The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Anambra State

  • Man hangs self after tipper killed brother

    A 35-year-old man, Elochukwu Ogboo, has reportedly committed suicide at Amaezike village, Agulu, in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    The deceased reportedly took his own life on Saturday night, a day after a tipper lorry crushed his younger brother near their family house on Agulu–Ekwulobia road.

    The Nation gathered that neighbours woke up on Sunday to behold Ogboo’s body in a three-bedroom bungalow under construction.

    A resident, who spoke in confidence, said the body was dangling from a rope tied to his neck and suspended on the lintel of the building in their family compound.

    He said Elochukwu and his younger brother had a single parent, adding that their mother, who later got married, had also died.

    Read Also: Man arrested for stabbing priest in church

    “They were living with their 85-year-old step-father, Chief Ignatiue Ogboo. Their step mother is late too,” he said.

    Worshippers at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, near the scene of the incident, were said to have surged to the scene from early morning mass to have a glimpse of the body.

    When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer of the state, Mr. Haruna Mohammed said he was unaware of the incident as he was out of the state.

    “I’ll get back to you after making inquiries from the Divisional Police Officer, Neni who is in charge of the area,” he said.

     

  • FG rebuilds abandoned road in Anambra

    Once a nightmare, a long-abandoned road in Anambra State comes to life, thanks to the Federal Government. NWANOSIKE ONU reports

    Such was the impact of the gesture that traditional rulers left their palaces to express their joy. And as the royals stepped out, so did their subjects.

    The people of Nteje, Umunya, Nkwelle Ezunaka, Awkuzu and Ogbunike in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State were simply happy as the Federal Government continued work on the abandoned Umunya-Awkuzu portion of the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway in the state.

    For many years, that portion of the expressway claimed lives because of the extent of dilapidation.

    The Onitsha axis of the expressway was reconstructed by the former governor of the state, Peter Obi.

    The money amounting to over N40 billion which the state government spent on the reconstruction has not been repaid by the Federal Government.

    The jubilant mood of the communities was displayed during the visit of the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola to the state to inspect work on the road.

    The 18km road has been a nightmare to motorists over the years, but four kilometres of it has already been completed.

    The Minister declared that the entire project would be completed on or before 2021.

    Drums were rolled out by the affected communities with different dancing troops to entertain the crowed and visitors.

    The traditional rulers of the communities led by Igwe Roland Odegbo of Nteje were on hand to receive the federal government delegation with pomp.

    The youths were not left out with placards singing praises of President Muhammadu Buhari and his government for coming to alleviate their suffering.

    Fashola, who was represented by the Director, Highways in the Federal Ministry of works, Engr. Yemi Oguntomiyi said he was satisfied with the progress and quality of work on the road.

    He said during the last visit by the Minister on the road, the contractor promised that one lane of the road would be completed to lessen the hardship of the people, knowing the importance of the road not only to the region, but the entire country.

    Read Also: Man on Anambra police wanted list nabbed

    Also speaking, the Anambra State Controller of Works, Engr. Adeyemo Ajani, said the contract was awarded in 2015, while the contractor moved to site in 2018.

    He said work had progressed well, adding that since the contractors were not lacking anything, it was possible that the work would be completed in record time.

    Not only that, the Minister used the moment  to flag off the construction of  a housing scheme embarked upon by the Federal Government at Umunya.

    The 236 hectares of land situated  at the Umunya -Awkuzu communities was donated to the government in 1987.

    According to Oguntomiyi, the target of the federal government was to provide accommodation for 21,000 persons when completed.

    The traditional ruler of Umunya, Igwe Chris Onyekwuluje, said Awkuzu and Umunya were happy, as the government’s presence was being felt in their areas.

    For the traditional ruler of Nteje, Igwe Roland Odegbo, the reconstruction of the expressway and the Housing scheme, had shown that president Buhari has good plans for Igbo.

    He commended Anambra state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano for being apostle of truth, adding that he continue showing the light for others to follow in the Southeast.

  • 75-year old woman, accomplice nabbed for ‘babies theft’

    A 75-year-old woman, Caroline Mbonu, has been arrested by the police for allegedly stealing babies at locations in Anambra State.

    Police spokesman Haruna Mohammed, who disclosed this yesterday in a statement, said the suspect was apprehended with a 50-year-old woman, Ifeyinwa Ezename.

    He said the stolen children have been recovered and reunited with their parents.

    Mohammed said: “On May 29, at about 06:30am, following intelligence report, detectives attached to the Command Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) arrested Ifeyinwa Ezename, female, aged 50 and Caroline Mbonu, female, aged 75.

    Read Also: Hotel workers face N6.05m theft charge

    “The suspects in 2012 conspired with David Nwachukwu, male, now in prison custody and stole Mmerichukwu Okoli, male, aged seven, from the mother, Azubuike Jennifer.”

    He said another eight-year-old child, Ifeoma, was rescued from the suspects, who could not give a satisfactory account of the child.

    Mohammed said the case was being investigated, after which the suspects would be charged to court.

  • Police arrest soldier, others for alleged kidnapping

    The police in Anambra State have arrested members of a four-man gang for alleged kidnapping.

    The suspects allegedly wore military uniforms to deceive and kidnap people.

    Three of them, including a lance corporal in the Army, were wearing military uniforms and vests when they were nabbed by the police last Friday after allegedly abducting Uchenna Ezeonu in Ekwulobia, Anambra State, the police said.

    Read Also: Police parade 23 suspected bandits, kidnapper in Sokoto

    The suspects, Obasi Peter, Benjamin Nicholas and Ojiegbe Obinna, were arrested alongside three suspected accomplices.

    Confirming the arrest, police spokesperson Haruna Mohammed said the victim was rescued unhurt.

    Said he: “On May 24, at about 11am, there was a distress call from Isuofia Road in Aguata Local Government that three persons in military uniforms abducted Uchenna Ezeonu of Omeke village, around Ekwulobia roundabout and took him away to an unknown destination.

    “Following the call, operatives attached to ‘Operation Puff Adder’, in conjunction with the joint patrol teams, rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area in search of the hoodlums along the bush path, near Uyo-Eke Market Road.”

  • Why we took campaign to Onitsha traders, by NCC

    The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has taken its telecommunications campaign to traders in Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State.

    The campaign which was carried out in partnership with the African Entrepreneurial and Human Development Initiative, was targeted at reaching traders in their shops.

    The Head, Consumer Protection and Advocacy Consumer Affairs Bureau, AyanBanji Ojo, in a chat with the Nation, said the commission decided to bring the awareness campaign to markets in view of traders’ time constraints in attending their programmes.

    He however regretted that over 70 percent of traders in the Nigerian markets were ignorant of the commission’s policy on their rights as telecom consumers in the country.

    He said, “Our findings from the questionnaires administered on traders at markets in Karu, Abuja and Kano revealed that traders are ignorant of the policies of government on NCC.

    “We also observed that South Easterners hardly complain anything about their telephone.

    Ojo explained that the choice of Onitsha for the exercise was informed by the large concentration of traders in the market.

    Read Also: NCC to fight cyber crooks, internet fraudsters

    “We decided to come here because we discovered that Onitsha market is the largest in the South East, if not West Africa.

    “We want to reach out to the traders who hardly leave their shops to lodge complaints or attend to our programmes like the town hall meeting or the consumer parliament where these issues are explained,” he added.

    He appreciated the management of the market for providing the space for the campaign, saying it was an indication that they were interested in the programme.

    Also speaking, Head, Information and Reference Consumer Affairs Bureau, Ismail Adedigba stressed that the campaign was extended to the market due to the importance the commission attached to its consumers.

    “In NCC every consumer matters to us especially when it comes to the protection of their rights and privileges.

    “We believe that information and enlightenment is a catalyst to consumer empowerment,” he said

     

  • Onitsha building collapse: Police confirm two dead, three rescued

    Police in Anambra State have confirmed death of two persons in the three storey building that collapsed on Wednesday in Onitsha, the commercial city of the state.

    The police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed confirmed this in a statement in Awka.

    He said, “On 22/05/2019 at about 3pm, a building under construction located at No 9 Ezenwa Street, Onitsha belonging to one Barr. Ikebu Aso collapsed.

    “Police patrol teams and other sister agencies rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area to checkmate miscreants and criminal elements from taking advantage of the situation to loot.

    Read Also: Police smash kidnapping gang terrorising Abia

    “Meanwhile, three casualties whose identities are yet to be ascertained were rescued alive from the collapsed building and rushed to the General hospital Onitsha by the Red Cross for medical attention while two others were certified dead by the medical doctor.”

    He said their corpses had been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy, while rescue operations were ongoing.

    Mohammed added that the case was under investigation to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident.

  • Food dealers petition Minister, IGP over extortion

    Food stuff dealers in Anambra State have raised alarm over alleged extortion from their members nationwide by workers attached to Federal Quarantine Service Post at Orokam, Makurdi and Katsina Ala, Benue state.

    The group, under the agies of Federated Food Stuff Dealers Association of Nigeria (FFSDAN), with headquarters in Onitsha, called on Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe to urgency address the issue to forestall crises.

    The petition addressed to Ogbe and copied to the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police in Benue State and others, was jointly signed by the group’s President General, Chief Christian Afiiaonwu, Secretary, Udoka Abukanna, Operational Officer, Sabastine Ageebee and Public Relation Officer, Adamu Alidu.

    It condemned the Quarantine Post at Orokam, describing it as ATM to the workers through which it daily extorted money ranging from N3, 000 to N7,000 from their members since June 2018.

    According to FFSDAN, Orokam Quarantine Post ought not to exist in the first place as there should not be three Quarantine Posts in one state.

    The Petition read in part, “For your information sir, there are three Quarantine Posts in Benue State located at Makurdi, Katsina-Ala and Orokam.

    “These Posts came into operation in June 2018 and have in recent time been turned into ATM at which money ranging from N3, 000 to N7,000 are extorted from our members on daily basis.

    “These extortions are usually carried out with intimidation under the watchful eyes of security agencies mostly Police officers.

    “The Association noted that its members are aware of the importance of Quarantine Posts which is primarily to checkmate the spread of animal diseases and unwholesome food stuff moving from one location to another and not to extort money from unsuspecting members of the public.

    Read Also: Minister commissions upgraded Ibadan airport

    “We also know that Quarantine Posts are usually located at border areas between countries.

    “We therefore wonder why the Quarantine Service Department of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture is keeping quiet and apparently feeling comfortable seeing that people are extorting money from Food Stuff Dealers in three Federal Quarantine Posts located in one State.”

    Describing as fraudulent and unacceptable the interception of their members at Orokam after being forced to pay at Makurdi and Katsina Ala Posts, the group appealed to the Minister to wade into the matter to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

    “Vehicle conveying our goods have had several accident cases owing to strong barriers mounted before them by the Quarantine Posts workers in a bid to force them to stop.

    “This is pure act of corruption which our members have vowed to resist henceforth if nothing is done to address the issue,” the group stressed.

     

  • NSCDC intercepts fake 25,000 litres petroleum products in Anambra

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), has intercepted over 25,000 liters of suspected adulterated petroleum products at a filling station at Amawbia, Awka South Council Area of Anambra State.

    The NSCDC State Commandant, Mrs Obiageli Obiajulu made disclosed this at Amawbia while addressing journalists at the filling station where the vehicle was confiscated.

    She said the fake products were carried in an articulated vehicle carefully constructed and hidden under the main tank for the illicit business activities before they were caught offloading diesel at the filling station.

    According to Obiajulu, the vehicle was impounded while the suspects escaped on sighting NSCDC officials, adding that the illegal product was covered with saw dust to disguise their activities.

    She frowned at the management of the filling station for patronizing adulterated petroleum products from unlicensed vehicle, saying the recovered exhibit would assist the Agency in its investigations that would lead to the arrest of the truck driver and other accomplices.

    Read Also: NSCDC deploys 500 armed personnel to worship centres

    She commended the Anti – Pipeline Vandalism and Petroleum Product Adulteration (IPMAN) for continuous their support which led to the apprehension of the truck.

    National Coordinator of IPMAM, Prince Nixon Udoka-Ahanonu, said the development would serve as deterrent to others who indulge in such act of pipeline vandalism, assuring of the association continueous efforts to getting rid of bad eggs.

    Exhibits recovered by the men of NSCDC were a pumping machine, a large number of pipes, over 25,000 liters of drums, 100 bags of saw dust, among others.

  • Obiano lauds Buhari over Emefiele’s reappointment as CBN governor

    Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the reappointment of Mr. Godwin Emefiele as the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    The governor who spoke through his Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C. Don Adinuba, said both the government and people of the state were delighted at the reappointment.

    He said, “We are happy because it is based purely on merit and an appreciation of the values of policy consistency, national interest, financial system stability and a strong desire for rapid national economic growth.

    “One thing which Mr Emefiele’s reappointment signifies is that President Buhari has started in earnest the implementation of the new policy of inclusiveness which he assured the Nigerian people after his reelection last February and an issue which he and I have been discussing in private.

    “Though Mr. Emefiele was appointed the CBN Governor five years ago by erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan, President Buhari saw the need for him to continue in office in the overriding interest of the nation.

    “The president deserves commendation for standing firm on his decision on Emefiele’s reappointment, unlike a former President who was enamoured of Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s brilliance, foresight, energy, patriotism and accomplishments as the CBN Governor, but at the end of the day succumbed to pressures from those who didn’t want Prof. Soludo back for parochial reasons.

    Read Also: Insecurity: No sacred cows in Anambra – Obiano

    Describing Emefiele’s policies as courageous, sound and in the interest of the Nigerian people, the governor maintained that the appointment was pathway to national greatness.

    He said: “Rather than pander to dictates of those who prescribe unrestrained market forces in economic policy to developing nations, Emefiele placed on a foreign exchange embargo on 43 items which are not critically needed here or can be provided in Nigeria.

    “The embargo helped to shore up the naira against international currencies when it was under severe pressure following the crash of crude oil prices and a drastic reduction in the volume of crude oil exported from our country.

    “It also helped the Government and people of Anambra State in the rice production drive, as the embargo made smuggled foreign rice more expensive and less effective to compete with the famous Anambra Rice which has been growing in leaps and bounds.

    According to Obiano, the nation should expect more balanced appointments from Buhari in his second term.

    “Massive economic progress can come about only when we choose the best candidates for key public offices, regardless of their ethnicity or the faith they profess.”

  • Obiano seeks Fed Govt’s intervention in Anambra

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano has called on the Presidency to fix seven dilapidated federal roads in the state.

    The governor also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to consider his state for appointment into the executive in the next dispensation.

    Obiano, who addressed reporters after a closed door session with the President, said federal roads in the state have not been touched in the last 20 years. According to him, the last construction work was done under Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) when President Muhammadu Buhari was in charge of the fund.

    The governor said his visit to villa was to congratulate the president on his re-election. He added that the meeting provided him the opportunity to brief the president on the status of federal government projects in the state.

    Read also: 95 suspected cultists nabbed in Anambra

    He said: “This is the first time I am seeing him physically since after that election so I came to congratulate him on his well deserved victory. I also gave him update on the federal government projects in Anambra. For example, Second Niger Bridge, which is going according to plan. The minister of Power, Works and Housing and myself were at the sites recently and I came to brief him fully how that work is going as planned. Secondly, the road being built between Onitsha and Awka is going on very well, about eight kilometers has been stone-pinch and four kilometres already asphalted. I praise him for that initiative. Initially, people thought it was election fluke but you can see long after the elections that those works are still going on very well.

    “I also briefed him on the social programmes in Anambra – the Home Grown School Feeding Programme, NPower, TraderMoney and others – they are going according to plan. Of course, I did request for more support and I promised him will give all the support to make sure that he has a successful second term in office.

    “We did ask for appointment too in various areas. The president is a good man and he will look at those requests dispassionately and handle accordingly.”