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Tag: Ebonyi

  • Gunmen storm Catholic church in Ebonyi, kill three worshippers

    Gunmen storm Catholic church in Ebonyi, kill three worshippers

    Three worshippers have been reported killed after unknown gunmen who invaded Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Nkweagu, in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    It was gathered that the gunmen attacked the church at about 11:30 pm on Sunday.

    Findings shiw that they had earlier called one of the victims, a popular POS operator at Nkwuagu market, on the phone to come out from the church. As soon as he stepped out, they shot and killed him.

    It was further gathered that the killings of the three victims threw the whole community into mourning and paralyzed economic activities, especially on Christmas Day, at the popular Nkwuagu market located along the Abakaliki/Afikpo express road.

    Recall that one person, a student, was recently killed at Nkwuagu community as a result of cult clashes, and now, three more people were killed again, making it four.

    Investigation revealed that the killings of these three worshippers at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church may be connected with cult-related clashes between rival groups at Nkwuagu community.

    When contacted for a reaction, the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP Augustina Ogbodo, did not respond to several calls. Similarly, the PPRO did not respond to text messages sent to her by newsmen in Abakaliki.

    In a swift reaction, the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Nworie, has condemned in totality the gruesome murder of the said three Immaculate Conception Catholic Church worshippers on Christmas Eve.

    Nworie described the incident as sad and disheartening, adding that the suspected killers invaded the church while a priest was celebrating a vigil mass service and killed and injured many others.

    “This is the first time such an incident has happened in the church and in Ebonyi State in general,” the bishop noted.

  • NBC seeks support to demarcate Cross River/Ebonyi interstate boundary

    NBC seeks support to demarcate Cross River/Ebonyi interstate boundary

    The National Boundary Commission (NBC) has urged relevant stakeholders in Cross River and Ebonyi to support ongoing efforts toward the demarcation of the interstate boundary.

    The Director-General of the commission, Mr Adamu Adaji, made the call in Abuja on Monday, at a joint meeting of officials of both states to address the lingering interstate boundary dispute.

    Adaji explained that the meeting was convened to review the status of the boundary and discuss the way forward towards definition and delimitation of the boundary.

    He said that the interstate boundary dispute between the states dates back several years ago.

    He added that misunderstanding and crisis engulfs the border communities from time to time due to the land dispute and indigene settler dichotomy.

    He blamed the persistent crises on the non-determination and demarcation of the interstate boundary, describing it as one of the volatile interstate boundaries in Nigeria with high risk of threat to peace.

    “The crisis on the boundary necessitated the interventions of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his vice Mr Atiku Abubakar at different times.

    “The Federal Government was also compelled to draft military personnel to the sectors of the boundary in 2005 to maintain peace.

    “The commission’s efforts over the years, had been to re-establish the boundary in accordance with available documents.

    “These efforts resulted in the tracing and provisional demarcation of the boundary by a Joint Field Team (JFT) on the boundary between 2000 and 2004,” he said.

    The DG said that the fieldwork produced two claim lines representing the positions of the states, adding that the NBC reviewed the states’ claim lines and proposed a boundary line but was rejected by both states.

    He added that while Ebonyi accepted a segment of the proposed line, Cross River insisted that the boundary line must be in line with her claim.

    He, however, said that the commission and the states’ subsequent efforts focused mainly on the restoration of peace to the warring communities of both states.

    “Accordingly, the joint meetings of officials held in 2010, 2011 and 2013 resolved that peace committees be constituted at different levels to ensure the return of peace to the affected communities.

    “This was to pave the way for further actions on the boundary, but sadly, the committees never functioned.

    “The former Vice-President and Chairman of the National Boundary Commission, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, also intervened in February 2017 when he met with the Governors of the two States.

    “Unfortunately, the scheduled follow-up activities could not be implemented due to non-cooperation of the two States.

    “In the wake of the unfortunate Ukelle/Izzi crisis of June 2018, the National Boundary Commission and the two states took prompt action by visiting the communities affected and agreed on actions to be taken,” he said.

    Adaji further said that the governors of the two states met in 2018, adding that a Joint Technical Committee of Experts equally met and resolved to pave the way for the return of peace to the affected communities.

    “It is on this note that I welcome you once more to the meeting and appeal that we focus on the imperative of peace among the people.

    “I urge us all to discuss all the issues with every sense of commitment to supporting the commission’s effort towards the demarcation of the boundary,” he said.

    Also speaking, Mr Peter Odey, Deputy Governor of Cross River, and Chairman of the State Boundary Committee, acknowledged the impasse on the boundary dispute between the states.

    Odey expressed the readiness of the state to support ongoing efforts to bring the lingering dispute to a logical conclusion.

    Similarly, Mrs Patricia Obila, Deputy Governor of Ebonyi, and Chairperson of the state Boundary Committee, commended NBC for the efforts to address the dispute.

    Obila pledged the support of the Ebonyi government towards putting an end to the fracas among the states’ neighbouring communities.

  • Subsidy removal: NLC protest grounds Enugu, Ebonyi

    Subsidy removal: NLC protest grounds Enugu, Ebonyi

    Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Enugu and Ebonyi state joined their counterparts across the country in protest against the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.

    The NLC members, associate unions and civil society groups converged at the New Market Office of the Enugu NLC where the protest took off at 9.50 am on Wednesday.

    Security agents with patrol vehicles were seen guarding the protesters to ensure peaceful protest.

    The protesters were seen marching through the New Market Roundabout, to FRCN, the State Secretariat, Okpara Avenue, CBN road etc.

    In a short address in front of the EEDC office, Okpara Avenue, NLC Chairman, Fabian Nwigbo says the workers will keep demanding their rights until the federal government relieves Nigerians from hardship.

    He said, “If the government does not do the needful, the organised labour will take more concrete steps to embark on industrial action.”

    While in Ebonyi state, the organised labour thronged at the Pa Ngele Uruta township stadium, Abakiliki.

    They marched the major streets and Roads in the motopolis including Waterworks road, Abakiliki/Enugu Expressway.

    Speaking after the protest, Chairman of NLC in Ebonyi state, Prof. Aguguo Egwu,
    expressed regret over Nigerian government actions over workers welfare. Also, Chairman, Trade union Congress, TUC, Ebonyi state, Comrade Sunday Igboji stated that they would continue to protest until their demands are met.
    Ends

  • Police nab 15 suspects over `sit-at-home’ shooting in Ebonyi

    Police nab 15 suspects over `sit-at-home’ shooting in Ebonyi

    The Police in Ebonyi on Friday, announced the arrest of 15 persons suspected to be involved in the shooting by  IPOB members on Tuesday at new market and Ishieke axis of the state.

    The shooting was carried out as the suspects forced people to abide by the order issued by the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), stopping all residents from coming out of their homes for seven days, from July 3 to 10.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Faleye Olayele told reporters in Abakaliki that among the 15 suspects arrested from their hideouts, were two herbalists, Okwudili Otozi and Nnenna Ali.

    “They have attacked our area commander and burnt our vehicle. They have been terrorizing the state. On July 4, they came to Ishieke firing sporadically and that was on Tuesday.

    “I want to tell you that 15 of them have been apprehended, together with their herbalists. We recovered arms and charms of different kinds.

    Olayele said that the suspects were preparing for another attack on Friday when they were arrested by the police.

    “This shows that our officers are dedicated to their duties; the arrest was made possible by our men through the information we got,” he said, and warned all criminal elements to steer clear of Ebonyi.

    However, one of the herbalists told newsmen that he was forced to join the gang.

    “I did not know that they wanted to operate in Ebonyi; they came to me and requested for medicine and I gave it to them, after which they forced me to join them to the bush for further preparations.

    “Please, I was forced to follow them after I gave them the medicine,” Otozi claimed.

  • Sit-at-home: Ebonyi boils as hoodlums burn police van

    Sit-at-home: Ebonyi boils as hoodlums burn police van

    Ebonyi communities have continued to boil as hoodlums set ablaze a police van at Ukwagba village and shot sporadically to scare citizens in a bid to enforce the seven- days sit-at-home order declared by a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, led by Simon Ekpa.

    It was gathered that the hoodlums who are hellbent on enforcing the sit-at-home in Ebonyi State, allegedly stormed the Ukwagba police checkpoint and told officers to vacate, that they are not looking for them. They, however, set ablaze their police van.

    The hoodlums also stormed at Ishieke police checkpoint and shot sporadically, which according to reports, caused police officers in the area to run for their lives.

    According to report the hoodlums also stormed at Ahiaohu market located along Abakaliki/Enugu Express road and allegedly shot into the air to scare people. Business owners in the market were reported to have fled, leaving their goods behind.

    Confirming the incident, the chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Prince Odono Okechukwu called on stakeholders of the council to show cooperation to enable him surmount all insecurity in the area.

    Odono who spoke to newsmen shortly after a security meeting at 135 Ezzamgbo, the Council Headquarters, condemned in totality the burning of the Police Van by hoodlums at Ukwagba village.

    He vowed to explore every available means to apprehend the perpetrators and appealed to Traditional Rulers, Town Union Presidents and community vigilantes to establish a functional rapport to promote peace in their areas.

    Responding, the Commissioner of Information and State Orientation in Ebonyi, Mr Jude Chikadibia Okpor expressed dismay over the apprehension in some parts of the state following reported activities of hoodlums and unscrupulous elements.

    He said, “The government, therefore wishes to advise the general public to go about their lawful businesses as security agents are on top of the situation.”

    When contacted for a reaction, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ebonyi State Command, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya said the command had stationed officers in many strategic places in the state to forestall any breakdown of laws and order.

  • Tribunal: Ebonyi PDP alleges attacks on witnesses by APC

    Tribunal: Ebonyi PDP alleges attacks on witnesses by APC

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ebonyi State chapter has alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), launched an attack on its members who testified as witnesses against the party before the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja.

    The Caretaker Committee Chairman of PDP in the State, Mr Augustine Nwazunku, alleged that the party’s witnesses who testified before the election Tribunal at Abuja were attacked on return to their respective homes by suspected APC hitmen.

    Nwazunku, made this known in a statement signed and issued to newsmen on Thursday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

    The statement alleged, “Some were brutally attacked by APC hired thugs, with their families, essentially chased out of their homes while business interests of our members’ farm were poisoned with yet to be verified chemical. Over twenty thousand fish fingerlings were physically damaged in some of the episodes of attacks.”

    The Party alleged that APC Chieftains and leaders had been going around communities and local governments to threaten PDP faithful preparing to go to testify as witnesses before the Tribunal.

    “The APC government has threatened to deal with any Ebonyi citizen seen to be hob-nobbing with the members of PDP in Ebonyi State,” the statement added.

    In a reaction, the State Chairman of APC, Mr Stanley Okoro-Emegha, described the allegations as unfounded and challenged the PDP to bring up evidence of the alleged attacks on its members before the public.

    Okoro-Emegha said the APC-led government of Ebonyi State is too busy with governance to be distracted by any person or group and urged the PDP to put their house in order and desist from making wide allegations.

  • Tribunal: Ebonyi ALGON threatens lawsuit against PDP chieftain over ₦80 million alleged bribery

    Tribunal: Ebonyi ALGON threatens lawsuit against PDP chieftain over ₦80 million alleged bribery

    The Association of Local governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Ebonyi state chapter, has threatened to institute legal action against a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP),Mr Nwoba Chika over allegation to deduct ₦80,000,000 monthly from the coffers in each of the LG Chairman to influence the ongoing Elections Petition tribunal in Abuja.

    Public Relations officer (PRO) and Chairman of Ikwo Local government Area, Barr Sunday Nwankwo who Addressed newsmen alongside other Chairmen on Tuesday at the ALGON headquarters in Abakiliki, described Nwoba’s allegation as false, malicious, and defamatary.

    According to ALGON,non of the13 Local Government Chairmen had been directed to “forfeit” such amount as alleged by Nwoba.

    ALGON further alleged that there was no iota of truth that the said Eighty Million (N80,000,000) cach will be deducted at source from the June allocation of the various Local Government Areas.

    “ALGON Ebonyi State wishes to expressly and unequivocally state that
    the above statement credited to Nwoba Chika Nwoba in his facebook page exists only in the figment of his imagination as no such directive ever emanated from His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ebony State, either by himself, his agent or whosoever.

    “The June allocation to the Local Government Areas has not yet fallen due as to even mathematically determine its volume, usuage and application, therefore. No body or Local Goverment council Area is even sure of what returns will come from FAAC at the time of the misleading and fallacious publication.

    “Ebony State would naturally have overlooked this huge joke and concentrated in its business of good governance as the third tier of govemment, but for the sake of the gullible and uninformed public who do not know the notorious and mischievous antecedents of the writer, whose stock in trade is to cast aspersion on persons and government to achieve cheap popularity and put bread on his table.”

    The group said it jointly disassociated itself from the misleading allegation targeted at demeaning the credibility of the bureaucratic process of the state, especially, the Local Government System and call on the imposter to either substantiate his claim with verifiable and empirical evidence or retract same forthwith.

    “We the members of ALGON shall deploy all available means within the ambit of the law to defend its integrity while identifying and protecting the laudable programmes and policies of the state Government.”

     

  • No plan to bribe election tribunal with N1bn – Ebonyi govt

    No plan to bribe election tribunal with N1bn – Ebonyi govt

    The Ebonyi State Government has denied nursing any plan to bribe the election petition tribunal judges in a bid to pervert the course of justice and obtain undue favour from them.

    The state commissioner of Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor reacted to an allegation by the president of the Association of Ebonyi Indigenes Socio-Cultural in the Diaspora (AEISCID), Paschal Oluchukwu.

    Recall that Oluchukwu had accused the Ebonyi State Government, led by Governor Francis Nwifuru, of attempting to hijack the course of justice with plans to use one billion naira deducted from the local government area allocation to bribe judges in order to procure a favourable judgement from the tribunal.

    Okpor warned Oluchukwu to desist from being used by desperate politicians who were rejected by the citizens of the state during the last governorship election in the state.

    He noted that Governor Nwifuru has no reason to panic over the outcome of the cases in the election tribunal since he was overwhelmingly voted into office alongside other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the good people of Ebonyi State.

    According to him, Ebonyi State has “never planned to bribe, either directly or by proxy, any member of the judiciary or its representative to bend the course of justice.”

    Okpor noted further that Gov Nwifuru is aware that the tribunal is comprised of judges of integrity and impeccable character who can never stoop so low as to demand or accept any form of financial gratification from anyone or a group of people.

    “Our unshakable confidence in the Nigerian judicial system is not in doubt,” he stressed.

  • Eight killers of INEC Staff arrested in Ebonyi state

    Eight killers of INEC Staff arrested in Ebonyi state

    Mr Emmanuel Ajah, the council chairman of the Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, has confirmed the arrest of eight kidnappers who killed a staffer of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Emmanuel Igwe, along Ishiagu-Mpu road last Sunday.

    Few days ago, the suspected kidnappers abducted the wife of the victim and slaughtered the father of Ohanaeze youth leader, Ajah Okeafor, who was harvesting yams on his farmland.

    Ajah, who spoke to newsmen in Abakaliki, the state capital, on Sunday, said Igwe’s wife was rescued unhurt after paying a ransom to the kidnappers.

    He noted that the kidnappers were tracked to their hideout and apprehended through the joint effort of security agencies.

    “The kidnappers who killed INEC staff last Sunday and abducted his wife, and also butchered the father of Ohaneze youth leader, Ajah Okeafor, have been arrested,” he said.

    Ajah added that the kidnappers were seen with Fulani herdsmen and some bad boys from the Lonkpanta community and were tracked after collecting the ransom.

    “We didn’t sleep since that incident happened, the kidnappers demanded ransom, and we gave it to them. We tracked them to their hideout through the joint efforts of the security agencies and my men. We have apprehended eight of them, and we are still searching for the remaining two, who are the major kingpin,” he added.

    He revealed that the arrested suspects are responsible for the various kidnapping incidents in the council area and vowed to mobilize security operatives to raid their hideout as a way to forestall further occurrences.

    He called on the indigenes of the council to desist from conspiracies and every connection to commit crime as “no one will be spared” and urged them to give the police useful security information that will lead to the arrest of the fleeing suspects.

  • PDP constitutes Ekiti, Ebonyi chapters’ caretaker committees

    PDP constitutes Ekiti, Ebonyi chapters’ caretaker committees

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has constituted a Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the Ekiti State Chapter of the party for a period not exceeding 90 days (3 months).

    The party stated this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    Ologunagba said that the composition of the committee was approved by the NWC on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC), pursuant to the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017),

    The caretaker committee, chaired by Sadiq Obanoyen and Dosu Babatunde as secretary, has Ojoade Fajana, Mrs Adijat Eniola Balogun, Oladimeji Ayodele and Boboye Adekunle as members

    Others include Lawal Tosin, Waliu Oladipupo, Erelu Toyin Mark, Dr Alade Modupe, Olugbenga Adewole, Ajibola Samuel, Mrs Bolanle Ogundiran, and Are Donald Temitope.

    The NWC urged all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of PDP in Ekiti State to remain united and continue to work together for the progress of the party.

    Similarly, the NWC) of the party set up a Caretaker Caretaker Committee to run the Ebonyi State Chapter for the same period.

    The committee, according to the statement issued by Ologunagba, is chaired by Dr Augustine Nwazunku.

    Ologunagba said that the composition of the committee was approved by the PDP NWC on behalf of the NEC

    Ologunagba said that Ogbuefi Zacheus would serve as secretary while its members included Jude Onuoha, Ezekiel Igede, David Odey, Chika Nwoba and Gideon Nwokwu.

    Other members are Mrs Amaka Igboke, Francis Ibiam, Uka Abraham, Mark Onu, Ifeanyi Nworie and Oko Ibiam.