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Tag: Imo

  • Gunmen abduct 89-year-old father of ex-Imo Dep Gov

    Gunmen abduct 89-year-old father of ex-Imo Dep Gov

    The father of former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, has been kidnapped by gunmen at Iho Community in Ikeduru Local Government Area of the state.

    The 89-year-old traditional ruler of Ezi – Mbieri Autonomous Community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area was reportedly abducted by gunmen after sporadic shootings on Friday morning.

    Prince Eze Madumere confirmed the incident on Friday and also disclosed that his father’s abductors have contacted the family.

    Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command says it’s already commenced work to apprehend the suspects.

  • Gunmen launch fresh attacks in Imo, kill three

    Gunmen launch fresh attacks in Imo, kill three

    Unidentified gunmen on Friday opened fire at passersby and killed three people at Neokeisima junction Umulogho in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State.

    The shooting which took place at about 7.50 PM, caused pandemonium as residents and passersby scampered for safety.

    According to an eyewitness the assailants whose mission in the area was not ascertained, immediately zoomed to Umuahia in Abia State in the car while victims’ bodies were still lying on the road covered in the pool of their blood.

    Meanwhile, the police spokesman in the state, CSP Michael Abattam said that the command was yet to get a report on the incident.

  • Army foils kidnap of Catholic Bishop In Imo

    Army foils kidnap of Catholic Bishop In Imo

    An attempt to kidnap the Catholic Bishop of Orlu Diocese in Imo State, His Lordship Most Rev Dr Augustine Ukwuoma, has been foiled by the Nigerian Army.

    A yet-to-be identified gunmen reportedly invaded the priest’s residence in the early hours of Sunday but failed to abduct him as troops of ‘Exercise Golden DAWN’ thwarted the operation.

    Pictures of the attack show that the criminals destroyed the burglary proof on the window and damaged one of the doors in the house. An expended shell casing from a double-barreled gun was also seen on the floor.

    A statement signed the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General
    Onyema Nwachukwu, said the priest and his secretary are safe and that the attackers ran away when the soldiers arrived the scene.

    “Troops of Exercise Golden DAWN Sector 3 have foiled an attempted kidnap and robbery of his Lordship Most Rev Dr Augustine Ukwuoma at the Orlu Diocesan Catholic Secretariat, BSC Road Orlu Imo State.

    “The troops in response to a distress call at about 2:30am today, Sunday 31st October 2021, swiftly moved to the scene forcing the assailants to take to their heels thereby abandoning their mission. The Bishop, his Secretary and Assistant Secretary are safe and unhurt.

    “Troops will continue to deny freedom of action to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), its affiliate the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and other criminal gangs operating within the sector especially as the elections in Anambra State draws nearer and during the yuletide season.

    “Members of the public are advised to report suspicious movement of criminals as well as hide out of the outlawed IPOB/ESN to law enforcement agencies as the group is only out to intimidate, steal and kidnap for ransom law-abiding citizens,” said the army.

  • Gunmen attack another Police Station with ‘petrol bombs’ in Imo

    Gunmen attack another Police Station with ‘petrol bombs’ in Imo

    A group of armed men on Thursday attacked a police station with petrol bombs in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Michael Abattam, who confirmed the attack in a statement on Friday said it occurred in the evening.

    The assailants who came in a number of cars and motorcycles, according to Abattam, are believed to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN).

    “On 21/10/2021 at about 1844 hours, armed bandits suspected to be IPOB/ ESN terror group came to Isiala Mbano Police Station in about five vehicles and three motorcycles, threw petrol bombs on the roof of the already damaged building in the EndSARS imbroglio and started shooting indiscriminately,” the statement said.

    “The gallant police operatives attached to the station returned fire, engaging them in a gun duel. They were able to repel the bandits and in the process, they zoomed off in their vehicles and motorcycles.”

    Abattam, a chief superintendent of police, stated that the police operatives who engaged the assailants ensured no arm was lost.

    He explained that the fire that erupted as a result of the petrol bombs was later extinguished, although it caused some damages to the building.

    “One of the police operatives who sustained gunshot injury was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment,” the statement added.

    According to the command’s spokesman, the tactical teams of the police have been dispatched to the area in pursuit of the gunmen and to beef up security in the area.

    In his reaction, the Commissioner of Police in Imo, Rabiu Hussaini, commended the officers and men of the division for their gallantry and urged them to sustain the tempo.

    He also thanked the residents for their support and asked them to continue to work in synergy with the police and other security agencies to combat crime and protect their police stations.

    Hussaini called on the people to assist the police with credible information that would lead to the arrest of the fleeing criminals.

  • How IPOB/ESN members invaded, killed monarchs holding meeting in Imo community before we arrived – Police

    How IPOB/ESN members invaded, killed monarchs holding meeting in Imo community before we arrived – Police

    The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the killing of two traditional rulers in Njaba council area of the state by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) on Tuesday.

    The Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Hussaini on Wednesday said the attack was coordinated by members of the outlawed group.

    He disclosed in a statement by the Police spokesman Michael Abattam that his Command received information on Tuesday around 3 pm that some hoodlums suspected to be members of IPOB/ESN were attacking the venue where the transitional chairman of Njaba local government was holding meeting with some traditional rulers.

    The police boss explained that immediately he dispatched the Command’s tactical teams comprising of the Special Forces, Rapid Response Squad and anti-kidnapping Squad to the scene.

    Unfortunately, he said before the arrival of the police the hoodlums had fled the scene after killing the two monarchs.

    He revealed that the Transitional Chairman of Njaba local government, Hon. Emeka Ihenacho, invited was having a meeting with 15 traditional rulers of Njaba communities without informing the police or other security agencies.

    “While the meeting was in progress armed bandits suspected to be IPOB/ ESN members came and started shooting at them indiscriminately after which they ran back into the bush.

    “Unfortunately, two of the traditional rulers HRH Eze S. C Osunwa of Ihebinowere Autonomous Community and HRH Eze Barr A. E Durueburuo of Okwudor Autonomous Community lost their lives in the attack while HRH Eze A. N Onyeka (JP) of Nkume Autonomous Community sustained gunshot injuries.”

    He disclosed further that since the police station in the area was raised down by some hoodlums, the Command had only posted to the area vehicular patrol to help in checkmating crimes.

    “The police station in Njaba was recently attacked and raised down by hoodlums suspected to be IPOB/ ESN terror groups, where two police officers lost their lives.

    “Thus, the command had to post Policemen to the area on vehicular patrols to help in checkmating crimes and criminalities. pending when a new police station will be rebuilt.

    According to him: “The Command is exploring all avenues possible to see that the fleeing bandits are arrested and prosecuted.”

  • BREAKING: Gunmen open fire on traditional rulers during meeting in Imo, five feared killed

    BREAKING: Gunmen open fire on traditional rulers during meeting in Imo, five feared killed

    No fewer than five traditional rulers have been reportedly killed during an attack by gunmen at Nnenasa community Headquarters of Njaba local government area of Imo State.

    According to sources, the traditional rulers from the area numbering over 20 were in a meeting at the local government headquarters in the community when gunmen invaded the the place, interrupted the meeting with sporadic gunshots and killed at least five traditional rulers on the spot.

    When contacted, the Imo state police public relations officer, Mike Abatam conformed the attack saying two of the traditional rulers had died with some were in a come while another was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

    The murdered traditional rulers include the Obi II of Okwudor, Eze Anayo Durueburoe and the ruler of Ihebineoweri, Okwudor, Eze Samson Osunwa.

    Meanwhile, the Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma condemned the killings and commiserated with the affected families.

    He promised to bring the perpetrators to book and urged Imo indigenes to remain calm as the state government is on top of the situation.

    The attack is the latest in a series of violent crimes being perpetuated across the South-East.

  • FG set to splash $120m on Imo for promotion of livestock farming

    FG set to splash $120m on Imo for promotion of livestock farming

    Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo has disclosed that the state will soon receive $120million from the federal government to fund its livestock programme.

    In an independence day broadcast to the people of the state on Friday, Uzodinma said the state was one out of the seven states approved to benefit from the $850 million set aside by the federal government for the special agricultural processing zone livestock farming project.

    He added that the state would also be benefiting from the $1.4bn facilities secured by the federal government for urban and rural water development.

    According to the governor, President Muhammadu Buhari had also approved the conversion of the Otamiri river into a dam capable of powering a 10Mw plant.

    He said that the project, which is a fallout from the balloon driven underground technology commissioned by President Buhari in September, would help generate electricity and improve water supply in the state.

    He added that the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo would be visiting the state on Oct. 15, during which he would be administering a N12 billion empowerment programme to the private sector.

    Uzodinma stated that traders, artisans and vulnerable farmers were expected to benefit from the empowerment programme.

    ” As you will recall, just a few weeks ago, President Muhammadu Buhari was in our state to commission four strategic projects executed by my administration.

    “It is indeed my pleasure to inform the good people of Imo that we are reaping bountiful benefits from the President’s recent visit.

    “Such benefits include the approval for the installation and conversion of Otamiri River to a dam, capable of powering a 10 megawatts plant that can generate electricity when completed and help improve water supply in the state.

    ” This, as you know, is a fallout from the Balloon driven technology underground tunnel which Mr. President commissioned.

    ” In a few weeks, the Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo will be coming to Imo, precisely on Oct. 15th, to administer a N12billion empowerment programme to the private sector.

    “Imo traders, artisans and the vulnerable are expected to benefit from this massive empowerment. This is a direct benefit from the presidential visit,” he said.

    The governor also reiterated his administration commitment to work for the state, adding that his administration has also spent not less than N8 billion on youths empowerment.

    He urged people of the state to see the 61st independence anniversary as a clarion call to bond together in the pursuit of a better state.

    “Let me use this auspicious occasion to once again extend my hands of fellowship to our brothers and sisters on the other side to join our prosperity agenda-driven government to offer quality service to our people.

    “This is not about me, It is about the future of our youths; Those who genuinely and patriotically want to serve Imo people would not have any problem joining us to do so.

    “However, while we wait for them we shall continue to work tirelessly for the people in line with our prosperity agenda as encapsulated in reconstruction, rehabilitation and recovery.

    ” Apart from reversing the decay in infrastructure, addressing the rot in the civil service and halting the corruption in the payroll system, we have touched the lives of Imo youths, spending more than N8 billion in their training and empowerment in the past one year”.

    The governor also advised the people of the state to stop living in denial and get vaccinated against the COVID-19, saying that the state government had procured enough vaccines for the people.

    He also added that the state had continued massive testing across the state to identify new cases for isolation and treatment, warning that the vaccinations might be made compulsory if people continued to avoid the vaccine because of unfounded rumours.

    “Let me also use the occasion of this independence anniversary to remind Imo people that COVID-19 is real and that we should desist from living in denial.

    “Those who have been following the daily statistics of the NCDC know that the number of infections and fatalities is not abating. This administration has spent a lot of resources to ensure the good health and safety of our people.

    ” In this respect, we have continued with massive testing across the state to identify new COVID-19 cases for isolation and treatment, this is going on in all the 27 local governments in the state.

    ” It is important to emphasize that the best preventive measure is through vaccination. The state government has procured sufficient vaccines for our people.

    ” Sadly, however, many are still refusing to take the vaccine because of some unfounded superstitious beliefs.

    “For the umpteenth time let me state it clearly that the vaccines are safe as confirmed by world class scientists and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

    ” In this respect, if the foot-dragging continues, the government might be forced to make the vaccination compulsory for all Imo people and residents,” he said.

  • Gunmen raze monarch’s palace in Imo

    Gunmen raze monarch’s palace in Imo

    The palace of Eze Obi Ralph Ekezie, the traditional ruler of Obor Autonomous Community, a neighboring community to Omuma, Gov Hope Uzodinma’s hometown in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State was on Thursday set ablaze by yet to be identified gunmen.

    An eyewitness, who spoke to newsmen in confidence, said the arson caused some damages to the monarch’s properties and two other buildings around his community.

    The monarch, who spoke to newsmen on phone, confirmed the incident but blamed those he called enemies of progress in his community for the burning of his palace.

    The monarch further said he was monitoring the development from his abode in Owerri, capital of Imo State.

    He expressed sadness, saying the level of damage can’t be ascertained until he physically assess it.

    Meanwhile, when contacted, the Imo State police spokesman, Michael Abattam, said the command was not aware of such incident

  • Teachers, supervisors, students escape as gunmen halts WASSCE in Imo

    Teachers, supervisors, students escape as gunmen halts WASSCE in Imo

    Gunmen on Monday stopped students from taking English Language paper in the ongoing WASSCE being written by senior secondary school students at the Comprehensive Secondary School, Nkume in the Njaba Local Government Area of Imo state.

    Sources revealed that the students were preparing to start the examinations when the attackers came and chased them away.

    As the gunmen started shooting, students and teachers, including their supervisors, escaped.

    An indigene of the community said that the gunmen also set ablaze some motorcycles belonging to some of the staff and students of the school.

    Although there are not yet report of casualties, a viral video of the sad incident showed the students and staff shouting and running for their lives.

    A source who prefers anonymity said, “Gunmen came to the school and chased out the students this morning.

    “They started shooting repeatedly and insisted that no examination would be allowed to go on.

    “They destroyed some motorcycles and shot continuously until the students and teachers ran away.”

     

  • BREAKING: Police kill ‘Dragon’, ESN commander terrorising Imo

    BREAKING: Police kill ‘Dragon’, ESN commander terrorising Imo

    Operatives of the Imo State Police Command on Sunday said it has killed the Orlu Sector commander of the armed group of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, one Chidera Nnabuhe, popularly known as “Dragon” a native of Umuala in Amaifeke in Orlu Local Government in the state and two others terrorising the residents of Orlu town.

    The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Hussein Rabiu, said this to newsmen in Owerri, while parading the three lifeless bodies of the group and two others captured alive.

    The Police confirmed that the incident which happened last Saturday was as a result of intelligence the command got where the ESN boys have gathered at the valley in Amaifeke in Orlu Local Government Area, of Imo State, and were planning to launch an attack on the Police formations in the state.

    It was when the officers swung into action to apprehend the boys at Amaifeke Valley that the gun battle started and in the process three of the ESN, boys were gunned down.

    According to the Command, “Sequel to the ongoing clearance Operation embarked by the Imo State Police Command on raiding major IPOB/ ESN Camps in the state and its environs aimed at wiping out the remnants of the proscribed IPOB/ ESN members and restoring lasting peace in the state, after a diligent gathering of technical intelligence, that members of the proscribed IPOB/ ESN members were sighted in an isolated uncompleted building situated in a valley in Amaifeke in Orlu LGA of Imo State, planning to resume terror attacks on police formations and government installations in the state.

    “On 11/9/2021 at about 12:30 hours, the command’s tactical teams immediately mobilised and stormed the hideout out of the terror group located in an uncompleted building in a valley at Essential Home popularly known as ” NGBUKA” in Amaifeke Orlu LGA of Imo State.

    “The members of the terror group on sighting the police operatives in their hideout opened fire on them. The gallant and battle-ready tactical teams swiftly returned the fire. In the gun duel, three of the hoodlums namely Chidera Nnabuhe, the Orlu Sector Commander of IPOB/ ESN a.k.a “DRAGON”, a native of Umuala Amaifeke in Orlu Local Government Area and two others with a.k.a, J.J and Dadawa both natives of Ohazara in Ebonyi state were neutralised. Emeka Sunday ‘M’ age 20 years of Anike in Ohazara LGA of Ebonyi State and Anthony Okeke ‘M’ age 44 years of Umuala Amaifeke Orlu LGA of Imo were arrested while others escaped into the bush with bullet wounds.

    “On searching the camp and its surroundings, a native goat that has just been slaughtered with the blood drained into a container and rub on their bodies to fortify themselves against police bullets was recovered alongside the following items, two locally fabricated General Purpose Machine Gun(GPMG), Sixteen Improvised Explosives Devices (I.E.Ds), one English made pump action gun, two locally made Pistols, thirty – seven rounds of live cartridges, three Automatic Machine Guns kick-starter, one Bomb detonator, three Automatic Guns connecting batteries, a bag containing Gun Powder, Charms, two Biafran Flags, three bomb detonator remote control, six different makes of GSM handsets, a black travelling bag containing male clothes suspected to have been robbed or belonging to a kidnapped victim with GSM NUMBER 08034958267 pasted on it.”

    The Police pointed out that, “This is the terror group that have been terrorising the good people of Orlu. And investigation revealed that all the violent crimes including the high profile kidnappings and armed robberies that have been going within the Orlu axis were being masterminded by them. Most of the members of the group has been on the wanted list of the Police for months especially, Chidera Nnabuhe a.k.a ” DRAGON”, the commander of the Orlu Sector of IPOB/ ESN.

    “The investigation is ongoing and the suspects arrested are presently undergoing interrogation and have made useful statements that will aid the police in arresting other members of their gang including the ones that escaped with bullet wounds.”