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Tag: Anambra

  • Masquerade burns to death during fire stunt in Anambra festival

    Masquerade burns to death during fire stunt in Anambra festival

    A man whose identity has been concealed has burnt to death while trying to pull a stunt in Anambra state.

     

    The incident happened at Ogbunike, Oyi local government area of Anambra state during the Eli’m Ede’ Cultural Festival, which took place on Saturday.

    The festival is a yearly event, where masquerades of various shapes and sizes gather at the village square to entertain indigenes and onlookers .

    An eye witness who was at the scene of the incident summarized what transpired.

    ”The masquerade attendants while leading the masquerade to Amawa square, had pulled a fire stunt in front of the masquerade, which was sitting on the ground, but immediately extinguished it”

     

    “Unknown to the attendants, the fire had entered the raffia costume worn by the masquerade, and before they could put it off, it spread all over the body of the masquerade, causing the man serious burns,” he said.

    The man, who sustained serious burns, was rushed to the hospital, where he gave up the ghost on Sunday evening.

  • Man states why cultists attacked rival’s burial ceremony in Anambra

    Man states why cultists attacked rival’s burial ceremony in Anambra

    A social media user, Godwin Okpala has explained why about 20 persons in the Ebenebe community of Awka North Local Government Area, Anambra State, were killed at the funeral of a suspected cultist.

    Persons suspected to be members of a rival cult group had invaded the burial venue of Ozor Chibuike Chukwuka, a 34-year-old cultist, dispersing mourners, while killing about 20 persons.

    Okpala, who claims to hail from the same community as Chukwuka, in a social media post said the notorious cultist was killed on 30th December 2021 at Amansea.

    A social media user, Godwin Okpala has explained why about 20 persons in the Ebenebe community of Awka North Local Government Area, Anambra State, were killed at the funeral of a suspected cultist.

    Persons suspected to be members of a rival cult group had invaded the burial venue of Ozor Chibuike Chukwuka, a 34-year-old cultist, dispersing mourners, while killing about 20 persons.

    Okpala, who claims to hail from the same community as Chukwuka, in a social media post said the notorious cultist was killed on 30th December 2021 at Amansea.

     

    He said the rival cult which killed Ozor had warned his family members not to organize a befitting burial for him as he was not worthy of it, instead he should be buried as a nobody.

    He also said that Ozor was a notorious cultist who had severally led attacks on the police and its facilities and was highly dreaded during his lifetime.

    The post by Okpala said: “This is the man, Ozor Chibuike Chukwuka, that brought about the killing of over 20 persons in his burial.

    “He is from my town. He was a member of a strong cult, he was feared by all, and very dangerous. He was even among those that led gangs to kiII police, burn their stations and cart their guns away.

    “Many of our people were hailing him, then later he died by the sword, he was shot dead in December, and his rival gangs warned that he should not be given a proper burial. They warned that if they do, many heads will fall, and it did fall.

    “They (rival cult) carried out their threat. And now many innocent people that knew nothing were among the dead. My own cousin was among the dead. Very bad day in Ebenebe.”

    Though the Anambra State Police Command said it has deployed men of the command in various tactical units to Ebenebe to secure the people, there is no news of any arrest yet.

  • Cultists raid funeral in Anambra

    Cultists raid funeral in Anambra

    Police in Anambra have confirmed Saturday’s violent attack at a funeral at Ebenebe community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra by suspected cultists.

    A source said that the 34-year-old man whose funeral was holding at the time of the incident was killed on Dec. 30, 2021, also by suspected cultists.

    He was killed at Amansea Area in Awka North.

    “It was during the lying-in-state at the residence of the deceased that the suspected cultists arrived at the scene and started shooting at mourners,’’ the source said.

    He said also that there were casualties from the gunshots, adding that victims were taken to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital at Amaku, Awka.

    “My brother is among those injured and we have been at the hospital since 11 a.m. trying to ensure that they stabilise him,’’ he said.

    Police spokesman in Anambra, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident told newsmen that “a burial was going on when some people suspected to be cultists invaded the area and started shooting.

    “I do not have details of casualties now, but I will keep you informed once the picture becomes clear,’’ he said.

    Ikenga added that the Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Mr Echeng Echeng, had despatched a tactical squad comprising of various units to the area to maintain peace and order.

  • Anambra Congress: PDP directs interested caretaker committee members to resign

    Anambra Congress: PDP directs interested caretaker committee members to resign

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has directed any member of its Caretaker Committee members in Anambra interested in contesting for any position on Saturday Congresses in the state to resign such positions immediately.

    The party in a statement by its National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature in Abuja on Thursday, said that in the directive was given by the National Working Committee (NWC).

    The .NWC said that directive was to ensure a level playing field for all contestants.

    “For purposes of verification, all resignation letters are to be directed to office of the national organising secretary.

    “Failure by such aspirants to adhere to the resignation directives renders his or her contest invalid.

    “The PDP urges all critical stakeholders, aspirants to various positions and members of our Party in Anambra State to remain focused united in the overall effort to Rescue and Rebuild our nation from misrule,” it stated

  • Anambra Governor extends hand of fellowship to competent workers

    Anambra Governor extends hand of fellowship to competent workers

    People desirous of serving under the former CBN chief and Anambra State governor-elect, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, have been asked to apply by visiting www.anambratalent.ng.

    However, as at news time, the site cannot be reached.

    In a notice by the Dr. Oby Ezekwesili-led transition committee, which was signed on her behalf by the Executive Director of the committee, Prof Soludo was said to be committed to giving an opportunity to everyone who has relevant valuable contributions to make toward the good governance of Anambra State.

    The notice of expression of interest read: “A Transition Committee mandated to ensure a seamless transition will among other things; produce an Anambra State Human Resource Databank, which the Governor-Elect will use as a Human Resources tool for recruiting a talented team and volunteers.

    “As stated in his Manifesto and repeated during his election campaigns, the Governor-Elect, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has committed to giving everyone who has requisite competencies, capabilities, and relevant valuable contributions to make toward the good governance of Anambra State an opportunity to do so.

    “Therefore, to enable an accessible, open, credible, and competitive process, the Governor-Elect has approved the launch of the online system to collect information on available competencies, experiences, and interests through a platform www.anambratalent.ng.”

    The committee said the platform is designed for indigenes of Anambra to volunteer or seek a political appointment, or career in paid public service positions.

    “This Human Resources tool offers a transparent and level playing field for talent search and team selection processes consistent with the vision of the Governor-Elect.

    “We hope to attract problem-solvers with passion, competence, capacity, and integrity who are interested in joining a team of other selfless public servants to build a livable and prosperous state,” the notice added.

    The committee listed the positions available to include; advisory services, technical assistance, executive positions as commissioners and heads of departments and agencies, membership of commissions and boards of parastatals and agencies; local government administration.

    “Applicants will write and state what problem or problems they can solve for Anambra, how they intend to do so, and what makes them fit and proper for the job,” the Committee added.

  • Army neutralises IPOB leader, 3 others in Anambra

    Army neutralises IPOB leader, 3 others in Anambra

    Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised four gunmen of the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra/ Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) at Ihiala town in Anambra.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said troops received a distress call that the gunmen were out enforcing the illegally imposed sit-at-home order and were firing sporadically in and around a filling station in Ihiala town.

    He said a fire-fight ensued between the dissidents and the gallant troops leading to the killing of their leader, one Ejike, and three others.

    According to Nwachukwu, items recovered from the gunmen during the encounter include one motorcycle, two pump action double-barrel guns, 12 live cartridges and substances suspected to be cannabis, amongst others.

    He, however, noted that one of the combat vehicles conveying troops was involved in an accident during the operation following a technical fault.

    “One gallant officer and a soldier paid the supreme price in the accident, while two sustained injuries. The injured are currently responding to treatment at a military hospital.

    “While we pray for the repose of the souls of deceased personnel, the general public is enjoined to continue to support the military and other security agencies through the provision of timely and accurate information,’’ he said.

  • Assembly to invite Anambra Commissioner over N1.5bn loan

    Assembly to invite Anambra Commissioner over N1.5bn loan

    The Anambra House of Assembly says it plans to invite Mr Nnamdi Onukwuba, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, to explain the utilisation of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) N1.5 billion loan by the State Government.

    Mr Ebele Ejiofor, the Chairman, House Committee on Economic Planning , Sustainable Development Goals and Donor Agencies, stated this after leading his committee on an oversight tour of some project in the state.

    Ejiofor expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of work done by the contractors at the 600 fish ponds, hostel blocks and farm houses.

    The projects were located in Aguleri and Adazi Nnukwu communities in Anambra East and Aniocha Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

    He also threatened that the lawmakers might ask the government to revoke some contracts due to slow pace of work as well as poor quality of work done by the contractors.

    “In Adazi Nnukwu, only 150 fish ponds had been done and the project was not properly executed.

    “The 50-bed hostel in Aguleri is still at the foundation level, while there is nothing to show that this amount of money has been released.

    “I think we will invite him to come and explain some of these things,” he said.

  • Twin brothers allegedly defile 10-year-old girl in Anambra

    Twin brothers allegedly defile 10-year-old girl in Anambra

    A 10-year-old girl was allegedly defiled by 16-year-old twin brothers, Chukwuemeka and Chukwuebuka Okpe, in Abagana, Njikoka Local Government of Anambra.

    The Executive Director of Davina Care Foundation, Mrs Rachel Yohanna, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, in Awka that the case was brought to the foundation by the mother of the victim, Mrs Benedict Sunday, a nurse.

    NAN learnt that the suspects were children of the caretaker of the house where the victim lived and had been continually harassed for her refusal to be defiled a second time.

    Yohanna said the alleged crime was reported at Abagana Police Station on Jan. 16, and the suspects and their mother, Mrs Chinwe Okpe, were arrested.

    She said the girl was taken to Ntasi Centre for Sexual Assault Cases at Enugu-Ukwu General Hospital, where it was confirmed that she was defiled, following perennial tears (the area between the vagina and the anus).

    She also said that the victim, accompanied by a police officer and an aunt to the suspects, went for a second test at police clinic when the mother of the suspects said the medical result from Ntasi centre was forged.

    According to Yohanna, the result still came out positive.

    “The mother of the victim said her daughter complained of pains in her private part and stomach sometime in November 2021, without telling her the caretaker’s sons defiled her.

    “As a nurse, she bought drugs and used hot towel to massage her daughter’s vagina area.

    ” On Jan. 16, she said she got back from work and met vigilante group with her daughter waiting. The group said they brought back her daughter after she ran to them for safety.

    “She said the twin boys tried to defile her daughter a second time and because she refused, they beat her. When the girl reported to their mother (caretaker), she slapped her and threatened to deal with her if she did not keep quiet.

    “The girl ran to the vigilante group for safety. And her mother reported the matter to the police station in Abagana afterwards,” she said.

    Yohanna said that during police interrogation, the victim said the twin boys attacked her in the bathroom while her mother was away, held her down on the floor and defiled her.

    “The twin boys are still denying the defilement, “she said.

    Yohanna said the victim was on treatment while the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Akwa, for further investigation.

    She said the case would be charged to family court after investigation, while the foundation will mobilise support and follow up the case to ensure the victim get the needed medical help and justice, ” she said.

  • Amuzie, ace sports administrator, dies in Anambra

    Amuzie, ace sports administrator, dies in Anambra

    Cyprian Amuzie, a season sports administrator and long-time member of the Anambra State Football Association, is dead.

    Chijioke Onyedika, Secretary of the association, confirmed the death of Amuzie to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Tuesday.

    Amuzie, a retired director and acting permanent secretary in the defunct Anambra Ministry of Youths and Sports, was the founding father of Anambra Referees Association.

    According to Onyedika, members of the deceased family informed the association of his death.

    “It is sad we lost him,” he said.

    Victor Nwangu, a veteran football administrator and colleague of the deceased at the state Ministry of Sports, described his death as a colossal loss to the sports community.

    Nwangu said that Amuzie was one of the few oracles alive that could be consulted on any area of sports in the state, having served as Club chairman (Jasper United), FA secretary in the old and new Anambra, as well as director in the then ministry of sports.

    He said that Amuzie was passionate about sports years after retirement until his death, saying Anambra has lost one of its best in sports.

    “I am disarmed by the news of his death, he was an oracle of sort and the sports community in Anambra has been hard hit.

    “There are not many of them that we can go to here, he has a lot to offer but it is sad that his experience was neglected,” he said.

    Also, Jude Obikwelu, a long-time chairman, Anambra Referees Association, said the body is saddened by the demise of Amuzie.

    Obikwelu, member of the football association and Anambra Referees Council, said that the body has lost one of its founding fathers and elder, saying “may his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

  • Don’t expect much from Soludo’s first 1yr in office – APGA chieftain

    Don’t expect much from Soludo’s first 1yr in office – APGA chieftain

    Mr Ikechukwu Tabansi, a chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in Anambra, has advised residents not to expect so much from Prof. Charles Soludo’s first year in office as governor.
    Soludo, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), won the Nov. 6, 2021 governorship election in the state and will be sworn in on March 17.
    Tabansi told journalists in his Nri county home in Anaocha Local Government Area on Monday that the present economic downturn in the country might adversely affect Soludo’s programmes and policies.
    He said that the poor state of roads in the state and other compelling needs might slow down the speed of the next government.
    He said: “In spite building an airport, it was wrong for the present administration to neglect other sectors, especially the roads.
    “In addition to fixing the roads, the payment of workers’ salaries, among other compelling needs, will be waiting for him.
    “Some people might think that these problems would be solved within his one year in office.
    “I don’t expect much because the nation is experiencing economic downturn.
    “But with the support of the people, in the long run, he is going to do so much for the state.”
    Tabasi said that as CBN governor, Soludo’s achievements were outstanding, adding, “if given the necessary support, he will replicate that feat in the state.
    He urged Soludo to explore all revenue windows to ensure that he acquitted himself in the delivery of democracy dividend to the people.
    “When I was in charge of public motor parks in Onitsha, I was generating over N97 million monthly.
    “I believe that many other sectors can also bring money into government coffers, so his administration must explore these windows,” Tabansi said.