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Tag: Ebonyi State

  • Umahi dissolves Ebonyi Executive Council

    Umahi dissolves Ebonyi Executive Council

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi on Friday dissolved the state Executive Council after its enlarged meeting.

    Dr Kenneth Ugbala, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), made the disclosure while briefing newsmen after the meeting.

    Ugbala said the dissolution was to allow the government appraise performances of the different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    “The dissolution was also to strengthen capacity building in the various MDAs,” he said.

    The SSG said the dissolution which would be in two phases, did not affect the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Religion and Welfare Matters, Rev. Fr Abraham Nwali.

    “All other commissioners, SSAs and SAs are presently affected by the dissolution, while 17 others are listed in the second phase of the dissolution.

    “The excutive members listed in the second phase include: the SSG, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Finance, Commissioner for Information and SSA to the Governor on Investment.

    “The Commissioner for Capital City and Urban Development, SA Deputy Governor’s Office, SA on Road Maintenance, Commissioner for Infrastructure for Concession, Head of Service and the Commissioner for Works and Transport, are also in the second phase.

    “The SA on capital city, SSA on Finance, SA on Park Development, acting Commissioner for Housing Development, SA Media, SSA Medical and all Personal Assistants to the governor are also in this category,” he said.

    He said that the dissolution was done in phases to guide the government in taking appropriate decisions for effective governance.

    “The dissolution does not affect the chances of the former EXCO members from being re-nominated but the governor wants the best for the state at all times,”
    Ugbala said.

    The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Cletus Ofoke, said the council before the dissolution, resolved to send a bill to the House of Assembly for the inauguration of a state audit board.

    “The board will coordinate the activities of state audit and act as a watch dog over all auditing activities in the state.

    “The council also directed my office to review and evaluate ways of checking fake news which has eaten deep into the state’s fabrics,” Ofoke said.

  • BREAKING: Suspected suicide bomber blows self up in Ebonyi

    BREAKING: Suspected suicide bomber blows self up in Ebonyi

    A suspected suicide bomber has blown himself up in the Afikpo local government area of Ebonyi state.

    The incident occurred Tuesday, May 25, around 11.30 am opposite campus 2 of Amaizu/Amangbala primary school.

    The huge explosion which resulted from the blast was said to have prompted residents in the area to scamper for safety.

    The yet-to-be-identified man who reportedly carried the explosive was said to have been mutilated by the bomb.

    The State Commissioner for Internal Security, Stanley Okoro has confirmed the incident, but noted that he was yet to get details of what happened.

    The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Odah Loveth was unable to take calls as at press time.

  • Police repel attack on Ebonyi division, kill 1

    Police repel attack on Ebonyi division, kill 1

    The Police Command in Ebonyi on Sunday repelled attack on its division, killing one of the attackers and recovered an AK47 rifle.

    DSP Loveth Odah, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abakaliki.

    “At 1200hrs of Sunday, hoodlums, numbering about 20 in a Mitsubishi L300 Bus, and some others on foot, came in through the back fence and attacked one of our divisions at Ugbuodo Divisional Headquarters in Ebonyi Local Government Area of the state.

    “The attackers entered and immediately opened fire, shooting sporadically at policemen on duty but were swiftly challenged and repelled in a gun battle that ensued. One of the attackers was killed.

    “His AK47 rifle, GSM Phone and Jackknife were recovered while others escaped with bullet wounds. However, one Mobile Police Personnel paid the supreme price.

    “Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi Command, Mr Aliyu Garba, has visited the division for an on the spot assessment of the situation.

    “He has also ordered a manhunt for the fleeing hoodlums with a view to arresting them for prosecution,” the PPRO said.

  • Ebonyi National Assembly members allege threat to lives

    Ebonyi National Assembly members allege threat to lives

    Senators and House of Representatives members from Ebonyi State on Tuesday claimed that Governor David Umahi was after their lives.

    The Peoples Democratic Party lawmakers revealed this at a press conference addressed on their behalf by their caucus Chairman, Senator Sam Egwu.

    They claimed that Umahi was fueling insecurity in the state with hoodlums

    The group said, “As lawmakers and responsible citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we are alarmed and concerned by the senseless killing of security personnel in the lawful discharge of their duties.

    “This situation has been further compounded in Ebonyi State by the wide scale distribution of pump-action and AK-47 rifles and ammunition to young men throughout the 13 local government areas of Ebonyi State by the state government under the guise of vigilantes/Ebubeagu.

    “As it stands today in Ebonyi State, it is impossible to draw a line between the criminal activities of agents of the state government and that of other groups. Today, Ebonyi State is awash with weapons supplied and distributed by the state government to persons who are undocumented or trained in weapon handling ostensibly for use against perceived political opponents.

    “It is important to state here that Governor Nweze Umahi’s resort to arming thugs and cultists across Ebonyi State is his response to the refusal of major political stakeholders in the state who rejected and refused to defect with him from the PDP to the APC.

    “It is for this reason that Ebonyi State has become the first and only state in the South East to inaugurate and arm the so-called Ebubeagu.”

    In his reaction, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Orji Orji, described the allegations as false and baseless.

    He said, “The press briefing is a continuation of the series of media plans by the Peoples Democratic Party elements in the state to continue to spread falsehood and incite public hatred against a government that has performed extraordinarily in Ebonyi State.

    “The government’s clear track records of integrity and people-oriented governance have been celebrated across the country. PDP in Ebonyi State has got no base without the people of Ebonyi; they rather group themselves to incite the public against a performing governor.”

  • BREAKING: Police intercept 753 GPMG ammunition in Abakaliki

    BREAKING: Police intercept 753 GPMG ammunition in Abakaliki

    The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says its operatives have intercepted 753 live ammunition of General-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the NPF as saying the 753 GPMG ammunition were concealed in a sac being transported in a commercial vehicle to Umuahia in Abia State.

    CP Frank Mba, NPF Public Relations Officer confirmed the development in a statement on Sunday, saying the operatives of the NPF attached to the Ebonyi State Police Command made the interception.

    According to the statement, 2 AK47 Rifles, 5 Pump Action Guns, 6 Pistols, amongst others were also recovered from Onueke Commercial Bank Robbers.

    The statement reads: “The operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Ebonyi State Police Command have intercepted 753 live ammunition of General-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) concealed in a sac being transported in a commercial vehicle from Abakaliki, Ebonyi State to Umuahia in Abia State.

    “The intelligence-driven covert operation, which led to the interception and recovery of the deadly ammunition, is part of efforts by the Force to identify and crack down on criminal networks and supply chains for weapons and ammunition in and around the country. Comprehensive investigations aimed at bringing to book all persons linked to the crime are ongoing.

    “Similarly, following investigations into the foiled bank robbery on the Onueke branch of a commercial bank in Ebonyi State, which occurred on Tuesday, 27th April, ​2021, Police operatives led by the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, on 29th April, 2021, stormed the criminal hideout of suspects indicted in the investigations located at Oriuzo village in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    “The suspects on sighting the Police squad, opened fire on them. The Police team engaged them gallantly and professionally. At the end, three (3) members of the gang including two (2) male and one (1) female met their waterloo following bullet injuries sustained during the exchange of gunfire. Other suspects fled in different directions.

    “Two (2) Ak47 riffles, five (5) pump action guns, six (6) pistols, fifty (50) Ak47 ammunition, one hundred and twenty-six (126) cartridges, Jack knives, cutlasses, and a 40-page notebook containing inventories of ammunition purchased by the gang were recovered. A Honda Pilot Jeep with Reg No. ABJ 163 NV used for the foiled bank robbery was also recovered by the Police Team.

    “Unrelenting in their quest to apprehend the remaining suspects, the Police team traced the suspects to a shrine where the robbers usually go for mystical powers before embarking on their robbery operations.

    “Two (2) of the suspects were eventually arrested from the supposedly safe haven – the shrine, which led to the arrest of additional three (3) members of the gang. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang and their spiritual godfather – the chief priest of the shrine.

    “The Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc, while commending the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Police Command, CP Aliyu Garba, psc (+) and officers of the command, for excellently harnessing intelligence to nip the crimes in the bud, assured citizens of the renewed commitment of the Force to improving public safety and combating all forms of violent crimes across the land”.

  • BREAKING: Federal High Court set ablaze in Ebonyi [PHOTOS]

    BREAKING: Federal High Court set ablaze in Ebonyi [PHOTOS]

    The premises of the Federal High Court in Abakaliki was in the early hours of Tuesday up in commotion as some of the buildings were set ablaze by yet to be identified hoodlums.

    Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Ebonyi, Obianuju Loveth Odah, while confirming the incident noted that no live was lost in the incident, but that blood stains were seen on the wall of the court.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Ebonyi said that no arrest had been made.

    She however, said that the command had began investigation to unmask those behind the attack with a view to bringing them to justice.

    “Hoodlums in the early hours of Tuesday wielding dangerous weapons stormed the federal high court premises and burnt part of the building.

    “Though no arrest has been made, but investigation is ongoing.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Mr Aliyu Garba, has promised to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” Odah said.

    Meanwhile, a detachment of the Nigerian Mobile Police (MOPOL) has been drafted to the area to secure the court premises.

  • Umahi orders vigilantes to enforce open grazing ban in Ebonyi

    Umahi orders vigilantes to enforce open grazing ban in Ebonyi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has ordered vigilantes and the Local Government Areas leadership to immediately enforce the ban on open grazing across the state.

    Umahi gave the order in Abakaliki while briefing newsmen at the end of the state security council meeting attended by heads of security agencies and council chairmen.

    The governor said that though there was no herder presently in the state, the ban on open grazing should be seriously enforced.

    “The natives should not blame security agencies who cannot be everywhere as we will fully fund vigilante operations in the state.

    “Individuals who make inciting statements on the social media should desist because such increases tension in the land,” he said.

    He urged citizens of the south east zone especially its leaders, to totally condemn the incessant attacks on police facilities among other security threats.

    “The attacks are not perpetrated by herders but by criminals and bandits in the zone.

    “How would we feel if the Federal Government withdraws policemen from the zone as a result of this development?

    “The people claiming to protect us are not doing so and we should avoid creating another monster in the zone,” he said.

    Umahi reiterated his call on policemen to protect themselves and their facilities as the situation was becoming worrisome.

    “I have directed them to demobilise anyone aiming to attack them and this is contained in the police rule of engagement,” he said.

    The governor ordered the arrest of some people whose inciting utterances escalated the conflict and killings especially in Effium and Mgbo communities of the state.

    “The stakeholders of the affected communities have pledged to ensure the conflicts cease and abide by all government’s decisions on the issues,” he said.

  • Why we have fierce political battles in Ebonyi — Umahi

    Why we have fierce political battles in Ebonyi — Umahi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has attributed the fierce political battles recorded in the state to people’s “over dependence on politics” as means of livelihood.

    Umahi said this on Wednesday in Abakaliki during a send off organised by the state in honour of the Nigerian Ambassador-Designate to Zambia, Chief Nwanne Ominyi.

    He said that most people in the state had no other job than politics, adding that the situation stemmed from people’s deficient background.

    He said: “I have realised that the background was not right from the time our leaders sojourned from Anambra, Imo, Abia, Enugu before the state was created in 1996.

    “This has made the battle of politics in the state fierce but we are doing everything within our powers to change the narrative.

    “We can longer depend on the government and allocation from the Federation Account for survival,” he said.

    He congratulated Ominyi, who hails from Ebonyi, over his appointment, describing it as “President Muhammadu Buhari’s show of love to the state.

    “There is nothing we have asked the president that he has not done for us.

    “I saw the fantastic work being done on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway and declare that no one has ever done such for the south east zone.

    “I promise to visit you within your first four months in Zambia and trust that you would deliver being a man of proven integrity,” Umahi said.

    Meanwhile, the governor has sworn-in five special assistants and assigned various portfolios to them.

    He said, “All the former Local Government Chairmen and Secretaries of the Peoples Democratic Party that defected to the All Progressive Congress have been appointed Senior Technical Assistants to the Governor.”

    In a remark, the ambassador-designate thanked the governor for honouring him and pledged to be a good ambassador of the state and country.

    “I wish to commiserate with the governor over the recent killings in Ishielu Local Government Area by unknown gunmen.

    “I pray that God brings lasting solution to these problems across the country,” Ominyi said.

  • Ebonyi State to empower #EndSARS youth with N3 billion

    Ebonyi State to empower #EndSARS youth with N3 billion

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi says the state government has earmarked N3 billion for the #EndSARS youth empowerment scheme.

    Umahi said this on Wednesday in Abakaliki, while declaring the Ebonyi #End SARS youth summit open.

    He said that his administration had put necessary machinery in place to ensure the appointment and election of youths into political positions.

    He appealed to youths in the state not to engage in wanton destruction of public infrastructure.

    The governor said that such infrastructure adds value to society and forms part of the state and country’s Gross Domestic Product.

    “When youths burn down police stations, it will seem as if the police’s hands are tied in the situation.

    “It would however not benefit the police to waste the blood of youths but we should not continue in sin that grace may abound.

    “There are several activities carried out by a minute percentage of youths, which are unprofitable and detrimental to society.

    “The South-East governors are not against any youth organisation but ready to work with them to achieve a productive society that will benefit all,” he said.

    He said that the summit, which was the first in the country, was at President Muhammadu Buhari’s instance to address the youths’ agitations on the EndSARS protests of 2020.

    “This opportunity would enable you to dialogue and make recommendations on ways the country should be governed because the future belongs to you.

    “The resource persons, who cut across various segments of national life, would educate you on paths to success and ways to positively build the nation,” Umahi said.

    The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Martin Elechi, urged the youths to utilise the opportunities offered by the summit to reposition themselves for greater service to the nation.

    The immediate past governor of the state commended the state government for being the first in the country to organise such a summit, describing youths as indispensable in society.

    The Chairman of the organising committee of the summit, Eze Nwachukwu, said that some youths at the event would represent the state at the national level of the summit.

    Discussants at the summit included Rev. David Ogbueli, Founder of Dominion City Church, and soccer icons, including Kanu Nwankwo and Peter Rufai, among other notable personalities.

  • Gov Umahi denies placating notorious cult group with N3m

    Gov Umahi denies placating notorious cult group with N3m

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi on Monday said he did not give N3 million to placate notorious cult groups allegedly terrorising residents of the state.

    Umahi said this when the 13 Local Government Area Chairmen, Coordinators of Development Centres, with their Management Committee members, among other political appointees, paid him a solidarity visit at the Government House, Abakiliki.

    He dismissed the report in the social media that he gave the money to the groups through his security aide.

    He said that contrary to the report, he had ordered a manhunt for members of the groups.

    “How can a warrior such as me bribe cultists, to do what with the money?

    “The duty of political leaders and the citizens is to give me the names of the cultists because I will give them a bad Christmas celebration.

    “I am searching for them whether they are in government or not because the matter is that of terrorism and would be handled at Abuja,” the governor said.

    He urged the political leaders to discontinue with their plan to recall some members of the state House of Assembly and National Assembly, who stayed back in Peoples Democratic Party after his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “We would allow the people who did not defect to the APC with us to exist in peace and you should not victimise them.

    “You should not close the door behind them because they will come back but ensure that you enjoy your palliative in their presence to make them salivate,” Umahi said.

    He thanked them for their solidarity and sharing his political ideology, saying that the dividends of the defection had yet to be felt.

    “When we started this struggle in 2014, we were not up to five per cent of the mammoth crowd we are witnessing presently.

    “You then imagine what will happen presently that we have the grassroots, structures at the state and national levels.

    “Several personalities higher than myself have defected without noise, so one wonders why this particular defection is generating so much noise,” Umahi said.

    He directed that each civil servant and political office holder in the state be given two bags of five-kilogramme of rice and N10,000 for the Christmas celebration.

    He ordered the council chairmen to source funds to carry out the directive.