TheNewsGuru

Tag: Anambra

  • Anambra: Former Obiano aide emerges APGA chairman

    Anambra: Former Obiano aide emerges APGA chairman

    Chief Ifeatu Obiokoye, former Special Adviser on Political Affairs to immediate past Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra, has emerged the state chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    Obiokoye also former state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before joining APGA, was elected during the state congress of APGA held at Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka, on Tuesday.

    The congress was attended by delegates from the 21 Local Government Areas of the state, including Gov. Chukwuma Soludo, state executive council members and Council chairmen.

    The party used voice votes to conduct the elections for all the positions, including the chairman, which 13 aspirants had initially indicated interest.

    Gov. Soludo, who doubles as the chairman APGA Board of Trustee, assisted the electoral committee, headed by Dr Obi Ogbolo, to conduct the yes or no questions leading to the elections of all the victorious executive members.

    The governor, who spoke briefly at the end of the exercise, said the open and transparent system adopted was to ensure peace and harmony in APGA.

    Soludo said APGA is one family, adding that with peace and understanding the party will surpass its past achievements.

    Obiokoye, who spoke on behalf of other executive members, thanked the governor and other party faithful for the opportunity given them to serve.

    He said his team would carry everyone along in running the party.

    Obiokoye also thanked Anambra people for keeping faith with APGA in the past 16 years running.

  • Tinubu finally reacts to attack on US Embassy convoy after call with Blinken

    Tinubu finally reacts to attack on US Embassy convoy after call with Blinken

    The President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has condemned the attack on some United States Embassy officials at Ogabru in Anambra.

    Tinubu, in a statement issued by Mr Tunde Rahman, his media aide on Friday in Abuja, said he was shocked to hear of the attack.

    “Tinubu is deeply shocked to learn of the attack on United States Embassy convoys, just hours after his telephone call with the U.S Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.

    “He expresses his sympathy and condolences with the U.S Government and families of the four personnel killed in the horrific attack at Ogabru, Anambra,” the statement said.

    It said Tinubu had been making inquiries into the persons responsible and their motives, and would do all he could to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

    It added that security is one of the cardinal issues on Tinubu’s agenda, and he would give it priority attention on assumption of office.

    This, it said was why security, featured prominently in his telephone discussion with Secretary Blinken.

    The statement said Tinubu had, in a telephone conversation on May 16, with Blinken, urged the U.S to factor in Nigeria’s important place in Africa and provide needed assistance in the areas of security and economic investment.

    This, he said, was critical for Nigeria to lead the way and be a shining example to the rest of Africa continent.

    He said his immediate priorities would be to deliver institutional reforms and development programs to deepen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and bring help to poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

    Tinubu had expressed determination to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and faithfully serve the people as president

  • Convoy attack: U.S Embassy confirms safe recovery of 2 staff

    Convoy attack: U.S Embassy confirms safe recovery of 2 staff

    The United States (U.S) Embassy in Abuja says two of its employees involved in the attack on its convoy in Anambra have been rescued alive.

    The Embassy made this known in a statement made available to journalists on Friday in Abuja.

    The U.S Embassy said that the victims were under the protection of the Nigerian authorities in Anambra.

    The statement said that the U.S government was working intensively to bring to book the perpetrators of the crime.

    According to it, two U.S. Mission employees missing since the May 16 attack in Anambra state are alive and safe, and under the protection of Nigerian authorities in Anambra.

    “We have informed their families of their safe recovery.  U.S. Mission personnel are on their way to meet and accompany them home.

    “We continue to work intensively with the Nigerian security and law enforcement on this matter, to identify the victims previously found, and to bring to justice those responsible for this heinous attack.

    “We welcome any information the public may have in this regard.

    “We are deeply grateful for the partnership and solidarity of the Nigerian government and Nigerian security and law enforcement colleagues and mourn with them for those who died in the attack.”

    Recalled that on May 16, a convoy of a U.S vehicle was attacked by gunmen in Atani, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State while the team was on a mission.

  • US convoy: Police confirm nine persons died during attack

    US convoy: Police confirm nine persons died during attack

    Anambra Police Command has revealed that nine persons lost their lives in an ambush attack on the US convoy in the state on May 16.

    The command’s disclosure is contained in a press statement made available through DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, Anambra Police Command spokesman, in Awka on Thursday.

    Ikegna said the information about the incident was received by Anambra State Police Command, through an official of the US consulate.

    The command disclosed that through its preliminary investigation, it gathered that the officials of the USA consulate were on a mission to assess the impact of erosion in Ogbaru Local Government Area (LGA).

    The statement said the attack took place along Atani/Osamela road in Ogbaru LGA by suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN)/Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB).

    However, the  command disclosed that upon arrival at the scene of the incident, the joint security team sighted and engaged the assailants in a shoot-out but they escaped through a nearby forest.

    Ikenga said the Command continued their search jointly with security forces comprising police tactical teams from the command and troops of the Nigerian Army as well as the Nigerian Navy.

    The PPRO said they raided a camp in Ugwuaneocha community of Ogbaru LGA, which was suspected to be the hideout of the assailants, but discovered that it had been deserted.

    However, he disclosed that two persons of interest have been arrested and they are currently assisting the police in their investigation.

    The statement also revealed that the criminal camp has been razed down by the joint security team.

    The Command listed the following persons as the fallen heroes of the US consulate, Jefferson Obayuwane (RTD DSS personnel), Sunday Prince Ubong, Ekene Nweke, Hassan Etila, Avwuvie Kaye, Monday, Bukar . A. Kabuiki – (Police), Emmanuel Lukpata – (Police), Friday Morgan -(Police), and Adamu Andrew – (Police).

    The PPRO  said that the remains of the deceased persons have all been recovered and deposited in a morgue.

    He said that the state police command and other security agencies are working round-the-clock, in concert with the Government of Anambra State, to find and rescue the missing officials.

    Ikenga urged members of the public to support its effort to get the identities and locations of the culprits, through provision of quality information.

    The Commissioner condoles with the families and friends of the deceased persons.

    He extended his condolence to the USA Consulate over the tragic incident and assured that efforts would be deployed to track down the perpetrators of the heinous crimes and bring them to justice.

  • Why I want to be APGA National Chairman – Obi-Okoye

    Why I want to be APGA National Chairman – Obi-Okoye

    Chief Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, one of the aspirants for the National Chairmanship of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) says his target is to ensure the party’s victory at the 2025 Anambra Governorship Poll.

    Obi-Okoye, a former APGA National Publicity Secretary, said this at a news conference on Wednesday in Awka, to announce his interest, ahead of the party’s state congresses.

    He said he had the passion, capacity, qualifications, innovation, and experience to recover all that was lost during the previous elections and take APGA to the next level.

    “Our party APGA needs an experience and passionate politician to confront the issues in 2025 because there will be a big political battle.

    “In 2025, APGA will be contesting with political parties such as Labour Party (LP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “When LP finishes from the Supreme Court, its next ambition will be to capture Anambra. I also believe APC will become stronger with Sen. Bola Tinubu, the President-elect.

    “This informed my interest in the race because we must have a chairman who understands the battle front and has the capacity to plot and confront these issues,” he said.

    Obi-Okoye said he understood and was ready to complement the positive vision of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo, who doubled as the National Leader of the party for progress.

    He also promised to ensure the restoration of the party’s strengthen at the National and State Houses of Assembly as well as to make the party the largest in the country.

    “At the National Assembly, our strength dropped from five to four while at the state House of Assembly, it dropped from 24 to 16, although we are the majority but it is not palatable to us.

    “Under my watch, I will ensure that we recover all that we have lost, build strength and capacity as well as find alternative means of funding to make the party the largest in the country rather than the third, “he said.

    Obi-Okoye recommended the formation of a truth and reconciliation committee to address the internal grievances plaguing the smooth running and unity of the party to finding lasting peace.

    “What we have done wrong in the past was not to have set up this committee soon after the primaries and this has created a lot of cracks in the party.

    “In politics, you have winners and losers, such committee would create hope for those who did not win at the primaries. Crisis start if you do not create hope for losers,” he said.

  • White House reacts to attack on US Embassy convoy in Anambra

    White House reacts to attack on US Embassy convoy in Anambra

    The White House has confirmed that no American citizen was killed as gunmen ambushed a US Embassy convoy in Nigeria on Tuesday, killing four people.

    Those who died include two personnel from the US consulate and two police officers.

    The attack took place in the Amiyi/Eke Ochuche communities in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra state.

    “No US citizens were involved and therefore there were no US citizens hurt.

    “We are aware of some casualties, perhaps even some killed,” John Kirby of the US National Security Council said.

    The spokesperson for the Anambra Police Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, also revealed that the assailants “made away with two police operatives and a driver of the second vehicle in the convoy.”

    Ikenga confirmed that joint security forces “have embarked on a rescue and recovery operation in the area.”

  • SAD! US embassy employees gunned down in Anambra

    SAD! US embassy employees gunned down in Anambra

    Some staff of the United States Embassy in Nigeria have been shot dead in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    Sources revealed that the convoy of the embassy officials came under fire as they were passing through the area.

    A source said they were on humanitarian mission to the area while another source said the attacked officials wanted to connect their destination through Ogbaru.

    “At least four persons were killed in the attack while others sustained injuries. Troops have taken over the community.

    Details of the attack were not available as of the time of filing this report, but DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra, confirmed the incident.

    However, he did not go into details.

    Following the information of the shooting incident within Ogbaru community, the Commissioner of Police CP Echeng Echeng has deployed a police team led by the deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations to arrest the situation.

    Meanwhile, the details of the incident are still sketchy, I will get back to you as soon as I can, please.”

    In the monitored reports, Ikenga ceased subsequent communication on the issue as he neither responded to calls or replied further messages.

    The US mission Nigeria also confirmed the incident, saying its personnel were collaborating with Nigerian security operatives to get to the root of the matter.

    “We confirm there was an incident on May 16 in Anambra state. U.S. Mission Nigeria personnel are working with Nigerian security services to investigate. The security of our personnel is always paramount, and we take extensive precautions when organizing trips to the field. We have no further comment at this time,” a US Mission Nigeria spokesperson said in response to the inquiry sent.

    Anambra is one of the South Eastern States with high level of violence in recent times.

    Security operatives have blamed attacks on the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN), its armed wing, but the group has repeatedly denied the allegation.

    Many lives have been lost in the campaign of violence launched by deadly groups operating under the guise of “unknown gunmen”.

    Commenting on the rising insecurity in his state, Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra said eight Local Government Areas were under siege by hoodlums when he assumed office.

    Speaking at the presidential villa, Abuja, during the induction organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum for Governors-elect, Soludo said governors need a strong and independent security system to tackle insecurity in their domains.

    Source: Daily Trust

  • Anambra establishes bureau of missing persons

    Anambra establishes bureau of missing persons

    The Anambra state government has approved the establishment of a bureau of missing persons.

    Paul Nwosu, the Commissioner for Information in a statement on Saturday said the approval was made at the State Executive Council meeting.

    He said that the bureau would be domiciled in the ministry of Justice.

    He said the establishment of the bureau was part of the fulfillment of the recommendation by the Truth, Justice and Peace Commission.

    The Commission, which had Prof. Chidi Odinkalu as chairman, Bianca Ojukwu as Secretary and Prof. Sylvia Ifemeje the Commissioner of Justice as members submitted its report to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo on Feb. 17.

    The Commissioner said part of the mandate of the Bureau was to trace cases of missing persons and come up with the needed database to support Police investigations and eventual prosecution of suspects.

    The committee, inaugurated by Soludo in June 23, 2022, followed agitations that led to killings and destructions of property in the state and the south-east region.

    The purpose of the committee is to seek a restorative justice approach for truth-telling or real facts, and for the healing of the victims of the violence.

    It was to account for the responsibility and accountability of the actors, conditional mercy for the repentant perpetrators.

    It was also to handle victims restitution for certain losses and rehabilitation to allow restoration of peace and justice as well as the promotion of development in the state.

  • BREAKING: Ex-Anambra Governor, Mbadinuju is dead

    BREAKING: Ex-Anambra Governor, Mbadinuju is dead

    The former Anambra State Governor, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju is dead.

    His first son, Chetachi Mbadinuju, announced this in a statement on Tuesday.

    “With heavy hearts 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 State and elder statesman,” he said in the statement.

    Details to follow…

  • Anambra Govt. rescues 12-year-old girl allegedly defiled by her father

    Anambra Govt. rescues 12-year-old girl allegedly defiled by her father

    The Anambra State Government said it rescued a 12-year-old girl, alongside her two younger siblings, from their father, Arinze Obiwenite, who allegedly defiles her.

    Mrs. Ify Obinabo, the state Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, told newsmen on Saturday in Awka that the children were rescued on Monday, during a raid at Abacha town in Idemili North Local Government Area, following a tip-off.

    Obinabo said she visited the Traditional Ruler of Abacha community, Igwe Nwabunwanne Odiegwu, to notify him of the raid before taking action.

    She said that during the visit, Igwe Odiegwu revealed that the accused, Obiwenite, presented himself as a Christian who helped people solve their spiritual problems without knowing that he had other motives.

    “The traditional ruler told us he knew about Obiwenite’s alleged escapees when he accused some young boys in the community of raping his daughter.

    “He was summoned to the palace on several occasions to state his case, but failed to honour the royal invitation which made the youth of the community troop to his residence but were disappointed at what they saw.

    “The youth discovered that he locked up his three children in a room, including the 12-year-old girl, whom he alleged that some young men of the community had raped.

    “When questioned, the daughter revealed that her father had locked them up in the room for five years and that he always had carnal knowledge of her while he fingers her two younger siblings,” she said.

    The Commissioner said they raided Obiwenite’s residence and rescued the 12-year-old girl and her two siblings, who had been taken to the hospital for medical examination and treatment.

    She assured that the children would get justice and a conducive environment for growth and proper care.

    “When we raided the house, we also discovered that the accused uses diabolic means to run a ministry, known as ‘Holy Trinity Healing Ministry’, where people come to get solutions to their problems.

    “When he was interrogated, he denied all the allegations but was quick to ask the traditional ruler to forgive him and help find a way of resolving the issue outside the court, which the Igwe blatantly refused.

    “Some fetish items, hollow grave at his backyard, a paper with a long list of names of those he had killed and will kill, were discovered at his house and he was made to destroy them in the presence of the villagers.

    “The accused also stated that he was married to 11 wives but does not live with any of them,” she said.

    Obinabo said that Obiwenite had been arrested by the police and transferred to the State Criminal Investigative Department in Awka.

    She said that Obiwenite would be arraigned before the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Magistrate’s Court.