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Tag: Anambra

  • Police arrest 124 suspected cultists, recover 1000 wraps of Indian hemp

    Over 124 persons suspected to be cultists have been nbbed by the police from various parts of Anambra State.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, in statement, on Saturday, noted that the arrest were made during a raid on criminal hideouts and black spots in the state.

    He said 37 of the suspects have confessed and were charged to court, adding that 53 were screened and released while 34 others were undergoing interrogation.

    “The state Commissioner of Police Garba Umar had directed for an aggressive raids on criminal hideouts and blackspots in the state to ensure people of the state, both at home and in diaspora celebrate Christmas and new year without hindrance or molestation.

    “Between 26/11/2018 to date, the State Command through its Special Anti Cultism Squad/FSARS and Divisional Police headquarters have arrested total number of 124 suspected cultists/hoodlums from various parts of the state,” he said.

    Mohammed revealed that the Command also recovered 4 locally made pistols, 6 cutlasses, 2 axes, over 1000 wraps of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and 2 regalia for Aye and Junior Vickings Confraternity, respectively.

    He emphasized on the Command’s determination to ensure that criminals had no hiding place in the State especially during the festive season and would deal decisively with those apprehended in accordance with the law.

    Police arrest 20 suspected cultists in Eket

  • Cultists kill Anambra bachelor one week to wedding day

    A middle aged man, Abuchi Edekobi, reportedly lost his life on Saturday following a cult clash in Obosi, Idemili North local government area of Anambra State.

    The deceased, allegedly killed together with his friend, Somto Egbe by a rival cult group, was said to be preparing for his wedding a week before he met his sudden death.

    The duo, suspected to be members of Vikings fraternity, were allegedly attacked by a rival group suspected to be members of the Black Axe fraternity.

    A resident, who identified himself as Charles, said the attack by the rival group was a revenge mission over recent steady killings of their members in the area.

    He said, “Edekobi, popularly called Ija, had left Obosi for Ghana at the heat of the cult crisis where he spent about five years before his return.

    “He was preparing for his wedding scheduled to hold on the 29th of this month before he met his untimely death.

    “He was even in a burial party the same day he died and was sighted spraying money on a notable musician without knowing he was being trailed by those who later killed him.”

    Another resident, who did not want to be named, dismissed the report of cult activities in the area, saying the deceased was killed by his business associates.

    The officer in charge of the Special Anti- Cultism Squad, CSP Christopher Bassey, when contacted, said the force was on top of the situation, but declined further comment on the incident.

     

  • Biafra: Two policemen, four others die as IPOB members protest in Anambra

    There was pandemonium on Friday in Nnewi, Anambra State as a bloody clash between operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) left two policemen and four others (believed to be members of IPOB) dead.

    However, the Anambra State Police Command said only one policeman died in the protest while a Divisional Police Officer in the area was hospitalised after sustaining injuries in the clash that erupted when security agencies stormed the venue of the protest.

    Confirming the incident, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, Mike Okoli, said, “I will confirm to you that we lost a policeman, an inspector in the clash. The DPO who went with him to that operation is hospitalised. I can’t tell you of any other casualties; this is the much I know.

    According to report by The Punch, the pro-Biafran agitators marched round Nnewi and environs on Friday sensitising the people about the need for a referendum to highlight the need for the Sovereign State of Biafra and the rejection of the 2019 general elections.

    Members of the group numbering about 2000 had stormed the Nnewi market, shouting “No referendum, no 2019 election.”

    Waving the Biafran flag as they moved round, the protesters asked people in the market not to participate in the 2019 general elections unless the Federal Government heeded their demand for the conduct of referendum to actualise Biafra Republic.

    It was learnt that trouble started when security operatives arrived at the scene in three Toyota Hilux pick-up vans and attempted to stop the protesters.

    Members of the group were said to have pounced on the policemen and destroyed their vans, with two people dead in the process. The development forced traders in the Nkwo Nnewi market to close their shops and scampering for safety.

    The IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, in a statement made available to our correspondent in Awka, said members of the group went on a peaceful demonstration to express their joy over the “second coming and appearance” of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in Israel.

    Powerful said the reappearance of their leader was a testimony that the struggle for Biafra was divine.

    The statement partly read, “Our leader’s reappearance in Israel after the Nigerian government and her security forces, including the Nigerian Army, Air force and Naval forces invaded his compound at Afaraukwu Ibeku in Umuahia, Abia State, last year September is clearly an indication to all and sundry that God Almighty is behind the struggle for Biafra liberation.

    “Biafrans are equally today showcasing to the world that we are ready to boycott every Nigerian elections come 2019 especially the presidential election next year.

    “Our march today on the roads and streets across Biafraland must send signals to politicians and saboteurs among us that Biafrans are determined to leave the prison called Nigeria where British government experimented to lead black Africans and other black nations across the globe but failed to live up to the expectations for over 100 years because of the Hausa-Fulani caliphate dominations.

    “IPOB rally and march today (Friday) being November 23, 2018 is ongoing in all the states across Biafraland like Rivers, Enugu, Abia, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Ebonyi, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa states and other Biafra clans and tribes fraudulently carved into Kogi, Benue and Edo States.”

    He said the group would not rest until a date was given for Biafra referendum to hold so that its people would decide whether to stay in Nigeria or not.

    He added, “IPOB is divinely ordained to retrieve Biafra sovereignty from this enclave called Nigeria. We are coming to show Nigerians and its handlers including their security apparatus what is called civil disobedience because IPOB is more of intellectuals.”

  • Residents panic as landslide hits Anambra community

    Residents panic as landslide hits Anambra community

    There was pandemonium at Nanka community in the Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State as a minor landslide on Saturday reportedly hit the community.

    Speaking with newsmen, an environmentalist and native of the area, Mr Ikenna Ezenekwe, said the development caused panic, forcing residents to flee the place.

    He said,”There was panic in Ubaha village of Nanka community when residents fled over a minor landslide.

    “Residents vacated the community over the fear of a possible major follow up due to the landslide which occurred after a downpour at night which caused a portion of the land to cave in.”

    However, no life was lost in the incident.

    While calling for an urgent intervention by the relevant authority, Ezekwe said, “The rainy season of 2018 has reopened old wounds.

    He said,”The people of Nanka who had suffered untold hardship in the hands of landslides are once again faced with another threat.

    Ezenekwe who is the Nigeria coordinator of a New York-based nongovernmental organization, the Rural Communities Development Initiative, added,”Nanka presently dangles on the verge of another catastrophic landslide should immediate prophylactic measures are not taken by the government.

    “Two minor landslides occurred in the village of Ubahu Nanka dividing the village into two halves.

    “The land belonging to the families of Ezeagwuogbo was abandoned by the family resulting from the landslide. Other families in Ubahu were also affected.

    He said, “Our governor needs to come closer to Nanka and see the problems firsthand. Nanka people are leaving on the edge.

    He said the community was sitting on what he called a ticking time bomb, stressing that “The fault lines which are precursors to major landslides are already visible within the community. The big one can happen anytime from now. The government should be ready.”

  • Confusion as madman kills herbalist over goat in Anambra

    There was palpable tension in Oba Aguleri in Anambra East local government area, Anambra state following alleged gruesome murder of a native doctor by a man suspected to be mentally unstable in the area.

    The murder was said to have triggered protest leading to destruction of properties worth millions of naira while business activities were apparently shut down in the area.

    The Nation gathered that trouble ensued when the native doctor [name withheld] tied a goat bought for spiritual sacrifice to a tree and went into the market to pick other items, but could not find it soon after his return.

    A resident of the area, who preferred anonymity, said the native doctor enquired about the whereabouts of his sacrificial goat as soon he noticed its sudden disappearance.

    “He was informed that a wandering madman untied it and took it to his house few kilometers away.

    “They gave him direction on how to reach the lunatic’s house and he went straight to the place without fear of attack as he relied on the efficacy of his charm.

    “When he got there, he met the madman already making advance plans to slaughter the goat for a meal.

    “While he was still demanding to know the reason the madman took his goat, he quickly dashed into his room and came out with a machete.

    “The native doctor took to his heels on sighting the machete in the hand of the madman,” he said.

    The resident who said the madman ran after the native doctor, however, said the madman caught up with him and macheted him severally after he fell down.

    “The native doctor bled to death before help could reach him,” he added.

    The Nation further learnt that irate youths in the area immediately mobilized and headed for the madman’s house to avenge the killing of their kinsman.

    It was also gathered that the crisis would have degenerated to further communal crisis but for the prompt intervention of security operatives who arrived the scene following a distress call.

    When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the incident, saying the suspected murderer and three other suspects had been arrested, linking the rampage to the death of the native doctor.

    His words, “the man that killed the deceased had been arrested with three others making a total of four suspects “.

  • Anambra shuns Democracy Day celebration

    Anambra shuns Democracy Day celebration

    The Anambra Government wants residents of the state to use Democracy Day to reflect on the state of the nation, rather than engaging in lavish celebrations.

    The state’s Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C-Don Adinuba, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Awka.

    Analysts have criticized some state governments for marking the Democracy Day with lavish celebrations at a time millions of their citizens go to bed hungry from day to day.

    Adinuba said that instead of the usual merry-making, dinning and wining that had characterised the event in the past, the Anambra Government wanted its citizens to have sober reflection on the journey so far.

    Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation returned to popular democracy 19 years ago after a brutal military era that was characterized by looting.

    Adinuba said that Anambra had just hosted the second term inauguration of Gov. Willie Obiano on March 17, and had also hosted the Ohaneze Summit on May 21.

    “So we reasoned that it is not good enough for the state to get involved in another round of celebrations today. It is not worth it.’’

    He said, however, that the state had recorded achievements in security, social harmony and promptness in the payment of workers’ salaries.

    “Anambra State Government is the only state that has reviewed salaries of workers upwards and pays salaries of workers on 25th of every month in addition to other welfare plans for workers.

    “As we talk, government has started handing over brand new cars to all directors, based on seniority and we challenge other states to emulate Anambra State in terms of workers’ welfare and promotion of peace and security.’’

    Adinuba said that the State Government was waiting eagerly for the announcement of a new minimum wage for workers by the Federal Government in August, saying: “we will be the first to implement the new minimum wage’’.

    The spokesman also told residents of the state to disregard the planned sit-at-home order by the pro-Biafra group, IPOB, describing the group’s directive as an illegality.

    Commenting on the decision of the Anambra Government not to celebrate, a resident of Awka, Mr Chidi Agim, said that he was surprised that the State Government could not observe the Democracy Day because of the significance of the day to Nigerians.

    Agim argued that even if the government did not want to mark the event with ceremony, the governor should have addressed the people to enlighten them on what they should do in the face of mounting challenges confronting the nation.

  • Obiano gives July 1 deadline to“okada” riders to vacate Onitsha, Awka

    Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra has given commercial motorcycle riders popularly called “Okada riders” in Onitsha and Awka until July 1, to vacate the two cities.

    The directive of the governor was contained in a statement on Wednesday in Awka.

    The statement signed by Mr James Eze, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Obiano explained that the directive followed resolution by the Anambra Executive Council after a meeting on Tuesday .

    “The ultimatum given to Okada operators in the two cities is part of the overall strategy adopted by the state government to deepen its crackdown on crime and restore sanity to Onitsha, the commercial never centre and Awka, the capital city’’, the government said.

    The governor further directed residents of some make-shift structures on the banks of the River Niger stretching from Onitsha to Ogbaru to vacate the place before Aug. 1.

    Authorities noted that the waterfront had been marked for demolition, saying that the demolition of the waterfront was another measure to check activities of men of the underworld in the state.

    The governor said the deadline given to Okada operators and the shanty-dwellers is intended to offer them enough time to make the necessary adjustments ahead of government’s action.

    He said that other resolutions by the council includes the establishment of a Committee on Environment with a mandate to clean up Anambra , clearing out garbage dumps and overflowing drainage systems.

    The state government also said that the council equally resolved to demolish illegal structures that were either obstructing the way or ruining the aesthetics of the Anambra environment.

    “ The committee is expected to sustain the on-going campaign to put an end to roadside trading that often leads to avoidable traffic congestion and return sanity to the roads and highways of Anambra State’’, the governor said.

    The governor explained that reinforcing the hard line posture of Obiano’s administration against street-trading and erection of illegal structures across the state, the governor specifically commended the agencies behind the on-going demolition exercise in the state.

    The governor said that the team should sustain the momentum until the state begins to wear a better look even as he sent a note of warning to owners of illegal structures along the famous Awka Road in Onitsha.

    Council frowned at the current practice by some Awka residents who sometimes dump their refuse along the road around the Zik Avenue axis.

  • 1,574 inmates awaiting trial in Anambra Prisons – Official

    1,574 inmates awaiting trial in Anambra Prisons – Official

    No few than 1,574 inmates out of 1,761 prisoners in Anambra are currently awaiting trial for various offences, the state’s Controller of Prisons, Mr Emmanuel Nwakaeze has said.

    Nwakaeze, who gave the figure in an interview with newsmen in Onitsha on Friday, said the inmates spread across four prisons in Aguata, Onitsha, Awka and Nnewi.

    According to him, 48 of the of the awaiting trial inmates are females.

    “The total number of awaiting trial inmates constituted 78 per cent of the total inmates in the state prisons.

    “The Awka Prison houses 374 inmates; Onitsha Prison has 887 inmates; Nnewi 282 and the Aguata Prison has 218 inmates. 65 per cent are citizens of the state,” he said.

    The Controller noted that 30 inmates were currently condemned in the prisons under the command.

    Nwakaeze said congestion was the major challenges of the command as it created room for unhealthy environment that could lead to outbreak of cholera, tuberculosis and other killer diseases.

    He appealed to Gov. Willie Obiano, Non-Governmental Organisations and philanthropists to assist the command with waste disposal tanks and vehicles for the evacuation of wastes.

    The commander also solicited assistance in the area of electricity transformers, vehicles, ambulances and other amenities to improve the welfare of inmates.

    He commended the Controller-General of Prisons, Alhaji Ja’ Afaru Ahmed for improving the welfare of prisoners and promotion of officers.

    “The Controller-General has done a lot to ensure the decongestion of prisons across the country.”

    He also commended the state governor and the Chief Judge of the state for their initiatives to decongest the prisons yearly.

  • Ngige escapes attack as Anambra APC meeting turns violent

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, on Sunday escaped a mob attack at a meeting of the All Progressives Congress in a hotel in Awka, Anambra State.

    The meeting, it was gathered, was for the harmonisation of the results of the party’s ward congresses held on Saturday.

    As gunshots pervaded the scene, Ngige was whisked away by security agents.

    Security personnel repeatedly shot into the air to scare the mob who charged at the minister.

    The protesters alleged that the minister was trying to rig the result of the ward congresses in his favour.

    A member of the state’s ward congress committee, who was identified only as Ali was not that lucky to escape as he was beaten to a pulp and stripped naked on allegations that he was among those drafted to the state to work for Ngige.

    The candidate of the APC in the November 18,2017 governorship election in Anambra, Dr. Tony Nwoye, had openly accused Ngige in the meeting of plotting to hijack the party in the state.

    In the harmonisation meeting held to address the discrepancies in the party’s ward congresses, Nwoye told Ngige that he was usurping the functions of the congress committee by asserting that ward congresses took place on Saturday in the state while it did not.

    Nwoye said he had been refraining from speaking about Ngige’s audacity and impunity over the affairs of the party in the state to avoid being accused of being bitter because he ran and lost election on the platform of the party.

    He said, “Some of you here worked against me during that election, but my joy is that I lost the election and you lost too, because most of you have not risen beyond the falling point.

    “We have failed as a party because we do not have any position in Anambra State but it will not work for people to put this party in their pocket so that they can write election results in their houses.

    “I will not let Ngige take the function of the panel. We have a panel that is supposed to conduct that congress, and they just came here today (Sunday), whereas you are trying to tell us that elections were held yesterday. How can Ngige be the one to conduct the congress when there is a committee?

    “As of 7pm on Saturday, people were being denied the forms because they wanted to contest positions, and what that means is that the forms have been given out to those they like. We will not let that happen.”

    Ngige, who took offence over what he described as a personal attack on his person by Nwoye, said there was no trouble in the party, describing it as a brotherly affair.

    He said, “We do not have trouble here and we are here to further the cause of the party. People were querying the guidelines given by the NEC of the party, and I said no. The issue was over zoning of positions. We said go to the ward and if anyone resigns, we replace him, because this is a brotherly contest.”

    Some members of the party who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity said the attack on Ngige was premeditated.

    “Nwoye and his people are still aggrieved over the role played by Ngige during the governorship election where Tony Nwoye lost.

    “They also believe that he is still working to hijack the party and remain lord in the state. That is the main reason for the attack on Ngige,” a party member said.

  • Several injured as masquerades attack church in Anambra

    The Anambra Police Command says it has arrested three masqueraders for allegedly disrupting a church programme on Friday night at Uke, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mrs Nkeiruka Nwode, told newsmen on Saturday in Awka that the suspects attacked worshipers at the Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke.

    “Three masqueraders have been arrested in connection with the church attack. We have commenced investigation into the cause of the incident and would notify you when concluded,” Nwode said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the masqueraders were celebrating a festival known as “Uzo Iyi” festival.

    Nwode, however, denied that the masqueraders attacked the police officers from Special Anti Robbery Squad, who responded to calls on the breach of peace.

    NAN further gathered that about 10 masqueraders invaded the church, assaulted the worshipers and attempted to whisk away the spiritual director of the centre, Rev. Fr Emmanuel Obinna, but for the quick response of the police.

    A witness said the leadership of the church called the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the police to help their internal security to protect worshipers.

    “On arrival, the operatives arrested three masqueraders, who were involved in the attack, but their colleagues attempted to stop them from taking the arrested masqueraders away, prompting SARS operatives to shoot sporadically into the air before taking them away,” the source said

    The Personal Assistant to the spiritual director of the centre, Mr Francis Okoye, told journalists that a Catholic Priest, Rev Fr. Henry Nnajiofor, a seminarian and 28 others were injured during the attack on the worshipers.

    “The normal masquerade activities in Uke, to the best of my knowledge, ends by 6 p.m but as at 8 p.m on Friday, the masqueraders were still parading at the entrance route of Uke Adoration ground, extorting money from our members and robbing others in the guise of masquerade festival.

    “As at 8.30 p.m, we started receiving information that some masqueraders were attacking our members, flogging them and inflicting injuries.

    “They flogged some of them, stabbed some with their weapons including machetes, while others were robbed of their mobile phones and other valuables.

    “We quickly contacted the SARS office to assist our Adoration security team, who could not handle the situation at that point in time.

    “When SARS arrived an hour later, they arrested two masqueraders but on their way back, the youths blocked the road and insisted that the masqueraders must be released; that was when SARS officials fired shots in the air to disperse them.

    “When SARS left, they re-grouped and this time came in their numbers to the Adoration premises, beating everybody including the elderly, the sick and pregnant women.

    “Our Adoration youths, in defence, pursued them and arrested one other masquerader, who stayed in the Adoration ground with us until this morning when we handed him over to the officials of the Nigerian Army, who came to our rescue.”