The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: imo

  • Atiku Demands Urgent Rescue Of Abducted Prospective Corps Members

    Atiku Demands Urgent Rescue Of Abducted Prospective Corps Members

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Federal Government, Imo State Government and security agencies to urgently secure the release of prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in the state.

    Atiku made the call on Monday in a post on X, describing the abduction as “heartbreaking” and urging authorities to ensure that all those still in captivity return home safely.

    The incident occurred on Thursday, October 1, when gunmen attacked two commercial buses carrying prospective corps members along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in the Umunoha area of Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

    The victims were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when the attackers struck at about 6:30am.

    According to Atiku, some of the abducted travellers had been rescued, while others remained in captivity.

    “The abduction of 20 travellers, including prospective corps members, in Imo State is heartbreaking. Some have been rescued, but others remain in captivity,” he said.

    “I urge the Federal and Imo State governments, and all security agencies, to act with urgency and bring everyone still being held home safely.”

    The Imo State Police Command initially reported that 10 passengers had been rescued and the two buses recovered, while other passengers were still missing. However, accounts from families later indicated that 20 prospective corps members were among those being held by the abductors.

    Security agencies have since intensified efforts to locate and rescue the victims.

    The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, alongside two commissioners of police, to coordinate the operation.

    The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, also disclosed that security operatives had traced the suspected kidnappers to a bush hideout through intelligence gathering and drone surveillance.

    The planned assault on the hideout was reportedly delayed after intelligence indicated that the area had been fitted with improvised explosive devices. Security agencies are expected to deploy specialised equipment to safely access the location.

    Atiku also raised concerns over the continued captivity of schoolchildren abducted from Mussa and Lassa communities in Borno State.

    He said more than 70 pupils and students abducted from the two communities remained in captivity, adding that their families deserved regular updates on efforts to secure their release.

    The Mussa incident occurred on May 15 when suspected insurgents attacked schools in the Askira/Uba Local Government Area and abducted dozens of children. The number of missing pupils has varied, with the Borno State Government previously putting the figure at about 44.

    On June 29, suspected insurgents attacked Government Day Secondary School in Lassa while students were taking their National Examinations Council examinations. Ten students were rescued during an immediate military operation, while subsequent reports indicated that 36 students and a teacher remained in captivity.

    By late September, the Borno State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria was calling for the rescue of 78 schoolchildren from Mussa and Lassa who had spent more than 100 days in captivity.

    Families and community leaders have repeatedly called for stronger government action to secure the release of the children.

    Atiku also criticised the security record of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, arguing that Nigerians remained vulnerable to attacks on roads, in communities and around schools despite previous assurances that funds saved from the removal of the fuel subsidy would strengthen national security.

    He said the insecurity affecting young Nigerians extended from attacks on students to the abduction of prospective corps members travelling to orientation camps.

    The ADC presidential candidate also questioned the award of pipeline security contracts to companies he described as politically connected, arguing that the government’s primary responsibility should be the protection of lives and property.

  • Imo explosion: Buhari orders clampdown on illegal refineries

    President Muhammadu Buhari has described the explosion that rocked an illegal crude oil refinery in Abaezi forest in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State as a national disaster,.

    He, therefore, directed the armed forces, security and intelligence agencies to intensify clampdown on illegal refineries following reported deaths of tens of people in the disaster.

    According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari said responsibility for the loss of lives and property must squarely lie with the sponsors of the illegal refinery, “who must all be caught and made to face justice.”

    Conveying his condolences and the full depth and range of the nation’s shock and trauma, to the families of the victims, the Ohaji Egbema community, and the government and people of Imo State, the president urged community leaders, the police, and the secret service not to allow occurrence of the heart-breaking incident in any part of the country again.

    (Sun)

  • Imo APC crisis: Okorocha and Uzodimma faction lay claim on chairmanship

    Crisis is brewing among the members of the Imo state chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, as Daniel Nwafor, led faction, loyal to former governor Rochas Okorocha said he would still conduct the activities of the APC in the state, as the chairman.

    Nwafor’s statement came through his Acting Publicity Secretary, Micheal Anyanwu, on Monday in Owerri, while reacting to the statement by Macdonald Ebere’s camp jubilating that Ebere “is now the authentic chairman of APC in Imo.”

    Nwafor boasted that “We implore the National leadership of our great party to respect and uphold the democratic ethos, norms and values of for which our party is renowned.

    “While we are not perturbed by the triviality jamboree and fanfare of February, 3, it is important to clarify that the authentic, duly elected legally recognised and competent chairman of our great party in Imo State remains Daniel Nwafor.”

    “Existing judgements delivered by courts of competent jurisdiction in favour authenticated the Nwafor- led State Working Committee as the properly constituted and lawful leadership and executives of our great party in the State.

    “The judgement unless upturned by the supreme court is still standing. And ruled that not even the NEC of our party can truncate our lawful tenure until completed,” Nwafor said.

     

    (Vanguard)

  • Hope Uzodimma plans Imo Stakeholders Meeting

     

    All is set for the Imo State Stakeholders meeting scheduled to hold on Tuesday, 4th January 2022 at Sam Mbakwe Exco Chambers, Government House, Owerri as all relevant stakeholders have been invited and Imolites expectant of the outcome.

     

    In running all-inclusive governance, His Excellency the Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma had upon resumption of office, announced a routine Stakeholders Meeting with Ndi Imo across the board.

     

    The meeting which is in series presents an opportunity for the Governor of Imo State to account to Ndi Imo the activities and direction of the Government in fast-tracking development to the State and as well, a discussion on the recent events in the State.

     

    The Governor has kept to his pledge of running an all-inclusive Government with transparency to the people. The meeting usually held periodically has greatly contributed to the policies and programs of the administration as reactions from the participants are usually taken into account afterwards by the Government.

     

    This Edition is filled with intrigues and suspense especially with the hint from His Excellency on the announcement, on that day, of the sponsors of insecurity in the State and subsequent prosecution. As preparations remain on top gear, Imolites home and abroad remain glued to the commencement of the event for revelations.

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.vanguardngr.com

  • Gunmen attack commissioner for entrepreneurship, shoots him on his hands and leg

    Fresh facts emerged on Monday on how gunmen shot the Imo State Commissioner for Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition, Iyke Ume.

     

    The PUNCH had reported that there was panic in Owerri, the state capital, as gunmen shot no fewer than four motorists in a Sunday night robbery attack.

     

    The incident happened at Orji, on Owerri- Okigwe Road very close to the Orji Divisional Police Headquarters.

     

    One of the motorists who was shot was driving an unmarked security vehicle.

     

    He was driving in the vehicle, when they double crossed him, shot him before attacking other vehicles, including commercial buses.

     

    The incident caused abrupt end to commercial activities within the area as people, including those drinking at nearby bars who scampered for safety.

     

    Investigation by The PUNCH revealed that the commissioner was riding with the Special Adviser on Inter Party Affairs, Domic Uzowuru, to his home in Orji, when the armed robbers double-crossed him and shot him on his leg and hand.

     

     

     

    Investigation by our correspondent also revealed that the attacked commissioner was shot while dropping Uzowuru at his house in Orji after a service of song with another commissioner.

     

    When contacted, the special adviser to the governor on Inter-Party Affairs, Dominic Uzowuru, confirmed that the Commissioner was shot.

     

    He said, “I was not shot. The Commissioner was shot. My phone and that of the commissioners were snatched. We were coming from a service of song of one of us, Austin Nnawuihe. He was dropping me when the robbers struck. I am fine to the glory of God.”

     

    When contacted, the Police spokesperson, Orlando Ikeokwu, said that the victims were evacuated to the Federal Medical Center, Owerri, by the police

  • Imo Crisis: Okorocha Alleges assassination attempt of his Injured son in law, says He will be flown Abroad for treatment

    Son-in-law to former Governor of Imo State, Dr. Uzor Anwuka, who was allegedly shot in Owerri, the Imo State capital, when suspected hoodlums attacked the former Governor, will be flown abroad for treatment after three failed surgeries.

     

    Uzor, an American trained medical doctor, was shot on the left leg by the hoodlums.

     

    Okorocha, who is also the Senator representing Imo West, was attacked when he attempted to unseal one of his properties, the Royal Spring Palm Hotel, seized by the State Government.

     

    Speaking when the former Governor visited him in the hospital, Uzor said he had undergone three surgeries without any improvement.

     

    According to him: “On the day of the incident my father-in-law called me that he was in Owerri to see his seized property and I drove down their to see him.

     

    Read Also: Okorocha, Uzodimma feud: Anxiety in Imo as elite take sides

    “On getting there, I saw a crowd of thugs. They had guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons, they started harassing everyone including my father-in-law (Okorocha).

     

    “It was when they were asked to round us up that they started shooting. I made to climb the fence but I was hit by bullet and I fell into the bush and I was there for several hours before I was rescued and brought to the hospital.

     

    “I have been in this hospital for six days and my leg have been operated three times but it is not getting better. So I will be going out to get a better treatment”.

     

    Describing the attack as sad, Okorocha, said it was an assasination attempt on his life, stating that his major concern is to save his son-in-law.

     

    “What I am concerned now is about is life, I thank God that he is alive but the report I am getting from the hospital is not quite pleasing regarding the three surgeries so far conducted since his arrival and we are hoping that he should be flown out of the country immediately for further examination.

     

    ” It is really sad, this is an assasination attempt, but I thank God he is alive. We’ve concluded arrangements with the hospital to move him out because they are suggesting that he may need some transplant, to cut some part, but we are hoping it will get better”.

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.thenationonline.

  • Clash Between Uzodimma and Okorocha, Imo statemen sue for peace

    Some Imo elder statesmen have expressed concern over the face-off between Governor Hope Uzodimma and Senator Rochas Okorocha, with a call on citizens not to allow the tension degenerate into breakdown of law and order.

    Okorocha, who is the Senator representing Imo West at the National Assembly, was arrested on the order of the state government for forcibly breaking into a property the government had sealed.

    Okorocha had reportedly led his group to the Royal Spring Palm Hotel and Apartments sealed last Friday by Imo Sate Government, cleared the security vehicles mounted in front of the entry to guard against trespassers, destroyed the padlock that sealed the property and moved in with his supporters.

    The multiple storey building, located in the Akachi axis was allegedly built by Nkechi, wife of the former governor.. It was gathered that last Friday, the state’s Commissioner for lands, Enyinnaya Onuegbu, had led some government officials to seal the premises in compliance with the recommendations of a judicial panel set up by Governor Hope Uzodimma that looked into lands illegally acquired between 2006 and May 2019.

    The face-off that ensued led to the arrest of the former governor and his 14 supporters by the police. By Monday, the police arraigned Okorocha’s supporters in court where they were granted bail in the sum of N70 million by Magistrate B.U Adike. Okorocha was not arraigned.

    But, in a statement on the incident, a group of elder statesmen under the auspices of Concerned Imo Elder Statesmen condemned what they referred to as “Senator Okorocha’s unlawful entry into the premises of Royal Spring Palm Estate already taken possession of by the Imo State government after due process, as outlined above.”

    The statement was endorsed by the Obi of Obinugwu, Eze C.I. Illomuanya, Chancellor, Federal University, Birinin Kebi, Kebbi State; Chief Ralph Obioha (Okpuruisi Zuruoha II); Rt. Hon Maxwell Duru (Omeudo Okigwe); Prince Lemmy Akakem (Okpata Ozuoha of Owerri) and Chief (Sir) Simon Udunka, a Commissioner under Governor Sam Mbakwe.

    The elders equally condemned Senator Okorocha’s action of personally leading unauthorized persons to break into the property, knowing full well that such an action is tantamount to challenging the authority of security agents that were lawfully deployed to guard the property; and that any possible clash arising there from may lead to a breach of public  peace.

     

     

    Source: sunnewsonline.com

  • I Sent Military to Prevent a Repeat of the End SARS Protest and not to Crush my People – Uzodimma

    Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma on Tuesday defended the airstrike in Orlu, saying it was not meant to “crush” his people but to prevent a repeat of last October’s #EndSARS protests in the state.

     

    Uzodimma explained that protests and the escalation of criminal activities that trailed the #EndSARS protests necessitated his invitation of the military.

     

    He particularly said the situation within Orlu axis had gone beyond what could be handled locally.

     

    The governor spoke with reporters after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.

     

    It was however unclear if the President summoned Uzodimma over his feud with the lawmaker representing Imo West Senatorial District, Owelle Rochas Okorocha as well as the military operation in Orlu or not.

     

    Read Also: Senator worried over hovering helicopters in Orlu

    Nigerian Air Force jets had last week raided parts of Orlu suspected to be hideouts of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the security arm of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

     

    Although IPOB denied the arrest of any of members in Orlu, The Nation gathered that nine ESN operatives were remanded last week at a correctional centre by Owerri Magistrate Court 16 for murder.

     

    Uzodimma, who fielded questions from the State House reporters said: “Well, the issue of bringing the military to Imo state is simple. You recall, during the #EndSARS protests that a lot of properties were damaged in Imo State; police stations were burnt down, soldiers were killed and their rifles removed from them.

     

    “And immediately after the #EndSARS, we thought it was over. Then, issues of kidnapping came. You know a Catholic bishop was kidnapped and killed. And these militants came out and began to shoot. We’ve lost lives, market women were killed, old women were raped in Orlu area and they visited this serious terror on the citizenry.

     

    “I came here (Presidential Villa), pleaded with Mr. President for his support and he sent additional police support. The military also came in.

     

    “It was on my invitation that the military came. And I did that because I know the situation was beyond the local arrangement. We needed help and it was given to us.

     

    “I speak to you, the situation has come down to normal. People are now going about their businesses. And those caught will soon be charged to court. And all those military riffles, AK 47 and so on were recovered by the people that came.

     

    “As a government, it is our responsibility to protect lives. We had security challenges and we invited the military.”

     

    The governor also rejected insinuations that he used the military to pound his people, unlike some of his colleagues negotiating with bandits to solve their security problem.

     

    According to him, he did not use the military to ‘crush’ people in Orlu, but to restore normalcy.

     

    He added: “It is not about crushing anybody and those that came didn’t do any crushing. Those that came through their intelligence identified where these people were and I can tell you, all the people arrested, all the rifles recovered are intact. The people are under interrogation, not even one, not even one soldier, or one of those militants died in the process.

     

    Let nobody politicise it. I have a responsibility to protect the lives of my people.”

     

    The governor said he informed “Mr. President that our government was already making progress.

     

    “Some people may be negotiating with Boko Haram but God knows if I have the opportunity to see any man who is taking lives, I will confront the person head-on. That is why we are government.”

     

     

     

    Source: www.thenationonline

  • Estate linked to Okorocha’s wife sealed by Imo government

     

    The Imo State Government has sealed Royal Palm Estate, a property linked to Nkechi Okorocha, the wife of a former governor of the State, Rochas Okorocha,  in the Akachi axis of Owerri, the state capital.

     

    Okorocha, who now represents Imo West at the Senate, was the governor of the state between 2011 and 2019.

     

    The Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Physical Planning Development, Enyinnaya Onuegbu, who supervised the sealing of the estate on Friday, announced that the state government had recovered the property.

     

    Onuegbu stated that closing the estate was consonant with the directive of the Imo State gazette on the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Recovery of Lands and Related Matters belonging to the state government.

     

    The commissioner added that the Governor Hope Uzodinma-led state government was passionate about recovering assets belonging to the state and its people allegedly looted by past administrations.

     

    Okorocha, in his response through his spokesperson, Sam Onwuemeodo, said Uzodinma was running away from real issues of governance staring him in the face.

     

    Onwuemeodo added that instead of fighting insecurity and implementing the payment of workers’ salaries, the governor had declared war on Okorocha, who he said was not fighting back.

     

     

    Source: www.punchng.net

  • ORLU: Eastern Union Congress condemns Orlu killings gives, Government one month to set up judicial panel

     

    Eastern Union Congress (EUC), a think-tank for the peoples of the old Eastern Region, now South East and South South, has condemned the handling of a recent mayhem in Orlu by Imo State Government and security agencies.

    EUC regretted the death toll and burning of property in Orlu attributed to members of security agencies in their alleged search for members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

    The group demanded the Federal Government constitute an independent judicial panel to examine the causes of the crisis and recommend punishment for those found culpable within a month from now or risked being dragged to the international community.

    “The EUC sees the continuing massacre of innocent citizens in the South East, at the least provocation, as part of a wider subjugation agenda and subtle continuation of the Nigerian-Biafran War of 1967 to 1970, which was waged by the Nigerian Federal Government and its allies against the predominantly Christian eastern region.

    “The EUC is concerned that the security agencies, which are maintained with tax payers’ money, have mastered the art of attacking innocent civilians in the streets. Indeed, EUC is alarmed by anathema of the regular resort to scorched-earth strategy, collateral damage and fear-mongering in every civil unrest internal security operations in the South East. The EUC notes that there is no other part of Nigeria where this type of operational rule book is applied other than the South East, not even the insurgency affected North East. The South East is not at war with Nigeria. This approach must stop.”

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

  • Orlu disturbances: We are determined to prevent our people from being victims of Nigeria’s circumstances – Ohanaeze

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday, said it will resist attempts to make the Igbo victims of circumstances or violence in Nigeria.

     

    It noted with agony the recent disturbances in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State which resulted in loss of lives and properties as well as caused immense hardship to the citizens of Orlu Senatorial Zone and others.

     

    The apex Igbo organisation, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alex Ogbonnia, said:

     

    “The present administration of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is determined to prevent our people from being victims of Nigeria’s circumstances and history of violence which they did not create nor can they alone control. Ndigbo, as the President General said, are builders and not nation wreckers/destroyers.”

     

    The group, therefore, called on Orlu people to remain calm.

    “We want to appreciate the quick response of Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, and all the Imo State security apparatus, who, with the cooperation of Federal Government authorities, contained and controlled this tragic event from escalating. The Imo state government’s quick action and decision on a dusk to dawn curfew and withdrawal of the army brought about relative peace to Orlu Zone and its environs.

     

    “We must recall that the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in his maiden press conference in Enugu on 20th day of January 2021, categorically stated that Ndigbo are not at war with Nigeria and had nothing pending before any institutional authority that demands a separate existence from Nigeria.

     

    “Ohanaeze Ndigbo advises the people of Orlu Zone to remain calm and law abiding. And for those of us who misinterpret our tragic history, the Late Chukwuemeka Odumegbu Ojukwu’s statement that ‘the bone shall rise’ did not mean ‘conflict, violence and war’ but, indeed, means that Ndigbo should continue with their history of being creative and constructive in their engagements with the rest of Nigeria.

     

    “There is absolutely no cause, no goal, no national objectives that Ndigbo can achieve or is worthy of further loss of lives of our youths and others both in Igboland and beyond. Ohanaeze Ndigbo feels strongly that we should and we must continue our struggle for justice, equity and fairness with emphasis on options that are more likely to achieve those objectives without making our people experience the kind of wanton destructions and loss of lives that Igboland has experienced in the past, the group said.

     

    In another development, Ohanaeze congratulated the newly appointed service chiefs.

     

    But, however, decried the continued exclusion of South East the the nation’s security council.

     

    President General of Ohanaeze, George Obiozor stated: “We, particularly, thank Mr. President for the appointment of Major General Lucky Irabor a tested General and a gentleman. However, Mr. President, one way of ensuring compliance with federal character provision of the Nigerian constitution is to observe the distribution of important and vital offices of the Federal Government in accordance with the zonal structure.

     

    “Mr. President, particularly, in the area of the security architecture of the country, the South East zone which was conspicuously absent in your first term has now again not been included so far in your recent appointment of service chiefs.

     

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo hopes and believes that Mr. President in continuation of appointments in this sector would consider the South East zone.”

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com