The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Anambra State

  • Police arrest woman over theft of 5-day-old twin

    Detectives at the Central Police Station, Nnewi, Anambra State, have arrested one 35-year-old Dorothy Sunday, who allegedly stole a five-day-old twin baby boy.

    In a statement in Awka on Thursday, SP Haruna Mohammed, Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Police Command, said that the woman was arrested at 5.30p.m. on Wednesday.

    Mohammed alleged that the suspect sneaked into the Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, and stole the baby from the maternity section of the hospital.

    He said that the mother of baby, Mrs Happiness Mmadu, aged 22, went to wash her clothes when her baby was allegedly stolen.

    Read Also: Police arrest man for allegedly raping daughter

    The police spokesman said that luck ran out of the suspect when nurses at the hospital gate saw her in a suspicious manner and raised alarm which led to her arrest.

    He said that the baby was recovered in good condition and the case under investigation.

    He gave the assurance that the suspect would be charged to court after investigations.

  • Help us douse tension, INEC begs religious leaders

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra state has sought the assistance of religious leaders in the state in checkmating the tension and anxiety associated with elections in Nigeria.

    The State Resident Electoral Officer, Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji, made the appeal on Wednesday while paying separate advocacy visits to the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor and his Anglican counterpart, Rt. Rev. Alexander Ibezim.

    He said the appeal was necessary in view of envisaged fear of compromise on the part of the commission as a result increased number of registered political parties and candidates participating in the exercise.

    Orji underscored the place of patience and tolerance among the politicians and electorate while the process of election collation lasted.

    According to him, talking to the politicians and electorate who constitute majority of their congregation would go a long way in reducing the tension before and during the exercise

    He said, “There is no doubt that the collation and release of result will take more time with 73 out of 91 registered political parties contesting for presidency.

    Read Also: Imo electorate task INEC on credible poll

    “That of 2015 presidential election took up to Wednesday to announce. This time, the duration will be longer which will most likely trigger anxiety and mistrust among the electorate.

    “That is why we need your assistance in dousing the tension by calming the nerves of politicians and electorate, many of who are your members that the process will not be manipulated.

    “As religious leaders, you are in the best position to relate our message to your congregation.”

    Responding, the two clerics commended the commissioner for the visit, assuring him of their prayers, as well as relating the message to members of their congregation.

  • Man drags siblings to court over land in Anambra

    A middle-aged man, Obed Umeojiaka has dragged his four siblings to court over his rightful inheritance of the Obi and compound of his late father in Ifite village Ezinifite, Aguata council area of Anambra State.

    Umeojiaka said he sued his brothers, Emeka, Ifeanyi and two others, as the first son in accordance with the custom and tradition of the community.

    In Suit No.AG/7/2019, Obed claimed, among other things, that while his father was alive, he (Obed) erected some buildings, including a warehouse and boys’ quarters within his father’s compound and fenced them off with an entrance gate.

    He said, “My late father, twenty years ago, called all his male children and gave various homesteads to us individually outside his father’s own compound.

    “None of us protested, but accepted their homesteads from our father.”

    According to Obed, he had been in possession and occupation of the Obi and compound of his late father until January 2017 when the siblings allegedly invaded the compound with force.

    “After pulling down the fence that protected the entire compound, they erected a wall fence inside the compound to separate the main building from the boys’ quarters and parking lot built inside the same compound,” he added.

    Read Also: Vigilante kills student in Anambra

    Countering the accusation, however, Obed’s brothers, in a letter to the police titled “threat to life”, alleged his plan to assassinate them.

    The brothers who had earlier petitioned the Inspector General of Police through their lawyer, Mr Justus Uche Ijeoma, claimed their late father gave a portion of his compound to two of his sons.

    The letter read partly,  “Chukwuemeka and Sopuluchukwu built their own houses and partitioned the compound to separate them from the portion given to the first son, Obed and his properties based on intervention and decision of their kinsmen.

    “Trouble started when Obed allegedly demolished our houses, pulled down the fences and entrance gates as well as walled off an existing four bedroom bungalow belonging to one of us “to deny him access to his house and property.”

    While calling for a thorough investigation into the matter, the brothers said they were law-abiding, pledging to present themselves for investigation to taking laws into their hands.

     

  • Anambra CP orders aggressive manhunt of cultists, sponsors

    The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Garba Umar has ordered aggressive manhunt of persons involved in cult activities and their sponsors in the state.

    Umaru who gave the directive in Awka on Monday through the Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, said the measure has become necessary following recent upsurge in cults related activities in the State.

    He asked those involved to desist henceforth or have themselves to blame, regardless of their positions.

    “The CP directed for aggressive manhunt of perpetrators including their sponsors in order to stem the tide of the menace and the clamp down had commenced with immediate effect.

    Read Also: Vigilante kills student in Anambra

    “Consequently, the Command is determined as usual to ensure that criminals in whatever guise have no hiding place in the State no matter how highly placed they might be especially during this period of electioneering Campaigns,” he said.

    While vowing to deal decisively with anyone apprehended in accordance with the law, the CP reassured the people of state of the Command’s commitments towards providing Safety and Security in the State.

    “The Command also implores parents/guardians to caution their children to refrain from indulging in cultism and other nefarious activities or face severe legal consequences when arrested,” he added.

  • Flood claims 23-year-old sales lady in Onitsha

    A 23-year old lady, Miss Chukwusom Nwoko reportedly lost her life following a heavy rain in Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of Anambra state.

    The rain which was said to have started shortly after the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the commercial city of the state, lasted over an hour.

    The Nation gathered that the deceased was returning home after the day’s business with two other colleagues of hers when the rain started.

    A resident of the area, who did not want to be mentioned, said they quickly rushed into a nearby shop within Ochanja market round-about to avoid being wait by the rain.

    “Few minutes after, the owner of the shop asked them to leave his shop, claiming he wanted to shut it as it was getting late.

    “The girls pleaded with him to allow them stay a little as it was still raining heavily but the man ignored them and was busy locking up his shop.”

    The man however alleged that two of the girls who angrily left had crossed the deep drainage with the aid of a plank used as bridge when the shop owner reportedly removed the plank.

    “The man raised the plank while Miss Nwoko, was on it and she fell into the deep gutter filled to capacity because of the heavy down pour.

    “On seeing that she has drowned, he briskly shut his shop and ran away before sympathizers and on-lookers who defied the rain to rescue the girl rushed to the scene,” he added.

    The Nation further learnt that the body of the deceased was later recovered and was taken to Borromeo Catholic Mission hospital morgue.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill Pastor in Onitsha church

    Speaking to newsmen, the father of the girl, Mr. Ndubuisi Nwoko accused the shop owner of killing his daughter.

    He said, “The man has just killed my daughter and ran away and he has not been seen up till now.

    “I have lodged the matter at Fegge police station and we have gone to the mortuary where the police took photograph of the corpse.

    “I want to see the killer of my daughter who is doing the business to keep her busy waiting for when she will get admission into tertiary institution.”

    The Fegge Divisional Police Officer, Mr Garba Rabiu, confirmed the incident, but said the suspect was still at large.

    “We are looking for the man, he has not been seen since the incident happened,” he said.

  • ‘Buhari’s victory will guarantee greater slots for Igbo lawmakers’

    A House of Representative candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in next month’s general election, Engr. Jude Onyeka on Sunday, said the Igbo would have much to gain if President Muhammadu Buhari was reelected.

    He said APC victory at the polls would lay to rest all complaints of not having enough from the federal government.

    Speaking with journalists at his campaign office, Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra state, Onyeka said the Igbo would not only have greater voice in the house, but would avoid past mistakes.

    The House of Rep hopeful who is contesting for Nnewi North/Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, pledged to make a difference if elected.

    Read Also: People with disabilities endorse Buhari

    He said, “The Igbo will have a lot to gain, if they can vote APC all through especially for presidential and National Assembly in the five States of the South East to be part of the majority and have more voice and avoid mistakes of the past.

    “An APC president with majority of the APC lawmakers in the National Assembly from the South East geo-political zone like other zones will give the Igbo a strong bargaining power in national politics.”

    Predicting a landslide victory for the party, Onyeka said, “it would be a miscalculation if the Igbo could not avail themselves of the opportunity offered by the party to be part of the “envisaged” majority in the National Assembly.

    “Ndigbo stand to gain by supporting the APC in the upcoming elections. When you have a President who is an APC man and lawmakers of Igbo extraction who are members of the APC, for us there will be that synergy and cooperation.

    “Our voice will be our strength.  That will give us a better opportunity to demand and receive more infrastructural development and other democracy dividends with ease,” Onyeka said.

  • Vigilante kills student in Anambra

    Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

    A student was on Friday allegedly shot dead by a member of a local vigilante in Ozubulu community, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    The deceased, Isaac Ubah, said to be a student of Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna, reportedly had misunderstanding with his brother but was later resolved by their kinsmen.

    The Nation gathered that some members of the Ozubulu Vigilante Service, around 2am the next day, however stormed the compound in the guise of intervening in the already settled matter but were rebuffed by the deceased.

    A resident of the area who preferred anonymity, said trouble ensued when the vigilante who was not comfortable with his approach engaged him in a verbal war.

    “As soon as the man demanded to know why they had come to intervene in a matter that had already been settled, argument ensued, which led to a fight.

    “While they were arguing, one of the vigilante men opened fire on the boy and shot him thrice and ran away,” he said.

    The man however hinted that the deceased gave up on the way to the hospital.

    The Nation further gathered immediately the news of the death filtered into town, angry youths rushed out in their numbers and set the vigilante’s vehicles on fire.

    It was also gathered that houses of some of the members of the vigilance were also set on fire.

    Confirming the incident, the PPRO in the State, Haruna Mohammed said the principal suspect has been arrested with the pump action used in perpetrating the crime recovered.

    He said: “On the 24/01/2019 at about 12:00hrs, there was a distress call that vigilante group led by one Friday Nwachukwu ‘m’ of Udorji road Ozubulu went to Akwa village to effect arrest of one Kelvin Ubah ‘m’ who allegedly escaped arrest over yet to be ascertained offense but his brother one Isaac Ubah came out from the house and demanded for reasons why the vigilante group are looking for his brother.

    Read Also: Truck crushes mother, children to death in Anambra

    “Consequently, struggle ensued between them and on the process one of the Vigilante member namely Friday Nwachukwu ‘m’ allegedly shot Isaac Ubah on his chest with a Pump action and hurriedly left the scene.

    “Police Patrol team attached to Ozubulu division rushed to the scene and took the victim to Access hospital for treatment but was later certified dead by a medical doctor.

    “However, youths of the village in their hundreds mobilised to the vigilante office and set ablaze two of their Hilux vehicles.

    Assuring that calm has been restored in the area, Mohammed said the corpse has been deposited at the hospital morgue for postmortem examination.

    “The case is under investigation after which suspects would be charged to Court for prosecution,” he said.

     

  • CP orders arrest of F-SARS impostors in Anambra

    The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Garba Umar has asked the people of the state to report any police officer claiming to be a member of the Federal SARS in the state.

    The appeal is coming on the heels of the recent disbandment of the Federal SARS, Special Investigation Panel and Special Tactical Squad by the Acting Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu.

    Addressing newsmen on Tuesday at the police headquarters in Amawbia, Umar said there was no FSARS in the state, warning that anybody impersonating an officer was doing so at his peril.

    “In tandem with the directive of the new IGP, there is no Federal SARS anymore in Anambra State. But we have what we call the Anti-Robbery Squad which is under my command and control.

    “We appeal to the public, anyone that sees FSARS or someone claiming to be an officer of FSARS should please report him immediately to the CP for necessary actions.

    He assured that the state SARS was being recognized for better and improved performance.

    “Already, we’ve given directives, and we’ve started readjusting and re-organising our SARS for better services,” he stressed.

  • Two arrested for killing artisan

    Two persons have been arrested by men of the Edo State Police Command for killing an artisan identified as Monday Obaikan.

    Late Monday was declared missing on December 19, 2018.

    Names of the suspects were given as Ebuka and Godwin.

    The remains of Monday, aged 28, was recovered inside a bush at Uteh community in Ikpoba-Okha local government area.

    It was learnt that the suspects got the victims number and called him that they have a job for him.

    When the victim got to the location, they killed him after torturing him to give them the pin of his ATM card.

    The bush where they killed the suspect was set ablaze after which the suspects withdrew over N1m from the suspects account and fled to Anambra State.

    Ebuka who led policemen to the scene where the remains of the victim was recovered pleaded to be forgiven and said they selected the location for easy operation.

    Edo Police spokesman, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, urged the public to be wary of who called them for business transaction.

  • Gunmen kill man, abduct sister in Anambra

    Nando community, Anambra East local government area of Anambra State was thrown into mourning at the weekend following the killing of a middle-aged man by unknown gunmen.

    The gunmen, believed to be kidnappers, reportedly shot the deceased, Maxwell Ezeudu while returning from a church prayer vigil at Igbariam.

    The Nation gathered that the deceased was heading to his residence at Aguleri in company of his mother and sister when he rammed into the gunmen who laid ambush for them.

    A resident of the community who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the deceased nearly escaped from the gunmen before he was shot dead.

    “On getting to Nando, a neighbouring community, they rammed into a road block mounted by the gunmen and their vehicle suddenly stopped after it veered off the road,” he said.

    He said the gunmen allowed the aged mother to find her way while they took their turns to rape her before holding her captive.

    The Nation further learnt that the kidnappers later demanded for a N350,000 ransom after establishing contact with the relations of the family.

    When contacted, state Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, pleaded for time to reach the DPO in the area for confirmation.

    “I will find out from the DPO please,” he said.