TheNewsGuru

Tag: Imo

  • Police repel attack on INEC office in Imo

    Police repel attack on INEC office in Imo

    Imo Police Command says it repelled an attack on the building of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) located in Orlu LGA in Imo by the suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    The command further disclosed that the hoodlums, who attacked the INEC facility, later retreated with bullet wounds after they suffered huge defeat from the tactical team of the command.

    Police Public Relations Officer CSP Mike Abatam disclosed the foiled attack in a statement signed on behalf of the CP Mohammed Barde on Thursday.

    He said minimal damage was sustained as a result of the explosive device the hoodlums used to attack the office.

    “On 02/12/ 2022 at about 04:30 hours, gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) came in their numbers to the Independent National Electoral Commission office Orlu in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.

    ” They threw Improvised Explosive Devices( IEDs) into the office from outside the fence and shooting sporadically, fighting their way into the office but were repelled by the ever gallant Imo Police Command’s Tactical Teams.

    “The police operatives who positioned themselves strategically and professionally, engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel and in the process, they were suppressed, having suffered a huge defeat, with a number of them sustaining various bullet wounds, they retreated,

    “In the course of the foiled attack, no life was lost and no arms or ammunition was carted away.

    “The INEC main building was not affected by the explosives only minor damage was done on the security post affected by the fire from the explosives which were put off immediately by the police operatives.

    “Meanwhile, Investigation is ongoing and efforts are on top gear to arrest the fleeing suspects since they cannot go far because of the volume of blood stains that were seen on the ground after their escape.

    He said the CP commended the officers and men for their gallantry and urged them not to relent in their efforts until all criminal elements and their partners were apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.

    The CP also appealed to the general public for their continuous support and collaboration by giving security agencies, especially the Police, credible and timely information about the activities of hoodlums.

  • Gunmen attack soldiers in Imo community

    Gunmen attack soldiers in Imo community

    The 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Obinze, Owerri, says gunmen on Monday, attacked its officers on patrol at Izombe community, Oguta council area of Imo.

    The Brigade’s Spokesperson, Capt. Joseph Akubo, confirmed this while speaking with newsmen in Owerri on Monday.

    Akubo said that the incident happened after soldiers were drafted to the oil-rich community to checkmate youth restiveness and other crimes in the area.

    He explained that some unidentified persons on Saturday attacked and killed a truck driver, prompting increased patrol by the soldiers.

    “The soldiers were on routine patrol in the area when they came under attack by armed youths.

    “Two days ago, a truck driver was killed; coupled with other criminal activities which had necessitated increased patrol.

    “The oldiers were on normal patrol when they came under attack,” he said.

    Akubo however said he had yet to confirm the casualty figure as the youths were still engaging the soldiers in fierce battle.

    “I cannot tell you the casualty figure because the armed youths are still attacking our men who are taking cover in the buildings in the neighbourhood”, he said.

  • Imo people can’t wait to celebrate the end of Uzodinma – PDP

    Imo people can’t wait to celebrate the end of Uzodinma – PDP

    Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday has said the indigenes cannot wait to roll out their drums to celebrate the end of the ill-fated reign of Senator Hope Uzodinma’s administration

    Imo PDP said this in a statement made available to newsmen by its Publicity Secretary, Collins Opurozor in Owerri.

    While saluting Imo citizens on the occasion of Nigeria’s 62nd Independence anniversary, the opposition party said it reflects on the struggles for Independence in Nigeria and salutes the courage, patriotism and vision of heroes who defied colonial oppression to midwife a free nation.

    The release reads, “For Imo citizens, the most essential fruit of political independence, which is their inalienable right to decide those who should govern them, was brazenly assaulted and stripped away on January 14, 2020, through a judicial coup which toppled the popularly elected PDP administration in the state and enthroned Senator Hope Uzodinma, a man who came fourth in the 2019 governorship election.

    “Imo PDP, therefore, regrets that the promises held by Independence have become a mirage in the state. It is deeply troubling that our dear state today occupies the top position in all the indices of social misery. Health prospects are getting poorer, real incomes are falling, killings and insecurity have become pervasive, unemployment has become endemic, social institutions have collapsed and there is a sapping of confidence among citizens, a nagging fear that our state is fated to doom.

    “Even in the face of all these, the inept and iron-fist regime of Senator Hope Uzodinma has embarked on a borrowing spree, which has raised the debt profile of the state to N210 billion, thereby making Imo more indebted than all the other states in the South East put together.

    “This is worrisome, given that till this moment, the regime still cannot point to any landmark project it has done to justify the humongous borrowings, neither can it account for about N160 billion that has accrued to the local government system under its watch. The 13% Derivation Funds received monthly by this wobbling regime, which has now come to about N25.6 billion, cannot also be accounted for.

    “Imo PDP feels disappointed that all the sound policies and programs put in place by our Party for the economic resurgence, social regeneration and holistic development of the state have been discarded by this anti-people government of Senator Uzodinma. Apart from being officially designated as the unemployment capital of Nigeria by the NBS, the latest Nigeria capital importation report went further to declare that Imo under Uzodinma has not attracted a single dollar in foreign direct investment for nearly three years. This is the same Imo that was an oasis of prosperity in 2019 when our Party was in power.

    “The Presidential Business Enabling Environment Council in its report also placed Imo at the lowest rung of the ladder in terms of ease of doing business in Nigeria. Similarly, Imo now officially ranks highest in infant and maternal mortality rates in the South East, and has also been totally displaced in education and tourism, the two areas the state until now held the light for Nigeria.

    “A disaster has befallen Imo state, and the people can no longer wait to roll out their drums to celebrate the end of the ill-fated reign of Hope Uzodinma.

    “Lies and deception have been elevated to the status of state policy by the regime of Uzodinma. Just yesterday, the Federal Government debunked claims personally made by Senator Uzodinma, that he was dredging the Orashi River to build a new seaport in the state. This is how embarrassingly low the regime can go in its struggle to deceive the people so as to sustain its ruinous and tyrannical misrule.

    “Imo PDP wishes to encourage the people to be patient and never to despair. The resilience which Imo people have shown amid the ravages of bad governance in the state is commendable, and it stems from their faith in the eventual triumph of justice. By the grace of God, our Party shall return to power very soon to restore to the people the basic things of life and an enabling environment to excel in entrepreneurship.

    “Our land shall yield again. And Imo people shall be independent from fear, hunger, squalor, unemployment and disease, which are the most ancient oppressors of man. Imo people shall have an unfettered right and the incentives to pursue their dreams here in Imo once again. The storm shall soon be over and affliction shall never rise again”

  • 2023: Bola Tinubu is my candidate – Imo gov, Uzodinma declares

    2023: Bola Tinubu is my candidate – Imo gov, Uzodinma declares

    Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has declared his support for the All Progressives Congress (APC), presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2023 general election.

    Uzodinma stated that consultations and mobilisation of support for Tinubu and his running mate Kassim Shettima have begun in the South East region.

    The governor said this on Tuesday evening during an interview on Channels TV Programme Politics Today.

    He dismissed the threats of other candidates, noting that loyal party members will mobilise support for Tinubu.

    Uzodinma said: “I think I’m a politician and you know my party is APC, and I’ve my candidate (Tinubu) in my party.

    “We are currently consulting, and speaking to our people to vote for our candidate.

    “I’m concerned with what will come out of my campaign for my party.

    “I don’t want to join issues with Peter Obi who you know is not a member of my party. But I know members of APC are obedient to APC i.e loyal to the party. In my dictionary, what’s there is APC.

    “I’m confident that the reasonable minds will vote for our party in the next polls.”

  • Seven trucks of adulterated diesel intercepted in Imo

    Seven trucks of adulterated diesel intercepted in Imo

     Imo Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it intercepted seven trucks of adulterated diesel and arrested 12  suspects in connection with the seizure.

    NSCDC Commandant in Imo, Mr Matthew Ovey disclosed this while parading the suspects at the Command’s headquarters in Owerri, on Thursday.

    Ovey said that the seven trucks were loaded with over 300,000 litres of diesel from illegal refineries in Rivers state.

    According to him, the trucks were loaded with diesel from illegal refineries in Rivers state and were heading to Abuja, Niger and Anambra states before they were intercepted at Spibat area,  along Amakohia road, Owerri.

    “The interception was made following a tip off to the intelligence team of the Commandant-General of the Corps who kept vigil till around 3:00am to effect the seizure.

    “Investigations are ongoing and the suspects arrested in connection with the crime will appear in court as soon as investigations are over,” he said.

    Some of the suspects however, claimed that they were not aware of the source of the product and pleaded for mercy.

  • PDP suspends primaries indefinitely in Imo

    PDP suspends primaries indefinitely in Imo

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo says it has suspended its primaries for the House of Assembly and House of Representatives indefinitely, over unreconciled delegates list.

    A statement by the Legal Advisor of the party in the state, Mr Kessinger Ikeokwu on Sunday, attributed the non-conduct of the primaries to confusion caused by the National Assembly.

    Ikeoku explained that Imo would not vote along with other states who were now voting with their three man and one man national delegates.

    He said: “Please note that the reason for the suspension of the PDP house of assembly and house of representatives primaries in Imo was a result of the confusion that arose from the error of the national assembly in the country.

    “This is hinged on Section 84 (8) of the Electoral Act which inadvertently led to the exclusion of over 80 per cent of delegates ordinarily meant to vote at the primaries.

    “The Imo PDP case became compounded because it hadn’t tidied up its three man ad hoc delegates, who ought to vote at the primaries due to pending litigations.

    “Every preparation was made for us to use our statutory delegates to vote, before the national assembly saw the error in Section 84 of the Amended Electoral Act, 2022, which excluded the statutory delegates.

    “What it means is that it created a situation of chaos for Imo because we have not concluded our elected delegates,” he explained.

    He urged party faithful to ignore fifth columnists writing about crisis within the party.

    According to him, there is no crisis, as the leadership of the party at all levels are working together to make sure our ad hoc delegates are cleared to vote at our primaries on a later date to be announced.

    He assured them that as soon as President Muhammadu Buhari signed the amended Electoral Act, 2022, the state delegate list would be properly constituted to vote at the primaries.

  • Police confirm bomb blast at oil company in Imo

    Police confirm bomb blast at oil company in Imo

    The Police in Imo have confirmed a bomb blast at an oil company in Izombe, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo.

    The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Mike Abattam, who confirmed the incident to newsmen in Owerri, said it occurred in the early hours of Wednesday.

    Abattam said the explosion occurred at a facility operated by Addax Petroluem Development Nigeria Limited.

    According to him, Commissioner of Police in Imo, Mohammed Barde, already deployed a squad from the command’s anti-bomb unit, as well as some of its operatives to the area to prevent breakdown of law and order.

    ” It happened, there was a bomb blast this morning at the facility but the commissioner has deployed our men to the site,” Abattam said.

    A witness who pleaded anonymous, however, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that two persons died in the explosion.

    He said that the two middle aged men were the carriers of the bomb, which exploded and killed them while they were trying to find their way into the flow station through the entrance.

    NAN, however, reports that Addax Petroleum is one of the two oil companies located in the Izombe community.

  • Police arrest alleged ESN bomb manufacturer

    Police arrest alleged ESN bomb manufacturer

    The Police Command in Imo has arrested a suspected member of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), Simeon Onigbo, aged 50; alleged to be manufacturing bombs for the group.

    Mr Mike Abattam, the Police spokesperson, said this in a statement he signed on behalf of the Commissioner of Police (CP) Mohammed Barde on Friday.

    Abbatam quoted Barde to have said that the suspect had since confessed to the crime and promised to reveal the hideouts of the terror group.

    The statement alleged that Onigbo used to produce locally-made bombs used in attacking police divisions and other government facilities in Imo.

    The spokesman also quoted the CP as saying that on April 20, the command received credible intelligence on the hideout where some alleged ESN members were manufacturing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) used in attacking police stations and government facilities in the state.

    He said that the police operatives immediately mobilised to the hideout, located at Uba Umuaka in Njaba LGA of Imo and raided the camp.

    “In the course of the raid, one Simeon Onigbo, aged 50, was arrested. The suspect admitted being the manufacturer of most of the ( IEDs) used in attacking police stations in and outside the state.

    “On searching the hideout, items recovered include one IED, 58 pieces of Cannon Steel Pipe, two Chisels, one Monday Hammer, one bag of Potassium Nitrate and substances suspected to be sulphur weighing 30 pounds.

    “Other items are: dry Sand weighing 40 pounds and red sand weighing 10 pounds, gun powder weighing 30 pounds, spa half bag of charcoal, 30 pieces of Electronic Motorcycle Batteries and Seven Lengths of eight millimeters iron rods,” he said.

    The CP said that the Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit (EOD) had taken over the recovered bomb for technical analysis and detonation.

    He said that investigation was ongoing, adding that the suspect had made useful statement and also mentioned members of his gangs outside the state who patronise him.

  • Troops neutralise IPOB/ESN gunman in Imo

    Troops neutralise IPOB/ESN gunman in Imo

    Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army, have neutralised a notorious gunman of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Imo.

    Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, stated in Abuja on Monday that the gunman was killed in an encounter at Ihioma Community in Orlu Local Government Area of the state.

    Nwachukwu said troops encountered members of the separatist group who were firing sporadically at Banana Junction to enforce their illegal “sit- at-home’’ order on law-abiding citizens.

    According to him, on sighting the troops, the IPOB/ESN criminals withdrew in a blue Toyota Highlander towards Ihioma community for reinforcement.

    “In the fire fight that ensued, one of the criminals was taken out, while others fled in disarray.

    “Troops are combing the general area in a follow-up operation to track down the fleeing dissidents.

    “Having suffered casualty and effectively denied freedom of action by the troops, the group have resorted to cheap propaganda to whip up public sentiments.

    “This, they have done by circulating a doctored video on the social media alleging troops’ complicity in their mindless atrocities.

    “This propaganda should be disregarded in its entirety,’’ Nwachukwu stated.

  • [Video] INEC Staff killed, as unknown gunmen attack Imo Community

    [Video] INEC Staff killed, as unknown gunmen attack Imo Community

    Unknown Gunmen numbering 12, have attacked some ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Nkwo Ihitte market, Imo state.

    It was gathered that the men attacked, while INEC staff were registering members of the community for the 2023 elections.

    Confirming the attack, an eyewitness, Chief Okpegbuo, said: “We had all gathered in the village square in obedience to the directive that we should come out en masse to register.
    “Not long we queued, the Gunmen came in, shot sporadically, hoarded many into a room with a threat to kill them while others scampered for safety.”

    As of the time of filing this report, the gunmen were said to have killed an INEC official, while the total number of death is unclear.

    see video Below:

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Media/News Company (@thenewsgurung)