Forget Biafra, South-East APC leaders tell MASSOB, IPOB

The South-East chapter of the All Progressives Congress has urged all pro-Biafra groups in the zone to abandon the struggle for the secession of Biafra.

APC data Centre

The call was contained in a communiqué issued after a meeting by the leaders of the South-East zone of the APC in Enugu.

The meeting resolved that the party’s leaders in the zone would meet with President Muhamadu Buhari over Igbo interests in the APC.

The communiqué, which was signed by the APC National Vice Chairman, South-East, Emma Eneukwu, and the Zonal Secretary, John Mkpuruka, said after extensive deliberations, the party’s leaders in the zone urged all pro-Biafra groups to have a “rethink” and abandon the idea of secession from Nigeria.

“We call on all the groups agitating for separation from united Nigeria, particularly the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra and Movement for Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra to rethink and abandon the idea and join other ethnic groups in building a formidable united Nigeria, where all Nigerians will be equally treated in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the communiqué read.

 

Forget Biafra, South-East APC leaders tell MASSOB, IPOB

DSS accuses Biafra activists of killing burying 55 unidentified persons

The Department of State Services has taken over Umuanyi Forest near Aba in Abia State, where it said unidentified 55 shallow graves were discovered recently.

 

Biafran Protest over Kanu

Not less than 55 identified persons were said to have been allegedly buried in the graves by members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra.

The DSS on Saturday accused the members IPOB of engaging in kidnapping and extrajudicial killings.

IPOB is being led by the Director of guerilla Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, who is being prosecuted by the Federal Government for alleged treasonable felony.

The secret service further accused IPOB members of the kidnapping and killing of five Hausa-Fulani men whose remains it said were buried in the same forest.

But the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, another pro-Biafra group which rose in defence of IPOB, dismissed the allegations by the DSS as lacking merit and evidence.

A statement issued by DSS spokesperson, Mr. Tony Opuiyo, in Abuja on Saturday read, “Service has uncovered the heinous role played by members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra in the abduction/kidnap of five Hausa-Fulani residents, namely Mohammed Gainako, Ibrahim Mohammed, Idris Yakubu, and Isa Mohammed Rago at Isuikwuato LGA in Abia State.

“The abducted men were later discovered at the Umuanyi Forest, Abia State, where they were suspected to have been killed by their abductors and buried in shallow graves, amidst 50 other shallow graves of unidentified persons.

“Arrests and investigation conducted so far revealed that elements within the IPOB carried out this dastardly action.”

With this action, Opuiyo said it was pertinent to alert the general public that IPOB was gradually showing its true divisive colour and objectives, while steadily embarking on gruesome actions in a bid to ignite ethnic terrorism and mistrust amongst non-indigenes in the South-East region and other parts of the country.

Following this act, the DSS alerted that tension was currently rife among communal stakeholders in the state, with possibilities of spillover to other parts of country.

The agency warned that it would not hesitate to act decisively within its statutory mandate to ensure that the sponsors and perpetrators of “this action are apprehended and prosecuted for their crime.”

Efforts made by SUNDAY PUNCH to get IPOB to react to the allegation by DSS proved abortive, as the telephone line of the Director of Information of the group, Emma Powerful, which indicated that it was busy as of 8pm, indicated that it was switched off by 8:08pm.

When his alternative line was also called, it was switched off too.

However, the new leader of MASSOB, Uchenna Madu, in his response via a text message to one of our correspondents, stated that MASSOB and IPOB would remain undeterred on their agitation.

He said, “DSS allegation against pro-Biafra agitators lacks merit and evidence because MASSOB and IPOB are non- violent organisations. This is the highest frustration exhibited by Nigerian security agents against pro-Biafra agitators; they want to blackmail us as violent or terrorist group in order to get evidence against Nnamdi Kanu.

“MASSOB and IPOB can never be deterred or get jittery because of frivolous and baseless allegations by frustrated DSS. Why have they not raised eyebrow on several killings and destruction of properties by Fulani herdsmen?

“We advise Igbo governors to immediately summon a meeting of stakeholders on the menace of Fulani fundamentalists.”

A senior operative of the service, who was involved in the operation that led to the discovery of the graves and the forest, told SUNDAY PUNCH on Saturday evening that the forest had become a no-go area for unauthorised people.

The security agent said, “The forest has become a security zone. We have taken over the place. It is an offence to see people who have no business in the area for now.”

The source said the operation was carefully planned and executed by the security outfit.

“A Good Samaritan blew the lid on the killings that happened there and how people were hurriedly buried in the forest,” the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added.

On how the identity of those buried in the graves would be known, the agent said the service might conduct an autopsy or find alternative ways to identify the corpses.

“I’m sure we would find a way of doing that (identification of corpses). If it requires that (autopsy) may be we would do it,” the operative said.

The source however refused to give the number of arrests that had been made, saying operation and investigation were ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Abia State Government on Saturday denied knowledge of shallow graves in any forest in the state.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Abia State Governor, Mr. Godwin Adindu, told SUNDAY PUNCH that the government would investigate the alleged discovery.

He said, “We don’t have such a report; there is no such report here. The DSS has not given us the report. We don’t have such information. Even within the populace here, nobody has raised such alarm.”

 

 

DSS accuses Biafra activists of killing burying 55 unidentified persons

Biafra: Army investigates extrajudicial killings in Aba

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, says the army has commenced investigations into the alleged extrajudicial killings of unarmed pro-Biafran protesters in Aba, Abia State.

Biafran fear dead

Buratai said this on Thursday in Enugu.

About 10 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra were reportedly killed when troops opened fire on them during the agitation for the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in February.

There were also reports that about 30 other members of the group sustained serious injuries during the incident.

The Amnesty International had condemned the development, accusing the army of ‘excessive use of force’ against the pro-Biafran activists.

Fielding questions from journalists on Thursday after addressing officers and men of the 82 Division, in Enugu, Buratai said the army was investigating the alleged extrajudicial killings.

“We are already investigating it. When such incidents involve the loss of lives, we usually conduct an investigation – that is our procedure,” the army chief said.

Buratai, however, said he believed soldiers could not have opened fire on the activists without provocation.

He said, “We have our rules of engagement, the troops cannot just open fire.”

Earlier, while addressing officers and men of the military formation, Buratai said the army’s rules of engagement permitted the use of force, where other measures failed to address a security challenge.

Instructing soldiers on the need to be professional in the discharge of their duties, Buratai said, “We have to ensure that we work within the framework of our rules of engagement.

“You know that the rules of engagement provide for the protection of human rights, especially the protection of innocent citizens.

“But in situations that entail the use of fire, the protection of human rights does not apply.

“So, when you apply the rules of engagement and it is necessary to open fire, human rights will not apply.”

The COAS stressed that both the 1999 Constitution and the Armed Forces Act provided for the use of force when necessary.

Buratai also told the soldiers to be ‘decisive’, in order to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

“You must apply the rules of engagement and also be decisive – you have to be professional in the discharge of your responsibilities,” he said.

The army chief stressed the need for loyalty and patriotism among soldiers.

“You must make the President proud because he is behind us,” he added.

In the same vein, he urged the soldiers to protect and assist the families of their colleagues who were on military campaigns.

Biafra: Army investigates extrajudicial killings in Aba

Cultists behead students, use heads as goalposts

Suspected cultists on Saturday night beheaded two  undergraduates of the Abia State University,  Uturu, and thereafter  used their heads as goalposts.

Cult clash

Our correspondent learnt that their roommate sustained severe injuries from machete cuts by the hoodlums.

The deceased  identified as Ebuka Nwaigbo,  a 300 level student of the Department of Estate Management,  and Samuel Ethelbert,  300 level student of the Department of Political Science,  were until their death living at Chi-Doo Lodge along  the Uturu-Afikpo road.

Investigations by our correspondent revealed that their  killers were members of a rival cult group on a revenge mission for one of their members  killed last month.

A    source,  who craved anonymity, said  the cult groups – Burkinafaso and Mafia – had engaged each other in a battle of supremacy  for years in the university.

He said, “Last month, one Collins Agwu, a member of  Burkinafaso,  was gunned down by the Mafia.

“His colleagues  (Burkinafaso)  decided to retaliate  by killing members of the Mafia.

“That night they came to the lodge  on   four motorbikes  carrying four persons each and they forced themselves in when one of the students living there came out to buy Indomie Noodles.

“They beheaded their targets while the third person, their visitor,  was seriously wounded.

“After killing them they carried their heads and bodies in a sack bag and took it to a playground where they (cult boys) normally play football near the school gate and mounted their heads as goalposts.”

When our correspondent visited the university community, top  officers of the school were said to be having  a crucial meeting.

Spokesman for the institution Acho Elendu said the  school  would make comments  after the meeting.

Meanwhile,  there has been a  heavy police   presence at the school since the incident occurred.

The  Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, Ezekiel Onyeke Udeviotu,  who confirmed the development,  said the state Commissioner of Police Joshiak Habilah had ordered the Criminal Investigation Department to commence investigation into the murder of the students.

He said, “We are willing to invite any member of the public with any useful information that could lead to the arrest of  criminals to our office if such a person is afraid of giving the information to police officers.”

Cultists behead students, use heads as goalposts

Tears as police murder 21 year old undergraduate in Abia

UMUAHIA — FOR the family of Mr. Emmanuel Uwagbaokwu of Ohobo Afara in Umuahia North Council Area of Abia State, happiness and peace of mind have eluded them for now following the gruesome murder of their 21 year old son, Ikechukwu  Uwagbaokwu, allegedly by the operatives of the Abia State Police Command. Until his tragic death, Ikechukwu Vincent Uwagbaokwu was a student of Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, in Ohaji- Egbema Local Government Area.

Police Inspector General, Solomon Arase

The Uwagbaokwu family is strongly linking the tragic killing of their son to a land dispute it has with the Ndukwe and Uwaga families. Specifically, the family is alleging that the said families framed their son and connived with the police to kill Ikechukwu because of the land dispute.

The land dispute was said to have lingered and was getting messier when the community’s traditional peace makers, Ibeku Okonko Arbitration Panel waded into it and had indeed fixed a date to hear from the families involved before one the parties lost one of the witnesses, prompting the rescheduling of the matter by the traditional panel.

However, five days to the rescheduled date, Ikechukwu was gruesomely murdered and the Uwagbaokwu family is pointing accusing fingers at the rival families in the land dispute. According to their petition to the Abia State Commissioner of Police, Uwagbaokwu family hinged their suspicion on an allegation from one of the rival families which had earlier accused them of being responsible for the death of their family member.

The Uwagbaokwu family, in the petition, written by their lawyer, Godwin Oriaku of Overcome’s Chambers, claimed that days before the burial of the deceased from the rival family, they [rival family] sent a warning message to them not to attend the burial ceremony, accusing them of having a hand in the death of their brother. The petition also alleged that prior to the killing of Ikechukwu, “there have been threats issued at various occasions” by the rival family that lost a member that they were “going to avenge the death from the family of Uwagbaokwu”.

In the petition addressed to Abia Police Commissioner, Joshak Habila, the family of the slain undergraduate accused the police of killing their son. “On the 10th of September, 2015, Mr. Ikechukwu Vincent Uwagbaokwu, a Marketing Student of Imo Polytechnic went to bed at about 9.00pm but at about 10.50pm there was persistent banging on the door of the family house of the Uwagbaokwu.

“When Mr. Anthony Uwagbaokwe (elder brother of deceased) came out to see who was banging on their door, lo and behold, there were about ten fierce men in Police uniform who had taken strategic positions in the surroundings of the house. “One of the men in uniform, who came with Hilux pick up van and black Camry Saloon Car, hit the door of one of the occupants of the house and forced it open. When the occupant came out, the men in police uniform, who refused to identify themselves, said that he was not the person that they were looking for.

“The Police went to the direction pointed to by those who allegedly brought them. The armed policemen forced the next wooden door open and on sighting Ikechukwu Vincent Uwagbaokwu, one of the policemen allegedly shot him and he died immediately. “Our clients raised alarm but nobody came to their rescue. The matter was reported to Ehimiri Police Station in whose jurisdiction this area falls, where the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) gave them order to deposit the deceased at Madonna Mortuary in Umuahia,” the family stated

The 54 year old father of slain Ikechukwu, Mr. Emmanuel Uwagbaokwu, has therefore appealed to the Inspector General of police, Solomon Arase to order a comprehensive investigation to properly unravel who are the killers of his son. In a telephone chat, the Commissioner of Police, Joshak Habila could neither confirm nor deny the incident or the receipt of the petition but urged the lawyer and members of the family to see him in the office if they have such allegation, saying that they would not cover or protect any police man involved in extra-judicial killing or any illegal act.

But the family lawyer, Godwin Oriaku, insisted that the Police Commissioner has the petitions which he forwarded to the CID department to investigate. In fact, Oriaku claimed that four suspects have been arrested but alleged that the Ehimiri DPO was still shielding the alleged killer cop even as he said that his clients would demand for a thorough autopsy to determine the type of bullet that killed their son.

Tears as police murder 21 year old undergraduate in Abia

Election Tribunal: PDP senator loses seat

The election petition tribunal sitting in Abia State has declared Mao Ohuabunwa winner of the Abia North senatorial election.

Ohuabunwa was declared winner after the addition and deduction of votes cast for him and the petitioner, Chief Bourdex Ogba Onuoha.

Edo State Tribunal

Tribunal head Justice Adeniyi Onibanjo said Onuoha’s claims of irregularities were not enough to cancel the election, adding that the petitioner was able to prove that some of his votes were deducted by INEC, while Ohuabunwa’s votes were increased by the electoral body.

The tribunal, therefore, decided to deduct the votes they believed were given to Ohuabunwa by INEC and added the votes believed to have been deduc

The results, after deduction from Ohuabunwa, was 43, 738, while Onuoha’s, after adding his stolen votes, was 28, 210.

The tribunal also dismissed Orji Uzor Kalu’s petition for incompetence, even as the petitioner earlier questioned the jurisdiction of the tribunal to handle the case.

Onuoha expressed shock with the result, saying the tribunal delayed his mandate.

He said he would proceed to the Court of Appeal to recover his stolen mandate, even as he urged his supporters to remain calm.

The tribunal has nullified the election of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Lead judge said the election was inconclusive due to irregularities in Obingwa and Ugwunagbo councils.

Candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Chris Nkwonta petitioned the tribunal seeking nullification of Abaribe’s election for electoral irregularities.

Abaribe said his team was confused about the ruling but has applied for a Certified True Copy of the judgment as a guide to an appropriate response.

Abaribe, a three-term senator was first elected to represent Abia South in 2007.

ted from Onuoha back to him.

 

Election Tribunal: PDP senator loses seat

Governors who sleep without paying workers salaries irresponsible - Obiano

Anambra State Governor, Mr. Willie Obiano, on Wednesday described as irresponsible governors who “sleep” without paying the salaries of workers in their state.

Obiano stated this at the Jerome Udoji secretariat,  Awka, the state capital, during the 2015 civil service day celebration, where he reassured the state workers of regular salaries despite the prevailing economic difficulties.

The governor, who described the civil service as the cornerstone of his administration, said, “No responsible government goes to sleep when its workforce is having sleepless nights.”

He said in the past one year, his administration had demonstrated a great deal of sensitivity to the plight of workers. .

He added, “A few weeks after I was sworn in as your governor, we took bold steps to look into the difficulties workers were having in transporting themselves to Awka from various parts of the state.

“Consequently, we provided four buses to convey workers from Onitsha, Otuocha, Nnewi and Ekwulobia to and from Awka. We also donated three buses to NLC, NUC and JNC.

“Similarly, less than one year into my administration, we increased workers’ salaries by 15 per cent.

“I also assured you  that I would do more if our Internally Generated Revenue grows.  Interestingly, we increased salaries at a time when oil prices were crashing and governments were looking for bailouts.

“In spite of the prevailing difficulties, we have kept our promise to always pay your salaries regularly.”

Governors who sleep without paying workers salaries irresponsible - Obiano

Maids tortured with hot iron for stealing N100

A middle-aged woman, Mr. Agnes Uchendu and her son, Ikechukwu Uchendu, in Umuahia, Abia State, are in police net for allegedly inflicting injuries on their house maids with hot electric iron.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Ezekiel Onyeke, who disclosed this in Umuahia, said the suspects were picked up based on a petition by the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Abia State Chapter, led by one Florence E. Igwe, Esq.

The suspects, he said, allegedly tortured  their maids – Hope Ajunwa, 11, and Ngozi Ajunwa, 9, who  lived with them.

He said, “Upon the receipt of the petition, operatives  proceeded to the given address and arrested both suspects and rescued the victims. One of the victims, Ngozi Ajunwa, had injuries on the sole of her foot and other parts of her body.

“The victims had wounds on other parts of their bodies which were inflicted by the suspect with a hot electric pressing iron.”

The PPRO said upon interrogation, “Ikechukwu admitted committing the crime alleging that the minors stole one hundred Naira (N100.00).”

He said the victims  had been admitted  to the Nigeria Police Clinic Umuahia for medical attention.

Onyeke said the case was still under investigation, adding that  the suspects will soon be arraigned.

Maids tortured with hot iron for stealing N100

Man set house, self on fire

Umuahia—TRAGEDY struck, yesterday, at 12 Bonny Street, Umuahia, Abia State, as a 25 year-old man set himself and the family house ablaze.

The man, Tochukwu Ogbonna, alias Mbe (meaning tortoise), had attacked his mother with a machete, inflicting severe injuries on her.

The woman is said to be lying critically ill at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.

Trouble started when the young man was said to have approached his mother on an undisclosed issue.

He was said to have also attacked their domestic dogs, which he cut into pieces.

Vanguard learned that police were called in to arrest the deceased, but he was said to have escaped, set their house ablaze and threw himself into the fire.

Some residents of the area said he was a drunk, while others described him as suffering a mental problem.

The state Police Command confirmed the incident.

 

Man set house, self on fire

INEC officials arrested for alleged card reader theft

The Zone 9 Police Command, Umuahia, has commenced investigations into an alleged attempt by two Information Communication Technology workers of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abia State to steal sensitive electoral materials, including card readers, from INEC’s strongroom in Umuahia.

INEC officials at the station being interrogated

According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Selina Oko, the suspects attempted to remove seven card readers from INEC office without authorisation.

The REC, in an interview with our correspondent on Tuesday in Umuahia, said the suspects did not seek her consent before attempting to remove the sensitive materials, describing the action as illegal and unacceptable.

Oko, who dissociated herself from the action, said she only got to know about it when some police officers from the Zone 9 headquarters came to pick up the suspects at the early hours of Tuesday.

She said, “I only learnt about the incident today. I was told there was a vehicle belonging to one of our staff which had sensitive materials and I found out it was true. Then I asked him, ‘Do you mean you leave this place with sensitive materials without my authorisation?’

“So, there was no authorisation to remove materials. In fact, the long and short of it is that I have handed them over to the police.”

The REC gave the name of the suspect as Nnamdi Nwabuko.

He added that the police also invited for questioning, the Head of Department of ICT, Mr. Herbert Ejiofor, “since the suspect is working directly under him.”

She said the two employees, seven card readers and the Toyota Camry car, belonging to the ICT employee, had been handed over to the police.

The REC said the police, at the gate of the Commission’s premises discovered the sensitive materials during a stop-and-search on Monday evening and prevented the car from leaving the INEC office.

Oko added, “Then this morning, police came and picked the car, the materials and, of course, the suspects.

“If they had sought my approval, I wouldn’t have approved it because I find it difficult to take away sensitive materials, even myself. The only sensitive material I have authorised to move is when my boss, Professor Attahiru Jega, tells me to send this or that.

“All I did was to go to his car and started asking him why they were doing that. And he said he was going to work with it. And I asked him, ‘Without my permission?’ But since the police are already involved, I will leave the police to do their work.”

Asked whether the suspects were among his trusted staff, the REC said she only assumed duty in Abia in January, 2015 and had not taken time to test the integrity of the members of staff.

The REC said, “Police should investigate and take the right action and if they need information from me, I will provide.”

Asked of her feeling on the discovery, she said, “Why won’t I condemn it when they are removing sensitive materials without my approval?

“I don’t know; it is just that this one was brought to my notice this morning and that is why I allowed the police to take them away.”

The REC was further asked whether she did not consider it worrisome that some other sensitive materials, especially result sheets, could be tampered with before the election tribunals commence sitting. She said, “If result sheets are tampered with there will be evidence.

“I am not saying they won’t attempt tampering with it, but if it is done, the evidence will show, because even the party agents and police have their copies.”

The REC also confirmed an attempt to burn down INEC office in Obingwa Local Government Area last week. She added that the Electoral Officer in the council told her that the arsonists tried to throw fire into the office through the window but the entire office could not be razed.

She noted that the commission’s office at Isiala Ngwa South LGA was also burnt down by unknown arsonists shortly after the poll, but added that the Commissioner of Police, Joshak Habila, had directed his men to beef up security around INEC offices in the LGAs.

Head of Intelligence and Surveillance of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, Chief Chidi Ahiabuike, said he gathered from his source that the HOD “conspired with some people to move some materials out from INEC to enable them to perfect their rigging plans.”

He alleged that the materials the suspects attempted to take away included result sheets of the controversial Osisioma, Obingwa and Isiala Ngwa North LGAs, whose results were cancelled but later reinstated by the Returning Officer, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba.

He said, “From the information that we got, there is an ICT expert that can manipulate the card readers. They have been working on this for the past one week, according to our surveillance, and they wanted to execute it last night but unfortunately for them, a new police officer, who was deployed in INEC, caught them.”

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 9, Mr. Usman Gwarri, confirmed the incident but said investigations were ongoing to establish the real motives of the suspects.

He said, “We will do our investigations and after that we will establish whether any crime was intended to be done.”

 

INEC officials arrested for alleged card reader theft

INEC Issues Certificate Of Return To Wrong Candidate

The winner of Umuahia South State Constituency in the Abia House of Assembly, Eastern Nigeria, Chijioke Nwachukwu, a candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), has called on the Independent National Electoral Commissioner, INEC, in the state to issue him his certificate of return without delay as it has issued his other 22 colleagues who also won the election.

Speaking to P.M.NEWS correspondent, shortly after the issuance ceremony, on Thursday evening in Umuahia, Nwachukwu wondered why INEC will make such a mistake of issuing his certificate of return to a wrong candidate, Mr. Jerry Uzosike, Peoples Democratic Party candidate who lost to him at the polls.

Nwachukwu, noted that when the news got to him, he did not believe it, thinking that it was a joke but it regrettably turned to be an embarrassment and a shock to him.

Irked by this development, he further explained that he confronted the State Residential Electoral Commissioner but she showed him a list of those who won the election which she sent to their Abuja office.

The worried member-elect pointed out that the REC says she has communicated to the Abuja office on the mistake and assured him that the error will be corrected.

Henoted that when he requested a letter to the effect that his certificate was issued to another candidate in error, she declined, advising him to write to the commission through his lawyer.

To this end, the winner of the said election told our correspondent that he has written a complaint to that effect through his lawyer while copying the commissioner of Police, Umuahia, the Director of SSS, INEC Chairman, Abuja, his party Chairmen both at Umuahia and Abuja respectively.

Nwachukwu expressed optimism that INEC will reverse itself by issuing him his certificate of return.

He also advised his supporters to be calm.

Meanwhile, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State, Professor Selina Oko has admitted that it was an error which she promised will be corrected by INEC in Abuja.

Addressing the members-elect in Umuahia, she said that this is the last official outing by INEC as regards the 2015 general elections.

She said it was unfortunate that the certificate of member-elect from Umuahia South was mistakenly issued to a wrong person.

The REC who lamented the error stating that how the mistake occurred beats her imagination because the wrong candidate whose name appears on the certificate was not the rightful candidate who won the election but however assured that the error will be corrected as she has communicated INEC (Abuja) over the development.

On the winner of Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency, the REC explained that INEC office at the LGA was gutted by fire and the result sheet to enter the winner’s result was affected by the inferno and also promised to issue him when she would have collected another form from Abuja office.

Meanwhile, 22 members-elect out of 24 members of Abia House of Assembly were issued with their certificates of return by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Selina Oko with PDP securing 12 seats while APGA had 10 seats from the house.

INEC Issues Certificate Of Return To Wrong Candidate

Drama as INEC reverses result cancellation in #Abia

There was tension at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s secretariat in Umuahia on Sunday as the Peoples Democratic Party practically arm twisted the state Returning Officer, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, to reverse his decision on the cancellation of the governorship results in three local government areas of the state.

But the state Governor, Theodore Orji, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, and the Minister of State for Defence, Col. Austin Akobundu (retd.) stormed the venue of the collation exercise for the state governorship election to demand the reversal of the decision.

The state Returning Officer, who is also the Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, had cancelled results for Isiala-Ngwa North, Osisioma and Obimgwa local government areas citing widespread electoral malpractices, violence, ballot box snatching and reports of independent foreign observers that monitored the exercise.

Announcing the cancellation, Ozumba said, “We are here to uphold the rule of law and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. By the power vested in me as the state collation and returning officer, I hereby cancel results from the following local governments; Obingwa, Isiala-Ngwa North and Osisioma. This is based on the evidence before me and the provisions of the constitution and Electoral Act.”

Ahamdi Nweke, the APGA agent at the collation centre had argued that there were no elections in Osisioma Local Government, coupled with cases of electoral violence and ballot box snatching in other places.

The PDP agent, Solomon Ogunji, while reacting to the cancellation said that it was unheard of that result of an election would be cancelled based on evidence from foreign observers and social media.

According to him, his party will not accept the decision.

Abaribe insisted that the collation exercise would not continue until the decision was reversed. Meanwhile, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Selina Oko, left the collation centre to hold a closed door meeting with the governor, Metuh, Abaribe and other PDP chieftains that had besieged the INEC office.

Ozumba attempted to continue with the collation exercise, but was stopped by other PDP stalwarts who had flooded the venue, insisting that the exercise could not continue until their demands were met. Ozumba was left with no option than to leave the collation centre, bringing the collation exercise to a halt.

During the course of the forced break, Nweke granted a press interview where he accused the PDP of electoral violence, malpractice and falsification of results.

Reacting, the PDP agent, Solomon Ogunji, denied all the allegations.

He wondered why an election that had produced members of the state House of Assembly would be cancelled at the governorship level.

Abaribe, who also spoke to the press said that he would not allow the Ngwa people, whom he represents at the Senate, to be disenfranchised by the action of the Returning Officer, because the three local government areas in question are in Ngwa land.

At the resumption of proceedings, Ozumba reversed his earlier decision, citing orders from above, to the delight of the PDP and its officials.

Drama as INEC reverses result cancellation in #Abia

#nigeriadecides: Umeh calls for cancellation of elections in Abia

Aguluzigbo (#Anambra) – Chief Victor Umeh, the National Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance (#APGA), has called for the cancellation of the #Abia governorship and the state House of Assembly elections over alleged irregularities.

Victor Umeh

Speaking with newsmen at Aguluzigbo in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra after casting his vote on Saturday, Umeh described the entire exercise in Abia as a “sham”.

“From the reports so far gathered, there were no materials on ground and collation officers with result sheets could not be found.

“There are also reports of fake security personnel moving about in the state intimidating people.”

Umeh, who is also the Anambra Central Senatorial candidate of APGA, called for the arrest of some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the alleged irregularities in Abia.

He, however, commended the peaceful conduct of the election in Anambra but noted that the exercise in the state witnessed voter apathy.

Umeh attributed the poor turnout to voters’ discontent with the outcome of March 28 presidential national assembly elections.

“The fraudulent result announced on March 28 elections affected the morale of the people and resulted to voter apathy in today’s election,” Umeh said.

The party boss further observed that the card readers again failed in some areas of the state and urged INEC to reschedule the polls in the affected areas including Nri, Agulu and Ichida.

In a related development, a former governor of the state, Mr Peter Obi, said the card reader deployed for use in many polling units failed.

He urged INEC to do the needful to ensure that his people take part in the exercise. (NAN)

 

#nigeriadecides: Umeh calls for cancellation of elections in Abia

Orji Kalu loses senatorial election in Abia

A former governor of Abia State and Abia North senatorial candidate for the Progressive Peoples Alliance, Orji Kalu, came a distant third as the Independent National Electoral Commission, on Thursday, released the complete results of the March 28 National Assembly polls in the state.

In a comprehensive result sheet made available to our correspondent by the Public Relations Officer of INEC in Abia State, Edwin Inabor, Kalu came a distant third behind Mao Ohuabunwa of the Peoples Democratic Party and David Ogba of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

Ohuabunwa secured 40,027 votes to win the elections, ahead of David Ogba of APGA who got 28, 055 votes and Kalu with 27, 002 votes.

However, the PPA, the APC and APGA, have before now contested the possible outcome of the results, alleging widespread manipulation and rigging.

Kalu, who had previously claimed victory in the polls, had in a petition to INEC dated March 29, 2015 alleged flagrant breach of Electoral Act 2010 in the conduct of the elections.

The petition, which was signed by Peter Njoku, and copied to the INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega, rejected the possible outcome of the election on the grounds of failure of card readers, intimidation, and harassment of voters, snatching of ballot boxes, delay in the announcement of results at the various polling units, and gross mutilation of result sheets.

It also demanded the cancellation of the exercise and called for a re-run.

The petition read in part, “In the light of the above highlighted, we demand the outright cancellation of the elections and order a re-run of the exercise as allowing the outcome of the election will amount to daylight robbery of the people’s right to choose the representatives of their choice.”

Results for the federal constituencies were also released and the PDP won all federal constituency seats, except Aba North and South federal constituencies which were won by APGA.

Inabor refused to entertain questions on the issues surrounding the results, but our correspondent gathered that some of the results have been undergoing reviews because of the avalanche of complaints received by the commission concerning the exercise.

Orji Kalu loses senatorial election in Abia

Abia Senator meet with governor

Senators representing Abia students in all Institutions in Nigeria have met with Governor T. A. Orji to seek an everlasting end to myriads of the students’ challenges. Emmanuel Ahanonu, Corps member, Enugu, was there.

 In view of numerous challenges facing students of Abia origin, Senators representing them in various Higher Institutions across the federation met recently in government House Umuahia to seek an ultimate end to it with their governor, Chief T. A. Orji (Ochendo Global).

The session which was attended by more than 50 Senators began about 3pm penultimate Friday. The senators however are the Presidents of National Association of Abia State Students NAASS in various Higher Institutions across the federation or their representatives.

Declaring the session open, the National Senator President Comr. Christian Ifebu Nkumah who was accompanied by the National President Comr. Ihedigbo Uchenna noted that the impromptu session was rare one which they have opportunity to have the state Governor in their midst for the first time. While charging all the Senators to conduct themselves during the session, said that the opportunity is in their hand to table all the issues they have been tabling to the National Executive all the while.

Introducing the Governor’s representative, the erstwhile National President of NAASS Comr. Jude Ezeibe noted that the Governor in his usual humane attitude cannot give a deft ear to students’ issues and burdens and thus has sent Mr. Nkwachukwu Agomuo the Permanent Secretary of the state to represent him.

The National Senate President suggested boycotting some protocols including the official introduction of Senators present to save the Perm.Sec time but the perm sec taught otherwise and said that the governor will like to spend sufficient time with the students for that day to know the detail of their challenges as well as fix time to be meeting with them more often subsequently. He therefore charged the Senators to feel free to marshal out all their challenges in expectation that the government will see to it.

Sen. S. O. Daniel Representing Alvan Ikoku College of Education told the Governor that all is not well. He said that their major challenge is on mobility as his branch has no vehicle that will be conveying them for movements, thus, hampering their full participation in Abia students’ movements. He recounted how some of their students had accident recently in a public vehicle while going back to their school at night after meeting. He added that his executive has to go borrowing N50,000 to save the life of the victim as the National Executive they ran to claimed they had nothing in their pocket.

As for Miracle Chukwu, the Vice President of Abia State University Uturu ABSU, she came to inform the governor how grateful they are for two things: the last bursary of N50,000 each student and recently government launched 20% discount in school charges of students of Abia origin. She finally reminded the governor that they will still be more grateful if he remembers his promise of making the bursary a yearly gesture.

But Sen. Chimobi Okorafor of UNIZIK argued that the acclaimed bursary gesture was lopsided as many schools including his were never considered. He added that some branch presidents are having a tough time with their subjects as the bursary has been aired to have been paid to all Abia students. He equally pointed that the mobility issue is also affecting his branch. He summed by begging the Governor to aid the National Executive to build a secretariat for NAASS in Umuahia to relief them off the burden of hiring or staying in inconducive environment to do their meetings.

University of Nigeria Nsuka UNN representative Veronica Kalu and her UNILAG counterpart believed that their own branches seemed to have been particularly forgotten. according to them, Enugu and Lagos state governments seem to be taking care of their students more than our own government. Veronica said “we know that our government has us at heart, but let us feel the impact in all ramification”. she also pointed out that women have even been relegated because of lack of motivation and call on the government to start empowering students with special emphasis on the female folks.

Drama ensued in the House as Sen. Kalu Chukwuemeka informed his Excellency that the Senators want to know if the National Executive have received special package from the government because PPA leadership in the state recently gave them a new brand and crested bus with the Union’s name but they refused it, just as APGA is also coming with their own offer. He said that the NAASS National leadership refused the offer claiming to be non partisan and to always seek advice from their grand-patron who is the governor of the state.

As the Perm Sec was about to respond to the above issues raised, Sen. Emeka Obasi representing Unical called the attention of the Government to the impersonation of National President of NAASS by one he identified as Kalu. he said that such is not only dwindling the fortune of the Association but posing threat to smooth operationalization of the Association and polarizing its leadership. He called on the government to arrest the situation before it degenerate as many desperate politicians are already using the said boy to make announcements of political party adoption on behalf of NAASS to the chagrin of Senators. In light of the above, Senators present suggested government assistant to produce a computerize and sealed Identification Card that the government will used to recognize the real leadership of the body.

The Perm Sec in his response noted that all the issues emanated as a result of gap in communication. He solicited for all the Senators to calm from their indignations noting that the government of T. A. Orji is a government that respect and response to students yawning. He promised to take care of the accidents victims’ bills. He also promised that the government will look into the mobility issues.

His words “in mobilization, i am also not feeling good that nothing has been done yet, i will take it to His Excellency. we will work towards providing at least a vehicle. We will liaise with the National Executives”. On Bursary issue, he said that the drop in oil price really affected the government budget including the bursary which was intended to be an annually. He however added that government is all about continuity and this administration is expecting that the students will support Dr. Ikpeazu Okezie who will not fail to continue on the gesture of N50,000 bursary for each Abia student.

On secretariat building, His Excellency said that the students should start somewhere for the time being. He therefore advised them to look up a place around Umuahia that can be rented, “we will help take care of the bills”. He also charged NAASS to go through all media apparatus available to distance themselves from the acclaimed student Kalu who voted and inaugurated himself alone. He finally charged NAASS leadership to be focused and never allow any politician to confuse them with gift or any other inducement. He summed that “we may not have all the resources but we have the goodwill”

Responding for all the Senators, NAASS National Senator President informed the perm Sec that the Senators and the subjects has unanimously adopted some candidates for the forthcoming election including Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for President, Okezie Ikpeazu for Abia Governor and Ochendo Global for Senate Abia Central

Abia Senator meet with governor

Farmer drags Buhari to court over certificate saga

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By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

ABUJA – A farmer from Abia State, Mr. Sergin Onuka Ibe‎ has approached the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, begging it not to allow Major General Muhammadu Buhari, rtd, to contest the March 28 presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Buhari and Certificate

‎The plaintiff, through his lawyer Mr. U.O. Ukairo,‎ prayed the court to invoke its original powers and compel ‎Buhari to not only withdraw from the presidential race, but to equally stop parading himself as a bonafide candidate for the poll.

He contended that the 1st defendant (Buhari), is not legally FIT to vie for presidency in view of the pendency of a perjury charge against him.

The plaintiff maintained that Buhari violated the provision of section 31 of the Electoral Act by lying on oath about his educational qualifications.

He told the court that a personal investigation he conducted revealed that Buhari lacks the basic educational qualifications, adding that the information the 1st defendant supplied to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in his Form CF001, were false.

‎Aside Buhari and the APC, INEC was also joined as a defendant in the suit marked FHC/UM/C9/13/15.

Meantime, Justice Ademola Adeniyi has ordered the service of the court processes on Buhari at his official residence at 4A and B Sultan Lane, Off Sultan Road in Kaduna.

‎The Judge said the defendant could as well serve the Originating Summons on the 1st defendant via substituted means, to wit; publishing same in any national daily.

The case was subsequently adjourned to March 26 for hearing.

Specifically, the plaintiff is among other things, praying the court to make ‎a “declaration that the information contained in Form CF001 the 1st defendant supplied on oath to the 3rd defendant in accordance with section 31 of the Electoral Act, are false.

“An order that upon ‎determining the falsity of the above depositions that the 1st defendant is thereby disqualified from contesting the Presidential election holding on March 28, 2015, on the platform of the 2nd defendant.

“An ord‎er directing the 3rd defendant (INEC) to remove the name of the 1st defendant as a candidate in the Presidential election holding on March 28, 2015.

As well as, “An order directing that any votes accredited to the 1st defendant at the election shall be null and void, he being disqualified ab-initio as a candidate in the election.

‎In a 14 paragraphed statement of claim, the plaintiff, told the court that he is a citizen from Amaekpu-Ohafia in Abia State and is a farmer/politician.

He said he was formerly ‎elected as a Councilor ‎that represented Isiama ward in Okasia Local Government Area of Abia State and a registered voter who is entitled to vote in the forthcoming general elections.

He averred that, “The first defendant in order to be eligible to contest the presidential election submitted to the 3rd defendant an affidavit which is by the nomenclature of the 3rd defendant, known as Form CF001.

“Th‎e said Form CF001 contains, on oath, the personal particulars of the 1st defendant.

“The 3rd defendant in accordance with electoral procedure published the said particulars of the 1st defendant in Umuahia, Abia State, being one of the constituencies of the 1st defendant.

“The plaintiff inspected the said Form CF001 and has reasonable grounds to believe that the following information are false:

“‎(1) All my academic qualification document as filled in my presidential form, ApC/001/2015, are currently with the Secretary military board as at the time of this affidavit. (2) WASC-1961‎.

“The particulars and or facts upon which the plaintiff founded the reasonable grounds are: 1) The Nigerian Army like other organisations do not keep certificates of serving or retired Soldiers, but copies only, a fact known to the 1st defendant as a past military Head of State of Nigeria.

“(2) Accordingly ‎the “academic qualifications documents or some or one of them do not exist.

“(3) the defendant knowing that he does not have “WASC-61″ academic qualifications resorted to lying on oath, failed to attach any certificate.

“(4) There is a presumption against unnatural events to the effect that where a person claims that his certificates are with the office that ‎regulated his previous services, it is probable that no such certificate is in existence.

“(5) There is no office known under any law at all as “The Secretary Military Board”, a fact known or ought to be known by the 1st defendant, a retired General of the Nigerian Army.

‎”(6) Arising from above, the plaintiff has no place at which he could verify the deposition of the 1st defendant.

“The plaintiff is “a person” under section 31(5) of the Electoral Act and accordingly has the requisite locus standi to file this suit.

“The plaintiff upon inspecting the said Form CF001 applied to the 3rd defendant for a copy of it at its office at Umuahia but the 3rd defendant refused to give any copy to the plaintiff but directed the plaintiff to submit the application to its Abuja office.

“The plaintiff in obedience to the directive of the 3rd defendant at its Umuahia office submitted another application at the Abuja office of the 3rd defendant. (a copy of the lett‎er is hereby pleaded and will be relied upon at the trial) .

“Regrettably, the 3rd defendant has continued to refuse to give a copy of the said Form CF001 to the plaintiff for which reason the plaintiff went to the notice board of the 3rd defendant and took photographs of the Form CF001 with a digital Samsung Tablet which the plaintiff will be relied upon at the trial.

“The plaintiff has demanded that the 1st defendant withdraws from the presidential election but he continues to parade himself as a candidate”

 

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Farmer drags Buhari to court over certificate saga

Police arrest 6 INEC staff over missing PVC in Abia

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By ANAYO OKOLI

UMUAHIA—No fewer than six staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Abia State are now helping the police in their investigation over the discovery of scores of permanent voters’ card, PVC, in the house of a criminal suspect in Isiala Ngwa South of the state.

INEC officials at the station being interrogated

A reliable source from INEC state office in Umuahia confirmed the arrest of the staff and said they were at the Police Criminal Investigation Department where they were undergoing interrogation.

The matter, he said, had already been reported to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja and the affected cards already placed on interdiction because of the seriousness with which the commission viewed the offence.

The police, it was learned, were on the trail of a criminal suspect in Isiala Ngwa South area, when they stumbled on permanent voter’s cards in his house in the course of their investigation in an entirely different matter.

However, it was not possible to ascertain the nature of the crime they said suspect committed but the police were said to be on investigation in his house when they found the PVCs.

Surprised by the discovery, the police were said to have brought the PVCs to Abia State headquarters of INEC to confirm if they were genuine PVCs from the commission.

On confirmation that the cards were genuine from the commission, INEC then summoned its staff who worked in the area and queried them over the cards because they never reported any case of missing PVCs, either through stealing or snatching.

Unable to give satisfactory explanation over the cards discovered in the criminal suspect’s house, the police arrested about six staff of the commission who worked in the area to help them in their investigation.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Abia State command, promised to check their records and get back to our correspondent, but did not respond before press time.

Similarly, an inquiry sent to the CID boss through text message was not replied at press time.

 

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Police arrest 6 INEC staff over missing PVC in Abia

Tension in Abia community as villagers, Fulani herdsmen clash

Fear has enveloped the people of Okporenyi village in Bende community, Bende council area of Abia State following a face-off with Fulani herdsmen with threats by the cattle rearers to attack the village any time soon if their cows allegedly rustled by the villagers were not produced.

Fulani Herdsmen

According to a member of the village, trouble started at the eve of Christmas when a group of herdsmen suddenly surged up in the village threatening to raid the village if they failed to locate their missing cows.

The source said that after the warning the herdsmen at the wee hours of the following day invaded farmlands in the village with their flock which destroyed a lot of crops.

According to the source, farmlands in the village had come under incessant attacks by cows of Fulani herdsmen but complaints by the villagers had fallen on deaf ears.

The source further said that after few days, the herdsmen came to the village again, this time with some police men, alleging that they were searching for one of their cattle rearers- a little boy.

The source said, an attempt by one of the villagers simply identified as Onyi to exonerate the village from any involvement in the whereabouts of the allegedly missing boy earned him the wrath of one of the herdsmen who gave him a machete cut in the upper arm as he (Onyi) wanted to defend himself against the attack despite the presence of the police.

The source said the Police did not however take it kindly with the invader as he was seriously upbraided.

According to the source, the villagers are now living in fear of imminent raid by the herdsmen who have attacked some communities in the Middle Belt as well as part of Enugu state in the recent times over grazing land.

The source said it was unthinkable for landlords to live in dread of strangers in their own land, and appealed to Abia State government to quickly come to their aid.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr.Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed the incident but said ” Police is on top of the situation.”

The PPRO said talks had been initiated with both parties with a view to resolving the face-off.

He assured the villagers of full protection of their lives and property but advised them not to take the laws into their hands .

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Tension in Abia community as villagers, Fulani herdsmen clash

Abia State and Gov. T.a Orji: The Lies And Truth You Never Knew

By Fejiro Oliver

“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”

George Orwell

“Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world…would do this, it would change the earth.”

William Faulkner

 

Governor Theodore Orji, Abia State Governor

“Never judge a man by the words of an outsider or by his own words alone”, my father has always admonished me. In an era when the power of the pen can bring down a powerful man and lift up an irrelevant man to the sky, we owe ourselves self restraint never to wield such power without a dose of conscience.

If there is any governor who has been maligned in the media, the Guinness World record for that will unarguably go to Gov. T.A Orji. Even people who have never been to Abia State use his as a yardstick for failure in governance. His only good image rating can be traced to his Special Adviser on E-Governance and Strategy, Nnaji Obed, a friend and a brother who have successfully used the Social Media to boost his boss rating. But then, he is just one of such genius who cannot be everywhere when the matter of his boss is being discussed.

It thus became necessary when the Governor agreed to gather some of the most vocal cyber warriors on Facebook Ville and Twitter Ville as well as bloggers to render his stewardship over the years. It was a daunting task no doubt assembling brilliant men and women who have been at the forefront of the negative media campaign against Orji. But again, that is one of the rules of power; using your supposed enemies for your gains.

May I at this junction state that whatever I will pen down here will be the most sincere and honest write up on the governor, state and his service. Even as I write, the governor or his aides have not paid a dime into any of my bank accounts to do image laundering, neither have I been rewarded by his political opponents to smear him as this may turn out to. To God and service to humanity will this flow from the chambers of my assessment. While I speak for myself, I do also do know that some of the young men that were part of the historic journey cannot be bought over with the fattest of cheques.

Abusidiqu will not sell his conscience for TA, neither will Chinedu Ekeke who once wrote on the danger of Daily Champion Newspaper giving their ‘Man of the year’ to the governor whom he described as a serial failure. The Wale Odunsi I met and Ayourb that I discussed with will rather take TA to the cleaners than eulogise him; as such their voices can’t be bought. How about Kiki Ileowo, Segun Dada and Ediong of the Nigeria Newsdesk fame? These dudes will call a spade a spade no matter how much you pay them. Chukwudi Iwuchukwu I dare say is never a friend of the governor and this was an opportunity to tell the world that all he had written on him are truth; so forget about saying he has been bribed. Give it to Mark, Olori Supergal and the Ekekee crew; on this they will do the necessary not the needful.

The journey begins. Right inside the not so magnificent building which house the Abia State Government House emanates the gentle artificial cool breeze. With musical blues serenading the atmosphere gently from the speakers; one word captured it as the guests sloped in – ‘Welcome Home’.

Friends, it was the banquet hall where the smiling Chief Servant (not fake one of Niger State), Theodore Ahamefula Orji was playing host to some of Nigeria popular bloggers and social media influencers, to scrutinize his 7 and half years legacy. Then he walked into the hall. The National Anthem played and I looked at him nakedly; he sang perfectly along, not like some of our Mini9sters who cannot recite it. Give it to him, he is patriotic.

Ahamefula, they rightly named him, meaning, ‘May my name not get lost’. Will his name get lost after his eight years as the Captain of the Abia Vessel? Yours truly who have told you the truth all these years will once again strip TA Orji politically bare based on firsthand experience of the one week tour of the State. “Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.” ― Aldous Huxley

These little things matter…

Stay Tuned…

Fejiro Oliver, Managing Editor of Daily Voice NG and Media Consultant can be reached on +2348022050733, +2348160067613 or secretsreporters@gmail.com. Engage him on twitter on @fejirooliver86

 

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Abia State and Gov. T.a Orji: The Lies And Truth You Never Knew

The Nationa Newspaper"s journalist kidnapped in Abia

The Umuahia, Abia State Correspondent of The Nation Newspapers, Mr. Ugochukwu Eke, has been kidnapped.

According to a family source, the incident occurred around 7:30 pm on Sunday at his family house located at  Ogbor Hill Aba.

Eke who went to visit his family over the weekend, was said to be driving into his compound when suddenly the hoodlums pounced on him and dragged him out of his car into a waiting to an unknown destination.

A family source said contact had been established with his abductors who are demanding a ransom of N20 million.

Commissioner for Petroleum and alternate Commissioner for Information, Chief Don Ubani who confirmed the incident described it as very unfortunate.

He expressed worry that a journalist who has been contributing his quota to the development of the society would be the target of kidnappers.

His words: ” He is not a man of extreme wealth , just a middle class man who constitutes no threat to anybody.”

He regretted that the incident occurred at a time when government had successfully flushed out kidnappers that once terrorized the state around 2009.

The Commissioner said the security agencies had been alerted , and were working assiduously to rescue him.

He said government would do every thing within its powers to ensure that Eke is released unhurt.

The Chairman of the Abia State Nigeria Union of Journalists, John Emejor , appealed to Eke’s abductors to quickly release him .

He also appealed to the state government to stop at nothing in facilitating the early release of the victim.

Similarly, the Chairman, Correspondents Chapel of NUJ, Abia State, Mr. Emma Ugwu, expressed shock over the incident, and said journalists could not afford to operate in fear as the 2015 elections set in.

He urged for prayers among  members of the public for divine intervention so that the kidnapped journalist could reunite with members of his traumatized family.

Meanwhile, efforts to contact the state police command for confirmation were not successful as the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Geoffrey Ogbonna refused to pick his calls.

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The Nationa Newspaper"s journalist kidnapped in Abia