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Tag: Loveth Odah

  • Kidnapped Chinese citizens regain freedom

    Two Chinese citizens who were kidnapped on Wednesday in Ebonyi state have regained their freedom.

    Police spokesman in the State, Loveth Odah told journalists in Abakaliki on Sunday that they were rescued by the police unhurt.

    According to her, their abductors were forced to abandon them in a thick forest near the location where they were kidnapped following pressure mounted on the Police who were closing in on their location.

    “They were rescued on Saturday by 11am. The pressure was so much on the kidnappers that they had to abandon them and flee. They were rescued in a thick forest around the area unhurt. They were not physically tortured but they may be psychologically tortured”, Odah said.

    She called on foreigners in the state to always partner with the Police and other security agencies so that they can be adequately protected.

    “The police in the state has invited the Foreign Nationals to a meeting to sensitize them on the need to liaise with police to always provide them with adequate security”.

    Read Also: Breaking: Masked gunmen kidnap two Chinese nationals in Ebonyi

    The two Chinese nationals, Sun Zhixin and Wang Quing Hu were kidnapped while working on a road project in Ohaozara local government area of Ebonyi State by masked armed gunmen.

    They are staff of Tongyi Construction Company.

    It was gathered that the Chinese nationals were in a ditch at a place called Ivo river when the gunmen invaded the place with arms, forced the workers out of the pit and took the two Chinese to an unknown destination.

    The company is constructing the road which links the Ohaozara community called Ogwu with Ivo local government and Okpanku community in Enugu.  ENDS

  • Police arrest man who killed family, neighbours

    The Police in Ebonyi state have arrested the machete-wielding man, Simon Ugbala who went on a killing spree murdering 7 people and injuring 4 others.

    This is even as one other person died from the attack by the 35-year-old man bringing the total number of his victims to eight.

    The suspect had, on Monday in what looks like a mental breakdown, gone berserk and attacked his wife and two children with the machete giving them severe machete cuts which led to their death.

    Not done, he entered his Ozibo community in Ebonyi local government area of Ebonyi state and attacked some members of the community with the same machete killing four of them while four others were severely wounded and hospitalized.

    He later ran away into the bush as the youths of the community and the Police searched for him.

    Following the incident, the youths numbering over 200 mounted surveillance in the community throughout the night in conjunction with the Police to prevent a re-occurrence.

    The suspect was said to have appeared in the community the next day and attacked more people killing one other person which necessitated the involvement of the Military.

    The news of his re-appearance forced many parents to withdraw their kids from schools in the community for fear that he may attack the school

    Their combined efforts paid off as he was arrested on Wednesday in the community and handed over to the police.

    Police spokesman in the command, Loveth Odah confirmed the incident.

    She said the suspect was arrested by a combined team of the Police, Army and the youths of the community.

    She said the suspect has been moved to the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, FETHA, for Psychiatric examination and evaluation at the Psychiatric Unit to ascertain his mental state.

    Read Also: Police investigate man for sodomy

    The spokesman urged people to always take people suspected to be mentally imbalanced to the hospital for treatment to prevent such incidents from happening.

    “Insane person is no more one person business. When one person is suspected to be insane, the community should come together and take the person away. I think they have a place to stay which is a Psychiatric hospital. It is a place where a suspected insane person is treated”.

    “You are talking about disorganizing the community, yes! When eight persons are already dead and others are in critical condition, what do you expect, she said.

  • Man goes beserk, kills wife, children, 4 others

    Pandemonium broke out on Monday evening in Onyikwa Nkaleke, Ozibo community in Ebonyi local government area of Ebonyi state as a 35 years old man Simon Ugbala, on Monday went berserk killing his wife, two children and four others.

    He also injured four others who are currently at Accident and Emergency Unit of Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki(FETHA). Their condition is said to be critical.

    Ugbala, who is believed to be mentally imbalanced, had attacked several people with a machete before youths of the area went after him and he ran into the bush.

    Spokesman of the Police, Loveth Odah confirmed the incident.

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    She said the police have launched a manhunt for the man.

    “On 21st January 2019 at about 2pm, a councillor from Ebonyi local government representing Onyikwa ward, Mr. Friday Nwigube came to Kpirikpiri police station and reported that one Ugbala Simon of about 35 years suspected to be insane man went about inflicting machete cuts on people.

    “A combined team of detective rushed to the village where they found several persons with deep machete cuts. They were rushed to Teaching Hospital Abakaliki where seven of the victims were confirmed dead by a medical Doctor. Four others are still receiving treatment but on critical condition. Police detective and youths of the community are presently looking for the man”.

    “Insane person is no more one person business. When one person is suspected to be insane, the community should come together and take the person away to the community. I think they have a place to stay which is a Psychiatric hospital. It is a place where a suspected insane person is treated”

    “You are talking about disorganizing the community, yes! When seven persons are already dead and two others are in critical condition, what do you expect? Police are there and since yesterday morning they have been there. The youths of the community are also helping the police to ensure that this person is arrested”, she said. 

  • Ebonyi APC clash: Death toll rises to three

    The death toll arising from the violent clash at Onueke, Ezza South local government area of Ebonyi State during the All Progressives Congress National Assembly Primaries has increased to three.

    Police spokesman in the state, Loveth Odah confirmed this on Saturday.

    She said two more dead bodies were discovered by the Police in nearby bush around the venue of the Primaries.

    She also debunked reports that a Police officer was injured in the clashes between rival APC factions.

    “While APC were having their senatorial primary at Darling Star Hotel Onueke in Ezza south local government area of Ebonyi state, sporadic gunshots were heard on air in a nearby bush”.

    Policemen deployed to the area for the exercise, quickly mobilized and repelled the assassins. Upon combing the nearby bush, unfortunately, two lifeless bodies; a man and a woman were found in the bush”.

    She gave the names of the dead victims as The Mary Innocent 40 years old of Agba in Ishielu local government and Ifeanyi Akwule, 45 years old.

    Mrs Odah said that the identity of the first victims whose body was recovered yesterday from the area has not been ascertained.

    “So, we are having three not five as being speculated”.

    The spokesman said the dead victims have been deposited at Onueke general hospital mortuary.

    “Equally, one Chioma Linus, 43, of Ikwo local government, Orawo Regina, 32, of also Ikwo and Ezinne, 22, were found injured and were rushed to Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki for treatment”

    On the primaries, the spokesman said the violence led to the cancellation of the primaries.

    “The process was truncated and the committee sent from Abakaliki for the senatorial primaries were evacuated to Abakaliki . A combined team of armed policemen has been deployed to the area and normalcy has since returned”,she added

    Meanwhile, the primaries for Ebonyi Central zone which was truncated by the violence was shifted to today. At the time of filling this report, voting was still ongoing at People’s Club Abakaliki, the new venue of the exercise.

    Governor David Umahi had on Friday night expressed great shock over the killings.

    The governor, while condemning the heavy shooting, warned the APC against instigating crisis in the peaceful state.

    Umahi in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor further ordered security agencies to investigate the killings and bring the perpetrators and their sponsors to book.

    He warned that nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Ebonyi citizen.

    The Governor who said that he received the news of the heavy shooting in Onueke, from Port Harcourt, Rivers State warned all political actors in the opposition party to play by the rules and eschew politics of destruction and bitterness.

    Uzor in his statement said ” Governor Umahi received with great shock and disbelief the unfortunate and devilish shootings in Onueke, the headquarters of Ezza South council area, one of the venues for the APC factional senatorial primaries and has ordered full investigation into the incident and warned that his administration will no longer condone unnecessary and wanton killings of innocent citizens under whatever guise by the APC”

    “He therefore warns that any politician who is being driven by inordinate ambition must play by the rules as his administration is poised on ensuring that all those whose hands were in the killings and destruction of both private and government property are severely dealt with in accordance with the law”

    Read Also: Alaibe returns to PDP with supporters

    “Governor Umahi has always believed that nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Ebonyi citizen and for that, saw the killing and destruction of vehicles by suspected APC militias in the state as provocative and warned that all political actors must play by the rules”

    “The People’s Democratic Party, PDP in the state has been conducting their primaries without any form of violence but to think that APC can not conduct themselves in a peaceful manner in their ambition is not only unfortunate but has further exposed their penchant for violence and destruction ”

    Uzor further disclosed that from available information, though still sketchy, the shooting which led to the death of one of the youths whose identity is not yet known started when two factions loyal to a house of Representatives aspirant from Ikwo clashed with supporters of the former governorship aspirant of the same party who hails from Ezza North over who controls the authentic delegatesl.

  • Two abducted Ebonyi children freed by kidnappers

    Abductors of two children who were kidnapped in Ebonyi have been freed by their abductors.

    The two children were kidnapped last two weeks while sleeping in their Uncle’s home in Afikpo South Local Government Area.

    The release followed the arrest of the leader of the kidnapping gang and his collaborator by the Police Anti-Kidnapping Squad.

    The abducted children Chinwe and Ibiam Igwe aged nine and five years were freed on Sunday afternoon.

    An Eyewitness, Mr Lawrence Mbachime said the children were loitering on Amasiri Amangwu Road when a commercial motorcyclist spotted them.

    He explained that the development was coming after some community members acting on a tip off had laid ambush and conducted a search in a thick forest between Amasiri and Amangwu communities.

    Police spokesman in the state, Loveth Odah confirmed the development.

    She noted that the children were freed after men of Anti Kidnapping squad put one of the kidnappers holding the two children in the forest under pressure.

    Mrs Odah said efforts were on to arrest a fleeing member of the gang.

    The spokesman said the the two children were looking sick and traumatised printing the Policeto rush them to the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki on the orders of the Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Titus Lamorde

    It was gathered that the grandfather of the children aged one hundred and four years who suffered serious machete cuts when the kidnappers came to abduct their victims had died.

  • Businessman survives assassination attempt in Ebonyi

    A business mogul in Ebonyi state, Chief Monday Okeh who was kidnapped has escaped assasination attempt by his abductors.

    Enraged by the incident, the state Governor, David Umahi has vowed to sign his first death warrant once the arrested kidnappers of Mr Okeh are convicted.

    Okeh was kidnapped in front of his Monablis Hotel, Mile 50 Abakaliki the state capital and taken to a river where he was shot and thrown into the river. He however survived the incident.

    A source close to the family said  the assassins used black Highlander Jeep that has no bumber in the front.

    “It was neighbourhood Security Watch members that saw the jeep the way it was packed and suspected the jeep because it was open and the four doors were opened”.

    “Three ATM cards, jellof rice and foot wear were found in the jeep. It was the Neighbourhood watch members that called policemen who later came to the scene”.

    It was also gathered that following his return, the businessman was rushed to the hospital for emergency medical treatment.

    “Doctors were able to extract bullets from the spinal cord region of his body. He is responding to treatment”, added the source who pleaded not to be named.

    Police spokesman, ASP Loveth Odah confirmed the kidnap and arrest of suspects.

    She disclosed that four persons have been arrested in connection to the incident.

    Read Also: Ebonyi APC suspends acting chairman

    Odah added that the hoodlums stole N9million belonging to the victim, adding that investigation into the matter was still ongoing.

    Governor Umahi during a media chat at government House Abakaliki also confirmed the incident.

    The governor who has previously refused to sign death warrants of convicted criminals in the state promised to do so this time.

    “There was a kidnap and robbery incident that happened in the state and it was carried out by a set of hoodlums assigned to this state by their gang. They have been doing it and escaping but today, both their ring leader and four others were tracked from far away Onitsha, Anambra state.

    “The owner of Monablis hotel was kidnapped and robbed and taken to a rivers through Enugu state. He was shot and pushed into the river but miraculously he survived and came back”.

    “Through our intelligence network, the Neighbourhood Security Watch, police, SSS brought himback to the state and I have already dedicated my red biro. As soon as there (the suspects) are convicted, that will be the first death sentence I will sign”, Umahi said.

     

  • Police disrupt MASSOB march, arrest members in Ebonyi

    The Police in Ebonyi state, assisted by other security agencies on Tuesday arrested scores of members of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB in Abakaliki the Ebonyi state capital who were on a peaceful march round major streets of the city.

    The group had earlier announced the event through the media and social media channels in the country. It said it is to commemorate the declaration of Biafran Republic by its leader, Ralph Uwazuruike.

    But, security agencies in the state accosted them along Nkaliki road as they started the peaceful march, sprayed teargas on them and arrested some of them, it was gathered.

    The Army, Department of State Security, DSS and the Police carried out the joint operation.

    Commander of Nigerian Millitary Cantonment in Nkwegu, Col S. O. Sadiq confirmed the participation of the Army in the incident and arrests. He added that all the arrested persons were handed over to the police.

    He explained that MASSOB did not notify security agencies in the state of the event in writing which necessitated the action to stop them by security agencies.

    Police Spokesman in the state, Loveth Odah confirmed the incident to our reporter but could not give the actual number of persons arrested.

    “I don’t have the details of the actual number of persons arrested right now, when I get the full details I will let you know” she said.

  • Police dismiss officer who killed motorcyclist in Ebonyi

    The Police have arrested and dismissed the Police officer who shot and killed a motorcyclist in Abakaliki the Ebonyi state capital.

    The Okada rider, Mr. Ofim Ejike was shot along the popular Waterworks road in Abakaliki last night by a trigger happy police Sergeant, Onyebuchi Nweke attached to the Story kidnapping squad of the command.

    Reacting to the incident, Police spokesman, Loveth Odah said the suspect who was tried yesterday in his Department, Anti-Kidnapping, AK, has been summarily dismissed from the force.

    He stated that such dastardly would never be condoned by the police.

    Mrs Odah said that the suspect would be charged to court tomorrow (Friday) to face charges bordering on murder.

    “The incident that happened is indeed an unfortunate one; we are appealing for peace and order; there is no way the police command would condone such dastardly act; if I may tell you, the suspect, Sgt. Onyebuchi Nweke was tried yesterday at the department level and was summarily dismissed from the force. He will be charged to court tomorrow”

    “We are the only force or institution that washes our dirty linen in public; what happened is indeed unfortunate; if any Okada rider was arrested or his bike confisticated following the incident, as soon as there is calm, they will be released and their bike returned to them. Every strategy is aimed at bringing peace to the state capital”.

    “Even as senior officers of the Command went on patrol to quell the situation, they were stoned by the Okada riders; as I am talking to you now, a police officer who was hit by stone, is now on admission at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki”.

    “He is presently battling between life and death; another officer with traffic was today beaten to stupor by the rampaging Okada riders”.

    “We appeal for peace and order as no stone would be left unturned to ensure justice for the victim, Mr. Ofim Ejike whoresides at 32 Linus Ede Street, Convent Road, Abakaliki.”

    Meanwhile, Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi is still boiling as Police on Thursday clashed with Commercial Motorcyclists popularly known as Okada riders who are protesting the killing of Mr Ofim While.

    The motorcyclist was accosted by Police officers of the Anti Kidnapping squad, AK, of Ebonyi State Police Command at Anan world junction by water walks road.

    A source who witnessed the incident said, the Okada rider in his 20s was carrying a female passenger when he was flagged down by the policemen, who are notorious for fleecing motorists of their hard earned money at night at the junction.

    “When they stopped him, they demanded for their usual N50n but he gave them N20n and wanted to drive off when ọ we of them opened fire on him. The bullet shattered his head and he died instantly”, said the source.

    The incident caused pandemonium along the road as residents along the adjourning streets gathered and attempted to lynch the officers. They also used tires to set burn fires on the road.

    But the arrival of a new detachment of Police officers to the scene saved the day as they used teargas to dispel the crowd while also shooting sporadically into the air to scare them away.

    It could not be immediately ascertertained if the female passenger of the slain Okada man was lso hit by the bullets of the policemen.

    Following the incident, Governor David Umahi issued a statement calling for the arrest and prosecution of the Police officers involved in the shooting.

    The motorcyclists, however, regrouped this morning and embarked on protest round the city causing traffic gridlock on major roads.

    The Police also chased them and attempted to repel them with teargas but so far it has failed to stop them.

    They always runaway when they are teargassed and regroup at another part of town to continue their protests. And yet again the police will chase them to the new location and the process will be repeated again.

    The Police also arrested a few of them but this has not deterred them from continuing with the protests. As at the time of writing this report they were seen at the Abacha roundabout near the Abakpa main market driving towards water works junction through Nnamdi Azikiwe road.

    Meanwhile, Umahi who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor last night described the incident as barbaric and calous and expressed confidence that justice will be done in the killing of the deceased.

    He said the incident has further called for more dedication, commitment and professional training for the country’s security personnel to stop further killings of innocent Nigerians on the line of their duties.

    The governor also assured that he would take up the matter to the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the trigger happy policeman who shot and killed the boy is punished inline with the rule of his engagement.

    Umahi warned that his administration will not tolerate any form of killing of innocent citizens or extra judicial killing by the security agencies and ordered the Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Titus Lamorde to arrest the trigger happy policeman who shot the decaesed and other members of the team to face full weight of the law.

    While expressing his sincere condolences to the family of the deceased, Governor Umahi promised to visit the family when full information concerning his family is made available.

    He called on the public to remain calm as the situation was already under control and never to resort to taking laws into their hands.

  • Police confirm abduction of 38-year-old woman in Abakaliki

    Police confirm abduction of 38-year-old woman in Abakaliki

    The Police on Tuesday confirmed the abduction of a 38-year- old woman, Mrs Ijeoma Nweke, around Dr Laz Nwuzor Street, Hill Top area of Abakaliki by suspected kidnappers.

    Mrs Loveth Odah, Ebonyi Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), who confirmed the abduction in an interview with our reporter  said the incident took place at about 5a.m. on Monday.

    According to her, the victim and her 13-year-old daughter, in company of others, were going for the early morning mass at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, located in the area when the incident occurred.

    She said that investigations were ongoing to ascertain the motive of the abduction as the suspects had not contacted the victim’s family for any ransom.

    “Some men suspected to be kidnappers suddenly emerged from the bush, chased and abducted Nweke on their way to morning mass at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

    “The daughter narrowly escaped, ran back and informed the father, Mr John Nweke, of the abduction of the mother who reported the matter to the Police.

    “We are still carrying out investigations to unravel the motive behind the abduction since the suspects had not contacted the family to demand for ransom.

    Read Also: Police arrest two for allegedly assaulting judge

    “The command has deployed men of the State Anti-Kidnapping Squad and the State Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS), who are currently combing the area to fish out the suspects and free the victim,” Odah said

    She assured that the command would leave no stone unturned in ensuring early rescue of the victim and reunite her with her family members as well as arrest and prosecute the culprits.

    She called on members of the public to remain vigilant, imbibe security consciousness and report suspicious movements around their areas promptly to the Police and other law enforcement agencies.

    NAN

  • Police confirm release of kidnapped FETHA CMD

    Police confirm release of kidnapped FETHA CMD

    The Ebonyi Police Command on Sunday, confirmed the release of the kidnapped Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA) Dr Emeka Ogah.

    It can be recalled that Ogah was kidnapped on Nov 15 at Ajaokuta, Kogi on his way to Abuja on an official assignment.

    The CMD was kidnapped alongside the hospital’s Director of Administration, Chief Christopher Ogbu and Mr Sylvester Ugama, the Director of Finance while his driver escaped with bullets wounds from the abductors.

    ASP Loveth Odah, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), gave the confirmation in an interview with NAN, noting that Ogah and others have reunited with their families.

    “The kidnap victims were released by the abductors on Saturday night around the area they were abducted and they are presently in good state of health.

    “I cannot confirm whether ransom was paid for their release but the kidnapping unit of the command is working in collaboration with its counterpart in Kogi to track and arrest the kidnappers,” he said.

    Dr Ifeanyi Ariom, Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association ( NMA ) Ebonyi chapter, thanked God for the release.

    “We appreciate the demonstration of love and solidarity shown by all, particularly the Ebonyi government,” he said.

    Gov. David Umahi had on Friday while addressing protesting doctors and other hospital staff, vowed that his administration would ensure that the victims were released without harm.

    “When they are released, I will come into the hospital and find out if bad eggs were involved because this matter does not matter whether it is a state or federal institution.

    “The rights of our people would always be respected and anybody who doesn’t want to stay here can go to another place and stay.

    “People who feel that an Ebonyi man cannot be a CMD will be made to know that an Ebonyi man can be such and if the CMD is doing some wrong things, we can sit down and discuss such,” he said.

    NAN