Three hoodlums were reportedly killed early Monday morning in a failed attack on Imo State headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Owerri.
The invaders who were many in number were reportedly repelled by security agents with the help of local vigilante.
Three of the hoodlums were said to have been killed, while one of them was captured alive.
Our source said the fleeing gunmen abandoned their vehicle somewhere at Ogbaku.
As at the time of this report the Police and vigilante men are still on the tail of the miscreants.
Prof Chukwuma Soludo has said that his government is making every effort to ensure that Anambra is secured during the forthcoming Christmas celebration.
The governor said that besides checkpoints and security patrols, it is also using technology and putting in place hitch-free call mechanisms, to ensure people report criminals timely for necessary and prompt actions.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Christian Aburime in a press release on the governor’s behalf dismissed a viral message circulating in the state, which has warned Christmas returnees to avoid certain roads as they have been taken over by criminals.
He said: “The state will be using technology to make it possible for people to make distress calls and share messages, videos and otherwise, of incidents that will enhance security response and services.
“The toll free 112 call centre line is available 24/7 as well as the Police phone numbers – 07039194332 and 08039334002 and Anambra State Government Emergency Call lines – 07039896429, 09017280990, 09076237441, 08093175528, 09187514891, 09168041120 and 08124153139.
Well-meaning citizens should make calls to the lines for security or related matters.”
Speaking on the viral message, Aburime said: “The attention of Anambra State Government has been drawn to a viral message by an anonymous writer, insinuating insecurity in some parts of the state during the yuletide period.
“In the message, the author listed some roads and junctions which he/she warned returnees and visitors to the state to avoid for fear of attacks by gunmen. The information is mischievous, misleading and untrue.”
He added that: “The Governor remains focused on making Anambra State the safest state in Nigeria and no misleading information or mischievous write ups will stop him from achieving this.
“In line with this resolve, the Governor urges the good people of Anambra, residents and visitors to ignore any unfounded alarm meant to infuse fear in them or discourage them from visiting the state. These are idle engagements which the government has all that it takes to deal with.”
He insisted that measures are in place to ensure adequate security which include; use of checkpoints, patrol and response teams to cover various routes in the state, using a combined team of Anambra State Vigilante and security forces from conventional security agencies.
The Centre for the Promotion of Shari’a has rejected Muslim-Muslim ticket of any political party, calling on Nigerians to be committed to the core values of the leading faiths in Nigeria.
Speaking at a consultative meeting of Stakeholders of the Muslim Constituency in Northern Nigeria, the national coordinator, Centre for the Promotion of Shari’a, Aminu Inuwa Muhammad, said they are committed to the Islamic ideals of justice and fairness adding that Nigerians should reject the temptation of voting along religious line.
It is also imperative to task all presidential candidates to commit themselves to meeting the aspirations of Nigerians by guaranteeing peace and security of the country, thereby ensuring prosperity and unity of the citizens.
The Centre for the Promotion of Shari’a is committed to the Islamic ideals of justice and fairness to all. Hence it implores all Nigerians to reaffirm their commitment to the core values of the leading faiths in Nigeria and reject all attempts to discriminate against any presidential ticket based on religious identity.
Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, despite skepticism of a section of the international community, Nigeria has remained consistent in peaceful transfer of power especially in 2007 and 2015.
Nigerians have demonstrated their resilience and commitment in democracy. There have been serious threats to Nigeria’s corporate existence since the first military coup, the civil war and recent secessionists’ activities. Despite catastrophic predictions of a foreign-based organisation, the Nigerian State has survived.
“Like all previous transitions, the politicians have overheated the polity in preparation for 2023 elections. The Centre for the Promotion of Shari’a therefore decided to host a consultative meeting to dispassionately address these issues that are critical to the survival and peaceful co-existence of the country, and particularly as they affect the destiny of Islam and Muslims in Nigeria,” Muhammad said.
Emeka Emekesiri, the founder of the original Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has given reasons they are supporting Mr Peter Obi as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party. He also spoke on the 2023 general elections. Excerpts:
We understand that you and the late Justice Eze Ozobu, Dr Dozie Ikedife, Col. Achuzia, and other elders who started IPOB filed a case in the Federal High Court seeking for independence of Biafra. What is your position regarding the forthcoming Nigerian elections in 2023 and Peter Obi’s candidacy?
The case between Biafra and Nigeria in the Federal High Court, now in the Court of Appeal, does not stop the Nigerian general elections. We have made it clear that we are Biafrans by indigenous identity, but Nigerians by citizenship. Therefore, we have the right to participate in the Nigerian politics. It’s just like the Scottish people who are participating in the British politics even though they are still seeking for independence. Regarding the Peter Obi candidacy, we support Peter Obi, not because he is a Biafran by indigenous identity, but because he is the best and the most qualified candidate capable of salvaging the country now.
As the founder and vision bearer of the original IPOB, if Peter Obi wins the election and becomes the President of Nigeria, will you still continue with your agitation for the independence of Biafra?
It appears that you have not understood our message. Yes, of course, I am the founder and vision bearer of the original IPOB, but from your question I can see that you have not understood the vision of self-determination we preach.
What is your vision for the self-determination you preach?
For many years, the peoples of the nations that make up Nigeria have been confused about their country. Some said that Britain made a mistake by creating a country called Nigeria. Others said it was not a mistake, but the problem is the mistake of choosing bad leaders. Yet, another group said the problem is incompatibility of religion, culture and lifestyles of the people of the nations that make up the country. The Igbo people were confused. Some said they wanted Biafra and others said they wanted an Igbo man to rule as the Nigerian president. To this set of people, their mindset is the same mindset of those claiming that it is their turn to become the Nigerian president. In fact, with this mindset, every region of Nigeria is waiting for its turn to steal and loot the public funds. But looking at the whole problem, it was clear to me that the solution is not merely having an Igbo man as the president of Nigeria who will go as our own thief to steal and loot the public money as others have done from other regions, but a man who can restore peace and orderliness; a man who can enthrone righteousness and the fear of God in the land; a man who can create equity, justice and fairness in the land; a man who can create an enabling environment for everyone to achieve his or her potentials based on merits without regard to ethnicity or religion. It is my opinion that Peter Obi fits into the description of the man who can do these things I have mentioned.
Does it mean that if Peter Obi wins and becomes the Nigerian president, you have achieved your vision of self-determination?
It will be a starting point. If you look at the manifesto published recently by Peter Obi and his running mate, Datti Ahmed, you will notice that item number three is the restructuring of the Nigerian polity. The problem of Nigeria did not start today. Also, the confusion about the citizenship of Igbo people in Nigeria did not start today. These problems made me to embark upon a research work for seven years from 2004 to 2011 culminating in the writing of my book entitled, “Biafra or Nigerian Presidency- What the Igbos Want”, published in 2012. The book is the foundation for the Biafran struggle for self-determination. As God commanded in the scriptures, ‘write the vision on paper and make it plain, so that whoever reads it will understand it and run with it,’ I wrote the vision clearly in the book. Unfortunately, this generation does not love reading, but false propaganda and video games. In the book, I advocated for the restructuring of Nigeria into regional autonomy so that every region will govern itself and develop at its own pace in Nigeria just like the four nations that make up the United Kingdom. My team and I pursued this vision of self-determination starting with restructuring. We contacted some world powers that have investments in Nigeria until the pressure became too much for the Nigerian government and they agreed to restructure the country. You must have noticed that the item number two of the list of amendments of the Nigerian Constitution by the last Senate Committee on the Amendment of the Nigerian Constitution was restructuring and devolution of powers. It was included on the list of items because of our advocacy and pressure. Consequently, we presented our memorandum to the National Assembly to restructure Nigeria into regional governments. We maintained our indigenous identity. We made a strong submission that we are Biafrans by indigenous identity, but Nigerians by citizenship just as the people of Scotland are Scottish by indigenous identity, but British by citizenship. We are the only group that presented a memorandum to the National Assembly for the restructuring of Nigeria by devolution of power to the regions.
If Nigeria is restructured by devolution of power to the regions, would you have achieved your vision and goals?
This is also part of the process and the journey to freedom. The expectation of Nigerians for the political dispensation that will commence in 2023 is to have a new beginning. Some have described it as a new Nigeria. It is clear that the leaders of the people have betrayed the people in all nations that make up the country. Whether in churches or mosques, the leaders have betrayed the people and made merchandise of them. Nobody is safe, whether in the East, West, North or South. The people are held in captivity by both their political and religious leaders. Worse still, most of the leaders of the self-determination and freedom movements are worse than criminals and cultists parading themselves as freedom fighters. The whole nation is rotten. There is total moral bankruptcy. However, there is time for everything. God allowed us to experience the pains inflicted upon us by our political and religious leaders in churches and government so that we would be wiser. It appears that most of us are wiser now. The Lord God Almighty is giving us a second chance to repent from all our evil ways and return to him as a people. My message is for the nations that make up Nigeria. I hope you know that Nigeria is not a nation, but a conglomeration of many nations. These are the nations of the indigenous people that make up the country called Nigeria. All the ethnic nationalities in Nigeria are in bondage and crying for deliverance.
Are you saying that even if Peter Obi wins and becomes the Nigerian president, he cannot solve the problems of the various nations that make up Nigeria?
In the building of nations, God works in partnership with man. For this reason, he anoints men and women with special leadership abilities to build and govern the nations. In Jeremiah 1: 10, God said he raised the man over the nations “to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant”. The work of nation building requires pulling down and uprooting evils, and building and planting righteousness. Unfortunately, for all these years, most of our leaders in religion and government are the epitome of evils themselves. They are the sponsors of terrorism and destructions in the land. Any person given any leadership position must be bold and courageous to uproot evils and plant righteousness in the land. Some people have blamed Britain for creating Nigeria by mistake, but God said that all things work together for good to them that love God who are called according to his purpose. Even if Nigeria was a mistake, God can turn the mistake for our good. We have a part to play in pulling down and rooting out evils in the land and planting righteousness. The restructuring we are talking about is a total overhauling of Nigeria so that there will be righteousness, justice, fairness and equity in the Constitution that laid the foundation of Nigeria. The Nigerian Constitution is fraudulent. It was not made by the people, but imposed on the people for the benefit of the makers who control the power and resources of Nigeria. The Nigerian Constitution is the foundation of the country. If the foundation is not right, the whole superstructure will certainly collapse. Therefore, in the submission we made to the National Assembly, we advocated for the amendment of the Nigerian Constitution by changing Sections 2 and 3 which created the wrong foundation for Nigeria.
Could the amendment of the Nigerian Constitution the way you want it, mean that your vision of self-determination is achieved?
If Nigeria is restructured by way of devolution of powers to the six regions, we shall become like the Great Britain where there are four autonomous nations in one country. In future, any Region that wants outright independence shall pass the Bill of Referendum in the regional parliament for the people of the region to vote either Yes or No and decide whether to remain in Nigeria or pull out. We have an example in Great Britain where Mr Gordon Brown from Scotland was made the Prime Minister of The Great Britain, but the Scottish people continued to agitate for their total independence. They have conducted referendum two times and failed. They are planning for another referendum in 2023. We have not yet attained the status of regional autonomy. When we get to that stage, we shall decide what next. The 2023 election is a golden opportunity for all ethnic nationalities in Nigeria to be liberated from the bondage of political enslavement by the criminals occupying political offices in our land. It is not about tribe or religion. It is about national deliverance from the rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in the high places of governance. God is giving us a second chance. If we miss this opportunity to bring righteousness, truth, justice and fairness into the Nigerian System in 2023, there shall not be another chance.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike has carried out an unscheduled visit at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) Amaku, Awka.
Dr. Obidike expressed his displeasure on the attitude of 2 Medical Personnel that failed to discharge their duties at the female surgical ward of the hospitals.
He commended a Male Nurse from the Male Surgical Ward of the Hospital for rushing to the female Ward to assist the patients that were neglected by the 2 other Medical Personnel.
The Commissioner urged the Hospital Management to ensure they recognize the Male Nurse for his passion and dedication to duty.
According to him, this visit provides him the opportunity to know the commitment of Health workers in all the State owned Hospitals.
“This visit is in line with the vision of our Governor Charles Soludo in ensuring that our people enjoy quality, affordable and efficient quality healthcare delivery across the state.
“This type of visit has been our way of finding out things that are not normal in our hospitals and we must make things to work.” (MOI)
A late evening fire has destroyed some shops at the Ogbo Osisi Timber Market Bridgehead, Onitsha in Anambra State.
The cause of the fire can’t be ascertained as at press time but it was learnt that it started late in the evening on Saturday.
Confirming the incident in a statement, the Anambra State fire chief, Martin Agbili, said the men of the state fire service have been deployed in the fire scene.
“I have deployed our firefighters to the fire scene. They are there fighting the fire,” Agbili said.
The ministry of lands, physical planning and rural development in conjunction with Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), today, 9th of Dec. 2022, inaugurated the Awka Capital Territory Land Recovery Committee, under the chairmanship of Prof. Frank-Collins Okafor.
The committee amongst other things is charged with the responsibility of identifying all state-owned lands and properties that are currently in the possession/custody of private individuals, determining and recommending to the state government the best procedure to be adopted in recovering the said lands and properties.
The committee is also to develop and recommend a framework that would prevent further occurrences of such incidents.
The Commissioner of Lands, Prof. Offornze Amucheazi (SAN) and Mr. Ossy Onuko, MD/CEO ACTDA, conducted the inauguration.
Other members of the committee include; Barr. Nnaemeka Ugha, Chief Ben Okafor, Mr Emeka Oyeoka, Barr. Mrs Joy Gbanigo, Lucy Okeke, TPL. Ajuluchukwu Nwankwo and TPL. Charles Ekwunife (Secretary).
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - OCTOBER 20: FIFA World Cup Trophy is presented after the FIFA Executive Committee Meeting on October 20, 2011 in Zurich, Switzerland. During this third meeting of the year, held on two days, the FIFA Executive Committee will approve the match schedules for the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. (Photo by Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)
A first half goal was all the Atlas Lions of Morocco needed to dispatch the Portuguese national team in the ongoing world cup in Qatar.
The quarter-final encounter which took place at the Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday makes Morocco the first African team to progress to the semi finals of World Cup.
The North Africans scored the only goal of the encounter through Youssef En-Nesyri’s header, with the striker scoring his second goal of Qatar 2022 and third World Cup goal overall.
Portugal had the better chances in the early exchanges with Joao Felix seeing a flying header saved before seeing a shot deflected agonizingly wide of the top corner.
Morocco settled in thereafter and kept grafting towards attack before taking the lead minutes before half-time through En-Neyseri.
Morocco advanced into the semi-final for the first time in their World Cup history.
The Atlas Lions will square off with the winner of the tie between England and France on Wednesday night.
They also have the best defence record in the world cup as they haven’t conceded any goal since the tournament started and haven’t been scored in their last 17 matches.
Parts of Owerri, Mbaitoli and environs in Imo State came under attacks on Friday afternoon by gunmen who were enforcing sit-at-home order.
The gunmen struck at different locations and killed a policeman, Prince Iheme, elder brother to Nollywood superstar, Osita Iheme popularly known as Pawpaw.
The gunmen also macheted the state Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Martin Eke.
The gunmen who rode in Trundra operational vehicles shot indiscriminately forcing people to scamper for safety.
While businesses abruptly closed, the roads were deserted as motorists abandoned their vehicles and ran away.
At Orji, a community sharing boundary with the state capital, the gunmen wearing black clothes in three vehicles attacked residents and passersby, including policemen.
Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the gunmen met policemen at the 7Up junction at Orji and shot one cop dead.
He said, “They just killed a policeman now. They opened fire on them and were shouting, ‘There is sit-at-home. We have asked you to go home. Stay indoors.’”
Another eyewitness said, “I just escaped death now. They stopped before us and shot in the air and asked us to go home. They didn’t shoot at us maybe because I was in the midst of some elderly women.”
Our correspondent also gathered that the fleeing gunmen shot repeatedly at Nkwo Orji market before taking off towards Okigwe Road.
At Ubommiri in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, the gunmen attacked the convoy of the All Progressives Congress candidate for Mbaitoli/ Ikeduru Federal Constituency, Akarachi Amadi.
While Prince Iheme was killed on the spot, the state commissioner for Solid Minerals, Martin Eke, was cut with a machete.
An eyewitness who didn’t want to be mentioned said, “This attack is politically motivated. We just finished at one campaign rally ground and were heading to Ubommiri. Our convoy was attacked at Amawuihe before Ubommiri.
“Prince Iheme was riding in the same vehicle with the commissioner for solid minerals. Prince Iheme who is Pawpaw’s elder brother was killed on the spot. The commissioner who was sworn in two weeks ago was cut badly. He has just been rushed to a hospital. They were driving in a Ford SUV. I pray he makes it.”
The police spokesman for the command, Micheal Abattam, had yet to respond to an inquiry concerning the incidents.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has faulted the 48-hour ultimatum by the Department of State Services (DSS) to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and oil marketers to end the lingering fuel scarcity in the country over security threats.
DSS Spokesman, Peter Afunanya, on Thursday, stated that failure to make Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) available to Nigerians would prompt the services to activate its operations across the country.
However, Falana who made a live appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday described the ultimatum as an empty threat.
He stressed that the NNPC had the responsibility of supplying petroleum products to all parts of Nigeria, adding that if the organisation failed to carry out its duty, the Federal Government was obliged to call the officials to order and possibly relieve them of their responsibilities.
“(As) you know, every year, at the end of the year – once it is Christmas – there must be artificial supply of fuel,” he said. “The ultimatum will not work because there is no sanction for impunity in Nigeria.
“The State Security Service (SSS) does not operate under the law in Nigeria. It does its own thing. There is nobody to call the agency to order. They will know that it’s just an empty threat because nobody is going to be arrested and prosecuted to teach a lesson.
“The other day, toxic fuel was brought to Nigeria. The government promised, ‘We’re going to deal with them, it will never happen again.’ Was anybody arrested? Was anybody prosecuted? It’s the same thing because they know the people behind it. It’s like oil theft. They know them.”
Falana acknowledged the security concerns of the secret service, attributing the threat to economic sabotage. According to him, the continued presence of long queues at filling stations could lead to “serious security problems.
Citing the constitution, the senior lawyer noted that the police was saddled with the responsibility of maintaining internal security in the country.
In the event that the police cannot maintain adequate internal security, Falana said the president is empowered to call in the military.
“So, this agency is a secret agency required to submit reports: ‘We fear that there will be a threat to the security in Nigeria.’ And the president will then take appropriate action. We must run this country in line with the provisions of the law.
“That (enactment establishing the DSS) is a decree made by the military. But now, we have the constitution. Section 215 has imposed a duty on the police to maintain the internal security of the country.
“But what the SSS – not DSS; it is not a department of state security. It is not a department of the Presidency. It’s the State Security Service for all of us. That body is required to submit reports to the government: ‘This problem may lead to insecurity. What can we do very quickly?’ The internal security of our country is the role of the police,” he said.
Announcing the 48-hour ultimatum on Thursday, the DSS stated that the challenge of fuel scarcity had assumed a dimension that was detrimental to the security of the country.
Afunanya, who spoke at the headquarters of the secret police in Abuja after over three hours closed-door meeting with stakeholders in the petroleum sector, confirmed the availability of PMS during and after the Yuletide season.
For weeks, vehicle owners especially in Lagos and Abuja have had a tough time getting petrol from filling stations. Whilst many outlets are closed, the few ones that are open sell the indispensable commodity for as high as N250 per litre from the uniform price of N169/litre.
The shortage of supply has led to long, grueling snake-like queues at the few open filling stations as motorists and business owners jostle to buy fuel while others resort to black market. The situation has also worsened traffic on major roads as vehicle owners block at least one lane to join queues to filling stations.
