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  • Police confirm killing of 6 in Rivers community

    The Police Command in Rivers has confirmed the killing of six persons during a violent protest by angry youths in Chokocho, Etche Local Government Area of the state.

    The command’s spokesman, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the killing in a statement in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

    He debunked some media reports that 15 persons were killed during an alleged deadly attack on commuters travelling through Etche communities to Owerri and beyond.

    “The social media reports added that the angry youths also burnt a police station as well as engaged the army and police in a gun battle.

    “Ordinarily, we would have ignored this baseless and unverifiable report that is intended to cause panic and tension in the state.

    “In order not to allow the public form a dangerous opinion, we therefore thought it wise and expedient to correct this fake news,” he stated.

    Omoni said the command had deployed mobile policemen after receiving a distress call on Dec. 7 following a blockage of Okomoko-Chokocho Bridge by protesters.

    He said policemen, on arrival at the scene, dismantled the barricade and restored normalcy to the area.

    “Thereafter, a team led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Joseph Anche, recovered five corpses in a river in the area.

    “This discovery, however, sparked off another round of protest, which our men were able to contain.

    “At the end of the day, six persons were killed contrary to the 15 deaths reported, while no police station was burnt and no commuter was attacked and killed as speculated,” he said.

    The police spokesman said that normalcy had been restored to the area with the Rivers Commissioner of Police, CP Mustapha Dandaura, launching a full scale investigation on the killings.

    He added that the investigation would enable the police to determine the circumstances surrounding the killings as well as unravel the identities of the perpetrators of the crime.

    “So, CP Dandaura is appealing to residents of Etche to remain calm and trust in the ability of the command to protect their lives and properties,” he said.

  • Ebonyi communities go spiritual against cultism

    Ebonyi communities go spiritual against cultism

    Elders drawn from the 16 communities in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, on Thursday, congregated at the village square (Obodo Amananta) at the Ngbo/Izziah Cultural Centre and called on the gods of the land to deal decisively with anyone involved in cultism, sponsoring war and other social vices in the area.

    Southern City News reports that penultimate week, some communities in the Ohaukwu LGA observed the disappearance of four youths and the killing of 10 persons by yet-to-be identified hoodlums.

    Speaking during the ceremony at the cultural centre, the Chairman of the council, Clement Odah, said the announcement was to ensure lasting peace, adding that they were working to make the communities safe.

    According to him, the elders of the clans and traditional rulers in the Ohaukwu LGA gathered to make a proclamation against anybody involved in cultism as well as promoting war and any form of bloodshed.

    Odah said, “It is to mark the climax of peace and security in the Ohaukwu LGA. A lot of things have been done. We have called several meetings; we have set up a lot of structures; we have campaigned and worked very hard to make sure that Ohaukwu becomes the safest local government area in Ebonyi State.

    “By the grace of God, apart from recent developments in the Agila/Ngbo axis, the local government area has become very peaceful. It is almost like a model. But we decided that we must test the sincerity of everybody.

    “We called for this traditional and spiritual ceremony. This place is called Obodo Amanata. It is not a place you will come and tell lies. It is a place where every man’s honesty is tested.

    “We have given proper warning. Not less than two months ago, we were singing it like a song. So, everybody is aware of it – the elders, traditional rulers and politicians. In fact, everybody is aware.”

    Also speaking, the Chairman of the Ohaukwu Traditional Rulers’ Council, John Ogeh, noted that the spiritual exercise became necessary in order to rid the area of evil.

    Ogeh, the traditional ruler of the Okposhi Eheku community, stated, “As elders, we have a way of doing things and what we have done here today is to cleanse our land of all forms of social vices. We warned the residents to desist from doing evil and that the communities would gather for this ceremony.”

     

  • Photo: Major link bridge to ex-president Jonathan’s community collapses

    Photo: Major link bridge to ex-president Jonathan’s community collapses

    …Residents stranded

    Residents in some communities in Ogbia, the Local Government Area of former President Goodluck Jonathan, have been rendered stranded following the collapse of a major bridge in their area.

    Residents in some communities in Ogbia, the Local Government Area of former President Goodluck Jonathan, have been rendered stranded following the collapse of a major bridge in their area.
    The collapsed bridge

    It was gathered that the only bridge connecting Emeyal and Kolo and Jonathan’s Otuoke community collapsed and cut off the area.

    Residents, who were in shock, said the bridge was constructed over 33 years ago explaining that it caved in under the weight of a heavy truck.

    It was gathered that the truck laden with chipping tried to cross the bridge unsuccessfully as the concrete columns and pillars holding the bridge gave way.

    Giving an account of the incident, Precious Okala, who is the clan President-elect of Obahn Emeyal Youth Council, said the bridge had depreciated over time and was due for maintenance.

    He said it has not been maintained since it was constructed in 1986.

    The Youth President-elect, Elebele community, Okala Azibola, described the incident as tragic and called on the government and other relevant authorities including the oil multinationals operating in the area to come to their aid.

    Residents and travellers were seen patronising canoe paddlers to cross to other communities for their daily activities.

    It was gathered that no life was lost as the driver of the truck and three other passengers were rescued alive with minor injuries.

  • Rivers community petition Buhari over incessant bunkering, pipeline damage

    Concerned youths of a riverine community in Bille, Rivers State have written an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari over the activities of bunkers in the area.

    The letter undersigned by the Bille Youth Vanguard and sent to TheNewsGuru.com on Wednesday fingered operatives of the Nigerian Army as accomplice to the criminals.

    The youths, however, want the president to swing into action before things get out of hand.

    Read the unedited copy of the letter below:

    OPEN LETTER TO MR PRESIDENT ON MASSIVE OIL BUNKERING, THREAT TO LIVES AND DESTRUCTION OF NEMBE CREEK TRUNK LINE IN BILLE

    We, the good youths of Bille Community in Rivers State, are again crying out to President to save us from a new problem that is coming from the very security people that are supposed to be saving us from the problem. Our case is now like a man who is taking medicine to cure headache and the medicine is now causing him migraine that is far worse than his original problem.

    Every single day, oil bunkering and pipeline damage is happening in Bille. Even though there are security officers in the area, this crime has increased more than ever before. Our community is normal in the day time but at night it will turn into a marketplace for crude oil, whereby oil is lifted openly like they are buying and selling in Aba market, yet we have a security base around there. Please Mr President send people to Bilie without notice at night, you will see trading activity is like that of Ojuelegba that the great Fela sang about.

    You will be shocked that armed men who are supposed to protect the pipeline have changed their job to protector of thieves. They are guiding the vessels of people destroying pipelines and loading crude oil. Sometimes, in broad day light, big vessels come in and out of BIlle freely surrounded by escorts. We have heard that security officials are making millions from protecting these criminals and participating in illegal bunkering. Some even fight for posting to Bille to make illegal money.

    Mr. President, we beg for your strong and urgent intervention. We call on the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, other security agencies and the general public to help us reduce this evil. We also request that the Head of Operation Delta Safe should be questioned immediately. These oil thieves enjoy the protection of officers throughout the long distance they cover before they get to where they offload. Bille Youths have decided to support peace but the head of Operation Delta Save, is putting our youths under pressure to join their stealing.

    We want the Federal Government to send fresh army to save us. The security officers in the area can no longer protect us, they are the ones stealing now. Oil thieves are destroying the pipeline and oil spill is destroying our land.

    Signed

    Bille Youth Vanguard.

  • Again, herdsmen invade Benue community, kill five

    Again, herdsmen invade Benue community, kill five

    The Michia settlement in Gaambe-Tiev of Logo Local Government Area of Benue state was on Sunday thrown into mourning again as suspected armed Fulani herdsmen invaded the area killing five people and injuring several others.

    According to a community leader in the council area, Joseph Anawah, the attackers invaded the community between 11.30 pm and 11.55pm Sunday night.

    “The attack, which was carried out swiftly in a professional manner, has so far claimed five lives, with many wounded.

    “The locals were attacked between 11:30 pm and 11:55 pm on Sunday. Mchia is a few kilometers from Anyiin town.

    “Soldiers arrived the scene after the operation has been executed. Corpses of the murdered have been moved to Anyiin mortuary,” the community leader said.

    Chairman of the local government area, Richard Nyajo, told our correspondent on phone that the herdsmen stormed the village late hour of Sunday and opened fire on the people, most of whom were already asleep.

    Nyajo, who said that the settlement was his village, said five persons were killed instantly, with several others sustaining serious injuries.

    “Yes, I can confirm to you that the herdsmen attacked my village, Mchia, killing five persons and injuring many others. After the attack, they withdrew through Arugu, a village close to Anyiin.

    “The villagers traced their footsteps and discovered some bank ATM cards, which will be given as evidence to security personnel to investigate. They were 10 in number,” he said.

    The chairman stated that soldiers in the area went after the attackers, saying, “but we do not know what happened afterward.”

    He added that he had deposited the corpses as well as the injured persons at the General Hospital in Anyiiin.

    When contacted, the state police commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, said that there was a spokesman for Joint Task Force that would brief journalists on the issue.

    “Well, I cannot say anything on that now. You know it is no longer police issue,. It is now a Joint Task Force, and there is a spokesman for that who will brief you people.”

    However, the spokesman for Nigeria Airforce, Wing Commander Emmanuel Iheoma, said he was not aware of the attack.

  • Gunmen invade Taraba community, kill nine

    The Police Command in Taraba on Wednesday confirmed the death of nine persons in early morning attacks on Tutuwa community in Ussa Local Government Area of Taraba.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP David Misal, told newsmen that a yet-to-be identified armed militia must have carried out the deadly attack.

    Misal said that Alhaji Aliyu Tafida, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of the command, and heads of other security agencies in the state had already moved in to assess the situation.

    Mr Rimansikwe Karma, the Chairman of Ussa Local Government Council, while also confirming the attack to newsmen, added that three people were injured.

    Karma said that the attackers rounded up the village at about 5 a.m. and launched the attack when members of the community were going for early morning prayers.

    “Every Wednesday morning, the community conducts mid-week service and most of them were on their way, when the armed militia attacked them.

    “Nine persons were killed and three others sustained life threatening injuries and are currently receiving treatment at Takum General Hospital.

    “The unfortunate thing is that the attackers left before the arrival of security personnel,” he said.

  • Alleged invasion: Edo community sues Army, AGF, demands N700m damages

    Some indigenes of Ajakurama and Tarila Zion communities in Edo state have slammed a N700 million damages suit on the Nigerian Army and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

    The petitioners, in a case with suit number FHC/B/CS/116/2017, filed before a Federal High Court in Benin, Edo state, alleged that the Nigerian Army, through the 4 Brigade Command, Benin, violated their fundamental human rights during the October 20 military operation in their communities, destroying the property and disrupting their normal lives.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army had explained that the operation, which was carried out on October 20 in the communities was pursuant to a credible intelligence, exposing the activities of some militants who were operating from the communities.

    The petitioners; Felix Odowu, Ogolugha Odowu, Aye Nisor, Christopher Felix, Ibenatei Ipuluwei and Teacher Magic, had prayed the court to declared the said military operation, during which their property were seized and wantonly destroyed, as unlawful and a violation of their constitutional rights.

    According to a statement by the counsel to the petitioners, Napoleon Egin, the prayers included an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the Army, the Attorney-General of the Federation and five others from further victimization of the communities.

    According to Egin, the petitioners’ prayers included “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents whether by themselves, their privies and servants from further harassing, intimidating, humiliating the applicants and or invading Ajakurama and Tarila Zion communities, an order of injunction restraining the armyfrom further occupation of both communities as well as a letter of apology by the respondents to be published in a national newspaper.

    “Our clients are asking for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from further breach of their fundamental rights and the sum of N700million as general damages for injuries already suffered.

    “We equally filed an ex parte motion praying the court to order parties to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and final determination of the originating motion on notice. This step was taken in view of the sinister mission of the Nigerian army to annihilate any adult male indigene of our clients’ communities.

    “As we brief you this moment, the army’s act of hostility against the good people of Ajakurama town in Egbema Ijaw clan of Edo State continue unabated and it is however hoped that with the service of this process on them today, there will be sign of peace and normalcy returning to the troubled area”, he said.

    Meanwhile, spokesman of the 4 Brigade Command, Benin, Captain Muhammed Maidawa, the operation was in response to a credible information on the activities of some suspected militants who he said are living in the communities.

    The Army had earlier claimed to have discovered a cache of ammunitions and military regalia from the hideout of the suspected militants in the community, an allegation the residents describe as “giving a dog a bad name just to nail it.”

     

  • Gunmen storm Rivers community, kill 10

    The Police Command in Rivers State, said that 10 persons in Mgbuosimi in Obio/Apkor Local Government Area of the state were killed by unknown gunmen in the early hours of Monday.

    Nnamdi Omoni, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Port Harcourt that the cause of the mayhem was yet unknown.

    “Ten people are feared dead in the violence and nobody knows the cause of the violence for now,” he said.

    Mr. Omoni said investigation into the violence had commenced, but no arrest had been made and appealed to the public to furnish the police with meaningful information that could lead to arrest of the suspects.

    According to Mr. Omoni, the gunmen demanded for the telephone handsets from their victims, adding that those who hesitated in releasing their handsets were shot.

    He denied that any chief in the community was killed.

    Mr. Omoni said: “criminals must be punished no matter how long it may take to arrest them,” he said.

     

  • Yoruba community leader calls for vigilance over northern youths threat

    Yoruba community leader calls for vigilance over northern youths threat

    Mr Abdulkarim Babatunde, a Yoruba Community leader in Bosso Local Government Area of Niger, said on Friday that security agencies must tackle those who issued eviction notice to Igbos in the North.

    Babatunde said it was a very serious threat which must be handled with all seriousness to forestall breakdown of law and order in the country.

    “We should not ignore such threat,” he said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna.

    The community leader advised all agencies to provide water tight security, to pre empt and deal with any security threat to the corporate existence of Nigeria.

    “I have being in Bosso for the last 45 years where do you want me to go after spending my entire life here.

    “Security agencies should map out a comprehensive security network to ensure the safety of all Nigerians wherever they stay.”

    Babatunde backed the stance taken by the Federal Government and governors in the North, to track down and prosecute those involved in issuing the ultimatum.

    “Our royal fathers and stakeholders should reach out to youth associations to desist from any act capable of bringing confusion in the polity, ” he said.