News
Teenager goes missing, guardian says girl in Malaysia for ‘hook-up’
Godfrey George writes on the controversy surrounding the disappearance of a 15-year-old girl, Confidence Awele, who left home on Sunday, August 8, 2022, allegedly to join one Aunty Oge, who promised to take her to Malaysia for hook-up (prostitution).
It is still like a dream for the Ezechies how their 15-year-old daughter, Confidence Awelle-Ezechie, suddenly disappeared from home on August 7, 2022.
Her aunt, Juliet, with whom she lived in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said she ‘jokingly’ told her siblings that she was headed for Malaysia with one Aunty Oge.
Juliet, a Delta-State indigene, looked like she just saw a ghost while she spoke to our correspondent.
Her voice shook; her hands quaked.
A young girl put in her care went missing right under her watch and she had no idea where she could be.
“I don’t know where to begin from. My life is finished,” she started.
“How do I present this to the public? What do I say? Confidence was given to me by her parents to take care of her. See what my good has done to me,” she cried, using the shawl wrapped around her neck to wipe the tears that trickled down her cheeks.
From village to city
The 37-year-old mother of one said she picked up Confidence from the village when she went for a holiday a few years ago.
According to her, Confidence’s parents begged her to take the girl to Port Harcourt, where she was based, to join her in her hairdressing trade.
“Her mother said she was stubborn and never used to do any house chores at home, and she used to fight her whenever she complained. Then, Confidence was just about nine years old.
“I was in shock when the mother told me that Confidence used to fight her. The young girl was about to write her Common Entrance Examination into Junior Secondary Secondary at that time. When I spoke to her, she told me that her mother wanted to force her to go into auxiliary nursing against her wish but she wanted to further her education.
“I spoke to the mom about it but she explained that she didn’t have the funds to further Confidence’s education and asked that I helped out,” she said.
Juliet said after some discussion, she agreed to take the teenager to Port Harcourt.
“Everyone else apart from my dad was aware of the agreement to take Confidence with me apart from my dad, Confidence’s uncle. I knew he wouldn’t buy the idea of me taking his brother’s child to Port Harcourt from Delta. But I took the risk for my family. I saw a girl who needed help and I offered to help her,” she added.
On getting to Port Harcourt, Juliet said she asked Confidence what she wanted to do for a living and she said she wanted to go to school.
Juliet said she then put her in a school.
“She was just nine years old then. She lived with me for almost six years before her unfortunate disappearance.
“We never had any issues. I gave her whatever she wanted. I have my other relatives, who are girls and my son, who is around 17 years old, at home. So, they were always together at home.
“I even had to change her school to that of the other children so she would be close to them. I didn’t want any issues with bad friends.
“My mum’s family has a house around Ogbunabali; so, sometimes, they would be there with her and go to school together. They are always together,” she stated.
Bad influence
All things began to change when Juliet saw Confidence with an android phone one day when the teenager visited her salon.
Shocked by this, she asked how she was able to afford a phone at age 15, and Confidence said it was her elder brother in the village that got it for her.
“I was not convinced. I called her mom to speak to the brother. They told me they both sent money to her account and she got the phone,” she added.
Still not convinced, she grilled the young girl to be sure there was no cover-up between her mother and brother.
Frustrated by inconsistent responses from Confidence, Juliet said she smashed the phone.
“I told her I wouldn’t give her that kind of phone at that point. I was mad at her because I felt if her brother sent her money, she should have opened up to me before doing whatever she wanted with it. I further canned her that day and she apologised,” she stated.
Another day, Juliet said she saw Confidence on the street of their home at night with two strange boys, chatting and laughing.
Unsure of who she was seeing, Juliet said she wound down her car side window and saw it was her cousin.
“I came down from the car in anger and dragged her home. The boys fled. When she got home, I spanked her and threatened to send her back to the village.
“After that day, we had a discussion where I asked her if she was still a virgin and I was shocked when she told me that she was raped when she was younger.
“I had to call the mom to confirm this, but the mom said Confidence was lying. I was so angry that I grounded her for four days,” she added.
Juliet said to get the truth of the matter, she called a meeting with the other kids who opened up that Confidence had been bringing a boy home whenever she was away.
“I was shocked how such a thing would go on right in my home without me knowing. I knew I was busy, but it was unbelievable the things the kids told me Confidence did whenever I was away.
“I felt cold because I didn’t believe such a young girl would do such a thing to herself and to me, who brought her from the village to get a better life in the city of Port Harcourt,” she said with a huge sigh.
Juliet said she was fed up. Confidence had got to go. She called the young girl’s mother and a date was arranged for her to be returned to the village.
Surprisingly, Confidence started crying, begging her aunt not to send her back.
“My fear was that if I left her with me in Port Harcourt, she might get pregnant, and the whole world would blame me for it. No one would look at all the good things I had done; they would nail me to the cross,” she added.
She did not know that the worst was around the corner.
After many pleas, Confidence promised to turn a new leaf.
“Her mother also begged me to allow her stay with me, noting that she would change. I have always taken Confidence as my daughter. Anyone who asked me who she was to me, I told them she was my daughter. People even thought I had two kids because of the way I treated her. I never let any harm come to her,” the lady added.
Back to normal?
On Friday, August 6, 2022, Juliet took her son and Confidence to a graduation ceremony in a school nearby.
The next day, Confidence woke up early, took some money from her aunty, filled the cooking gas and cooked some jollof rice.
Juliet noted that she moved permanently with her (Juliet’s) mother so she could be closer to Confidence.
According to her, if the rent expired, she would rent a new three-bedroom apartment in another location so she, her son, Confidence, her mom and other relatives would live under one roof.
All that will no longer be possible on Sunday, August 7, Confidence left the house and never returned.
Juliet’s son had woken up earlier and prepared to go for a concert in the first service of his church and Confidence had requested that the boy give her his phone for her to do ‘one or two things’.
Juliet said the plan was to attend the third service by 9.30am with Confidence but she was shocked when she realised that Confidence was nowhere to be found.
“I called my mom, who had left for church since 6am, and she told me that it was Confidence that ironed the white garment she wore that morning to the service. I was confused.
“I called my son and he told me that Confidence woke up very early in the morning and took out her bedspread and washed it. It was surprising because I was always the one who reminded her to do house chores and she grumbled whenever she did.
“I thought she had gone on one of those senseless walks in the street so I slept only to wake up later to find out that she still wasn’t home. I started to worry. While I prepared for church, I was still scared anything would have happened.
“I called my grandmother, who lived not too far away from us, and she said she hadn’t seen her.
“The last person who saw her said he saw her with a bucket going to spread some bedsheets she washed.
“I went out myself and confirmed that she indeed washed her bedsheet but it became even scarier,” she stated.
She could no longer go to church anymore as she had begun to go from shop-to-shop, house-to-house, asking about the whereabouts of her cousin.
By the time her son came back from church in the afternoon and Confidence was not home, it became clear that she had gone missing.
Juliet said she immediately called Confidence’s mother to confirm if she was in Delta State but the mother said she was not.
She said the woman told her to take it easy, assuring her that Confidence would return home.
“I told myself that once she came back from wherever it was that she went to, I would ‘waybill’ her back to her parents before she put me in trouble.
“It has been six months since, and I haven’t seen her,” she stated.
In the heat of the moment, Juliet said she went to the Elekahia Police Division, Port Harcourt, and the men on duty told her to wait for 24 hours before the case would be registered.
“I went back to the station the next day, but before I did so, I called the young man, whom I was told was her boyfriend, on the phone, but he didn’t pick up. I had to text him and say he should send Confidence back to me so I could take her back to her parents. He responded, saying she was not with him.
“I had to call all the children who lived with me and other relatives, who came around to visit to come home for a meeting because I smelt a rat.
“I threatened to arrest them all and lock them up. That was when they started singing like a bird. I thought Confidence was pregnant, which was why she ran away.
“They unanimously told me that Confidence told them that she met one lady, named Oge, who promised to take her to Malaysia for ‘hook up’. Those were their exact words.
“I almost fainted because I didn’t know these children knew what ‘hook up’ meant. I was so confused that I began to shed hot tears,” Juliet explained.
She said the kids confirmed that the 15-year-old told them that when she got to Malaysia, she would be sending them money.
“When I heard that, my head exploded. I had to call her mom to inform her. The mom didn’t even want to hear anything about it. She just told me to, please, do whatever I could and leave the rest for God.
“It is like my life has been put on pause because I can no longer focus on my business anymore. What if this young lady is already in Malaysia? What if they are going by road? What if she is dead? A lot of what-ifs occupied my mind. I was scared,” Juliet added.
On August 8, Juliet visited the Police station again to write a statement.
The other kids were also there to explain to the Divisional Police Officer all they knew about the matter and what Confidence allegedly said.
Police begin investigation
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Grace Iringe-Koko, when contacted by our correspondent on Tuesday, said the case was being investigated.
She promised to ensure the young lady was found.
She further advised parents to monitor their children’s whereabouts so that they would not be lured by external forces to do evil.
“The Rivers Police Command is on top of the case and we will make sure that we find the young girl. We have deployed our men after speaking to the family of the missing girl and we will make sure we track them down anywhere,” she added.
Mother laments disappearance
Mrs Chidinma Awele, Confidence’s mother, when contacted, sounded distraught.
She said she had not been herself since she learnt of the bad news.
She, however, stressed that she did not blame Juliet, saying Confidence had always been a ‘problematic’ child.
“Confidence has been a stubborn child so I am not surprised she would do such a thing. I am just afraid that she might have been deceived and might be in the wrong hands.
“For six months now, I have not seen her. It is traumatising for us all. My husband is blaming me. I don’t know what to do right now.
“I have visited some prayer houses and they assured me that my daughter was still alive and would be found. I have spent money paying prophets and prophetesses. I want my daughter back. The government should help me,” she added.
An educationist and child rights expert, Mr Ikechukwu Onuoha, said teenagers could be easily deceived because of their adventurous nature.
“Make your kids your friends. Make them trust you so they can tell you if anyone is trying to lure them with wrongdoing. Don’t let your children grow too far away from you,” he said.
Source; PUNCH
“If You Have Evidence Against Stanley Mbam, Charge Him; Otherwise, Release Him” — Oganiru Izzi
A socio-cultural organisation of Izzi extraction, Oganiru Izzi, has challenged Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, to either release the state’s sacked Commissioner for Works, Mr Stanley Mbam, or charge him before a competent court if the government has credible evidence of wrongdoing against him.
The group said the continued detention of the former commissioner without a formal charge raises concerns about due process, constitutional rights and the rule of law.
The leader of Oganiru Izzi, Mr Godwin Mbam, made the demand while speaking with correspondents of National Issue Newspapers at the Crack Department of the Ebonyi State Police Command in Abakaliki.
Mbam condemned what he described as the prolonged detention of Stanley Mbam without allowing a court to determine whether he had committed any offence.
He challenged the state government to produce evidence if it believes the former commissioner committed a criminal offence.
“If there is credible evidence against him, charge him to court and let the court decide. If there is no case against him, he should be released,” Mbam said.
He also appealed to the Ebonyi State Police Command to uphold the Constitution and resist any pressure that could result in unlawful detention.
Vanco Flyover: “We Will Reveal the Full Details”
Mbam also issued a three-day challenge to Governor Nwifuru, declaring that if the former commissioner was not released or charged to court, his organisation would make public what it described as the “full details” of the Vanco Flyover project.
According to him, the proposed disclosure would address issues surrounding the project, including its funding, payments, contractual arrangements and other financial details.
“We will let the world know the full details of the Vanco Flyover and how the funds were utilised,” he warned.
He further challenged the state government to demonstrate transparency by making relevant documents concerning the project available to the public.
“What About the Alleged ₦1.5 Billion Forfeiture?”
The Izzi group also questioned what it described as the selective application of the state government’s anti-corruption campaign.
Mbam referred to allegations involving an account reportedly frozen by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and an alleged ₦1.5 billion forfeiture to the Federal Government.
He questioned why, according to him, the governor had allegedly not taken similar action if the facts surrounding the matter warranted it.
Mbam stressed that he was not opposed to the fight against corruption but insisted that any anti-corruption campaign must be comprehensive, transparent and applied equally.
“If Governor Nwifuru wants to fight corruption, let him fight it holistically. Nobody should be targeted while other serious allegations are ignored,” he said.
“If Nwifuru Says He Knows Nothing, We Will Produce the Facts”
Mbam further challenged Governor Nwifuru to publicly state whether he was aware of alleged corruption issues within the Ministry of Works.
“If Nwifuru publicly claims that he is unaware of corruption in the Works Ministry, I will make public the facts available to me. The facts will shock the state,” he declared.
He insisted that the matter should not degenerate into a political vendetta, arguing that the appropriate place to determine criminal liability is a court of law.
According to him, the people of Ebonyi State deserve clear answers concerning the Vanco Flyover and other issues involving public funds.
“Everybody Should Be Subject to the Law”
The Oganiru Izzi leader maintained that the controversy should be resolved through transparency, documentary evidence and due process.
“If there is a case, charge him. If there is no case, release him. The government cannot claim to be fighting corruption while abandoning the principles of justice and the rule of law,” he said.
Mbam warned that failure to address the issues could compel the organisation to make further disclosures concerning the Vanco Flyover and other matters it considers to be in the public interest.
By Our Correspondent
As Nigeria celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, the candidate for the House of Representatives seat representing the Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency, Hon. Chief Kevin Tobias Chukwu, has called on Nigerians to remain hopeful and committed to building a better country.
Chukwu, also known as Ochiri Ozua 1 of Amagu Ikwo, made the call in an Independence Day message to Nigerians, particularly the people of Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency and Ebonyi State.
He described the anniversary as not only a moment for celebration but also an opportunity to reflect on the state of the nation and the responsibilities of leaders in building a Nigeria that meets the aspirations of its citizens.
According to him, Nigeria’s journey since independence has been marked by significant challenges, with millions of citizens currently facing economic hardship, while young people continue to search for opportunities and many communities contend with insecurity and uncertainty.
Despite these challenges, the Ebonyi politician said the resilience of Nigerians remained a source of hope for the country’s future.
“I believe in the resilience of our people. I believe in the ingenuity of our youths, the strength of our women, the wisdom of our elders and the determination of ordinary Nigerians who wake up every morning and refuse to give up on this country,” he said.
Chukwu, however, stressed that hope must be matched by responsible leadership, arguing that public office should be viewed as a responsibility rather than a privilege.
He called for leadership that prioritises the protection of lives, creation of economic opportunities, provision of infrastructure, strengthening of institutions and responsible management of national resources.
The candidate also emphasised the need to create an environment where young Nigerians can pursue successful lives within the country and where hard work, merit and enterprise are rewarded.
He said Nigeria had “come too far to surrender to hopelessness,” urging citizens and leaders alike to remain committed to the country’s progress.
“A better Nigeria is still possible, but it will require responsible leadership, accountable institutions and citizens who refuse to give up on their country,” he said.
Chukwu concluded by expressing optimism about Nigeria’s future, declaring: “Nigeria will rise. Nigeria must rise. And together, we must build the Nigeria we deserve.”
He also paid tribute to the nation’s past heroes, praying that their sacrifices would continue to inspire the country.
“May the labour of our heroes past never be in vain,” he said, as he wished Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
As Nigeria celebrates its 66th anniversary of independence from colonial rule, democracy in the country has continued to evolve and deepen, the Anambra State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Emma Anosike, has said.
Anosike made the observation in a message to mark Nigeria’s Independence anniversary, noting that despite the challenges the country had encountered since 1960, its democratic system had continued to improve under successive administrations.
According to him, since the return to democratic rule in 1999, Nigeria has witnessed relatively smooth transitions from one administration to another, while citizens have continued to exercise their fundamental rights to hold governments accountable for their performance.
“Before the return of the democratic process, it was indeed difficult and near taboo to challenge the leadership of the country, and those who may have attempted it in the past faced grave consequences.
“Similarly, we have had smooth transitions from one dispensation to another, producing five presidents through the ballot and not through the barrel of the gun. These elected presidents were produced by different political parties.”
Anosike said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had sustained the country’s democratic principles and created an avenue for Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, race or religion, to express their views on government policies and programmes.
“Under the stewardship of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigerians have been enjoying the freedom to express themselves over issues, policies and programmes of government, and those expressions have been shaping and guiding the administration of Mr President,” he said.
The APC chairman said Nigeria’s 66th independence anniversary provided an opportunity for citizens to reflect on the country’s journey as a nation and the progress made since independence.
He said President Tinubu’s Independence Day broadcast had offered another opportunity for Nigerians to renew their hope for a greater and more prosperous country.
Anosike also commended what he described as the “enormous infrastructural development” taking place across the country under the Tinubu administration.
He urged Nigerians to continue to support and have faith in the administration as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
An Elder Statesman, Chief Hycienth Ngwu, has called on political leaders and policies formulators to ensure governmental policies and programmes directly touch lives of the people and reduce hardship in the country.
Ngwu, who is a prominent community leader in Enugu, urged Nigerians to maintain peace within neighbourhoods and communities, as no meaningful development can take place without peace.
The statesman made the call on Thursday in Enugu while reacting to the developmental efforts of Nigeria at its 66th Independence.
He said that previous and present administrations had put in place policies and programmes to reset the socioeconomic fabric of the nation.
Ngwu said that while the removal of fuel subsidy, and unification of the foreign exchange had good intentions, their impact is yet to reflect on the lives and livelihoods of vast majority of Nigerians.
He urged leaders to ensure that public resources were properly managed while citizens remained patient with reforms aimed at improving the socioeconomic status of the country.
The elder statesman noted that at 66th independence, the country was still struggling on keeping its peace and co-existence as a country; adding that the founding leaders of Nigeria envisaged a closely united, bonded and peaceful country.
He called for return to policies that promote local production, indigenous industries and entrepreneurship, arguing that excessive dependence on imports had continued to weaken the country’s productive capacity.
According to him, we are yet to achieve economic independence even as we needed to do more on non oil revenue earns as the greater part of the world is moving towards greener and clean energy.
“Greater emphasis should be on skills acquisition, creativity and entrepreneurship education system, as academic qualifications without practical skills could leave graduates dependent on scarce white collar jobs.
“We ought to be economically productive nation capable of producing and exporting goods while developing its human capital,” he said.
Ngwu noted that current insecurity and social instability could be partly attributed to poverty and ignorance, while calling for greater honesty and trust between leaders and citizens.
“Corruption, tribalism and selfishness must be addressed if Nigeria is to achieve peace and lasting progress,” he added.
He also called for the scrapping of state electoral commissions as they have not helped in deepening democracy at that level. The National Election body should take over that responsibility.
As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Day, Macmaduson Concepts Limited, a leading provider of HVACR,industrial parts, sensors, electrical and plumbing materials, has extended warm Independence Day greetings to its customers, clients and business partners across the country.
In a goodwill message to mark the occasion, the company expressed appreciation to its valued customers for their continuous support, trust and partnership over the years.
Macmaduson Concepts Limited, which specialises in HVACR,Industrial Materials, sensors, air-conditioners, refrigerators, cold rooms, chillers, refrigerants, electrical materials and plumbing materials, said the occasion provides an opportunity to celebrate Nigeria and reflect on the nation’s journey.
The company wished Nigeria continued growth, unity, peace and prosperity, while expressing hope for a brighter future for all Nigerians.
The message from the company reads in part:
At Macmaduson Concepts Limited, we celebrate our great nation, Nigeria, and appreciate our valued clients for their continuous support, trust and partnership. May Nigeria continue to grow in unity, peace and prosperity.”
The company concluded its Independence Day message with the theme: “One Nation, One People, A Brighter Tomorrow.”
Happy Independence Day, Nigeria!
Happy 66th Independence Anniversary from Macmaduson Concepts Limited.
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