The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Irene Ugbo

  • Two killed as Cross River communities resume hostilities

    Two killed as Cross River communities resume hostilities

    Two persons are feared dead in a fresh outbreak of hostilities between the Netim and Qua Communities of Odukpani Local Government Area in Cross River State.

    Both communities that have lived together for years have been quarreling over land, often leading to conflicts that result in loss of lives and property over the years.

    At the moment there is heightened tension in the area and a detachment of security operatives have been detailed to the area to forestall further crisis.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo who confirmed the incident said that the Police is working to restore peace in the area.

     

  • Police in C/Rivers arrests suspect in food poisoning case

    The Police Command in Cross River has confirmed the arrest of a 35-year-old man, Paul Nchui, for allegedly poisoning food at a restaurant in Ogoja.

    ASP Irene Ugbo, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed the arrest in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Calabar.

    NAN recalled that the incident occurred on March 24 at Oboso community in Ogoja Local Government Area and left two persons dead while 44 others were hospitalised at the Ogoja General Hospital.

    The restaurant owner, Mrs Anna Erah and her husband, Mr Edward Erah, died shortly after eating the food.

    NAN reports that the suspect was reportedly seen by many people at the scene of the crime

    “I wish to inform you that one Mr Paul Nchui, a suspect who poisoned a restaurant in Oboso community in Ogoja has been arrested.

    “The suspect is in our custody, we will charge him to court as soon as we conclude our investigation,’’ Ugbo said.

    The PPRO, who told NAN that the suspect had confessed to the crime, however said that some victims of the food poison have been discharged after treatment.

    Dr Inyang Asibong, the State Commissioner for Health, also told NAN that symptoms displayed by the victims included vomiting, foaming in the mouth, body weakness and spitting of blood.

    “We have dispatched a team of epidemiologists, doctors, community health workers and other related health staff to the affected community.

    “They are to ascertain the real situation on ground and offer immediate medical assistance to all those affected by the poison,” she said.

    Mr John Inaku, Director General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, also assured the victims of the State Government’s support.

    He commended the management of the Oboso hospital for their prompt response in evacuating the victims to the Ogoja General Hospital for treatment.

  • Gunmen abduct seven, including Australians in Calabar

    Gunmen in Calabar, Cross River, have killed a local driver and kidnapped as many as seven people, at least three of whom are Australian citizens and one an Australian resident, Australian prime minister said on Thursday.

    There was some initial confusion over the number of victims and nationalities of those involved, as police in Nigeria gave conflicting accounts, Reuters reported.

    The workers, two of whom police said later escaped, were contractors for cement company Lafarge Africa.

    They were attacked on the outskirts of the city of Calabar at about 05:30am (0430 GMT), police said.

    Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called the incident a “very serious kidnapping” in response to a journalist’s question and urged calm in reporting the incident.

    “These are the facts as we know them: three Australians and one Australian resident were among seven people kidnapped in an attack on an Australia contractor’s operations in Nigeria. One person was killed in the attack,” Reuters quoted Turnbull as saying to journalists.

    Two expatriates managed to flee, said Irene Ugbo, a spokeswoman for Cross River State police, adding that she did not know the nationality of any of the workers feared still held.

    Ugbo had earlier said only two of the kidnapped people were Australians, and one was a New Zealander, while another police officer said a South African had been abducted.

    The kidnappers had not contacted the police, she said.