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Tag: Abia State

  • 2 injured, many missing as Ebonyi, Abia communities resume land dispute

    2 injured, many missing as Ebonyi, Abia communities resume land dispute

    Two persons were reportedly wounded and many allegedly missing in a renewed clash between Amata, Ishiagu community in Ivo local government area of Ebonyi and Lokpanta community in Abia state over ownership of farmland.

    The two communities which have been locked in an inter-communal conflict over ownership of a vast arable farmland near their borders renewed their hostilities which led to two indigenes of Amata allegedly sustaining heavy gun shot wounds.

    It was also alleged that many indigenes from Amata community who went missing during the clash were abducted.

    A resident of Amata who spoke anonimously said that the incident happened on Saturday, May 29 at the disputed farmland.

    The source added that it took the timely intervention of armed policemen from Ivo Division to put the situation under control and prevent a blood-bath.

    The source accused the people of Lokpanta of starting the recent crisis.

    He said they were in the habit of launching unprovoked sporadic attack during wet season farming activities while laying claim to the lands at the farming area.

    He decried the surprise attack on the defenceless, unarmed and elderly farmers who were in their farms for the wet season farming activities by the suspected hoodlums.

    “The invaders came shooting sporadically and chasing the farmers with various types of dangerous weapons, two people sustained gun shot wounds in the process, I was lucky to have escaped unhurt”.

    He urged the state and federal governments to urgently intervene to save a looming inter-communal war between the two communities.

    However, TNG could not independently verify the claims that Lokpanta community started the crisis.

    Police Spokesman in Ebonyi state, Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident.

    She said that both Ebonyi and and Abia state police commands were working to ensure return of full normalcy in the affected area.

    She said that both commands have sent detachments of tactical units to patrol the area to prevent unauthorized movement of people from the two communities into the disputed areas.

    She said that police would ensure that law and order were maintained to avert any possible outbreak of full armed hostilities that could lead to loss of human lives and destruction of property.

    “Our men are in control of the situation; they arrived the scene of crisis and rescued those abducted from the two sides and also aborted a blood-bath; though two persons were confirmed injured from gun shots.

    “It was a very unfortunate situation and we are appealing to both communities to sheet their sword and allow dialogue.

    “The two police commands will collaborate to ensure that security is maintained in the affected area to prevent the incessant clashes between the two communities.

    “The new Commissioner who will be assuming duty at the command on June 1, will be briefed on the development and he will take it up with the Governor to ensure timely intervention of the National Boundary Commission (NBC),” Odah said.

  • Abia Govt. orders compulsory COVID-19 tests for Executive Council members, others

    The Abia Government has directed members of the State Executive Council and the State Inter-Ministerial Committee on COVID-19 to undergo compulsory COVID-19 tests.

    The Commissioner for Information, Mr John Okiyi-Kalu made the disclosure in a statement in Umuahia on Sunday.

    Okiyi-Kalu said that the directive followed the outcome of tests conducted on the close family members of a late Commissioner in the State and member of the inter-ministerial committee on COVID-19.

    “Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has directed all members of the committee and those of the Executive Council, who might have recently come in contact with the late commissioner, to immediately undergo COVID-19 tests and isolate themselves thereafter, pending the outcome of the tests.

    “Governor Ikpeazu, who is still in mourning, will also subject himself to all other necessary protocols as he has directed his Exco members including the Deputy Governor to do,” he said.

    Recall that the State Commissioner for Environment, Solomon Ogunji was reported to have died of heart attack two weeks ago.

    He called on the people of Abia to constantly observe the relevant regulations issued by the state government and the health authorities to prevent further spread of the disease.

  • BREAKING: Abia Commissioner for Environment is dead

    The Commissioner for Environment in Abia, Dr Solomon Ogunji is dead, the State’s Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi-Kalu has confirmed.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Abia State Information Commissioner confirmed the development in a statement issued in Umuahia on Sunday.

    Okiyi-Kalu stated that Ogunji died on Saturday “after a brief illness, relating to high blood pressure” at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital in Aba.

    He said the Abia State Government was deeply saddened by Ogunji’s death.

    “Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, who received the sad news with shock yesterday (Saturday) has personally communicated and condoled with the bereaved family and he is currently in mourning,” he stated.

    “The state government prayed God to grant the bereaved family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” said Okiyi-Kalu.

    Ogunji was a senatorial aspirant in the 2019 general elections, seeking to represent Abia South on the platform of the PDP.

    He was appointed special adviser to Ikpeazu on urban renewal in 2015 and later commissioner for environment in the previous administration.

    Ogunji, who was a close political ally and confidant of the governor, was a member of the state’s Inter-Ministerial Committee on COVID-19.

  • Tragedy! Man stabs cousin to death over Mango [WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT]

    Tragedy! Man stabs cousin to death over Mango [WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT]

    Tragedy struck in Mgboko Mgboko Umuoria in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State on Thursday following the stabbing to death of a member of the community, Solomon Monday Orji by his cousin, Chinedu Omeonu.

    The incident which happened around 1:30pm threw the community into shock and mourning.

    It was gathered that one of Orji’s sons had gone to the compound of his uncle identifi Omeonu to pick some fallen mango fruits.

    But Omeonu got angry and beat up Orji’s son and flogged the little boy mercilessly to the extent he fainted.

    Orji was said to have rushed to his cousin’s house to inquire why he should flog his son to a state of unconsciousness.

    Omeonu was said to have been very harsh on his cousin and engaged him in an altercation after which Orji carried his son home.

    As Orji was going home, the assailant reported went inside his house, picked a cutlass and went after the deceased and stabbed him at the base of the neck and he died instantly.

    According to a source, “Orji’s son went to his father’s cousin’s compound to pluck some mango fruits, but the owner, Omeonu beat him up. I think there were some problems between both families that could necessitate such action.

    “When Solomon got information about the beating of his son, he went to Mr. Chinedu Omeonu’s house to inquire. After the exchange of words, Solomon took his son home. On his way home, Omeonu went after him with a cutlass and inflicted several cuts on his neck”.

    Angered by the incident, youths of the community arrested Omeonu and handed him over to the Police.

    Spokesman of the Police. Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed the incident.

    He said the suspect is in Police custody and will be prosecuted at the end of investigations.

    See photos below: Suspect and the victim

  • COVID-19: Abia Govt. announces gradual relaxation of lockdown directive

    COVID-19: Abia Govt. announces gradual relaxation of lockdown directive

    Abia government on Friday announced the gradual relaxation of its lockdown directive.

    The relaxation is billed to begin on May 11, Mr Chris Ezem, the Secretary to the State Government, said in a statement in Umuahia.

    Ezem, who is also the Chairman of State Covid-19 Committee, said that the decision was reached after necessary consultations and considerations, including advice from medical experts.

    According to him, Abia government has evolved protocols that will be implemented to manage the activities of residents with regard to the relaxation of the lockdown in the state.

    He said that “all markets in the state shall open only three times a week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, between the hours of 9am and 3pm daily.

    “Relevant markets leaderships have constituted a 17-man enforcement team that shall ensure provision of a minimum of 20 litres bucket with tap for running water,

    “In addition, each trader shall provide soap and sanitisers and the wearing of face masks by both sellers and buyers in the market.

    “The enforcement teams are charged with the full responsibility of ensuring full compliance to physical distancing in the markets at all times.

    “They are also vested with powers to justifiably seal off any shop that circumvents any or all of these directives.

    “Let it be noted that should there be any lapse on the part of the enforcement team of any market leading to a breach of these directives Such a market will be closed down by relevant local or state government authorities without any further recourse to the traders.

    “Commercial tricycle (Keke) operators and all other intra-state commercial transporters will now operate from 8am to 4pm daily.

    “While keke operators can only carry two passengers at every point in time, mini buses and other buses must not seat more than two persons per row with all passengers including the driver wearing face masks.”

    Ezem said that Abia government had directed that burial ceremonies would be held only on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays of the first and third week of every month.

    He said that the burial ceremonies held in open fields would not have more than 30 persons in attendance while the burial ceremonies in private residences would not have more than 10 persons in attendance.

    Ezem said that burial ceremonies could only be conducted with a permit from the state government, warning it was an offence to conduct or attend burial ceremonies without wearing face masks.

    He said that “eateries and restaurants must operate only on a take-away basis and close latest by 7pm daily.

    “Management, staff and customers of such eateries/restaurants must always have their face masks on, and provide hand sanitisers and/or soap and running water for customers at the entry points.”

    Ezem said that the state’s borders would remain closed, as inter-state movements were prohibited.

    He, however, noted that vehicles transporting essential items authorised by the federal or state governments were exempted from the restriction of movement.

    He said that the drivers and passengers of vehicles authorised for inter-state movements must wear face masks and be ready to subject themselves to search and medical test.

    Ezem said that law enforcement agents were mandated to apprehend residents who failed to wear face masks while being out of their houses and present them before the Mobile Court for prosecution.

    He said that religious activities would be allowed to hold only on Fridays for the Muslim communities, Saturdays for Sabbatarian and Sundays for others.

    Ezem added that the congregation of each religious group must not exceed 50 persons in a service and all worshippers must observe all hygiene protocols for gatherings.

    He said that the state government had directed that all worship activities must end on or before 2pm on the days designated for worship for the different religious groups.

    Ezem said that civil servants would resume their duties on May 11, beginning with schedule officers on Grade Level 13 and above along with their immediate subordinates.

    “They are to resume at 8am on alternate days of Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and close at 3pm. All Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are to function with not more than 20 persons.

    “And must provide buckets with taps for running water, soap and hand sanitisers at their offices.

    “Based on the forgoing, all MDAs are to submit the list of their staff members scheduled to be at work in this period to the Head of Service,” he said.

    Ezem said that all schools in the state would remain closed till further notice, while he urged residents to continue to maintain all COVID-19 protocols in order to stay safe at all times.

    He commended the front line workers, essential services providers, those who had made donations to the state, volunteer organisations and residents for keeping faith with Abia government in the fight against COVID-19.

  • BREAKING: Kidnapped Abịa based Radio Presenter regains freedom

    BREAKING: Kidnapped Abịa based Radio Presenter regains freedom

    Miss Chinenye Iwuoha, a Staff of Radio Nigeria, Pacesetter FM Umuahia, Abia State who was kidnapped on Monday in Umuahia has regained her freedom.

    TNG had reported how Gunmen intercepted the Radio Presenter who was in the company of three other staff as they were going home from work.

    The gunmen who intercepted the Hillux the Journalists were traveling in at Amakama Estate shot the driver is n the stomach and whisked Ms Iwuoha away in their Toyota Sienna car.

    The news of her release threw the Stations staff into wild jubilation on Thursday morning.

    Though details of her release is still sketchy, it was gathered that she was released unhurt.

    The kidnappers had earliert opened communication with the family, demanding for N20m ransom.

    It was however not clear if any ransom was paid to secure her release from the kidnappers’ den.

    But the State Commissioner of Police, Janet Agbede in a telephone interview confirmed the release of Ms Iwuoha

    Agbede said that the kidnappers released her unconditionally as police mounted heavy pressure on them.

    At the time of filing the report, it was gathered that the staff of Radio Nigeria, Pacesetter FM, Amakanma was at the police station.

  • COVID-19: Gov. Ikpeazu declares dusk to dawn curfew in Abia

    Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has declared a dusk to dawn curfew on the state as part of government efforts to check further spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the state.

    Ikpeazu said this on Saturday in Aba while addressing newsmen on the state government’s efforts toward handling recent developments in the state.

    He said that an extensive contact tracing exercise had commenced in Ukwa West, Ikwuano and Umuahia North Local Government Areas, which are thd epicentre of the state’s index cases.

    “Presently, about 207 contacts have been established and we are still counting. Unfortunately our epidemiologists are experiencing some problems in some communities in Ukwa West.

    “The TC chairman of Ukwa West and the traditional rulers must yield unfettered access and cooperation to our medical team or risk immediate suspension,” he warned.

    Ikpeazu said that transition committee chairmen of the councils were expected to take the exercise serious, adding they will be held responsible in the event of any lapses.

    The governor said that from April 26 midnight, the three affected local government areas would be on total lockdown for seven days.

    He added that this was aimed at enabling the state government’s epidemiologists to successfully conduct and conclude the ongoing contact tracing exercise in the areas.

    Ikpeazu acknowledged receiving 1,800 bags of rice from the Federal Government for Abia people, adding that the wholesomeness of the supply will be examined and a pattern for distributing the items will be evolved.

    He said that the state had also received a number of face masks from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and commended the federal government for the gesture.

    “We make bold to state that in Abia, we are self-sufficient in the production of facemasks and as such do not need any imported face masks and PPE in Abia,” Ikpeazu however said.

    He directed that Christian Association of Nigeria, traditional rulers, Civil Society Organisations and women journalists as well as presidents of town unions and development associations should be included in the Committee on Palliatives.

    “From next week the committee would embark on the distribution of relief materials in various communities in the state,” he said.

    Ikpeazu added that plans were underway to ensure that more groups and individuals would benefit from the state government relief materials distribution exercise.

  • COVID-19: Abia Govt. places 209 contacts of index cases under surveillance

    Abia Government on Friday said it had traced 209 contacts of the two index coronavirus cases in the state and placed them under surveillance in an isolation facility.

    The the Abia Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi-Kalu, made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency on Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia.

    Okiyi-Kalu said the Abia Rapid Response Team, the Medical Protocol Sub-committee of Abia Inter-Ministerial Committee on COVID-19 and the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Umuahia, were traceing other contacts of the index cases.

    He said that the contact tracing would continue and would be focused on Ikwuano, Ukwa West and Umuahia North Local Government Areas of the state.

    “All the medical personnel involved in management of the patients and their family members are currently in isolation with samples already collected from some of them for testing.

    “We are awaiting results for the suspected cases. A team from World Health Organisation (WHO) is providing support,” he said.

    Okiyi-Kalu said that the two index cases were septuagenarians and had underlying medical conditions – diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and left ventricular failure.

    According to him, the index cases are stable and receiving care at the isolation centre at FMC, Umuahia.

    Okiyi-Kalu said that one of the patients, previously on oxygen support, was breathing well now without any respiratory aid.

    The commissioner advised residents of the state to continually observe all the guidelines issued by the NCDC and the state’s inter-ministerial committee on COVID-19.

    He said the guidelines were use of face masks and hand sanitisers, regular hand washing with soap under running water, social distancing and leaving the house only to buy food and drugs.

    He said, “COVID-19 is real; stay safe for yourself and your loved ones as we do not know who may have been infected.”

    Okiyi-Kalu urged the people to ensure that they obeyed the lockdown order, especially with the ongoing index cases contact tracing in the state.

    He said that law enforcement agencies would prosecute defaulters in the the mobile courts and in line with the Abia State Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulations 2020.

  • BREAKING: Abia extends lockdown indefinitely

    Abia government on Friday announced indefinite extension of the ongoing lockdown in the state, which will commence from April 20, as part of its effort to prevent COVID-19 outbreak in Abia.

    This was contained in a statement signed by Chief John Okiyi-Kalu, the Commissioner for Information in Umuahia.

    Okiyi-Kalu said that Abia government had directed that the initial lockdown directive would be relaxed on April 18 and 19 to enable residents to restock on their food and essential supplies.

    He said that the decision to extend the lockdown was informed by “the advice of medical experts and a painstaking review of the coronavirus situation with the state COVID-19 Inter-Ministerial Committee

    “And in our continued determination to protect the people of the state from the pandemic while also ensuring that the effect of preventive measures on our people is alleviated,” he said.

    Okiyi-Kalu said that residents were expected to use face masks as it had become compulsory for residents to wear face mask before leaving their homes.

    He said that the directive for closure of the state’s borders was still in place, as further directives had been given to relevant agencies to ensure that the state’s borders remained secure.

    According to him, the state government was working assiduously to protect the people of Abia from the pandemic and prevent a coronavirus outbreak in the state.

    Okiyi-Kalu commended the people for their support and cooperation and appealed to them for continued understanding on the new directive.

  • No COVID-19 patient at our facilities – Hotel Manager

    No COVID-19 patient at our facilities – Hotel Manager

    The management of Hotel Du Golf in Aba, Abia State has refuted a report trending on social media which alleged that a Lebanese guest at the hotel was diagnosed with the dreaded coronavirus, saying the report was a fake news circulated by some unscrupulous elements to cause panic at the hotel and in the state.

    Olamilekan Olalemi, consultant to the hotel, said the hotel only had a South African guest who visited a private hospital in Aba to treat malaria.

    According to him, the South Africa national who has been in the hotel for over a month now and never travelled out of the country, is working with a retail firm that is planning to open an outlet in Aba.

    “He is the engineer installing their equipment. The said person has never travelled out of Aba since he checked into the hotel. He was having malaria symptoms and he went to the hospital for test and malaria was diagnosed and treated,” said Olalemi.

    A Facebook user, with the name Dodoh Okafor had alleged in a post that a Lebanese guest lodging at the hotel showed symptoms of Coronavirus and was taken to the Abia State Teaching Hospital, where he was referred to FMC Aba.

    The hotel said the lies told by the Facebook user who claimed to work for Rootstv, an online media, showed clear desperation at his efforts to circulate a fake news, as there is no FMC in Aba.

    In a statement, Gibson Ejimogu, general manager of the hotel, said, “We hereby refute and condemn the post on Facebook by one “Dodoh Okafor” alleging that a Lebanese guest lodging at Hotel Du Golf had a test at Abia State Teaching Hospital in Aba and showed symptoms of Coronavirus.

    “In the first instance, Hotel Du Golf do not have any Lebanese guest. The entire claim by Dodoh Okafor is therefore, false, malicious and deceitful. He should be seen as an enemy of the state government and anti-hospitality potential of Abia State and its people as a whole.

    “The truth of the matter is that the guest is an engineer working for a retail outlet yet to be opened in Aba. He checked into the hotel on 20th February 2020. He is a South African and has been in the hotel for more than a month and since then, he had not travelled out.

    “We seize this opportunity to affirm our total commitment to the safety and well-being of our valued guests.”

    Olalemi also said the 94-room 5-star hotel, which is the biggest in Abia State is strictly committed to recommended hygiene and preventive practices against the coronavirus, stressing that the hotel provides thermometre for checking all guests’ temperature and hand-washing utilities at the entry point, lobby, bar, restaurants and other facilities.

    “We also check guests’ temperature at the entry point. We have hand sanitizers in all the rooms, at the restaurants and all other places at the hotel. Hotel Du Golf is number 1 hospitality centre in the whole of Abia State and receives guests from every part of the country and around the world, so, we cannot joke with our guests’ and staff health and welfare,” he added.