The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: Ebonyi

  • Police Bust Child-Trafficking Syndicate In Ebonyi, Rescue Three Children

    Police Bust Child-Trafficking Syndicate In Ebonyi, Rescue Three Children

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Ebonyi State Police Command has dismantled an alleged child-trafficking syndicate operating across parts of the South-East, arresting several suspects and rescuing three children believed to have been illegally transferred under the guise of adoption.

    The breakthrough followed investigations into multiple cases of child abduction and alleged fraudulent adoption arrangements, according to a statement issued by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, in Abakaliki on Thursday.

    The investigation began in May 2026 after a woman, Ngwe Ukamaka, reported that her two children, a five-month-old baby and an 11-year-old child, had been abducted.

    Police said the victim was allegedly lured to Awgu, Enugu State, by individuals who claimed to be arranging a meeting with her prospective in-laws.

    According to the police, the suspects asked Ukamaka to visit a salon to have her hair styled and used her absence to take away the two children.

    The investigation later led to the arrest of four suspects identified as Agu Okechukwu, Ndidi Kenneth Nwanga, Ugonma Igwe and Alagba Chinyere.

    Police said the suspects were linked to another case involving a woman, Oluchi Onah, who was allegedly deceived with a fake job offer in Enugu and persuaded to bring her two-year-old child along.

    The command alleged that Ndidi took custody of the child while Agu accompanied Onah to a salon under the pretext of helping her get her hair done before abandoning her there.

    The child was later traced and rescued by detectives and reunited with the family.

    Police investigations subsequently led operatives to Okigwe, Imo State, where they raided a suspected hideout and arrested Benedicta Umeh, also known as Nwanyi Okigwe, as well as Obinna Nwankpa and Mmekadinma Oledibe.

    During the operation, detectives recovered a three-year-old child who police said had allegedly been sold by Umeh to Mmekadinma for N2.5m.

    Further investigation resulted in the arrest of Favour Chukwu and Ugochukwu Nwankpa, who were allegedly involved in child-snatching operations in Isu Community, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, and another case in Enugu.

    Police said the suspects allegedly admitted to drugging a woman around the Holy Ghost area of Enugu before taking her baby.

    According to the command, the suspects claimed the child belonged to a woman living with mental health challenges and that sleeping pills had been secretly added to her food before the baby was taken.

    The investigation also uncovered alleged involvement of two social welfare officers, Ebere Anayo and Chinyere Nwakanma, attached to Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State.

    The officers were arrested over allegations that they helped produce documentation purportedly used to legitimise illegal foster arrangements and child sales.

    Police said another suspect, Franca Omire, was arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on September 27.

    The operation also led to the recovery of Ukamaka’s five-month-old son, who had allegedly been abducted in May.

    Omire reportedly told investigators that she believed she was participating in a legitimate adoption arrangement after Benedicta Umeh allegedly represented her organisation as a genuine orphanage working with the Obowo Social Welfare Office.

    She reportedly claimed that she paid ₦2.5m in July 2026 and received what appeared to be official adoption documents.

    The police said efforts were still ongoing to locate and rescue Ukamaka’s 11-year-old child.

    The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, commended the officers involved in the investigation and vowed to pursue other individuals allegedly connected to the trafficking network.

    “The Command will remain relentless in pursuing every individual connected to these heinous acts,” Okafor said.

    “Anyone involved in child stealing and human trafficking in Ebonyi State will face the full weight of the law.”

    The command also advised prospective adoptive and foster parents to use only legally recognised government channels for such processes.

    It warned members of the public against relying on informal arrangements, private intermediaries or questionable documentation when seeking to adopt or foster children.

  • NDLEA Arrests Mexican Suspect, Dismantles Meth Lab in Ebonyi

    NDLEA Arrests Mexican Suspect, Dismantles Meth Lab in Ebonyi

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a Mexican national allegedly linked to a transnational methamphetamine syndicate and uncovered an industrial-scale clandestine laboratory in Ebonyi State.

    The suspect, identified as Mexican national Arturo Carrera Loaiza, was arrested on August 19, 2026, while allegedly attempting to leave Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

    The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed the development on Tuesday during a briefing with journalists in Lagos.

    Marwa, represented by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the arrest followed months of investigation into a transnational drug network suspected of establishing methamphetamine laboratories in different parts of Nigeria.

    He said the investigation was connected to earlier operations in Ogun and Oyo states, where several Mexican nationals and Nigerians had been arrested.

    According to him, NDLEA operatives on May 16 arrested three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians at a forest location in Ogun State.

    Another Mexican national, 56-year-old Jose Villa Ochoa, and four Nigerians were later arrested on June 17 at a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in a forest area in Tapa village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State.

    Marwa said investigations by the agency’s Special Operations Unit revealed that Ochoa allegedly identified Loaiza as the person who recruited him and brought him to Nigeria.

    He said international cooperation enabled investigators to obtain a photograph of Loaiza, which Ochoa allegedly identified during questioning.

    Further intelligence indicated that Loaiza arrived in Nigeria on June 10 alongside another Mexican national, Jose Ceballos Perez.

    Marwa said Loaiza was eventually tracked to the Lagos airport, where he was arrested while allegedly trying to leave the country.

    During interrogation, the suspect reportedly claimed that he came to Nigeria to establish a restaurant business and denied involvement in the production of methamphetamine.

    However, investigators allegedly recovered photographs showing him wearing a laboratory coat and standing beside equipment suspected to have been used in methamphetamine production.

    According to Marwa, forensic analysis of metadata from the photographs led investigators to a property under construction in Isiata Ugoni Okposi, Ebonyi State.

    A subsequent operation at the property on August 30 reportedly uncovered suspicious structures, chemical odours and other indications of possible illicit drug production.

    Marwa said analysis of CCTV footage recovered from the premises allegedly showed Loaiza and a Nigerian suspect, John Samuel Ivo Okike, moving chemicals and laboratory equipment from the property.

    Further intelligence reportedly led NDLEA operatives to another building, where additional chemicals and equipment suspected to be connected to methamphetamine production were recovered.

    Items recovered included acetone, toluene, hydrochloric acid, ethanol, P2B, tartaric acid, condensing units, fabricated reaction pots, weighing scales, gas burners and a laboratory coat allegedly linked to the suspects.

    The NDLEA chairman said CCTV footage, forensic findings and witness accounts had provided additional evidence as investigators continued efforts to establish the activities of the suspected syndicate.

    Marwa warned that the agency would not allow Nigeria to become a base for international drug cartels seeking to establish clandestine laboratories in rural communities.

    He said the arrest of Loaiza and the discovery of the Ebonyi facility, coming after similar operations in Ogun and Oyo, demonstrated the agency’s efforts to use intelligence and forensic investigation to disrupt transnational drug networks.

    Marwa commended personnel from the NDLEA Special Operations Unit, Strike Force, Forensics Department and the Ogun, Oyo and Ebonyi State Commands for their roles in the operations.

    He said investigations were ongoing to identify and apprehend other alleged members, financiers and collaborators linked to the syndicate.

  • 2027: Ebonyi Govt Accuses Opposition of Campaign of Calumny Against Nwifuru

    2027: Ebonyi Govt Accuses Opposition of Campaign of Calumny Against Nwifuru

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Ebonyi State Government has accused opposition parties and their supporters of engaging in a campaign of calumny against Governor Francis Nwifuru ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    The government alleged that some opposition figures and individuals presenting themselves as civil society campaigners had resorted to abusive statements and inflammatory rhetoric against the governor and his administration.

    The allegation was made by the Special Assistant to Governor Nwifuru on Inter-party Affairs, Sunday Nwambam, who condemned what he described as an attempt to discredit the state government rather than engage in issue-based political campaigns.

    Nwambam said the political season should provide an opportunity for political parties and candidates to present their programmes to the electorate instead of making what he described as unsubstantiated allegations against the government.

    He accused some opposition actors of deliberately ignoring the achievements of the Nwifuru administration in infrastructure, education, security and economic empowerment.

    “Let me state, categorically, that what is going on in the state is not an issue-based campaign as expected, but a calculated attempt to destroy the state by those who have turned blind eyes to the quantum of achievements of the present administration in the area of road infrastructure, education, security, and economic empowerment,” he said.

    Nwambam maintained that political opponents had the right to criticise the administration and canvass support for their preferred candidates, but insisted that such activities must be conducted within the boundaries of the law.

    He said the governor’s administration was established under the Constitution and should be engaged through lawful and democratic means.

    “The administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru is an institution founded in the law of the land and, whether politics or not, must be preserved, protected, and engaged within the context of relevant laws and constitutional provisions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

    Highlighting some of the administration’s achievements, Nwambam said the state government had established universities at Ezza and Oferekpe and sponsored hundreds of Ebonyi indigenes for studies abroad.

    He also cited the government’s agricultural empowerment programmes, which he said had provided training and starter packs to thousands of beneficiaries.

    According to him, the administration has also implemented measures aimed at restoring peace in previously troubled communities while strengthening security across the state.

    Nwambam claimed that there had been no successful kidnapping or abduction incident in Ebonyi since Nwifuru assumed office, describing the development as evidence of the administration’s security efforts.

    He further pointed to the construction of smart schools across various local government areas and other government projects as evidence of the administration’s performance.

    The governor’s aide questioned the records of some opposition figures who, he alleged, were presenting themselves as alternatives to the current administration without adequately explaining their previous contributions to the state.

    He also criticised what he described as a pattern in which politicians allegedly return to the state during election periods with large convoys, before leaving after the elections.

    Nwambam’s comments came amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections and recent warnings concerning inflammatory political rhetoric.

    He expressed concern over what he described as an increase in abusive and incendiary statements in the state, saying such rhetoric could undermine peaceful political participation.

    The governor’s aide also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to enforce relevant provisions of the Electoral Act against individuals who engage in hate speech or incitement during political campaigns.

    “It is unfortunate that a high spate of campaign of calumny in Ebonyi State is coming on the heels of recent warnings by INEC to political parties and candidates on the use of abusive, inflammatory or threatening language during campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said.

    Nwambam called on INEC to ensure that anyone found to have violated applicable electoral laws was held accountable.

    “As part of efforts to curb toxic political rhetoric, my office encourages INEC to ensure that those who violate relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 are subjected to the demands of the law,” he added.

    He cited Section 96(7) of the Electoral Act, claiming that a candidate convicted of using hate speech or inciting violence during campaigns could face a fine of up to N5 million, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both.

    The Ebonyi State Government has continued to defend the performance of the Nwifuru administration as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.

    The opposition parties in the state have yet to publicly respond to the allegations contained in Nwambam’s statement.

  • 2027: Ebonyi Doesn’t Belong to One Party, PDP Hits Back at Nwifuru

    2027: Ebonyi Doesn’t Belong to One Party, PDP Hits Back at Nwifuru

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State has said the state does not belong to any particular political party and urged residents to defend democratic pluralism.

    The party said they should also defend their constitutional right to choose their political leaders in 2027.

    Chukwuma Igwe, state chairman of the PDP, said this in a statement issued on Friday in Abakaliki.

    Gov Nwifuru’s ‘inciting’ remarks

    The PDP chairman was reacting to Governor Francis Nwifuru’s remarks at the inauguration of newly elected local government chairpersons and their deputies, where he threatened to remove the local official if the APC loses the 2027 elections in their council areas.

    “As a local government chairman, if you like, go and sleep so that another person will take over your house.

    “You will not stop us (APC) from winning. But when we win, we will remove you,” the governor told the newly inaugurated chairmen.

    The PDP chairman described the statement as a threat to democratic participation and political opposition in the state.

    “This is not a political banter; it is an open charge to visit official hostility upon citizens for no offence beyond their choice of party.

    “We regard this incitement for what it is: an invitation to bloodshed and avoidable hostility,” he said.

    Mr Chukwuma urged security agencies to discharge their responsibilities impartially and protect citizens irrespective of their political affiliations.

    He said the PDP would not be intimidated into silence, adding that the party would use lawful and constitutional means to defend its members, structures and democratic rights.

    “The Ebonyi State PDP will not fret, and we will not be intimidated into silence.

    “We reaffirm our resolve to resist, through every lawful and constitutional avenue open to us, any further assault upon our members or structures,” he said.

    The chairman called on democratic institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to pay attention to the political situation in Ebonyi ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    “Let it be known that Ebonyi State does not belong to one political party; its security architecture does not exist to serve one political entity; that principle is non-negotiable,” Mr Chukwuma said.

    He further said that the people should make the ultimate decision on the state’s leadership in 2027 through a free, fair, and credible electoral process.

    You’re our enemy if you aren’t in the APC – Local council chairman  

    Apparently inspired by Governor Nwifuru’s controversial remarks, the newly sworn-in Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Paul Ituma, a few days ago, warned opposition politicians to stay away from the council area ahead of the 2027 election or submit to his APC and the Ebonyi State governor

    A video clip which showed Mr Ituma making the remarks surfaced on social media on Wednesday, barely 24 hours after Governor Nwifuru threatenedto remove any chairman who fails to win his council area for the APC in the 2027 election.

    Speaking at a meeting after his inauguration, Mr Ituma said that anyone opposed to Governor Nwifuru or the APC had become his enemy and should stay away from Ohaukwu LGA.

    “Except maybe based on what the governor has said, the opposition wants to submit to us so that we can embrace them. Anybody who is not thinking in that direction should not come around Ohaukwu Local Government because Ohaukwu is cordoned off, and anybody who dares to do that will be declared persona non grata,” the chairman said.

    Continuing, he said: “Anybody who wants to bring sand to put in my garri should not come to Ohaukwu. Anybody who is fighting the governor of Ebonyi State is my enemy from today and will be treated like an enemy.” NAN

     

     

  • We are poised to transit from an opposition to a ruling party in Ebonyi – Oruruo, Ebonyi PDP Chairman

    We are poised to transit from an opposition to a ruling party in Ebonyi – Oruruo, Ebonyi PDP Chairman

    Pearl Acho-Osueke, Abakaliki

    Following his appointment as the Chairman of the 15-member Ebonyi State Peoples Democratic Party Caretaker Committee, Barr. Steve Oruruo has vowed to position the PDP to win further elections in the state.

    Oruruo made this known during a courtesy visit to the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, Augustina Ogbodo, recently, having made similar visits to the leadership of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Security Service (DSS) in the state.

    According to Oruruo, the strongest point or part of an opposition party was unity, noting that the people of the state were in dire need of an alternative party, and he said the PDP would fill the gap soon.

    “‘PDP has bounced back in Ebonyi. If you are passing through the secretariat, you will see signs that the party is bouncing back.

    “But the party must admit that it is an opposition party, and as an opposition party, they have to stay united. The strongest point or part of an opposition party is that sense of unison, that sense of oneness.

    “If they remain very strong, united, and in accord with a clear vision, they are going to triumph. So, our target is to provide a party that will run and win elections in Ebonyi.

    “We want a party that people can trust and say, Let their first eleven join this party and win elections for their people.

    “We want to create a plurality of opinion; we want a situation where people will have a chance to talk from another perspective. A society without an opposition party is deemed for life.

    “So, we need a vibrant opposition party to put pressure on the sitting government to even perform better. It serves the people well that we have a very strong PDP in the state,” Oruruo stated.

    Explaining that the police was a paramount partner to the PDP, he called for security in the activities of the party in the state.

    “We understand the magnitude of risk, sacrificial efforts and the overall collective benefits rising from the doorsteps of the Nigerian police force. Your exploits on the sand of time resonate with the ideals of our sustained democracy.

    “The leadership recruitment ideology and processes cannot be genuinely and creditably completed without the well-established ingenuity, dexterity and the manifest competences of the Nigerian police.

    “On this premise, I am convinced that we are partners in the quest for a better country.

    “Therefore, I have no doubt in my mind that we need a strong opposition in Ebonyi that can win elections and also pile pressure on the ruling party to perform better. So, I reiterate the truism that EBONYI needs a strong opposition to thrive.

    “We consequently demand that this command within this time provide us an enabling environment and necessary security protection in line with the dictates of the constitution, the Police Act and the rule of law”.

    Finally Oruruo promised to drive a process that will make the job of the Command easy.

    The CP while addressing the caretaker committee and thanking God, praised the resilient and courageous men and women of her command for the outstanding performances and the relatively peaceful atmosphere that the state has consistently enjoyed. She professed that there were no political interferences obstructing justice in her command.

    She promised to provide an enabling environment for every political party in the state to function optimally. She also promised to be fair and decisive in dealing with official matters without recourse to sentiments or biases of any kind.

    Pacesetter reports that the PDP secretariat in Abakaliki has become a beehive of activities following Steve Oruruo’s determination to reposition the party for good.

  • 2023: Peter Obi to hold Presidential rally at Ebonyi Township Stadium January 11

    2023: Peter Obi to hold Presidential rally at Ebonyi Township Stadium January 11

    Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, yesterday approved the request of the state chapter of Labour Party to use the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium in Abakaliki for it’s rally slated to hold on 11 January,2022.

    Presidential candidate of the Labour party, Mr. Peter Obi, and his team are expected in Ebonyi for his presidential rally next week.

    To ensure the success of the rally , the Governor instructed the Ministry of Youth and Sports to allow the party to use the stadium for the rally provided they fulfil the necessary requirements as outlined in his executive order.

    The Governor gave the instruction while addressing some Commissioners and heads of government agencies and departments at his country home on Thursday.

    The public officers were in the Governor’s home with their Staff on a Christmas and New year homage to the Governor.

    The Governor emphasized that no Political party should be denied access to government owned facilities for any lawful activity, provided they fulfil the demands of the existing Executive order in the State for the use of such facilities.

    “The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, the Labour Party applied that they want to use the stadium on the 11th.

    “They must be allowed to use it, but they must comply with my Executive Order.

    “No Party should be denied the use of our facilities, but the laws of the State must be obeyed” he said.

    Governor Umahi who used the occasion to commend some Ministries for their outstanding performance in 2022, also cautioned those found wanting to buckle up or risk sanctions.

    He admonished all political actors to always put the development of the State first in their actions, insisting that Ebonyi State will continue to fare better under a government by the All Progressives Congress at all levels.

    “I continue to say that our first interest is Ebonyi as a State, and our Party is APC, and there is nothing like vote here, and vote elsewhere in all the elections.”

    Addressing the forum of former Executive Assistants, Senior Technical Assistants and Technical Assistants, the Governor said he would ensure that any of them who merits it would be brought into the State Executive Council in the next Administration.

    He however prescribed the major criteria as their ability to win their polling units up to 90 percent for APC in the coming elections.

    “Some of the former STAs and TAs who worked very hard will make members of Exco in the next Administration.

    “To be qualified, you must show evidence of winning your polling unit with over 90 percent” he said.

    (Sun)

  • Troops raid terrorists camps in Enugu, Ebonyi, kill several members

    Troops raid terrorists camps in Enugu, Ebonyi, kill several members

    Troops of the Nigerian Army attached to the 82 Division have killed scores of members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) when they raided their camps at Amagu village, Nkalaha community in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    The operation was carried out in collaboration with the operatives of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), police and the Department of State Services (DSS) under Exercise GOLDEN DAWN II, on Monday.

    Army spokesman, Brig-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, who disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, explained that some members of the group that have been terrorising the South East escaped with bullet wounds.

    He said, ‘’During the raid operations, the troops came in contact with members of the dissident group, resulting in an exchange of fire. In the encounter, the gallant troops neutralised some of the irredentists, while others took to their heels abandoning the camp.’’

    ‘’The Nigerian Army also encourages members of the public to work harmoniously with the security agencies to collectively make the South East and the entire nation secured and peaceful,’’ he added.

    The Nigerian military in recent times has launched offensives against terrorists in different parts of the country with the outlawed groups recording heavy casualties.

    A few days ago in Zamfara, not fewer than 180 bandits were killed in airstrikes by the NAF. Over 60 civilians used as shields by the dissidents were also killed in the crossfire.

    Discoveries in South East

    Nwachukwu stated that the troops recovered 102 rounds of 7.62mm special, 2 pump action guns, 5 locally made rifles, 1 roll of detonator 27, quantity 24 detonators, 33 electrical cables, quantity 12 of type 36 hand grenades and 12 bags of substances suspected to be marijuana.

    He said the troops also recovered three motorcycles, 2 generators, 1 water pumping machine, military woodland camouflage and police uniforms.

    The army spokesman said the troops in another operation on the same date, while on routine patrol in Agubeji community in Enugu State arrested a suspect, one Mr Martins Abogwu, for conniving with IPOB/Eastern Security Network (ESN) elements to unleash attacks on innocent citizens.

    He said the suspect, who claimed he was the chief security officer of the community, was assisting in the preliminary investigations that followed and had led troops to their camp where a shallow grave containing two decomposing bodies were uncovered.

    ‘’One of the corpses has been identified as a member of the local vigilante, who was kidnapped about a month ago.

    ‘’The Nigerian Army reassures law abiding citizens of its unwavering resolve, in synergy with other services and security agencies to deny criminal elements the freedom of action and progressively rid the nation of identified threats to national security by executing its constitutional responsibilities in conformity with extant rules of engagement.

    In a related development, the Director of DSS in Imo State, Wilcox Idaminabo, has announced the arrest of kingpins behind the frequent attacks, especially the burning of offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state.

    He, however, did not specify the identity of the group.

    The police in Imo and Ebonyi recently identified IPOB as the masterminds of the burning of the INEC offices and the killing of residents for defying the sit-at-home order declared by the outlawed group.

    A few days ago, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, also raised the alarm that separatist groups in the country were working to disrupt the 2023 general elections.

    Baba, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General in charge of operations, Dandaura Mustapha, spoke on Friday when he appeared before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating attacks on the facilities of the INEC.

    The police chief said the attacks on the offices of the electoral body increased after the ban on political campaigns was lifted.

    Idaminabo, who spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof Sylvia Uchenna Agu, in Owerri, the state capital, said that the department would continue to work to ensure that peace was restored in the state.

    He said the department had also dislodged the camp at Orsu where the hoodlums had made their headquarters.

    He said the constant raid by operatives of DSS led to the arrest of one Mike Ahize, who is the leader of the hoodlums in Orsu.

    He said that the pounding of the hoodlums’ camp in Orsu had made them relocate to the Aku/Ihube axis along the Okigwe Expressway where they continued with their attacks.

    Ibidaminabo however expressed delight that another leader named Ejima was arrested Tuesday night.

    The DSS said, “We have continued to comb their camps and cells in Orsu, Njaba, Orlu and Okigwe and our onslaughts, especially at Njaba led to the arrest of one Ejima who has been threatening to burn down the state. I am happy to announce that just last night (Tuesday) we apprehended him and he’s now in our custody.

    “We also recovered a lot of arms, ammunition and charms from him.”

    Idaminabo appealed to residents to cooperate with security agencies to ensure that these hoodlums were arrested and made to face the law.

    ‘There’s a dangerous group in town’, NSCDC boss raises alarm

    The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has disclosed the presence of a ‘dangerous group’ in Nigeria causing mayhem.

    Audi disclosed this during the opening ceremony of the last Commandant General Conference for 2022 with zonal commanders and state commandants of the corps at the NSCDC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The CG said the group was identified through an intelligence report at the disposal of the corps.

    “There is a dangerous group in town. The members dress in security uniforms and they have started unleashing mayhem on the citizens. So, we have to buckle up and fish these people out,” Audi called on the top officers to live up to the expectations of the government by doing their job well.

    The CG, while noting that the nation would be heading into the general elections in a few weeks, said the conference would devise a strategy to end the destruction of the INEC’s facilities.

    He charged the zonal commanders and state commandants to work with sister agencies in ensuring the protection of government property and public infrastructures in their respective states.

    “We are going to hold commandants accountable if there is any attack on any INEC facility in their states,” Audi said. He charged them to concentrate more on intelligence gathering, stressing that preventing a crime was cheaper than solving it.

    (Daily Trust)

  • Police confirm killing of EbubeAgu operative in Ebonyi

     

    The Ebonyi State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Loveth Odah, said the incident occurred on Saturday night in Igweledeoha, Amagu, in Ikwo Local Government Area.

    According to her, the DPO of Ikwo Police Division said that he received a phone call from a source at Igweledeoha that one ESN operative had been murdered, that he was partially burnt by unknown persons in his beer parlour on Agubia Road.

    “The DPO said that he quickly mobilised a team of police operatives to the area but the culprits had deserted the place when they got there.

    “He said the corpse has been taken to the General Hospital for preservation and autopsy,” the police spokesperson said.

    According to the Police Spokesperson, two suspects had been arrested in connection with the crime.

    She said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Garba Aliyu, expressed dismay over the killing and promised to bring the perpetrators to book.

    Tension in Okigwe, Ehime in Imo

    Some of those who spoke to Vanguard from Okigwe town said it is almost becoming a daily occurrence.

    A bus driver, Ejike said that God will continue to protect people driving through Owerri- Okigwe road as many evil things are happening especially at night.

    “Small boys with guns will just stop you and collect your money.”

    Also, a former local government Chairman from Imo North Senatorial district, who does not want his name mentioned for security reasons told Vanguard: “Before it gets late on the security situations in Okigwe and the entire Imo North Senatorial district, I will advise the Imo State Commissioner of Police to move his men to Okigwe.

    “I beg the security agencies to come now and secure Okigwe zone before what happened in Orlu local government will start happening here. These bad boys are moving into our villages and towns. They are now committing armed robbery activities.

    “Every day, you hear bad stories about stealing from the market, snatching of vehicles or killings and sometimes, these hoodlums will come out and shoot indiscriminately to scare people and cause panic. I beg something should be done now.”

    An intelligence officer who spoke to Vanguard said it has been observed that the hoodlums who were displaced and dislodged by security agencies have relocated to Okigwe to form a camp.

    According to him, “We know that the reason Orlu was somehow quiet was that these hoodlums have moved to other areas especially Okigwe local government area.”

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.vanguardngr.com

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Local government chairman in Ebonyi and about 23 others Arrested by the State commissioner for police

     

    THE Ebonyi State Police Commissioner, Aliyu Garba, yesterday, arrested the Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state, Clement Odah; the lawmaker representing Ohaukwu North State Constituency, Chinedu,  his former Chief Press Secretary, CPS, and the current Special Assistant to the Governor on Market Development, Chief Emmanuel Uzor; and others over the recent killings and wanton destruction of properties that took place in Effium community over the weekend.

    Odah , the Ohaukwu council chairman was the person, who  ordered the arrest of  Vanguard reporter, Peter Okutu, in April, 2020 at Woodberry Hotel, Abakaliki, following a report on his claim of gruesome killing of his people by unknown assailants.

    Also arrested are 21 major stakeholders in the community including the Coordinator of Effium Development Centre, Sunday Agbo; his Effium South DC Counterpart, Eucharia Ogwale; and Chief Emmanuel Igwe, who is in charge of Parks Development.

    The former lawmaker Representing Ohaukwu North State Constituency and Governor Umahi’s Special Assistant on Youth Development, Frank Onwe was among those arrested.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Dr. Monday Uzor, had in a statement, yesterday, invited the stakeholders and appointees to an emergency security meeting following the violence that took place in the community on Friday and Saturday.

    The meeting which took place at Old Government House also had in attendance the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Anselm Neither, who is also from the community; Secretary to the State Government, Kenneth Ugba; and Commissioner for International Security and Conflict Resolution, Stanley Okoro Emegha.

    The invitees arrived at the venue of the meeting at 9pm and the meeting started with the Deputy Governor and Commissioner of Police in attendance.

    Vanguard learned that at about 10pm, some policemen in 10 vans entered the Government House from the Police Headquarters which is just across the road.

    The Police officers in the vans alighted and quickly surrounded the building where the meeting was taking place and moments later, the Commissioner of Police opened the door and ordered the Policemen to take 24 invitees away except the Chief Judge of the State.

    They were immediately taken to two waiting buses belonging to the Ministry of Internal Security from where they were driven to the States Police Headquarters.

    After their arrest, the CP, the Deputy Governor and other attendees entered their cars and left the venue.

    At the time of this report, the Deputy Governor and the Commissioner of Police were said to have departed to Effium to witness the level of destruction.

    Violence erupted in the community on Friday and continued on Saturday leading to deaths of some innocent members of the community.

    The Police on Saturday night said at least seven persons had been killed in the violence while no fewer than nine persons were injured.

    Houses, cars and other properties worth millions of naira were burnt and destroyed.

    Members of the community had fled to unknown destinations to seek refuge. Another source said many ran into the bush where they slept as the burning of houses and killings continued all through Saturday night.

    Mr Uzor told newsmen, yesterday morning that his house and those  of his relatives were also torched.

    He said he was yet to establish contact with his aged parents since yesterday when the community was deserted.

    The clash is an escalation of a leadership tussle in the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in the LGA as a faction of the Union made up of Effium indigenes of Korri extraction clashed with another faction made up of Effium indigenes of Ezra extraction at the park.

    The clashes spilled into the community leading to casualties on both sides.

    Those arrested must be prosecuted  —PDP

    Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, weekend stated that all those arrested in connection with the violence at Effium Community must be prosecuted in line with the laws of the land.

    Ebonyi State  Publicity Secretary of the party, Barr. Silas Joseph Onu,  in statement said that the party would not keep quiet until justice is served.

    “We will be keeping up with the investigation of this heinous atrocious attack on innocent people and will not keep quiet should the investigation be shoddy or swept under the carpet. Every action has consequences. If these ones have done what led to the murderous activities in Ohaukwu, they must face the law as required – no one is above the law”

    Onu alleged that the entire violence that took place in the affected Community were “being orchestrated and sustained by officials of the Ebonyi State government who all answer to the Governor.”

    The statement read in part: “The PDP in Ebonyi State is saddened as innocent lives were lost, properties worth hundreds of millions were destroyed in Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State, all because of the need of government to control small town unions and transport unions in Ebonyi State.

    “We thank the newly deployed Commissioner of Police for swiftly ensuring that the State agents who have become laws onto themselves have been duly apprehended.

    “With the arrest of the Chairman, Ohaukwu LGA – Clement Idaho; the member Representing Ohaukwu North State Constituency – Hon. Chinedu Awo; the two Coordinators from Effium Development Centres – Sunday Agbo and Eucharia Ogwale, respectively – including many other past and present appointees of this government, it is safe to assert that the government knows more than what is being seen or heard. Therefore, the government must be held responsible for all these needless deaths and wanton destructions.”

    Confirming the arrest of suspects, Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Garba added that investigation was still on to ascertain those behind the dastardly act.

    “Actually it was my first litmus but like I told you normalcy has been restored, we have lots of them that have been arrested and investigations are ongoing”

    Aliyu who visited the scene said normalcy had been restored as police operatives and personnel from sister agencies have been deployed to the community.

     

     

    Source: www.vanguardngr.com