Ebonyi State Police Command, Monday said it has arrested the kingpin behind the coordinated attacks on three Police Divisional Headquarters in Onicha, Abaomege, and Ohaozara Local Government Areas of the State.
Another robbery suspect, Eluu Ekpehu Emmanuel who gave useful information that led the police operatives to the house of other suspects in the State was equally arrested.
According to the Police, items such as firearms and ammunition including one (1) Double Barrel English Gun, with eleven live cartridges, one (1) Locally made Single Gun, one (1) Riot Police Smoke Gunner, stolen from Ohaozara Police Divisional Headquarters, three (3) Police Bartons, one (1) Hand Grenade, one (1) Canister of Teargas, and two (2) Police Belts were recovered. Other items include two (2) Police Radio Communication Handset with Chargers; all Stolen from Onicha Divisional Headquarters which was also attacked and set ablaze on 4th Feb. 2021; four (4) Biafra Flag and one (1) Juju Box.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Loveth Odah: “On the 20/05/2021, at about 1700hrs following the Intelligence report of movement of arms and ammunition and the report of armed robbers terrorizing Isu, Onicha LGA, One Eluu Ekpehu Emmanuel was arrested, who made useful statement to the Police and led Police Operatives to the house of their gang leader popularly known as “Blood”;
The office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Ibeagwa, Igboeze South LGA of Enugu State was Sunday night set on fire by unknown persons.
EverydayNews reports that the invaders set the fire at about 11pm Sunday and succeeded in burning one of the rooms in the office before it was put off by the State Fire Service.
For the third time in less than one month three offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have been set on fire in Enugu State.
The first casualty was that of Orba in Udenu Local Government Area where extensive damage was recorded.
The State INEC headquarters in Enugu was later attacked where six Hilux vans were razed.
Curtains and cushion in one.of the rooms at the headquarters had already caught fire when the fire service arrived and stopped the fire.
Enugu State Chief Fire Officer Engr. Okwudili Ohaa who confirmed the report said, “there was a fire outbreak at INEC Office, Ibagwa in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area late last night. “We responded promptly, the situation is under control and we have extinguished the fire.”
Update on fire incident at INEC Office in Ibagwa, Igbo-Eze South LGA, it was only one room that was affected by the fire.
The latest attack attack has raised question marks about the efficiency of the local vigilante and local government who should protect the area.
Efforts to speak with the Enugu INEC Resident Commissioner Dr. Emeka Ononamadu failed.
A High court sitting in Afikpo, Ebonyi state has sentenced six persons to one year imprisonment each for damaging a woman’s property in Ubam, Ugwuegu community in Afikpo North local government area of the state.
The 6 remanded person includes, Uche Daniel Udoka, Uche Nicholas Ogbonnia, Ogbonnia Uche Kelechi, Eluu Uche Alphosus, John Oko Uche and Uche Emmanuel Ezeali who were accused of destroying the properties of Christiana Oko Obila and Augustina Ukpai valued at three million, twenty-nine thousand, nine hundred naira
The victims had reported the incident to the police and the six suspects were arrested and charged to court by the police and charged to court for conspiracy, intimidation, assault, malicious damage and stealing.
The 6 accused persons were said to have assaulted the women and inflicted injuries on them.
According to the charge sheet of HAF/12C/2019 obtained by EveryDay News, Barr. J.E Nwaonumah, Deputy Director of the state Ministry of Justice appeared for the defendants.
Dlivering the judgment on the matter, the Presiding Judge Justice Iheanacho Chima found all the six accused persons guilty of the offence and sentenced them to 12 months imprisonment each.
*It is consequently the finding of this court that the prosecution successfully proved against all the defendants the offences of conspiracy to commit felony contracry to section 516 A(a) of the Criminal Code Cap 33 vol 1. Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009, malicious damage contrary to section 451 of the Criminal Code Cap 33 Vol. 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
“AAccordingly consequent upon the credible and convincing evidence aauced by the prosecution against all the defendants, I find you Uche Daniel Udoka, Uche Nichlolas Ogbonnia, Ogbonnia Uche Kelechi, Eluu Uche Alphosus, John Oko Uche and Uche Emmanuel Ezeali guilty of the offences of conspiracy and malicious damage of the property of Christiana Oko Obila.
“Being first offenders, each of the defendants, be and I hereby sentenced to twelve(12) months in prison for the offence of conspiracy and twelve(12) months in prison for the offence of malicious damage.
*It is further order of this court that the terms of imprisonment are to be run concurrently for all the defendants. That means that each of the six defendants is to spend a total of twelve months in prison or pay a total of N40,000 each in lieu of imprisonment”, the court ruled. Ends.
Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi yesterday alleged that the killings of security personnels and the burning of police facilities and the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC in Ebonyi State are politically motivated.
Governor Umahi made the disclosure when he recieved the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG zone 9, AIG Etim Okon at the Old Executive Council Chamber, Government 5House Abakaliki.
Governor Umahi stated that the agitation started by the separatist movement, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB has been hijacked by desperate politicians in the state who are not happy with his defection to the All Progressive Congress APC.
The Ebonyi State Governor noted that his defection and the achievements of his administration has prompted the opposition politicians to device several means of killing security personnel and burning down of Government facilities.
Governor Umahi who also condemned in strong terms the setting ablaze of his filling station along Ogoja road and the attempted assassination of the publicity Secretary of the All Progressive Congress APC Ebonyi State, Mr. Simbad Ogbuatu called on security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the crime.
According to Governor Umahi; “Let me condemn very seriously the killing of security agencies. I have said it severally; burning of police stations are very regrettable. Yesterday INEC two offices in Ezza North and Ebonyi local government were burnt. A filling station that I owned before now was also burnt two days ago and there was also an attempted assassination of the Publicity Secretary of APC in Ebonyi”.
“Let me say AIG that the nation Nigeria played into the hands of our restive youths because there were a number of demands there were making, there were agitations about the way the south east is being treated at the national level and when those are repeated, then our people bought the impression that they are fighting for the welfare of our people”.
“So the impression here is that we are not welcome here in Nigeria. It has given the Governors a very serious task with regard to this and I am sure security agencies know this because it seems a number of people especially those who are aggrieved with government are tactically supporting them”.
“We the Governors in south east believe in one Nigeria where fairness, equity, justice and fair play do take place. We do not want to secede as a people, we want to be treated nicely just like other regions and this is a fact”.
Earlier in an address, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 9, AIG Etim Okon said that the Inspector General of Police at the weekend sent a 4 mobile police unit to Ebonyi state in it’s better to restore peace to the South East.
He expressed the regret over the increasing rate of kidnapping, killing of security personnels and burning of police stations and of recent INEC offices and called on the state Governor to urge the traditional rulers to talk to their subjects on the need to end such violent attacks.
AIG Okon stated that whatever agitation being made by IPOB and ESN would not be achieved through violence and called on all stakeholders in the state to help the country in this trying period. Ends.,
The Federal Government says it has uncovered about 476 online publication sites dedicated to daily churning out of fake news to fight the government.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed disclosed this on Monday in Abuja when he received officials of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations on a courtesy visit
Mohammed said the latest of the hatchet jobs by the traducers was the fake publication on President Muhammadu Buhari’s mental status.
“It will amaze you that recently we unveiled almost 476 online publication sites that are dedicated to daily engaging in churning out fake news to fight the government.
“The latest which I found ridiculous is the one that said days ago, that they had information that when Mr President was in the UK the last time, he was advised to step down because he could not even recognise members of his immediate family.
“I begin to wonder how they can go this far, simply because they know that people are gullible and they will make the fake news to go viral,’’ he said.
The minister noted that fake news is taking a new dimension and threatening the existence of the country.
He said the debilitating effects of the menace was not only on the government but on every Nigerian.
Mohammed noted that many marriages had been wrecked as a result of fake news, particularly through the social media while people had lost their lives and many others committed suicide.
To buttress his position, the minister recalled a recent report where fake news almost led to killing of 600 applicants by scammers.
“A young man sent out letters to 600 people to enlist into Nigerian Army and collected N10,000 from each of them.
“He asked them to report at the Okitipupa Army Barracks in Ondo state on a particular day to collect their letters of appointment.
“At the same time, he alerted the Commandant of the Barrack that Boko Haram insurgents were coming to invade the barrack on the same day,’’ he said.
Mohammed said his ministry had spearheaded the campaign against fake news years back before the menace got so bad.
He said the NIPR had critical role to play in ensuring the fight against fake news.
“This is where your body comes in because you have a powerful platform to ensure that the menace of fake news is confronted squarely.
“Regrettably, however, members of this institute have been found wanting, they have most times place pecuniary interest and motives above patriotism and nationalism
“You will recall the sad incidence of the P&ID saga.
“It was a member of this institute, a firm of PR consultants that was hired to give impression to the world that Nigeria entered into agreement with P&ID and renege and have to pay about nine billion dollars.
“It took the combine interventions of this ministry and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to go to the UK to change the narrative to prove that the purported contract was a huge scam,’’ he said.
The minister admonished members of the institute to place nationalism and patriotism over and above pecuniary gains in the discharge of their duties.
He also assured NIPR of the support of the ministry in its proposed plan to use its platform to engender stakeholders interaction and engagement on national security and cohesion.
Earlier, Malam Mukhtar Sirajo, the National President and Chairman, Governing Council of NIPR said they were willing to work with the Federal Government to engender peace and unity.
He also seized the opportunity to invite the minister to the Annual General Meeting of the Institute holding in Bauchi in May. (NAN
Senior Special Assistant to Ebonyi State Governor on Investment, Barr, Mrs. Chioma Nweze has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Baba alleging threat to life, criminal intimidation, conspiracy and public incitement with intent to harm by the former Coordinator of Anuagata Development Center, Barr Amos Ogbonnaya.
The petition dated, 15th May 2021 and addressed to the IGP through the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police was madep available to EveryDay News in Abakaliki.
Counsel to Mrs. Nweze, F.I Nnaba Esq stated that his client, a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, an Ex-Banker and presently the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ebonyi State on Investment has never been involved in any criminal activity nor any of her cars used for any criminal activity contrary to the statement of Barr Amos Ogbonnaya.
According to the petition; “Our client’s attention was recently called to a video being circulated widely on numerous social media platforms wherein one Barr Amos Ogbonnaya who once served as a Coordinator in Anuagata Development Center and who has recently recourse to unnecessary and unsubstantiated criticism and attacks of the Government of Ebonyi State”.
“In the video under reference, where the said Barr Amos Ogbonnaya alleged that he was purportedly abducted and manhandled by some persons. He stated that; “the thugs that kidnapped me drove on a Hilux Vehicle belonging to Barr Chioma Nweze, the SSA to the Governor on Investment.”
F.I Nnaba noted that since the circulation of the video, Mrs. Neeze has never had peace or rest adding that her telephone lines havellll allwere direct threats to our client’s life and that of her family. It must be noted and clearly stated that our client has never been involved in any criminal activity nor was any of her official vehicles ever been used for any illegal/criminal activity other than for official purposes”.
“Our client is now being branded a kidnapper in Ebonyi State because of the unlawful conduct/statement of Barr Amos Ogbonnaya”.
“Our client’s life is presently under serious threat of danger of attacks by thugs/mobs loyal to Barr Amos Ogbonnaya who has succeeded in inciting the public against our client”.
Counsel to Mrs. Nweze called on the Inspector General of Police to ensure a thorough investigation into the unlawful actions of Barr Amos Ogbonnaya and ensure he faces the full wrath of the law.
He further urged the IGP to direct that Barr Amos Ogbonnaya records another video refuting the lies he told against Mrs. Nweze to the general public with immediate effect.
“That Barr Amos Ogbonnaya should sign an undertaking for the safety of the life of our client and her family”.
“That the police do issue an administrative injunctive order restraining Barr Amos Ogbonnaya and his cohorts from coming within 100 meters close to our client”.
F.I Nnaba further expressed the readiness of Mrs. Nweze to assist the Police in the conduct of their investigation. Ends.
Enugu state Commissioner of Police CP Mohammed Ndatsu Aliyu, psc has urged his men to be on alert and ensure that no further attacks are carried out in the state.
The CP also ordered for adequate security around the state INEC headquarters calling for investigations to fish out the miscreants who attempted to burn the INEC headquarters.
Recall that yet to be identified armed miscreants on Sunday 16/05/2021 at about 8:30 attempted to burn down the Enugu Headquarters of the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Police report said the attempt was stiffly resisted by joint security operatives, who swiftly mobilized to the scene.
The State Fire Service promptly responded and helped in quenching the fire already set on four (4) vehicles and two (2) cushions within the office premises.
Enugu Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP DANIEL NDUKWE reports that the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ndatsu Aliyu immediately raced to the scene, accompanied by Heads of other Security Agencies in the State..
The CP enjoined law-abiding citizens of the State to remain vigilant and promptly volunteer useful information that will help the Police in the investigation.
Enugu Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Emeka Ononamadu, is expected to address the press Monday morning.
Five Hilux Vehicles were completely burnt as unidentified hoodlums set fire on the Enugu headquarters of the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, Sunday night.
A sixth vehicle which also caught fire was partially rescued by the State Fire service.
Our source said the invaders had set fire on one of the major officees which was put out by the fire service.
It was learnt that a three seater chair in the office and a few minor things were burnt before the fire was stopped.
The attack happened around 10pm on Sunday, 16th May, 2021.
The hoodlums numbering about seven in number reportedly stormed the INEC office in a small bus.
There was no casualty from the attack just as the timely arrival of the fire service saved the day.
When contacted, INEC’s Enugu Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Emeka Ononamadu, said confirmed the incident.
He however said he will speak with the press Monday on the incident.
“We are just meeting; I think I will speak with the press in the morning so we can get our facts right.”
Director Enugu State Fire Service Engr. Okwudiri Daniel Ohaa who was at the scene said his men responded fast tomyue distress call which helped in handling the situation.
He explained that the hoodlums took the time to put fire on the vehicles one after the other which explains why they burnt beyond repair.
The Abia State University’s security department has arrested a 200-level political science student identified as George Nnamdi for faking his own kidnap.
Nnamdi had confessed after his arrest that he sent a text message to one of his friends around 3 am on Thursday that he has was kidnapped by six men carrying AK-47 rifles alongside other three students to prank his friend.
Another friend of the suspect, a 300-level Mass Communication student, Faith Godson, added that she received a text message from Nnamdi that he had been kidnapped and immediately alerted the University security which swung into action and arrested Nnamdi who was hiding in his lodge that is off the University campus.
Confirming the incident, the Chief Security Officer of ABSU, ThankGod Evulobi, said they received a distress call that a student has been kidnapped and swung into action only to discover that George Nnamdi faked his own kidnap.
He added that they had made their finding known to the University Senate to take appropriate action against the supposed victim in line with the rules and regulations guiding the university
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Imo Command has intercepted a truckload of crude oil and apprehended four suspected pipeline vandals.
The NSCDC Commandant in Imo, Mr Michael Ogar, disclosed this while interacting with newsmen in Owerri on Wednesday. Ogar said that suspected pipeline vandals conveying crude in the truck were arrested at the Okigwe axis of the Enugu–Port Harcourt expressway at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday.
He said that the officers on duty confirmed that the suspects, who initially claimed to be moving from Umuahia to Okigwe were actually conveying the 4,000 litres of crude oil from Port Harcourt to Kano. The commandant expressed the commitment of the NSCDC to training, retraining, and welfare of its men and officers for optimal output.
He, however, expressed regret on the death of one of its officers who was on anti-bunkering duty as well as two others who were killed by stray bullets.
Ogar pledged full compensation for the families of the deceased in line with NSCDC’s memorandum of operation.
He assured Imo residents that the command would continue to collaborate with other security agencies to ensure their safety.
“I came here barely three weeks ago and a lot has happened between then and now. Last night, we intercepted a truck laden with crude oil and arrested four suspects. Investigation is ongoing.
“We are committed to training, retraining, and welfare of our men and officers and we assure Imo residents that there will be fewer security challenges and more humane operation by the corps,” he said. The NSCDC boss called on the residents to avail the command of more information on the whereabouts of vandals and to go about their lawful activities without fear of harassment.
“The major challenge we have is information gathering from residents of the state. If the necessary information is available to us, we will perform better and everyone will go about their lawful duties without any fear,” he said.
