitment to holding culprits accountable.
He expressed concern over the persistence of market traders who continue to prioritize profit over the safety of consumers.
Iluyomade pointed out that a previous agreement was signed by market leadership in December 2023, committing to assist in identifying those involved in these illegal activities.
However, he warned that NAFDAC would revisit the agreement, holding market leaders accountable for the ongoing offenses.
The operation uncovered a range of substandard products, including imported and locally brewed beverages, wines, whiskey, yogurts, carbonated drinks, dry gin, and chips, all being produced in unhygienic conditions.
Many of these items were found to be repackaged and relabeled expired products, which were then sold to unsuspecting buyers both within and outside the market.
“We were here last year and we’re back here on credible intelligence that the people are recovering in their nefarious business. I’m short of words with what I’m seeing here.
“I feel like shading tears. I don’t understand why people will be recalcitrant and hell-bent on making money at the expense of the health and wellbeing of their fellow citizens.
“What we met today is not different from what we saw last year, if not much more. It’s quite disheartening. Honestly, I feel like crying. There’re no drinks you’re looking for in Nigeria that’s not been manufactured here.
“It’s quite difficult for you to know the difference.
I call it destruction because what they make here is weapons of mass destruction. They’re killing people, en masse.”
The zonal director said that henceforth, a lot of measure have been put in place to deal with the situation at the Eziukwu Market permanently, as the agency led by Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye has zero tolerance for such activities.
“There are measures put in place to deal with what is happening here henceforth. I’ll not say it out here, but be rest assured that, there are measures already put in place even to the highest level of government in the state against these activities here once and for all. People cannot continue to kill their fellow citizens in the name of making money.
“We did a follow-up with our engagement last year, with the Governor who’s doing a marvelous job in the state. He has given us marching orders to do something, and I think this time is the right time to do those things. He’s definitely not in support of the destruction that’s going on here in the name of business.”
According to Iluyomade, NAFDAC came to the market on Monday because it felt it was the right time to have proper access around the market and find out the reality on the ground.
“They don’t normally produce because of the sit-at-home issue. This is exactly why we didn’t meet people today.
“So, it’s normal that we’ll not meet people on Mondays, but it gives us the opportunity to screen and move around easily.
“If this were to be a normal day, movement will be hard. Many people who don’t know what we’re doing will be everywhere and the environment will not be calm for us to do our jobs of cleaning this place properly.
“Sponsored thugs and many people will want to stop and disrupt this operation, but this day gives us a good opportunity to save lives of consumers by getting the products.
“However, we’ve gotten credible information on specific people and individuals that we have to follow up unlike what happened before. So, we’ll follow them up henceforth.”
Giving his words of advice to consumers on the festive season, the Zonal Director warned that every consumer needs to be painstaking when exchanging their money for goods.
“Our message is that everybody must shine their eyes. Let them be careful in this season of merriment to avoid damage of kidney and liver. Let them buy registered products from accredited distributors only. They’re everywhere, so people should take out time and find them.
“Again, people should do some basic checks. There are mixtures of names that are replica of the original products but the problem is that the consumers are not diligent enough to check what they’re buying. They should properly look at the labels of their products.
“Last, when a real product is selling for a certain amount of naira and a seller is giving you the product at a cut half price of the original you already know, is that not enough red flag for you to avoid that place?
“They’ll tell you it’s type two or number two, just because they felt the original is expensive. Why not avoid what you can’t buy? Drink your water instead of buying substandard to destroy your body.”
On expired products, Iluyomade said that the amount of expired products he saw being re-validated weakened him the most and advised consumers to be watchful.
“Our people should look at the pack of the products when it looks older than the date marking. They should know that such products have been re-validated.
“When packs are scratchy and the date markings are very clear and crispy, you should know that something is wrong. Consumers should open their eyes.”
Four unidentified persons have reportedly lost their lives during the annual Christ the King procession organised by the Catholic Church in Aba, Abia State.
The victims, including two elderly women and a teenage girl, were part of a large gathering at Christ the King Cathedral (CKC) on Sunday, November 24.
While some reports attribute the deaths to exhaustion, others said a stampede occurred amid the overwhelming crowd.
It was gathered that those who sustained injuries were rushed to different hospitals for treatment.
A witness, identified as Chinenye, described the scene as chaotic, stating, “The crowd was too much; there was little or no breathing space.”
“We have been having issues of people slumping but this is the first time I am hearing that someone died.
“The Catholic Diocese of Aba have to find a way to decongest the population coming to this procession.
“If possible all parishes should end their procession in their own parishes without coming to the cathedral.
“The sun was to much and some people aren’t suppose to attend this especially those aged ones with one or two health issues.
“They were proclaimed death at Mendel hospital Aba. They died before getting to the hospital.
“I pray God to grant their soul rest and give their family the fortitude to bear this loss.”
On the cause of the said stampede, a source who gave his name as Ebere said “some yahoo boys arrived CKC and tried throwing money into the crowd which resulted to stampede as people scamper to pick the money.
“In the attempt to pick the money, some people were marched upon by others scampering for the same money.
“We were told by those close that about four persons died. Others said that two died while others seriously injured were taken to the hospital for immediate medical attention.”
No official statement from the Catholic Church at the time of filing the report.
A fierce gun battle has been reported between personnel of the Nigerian Army’s 14 Brigade, Ohafia, and unidentified gunmen in Mbata, Umuchima village, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Abia state.
Unconfirmed reports indicated that over 15 Hilux vehicles and armored personnel carriers arrived at Umuchima village around 6 a.m., targeting suspected gunmen reportedly camped near a river that marks the boundary between Abia and the Mbaise axis of Imo State.
Soldiers have reportedly taken control of key junctions leading in and out of the village, while others engage the gunmen in nearby bushes. Gunfire has persisted as of the time of reporting.
Residents and indigenes of Ugwu-Abba, Asaga, Ohafia in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State are said to be on the run following the attack, injuring one and killing another policeman from the Abia State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), who were on a stop and search operation with members of their team.
Gunmen on Wednesday attacked policemen in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.
While an account has it that two policemen were killed in the attack, another account has it that the gunmen succeeded in killing one, leaving the other with several bullet wounds.
Our correspondent gathered that the gunmen were said to have attacked the policemen at a checkpoint in the area.
The incident, our correspondent gathered, has caused panic in the agrarian community as members of the community were said to be leaving in droves over potential reprisal or massive arrest by the police.
No group has claimed responsibility, but a source within the security agencies in the state, however, disclosed that they suspected that the heinous crime could have been committed by the members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the security arm of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The attack on the policemen in Ohafia is coming days after unknown gunmen attacked policemen at their stop and search location on the Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, the military checkpoint at Ekenobizi Umuopara flank of the Onuimo Bridge, boundary between Abia and Imo State; and the attack on the convoy of the lawmaker representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency along Old Umuahia in Umuahia South Local Government Area of the state.
The governor of the state blamed the opposition politicians in the state for the spate of attacks, he vowed to expose those responsible, vowing to ensure that the crime is nipped in the bud.
Residents of the state have called on Governor Otti and heads of security agencies in the state to rise to the occasion in tackling the rising insecurity in the state, adding that if things didn’t change, it could affect the businesses in the state and may scare away people from visiting the state and their communities, especially during this yuletide.
Our correspondent, however, gathered that indigenes and residents of Ugwu-Abba Asaga, Ohafia have since left their village in droves in an attempt to avoid being arrested by the police or security agencies.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Abia State, CP Danladi Isa is leading other officers of the Command in chasing after the gunmen who attacked a police team in Asaga, Ohafia Local Government Area of the state.
Danladi, who led a team of the NPF personnel of the command to Ohafia, expressed sadness over the death of his men.
The state police boss disclosed that the hoodlums were unable to withstand the firepower of the police officers; the reason they fled the scene after their attack was repelled by the police team.
The CP disclosed that ASP Etim Obungha was successfully rescued unhurt, but Corporal Chukwu Odoemelam, who sustained a bullet injury during the attack, was promptly rushed to the hospital and is currently responding to treatment.
He disclosed that the body of ASP Etet Uboulo who did not survive the earlier attack was recovered.
According to him, in the course of the operation, some exhibits were recovered from the crime scene, and the investigation, he said, was ongoing with the view to tracking down the hoodlums.
“Watertight security measures have been emplaced as tactical teams, operatives from Ohafia Area Command in collaboration with the army component from 14 Brigade, Ohafia are currently on patrol in the area.”
CP Danladi assured the good people of Abia State that the perpetrators of this heinous crime would be apprehended to face justice.
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has expressed his condolences to the Nigerian Army following a recent attack on an army checkpoint in Umuahia, which claimed the lives of some soldiers.
In a letter addressed to the Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and made available to journalists, Governor Otti described the incident as tragic and barbaric.
“It is with a deep sense of loss that I write to commiserate with you over the unfortunate and barbaric killing of five soldiers by yet-to-be-identified assailants at the boundary town of Umuopara in Umuahia South LGA of my state,” the governor stated in the letter, which he personally signed.
The governor also extended his sympathies to the families of the fallen soldiers and assured them that his administration would support efforts to apprehend the perpetrators.
“Indeed, this unwarranted and mindless attack targeted at our gallant soldiers who have remained steadfast in ensuring the security of lives and property in Abia State is highly condemnable.”
Otti extended his condolences to the GOC 82 Division, Enugu, the Commander, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, and the Commanding Officer, 145 Battalion, Umuahia, where the men were drawn from, adding “Please, also extend my deep condolences to the immediate families of the gallant soldiers who paid the supreme price as well as those who were injured during the attack.”
The governor recalled that “On May 30th, this year, a similar event happened at the Obikabia Junction near Aba.
“Together with your men and other security agencies, we started a manhunt for the criminals, and luckily, the masterminds have since been apprehended.
“Let me assure you that the Abia State Government will not rest until the perpetrators of this dastardly act are apprehended and dealt with accordingly.
“My administration is poised to join hands with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation to unmask those behind the attack.”
He added: “In due course, I will make contact with the immediate families of all the soldiers affected to support them as they mourn their loved ones.”
Recall that gunmen, early Wednesday morning at about 6.18 am, attacked an Army checkpoint at the Abia Imo/Abia boundary community of Ekenobizi in Umuopara in Umuahia South LGA, where some soldiers lost their lives.
