The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ebonyi Police Command

  • Police confirm death of 4 in herdsmen attack on Ebonyi community

    The Ebonyi Police Command on Monday in Abakaliki confirmed a herdsmen attack on the Onunwakpu community of Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi which left four persons dead.

    ASP Loveth Odah, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the dead included three natives of the community and a herdsman.

    Odah disclosed that the incident had occurred when one of the victims had gone to tie down his cow inside his farm to feed it in the traditional way.

    She said it was in the process of this that he had encountered herdsmen whose cows were also feeding inside the farm.

    “We cannot ascertain what transpired between him and the herdsmen, but his shouts attracted fellow villagers who rushed to the scene to discover that his two hands had been severed.

    “The ensuing altercation grew in intensity and security agencies immediately intervened to bring to normal the clash which also left many persons wounded.

    “One of the herdsmen has been arrested by army personnel, and we assure the public that modalities would be put in place to ensure that such occurrence does not repeat itself.

    “We call on members of the public not to panic over the incident and advise them not to engage herdsmen in physical fights but instead report disagreements to security agencies,” Odah added.

    A native of the area where the incident occurred, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, also corroborated the account given by the police.

    He told NAN that his kinsman (one of the victims) had gone to feed his cow inside his farm and was attacked by herdsmen.

    “He had to fetch grasses for his cow to feed and was appalled that the herdsmen’s cows were feeding on his crops which he laboured to plant.

    “We heard his shouts and when we rushed to the scene, his two hands had been severed and the clash which resulted in the deaths ensued.

    “This is our land and we are not going to leave it for any group of people, even at the risk of our lives,” the community member said.

    NAN reports that Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi had recently banned cows from feeding on farmlands in the state.

    He had also announced that various forms of punishments await farmers and herdsmen who cause trouble in the state.(NAN)

  • Buhari’s visit: Police warn IPOB, parties’ supporters against disruptive acts

    Buhari’s visit: Police warn IPOB, parties’ supporters against disruptive acts

    The Ebonyi Police Command on Monday warned the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and political parties’ supporters against disruptive acts during President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the state on Tuesday.

    Ebonyi Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Titus Lamorde, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki.

    He gave the assurance that the command was well equipped to deal with all forms of security challenges before, during and after the President’s visit.

    According to Lamorde, any individual or group of persons that foment trouble before, during and after the visit would be severely dealt with, as people are advised to conduct themselves well.

    “I will not disclose the number of personnel we have drafted for security reasons, but I assure citizens that enough personnel have been deployed across the state to ensure a hitch-free visit.

    “The President’s visit is a welcome development as the citizens should cooperate with security agencies to make it a successful one,” he said.

    He stated that his officers had been adequately trained to relate well with the citizens during the visit and advised people to conduct their activities within the confines of the law.

    “We would not meddle into political issues as security outfit, but the visit is developmentally-oriented because of the numerous projects the President would inaugurate.

    “My officers would not intimidate or harass individuals or groups as the duty of ensuring a hitch-free event is a collective one,” he said.

    NAN reports that some proscribed IPOB members have been making uncomplimentary remarks while the rivalry between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC)
    members, had heightened prior to the visit.

  • Police arrest two robbery suspects, cultist in Ebonyi

    Police arrest two robbery suspects, cultist in Ebonyi

    The Ebonyi Police Command has arrested two suspected armed robbers and a cult kingpin in Ezzamgbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state.

    DSP Jude Madu, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) announced the arrest in a statement on Sunday in Abakaliki.

    According to Madu, the suspected armed robbers hail from Amike village in Ezzamgbo.

    “The notorious armed robbery suspects, who have been terrorising residents of the area, were arrested by officers from the Ohaukwu Police division.

    “The arrest was made possible through the collaboration of the youths and vigilante personnel of the village with the Police,” Madu stated.

    According to him, two locally made double-barrel pistols, army uniform with blood stains, two iron cutters, one saw blade and two machetes among others were recovered from the suspects.

    He said the police also arrested a suspected cultist, whose gang had allegedly been terrorising residents of the area.

    The PPRO stated that the suspect was arrested, allegedly with an axe while members of his gang fled on sighting the Police.

    “We are making efforts to arrest the fleeing members of the gang,” he stated.

     

  • Trailer kills skater in Abakaliki

    Trailer kills skater in Abakaliki

    The Ebonyi Police Command has confirmed the crushing of a skater by an articulated vehicle in Abakaliki, on Friday evening.

    Mr Jude Madu, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed the accident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, noting that investigations into it had begun.

    According to him, the deceased had been identified and more information on the accident would be released next week.

    “The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area where the accident occurred will give us more details on Monday to assist us in the investigations.

    “We assure the public that we will get to the root of the matter and ensure that such does not recur,’’ he said.

    A witness, Mr Paul Okofia, told NAN that the accident occurred at about 6 p.m. on Friday at the NEPA Junction area of the Old Abakalik-Enugu road.

    “The skater aged about 25, held the edge of an articulated vehicle which was at top speed as has been the practice among skaters who have besieged the town recently.

    “His hands apparently slipped from the vehicle which made him fall instantly and was tragically crushed by the rear tyre of the speeding articulated vehicle,’’ he said.

    He remarked that the incident caused pandemonium in the area and disrupted free-flow of traffic for several hours along the busy road.

    “Women, especially, wailed on beholding the mangled body of the young skater as those who claimed to know him said that he had been warned repeatedly by his parents to desist from practising the sport on express roads.

    “A mob gathered to set the articulated vehicle aflame but the police quickly intervened and brought the situation under control.

    “The corpse was eventually evacuated to a mortuary in the town as security agencies restored the normal flow of traffic along the road,’’ he said.

    Mrs Eugenia Umeh, a youth activist, regretted the incident and called for stringent measures by the government to stop youths from skating on the roads in the state.

    “The State House of Assembly should immediately pass a law prohibiting such practices while parents and other stakeholders should enlighten youths on the dangers of skating on the roads.

    “The deceased has brought untold anguish and pains to his parents and relations as this should serve as a lesson to others to desist from such practices,’’ she said.