₦airaland Forum

Government House Owerri & Environs

hummmmmm

Egbu Housing Flood2
http://www.theheartlander.com/lawlessness-and-filthiness-of-owerri-capital-city/

Substandard Roads and Flooding in Egbu Housing Estate Owerri

Rocha is working!

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For more pics, click HERE

[b]REPLY TO PETER EKEH
ON BENIN-URHOBO RELATIONSHIPS
by

Nowamagbe Omoigui, M.D.



Source:
Subject: [naijanews] Re: URHOBO-BENIN RELATIONS
Date: Sun, 11 Jul 1999 00:33:56 EST
From: "Nowamagbe Omoigui M.D." <nowa@RICHMED.MEDPARK.SC.EDU>
To: edo-community <edo-community@egroups.com>, "Peter P. Ekeh" <ppekeh@acsu.buffalo.edu>
CC: Naijanet <Naijanet@esosoft.com>, naijanews <naijanews@egroups.com>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Prof,
Thanks for your highly informative piece. I have looked into a few of the issues you raised and have decided to share some of my reading with you for your deliberation and comment. I would like to learn more from you about the Urhobo aspect of Edoid history and culture. It is absolutely fascinating:
*********************

THE WORD "AKA"

It is true that Urhobo clans of the Edoid (or Edo-speaking) race call the people of Benin "Aka". The significance of this is a potentially fertile area of research for any young historian who might be interested. However, it might interest you to know that the word "Aka" remains in Benin-City until this day. According to Aisien, there are three contexts:

1. Ogbel'aka - which is a section of Benin-City which houses the Royal Musicians. They also play an important role during coronations. 2. Ogbe n'alaka - a section of Ogbe adjoining the Palace to which Oba Akengbuda (1750-1804) retired in old age after abdicating the throne in favor of his son Obanosa.

3. Eze n'Aka - (the AKA stream) which was a tributary of the Ikpoba river exclusively dedicated to supplying drinking water to the Benin Palace (at its present location) from time immemorial.

One very interesting detail is that the Benin Palace has not always been at its present site. The original Ogiso Palace was along the UTANTAN in Ugbeku. UTANTAN is now called Sakponba road. The address of the ancient Palace is 163 Upper Sakpoba Road. The second Ogiso (Ere) moved it to Uhunmwindunmwun where it remained until the end of the Ogiso period. Eweka I, as well as his sons Uwakhahen and Ehemihen operated from a new Palace at Usama. But it was Ewedo (circa 1260 AD) that moved the Palace to its present site.

SOURCES:

1. DN Oronsaye: The History of the Ancient Benin Kingdom and Empire, Jeromelaiho 1995
2. Ekhaguosa Aisien: Benin-City: The Edo State Capital. Aisien Publishers 1995

*************************

THE WORD "EDO"

The capital city of our race only became known as "Edo" during the reign of Ewuare the Great (1440 - 1473). He renamed it after a faithful slave called "Edo". Indeed, the word "Edo" remains a bona fide name still in use today among many (but not all) of the Edoid clans. [It is interesting too that the original name of the trader from Kokori who succeeded Iyase n'Ohenmwen and became known as Iyase n'Oduhobo, was Edo.]

Since Edo (Benin-City) only became known as Edo in Ewuare's time, what was it called before then? During the era of the first Ogiso Igodo - also known as Ogiso Obagodo - [circa 601 AD] it was called "Igodomigodo", capital of Ogu-dugu (the ancient name for the Benin Kingdom). From the time of Ogiso Ere (son of the first Ovie of Ughelle ["Ughelli"]) until the last Ogiso Owodo [circa 1092], it was called "Ile". It was still called Ile during the period of republican rule between 1092 and 1180. (I might add that this period of instability witnessed several waves of outmigration) From the time of Oba Eweka I (circa 1180 - 1246) until Oba Ehenmihen (circa 1250 - 1260) it was called Ile Ibinu. Beginning with Oba Ewedo (circa 1260 - 1274) until the end of Uwaifiokun's reign (circa 1434 - 1440) it was known as "Ubini" until Ewuare changed it. Interestingly it continued to be called Ubini by a segment of the population as late as the reign

of Olua (circa 1475 - 1480) because his son Iginua (who founded the Itsekiri Kingdom) perpetuated it as the name of the "Benin Kingdom" among the Itsekiri. It was not until the beginning of the reign of Eweka II in 1914 that the anglicized name Benin-City became "official" for Edo.

SOURCES:

1. DN Oronsaye: The History of the Ancient Benin Kingdom and Empire, Jeromelaiho 1995
****************************

URHOBOS AND THE OGISO ERA

Several authorities [Otite, Salubi and others] cite the waves of migration of "Urhobos" from "Benin" during periods of both peace and unrest (related to justice or injustice) in the latter part of the Ogiso era as well as during the interregnum and later on. For example, the reign of Eweka I was relatively peaceful but there were still migrations. But there is also some evidence that very early in the reign of the first Ogiso Igodo, the monarchy of Ughele was established. Indeed, it is said that the eldest son of Esagho, the wife of Igodo became the first Ovie of Ughelle (who was installed by Ogiogbon, a high priest of Amon). The first son of the Ovie (Ere) returned to rule Igodomigodo after Igodo's death, while other sons migrated to establish rule over other early Edoid principalities in the modern delta area (who had been part of the same general migration). This aspect of the history does not suggest a combative or servile relationship with Benin. What it says is that in addition to the "people and culture connections" you brilliantly described, Edoid monarchical systems have the same ancestral stock and that in terms of dating Ughele (Ughelli) is extremely old, going all the way back to the earliest part of the Ogiso period.

After the Ogiso era, as you have observed, Urhoboland (and other areas) continued to gain mixed migrants who were traders, warriors and escapees from "Benin" justice and injustice. Such waves included well documented disgruntled departures during the latter fascist phase of Ewuare as well as the second republican period [1480-83] after Olua's death and before the recall of Prince Okpame from Ora. But such migrations and resettlements were also bi-directional as Prince Eweka has pointed out. Come to think of it, if everyone "left" Benin, but no-one came back into it, it would have been depopulated unless there is evidence that the reproductive capabilities of the Benin people were boundless.

Be that as it may, is it not true that the traditions of origin, migration and ethnic mixing of the following Urhobo-Isoko village groups are as follows?

1. Agbarho (Agbadu or Otovbodo) - mixed Urhobo-Isoko

2. Ujevbe - Mein Ijaw origin (note that Mein Ijaw is Edoid)

3. Udu - Mein Ijaw origin

4. Evbreni - Igbo origin

5. Olomu - mixed Igbo, Benin and Mein Ijaw origin

6. Ewu - Mein Ijaw and Benin

7. Arhavbarien - Igbo origin

8. Okparabe - founded by Kumbuowa Ijaw Man with Benin Title

9. Owha group (Ughele, Agbarha, Ogo, Orogun) - Tirakiri-Ijaw and Benin

10. Agbon - mixed Urhobo, Itsekiri and Benin elements

11. Abraka - ?early Benin migration of proto-Edoid group

12. Okpe-Urhobo - founded by Igboze, a son of the Oba. Later joined by

Olomu, an Igbo

13. Uvbie - migrants from Erohwa

14. Oghara - settlements on land of the Benin Kingdom

15. Idjerhe (Jesse) - settlements on land of the Benin Kingdom

16. Arokwa (Erohwa) - aboriginal Benin (Edoid) speakers

17. Okpe-Isoko - sons of Igboze, mixed with Igbos

18. Ozoro - founded by Okpe-Isoko who absorbed some aboriginal groups;

another account says it was founded by a son of the Oba of Benin

19. Ofagbe - founded from Ozoro

20. Aviara - founded by Eze Chima movement from Benin, joined by

Erohwa and later migrants from Benin

21. Iyede - founded by "three men from Benin".

22. Emevo - founded by migrants from Benin

23. Enhwe (Okpolo) - mixture of Igbos and Evbreni people

24. Igbide - founded by Igbo from Awka (mixed with Uvbie people)

25. Emede - founded by a son of the founder of Igbide

26. Uwheru - founded by Mein Ijaw (Amassuama)

27. Owe - migrants from Benin.

28. Elu - broke off from Owe and absorbed Edoid aborigines

29. Olomoro - broke off from Olomu

30. Usere - founder fled from Benin through Issele-Uku

31. Iri - split off from Usere

32. Ole - split off from Usere, and then mixed with some Okpe people

SOURCE: RE Bradbury: The Benin Kingdom and the Edo speaking peoples of South-Western Nigeria; London, International African Institute 1957.

**************************

DIALECTS

When you use the phrase "Urhobo language", are you referring to the Agbarho dialect? I ask this because I am aware that there are at least five sub-dialects of generic "Urhobo-Isoko" - Agbarho-Urhobo, Isoko, Okpe, Erohwa and Evrho - all considered somewhat mutually unintelligible Edoid. Of these, Erohwa is thought (by Hubbard) to be the oldest.

As it is, the dialect that is closest to modern generic "Bini" is the Okpe dialect.

At this point, I'd like to make two observations:

A. Although the example you gave (Okhuo/Ikhuo in Bini/Esan versus Ohwo in "Urhobo" (I presume Agbarho dialect) was interesting, there are many cross words in Bini and Urhobo. In fact, if you used Okpe dialect or Iyede-Isoko/Urhobo in particular, the overlap is even greater.


EDO (BINI) ISOKO-URHOBO (IYEDE)

1. Owo Ovo

2. Eva Ive

3. Eha Erha

4. Ene Ene

5. Isen Inyoli

6. Ehan Esan

7. Ihino Iwule

8. Elele Elele

9. Ihini Izili

10. Igbe ikwe

11. Oworo Iwovo

12. Iweva Iwive

13. Iwera Iwera

14. Iwene Iwene

B. Within the so-called modern Bini dialect of the Edo language, there are three other sub-dialects: Ibie - spoken by the Iwebo society in the Palace, Iha Ominigbon (used in the Oguega Divination), and the old Uhe (Ife) dialect of Yoruba used in certain circles since the time of Eweka I. (Reference: Ikponmwosa Osemwegie: Midwest Weekly, Vol. 2, No. 39, August 1965)

In addition, there are many other "ritual" mini-dialects that mix various Edoid, Ika and Ukwuani dialects, depending on the specific ritual. The Ovia ritual for example, uses a curious Edoid dialect that is certainly not pure Bini.

Indeed the similarities and differences (as a whole) between Edoid dialects are no less than those between dialects of say Yoruba or Igbo. I can find similar examples of words in Ijebu or Ekiti or Egba that have either no meaning or mean something different in other Yoruba dialects. But the Ijebus, Ekitis and Egbas have no difficulty seeing themselves as Yorubas.

And yet, we (the Edo(id) speakers) have not been able to agree on a common modern dialect. It seems to do more with politics than anything else, as I observed in my conceptual comment about "Ethnicity" last week.

I am particularly curious about the peel off of Isoko from Urhobo just as I find the artificial distinctions between Urhobos and so-called "Edos" perplexing.

**********************************

POLITICAL POWER OF OBAS

I agree 100% with you that common cultural and linguistic ties among Edo speaking people are ancient and unmistakable, independent of the Obaship system, and should dominate our modern-day focus, particularly since perceived emphasis on "power" can easily be misunderstood if taken out of context. But for record purposes, and to avoid creating the impression that those who make purely historical reference to it are hallucinating, there IS a quote in Bradbury's book that suggests that many Urhobo-Isoko communities were indeed part of the Obaship system at one time. [I recognize that there were also republican elements perhaps indicative of those communities with mixed non-Edoid heritage]. The frantic activities of the British Resident of the Warri Province to suppress linkages with Benin after the restoration of the monarchy in Benin City are well documented in British Administrative reports since 1914. Is it not also true that in the 19th century, another name for the Oba of Benin (in addition to Oba r'Aka) was "Orovwa Akpo", and that the world was viewed as "Akpo r'Oba"?

The Bradbury quote is as follows:

"At some unknown date much of the Urhobo-Isoko country came under the rule of the Oba of Benin. Many of the ivie or "Kings" of Urhobo and Isoko tribes had to seek confirmation of their titles from the Oba and some still express an intention to do so; the Orodje of Orerokpe (Okpe-Urhobo) received ceremonial swords from the Oba as late as the autumn of 1953. In most tribes, however, this practice has long been discontinued, though the Oba still retains some spiritual prestige in the area. The ivie of some other Isoko tribes owed allegiance to the Obi of Aboh."

MAIN SOURCE: RE Bradbury: The Benin Kingdom and the Edo speaking peoples of South-Western Nigeria; London, International African Institute 1957. Page 129 & 130.

OTHER SOURCES: [/b]

[b]Calabar: Lesbians Reign


8 October, 2012



Lesbians finds a fertile ground in Calabar

Mrs. Janet Ishi of Orok Orok Street, Calabar, capital of Cross River State, is currently a worried woman. The source of her bother is her eldest daughter, Eno, whose sexual preference is less than conventional. Eno is a member of the city’s growing tribe of lesbians. And they are found everywhere–civil service, army, police as well as secondary and tertiary institutions. Queen, a dark-skinned beauty, told TheNEWS that lesbians usually seek partners among teenage secondary school, polytechnic and university students. Places like Halls 8 and 9 (Winnie Mandela Hall), Female Medical Students’ Hostel and the School of Nursing Hostel–all at the University of Calabar; Cross River University of Technology female hostel, Federal Government Girls’ College hostels and female hostels in private schools are pools where lesbians go to fish.

Ufot, a 19-year-old girl Law student, told this magazine that several girls approached her at the University of Calabar’s Winnie Mandela Hostel, but she rejected their overtures. However, while visiting Abuja during a semester break, she was introduced to Lesbi. “My sister’s neighbour kept coming to our room to woo me each time my sister was out. She was the one that bought this Nokia X3 phone for me and often gives me money. Each time I made a move to return to school, she would weep and discourage me from going back. It was when she travelled that I left Abuja,” she said.

Lesbians, as heterosexuals do, also keep regular partners and get jealous the same way.


Adun (not real name), a journalist with a national daily, narrated his experience with Cynthia, a girl he thought was going to be meeting his sexual needs. “I took her out to all the nice places in Calabar just to put her in the mood, but she was not forthcoming. I had to make some enquires about her and was told by some people who knew her that she is a lesbian and that she has two female sex partners in the neighbourhood,” he said.

A lecturer at the Department of Sociology, University of Calabar, Dr. James Akapama, told this magazine that the environment creates the atmosphere that engenders same-sex relationship. “These people are young and their minds are susceptible to corrupting influences. They may just want to explore the experience, not knowing that they would be hooked,” he said.

He warned that social influences beyond immediate pleasures can change the direction of one’s life. Dr. Irene Aniyom, Director-General of the State Action Committee Against AIDS, SACA, said Lesbi increases the spread of HIV/AIDS in the state. She said statistics show that over 35,551 persons are currently confirmed to be HIV positive in Cross River State. This figure, she said, is obtained from tests conducted in hospitals, HIV test centres and other medical facilities across the state.

http://news.naij.com/11017.html[/b]

[b]Abacha’s son gets highest Ijaw title

Posted by: Isaac Ombe-Yenagoa Posted date: October 03, 2012In: News| comment : 0

THE Bayelsa State Government yesterday honoured Mohammed, son of former Military Head of State, the late Gen. Sani Abacha, with the highest title in Ijaw land.

It bestowed on him the “Izon Ebidouwei of Ijawland.”

The title means “One who seeks the good of Ijawland”.

Mohammed was also presented with the flags of the Ijaw Nation.

Mohammed was invited by the government to be part of the 16th anniversary celebration of the state.

Bayelsa was created in 1996 by the late Abacha.

At a dinner organised by the government marking the anniversary, Governor Seriake d**kson, in the company of other Ijaw leaders, conferred the title on Mohammed and also presented the state’s Coat of Arms and flag to the people.

The event was held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Yenagoa on Monday night.

The government had earlier named a 150-unit housing estate, the main auditorium of the newly inaugurated Ijaw House and a road in the state capital, after the late Abacha.

d**kson said the state and the Ijaw Nation in general will continue to honour the late Abacha because of the bold step he took by creating Bayelsa state, a development he said has not only opened up Ijaw-land, but has made the Izon man proud.

d**kson said Mohammed is now an indigene of the state and urged him to build a family house in the state

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/news/abachas-son-gets-highest-ijaw-title/[/b]

[b]16 states to be flooded in one week –FG

October 2, 2012 by James Azania with agency report


Federal Ministry of Environment on Tuesday predicted flooding resulting from heavy rains in Lagos, Kano and 14 other states between now and October 10.

Other states as Kebbi, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Anambra, Kwara, Jigawa, Katsina, Bauchi, Adamawa, Kogi, Zamfara, Plateau, Taraba and Cross Rivers.

The Deputy Director, Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management of the ministry, Dr. Morohunkeji Oyeleke, said this in a statement to News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday.

Oyeleke identified some areas that could be affected in Kebbi as Argungu, Anka and Bungudu, while residents of Abak, Ikotabasi, Upenekang and Etinan in Akwa Ibom could suffer from flooding.

Other areas are Oyo town and its environs, areas to be affected in Jigawa are Dutse, Gwaram, Hadejia and Miga.

She also listed Aboh and Agbor (Delta), Atani (Anambra), Jebba, New-Bussa, and Kosubosu (Kwara) as well as Katsina Jibia and Kaita (Katsina) as arreas likely to be affected.

The DG predicted flooding in Azare, Darazo, Bajoga, Jamaare, Kirfi, Misau and Tafawa Balewa (Bauchi) and Kaduna Zaria, Jemaa, and Kafinmadaki (Kaduna).

According to her, the flood-prone areas in Kano State include Bebeji, Gwarzo, Karaye, Sumaila and Tudun Wada as well as Gusau, Kaura-Namoda and Maradun ( Zamfara).

Areas which could be affected by the downpour-induced flood include Bida, Kontagora, Mashegu and Sarkinpawa (Niger) with Bokkos, Buruku, Jos, Mangu, Shelleng and Shandam (Plateau) expected to suffer a similar fate.

Oyeleke identified Demsa, Ganye, Jimeta, Mayobelwa, Mubi Numan and Song in Adamawa; also Donga, Lau, Mutumbiyu and Yorro in Taraba and Eti Osa, Ikorodu, Lekki, Surulere in Lagos state.

She appealed to the governments of the 16 states to take measures to avoid flood disasters.

Oyeleke added that similar warnings in the past had saved lives and property.

She said the ministry had been receiving verbal reports from states on how the weather forecasts had been helpful in preventing natural disasters.

Meanwhile, Edo State Government on Tuesday began the distribution of relief materials to victims of last week’s flooding disaster in the state. Floods sacked over 30 communities in three local governments.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Peter Okhiria, in a statement, said the relief materials were distributed in fulfilment of a promise by Goveror Adams Oshiomhole.

Head, State Emergency Relief Agency, Maimuna Momodu, said the materials were to take care of the victim’s immediate needs.
[/b]

http://www.punchng.com/news/16-states-to-be-flooded-in-one-week-fg/

Toaskarity: Pls where in.anambra is this?

Heavy flooding has completely submerged several communities in Anambra State-worst hit are: Ogbaru, Anyamelum, Anam and other areas of the lower Niger river.

http://saharareporters.com/gallery/photonews-anambra-state-devastated-flooding

[b]2015: Igbo presidency will finally end the civil war – Kalu


On October 1, 2012 · In News

12:06 am
..

BY PETER OKUTU

ABAKALIKI – FORMER governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, weekend, reaffirmed his commitment to lead the crusade for the emergence of an Igbo President in 2015.

He stressed that as soon as an Igbo emerged the next President of Nigeria, after Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, only then would it be said that the civil war fought about 42 years ago had ended.

Kalu, who spoke when he received the leadership of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, South East zone, led by its National Vice-President, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, at his Igbere country-home, insisted that time had come for the rest of the geo-political zones to concede the Presidency to the Igbo as a matter of “right”, noting that anything short of that would amount to great injustice.

According to him, the country will continue to wobble on her journey to nationhood and socio-economic prosperity unless an Igboman was given an opportunity to lead the country.

“The country is trouble because the God’s anointed people are not there yet, until they take over the mantle of leadership, Nigeria will not have a pride of place in the world; Forty eight years after the
civil war it is an insult for somebody to tell you that Igbos cannot be president.

“If all these tribes can be president, who among them is more qualified than an Igbo man; we are the salt of this nation, we are the best thing that happened to this nation. Anything good comes from the East and we are the genuine easterners; unless we rule this country the country will never be okay.
[/b]

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/10/2015-igbo-presidency-will-finally-end-the-civil-war-kalu/

more.

more..

more.

PHOTONEWS: Anambra State Devastated By Flooding | Sahara Reporters

[b]

Atuche: How bank’s N45m was paid as tithe illegally – Witness


On September 27, 2012 · In News



BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH & ONOZURE DANIA

Bolaji Ogunsola, an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC witness in the ongoing trial of Mr. Francis Atuche, the former Managing Director of Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank) yesterday told an Ikeja High Court that fund from the bank was paid as tithe to two Catholic churches on the instructions of the embattled banker.

The witness, Mr. Bolaji Solomon Ogunsola, who is the erstwhile Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PHB Mortgages (a subsidiary of Bank PHB) also told Justice Lateefa Okunnu of a Lagos High Court, that while he held sway in the subsidiary company, there was a call account being operated without a glaring ownership but which every bank staff believed was owned by Atuche.

Given evidence on the transfer of money to the churches, the witness said about N45 million was paid as tithe into St. Augustine Catholic Church and St. Monica Catholic Church from the bank’s account which amount to illegal transactions.

The prosecution witness said that funds were withdrawn from the account through e-mail from one Charity Okoma who was at the time Atuche’s secretary.

“We received e-mails as usual with a letter from Charity Okoma, who was secretary to the Managing Director.

“In the letter, we were asked to transfer money to St. Augustine Catholic Church and St. Monica Catholic Church, both in Ibusa, Delta State,” Ogunsola said.

On money transferred to some companies, the witness disclosed that he was aware that funds were transferred from some company accounts in Mortgages Bank PHB to some individual accounts in other banks.[/b][b][/b]

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/09/atuche-how-banks-n45m-was-paid-as-tithe-illegally-witness/

Lagos robberies: Three suspects in police net

September 26, 2012 by Comfort Oseghale and Eniola Akinkuotu 103 Comments


Three armed robbery suspects-Uche Okeagbu, Emmanuel Ezeani and Chinonso Nwuangwu-have been arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos, in connection with the September 9, 2012 robberies in the state, which left three policemen and a civilian dead.

The suspects were arrested at their Ajangbadi hideout on September 23 following a tip-off.

The suspects were said to members of a much larger group, which had about three weeks ago, carried out simultaneous robberies in Gbagada, Agege, Anthony, Ojodu, Itire, Ikeja and Ilasamaja areas of the state.

It was learnt that after 23-year-old Okeagbu was arrested, his confession led to the recovery of a large cache of ammunition, one rocket propel grenade launcher, 225 AK 47 magazines fully-loaded, over 10,000 rounds of AK 47 live ammunition, two general purpose machine guns, 260 rounds of GPMG live ammunition, five dynamite with detonator and nine AK 47 rifles.

A self employed oil dealer before his foray into armed robbery, Okeagbu told PUNCH METRO that he was once based in Port Harcourt.

He said, “I was an oil dealer in Port Harcourt before a friend introduced me to this gang. I have been with them for a while and during the time, I went with them for four operations in Ibadan where I got N500,000 as my share. Another was in Uyo where I got N800, 000. I also got N800, 000 for the First Bank robbery at Share, Kwara State and N100,000 for the Lagos robbery. All these took place this year.

“In all these operations, the targets were banks which we robbed successfully. I never went with the group into the banks. I always stayed back with the driver in the car because I was scared but I didn’t go with the gang when they raided Lagos three weeks ago.”

A SARS team led by, Mr. Abba Kyari, found the gang’s armoury in two Volkswagen buses with registration numbers LSD 467 AR and AGL 506 XB, parked at Okeagbu’s residence at Ajangbadi.

Also, Nwuangwu said he took part in four robbery operations at Diamond Bank, Akure, in Ondo State, UBA, Osogbo in Osun State, GTB Okene, in Kogi State and Skyebank, Auchi, in Edo State.

The 23year-old said, “I was merely the driver of the vehicles. I just drove them to whereever they had an operation. I used to be an oil dealer in Port Harcourt before I joined the gang but I have stopped going with them for operations for a while now.”

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Manko, said the suspects were members of the gang that terrorised Lagos about three weeks ago.

Manko said, “After the Lagos operation, the group proceeded to Ilorin where they robbed a bank and attacked a police station. We are still on the trail of the remaining members of the gang.

“Apart from the arms and ammunition recovered, we also seized a Toyota Camry belonging to the gang. The car was fitted with sensors and camera. That way, the robbers could monitor whatever was going on behind them.

“I would also like to say that since the September 9 robbery operations that the command has not recorded any other robbery incident. There have been robbery attempts in several parts of the state but these have been quelled by the police.

“I encourage the public to continue to come forward with useful information of any suspicious activity around them because that was how we got information on these suspects.”


http://www.punchng.com/news/lagos-robberies-three-suspects-in-police-net/

[b]Eight month pregnant woman killed over alleged theft in Ebonyi.

*As assailant cuts-off another woman’s hand in Imo

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA & PETER OKUTU

ABAKALIKI – AN eight-month-old pregnant woman, Mrs. Grace Nwangwu, was weekend, killed in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State while she was reportedly trying to steal some food crops in a farm near her house at midnight.

The woman was alleged to be sleeping on the same bed with her husband, Mgbebu till midnight when she left to ease herself outside but reportedly went to farm at Igbudu Community to harvest some food crops and was killed by her assailant.

In a neighbouring Imo State, one Madam Rose Chibuike was also said to have narrowly escaped being beheaded by an attacker along a lonely road at Umezeala, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of the state by a machete-wielding man.

Vanguard investigations revealed that Madam Chibuike, who runs a pepper-soup joint in Umuezeala, is a native of Ikperejere, Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of the state.

However, narrating how his pregnant wife was murdered, the deceased’s husband, Mr. Nwangwu said: “My wife got up around 12 midnight and left the house. She said she was going to ease herself. As she did not come back after some time, I became panicky and went looking for her but to no avail. For the fact that she was nearing delivery, I increased my search for my wife.

“I took a short cut and it paid off. The footpath shortened my search as I suddenly met the lifeless corpse of my wife, lying face down on the ground with the pregnancy.

’’When I saw the lifeless body of my wife I raised an alarm which attracted other villagers to the scene; who then alerted the police before we made a random search for her killer. In the process, I learnt that the villagers traced spills of blood to a nearby cassava farm where it was suspected that the woman met her waterloo.”

However, when the deceased body which was lying face down was later turned, a deep wound was discovered around her abdomen as the body was still oozing out blood.’’

Contacted, Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent Sylvester Igbo, confirmed the story, adding that investigation had commenced to ascertain the circumstances behind the murder.

Also narrating her ordeal to journalists from her hospital bed, Madam Chibuike who espcaped from her assailant said: “There is every reason to believe that my attacker wanted to behead me on that lonely road.”

According to the lucky woman, she instinctively raised her left hand in self defence when she realised that her life was in danger, adding that her attacker ended up cutting off her hand.

She said that she was returning from her landlord’s house when she was ambushed on the lonely road by the man who she identified as her customer and a native [/b][b][/b]of Umunakanu (names withheld).

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/09/eight-month-pregnant-woman-killed-over-alleged-theft-in-ebonyi/

[b]

Man caught having sex with a sheep in Ebonyi


On September 24, 2012 · In News

2:18 pm


BY PETER OKUTU
ABAKALIKI-A 46 years old man, Mr. Kelechi Nnali of Nkpogoro, Ndibe in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State was weekend allegedly caught having carnal knowledge with a sheep by the roadside in the community.

It was gathered that Nnali who is married with two wives and children pleaded with the boy who saw him committing the crime not to tell anybody, promising that he would give him (the boy) N10, 000 and a handset but the cat was let out of the bag when Mr. Nnali renege on the agreement.

Vanguard learnt that when the act of bestiality committed by Mr. Nwali filtered into the ears of the people of the area, he was summoned by the elders of the community to answer to the allegation as the matter was later taken to Ogo Ezinwachi Play ground where delicate and public matter are usually discussed.

At the venue, Mr. Nnali was sanctioned according to the law of the land. The elders, who were visibly angry with the depraved act, stressed that the man had committed an abomination in the land and must pay the price according to the law of the land.

It was gathered that to cleanse the land of the abominable act, that elderly women of Ndibe had last weekend performed a traditional ablution called Npkompko in Mr. Nnali’s compound.

However, at the time of this report, vanguard Newspaper could not get the owner of the sheep and the culprit to comment on the matter as Mr. Nnali was reported to have fled the community for fear of being lynched by irate youths of the area.
[/b]
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/09/man-caught-having-sex-with-a-sheep-in-ebonyi/