Tag: Anambra

One  passenger lost his life while seven others sustained serious injuries in a fatal crash around the timber market in Umuokpu along Awka-Onitsha expressway in Anambra State.

The crash which occurred Thursday night, involved two vehicles, a Mack truck with registration number NSK399ZY and Toyota Sienna bus with registration Number ABJ288DU carrying 8 passengers.

According to an eyewitness, the overloaded truck was in slow motion when the bus, at an uncontrollable speed rammed into it and crashed.

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Confirming the incident, Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Adeoye Irelewuyi blamed the crash on overloading and excessive speed that led to a loss of control of the movement.

He revealed that eight male adults and six female adults were involved in the crash, with three male adults and four female adults being injured, while one adult was killed.

He said the injured were taken to the Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, while the deceased body was deposited in the mortuary.

He sympatized with the victims and deceased family, warning drivers who indulge in overloading and excessive speeding to have a change of attitude.

A middle-aged man, Uzochukwu Okoli, has been arrested for allegedly giving out his underage daughters in marriage.

Okoli’s apprehension followed a report lodged by one of his daughters to the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, detailing alleged mistreatment by her father and the man he compelled her to marry.

During interrogation, Okoli initially stated his daughter’s age as 18 but later changed it to 20.

While being handcuffed, the suspect issued threats against his daughters, suggesting repercussions if he were to survive his prison term.

He urged them to pray he died in prison or be prepared to experience more misery.

“Just pray I die in prison because I will definitely deal with you if I eventually come out alive. I’ll make life more miserable for all of you,” he vowed.

Earlier, the daughter, Chioma Okoli, who claimed to be 16, disclosed that their father brought them back from Edo State, where they were attending school, solely to arrange their marriages.

Chioma, accompanied by her elder sister to the ministry, claimed that she was initially compelled to reside with a septuagenarian at the age of 14 before the father later gave her out to a 34-year-old man, Chinedu Nweke to marry.

She said: “After the death of our mother, our father brought us back from Edo state, where we were going to school to take a husband.

“He first forced me to live with a 70-plus-year-old man at the age of 14 but after sometime, I ran back home before he later gave me out to a 34-year-old man, Chinedu Nweke as a husband.

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“Unfortunately, life with Chinedu has been hell because he beats me, and sometimes after beating me pees in my mouth. I was forced to run away with my 9-month-old baby.”

Reacting, the commissioner for women and social welfare, Ify Obinabo directed that the case be charged to court to ensure justice for the victims.

She urged parents to be mindful of their children and guide them properly instead of pushing them to early marriages capable of destroying their lives.

Both suspects, Okoli and Nweke were arrested and would be arraigned soon.

Anambra Police Command has apprehended 16 alleged cult members terrorising and killing people in the capital city of Awka.

The Command declared 21 others wanted. 

Awka capital city has witnessed many cult- related killings in the past one month with no fewer than 34 persons killed since Easter.

The killings made member, representing Awka South 1 constituency, Hon. Henry Mbachu and other stakeholders to raise the alarm last Tuesday, saying enough was enough

The lawmaker and the other stakeholders of Awka origin said they would hold a summit in May to find a lasting solution to the mayhem

However, the Police Command  arrested no fewer than 16 alleged suspects involved in the mayhem.

Read Also: NSCDC nabs eight illegal security operatives, recovers guns in Anambra

In a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, a Superintendent of Police ,SP, said 21 others suspected to be involved in the killings were on the run and declared wanted 

He said the arrested cultists were nabbed  during series of intelligence-led manhunt and detained on the orders  of the Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye.

He said the  CP and other senior officers had vowed that cultists responsible for the spate of killings in the capital must pay for their crimes.

Stakeholders from the Awka community in Anambra state are convening to address the purported surge in cult-related violence and other criminal activities within the locality.

Over the past fortnight, at least 16 individuals, particularly young residents, have reportedly lost their lives in what is believed to be a clash between rival cult groups in the capital city.

In response to the disturbing developments, community stakeholders have united their efforts to quell the violence and restore peace and security to the area.

Some of the leaders are, Hon. Ossy Onuko, Managing Director, Awka Capital Territory Development Agency (ACTDA); Hon Henry Mbachu, (known as Nigeria), member representing Awka South 1 at the State House of Assembly; and Hon. ThankGod Anagor, Transition Committee Chairman, Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra state.

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They declared after their meeting that they would not allow the killings to continue in their territory anymore, saying, “We are ready to bring a lasting solution to the cult clashes and create an environment where peace and harmony will reign supreme.”

Speaking on the issue, Onuko, said the current security situation of the town had become a source of concern to the people such that they were now living in fear.

Onuko said: “Residents of Awka are beginning to witness a little bit of a setback in the security architecture of the town in terms of cult-related gun violence where our youths indulge in the killing of each other and endangering the lives of other innocent residents.

“We, as servants of the people, have brainstormed and come up with a strategy that will yield a solution to the challenge.”

He said the community was not the only city hit by cult clashes in the country, adding that the safety of the residents and other visitors to the state remained a priority of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s government.

He reminded the youths of the need to embrace peace as there was no gain in crime and violence.

Honourable Mbachu, a member of the Labour Party, emphasized the necessity for collective action, noting that the current situation in the town had escalated to a point that could no longer be ignored. He highlighted one of the strategies they had adopted, which involves collaborating with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and other pertinent agencies to reorient the populace and redirect their focus towards endeavours that would enhance their lives and contribute positively to society.

Also, ThankGod Anagor, the chairman of Awka South local government, expressed concern over the escalating gun violence in Awka, characterizing it as a transition from a chronic problem to an epidemic issue. He explained that this dire situation prompted their decision to take proactive measures.

“Cultists are known gunmen. They are our sons and daughters. We will start from somewhere that is why we are preaching for them to imbibe peace but we have other options that we would not disclose to anyone,” he said

One person was killed at the popular Aroma junction in Awka, Anambra State when some suspected cultists invaded the arena.

The incident happened around 6.48pm on Wednesday when many shops and other business activities were winding up.

Following the shootings, tension has heightened in the capital city.

The victim, said to hail from Amudo village of Awka, was said to be a tricycle revenue collector who was previously a Keke operator himself.

The Nation gathered the assailants trailed him from Ifite area and shot him at close range at a filling station which serves as a popular stop for buses and tricycles.

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The major roads in the area of the incident suddenly became empty, just as many people abandoned their cars and took to their heels.

The lifeless body of the victim was still lying at the filling station as of the time of filing this report.

Awka has been witnessing cult- related killings for a long and they kill their rivals in broad daylight.

No fewer than 14 persons had been killed in such manner in the last two weeks in Awka

Anambra Muslim community has offered prayers for the administration of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Chukwuma Soludo among other political office holders in the country during Eld-ED-Fitri

They also asked God to strengthen their faith while discharging their responsibilities.

Leader of Anambra Muslim Ummah, Alhaji Garba Haruna (Seriki Hausawa Awka), called for the prayers during the 2024 eld-el-fitr prayers, at Amawbia Sports Club field on Wednesday.

Haruna, who is also the Chairman, Northern Traditional Council, Anambra State said, every Nigerian irrespective of tribe, ethnic and religious affiliation must continue to pray for leaders and progress of the country at large.

He said: ““Today marks a significant day in Islam as Muslims worldwide commemorate the conclusion of Ramadan and the Eid-el-Fitr festivities.

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“The major part of Ramadan in Islam is to solicit God’s blessings.

“We the entire Muslim ummah in Anambra are so happy living peacefully in the State.

“We are also happy witnessing today’s event once again in our lives in a conducive environment.”

While urging Nigerians to be patient with the government in its effort to tackle the current economic hardship in the country, Haruna commended Soludo’s effort in curtailing insecurity in the State.

Suspected cultist have killed one prominent young man in Awka, Anambra state, leaving others injured.

The incident took place on Tuesday evening at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University temporary site junction in the capital city.

The Nation gathered that the victim was an alleged member of one of the groups causing mayhem in Awka in the the last one month

The Awka cult war had claimed no fewer than 14 young persons in the last one month, including on Easter day

Few days ago, Anambra Commissioner of police, Aderemi Adeoye, raised the alarm that some’big men’ in Awka were shielding some of the cultists and calling for their release any time they were arrested.

Sources said immediately the young man popularly referred as (Nwanayoeze)was gunned down, his assailants fled.

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But his cult members were said to have quickly taken away his corpse to avoid security agencies picking it.

Residents confirmed that the victim was a  popular person in the vicinity.

They also said that he was feared by all but was never suspected to be a cultist.

Anambra Police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga, an Superintendent of police SP, confirmed the incident.

He said: “The command is aware of unconfirmed news of the cult-related killing of a man popularly known as Nwanayoeze today in Awka.

“Our operatives were immediately drafted to the scene and there was no trace of such.

“Meanwhile, we are working with the residents of the area to ascertain what happened. Also, Police Patrol has been intensified in Awka.”

Former Presidential candidate of the Labour party (LP) Peter Obi and Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) failed to attend the stakeholders meeting in the zone organized by Valentine Ozigbo.

No reason was offered for their absence as Ozigbo intensified efforts in his governorship pursuit in 2025 on the platform of LP.

Though, he already made his intention known to his party, majority of the members are said not to be not happy with him as they allegedly prefer Senator Umeh for the contest..

Some of them, who spoke with The Nation at the weekend, said Ozigbo is just wasting his time with the ambition. 

One of them, who preferred anonymity, said Umeh is the person the party members are rooting for.

The stakeholder’s meeting held at Grand East Hotels, Awka without the two key members of LP in the Central zone (Obi and Umeh).

It was further gathered that Obi had perfected plans to dump LP again with other options in the offing.

Speaking at the stakeholders meeting ,Ozigbo assured he would lead the State to a more enviable height and for only one term of four years if voted into power .

He boasted that he would surely hand over to another competent candidate from Anambra Central after his four-year tenure, which some of his party members described as “joke of the year.”

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He further stated that four years would be enough for any serious government to impact lives positively.

“Anambra State under me as Governor would be repositioned and transformed to an enviable height within four years because of my competence, leadership quality, and proven records of excellence.

“As an advocate of zoning, I will honour the principles of zoning, I’ll transform Anambra State within four years, and hand it over to any other competent person from Anambra Central. I am a man of integrity, ” Ozigbo added.”

Prof Chinyere Okunna, Peter Obi’s former Chief of Staff and Deputy Vice Chancellor of Paul’s University, said: “Val’s character is 100% and this is what makes him fit and proper for this job. 

“Some erroneously think that by being humane, civilised and gentlemanly, you are weak in politics, but these are actually his greatest strengths.”