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Tag: Ebonyi

  • IPOB sit-at-home: Umahi withdraws threat to traders

    IPOB sit-at-home: Umahi withdraws threat to traders

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has rescinded his threat that traders who fail to open for business on Monday in Obedience to stay at home order of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) will forfeit their shops.

    Umahi during his statewide broadcast on May 29, had issued the forfeiture order to scuttle the IPOB’s sit-at-home order.

    IPOB had issued its sit at home order in the South East with a threat to deal with those that might violate it which prompted Umahi to counter with his forfeiture notice on traders who might close shops on Monday.

    The governor’s reversal is, however, contained in a statement signed on Sunday by Umahi’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Francis Nwaze.

    Umahi in the statement, disclosed that the state government had received several requests from some citizens who wished to remain at home on that day to organise personal prayers.

    “The prayer requests are to honour their loved ones killed during the Nigeria – Biafra civil war and most of those who made these requests are traders.

    “The state government remains resolute to protect its citizens but also realises that people have the right to remain at home or engage in various engagements,” he said.

    The governor in the statement, therefore, directed that those who wished to remain at home on Monday would no longer be penalised or have their shops locked.

    “It is their constitutional right while the rights of those who wish to open for business should also not be infringed upon.

    “Security agencies are directed to do everything possible to maintain law and order in the entire state.

    “The ban on processions or gatherings of any kind throughout the state is still in force,” the statement added.

  • IPOB: Get cutlasses; defend yourselves or forfeit your shops, Umahi tells Ebonyi traders

    IPOB: Get cutlasses; defend yourselves or forfeit your shops, Umahi tells Ebonyi traders

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi has warned that traders who comply with the Monday’s sit-at-home order should be ready to forfeit their shops.

    Umahi issued the warning in a state-wide broadcast on Saturday in Abakaliki to mark the sixth anniversary of his administration.
    He was reacting to the order by the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) to the people of South-East zone.

    He directed that all markets in the state should open for business on Monday.

    The governor said: “There should be free movement of people in the state on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and other days of the year.
    “People should go to church on Sunday to pray for the nation’s fallen security agents, civilians and peace and unity of the state and country.

    “I challenge the youths, local government area chairmen, security agents, Ebebeagu security outfit, among others, to ensure that no one is molested in the state.

    “Anyone who has nothing to protect himself should do so with cutlass, which should be for protection and not for attack.”

    He said that all forms of procession had been banned in the state except those by youths organised by council chairmen.

    “I have been notified about such processions and they are being used to profile our people for empowerment.

    “I charge the Ebubeagu security outfit, which is backed by the state laws, to ensure that the people are protected,” Umahi said.

    He said the state could not go into “second slavery under any guise”, pointing out that “the secession the people need is massive economic development.

    “There will be movement in other parts of the country, if there is none in the South-East so people should therefore ignore such order.

    “Ebonyi people are grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for all his assistance and if people do not see his goodness, he has been good to us,” he said.

    He urged parents and relevant stakeholders to advise youths to toe the path of peaceful co-existence and not depend on the illusionary influences of hard drugs and fetish powers.

    Ebonyi Police assure residents of safety

    In a related development, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Mohammed Aliyu, also advised residents to disregard the IPOB order.

    Aliyu gave the advice in a statement issued in Enugu by the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, on Saturday.

    According to Ndukwe, the commissioner appeals to residents to discountence the order and go about their legitimate businesses without fear of intimidation.

    “We are reassuring everybody about the command’s commitment to collaborate with other security agencies to sustain adequate public security and safety in the state, in line with the mandate of “Operation Restore Peace.”

    “The command warns anybody or group harbouring any sinister intentions to disrupt the relative peace and security enjoyed in the state to desist forthwith, as such attempt will be resisted.

    “The command entreats parents, guardians as well as religious, traditional and town union leaders to caution their subjects against allowing themselves to be incited by mischief-makers to foment trouble,’’ Ndukwe stated.

    The statement further urged residents to “remain law-abiding and vigilant as they go about their legitimate businesses”.

    It appealed to the people to report criminal elements and persons found fomenting trouble to the nearest police station.
    It implored the people to alternatively call the following emergency command’s hotlines: 08032003702, 08075390883, 08086671202 or 08098880172.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that IPOB had issued a sit-at-home order in the southeast on May 31 to commemorate the death of many people during the civil war that ended about 51 years ago.

  • Ebonyi Government speaks on two ‘bomb explosion’ incidents

    Ebonyi Government speaks on two ‘bomb explosion’ incidents

    The Ebonyi State Government has reacted to the alleged bomb explosion in a school in the Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday, saying it was a hand grenade that went off.

    The state government said the explosion claimed the life of a passerby. It noted that a similar explosion happened at the Ebonyi State Old Government House.

    There had been reports earlier today that a suspected suicide bomber surfaced in Ebonyi and attempted to bomb the Amaizu/Amangballa primary school in the Afikpo North LGA.

    Reports had said the bomber attempted to enter the primary school but was turned back by the school’s security guard after failing to justify his reason for visiting.

    “He immediately started running inside a nearby bush before a big bang was heard,” an eyewitness had said.

    Residents immediately scampered to safety on hearing a loud bang before reconvening at the scene only to see the dismembered corpse of the bomber.

    The eyewitness disclosed that the incident, which happened close to the popular Eke Afikpo Market, said to be the biggest market around there, caused panic in the area.

    In a statement, however, by state government, Francis Nwaze, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Governor David Nweze Umahi said the news was in sharp contrast to the reality as the incident was a grenade of a security personnel carrying out his duties at the said location that accidentally exploded.

    He said, “My attention has been drawn to a news making the round in some section of the media that there was an explosion of a suicide bomb in Afikpo, Ebonyi State this afternoon.

    “The above news is in sharp contrast to the reality as the incident was a grenade of a security personnel carrying out his duties at the said location that accidentally exploded. A similar incident occurred in front of the Ebonyi State Old Government House as some mobile police officers were servicing their APC machine.

    “The first incident took the life of a passerby while the second caused injuries on the affected person, who has been taken to the hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment. The general public is, therefore, charged to disregard the fake news as it is the handiwork of enemies of the state who are bent on causing panic where none exists.”

  • Umahi queries Commissioner, SSA, two LG chairmen over attacks on INEC offices in Ebonyi

    Umahi queries Commissioner, SSA, two LG chairmen over attacks on INEC offices in Ebonyi

    The Ebonyi State Government on Wednesday queried some of its officials over the burning of two Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices in the state, on May 18, by hoodlums.

    Mr Uchenna Orji, state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, disclosed this in Abakaliki while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state Executive Council meeting.

    Orji disclosed that the affected officials include Dr Nora Aloh and Dr Chinyere Nwogbaga, Chairmen of Ezza North and Ebonyi Local Government Areas (LGA) respectively where the burnt INEC offices were sited.

    The commissioner noted that the other government officials queried include Chief Solomon Okoronkwo, Commissioner for LGA and Chieftaincy Affairs and Mr Enekwachi Akpa, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on State and LGA Affairs.

    “The affected officials should explain why disciplinary actions should not be taken against them for failing to take proactive actions that could have prevented such occurrence.

    “We are waiting for the outcome of the query which will be issued by the Secretary to the State Government,” he said.

    He noted that the executive council warned all public office holders to rise to the responsibilities of their offices.

    “They should be diligent and passionate in their duties as disciplinary actions would be taken against anyone who fails in this regard,” he said.

    Orji also announced that the governor effected a minor cabinet reshuffle which saw some principal officers of government redeployed to other offices.

    “Mrs Queen Agwu, the Chief of Staff to the Governor has been redeployed as the governor’s Principal Secretary.

    “Chief Clement Nweke, the former Principal Secretary to the Governor has been redeployed to the ministry of Housing and Urban Development as the Commissioner,” he said.

    The commissioner also announced that council deliberated on the late commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Uchechi Okah, who died on May 14.

    “The government has set up a medical committee to ensure the testing of 4,000 public office holder for hepatitis and other ailments.

    “The committee should also ensure the testing of 2,000 female public office holders for cervical cancer,” he said.

  • JUST IN: Two INEC offices set ablaze in Ebonyi

    JUST IN: Two INEC offices set ablaze in Ebonyi

    The Ezza North and Ebonyi local government area offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ebonyi State, were late last night set ablaze by unidentified persons.

    A senior staff of the Commission, who spoke to newsmen on condition of anonymity, said that the hoodlums set the buildings ablaze while the staff had gone home after the day’s work.

    He described the incident as unfortunate, unpatriotic and regrettable, adding that items destroyed in the infernos are documents and other office equipment at the INEC local government headquarters.

    The source said that security would be beefed up at the other offices of the Commission in the state to forstall such arson.

    It was gathered that no casualties were recorded save for extensive damages to the building and facilities.

    The incident is coming few hours after the Inspector General of Police launched the Operation Restore Peace in the South-East region and the planned visit of the Assistant Inspector General of Police to Ebonyi State on Wednesday.

    It will be recalled that INEC offices have been in recent times the center of attacks by hoodlums after other several attacks were carried out on police facilities in the state.

  • Police uncover shallow graves where armed robbers buried three colleagues killed during attempted bank robbery

    Police uncover shallow graves where armed robbers buried three colleagues killed during attempted bank robbery

    The Ebonyi State Police Command on Tuesday said it discovered three shallow graves where armed robbers buried their colleagues killed in a shootout with security agencies.

    According to reports, the robbers engaged in gun battle with security operatives in Onueke, Ezza South Local Government Area of the state two weeks ago.

    It was gathered that the robbers attempted to rob a commercial bank in the area but were not successful.

    The armed robbers had also dispossessed some residents of Onueke and workers at the site of the ongoing construction of International Airport in the community of their belongings.

    A policeman was shot dead by the armed robbers.

    However, the Police arrived and engaged the robbers in a gun battle.

    Spokesperson of the Police in the state Loveth Odah said three of the robbery suspects were killed during the ensuing gun duel with the police.

    She said arms and ammunitions were recovered from them.

    She added that during police operations in the area few days after the incident, three shallow graves were discovered by the police.

  • Ebonyi traders worry over price rise, low patronage

    Ebonyi traders worry over price rise, low patronage

    Traders in essential commodities in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi capital, are lamenting the soaring prices of food items which have affected patronage as Muslims prepare for Eid-el-Fitr festival.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that traders selling various foodstuffs such as rice, beans, goats, tomatoes, vegetable oil and palm oil are lamenting.

    A survey by NAN on Wednesday in Abakaliki at the popular Kpirikpiri and Margaret Umahi International markets showed that most traders were not happy over the development and slow business.

    Mrs Ijeoma Elom, a dealer in rice, said the rise in prices and low patronage were worrisome and attributed the situation to the harsh economic situation in the country, occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, the EndSARs protests and the general insecurity in the land.

    On the price of local rice, Elom said a 50kg bag of the highest grade is being sold for between N24,000 and N25 000, as against N19,600 and N20,000 in February and March respectively depending on the grade.

    “We have different brands like Mass, 306, CP, among others. 50kg bag of 306 cost between N20,000 and N22,000 as against and N18,000 and N19,000 in March,” Elom said.

    Mrs Monica Igele, meat seller said beef and goat meat now cost N2, 400 per kilogramme, as against the N1,400 per kilogramme they were sold in February.

    “Our customers are not comfortable with the high cost and this is affecting patronage.

    “We bought a live goat for N25,000 in March but now it is now sold for N30, 000 and above,” Igele said.

    Mr Usman Jabbo, Chairman, Goat Dealers Association Ebonyi, stated that sellers were not responsible for the high cost of food items in the state.

    Jabbo blamed the development on the multiple taxes foodstuff dealers pay on the highways while transporting their goods.

    He said that expenses on the highway arising from the activities of revenue agents were outrageous.

    He also lamented the numerous police checkpoints on roads at which money is extorted from transporters.

    Jabbo said to transport a goat from Taraba to Ebonyi state would cost N3,000 per goat or more while cow will cost N20, 000 per head.

    “A goat sells for between N27,000 and N35,000 depending on the size,’’ he said.

    He appealed to the Federal Government to call the numerous revenue collectors to order because the taxes they collect have compounded the plight of traders and the public.

    Mrs Christiana Nwali, who deals in tomatoes, pepper and onions, decried the rise in the cost of the produce and attributed it to the harsh economy.

    Nwali urged the Federal and State governments to implement a policy that would tackle the rise in the prices of food commodities.

    She said that a big basket of tomatoes was sold for between N19,800 and N22, 000, against N15,000 and N18, 000 in February.

    Mr Celestine Nwabuike, who sells babies wear, said that business has been difficult as she is experiencing low patronage and an increase in the prices of the items.

    “It is a very difficult situation now,” she stated.

    Nwabuike appealed to the three tiers of government to intervene in the astronomical increases in the prices of all household items.

    A cross section of other traders said sales had been very unimpressive, while others decried their inability to stock enough goods in their shops because of poor capital and insecurity.

  • Gunmen hit Ebonyi’s Abaomege police station, shoot cop, destroy vehicles

    Gunmen hit Ebonyi’s Abaomege police station, shoot cop, destroy vehicles

    Armed hoodlums on Saturday night attacked Abaomege Police station in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi, carted away valuables and destroyed vehicles.

    The Ebonyi Commissioner for Internal Security, Mr Stanley Okoro-Emegha, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Sunday.

    Okoro-Emegha described the attack as ‘worrisome’.

    “The police division was attacked yesterday, Saturday; it is very unfortunate and worrisome. I urge the police to step up strategy to deal with the hoodlums,” he said.

    Sunday Okafor, an eyewitness and resident in the area, who spoke with NAN, said the incident occurred on Saturday night.

    “Yes, it happened on Saturday night; the gunmen came and started shooting sporadically; one police officer was shot but we do not know if he is dead.

    “The gunmen also destroyed police vehicles and a motorcycle at the division and stole some property,” Okafor alleged.

    Ebonyi Police Command Spokesperson, DSP Loveth Odeh could not immediately answer her calls or respond to text messages.

  • Bandits are our children, we should empower them – Umahi

    Bandits are our children, we should empower them – Umahi

    Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi on Friday said bandits are ‘our children’, and called for their empowerment.

    Umahi spoke in Abakaliki at the presentation of 40 Toyota Sienna vehicles and 20 Hilux vans to security agencies for enhanced operations in the state.

    The governor declared his intention to negotiate with bandits to ascertain their grievances and the way forward.

    Umahi directed local government chairmen and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to identify the bandits and present them for debriefing.

    “I want talk to the bandits and empower them as we cannot continue to kill ourselves and destroy public infrastructure.

    “The bandits are our children and I am pained when they or the security agencies are killed.

    “I want to ascertain their grievances against the Ebonyi or federal government, collate the facts for discussions to commence,” he said.

    He expressed disappointment over the announcement of guidelines for the 2023 elections, noting that the nation was at a crossroad for such engagement.

    “Let us forget about the 2023 elections with the leaders taking responsibility for the situation and discussing for a way forward.

    “No one takes money to the grave and when we hear a gunshot, we will run and abandon the money we amassed.

    “This is not a period to discuss political parties but ensure that the resources of this nation which can truly transform it is judiciously utilised,” he said.

    Umahi debunked the insinuation that members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) or Eastern Security Network (ESN) were after him, insisting that he has discharged his duties to the people.

    Dr Kenneth Ugbala, Secretary to the State Government said that the presentation was the first batch of the 100 sienna vehicles and 40 utility vehicles to be procured for security agencies.

    “The governor has fully paid for the 40 sienna vehicles and 20 Hilux vans being presented as the recipients are charged to judiciously utilise the vehicles.

    “I want to thank the governor for this feat despite the prevailing economic challenges as he had earlier distributed 70 utility vehicles to security agencies in 2019,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the heads of various security agencies, top government officials, youth groups among other stakeholders, witnessed the presentation ceremony.

  • Insecurity: Ebonyi orders native doctors to register with govt, police

    Insecurity: Ebonyi orders native doctors to register with govt, police

    Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi has directed all native doctors and traditional medicine dealers in the state to register with the state government and the police within seven days.

    Umahi gave the directive on Wednesday after the weekly state security council meeting in Abakaliki.

    “There would be an executive order to this effect and anyone caught doing otherwise would be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.

    He also directed that all wake-keeps and other social activities in the state must end by 6 p.m., charging council chairmen and relevant security outfits to enforce the order.

    “Anyone who defies this directive would pay a fine of N1 million as criminal activities are perpetrated through these wake-keeps which last through the night,” he said.

    He called for a cessation of the killings of security personnel, civilians and destruction of public facilities, noting that they are purely criminal activities.

    “The perpetrators post such killings and destruction on the social media, claiming that they are members of the Indigenous People of Biafra or the Eastern Security Network.

    “I am not standing for either group but they continued to deny that they are not into violence.

    “I direct security agencies to crack down on all criminal activities in the state and prosecute all culprits,” he said.

    Umahi regretted the rampant circulation of fake news in the state and warned that the government would no longer tolerate such.

    “Someone posted on Wednesday that herders attacked a school in Abakaliki and schools began to close and people running in panic.

    “Anyone who circulates fake news whether from the opposition or in agreement with me would be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.