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Tag: Ebonyi

  • Lamorde, Inalegwu, 16 others promoted AIGs

    Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Lamorde and 17 others have been promoted from the rank of Commissioners of Police (CPS) to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG).

    The Police Service Commission also promoted 33 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) to the rank of Commissioners of Police.

    The Commission, in a statement in Abuja, on Thursday by its spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, said the promotion was one of the decisions of the 4th Plenary meeting of the Commission held in Abuja on the 28th and 29th of January, 2019.

    The new AIGs are: Maurice A. Yusuf; Ibrahim A. Lamorde, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC); Murtala Usman Mani, Wilson A. Inalegwu, a former CP, FCT; Dibal Paul Yakadi, Haruna Huzi, Mshelia, Mohammad A. Mustafa, Hyelashinda Kimo Musa, former CP, FCT, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom Commands, Adeleye Olusola Oyebade, a former Oyo State Command CP;

    Others are Olusola Kamar Subair, Basen Dapiya Gwana, David Oyebanji Folawiyo, Zanna Mohammed Ibrahim, Nkpa N. Inakwu, Chris Okey Ezike until now CP, Abia State; Moses Ambakina Jitoboh, D.M Obembe and Wilson O. Akhiwu.

    Read Also: Police kill suspected robber in Enugu

    The new CPs are: Uche J. Anozie, Nwamhi Felix Yame, Mohammed Abdulmumini Gimba, Musa Adze, Philip Sule Maku, Umaru Haruna Miringa, Usman Sule Gomna, Adamu Usman, Daniel Sokari-Pedro, Ahmed Mohammed Azare, Adamu Saleh Jajeri, Maigana Alahi Sani, Audu Adamu Madaki and Dajuma Mohammed Lawal.

    Others are: Ibrahim Sani Ka’oje, John Ogbonnaya Amadi, Ede Ayuba Ekpeji, Mohammed Bagega, Bello Makwashi, Buba Sanusi, Suleiman Balarabe, Rabiu Ladodo, Ndatsu Aliyu Mohammed, Yunusa Edwin Ogwuche, Cyril I. Okoro, Awosola Awotunde, Ayodele Andrew Olatunji, Garuba Danjuma, Bello Sani Dalijan, Imaikop Asuquo Okpongkpong and Sahabo Abubakar Yahaya.

    Others are: Jerome E. Bentem, Idris Nagoyo, Ibrahim A. Gora and Edna Obiageri Ugbebor.

    The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, while charging the newly promoted officers said the nation was looking up to them to bring their wealth of experience to bear on the numerous security problems facing the country as we approach the 2019 polls.

    He also said they should reciprocate government’s good intentions by rededicating themselves to the service of the country.

     

     

  • Police kill suspected robber in Enugu

    The anti-robbery operatives of Enugu State Police Command have in an overnight operation dislodged a gang of suspected armed robbers, killing one while others escaped with bullet wounds.

    The command’s spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, who made the disclosure on Thursday said the gang were in the habit of blocking 9th Mile-Udi-Oji River-Awka Road with big stones and woods while robbing motorists.

    According to Amaraizu, the operatives confronted the armed robbers on the road at 3 a.m. at Agungwu, Ugwuoba in Oji River axis of the major road.

    He said that the feat was achieved by the operatives of the Oji River Division of the command.

    “It was, however, gathered that the suspected armed robbers had already formed the said roadblock when through intelligence information, the police operatives swooped on them.

    “In the ensuing gun encounter between the police operatives and the armed robbers, one of the armed robbery kingpins (names withheld) from Ebonyi was hit by police bullet which left him fatally injured and was later confirmed dead on arrival at a nearby hospital by a doctor.

    Read Also: Police arrest man for allegedly raping daughter

    “Other members of his gang believed to also have been touched by police operatives’ bullets escaped into the bush,’’ the spokesman said in a statement.

    Amaraizu said that a manhunt on the fleeing members of the gang had been intensified, while a full scale investigation had commenced into the incident.

    “The command advises members of the public, especially hospital owners and doctors to watch out and report anyone that will approach their medical facilities with a wound suspected to be that of bullet wound for necessary action.

    “Police operatives are now conducting search for the fleeing members of the gang everywhere within Oji River and its environs,’’ the spokesman added.

  • Ebonyi traditional rulers endorse Buhari, Umahi

    The Ebonyi Council of Traditional Rulers on Wednesday said that President Muhammadu Buhari will get the support of many voters in Ebonyi state during the February 16th Presidential elections.

    The traditional rulers also endorsed the state Governor, David Umahi for a second term.

    This is even as President Buhari expresses satisfaction that the impact of federal government projects were being felt in Ebonyi State.

    Chairman of Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Charles Mkpuma, said Buhari is loved by the people because of the robust relationship he has with governor Umahi despite the fact that they belong to different parties.

    They said that this will translate to more votes for the president on election day.

    They gave the assurance during an audience with the President at the Ebonyi State Government House In Abakaliki.

    Mkpuma who commended Buhari’s determination to tackle the security situation of the country especially in his efforts in tackling terrorism and fight against corruption said Buhari was deserving of their votes irrespective of party differences.

    The monarch who spoke on behalf of 140 traditional rulers in the state said the President has done well in the fight against Boko Haram and second corruption.

    “We appreciate your dogged determination to maintain utmost security of the country especially your effort in eliminating Boko Haram and fight against corruption which has brought respect and integrity to the country among committee of nations.

    “We believe that your robust relationship with our son the governor and your loved for him and the state will surely earn you votes in Ebonyi state irrespective of party differences.”, the monarch said.

    Mkpuma, said the traditional rulers are happy with the leadership of the governor, David Umahi, who has virtually touched every facet of human and infrastructural development of the state, adding “we the traditional rulers like other residents of the state have been rejuvenated and revived by the governor.

    They told the President that Umahi deserves a second term for the sake of equity as the two former governors before him from other zones also had two tenures.

    “Since the inception of the present democratic dispensation, Ebonyi state has operated rotation of the governorship seat among the three senatorial zones. Thus North had eight years with the same man, central had two terms with same man and south is entitled to eight years with the same man.

    “It is right and proper that tradition should continue. This is why we have endorsed incumbent governor David Umahi whose performance has been historic and superlative as the sole candidate for 2019 gubernatorial election in Ebonyi state. We are happy with the governor. He has touched every facet of human and infrastructural development of the state”, Mpkuma said.
    The monarchs later presented 1,000 yams and 1,000 bags to Buhari.

    President Buhari, on his part, commended the governor for infrastructural development in the state.

    He promised that monies spent on the completion of the federal projects will be refunded after the review committee would have audited the projects.

    According to him, Umahi told him during their short drive to the government house, that he had not received up to 40 percent of the funds spent on federal projects in the state, but assured him the monies will be refunded once the audit committee headed by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, conclude its work.

    He also told the traditional rulers that his administration’s plans to invest in agriculture was deliberate, recalling that the First Republic was good in agriculture, because the land was abundant and grazing routes developed.

    According to him, “But subsequently we got drunk with oil money and abandoned what kept us intact. But we are going back to that (agriculture).”

    He assured the monarchs that the south-east will benefit from second Niger Bridge when completed and it will affect you positively in moving goods and services.

    He urged them that his second return will be of benefit to them as he will not be seeking a third return.

    The governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi in his remarks said irrespective of some perceptions, the south-east have benefited from federal government projects.

    He added that the federal government’s agricultural programme has benefited the state immensely which has resulted in increase in rice production.

  • Boycott stalls court proceedings

    The Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) order to lawyers to boycott courts nationwide from Tuesday, Jan. 29, was complied with in Ebonyi.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the NBA ordered its members nationwide to boycott the courts for two days to protest the suspension of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnogheni.

    When NAN visited some of the courts, most judges reported for duties, but when some cases were called, there were no legal representations and no reason was given for the absence of counsel.

    Lawyers deserted the Ebonyi High and Magistrates’ Courts, except for some judicial workers who were at their duty posts.

    However, visitors to the complex were thoroughly screened by its security personnel at the gate.

    Chairman of Abakaliki branch of the NBA, Mr Festus Nweke, said that the action was in compliance with the NBA’s National Executive Committee (NEC) directive on the matter.

    “The action taken by the Federal Government on Onnoghen is an invitation to anarchy as the government was not the appropriate body to discipline a judicial officer in Nigeria.

    “The courts will remain closed because the FG’s action is an aberration of the law that would not stand.

    “We do not want a lawless society and we are monitoring our members in Afikpo and other places to ensure total compliance to the directive,” he said.

    Chief Basil Njima, a political analyst, however, faulted the NBA’s decision, noting that no judicial officer is above the country’s laws.

    “Onnoghen erred in law having admitted that he forgot to declare over N1billion as assets and therefore cannot remain as the country’s chief judicial officer.

    “The Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) is the nation’s Chief Justice, so it is morally wrong for him to preside over his own case,” he said.

  • Ebonyi records two deaths from Lassa fever

    Ebonyi State Government has confirmed the death of two persons in recent Lassa fever outbreak in the state this year.

    Commissioner for Health, Daniel Umezuruike, gave the confirmation in Abakaliki yesterday.

    According to him, 10 other cases have been recorded in the state, five of which have been treated and discharged.

    The other five are still receiving treatment at the Virology Centre built by the State government at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.

    They are said to be in stable condition. The commissioner said the two deaths were as a result of late presentation.

    “One (of the dead) came from Enugu State. The deaths were due to late presentation, in fact, by the time the child came, he was already very bad, bleeding from different orifices which are the terminal stage. But the medical workers tried all they could but could not salvage the patient. The second one actually died before presentation”, he said.

    “The confirmed cases are 12. Five have been treated and discharged while five are on admission now doing very well.”

    Umezuruike said the Virology Centre, which is the only such centre in the entire Southeast, has all the facilities to treat such diseases.

    “The truth is that our management in the virology centre is almost like 100 percent success because we have the dialysis machines; we have all the facilities to test immediately and confirm whether the person has Lassa fever or not.”

    He, however, admonished residents and people of the region to always bring the suspected infected patients to the hospital on time so as to be able to save their lives

    “And once you confirm and commence treatment, the prognosis is always very good. Lassa fever is preventable and curable”, he said.

     

  • Foreign observers commend military’s professional conduct during elections

    Some Independent Foreign Observers have commended the Nigerian Military for their professional conduct during the Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.
    They gave this commendation via a statement made available to The Nation on Tuesday.
    The observers in the statement signed by Bill Campbell added that having examined the roles of stakeholders in the electoral processes found out that military played a commendable roles in the Saturday’s elections.
    They said, “The Independent Foreign Observers is an amalgamation of organizations drawn from all over the world to monitor the general elections in Nigeria on the invitation of a select Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Nigeria. Consequently, the head of the mission, Bill Campbell deployed election observers around Nigeria with a view to ascertaining the credibility of the elections and the role of the various actors in the electoral process.
    The Independent Foreign Observers was headed by Bill Campbell, a diplomat, and conflict resolution expert who has garnered years of experience in election monitoring in African countries. Bill Campbell’s experience spans 6 continents and over 50 countries, where he has experienced dozens of elections and other less conventional changes of government.  He has braved tsunamis, typhoons, earthquakes, political revolutions and long treks on public transportation, to learn about and observe democracy in action.  A graduate of NYU, Bill has been the President of his Rotary Club, constantly looking for ways to serve communities big and small. He brought his wealth of experience to bear in the monitoring of the general elections in Nigeria.
    As part of its mandate to monitor and report the credibility of the general elections in Nigeria, the Independent Foreign Observers undertook a systematic survey of the dynamics inherent in the Nigeria society and consequently designed a template that accommodated the religious and ethnic sensitivity of the Nigerian people in various states of the federation with a view to getting the objective responses from the electorate as the case may be. The essence was to help observe the dynamics, make recommendations and commendations where necessary based on the competence of the team.

    Read Also:Observers hail INEC, security agencies in Kano

    It was observed amongst other things some section of the country whipped up ethnic sentiments which could undermine the electoral process.
    Some segment of the populace also played the religious card before the electorates in an attempt to induce or coerce votes for their political parties.
    Outcome:
    Consequently, there was palpable tension in the polity as regards the security of lives and properties.
    The government, therefore, deployed a mix of security agencies to maintain the sanctity of the electoral process as well as maintaining law and order throughout the polls.
    Election Issues
    Elections were conducted in the 36 states in Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Our team of observers were on ground to monitor the polls and turned in a detailed report on what they observed in the various states that they were deployed.
    The Independent Foreign Observers worked in active collaboration with local NGOs in the various states, and this unique collaboration made the election monitoring exercise seamless and worthwhile.
    Voters Turnout:
    It was observed that there was a huge voters’ turnout in parts of the country especially in Northern Nigeria. (North East and North West)
    The voters defied the harsh climatic conditions to come out in their numbers to cast their votes at the various polling units
    The South Eastern States also witnessed a large turnout of voters (Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Imo)
    The South Western States didn’t experience as much voters’ turnout as in other parts of the country. This was primarily due to a palpable tension because political analysts had classified the South Western states as the battleground for candidates of both parties.
    The South-South states of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River also witnessed a large turnout of voters.
    The Elections:
    From monitoring the elections, it was observed that the electoral process was able to maintain its credibility by the combined efforts of the security agencies led by the Nigerian Army that ensured that incidences of ballot box snatching and other electoral vices were curtailed.
    Voters exercised their electoral franchise without fear especially in the northern part of the country. Our team of observers noted that in the Northern parts of the country, which hitherto was known for underage voting did not experience cases of underage voting. Incidences of vote buying were also prevalent in most parts of the South-South and South Eastern States.
    The outbreak of Violence:
    Our team of observers witnessed pockets of violence in some parts of the country occasioned by attempts by party agents to snatch ballot boxes. This resulted in an open confrontation with the security agencies who showed resilience in the face of provocation.
    Rivers States witnessed the highest level of violence and arms bearing by political thugs that led to the death of an INEC official, an officer of the Nigerian Army and scores of people.
    The Election and the Nigerian Military:
    Our team of observers noted the contributions of the Nigeria Army in maintaining the credibility of the electoral process. The Nigeria Army was able to provide security of lives and properties throughout the election process.
    In the North Eastern states of Yobe and Borno, the Nigeria Army provided watertight security, and this accounted for the large turnout of voters in the region.
    In the fringes where it was expected that there would be security lapses, the Nigeria Army rose to the occasion as there were no recorded cases of security lapses by our team of observers.
    Conclusion:
    The Independent Foreign Observers salutes the resilience and courage of the Nigerian people through the duration of the elections.
    The elections were conducted in an atmosphere of peace brought about by the combined efforts of the security agencies.
    Cases of electoral violence were minimal but for a few states
    The Nigerian Army rose to the occasion by deploying men and resources around the country to protect the credibility of the process
    The Nigeria Army conducted itself professionally and within the ambit of the law even in instances of provocation as experienced in some states.
    Commendation:
    The Independent Foreign Observers particularly singles out the Nigeria Army for praise in its conduct during the elections. We noted a display of a high sense of professionalism even in the face of provocation by agents of political parties.
    The Independent Foreign Observers also commends the leadership of the Nigeria Army for the high-level coordination of its troops across the country. The Independent also charges the Nigeria Army to deploy the same strategy in the forthcoming gubernatorial and states houses of assembly elections.

  • Non-indigenes in Ebonyi endorse Atiku

    Non-indigenous women in Ebonyi State have endorsed presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar.

    The women said the All Progressives Congress (APC) government had failed to live up to the minimum expectations of Nigerians in infrastructure, security and job creation.

    The women spoke yesterday at the Friends of Atiku Campaign Office in Abakaliki, when they visited the state coordinator, Linus Abaa Okorie.

    Leader of Benue women in Ebonyi State Mrs. Ujoh Rose condemned the “disheartening” treatment” meted out to the women under the APC government, saying the time had come to end the ugly development.

    She noted that women were not being carried along in the scheme of things due to the belief of the leaders that women should belong to the “other room”.

    Mrs. Ujoh, who retired as an assistant director of Administration in the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, said: “If you study how politicians handle women and youths during campaigns and after elections, it is very disheartening because they only value us during elections and discard us after victory.

    “Since I retired from service, no benefits, no entitlements, nothing at all. Each time I call the man in charge, he will say I am in a meeting. What kind of meeting is that that holds everyday and which does not end? It is time to change that, and it is our belief that Atiku Abubakar will be very different when he comes on board on May 29.

    “As leaders of women groups from various tribes and ethnic groups in Nigeria, we shall galvanise our fellow women to ensure Atiku’s victory on February 16.”

    Mrs. Hajia Adiza Abubakar, leader of Hausa Women from Adamawa State, said chilling reports of killings and insecurity across the country demand urgent attention, stressing that Atiku Abubakar is the only presidential candidate with the experience and political will to tackle the challenges.

    She said: “All these killings, hunger and unemployment everywhere in Nigeria should be addressed, and I know that my brother Atiku will stop it when he becomes President. All our women have decided to vote for him for the betterment of Nigeria.”

    Okorie praised the women for the visit, and assured them that Nigeria would be great and prosperous under Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.

    He directed the women’s coordinator of the Friends of Atiku, Mrs. Eze Mercy, to work with the women to ensure Atiku’s victory in next month’s polls.

  • Buhari, Tinubu, Oshiomhole to storm Abakaliki for campaign

    President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) , Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as its National Chairman , Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, will on Wednesday, January 2019, lead other stalwarts to the flag-off of the party’s campaign in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State Capital.

    The flag-off is scheduled to hold at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium Abakaliki.

    The governorship candidate of the APC in Ebonyi State, Senator Sonni Ogbuoji, said the flag-off will be an opportunity for Ebonyi people to know his plans for the liberation of the state from the stranglehold of the purveyors of poverty and underdevelopment of the State.

    “I am on a liberation mission in Ebonyi State. I have always believed that public officers should work to enthrone a government works with the people to enthrone a collective sense of common purpose and direction for the benefit of all stakeholders,” Ogbuoji said. “This belief has not changed; instead it has been strengthened over the years, necessitating my desire to serve the good people of Ebonyi State.”

    Other bigwigs of the party who are expected to grace the occasion include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Governor Nassir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Chief Ajomole, former Chairman of All Chairmen of APC, and the members of the National Working Committee of the APC.

    “For these people to come to Ebonyi State to support our campaign despite their already tight schedules, shows how significant the event is for the party,” said Senator Ogbuoji in a telephone interview. “Ebonyi people should rest assured that the governance of prosperity and progress which APC is bringing to the state will reach everybody.

    “We will ensure that our youths are sufficiently empowered and taken off the streets of Nigerian cities – the era of Ebonyi street hawkers will be a thing of the past when APC takes over government in Ebonyi State come May 2019,” Ogbuoji emphasised.

    Analysts who are familiar with political events in the State said that the flag-off accentuate the popularity of the party in the State and lay to rest any semblance of doubt regarding the capacity of the party to garner landslide victory in the February and March elections in the state.

    Speaking about the flag-off ceremony, Prince Nweze Onu, the APC Candidate for Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone, said that Ogbuoji has used his position as a senator to attract many projects to the people of the State.

    Read Also: 2019: Buhari resumes nationwide campaign as he arrives Sokoto

    “Senator Ogbuoji went beyond his primary constituency to impact the lives of people from other parts of the State,” Prince Onu told journalists in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State Capital on Thursday, January 24 2018. “His impacts have been felt in all aspects of life of Ebonyi people – from health infrastructure to education, electricity, portable water, good road networks and a myriad of empowerment projects.”

    Onu said that Ogbuoji is a silent achiever who likes his works to speak for him, adding that the numerous projects of the incoming governor of Ebonyi State will be showcased to the people on the flag-off day as a peep into the good times that await Ebonyians when the people’s Senator assumes the political leadership of the State as the Governor.

    Speaking about the event which he said will be the mother of all campaign flag-offs in Nigeria, Eze Nwachukwu Eze, the Ebonyi State Chairman of APC, said that the party has applied to the State Ministry of Youths and Sports for the release of the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, the arena that will host the event.

    “We have duly written the Ministry of Sports to allow us the use of the Stadium to host our dear President Buhari and his teeming supporters,” Nwachukwu said. “We have made all arrangements to ensure that our people give Mr. President a heroic welcome.”

    In a copy of the letter requesting for the use of the Stadium dated January 21, 2019 and made available to journalists, Nwachukwu said that the event will kick off by 8.00 am, and urged the Commissioner in charge of the Youths and Sports Ministry to grant quick access to the Stadium.

    “Your quick response to enable us and the security agents to gain access to the Stadium from 28th – 30th January 2019, to make adequate preparations,” The Letter concluded.

  • Election: Umahi directs supporters to be at polling units by 6am

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has directed the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters to move to their polling units on election days by 6 a.m., to prevent possible electoral malpractices.

    Umahi gave the directive on Friday at Ikwo Local Government Area during the flag-off of his election campaign, urging the supporters to remain at the polling units after casting their votes.

    “Nobody should attempt any form of malpractice because we will resist such with everything we have.

    “When I was asked to sign the peace accord by the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), I signed but said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies should actually sign the accord.

    “There will be peace if they say let there be peace and if they refuse, there will not be,” he said.

    The governor noted that anybody collecting gratifications to perpetuate malpractices during the elections was risking his life because Ebonyi people would not agree to such.

    “Anyone coming for elections in the state should do the right thing because we are not asking for favours, having been blessed by God.

    “Henceforth, appointments into governmental positions will not be based on local government area considerations but on support to the PDP and its candidates.

    Read Also: Umahi donates operational vehicles to security agencies

    “Do not allow people to deceive you with all sorts of insinuations as everybody supporting the PDP must vote for the party’s candidates.

    “We are commencing our house-to-house campaign from Sunday, Jan. 20, and party faithful should post their findings on our social media platform,” he said.

    Umahi said that the campaign was flagged-off in Ikwo Local Government due to the electoral success recorded when such flag-off commenced in the area in 2015.

    “You gave 90 per cent of your votes when an incumbent governor from the area was not supporting us and you hadn’t a present deputy governor, three commissioners and other appointments.

    “I am optimistic that you will give us 100 percent presently with our infrastructural strides in roads and plans to make the Oferekpe water scheme functional, among others,” the governor said.

    Dr Kelechi Igwe, the Deputy Governor, who hails from the area, thanked the governor for replicating the flag-off of the campaign in the area and assured of the peoples’ total support.

    “The women of the area and decampees from the All Progressive Congress (APC) have donated Sienna buses respectively in appreciation of your numerous developmental strides and to support your re-election,” he said.

    Chief Uche Secondus, the PDP National Chairman, urged the electorate to vote for all PDP candidates from the presidential to the House of Assembly level.

    Secondus, represented by Chief Austin Umahi, the party’s National Vice-Chairman-South East Zone, said that the journey to the party’s electoral victory in 2015 started in Ikwo Local Government Area and expressed optimism of a repeat performance.

    Mr Onyekachi Nwebonyi, the state Party Chairman, noted that the governor had justified his campaign with his numerous infrastructural strides across the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the occasion witnessed the defection of APC supporters to PDP, presentation of PDP candidates from the area and goodwill messages from party faithful among others.

  • Operation Python Dance III a blessing for Ebonyi – Umahi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has said that the Nigerian Army’s Operation Python Dance III exercise in the state has become a blessing for the residents.

    Umahi stated this on Tuesday while distributing 70 Hilux-operational vehicles to various security agencies in the state.

    He said that the exercise which was heavily misconstrued by some people, has recorded no incidences of infractions, quarrel or torture, among others.

    ”I believe that with the pedigree of the General Officer Commanding the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, his commandant and officers, we would continue to shame our enemies.

    ”We are brothers and sisters across the Niger and no level of enmity wished by the enemies will help the country.

    ”Let us embrace love to engender oneness as this is the only way Nigeria would continue to remain as a nation,” he said.

    The governor berated groups in the South East zone which declared that they would participate in the general elections to vote against him.

    ”I ask of the need to conduct governorship elections in the state considering what God has done but I will not fold my hands and watch uninformed Ebonyi people continue being killed.

    ”When the military was confronted at Umuahia, 90 per cent of those that died were Ebonyians and one person was busy talking about his dog that died.

    ”Ebonyi people would never experience a second colonisation and no other group exists in the state but our people who are determined to re-write their history.

    ”We would continue to collaborate with the Federal Government and security agencies to rid our state of criminals to sustain its rating as the safest state in the zone,” he said.

    He said that the vehicles were distributed to appreciate and complement the efforts of security agencies in the state and particularly praised the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    ”The NSCDC has formed the backbone of intelligence gathering and collaborates effectively with the police by demobilising and handing over criminals.

    ”The police would be allotted 30 vehicles, the army 4 Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of zone 6, 2 vehicles, GOC 82 Division, 2, State Security Service 3, NSCDC 4 and the Neigbourhood Security Watch, 15.

    ”The Nigerian Immigration Service would receive one vehicle, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) 1, Governor’s Convoy – 1, Nigerian Legion 1, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), 2 and Nigerian Prisons Service 1,” he said.

    Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi, Muhammad Mustapha, thanked the governor on behalf of other security agencies and pledged that the vehicles would be judiciously utilised.

    ”Ebonyi remains the safest state in the South-East zone and we would ensure that the rate of criminality in the state is reduced to zero per cent.

    ”We have been adequately motivated to perform optimally and we assure the people of the protection of their lives and properties,” he said.

    Dr Kenneth Ugbala, Commissioner for Internal Security and Boarder Peace, pledged that the neighbourhood security watch would continue assisting security agencies to rid the state of criminals. (NAN)