News
Ebonyi Community Alleges Attacks, Destruction Of Properties By Thugs
Obinna Uchendu Abakaliki
The traditional ruler of Ihie Autonomous Community in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, His Royal Highness, Eze Gabriel Uzoma Okoro, the Odu II, other members of the traditional rulling council and youths of the community have condemned the alleged physical attacks, destruction of houses and other inhuman treatment being carried out on innocent citizens of the community by suspected thugs loyal to the former Town Union Caretaker Chairman Mr. Orji Elijah.
The traditional ruler and others who decried the activities of the former Town Union President called on Governor Francis Nwifuru to immediately wade into the looming crisis in the community to avoid it’s escalation into a communal crisis.
In an interview with Journalists in Abakaliki, the Monarch traced the fledging crisis in the area to December last year when the Caretaker Chairman, Mr. Orji Elijah Okechukwu was requested to give account of his stewardship from January 2020 to December 2023.
According to him, Mr. Orji Elijah Okechukwu has been selling the land of the community indiscriminately, refused to account for her and has been allegedly recruiting thugs to terrorize, maim and destroy properties in Ihie community.
“It was December last year that I invited Orji Elijah Okechukwu to give account of his stewardship as the chairman of the community because he has been selling the land that belongs to the community without the consent of the community.
“He said that instead I will remove him form his position, he will rather dethrone me. He quarelled and left my palace that December and left. I travelled to Aba that December while in Aba, I was called that I have been removed as the Eze of the community that the news was everywhere. I told them that I have never seen where a traditional ruler is dethroned alive that there will not be peace in such a community.
“He mobilized to one chiefs house and set his properties ablaze. I was calm and watching him. They also attacked and destroyed the property of my prime minister. My former prime minister was removed because he joined him and they have been parading him as the new traditional ruler.
“I had earlier arrested him over impersonation. What they did was to start destroying the properties of some members of the community. Anyone that visits my house will be fined for coming to my house.
“What I want now as a traditional ruler is lasting peace. My appeal to government is to arrest the Perpetrators of this heinous crime so that they will understand that it is a taboo to kill anyone. So that they can sheath their sword for peace to reign.
Speaking also, the Palace Secretary, Barr Damian Ajah disclosed that the remote cause of the crisis in Ihie community was the refusal of Mr. Orji Elijah Okechukwu to appear before the traditional rulers’ council to account for his stewardship.
He further disclosed that the crisis re-erupted when the Ivo local government chairman fixed a parallel new yam festival resulted into violent attacks in the community.
Mr. Orji Elijah Okechukwu who in his characteristic nature of thuggery usually fermenting violence went mobilized his boys, his lieutenants, they came on that day through the town crying medium went round Ishiagu community disseminating the unfounded date for the new yam festival of Ihie Autonomous community which has already been fixed for Saturday the 28th day of September, 2024 is not going to hold.
Then much to our chagrin, the chiefs in the palace and his royal highness on the night of 26th of September, we saw a press statement circulated in the media issued by the local government area chairman in the person of Chief Ajah Emmanuel Ogbonnaya that every cultural activity billed to be held in Ihie autonomous community between the period of 26th to 30th of September has been cancelled and banned.
“The remote cause of the crisis happening at the present is the blatant refusal of Mr. Oji Elijah Okechukwu to appear before the palace of the traditional ruler the the council of elders of Ihie autonomous community to give account of his stewardship while in office as the caretaker chairman of Ihie autonomous community between the period of January 2020 and December 2023.
“I am one of the victims of the attack. I was attacked in the morning of 31st August, 2024. We have other palace chiefs that were attacked and some other members of the community who were not connected with the crisis.
Some of their names are Chief Chukwu Godwin Uchenna, the palace PRO of the Ihie traditional ruling council, not that he was attacked, they unleashed serious mayhem on him. He sustained serious injuries. His phone was also ceased and still with them. Chief Onwudiegwu Ngbabu, one of the palace chiefs, they went to his shop raided and ravaged it.
Mr. Ovia Innocent Uchechukwu who just established a beer parlour shop was attacked also. The reason for attacking him is because his father Chief Gilbert is one of the Chiefs in the palace of His Royal Highness the Odu II. They said since they cannot get hold of Chief Gilbert Okoro that they know where his son is and the best thing to is to attack his son.
Mr. Ndubusisi John Daniel Samuel from Umuchoke in Ihe autonomous community said je was also attacked.
“I was one of the victims that was attacked just because my father is a palace chief. Because they could not get my father, they came and attacked me. They summoned meeting that we should come to make peace in our community. When we got there, I was telling them that there was no need for violence that we ahold make peace.
“I told them there was no need for us to be fighting with gun and cutlasses rather we should make lasting peace in our community. Suddenly machete landed on my left hand. They nearly killed me that day. So, we are calling on the Ebonyi State Governor to intervene in the matter in order to forestall further attack. We are yet to see government effort in making peace in our community. The local government chairman should be called to order. We are in trouble, all of us are in trouble.
“I was attacked by one Festus Nwafor and the SA to the Chairman. The Ivo local government area chairman is aware of this and he did not do anything. We have been expecting him to make lasting peace in our community, but we are not seeing the peace rather violence by chasing us with guns and machetes”, he said
When contacted, Mr. Orji Elijah denied the allegations and accused the traditional ruler of high-handedness. Ends.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The emergence of Chief Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere as the Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives has been described as a vindication of the fact that the Action People’s Party (APP ) represents the collective interests of the Nigerian masses.
Recall that recently, Ugochinyere was elected as the Minority Leader of the party in a keenly contested election of the Federal House of Representatives.
According to a statement by the Chairman Anambra state chapter of the APP Chief Chijioke Okeke, Ugochinyere had been consistent in offering himself as the voice of the people and that of the voiceless.
“It did not come to us as a surprise that our great leader High Chief Ugochinyere became the Minority leader of the Federal House of Representatives because he has always been consistent and focus towards providing himself as the only vent for the masses at the Green Chambers”
“We know his pedegre as a politician as well as a leader and he has remained focus in ensuring that the voiceless are heard and this is also a vindication of our party’s unflinching desire to provide a veritable platform in a democratic process”
Okeke further stated that the fifth columnists who had attempted to deregister the party have been put to shame adding that the party shall continue to champion the interests of the Nigerian people.
“They made failed attempt at deregistering our great party but they lost sight of the fact that the APP is firmely rooted on ground and has all that it takes to drive the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian populace and with this recent development our traducers have been put to shame and our party is on the path of further greatness “. Okeke noted .
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
DSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
Renowned Nigerian novelist, journalist, and academic, Okey Ndibe, was reportedly detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday morning.
Ndibe disclosed his situation in a message sent while in custody, stating: “I’ve been with the SSS now for more than an hour. They’re waiting for clearance from some oga before they let me go.”
According to sources close to the writer, his detention follows a pattern that dates back to previous administrations, including that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, during which he was frequently stopped and questioned over his critical commentaries on Nigerian governance and public affairs.
However, associates noted that Ndibe has largely stepped away from active commentary in Nigerian media over the past two years, focusing instead on writing books and his academic responsibilities at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he teaches.
A close friend of the author and former Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said similar incidents had occurred several times in the past. He explained that airport DSS officials typically contacted their superiors in Abuja before eventually releasing Ndibe.
“It is a pity that this agency doesn’t update its database to enable officers on duty at the airport to know that the agency no longer regards Prof. Ndibe as a security threat to the administration,” Adinuba said.
He added that on previous occasions, the DSS had apologized to the respected author after determining that his detention was unwarranted.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the DSS regarding the circumstances surrounding Ndibe’s latest detention. The development has raised renewed concerns about the treatment of government critics and the continued use of security watchlists affecting returning Nigerians.
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