Tag: Delta

Nnamdi Kanu heads to court over arrest of IPOB members in Delta

The leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday said he would sue the Federal Government and Inspector-General of Police for illegal arrest of the IPOB members in Delta State.

Police in the state arrested about 10 members of the organisation on Wednesday allegedly in possession of 15 AK47 rifles said to have been snatched from policemen.

Reacting in a broadcast, Kanu said the Commissioner of police arrested innocent people who did not commit any crime.

“They are holding innocent people because IPOB does not have a camp in Delta State nor any of its members in possession of AK-47,” he stated.
According to him, the camps the police discovered belonged to herdsmen who he said had taken over parts of Delta State.

He condemned the arrest and wondered why the police should parade people yet to be found guilty by the court.

“I don’t condole any crime and criminality in IPOB. The AK47 are not our own. They are what the Fulani herdsmen are carrying about.

“We are none violence organisation seeking for freedom legitimately. So what do we need gun for when coronavirus is there ravaging Aso Rock. We are going to challenge the arrest in the court tomorrow.

He added: ” The whole drama is just to pave way for Fulani herdsmen invasion and conquest of Delta State.

“When the herdsmen were attacking, killing, raping and kidnapping people in the Southwest, Southeast and South South who arrested and paraded them? This tells the whole world what IPOB is passing through in the face of our land. “

May 14, 2020
[SEE PHOTO] Police uncover IPOB training camps, arrest nine, recover human skulls, AK-47 rifles in Delta

Three undercover training camps operated by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB at Ibusa, Okpanam, and Illah communities of Delta state have been busted by the police.

Some members of the group who were paraded before newmen on Wednesday May 13, were accused of snatching and robbing police officers of their rifles since 2018. A skull of a victim which was recovered from one of the IPOB camps, was displayed during the parade.

Delta Police Commissioner, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa said some of the IPOB members allegedly involved in killing of policemen at various points and snatching of 16 rifles which belongs to the Nigerian Police Force, were arrested following a tip-off.

Among those arrested are Ejiofor Odili a.k.a Bishop 45 years old, a native of Anambra State, Sunday Okah, 37 yrs of Ebonyi State, Ashaka Sunday, 33 yrs from Delta, Chukwudi Nwoba ,28 yrs Ebonyi State, Onyeka Ezinna, 29 yrs, Chima Victor Ekene, 26 yrs.

Chukwudi Okpara ,a.k.a Zion 35 yrs ,Imo State, Maxwell Ishiguzo a.k.a AK 2 36 yrs, Abia State, Christian Ndiogulu a.k.a Tiger 44 yrs, Ibusa,Delta and Chibuike Uyamadu, 28 yrs native of Agulere, Anambra State.

Inuwa said confessional statements from some of the key suspects, led to the recovery of rifles and ammunition at Ugwu-Nwosu Camp, one of the three IPOB camps in Delta State. The recovered rifles include 10 AK-47s with breech numbers 109003, 533353, 009981, 59280, 26240, 06515, 4837, 6466, 2581 and 340967. 10 magazine and 200 rounds of AK-47 ammunition were also recovered.

The police commissioner further disclosed that one of the suspects, Christian Ndiogulu led operatives to IPOB training camp at Ibusa where one AK47 with its magazine and 26 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition snatched from safer highway patrol team along Ogwashi/Kwale road in January this year, was recovered from where they were buried in the camp.

Two other suspects also led operatives to Idumugo forest in Okpanam where two AK47 rifles, one smoke gun, one smoke canister, four AK47 magazines, 212 7.62mm AK47 ammunition, one MP3, a set of Allen keys and one hand bag were recovered.

Inuwa said;

“Following recent series of attack on policemen at nipping points and snatching of police rifles by suspected members of outlawed IPoB in Asaba, the command’s sustained efforts in the investigation of the attacks and snatching of police rifles and ammunition in the state yielded desired results when some principal suspects with strong link to the proscribed IPoB were arrested and made confessional statements.

“After a diligent and painstaking investigation, on April 5 at about 2015 hours, while acting on the confession of the arrested key principal suspects, police detectives recovered the following arms and ammunition snatched from policemen from Ugwunwosu Camp of the proscribed IPoB- 10 AK-47 rifles with breech numbers 109003, 533353, 59280, 26240, 06515, 4837, 6466, 2581, 340967, 10 magazines with 200 rounds of AK-47 ammunition.

“Also on April 24 at about 1230 hours, one of the suspects, Christian led police operatives to the proscribed IPoB training camp at Ibusa, where one AK-47 rifle with breech number BA 354592, with its magazine and 26 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition robbed from Safer Highway Patrol team, along Ogwashi-Uku-Kwale road, by Obasanjo Farms on January 23, 2020 was recovered from where buried in the camp.

“Similarly, on April 29, at about 2340 hours, two of the suspects led the operatives to Idumogi forest in Okpanam where the following robbed police arms were recovered from where buried, two AK-47 rifles with breech Nos. 60037 and 3891, one smoke gunner with breech number 2849197, one smoke canister, four AK-47 magazines, 212 (7.62 mm) AK-47 ammunition, one MP3, a set of Allen keys and one handbag.

“Meanwhile, a total of 13 police AK-47 rifles with ammunition robbed during attacks on policemen in the state, over the years, have been recovered. Investigation is still in progress.”

May 14, 2020
Police arrest nine suspected IPOB members in Delta

Delta State Police Command on Wednesday said it had arrested nine suspected members of the outlawed group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and recovered 13 police service rifles from them.

Mr Hafiz Inuwa, the state’s Commissioner of Police alleged that the men who were arrested in April were behind the numerous deadly attacks on policemen in Asaba and environs.

Inuwa said that the command’s sustained investigation of the attacks and snatching of rifles had yielded results with the arrest of the suspects.

He said the arrest of the suspects followed a discreet, diligent and painstaking investigation by detectives in the command.

“Following recent series of attacks on policemen and snatching of service rifles, we have recorded great success with the arrest of these criminal elements.

“These principal suspects with a strong link to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were arrested and they have made confessional statements.

“On April 5, at about 8.15 p.m., while acting on a tip-off, police operatives swooped on Ugwunwosu camp of the IPOB members and recovered arms and ammunition snatched from policemen.

“Items recovered include, ten AK-47 rifles with police service numbers and 10 magazines with 200 rounds of ammunition.

“Also, on April 24 one of the suspects, Christian Ndiogulu led detectives to IPOB training camp in Ibusa, where another AK-47 rifle with 20 rounds of ammunition was recovered,’’ he said.

Inuwa said the rifle recovered in Ibusa was stolen by the suspects after an attack on a Police Safer Highway patrol team on the Ogwashi-Kwale road on Jan. 23.

He also disclosed that on April 29, two other suspects in the group led police detectives to Idumogi forest in Okpanam community where they buried stolen police rifles.

“The police recovered two AK-47 rifles, one smoke gun, one smoke canister, four AK-47 magazines, 212 rounds of ammunition, a set of Allen keys and a handbag,” Inuwa stated.

He said that in all, a total of 13 police service rifles allegedly stolen during attacks on police patrol teams in the state were recovered.

May 13, 2020
Sad! American visiting Nigerian lover dies in Delta

A 67-year-old United States national invited to Nigeria by her young Nigerian lover she allegedly met online has died of suspected coronavirus complications in a Delta State private hospital.

According to reports, the woman who arrived in Nigeria on March 3, died on Sunday after allegedly showing symptoms of coronavirus, and was rushed to a private hospital at Osubi, Orerokpe in the Okpe Local Government Area of the state.

Police sources state that the young man and his visitor had been lodging at the hotel in Osubi since the American arrived in Nigeria.

“The young man and the American white lady lodged in a hotel in Osubi where they spent some weeks,” a source said.

“The white lady later fell sick and she began to manifest some symptoms of COVID-19, especially severe coughing.

“At that stage, her lover rushed her to a private hospital in Osubi, but she gave up the ghost this morning (Sunday).”

After her demise, her Nigerian lover reportedly took her corpse in a Toyota Venza to the Orerokpe Police Division, where he was arrested.

A doctor was brought in to take samples from the corpse for coronavirus tests at the police station, according to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Spokesman for the police state, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, confirmed the tragic occurrence.

May 12, 2020
67-year-old US citizen invited by young lover dies after showing COVID-19 symptoms in Delta

A 67-year-old United States citizen who was invited to Nigeria by her young lover, a resident of Delta state who she met on the Internet, has died after showing symptoms of COVID-19.

The Nigerian lover who is currently in detention was said to have invited her over to Nigeria before the airports were shut.

They had reportedly lodged at a hotel in Warri in Delta and later relocated to Orerokpe, still in Delta.

According to reports, the lady who arrived Nigeria on March 3, died on Sunday May 10, after manifesting symptoms of the virus and was rushed to a private hospital at Osubi, Orerokpe under Okpe Local Government Area of the state.

A security official attached to a police station in the local government disclosed that the young man and the white lady had been lodged at a hotel in Osubi town since she arrived in Nigeria.

“The young man and the American white lady lodged in a hotel in Osubi where they spent some weeks. The white lady fell sick and she began to manifest some symptoms of COVID-19, especially severe coughing. At this stage, her lover rushed her to a private clinic in Osubi but she gave up the ghost this morning.

“Immediately she died at the hospital, her Nigerian lover carried her corpse in a Venza car to the Orerokpe Police Division and he was arrested by the police. While still at the station, a doctor was brought and took samples from the corpse for test.” the security guard told Sahara Reporters.

The commissioner of police in the state, Hafiz Inuwa, also confirmed the incident, narrating how the woman died.

“While they were together, the woman was coughing and having difficulty in breathing and stooling. So, she was taken to a hospital on Saturday when her condition became worse and eventually died,” Inuwa said.

However, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has taken man’s samples for a test before he was later sent to the isolation center in Warri under police watch.

Delta has recorded 17 cases of COVID-19.

May 11, 2020
Delta Environment Taskforce Seals Bakery For Violating Face Mask Order

The Delta State Taskforce on Environment at the weekend closed down Favour Bakery located along Aka Avenue road in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state, for violating the use of face mask order.

The Chairman of the Taskforce, Honourable Sylvester Oromoni ordered the closure during a routine visit to bakeries and other production shops.

The Taskforce during the visit, met all the workers numbering 9 persons right in the production room without face mask.

Reacting to the incident, the Coordinator Delta Central and South, Comr Kingsley Iweka said that the first group of people that touched bread are those in the production rooms and as the law demands, they will not be allowed to operate as they have desecrated the Governor’s order.

“We have sealed the bakery and not until they pay their fines to the state Government, they will not be allowed to operate.

“Not wearing face masks in public areas in public places is an offence and that we will not handle with kid gloves.”

Iweka said that the state Government had already outlined that every individual must wear face masks to prevent COVID-19 infection.

“It is an offence if a person fails to wear a face mask in public places,” he said.

He also called on all fruit sellers to always wear their face mask and always wash their hands.

“Fruit sellers are advised to make water available with soap and hand sanitizer as fruits are not cooked before consumption.

All fruit sellers, offices, saloons and business places are also advised to do same,” Iweka added.

May 3, 2020
Police officer shoots soldier dead in Delta

The Delta State Police Command said an investigation has commenced in the alleged killing of a soldier in the Bomadi Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Hafiz Inuwa, made the disclosure while addressing newsmen on Thursday in Warri.

“Investigation is going on to unravel the true cause of the killing. Leaders of the sister security agencies have intervened in the matter.

“Both the Nigeria Police and the Nigerian Army are Nigerian security forces. Government will investigate and carry out punishment on the guilty party,” Inuwa said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Bomadi Local Government Council, Mr Williams Angadi, has appealed to security agencies to exercise restraint and allow government to resolve the matter.

May 1, 2020
(Trending video) Prayer warrior dies in Delta while fasting against Covid-19

One Mrs. Nefor has reportedly died from a 14-day prayer and fasting held at her home located along MTN road, Okirighwre, Sapele, Delta state.

According to a video and report obtained from one SV media, the sexagenarian had allegedly prevailed on her husband, Mathias, their son and a female friend to observe the fast together against Covid-19.

They locked themselves in the house during the period.

It was gathered that neighbors tried to give them food but the friend threw the meals away.

Unfortunately, by the time the door of the house was broken by their neighbors the prayer warrior ( Mrs. Nefor) was found dead while others had emaciated.

Watch video:

April 25, 2020
Delta records two new cases of Coronavirus, monitors 140 contacts

The Delta State Government has announced that the state has recorded two new confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Ononye, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Asaba.

He said that the new cases have brought the total confirmed cases in the state to six, with one death and five active cases.

Ononye said that the active cases were being treated at the Isolation Centres in the state.

He stated that the two new cases, one female and one male, were recorded at Uvwie and Udu Local Government Areas of the state.

The commissioner further disclosed that all the patients were doing very well and urged Deltans with symptoms of the COVID-19 like fever, malaria, catarrh, cough, chest pain, difficulty in breathing and loss of appetite to report to the nearest government hospital for medical evaluation and possible testing.

He stressed that “all the patients of the active cases are in stable condition and are receiving treatment from our team of medical professionals at our isolation centres across the state.

“We have 11 persons quarantined in our holding centres, while 140 contacts are being monitored across the state.

“There is ongoing active case search in the local government areas and we urge persons with symptoms of Respiratory Tract Infection like fever, nasal catarrh, cough, chest pain, difficulty in breathing/ tightness in the chest or loss of appetite to report to any nearest government hospital for medical evaluation.”

April 23, 2020
CORONA WATCH 17: Life has gotten pretty tough – Chikaome Imediegwu

Chikaome Imediegwu (Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria)

I am a young banker with one of Africa’s largest banks in the country and I am an aspiring investor. Few months before the plague got into the country, the FGN Treasury Bill rate plummeted to an abysmal all time low, and this inadvertently caused a similar fall in commercial banks investment rates. Thus, forcing so many investors to pull out their funds to find other viable investments.

Unfortunately, this was no good news for me as a banker, especially since any bank’s major business is to accept deposits and give out loans in order to make income. Losing deposits mean I won’t be increasing income for my company. I resorted to engaging more local businesses involved in importation and encouraged them to run their transactions via my Bank.

An average Onitsha business man could make payments to his suppliers in China for goods worth more than USD150,000 within a month. All I had to do was make their transactions seamless, thus winning their loyalty and building my customer base. It was my next best option for yielding income.

Within weeks of utilising this option, the novel COVID-19 had hit China terribly; cities were shutdown, businesses closed operations, banks restricted international operations. I was back to square one. Going to work those few weeks before the pandemic hit Nigeria began to take its toll on me.

It was depressing. I made it my duty to make calls to my customers reassuring them their savings and investments were safe and there was no reason to panic. The harder part was reassuring myself there was no need to panic.

Come third week of March, Nigeria recorded her first confirmed case of the virus. The government made measures to restrict the spread until finally it was lock down of major cities. This led to the closure of many borders and temporary shut-down for business, while many banks resorted to working with skeletal staff (mostly to maintain the ATMs).

The lock down has been on for three weeks and this has affected many things around me. Not going to work for the first two weeks initially seemed like a deserved break, but there after it began to look like undue punishment. Listening to news about the spread of the virus is depressing. It drains psychologically.

No one can move around freely without meeting several checkpoints on the main road, you’ll have to identify yourself as an essential service provider or you’ll be asked to go back. It is assumed that essential service providers are permitted to carry on business, nevertheless people are still being harassed for coming out to go to the hospital.

Yesterday evening, some young men came out to an open space to play a game of football and halfway through the game a Sienna van carrying a group of SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad) officers arrived and harassed everyone home.

The local market woman has doubled the price of every product. How can I argue with her once she tells the ordeal she faced just bringing those goods to sell. Not only have schools been suspended, but continuity is increasingly uncertain.

While I do not underplay the number of people who have been infected by the virus and number of deaths, there’s a huge out-pour of information online (most of it fake news) causing a lot of fear and panic for most people. I had to deliberately tune off some social media channels to protect my mind space.

Protecting my mind space is very important to me because I am aware of how easy it is to sink into wrong fearful thoughts based on what my mind takes in from media. It might be a second view of a headline that trigger thoughts that will affect my feelings and eventually my actions.

Instead, I have decided to dedicate more time and energy to improving myself mentally by reading helpful books, physically by doing some essentially-needed exercise and financially by looking out for investments that have not been drastically affected by the virus. Or indeed that have been positively impacted by the virus.

Dear Reader, I hope you too are being deliberate about all the social media posts and broadcast messages this season. Stick with only really important information that counts.

Find ways of taking advantage of the free time you have on your hand. And as I always say, “This too shall pass”.

I pray God’s peace and protection for us all as we get through this together.

April 23, 2020