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Tag: Imo

  • APC performing in Imo, says aspirant

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has changed the face of Imo State, a House of Assembly aspirant, Mrs. Ego-Queen Ezuma, has said.

    She spoke with reporters in Abuja.

    Mrs. Ezuma, who is aspiring to represent Ideator North, said Governor Rochas Okorocha, through his “people- oriented projects”, had delivered the dividends of democracy in the three senatorial districts.

    She said: “As a mother, grandmother and lawyer, I have always stood by the downtrodden people. I have love and passion for the people who have lost hope. I assure them that they will regain hope. The zeal to serve humanity has spurred me to contribute towards the development of Ideator North.

    “I see it as an opportunity to carry on with the vanguard of change our governor has brought to Ideator North and the state.”

  • Twist in Imo governorship poll as Agbaso joins race

    Twist in Imo governorship poll as Agbaso joins race

    There was a twist in the race for Imo State governorship at the weekend, with the entrance of the elder brother of the impeached Deputy Governor, Chief Martins Agbaso, who has dumped his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Agbaso’s intention to contest the governorship election on the PDP platform has altered the party’s calculations ahead of next month’s primaries.

    His return to the PDP, The Nation learnt, was not unconnected with the resolve of the national leadership of the party to field a “strong candidate, who has the capacity to wrest power from Governor Rochas Okorocha.”

    Another reason, which might have influenced the PDP leadership’s decision to draft Agbaso into the race, was the role he played in ousting the PDP administration in 2011 and bringing in an APGA government.

    Speaking at the party’s secretariat when he led thousands of his supporters, including youths, traders, artisans and members of professional bodies to formally declare his interest to join the race, Agbaso, who was received by members of the state executive led by the Chairman, Sir Nnamdi Anyaehie, said he was in the race to deliver Imo from a “clueless administration.”

    He said his return to the PDP family was inspired by President Goodluck Jonathan’s style of leadership and humility, adding that “he is my role model.”

    Agbaso said he got a waiver from the party to compete with other aspirants, noting that PDP would be a better platform to pursue his governorship ambition.

    His words: “I feel PDP is a bigger and better vehicle to pursue my career next year. The man I admire so much, President Jonathan, has inspired me. No matter the provocation, he keeps quiet and strives to achieve. His temperament is what we need now. People have said a lot about him, but he remains focused. I understand his vision. Most visions materialise with time. I joined the PDP to give him my support.” Dismissing the insinuation of his likely emergence as a consensus candidate, Agbaso said he would emerge after a highly competitive primary election.

    He said: “I believe in competition. I have the pedigree to repeat the feat we achieved in 2011 when we defeated the incumbent governor. I did that with APGA, a party I built from nothing to challenge and defeat the ruling party. This strength is what I am bringing to the table.”

    The aspirant said if elected, he would create 250,000 jobs in the first two years, adding that the state’s challenges, such as unemployment, healthcare delivery, education and security could be surmounted with the right leadership.

  • Imo communities send SOS to state, Fed Govt

    Imo communities send SOS to state, Fed Govt

    What tops this comm-unity’s list of needs? Is it food, shelter or security? Whatever comes first, the people of Umukabia in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State know that roads are among their priorities. The residents want help from the state and federal governments.

    Umukabia does not only need good roads; they also require healthy water and electricity.

    Umukabia community, made up of 14 villages, is divided into two: Umukabia Ancient Kingdom, governed by HRH Eze Levi Anyaogu (Abia II of Umukabia) and Eze Virginus Onuoha (Imo 1 of Amaimo-Umukabia). These agrarian villages are known for their yam cultivation. They produce cassava, palm oil and livestock, among others.

    The Nation gathered that traders from all parts of the state and neighbouring Abia used to patronise the two most popular market days (Ekeala and Eke Umuodu) in the two communities to buy their farm produce.

    The community has produced great men such as the former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) boss, Dr. Maurice Iwu and his younger brother Sir Cosmos who was once the Secretary to the Imo State Government (SSG), Sir Desmond Agu, (Bayelsa State Civil Defence Commandant), Chief Johnson Ekpunobi (Ehime Mbano PDP Chairman) among others. But what they need urgently now is state and federal government’s help to breathe life into it and restore the years of the locust and cankerworm.

    They say they will be happy if Minister of Agriculture Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina who is promoting food security through farming will assist Umukabia farmers.

    The Nation reliably gathered that the agrarian Umukabia communities are gradually losing their dominance as one of the food baskets of Imo State due to bad road especially during these rainy days.

    Spokesman of the communities, Mr. Celestine Ike told our reporter that Umukabia Road, a major link to several other communities, has remained in a sorry state, full of pot-holes and dangerous gullies. Many call it a death trap.

    Said Ike, “Our people have suffered neglect since the defunct East Central State till the present administration; nothing has been done to alleviate the sufferings of our people. Most of us don’t go to the village except in the dry season.

    “Some of us including some of the prominent men that we have in the country don’t even try going to the village with our cars now that we are witnessing rainy season. If you do, you have to pack your car in a nearby village where you think that the vehicle can be safe until you want to go back to the township.

    “For me, I don’t stay beyond two or three days and when I know that I am going to stay longer, I go with public transport. It is indeed a terrible situation and how I wish you can come and see things for yourself.

    ”The last time government showed its presence in our area was during the Ohakim administration when the state government through NDDC (Niger Delta Development Commission) tried grading and rehabilitating the road but the situation grew from bad to worse after the contractors abandoned the road project; nothing has been done to address the situation we are facing here.

    ”The situation has degenerated so badly that we ended up eating our farm produce ourselves or dumping them on the farms to rot. That was not the situation in the past. People came to our markets to buy goods and give the farmers the opportunity to make more money from what they planted and harvested. They need to buy crop yields for the next planting season and as well, buy other things for themselves and their families. The situation is not the same today as many farmers are getting impoverished and I don’t know what the situation will look like in the future if our roads continue to be in this ugly state? “

    The traditional ruler of Umukabia Ancient Kingdom, His Royal Highness Eze Levi Anyaogu, in a telephone interview, described the state of federal and state roads that transverse his community and other adjourning villages as deplorable and lamented that their farm produce after being harvested from the farms ended up being dumped in various waste bins.

    ”If you can visit my community, in fact, you will cry for us. You will see what people are passing through because of bad roads. We are one of the communities that produce crops in a larger quantity. There is no road to send out some of the agricultural produce that we produce in my community.

    ”We will labour to plant seedlings and harvest them, but there is no way we can go out to sell them or for people to come in and buy what we harvested in the farm such that we ended up eating what we have harvested. Most of the things we produce are either eaten by ourselves or they will end up decaying in the farm.

    ”We produce palm oil, cassava and other things in large commercial quantity but no road to ferry them to the town for sales in the urban areas. We are eating them as well because we don’t see a way to send them out.

    ”The situation got from bad to worse after the Ohakim led administration graded and abandoned the road. We cannot drive our cars or even okada on the road in our communities because it is very bad and some of us because the road is bad trek to other villages.

    ”Motorcycles cannot pass through the roads in my community. My two cars are lying in my compound; there is no road to bring them out. I am appealing to the federal and state government to come to our rescue. The situation is so bad that we cannot do it ourselves and that is why we want government to please come to our rescue,” the traditional ruler of Umukabia Ancient Kingdom pleaded.

     

  • Cultural splendour at Imo carnival

    Cultural splendour at Imo carnival

    Mindful of the dwindling fortunes of the nation’s economy, every state is making frantic efforts to prevent its economy from total collapse. This they do by diversifying sub-sectors of their economy and revitalising ailing sectors in a bid to improve internally generated revenue that will help them meet the needs of the people.

    Having realised the danger in depending on monthly allocations from the Federation Account, each state is looking inwards on how to improve its economy. Gleefully, most states and the Federal Government have realised that the tourism sector is a potential revenue earner than oil if well developed.

    In the circumstances, therefore, many states are developing their tourism sector through encouragement of the hospitality industry. Cross River State is foremost in the area of tourism sector development. Other states have keyed into it, the latest being Imo State that had just held its maiden carnival tagged “you aren’t seen nothing yet” which the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere is the originator.

    As the theme indicates, the Imo State maiden carnival, left tourists and observers who converged on the state asking for more. It was an undiluted display of the rich cultural heritage and hospitality that the Eastern Heartland state is reputed for.

    The colourful costumes and artistic displays by various cultural dance groups and carnival floats added colour to the event.

    As early as 8:00 a.m., Owerri the capital city, had come alive in a blaze of colours as beautifully decorated men and women took to the streets dancing gracefully to the rhythm of cultural music provided by skilful dance troupes.

    Vehicular and human movements were grounded while the road show, which started from Dan Anyiam Stadium and ended at the Owerri City School, venue of the grand finale, lasted. The aged, unwell and disabled defied their challenges to participate in the much-anticipated event.

    Although the turnout was not as much as expected, the rich cultural display was a confirmation that Imo State is one of the states that boast rich tourism potential that are yet to be harnessed.

    In the weeks that preceded the carnival that was earlier scheduled to hold in May, this year but was put on hold as a result of the abduction of the over 200 girls from Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State, the capital city and its adjourning communities were given immense facelift.

    Contractors battled day and night to upgrade existing infrastructure, while ongoing ones were given full attention to ensure that they were completed on time for the carnival.

    Apart from infrastructure upgrade, other preparations ranging from security, traffic management and accommodation had also been stepped up to ensure that those coming from outside the state to witness the carnival were given the best in terms of hospitality and entertainment.

    According to the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee and Special Assistant to the Governor on Culture, Mr. Paddy Obinna, the state is ready to host the world.

    “We are ready. The facilities are already in place to play host to the entire world and showcase the rich cultural heritage of our great state,” he said.

    Mr Obinna noted that the carnival was conceived to expose the rich human, material and tourism potential of the state to the world, which will, in turn, attract direct foreign investments.

    “We want the whole world to come to Imo State and take part in the week-long festivity where they will be treated to the uncommon hospitality and entertainment Imo State is known for,” he said.

    He revealed that all the states governed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be fully participating in the event.

    According to him, some of the side attractions will include Igbo poetry/talk show, comedies ‘Ada and Opara Imo’ parade, new masquerade band, traditional and contemporary music performance and Governor’s band, among other activities lined up for the carnival.

    He said: “The first day parade will go on through the night. We have over 3, 000 schools that are taking part in the parade, even as we have over 100 people taking part in the parade. The parade will last from dusk to dawn and security network is on the upbeat.

    “The chaperons are also going to be on ground to guard the children against loitering so that they will be properly paraded.

    “We have musical splash which is going to involve a lot of known and unknown artistes. It will be a night of wonders for music lovers and people who love artistry.”

    Assuring visitors of their safety and comfort, the Chairman of the Committee said the state has a lot to showcase, especially with the infrastructure transformation of the state in the past two years under the ‘Rescue Mission’ administration.

    He said: “Everything is ready for the carnival. Security arrangements are in place, the state capital is aglow with unique paintings and other artistic works, the carnival village is a sight to behold. We are inviting the whole world to come and see the rescued Imo State.”

    Mr Obinna further disclosed that in order to prevent breach of security, all performing masquerades would be accredited and given code of conduct.

    Obinna urged Imo citizens to take advantage of the carnival to galvanise the economy and appreciate the growth in infrastructure, education and health.

    “Every year, we stream to Calabar for the carnival. Why can’t people also come here and participate in our own carnival? Let us make Imo a point of reference in this carnival,” he said.

    Speaking with our correspondent, one of the tourists who didn’t want his name mentioned, praised the efforts of the organisers, noting that the carnival, as in every other place, will continue to improve with every edition.

    He said: “I think the organisers have done well in knowing that this is the first edition of the carnival. Subsequent editions will certainly be better because the state indeed has rich cultural endowment and if properly harnessed, Imo will be the next tourism destination in the country.”

    At the venue of the grand finale, the spectators and participants didn’t want the incident to end as the participating floats fought to outdo one another. Young men were held spellbound by the beauty of the young ladies enhanced by their fantastic costumes.

    It was not just dancing and fun; there were also beautiful prizes to be won by the groups. According the organisers, the best group will go home with a brand new bus and N2 million, while the first and second runners up will get N1.5 million and N500,000 and a brand new bus respectively.

  • Police in Imo launch new outfit to combat crimes

    Police in Imo launch new outfit to combat crimes

    In its determination to combat kidnapping, robbery, car theft, thuggery, cultism and other heinous crimes, the Imo State Police Command has launched a new crime fighting outfit code-named Special Response Squad (SRS).

    The Commissioner of Police, AbdulMajid Ali, said the creation of the outfit was one of the numerous initiatives of the command in ensuring a peaceful, crime-free and secured Imo, especially during the Yuletide.

    He assured that the personnel have been urged to shun corruption and be firm, fair and friendly in the discharge of their duties.

    Speaking during the passing out parade of the new outfit at the Mobile Police Base in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Ali revealed that the officers and men of the squad had undergone a one-month intensive training, stressing that “it is my pleasure to certify them fit and ready to carry out their assignment effectively and efficiently.”

    Warning politicians to refrain from acts of thuggery and other forms of political violence during the forthcoming general elections, the police chief announced the ban on the use of firearms by vigilance groups and other unconventional security outfits.

    He gave a two-week ultimatum to all the affected groups to surrender any firearms in their possession, warning that any person or group of persons found with firearm after the expiration of the ultimatum will be severely dealt with.

    He said: “All security networks, vigilance groups and every unconventional security outfit bearing firearms should surrender their arms to the police station nearest to them within two weeks. Similarly, I warn all persons engaged in any form of crime to leave the trade or leave the state entirely, else they will meet their waterloo.”

    He also disclosed that the command had made remarkable achievements between March and August in checkmating criminals and their activities.

    “Within the time under review, the command rescued 22 kidnap victims and arrested 39 suspected kidnappers, rescued 39 stolen babies and arrested 46 child traffickers. It also recovered 40 stolen vehicles and recovered stolen properties estimated at N29 million.”

  • Jubilation as Imo communities get transformers

    Jubilation as Imo communities get transformers

    For several decades, lack of electricity had been a recurrent dilemma in most rural communities of Imo State. The situation resulted in mass rural-urban migration with its negative consequence on agricultural production. Many of these communities have been craving for the provision of such vital social amenity. Any wonder members of the backward communities literally worship any individual or administration that provides any of the needed amenities for them?

    For instance, those indigenous to 11 communities in Ahiazu Mbaise, Aboh Mbaise, Ezinihitte, Ngor-Okpala and Owerri Municipal local government Areas of the state were excited when transformers were donated to them. For them, it indicates that years of darkness in the respective communities will soon be over.

    The people will forever be grateful to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha who distributed 5000KVA transformers to each of the communities.

    A member of one of the benefitting communities, Mr. Austine Anyanwu, described the gesture as unprecedented in the history of the state, even as he added that the communities had waited in vain for the state government to rescue them from darkness.

    He noted that some of the communities have not had electricity since their existence, while others that were connected to the National Grid had been without light for over three decades as a result of damaged transformers or power lines.

    According to him, the Deputy Speaker’s generosity will go a long way in boosting economic activities in the villages and reduce the rate of rural-urban migration.

    Presenting the transformers to the leaders of the benefiting communities, Ihedioha said the privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) was an excellent measure by the Federal Government to ensure regular and uninterrupted power supply in all  the nook and cranny of the country.

    He further noted that the Federal Government decided to privatise the PHCN for efficiency and productivity. He said the action has resulted in improved electricity supply.

    The lawmaker  plealed that “there should be continuity in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-controlled Federal Government to enable President Goodluck Jonathan  consummate his transformation agenda for the people.”

    Hon. Ihedioha urged members of the communities to adopt maintenance culture and to guard against vandalisation of the facilities, even as he advised them to ensure regular payment of their bills to avoid disconnection by the officials of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).

    He also advised them to seek professional advice in installing the transformers for maximum use, assuring that he will extend the gesture to other communities that are still in darkness across the state.

    Apart from the distribution of the 11 transformers, the Deputy Speaker had also attracted the construction of a mega 132x33MVA Power Station located at Ibeku in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, which has reached about 80 per cent completion stage.

    He also facilitated the construction of  five 15x11MVA injection stations at Umuneke, Ngor-Okpala, Ahiara Junction, Ezinihitte, Owerri Municipal, among other locations.

    When fully operational, Ihedioha said the injection stations will drastically reduce pressure on the only sub-station serving the entire Imo State, adding that the state can only be industrialised through steady power supply.

    He further said with improved power supply, artisans and operators of other vocations that rely on electricity will soon become employers of labour.

    The Vice-Chairman of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Mr. Kester Enwereonu, who was present at the presentation ceremony, restated the determination of the Federal Government to ensure regular supply of electricity in all parts of the country.

    He promised to take necessary steps to install the transformers at no financial cost on the communities. He urged the citizens to safeguard the facilities.

    Replying, a former Chairman of the Orlu Local Government Area, Mrs. Andeline Asika, praised Hon. Ihedioha for his generosity. She advised the communities to reciprocate the gesture by supporting his governorship ambition in 2015.

  • Imo poultry farm begins sale of chickens

    The Imo Modern Poultry Avutu which had remained moribund for over 20 years has been revived by the administration of Governor Rochas Okorocha as part of its efforts to create employment opportunities, promote agriculture as well as boost internally-generated revenue of the state.

    Flagging off the sale of the first batch of about 10,000 chickens raised in the farm, Governor Okorocha, who was represented by the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Benjamin Uwajimogu expressed his joy that the Avutu Poultry which had remained one of the legacies of the late Sam Mbakwe administration about 30 years ago has received new lease of life.

    Governor Okorocha said the Rescue Mission administration is not resting on its oars until all moribund industries are revamped and abandoned projects completed.

    He announced that the Imo Modern Poultry within its few months of reactivation has produced the first batch of over 10,000 chickens for sale to the public, even as he further said that the farm will make available more than 100,000 birds for sale by December this year.

    He revealed that the farm has the capacity to house over 2.5 million birds as well as provide investment in other areas such as fisheries, live stock and feed production, processing and packaging of frozen chickens.

    He, therefore, called on investors to take advantage of the opportunities available in the project.

    The Governor pledged a donation of 20,000 chicks into the poultry as part of his contributions to the development of the farm.

    Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Sir Frank Ibezim recounted how the present administration reactivated the Imo Modern Poultry. He praised Governor Okorocha for his vision.

    Sir Ibezim noted that Imo Modern Poultry is the largest poultry in West Africa situates on about 177 hectares of land with 45 poultry houses of 2.5 million birds capacity.

    He also said the farm has a feed mill of 3,000 metric tons silo as well as hatcheries, a layer capacity of 235,000 birds and about 100 ton cold room for preservation of processed chickens.

    Sir Ibezim pointed out that government is working in collaboration with Whawna Crux, a South African agricultural investment company, to rehabilitate the poultry farm and make it function at full capacity.

    The commissioner said the farm will engage both skilled and unskilled manpower, provide capacity building for youths on modern poultry keeping as well as empower and provide bye-off and processing services for poultry farmers in the state.

    Contributing, the Commissioner for Finance, Deacon Chike Okafor expressed joy that the project which began in July this year, has started yielding dividends. He praised the state government and her South African partners for making the project a reality.

  • Foundation lifts widows, orphans in Imo

    Foundation lifts widows, orphans in Imo

    A part from his professional job of crackdown on criminals and ensuring safety of lives and property of the people, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, AbdulMajid Ali has other traits unknown to many.

    That he has a soft spot of the poor  may not be known to the public except to close friends and relations.

    To help drive their philanthropic activities, the Imo State police boss and his wife, Hajia Idiat Ali, established the Majidat Ali (M.J.) Foundation in memory of their late daughter, Majidat who died at the age of 17 in 2005.

    In collaboration with the Imo State chapter of the Police Officers’ Wives’ Association (POWA), they provided succour for orphans, indigent widows and other vulnerable people.

    Scholarships were also awarded to orphans who had lost hope of continuing their education, while empowerment packages, ranging from sewing machines, power generating sets, grinding machines, bags of rice and money, were given to the beneficiaries.

    The Commissioner of Police said: “I feel pain when I see widows and orphans suffer. I often ask myself, what if it was my child who didn’t have parents and is in need of comfort.”

    He said his family decided to reduce the level of poverty among the families of former police officers in commemoration of her late daughter’s philanthropic gesture which she embarked upon until she died at the age of 17, adding that his family had kept faith with the promise of keeping the dream of their late daughter alive.

    “It’s something I have been doing for a very long time in all the states I have been to. This year’s edition took place in Imo because I’m here.

    “If my daughter were to be alive, she would have been very happy because this is the kind of thing she used to do before her death; helping the less privileged.  We will not forsake them but will continue to encourage them so that they may not lose hope in life.”

    Appreciating the agony which widows and orphans undergo as a result of the death of their breadwinners, Ali said the programme was meant to assure them that his family and the entire police community also share in their agony.

    He said: “We are telling our brothers, sisters, daughters and wives that we are still part of them. It is just for them to understand that we feel for them; so that they can have that sense of belonging. They are still part of us and we will never abandon them. I seize this opportunity to let them know that they should come to us; they should let us know what is happening because we must still care for them because we are still members of the same police family.

    “Whatever we do is a demonstration of our being part of them and sharing in their feelings.”

    He thanked the people of the state, especially politicians and businessmen, for their huge support to the foundation, even as he urged them to continue to lend a helping hand to the less-privileged in the society.

    Corroborating her husband’s position Idiat said: “What we have done is what my late daughter liked to do when she was alive. We are doing this to make her happy wherever she is and to make other less-privileged people happy.

    “It is our belief in POWA that our women can start a new life with the materials, and make their ends meet. The Federal Government should always remember the police, especially their families because that is the way it is done abroad.”

    Some of the beneficiaries praised the police boss and his family for giving them a new lease of life.

    Mrs. Caroline Iheme, who spoke on behalf of the over 50 widows, said: “When my husband died 14 years ago, things became so difficult for me and my children so much so that feeding became difficult. It is only the grace of God that has sustained us all these years. There was no money for me to start any business and nobody was available or willing to help me or give me any kind of job.

    “This made me have some reservations about God’s omnipotence as He allowed my husband to die in his early stage of life and left us suffering. That my cry was heard by God and he came through the state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ali and his wife, Hajia Idiat to lift me and my family from poverty. So, I’m thanking God for using them to rescue me.”

    Another beneficiary, an orphan, Chukwudi Amaechi, said: “With this scholarship, the Commissioner of Police has just given my life a meaning. This is because I had lost admissions on two occasions because there was nobody to assist in paying even my acceptance fee.

    “My parents died few years ago, leaving nobody to help me. But today, my dream of being a man is coming to fulfilment with this scholarship. I am eternally grateful to the CP and his wife.”

  • Police deny shooting mourners in Imo

    Police deny shooting mourners in Imo

    The lawmaker representing Abia Central, Senator Nkechi Justina Nwaogu, at the weekend survived an assassination attempt on her and members of her campaign team.

    The incident, The Nation learnt, occurred when the only woman in the Abia governorship race was returning to Aba after visiting Eze Enweremadu in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government, whose community held the new yam festival last Friday.

  • One feared dead as police open fire on funeral procession

    One youth was yesterday shot dead and several others wounded when mobile Policemen attached to the Police Anti-terrorist Squad opened fire on a funeral procession at Umuokoto, Umudibia Nekede Autonomous Community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.

    The yet-to-be identified victim was taking part with over 30 other youths in the funeral procession when he was hit by a stray bullet.

    The shooting of the people who were mostly youths, which occurred at about 9am on Friday, was described by eye- witnesses as “senseless and unwarranted killing.”

    It was gathered that the youths who were coming back from the mortuary where they had gone to collect a corpse for burial, were just few kilometres to their destination when the trigger happy policemen met them.

    According to an eyewitness account, “as the police were maneuvering to pass the procession, an argument ensued between them and the youths and in the process, one of the policemen, who appeared to be drunk, shot at the procession without warning, killing one person and injuring  others before speeding off.

    “When the youths regrouped and marched in protest to the anti-terrorist police station at Umuoma, a neighbouring community, the policemen started shooting sporadically at the youths injuring many of them.”

    The source, who pleaded for anonymity, stated further that, “the youths came for the funeral, they were unarmed; they had not done anything to provoke the police before they were shot like common criminals.”

    Narrating his ordeal at his hospital bed, one of the victims, identified as Okey Ekeocha, explained that the bullet hit the tarred road and bounced back hitting him in the arm and head.

    He said, “as the argument was going on one of the policemen jumped out from the vehicle and opened fire, one of the bullets hit one of us and he fell down and hit his head on the road, while another bullet hit the tarred road and bounced back and hit me in the arm and head.

    “Bullets were extracted from my right arm and head. The doctor advised that I undergo another X-ray to ensure there is no other bullet lodging in my body,” he said.

    Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Andrew Enwerem said “what I know is that the youth blocked the way not allowing the anti-terrorist police to pass, quarrel ensued that led to two people being hospitalised.”

    He said that normalcy was however restored when reinforcement was moved to the place. “But we are investigating to know the remote cause of the incident but I am not aware of any casualty.”