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Tag: Ebonyi

  • Ebonyi Gov, Dave Umahi confesses: There are moles in my government

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has openly acknowledged the existence of moles in his government but insisted that his administration had nothing to hide.

    Umahi’s position is contained in a social media comment posted on Sunday.

    He was reacting to a post by a WhatsApp group participant accusing the former Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Bernard Odoh, of “unholy alliance with a particular incumbent governor of a South-Eastern state”.

    Umahi, who reiterated his earlier warning that government appointees should not castigate another governor or other officials, urged his critics to visit the Ebonyi government’s information website for information they needed.

    “Those who want to betray me will end up fighting the wind as there is nothing to betray except, maybe, a display of ingratitude to God.

    “Those who sit on the fence in defending their government will definitely receive the same reward whenever they need defence from government.

    “Anyone who supports him (Odoh) or his betrayal will also get betrayed especially at a time of his or her greatest need,” Umahi said.

    Umahi, while challenging the moles in his government to send his post to whoever they cared, described the said governor as his friend “even before now”.

    “Whenever someone becomes a governor, he is no more the property of anyone else other than God and the people,” he said.

    He enjoined his supporters to leave the said governor or the ruling party at the federal level out of any accusation, insisting that Odo was not in the mentioned state’s government house as alleged by the WhatsApp group participant.

    The Ebonyi government had been having a running battle with the former SSG over the disbursement of the small and medium-scale agricultural fund in 2016.

    State government officials and Odoh’s supporters have resorted to the social media to air their views and, in most cases, cast aspersions on one another over the panel of inquiry set up by the government to investigate the disbursement.

    They have also traded accusations over the petition written by Odo to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), urging the anti-graft body to investigate the disbursements.

  • BREAKING: Gunmen kidnap two Chinese expatriates in Ebonyi

    BREAKING: Gunmen kidnap two Chinese expatriates in Ebonyi

    Two Chinese expatriates working at a mining site in Ebonyi State have been abducted by unknown gunmen.

    The abducted Chinese nationals are employees at Greenfield Metals Nigeria Limited, which specialises in lead and zinc mining.

    The incident, it was gathered, happened at Ihietutu, Ishiagu in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on Wednesday at a mining pit close to the company’s offices.

    Chairman of the company, Henry Ahanaotu said that the gunmen first shot sporadically into the air to scare away workers before proceeding to whisk away the expatriates.

    According to him the incident happened at the company’s mining pit at Ajirija mining site, 300 meters from the company’s Life Camp.

    Ahanaotu, who doubles as the Managing Director of the company said a formal report on the incident had been lodged with the police command in the state.

    He said the company has not made contact with the kidnappers

    Read Also: Gunmen kill nine in Kaduna community
    “The unidentified persons bearing sophisticated arms stormed our mining pit at Ajirija and shot severally before whisking their victims away.

    “We are yet to establish the identity of the abductors or where they came from,” he said.

    Police spokesman, Loveth Odah confirmed the incident.

    Odah said the victims were abducted on Wednesday at the mining site adding that the Police has commenced investigation into the incident.

    “We got the information yesterday.

    “A detachment of our tactical team was dispatched to the area with a view to unraveling the true situation and also to rescue the victims.

    “The team is yet to return to furnish us with relevant information about the incident.

    “But I can confirm to you that we received a distress call from the area yesterday informing the police of an alleged abduction of two Chinese working in a mining site at Ihietutu in Ishiagu community.

    “We are waiting for information from our men before we can make informed comments on the motive behind the alleged abduction.

    “For now, we cannot say if the abduction was for ransom purposes or not because the abductors are yet to establish contacts with the company.”, she said

    Odah, however, urged non-Nigerian nationals working in any part of the state to ensure they move about with armed security guards to prevent attacks and molestations from criminals and possible kidnapping or abduction.

    This is the second kidnapping invoking the company this year.

    In March, two Chinese expatriate staff were also abducted at the company’s Life Camp at Ugwuajirija.

    They were later freed after an the company allegedly paid an undisclosed amount of money as ransom.

  • Ebonyi closes govt offices as cabinet members test positive

    Ebonyi Governor David Umahi has ordered the shutting down of all government offices in the state with immediate effect to pave way for decontamination.

     

    He said the order became pertinent as a result of the contraction of COVID-19 by some Executive Council members.

     

     

    Umahi gave the directive in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Orji Uchenna Orji.

     

    He expressed concerns over the increasing cases of coronavirus in the state, which stands at 75 out of the over 3,000 sample tests conducted.

     

    Although he did not give the names of the cabinet members who tested positive to the virus , the Governor described the situation as disturbing.

     

    He noted the positive cabinet members are receiving treatment and all in stable conditions.

     

    The government offices, he directed, will be shut from Thursday June 4- Wednesday June 10 to allow for decontamination.

     

     

     

    “All civil servants shall work from their respective homes within this period but shall leave their phones open to respond to official imperatives.

     

    “All Exco members and Government officials especially of the Ministries of Finance and Budget are advised to undergo COVID-19 test within this seven days period.

     

    “The Governor further advises that during this period of close down of Government offices, all workers especially from the two Ministries aforementioned should go into self isolation.

     

    “All site operations shall however remain open, but must be in strict observance of COVID-19 protocol.”

  • Police capture 10 in Ebonyi over Pastor’s torture

    The Police in Ebonyi State have arrested 10 persons in connection with the torture of a cleric, Oko Chukwu Obeni.

    The Pastor was tried and punished by the Traditional Council of his Amasiri community known as the Essa and Isi Oru.

    In a viral video, Obeni’s hands were tied to his back as he was whipped and beaten.

    Following outrage over the incident, the Police on Wednesday announced the arrest of the prime suspect Julius Amadi Nyerere and nine others for the alleged assault.

    Police Spokesman Loveth Odah confirmed the incident.

    She said Obeni suffered “multiple injuries all over his body” and that filthy water was poured on him.

    “Subsequently, the leader of the Isi Oru Age Grade Mr. Julius Amadi Nyerere and nine others were arrested in connection of the case,” she said.

     

  • Almajirai not welcomed in any part of Ebonyi – Umahi

    Almajirai not welcomed in any part of Ebonyi – Umahi

    Almajirai are not welcomed in Ebonyi, Governor David Umahi has declared.

    Speaking on reports of Almajirai being smuggled into the Southeast after expulsion from some Northern states in wake of the rampaging coronavirus, the Governor said they won’t be entertained in any part of the state.

    While acknowledging the Northern Governors for their cooperation on the issue, Umahi however told the Almajirai to stay away from the state.

    “We will not be afraid to say that there will not be Almajiris in Ebonyi state and the Northern Governors I commend them, they said go to your state of origin.

    “We will not allow Almajiris in Ebonyi state. Ebonyi will not allow Amajiris, they should go to their state of origin. We have to as a people to begin to tell ourselves the truth,” he emphasised.

    He also banned rearing of cattle around the new Government House located inside the Centenary City Abakaliki.

    “I have directed the Chief Security Officer to meet with the security people. Please I don’t want to see any cow within the premises of the centenary city.

    “How can I be struggling with cows to come into Government House? Please, in the entire centenary city, I don’t want to see any cow. Not just Government House, anywhere that is called centenary city; international market, the mall. This is insulting.

    “So, security people should do meeting with the cattle owners whether it is Hausa cows or Igbo cows because I can also see some Igbo cows and I don’t want to see it again.”

    He said cows seen flouting the order should be impounded and a court order obtained to auction them off.

  • Umahi heeds CAN’s ‘passionate’ appeal, lifts ban on religious gatherings in Ebonyi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has lifted the ban on religious worship across the state with effect from May 15 as part of efforts to relax the COVID-19 lockdown.

    Mr Uchenna Orji, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, made the disclosure in a statement issued in Abakaliki on Friday.

    He said that the decision was in response to passionate appeals made by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state.

    “The re-opening of the worship centres must, however, be under strict observance of the state laws and must be once a week.

    “All churches are to observe their services only on Sundays from 9.am to 11.am.

    “Seventh Day Adventists and Muslim faithful are to observe their services on Saturdays and Fridays, respectively and also from 9.am to 11.am.

    “No religious centre shall permit more than 50 people and worshippers must observe a minimum of two metres social distancing from one another,” he said.

    Orji said that wearing of face masks, washing of hands with running water and use of sanitisers must be strictly observed in all religious centres.

    “No religious service is allowed to hold any other day than the days specified herein and which must be in strict observance of all COVID-19 laws and regulations.

    “The CAN has a duty to shut any religious gathering and arrest the principal of the worship centre, which violates this order.

    “The government requests all religious bodies in the state to use this window to create awareness among members on the protocols, policies, laws and regulations regarding COVID-19 as well as pray for the state and Nigeria,” he said.

    Orji also urged religious leaders to use the opportunity to advise members on the need for aggressive participation in agriculture and other lawful means of livelihood.

    “The CAN leadership and anti-COVID-19 committee on religious centres, are requested to mount strict monitoring of all religious centres in the state and ensure strict compliance and discipline,” he said.

  • Newly confirmed COVID-19 positive cases in Ebonyi don’t live in Enugu State – ENSG

    The Enugu State Government, Sunday, described as untrue claims by the Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi that two confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state were residents of Oji River Local Government.

    There was an announcement that the two newly confirmed COVID-19 positive cases in Ebonyi State were a couple who travelled to the State from Oji River Local Government Area in Enugu State, where the man purportedly deals in phone accessories.

    Following the claims, the Enugu State Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Rapid Response Team immediately moved to investigate and identify their contacts in Oji River LGA for follow up.

    However, in a statement signed by Obi Emmanuel Ikechukwu, Hon. Commissioner, Health Enugu State, he said the team could neither find any proof that this couple lived in Oji River LGA of Enugu State nor could any ‘contact’ be traced.

    He said, “Further communication with the Health authorities in Ebonyi State revealed that this couple intentionally deceived the medical team on duty by saying they were coming from Oji River LGA in Enugu State, in order to hide the fact that they were on a trip from Lagos State, in an attempt to evade being quarantined.

    “The Enugu State Ministry of Health appeals to the good people of the State to remain calm and continue to abide by the preventive measures as directed by the Federal Government, Federal Ministry of Health, the NCDC and Enugu State Government.”

    He advised residents to take the following steps for their safety:

    “Stay home and only go out when absolutely necessary.

    “If you must go out, wear a face mask.

    “Practice physical/social distancing protocol.

    “Exercise proper respiratory hygiene.”

    “Wash your hands as often as possible with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds or

    “Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when there is no facility to wash your hands

    “Sanitize surfaces all around you as often as possible with a 1in6 mixture of bleach and water

    “If you think you are ill with COVID-19 symptoms or know someone with COVID-19 symptoms, just call these numbers 08182555550 or 09022333833 or the NCDC number 080097000010.”

  • Umahi orders shoot on sight of absconders from Isolation Centres

    Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has ordered security operatives to shoot any returnee that tries to escape from the quarantine and isolation centres on sight, The Guardian gathered.

    The state government had recently ordered immediate isolation of no fewer than 37 returnees that entered the state through the bush after the state government ordered the closure of its borders.

    He noted that any of the returnees that try to escape from the quarantine centre where they would be subjected to medical tests daily for 14 days following Coronavirus pandemic should be shot on sight.

    The state government had ordered that all the borders in the state be immediately shut down to prevent the Coronavirus from spreading to the state.

    But no fewer than 30 persons were said to have entered the bush and crossed to a boundary town between Abakaliki and Enugu where vehicles were already on standby to carry them to their various destinations.

    The 30 escapees and seven returnees were later taken to a quarantine centre at the Abakaliki Township Stadium where Umahi visited them at 9 pm and ordered that they are subjected to a daily medical examination for 14-days.

     

     

  • BREAKING: Two Chinese kidnapped in Ebonyi regain freedom

    BREAKING: Two Chinese kidnapped in Ebonyi regain freedom

    Chinese Nationals who were kidnapped in Ebonyi State last week have regained their freedom.

    They were kidnapped at Green Filed Nigeria LTD Company site Ishiagu in Ivo LGA by gunmen suspected to be Herdsmen.

    A statement by the Police Spokesman in the state, Loveth Odah, said the victims were released unharmed as a result of the sustained pressure mounted by the police operatives.

    Odah said: “It would be recalled that on March 29 the Command confirmed a kidnapped incident of two Chinese Nationals one Shen Gushen ‘m’ and Mao Ximnim ‘m’ which took place at Green Filed Nigeria ltd company site Ishiagu Ivo L.G.A of the state”.

    “The victims were released unharmed as a result of the sustained pressure mounted by the Police operatives.

    The victims have been since reunited with their community. Meanwhile, Police is on manhunt for the bandit.”

  • COVID-19: First Bank staff, Indian, three others under quarantine in Ebonyi

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    Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi had said that five persons are under self-observation in the state.

    Among the five is an Indian who arrived the country recently and staff of First Bank who had contact with a returnee.

    The Governor stated this while briefing Journalists on recent developments in the state on the Coronavirus outbreak.

    He said that 4 persons(including the Indian) came into the state from different countries that have an outbreak of the Coronavirus while one person was said to have had contact with a returnee.

    He said that the Indian citizens are a staff of Royal salt Ikwo.

    Hé said the staff of First Bank in Abakaliki visited his mother in Anambra, who just came back from one of the countries with the outbreak.

    He, however, said there is no cause for alarm as the self-isolation is precautionary adding that all the 5 persons are doing fine.

    “We send health personnel to check their vitals everyday and so far they are not showing any symptoms. The Indian also has a nurse staying with him and monitoring him, so far his vitals are normal”, he said

    He revealed that he has directed the Ezza South and Ikwo Council Chairmen to liase with security agencies and ensure the immediate arrest of families that conducted burial in the state yesterday.

    He said that the arrest would serve as a deterrent to other families that would disobey government order.

    It would be recalled that the State government had last week Monday gave a directive banning burial, wedding ceremonies, conferences and other social activities in the state.

    Governor Umahi who expressed his displeasure by the disobedience to the directive insisted that all those behind the conduct of the burial no matter how highly placed must be arrested.

    The State Governor also ordered for the immediate arrest of the mortuary attendant at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo who released the corpse to the family for burial.

    Governor Umahi ordered the 13 council Chairmen alongside Development Center Coordinators to move round the rural communities and all the nooks and crannies of the state to ensure that no burial or wedding is conducted in the state on Saturday.
    He warned that he would not hesitate to sanction anyone that allows or compromise to the directive adding that there must concerted effort by all to ensure that the state does not with an outbreak of the virus in the state.

    The State Governor also said that from Saturday, it would take over some hotels in the state to enable the health workers reside there for optimum productivity adding that government would pay all accrued bills generated while the period last.

    He further pointed out that all the staff of the hotel that would be taken over by the state government would be relieved of their duty while the health workers would employ cleaners and ensure that the hotels are fumigated.

    Similarly, Governor Umahi has disclosed that about 5 persons are currently on self isolation in the state.

    Reacting to the stoppage of release of corpse to families for burial, the Chief Medical Director, Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Dr. Emeka Ogah said that the hospital management has directed that no corpse should be released to anyone except as directed by the Governor.