The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Anambra

  • Traumatised US based tennis champion rescued in Anambra

    Traumatised US based tennis champion rescued in Anambra

    Anambra State Government has rescued one Ms. Tania Okpala, a US-based tennis champion found wandering in the streets of Awka, the state capital.

    Apparently looking distressed and unstable, Okpala was captured in a viral video by a good spirited member of the public.

    The video prompted quick response of Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ify Obinabo to rescue, rehabilitate and reunite her with family following directive from Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his wife, Nonye.

    Interacting with the victim on phone, Mrs Soludo assured her that she would not be forsaken but get the best treatment and rehabilitation to enable her bounce back to life.

    “Anambra State government will not forsake her you. You will definitely get the best treatment and rehabilitation so you can bounce back.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Fire guts two Anambra schools

    “Government will also ensure your full recovery and re-integration into society,” she said.

    Narrating her ordeal to the First Lady, Okpala, a native of Nkpologwu in Aguata local government area, said she is a US- based tennis champion but became a crack cocaine addict due to peer influence.

    She revealed she had the best of education in and outside the country.

    She further disclosed that she lost her mother from Belarus to cancer few years ago and had not been able to get over her demise since then.

    Okpala, who further informed she has a six-year- old daughter staying with her father in Nkpologwu, urged the Governor’s wife to assist her reunite with her daughter.

    The victim is receiving treatment at “At Peace Neuro Center and Clinic” Awka in fulfillment of the promise of Soludo and his wife.

    Okpala was taken to the clinic immediately after rescue and attended to by the doctor after conducting series of tests.

  • Anambra crash leaves one dead, four injured

    Anambra crash leaves one dead, four injured

    One person lost his life while four others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a fatal accident along Ihiala-Owerri road in Anambra State.

    The incident which occurred on Thursday, involved three vehicles, a Nissan commercial bus with registration number: JJT-57XX and two articulated vehicles with no registration numbers.

    According to an eyewitness, the bus driver was discharging passengers in front of a bakery shop when a trailer crashed into it and the bus somersaulted, leaving one of the passengers dead and four others injured.

    “The two trailers were coming from behind with excessive speed trying to overtake each other, as a result, the trailer hit the bus on an electric pole and the bus somersaulted and crashed.

    “The two trailers zoomed off without stopping,” the witness said.

    Confirming the incident, Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Corps Commander Adeoye Irelewuyi blamed the crash on Wrongful Overtaking Violation (WOV) and Speed.

    Read Also: Lagos bishop bags life jail for raping assistant pastor

    He sympathised with the deceased family and wished the injured victims quick recovery.

    He warned motorists to desist from wrongful overtaking and drive within safe speed limit they could control, just as he advised commercial vehicles to park outside the road where it was safe to offload passengers.

    He said, “17 people comprising 13 male adults and four female adults were involved in the crash.

    “Four persons, comprising three male adults and one female adult were injured, one male adult was killed, while 12 people were rescued unhurt.

    “The injured victims were taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihialla by the FRSC rescue team from RS5.34 Ihialla Unit Command, while the dead victim was deposited at the same hospital mortuary.

    “FRSC Rescue team on ground managed the traffic and ensured obstruction caused by the crash was removed.”

  • Two women imprisoned for child theft in Anambra

    Two women imprisoned for child theft in Anambra

    A Chief Magistrate Court of the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court, sitting in Awka, Anambra State has sentenced one Faith Obi and Chinenye Obete to multiple jail terms.

    Obi (32) and Obete (41) were arraigned on a five-count charge of child stealing, abduction of children and illegal dealing in children; fraudulently enticing away and habouring a seven-year-old boy and forcefully isolating the child from lawful possession of their parents.

    The offences are punishable under the Criminal Code, Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria, 1991, and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition and Protection) Laws of Anambra State, 2017 respectively.

    Delivering judgment on the case, Presiding Chief Magistrate, Genevieve Osakwe said the accused were found guilty of all the five charges brought against them.

    Read Also: Anambra couple found dead in car trunk

    The Magistrate sentenced Obi and Obete to four-year imprisonment in count 1; five-year imprisonment in count 2; five-year imprisonment in count 3;  five-year imprisonment in count 4 and a term of 6 months imprisonment in count 5.

    She declared that all sentences would run concurrently without any option of fine.

    Reacting, Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo expressed satisfaction with the court judgment, warning intending offenders to change or leave the state as the Governor Soludo-led administration would not hesitate to bring them to justice.

  • Anambra couple found dead in car trunk

    Anambra couple found dead in car trunk

    Bodies of yet-to-be identified persons have been found in the Umunya axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway in Anambra State.

    The deceased, suspected to be husband and wife, were allegedly murdered by hoodlums who dumped their bodies inside the boot of a vehicle with registration number AAA621EU.

    According to a viral video, the dark Toyota Corolla was seen by passersby where it was abandoned by the roadside.

    “The bodies were found inside the boot of the vehicle along the Tempo Junction, Umunya in the early hours of Wednesday, with the doors wide open and no one inside it.”

    Read Also: Anambra by-election: Security will be tight in communities – INEC

    “We also saw coagulated blood beneath the boot of the vehicle, showing the deceased may have been murdered in cold blood,” a voice in the video echoed.

    Confirming the report, Police spokesperson, Ikenga Tochukwu, said operatives attached to the Oyi Division have recovered and deposited the two bodies in a mortuary.

    He added that investigations had commenced to unravel the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

    He said: “Police personnel attached to the Oyi division led by the DPO have recovered two bodies abandoned in a car boot along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

    “The bodies have been deposited in the morgue while investigations have commenced.

    “Preliminary information reveals that the persons were murdered and abandoned in a black Corolla car with reg plate number Lagos AAA621EU. Further details shall be communicated.”

  • Driver, passengers burnt to death in Anambra fatal crash

    Driver, passengers burnt to death in Anambra fatal crash

    Three persons were burnt beyond recognition in a ghastly motor accident along the Ezinano-Nkwo Agulu section of the Agulu road in Anaocha local government area of Anambra state.

    The crash which occurred Sunday night, involved a 14-seater Mitsubishi 300 bus heading to Ekwulọbịa from Amawbia.

    The deceased, The Nation gathered were the driver and two passengers, a male and a female.

    According to a survivor who gave his name as Chinonso, the bus loaded at Amawbia Park and was heading to Ekwulobia when the incident occurred.

    “Soon after we took off, one of the passengers cautioned the driver against overspeeding but he didn’t heed to the advice.

    “While attempting to avoid a pothole, the driver lost control and the bus veered off the road, somersaulted and caught fire after hitting a fence of a building by the roadside.

    “I managed to escape with other passengers, but we couldn’t succeed in assisting the three victims who were already engulfed by the raging flames,” he narrated in tears.

    Confirming the incident, Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Adeoye Irelewuyi who put the time of the crash at 6.15pm, blamed it on overspeeding and wrongful overtaken.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Police kill hoodlum, foil robbery attack in Anambra

    “Seven passengers, comprising 4 males and 3 females were involved. Three were killed while 2 were injured. The bodies of the deceased were taken to a nearby mortuary,” he said.

    The FRSC boss cautioned against overspeeding and wrongful overtaking, just as he sympathized with the deceased family, praying to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • Vehicles, goods burnt as fire guts mechanic workshop, parking stores in Anambra

    Unconfirmed number of articulated trucks were on Sunday night razed in a fire outbreak at a mechanic workshop along Onitsha-Enugu expressway, opposite Building Materials International Market, Ogidi, Anambra state.

    This is as goods worth millions of naira were also gutted by fire same day in some packing stores, warehouse and residential home behind market 3 of Eke Awka market.

    Confirming both incidents, State Fire Chief, Engr Martin Agbili said no life was lost in the fire outbreaks which occurred around 4.30pm and 3.27pm respectively.

    He said while the cause of the fire in the Ogidi fire was yet to be ascertained, that of Awka was power surge.

    He said: “At about 1630hrs on 14-01-2024, Anambra State Fire Service, received a distress call of heavy fire outbreak at a Mechanic Workshop in between Bakery Market and UBA Bank along Onitsha-Enugu Expressway, opposite Building Materials Int’l Market, Ogidi.

    Read Also: Soludo mourns fallen heroes,  attends church service in Anambra 

    “We deployed our two fire trucks and our brave firefighters to fire scene. We fought, controlled and extinguished the fire.

    “We prevented the fire from entering the Bank or the Bakery Market although some of the trucks (lorries) were burnt, but the situation was put to a control.

    “The cause of the fire was not known and no life was lost during the long battled fire incident.

    Reacting on the Awka incident, Agbili said: “At about 1527hrs on 14-01-2024, we received a distress call of fire outbreak in packing stores, warehouse and residential home at the back of Market 3 of the Eke Awka market.

    “We immediately deployed our two fire trucks and firefighters, and completely extinguished the fire and prevented it from entering the main market.

    “The cause of the fire was power surge. No life was lost during the fire incident.”

  • Gunmen burn monarch’s palace in Anambra

    Gunmen burn monarch’s palace in Anambra

    • Ex-Gov. Mbadinuju’s driver abducted

    The Palace of the Traditional Ruler of Isseke Community in Ihiala local government area of Anambra state, Igwe Emmanuel Nnabuife has been razed by suspected gunmen.

    This is coming about a week after former convoy driver to late Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju was allegedly kidnapped by gunmen.

    The incident happened after performing the funeral ceremony of his brother at the same Isseke community.

    The Nation gathered that the former driver failed to settle the gunmen before burying his brother and shortly after the funeral the gunmen stormed his home firing gun shots in the air and took him away to an unknown destination.

    As at the time of this report the driver whose name was given as CY has not been found and whereabouts unknown.

    Confirming the arson at his palace, Igwe Nnabuife said his house was burnt by the gunmen.

    Read Also: Gunmen burn monarch’s palace in Anambra

    He said he had no problem with anyone in his community prior to the incident.

    “It is true that my palace was burnt down by these boys and I have lost everything that I laboured all my life to achieve and as it is now I am homeless.

    “Everything was razed down but I thank God that no life was lost and nobody was harmed by those boys and this is the way it is in my town Isseke,” he said.

    Police Spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident, saying it was a case of arson at the monarch’s palace, adding that investigation had commenced.

    He however said he had no report about any abduction, but promised to get back to the reporter after enquiry.

    He said, “The Command has since commenced investigation on the case of arson that took place at Igwe Isseke’s Palace. We are already talking with some eyewitnesses in the area where the incident took place.

    “For now, no report of life was lost and the value of properties destroyed is yet to be ascertained. I don’t have any report about any abduction, I will make an inquiry and get back to you, please.”

  • Gunmen burn monarch’s palace in Anambra

    The palace of the traditional ruler of the Isseke community in the Ihiala local government area of Anambra state, Igwe Emmanuel Nnabuife has been razed by suspected gunmen.

    This is coming barely one week after the reported kidnapping of the former convoy driver to the late Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju by unidentified gunmen.

    The incident happened after performing the funeral ceremony of his brother in the same Isseke community.

    The Nation gathered that the ex-driver was unable to reach an agreement with the gunmen before laying his brother to rest.

    It was learnt that shortly after the funeral, the armed individuals raided his residence, firing gunshots, and subsequently abducted him to an undisclosed location.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Driver injured, 13 escape as bus catches fire in Anambra

    At the time of this report, the driver, identified as CY, remains missing, and his location is untraceable.

    Confirming the arson at his palace, Igwe Nnabuife said his house was burnt by the gunmen, saying he had no problem with anyone in his community before the incident.

    He said: “It is true that my palace was burnt down by these boys and I have lost everything that I laboured all my life to achieve and as it is now I am homeless.

    “Everything was razed down but I thank God that no life was lost and nobody was harmed by those boys and this is the way it is in my town Isseke.”

    Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident, saying it was a case of arson at the monarch’s palace, adding that an investigation had commenced.

    He however said he had no report about any abduction but promised to get back to the reporter after enquiry.

    He said: “The command has since commenced an investigation on the case of arson that took place at Igwe Isseke’s Palace. We are already talking with some eyewitnesses in the area where the incident took place. 

    “For now, no report of life was lost and the value of properties destroyed is yet to be ascertained. I don’t have any report about any abduction, I will make an enquiry and get back to you, please.”

  • JUST IN: Driver injured, 13 escape as bus catches fire in Anambra

    JUST IN: Driver injured, 13 escape as bus catches fire in Anambra

    No fewer than 13 passengers narrowly escaped death while the driver sustained injury in a fire incident involving a fully loaded commercial bus in Awka, Anambra state.

    The vehicle, a Toyota Hiace bus was heading to Onitsha when it suddenly went up in flames in front of the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) office, Awka.

    An eye witness who identified himself as Uzodike Okafor said the passengers had managed to jump out of the bus before the bus caught fire.

    He, however, noted that the driver was not lucky enough as he was affected by the flames.

    “Motorists and other passersby were battling to extinguish the fire before the arrival of firefighters who later controlled the inferno,” the witness added.

    Confirming the incident, State Fire Chief, Engr Martin Agbili said no life was lost in the inferno, while the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained.

    Read Also: Police arrest 30 suspects, seize 63 vehicles, guns in Anambra

    He said, “At about 1940hrs of 10-01-2024, Anambra State Fire Service, received a distress call of fire outbreak in a Toyota Hiace Bus conveying passengers to Onitsha, opposite Anambra Broadcasting Service office.

    “Immediately, we deployed our Firefighters and fire truck to fire scene where we fought, controlled and extinguished the fire to allow motorist to move freely at the express way.

    “No life was lost as the passengers where able to escape from the Bus but only the driver was rushed to the nearby hospital.

    “Nobody could say the actual cause of the fire outbreak.

    “Remember that we are still in harmattan. Avoid anything that can cause fire outbreak. Fire kills but you can prevent it.”

  • Police arrest 30 suspects, seize 63 vehicles, guns in Anambra

    Police arrest 30 suspects, seize 63 vehicles, guns in Anambra

    Anambra Police Command has said it rescued two kidnap victims and arrested no fewer than 30 suspected criminals from December 1, 2023 to date.

    Commissioner Aderemi Adeoye made this known at a conference in Awka on Monday, on the Yuletide operations conducted by the command.

    He said 12 suspects were arrested for kidnapping, nine for alleged armed robbery, six for cultism and three over alleged insurgency.

    He said 11 vehicles, 12 firearms and 40 ammunition were recovered from the suspects within the period.

    The CP, however, said two police personnel from Enugu command were killed by a gang of assailants at Uga roundabout in Aguata Local Government.

    Adeoye said police operatives traced the culprits to their camp in Ogboji forest where two of the criminals were gunned down.

    Read Also: Police confirm abduction of 70-year-old man in Ogun

    He said the police also apprehended Emmanuel Orjiakor from Oba, a notorious armed robber and kidnapper, who sustained gunshot injuries in an encounter with operatives of the Anambra Vigilance Group.

    He added that Obinna Ekwunife, 27, was arrested on December 1, in relation to the kidnap of Emmanuel Tobechukwu, who transferred N9 million to a PoS operator as ransom.

    “On December 2, police operatives arrested Olobo Ibrahim, 47, a receiver of a stolen Lexus SUV along Kwata Junction, Awka.

    “On December 5, police operatives attached to Rapid Response and Anti-Kidnap Squad, in collaboration with men of Obosi vigilance group, arrested Samson Ubon, 31 and Efobi Ekene, 29, both of Obosi.

    “Upon interrogation, they confessed to be involved in the kidnap of Obioma Godswill from Delta State.

    “They further said they normally lure their victims using Facebook accounts with pictures of beautiful ladies to their hideout where they keep them and collect ransom before they are released.  “The suspects are assisting operatives to arrest other gang members,” he said.