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Tag: Enugu State

  • Gov Mbah pardons 11 inmates in Enugu

    Gov Mbah pardons 11 inmates in Enugu

    Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has granted  pardon to 11 inmates in Enugu aimed at decongesting correctional facilities in the state.

    Mr Uche Anichukwu, the Senior Special Assistant to Mbah on External Relations, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Enugu.

    Anichukwu said that the gesture was a step towards giving the beneficiaries another opportunity to live a better life as members of the society.

    He said the beneficiaries of the clemency were conveyed to the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kingsley Udeh, by the Chief of Staff to Mbah, Mr Victor Udeh.

    According Anichukwu, the beneficiaries are Ugochukwu Oma, Onah Nnamdi, Chiadikobi Onu, Emmanuel Sambo, Emeka Nyia, and Ngene Oluebube.

    Others are Francis Chinecherem, Eze Chigozie, Anthony Tombari, Francis Chibuzor, and Uzoma Nnaoche.

    He explained that the governor’s decision was in exercise of his Prerogative of Mercy powers under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

    Anichukwu said: “It was also in consultation with the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

    “The decision was in concordance with reports of proven reform in character, ability to reintegrate with the society having possessed or learnt some productive skills.

    “It followed the recommendations by the Correctional Services and the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

    “The Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy draws membership from the Nigerian Correctional Service, Carmelite Prisoners Interest Organisation (CAPIO), the Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace (CIDJAP), among other reputable justice sector institutions.”

  • Enugu safest state in Nigeria – Gov Mbah

    Enugu safest state in Nigeria – Gov Mbah

    Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has said that the state remains the safest in the country, irrespective of the propaganda by detractors of his administration.

    Mbah said this on Wednesday, when the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 13, Mr Abayomi Oladipo, paid him a courtesy visit at the Lion Building, Enugu.

    He said the state had put proactive measures in place and invested in capacity to solve every single crime and bring the perpetrators to book.

    He also said that he was aware that his administration could not achieve the ambition to grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion and position it as the premier destination for investment, business, tourism and living without security.

    This, he said, pushed his decision to invest huge resources and political will in fighting the scourge of insecurity from the outset.

    He maintained that with the enormity of security infrastructure, such as the Command and Control Centre, Enugu had acquired the capacity to not only prevent crimes, but also solve them when they occur.

    “We established Distress Response Squad, a special police unit, with over 150 security vehicles, installation of AI-enabled cameras across the state for surveillance, and other resources put in place.

    “Enugu is the most secure city in the country, unarguably, save for people, who like to magnify things, and believe that the security we enjoy in Enugu is disturbing them.

    “What they do is to post or peddle falsehood in the social media by going back to things that happened years ago to make them appear as if they were just happening.

    “Also, things that happened elsewhere, they make them appear as if they were happening in Enugu.

    “I have seen some images and videos recently of things that never happened here, but made to look as it they happened here in the state,” the governor said.

    Speaking earlier, the AIG, said he had received security briefing from the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Mamman Giwa, and his Anambra State counterpart, CP Ikioye Orutugu.

    He said they had rolled out modalities for synergy in fighting crime and commended Mbah for the notable improvement in security of lives and property in the state.

    “I can tell you that what we have put in place is really working for us. I want to thank you for the support and your cooperation with the police and other security agencies in the state,” he said.

  • Police uncover human skull, ritual staff at demolished worship centre in Enugu

    Police uncover human skull, ritual staff at demolished worship centre in Enugu

    A human skull and a ritual staff were among the exhibits uncovered at the proposed synagogue of an acclaimed Enugu prophet, Chinedu Ezedike.

    It would be recalled that the prophet made news headlines a few weeks ago when he was arrested for allegedly killing four siblings in his church, located at Ibagwa-Aka, Igboeze South LGA of the state.

    He was arrested, and his church was subsequently demolished on the orders of the state government.

    More revelations about his activities as a satanic prophet were revealed by the Chairman of Igboeze South LGA, Hon Ferdinand Ukwueze, on Monday.

    Hon. Ukwueze, in a post on his Facebook page, stated that he, along with the Divisional Police Officer of Igbo-Eze South and other security operatives, two days ago, acting on intelligence, visited a site at Abile Hill, Isi-Agu, Ibagwa-Aka.

    According to him, “The location, currently being used for the construction of Prophet Chinedu Ezedike’s so-called Synagogue, was discovered to be a suspected site for ritual activities.

    “To our greatest dismay, a human skull and a ritual staff were discovered from the site, lending further credence to the disturbing and tragic circumstances surrounding the claims and allegations against Ezedike.

    “The recovered items were duly handed over to the police for further examination as investigations continue.

    “More of these hidden locations will be discovered and visited, as we remain relentless in our pursuit against all forms of criminality in our local government area.”

    He reassured the people of the LGA that “under the administration of the Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, there will be no hiding place for crimes of any form.

    “We are pursuing an egalitarian society where sons and daughters of Enugu State can aspire to and become anything of their choice legitimately without any fear of criminal molestation.”

  • Police rescue robbery suspect from irate mob, recover pistol in Enugu

    Police rescue robbery suspect from irate mob, recover pistol in Enugu

    The police command in Enugu State has rescued an armed robbery suspect from irate mob and recovered a locally made pistol from him.

    The command Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement on Monday in Enugu, said that the suspect (names withheld) was rescued from the mob on June 8, at about 8p.m. within the Independence Layout, Enugu.

    Ndukwe said that the feat was achieved through credible intelligence by a combined team of police operatives from the Independence Layout Division, Anti-Cultism Squad, working in collaboration with members of the Neighbourhood Watch.

    “A locally fabricated pistol was recovered from him, while his cohorts reportedly fled the scene. The suspect, who sustained severe injuries inflicted by the irate mob, is currently receiving medical treatment.

    “He (allegedly) confessed to being a member of the Black Axe Confraternity, while discreet investigations are ongoing to apprehend his fleeing accomplices,” he said.

    Ndukwe said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had commended the swift and collaborative efforts of the police operatives and community members that led to the arrest and recovery.

    He said that the commissioner, however, strongly cautioned against mob actions and jungle justice, adding that such acts undermined proper investigation and the delivery of justice in criminal cases.

  • Mike Ejeagha: Gwo gwo gwo ngwo singer buried in Enugu

    Mike Ejeagha: Gwo gwo gwo ngwo singer buried in Enugu

    The late veteran highlife musician, Mike Ejeagha has been laid to rest, eldest son of the deceased, Mr Emmanuel Ejeagha, has disclosed.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Emmanuel to have said family of Ejeagha buried the “gwo gwo gwo ngwo” singer within 24 hours after his demise to keep his wish.

    Speaking in a telephone interview on Sunday in Enugu State, Emmanuel said his father made a wish and warned them not to embalm him after his death, which they had fulfilled.

    The highlife legend was laid to rest in his country home at Umuagba, Imezi-Owa in Ezeagu Council Area of Enugu State on Saturday, 24 hours after his death on Friday night at the age of 95.

    He said his father sternly instructed him as first son that when he passed on, nobody should embalm him.

    “I contacted members of my family and informed them that my father made a wish that he should be laid to rest 24 hours after his death.

    “I also summoned a meeting of my kindred and we discussed extensively and even Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State was informed about it and they all consented that whatever was his wish should be kept.

    “There are a lot of consequential results if an elder said something and otherwise was done,” Emmanuel told NAN.

    He, however, confirmed that his funeral ceremony would be announced soon.

  • Gov Mbah goes tough on native doctors in Enugu

    Gov Mbah goes tough on native doctors in Enugu

    Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has transmitted an Executive Bill to the Enugu State House of Assembly to checkmate criminal activities among native doctors and herbalists in the state.

    Mr Uche Anichukwu, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on External Relations made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Enugu.

    He said that the proposed legislation was entitled “Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance and Order”.

    Anichukwu said that the bill also outlawed money rituals otherwise known as ‘Okite’, criminal bulletproof charms, also known as ‘odeshi.’

    According to him, the bill equally outlaws illegal use or occupation of forests and property for criminal activities.

    “By the provisions of Section 3 (1) of the bill, “every person, who engages in the practice or rendering of spiritual services within the state, shall be registered with the Ministry, Department and Agencies (MDA) of the state as may be designated by the Governor for that purpose.”

    “The registration include the native doctor, herbalist, spiritualist, chief priest, diviner, seer, or by any other traditional or spiritual title or designation.

    “Practising without registration will attract a fine of not less than N1 million and not more than N5 million or two-year imprisonment or both,” Anichukwu said.

    He added that section 15 of the proposed legislation provides that “any spiritualist that administers or causes to be administered any charm, substance, or object on or for another person, for the purpose of invincibility commits an offence

    Others include charms for protection to facilitate the commission of any criminal offence and acquiring wealth or benefits by supernatural means outside any lawful means of livelihood.

    Anichukwu said such a spiritualist was liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of six years or to a fine of not less than N5 million or both.

    “Any person, who falsely claims to possess supernatural powers or misleads the public into believing so, for the purpose of gaining reward or influence, commits an offence.

    “The person shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of three years or to a fine of not less than three million naira (N3,000,000), or both,” Anichukwu said.

    He said the proposed bill further provided that where a person claimed spiritual powers under this law, “the burden shall lie on such a person, during investigation, to provide reasonable proof of the purported supernatural abilities claimed.

    “It provides six years of imprisonment or a fine of N5 million or both against anyone, who uses or knowingly permits the use of any religious place, for the commission or facilitation of a crime.

    “Any person who performs, facilitates, demands, directs, or participates in any ritual or traditional practice involving the use of human parts, or who causes another person to do so, commits an offence.

    “He or she shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 20 years without the option of a fine,” he said..

    Anichukwu said: “Any person found in a camp, bush, or forest within Enugu State without any reasonable or lawful cause, and under circumstances giving rise to reasonable suspicion of involvement in any criminal activity, shall be handed over to security official.

    He explained that money, property and other proceeds of theft, robbery, kidnapping, among others were to be forfeited to the Enugu State Government, unless a lawful and verifiable owner claims it within a reasonable time.

  • Fire ravages foam-ladened packing store at popular Enugu market

    Fire ravages foam-ladened packing store at popular Enugu market

    Fire Fighters from the Enugu State Fire Service have quelled an inferno in a foam-ladened packing store within Ogbete Main Market, Enugu on Monday.

    The Director of the Service, Chief Okwudili Ohaa made the disclosure in an interview on Monday in Enugu.

    He said the swift response of the state fire service prevented the fire which started around 1.20pm from spreading to other parts of the market.

    According to him, within five minutes of receiving the distress call from the Chairman of Enugu North LGA, Dr Ibenaku Onoh, and other concerned citizens at about 1:25 p.m., we arrived the scene.

    “In less than 10 minutes battling the raging fire with our officers attached to the Ogbete Main Market Fire Station, those from our headquarters in Ogui, market vigilante/security group; we contained the fire from the store where it started.

    “The packing store is on top of the usual shops. So, no trading shop was affected. No life was lost. The valuables destroyed were few foams,” he told NAN.

    Ohaa thanked the LG Chairman and other citizens for their swift call as well as other organisations and individuals that contributed to the extinguishing of the fire.

    He attributed the cause of the inferno to probably electrical surge, adding; “We discovered crowded electrical wiring in the affected packing store.”

    Ohaa, however, urged the authority of the market to restore the original master plan of the market, which made provision for a free access way into the market.

    “As I speak to you, the fire truck of the market provided by the state government is at the headquarters; since there is no space to park it in the market.

    “And if you park the truck in the market, there is no access route for it to move swiftly, as traders wares occupy large portion of the major access routes in the market,” he said.

  • 13-year-old girl rescued from ritualist offered scholarship

    13-year-old girl rescued from ritualist offered scholarship

    Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has offered scholarship to 13-year-old, Ukamaka Okonkwo, rescued from alleged ritualist and kidnapper dungeon, Obi-Levi Obieze, at Ndiagu Umumba in Ezeagu Council Area of Enugu State.

    Mrs Ngozi Enih, the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs, and Social Development, disclosed this in a statement in Enugu on Sunday.

    The commissioner said the scholarship would see Okonkwo through her education from her present class to the university.

    She added that the state government had moved her to a government facility for therapy and rehabilitation as a way of helping her overcome the trauma she must have passed through.

    Enih said: “We travelled to Ndiagu Umumba, Ezeagu Council Area, today at the governor’s instance to meet with parents of Ukamaka.

    “The visit is to bring her to Enugu where she will undergo the necessary therapy and be fully rehabilitated. You can imagine the level of trauma this young girl must have passed through.

    “So, the government wants to ensure that she bounces back fully in the shortest possible time.

    “Therefore, the Ministry of Children,Gender Affairs and Social Development, will be responsible for providing therapies and counselling to her before reintegrating her back into the society.

    “This is just a way of reassuring her and her parents that they are not alone and to equally put smiles on their faces.

    “Government wants to ensure that she fulfils her glorious destiny because this is a destined child,” she said.

    The Commissioner disclosed that government delegation also visited Mr Theophilus Ezih and Mrs Chinenye Ezih, parents of the deceased boy, Chimaobi Ezih, at Agba Umana in same Ezeagu Council Area.

    “The essence is to commiserate with them over the unfortunate incident. We share their pains,” she stated.

    She, however, said that the identity of the pregnant woman also found dead in the Ndiagu Umumba dungeon was yet to be identified to be able to trace her relatives.

    Enih promised that the government and the relevant security were working on it, maintaining that all the culprits would be brought to book.

    “As you are well aware, this is a government that has zero tolerance for crime. Government has already demolished the property linked to these dastardly acts in line with extant laws of Enugu State.

    “The police and other security agencies are working with the government to track down and bring back those still at large to face justice.

    “That is the only way to appease the spirits and souls of the deceased and to get our society rid of such crimes,” she said.

  • Enugu govt reacts over fleeing ritualist arrested at Seme border

    Enugu govt reacts over fleeing ritualist arrested at Seme border

    The Enugu State Government says the arrested suspected ritualist and kidnap kingpin, Obi-Levi Obieze, will face the full weight of the law.

    The government also commended the vigilance of the officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service who apprehended Obieze along Badagry-Seme road.

    This is contained in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, on Friday in Enugu.

    Onyia disclosed that the suspect’s mansions at his Umumba Ndiagu in Ezeagu Council Area of the state had already been demolished by the authorities on Tuesday.

    This, he said, was in line with extant laws of Enugu State regarding property linked to kidnapping.

    “The Enugu State Government received with delight the news of the arrest of the fugitive suspected kidnap kingpin and ritualist, Levi Obieze, by the officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service.

    “This arrest has further strengthened our hands in our bid to ensure that justice is served on all the persons involved in the gory incidents of abduction, kidnapping, and ritual killings linked to the suspect.

    “As usual, the Enugu State Government has already demolished the property in his country home on Tuesday, May 27, in line with Section 315 (Second Amendment) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 30, Laws of Enugu State,” he said.

    Onyia commended the vigilance of the community members, civilian and security operatives in the state for bursting the crime, saying it would not condone the acts of criminality under any guise.

    “This administration will not condone any form of criminality in our communities under any guise.

    “Therefore, this is also a call on community leaders, traditional rulers, Presidents-General of Town Unions, Neighbourhood Watch, among others, to be watchful and report such persons to government and security agencies.

    “Those who cover up for such criminals will also be treated as accomplices,” he said.

  • NSF: We will host a better sports festival in 2026 – Enugu Govt

    NSF: We will host a better sports festival in 2026 – Enugu Govt

    The Enugu State Government has promised to organised  a quality 23rd  National Sports Festival (NSF) in December 2026 in the state.

    Lloyd Ekweremadu, Commissioner for Sports in the State, said this at a news conference in Abeokuta on Thursday.

    Ekweremadu said the state was impressed with the level of organisation put in place by the Ogun government,  noting that it had become a standard for future festivals, especially the 23rd edition.

    He said Enugu State was one of the safest state in Nigeria as Gov. Peter Mba  had addressed the situation and brought the sit-at-home menace to a permanent end.

    According to him, Enugu is very ready, we have been here and we have seen what happened here.

    “I must say that Ogun  has done well, we assure that you can expect a better deal in Enugu,” he said.

    The commissioner said the  State would work with  the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) at both the national and state levels to ensure that adequate accommodation and seamless movement of journalists was provided.

    He also said that the sports festival in Enugu would be a pilgrimage experience for visitors as there would be a lot of sites to visit.

    According to him, the places to visit included Awhum Waterfalls, Nsude Pyramid, Forest Park in Ngwo and Okpatu hills among others.

    Responding, Isaiah Benjamin, President of SWAN commended Enugu State for the bold steps of hosting the festival and wished them a good outing.

    Benjamin urged the commissioner and the organiser to accord priority to the media and ensure that SWAN was an integral part of the planning process, especially as it concerns  media accreditaion.

    He promised the collaboration of SWAN with the Enugu State government, National Sports Commission (NSC) and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the game succeeded.

    The sports festival which started on May 16 will end on May 30.