₦airaland Forum

Abia State Government has discovered over 50 decomposed dead bodies, over 20 headless bodies, and countless human skeletons all around Lokpanta Cattle Market in Umunneochi LGA of the State.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJcZPcpOeAA

The Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti disclosed this during his monthly media chat tagged “Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians”, held in Government House, Umuahia. He assured that his government is committed to tackling the issues of insecurity headlong without minding whose ox is gored.

Governor Otti said that prostitution, narcotics trade, and other criminal vices around the Lokpanta Cattle Market necessitated the raid of the market as some brothels were recently brought down and there is now calmness in Umunneochi.

The Governor, who insisted that the Lokpanta market would become a daily market that would open at 6am and closes at 6pm would now become a general market as sections are alloted to the cattle dealers and other businesses too. He made it public that his administration is equally fencing the market all in an effort to ensure adequate security.

According to him, the Lokpanta area was notorious for kidnapping and armed robbery, hence the decision of his administration to make the market a daily one. He said though the policy was misunderstood, after a meeting with the leadership of the market, everyone agreed with the government’s stand on making the market a daily one for the good of all.

He further noted that, “We are single-minded about rooting out insecurity in Abia State. Because we know that no government can succeed in the face of insecurity, violence, armed and kidnapping.”

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti says his administration is working tirelessly to secure the release of the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, saying it's not ready to make public approaches being deployed.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJcZPcpOeAA

Nnamdi Kanu, also a British citizen hails from Umuahia, Abia State.

He has been in detention since 2021 over allegations bordering on founding an "illegal" organizations, terrorism among others.

Several efforts have been made in the past to ensure his release without any result.

ABN TV report that the Court of Appeal had earlier discharged and acquitted him of allegations against him but the federal government eventually took him to Supreme Court where the Justices are yet to rule on the matter.

Top government officials have also lent their voices in the call for his release but the federal government had maintained its ground in exploiting legal option instead of political solution.

At his monthly media chat on Sunday in Umuahia streamed live on ABN TV, Governor Otti said he is approaching the issues differently, noting that he is not approaching it the same ways that have not brought results.

According to the Governor, he does not believe in media frenzy but in achieving results.

"Our approach is different. They are not on the pages of the newspaper", the governor said while adding that his administration is working "very hard" to ensure Kanu's release.

Abia State Police Command has denied report that a man killed and beheaded in an attack in Isiahia village, Umuojima, Osisioma on October 26 is not a policeman, ABN TV reports.

The command while admitting that a man was killed and beheaded at the identified spot said the victim is a vigilante operative who has been collaborating with the police.

The command’s PRO, ASP Maureen Chinaka in a statement on Friday said the attacked team of security personnel include, one policeman, one special constabulary personnel, and three vigilante men.

She gave the name of the beheaded victim as Obinna Ndukwe.

“Yesterday 26/10/2023 At about 15:50 hrs, Abia State Police officers stationed at OSISIOMA Police Headquarters received credible information concerning an attack on a group of security personnel in Isiahia village, Umuojima, Osisioma”, she stated.

She added, “Upon arrival, an unregistered Sienna bus and a headless corpse were discovered. Through investigation, the deceased was identified as Obinna Ndukwe, also known as Socket, who was a member of the Abia State vigilante and often collaborated with the police.

“The body of the deceased has been evacuated and deposited in the mortuary”.

There was an unusual panic in Abia community on Thursday as unknown gunmen attacked members of police Rapid Response Squad on a stop and search operation along Umuode/Isiahia in Osisioma Ngwa local government, beheading one of them and parted with the head.

Members of Umuode community were thrown into panic over fear of possible police invasion of following the incident which happened around 4pm.

Other members of the police squad were said to have taken to their heels with their ammunition as the gunmen made away with the beheaded policeman's head, abandoning his body.

ABN TV learnt that the gunmen had trailed the group of police team who had in recent times been operating in the community.

It was learnt that the team was attached to the Eziama Police Division, raising questions over the legality of their operation in the community considering that the area is not under their jurisdiction.

Recall that an Assistant Superintendent of Police was a few months beheaded along East Street in Aba South local government area of the state by some unknown gunmen.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Maureen Chinaka could not answer several calls placed on her mobile phone number.

Labour Party has said the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha is yet to get over the shock of being defeated at the February 25 National Assembly election by the member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency, Hon. Amobi Ogah.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ngqaAYA1fo


Ogah of the Labour Party was declared winner of the election, defeating Onyejeocha of APC who had been in the National Assembly since 2007.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh accused the former lawmaker of unholy alliance with the fractional leader of APC, Chief Lamidi Apapa to ensure that crisis in the party lingers.

“Onyejeocha has been in the national assembly since 2007 until the February 25 general election when she was defeated by Hon. Amobi Ogah with a very wide margin.

“Her loss to Amobi Ogah was a pill too hard to swallow hence she has vowed to use all her connections to ensure that the election declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC is upturned in her favour.

“Her political ambition was to be the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives. She has also boasted that powers that be in Aso Rock have promised her the speakership, a position she contested in 2019 but lost to Femi Gbajabiamila, who now is the Chief of Staff in the Tinubu administration. Onyejeocha believes that the Isikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency is her chiefdom, however, the result of that election altered all the plans and permutation for Onyejeocha who saw her ambition drifting.

“For her to be the Speaker she must first win the seat at the Reps and Amobi Ogah was the only stumbling block. Therefore, he must go at all costs.

“Onyejeocha with strong support from the Presidency plotted to be part of the 10th NASS using the instrument of the Tribunal," the party said.

The party accused her of having worked tirelessly to ensure that the Abia State election petition tribunal pronounced her the duly elected member by turning the rules of the election on the head.

"With her limitless access to funds, it wasn’t difficult for her to get Amobi Ogah sacked by the Tribunal", the party said.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu has distanced himself from alleged campaign of calumny against the Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, urging the minister to focus on the immediate demands of her office and stop raising false alarms through proxies.

Kalu was reacting to a press conference by a support group of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, the Progressive League of Youth Voters, which had accused him of working against the minister and asked President Bola Tinubu as well as the APC national chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje to call him to order.

At a news conference Tuesday in Abuja, the group, led by Ambassador Usman Shuaibu, specifically threatened to occupy the national assembly if Hon. Kalu continued to politically antagonize the minister.

However, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Levinus Nwabughiogu, said the press conference was misdirected or at best, done without the consent of the minister who obviously would be embarrassed by it because it has the imprints of a people on a mission to infamy and perfidy.

He said while one is seriously affronted by the launch of insolence and impudence against the person and the Office of the Deputy Speaker by this group, it is also very pertinent to state that it may be lost on them that Kalu shares a healthy and robust relationship with Onyejeocha both as a sister and worthy partner in the government of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

A popular Abia singer, Chika Ofor has been confirmed dead after he was allegedly poisoned during a wake keep in Amauzukwu in Umuahia, the state capital.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3JcQfe1ZJY?si=mGyMAgx48mHvKUVh
A source who spoke with ABN TV on Saturday said Mr. Ofor shortly before the commencement of his performance allegedly vomited substance that looks like noddles.

He was then laid on his care to regain consciousness, from where he was found dead in the early hours of Saturday.

Mr. Ofor who is in his late 30s was said to have foamy substances on his mouth when found lifeless. He hails from Bende local government area of the state.

Court of Appeal sitting in Kano has affirmed the election of Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, setting aside the May 18 judgement by Justice M.N. Yunusa of the Kano state Federal High Court sacking Otti, ABN TV reports.

The Appeal Court in its ruling on Friday faulted the trial court’s determination of the suit without joining necessary parties who were the actual target of the claims in the suit. The appellate court awarded one million naira (N1,000,000) cost against the plaintiff.

Recall that Justice M. N. Yunusa gave the judgement while ruling in a Suit (FHC/KN/CS/107/2023) filed by one Ibrahim Haruna Ibrahim seeking the disqualification of all elected candidates of Labour

According to Ibrahim, the Labour Party candidates for the 2023 general election were nominated in a manner that is at variance with mandatory provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended, which renders its participation in the general election of 2023 in Kano state and the rest of the 35 states of the federation including FCT, as null and void.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu was thrown into excitement while presiding over the proceeding of the House after he received information that his election as member representing Bende Federal Constituency Abia state has affirmed by Appeal Court, ABN TV reports.

Elected in the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), Ben Kalu as he is often called was declared winner of the February 25 National Assembly election in the constituency by INEC, defeating PDP, Labour Party and other candidates.

Action Alliance had called for the nullification of Rep. Kalu’s election, arguing that its logo was omitted from the ballot box.

Gov. Alex Otti has explained that his Foundation and not Abia State Government is bankrolling his free scholarship scheme, ABN TV reports.

The Governor who made the explanation Saturday in his remark at the 2022 -2023 Alex Otti Scholarship scheme held at the Sacramento Event Centre, Olokoro, Umuahia South, said that he had long commenced the humanitarian gesture over seven years ago, before his emergence as Governor.

He promised to sustain the gesture which according to him, was borne out of his empathy for the indigent youths interested in pursuing their career in education.

According to him, the gesture is his personal contribution towards the enhancement of the future of the youths.

He promised to sustain the gesture as long as God gives him grace, emphasing that life is not about wealth accumulation but positive impacts.

The Governor further said that beneficiaries of the scheme did not need to be highly connected or personally known to him before they qualify, noting that the procedure is easy for any interested persons.

Otti said his major preoccupation was how to assist Abia youths actualise their dreams in life without stress.

He announced an increase in the Alex Otti foundation Scholarship package to beneficiaries from N150,000 to N250,000.

A total of 34 beneficiaries were selected for this year’s edition, thus bringing the numbers of beneficiaries so far to over 200 since the inception of the exercise seven years ago.

The governor charged beneficiaries not to disappoint but rather put in their best to excel.

Otti further explained that bright but indigent students of Abia origin or those resident in the state were the targets of the scheme.

He thanked the Management Committee of the scheme for its input and for remaining objective to the vision of the Foundation without compromise.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, and the immediate -past Executive Secretary of the Foundation, Mr Chinedu Ekeke, said the selection process was transparent.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, on Thursday flagged off the reconstruction of the long-abandoned Port Harcourt Road signaling a ray of relief for users of the road that is a major artery that holds immense promise in the economic and social revival of Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia, ABN TV reports.

The currently disused road, which was constructed during the administration of the late Sam Mbakwe (between 1979 - 1983) of old Imo State, was once a bustling hub for economic activities but left to deteriorate over the past two decades by successive Administrations, chief press secretary to the Governor, Kazie Uko said in a statement.

Speaking during the event in a speech titled, "Building On A Solid Rock Of Excellence", Governor Otti expressed his unwavering commitment to restoring the road to its former glory and making it even more economically viable.

"I’m glad that we are taking yet another strategic step in fulfilling one of my major campaign promises which is to permanently break the jinx of Port Harcourt Road, Aba, and revive the long-abandoned economic activities along this corridor; activities that once gave Aba a set of peculiar advantages, starting from the early 1980s when our revered leader, Dee Sam Mbakwe, Governor of Old Imo State, constructed this road to feed into the expansion of the booming oil industrial complex in Port Harcourt.

"Dee Sam’s vision gained a foothold almost immediately as this stretch of road became a major hub for the servicing of heavy-duty vehicles, equipment, spare parts, power generating sets and ancillary tools. In no time, this axis emerged as one of the busiest parts of Aba and a go-to destination for maintenance engineers, procurement officers and contractors working for the multinationals in Port Harcourt and environs, bringing immediate prosperity and a host of other economic and social advantages to the city of Aba.

"For about two decades, it was all bliss and blush for businesses around this area until things began to fall apart in the mid to late 1990s, followed quickly by the unfortunate collapse and abandonment of the 2000s.

"Nothing seemed to work thereafter. In time, the businesses, including those that had their corporate headquarters around here began to disappear, finding more favourable locations as it became clear that succeeding administrations did not have the will to make the right commitments to restore this stretch of road and sustain its economic advantages; until today," the statement quoted the governor Otti as recalling while he addressed the mammoth crowd that trooped out to witness the landmark flag-off.

The new Port Harcourt Road, according to the Commissioner for Works, Engr Otumchere Oti, is a total of 6.8 kilometres, made up of 5.7kms from the beginning of Port Harcourt Road by Ngwa Road to the end at the intersection with the Enugu-Umuahia-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway by Alaoji and another 1.1kms from the intersection with Ngwa Road to the junction of Azikiwe Road by Asa Road.

The 5.7kms stretch of the road, originally a four-lane carriage, is now being reconstructed and expanded to six lanes with lay-bys and drainage system. The 1.1kms corridor, which yields into Port Harcourt Road, will be reconstructed as a four-lane carriage with lay-bys and drainage. The entire 6.8km road will be properly marked and fitted with solar-powered street lights.

Governor Otti, who mounted one of the bulldozers and started the engine, symbolically flagging off the project, said that the reconstruction was not a mere political gesture for short-term gain but a holistic effort to restore the road's durability and economic significance.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has expressed strong desire to see train services return to the Eastern tracks after many years of inactivity, ABN TV reports.

Governor Otti stated this on Wednesday when he met with officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Eastern District, who came on a business visit to him, chief press secretary to the governor, Kazie Uko said in a statement.

Governor Otti noted that rail used to be the most viable means of transportation in the country but suddenly disappeared in the last three decades, the statement noted.


He promised that Abia would support the corporation to function in the state and requested that they continue to update him with developments regarding the on-going rehabilitation of the rail tracks in the state, Uko said further.

According to the statement, "The Governor pledged to address the request for security and further engage the people on the need to protect and safeguard railway installations in their localities.

"He warned that any person caught engaging in vandalisation of railway tracks would be dealt with.

"Earlier, the railway District Manager, Mr. Modibbo Mohammed, who led the team, said their visit was to brief the Governor about the ongoing rehabilitation of the railway tracks from Port Harcourt to Aba.

"Modibbo stated that the first phase of the laying of new rail tracks, covering 63kms from Port Harcourt to Aba, would be completed by the end of this year while the second phase from Aba to Umuahia would be delivered in the first quarter of 2024.

"He solicited the support of the Governor in tackling the issue of vandalisation of the rail tracks stacked in some locations in the state and appealed for a patrol vehicle to assist them in security.

"Mr. Modibbo said that the railway services when fully operational would create jobs for the youths as well as provide alternative means of transportation to the populace.

"He commended the Governor for the massive infrastructural development witnessed in the state within his short time in office.

The Election Petition Tribunal Court sitting in Umuahia has upheld the victory of Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Party in Abia State, ABN TV reports.

The judgement was given at the Federal High Court in Umuahia on Friday.

The Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Governor Otti ot March 18, 2023, but was dragged to court by the PDP and APC.

Regarding the membership of a party before the election, the court upheld that they are pre-election matters and n ought to have been dealt with before the election.

The court also ruled that the petitioner (PDP) did not have evidence and could not prove its case against the first respondent (LP) over corrupt practices and irregularities during the election.

PDP’s petition was dismissed for lacking merit in favour of LP.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has revealed how his administration is making life bearable for its citizens, who have had to contend with economic difficulties arising from the removal of petrol subsidy by the Federal Government.

Governor Otti, while delivering the 63rd Founder’s Day Lecture of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, on Thursday, said that the Abia State Government, under his watch, has supported businesses and economically vulnerable persons to weather the harsh effects of subsidy removal from petrol, the governor's chief press secretary, Kazie Uko said in a statement.

Speaking on the topic, “Petrol Subsidy Removal: Dealing with the Challenges, Harnessing the Opportunities,” Governor Otti disclosed that his administration met a very difficult situation on ground upon assuming office.

“The day I was sworn in as governor was also the day the removal of subsidy on petrol was announced by President Bola Tinubu. So, we met a very difficult situation that needed to be carefully managed,” the Governor, a first-class economist, said in his 32-page lecture paper.

He continued: “We began by offering a message of hope to the people, assuring the civil servants that the era of owing salaries was gone and that by the 28th of every month, every legitimate staff of the state civil service would receive their full entitlements. We soon followed up by paying part of the accumulated arrears from the previous government.

“We are progressively supporting our civil servants by keeping to our commitment to prompt and regular payment of salaries and also clearing up arrears in order to increase the amount of disposable cash available to those in our employ.

“We have also put in mechanisms that will make for smooth and seamless payment of pensions to all retirees as soon as they sign out from the state civil service. So far, appreciable progress has been made and I can tell you that while a few teething problems remain, our pensioners are beginning to see clear signals that in the New Abia we are building, owing senior citizens their entitlements would be an anathema.

“Beyond just paying them, we have also directed the State Ministry of Health to enrol a certain category of pensioners in the state into a health insurance scheme that guarantees steady access to quality healthcare for our retirees. So far, 4,700 pensioners have been enrolled and we shall add to this number in the months ahead.”

The embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has urged the Supreme Court of Nigeria to uphold the ruling of the Appeal Court discharging and acquitting him of all terror-related charges, ABN TV reports.

Kanu through his lead counsel, Kanu Godwin Agabi SAN told the court that his client is innocent of the allegations against him, urging the court to free him.

The prosecuting counsel however urged the court to set aside the court of appeal judgement and allow Nnamdi Kanu to stand trial for the previous charges held at the Federal high court against him.

Judgement was reserved till the 15th of December.

Metrix147:
Source: https://abntv.com.ng/news/police-arrest-8-suspects-arrested-with-large-quantity-of-indian-hemp-in-aba-others-video/

Abia State Police Command has paraded eight suspects nabbed with a large quantity of substance suspected to be Indian hemp, ABN TV reports.

Other items recovered from them include, some quantities of Tramadol tablets, Tiazopam tablets, Refnor tablets, and Simnor tablets.

During a press briefing on Wednesday at the headquarters of the state police command in Umuahia, the command's spokesperson, ASP Maureen Chinaka said their arrest followed a credible intelligence regarding criminal activities at Ehere Secondary School, Aba.

She said the police detectives had conducted a cordon, search, and arrest operation on September 24, 2023.

The suspects are said to have been involved in the illegal drug trade.

She gave their names as:
One Kelechi Kalu (male, 25 years)
One Nnanna Nwogu (male, 35 years)
One Chika Ugochukwu (male, 33 years)
One Ndubuisi Chikere (male, 38 years)
One Check Bowel (male, 45 years)
One Ugochukwu Monday (male, 20 years)
One Grace Chika (female, 27 years)
One Owe Mary (female, 20 years)

She added, "Large quantities of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and various hard drugs were recovered. The suspects have been charged to court after a thorough investigation and were remanded accordingly."

Other suspects arrested for illegal possession of firearms include,
One Chinedu Ukachukwu (male) 23 years
One Chibueze Nwokocha (male) 25 years
One Steve Okafor (male) 17 years
Uche Awa (male) 23 years
One Chisom Chijioke (male) 17 years

Exhibits recovered from them include, One cut-to-size locally fabricated single-barrel short gun, and six live cartridges.

They were arrested on September 24, 2023, by personnel from the Counter-Terrorist Unit. They were intercepted in a tricycle with five male occupants.

The FCT chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has announced the sack of Eze Ndigbo of FCT, stating that an Igbo kingdom can only exist in Igboland.

This is contained in a press release dated 22nd September 2023 and signed by the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in FCT, Ifeanyichukwu Obasi-Nweze, and seven other members of the Executive.

The pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation said after the sack of one Uche Isaac Egenti and Ibe Nwosu both are whom from Imo State and who have been parading themselves as Eze Ndigbo, they employed one FCK Obike alleged to have been ostracised with them to author a phantom impeachment against Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership in FCT.

The statement read in part, “The Ohanaeze Nd’lgbo FCT Abuja Chapter’s General Assembly through the Executive Committee reiterates as follows:

“1. That Federal Capital Territory, Abuja is not lgboland; therefore there are no Eze-Igbos in the Federal Capital Territory. People seeking to be Eze/Kings should go back to their home states in the South East and follow the guiding laws in respect of Chieftaincy – Nd’lgbo cannot build kingdoms within the traditional leaderships of their host communities thereby creating confusion, unwarranted rivalry, and crises in the FCT.

“2. That Henry Ugbaja, Hilary Ukpabi, FCK Obike, and Promise Ihezie, who are unknown to their respective Presidents General of Abia State and Imo State communities in FCT Abuja, were ostracized with Uche Isaac Egenti:; they cannot speak for Ohanaeze.

“3. The General Public is hereby put ON NOTICE NOT TO DEAL WITH any of them to forestall their fraudulent activities aimed at collecting money from the unsuspecting public – Ohanaeze Nd’lgbo FCT Abuja Chapter is a responsible organization that will not under this regime seek for funds from the general public.”

The FCT chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo equally notified the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike urging him not to accord recognition to anyone parading himself as Eze Ndigbo in FCT.