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Tag: Ebonyi

  • Gunmen attack Ebonyi police station, kill three officers, steal two rifles

    Gunmen attack Ebonyi police station, kill three officers, steal two rifles

    Gunmen on Friday night attacked a police station in Ebonyi State, killing three police officers.

    Two others sustained bullet wounds in the attack on Onueke Police Station in Ezza South Local Government Area of the state.

    According to reports the slain officers included two male inspectors and a policewoman.

    The attackers reportedly carted away two AK 47 rifles from the police station.

    The police spokesperson in the state, Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident.

    She said the corpses of the slain officers had been deposited in a mortuary while the two who sustained bullet wounds were receiving treatment.

    Ms Odah urged the general public to provide the police with information that could lead to the arrest of the attackers.

    “Yes, three policemen were killed in the attack. We don’t know the identity of the attackers yet; and we are calling on the general public to provide information to the police in order to hunt down the perpetrators of this heinous crime,” Ms Odah said.

    The state police commissioner, Philip Maku, reportedly visited the Onueke Police Station Saturday morning to ascertain the level of havoc done by the hoodlum

  • Ebonyi residents uncover body of new born baby in refuse dump

    Ebonyi residents uncover body of new born baby in refuse dump

    Residents of Igweogbuofia Street, Kpirikpiri in Abakaliki metropolis of Ebonyi, have called on relevant authorities to evacuate the remains of a dead baby found at a refuse dump in the area.

    The residents made the call on Wednesday, during their separate interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki, while expressing worry over the incident.

    One of the residents in the area, Mrs Chinwe Madu, alleged that the act was not committed in the area.

    According to Madu, an unsuspected member of the public must have committed the act elsewhere and dumped the body in the street to avoid being identified.

    “This evil was not committed in this area rather the perpetrator, chose to dump the baby’s body here to cover up his or her act,” Madu said.

    Another resident, who gave his name as Mr Uguru, expressed worry over the act and called on authorities to investigate the development.

    Mrs Ogechi Nwaedu, who expressed dismay at the development, also called for evacuation of the body to avoid any health implications of the decomposing body.

    When contacted, the Environmental Health Officer, State Ministry of Environment, Mr Sunday Nwonu, said that the ministry would be working with the Nigeria Police Command in the state to evacuate the body.

    “We do not have rights to go and bury the baby because police need to be aware.

    “Whatever we are doing is with the authority of the police,” Nwonu said.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Loveth Odah, said that she had not been briefed over the matter by the Division Police Officer in charge of the area.

    “The DPO of the area has not briefed us on the matter because he told me he was still on it,” Odah said.

    NAN reports that the lifeless body of a new born baby was found in a sack at a refuse dump.

  • Umahi debunks attack on herders in Ebonyi, orders arrest of persons circulating fake video

    Umahi debunks attack on herders in Ebonyi, orders arrest of persons circulating fake video

    The Ebonyi government on Monday ordered the arrest of circulators of a video on social media that Fulani herdsmen were being attacked and chased out of the state.

    Gov. David Umahi said at a news conference in Abakaliki that the video was faked.

    He ordered security agencies to investigate the source of the video and arrest the circulators.

    The governor said the video had caused panic and tension.

    “Security personnel must ensure that those behind the circulation of the video, which has caused panic across the country, are brought to book.

    “We must increase our security surveillance at the grassroots level. I urge the security agencies to step up and arrest persons circulating the video on social media,’’ Umahi said.

    Mr Inusa Sani, Secretary, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Ebonyi Chapter, condemned the misleading video, adding that “it is fake news.’’

    “The video is an orchestrated attempt by mischief makers and enemies of peace.

    “What happened was that on Jan. 2, one of us, Alhaji Adamu, residing at Ozibo Village in Nkaleke Ichaba/Enyibishiri community, informed the association of his relocation to Taraba State.

    “I use this opportunity to urge the general public to disregard the video in circulation and no Fulani herdsman was attacked or chased out of Ebonyi State,’’ Sani said.

    He said herdsmen had co-habited peacefully with their host communities without any fear, molestation, threat or intimidation from any quarter.

    The Police Command in Ebonyi had on Sunday issued a statement noting that Fulani herdsmen were not attacked or being chased out of the state.

    Also speaking at the news conference, Mr Philip Maku, Commissioner of Police in the state, assured the public of the Command’s readiness to protect lives and property.

    “The general public should disregard the video in circulation, which is misleading and fake. Keep going about your normal business and support the security agencies and state government at ensuring that those behind the evil plot are fished out,’’ Maku admonished.

    Dr Keneth Igwe, Secretary to the State Government, said the distorted and misleading video was propagated by the enemies of Ebonyi.

    “We cannot keep quiet on any issue that is trying to tarnish the image of our dear state or cause disorder. We have enjoyed maximum peace with our Fulani brothers.

    “The security chiefs are here and there is no incident of an attack on herders in the state; we therefor urge the general public to disregard the misleading video,’’ Igwe said.

  • Photos: Days after TNGCIJ Investigative report, Dangote, First Patriot Honour CDA; Resume Projects in Kogi, Ebonyi

    Photos: Days after TNGCIJ Investigative report, Dangote, First Patriot Honour CDA; Resume Projects in Kogi, Ebonyi

    By Emmanuel Bagudu

    Dangote Industries Limited mining Coal in Awo-Akpali, Ankpa Local goverment area of Kogi State and First Patriot Limited, a Salt mining company in Agalegu, Ikwo Local Goverment Area of Ebonyi State have resumed developmental projects in the various Communities where they exploit minerals.

    TheNewsGuru.com Centre for Investigative Journalism (TNGCIJ) during an investigation under the Natural Resources and Extractive Resources Project (NAREP), funded by ford foundation and supported by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, gathered that the two companies dishonoured the community development agreements they entered into with their Communities by abandoning and deliberately refusing to carry out projects in their host Communities.

    In Kogi, Awo-Akpali village where Dangote Industries Limited mines coal, residents reported that work has resumed in the health care centre and schools under construction which was early abandoned. TNGCIJ gathered that plans are also underway to complete abandoned bridge and unfinished graded roads.

    Honourable Markus Okigbo who is the chairman of the Awo-Akpali village, Ankpa LGA disclosed this to TNGCIJ in a Telephone call. “….. Work has resumed in the health care centre and the school which was earlier abandoned…. They plan to see us after the holidays to finalise how to complete other aspects of the CDA, thanks to your Investigations Sir……” Okigbo said.

    Tony Chiejina, spokesman of Dangote Industries Limited confirmed the development where he said “…. all differences with the host Community have been resolved….”

    In Agalegu, Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State on the other hand, Ms Princes Emmanuel, a youth leader in the community told TNGCIJ that First Patriot LTD have started grading roads. According to her they are forced to do that due to the questions TNGCIJ keep asking them during the NAREP Investigations.

    Executive Director of First Patriot LTD who spoke to TNGCIJ via WhatsApp confirmed he has resumed grading of roads and promised to share pictures of the finished work soon.

  • BREAKING: All Ebonyi NASS lawmakers abandon Umahi, choose to remain in PDP

    BREAKING: All Ebonyi NASS lawmakers abandon Umahi, choose to remain in PDP

    By Emman Ovuakporie

    All lawmakers elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Ebonyi State at the National Assembly (NASS) on Wednesday said they won’t defect with Governor Dave Umahi to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Umahi formally defected on Tuesday today All Progressives Congress (APC) calling himself the sacrificial offering for an Igbo presidency in 2023.

    The Ebonyi PDP caucus in the national assembly dissociated themselves from the defection of Gov. Dave Umahi to the ruling All Progressive Congress.

    The caucus was led by former governor of state, Sen. Sam Egwu.

    All three Senators and all members of the house dissociated themselves from the governor’s defection.

    They lawmakers accepted that it is now the turn of the South East to produce the next president of the country and they expect both parties to respect that fact.

    Details shortly…

  • Gunmen shoot Ebonyi Deputy’s aide dead, cart away belongings

    Gunmen shoot Ebonyi Deputy’s aide dead, cart away belongings

    Gunmen have killed a legislative aide in Ebonyi House of Assembly Kingsley Obasi.

    The victim is the legislative assistant to Ebonyi Deputy Speaker, Obasi Odefa.

    It was gathered the gunmen trailed Obasi on Wednesday night while he was on his way home before killing him.

    One of his colleagues, Thomas Eluu, who is the legislative aide to Deputy Leader of the House Kingsley Ikoro, confirmed the incident on his Facebook wall Wednesday night.

    “My colleague at Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Kingsley Obasi, who happens to be a Legislative Aide to The Deputy Speaker shot dead today by unknown men,” he wrote.

    The victim was said to be planning his wedding.

    It was further gathered his killers also made away with his bag containing money, his wedding invitation cards and other valuables.

    A member of the deceased’s family confirmed the development in Abakaliki on Thursday morning.

    The source described the incident as robbery gone bad.

    The family source, who pleaded for anonymity said: “Yes ,he was the one .I don’t think it was politically motivated. I think it was a case of robbery gone bad”.

    The source said the armed robbers accosted the victim and collected his bags containing his wedding invitation cards.

    “As the robbers were about to move, he was said to be shouting ‘it is armed robbers oo .It is armed robbers ooo’, then they shot him”

    Police spokesman in the state confirmed the incident.

    She said the Police Command is investigating the incident with a view to arresting the culprits.

  • Sad! Hoodlums burn police station in Ebonyi, set cars ablaze

    Sad! Hoodlums burn police station in Ebonyi, set cars ablaze

    Hoodlums alleged to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday launched an attack on the Central Police Station in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital..

    The station is located along the Abakaliki-Enugu Highway close to the International Market.

    The thugs also set ablaze cars, tricycles and motorcycles at the station.

    IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu had called on his members to start a cleanup exercise protest in major cities in the Southeast and Southsouth zones Tuesday.

    The exercise was peaceful in Ikwo Local Government Area, where security agencies allowed them to move around without any confrontation.

    But in Abakaliki, the proscribed group members, who clearly identified themselves as members of the group, launched an attack on the police station around 3pm.

    They claimed that some of their members were murdered by the police during last week’s disturbances in front of the station.

    As news about the sad occurrence spread, residents ran back to their houses for fear of being caught in crossfire.

    Many shops and businesses closed down abruptly.

    The governor, David Umahi left a function at Old Government House and returned to the New government as reports of the incident got to him.

    Police Commissioner in the state, Philip Maku confirmed the attack on the station. He said no casualty was recorded.

    The CP also fervently denied that any of the attackers was killed in last week’s clashes

    He instead said that it was the Police who later lost one of its Police Officers who was wounded during last week’s disturbances.

    “We are the ones being brutalized. One of the two Policemen that were wounded last week later died,” he said.

     

  • Unknown gunmen murder couple on farmland in Ebonyi

    Unknown gunmen murder couple on farmland in Ebonyi

    The Ebonyi Command of the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the killing of an unidentified couple in Amuzu Nkpoghoro, Afikpo North Local Government area of the state.

    The Commissioner of Police, Philip Maku, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.

    Maku said the Command has commenced investigation to find out and arrest those involved in the act.

    He said a husband and wife in the area, whose names are yet to be ascertained, were on Friday found dead in a farm land in the community.

    “We have an incident where a man and his wife went to the farm but could not return.

    “We are also investigating to find out who did the act and anybody with useful information on the perpetrators should contact the police,” Maku said.

  • Buhari mourns victims of Ebonyi river tragedy

    Buhari mourns victims of Ebonyi river tragedy

    The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Saturday, mourned victims of the motor accident on Akaeze-Ukwu River in Ebonyi State that claimed many lives on Friday night.

    His condolence message was contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, titled “President Buhari sympathises with Ebonyi State following Akaeze-Ukwu River tragedy”.

    According to the statement, Buhari expressed his condolences to the government and people of Ebonyi State over the motor accident.

    “We are saddened and aggrieved at this colossal loss of human lives,” the statement quoted the President as saying.

    Buhari was said to have added that the thoughts and prayers of the government and people of Nigeria are with the families of the victims of this accident.

    He commended the Ebonyi State government for spearheading the rescue and recovery efforts as well as the support it has received from the neighbouring state governments in that regard.

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  • Photo: 14 corpses recovered from vehicle that plunged in Ebonyi river

    Photo: 14 corpses recovered from vehicle that plunged in Ebonyi river

    Fourteen bodies have been recovered from the Akaeze-Ukwu River in Ebonyi state; site of the deadly motor accident which occurred on Friday night.

    This followed the location and recovery of the bus by divers brought in from neighboring states to aid in the search and rescue of the victims.

    Recall that a bus carrying over 30 passengers plunged into the River along the Akaeze-Ishiagu expressway, Ivo local government area of the state.

    Five of the passengers, who were returning from a burial, were rescued and taken to hospital on Friday.

    However, one of them died at the hospital while the others are said to still be unconscious.

    Chairman of the local government, Onyebuchi Ogbadu confirmed the recovery of the extra thirteen dead bodies on Saturday.

    According to him, the State government had to bring in divers from Rivers and Cross River states to help in the search of the bus.

    “The divers were able to locate the bus and pushed it up to enable the crane to pull it out,” he said.

    The Chairman said they are still searching for the remaining passengers aboard the bus.

    “The driver said he was carrying 32 persons in the bus so we are still looking for about 13 or more persons.”

    Ogbadu said the driver was able to dive out of the bus as it was plunging into the river and was one of those rescued on Friday.

    Ebonyi News

    Police spokesman Loveth Odah said 14 corpses have been recovered, seven male and seven female.

    She said among the five victims rescued is the driver of the said 608 coaster bus with Reg no. UKP 78 XA Mr Nwaonu Chinedu a native of IKWO LGA of the State.

    She said the victim who died yesterday is a female who yet to be identified.

    She said: “the female victim was confirmed dead by a medical Doctor on arrival at Dennis Hospital Akaeke in the Area.

    “The driver narrated that he conveyed 32 members of the Christ Peculiar Church of Nigeria Enugu State branch to attend a burial ceremony at Nguzu Edda in Afikpo South LGA of the State”.

    “14 corpses have been recovered (7 female and 7 male) together with the 608 Vehicle.

    “The corpses have deposited at Martha Memorial hospital mortuary AFIKPO preservation.

    Odah said among those in the vehicle who are still being searched for is a retired Superintendent of Police Livinus Mbah.

    “The Executive Governor of Ebonyi State visited the scene of incident together with the Commissioner of Police Ebonyi State who described the incident as very unfortunate one.

    ” He urges road users to avoid speed/reckless driving especially in this ember months”.