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Tag: Imo

  • Imo Crisis: Time to sheathe swords and support Governor Uzodinma

    Imo Crisis: Time to sheathe swords and support Governor Uzodinma

    By Debo Oladimeji

    People evaluate and assign worth to themselves in the first instance, and feel indignation on their own behalf. But they are also capable of assigning worth to other people, and feeling anger on behalf of others. Francis Fukuyama: The End Of History And The Last Man

    It is no longer news that the Southeast and parts of South-South have come under heavy attacks in the last two months. Insecurity is struggling to be the order of the day. The saying is that reasonable people could disagree without resorting to violence, that is why stakeholders are now saying no to every form of lawlessness, Imo State and others are not known for such.

    Stakeholders both home and abroad are now agitating for peaceful initiatives to secure the state and the law-abiding citizens whose lives had been significantly impacted by the general insecurity. Many rightly urged the people to desist from making utterances that could inflame the current situation.

    About 50 bishops and other heads of faith-based organisations in Imo, after a meeting with Governor Hope Uzodinma, urged all the aggrieved persons to sheathe their swords and join the governor to restore peace and security of the state.

    “For a state like Imo, where almost everyone is a member of the church, there is a need for caution because like the saying goes, the danger of creating a monster is that one day it will turn against its master.

    Also, elder statesman, Chief Sam Anokam, has called on all residents of the state to stop blaming the governor and desist from clapping for the state of anarchy in the state.

    In fact the ideal of calling for a state of emergency should be discarded because the state has returned to a state of normalcy.

    Igbo Leaders of Thought (ILT), an umbrella of Igbo intelligentsia has also said that everybody should vote for peace.

    This was as Mbaise leaders in the United States of America stressed the need for peaceful coexistence among the citizens of Imo State.

    ILT Chairman, Professor Ben Nwabueze, stated that the circumstances had changed over the past 50 years and lessons ought to have been learnt.

    In a statement signed by the Moderator of Mbaise Leadership Forum MLF, Chris Ohanele, and President, Mbaise in U.S.A., Chief Samuel Echendu, the group described the crisis in Imo State as needless, while hoping for the return of peace in the state.

    The statement read in part: “Social media should be used responsibly and not as a tool to cause panic. It should not be used to post hateful propaganda and incendiary comments. In the face of a common threat to our security, it is necessary that we stay united even as we may have different points of views.”

    Similarly, a socio-political group, Imolites Collective (IC), also urged Governor Hope Uzodinma to focus on delivering on his mandate instead of joining issues with overzealous politicians that have no good intentions for Imo people except what they would get out of political positions.

    In a statement in Abuja, the group’s President and Secretary, Longinus Duru and Ernest Iroha, said that “time has come for all patriotic citizens of Imo State to rise up against the attempt by politicians to make the state a theatre of war.”

    IC noted with regrets that the peace and harmony, which Imo State is known for, began to slide as soon as the state government made efforts to enforce the findings of a commission of inquiry that investigated the large scale looting and misappropriation in the state.

    “We are an aggregation of Imo State citizens from various professions without affiliation to or with any political party or politically exposed persons. We have watched with dismay the wanton destruction of property, loss of lives and descent to anomie in our dear state.”

    More also, the Director-General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has enjoined agitators in the South East to exercise restraints and give peace a chance.

    He argued that contrary to notions held in certain quarters, President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to the country’s unity.

    The Enugu State politician asserted that Buhari had been grossly misunderstood over his recent stance against the activities of secessionists in the country.

    Said he: “What the President is trying to do is to let everybody know that we need to remain in this country and will prosper it. If it prospers, every ethnic group and region would benefit. No President will be happy that police stations and electoral commission offices are being burnt.”

    Meanwhile, Governor Hope Uzodinma is ensuring that he communicates his plans and programmes to Imo people so that they stand on the same page with him in the task of making the state the citadel of peace and harmony it has always been.

    The governor is ever ready to develop the state. The construction of 305 classroom blocks, conference rooms and e-libraries, in the 305 political wards at the cost of N35m was ongoing, all schools were in session and no teacher was owed, plans were ongoing to provide feeding arrangements for public schools pupils.

    He did not allow the crisis in the state to derail his vision for the state. That is why many people believe that he was sent by God to redeem the image of the state.

    “I was sent by the Almighty God. Owerri was abandoned for many years. Now, we are recovering it. The master-plan was altered. My government is an all-inclusive one. It is only when we come together that we can move forward.”

    Already 2,000 youths are being recruited for agriculture and farming, promising to replicate free distribution of fertilisers as carried out last year to registered farmers.

    On the security, he said: “We are not going to allow economy of Imo State to crumble. “We have a simply destination. And that destination is to recover Imo State. I have come to work. I will partner with those who are ready to partner with us. I will defend government’s policies and programmes without fear or favour,” Governor Uzodinma reiterated.

  • Kill bandits before they come near to kill you, Uzodinma charges police

    Kill bandits before they come near to kill you, Uzodinma charges police

    Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has asked security operatives to stay alert and resist attacks of bandits ravaging the state and take the fight to them.

    The governor urged the policemen not to spare any bandits and other criminals in the fight against insecurity.

    Uzodimma, who spoke while on a condolence visit to the headquarters of the State Police Command in Owerri on Tuesday, asked policemen to go after the bandits before they get to them.

    He said, “You are the only ones constitutionally empowered to carry a gun. And then you allow somebody called bandit who is not licensed to carry a gun to come to your station and kill you. Kill them before they come near to kill you.”

    Uzodimma also promised that his administration would introduce an insurance policy for all the security operatives serving in the state.

    The governor disclosed that his government was arranging a welfare package to compensate all the family members of those who died during the chaos in the state.

    He also praised the state police commissioner, Abutu Yaro, for improving the security situation in the state in the past six weeks and gifted the command six operational vehicles.

    According to the police commissioner, Uzodimma is the only governor to have paid the police such a condolence visit.

  • Police raid shrine, arrest two ESN native doctors, others over attack on Uzodinma’s residence

    Police raid shrine, arrest two ESN native doctors, others over attack on Uzodinma’s residence

    Two native doctors who allegedly prepare charms for the members of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, and nine other members said to have carried out attack on Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma’s hometown in Omuma Oru East local government area, have all been arrested.

    They were arrested in their shrine in a bush near Njaba River in Imo state, said to be planning for another attack.

    According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Bala Elkana, told newsmen in Owerri, that the arrest of the native doctors and others, were made possible when one of the ESN, suspect earlier arrested had led the security operatives to the bush where their camp was located.

    The names of the ESN native doctors, were given as Chinedu Nwakaire “Male” aka “One Door” 48 years old Uzoamaka Ugoanyanwu “Male” 40 years oldWATCH Video

    The Arrest:

    As captured by the police: “In consonance with the mandate given to the operatives of the Command by IGP Alkali Baba Usman to fish out all criminal elements in the state and restore normalcy to the state as soon as feasible, and in tandem with the determination and directive of the Commissioner of Police Imo state CP Abutu Yaro, FDC.

    “On the 8/6/21 at about 1630 hrs, Tactical teams of the Command through diligent and painstaking investigations, stormed Ukwuorji, Mbaitoli Local Government area, along Onitsha road , and arrested one Ezeugo Ordu “M” 65 years old, a native of Ubachima, Omuma, Oru East LGA.”

    “He confessed to be a member of IPOB/ESN, and made useful statements to the Police as regards to the recent attacks on Police stations as well as the residence of Governor Hope Uzodinma.”

    According to Police, the suspect, Ordu, “Led operatives of the Command to the IPOB/ESN camp a Bush close to Njaba River, nine persons were arrested at the criminal hideout while planning another attack, assorted charms were recovered from them.

    “However, two (2) out of the nine arrested in the hideout, Chinedu Nwakaire “Male” aka One Door, 48 yrs old Uzoamaka Ugoanyanwu “Male”,(thier native Doctor) 40 yrs old, were identified to be part of the hoodlums that attacked the private residence of Gov. Hope Uzodinma and also some Police stations as well, they confessed to the crime, and also stated their roles during the operations.”

    “Furthermore, the CP used the opportunity to reiterate the call on members of the IPOB/ESN, or any other criminal syndicate operating in the state especially those who stole Police arms and ammunitions to voluntarily surrender themselves to enable them get “soft landing”, or they will be arrested face the full wrath of the law, as the Command will do everything possible to rid Imo state of crime and criminality,” Police said.

     

  • Uzodinma cries out: ‘I can’t restore peace in Imo alone’

    Uzodinma cries out: ‘I can’t restore peace in Imo alone’

    The Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma has called on fellow leaders to join hands to bring an end to the insecurity in the state, noting that himself alone cannot restore security.

    He made the appeal on Tuesday while addressing journalists after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in the State House.

    Governor Uzodinma called on stakeholders including traditional rulers, religious leaders and politicians, to engage more with the issues in order to engender peace in the country.

    He also stated that former political office holders who have failed to speak out against the security crisis in the country have questions to answer.

    According to him, if all leaders speak out condemning perpetrators of insecurity, a lot of changes would be visible.

    “Anybody worth his onions as a leader should be able to speak out. How many of them are speaking out.

    “How many of them are condemning what is going on. rather what you see is leaders fanning the embers of insecurity, the governor said.

    He also stated that anyone found culpable in the destruction of government property would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

  • Cause of insecurity in South East is total failure in governance in Imo, Federal level -Fmr SSG

    Cause of insecurity in South East is total failure in governance in Imo, Federal level -Fmr SSG

    …says I was Buhari’s fanatic in 2015
    …if US can discuss with Talibans what’s stopping Buhari
    …says Gulak’s death is APC-APC violence induced
    By Emman Ovuakporie
    Former Secretary of Imo State Government, Hon Uche Onyeagocha has said the cause of insecurity crisis in Imo could be traced to total failure in governance at the Federal level and Imo State.
    Onyeagocha made this revelation in a national television chat monitored by TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) on Tuesday.
    The former SSG said the major cause of the crisis is purely the exclusivity of the South East by the centre based on the 95 percent to 5 percent declaration by President Muhamnadu Buhari.
    He said the exclusivity could also be attributed to the crisis in the zone which the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has not been able to resolve.
    He explained that insecurity in Nigeria is not about the South East alone but all over the country “every day you hear that at least 100 Nigerians are killed”.
    “This points to the fact that something is wrong with the leadership of this country.
    On the death of Ahmed Gulak, Onyeagocha said: “It’s purely an APC problem because he was the one that ran away with Imo State results in cohoot with Adams Oshiomhole that manipulated the results.
    “Nobody is happy about the killings because they are our brothers and nobody can be happy about it be an Igbo or any other tribe.
    ” In 2015 I was a strong fanatic of Buhari going round the country with this same Lai Mohammed who is now replicating PDP Information minister in the country now.
    “If the US can negotiate with the Talibans what’s stopping Buhari from coming to the South East from coming to the east to negotiate.
    “The Talibans have killed more American soldiers yet they have gone to the negotiating table with the Talibans”.
  • Bandits kill five, raze church building in Kaduna

    Bandits kill five, raze church building in Kaduna

    Bandits have attacked communities in Igabi and Chikun Local Government Areas of Kaduna State killing five persons and leaving two others injured.

    A church building belonging to the Assemblies of God church and one house was burnt by the attackers during the operation.

    This was confirmed by the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.

    He said spouses of some pastors who also sustained injuries in the attack are presently receiving medical attention in a private facility and citizens will be updated on further developments emerging from the area.

    Similarly, security agencies also confirmed the killing of three travellers and injuring of several others around the Lambar Zango area of Kaduna-Zaria Road in Igabi Local Government Area.

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai in reaction condoled families of the deceased and prayed that God grants them eternal rest.

    The Governor who further prays for the speedy recovery of those receiving medical attention also directed the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency to carry out an immediate assessment at the church and the other affected building in Kabai village.

  • Absconding Imo inmate detained in Lagos for SIM card theft

    Police operatives in Lagos have detained an inmate who escaped from the Owerri correctional facility during a jailbreak in April.

    Onyemachi Maduabuchi, 34, was taken into custody for allegedly stealing Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card.

    The suspect was alleged to have stolen the SIM and a memory card belonging to a member of a church his elder sister took him to for deliverance on April 20, a day after he arrived in Lagos.

    It was learnt that the suspect, who was in prison for 12 years awaiting trial on charges of conspiracy, armed robbery and arson, was on the verge of regaining his freedom through an out of court settlement process being pursued by his family before he escaped from the facility on the night of jailbreak.

    As soon as he left the prison facility, he was said to have gone to his hometown, Onitsha in Anambra Statem, to see his mother, who then linked him up with his elder sister, Amarachi in Ijegun, Lagos.

    Maduabuchi is said to have confessed to the offence.

     

  • BREAKING: Gunmen murder Imo Immigration senior officer

    BREAKING: Gunmen murder Imo Immigration senior officer

    The Chief Provost of Nigerian Immigration Service, Imo State Command, Okiemute Mrere, has been killed.

    Mrere was murdered on Saturday night on Owerri- Port Harcourt Road in Owerri,

    A senior officer of NIS, who confirmed the news said the slain officer’s corpse was discovered in a bush on Sunday morning.

    Mrere was riding a Hilux van belonging to NIS when he was allegedly waylaid, shot and killed.

    According to reports, the assailants did not take the victim’s service pistol as it was found on him when his corpse was discovered, the next day.

    The official Hilux van that he was riding when he was attacked was riddled with bullet holes.

     

    “The chief provost of Nigerian Immigration Service, Imo State Command, Okiemute Mrere, has been assassinated. He was killed on Saturday night. He was riding in his official Hilux van when he was attacked, shot and killed.

    “His corpse was discovered the next day which was on Sunday morning. Nothing was taken from him, not even his service pistol. His vehicle was riddled in bullets holes. The command is quiet. There is panic as officers are dumbfounded by this tragic development”, a source told The Punch.

     

  • [GRAPHIC PHOTOS] Police kill alleged murderers of Ahmed Gulak, recover ammunition and vehicles

    [GRAPHIC PHOTOS] Police kill alleged murderers of Ahmed Gulak, recover ammunition and vehicles

    The Imo State Police Command says it has neutralised the alleged killers of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Gulak, and recovered ammunition and vehicles from them.

    A statement issued by the police on Sunday night noted that some of the arms recovered from the attackers included three AK 47 rifles, one pistol, five AK 47 magazines with 92 rounds of live ammunition.

    According to the statement, “Eyewitness account, especially the account given by the driver of the vehicle that was conveying Ahmed Gulak to the Airport before the attack, gave a vivid description of the assailants and the vehicles they used in carrying out the attack.

    “The assailants were said to have used a Toyota Camry 2005 model with silver color; Toyota Sienna 1998 Model with golden color; Toyota Hilux with white color; and a Lexus RX 330 with golden Color. (Registration numbers are withheld for security reasons).

    “Having established the identity of the assailants and the description of the vehicles used in carrying out the attack, the teams further got details of the direction the hoodlums have taken. With further leads, the team was able to establish the location of the suspects.

    “The suspects were rounded up at Afor Enyiogugu junction in Aboh-Mbaise Local Government Area. The hoodlums were met distributing onions to locals from a trailer they confiscated. The trailer was loaded with onions from the Northern region of Nigeria.”

    It explained that on sighting the police, the hoodlums providing security coverage to those sharing the onions opened fire on the Police teams.

    “The gallant and battle-ready Police Officers swiftly returned the fire. The six hoodlums who carried out the killings and four other members of their gang were fatally injured,” the security agency added. “Three out of the four vehicles used in attacking Gulak were recovered.”

    Gulak was killed around Umueze Obiangwu in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area close to the Sam Mbakwe Airport road in Owerri, Imo State on Sunday morning.

    Sources told Channels Television that Gulak who was a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was heading to the airport when the assailants attacked him and shot him on the spot.

    Gulak was trailed from his hotel room to the spot where he was killed.

    The statement added that “The assailants were identified as members of the proscribed IPOB and ESN. The driver who drove late Ahmed Gulak and a co- victim who survived have all identified the dead body of the IPOB/ESN members positively as their attackers and also identified the three vehicles recovered as those used by the attackers.

    POLICE IN IMO HAVE NEUTRALISED THE KILLERS OF AHMED GULAK

    *RECOVERED THREE AK47 RIFLES, ONE PISTOL, FIVE AK47 MAGAZINES WITH 92 ROUNDS OF LIVE AMMUNITION

    *RECOVERED THREE OUT OF THE FOUR VEHICLES USED IN THE ATTACK

    On 30th May, 2021 following a distress received by the Command on the gruesome murder of Ahmed Gulak, Police Special Forces made up of Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Police Mobile Force (PMF) and Tactical Units from the command were deployed to the scene at Obiangwu Junction at Ngorokpala LGA of Imo state. The teams were given a clear instruction to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of the act with a view of bringing them to justice.

    2. Eye witnesses account, especially the account given by the Driver of the vehicle that was conveying Ahmed Gulak to the Airport before the attack, gave a vivid description of the assailants and the vehicles they used in carrying out the attack. The assailants were said to have used a Toyota Camry 2005 model with silver color; Toyota Sienna 1998 Model with golden color; Toyota Hilux with white color; and a Lexus RX 330 with golden Color. (Registration numbers are withheld for security reasons).

    3. Having established the identity of the assailants and the description of the vehicles used in carrying out the attack, the teams further got details of the direction the hoodlums have taken. With further leads, the team was able to establish the location of suspects. The suspects were rounded up at Afor Enyiogugu junction in Aboh-Mbaise Local Government Area. The hoodlums where met distributing onions to locals from a trailer they confiscated. The trailer was loaded with Onions from the Northern region of Nigeria.

    4. On sighting the Police, the hoodlums providing security coverage to those sharing the onions opened fire on the Police teams. The Gallant and battle ready Police Officers swiftly returned the fire. The six hoodlums who carried out the killings and four other members of their gang were fatally injured. Three out of the four vehicles used in attacking Gulak were recovered.

    5. Three AK 47 Rifles, one Pistol, five AK 47 magazines with ninety two rounds of live ammunition and criminal charms were recovered.

    6. The Commissioner of Police Imo State, CP Abutu Yaro, fdc commended the gallant effort of the team and admonished them to continue to protect the public space.

  • Insecurity: Reps suspend constitution review hearing in Imo, Abia

    Insecurity: Reps suspend constitution review hearing in Imo, Abia

    The House of Representatives has suspended its constitution review hearing scheduled to hold in Imo and Abia States.

    This suspension was contained in a communique by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Idris Wase.

    Rep Wase who serves also as the Chairman, House Special Committee on Constitution Review noted in his statement on Sunday that “The House of Representatives Special Committee on Constitution Review Zonal Public Hearing scheduled to take place in Owerri Central (Imo and Abia States) on Tuesday, 1st and Wednesday, 2nd June 2021, has been suspended until further notice.”

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that suspension of the constitution review hearing in the two South-Eastern states comes on the heels of the gruesome murder of a former presidential aide, Ahmed Gulak, in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

    Gulak who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was brutally murdered while he was on his way to catch a flight at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri.