The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Anambra State

  • Widow laments son’s alleged gun-shot in Anambra

    A middle-aged woman has called for justice over the alleged shooting of his son, Mr Stephen Udogu in Nnewi, Anambra State.

    The victim, a 35-year-old graduate of Estate Management, from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, was allegedly shot by security operatives suspected to be men of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) who came from outside the area.

    The Nation gathered that the victim is undergoing severe pains at a private hospital in the commercial city, following the bullets injury he sustained on his hips.

    The mother of the victim, Mrs Peace Ifeoma Udogu, said her son was shot at Uru, Umudim, Nnewi while returning from plumbing work on his motorcycle together with a colleague.

    “When he saw where people gathered, he stopped to inquire what was happening only to be shot by one of the operatives at a close range to the surprise of everybody around there.

    The visibly devastated widow revealed that her son would undergo series of operations to dislodge pallets of bullets deposited in his hips.

    “From the X-ray result, bullets pierced his hips from his left side and located other regions to cause damage. He must have lost some quantum of blood as a result of the shooting.

    Read also: Evangelist docked for defiling 10 years old girl 

    According to her, “Stephen is one of my sons who fend for the family since after the death of my husband. What has he done to them? Up till now, I’m yet to come to terms why he was shot,” she lamented.

    The victim, who managed to utter some words from his hospital bed, said he was on his way from work when he was shot for inquiring about what was happening where people gathered.

    He said the bullets would have hit him on the stomach if not that he jumped up before he was shot.

    When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Haruna Muhammed (SP) said he would find out what happened.

  • Rescue flood victim dead or alive – Obiano urges NSCDC, others

    Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano has directed the commencement of search and rescue of the body of Mr. Ugochukwu Ofiaeli reportedly drowned in a flash flood at Nnewi.

    The 45-year old man, from Egbu-Umuenem, Otolo Nnewi, was said to have been carried away by flood last week along Okwuani- Ezi Ogwugwu road, Nnewi and had not been seen since then.

    Obiano who had earlier commensurated with the family during a visit, reassured them that government would find the missing person dead or alive.

    Speaking later when he visited the scene of the incident, the governor said a joint team comprising men of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA) brigade, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the State Ministry of Works would join in the search.

    Read Also: Flood: Obiano urges Fed Govt to pay 2012 victims

    He also directed the Ministry of Works to redesign the road and create appropriate water channels to forestall a recurrence of such incidents.

    The governor also paid condolence visit to the family of Pastor Salvation Samuel of Amawbia community who lost their 14-year old daughter, Ebubechukwu in a flash flood in the town.

    While appealing to residents to exercise caution and restraint at flash flood areas by patiently allowing it to subside, regardless of its size, Obiano stressed that it was more profitable to lose time than lives.

  • Man shot girl friend with pistol in Anambra

    A 25-year old woman was allegedly shot dead by her boy friend, Chika Modili in Oranto village, Ukpo in Dunukofia local government area of Anambra state.

    The deceased, Uchenna Onyeama, a native of Orofia village, Abagana, was reportedly shot dead with a pistol inside the room of a friend to the suspect, identified as Nonso Nwabueze.

    The Nation gathered that the suspect and his accomplice quickly locked the room and fled at about 6.30pm before the arrival of the police.

    A resident of the area who pleaded anonymity, said the police gained entrance to the room after breaking the door before they could retrieve the body of the deceased.

    The reason behind the act could not be ascertained as at press time.

    Read Also: Man kills mother over breakfast in Anambra

    Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Haruna Mohammed, said the suspects escaped to an unknown destination after committing the murder.

    He said, “Police detectives attached to Dunokofia division led by the DPO visited the scene and discovered that the room occupied by one Nonso Nwabueze was locked and the suspects escaped to unknown destination.

    “Power of Ingress was used to gain entrance into the room and victim was rushed to Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching hospital where she was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.”

    He said the corpse had been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy, while efforts were on to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

    “One single barrel gun and one expanded cartridge suspected to be used in perpetrating the dastardly act was also recovered inside the room,” Mohammed added.

  • Corps members take oath amidst rain in Anambra

    About 2,364 Batch ‘B’ stream I corps members posted to Anambra state for their national service, on Friday made good their ‘under the rain’ pledge, as they took oath of allegiance amidst rain at the orientation camp, Umunya, Oyi local government area of the state.

    The NYSC members, comprising of 1376 females and 988 males, filed out as early as 9am in readiness for the swearing-in ceremony, defying the rain which had persisted in the state for three consecutive days.

    The State Coordinator, Aremu Kehinde, said the patriotism and resilience demonstrated by the corp members since they reported to camp was a clear testimony that the NYSC anthem recited each day was not mere lip service.

    He said he was not surprised at the way they stayed put as the rain came in course of the occasion.

    “As soon as they reported to camp, they started learning the NYSC anthem as well as that of the state and the nation. You know one of the lines of our anthem is ‘building our nation high under the sun or in the rain’.

    “Since it’s what they’ve decided to do, it was not surprising that they didn’t run from the rain when it started,” he said.

    Read Also: Orphanages not for profit, Anambra cleric warns

    The Coordinator also expressed optimism that majority of the corps would not seek redeployment after the orientation course in view of the level of security and job opportunities existing in the state.

    “Those factors that drive corps members away, including lack of security, infrastructures and opportunities are very much present here.

    “I believe 95% of the corps members would not only stay back for their primary assignment, but would even decide to work here after their service,” he added.

    Earlier, the governor of the state, Willie Obiano had assured the corps members of enabling environment to maximize their potentials of self-realization and self-sufficiency.

    Obiano who was represented by the commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, Bonadventure Enemali, urged them to take advantage of the training to equip themselves for job creation

  • Man kills mother over breakfast in Anambra

    Residents of Okpunoeze Akabo Edoji Uruagu in Nnewi local government area of Anambra state, were on Wednesday, thrown into mourning following the murder of a woman by his son.

    The suspect, simply identified as Chinedu, allegedly killed his mother over disagreement on breakfast menu.

    The Nation gathered that the deceased had prepared yam porridge for breakfast, contrary to the noodles requested by the suspect before stepping out of the house.

    A resident of the area who pleaded anonymity, said the suspect was however surprised to see the deceased preparing another meal when he returned.

    “The mother was busy preparing the yam porridge in the kitchen for breakfast without suspecting anything when the son returned.

    “Suddenly, pandemonium ensued, but before we could rush to know what was happening, the man had killed the mother inside the kitchen,” he said.

    A family source who did not want her name on print, however disclosed that the deceased had been in a running battle with the mother after she won him in a court case over family issues.

    “The shocking incident happened this morning after a disagreement which is yet to be ascertained.

    “After killing his own mother while she was cooking, he abandoned her in a pool of her blood and ran away,” she said.

    The source however revealed that the police authorities have been alerted of the development.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Haruna Mohammed, when contacted, promised to find out what exactly happened.

  • Candle light burns baby to death in Onitsha

    A 4-month old baby, Chimmuanya Chukwu was on Saturday, burnt to death following a candle fire that gutted a room apartment at Okija Street, Awada in Onitsha, Anambra State.

    The Nation gathered that the mother of the baby had left the baby at home around 7pm to recharge her torch in the neighborhood when the incident happened.

    Narrating her ordeal, the mother of the baby, Mrs Oluchi Chukwu said her baby was fast asleep when the wax of the candle light she litted got exhausted and spread into the inflammable material she laid on.

    “I went out to charge my rechargeable torch because there was no electricity within my vicinity when the candle exhausted its wax and melted on an inflammable material leading to the fire which engulfed their room,” she said.

    The visibly devastated woman explained that those who assisted in putting out the fire could not rescue the baby as they were ignorant of her presence in the room.

    Read Also: Four bankers feared drowned in Onitsha flood

    “My baby couldn’t have died if those who came to our rescue were aware that she was inside. It was unfortunate that I lost my baby in such a manner,” she lamented.

    Chukwu said she took the baby to a private hospital where she was confirmed dead, adding that she had been buried.

    The caretaker of the building, who witnessed the incident, regretted that the baby had died before the inferno was brought under control by neighbors.

    A tenant, Innocent Chukwu said the fire could have escalated but for the quick intervention of neighbours.

  • Okada ban has restored sanity in Anambra – Catholic Bishop

    The Catholic bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor has commended the Anambra State government over the ban on commercial motorcycle operation in Onitsha and Awka, saying the proscription has restored sanity to the once noisy cities.

    He said the ban has also lessened the noise pollution occasioned by the frequent movements of the motorcyclists in both cities.

    Speaking on Friday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Nkwelle, Awka during the burial of Noble Lady Juliana Chinwe Okika, mother of Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Kenechukwu Okika, the cleric however expressed reservations on the timing of the notice.

    Ezeokafor who hinted that he was away when the ban notice was issued, noted that more time would have been given to the operators to enable them negotiate for their next line of business.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill couple in Anambra

    “I came in to behold a serene environment. I can now sleep and wake up anytime I like without any form of disturbance. The operators move around anytime without recourse to people’s health or quiet time.

    “You know it is not easy to change a business, I learnt that some of them do not even know how to drive buses or shuttles. Government should please consider time when next they embark on directive like this.

    “I’m glad that the government through Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASBA) has provided an alternative means to cushion the effect on the affected persons. Now that the decision has been reached let the affected persons leverage on this initiative,” he said.

    The Catholic Prelate also expressed satisfaction at the orderly manner the ban was implemented and enforced as well as the total compliance witnessed so far on the side of the operators.

     

  • INEC to suspend voter registration in Anambra August 17

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra State has disclosed soon suspension of the on-going Continuous Voter Registration exercise in the state.

    The Head, Voter Education and Publicity in the commission, Mr Leo Nkedife in a statement, on Tuesday, said the exercise would be suspended on August 17 in all the 21 local government areas of the state.

    He said the suspension was to give the commission ample time to process the voter register and produce the permanent voters cards ahead of the 2019 general election.

    Read Also: INEC to ‘curb’ vote buying

    Nkedife further explained that the exercise would continue after the general election, while the collection of permanent voters cards would continue until the February 8, 2019.

    While commending the people of the state for their co-operation, Nkedife appealed to all the eligible voters yet to register or who lost their cards to avail themselves of the opportunity to do so.

    “Those that want to transfer their PVC from one location to another or those whose PVC was defaced should use this opportunity to update it now that the exercise is on,” he added.

    He further warned against double registration and use of fake PVC during election, just as he cautioned electorates, especially youths not to allow themselves to be used for election malpractices.

  • Dumped 6-months baby found in Anambra

    A 6-months old baby was reportedly found at Umukabia village, Neni, in Anaocha local government area of Anambra State.

    The victim, suspected to have been abandoned in the community by the mother, was said to have been discovered on Monday, at about 10.50pm.

    The Nation gathered that the victim,
    dark in complexion, was brought to Neni Police division by the Chairman, Vigilante group Neni branch, Mr Titus Ogudogwo.

    Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, in the state, SP Haruna Mohammed, said efforts were being made by the Command to trace the biological parents of the child in order to reunite her with the family.

    “On the 9/7/2018 at about 2250hrs, Chairman Vigilante group, Neni branch, one Mr Titus Ogudogwo brought to Neni division a baby girl of about Six months old reasonably suspected to have been abandoned at Umukabia village Neni,” he said.

    Mohammed however urged members of the public with useful information that could help trace the parent of the child to report at the Neni division.

  • Anambra Couple kill cousin for beating children over ‘pot of soup’

    A 35-year old woman was allegedly beaten to death by a couple over scuffle she had with their children in Okpo village, Ekwulobia, in Aguata local government area of Anambra State.

    The deceased, identified as Uju, said to be related to the couple, Mr and Mrs Okafor, reportedly gave up the ghost following series of flogging by the suspects.

    The Nation gathered that the children of the suspects were playing football within their compound in the evening of the fateful day when their ball suddenly fell into the deceased’s pot of soup, which she seized.

    “Okafor’s children rushed immediately and reported the matter to their mother who did not take it lightly, as she hurriedly went over to Uju’s apartment and pounced on her,” one of the neighbors said.

    The neighbor, who preferred anonymity added that while the fight ensued, her (Okafor) husband, who got wind of the incident, rushed to the scene and teamed with his wife to flog the deceased.

    Read Also: Anambra Police arrest six-man robbery syndicate

    According to the source, the beating persisted until the deceased collapsed and lost consciousness, adding that she was later rushed to Dionye Memorial Hospital where she was confirmed dead by the doctor.

    Reacting, the chairman of the community, Chief Peter Odika, confirmed the incident, describing it as abomination.

    He explained that the deceased was Mr Okafor’s second cousin, adding that the village would meet, while they wait for the police to conclude its investigations.

    “The accused will be made to undergo certain cleansing rites in order to appease the gods of the land and to avert whatever curse such an abominable act could attract,” he added.

    When our correspondent visited the town, some angry women from the village were seen protesting against the act, chanting “it is an abomination, an abomination has occurred.”

    Efforts to get the reaction of the state police spokesperson, Mohammed Haruna, was unsuccessful, but a police officer who preferred anonymity, said the suspects were presently cooling off in Ekwulobia Police station.