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Tag: Anambra State

  • Many feared dead as tipper rams into bystanders in Anambra

    Many feared dead as tipper rams into bystanders in Anambra

    Many persons were feared dead on Friday as a tipper purportedly failed brake and rammed into bystanders along Chisco Park Junction in Amichi, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra.

    The Spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra, Mrs Margaret Onabe, who confirmed the incident to NAN on Saturday, noted that the sector command was gathering details about the crash.

    Onabe promised to get back to our correspondent when the information was ready. Meanwhile, eyewitnesses told NAN that the fatal accident occurred around 9:30 p.m.

    The witness said the driver of the truck experienced brake failure and in an attempt to control the vehicle, crashed into pedestrians on the roadside, resulting in multiple fatalities.

    “Several persons were feared dead after trailer diver lost control and rammed into victims along the Chisco Park Junction in Amichi.

    “The accident occurred within a short period of time as the victims who were mostly doing their usual night businesses did not see the incoming tipper, ” one eyewitness said.

    According to the eyewitness, some passengers were waiting to board vehicles when the trailer uncontrollably rammed into them, knocking many down.

    “Some of those knocked down included motorcyclists, a little girl, bystanders, and some petty traders who were seen lying lifeless on the ground,” the source said.

    The incident was corroborated with a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) video footage that captured the incident.

  • ICYMI: INEC records 168,187 new voters in Anambra

    ICYMI: INEC records 168,187 new voters in Anambra

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has concluded the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Anambra, recording 168,187 new registrants.

    The National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), INEC, Mr Sam Olumekun said this in a statement on Friday in Awka.

    Olumekun said the figure was the highest recorded within two weeks in the state since the commission introduced the process in 2017.

    “The CVR, which was initially scheduled to end on July 17, was extended by three days to July 20, 2025, in response to appeals from stakeholders.

    “The turnout reflected the growing interest of citizens in the electoral process ahead of the Nov. 8 off-cycle governorship election in Anambra state, ” he said.

    He said though these were preliminary figures pending data clean-up, the detailed breakdown showed that 97,832, (58 per cent) were females, while 70,355 (42 per cent) were males.

    According to him, 90,763, representing 53.97 per cent, were young people between 18 and 34 years old.

    He added that the occupational data shows that businessmen and women constituted the largest bloc with 62,157 registrants or 36.92 per cent, followed by students with 44,243 representing 26.31 per cent.

    The commissioner said 303 Persons with Disabilities registered while 207 was identified as persons with albinism.

    “A comprehensive demographic breakdown has been uploaded to the commission’s website and other digital platforms for public information,” he said.

    He said the next step in the registration process would be the display of the preliminary register of voters across the 326 Wards from July 26 to August 1.

    He said that during the period, the public would have the opportunity to inspect and raise claims or objections.

    “Once this is concluded and the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) is deployed to weed out multiple or ineligible entries, the new registrants will be added to the existing register. The complete list will be published on a Polling Unit basis, ” he said.

    Olumekun assured residents that Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for new voters, as well as those who requested for transfers or replacements, would be ready before the election.

    “With 105 days to the election, the commission is aware of the tight timelines. But, we wish to reassure all new registrants in Anambra that their PVCs will be available for collection before the election,” he said.

    He also said that the commission had completed internal testing of a newly developed portal for political party registration.

    According to him, this was designed and built in-house by its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) department.

    “As is the case with all our Information Technology (IT) innovations, the new portal has been demonstrated before the commission and approved for deployment,” he said.

    He said that INEC was evaluating 144 letters of intent from political associations, including 10 new submissions received recently.

  • CVR: New registrants increases to 168,187 in Anambra – INEC

    CVR: New registrants increases to 168,187 in Anambra – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said that the number of new registered voters in Anambra now stood at 168,187.

    Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja after the commission’s weekly meeting.

    Olumekun said that as part of continued preparations for Anambra governorship election, the commission received the final report on the Continuous Registration of Voters (CVR), followed by a presentation by the ICT Department on the portal for party registration.

    Olumekun recalled that INEC had earlier extended the deadline for its CVR exercise in the state from July 17 to July 20 following appeals by citizens.

    “The final figure of new registrants is 168,187 which is the highest number recorded in two weeks in Anambra since the introduction of the CVR ahead of the governorship election in 2017.

    “Although these are preliminary figures pending data clean-up, the detailed breakdown shows that 97,832 (58 per cent) are female while 70,355 (42 per cent) are male.

    “In terms of age, 90,763 (53.97 per cent) are young people aged 18-34 while the occupational distribution shows that 62,157 (36.92 per cent) are businessmen/women while 44,243 (26.31 per cent) are students.

    “In terms of Persons with Disability (PWDs), 303 (24.92 per cent) have physical impediment, followed by 207 (17.02 per cent) with albinism,” he said.

    Olumekun said that the detailed breakdown of the new registrants had been uploaded to INEC website and other platforms for public information.

    He said that the immediate next step would be to display the preliminary register of new voters for claims and objections by citizens who were the ultimate owners of the register.

    Olumekun said that the display would take place in all the 326 Wards in Anambra from Saturday, July 26 to Friday, Augt. 1.

    He noted that once the process was concluded, including the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), the new registrants would be added to the existing register and published on polling unit basis ahead of the election.

    “Thereafter, the Commission will announce the dates and locations for the collection of the Permnt Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for new registrants and those who applied for transfer or replacement of their lost or damaged cards.

    “The PVCs from previous registration will also be available for collection.

    “With 105 days to the election, the Commission is aware of the tight timelines but we wish to reassure all new registrants in Anambra State that their PVCs will be available for collection ahead of the election,” Olumekun said.

    Providing update on party registration, Olumekun said that the commission had received additional 10 requests from associations seeking to be registered, bringing the total request to 144.

    “In our last press release, we assured Nigerians that we are finalising the necessary tests on the party registration portal designed and built in-house by our ICT officials.

    “As is the case with all our IT innovations, the new portal has been demonstrated before the Commission and approved for deployment.

    “The Commission is evaluating all numerous letters of intent received so far to determine the associations that meet the requirements to proceed to the application stage. A report is expected at our next regular meeting.

    He added that the details of the new associations, including their names, acronyms, logos, addresses and interim leaderships had been published on INEC website and other platforms for public information.

  • Soludo appoints new Accountant-General for Anambra

    Soludo appoints new Accountant-General for Anambra

    Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has appointed Mr Joachim Achor as the new Accountant-General for the State.

    The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Thursday in Akwa, by the governor’s Press Secretary, Mr Christian Aburime.

    According to the statement, Achor emerged from a rigorous selection process.

    Achor, who hails from Abia, first came to Anambra as a student and later completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the state, where he received the state merit award for being the best corps member.

    Impressed by his outstanding performance, the then military administration offered him automatic employment in the state civil service.

    Over the years, Achor rose through the ranks, serving as Director and later Permanent Secretary, before his recent appointment as Accountant General.

    The statement emphasised that the appointment was not politically motivated but a result of a transparent and merit-based selection process.

    It noted that the process included computer-based tests, a rigorous screening exercise, and a final stage involving personal interaction with the governor.

    “Historically, appointments to senior civil service positions in Anambra were often subject to political patronage, ethnic considerations or gubernatorial discretion.

    “This appointment seeks to institutionalise fairness, professionalism and national integration within the state’s administrative architecture.

    “The appointment of non-indigenes to such high-level roles reaffirms Anambra’s openness, progressivism and cosmopolitan spirit,” it said.

    According to the statement, “It sends a clear political message that Anambra belongs to all Nigerians who are willing to serve with excellence.

    “We are building a government anchored on merit, diversity, and service delivery, “it said.

    Soludo congratulated Achor on his appointment and urged him to discharge his duties in the service of the state with integrity, professionalism and dedication.

  • PDP Governorship candidate, Ezenwafor narrowly escapes assassination

    PDP Governorship candidate, Ezenwafor narrowly escapes assassination

    Jude Ezenwafor, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the forthcoming Anambra State election, on Friday narrowly escaped death after he was attacked and shot by unidentified gunmen in Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the PDP chairman, who is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital in the nation’s capital, told reporters on Saturday morning that doctors were preparing to perform surgery to remove bullets lodged in his body.

    The politician while narrating the harrowing experience, disclosed that the attack occurred around the Wuse 2 area of Abuja while he was on his way home from a private appointment.

    “I’m currently in the hospital. The doctors are making efforts to operate me so that they can pull out bullets from my body,” Ezenwafor said from his hospital bed, writhing in pain.

    TNG learnt that two other individuals who were in his vehicle at the time of the attack were also shot and are receiving treatment.

    As of press time, security agencies had yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.

  • JUST IN: INEC extends voter registration in Anambra

    JUST IN: INEC extends voter registration in Anambra

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday extended the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Anambra State by an additional three days following appeals from residents and stakeholders.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the Commission made the decision after its weekly meeting on Thursday, during which it reviewed preparations for the upcoming off-cycle governorship election in the state.

    Initially scheduled to end on Thursday, July 17, 2025, the CVR will now run until Sunday, July 20, 2025, according to a statement issued by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun.

    “The Commission is pleased with the impressive turnout of registrants in Anambra State and the peaceful conduct of the exercise across all the 326 registration centres,” Olumekun said.

    He noted that the extension was granted “in response to appeals from citizens.”

    INEC revealed that a total of 96,085 new voters had registered as of Wednesday, July 16, just nine days into the exercise. This amounts to an average of 10,600 registrations per day.

    Additionally, 12,595 voters applied for transfers of their registration both within and outside Anambra State, while 7,061 persons requested updates to their records or replacements for lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    “At this preliminary stage, 56,017 (58%) of new registrants are female, while 50,429 (52.48%) are young people between the ages of 18 and 34,” Olumekun further stated.

    Following the conclusion of the extended registration window, INEC stated that it would display the preliminary voter register for public scrutiny in accordance with the law.

    “Thereafter, the Commission will display the register for claims and objections by citizens as provided by law, followed by a further clean-up of the data using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS),” the statement read.

  • Police bust human trafficking syndicates, detain 11 suspects, rescue victims

    Police bust human trafficking syndicates, detain 11 suspects, rescue victims

    The police have dismantled two major human trafficking syndicates operating in Enugu State and Anambra, while detaining 11 suspects across the two states.

    Police operatives also rescued multiple victims including children, pregnant women and foreign nationals in a bold and coordinated crackdown on organised human trafficking.

    The Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement he issued in Enugu on Monday.

    Adejobi said that recently acting on credible intelligence, police operatives of the Zone-13 Police Zonal Command, Ukpo, executed a precision-led sting operation, targeting a deeply rooted child trafficking and baby factory network.

    He said that the operation led to the arrest of eight suspects from various locations, including: Uzoamaka Ani, 27, Joy Madu, 52, and Victoria Akasike, 56.

    According to him, these individuals, during interrogation, confessed to active involvement in child theft, abduction, illegal adoption schemes and the operation of unlicensed medical facilities functioning as baby factories.

    “Their criminal activities were strategically spread across Enugu and Anambra States, targeting vulnerable women and children for exploitation and sale.

    “The victims rescued during the operation include a seven-month-old infant, a four-year-old child, and two heavily pregnant women, all held under captivity in a remote village.

    “Both pregnant women, identified as indigenes of Ebonyi State, were reportedly lured and held for the purpose of forced births and subsequent sale of their newborns.

    “The rescue was swift and executed without harm to the victims, who are now in safe custody and receiving necessary care,” he said.

    The FPRO said that the police had intensified efforts to apprehend other members of the syndicate who managed to escape during the sting operation.

    In a related development, the force spokesman said that operatives of the Police Command in Ondo State have successfully rescued a Ghanaian national, David Angerinya, who was trafficked into Nigeria under pretence.

    He said that the operation was launched following a formal petition from the Interpol Liaison Office at Force Headquarters, Abuja, which called for immediate police intervention in a suspected case of transnational human trafficking.

    According to him, acting swiftly, police operatives initiated a targeted investigation that led to the arrest of three suspects, which included: Hayford Nyamekye, Alex Awine and Felix Kojo.

    “Investigations revealed that these suspects are part of a wider international trafficking syndicate that specialises in deceiving individuals, particularly from neighbouring West African countries, with fake promises of employment and travel visas to countries like Canada.

    “During the operation, an additional 39 Ghanaian nationals were discovered to have fallen victim to the same group.

    “Many of them lacked valid travel documentation, while those in possession of passports presented expired papers, further underscoring the depth of exploitation.

    “The victims were found in distressing conditions and are currently undergoing medical treatment,” he said.

    He said that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode  Egbetokun, had commended the gallantry of all police operatives involved in these successful operations.

  • No crisis, factions in Anambra PDP – Publicity Secretary

    No crisis, factions in Anambra PDP – Publicity Secretary

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said there are no factions or confusion within the party in Anambra State.

    The party’s Publicity Secretary in the state, Dr Obumneme Nnoli, said this in a statement in Awka on Thursday.

    The statement, entitled: “Re: Falsehood On The Leadership Of PDP In Anambra State”, was in response to a report that there was no validly-constituted state executive committee (SEC) in the state.

    A group had claimed that an Abuja High Court had, on Dec. 6, 2024, nullified the Anambra congress of Oct. 23, 2024 which produced the Chidi Chidebe-led SEC and that there was no valid leadership within PDP in the state.

    However, Nnoli, in the statement, insisted that the Chidebe-led 37-man SEC elected at the Oct. 23, 2024 congress was the only lawful leadership of the party in the state and that their election had remained unchallenged in any court of law.

    He said that the congress was the first to be conducted in Anambra for many years without any faction and with all legitimate delegates in attendance.

    Nnoli described the SEC as a product of strict constitutional compliance and administrative transparency.

    He commended the party’s acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagun, for organising what he called the most transparent and credible state congress in in the history of PDP in the state.

    “The National Working Committee has consistently recognised the Anambra SEC, led by Chidi Chidebe, since inauguration in November 2024.

    “The SEC has operated under the guidance of the national leadership and in compliance with the PDP constitution.

    “The Independent National Electoral Commission and other relevant institutions have continued to recognise and correspond with the Comrade Chidi Chidebe-led exco on all matters concerning PDP in Anambra State.

    “The present leadership has embraced and worked with all members of the party, irrespective of their previous alignment during the congress, showing inclusiveness, maturity and genuine commitment to party unity,” he said.

    The publicity secretary described the claim that there was no valid SEC leadership in the state as mischievous, misleading and an attempt to hijack the party machinery through the backdoor by making ‘repeated reference to a non-existent court judgment.’

    According to him, it is common legal knowledge that no person can be bound by a judgment in which he/she was not named, identified or joined as parties, even as he challenged the purveyors to publish such a suit or order, if it ever existed.

    “These individuals, notorious for their history of serial sabotage against the PDP in Anambra, have continued to peddle deliberate falsehood, misrepresentations and imaginary court judgments, with the intent to discredit the duly-elected leadership of the party.

    “In January 2025, a similar misleading and fraudulently obtained court order was brought before the NWC. After careful scrutiny, the NWC concluded that the said order lacked any consequential effect against the state exco.

    “NWC reaffirmed its vote of confidence in the Comrade Chidi Chidebe-led State Executive Committee.

    “So, why resort to propaganda on social media rather than lawful processes if their claims were genuine. The desperation to hijack the party structure stems from personal ambition, not in service to the party or its members.

    “It is unfortunate that some people have chosen the path of distraction and division rather than reconciliation and progress, at a time when Anambra was preparing for crucial elections,” he said.

    Nnoli urged party members across the 326 wards of the state to remain resolute, continue to support the party leadership and not yield to the antics of those whose political relevance was tied to sowing confusion.

  • Police nab suspected cultist in Anambra

    Police nab suspected cultist in Anambra

    The Anambra Police Command has arrested a suspected cultist, Chukwujekwu Okoye, who  allegedly involved in the killing of two persons in Oko, Orumba-North Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra  on June 19.

    The alleged cult attack also resulted in the injury of two persons and abduction of two others at Total Junction and Tipper Junction in Oko, who were later released after ransom was paid.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Awka.

    Ikenga said that the police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Awkuzu Chukwujekwu Okoye 25-year-old, on July 7 at Oko Bus-Stop, for allegedly involved in the murder of two persons, injury to two persons and abduction of two others.

    “Police operatives attached to the RRS Awkuzu on July 7 arrested a male suspect, one Chukwujekwu Okoye.

    “The arrest is a follow-up to the disturbing incident in Oko,  which resulted in the injury of two persons, murder of two persons and abduction of two others who were later released after ransom was paid at the Total Junction and Tipper Junction respectively in Oko, Orumba-North LGA,” he said .

    He said that during the operation, the police operatives also recovered one automatic pump-action gun and two handsets.

    The police spokesperso recalled that the suspect in the early hours of   May 22 robbed a victim of his handset and other valuables at gunpoint in Oko.

    He said that during the interrogation, the suspect confessed to being an active member of the Aye Confraternity cult and currently holding a position as a Lord.

    The PPRO said that the suspect confessed  how they had perfected plans for the initiation ceremony and rivalry cult attack on Monday, July 7.

    According to Ikenga, the suspect gave details of  how his gang attacked Oko on  June 19.

    He said that the operatives have begun trailing other gang members based on  the information provided by the suspect.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ikioye Orutugu on Monday ordered a clampdown on unlawful gatherings, especially cult related activities, toward averting supremacy battle among cult groups in the state.

  • We are ready for Anambra elections – Police, INEC

    We are ready for Anambra elections – Police, INEC

    The Police Command in Anambra and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) say they are ready for the Aug. 16 Senatorial bye-election and Nov. 8 governorship election in the State.

    The Commissioner of Police (CP) Ikioye Orutugu and the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr Elizabeth Agwu,  said this in separate interviews with NAN on Monday in Awka.

    Orutugu said that the police have been meeting with other security agencies and the INEC to ensure hitch-free elections in the state.

    “I am the chairman, Anambra State Security Committee. All the security agencies meet regularly to analyse the security situation and plan ahead.

    “Recently, we have been meeting with the INEC to fine-tune plans for the election; therefore, we are fully prepared for the elections,” he said.

    He said that the police was collaborating with other security agencies to ensure security before, during and after the elections.

    He commended Gov. Chukwuma Soludo and the Inspector- General (I-G) of Police Kayode Egbetokun for supporting the command to secure the state.

    He appealed for more support to enable the police personnel discharge their duties more efficiently.

    Meanwhile, Agwu said that the Commission was ready for the elections, adding that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise beginning on 8, July was strictly for governorship election and not for the senatorial bye-election.

    According to her, the CVR will commence on July 8 and end on July 17, adding that it would run from 9:00am to 3.00pm daily.
    She urged eligible voters in the state to come out en masse to register afresh or make necessary corrections to their biodata.

    “Fresh registration must be done physically at INEC designated office, while data revalidation or corrections can be done online. The commission will not register anybody in absentia,” she said.

    She said that registrations outside approved hours would not be accepted, adding that training for ad hoc committees had been concluded as part of INEC’s preparations for the governorship election.

    On the bye-election, she said that voters would use their existing Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).

    According to her, a separate nationwide CVR will begin immediately after the bye-election to prepare for the 2027 general elections.

    Agwu also said that INEC has configured 300 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) scanners for the Nov. 8 governorship election.

    “In this regard we have finalised arrangements with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the deployment of corps members as ad hoc staff,” she told NAN.

    “INEC is not collecting money from anyone. Please do not pay anyone to be registered and do not attempt to register for anyone.

    “We have conducted sensitisation programmes for stakeholders in Anambra state as required by the Electoral Act,” she said.

    She said the commission was collaborating with security agencies to nip any security breach in the bud ahead of the election.

    “INEC has Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with transport unions across the country. They will provide logistics and we will pay them,” she told NAN.

    “We want this election to be better than the last one. I have personally verified our Bimodial Voters Accreditation (BVA) machines to ensure that they are fully functioning,” she said.

    Agwu assured the people of adequate security during the elections and encouraged them to participate fully without fear.

    “Security personnel from across the country will be deployed during the elections. Please do not be afraid,” she said.