The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ebonyi

  • Two NIS personnel, female vigilante killed in Kebbi, Ebonyi

    Two NIS personnel, female vigilante killed in Kebbi, Ebonyi

    • Herder slain in Jos
    • •Nurse, maid murdered in Benue

    Two Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) operatives and a female member of a vigilante group have been killed by armed criminals in Kebbi and Ebonyi states.

    Also, a 40-year-old herder was murdered in Plateau State while suspected cultists killed a nurse and a maid in Benue State.

    The death of the NIS operatives was confirmed by the agency’s spokesman in Kebbi, DSI Abdullahi Isa, in a statement yesterday.

    He said the officers paid the supreme price when a group of armed men suspected to be bandits attacked them at Garin Garba entry point, about 12 Kilometers away from Kangiwa headquarters of Arewa Local Government Area on January 15.

    “As a result, two gallant officers lost their lives. They are: Isa Nafi’u (II) NIS No. 34057 and Garba Haruna Fana (II) NIS No. 17796.”

    The spokesperson confirmed that the third officer escaped unharmed, adding that the deceased officer had been buried.

    The deceased female vigilante operative identified as Onwe Blessing Onana was killed on Tuesday during gunmen attack on their office at Ohaukwu local government area in Ebonyi State.

    Chairman, Ohaukwu local government area, Onwe Odono confirmed the incident, adding that another operative was injured and some properties carted away by the hoodlums.

    Odono noted that attacks on security operatives had continued unabated and were demoralizing frantic efforts of the vigilantes in safeguarding the localities.

    “Our resolve to achieve peace at Ohaukwu Local Government can never be undermined by anybody. We urge our people to be vigilant in their environment and report any illegal movement to the nearest police station,” he said.

    In Makurdi, a 65-year-old retired nurse, Mrs. Esther Amali and her maid, Mercy Mwuese, 20, were brutally murdered in their residence along Makurdi-Naka road by suspected cultists.

    The incident occurred  at about 4:30pm on Sunday.

    An eyewitness account said the victims were allegedly killed by a neighbour and suspected member of the Red Axe confraternity.

    The Nation learnt that trouble started when the maid got pregnant and a rival cultist was rumoured to be responsible.

    The suspected murderer was said to have accused the rumoured father of killing a member of his group who was also visiting the maid.

    Angered by the rumour of a rival cultist being responsible for the maid’s pregnancy, the suspect, now at large, was said to have scaled the fence into the nurse’s compound where an argument ensued between them.

    The maid was said to be washing her toddler’s clothes outside when the suspect started calling her names. She replied when she could not stomach the insults anymore and that led to the suspect stabbing her to death.

    Her cry for help, sources said, attracted her boss whose attempt to intervene was met with several stabs from the suspect.

    She was said to have been found by neighbours and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi.

    “The matter has already been reported at the “D” Division Police station by the family members and the community while the deceased were deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi,” said a source.

    The Benue Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO SP Kate Anene said she was yet to be briefed about the incident.

    In Jos, the 40-year-old herder was said to have been killed yesterday morning during an attack on a Toyota Boxer company in Batura district of Bokkos.

    Read Also: Students Loan Scheme will take off this January – FG

    Two of his colleagues who were with him at the time were said to have escaped by whiskers.

    The latest killing occurred a day after a 43-year-old herder, Abubakar Sa’id, was killed in the Kop Mandarken community in Bokkos District, while on his way home.

    The Nation reports that there have been isolated killings in various villages of Bokkos since the Christmas eve attacks, where more than 180 people were killed in villages of Bokkos and Barkin Ladi LGAs.

    Garba Abdullahi, State Chairman of Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN), who confirmed the incident to reporters gave the names of the victims as Halilu Jamo,  Mu’azu Ali and Anas Babangida.

    Narrating how the incident occurred, the chairman said: “The victims were conveying Millet to their house in Butura, which they bought from Fadan Karshe market, when some hoodlums suddenly attacked  them and killed one.

    “Halilu Jamo was killed instantly while Mu’azu Ali and Anas Babangida escaped the attack. The vehicle with the millet was burnt down.

    “We have informed the security  agencies about the incident.

    Following the report, the personnel of Operation Safe Haven, maintaining peace in the area had escorted us to recover the corpse of the deceased.”

    The spokesperson for Operation Safe Haven, Captain Oya James, could not be reached at the time of filing this report despite several calls.

  • JUST IN: Two kidnapped victims regain freedom in Ebonyi

    JUST IN: Two kidnapped victims regain freedom in Ebonyi

    The two abducted Afikpo natives in the Afikpo North local government area of Ebonyi state who were kidnapped on New Year’s Day have regained freedom.

    The duo, one Mike and the sister, all based in the US, were released on Wednesday evening in an unknown location after the family paid an undisclosed ransom running into several millions of Naira.

    A source close to the family, who could not disclose more details about what transpired before their release, said that the duo had been taken to a hospital for medical examination.

    “At least they’ve come back alive and we thank everybody for their prayers.”

    The hoodlums had invaded the Afikpo community on New Year’s Day and stormed the residence of the victims at Ndibe Beach Road and abducted two persons while one lady was killed in the process.

    Another person was shot and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Abakaliki.

    Read Also: ‘Why I’m running for Ebonyi South Senatorial District poll’

    The kidnap gang numbering five were said to have trailed the victims who came in from the US and London for the Yuletide holiday.

    The hoodlums had called a member of the family shortly after whisking away their victims to an unknown destination and demanded N50m as ransom.

    It was not immediately clear the exact amount paid as ransom, but an unconfirmed source said: “The kidnappers collected quite a reasonable sum of money before releasing their victims.”

  • One killed, two abducted as kidnappers storm Ebonyi community

    One killed, two abducted as kidnappers storm Ebonyi community

    One person was killed on New Year day and two others were abducted when gunmen stormed Afikpo community in Ebonyi State.

    Residents told our reporter that the incident occurred around 8pm along Ndibe Beach Road.

    The gunmen allegedly trailed a convoy of cars entering the community and opened fire on them.

    The convoy was said to be occupied by some indigenes, who just returned from abroad, led by Mr Alazu.

    The gunmen trailed the indigenes, who came in from their London base to the area and opened fire on one of the cars behind Alazu’s Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

    Their shooting forced the cars to stop and the gunmen whisked two girls, who came from London, and a boy, a relation in their company, who came in from Owerri, into their car.

    Read Also: ‘Why I’m running for Ebonyi South Senatorial District poll’

    An eye witnesses, Mr Onya Idam, said the driver managed to escape with the bullet ridden car with his boss, Mr Alazu, who is believed to be the main target of the kidnap, though he sustained bullet wounds.

    The kidnappers thereafter zoomed off with their three abductees, but on noticing that one of the girls, Chinyere, who also came in from London for Christmas holiday, had died after receiving gunshots, they pushed her out of the car. 

    Her body was later recovered and deposited at a mortuary.

    It was gathered that the kidnappers had established contact with the family of the abductees and demanded N50million ransom.

    The main target, Alazu, was taken to an undisclosed hospital in Abakaliki. Police spokesman Joshua Ukandu could not be reached for comments at press time.

  • Gunmen attack Catholic Church In Ebonyi state, kill three worshippers

    Gunmen attack Catholic Church In Ebonyi state, kill three worshippers

    Some gunmen on Christmas eve attacked a Catholic Church in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state and killed three worshippers.

    Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Nworie confirmed the attack. 

    Nworie disclosed this at Monday’s Christmas service at Saint Theresa Cathedral Church.

    He said the killing occurred at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Nkweagu, in Abakaliki local government Area of Ebonyi state at 11:30 pm on Sunday, December 24.

    The bishop, who described the incident as sad and disheartening, prayed for the repose of their souls.

    Read Also: Re-run: Umahi’s brother declares for Ebonyi South

    He explained that the suspected killers invaded the church while a priest was celebrating a vigil mass service and killed and injured many others.

    According to Nworie, such an unfortunate act had never happened in the church in the state.

    He  said: “This is the first time such an incident has happened in the church and in Ebonyi State in general.”

    Earlier, the cleric, in his sermon, encouraged people to align themselves with the significance and teaching of Christmas.

    He urged the faithful to pray for the unity and progress of the state and nation.

    The Police in Ebonyi could not be reached for comments at the time of this report.

  • BREAKING: Former Ebonyi deputy speaker dumps PDP, joins APC

    BREAKING: Former Ebonyi deputy speaker dumps PDP, joins APC

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi state, Odefa Obasi Odefa has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Odefa made the switch alongside about 500 of his supporters from the Onicha East Constituency.

    He made this known at the Government House Abakaliki during a visit to Governor Ogbonnaya Nwifuru. 

    Speaking on his defection, Odefa said his decision to pitch tent with the APC was to rally round the governor in his efforts to transform the state having studied his good intentions as captured in his manifesto.

    Read Also: Ebonyi PoS operators express worry over naira scarcity, calls for CBN intervention

    Responding, the governor said the door of the APC was wide open to accommodate all well-intentioned individuals into the party.

    While assuring the defectors that they would be availed level playing field in the APC, Governor Nwifuru called on them to join hands with him to develop the State.

    It would be recalled that Right Honourable Odefa Obasi Odefa represented Onicha East in the State House of Assembly between 2007 to 2023.

    He was the deputy speaker of the state Assembly.

  • Ebonyi PoS operators express worry over naira scarcity, calls for CBN intervention

    Ebonyi PoS operators express worry over naira scarcity, calls for CBN intervention

    The Point of Sale (PoS) operators in Abakaliki, Ebonyi capital, have expressed worry over the the current naira scarcity, calling on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to intervene to save their business from collapsing.

    In  separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abakaliki, they blamed the scarcity on banks’ refusal to release enough money.

    NAN reports that charge for withdrawal between N1, 000 and N5, 000 is now N200 as against the normal charge of N100; while the current charge for N10, 000 stood at N300 as against N100 respectively.

    Mr Chinwe Okezie, PoS Operator along Mile 50 Layout, said they are paying more than what they used to pay before they could get cash from the bank.

    According to Okezie, this current situation is not from our members and it’s biting hard on us.

    ”It is biting harder on us than you customers and believe me, if we continue to charge normal amount, many of us will not stay in the business anymore,” he stated.

    Another operator, Chidi Okafor along Kpirikpiri in Abakaliki, said the situation was worrisome and urged the CBN for immediate intervention.

    ”This issue of cash scarcity is caused by the banks. When you go to the bank and requested like N500, 000, what you will be given will be either N100, 000 or N150, 000 and the charges too. So, you see the challenges.

    ”Many of the Automated Teller Machines, (ATMs) are not even dispensing cash. The few ones in some banks that are despensing will give you highest of N10, 000 only,” Okafor added.

    Read Also: ‘How naira scarcity affected manufacturers’

    NAN also reports the ATMs in some banks visited in Abakaliki like the First Bank, Zenith, Ecobank among others, were not dispensing cash due to the scarcity.

    Mary Okeh, a bank customer, said the economic situation in the country needed urgent attention by the federal government.

    “How can a bank hoard money that belongs to individuals at a time like this? No money, after you have tried to save it? This is not funny but wicked,” she stressed.

    Efforts to speak with the bank officials were fruitless.

    (NAN)

  • Two policemen killed as gunmen attack patrol team in Ebonyi

    Two policemen killed as gunmen attack patrol team in Ebonyi

    Tow policemen were killed in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital yesterday as unidentified gunmen attacked a police patrol team.

    Police spokesperson in the state, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, confirmed the incident in a statement.

    According to her, the policemen were on regular patrol when they were attacked at Nwofe Road by the gunmen suspected to be members of a pro-separatist group.

    She said a third policeman in the team was wounded and was receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

    Read Also: Two policemen killed as gunmen attack patrol team in Ebonyi

    “Today 17/11/2023 at about 08:30am, Operatives of the Command on patrol at Nwofe Road on the outskirts of Abakaliki were attacked by armed hoodlums using a tinted Highlander vehicle with registration number unknown.

    “Two (2) of the Operatives were fatally wounded while one (1) is currently receiving medical treatment at the hospital,” she said.

  • NLC strike: Banks, judiciary under lock in Ebonyi

    NLC strike: Banks, judiciary under lock in Ebonyi

    The Ebonyi state Judiciary and banks in the state refused to open for business on Tuesday, November 14, in obedience to the strike ordered by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC)

    The gate of the State Judiciary Headquarters in Abakaliki remained under lock when The Nation moved around to monitor compliance.

    Staff were seen in clusters outside the court premises discussing the situation

    Emmanuel Awoke, the secretary of the state chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) said that the strike became necessary in order to protest against injustice on workers across the nation.

    Read Also: I don’t regret leaving my family abroad to pursue career in Nigeria – Shaffy Bello

    Awoke said that he was in the office as early as 7:30 am to ensure that no judge or magistrate entered the court premises.

    Awoke stated: “As you can see, the main gate is already locked and nobody is allowed to walk inside. This is in compliance with the National directive in support of the nationwide strike.

    “JUSUN as an affiliate of NLC has to live by the principles of the union’s laws and directives. As it stands, there are no court that is sitting. The workers are here to do their work but we cannot allow them to violate the law of the NLC.”

    A lawyer, Onwe Solomon, said the strike has disrupted his matter in the court but noted that the move was in the right direction.

    He said: “My matter is one that requires urgent attention but on getting here this morning, I found out that nobody is allowed to go inside the court because of the strike.

    “I believe, they are fighting for their right and the good interest of the nation. The situation in the country today is worrisome, especially the assault on the NLC National President. It is uncalled for.”

    A bank customer, Uchenna Elom, hailed the move for the strike and urged the federal and state governments to take steps to protect the rights and interests of workers.

    Elom said he was at the Bank to obtain a new Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card but found that they were closed.

    The ATM machines in most banks including First Bank, Ecobank, UBA, and Union among others visited the capital city and were fully working with long queues of customers.

    Reacting to the development, Dr Egwu Ogugua, NLC Chairman in Ebonyi, said the compliance to the strike was 90 percent in the state.

    He stated: “All banks are closed, except Zenith Bank but they later closed. You know an injury to one is an injury to all. The ruling class should stop intimidating the Nigerian workers.”

  • Communal crisis: Ebonyi releases white paper as panel recommends boundary pillars

    Communal crisis: Ebonyi releases white paper as panel recommends boundary pillars

    Ebonyi State Government has released a white paper on the report of the committee on the resolution of the land dispute between Amana in Ezza South Local Government Area and Ohankwu in Ikwo Local Government Areas of the State which claimed many lives with properties destroyed.

    This was as the committee set up by the government has recommended the immediate re-establishment of cement boundary pillars to end the crisis taking bearing from existing ones to determine the owners of the disputed Lead site and surrounding farm lands under contention.

    The Commissioner for Information and State Orientation in the state, Jude Okpor disclosed this in Abakaliki, the state capital at a press briefing.

    “The White Paper dated 8th November 2023 and endorsed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, contained the government’s statements of adoption of the Committee’s recommendations and the governor’s directive to concerned ministries and departments to implement the same.

    Read Also: Afenifere disowns Adebanjo over Supreme Court judgment on Tinubu’s victory

    “The Committee from their findings set aside the earlier report of the Ebonyi State Peace Committee which recommended the government’s acquisition of the disputed land and properties and its subsequent partitioning between the contending  Communities. They observed that the CAN committee did not consult archival evidence before arriving at its decision,” he stated.

    Okpor noted that the committee further found out that the discovery of lead, a mineral in commercial quantity in the area, and the removal of the cement boundary beacons established by the colonial masters were the immediate and remote causes of the crisis.

    He explained that the committee therefore recommended immediate re-establishment of the cement boundary pillars taking bearing from existing ones as such will automatically determine the owners of the disputed Lead site and surrounding farm lands under contention.

  • Two arrested in Ebonyi for alleged N54m fraud

    Two arrested in Ebonyi for alleged N54m fraud

    The police in Ebonyi on Wednesday, November 8, paraded two persons, Alegu Nwabueze and Moses Onyema for allegedly defrauding one Emmanuel Nnaji from Enugu state the sum of N54million.

    Police Spokesperson Onome Onovwakpoyeya said that Nwabueze, his wife Chinyere and Onyema who is former Ikwo local government Chairman in the state committed conspiracy/forgery and advance fee fraud by selling people’s land.

    “This is a case of conspiracy/forgery of title document and advance fee fraud, reported through a written petition against the suspect, one Alegu Chinyere, Alegu Nwabueze and Moses Onyema.

    “Forged title document were recovered from them, they defrauded Mr. Emmanuel Nnaji Ede of Enugu state the sum of fifty four million naira(N54,000.000) and twenty one million three hundred and ninety thousand naira(N21,390,000) was recovered from Alegu Nwabueze’s bank account”, she stated.

    But reacting to the police statement, the suspects; Nwabueze and Onyema denied any involvement in land fraud.

    They noted that they genuinely executed the land business with relevant documents and described allegations against them as untrue.

    They lamented their continued detention by the police over the matter, adding that they have been in detention for more than a week.

    Nwabueze pointed out that the land they sold was given to his wife Chinyere by her elder sister,  a former  Commissioner for Budget, Research and Planning in the state, Chinwe Okah who is now late as a settlement for living with her for 16 years.

    “It is my wife that owns the land. Elder Sister to my wife, late Engr. Uchechi Okah gave the land to my wife and it is my wife that sold the land and put the money in my account. The land was given to my wife by the Late Uchechi Okah because she lived with her for 16 years and my wife is her younger sister”, he stated.

    On his part, Onyema said his friend from Enugu called him that he needed a land in Abakaliki to establish a factory and he consulted two land agents who got the land for him.

    He noted that after the agents got the land, he made independent investigation and discovered that the land was genuine and it was sold.

    Read Also: Mass exodus hits Ebonyi PDP as Deputy Speaker, others resigns

    He disclosed that the papers of the land was handed to him in the presence of a lawyer, Bar Sunday Ununu and he called one of his boys when he was council Chairman and asked him about one Chinyere Alegu and that his boy told him that he knows the woman

    “I asked the boy if he was aware that Chineyere has a land along Nkwegu that she wants to sell and he said yes. I sent up to two persons separately  to go and confirm from Chinyere if she has a land and it is for sell and they all said yes.

    “I then went myself and showed her the papers that were given to me and she confirmed that the lands belongs to them and they said it is for sell. I told them that my friend from Enugu wants to buy the land and they said they are ready to sell it.”