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Tag: Enugu State

  • Police nab headmaster for defiling four pupils in Enugu

    The Police Command in Enugu State has arrested a school Headmaster, one Idoko Nathaniel,50, of Mkpamteulo village, Enugu Ezike community, for allegedly defiling four pupils put under his care.

    The command’s Spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu, said in a statement on Monday that the incident happened at Migrant Farmers Children School located at Aguibeji community in Enugu Ezike, Igboeze North local Government Area.

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    Amaraizu said that operatives of the Gender Unit of the state’s Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department investigated the suspect for weeks in relation to his alleged nefarious activities.

    He noted that the suspect had allegedly in the afternoon of July 17 at a bush near the school sexually abused and defiled the four minors aged between  five and six years.

    “It was gathered that the school headmaster had allegedly used his fingers on the private parts of the four female school pupils, inflicted serious injuries on them and thereby making them to be walking abnormally.

    “It was further gathered that this was revealed as one of the victim school pupil opened up to her parents on what transpired in the school where she was defiled by the headmaster.

    “This, however, led to the arrest of the headmaster. In his response, the headmaster regretted his act and blamed it on the Satan,” Amaraizu said.

    The spokesman further revealed that the headmaster claimed that he was a father and had a wife at home.

    “My wife is not happy with me over this incident. I am begging my wife, the parents of the children and God to forgive me,’’ Amaraizu quoted the suspect as pleading.

    On whether he had been sexually assaulting other school children before now, the headmaster declared that this was his first time and that it was not done for anything.

    The police spokesperson said that the affected pupils were currently being treated by medical doctors at the Police Medical Unit of the command, while investigation had begun.

    Amaraizu said the headmaster would be arraigned in court on conclusion of investigation.

  • Police nab headmaster for allegedly defiling four pupils

    The Police Command in Enugu State has arrested a school Headmaster, one Idoko Nathaniel, of Mkpamteulo village, Enugu Ezike community, for allegedly defiling four pupils put under his care.

    The command’s Spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu, said in a statement on Monday that the incident happened at Migrant Farmers Children School located at Aguibeji community in Enugu Ezike, Igboeze North local Government Area.

    Amaraizu said that operatives of the Gender Unit of the state’s Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department investigated the suspect for weeks in relation to his alleged nefarious activities.

    He noted that the suspect had allegedly in the afternoon of July 17 at a bush near the school sexually abused and defiled the four minors aged between  five and six years.

    “It was gathered that the school headmaster had allegedly used his fingers on the private parts of the four female school pupils, inflicted serious injuries on them and thereby making them to be walking abnormally.

    “It was further gathered that this was revealed as one of the victim school pupil opened up to her parents on what transpired in the school where she was defiled by the headmaster.

    “This, however, led to the arrest of the headmaster. In his response, the headmaster regretted his act and blamed it on the Satan,” Amaraizu said.

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    The spokesman further revealed that the headmaster claimed that he was a father and had a wife at home.

    “My wife is not happy with me over this incident. I am begging my wife, the parents of the children and God to forgive me,’’ Amaraizu quoted the suspect as pleading.

    On whether he had been sexually assaulting other school children before now, the headmaster declared that this was his first time and that it was not done for anything.

    The police spokesperson said that the affected pupils were currently being treated by medical doctors at the Police Medical Unit of the command, while investigation had begun.

    Amaraizu said the headmaster would be arraigned in court on conclusion of investigation.

     

  • Textiles worth millions burnt in Aba market inferno

    …as police arrest six security guards on duty for questioning

    It was a sorrowful and tearful day at the popular Ekeoha/Shopping center located between Market road  and Ehi road off Aba-Owerri and Ehi roads respectively as Textile materials estimated to worth millions of naira went into flames on Wednesday as fire engulf shops in the popular market.

    It was gathered that six security guards said to be on duty around the area have been arrested and detained for questioning at Ndiegoro Police Division under whose jurisdiction the market is located.

    While the traders of the affected lines; zone 3 and 6 respectively were yet to ascertain the cause of the inferno, sources in the Abia State Fire Service, Aba attributed it to a “willful” or deliberate act by the perpetrators.

    Our reporter who visited the scene of the fire incident reports that the fire affected shop MF 1A and KH 23up said to belong to Mr. Hillary Asogwa from Nsukka in Enugu State and Mr. Peter from Neni in Anambra state.

    While the shop owners who were overwhelmed with emotion could not speak to our reporter gathered that the incident started at about 4:00 am and lasted till about 7:30am through the efforts of men of the fire service who prevented the fire from getting into other shops.

    Investigation by our reporter has it that the arsonist after setting shop KH 23up on fire through mistakenly set shop MF 1A on fire, thinking  that it was the parking store of the owner of shop KH 23up.

    While shop KH 23up is stocked with lycra material, shop MF 1A is stocked with lace materials.

    While police were still investigating the matter at the time of this report, source told our reporter that the arsonist broke a transparent glass on top of the shops before setting the shops ablaze using fuel and lighter to perpetuate the evil act.

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    “The shop at MF 1A just offloaded 15 giant bale of laces that was delivered in a 20ft container, while the shop owner of KH 23up recently brought back some goods which are yet to be touched. From what happened, the shop owner of MF 1A is just unfortunate to have suffered such a huge loss. We don’t think that he was a target. He became a victim because his shop is closer to the shop of the man in KH 23up. We don’t use electricity here. Tell me how the two different shops could just get burnt. The person that did this targeted the owner of shop KH23up who has a parking store at MF2A, but the person wrongly set MF 1A ablaze,” a source at the market disclosed.

    Efforts to get the reaction of the Aba Fire Chief, Mr. Okezie Uche failed, but a source at the station who claimed to be part of the team that attended to the fire said that the cause of the fire could not be far from what he described as “willful act”.

    The source who said that the timely intervention of their men saved billions of goods and the traders market from huge loss, however lamented construction of shops on emergency routes and shoddy construction job in the market which he said delayed them from accessing the zone and the shops being gutted by fire.

    “We got to the market after we got calls informing us about the fire outbreak at about 4am which we attended to until about 7:30am. But the problem that we encountered is that our car cannot enter the market because of the type of construction work and building of shops in the market. Almost all the fire routes in the market have been blocked with one structure or the other.

    “The security men on duty could not even easily indentify the location of the inferno. That also delayed the rate of attending to the fire. But the good news is that we were able to save goods worth billions of naira from being consumed in the inferno.”

    Speaking to newsmen, the caretaker chairman of Eke-Oha Shopping Centre, Mr. Friday Dimiri said: “As at 3am this morning, I got a distress call from the security men here about fire outbreak in the market. I quickly called the firefighters and also got the police involved to avoid theft. I rushed down here with my team and we have been here doing the most we can to calm things down here. The fire men with most of us who came earlier and with the help of God almighty helped in making sure that the fire didn’t escalate to other parts of the market.

    “The police in their own investigation have arrested the security men who serve here to know the reality of the whole incident. The worth of goods damaged by the fire cannot be ascertained yet as proper estimate with the owners have not been done. We will cooperate with the police to get to the bottom of the whole incident.”

  • Youths petition IGP over death of Enugu APC Council Chairman

    Youths under the auspices of Ezza Ezekuna Youth Association on Monday stage a peaceful  protest in Abakaliki the Ebonyi state capital be to protest the death of an All Progressive Congress,  APC, Local government Chairman in Ebonyi state.

    Ernest Oduu, a Lawyer, who until his death, was the Chairman of APC in Ezza South Local Area slumped on Saturday in an Enugu hotel alleggedlly owned by a stalwart of the party in Ebonyi state and later confirmed dead at a hospital.

    The Youths, numbering over 500 marched round some streets in Abakaliki before terminating the march at Government House Abakaliki.

    Addressing Journalists, they called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate the matter and unravel the cause of the death of Mr Oduu.

    The protesters carried inscriptions like, “IGP, please investigate the death of our son; Ezza Youth mourns Barrister Ernest; We don’t want the death of our brother swept under the carpet; The cause of his death must be made public; amongst others

    The leader of the group, Leonard Alegu said that they were in the government house to protest the delay by the Enugu police command in unraveling the death of the deceased and urged the Ebonyi state government to liaise with the Commissioner for Police Enugu State to commence investigation into the cause of the death.

    “Since Saturday, 17th of August that our brother was said to have slumped and died in a hotel in Enugu, where he went to attend a political meeting, nothing have been heard about his death. We are worried that the police command in Enugu State has not commenced investigation and we are calling for justice”.

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    “We are here to make a passionate appeal to the Ebonyi State government to please liaise with the Enugu State Police command not just to investigate the cause of the death but to unravel the cause of his death because, justice will not be achieved if the cause of his death is not unraveled”, Elegu said.

    Receiving the protesters, the Chief of Staff, Ebonyi state Government House, Ofor Okorie thanked the protesting Ezza youths for embarking on a peaceful protest rather than taking laws into their hands.

    He said their action is most commendable and shows a high level of maturity and civility.

    Mr Okorie assured the youths that the state government having received their complaints would ensure that it would liaise with the police to ensure that the death of the deceased is properly investigated.

    He urged them to return back to their different houses and not to allow miscreants hijack the protest as that would not go down well with the state government.

    Ebonyi State Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Mr. Tony Olofu, said that the Ebonyi State Police command will collaborate with its Enugu State command to look into the matter.

    He further assured them that everything contained in the letter submitted to the police command would get to the appropriate authorities.

    He urged them to go back to their businesses and remain law abiding citizens pointing out that the Ebonyi State Command of the police will continue to ensure the security of lives and properties of its citizenry.

  • 263 commercial drivers undergo eye tests in Enugu

    Two hundred and sixty three (263) commercial drivers in Enugu have gone through free eye test conducted by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to ascertain the state of their sights while on steering.

    The drivers, who were drawn from various motor-park unions in Enugu, were also given lectures on eye care and the need to avoid stimulants that blurs vision.

    The Sector Commander of FRSC in Enugu State, Mr Imoh Etuk, said the initiative was in line with the directive from the corps’ headquarters to ensure an accident free Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

    Etuk further explained that there was a need to conduct free eye test and treatment to reduce road accidents this festive season and thereafter.

    “We are conducting eye test for drivers because it has come to our knowledge that bad eye sight also contributes to most road crashes experience on our roads.

    “Some drivers drive under the illusion of having good sight but the result of this eye test had further proved us right that most drivers are suffering one eye defect or the other.

    “We have noted those with eye defects and as part of our mandate, we will ensure that that the affected drivers do not drive until they undergo the necessary treatment.

    “Glasses as well as further treatments recommended by the optometrists on ground in line with the nature of the eye defect will be given to the tested drivers with eye defect,’’ he said.

    The sector commander thanked the Nigerian Optometric Association, Enugu State Chapter (NOAESC) for buying into FRSC’s vision of ensuring zero tolerance for road accidents, noting that “the exercise is a continuous one that will take place from time to time’’.

    Etuk, however, advised drivers to do proper eye test from time to time, avoid taking alcohol before and while driving as well as avoid buying fairly used tyres for their vehicles.

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    The Chairman of NOAESC, Dr Emmanuel Asogwa, said the association had partnered with FRSC to organise a free eye examination and further treatment for both commercial and private drivers in the state.

    Asogwa said the comprehensive screening programme aimed at determining the visual acuity, coverage level and the colour perception of drivers so as to reduce accidents.

    “Greater numbers of the tested drivers have been found to have colour blindness, short sight, cataract and some only see well with one eye.

    “Having detected these defects, we will make recommendations and direct affected drivers to a specialised clinic for further treatment.

    “If these eye defects are not detected and treated early enough, it will result into more serious eye problems and most importantly, accidents,’’ he said.

    A beneficiary of the free eye test, Mr Paul Okechukwu, said he stopped driving for three months because his sight had deteriorated so badly and he had no money to go for check-up and treatment.

    Okechukwu said the initiative of the FRSC and NOAESC will afford him the opportunity to correct his bad vision and go back to work and fend for his family.

    Another beneficiary, Mr Eze Abugu, said before the test, he thought he had a good sight because he can see some objects few meters away; but the test had proved otherwise.

  • INEC, Wike disagree over failed Rivers by-election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it would be partnering with the business community in Enugu State to ensure a hitch-free 2019 General Elections in the state.

    INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Enugu State, Dr Emeka Ononamadu, said this in Enugu during INEC’s meeting with major stakeholders in the business community in Enugu State.

    Ononamadu noted that the business community had a high stake in elections, as outcomes of elections or governance affect businesses directly or indirectly.

    “If there is any tension in the land during election as an outcome of irregularities and disagreements, the business community suffers the impact most and if it is in the reverse where there is credible election and good governance the business community reap most of the dividends,’’ he said.

    The REC noted that it was in the best interest of INEC to expose and enlighten the business community on its roles in order to support INEC ensure a credible and smooth elections.

    “For instance, the commission needed the business community in the area of transportation of its staff and materials on time on the D-Days of the elections.

    Read Also: INEC, Wike disagree over failed Rivers by-election

    “We also need the business community to mobilize their members to register in the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) and collection of their Permanent Voters Cards.

    “Also, for your members to conduct themselves in a professional manner, come out en mass to vote and not engaging in the recent negative trend of vote buying and vote selling,’’ he said.

    Ononamdu noted that INEC had taken its advocacy and CVR registration to banks, markets, communities and other public places in the state to ensure it carried everybody along in the electoral process leading to the 2019 General Elections.

    Director-General of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Mr Emeka Okereke lauded INEC for being pro-active and doing wider consultations ahead of the elections.

    “I believe this wider consultation with various stakeholders will bear much fruit and make the electoral process and election more acceptable, credible and hitch-free, as each individual, group and stakeholder understand his role and play it faithful,’’ Okereke said.

    The state Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Chief Matthew Asogwa, noted that the union had been working hand-in-hand with INEC before now, adding that it managed the transportation arrange of INEC in 2015 General Elections in the state.

    “We have earlier mandated our members to register for CVR, collect their PVCs and ultimately ensure they vote on the D-Day.

    The NURTW is also inviting INEC to its meeting on Aug. 29; for the commission to use the avenue to enlighten our members the more and answer questions that are bothering them concerning the forthcoming elections,’’ Asogwa said.

    Leaders of various market associations and unions as well as department stores in the state attended the meeting.

  • 82 Div. GOC promises security in the Southeast

    Urge soldiers to guard their arms

    The new General Officer Commanding 82 Division of Nigerian Army, Enugu State, which oversees army commands in the five southeastern states including 13 Brigade, Cross River State has assured states under his command of adequate security in the region throughout his stay in office.

    Kabuki who stated this while addressing newsmen at the Umuahia Forward Operation Base (FOB) of 145 Battalion called for professionalism among the soldiers while discharging their duties and warned the troops against violation of citizen’s Fundamental Human Rights.

    The 82 Div GOC while reminding the troops on the need to be discipline and have respect for constituted authorities, also urged the soldiers to guard their arms jealously so as not to lose them to hoodlums who he said were always waiting for an opportunity to steal the soldiers’ weapon to come.

    He warned against the act of extortion on innocent motorists, stressing that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) frowns at such bad behaviour of soldiers.

    Announcing that Egwueke III would be holding this year, Kabuki used the opportunity to disclose that preparations have commenced towards ensuring a successful Operation Python Dance (Egwu Eke III) in the South Eastern States of Nigeria.

    He urged the soldiers to be ever prepared for the exercise which he said should be carried out in line with the vision of the COAS, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

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    “Egwu Eke so is not just an operation, it is a training activity for Nigerian Army on how to handle internal security challenges. If in conducting those training and there are situations that need to be addressed in order for south east to have the best security and peace that we are talking about, the troops will embark on that.

    “The issue of preparation is common because training in the Nigerian Army is continues. It is not just only for Egwu Eke, we have what is called on the job training it is a daily activity in the various units and formations of the Nigerian army.

    “But this time around, it is focus training because it is an exercise that is at army level and we are the host. So we have to be prepared to make sure that we perform our responsibility consistent with the vision of the chief of army staff in other to achieve the set objectives for that exercise.”

    Kabuk who took over the command from Maj. Gen. Adamu Baba Abubakar on the 6th of August 2018 said that the vision of the Chief of Army Staff is to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional role where troops are expected to be professional in all they are doing, responsive and must ensure that whatever they are doing must be consistence with the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “As the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, I have to bring the troops to focus on what the vision of the chief of Army staff. In line with that vision, we shall give the south east the best security. It is only in a secure environment that economic activities can thrive. It is the only condition to ensure that law abiding Nigerians go about their activities undisturbed. Without security a society is nothing. So, the desire of the chief of army staff is for all parts of Nigeria to be secure, peaceful and suitable for law abiding Nigerians and we shall ensure that here.”

  • INEC seeks partnership with stakeholders for successful, credible elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed for partnership of election stakeholders to achieve a successful, fair and credible in the forthcoming 2019 General Elections.

    INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr Emeka Ononamadu, made the appeal in Enugu on Friday while officially issuing the Notice of Election and commencement of electoral activities for 2019 General Elections to stakeholders.

    The stakeholders present at the issuing of the notice of election included: political parties, the media, traditional rulers, business community, transport unions, security agencies and electorates.

    Ononamadu said that the essence of issuing out the notice on time was to allow stakeholders in the electoral process to prepare early enough; adding that with the recent move, the issue of discrepancies in the timetable had been laid to rest.

    According to him, with the notice of election, the coast is clear for INEC to conduct a successful 2019 General Election.

    “In terms of administrative plans, we are ready for the election. We have notified the people especially our stakeholders that the dice is cast.

    “INEC is committed as a matter of patriotism to better the electoral process come 2019; even as our staff had braced-up for greater dedication and more work.

    “INEC offices are open to the public including the media to seek information on any aspect of the commission’s preparation as well as make valid inquires and complaints,’’ he said.

    Ononamadu noted that INEC recently shifted the date for the closure of the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) to Aug. 30 to accommodate more Nigerians willing to register.

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    On internal preparation of the Enugu State INEC office, he said that virtually all staff including cleaners in the commission had been given training on the electoral process, how registration is done and other specialty of different departments.

    “We have up-graded our ICT centre and made it more conducive for staff to spend hours working there; built a drivers office lot and run a 24-hour hotline centre,’’he said.

    Responding, Comrade Austin Okonkwo, who spoke on behalf of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), commended INEC for the progress made in the ongoing CVR in the state as well as releasing the election time-table on time.

    “With early preparation and consultation with critical stakeholders, I know we are going to have a free, fair and credible elections in 2019,’’ Okonkwo said.

    Speaking, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, Chairman of Enugu State Traditional Rulers’ Council, lauded the REC for his innovation and hard work to ensure that more residents register in the ongoing CVR and collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).

    Agubuzu, who lauded INEC for extending the CVR for two weeks, urged residents of the state that are eligible but have not registered to use the two weeks of grace to do that as well as ensure they collect their PVCs.

    “We have seen the hard work and innovation the REC, Ononamadu, had brought to Enugu State; thus, making the state to make much progress in the ongoing CVR registration and PVCs collection.

    “I appeal to our people to vote on the D-Day and ensure that credible leaders continue to lead the state and nation for us to get the development we deserve,’’ he said.

    The highpoints of the event was the unveiling of the time-table posters and its pasting in strategic locations and billboards of the commission.

    In the 2019 General Elections Time-table, the Presidential and National Assembly elections will be held on Feb. 16, 2019; while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will be held on March 2.

  • Man kills sick brother to avoid medical bills

    A 40 year old man has terminated the life of his sick elder brother in order to avoid incurring medical bills.

    The incident occurred at Ugwuagbo Inyi village in Igbo-Eze North Local council of Enugu state.

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    Enugu State police command spokesman, Superintendent Ebere Amaraizu confirming the story said:

    “It was gathered that one Raphael Izuchukwu believed to be about 40 years from Ugwuagbo Inyi village in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu state had on that fateful day killed his elder brother identified as one Chizoba Ogbonna also believed to be about 46 years and went ahead to bury him.

    “Full scale investigations have commenced as the suspect is now helping the police operatives in their investigations.

    “Revelation from suspect had it that he actually killed and buried his brother in the early hours of the said day.

    “On why he killed and buried his brother, suspect further revealed that the brother has been sick and that he can no longer bear the cost of his treatment and as a result, killed and buried him.

    “But through intelligence information, the police operatives apprehended him.”

  • FEC approves N15.73 billion road project in Enugu 

    The Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday reviewed upward the contract for road project in Enugu State.

    The Minister of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola briefed State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting chaired by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

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    He was with the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed.

    According to him, the project which was initially awarded at the cost of N10.3 billion in 2012 was to serve six different communities.

    He said that the project suffered failed implementation due to lack of funding.

    Giving reasons for the increase, he said, that there is also need to provide for erosion control.

    Details Later…