TheNewsGuru

Tag: Anambra State

  • JUST IN: Gunmen strike again in Anambra, Catholic priest kidnapped

    JUST IN: Gunmen strike again in Anambra, Catholic priest kidnapped

    By Chuks Collins, Awka

    A group of deadly armed gunmen late Tuesday afternoon abducted a Catholic priest at the popular Afor-Nnobi market,  Idemili South council of Anambra State.

    Eyewitness account disclosed that the Reverend Father appeared to have fallen victim when he stopped by the market to buy some fruits and other items.

    It was said that while on his phone the gun-toting men, who were reportedly heavily armed, struck and forcefully bundled him into their waiting SUV vehicle.

    They zoomed off at high speed, leaving the Reverend Father’s car engine, a Lexus FX 300 with Reg No Anambra GDD 882 PW, running and unattended by the roadside.

    According to the witness, “The incident which occurred at about 5:35 pm disrupted the usual evening market and street trading along the road as the hoodlums shot indiscriminately into the air to scare bystanders and to ward off any challenge”.

    No communication has been received from the abductors as at the time of going to press.

    When contacted, the Anambra Police Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ikenga Tochukwu said the report was yet to reach him.

  • BREAKING: Labour Party candidate unseats 3-term HoR member in Anambra

    BREAKING: Labour Party candidate unseats 3-term HoR member in Anambra

    INEC on Sunday declared Mr Afam Ogene, candidate of Labour Party (LP), winner of Saturday’s Ogbaru federal constituency supplementary election in Anambra.

    With his victory, Ogene unseated the three-term incumbent House of Representatives member for the constituency, Mr Chukwuma Onyema of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Announcing the results at Atani, headquarters of Ogbaru Local Government Area, INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Kingsley Ubaorji, said Ogene polled 10,851 votes to defeat Onyema who polled 10,619 votes.

    He added that Mr Arinze Awogu of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) polled 10,155 votes as the second runner-up.

    “Afam Ogene of the Labour Party, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes cast is declared winner of the election,’’ Ubaorji said.

    INEC declared the initial election held on Feb. 25 inconclusive because of infractions and pockets of violence.

    Voters alleged ballot box snatching in Ogbaru supplementary poll

    Meanwhile, some voters alleged snatching of ballot boxes by political thugs in the Ogbaru House of Representatives supplementary election.

    Mr Chinedu Okoro alleged that thugs, suspected to be working for the candidate of the major party in the state, were believed to be behind the snatching of the ballot boxes witnessed in some parts of the Wards where supplementary elections were held.

    Okoro alleged that the political thugs snatched ballot boxes at polling units 021 and 052, Okpoko V1.

    He further alleged that the result sheets in the said affected areas were hijacked by some agents.

    There was also an allegation of invasion of thugs in Ward V1 located at Umueri town hall.

    Contacted for comments, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra, said that he does not have any information on such issues.

  • Soludo mourns as Anambra ex-Gov, Mbadinuju dies at 78

    Former Governor of Anambra, Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju, is dead, a family source has announced.

    The deceased son, Cheta, said their patriarch died on Saturday at the National Hospital, Abuja at 78.

    Cheta announced the death on behalf of the family in a statement issued in Awka and made available to newsmen on Tuesday.

    He stated: “With heavy heart, but utmost gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of our father, grandfather, uncle, friend and associate, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, a former governor of Anambra and elder statesman.

    “At this trying time, we pray for God’s grace and mercy upon him and those he left behind to mourn him.

    “His funeral arrangements will be announced in due course by the family,” Cheta added.

    In a reaction, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo commiserated with the deceased family, Uli Community of Ihiala Local Government Area and entire people of Anambra over the loss.

    In a statement signed by Christian Aburime, his Press Secretary, Soludo said the late ‘Odera’, as he was fondly called, would be remembered for signing the Law that created the Anambra Vigilance Service, Anambra State University, Uli, among other legacy projects.

    He urged the family to ensure it sustained his good legacies and prayed God to grant his soul eternal repose.

    Mbadinuju was Anambra’s governor from 1999 to 2003.

  • Gov Soludo asked to reveal details of MoU with EEDC

    Gov Soludo asked to reveal details of MoU with EEDC

    Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA) has urged Gov. Chukwuma Soludo to explain details of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), on 24 hours power supply in Anambra.

    On March 25, Soludo signed an MoU between the state government and Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), to ensure that power supply in the state was available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

    The chamber’s President, Chief Kevin Obieri, called for the clarification in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday.

    Obieri stated that the chamber was concerned that there was no detailed information regarding the MoU and its broad implications for the business community in Onitsha and the entire state.

    He lamented that there was no information on when the partnership would commence and whether the projections were in a month, a year’s time or towards the end of the administration’s tenure.

    “While the chamber continues to support Gov. Soludo’s developmental strides in the state, we strongly feel that the government should do well to sensitise the business community to the MoU.

    “Beyond payment of bills by users, are there other cost implications? If any, will the cost be borne by the state or wholly transferred to the public or subsidised?

    “If the cost is to be borne by the state, what are the implications to the state’s finances, especially as the nation is currently grappling with record inflation?

    “With a struggling economy, businesses trying to stay afloat and people living on a knife’s edge, it will help that people are aware of the full details of the MoU, so that necessary adjustments can be made, ” he said.

    Obieri stated that as of March 21, the total National Power Generation was 4,670 megawatts out of which 365 megawatts was assigned to EEDC which provides distribution for the whole of the Southeast.

    “The obvious question then is, how feasible is the provision of 24/7 electricity when the allocation to EEDC is quite minute to satisfy the whole of Southeast?

    “Even experts have insisted that Southeast requires a minimum of 10,000 megawatts of electricity for a steady power supply.

    “More critical is that EEDC is only a distribution company, not a generation company and can only distribute what is released to it by the GENCOS.

    “They cannot control or guarantee a 24/7 power supply.These are many questions begging for answers here,” he said.

    The Chamber’s President said that a steady electricity supply in Anambra was the single most critical factor to kick-start and galvanize the much publicised industrialisation of the state.

    According to him, steady electricity will transform the economic equation of businesses and boost the disposable income of the citizenry while propelling the revenue generation capacity of the state.

    “This is why every pronouncement regarding achieving this laudable aim must be well considered while any impediment to the realisation of this objective must be addressed quickly.

    “To this end, the business community as well as the general public await to hear a well-articulated process-flow and details of the MoU signed on their behalf to dispell needless speculations and rumours.

    “We hope that the state government, through the relevant ministries, will expand its sensitisation and awareness campaign on this critical agreement, “Obieri stated.

  • Delta Govt returns homeless woman with baby to Anambra

    Delta Govt returns homeless woman with baby to Anambra

    Delta State Government has refuted reports that it “deported ” a woman from Anambra State, who was begging for alms and constituting a nuisance in Asaba.

    Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, said in a statement that the woman, 32-year old Ogochukwu Nwabude, who was with a baby, was at Inter Bau Roundabout in the capital city, for about two weeks begging for alms.

    He said that a check conducted on her by officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development after observing her for a period revealed that she was stable and of sound mind, but needed financial help.

    According to Ifeajika, moved by her need, and as with standard procedure in handling such matters, the ministry gave her some assistance, especially as she was with a baby, and returned her to its counterpart (Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development) in Anambra for necessary support.

    He explained that the measure was a routine activity on such cases, and often transpired among states in the country and the Federal Capital Territory.

    “Anambra State Government was grateful to its Delta counterpart for the effort, and promptly began the process of assistance to the woman.

    “The insinuations in some quarters that the woman was deported by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa or Delta State Government are, therefore, uncharitable.

    “The Delta State Government acted in good faith and within the ambits of regulations, which Anambra State Government acknowledged with gratitude.

    “And, it is necessary to state that other states in the country had returned some of our citizens to us at different times, and still do. It is a normal routine that should not be politicised because it bothers on serious humanitarian service.

    “What Delta State Government did was the routine procedure in rehabilitating persons of that nature and it is the standard practice among states in the country.

    “We provided her with some assistance and returned her to her state of origin to ensure that she is properly re-integrated into the society,” Ifeajika stated.

  • NAFDAC bursts sex enhancement drugs store in Onitsha

    NAFDAC bursts sex enhancement drugs store in Onitsha

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) on Friday bursted a store at the Bridge Head Market, Onitsha, which specialises in the sale of expired sex enhancement drugs.

    NAFDAC Chief Laboratory Technologist, Mr Usman Amen, who led the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate team from Lagos disclosed that the store was notorious for dealing in unregistered and expired drugs.

    According to him, the operation was carried out, following a tip off on the nefarious activities going on in the market.

    The store is situated at the Progressive Science and Allied Dealers Lane in the market.

    Amen said the drugs included delay viagra, afrofranil, breast enhancement, ass enhancement, rocket in pocket men gel and tramadol, among others.

    He said: “We came from Lagos on a tip off, before we arrived here, the owner of these sex enhancement drugs abandoned his store and ran away.

    “In view of this, we had to break the store and on entering inside, we saw some expired drugs, like tramadol, breast enhancer and all kinds of sexual drug enhancers.

    “We ensured that we evaluated the drugs and sealed up the store. The owner will have to come to our office in Lagos for interrogation.

    “We also sealed the store in Ogbo-Ogwu Bridge Head Market because a particular drug we were informed about was not found but the invoice indicated when the drug was last sold.

    “The second store was sealed because their were some drugs that are not allowed to be sold in the market, we evaluated them and sealed the store,” Amen said.

    He called on the public to be vigilant, saying that the drugs being produced and sold in the market were not worth consuming.

    The leader of the lane in the market, Mr George Opara, described the activities of the dealer as  “embarrassing and disturbing”.

    Opara said that the market was known for dealing in genuine drugs and other goods.

    He said that punitive actions would be meted to the runaway shop owner for engaging in such illegal business and bringing shame to the lane.

  • Five men burnt to death over alleged attempt to steal tricycle in Onitsha

    Five men burnt to death over alleged attempt to steal tricycle in Onitsha

    Five men have been burnt to death after they allegedly attempted to snatch a tricycle operator of his tricycle in Onitsha, Anambra State.

    The incident occurred at old Nkpor road, close to the headquarters of People’s Club, in the commercial city of Onitsha on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

    According to an eyewitness, the suspects allegedly tried to steal a tricycle from the owner in broad daylight when they ran out of luck and were caught.

    “Mob who gathered after the men were rounded up, refused the advice of some people to call in the police. They first started by striping the men naked and beating them up, and eventually, some people brought old tyres and fuel, and they were set ablaze. It was a very bad sight today, and everyone watched and supervised, while the men burnt to death,” he said.

    Graphic videos from the scene were posted on social media.

    In one of the videos, a suspect could be heard screaming ‘Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,” while crying for help.

    Meanwhile, men of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested Pastor Kayode Salami, 47, for allegedly raping and killing a nursing mother identified as Adejoke Oloje.

    It was gathered that the victim was staying in the church with her baby when the incident occurred.

    Mother of the deceased, Mrs Deborah, said her late daughter left home without any notice until she was found dead in the church.

    According to her, “I called her line to ask about her whereabouts but she didn’t pick her calls. So, one day, some people told me they saw her in Alade with her cousin, Aderonke.

    “I collected Aderonke’s phone number from their grandmother and I called her, but she said Adejoke was staying in the church, not her place.

    “I called my daughter’s phone number and she picked it. I asked for a description of where she was staying and she obliged me.

    “I went to the church and eventually found her. She complained about foodstuffs and I promised to bring some for her the following day. I also pleaded with her to leave the place, but she declined and I left.

    “The next day, when I got to the church around past 5pm, I heard her child crying profusely. So, I moved close to see what happened.

    “I met the door closed. So, I forced it open. To my utmost dismay, I found my daughter on the floor with her pant already removed down her legs and I shouted for help.”

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that she said her daughter was confirmed dead by doctors on duty at a hospital she was rushed to.

    On how the Pastor was arrested, she said: “When the pastor was arrested, we noticed that his trouser was torn under and he wasn’t wearing any underwear.

    “It is a painful story and a sad moment for our family. She was with an 11-month-old child before she met her untimely death. The culprit must not go unpunished.”

    Pastor Salami, who denied raping or killing the victim, said he only helped to give her a place to stay.

    “I gave her one room out of the two rooms in the church. I did not ask her what happened between her and her sister, Aderonke.

    “There is only one door linking my room and the room given to her to stay. So, I used to pass through her room, and I always informed her whenever I was going out or coming in.

    “We did vigil together in the church and the next morning, I saw her before going to work, because I am a welder. She later came to my place of work to charge her phone around 2 pm and came to collect it around 4 pm.

    “I make use of the room when I have programmes in the church. My family and I rented an apartment outside. I did not rape her and I can’t explain how she died.”

    Ondo Police spokesman, SP Funmilayo Odunlami Omisanya, said the case had been transferred to Akure for further investigation.

  • Soludo’s aide debunks alleged plot to eliminate Peter Obi

    Soludo’s aide debunks alleged plot to eliminate Peter Obi

    Mr Chris Aburime, the Press Secretary to Anambra Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, says the governor is not after Mr Peter Obi, a former governor in the state and presidential candidate of the Labour Party.

    Aburime spoke on Monday in Awka, while reacting to a viral message on social media, which alleged that Soludo had been contracted to eliminate Obi for a fee.

    He said that Soludo was the father of Anambra by his position and will not plot or collude to harm any lawful citizen of the state, including Obi.

    The message, titled “Hold Soludo Responsible If Anything Happens To Peter Obi,” said Soludo’s hatred for Peter Obi and everything he stands for is becoming glaring as things unfold.

    “Yesterday, a Helicopter entered Awka by 1:30am and took Soludo to a secret meeting at Government House, Owerri. The agenda of the meeting is Peter Obi and how to stop him physically, politically and otherwise.

    “Soludo was given five million dollars in 100 dollar bills for the hatchet job and Soludo promised to eliminate Peter Obi…,” it said.

    But Aburime dismissed the piece as infantile, mischievous, unnecessarily inflammatory and figment of the imagination of the author.

    He said Soludo in spite of political leaning was a brother and friend of Peter Obi and would not think of hurting him or any other person for political reasons.

    According to him, Soludo is the father of all and he has a good heart towards everybody. I am surprised that people can concoct this type of blackmail against him.

    “I want to state categorically that there is no iota of truth in that write up, he did not go to Owerri and he was not offered any sum of money to harm anyone, not even his brother Mr Peter Obi an illustrious son of Anambra.

    “Soludo wishes Obi well, he appreciates Anambra voters for supporting him massively, of course, he predicted his victory in Anambra and remember, there was no form of violence or electoral malfeasance in Anambra, that speaks a lot about the peaceful nature of Soludo,” he said.

    Aburime said there was no benefit either personal or general for anybody who wished to create animosity between two national human capital assets and great sons Anambra through mischief.

    He said the development, protection of lives and property and sustainable progress of Anambra should be the bigger picture occupying the minds of supporters than the personal interest of their supporters.

    Aburime called on Anambra electorate to come out en masse on March 11, and vote for candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the State House of Assembly the way they supported Obi for stability and progress in Anambra.

  • Police rescue 15 abducted NYSC members

    Police rescue 15 abducted NYSC members

    Police operatives in Anambra have rescued 15 abducted National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who had just completed their orientation in Imo.

    The Corps members from NYSC orientation camp located in Eziama-Obaire, Nkwerre, Local Government Area of Imo, were  in a vehicle on their way to Lagos when they were abducted.

    DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Anambra, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Awka.

    He said that the police operatives responded to a distress call along Isseke, Ihiala-Orlu expressway at 12:15.a.m. and rescued the 15 abducted corps members unhurt.

    “Information reveals that the corps members finished their three weeks of orientation programme today and were en route to Lagos before their vehicle was intercepted at Total junction in Ihiala by unidentified armed men in a white Toyota Hilux.

    “The corps members vehicle was diverted to Isseke, Ihiala-Orlu expressway where the gunmen kept them hostage.

    “When the armed men noticed they were being followed by police operatives, they abandoned the corps members and zoomed off with the Toyota Hiace bus with Registration number EPE 353 YE,” he said.

    Ikenga said that the corps members were debriefed and necessary arrangements had been made to convey them to their destinations.

  • One killed, building razed as Gunmen attack police station in Anambra

    One killed, building razed as Gunmen attack police station in Anambra

    A police facility used by Anti-Cult operatives in Obosi community, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State was on Thursday night attacked by gunmen.

    Findings show that the gunmen killed one police officer and burnt down a building in the formation, using petrol bomb.

    The Anambra State Police Command has  confirmed the incident, saying that a huge deployment of operatives were sent to the area immediately the command got information about the attack.

    When contacted the Anambra state police command’s spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga noted that normalcy has returned to the area.

    “Our men were moved there immediately, and they were able to combat the gunmen, and also recovered some improvised explosive devises (IED), which have not been used.

    “Our men stood their ground and were able to ward off the attackers.

    “The men came in their numbers, using three vehicles. One Toyota Highlander, one Toyota Sienna and a Corolla car.

    “Because of the deployment, the attackers were not able to do harm to the level that they expected. They had to flee.

    “Meanwhile, we lost one police operative in the attack. He was hit by a bullet from the attackers. Also, because of the petrol bomb used by the attackers, one of the buildings in the formation was affected by fire.

    “As I speak to you, there is massive police operation going on in the area now, and we are calling on members of the public to trust us with information. People should come forth with information that can help us apprehend these culprits, and we promise that every information given to us will be treated with a high level of confidentiality.”