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Tag: Ebonyi

  • Suspected gunmen kill councillor, youth leader in Ebonyi

    Suspected gunmen kill councillor, youth leader in Ebonyi

    The Police Command in Ebonyi has confirmed that a Councillor, Stanley Nwaeze and a youth leader, Arinze Ugochukwu were allegedly killed by suspected gunmen at Isu in Onicha Local Government Area of the state.

    The police spokesperson in Ebony’s, DSP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the incident in an interview with NAN on Tuesday in Abakaliki.

    The spokesperson, who condemned the gruesome murder, said that the command received the report of the incident around 6:45 pm on Tuesday.

    “I received the report from a divisional police officer of Onicha LGA that the incident happened on June 2.

    Ukandu said: “The incident is confirmed and Police is investigating the matter,”.

    NAN reports that the Councillor, Nwaeze represents Enuagu ward in the area while Ugochukwu was the local government Coordinator of the National Youth Council Of Nigeria and a native of Amagu Mgbom village in Isu community.

  • Ebonyi spends N17.3bn on airport runway

    Ebonyi spends N17.3bn on airport runway

    Ebonyi government on Wednesday said it spent N17.3 billion on remedial work at the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport runway in Abakaliki.

    Gov. Francis Nwifuru said this in Abakaliki on the occasion of his one anniversary in Abakaliki.

    Nwifuru said on assumption of office his administration cleared the backlog arrears of five months salaries owed airport workers.

    “The remedial work at the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport runway has been completed.

    “N17.3 billion was spent, while major repairs in the terminal building and control tower have commenced in earnest and in advanced stage.

    “To this end, flight operations will commence fully at the airport,” the governor said.

    Nwifuru said his administration had taken deliberate steps to improve the security architecture of the state within his one year in office.

    He said that security was very central to any development effort and successful implementation of his administration’s programmes and policies.

    The governor said his administration had also completed some roads in this first year in the office.

    “This is further to our determination to grow our rural economies by ensuring agro-allied produces are transported to the urban centres,” he said.

    Nwifuru listed some of the rural roads started and completed to include, Umuoghara Power Station road, Legacy FM road on concrete pavement and Obvuduechi market-lziogo road.

    According to the governor, his administration was focused on creating enabling environment for a public-private sector partnership, which he said was critical to the economic growth of the state.

  • Yul Edochie solicits funds and help as movie Director battles with spinal cord

    Yul Edochie solicits funds and help as movie Director battles with spinal cord

    Controversial Nollywood actor Yul Edochie,  has cried out for aid following a fatal accident involving a movie director who sustained spinal cord injury.

    In a recent Instagram post, the actor claimed that JP Nwanganga, a Nollywood director, had been in a terrible accident and was without help.

    Yul Edochie appealed to Nigerians for aid in helping JP Nwanganga recover from his trauma, emphasising the severity of the issue.

    Describing JP as one of the most affable characters in the business, he advised well-meaning Nigerians not to wait until it was too late to offer their support, while also posting JP’s phone number on his social media platform.

    In his words;

    “Dear Nollywood and fans of Nollywood, one of our directors was involved in a fatal accident. I hear his spinal cord is broken. His name is JP Nwanganga.

    One of the coolest directors in Nollywood. PIs let us get him back to his feet by every means possible. Let’s not wait till he dies then we start posting pictures.

    His phone number: 07065483866.”

    In another post, he added the significant roles the movie director played in his life and also efforts to impact young talents in Ebonyi state.

    “@johnpaulnwanganga1 brought me to Ebonyi State 2 yrs ago to inspire film makers in Ebonyi.

    And I know he has done same with other big Nollywood stars.

    He is a good ambassador of Ebonyi State.

    He was involved in a ghastly accident.

    He is in a critical condition, unable to walk.

    Dear Ebonyi State Government, pls come to his aid.

    His number: 07065483866.

    I can’t find their Instagram page.

    Any one who knows it pls tag.

    Thank you,” he added.

  • Ebonyi: APC settles quarrel between senator, council boss

    Ebonyi: APC settles quarrel between senator, council boss

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi, has settled the protracted rift between Sen. Ken Eze (APC–Ebonyi Central) and the Chairman of Ezza South Local Government, Mrs Euphemia Nwali.

    The rift had caused political tension in the area, pitching the council’s councillors and stakeholders in opposing camps.

    The situation heightened when defectors to the APC who are from the area, joined opposing camps despite being new to the party.

    The State Chairman of the party, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, who brokered the peace on Thursday, told newsmen that the contending issues were settled amicably.

    “It was a situation of I erred in certain areas, I am sorry and we ended it there.

    “We told them to take their followers home, talk to them in sustaining the peace,” he said.

    The chairman said that the gladiators were urged to check social media activities of their supporters in order not to relapse the peace pact.

    “Let your actions and activities promote you not what is said on the social media.

    “We don’t want such things in the party as many of the social media operators conduct their activities to extort you,” he said.

    He noted that to consolidate the peace pact, subsequent meetings would be hosted by the gladiators and other stakeholders.

    “The next meeting will be hosted by the chairman followed by the senator and then other stakeholders.

    “This will make any supporter who sees his master eating and dining in the house of his supposed foe realise that peace has come,” he said.

    Okoro-Emegha remarked that the peace pact will also guarantee peaceful Local Government Area elections in the area in July.

    “We will discuss internally before consultations and whether anyone will serve only one term or get a second term is not a problem.

    “The most important thing is that we are a family and no outsider will hear anything about us.

    “When we put ourselves together we would solve all security challenges in the area,” he said.

    Sen. Eze said that contending issues were resolved amicably and their supporters would be sensitised to take a cue from their leaders.

    “You can see the Council chairman besides me, alongside other stakeholders as the resolution was all encompassing,” he said.

    Nwali thanked the party chairman for brokering the peace, noting that it will usher a new lease of life in the area.

    APC

  • I am happy my successor still honours me – Umahi

    I am happy my successor still honours me – Umahi

    Immediate past Ebonyi governor, Sen. David Umahi, says he is happy that his successor, Gov. Francis Nwifuru ,still honours him after leaving office.

    Umahi  said this while speaking with newsmen after being conferred with an honorary doctorate degree by the Ebonyi State University on Saturday in Abakaliki.

    Umahi,Minister of Works,  said it was  not common to hand over to a successor and still be continually honoured by  him.

    ” That is the handwork of God and I am grateful to him and the governor.

    “Governors and their predecessors are fighting in many states ,but in Ebonyi ,we are always celebrating.

    “This is the mercy of God and the wisdom bestowed on the governor,” he said.

    The minister commended Nwifuru for sowing the seed of peace in the state and assured that such would be sustained.

    “You can see that the state is on steady rise and what I could not finish as David he is doing as Solomon.

    “He is my son in whom I am well pleased, he said.

    Umahi thanked the university  for honouring him and others, and pledged to continue contributing to its development.

    ” I commend the Vice -Chancellor and management for the amazing feats recorded by the institution ; we all are proud to have a university with such records.

    “The job is easy when you are not the one doing it, and I thank the state governor for his great works in the university.

    “I will consult with my fellow awardees and we would definitely offer huge support to the university,” he said.

  • Gunmen kill 1 in hotel belonging to council chairman in Ebonyi

    Gunmen kill 1 in hotel belonging to council chairman in Ebonyi

    Suspected gunmen killed one person at an Abakaliki hotel on Sunday, police spokesman in Ebonyi, DSP Joshua Ukandu, said on Monday.

    The hotel, located at Amovu in Ishielu community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi is reported to belong to the council chairman, Hon. Ikechukwu Odono and serves as his residence.

    “Several vehicles were set ablaze in the hotel by the gunmen during the attack,’’ Ukandu, said.

    He enjoined members of the public to assist by providing the police with valuable information that could help to apprehend the suspects.

    Last week, a Point-of-Sale machine Operator was also shot dead in the local government area by yet-to-be identified gunmen.

    Sunday’s assault took place two days after gunmen killed four police officers and two civilians on Nwofe Road, also in Abakaliki.

  • Court remands Ex-Ebonyi PDP Spokesperson, Nwoba in correctional centre over alleged defamatory publication

    Court remands Ex-Ebonyi PDP Spokesperson, Nwoba in correctional centre over alleged defamatory publication

    A Magistrate’s Court in Abakaliki has remanded Chika Nwoba, a former spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party ((PDP) in Ebonyi, in the Correctional centre for alleged defamation.

    Nwoba, a social media handler, who appeared in court on Tuesday, is facing a three count charge of conspiracy, false publication and defamation.

    The Prosecutor, ASP Chinagorom Eze, told the court that the defendant was arrested on Sunday, Feb. 11.

    He was arrested following a petition by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Ebonyi State, Mr Oguzor Offia-Nwali.

    “That you Nwoba Chika, ‘m’ and others now at large on the Feb. 6 at Abakaliki, within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit:

    “Threat to Life, Publishing False Information and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516 A (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33 Vol. 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009,” the Prosecutor stated.

    Mr C.N Ufufu, Counsel to Nwoba, put in a bail application, stating that the offences were bailable.

    The prosecutor, Eze, therefore, opposed the bail application, adding that the supreme court had already ruled that the Police officer did not need formal permission to prosecute such matter.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Lilian Ogodo, said the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter and referred it to the high court.

    Ogodo adjourned the matter to March 1, 2024

  • Gunmen attack Police patrol team, kill one officer

    Gunmen attack Police patrol team, kill one officer

    Suspected armed men have attacked Police personnel on patrol along Ngbo-Effium road in Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi.

    DSP Joshua Ukandu, Ag. Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Ebonyi Command told journalists in Abakaliki on Friday that the attackers operated using an Ash-coloured Toyota Sienna without registration number.

    Ukandu said the operatives engaged the hoodlums in gun duel which resulted in one of the policemen fatally wounded while one currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital

    According to Ukandu, on Feb. 1 at about 11:00 am,, operatives of the Command on patrol along the road were attacked by armed hoodlums using an Ash coloured Toyota Sienna with registration number unknown.

    The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police (CP), Ebonyi Command, Augustina Ogbodo immediately dispatched tactical teams of the command to the scene to trail the hoodlums.

    “Meanwhile, calm and normalcy have been restored to the area.

    “The CP is using this medium to call on well-meaning individuals in the state to avail the Command with useful information that can lead to the arrest of the fleeing hoodlums,’’ he added.

    The Command further assured of its commitment to protection of lives and property in the state.

  • 3 die in Ebonyi cult clash

    3 die in Ebonyi cult clash

    The Ebonyi Police Command on Wednesday confirmed the death of three men as a result of a cult clash in Oriuzor community, Ezza North Local Government of the state,

    DSP Joshua Ukandu, Ag Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Ebonyi Command, told NAN in Abakaliki that the clash was between some cult groups in the area.

    According to Ukandu, there was a report of gunshots and cult members clashing on Sunday at Oriuzor community, and unfortunately three people were killed as a result of the incident.

    “Two persons have been arrested in connection with the clash, although, the situation has been put under control.

    “Our team has been on top of the matter and investigations are still ongoing to ascertain the root causes of the shootings and killings, though preliminary investigation revealed that there was a cult clash between rival groups in the community.

    “We immediately deployed a team of our men to the community and normalcy has returned to the area,” the PPRO said.

  • By-election: Ex-PDP Chairman, Onu, emerges Ebonyi South Senatorial candidate

    By-election: Ex-PDP Chairman, Onu, emerges Ebonyi South Senatorial candidate

    Chief Silas Onu, former Ebonyi State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has emerged winner of the party’s primary bye-election ahead of the Ebonyi South Senatorial zone election on Feb. 3.

    The election, held on Monday at the zonal party secretariat at Afikpo in Afikpo North Local Government Area, was to fill the seat vacated by Sen. Dave Umahi, former Senate Majority Leader, who was appointed Minister of Works by President Bola Tinubu.

    Onu polled a total of 143 votes to defeat his only opponent, Sen. Amah Nnachi, who scored zero votes in the election.

    The PDP Primary bye-election committee led by Mr Lekan Rotimi election adjudged the election as credible, free and fair.

    Rotimi, who declared the result after the voting, noted that the exercise complied with the party’s laid down guidelines and extant electoral law.

    “Chief Silas Onu having complied with the relevant electoral law and the PDP primary election guideline and having won the majority lawful votes is hereby declared the winner and returned elected as the PDP candidate for the Ebonyi South Senatorial district.

    “A total of 144 delegates were accredited to vote in the election, with one invalid vote recorded,” he said.

    Rotimi said that relevant security agencies including the Department of State Security (DSS), Police, Civil Defence and army, as well as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), monitored the election.

    He also dismissed allegations of parallel primary election in any part of the zone saying that his committee remained the only committee mandated by the national party secretariat to conduct the election in the zone.

    “I’m not aware of any other congress going on anywhere, like I said, I have told you my name and my committee members and we are the only people sent to conduct the election from Abuja,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Onu in an acceptance speech, thanked the delegates and party members from the Ebonyi South Senatorial zone for entrusting him with their mandate promising to deliver at the main election.

    “We do not have a divided house; you see what happened here today; the election was held peacefully, sadly, one of the local government areas delegates didn’t participate though every arrangement was made for all delegates to be here.

    ” We still thank God. Delegates from the Four local government areas out of five LGAs participated and God has favoured us.

    “We have work to do, we have less than three weeks to the election and what we need to do is to put our house in order and we have no option than to win this senatorial election and together we will,” Onu said.