TheNewsGuru

Tag: Ebonyi

  • Gunmen in white bus assassinate two soldiers, one civilian at Ebonyi checkpoint

    Gunmen in white bus assassinate two soldiers, one civilian at Ebonyi checkpoint

    There seem to be unease in Ebonyi State, following the murder of two soldiers and a civilian at a checkpoint in the State.

    The sad incident which happened on Monday night, showed that unknown gunmen shot the two soldiers and the civilian at a checkpoint on the Timber Junction area, in the Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state.

     

    Those injured as a result of the incident were rushed to an unnamed hospital for treatment while the deceased were deposited at the hospital. The victims were attacked at about 8.48pm of the penultimate day as their riffles were reportedly carted away.

     

    Other soldiers at the checkpoint ran inside the bush for safety. A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen arrived the checkpoint in a white bus and as the military men stopped them for a search, they opened fire on them.

     

    According to him, the situation threw the two busy towns of Amasiri and Afikpo into panic, as natives especially petty traders hurriedly packed their goods and went home.

    “It’s a very sad situation here. They said it was people suspected to gunmen, who came to the checkpoint at Timber Shade (boundary Ehugbo and Amasiri) in white bus. “As usual, it appeared the military were checking them and all of a sudden, they opened fire on them. Two of the military men, a man and woman, died. Others ran away. “The area is as quiet as the graveyard. These bordering villages used to be very busy and people here are farmers and traders. But the moment that happened, people started going home. Nobody is seen outside as I speak to you. Every place is calm. There is fear here now. My brother, the world is about to end,” the source told Vanguard.

    The DPO of Afikpo North LGA is said to be aware of the incident but has not yet notified the Public Relations Department of the Ebonyi State Police Command. This is coming barely 10 days after three policemen were shot dead by gunmen in the state.

     

  • Gunmen shoot three policemen dead at Ebonyi checkpoint

    Gunmen shoot three policemen dead at Ebonyi checkpoint

    The Police Command in Ebonyi has confirmed the killing of its three operatives by gunmen in Abakaliki, the state capital.

    The command’s Spokesperson, DSP Loveth Odah, told newsmen on Thursday that the deceased were shot dead at a checkpoint on Onuebonyi/Nwezenyi Road, Abakaliki on Wednesday night.

    Odah said that the assailants, who pretended to be holding a burial rite, drove round the area in a tricycle before opening fire on the policemen.

    “Right now, investigation is ongoing and we are committed to bringing the perpetrators to book,” she said.

    She appealed to the public to support the fight against crime by providing useful information to the police and other security agencies in the state.

  • Gunmen attack Ebonyi community hours after S’East Govs launch ‘Ebube Agu’

    Gunmen attack Ebonyi community hours after S’East Govs launch ‘Ebube Agu’

    The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi, Aliyu Garba, confirmed on Monday that gunmen attacked another community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state on Sunday.

    Garba told newsmen that the gunmen attacked Ebele village, Umuogodo Akpu, Mgbo in the LGA.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that some unknown gunmen earlier attacked five communities in the state – Egedege, Obegu, Amazu, Nkalagu and Umuhuali on March 29.

    A number of persons were reported killed in that attack.

    Garba said: “on the effects of Sunday attack, it is yet to be ascertained. We are yet to get any report from there and I have not been around. I am waiting for the report.’’

    Mr Stanley Okoro-Emegha, Commissioner for Internal Security and Border Peace, also said he was yet to get details of the attack.

    “They said it was communal crisis, while others said it was herdsmen who carried out the attack, but we do not know the people behind the attack yet.

    “We cannot say exactly what happened although we heard about the attack this morning (Monday).

    “Nobody has called to say somebody died or property destroyed, but we shall find out.

    “Right now, we do not know who is responsible,’’ Emegha said.

    Governors in the southeast rose from a meeting in Owerri on Sunday where they deliberated on rising wave of insecurity in the region.

    At the end of the meeting, they jointly endorsed the formation of a region-wide security organisation tagged “Ebube Agu” (fear of a lion).

    The governors and heads of security agencies in the region signed a communiqué to maintain the joint security outfit.

    The communique read in part: “after discussions on the current security challenges in the southeast and with valuable contributions from participants at the security summit in Owerri, it was resolved as follows:

    “To strongly and unequivocally condemn terrorism and banditry in any part of Nigeria, particularly in the Southeast.

    “The meeting strongly condemned the burning of police stations, violent attacks on custodial centres with the unlawful release of inmates, and the killings including security personnel, natives/farmers and herdsmen.

    “That the political leadership in the southeast has resolved to bring together all the arsenals at their command, as one united zone, to fight and flush out criminals and terrorist from the zone.

    “That the heads of all the security agencies in the southeast have resolved to exchange intelligence in a seamless, effective new order that will help to checkmate crime in the zone.

    “That to fast track crime-busting in the southeast, the heads of security agencies have been mandated to draw up a comprehensive list of their logistics and material needs for sustainable success in the fight against criminality, for the immediate provision by the leadership of the southeast.

    “That a committee made up of security personnel, government officials and relevant stakeholders be set up to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the southeast joint security platform.

    “The meeting resolved to maintain a joint security vigilante for the southeast, otherwise known as Ebube Agu.

    In attendance were governors of Abia, Okezuo Ikpeazu; Anambra, Willie Obiano; Enugu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Ebonyi, Dave Umahi; and the host governor, Hope Uzodimma.

    Also in attendance at the security summit was the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor as well as top security chiefs in the zone.

  • Ebonyi killings: FG promises justice for victims

    Ebonyi killings: FG promises justice for victims

    The Federal Government has pledged to ensure justice for victims of the recent attacks on three communities of Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi, by unknown gunmen.

    Vice President Yemi Osibanjo made the pledge on Sunday in Abakaliki while addressing stakeholders of the state after inspecting the affected communities and the Effium/Ezza-Effium intra-communal crisis.

    Osibanjo, who commiserated with the government and people of the state over the unfortunate incident, promised that the assailants would be arrested and duly prosecuted.

    “I convey the condolences from President Muhammadu Buhari as there is no justification whatsoever for the killings and destruction of property.

    “The killings must be condemned in its strongest terms as the victims must have lived together for long with those who may have killed them,” he said.

    The Vice President said that it was the responsibility of federal, state and local governments to ensure that such killings did not occur.

    “I am, however, pleased that at the Egedegede Community, the political leaders found some facts and evidence which would help security agencies in their investigations.

    “This would help trace the perpetrators of this terrible act but our duty as political leaders is to maintain absolute peace in areas where we serve as leaders,’’ he said.

    He pledged that the Federal Government has beefed security in the affected areas and other parts of the state by deploying additional soldiers and police personnel to the areas.

    “We need to ensure that relief is sent to the affected areas as the National Emergency Management Agency, among other relevant agencies, would be mobilised to assist the people with relief materials,” he said.

    Gov. David Umahi thanked the Vice President for accepting to be sent by Buhari to visit the state in its mournful situation.

    “You must have been reading in newspapers and the social media the amount of insults which South East governors receive for their efforts to ensure the unity of Nigeria.

    “I thank God that we prevented a serious retaliation when the incident occurred but as the chief security officer of the state, I cannot control the situation if such attack re-occurs,” he said.

    Chief Martin Elechi, the immediate predecessor of the current governor, urged the Federal Government to immediately stem the spate of killings and destruction across the country as it was becoming embarrassing.

    Chief Eni Uduma, Representative of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Ebonyi Chapter, said that the people could longer tolerate the incessant killings and destructions of their property by those suspected to be herders.

  • Umahi speaks as herdsmen attack, kill 15 in four Ebonyi communities

    Umahi speaks as herdsmen attack, kill 15 in four Ebonyi communities

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi has condemned the attack on some communities in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state by suspected gunmen.

    The attack took place on Monday night in Nkalaha, Obegu, Amazu, Nkalagu and Umuhuali Autonomous Communities.

    At least 15 persons were reportedly killed during the attack, allegedly carried out by herders.

    Umahi visited the communities on Tuesday to commiserate with the bereaved families and also ascertain the level of damage by the assailants.

    Addressing the people, he expressed sadness over the gruesome attack.

    He charged all the security agencies in the state to go after the perpetrators in order to bring them to justice.

    “I got very shocking news this afternoon about the attack on about four communities in the state.

    “We feel so sad that this kind of thing should happen in Ebonyi, we feel so worried for our country Nigeria and we are short of words.

    “We condemn this attack because it is capable of causing very serious killings, if allowed to continue this way,” he said.

    Umahi appealed to the communities to remain calm and shun reprisal attacks.

  • Police declare 18 suspects wanted in Ebonyi

    Police declare 18 suspects wanted in Ebonyi

    The Ebonyi Police Command on Tuesday declared 18 suspects wanted for allegedly promoting intra-communal war.

    This is contained in a statement issued to journalists in Abakaliki by the Command’s Spokesperson, DSP Loveth Odah.

    The statement noted that the suspects were wanted also in connection with murder, arson, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

    “Their names are as Nwankwo Godwin, as known as (AKA) Nkwo Motors); Hope Nwankwo, Chibueze Nwifuru, as known as Big Meat and Daniel Nwangwoto.

    “Others are Osondu Mgbada (AKA stain), Okechukwu Nwanga (AKA Ezza), Chukwudi Nwite (AKA Last Born), Ernest Aduma, Chukwudi Okefi (AKA Malaika), Oliver Okefi (AKA Malife), Osondu Okefi and Elom John.

    Paul Elom, Odinaka Idu, Monday Idu, Solomon Okefi, Chinedu Ilor and Garba (from Inikiri Bernard),” were also on the wanted list.

    The command enjoined the public to assist in apprehending the suspects.

    “You can as well report to the nearest police station or call the police emergency numbers, which 07064515001 or 07034232125.

    “ The wanted persons are all indigenes of Effium/Ezza-Effium Community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi, the statement said.

    It said anyone with useful information will be handsomely rewarded by the police.

  • Gunmen invade another police station in Ebonyi

    Gunmen invade another police station in Ebonyi

    Some gunmen in the early hours of Monday stormed the Iboko Divisional Police Station in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria’s South-east.

    A police station was similarly attacked by gunmen in Akwa Ibom State on Monday.

    It is uncertain, for now, if the attacks on police facilities, which are on the rise lately in the South-east and South-south regions, are coordinated.

    Details of the Ebonyi attack were unavailable at the time of filing the report.

    The aggressors were said to have set the building ablaze, using fire bombs.

    Police Commissioner in Ebonyi State, Aliyu Garba, confirmed the incident.

    “Yes they attacked the station around 1a.m. but there was no casualties.

    “They threw improvised fire bomb at the station and it ignited but it only affected a small part of the building.”

    Garba said steps were being taken to protect police facilities and personnel in the state.

    Part of the steps, he said, include reinforcements in units and divisions needing such and rebuilding the confidence of personnel.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that three police officers were murdered in a January attack on the Onueke police station in Ezza South Local Government Area of the state.

    The Police Divisional Headquarters in Isu, Onicha Local Government Area, was similarly attacked in February by gunmen who set the station and four patrol vehicles on fire.

     

    The gunmen carted away arms and ammunition at the station.

     

  • Court sacks Ebonyi PDP Caretaker Committee

    Court sacks Ebonyi PDP Caretaker Committee

    A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State on Wednesday sacked the State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee led by Fred Udogu describing it as illegal.

    The Court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognize the purported Caretaker Committee constituted by the National leadership of the PDP in Ebonyi State.

    The Court maintained that the dissolution of the Ebonyi state Executive Committee of the PDP was illegal and cannot stand.

    The order followed a Suit instituted by Nnachi Okoro, the Legal Adviser of the Onyekachi Nwebonyu-led PDP executive in Ebonyi state that was dissolved last year November by the national leadership of the Party, in the wake of the defection of Governor David Umahi to the All Progressives Congress.

    The Plaintiff, Okoro, had in the Suit, argued that his purported removal from office, as the legal Adviser of the PDP by virtue of the dissolution of the purported State Executive Committee of the Party without fair hearing, was contrary to the Party’s constitution and the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, and urged the court to so hold.

    The presiding Judge, Justice Aluko Akintayo, in a three hours judgement, ruled that the purported dissolution of the Executive Committee of the PDP in Ebonyi State which led to the removal of the Plaintiff was not only absurd, but inconsistent with the provisions of the Party’s constitution as well as the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.

    Justice Akintayo noted that the party acted harshly without any evidence of wrong doing against the Plaintiff, adding that the defection of Governor David Umahi to the APC was in exercise of his fundamental human right of freedom of association and cannot be a justifiable ground to remove the Plaintiff from office.

    Akintayo held that the PDP failed to prove before the court, its allegations of anti-party activities and attempts to destabilize the PDP levelled against the Ebonyi State Executive Committee of the party.

    According to the judge, even if there is truth in the allegations against the Ebonyi state Executive Committee of the party, it was unfair to have dissolved them including the Plaintiff, without giving him fair hearing.

    The Court further ruled that in view of section 2 of the PDP’s constitution, which is subject to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, there was no justification for the leadership of the party to have breached its own constitution.

    The Court maintained that the Plaintiff, having been duly elected to serve as the legal Adviser of the PDP, had acquired a vested right to occupy the office until his tenure elapsed.

    Consequently, the court declared the action of PDP illegal, null, and void, and ordered the party not to recognize any other legal Adviser in Ebonyi State, until the expiration of the Plaintiff’s tenure.

    Barr Mazi Igbo Michael who appeared for the defendants’ led Counsel, Kenneth Jamanze SAN in an interview said, they would meet and decide on the next action.

    Reacting, Barrister Onyekachi Nwebonyi welcomed the judgment, saying, it is a victory for democracy.

    Nwebonyi said by the outcome of the judgment, he remained the authentic chairman of the party in the state.

    But the legal Adviser to the Fred Udeogu-led PDP executive, Barr Mudi Erhenede, said they would appeal the judgment, adding that they would get a stay of execution against the ruling, pending the determination of substantive appeal.

  • 10 feared dead, two injured in Ebonyi auto crash

    10 feared dead, two injured in Ebonyi auto crash

    No fewer than 10 persons were feared dead with two others seriously injured in a fatal auto crash that occurred on Ishiagu-Axis of the Okigwe-Afikpo highway.

    An eye witness said the accident occurred when a bus belonging to Abia Line Network coming from Umuahia to Afikpo lost control due to excessive speed, killing almost all the passengers on board.

    Aja, who witnessed the incident while working on his farm narrated that the bus was moving at an excessive speed and could not negotiate bend.

    He said: “The driver could not negotiate a bend due to high speed and he lost control and somersaulted multiple times inside the bush; we were able to rescue two persons before the bus caught fire and we ran away.

    “Chief Onyebuchi Ogbadu, the Ivo Local Government Area chairman, brought water tankers and put out the fire.

    “Also, the police and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) teams quickly moved the two persons alive to a nearby hospital where they are now receiving medical treatment.

    “More than ten bodies burnt beyond recognition have been evacuated to the mortuary by FRSC officials,” Aja said.

    When contacted, Mrs Loveth Odah, Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the accident but noted that she had yet to be fully briefed on the cause of the accident and number of casualties involved.

    “We have received information about the fatal accident which happened today along the Ishiagu axis of Okigwe-Afikpo highway but the Divisional Police Officer is currently at the scene of the crash.

    “He will give us a clear picture of the incident but for now, I can’t confirm to you the actual number of casualties or the cause ,” Odah said.

  • Police vow to arrest suspected arsonists in Ebonyi community

    The Ebonyi Police Command says it will investigate and arrest those suspected to be behind the fire that destroyed herders’ houses in Oshibo community in Ebonyi Local Government Area.

    The Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba, said this on Wednesday in Abakiliki, while briefing newsmen on the Monday fire.

    Garba assured herders in the state that the command would leave no stone unturned in its efforts to arrest the culprits.

    He said that the command was committed to security of lives and property in the state and urged residents to desist from causing trouble.

    ”The command has ordered the divisional police officers to commence investigation into the wicked act.

    “We are not happy about the incident and efforts are in progress to apprehend the suspected perpetrators of the crime,” the police boss said.

    He appealed to the public to assist the command with useful information that would help to rid the state of unscrupulous elements,” Garba said.

    Meanwhile, a victim of the fire, Alhaji Musa Saidu, told newsmen that no fewer than five thatched houses and other property were razed down by the fire.

    ”I was not around when the incident happened but was told that three men with motorcycles stormed our residence, chased away my family and others and burnt down our houses.
    “I want government to take appropriate action over the situation. I have been in Ebonyi for over 30 years,” Saidu said.
    Another victim, Mrs Zuwaira Musa, said she was not able to prevent the fire because she tried to rescue their 80-year-old mother, living with disability.
    “I was about to bathe her when they came and set the house ablaze. She was almost burnt.
    “We lost our clothes, money and other household property to the fire,” Musa said.
    Also, Mrs Zainab Isa, said the suspected arsonists came around noon to carry out the dastardly act, saying, “I lost my money and other valuables to the fire.”
    They appealed to the security agencies and state government to take necessary action to avert future attacks on them.