News
6 Persons Feared Dead In Ebonyi Renewed Communal Crisis
…Those Killed Were Taken To Military Checkpoint – Police
Obinna Uchendu Abakaliki
Not fewer than 6 Persons were said to have been killed by suspected warlords of the people of Ogwor Village in Ishiagu and Umobor village in Akaeze Community all in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The people of Umuobor, Akaeze and their neighbors, Ogwor, Ishiagu have been in a lingering communal crisis over land dispute for decades now with several lives lost and properties worth millions destroyed by the both warring communities.
It would be recalled that early last month, six persons were killed by the warlords who have continued the block the ever-busy Ishiagu/Okigwe express road killing innocent people.
A resident of the area, one F.N Igwe (PHD) in a WhatsApp post made today wrote, “Thank you your excellency,
Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, our peace loving Governor, for your golden silence and great efforts towards ensuring lasting peace and justice prevails between the warring communities of UMOBOR & OGWOR in IVO LGA.
“Just yesterday, a total of 4 persons were killed in Umobor Akaeze. Extra 2 corpses recovered today and taken to the ARMY CHECK POINT in Akaeze.
“Your excellency’s silence and remote actions has continued to achieve more gains with more killings, maiming and abduction of innocent people of Akaeze and Ishiagu communities, and even non Ebonyi person.
“We also wish to appreciate our stakeholders for their efforts in keeping the numbers on the increase. “It’s pertinent to appreciate all those who contribute handsomely towards the orchestration of more crisis, for their grave quest. Posterity shall be kind to everyone.
In an interview with journalists in Abakaliki, a members of the Local Government Vigilante outfits, James Okoro accused the two warring communities of hiring machineries to attack innocent people in their different farmlands adding that the warlords now attack and kill people who does not have any business in the land dispute.
“About 3 weeks ago, the council Chairman, Emmanuel Ajah convened a meeting of all the stakeholders of Ivo local government area and part of the resolution was that there must be a permanent peace between the warring communities of Umobor village in Akaeze and Ogwor village in community all in Ivo local government area.
“The stakeholders went back and informed their people that the two communities have resolved to give peace a chance. The next morning, the people believing that peace have returned, went to the farm only for them to be ambushed, attacked and killed by the warlords of the two communities.
“The suspected machineries employed by the two warring communities invaded a village called Amamaeze which has no business with the crisis and attacked the people there and killed innocent farmers.
“They machineries were said to have attacked the people of Umobor from the Ugwueke axis because the people of Ugwueke and Umubo has a common boundary. They invaded the farm, used machete to cut the people farm. As at the time they left, about 4 innocent person who does not have any link with the crisis have been killed.
“A man who was returning to his village after spending 3 months in the hospital having undergone an operation was attacked and killed. He was killed alongside the mother and the commercial motorcyclist that was conveying them back to the village.
“Unfortunately, some of the people who are being killed are not indigene of the villages involved in the land dispute. On Monday when a search party was sent to the farm, two other dead bodies were recovered from the farm.
“People who are not even from the area are now scared of going to the farm including road users because what they do is to block the road and kill anyone they see along the axis.
“The Umubo people had accused Ugwueke people of allowing the Ogwor people to attack them through their village. The Ugwueke people in response revealed that the attackers came with sienna Vehicles which they parked along the road and moved into the farmland were they attacked the innocent farmers.
“The people of Ugwueke also alleged that a top politician from Ishiagu had approached them to help them to fight the people of Umobor but they declined insisting that they and the people of Umobor does not have any crisis or dispute. From the look of things, the recent killing might be a sponsored attack.
Another community leader from the area who spoke on grounds of anonymity blamed the stakeholders of the local government for the continued killings and urged the State Governor to intervene in the lingering crisis
It is disheartening that innocent people are being killed every day yet the local and state government are not doing much to end the killings. The State Governor as the Chief Security officer of the State must take the needed necessary action to stop the crisis from escalating to what the State witnessed in the Ezza/Ezza-Effuim communal war.
“Let the truth be told, the disputed land does not belong to the two warring communities. The land originally belong to the people of Okwee who were chased out from the land by the Ogwor people and wanted to occupy the land but are being resisted by the Umobor people. So there might not be an end to the killings if Government fails to act now.
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer PPRO DSP Joshua Ukandu said that he was called concerning the killing but was informed that the corpses of those killed were taken to the Army Checkpoint.
“I am yet to get the details of the killings but once am availed of the information, I will disclose it to the media immediately. Ends.
…As Onitsha South Mayor Empowers Workers
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Maintenance and rehabilitation works at the recently closed First Niger Bridge are being hampered by poor lighting during night shifts and inadequate sanitary facilities at the site.
Recall that before the closure of the bridge, the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, had disclosed that efforts would be made to carry out some of the rehabilitation works at night.
However, some of the workers at the site said poor lighting was affecting effective monitoring of activities on the bridge, while the poor sanitary condition of the area was also posing a threat to their health.
The workers made the complaints during a working visit to the bridge by the Mayor of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Chief Emeka Orji.
Orji, who was accompanied by the Secretary of the Local Government, Barr. Paul Onuachalla, and executives of the Fegge Community Landlords/Tenants Welfare Association, led by its Chairman, Chief Nnamdi Onugha, provided cooked meals and packs of bottled water to the personnel and workers at the site.
Speaking after the visit, Orji said the gesture was aimed at supporting the workers and showing solidarity with the Federal Government’s rehabilitation efforts on the bridge.
He said, “To support the workers and give them a sense of belonging, that is why we came to appreciate them. We will continue doing so from time to time as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility.”
The Mayor also disclosed that the council had provided facilities, including mobile toilets and water tanks, while arrangements were being made for water tankers to supply water to the tanks.
Orji further stressed the importance of the military presence in Onitsha South, noting that the personnel would contribute to security, rapid response and protection of the bridge, Onitsha South and parts of Ogbaru Local Government Area.
He added that the council would continue to strengthen its collaboration with security agencies to ensure maximum security across Onitsha South Local Government Area.
Earlier, after inspecting the environment with the Mayor, the Officer in Charge, who pleaded anonymity, identified poor lighting at the bridge at night as one of the major challenges confronting the personnel.
According to him, the situation makes it difficult to effectively monitor activities around the bridge, particularly during night shifts.
He also complained about the poor sanitary condition of the under-bridge environment where the personnel camp, saying they had to clean up the area themselves upon arrival.
The officer further appealed for improved accommodation and food support for the personnel.
He, however, commended the Mayor for the visit and assistance, saying the gesture made the workers feel appreciated.
“We feel loved and appreciated. We are happy seeing you around,” he said.
Africa’s richest industrialist, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that he bought his first private jet at the age of 22 and a half.
Dangote made the disclosure on Monday in Lagos during the formal launch of the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals on the Nigerian Exchange.
Reflecting on his business journey, the billionaire said he had enjoyed travelling by private jet over the years but was now comfortable using commercial flights.
He also urged wealthy Nigerians to channel more of their resources into productive investments rather than luxury assets.
Dangote particularly appealed to affluent Nigerians who spend huge sums on private aircraft to consider investing such wealth in industries and businesses that could contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.
“I try as much as I can to encourage people who are riding $900 million aircraft to please go and put that into production. We are not going to be a great nation without doing something productive,” he said.
He stressed that directing private wealth towards productive ventures would help strengthen the economy, create jobs and provide greater opportunities for national development.
The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has rejected claims that it appropriated or “stole” the idea of Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit from another organisation whose application was reportedly pending before the Federal Ministry of Trade.
NDCCITMA considers the allegation misleading and wishes to set the record straight.
The concept of Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit is a broad and widely recognised platform used globally to bring together government, the private sector, investors, businesses, development partners and other stakeholders to deliberate on economic growth and development. The use of the term “Economic Summit” does not, in itself, establish exclusive ownership of the concept by any individual or organisation.
More importantly, the chronology of events does not support the allegation being made against NDCCITMA.
While the said application was reportedly still pending before the Ministry of Trade as at September 2025, NDCCITMA had already gone through the appropriate processes and received approval from the Ministry of Trade in August 2025.
NDCCITMA did not rely on, copy, or appropriate the pending application of any other party in arriving at its name or identity
It is also important to distinguish between a concept and legally protected intellectual property, such as a registered trademark, proprietary material or other enforceable intellectual property right.
NDCCITMA remains committed to conducting its activities in accordance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.Most importantly, in Suit No: FHC/PHC/CS/57/2026 filed on same subject matter in Portharcourt by the petitioner, the learned Judge had restrained the plaintiff from further interfering with the Summit being planned by the NDCCITMA. NDCCITMA will continue respect the rule of law
We therefore urge the public, stakeholders, the media to disregard any narrative unless such claims are supported by verifiable facts and relevant legal documentation.
NDCCITMA firmly rejects the allegation and maintains that its activities and identity were developed and pursued independently and through the appropriate regulatory channels.
The organisation remains focused on its mandate of promoting commerce, industry, trade, agriculture, investment and sustainable economic development across the Niger Delta region.
Signed:
Management
Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA)
The Cross River State Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Prince Eka Williams Abang, has died at a hospital in Abuja.
Williams reportedly died suddenly on Saturday, September 12, 2026, while receiving medical treatment.
His death was announced on Sunday by his brother, Nkang William, who expressed shock over the sudden loss.
The deceased was described by family members and associates as a dedicated public servant whose death had left a significant void.
A former councillor representing Abo Ward in Boki Local Government Area, Pius Kejuo Osang, said he was still struggling to understand the development.
Late Abang
“I don’t understand, I was with him on Tuesday, I slept in his hotel,” Osang said.
Michael Gabriel Jr., Executive Media Assistant to Senator John Owan-Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, also described Williams as “a dedicated public servant and a good man.”
He said Ikom Local Government Area had lost a committed public servant, adding that Williams’ life of service, humility and impact would remain in the memories of those he touched.
The commissioner’s death has thrown Cross River’s political and public service circles into mourning, with condolences pouring in for his family, colleagues and associates.
The Board Chairman of the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture, NDCCITMA, Ambassador Idaere Ogan, has identified the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and the governments of the nine Niger Delta states as development partners in building a sustainable regional investment ecosystem.
Addressing newsmen at the Obi Wali Cultural Centre in Port Harcourt, Ogan reaffirmed NDCCITMA’s commitment to successfully hosting the Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit from September 15 to 17 in the Rivers State capital.
The NDCCITMA Chairman said the Summit was a strategic, private-sector-led platform to mobilise investment and unlock the Niger Delta region’s economic potential, anchored on the theme: “Driving Investment, Innovation and Industrial Growth in the Niger Delta.”
He stated: “Our vision is to bring together the nine Niger Delta states, the Federal Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission, organised private sector, domestic and international investors, development finance institutions, multilateral organisations, financial institutions, project developers and other strategic partners around a common objective: To transform the Niger Delta from a predominantly resource-dependent economy into a diversified, productive, industrialised and globally competitive regional economy.”
According to Ogan, the Summit was designed not merely as another conference, but as an investment and transaction platform, stating: “I dare say that the region possesses opportunities far beyond crude oil.
“From gas and petrochemicals to agriculture and agro-processing; maritime and blue economy; manufacturing; aviation and transportation; renewable energy; tourism; digital economy; logistics; infrastructure and financial services, the Niger Delta possesses the resources and market opportunities required to become one of Africa’s leading investment destinations.”
We intend to showcase strategic investment opportunities capable of transforming the regional economy, including agro-industrial and oil-palm value chains, gas utilisation and gas-based industries, regional transportation and aviation, maritime infrastructure, industrial and logistics hubs, renewable energy, manufacturing, skills development, digital infrastructure and other high-impact projects.
The Counsel to the Legal Representative of NDCCITMA, Mr Sammie Somiari, SAN, affirmed that the Summit organiser was committed to conducting its activities in accordance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.
He noted that in a suit filed by the founder of NDEIS, Kenule Nwiya Jnr, over an alleged trademark infringement, the court restrained the plaintiff from further interfering with the Summit being planned by the NDCCITMA.
Somiari assured that the Summit would proceed as planned, as there was no legal encumbrance to the economic and investment platform.
Also speaking, the NDDC Director of Commercial and Industrial Development, Mrs Lyna Okara, observed that the Summit would promote stronger economic integration among the nine Niger Delta states.
She noted that the investment forum would produce tangible outcomes: investment commitments, project partnerships, financing opportunities, policy recommendations, and clearly defined implementation frameworks.
Seledi Thompson-Wakama
Director, Corporate Affairs
September 12, 2026
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