Tag: Imo State

  • VIDEO: Lady arrested for killing lover over internet fraud proceeds

    VIDEO: Lady arrested for killing lover over internet fraud proceeds

    A 27-year-old lady, identified as Oluchi Nzemechi has been arrested by operatives of the Imo State Police Command for allegedly stabbing her partner, Kelechi Nzemechi (31) to death.

    The suspect, a native of Uzoagba in Ikeduru Local Government of Imo State confessed to killing her partner over sharing proceeds from an internet fraud dealings she had with her deceased lover.

    According to the Command’s Spokesperson, Henry Okoye, the suspect said that she stabbed the deceased with a kitchen knife and alleged that her partner taught her how to scam on the internet.

    He said, “On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime, admitting that her lover lured her into internet fraud aka ‘yahoo yahoo’. That on 02/06/2024, she had a heated argument with him for failing to give her a cut of an alleged 250 Million Rupiah they fraudulently obtained from a victim in Indonesia, during which she used a kitchen knife and stabbed him on the upper part of his body.

    “The suspect further revealed that in a bid to cover up her criminal acts, she swiftly wrote on a piece of paper; ‘you think you can eat my money and go free, I am baba for the boys, I am coming for your wife and your child including your family’ and placed it on the lifeless body of the victim and ran away from the house. She also stated that she has been living with the victim since 2019 and has a child for him.

    “Effort is intensified to recover the alleged 250 million Indonesia Rupiah for a possible return to the owner. The suspect is currently undergoing an investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department and will certainly be arraigned in court.”

     

  • NAF airstrikes destroy illegal oil refining sites in Imo

    NAF airstrikes destroy illegal oil refining sites in Imo

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has said that the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe successfully destroyed two Illegal Refining Sites (IRS) situated along the banks of Imo River.

    NAF’s Director, Public Relations and Information, Edward Gabkwet, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said the operation was carried out on Saturday.

    Gabkwet said the strike was conducted barely hours after the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, had discussions with Gov. Alex Otti of Abia on plans to set up a NAF Base in the state.

    He said the illegal sites were located near Obiaku and in close proximity to the Imo-Abia-Rivers borders.

    According to him, the sites consist of two tanks and a reservoir in one location and three tanks and two reservoirs in another location along the Imo Riverbank.

    “Observing that these sites were active, authorisation was sought and received for air strikes on the targets.

    “Subsequently, air strikes by the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe were conducted, which destroyed the 2 sites as well as the surface tanks and reservoirs.

    “Building on these successes, air operations under Operation Delta Safe, will be intensified, especially within the areas of interest, as part of efforts to curtail the activities of criminal elements.

    “The successes recorded in destroying these IRS bring to fore the necessity of a NAF Base in Abia, which Gov. Otti and Air Marshal Abubakar both agreed was long overdue,” he said.

    Gabkwet said that NAF’s continued efforts in all ongoing operations underscored its commitment to maintaining aerial dominance over the Nigerian skies, while collaborating with surface forces towards the safety and security of Nigerian citizens.

  • Biafra Day: Cities, towns, offices deserted as Imo observe complete lockdown

    Biafra Day: Cities, towns, offices deserted as Imo observe complete lockdown

    The sit-at-home order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) to mark the May 30 Biafra Day took  complete effect in Imo state today.

    The lockdown in Imo happened despite government’s assurance of adequate security by the police.

    Findings show that various government institutions were under lock and key.

    Schools, shops and other public outlets were also closed down.

    A visit to some government establishments showed no activity going on as the places looked vacated except for some security personnel seen moving around the premises.

    Imo  State Secretariat, House Of Assembly Complex, the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Extension of the State Secretariat and Government House Roundabout were under lock and key.

    The youths in some communities  were seen playing football on some major roads within Owerri, and some other places in Imo.

    However, skeletal movement of persons and vehicles was observed within the capital.

    It would be recalled that the State Police Command had before now urged residents of the state to ignore the sit-at-home order and go about their legitimate businesses, stressing that security agencies are ready to maintain law and order.

     

  • Police confirm 6 dead in Imo road crash

    Police confirm 6 dead in Imo road crash

    The Police Command in Imo has confirmed the death of six people in a road accident on  Saturday evening in Imo.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, who confirmed this on Sunday,said the crash occurred in Owerri.

    Okoye said that  a citizen reported to  the police  that the accident ,involving a Mack truck and four mini buses, occurred at IMSU Junction, along Okigwe Road at about 7:00p.m.

    “On arrival at the scene, police operatives, in synergy with public-spirited individuals ,evacuated the victims to Federal Medical Center (FMC), Owerri for medical attention, where the medical practitioner on duty confirmed six dead on arrival,” Okoye said.

    According to him, preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the articulated vehicle with registration number KWL857YE lost control of his vehicle and diverted to the other side of the road,where he ran over four mini busses and some pedestrians along the road which left many seriously injured.

    “Photographs and sketches of the accident scene have been taken and the accidental vehicles have been cleared off the road for easy flow of traffic, while the corpses of the deceased victims have been deposited at FMC mortuary for preservation

    “Efforts are in progress to contact the families of the deceased and injured victims and apprehend the driver of the truck ,who is on the run,” he added

    He disclosed that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Aboki Danjuma, had ordered full investigation  into the accident and arrest of  the fleeing  driver of the truck.

  • Tinubu inaugurates gas processing plant in Imo

    Tinubu inaugurates gas processing plant in Imo

    President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, inaugurated the Seplat Energy ANOH Gas Processing Plant situated at Assa Community in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo.

    The president performed the inauguration virtually.

    The plant, built by the ANOH Gas Processing Plant Company, is a joint venture owned equally by Seplat Energy and the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    The facility reportedly “attained mechanical completion in December 2023 without recordable Lost Time Incident across 12 million man-hours”.

    Tinubu commended Seplat Energy and its partners for their dedication to advancing Nigeria’s energy agenda.

    He described the inauguration as a great mark of achievement, demonstrating teamwork, commitment and dedication to duty.

    He congratulated all the players in the nation’s oil and gas sector on their effort in fulfilling his administration’s dream in 11 months of his assumption of office.

    “This event is highly significant and demonstrates the administration’s determination to accelerate the development of critical gas infrastructure geared at demonstrably enhancing the supply of energy to boost industrial growth and create employment opportunities and future prosperity for the nation.

    “The project also fully aligns with the decade of gas initiative and our quest to create value from the nation’s abundant gas asset while eliminating gas flaring and celebrating industrialisation.

    “I wish to assure the Nigerian people that indeed this project represents only the beginning as the Federal Government is stepping up its coordination of other landmark projects and initiatives that will ensure the earliest possible realisation of gas fuel for prosperity in abundance,” he said.

    The Board Chairman of Seplat Energy, Mr Udoma Udo Udoma, spoke on the strategic importance of the ANOH project.

    According to him, the ANOH gas project strongly aligns with Seplat Energy’s mission of leading Nigeria’s energy transition with accessible, affordable and reliable energy that drives social and economic prosperity.

    “As a testament of our pledge to Nigeria, in partnership with the NNPC Ltd, we have delivered this project that will support the current administration’s drive for industrialisation and growth of the economy through low-cost reliable power.

    “To put this into context, if all of the gas from this plant went into the power sector, it would produce enough electricity to transform the lives of over five million people.

    “Given that Nigeria’s population is growing at a rate of over five million per annum, we need one of these plants a year, every year, just to meet the demand of our new arrivals.

    “We all have work to do. We appreciate the unwavering support of our partner, NNPCL, the cordial relationship with our host communities, Imo Government and the support of all the stakeholders that are too many to mention,“ he said.

    Also, Mr Roger Brown, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, said they were pleased with the progressive reforms of the Federal Government, citing the Executive Orders signed by the president on March 24 to enhance investments in greenfield gas development and midstream capital projects.

    “The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority recently improved gas prices under the DSO to trigger off further investments to the domestic gas sector – our ANOH gas plant will benefit from these reforms and incentives.

    “No doubt, the ANOH’s gas will further reduce Nigeria’s carbon intensity and increase energy supplied to the Nigerian domestic market,” he said.

    Also, the Group CEO of NNPCL, Mr Mele Kyari, said that the collaborative effort between Seplat Energy and the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company in bringing the ANOH Plant to fruition were remarkable.

    “The ANOH Gas Processing Plant, being commissioned by NNPCL and our partner is in line with Nigeria’s decade of gas agenda and particularly consistent with the administration’s efforts to boost gas supply in the domestic market,” he said.

    The Imo Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, represented by Deputy Gov. Chinyere Ekomaru, congratulated Seplat Energy on the completion of the project and expressed delight at the opportunities that lie ahead of the state on account of the successful completion of the ANOH plant.

    The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, said that “with a capacity of 600 million standard cubic feet per day, the ANOH Gas Processing Plant is a shining example of advancement.

    “This plant will greatly advance the availability of domestic gas which will boost power generation and hasten industrialisation,“ Ekpo said.

    With a phase one processing capacity of 300 million standard cubic feet per day, the plant is expected to deliver dry gas, condensate and Liquified Petroleum Gas to domestic and international markets.

  • Project 774: Uzodimma extols FG as 5 Imo LGAs enjoy high speed internet connectivity

    Project 774: Uzodimma extols FG as 5 Imo LGAs enjoy high speed internet connectivity

    Imo State Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma has commended the Federal Government over the implementation of the pilot phase of the local governments digital connectivity project in Imo State.

    Governor Uzodinma lauded the speed with which the pilot project was implemented noting that the initiative would enhance efficient governance at local government level and boost public service delivery thereby stimulating socio-economic development at the grassroots level.

    The pilot phase of the project has already been implemented in five Local Government Areas in the state. The Local governments are: Ikeduru, Oru East, Isu, Oguta and Ehime Mbano.

    The implementation of the project in the remaining 22 local governments in the state would take place in the next three months when the second phase takes off.

    Governor Uzodinma’s commendation is contained in a statement made available to the press, at the weekend, by Imo State Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr Chimezie Amadi.

    The Federal Government’s digital connectivity project implemented by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy is aimed at connecting all the 774 local governments in the country to the single national digital network through fiber infrastructure and satellite technology.

    The essence of the project is to enable local governments secretariats have access to digital public infrastructure thereby bridging inherent digital gaps better the local governments and the other two tiers of government.

    Governor Uzodinma expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for accomplishing Project 774 in five Local governments in the State, noting that the project would reinforce his Imo Digital Economy Agenda designed to ensure the development of a robust Imo digitalization process whereby communities, institutions and business clusters would have enormous and uninterrupted access to the digital services.

    Imo Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr Chimezie Amadi assured that his Ministry would deepen the gains of Project 774 in the state by partnering with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to fast-track Governor Uzodinma’s connected Imo Initiative which aims at ensuring ubiquitous broadband connectivity across all communities in Imo.

    Noting that Governor Uzodinma is leading digital revolution in the state, making Imo to be ahead of other states in the digital space, he reassured of the preparedness of his Ministry to embrace any innovative initiative geared towards making Imo digitally empowered, accessible and efficient.

    The Directors of Administration and General Services of the five local governments in the state where the first phase of the project has been executed recounted the gains the project has yielded in their various local governments since implementation.

    Mrs Ngozi Chucks-Osuji of Ehime Mbano and Chief Bede Ugboaja, Isu noted that communications and local security had improved since the advent of the project.

    Sir Phil Manu, Ikeduru and Mr. Victor Ayozie, Oguta disclosed that the project had engendered proficiency and productivity in local government administration.

  • PDP constitutes Caretaker Committee in Imo

    PDP constitutes Caretaker Committee in Imo

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has constituted a Caretaker Committee, chaired by Chidi Dike, for its Imo chapter.

    PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said , in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday ,that the committee was approved by the party’s  National Working Committee (NWC), on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC).

    Ologunagba said that the constitution of the committee to run the affairs of the state chapter of the party was in pursuant to Section 29(2)(b) of the PDP Constitution (as Amended in 2017).

    According to him, the caretaker committee is charged with the responsibility of running the affairs of the party in the state, for a period not exceeding 90 days; or until a new Executive Committee is elected.

    He said that other members of the committee included Ugorji Onuegbu ( Secretary), Esther Aguwamba, Nnamdi Nsorom, Nwoke Oma, and Edith Nwachi .

    The National Publicity Secretary urged all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of PDP in Imo to remain united, and continue to work together for the progress of the party in the state.

  • PDP appoints new acting State chairman in Imo

    PDP appoints new acting State chairman in Imo

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed Chief Chidi Dike as the Acting Imo Chairman, following the sack of Chief Charles Ugwu by the Federal High Court, Awka.

    The South East Zonal Organising Secretary of the party, Chief Mike Ahumibe, presented Dike to the party stakeholders at a grand reception on Tuesday in Owerri.

    Ahumibe said Dike’s appointment was constitutional and validated by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

    He said the former chairman was suspended by the party and subsequently, removed by the court following his failure to perform his functions in office.

    “He was never in our campaigns and never showed any role for our party to win the last governorship election in Imo.

    “We are one united family, there is no crack in PDP in Imo. All that was done was change of mantle of leadership,” Ahumibe stated.

    Also speaking, Dike, a former the zonal vice chairman of the party in Okigwe Senatorial Zone, pledged to revive the party to winning a form.

    The acting state chairman also promised to reconcile aggrieved members, restore equity, accountability and fairness.

    “For the period I am going to stay, I want members of PDP in Imo to reunite,” he stressed.

    The Federal High Court, Awka, had on March 22, sacked Ugwu in a case filed against him by Chief Joseph Ugwuebo for various breaches of the party’s constitution.

    The court, presided over by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, held that Ugwu was appropriately sanctioned with penalty of suspension and had therefore, lost his right to remain in office as Imo PDP chairman.

    Subsequently, the court made an order restraining Ugwu from parading himself as the state chairman of the party.

  • BREAKING: Emeka Ihedioha dumps PDP

    BREAKING: Emeka Ihedioha dumps PDP

    Emeka Ihedioha, a former governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State, has resigned from the party.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ihedioha to have said the PDP failed to offer “credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)”.

    Ihedioha announced his resignation from the PDP in a letter dated April 23 and addressed to the party’s chairman at Mbutu Ward, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo.

    Ihedioha, also a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, said the PDP had in recent times taken on a path that disagrees with his beliefs.

    The letter reads: “Since 1998, I have contributed my quota to the development and transformation of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as one of the founding members.

    “All these years, I have taken pride in the fact that the PDP is a party that will always look inward for internal reforms and provide credible leadership for the people, whether in power or outside power. I have had the benefit of serving and benefitting from the party at various levels.

    “Regrettably, in recent times, the party has taken on a path that is at variance with my personal beliefs. Despite my attempts to offer counsel, the party is sadly no longer able to carry out internal reforms, enforce its own rules or offer credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

    “It is in the light of the foregoing, that I am compelled to offer my resignation from the People’s Democratic Party effective immediately.

    “While this decision was difficult to take, I, however, believe that it is the right one. Despite this resignation, I will always be available to offer my services towards the deepening of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.”

  • Former Reps’ deputy speaker, gov on platform, Emeka Ihedioha finally dumps PDP

    Former Reps’ deputy speaker, gov on platform, Emeka Ihedioha finally dumps PDP

    A former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and governor of Imo State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP), whose tenure was short-lived, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, has fanally dumped the party.

    In a one-page letter to the Chairman of the PDP in Mbutu Ward in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, entitled: “Resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party”, Ihedioha he decided to resign from the PDP because the party  was no longer able to carry out internal reforms.

    Read the letter: “Since 1998, I have contributed my quota to the development and transformation of the Peoples democratic party  (PDP) as one of the founding members.

    “All these years, I have taken pride in the fact that the PDP is a party that will always look inward for internal reforms and provide credible leadership for the people, whether in power or outside power.

    “I have had the benefit of serving and benefitting  from the party at various levels.

    “Regrettably, in recent times, the party has taken on a path that is at variance with my personal beliefs.

    “Despite my attempt to offer counsel, the party is, sadly no longer able to carry out internal reforms, enforce its own rules or offer credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

    “It is in the light of the foregoing that I am compelled to offer my resignation from the Peoples democratic Party effective immediately.

    “While this decision was difficult to take, I, however, believe that it is the right one.

    “Despite this resignation, I will always be available to offer my services towards the deepening of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.”

    Copies of the letter, received by the chairman of Mbutu ward on April 23, 2024 were sent to the Chairman of the PDP in Imo State, National Chairman of the PDP and Chairman of the PDP Board pf Trustees.