The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Geoffrey Ogbonna

  • Abia Community in tears after gunmen kill 4 persons

    Abia Community in tears after gunmen kill 4 persons

    It was a tragedy at Ihieorji in Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State as unknown gunmen struck and reportedly killed about six persons in the village.

    Unconfirmed reports from the area on Tuesday night, however, gave the death toll to ten with several persons injured and currently receiving medical attention in an undisclosed private Hospital in Aba.

    It was learnt that about four persons died on the spot, while two others died at the hospital while they were being given medical attention.

    Sources at the area told our reporter on Thursday that the gunmen numbering five had struck the village at about 7.45pm in an ash colour Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and started shooting sporadically at anyone on sight.

    A source who pleaded anonymity said that while the gunmen were shooting, they overheard them telling their victims that kill them since they wouldn’t let them (gunmen) operate within the community.

    At the end of the attack which was said to have lasted well over one hour without any challenge from security agencies in Aba.

    One of the victims whose name was simply given as Herbert and believed to be the major target of the hoodlums had his stomach ripped open by bullets and his intestine splattered on the ground during the shootout.

    But another account of the incident from a resident of the area alleged that the gunmen whose identity were yet unknown shot their victims in a drug bunk and after the operation shot sporadically into the air while they were escaping in a commercial bus.

    The source who simply gave his name as Chetachukwu said that they have been living in fear since after the incident over the fear of being unduly arrested by security agents who couldn’t come to their area while the shooting lasted.

    They appealed to government and security heads in Aba and the state at large to come to their rescue, stressing that they have been sleeping with eyes open since Tuesday that the incident happened.

    When contacted, the spokesman of Abia State Police Command, Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed the shooting incident and described it as a drug war between two rival groups.

    Ogbonna stated that they were investigating the matter and would soon come out with a statement on the true account of the event.

  • Court orders detention of 60 IPOB members

    Court orders detention of 60 IPOB members

    A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, has ordered the detention of 60 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) at the Afara Federal Prisons on Aba Road.

    The Nation gathered that the magistrate gave the order when their lawyer challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter, following the reading of the charges against them.

    The magistrate, who directed that the case file be transferred to the Department for Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice, adjourned the matter till October 25 for compliance and possible transfer to a High Court.

    By law, a high court has the jurisdiction to entertain the charges against the suspects.

    The IPOB members were among those arrested by security agents in Umuahia, Isiala Ngwa and other parts of the state capital during the clash between the Army and members of the separatist group.

    Police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the IPOB members were arraigned on eight-count charges of conspiracy, terrorism, attempted murder, unlawful society and rioting.

    A chief magistrates’ court sitting in Aba North Local Government Area, presided over by Ogbonna Adiele, had ordered the remand of seven suspected IPOB members at the Aba Prison for a similar crime.

    The trial judge ordered that the case file be transferred to the DPP for advice.

    The matter will come up on September 27 for compliance to the court’s directives.

     

  • Court remands 60 IPOB members in prison

    Court remands 60 IPOB members in prison

    A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia State, on Monday remanded 60 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB ) at the Afara Federal Prisons in Aba.

    Read also: IPOB: Saraki goofed

    The magistrate ordered that the Indigenous People of Biafra members be remanded in prison after their counsel challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter.

    The magistrate, who had directed that the case file be transferred to the Department for Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice, later adjourned the case till October 25.

    Read also: Security agencies unmask IPOB’s Paris account holder

    The Indigenous People of Biafra members were among those arrested by security agents in Umuahia, Isiala Ngwa and other parts of the state capital during the clash between army and members of the separatist group.

    Read also: Don’t treat IPOB, MASSOB, others with kid gloves – Islamic leaders

    The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Geoffrey Ogbonna, said the Indigenous People of Biafra were arraigned on eight- count charge of conspiracy, terrorism, attempted murder, membership of unlawful society and rioting, among others.

    Read also: We’ve checkmated IPOB, herdsmen/farmers’ clashes, says Army

  • Police station attacked in Abia

    Police station attacked in Abia

    Unidentified persons have reportedly attacked the Ariaria Police Divisional Headquarters in the early hours of Friday.

    Information about the attack at the time of filing report is sketchy, though some sources said that there was no casualty.

    It was gathered that security have been beefed up at the Aba Area Command Headquarters and other Police Divisions in the commercial town when information about the attack filtered into the city.

    Detachment of policemen were seen at the road leading to the Area Command after it was cordoned off and Police rerouting cars heading towards that direction of the command.

    The Abia PPRO Geoffrey Ogbonna is yet to confirm the incident.

  • Kidnappers die in gun duel with police in Abia

    Kidnappers die in gun duel with police in Abia

    Two members of a four man kidnapping gang who have been terrorizing the people of Abia State and Aba in particular have reportedly been shot dead by detachment of police personnel attached to Omoba Police Division during a gun duel.

    While the detectives was said to have been rescued, a police detective, The Nation learnt was not lucky as he was reportedly hit by bullets in the gun duel.

    The detective was said to be responding to treatment in an undisclosed hospital while filing this report.

    Information made available to The Nation by the Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Abia Command, Geoffrey Ogbonna disclosed that the hoodlums had on July 18 in Osisioma Ngwa local government area abducted one Onyemaechi Mbamaonyeukwu Ijeoma, the Managing Director of Mba Hotels Aba in his ash colour Nissan Infinity Jeep with Reg. No. GWA 807 DH.

    Ogbonna said that the victim was kept in uncompleted building at Umuajuju Ovungwu, Isiala Ngwa South LGA while negotiating for ransom.

    According the PPRO, Omoba detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), on a tip off swooped on the hoodlums in their den and the gang on sighting the police personnel engaged the police officers in a gun duel.

    He said that two of the Kidnappers later identified as Nwadibia and Monday during the shootout were gunned down while others escaped with bullet wounds.

    He disclosed that some items including the victim’s Nissan Infinity Jeep, two (2) motorcycles and four (4) GSM phones were recovered from the gang.

    He said that victim has been reunited with his family while police have launched man-hunt on the fleeing members of the gang.

    Ogbonna however urged members of the public to volunteer information to the Police or any other Security Agency on anyone found with bullet wounds.

     

  • Police warn IPOB/MASSOB, others on protest, use of siren in Abia

    Police warn IPOB/MASSOB, others on protest, use of siren in Abia

    The Abia State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has warned members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and other pro-Biafra groups planning to embark on any form of protest to rescind from such action.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Command (PPRO), Geoffrey Ogbonna in a telephone interview with our reporter on Wednesday also debunked speculations making rounds that they (police) arrested and detained members of the people of MASSOB and BIM (Biafra Independent Movement)

    According to Ogbonna, “The information at our disposal was that one of our sister agencies arrested some members of MASSOB and other pro-Biafra group on the day of their protest which I would not want to comment about. But as we speak, I am yet to receive information from any division that they arrested members of MASSOB and that is the much I can tell you.”

    The PPRO who said that the police was doing everything within its powers to ensure that residents of Aba and the state go about their businesses without fear of intimidation from any quarters stated that the command would not fold its arms to watch anyone hide under any guise to foment trouble or cause breach of peace in the state.

    He said that the warning was part of the police proactive steps in ensuring that Abia remains calm and conducive for business activities to thrive in any part of the state.

    “It is naturally expected that nobody should take laws into his/her own hands as to coarse other law abiding citizens into a demonstration under any guise. Specifically, IPOB, MASSOB and other associations thinking along that line are better warned because doing otherwise shall be met with the full weight of the law.”

    The Police spokesman also disclosed that the command has similarly imposed ban on the use of siren in the state especially by unauthorized persons in the state.

    Ogbonna who lamented indiscriminate use of siren in the state by individuals said that the command has directed any person(s) not permitted by law to use siren in the state to dismantle them and stressed that anyone caught forthwith by police in any part of the state would be arrested and treated according to the law that prohibited indiscriminate and illegal use of siren in the state.

    “For purpose of clarity, those entitled to the use of siren in the State are: The executive Governor (of the State), the Assistant Inspector General of Police, The Commissioner of Police,
    The Brigade Commander (14 Brigade Ohafia), The Fire Service and Ambulances when on emergency duties.

    “Persons outside the personalities/Institutions mentioned above in the state having siren on their vehicles are advised to dismantle it or be made to face the Law.”

    However, an official of MASSOB who spoke anonymously dismissed the warning by the police, stating that no amount of threat on them would cow them from the ongoing agitation for the Sovereign State of Biafra.

    The source said that MASSOB is a peaceful and non-violent group who have become sacrificial lambs in the hands of the police and other security agencies and stated that it is their fundamental rights to embark on peaceful protest at any time that they like.

    “We have remained resolute and peaceful in our agitation for the sovereign state of Biafra. We heard the announcement and we want to assure the police that they are just issuing a warning or threat that doesn’t hold any water. If we decide to hold protest on May 30 or any other day, they won’t stop us. They can go ahead to kill innocent and unarmed citizens of Biafra, but that would not deter us from the agitation of Biafra. That their warning or threat doesn’t make any sense and can’t kill the fire in us to have a state that has been the dream of our heroes past.”

     

  • Aba Police arrest armed robbery suspect, recover stolen cars, arms

    Aba Police arrest armed robbery suspect, recover stolen cars, arms

    A member of the dare-devil gang that on Easter Monday terrorised the city of Aba, Abia State has been arrested by a combined team of the police and the military.

    The Nation gathered on Tuesday that the police has also arrested a man described as being notorious for receiving stolen items.

    The gang was later engaged by a combined team of the police and the military had terrorised Aba for over one hour on Monday evening, culminating in the abduction of an unidentified man.

    In a telephone chat, the Abia command police public relations officer (PPRO), Geoffrey Ogbonna said the arrested gang member who had gunshot wounds was apprehended within the Good Morning Market area when the hoodlums engaged the combined team of security personnel in a gun battle as they tried to escape.

    Ogbonna further informed that other members of the gang escaped into the nearby bush with gunshot wounds, adding that the hoodlums’ victim was rescued.

    He said that items recovered from the men of the underworld include Toyota Siena Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), Lexus SUV, AK 47 raffle and 10 rounds of live ammunition.

    Meanwhile, Abia police command said it has arrested a “notorious criminal receiver” of goods in Aba it gave his name as Ifeanyi Urakpa.

    According to a release by the command’s spokesperson, Ogbonna, the arrest followed a tip-off and that when detectives from Ndiegoro Division visited the suspect’s home, they recovered one Toyota Lexus RX 330 SUV with registration number Abuja BWR 566 HH and a Toyota Corolla car with registration number Enugu BLF 425 AA which it said were suspected to have been snatched from their owners.

    The release stated that investigation into the matter was ongoing.

  • Abia police sack two on trial for ‘murder‘

    Abia police sack two on trial for ‘murder‘

    Abia State police command has dismissed two of the four policemen for their indictment in last year’s alleged ritual killing of 26-year-old Onyekachi Chukwu.

    Chukwu was murdered by the policemen attached to the Federal Highway Patrol Unit in Aba on allegations that he was a robber.

    The mutilated body of Chukwu, who is from Isuikwuato Local Government Area, was found in a burrow pit at Akpa village in Obingwa Local Government Area, with other human skulls and decomposing bodies

    The two dismissed policemen are junior officers. The other two are senior officers, whose fate would be decided by the Police Service Commission (PSC), as the commissioner had no power over their ranks.

    But it was learnt that the officers were being tried in court.

    Elder brother to the late Onyekachi, Uche told reporters that his family had appealed to the police to hasten the trial and track down the other two policemen who are at large.

    Chukwu was accosted by the suspected policemen on his way from an evening outing.

    Residents of Aba have been calling for justice and have urged the police to investigate activities of the police on federal roads in the city.

    Police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna could not be reached on his phone, but a police source confirmed the story.

     

  • ‘Kidnappers’ kill man in Aba

    Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have killed a man, simply identified as Mr. Ifenkwe Matthew, in Aba, Abia State.

    The incident, it was learnt, occurred about 8:30 p.m. on Sunday at Oriaku Street, near Umuatako Street, Abayi, Aba.

    A source said the gunmen shot their victim several times for resisting attempts to abduct him.

    Police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna could not be reached for comments, but a source said officers from Abayi Division were investigating the matter.

     

  • Gunmen kidnap six-month-old baby

    Gunmen have kidnapped a six-month-old male baby belonging to Mrs. Peace Chikezie.

    The incident occurred at Amapu Umuaja village in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State.

    Sources said the kidnap was made about 9:30pm on Monday when most of the villagers had gone to bed.

    The Nation learnt that the gunmen, who came to the victim’s home on a motorcycle, broke into the house, kidnapped the baby and snatched his mother’s mobile phone, to prevent her from contacting her relations.

    A source, who preferred anonymity, confirmed the incident. He said the gunmen were yet to contact the victim’s parents.

    The source said the villagers became aware of the incident when the mother cried out after the gunmen had left.

    Another source said the reason for the kidnap was unknown, adding: “This is the first time such a thing would happen in this area.”

    The source, who spoke bitterly, described the gunmen’s action as barbaric and satanic. He begged them to release the baby.

    The matter, The Nation gathered, had been reported at the Umuoba Divisional Police Headquarters.

    Efforts to reach police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna were unsuccessful, as he did not pick his calls.

    A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident. He said the police were working to rescue the baby and arrest the kidnappers.