TheNewsGuru

Tag: Imo State

  • Gov Uzodimma increases minimum wage for Imo workers

    Gov Uzodimma increases minimum wage for Imo workers

    Imo State governor Hope Uzodimma has approved a new minimum wage of ₦104,000 for civil servants in the state.

    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that the governor made the announcement during a meeting with labour union leaders on Tuesday night at the Government House, Owerri where he disclosed that wage adjustment raises the minimum salary for workers from ₦76,000 to ₦104,000.

    Other categories of workers also received upward reviews:

    • Doctors’ minimum pay rose from ₦215,000 to ₦503,000.
    • Teachers in tertiary institutions had their salaries increased from ₦119,000 to ₦222,000.

    Uzodimma said the decision was informed by the need to ease the economic hardship confronting workers.

    “When workers are paid well, productivity rises, families are happier, and the local economy grows. This is our way of investing in Imo people,” he said.

    The governor stressed some of  the challenges faced since his administration assumed office in 2020, ranging from insecurity, the COVID-19 pandemic, subsidy removal, and disputes over wages.

    “We tried as a government to always put it behind our mind that there is no way any government will do well if it doesn’t have a friendly and cordial relationship with the organised labour,” Uzodimma stated.

    He added that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) had increased from ₦400 million to over ₦3 billion per month, while allocations from the Federation Account grew from ₦5-₦7 billion in 2020 to about ₦14 billion.

    Uzodimma also disclosed that the state debt profile had reduced from ₦280 billion in 2020 to less than ₦100 billion.

    The governor acknowledged the hardship caused by fuel subsidy removal but insisted the policy had long-term benefits.

    “It is a thing of joy that we have started seeing the dividends of that bold decision of President Bola Tinubu to remove fuel subsidy. What government is confronted with now is how to ensure that the dividends of that policy trickle down to the common man on the street,” he said.

    Governor Uzodinma emphasized that ensuring transparency in resource allocation is crucial for sustaining reforms.

    He also announced that the state government will begin disbursing the final batch of gratuities owed to pensioners, totaling ₦16 billion, on August 27.

    Furthermore, he mentioned that his administration has introduced a health insurance scheme, improved health facilities, and has aligned with the Federal Government’s initiative to establish 1,000 businesses in every active INEC ward.

    The governor urged labour unions to foster unity with government and charged workers to avoid unethical practices and redundancy.

    The state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Uchechigemezu Nwigwe, described the wage increase as a major win for Imo workers.

    “Today, no worker in Imo will say you (Uzodimma) have not been fair to us. You rescued us from economic challenges and placed Imo among the highest-paying states in Nigeria,” he said.

  • Police detain Imo pastor for alleged rape

    Police detain Imo pastor for alleged rape

    The Imo Police Command has detained 32-year-old Ikenna Emmanuel, a pastor, and his alleged accomplice, one Franklin Chizoba, for allegedly raping a 20-year-old lady under the pretext of organising prayer for her.

    The command’s Spokesman, DSP Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement issued in Owerri and made available to newsmen on Thursday.

    Okoye alleged that the pastor, who is in-charge of Authentic Power City Church, hails from Umuobom, Ideato-South Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    He stated that on June 30, Chizoba lured the lady to the pastor, who allegedly offered the victim a drink, laced with drug in his residence.

    “Shortly afterwards, she became dizzy, after which both suspects had unlawful carnal knowledge of her. Following the report, operatives from Orlu Division promptly arrested the duo.

    “During interrogation, both suspects confessed to the offence and further admitted to engaging in homosexual acts.

    “They were subsequently charged to court on Aug. 12, and remanded at the Correctional Facility, Owerri, pending trial,” Okoye stated.

    In another development, he added that operatives from Orlu Division, on Aug. 12, detained one Ifeanyi Odinka, 39, of Amaifeke Orlu, for stabbing his father, Denius Odinka, 75, to death.

    Okoye stated that the incident followed a dispute over proceeds from a land sale.

    “On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime. The murder suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Owerri, for further investigation and prosecution,” he noted.

    He reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to combating crime and ensuring the safety of all residents.

    “The command urges Imo residents to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and promptly report all suspicious activities to the nearest police station or via 08034773600,” he stated.

  • One killed, five injured in suspected IPOB attack in Imo

    One killed, five injured in suspected IPOB attack in Imo

    The Nigerian police command, Imo State have confirmed one person was killed and five others injured in a suspected attack linked to Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) at Ubaheze, Awo-Idemili in Orsu local government area of the state.

    IPOB is outlawed in Nigeria.

    Henry Okoye, the spokesman for the Imo State Police Command, in a statement on Thursday said tragedy struck when one Ngozi Umeh stepped on a landmine, which exploded, injuring her severely.

    She was taken to the hospital, where she later died. The statement confirmed that at least five other people were injured. In response, Police Commissioner Aboki Danjuma has deployed the Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, tactical teams, and personnel from the Orsu and Orlu divisions to secure the area. Additionally, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, who oversees the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), has been assigned to investigate the incident.

    “The Imo State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation following an unfortunate incident that occurred on 24th June, 2025, at about 1430hrs, at Eke Ubaheze Market Square, Awo-Idemili in Orsu Local Government Area, Imo State, where an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated, resulting in the death of one person and injury to five others.

    “Preliminary investigation revealed that the explosion occurred when Ngozi Umeh ‘F’, a middle-aged woman from Ubaheze village, stepped on a landmine suspected to have been planted by IPOB/ESN terrorists.

    “She was critically injured and later confirmed dead at the hospital, while five others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are receiving medical attention.

    “Upon receipt of the distress call, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, swiftly deployed operatives of the Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, Tactical Teams, and personnel from Orsu and Orlu Division to cordon off the area, evacuate victims, and sweep the market vicinity for any other planted IEDs.

    “The area has since been declared safe, and normal activities have resumed under enhanced security surveillance.

    “In addition, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID)has been directed to commence a comprehensive investigation aimed at unmasking and apprehending the perpetrators.

    “The Commissioner of Police commiserates with the family of the deceased, late Ngozi Umeh, and prays for the quick recovery of the injured victims.

    “He also assures the good people of Orsu LGA and Imo State at large that the Command remains resolute in its determination to root out all criminal elements threatening the peace of the state.

    “Residents of Orsu and surrounding communities are urged to remain calm and go about their lawful activities, as adequate security measures have been emplaced to forestall any recurrence of such incidents.

    “Members of the public are strongly advised to report any suspicious items, persons, or movements to the nearest police station or via the Command’s emergency number: 0803 477 3600,” the statement added.

  • Mysterious stray bullet kills 20-month-old child in Imo – Mother laments

    Mysterious stray bullet kills 20-month-old child in Imo – Mother laments

    A stray bullet from a yet-to-be identified source has allegedly hit and killed a 20-month-old child at Umuoba-Uratta in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo.

    It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 10p.m on Monday. The child, identified as Emmanuel Eleweke, was the third of his parents, Mr and Mrs Okechukwu Eleweke.

    In an interview with NAN, the mother of the deceased, Mrs Kelechi Eleweke, expressed shock over the “mysterious circumstances” surrounding the boy’s death.

    Narrating the incident, she said: “I was with him yesterday (Monday) night on my bed after dinner and night prayer.

    “And one of my prayer points was that his father will not die premature death, and my son answered Amen. We got playing until he laid on my body to sleep.

    “Suddenly, he rolled down from my body and lay on the bed. He refused to sleep, in spite of my effort to lull him to sleep on my body. Instead, he shrugged off from me.

    “A few seconds later, I heard a huge sound and felt a splash of sand-like objects on my body. This was followed by my son’s scream for help as he persistently shouted mummy, mummy. The next thing I saw was blood all over his body and the bed.”

    Eleweke said that she quickly carried him and rushed outside for help.

    “My husband too got up and we made efforts to get to a nearby private hospital,” she further said.

    The woman, who was visibly heartbroken, said that instead of getting help from the hospital, the man that appeared like a doctor “demanded for a police report before treating my child”.

    According to her, in spite of our several pleas to him to rescue our son, the man simply ran a plaster round his head and asked us to take him to the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Owerri.

    She said that because she was half-dressed, she quickly returned home, while her husband continued with the effort to save their son.

    Speaking further, the child’s father, Okechukwu, said that after waiting for a while on the road, he finally got a vehicle that took them to FMC.

    He said: “For the period we were in transit, I can say the boy was alive until we got to FMC gate.

    “But getting into the emergency paediatric ward, the doctor on duty quickly examined him and pronounced him dead on arrival.”

    He said that the family could not explain where the “mysterious bullet” that killed their child came from.

    He also said that they, however, gathered on Tuesday morning that there were sporadic gunshots fired in the area on Monday night.

    “I didn’t know about the gunshots until this morning, when my neighbours talked about them. They said that some people were shooting around our area in the night.

    “Whatever they were celebrating that led to my son’s death, we don’t know,” Okechukwu said.

    A former Youth Leader in the community, Mr Chika Ibeawuchi, who expressed grief over the tragic incident, could not confirm the direction the gunshots came from.

    “I don’t know anything about the shootings, except that they lasted for more than 30 minutes. This is a tragedy. It has never happened before in this community,” Ibeawuchi said.

    He said that police officers from the Owerri North Divisional Headquarters came on Tuesday morning and took the baby along with the father to be able to extract the bullet from the child.

    He appealed to the police to carry out “diligent investigation”, in a bid to unravel the circumstances that led to the death of the innocent child.

    Efforts made to get a reaction from the Police Spokesman in the state, DSP Henry Okoye, were unsuccessful as he neither picked his call nor replied to the text message sent to his cellphone.

    However, a senior officer at the divisional headquarters confirmed the incident to NAN on the condition of anonymity, adding that they were handling the matter.

  • Diphtheria spread: Airport told to tighten health checks

    Diphtheria spread: Airport told to tighten health checks

    UNICEF has recommended regular health checks on incoming passengers at the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, as part of measures to check the spread of diphtheria in Imo.

    UNICEF’s Health Specialist, Dr Olusoji Akinleye, made the recommendation during a virtual media parley organised by the agency in Owerri, on Friday.

    Diphtheria, a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, recently broke out in Imo, with an index case reported in Mbutu, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of the state.

    Diphtheria primarily affects the nose, throat, and, in some cases, the skin, spreading through respiratory droplets or direct contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces.

    Medical professionals say the incubation period ranges from two to five days but may extend up to 10 days, and without prompt treatment, can lead to severe complications and death in approximately one in 10 cases.

    UNICEF is supporting the Government of Nigeria’s response efforts in case management, infection prevention and control, reactive vaccination, risk communication and community engagement to contain the outbreak.

    Akinleye spoke on the theme: “Diphtheria Outbreak Response in Imo”.

    He said that with 10 fatalities already recorded, according to available statistics, it was imperative to restrict and contain the spread of the scourge to prevent a possible “national disaster”, as the airport “sits very close to Aboh Mbaise”.

    He commended the Imo Immunisation Officer, Dr Chibuzo Anyaehie, for ensuring prompt vaccination of persons across the four affected council areas of Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise, Owerri North and Owerri Municipal.

    In a remark, Anyaehie said that 4,017 persons had already received the diphtheria vaccine. According to her, the state has so far recorded 79 suspected cases and seven confirmed cases.

    “We have established treatment centres across all Primary Health Centres in Mbutu and the Aboh General Hospital, with an additional 70 doses of vaccines just supplied,” she said.

    Also, UNICEF’s Communications Officer, Dr Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe, thanked health intervention officers from the Imo Ministry of Health for their efforts in containing the outbreak.

    Onuoha-Ogwe charged the media to adequately sensitise the general public on preventive management of the disease to curb its spread.

    UNICEF’s Water Sanitation and Hygiene Specialist, Mrs Rebekah Gabriel, harped on the need for regular handwashing with soap and water and greater collaboration with traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders for effective grassroots sensitisation.

    Earlier in an opening remark, UNICEF’s Chief of Enugu Field Office, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe, thanked the media for effective partnerships and urged the media “to amplify awareness about the outbreak”.

  • Uzodimma sacks Imo Attorney-General

    Uzodimma sacks Imo Attorney-General

    Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo has sacked the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Cyprian Akaolisa.

    This was contained in a statement signed on Monday in Owerri by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation, and Strategy, Mr Declan Emelumba.

    The statement, made available to newsmen however, did not disclose reasons for the removal of Akaolisa.

    The erstwhile commissioner was directed to hand over all government property under his care to the state Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, immediately.

    Emelumba later told NAN that the sack was part of moves to rejig the cabinet.

    However, the commissioner denied the speculations that the removal was sequel to the controversies that followed the appointment of a Chief Judge for the state.

    “Honestly, I don’t want to speculate. All I know is that His Excellency (Hope Uzodimma) in his wisdom appoints his commissioners and removes them; when it is auspicious, he will give reasons.

    “But this is part of a minor cabinet reshuffling,” he said.

    Recall that the National Judicial Commission (NJC) in November 2024 directed the sack of Justice Theresa Chikeka over alleged age falsification.

    Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu, who was later appointed Acting Chief Judge of the State was equally removed on grounds that he was not the most senior judicial officer in the state high court.

  • 15 UTME applicants declared missing found, reunite with families

    15 UTME applicants declared missing found, reunite with families

    The Imo State Police Command has said the 15 students who were declared missing on their way from Onitsha in Anambra State to write the rescheduled Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Okigwe in Imo State have been found and reunited with their families.

    The command announced the development on its X handle yesterday while responding to a post on the whereabouts of the students.

    The command wrote: “It is true that they made the travel to Okigwe, where they were scheduled to write the UTME. However, their vehicle developed a mechanical fault while at it, but they were secured and have now been returned with their families.

    “We appreciate citizens and stakeholders, such as yourself, who raise awareness concerning issues of security. We encourage the spirit.”

    Also, House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu has urged the Joint Admission and Matriculations Board (JAMB) to carry out an independent and transparent audit of its examination infrastructure.

    Addressing reporters in Abuja on the glitches that hampered this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), Kalu faulted what he called the hurried rescheduling of the examination at a time many students were writing the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) which required some of them to travel far distances to write the examination.

    According to him, it is only by triangulating internal findings with external audits that Nigerians can ensure that no affected candidate is left behind.

    Kalu also urged JAMB to safeguard the educational path of the affected candidates from the Southeast and Lagos, saying they should not be made to face further stress, having borne the brunt of the glitches.

    He said: “JAMB must provide a clear, accessible mechanism for remark and appeal, especially for those dissatisfied with the hurried retake or who experienced technical difficulties during the second sitting.

    “Furthermore, coordination with WAEC and other examination bodies must continue to ensure that no candidate’s academic progression is impeded by scheduling conflicts.”

     

  • ‘One chance’ suspect nabbed in Imo

    ‘One chance’ suspect nabbed in Imo

    The Imo State Committee against Tinted Commercial Bus (Keke bus) operators have apprehended a suspected ‘one chance’ criminal in Owerri.

    The committee, which commenced the crackdown on tinted commercial buses on Monday, successfully apprehended the suspect whose identity is withheld, after law enforcement officials observed suspicious conduct and found that his vehicle had tinted windows.

    This arrest comes days after the Imo State Government launched a special committee to carry out the directives of the governor to tackle the growing menace of “one chance” operators and other criminal elements who often use tinted-glass commercial buses and vehicles with covered number plates.

    Hon. Emeka Okoronkwo, the Honourable Commissioner for Transport, during the event hailed the vigilance of the task force and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to flushing out criminal actors using the public transport system as cover.

    “This arrest is just the beginning. Imo State is no longer a safe haven for those who hide behind tinted glass and covered number plates to commit crime.

    “We are going after them, one by one,” Okoronkwo affirmed

    Also,  Nze Chinasa Nwaneri, the head of the committee and special adviser to the governor on monitoring and compliance, admonished all Imo residents to remain alert and report any suspicious commercial vehicles, especially those with tinted windows or no visible plate numbers, to the nearest law enforcement agency.

    “We are urging our people: do not board any bus or keke-bus with tinted windows or covered plate numbers.

    “Be vigilant. Help us help you stay safe,” Nwaneri added.

  • Police nab 3 suspected IPOB members, recover N10m

    Police nab 3 suspected IPOB members, recover N10m

    The Imo Police command has arrested three suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) at a hideout in Okigwe Local Government Area of the state.

    The command’s Spokesman, DSP Henry Okoye, who disclosed this in Owerri on Friday said that the arrest was sequel to “sustained operational momentum against criminal elements threatening public safety in the state.”

    “On April 17, 2025, at about 0120hrs, operatives of the command’s Tactical Teams, in synergy with local vigilante groups, acted on credible intelligence and stormed a suspected IPOB/ESN hideout on Cameron Street, Ubahu, in Okigwe Local Government Area.

    “On sighting the operatives, the suspects opened fire, resulting in a gun battle during which three suspects were arrested,” he said.

    Okoye said that the suspects ages were: 21, 31 and 37, noting that two others escaped into the surrounding bushes.

    The spokesman said one AK-47 riffle, two pump-action guns, 18 live cartridges, mobile devices, laptops, and N10.3 million cash were recovered from the scene.

    “Investigations revealed that the money was contributed by IPOB members to finance terrorism,” he said.

    With Easter celebrations in the horizon, Okoye assured Imo residents of robust security across the state.

    Okoye further noted that the command in collaboration with sister agencies, patrol, surveillance, and checkpoints has been intensified to ensure a safe and peaceful celebrations.

    He urged residents to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or via 08034773600.

  • 16-year-old boy shot by Imo landlord dies after surgery

    16-year-old boy shot by Imo landlord dies after surgery

    A 16-year-old student identified as Paul who was shot by a landlord on Monday for simply retrieving a ball that had entered the landlord’s premises during a school football game, has passed away.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the boy died 24 hours after undergoing surgery for a gunshot wound.

    Confirming the unfortunate news, Paul’s guardian, Jonathan Odikanwa, disclosed that the medical team at the Specialist Hospital in Umuguma, Owerri, lost Paul on Thursday afternoon.

    “He has passed away. My son has passed away. The doctors just said they lost him,” Odikanwa wailed in a voice note sent to The Punch.

    “Even after the surgery yesterday, we had been hopeful that he would come around. My boy, who had lived with me for over seven years, had passed on.”

    According to reports, the JSS 1 student at Urban Secondary School in Area N, World Bank Housing area of Owerri, jumped over the school fence to retrieve the ball, which had entered the landlord’s property.

    The landlord, whose identity has not been disclosed, shot Paul in the waist, leaving him critically injured.

    Despite undergoing surgery, Paul’s condition deteriorated, and he succumbed to his injuries.

    The X-ray, according to the Guardian, had not shown the bullet in his body, but doctors discovered that his bowel movements were impeded, necessitating the surgery.

    The spokesperson for the Imo Police Command, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident and the arrest of the man responsible for the shooting.