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Tag: Owerri

  • 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.

  • [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.

  • Gunmen attack security vehicle, rob motorists, injure four in Owerri

    Gunmen attack security vehicle, rob motorists, injure four in Owerri

    The Imo Police Command has confirmed Sunday’s robbery attack on motorists in Orji area of Owerri, which left four persons with bullet injuries.

    The command’s Spokesperson, SP Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri.
    Orlando said the victims of the attack had been taken to the Federal Medical Center, Owerri for treatment.

    NAN reports that the incident took place near the Orji Divisional Police Headquarters on Owerri-Okigwe Road around 10.30pm.

    It was learnt that the hoodlums, who were trailing an unmarked security vehicle, double-crossed it at Orji and opened fire on the driver.

    Eyewitness account said the gunmen also robbed other motorists and commuters in commercial vehicles at the same spot.

    The account further said the robbers shot sporadically after the operation to scare away people, before making their escape.

    “It was during the sporadic shooting that three more persons around area were hit by bullet,” the eyewitness said on the condition of anonymity.

    The incident caused tension and panic in the area, forcing residents and passersby to run helter skelter for their lives.

    NAN reports that the robbery, which came barely one day after the attack on Gov. Hope Uzodinma’s country home in Omuma, had further heightened the fear of insecurity in the state.

    In another development, the police spokesman has debunked the report of alleged attack on the Imo House of Assembly.

    In a statement made available to NAN, he described the online video, showing the assembly complex under fire, as false.
    According to him, the building, which was on fire in a social media, was neither the state house of assembly nor any building in Imo.

  • Owerri jailbreak: Police nab 1 escapee in Akwa Ibom

    Owerri jailbreak: Police nab 1 escapee in Akwa Ibom

    The Police Command in Akwa Ibom has arrested one David Ubong, one of the inmates set free when suspected hoodlums attacked a correctional centre in Owerri.

    A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Macdon, in Uyo on Friday, said that Ubong confessed to have escaped from the Owerri correctional centre on April 5.

    Macdon said that the suspect would be returned to Imo, to face his jail term.

    “On April 6, 2021, personnel of Ikot Udota Police Division, Eket, relying on credible intelligence, apprehended one David Victor Ubong ‘m’ of Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area (LGA).

    “Suspect confessed to be one of the inmates who escaped from the Nigerian Correctional Service in the recent jailbreak at Owerri, Imo on April 5, 2021.

    “Until his conviction, the suspect was a resident of Obinze in Owerri, Imo. Suspect will be sent back to face his jail term,’’ Macdon said.

    On the security in Essien Udim LGA of Akwa Ibom, Macdon quoted the Commissioner of Police, Mr Andrew Amiengheme, as saying that successes had been recorded and that a mop up operation was ongoing in the area.

    Amiengheme urged residents of Essien Udim and its environs to remain calm but be security conscious.

    He assured that security agencies would continue to do their best in restoring peace, law and order in the area and state at large.

  • What we know about massive early morning attacks on Owerri prison, Police headquarters, others

    What we know about massive early morning attacks on Owerri prison, Police headquarters, others

    Owerri, the Imo State capital on Monday came under massive attacks by unknown gunmen who invaded specific federal and state government owned facilities.

    According to social media accounts, the attacks started as early as 2am on Monday morning with heavy gun shots heard throughout the metropolis.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG gathered that the gunmen in their numbers attacked the correction centre and police command headquarters, both facilities close to Government House in Owerri.

    Reports have it that several number of inmates from the correctional centre were freed. Ammunition were also carted away.

    Residents in Owerri confirmed the development on Monday though neither the Governor Hope Uzodinma led Imo State Government nor the State Police Command have issued a statement.

    See comments on the incidents below;

     

  • Industrial court seals four commercial banks in Owerri

    The National Industrial Court in Owerri on Wednesday sealed four banks for disregarding its order which was issued in favour of a former Gov. Ikedi Ohakim of Imo.

    The banks are: Diamond bank Item St.branch, First Bank Plc, Bank road branch, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mbari St. branch and the branch Union Bank at Bank road in Owerri.

    NAN reports that an order for execution issued by Justice O.O. Arowosegbe, was displayed on each of the affected branch.

    “An order granting leave to issue writ of execution of the order of this honourable court made in this suit on February 23, 2018, against, second, third, sixth and seventh garnishees, that is Diamond Bank, First Bank, United Bank for Africa and Union Bank PLC, respectively,” NAN quoted the order on display.

    A document of a court judgment on display at UBA indicated that the judgment mandated the affected banks to pay the plaintiff his claims from Imo State Government accounts domiciled with the banks, an order they had defied.

    The judgment which was dated February 23, 2018 reads in part, “Order absolute is made against the fifth garnishee (Skye Bank) to the tune of N112,000,000.00.

    “Order absolute to the tune of forty-four million, seven hundred and ninety thousand, eight hundred and thirty-one Naira, thirty-four kobo (N44,790,831.34), is made against the sixth garnishee (UBA), less the minimum amount required to maintain the account.

    “Order absolute is made against the seventh garnishee (Union Bank ) to the total sum of N8.8 million, less the minimum amount required to maintain the account.

    “The fourth garnishee is accordingly discharged.

    “In all, the degree absolute has been made on a cumulative total of N290 million.

    “The total sum is to be paid over to this court vide the Chief Registrar, National Industrial Court of Nigeria within 14 days next.”

    However, Ohakim had gone to court owing to the failure of his successor, Gov. Rochas Okorocha, to pay him his entitlements as a former governor of the state.

    The court delivered judgment in his (Ohakim’s) favour on May 24, 2016, but Okorocha allegedly refused to honour the court judgment.

    The ex-governor again went to court to enforce the judgment against the state governor by asking the court to issue an order to the banks where Imo State Government accounts are domiciled to pay him.

    The court granted the request through a garnishee order on Feb. 23, but the banks failed to pay the plaintiff.

    Ohakim also went back to the court to get an order for the sealing off of the affected banks until the entitlements are paid.

    A bank staff, who confirmed the development to newsmen said that “Our branch has been sealed by the court.

    “There is a garnishee order in a case involving former Gov. Ikedi Ohakim and Gov. Rochas Okorocha ordering us to honour a court judgment, but our bank did not obey court rule.”

    NAN reports that a notice of attachment from court in Owerri, dated Nov. 6, was pasted in front of the banks indicated that the affected banks had failed to honour a garnishee order issued by the court.

    A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who visited the areas saw the banks’ staff and customers stranded.

     

  • 2 killed in Owerri as youths resist relocation of market

    2 killed in Owerri as youths resist relocation of market

    OWERRI, the Imo State capital, was on Saturday, thrown into confusion, as angry youths clashed with security operatives, who were enforcing the relocation of a market on the orders of Governor Rochas Okorocha.

    Two people were said to have been killed in the fracas, while scores sustained bullet wounds in the clash and rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in the city for urgent medical attention.

    Nurses at the centre could not respond to questions by our correspondent as one of them said, “My friend, as you can see, we are busy trying to save life. What else do you want to hear from us.”

    Trouble erupted when a combined team of the police, army, DSS, NSCDC and those of the Imo security network stormed the market situated on the ever-busy Douglas road with bulldozers to effect the relocation of the market to Egbeada in the Mbaitoli council area as directed by the state government.

    But, no sooner had the security agents arrived the market, than the already mobilised youths of the town called the bluff out of them.

    Armed with dangerous weapons and chanting solidarity songs with placards bearing various inscriptions which conveyed their opposition to the relocation, the youths began to hurl missiles at the security agents who did not dally to respond accordingly.

    In the crossfire that ensued, scores of individuals sustained bullet wounds just as one of them, who was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, was later confirmed dead and his body deposited in the morgue.

    Expectedly, the crisis paralysed commercial activities and vehicular movements, thereby forcing a number of individuals to trek long distances before getting to their destinations, even as security was beefed up in all strategic points within the city.

    An eye witness said that one Sabastine Oparaku of the Christian Pentecostal Mission (CPM) was relaxing in his palour at No 5/7 Douglas road when a stray bullet pierced through the front door of his house and hit him.

    President General of the Owerri Community Assembly, Chief Felix Ngoka, told Sunday Tribune that blood would inevitably flow should the government enforce the much publicised relocation.

    “This is a matter that is in court and there is a subsisting injunction restraining Governor Rochas Okorocha from tampering with the market. We are therefore surprised that a governor who is supposed to be the custodian of the law is now teaching us to disobey the law,” he said.

    According to him, the market has been at its current location and for over 200 years, it is both the identity and pride of the people as bequeathed to them by their ancestors.

    “Owerri People are traditionally peace and law abiding and we are here to defend the court injunction which has restrained Okorocha from tampering with our ancestral market. We are ready to lay down our lives to ensure that the market is not relocated unless the count rules other wise.”

    Ngoka, who dismissed Okorocha’s real reasons for his decision to move the market to Egbeada, in the Mbaitoli council area of the state as baseless, said that Owerri indigenes had all along done something to eliminate street/road side trading in the town.

  • Graphic Photos/Video: 10 year old boy, two others die in Owerri market protest

    Reports reaching the TheNewsGuru.com now have it that a violent protest is going on in Owerri, the Imo State capital sequel to the demolition of the Eke Onunwa market by the Rochas Okorocha led state government leaving a ten year old boy and two others dead.

    A video exclusively sourced by the TheNewsGuru.com from impeccable sources at the scene of the incident showed armed police officers shooting at protesters sporadically.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Governor Rochas Okorocha had earlier issued an evacuation order to the traders advising them to relocate to a new site to make way for development at the market site.

    The efforts were resisted by the natives of the area who fought the relocation of the market by the state government.

    However, the market was demolished in the middle of the night by bulldozers already stationed at the scene despite the efforts of the natives.

    This sparked several protests which turned violent.

    According to an eye witness who spoke in confidence to TheNewsGuru.com, violence started when one of the protesters, a young boy, was hit and killed by a stray bullet fired by security operatives deployed to maintain order in the melee which ensued after the demolition.

    The death of the young boy was not taken lightly as Owerri natives proceeded to set fire to the property belonging to some residents.

    This led to a fight between the residents and those protesters resulting in the death of two others.

    Military and police personnel have however been deployed to restore order.

    Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Andrew Enwerem for comments as at press time was not successful as he was said to be out of the state on official assignment.

     

  • BREAKING: 4 feared dead as building collapses in Owerri, Imo [Photos]

    No fewer than four persons have been confirmed dead while six others were rescued alive from a three-storey building collapse in Imo state.

    The incident occurred on Sunday morning at No.9 Egbu road, by fire service junction in Owerri.

    Reports say that the cause of the building collapse is due to structural defect as the landlord is alleged to have added two more floors to the structure without approval.

    Meanwhile, the Imo State government has instructed that all ongoing building construction should go for re-verification before completion.

    The Imo State Police Commissioner, Chris Ezike noted that no arrest has been made but the landlord of the building is currently at large.

    Details to follow…

     

  • Video: Fire guts ICT building of Federal University of Technology, Owerri

    There was a fire outbreak in the early hours of Friday at the Information and Communications Technology building of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

    The footage of the fire incidence was captured by a Facebook user, Jake C Uche, who is also a student of the school.

    See visuals: