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Tag: Imo State

  • I’ve not resigned as Imo Deputy Govornor, says Prof. Njoku

    I’ve not resigned as Imo Deputy Govornor, says Prof. Njoku

    Prof. Placid Njoku says he has not resigned as Deputy Governor of Imo.

    This is contained in a statement by Njoku’s Chief Press Secretary, Ozioma Ukwuoma in Owerri on Thursday.

    Njoku dismissed social media reports that he resigned as baseless and urged the good people of Imo and the general public to disregard the reports.

    “My attention has been drawn to the fake news circulating in the social media purporting that the deputy governor of Imo, Prof. Placid Njoku has resigned.

    “While it remains our practice to ignore such baseless stories, the need to put the truth out to concerned Imo citizens has necessitated this rebuttal.

    “This story has no iota of truth in it but is a mere figment of the imaginations of those working against the government and people of Imo State.

    “Prof. Njoku enjoys a robust working relationship with his boss, Gov. Hope Uzodimma, and indeed with every member of the state executive council, including members of the state legislature,’’ he said.

    Ukwuoma urged the people to disregard such unfounded rumour and continue to support efforts to sustain the peace and development of the state.

  • Again, gunmen attack Police command headquarters in Imo; 5 dead

    Again, gunmen attack Police command headquarters in Imo; 5 dead

    The Police Command in Imo has repelled another attempt by hoodlums to attack the command’s headquarters in Owerri on Sunday, killing five of the attackers in a gun duel.

    The command also announced that it had began in-depth investigation into circumstances surrounding the death of Uguchi Unachukwu, who returned home from Germany and was allegedly murdered on May 31 in Imo.

    The Commissioner of Police in Imo, CP Abutu Yaro confirmed the failed attack in a statement signed by the command’s Spokesman, SP Bala Alkana.

    Yaro said gallant officers killed five of the hoodlums during crossfire, while others fled with bullet injuries.

    “Hoodlums masquerading as unknown gunmen attempted an attack on the police headquarters this morning but suffered a huge defeat.

    “They made efforts to access the police headquarters through the Works Layout around Avan Nursery and Primary School but were vehemently repelled.

    “They came in a white Hummer Bus, five of the hoodlums were killed during an exchange of fire and others were injured.

    “The Hummer bus was recovered with four Ak47 rifles, previously stolen from the police during a recent attack on its station, while officers have been deployed to apprehend the fleeing hoodlums.

    On Unachukwu’s death, the police commissioner said the command would unravel circumstances leading to the death.

    Recall that Unachukwu was shot dead on his way to the Sam Mbakwe Airport to catch a flight to travel back to Germany.

    He was allegedly murdered in front of his wife and two children by men on military uniform.

    The CP vowed to stop at nothing to unravel the incident.

    “On May 31, 2021 at about 0804 hours, the deceased person was alleged to have been shot by personnel suspected to be staff of 211 Regiment of the Nigerian Air Force, responsible for the security of the International Airport.

    “The deceased is said to be on his way to catch a flight to Lagos, a survivor stated that one of the Air Force operatives shot the car of Unachukwu when he failed to stop at the Air Force check point after they had flagged him down.

    “The Air Force team at the toll gate, who were already on red alert especially considering recent killing of a high profile politician around the same area, intercepted a fast approaching Mercedes Benz vehicle.

    “Preliminary investigations revealed that the personnel flagged down the vehicle and ordered the driver to park by the roadside for search but the driver who at first slowed down and pretended to move to the side of the road, suddenly took off.

    “According to the Air Force, being suspicious of the mission of the occupants of the said vehicle at the International Airport, they made effort to demobilise the vehicle and when the vehicle eventually came to a halt, the operatives rounded it and ordered the occupants out.

    “It was at this point that a female passenger in the car mentioned that the man driving the vehicle was her husband and that he was rushing to catch his flight.

    “He was however, rushed to hospital by the Air Force team for medical attention where the doctors on duty made frantic efforts to stabilise him, but he later died at about 1900 hours of the same date.

    “We sue for calm and assure the family and friends of the deceased that no stone will be left unturned in unravelling the circumstances surrounding the death,” the statement.

  • Omo-Agege reveals Ahmed Gulak’s mission in Owerri, Imo State when he was murdered

    Omo-Agege reveals Ahmed Gulak’s mission in Owerri, Imo State when he was murdered

    Senate Deputy President Ovie Omo-Agege on Tuesday said former Political Adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, was in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on a national assignment when he was killed by gunmen on Sunday, May 30, 2021.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the former presidential aide was on his way to the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in the town to connect a flight to Abuja, when he was killed.

    Omo-Agege spoke at plenary after citing Order 43 to notify the Upper Chamber of Gulak’s death.

    The Deputy Senate President said the former presidential aide was on a national assignment on behalf of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review when he was killed.

    “He was a lawyer – a very brilliant lawyer at that. Apparently, it was in that capacity that his relationship with me, as the Chairman of the Committee on Constitution Review, that I recommended and engaged him as one of the few brilliant men that we hired to help the committee in carrying out its assignment.

    “We members of the committee are shattered by his demise. We believe that this is one death too many. For sure, it is most unfair for this very brilliant life to have been cut down in his prime,” he said.

    The Senate observed one-minute silence in honour of the departed Adamawa State lawyer and politician.

    It mandated its Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution to pay a condolence visit to the family of the deceased.

    Senate President Ahmad Lawan described the late politician as very committed, dedicated citizen of this country” who made tremendous contributions at his state, Adamawa, and the national level.

    “The murder of this Nigerian is something that our security agencies must unravel the murderer and the people behind the murder itself. This is necessary in all the murders and assassinations that take place in our country on almost a daily basis,” he said.

    Many other eminent Nigerians also called for a thorough investigation into the killing of the former presidential aide.

    The South East Governors’ Forum, which condemned the killing in a statement by its Chairman and Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi, said: “We, on behalf of the people of Southeast, condemn the act highly and we charge security agencies to immediately deploy their officers and men to arrest the perpetrators and make them face justice. We, however, pray to God to grant the deceased rest in eternity.

    “We assure our fellow northern governors of our commitment to unravel all masterminds of the act.

  • Gallant officers repel attacks on 2 police divisions — CP

    Gallant officers repel attacks on 2 police divisions — CP

    The Commissioner of Police in Imo, Mr Abutu Yaro, says gallant policemen have repelled attacks on police divisions in Umundugba, Isu council area, and Omuma.

    Yaro disclosed this in a statement signed on his behalf by the command’s spokesman, SP Bala Alkana on Tuesday.

    He said that the hoodlums attacked the police facilities with petrol bombs but later met heavy resistance from the police.

    “On 31st May, 2021 at about 1530 hours some hoodlums in their numbers launched an attack on Police Division Umundugba, Isu Local Government Area, but were repelled by the policemen on duty.

    “They stormed the station in three Sienna buses, one Avalon saloon car and about eight motorcycles.

    The hoodlums were engaged in a gun battle, during the duel, the hoodlums threw a couple of petrol bombs at the station which fell at the exhibit room.

    “The attackers were eventually suppressed and they made a retreat, having suffered huge defeat and a number of casualties on their side.

    “The Police with the help of some members of the community were able to put out the fire.

    “A similar attempt was made by some hoodlums to attack Omuma Police Division but were equally repelled by the gallant policemen on duty.

    “No life was lost in the two attacks and there were no casualty on the part of the officers.

    “The CP commended the efforts of the men for repelling the attacks on the two police stations and keeping the state safe.

    “Meanwhile, patrols and surveillance activities are ongoing; members of the public are enjoined to go about their lawful duties without fear,” he said.

  • BREAKING: Another INEC office set ablaze in Imo

    BREAKING: Another INEC office set ablaze in Imo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced another vandalisation of one of it’s offices in Imo state, south east Nigeria. The office is located at NJaba local government area of the state.

    INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye ESQ, disclosed this in a Statement on Sunday.

    Okoye expressed shock and sadness over the development which he said may “compromise credible elections”

    “Our Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Imo State, Professor Francis Ezeonu, has reported that our office in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State was set ablaze today Sunday 30th May 2021”

    “Although no life was lost, the building was substantially burnt down, along with electoral materials, office equipment and furniture.” Okoye said

    He added that

    The “… incident has been reported to the Police for investigation.”

    “This attack is coming exactly a week after our office in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of the State was vandalized on Sunday 23rd May 2021. It is also the 8th INEC office to be attacked in Imo State since the 2019 General Election.

    The total number of INEC offices attacked nationwide since 2019 has now risen to 42.

    INEC buildings, infrastructure and equipment are critical national assets that guarantee the continuity of electoral activities throughout the federation. Attacking these offices is not in the national interest and has the capacity of compromising electoral activities and the credibility of the democratic process.” He said.

  • Revealed: How Ahmed Gulak was murdered – Police

    Revealed: How Ahmed Gulak was murdered – Police

    The Imo State Police Command has revealed how former presidential aide to President Goodluck Johnathan was killed in Owerri.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) report Gulak’s murder was orchestrated by bandits who attacked a Toyota Camry he boarded.
    The Adamawa State former Speaker was killed at about 7pm.

    Read full statement below:

    IMO STATE POLICE COMMAND
    30 MAY 2021

    MURDER OF AHMED GULAK BY ARMED BANDITS.

    On the 30/5/2021, at about 07:20hrs, armed bandits intercepted and attacked a Toyota Camry cab carrying Ahmed Gulak and two others who were on their way to Sam Mbakwe Airport to catch a flight.

    Ahmed Gulak left his room at Protea Hotel without informing the Police nor sister agencies in view of the fragile security situation in the South East and Imo in particular. He left without any security escorts and while the cab driver took irregular route to the airport, six armed bandits who rode in a Toyota Sienna intercepted, identified and shot at Ahmed Gulak at around Umueze Obiangwu in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area close to the Airport.

    The Commissioner of Police Imo CP Abutu Yaro, fdc has directed a discreet investigation into the matter as Tactical and Special forces have been deployed to cordone the area and arrest perpetrators.

  • Police repel attack on Izombe division in Imo, kill 4

    Police repel attack on Izombe division in Imo, kill 4

    The Police Command in Imo says gallant officers killed four bandits who allegedly attacked Izombe police division in Oguta Local Government Area of the state on Saturday night.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Abutu Yaro disclosed this in a statement signed by the command’s Spokesman, SP Bala Alkana on Sunday.
    Yaro said that many of the bandits fled with bullet wounds.

    The attack came less than 24 hours after gunmen razed the Atta police station in Njaba council area.

    However, just unlike the Atta incident, four of the hoodlums were killed in a gun duel with security agents.

    The CP said the latest incident took place between 7 pm and 10 pm on Saturday in Izombe.

    “The hoodlums in their numbers, launched an offensive on the Izombe police station but were repelled by the gallant policemen on duty.

    “Four hoodlums were neutralised during the attack while others escaped with bullet wounds.

    He said that a mop up operation was ongoing to arrest fleeing members of the gang.

    In another development, the police said they uncovered an illegal depot at Ogbo Oshishi (timber market) Naze in Owerri North local government area, where petroleum products were stored for onward transportation to locations targeted for attacks.

    Yaro said the police, acting on information received from credible sources, moved operatives of the command attached to Anti Riot Unit and Quick Intervention Team to the place and arrested six persons.

    He said the illegal depot, comprising 14 shops was fully stocked with petroleum products suspected to have been obtained through bunkering.

    The police boss said one tanker truck with registration number, GWA 568 AA was intercepted discharging petroleum products into some drums at the illegal depot.

    He said the suspects also discharged the product in sacks, using a Robin EY15 pumping machine, adding that both the truck and the pumping machine were recovered.

  • No fewer than 400 people arrested over security threats in Imo, says Uzodimma

    No fewer than 400 people arrested over security threats in Imo, says Uzodimma

    Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo says no fewer than 400 people who caused mayhem or attacks have been arrested and charged to court.

    This is contained n a statement in Owerri by Uzidunma’s Chief Press Secretary Oguwike Nwachuku.

    ”Over 400 of those who carried out the threats on the state in the past have been arrested.

    ”The good thing is that over 70 per cent of them are not Igbo. We will crush anybody that attempts to cause mayhem or attack Imo people again.

    ”Government cannot surrender to blackmailers, hoodlums, and perpetrators of violence,” he said.

    He also advised those planning to visit the state with any form of violence to have a rethink as “government is more than ever ready and prepared to keep Imo safe and secured.”

    Uzodinma called on the people to go about their businesses without fear of molestation or harassment.

    ”What happened in the past weeks will never repeat itself again,” he added.

  • We‘ll not allow Imo turn to a killing field – APC

    We‘ll not allow Imo turn to a killing field – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday in Abuja, said it would not allow some persons and interests to turn Imo to a killing field.

    Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, National Secretary, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) said this in a statement while condemning the attacks on lives and property in Imo.

    He said the APC had closely monitored developments in the state which culminated in Saturday’s brazen and gruesome attack on the residence of Gov. Hope Uzodimma.

    Akpanudoedehe said the attack on the country home of Uzodimma was an attack on democracy and constituted authority.

    He added that the party had since learnt that there were fatalities with others injured and maimed during the attack.

    He further added that while the APC was still in shock over the ugly turn of events in the state, it sympathised with Uzodimma and all those affected by the attack.

    “The party and indeed our security services will definitely not watch helplessly as some persons and interests attempt to turn Imo to a killing field.

    “The party equally condemns the wanton attacks on police personnel and formations in Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra and Rivers.

    “We stand with the Nigeria Police Force and families of the victims in this difficult time as we mourn the deaths of innocent and dedicated security personnel carrying out their duties of protecting lives and property.

    “In Imo, the attack on the governor’s residence is an attack on democracy and constituted authority, serving the interest of the good people of Imo,’’ he said.

    Akpanudoedehe, however, called on the good people of Imo to go about their legal activities without fear and to resist the enemies of the state.

    He said security services must fish out the perpetrators of the attacks and their sponsors to face the full weight of the law.

    This, he said, was critical to restoring dignity to the citizenry and confidence in the system, particularly democratic and security structures.

  • South East Governors announce formation of joint security outfit

    South East Governors announce formation of joint security outfit

    The Governors of the South Eastern part of Nigeria have announced the formation of a joint security outfit known as Ebubeagu with its headquarters located in Enugu State.

    The South East Governors announced the new joint security outfit following the first South East security summit held on Sunday in Owerri, the capital of Imo State.

    According to a communiqué issued by the South East Governors and heads of security agencies at the summit, Ebubeagu will coordinate all the vigilante groups in the geo-political zone.

    “Ebubeagu is the name of our joint security outfit with its headquarters in Enugu to coordinate our vigilante in the geo-political zone,” the South East Governors stated in the communiqué.

    Read full text of the Communique…

    COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY SOUTH EAST GOVERNORS AND HEADS OF SECURITY AGENCIES AT THE END OF THE FIRST SOUTH EAST SECURITY SUMMIT HELD IN OWERRI ON SUNDAY APRIL 11th 2021

    After exhaustive discussions on the current security challenges in the South East and with valuable contributions from participants at the first South East security summit in Owerri on this day Sunday April 11th 2021, it was resolved as follows:

    1. To strongly and unequivocally condemn terrorism and banditry in any part of Nigeria, particularly in the South East. The meeting strongly condemns the burning of police stations, violent attacks on custodial centres with the unlawful release of inmates, and the killings including security personnel, natives/ farmers and headsmen.

    2. That the five South East states are on the same page with the federal government on the issue of security challenges in the country. To this end, the meeting makes it absolutely clear that the South east will stand resolutely with the federal government to fight terrorists and bandits to a finish

    3. That the political leadership in the South East has resolved to bring together all the arsenals at their command, as one united zone, to fight and flush out criminals and terrorist from the zone.

    4. That the summit resolved that to achieve this, there is a need to galvanise all the relevant stakeholders in the south east, the political class, the business community, the bureaucrats and the intelligentsia to provide all necessary support to security operatives in the five south east states to ensure total success in the fight against criminality in the zone.

    5. That the heads of all the security agencies in the south east have resolved to exchange intelligence in a seamless, effective new order that will help to checkmate crime in the zone.

    6. That to fast track crime-busting in the south east, the heads of security agencies have been mandated to draw up a comprehensive list of their logistics and material needs for sustainable success in the fight against criminality, for the immediate provision by the leadership of the South East.

    7. That a committee made up of security personnel, government officials and relevant stakeholders be set up to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the south east joint security platform.

    8. To applaud the initiative of the South east security summit and to make it a statutory summit that will convene every quarter while its hosting shall rotate among the five south east states.

    9. The meeting resolved to maintain a joint security vigilante for the South East otherwise known as Ebube Agu.

    10. The meeting appreciated the formation of South East joint security outfit co. Named Ebubeagu. Headquarters in Enugu to coordinate our vigilante in the South East.

    11. South East Governors requested the Acting IGP to stop the influx of IGP monitory units but to allow cps and state and Zonal commands to handle their cases.

    12. Meeting approve that the acting IGP and other security chiefs do invite the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo and CAN to find out the reason for increasing insecurity of the South East .

    13. Meeting agreed that military policing in the South East should be adequately funded and become effective.

    14. Meeting agreed that open grazing has been banned and security agency should implement the ban.

    15. The meeting encouraged a peaceful coexistence of farmers and headers to allow Governors to succeed in the fight against criminality.

    Enugu State is in the hands of God!