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Tag: Enugu

  • Enugu tanker explosion: Death toll rises to 18

    Enugu tanker explosion: Death toll rises to 18

    The death toll in the tanker explosion on Ugwu-Onyeama axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway has risen from 11 to 18 people as confirmed by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Sunday.

    The Sector Commander of the FRSC, Enugu State Command, Mr Franklin Agbakoba, confirmed the rise in the death toll to NAN on Sunday.

    Recall that the incident, which happened on Saturday at about 11:30 a.m. when a fuel-laden tanker had a brake failure, fell and exploded leaving 11 commuters dead.

    NAN reports that the deceased were evacuated by the FRSC officers after officials of the Enugu State Fire Service extinguished the inferno while the injured were taken to hospitals in Enugu for treatment.

    The sector commander said the additional seven deceased were victims of the accident, who were rushed to nearby hospitals, but could not make it.

    Agbakoba disclosed that 11 vehicles and not eight as earlier mentioned  were burnt in the unfortunate incident.

    They included one fuel tanker, one water tanker and 15 other vehicles as well as one tricycle, popularly known as “Keke”.

    “Currently, the death toll from the unfortunate accident is 18 persons and we continue to pray for their souls to have eternal rest.

    “However, three persons were not injured but profiled; and they have since rejoined their families and friends,” he said.

    Agbakoba lauded Gov. Peter Mbah, the state Commissioner for Transportation, Obi Ozor, the Police, the Enugu State Fire Service and health officials among others that came to render help and rescue at the scene.

    The sector commander said that traffic had been diverted to the inward Enugu lane of the ever busy Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

    “For now, we have commenced evacuation of burnt vehicles in the scene of the accident along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway in anticipation of re-opening the section of the road,” he said.

    NAN recalls that Gov. Mbah, who was at the scene of the accident for on-the-spot assessment on Saturday, said the government would ensure that the victims received full and free medical attention.

    The governor also revealed that the government would take steps to forestall future occurrences, including enforcement of road rules and fixing the part of the federal road that was in disrepair.

    Mbah commiserated with the families of the victims, describing the accident as “unfortunate”.

    He directed Agbakoba and the state’s Commissioner for Transport, Obi Ozor, to ensure that tankers conveying inflammable substances have anti-spill lock that would prevent spill in case of accidents.

  • Many feared dead as tanker explodes in Enugu (video)

    Many feared dead as tanker explodes in Enugu (video)

    Many people have been feared dead and others injured when a petrol tanker fell and caught fire along Ugwu Onyeama between Enugu and 9th Mile.

    In the video that surfaced on social media, captured many vehicles going up in flames while men of the State Fire Service battle to extinguish the raging flame.

    It is not yet ascertained the number of the dead, but at least seven vehicles and a Keke were burnt beyond recognition.

    A voice in the video was heard asking for prayers for the dead. It added that some people in vehicles that fell inside a nearby gully are unaccounted for.

    Watch video below;

     

  • Manufacturers hold AGM in Enugu, suggest ways to revive Nigeria’s ailing economy

    Manufacturers hold AGM in Enugu, suggest ways to revive Nigeria’s ailing economy

    Stakeholders in the manufacturing sector have called for urgent investment and strategic support to revitalise Nigeria’s economy through non-oil exports.

    The appeal was made at the 36th Annual General Meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Anambra/Ebonyi/Enugu Chapter, held in Enugu on Friday, themed “Revitalising Nigeria’s Economy Through Manufacturing-Driven Non-Oil Export.”

    Chairperson of the MAN chapter, Lady Ada Chukwudozie, emphasised the pressing need for Nigeria to shift from its oil-dependent economy by strengthening the manufacturing sector.

    She highlighted that the nation’s overreliance on oil has exposed it to challenges like price volatility, environmental degradation, and limited economic diversification.

    “To ensure economic sustainability, Nigeria must prioritise manufacturing-driven non-oil export strategies, as seen in countries like Singapore, where innovation and research have propelled their manufacturing sector to global competitiveness,” Chukwudozie stated.

    She further urged the government to implement supportive policies, such as tax incentives, improved access to financing, and investment in critical infrastructure.

    Keynote speaker and former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, described manufacturing as the “master key” to addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges.
    “Export-driven manufacturing can reduce our vulnerability to oil price fluctuations, generate revenue, and create jobs,” Peterside said, while advocating for infrastructure development, stable monetary policies, and power sector reforms to support manufacturers.

    Anambra State’s Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, called for collaboration among Southeast states to leverage their comparative advantages. He cited Anambra’s agricultural revolution in palm and coconut production as an example of non-oil sector innovation.

    The event also featured awards to distinguished individuals and highlighted the urgent need for a united approach to reposition Nigeria’s manufacturing sector as a driver of economic growth.

  • NDLEA arrests businessman at Enugu airport for ingesting 90 wraps of cocaine

    NDLEA arrests businessman at Enugu airport for ingesting 90 wraps of cocaine

    ..smashes 2 cocaine syndicates, arrests Chinese, Nigerian kingpins, 5 associates in Lagos; intercepts N4.3Billion worth of opioids at Onne, Tincan ports

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a 50-year-old businessman, Osuoha Christian Iheanacho, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, AIIA, Enugu, for ingesting 90 wraps of cocaine.

    Osuoha was intercepted on Wednesday 20th November 2024 at the arrival hall of the Enugu airport during the inbound screening of passengers arriving from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on an Ethiopian airlines flight following months of intelligence and surveillance on him. He was subsequently placed on excretion observation during which he egested 90 pellets of cocaine weighing 2.019 kilograms in seven excretions.

    Investigation reveals that the suspect who operates phone and accessories business in Lagos and Gabon, Central Africa, travelled by road from Gabon to Douala, Cameroon from where he took a flight to Addis Ababa where he swallowed the pellets of cocaine while in transit and thereafter continued his journey to Enugu with Lagos as his final destination. He deliberately complicated his movement to distort traces of his travel history unknown to him that he has been on NDLEA watchlist for the past three months. In his statement, Osuoha said he desperately needed the money from the criminal drug trade to boost his declining phone and accessories business.

    In another well-coordinated operation carried out by a Special Operations Unit of the Agency on Thursday 21st November, head of a cocaine distribution cartel, 42-year-old Ndive Maxwell Obinna was arrested along with five of his associates at Ago Palace Way in Okota, Isolo, Lagos. A total of 2.412 kilograms of cocaine were recovered from them.

    Other members of the drug trafficking organization arrested along Obinna include:
    Okeke Gloria Ifeoma who is the syndicate’s stash keeper; Ikechebelu Emmanuel Chibuzor; Okorie Onyedikachi; Okonkwo Nnabugo Prince; and Okafor Blessing Anita.
    In a related development, another drug syndicate operated by a Chinese man, 58-year-old Tianzhen Yen (alias Jackie) has been dismantled by NDLEA operatives following his arrest at his hotel in Ikeja area of Lagos. Officers of the Seme Special Area Command of the Agency had on Thursday 21st November intercepted a 40-year-old suspect, Yakubu Emmanuel Mark in a commercial bus going to Ghana at the Gbaji checkpoint along Badagry-Seme expressway based on credible intelligence.
    When he was searched, a total of 750grams of cocaine were found in his bag. A swift follow up operation was organized to trace and arrest the kingpin behind the trans-border drug trafficking syndicate, who turned out to be a Chinese citizen, Tianzhen Yen. He was eventually traced to MC Hotel behind Alade market, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos. When his hotel room was searched, 4.3grams of cocaine; a gram of methamphetamine; two electronic weighing scales; and Chinese National Identification Number Card, among other exhibits were recovered while he was arrested in the vicinity of the hotel.
    At the Tincan seaport in Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Friday 22nd November intercepted 92 parcels of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis with a combined weight of 23.25kg concealed in two vehicles imported from Canada: a Nissan car and a GMC bus. The discovery was made during a joint examination of a container from Canada by NDLEA officers, men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other stakeholders.
    In Rivers state, NDLEA operatives at the Port Harcourt Ports complex, Onne, on Thursday 21st November intercepted two containers of imported opioids during a joint examination with men of Customs Service and other security agencies.

    A total of 168,000 bottles of codeine based syrup worth One Billion One Hundred and Seventy Six Million Naira (N1,176,000,000) only in street value, were recovered from one of the containers while the second one contains Four Million Five Hundred Thousand (4,500,000) pills of super royal tramadol 225mg valued at Three Billion One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N3,150,000,000) only, bringing the combined value of both the codeine and tramadol consignments to Four Billion Three Hundred and Twenty Six Million Naira (N4,326,000,000) only.

    In Ekiti state, NDLEA operatives on Sunday 17th November arrested a 50-year-old physically challenged woman, Mustapha Boja, with 286 grams of Colorado and Loud strains of cannabis at Araromi street, Ikere-Ekiti, while 64kg of cannabis sativa was recovered at Akinyele motor park, Ibadan, Oyo state on Thursday 21st November.

    Not less than 1,200.5 kilograms of same psychoactive substance were seized during raids by NDLEA officers in parts of Edo state. At Utese forest in Ovia North East LGA, 463.5kg was recovered on Thursday 21st November; while 507kg was seized at a compound in Owan village, Ovia LGA where the duo of David Ojo Ederin, 60, and Afoje Frank, 24, were arrested on Friday 22nd November. Another suspect, Godwin Okhoya, 40, was nabbed with 230kg of same substance at Okpuje, Owan West LGA.

    In Kano, four suspects: Usman Sani, 25; Abdul Mohd, 28; Bunu Ali,27; and Umar Musa, 30, were on Tuesday 19th November arrested by NDLEA operatives at Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria- Kano road, with 100 blocks of cannabis weighing 45kg, while Ayuba Umar Zaranda, 55, was nabbed with 124kg cannabis at Pengana village, Toro LGA, Bauchi state.

    With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

    These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Sardauna Academy, Malumfashi, Katsina state; Community Secondary School, Ede-Oballa, Nsukka, Enugu state; Government Secondary School, Riji, Kano state; Government Secondary School, Ogba, Ahoada East LGA, Rivers state and the youths and community leaders of Ilawe Ekiti, Ekiti state, among others.

    While commending the officers and men of AIIA, SIU,Tincan, Onne, Seme, Ekiti, Oyo, Kano, Bauchi, and Edo Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.

  • Why I appointed SSA on Garden egg, yam, pepper – Enugu LG Chairman

    Why I appointed SSA on Garden egg, yam, pepper – Enugu LG Chairman

    The Chairman of Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, Enugu State, Dr Eric Odo, has faulted negative online media reports on his recent appointment of Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) on Agriculture to boost food production.

    Odo told newsmen in Enugu on Wednesday that the appointment of SSAs on Agriculture specifically on Garden Egg, Yam and Pepper was a strategic move.

    He noted that the appointments was meant to boost production of these crops in large quantity to satisfy local demands and for export.

    The chairman noted that Igbo-Etiti council area was good in growing these crops and had great comparative advantage, hence the need to engage individuals who had the competence to develop that aspect of agriculture.

    He said, “Their appointments is to ensure that local farmers receive adequate attention, needed resources, support and expertise to enhance production, improve market access and increase income for farmers.

    “In essence, the appointment, which is wrongly misunderstood by disgruntled individuals, bad losers and opposition, reinforces my determination to creating a thriving local economy based on the strengths and potentials of Igbo-Etiti’s agricultural landscape.”

    The chairman added that the decision was a well thoughtout one aimed at enhancing productivity, job creation, and to uplift farmers and communities for both short-term and long-term development goals.

    He urged the public to disregard any online or offline comment aimed at discrediting his laudable and visionary efforts to reposition and set Igbo-Etiti council area on the path of massive food production and sustainable development.

    Meanwhile, a financial expert, Mr Kalu Aja commended the chairman for the appointment saying that garden eggs had 50 per cent Return on Investment (ROI) which many investments could not offer.

    Reacting to the appointment in his X handle Aja said that garden egg was an economically important crop in the South East and used as a substitute for kola.

    ”Garden egg is probably the third most consumed fruity vegetable in Nigeria and Ghana, after pepper and tomatoes.

    “The profitability of garden egg farming is very high with more than 50 per cent return on investment,” he said.

  • Murder of Enugu-based musician: Inspector found culpable, dismissed – Police

    Murder of Enugu-based musician: Inspector found culpable, dismissed – Police

    The Police Command in Enugu State says it has concluded the orderly room trial of.Insp. Joseph Ozonwanji, implicated in the murder of a musician, Chikezie Nwamba, popularly called “Igbo-Jah”.

    The command’s Spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement issued in Enugu and made available to newsmen on Monday.

    Ndukwe stated that the inspector, who served in the Anti-cultism Tactical Squad of the command, was found culpable and handed down the maximum penalty of dismissal.

    He further stated that the dismissal was immediately followed with his arraignment, in line with the Police Act and Regulations 2020.

    “Accordingly, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 13 (covering Anambra and Enugu States’ Commands), approved the orderly room trial recommendations to dismiss and prosecute the inspector in court.

    “Hence, he has been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force and was today, October 28, arraigned at the Enugu East Magistrate’s Court for the offence of murder.

    “The Chief Magistrate ordered the remand of the former officer in Enugu Correctional Custodial Centre and the transmission of the case-file to the Attorney General of Enugu State for further judicial action,” the statement added.

    It also noted that the matter was adjourned to November 12.

    Ndukwe further stated that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, extended his condolences to the family, friends and associates of the deceased.

    According to him, the commissioner expressed gratitude to the government, people of Enugu State and the public for their support throughout the trial.

    “The commissioner emphasised that the Nigeria Police Force remains a disciplined government agency.

    “Under my leadership, the command will continue to hold all erring officers accountable for their actions,” he added.

    NAN recalls that Igbo-Jah, an Enugu-based traditional musician, was reportedly shot dead on October 25, while leaving the ATS premises “after a friendly visit”.

  • How EFCC invaded radio station, arrests presenter during live programme

    How EFCC invaded radio station, arrests presenter during live programme

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have raided Urban Radio 94.5FM, Enugu and arrested a presenter during a live programme.

    In a statement on Tuesday, the station apologised to its listeners over disruption of the programme.

    It said the invasion occurred at 6:45pm on Monday when the ‘Prime Time’ programme was ongoing.

    Urban Radio said operatives abducted presenters and seized communication equipment without disclosing reasons for their actions.

    The statement read, “The Board and Management of Urban Radio 94.5FM, Enugu regrets the abrupt halting and disruption of our programme on Monday evening.

    “Armed men identifying as the EFCC had barged into the studio and interrupted the live program ‘Prime – Time’, forcefully abducted our presenters and took away our communication equipment for reasons they vehemently refused to disclose.

    “Whilst we are following up with the matter, we will continue to inform our dear listeners accordingly through this medium. Once again, we apologize for the unethical break-in into our live studio and disruption of your favourite programmes and hope that the matter will be resolved as soon as possible and for whatever the reasons.”

    However, Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesman, defended the anti-graft agency’s action, saying the agency was at the station to arrest Favour Ekoh, a presenter, over alleged involvement in a ponzi scheme in which 103 Nigerians were defrauded.

    The EFCC spokesperson said only Ekoh was arrested and that operatives did not take away communication equipment.

    He said operatives of the agency tracked the presenter to the station after she shunned several invitations.

  • Police arrest 30-year- old man over murder of beighbour’s four-Year-Old daughter in Enugu

    Police arrest 30-year- old man over murder of beighbour’s four-Year-Old daughter in Enugu

    Police operatives have arrested a man for the murder of his neighbour’s four-year-old daughter in Enugu.

    A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe on Tuesday, said the command had received a distress call on August 18, 2024, around 10:30 PM.

    The call had prompted police operatives serving in the Nsukka sector of the Enugu State Command’s Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, to hasten to a compound at Orba Road in Nsukka Local Government Area.

    The caller had alleged the murder of a four-year-old girl.

    The Operatives consequently arrested one Nweke Chukwuemeka aged 30, alleged to have gruesomely murdered the female child, Zinachukwu Ugwu, in cold blood while she was sleeping.

    The lifeless body of the child was taken to the hospital, confirmed dead, and deposited in the mortuary.

    Additionally, the knife used by the suspect to commit the crime, quantities of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, and an object suspected to be a charm were recovered from him.

    Ndukwe said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect hails from Umuagu-Ozalla in Nkanu West Local Government Area, but resides in the said compound with the child’s parents and others.

    He initially attempted to attack other neighbours who resisted him and escaped before going into the victim’s apartment, where he saw the helpless child sleeping, and used the knife to cut through her throat.

    This was after the mother of the child had run out to take the other of her children to safety before coming back for the victim.

    The suspect confessed to the crime, claiming that he acted alone but under the influence of Indian hemp, methamphetamine (locally known as “Mkpuru-mmiri”), and Action Bitters alcoholic drink he consumed earlier.

    He also confessed to being a member of the Vikings Confraternity and that in 2022, while residing in Jos, Plateau State, he was involved in a cult clash during which he murdered a male member of the rival cult group.

    The suspect will be arraigned and prosecuted once investigations are concluded.

     

  • Yoruba community in Enugu gets 1st Oba

    Yoruba community in Enugu gets 1st Oba

    The Yoruba Community in Enugu State has unanimously selected Alhaji Abdulazeez Adebayo as its new traditional ruler.

    Adebayo, who hails from Osun, became the first ever Oba of the community since the history of Yorubas living in Enugu.

    Speaking during the community’s meeting on Tuesday in Enugu, the new traditional ruler, said that seven states of Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos, Kogi and Kwara, made up the Yoruba community in Enugu.

    Adebayo revealed that Yoruba ethnic nationality in the state comprised Ibadan Progressive Union, Ede Descendants, as well as Olateji, Ekiti, Ondo, Ilorin Descendant Unions.

    “Today, the Ibadan Progressive Union decided to associate and join the  Progressive Yoruba Community in Enugu state since what we have been yearning for many years–to have an Oba– has come true.’’

    On how he was chosen, Adebayo said the process entailed looking for somebody with good record, good behaviour and who could take care for his people.

    According to him, the person must also be trustworthy and ensure quality representation of Yoruba people in the state.

    Explaining how the clamour for Yorubas in Enugu to have an Oba started, he said some people indicated interest to contest for the position in 2018.

    Adebayo added that after screening, a report about the aspirants was submitted to the Yoruba community.

    “We lost about three persons in the process of waiting to choose who will be our Oba.

    “This is what the Yoruba elders saw and decided to bring a neutral person who is trusted and I was called upon to take the position.

    “I came to Enugu on Feb.7, 1979 and since then, I have lived peacefully in the state,” he said.

    While urging them for support, love and unity, Adebayo appealed to other Yorubas, who were not in the fold, to join the community.

    In his remarks, one of the aspirants, Chief Valentine Adesina, noted that there had been leadership tussle among the aspirants.

    “After the general meeting, they agreed to have a committee that will look into that; we were about seven including me but it was reduced to three.

    “We didn’t do an election but we considered certain criteria like age and character; at the end of the day, the elders came up with Adebayo.

    “He has been one of the pioneer members piloting the affairs of the community for about 35 years now.

    “For that singular reason, he knows more than most of us; most Yoruba elders that started with him had gone back home, while others had died.

    “I decided to step down for him to move the community forward,” Adesina said.

  • APC Crisis: Alphonsus Nwafor takes over as Enugu acting chairman

    APC Crisis: Alphonsus Nwafor takes over as Enugu acting chairman

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State on Monday appointed Dr Alphonsus Nwafor, as its acting chairman following the suspension of its former chairman, Ugochukwu Agballah.

    It also ratified the appointments of Mr Sunday Onah as acting State Deputy Chairman, Mr David Nwobodo as the acting Organising Secretary and Mr Callistus Ngwu as the acting State Treasurer.

    The acting chairman before his appointment was the Zonal Vice Chairman APC in Enugu West Senatorial Zone.

    He hold a PhD in Political Science, and a renowned business man who had impacted so much in the lives of his people.

    Recall that the party had on Saturday, suspended its chairman, Chief Agballah and other executive members over alleged abuse of offices.

    The other executive members suspended were the deputy chairman, Chief Augustine Alumonah; Treasurer Mr Jude Aniogbo, and the Organising Secretary, Mr Emeka Eze.

    Briefing newsmen on Monday in Enugu, the Publicity Secretary said the appointed persons would be on acting capacity pending when the party got substantive officers.

    According to Ezeanyanwu, the party cannot afford to have leadership vacuum in its fold, hence the need to fill the vacancy created by the suspended officers.

    The Publicity Secretary dismissed the allegation that the Committee did not follow due process in suspending the affected officer, stressing that they followed processed outlines in the party’s constitution.

    NAN reports that 15 out of the 17 Local Government APC Chairmen attended the meeting.

    In his remarks, Mr Uche Egbonwaonu, the APC Chairman in Nkanu East Local Government Area, accused the suspended chairman of being autocratic in his action, which made him to run the party as his personal business.

    Egbonwaonu maintained that the party would crumble in the state, if not the timely intervention of the Committee, noting that the Committee was determined to restore the lost glory of APC in Enugu State.

    In his acceptance speech, the acting chairman, Nwafor, thanked the members of the party for finding him worthy to serve in the position.

    Nwafor promised to unite the party by ensuring that the APC key stakeholders, suspended or expelled by Agballah and his group, are reunited.

    According to him, this would increase the chances of the party to perform credibly in the next general elections.