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Police have confirmed an arm robbery attack along Bank Road in Umuahia, Abia State capital where two civilians and a policeman were injured.

The spokesman of the state command, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna in a chat with ABN TV on Thursday also called on the general public to be security conscious, especially bank customers.

ABN TV reports that a three-man robbery gang who specialise in trailing bank customers, especially those with large amount of cash to a place of convenience for attack were engaged in a gun duel by police officers on patrol in the city centre on Thursday.

The robbery suspects fled after snatching a vehicle which aided their escape. They abandoned their operational vehicle, a red Toyota vehicle with registration No. Lagos: LND 126 HC and an AK47 rifle which were later recovered by the police.

The two civilians who were injured by stray bullets along with a policeman who sustained injury during the gun duel have since been hospitalised.

The police spokesman called on bank customers to be wary of boarding Keke NAPEP, especially after the withdrawal of cash, stating that some robbery gangs masquerading as transporters are criminal elements.

A suspected arm robbery gang in the early hours of Thursday struck along the popular bank road in Umuahia, Abia State capital, where about three persons were shot.

An eyewitness told ABN TV that the suspected robbers have in recent times been lurking around the banks waiting for customers with a large chunk of cash to attack.

Following intelligence information, the police ambushed the suspects where they engaged in a fierce exchange of fire.

ABN TV gathered that two civilians were injured in the process, including a female health worker identified as Apollos Theresa Female who was hit by a stray bullet on her head and a woman identified as Chimuanya Joy shot on her belly. A police officer who sustained injury at the gun duel has also been hospitalised.

The robbery suspects were said to have abandoned their red Toyota car and snatched another one from with which they took to their heels and fled the scene.

A chieftain of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA Sir Chikwe Udensi [/b]has taken a swipe at the President, Muhammadu Buhari saying despite contesting to lead Nigeria several times, he was still not prepared.

[b]According to Udensi a security expert, Buhari has overrated and had incompetencies which attention was not paid to.

He spoke on Wednesday on Love FM programme, Open Parliament monitored by ABN TV in Umuahia, saying, the President's performance is disappointing in the last seven years.

He was reacting to Buhari’s outcry where he said he can’t wait to leave office in 2023 because it has been tough.

The President spoke when he hosted some All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, legislators and chieftains at his Daura home in Katsina.

Noting that he has less than a year left in office, the Nigerian leader assured that he would do his best in the remaining months.

“I wish the person who is coming after me the very best. I am eager to go. I can tell you it has been tough”, he said.

Udensi said Buhari has about ten months to go, saying it is a long period of time in the life of a nation, urging the president to toll the path of honour and resign of he's tired of leading.

"We probably overrated Buhari, we probably did not understand that there were serious incompetencies on his part, I am saying this with all sense of responsibility.

"As a patriot, we were told we have to respect our leaders, but when leaders are incompetent, we should not hide under any clause to protect them. The president has shown he was not prepared for the job", he said.

Udensi said Buhari had in the past, especially in 2009 supported ASUU strike which lasted for six months.

He also condemned what he called the incompetence of the Minister of Education, Prof. Adamu Adamu who has been an advocate of effective educational system and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, following their failure to ensure that the ongoing strike is called off.

He called on Nigerians to pay attention to antecedents of contestants to various elective positions before making a choice in 2023, saying Buhari government has not met the expectations of many Nigerians.

Member representing Bende Federal Constituency Abia state, Rep Benjamin Kalu has said he will not be distracted by allegations he described as frivolous but committed to delivering democratic dividends to his constituency.

This is in response to allegation of infidelity without facts or evidence levelled against him by one Robinson Uwak a former member of the House of Representatives who represented Oron, Mbo, Okobo,Ure-Offong/Oruko and Udung-uko federal constituency of Akwa Ibom State at the 7th Assembly.

Featuring in his weekly radio programme, Ben Kalu Mandate on Flo 94.9 Fm Umuahia streamed live by ABN TV and Radio, he described the allegation as baseless and mere distractions by those who are determined to smear his reputation considered to be sparkling for a politician.

According to Rep. Kalu who is also the Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, “There are many people who are waiting to cast aspersions on the integrity of the man called Benjamin Okezie Kalu and if I am not aware of that, I am living in the fool’s paradise. This is the time I should use to speak to my good people of Bende and not to glorify irrelevant issues without facts to it.

“All these things happening is all about Bende, we have brought the dividends of democracy and it is driving some people crazy, getting them worried and they are having sleepless nights but the truth be told, our eyes are on the ball, we are not blinking and anybody who has any dirt should bring it on. We are here to bring more dividends of democracy.

"I will keep working till the election and I am returning to make sure we continue from where we stopped because we have lived in the dark for too long. No amount of threats, smear campaign or defamation, or gang ups , casting aspersion on my integrity that has been upright for the last 5 decades can stop me. I was prepared for this and all that will come with it."

The lawmaker also mentioned that he had neither met Hon. Robinson Uwak before nor has he spoken to the young lady since her contract expired in 2019, stating that marriage is for mature minds who have the capacity to handle their internal issues especially within the first three years of marriage which he said is always challenging and not bringing it on social media.

He further stated that he will not be speaking on issues that do not have any form of basis or facts with his ex-employee and her husband as she is not his first female staff who has gotten married and managing their homes successfully.

Rep. Kalu emphasized that this is one out of so many allegations thrown at him since his inauguration as a member of the House of Representatives, none of which has come out as true.

He further urged the people of Bende to remain focused and resolute in their demand for good governance, while assuring them of his unwavering commitment to transforming Bende Federal Constituency.

Former Governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has called on governors in South East geopolitical zone, security agencies, traditional rulers, and other relevant stakeholders to synergise and end all forms of insecurity in the region, ABN TV reports.

While stating that data on security in Nigeria and his home state Abia in particular reflect the frustrations and agony of citizens, the Senate Chief Whip says it has created considerable fear, and anxiety in the minds of citizens.

In a statement on Saturday, Sen. Kalu while highlighting his concern on impact of insecurity in the right to lift, movement and right to legitimate economic pursuit of people of the state and Nigerians in general said he has continued to engage with relevant stakeholders including foreign embassies to assist Nigeria in ending insecurity.

He said, "On my part, I have met with heads of security agencies to discuss about the state of insecurity in our state and region. Few days ago, I also met with the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria to discuss about security issues with him, which he promised to assist us.

"During my tenure as the Governor of Abia State, Security of lives and properties was one of my priorities and I was able to deal with the issue of insecurity using every instrument available to me.

Abia state chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA has vowed that the party is poised to installing government in Abia State in 2023, saying it will sack the PDP-led government.

The party said it has credible candidates who have capacity to lead the state aright, urging the people of the state to support it.

Speaking on Wednesday at the inauguration of ward executives for Ohafia and Arochukwu stakeholders, Rev. Augustine Ehiemere urged the leadership of the wards to demonstrate fearlessness and commitment in the discharge of their functions.

He said the inauguration of new ward leadership in the two local governments is to further strengthen the party's structure to position it to taking over government in 2023.

He encouraged the new ward chairmen to galvanize support for the party in their local communities.

Ehiemere further appealed to those who feel dissatisfied following the recently concluded primaries of the party to sheath their sword and allow peace to reign.

He said, “I am happy, I am satisfied APGA is on ground, 2023 will be able to take over government house so that we will replicate what is happening in Anambra, look at Abia is almost dead no roads, workers are on strike, teachers are not paid, Nurses are on strike no good roads pensioners are weeping they are crying but we have a man of capacity that God has given unto us so all Abians should join support him.

Member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency of Abia State, Rep. Sam Onuigbo has maintained that he is the authentic candidate of All Progressives Congress APC for Abia Central Senatorial District, insisting that he won the primaries of the party.

The APC had however substituted his name with that of Hon. Emeka Atuma under controversial circumstances.

Reacting to the development, Hon. Onuigbo in a chat with newsmen recently said the substitution of his name will not hold water as he has every evidence to authenticate his claim that he won the primaries.

He expressed dismay that someone, who, according to him, did not buy Senatorial form, nor participated in the Senatorial Primary Election could mysteriously emerge a candidate.

“It is therefore so strange to us that someone who did not buy nomination forms for the Senate, never participated in the preliminary processes, that is completing your form, submitting, participating in screening and being cleared by the party, from nowhere had his name listed to substitute my own name. It is one of the strangest things I have ever seen. It is so shocking”

He further stated, “And, as a confirmation of the fact that I was the candidate of the party, they issued me with Form EC9, which is from INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission), which is given to only successful candidates.

“They asked me to complete that form and I completed the form and returned it on June 14. And, after returning it, it was acknowledged by one of the officers there, Emmanuel or so. After that, I was required to sign in a column where my name was already indicated as the APC candidate for Abia Central Senatorial District, where, after signing, you were also required to put in your phone number.

“On that document, my name was listed as number one, Senator Orji Uzo Kalu was number two. He signed before me and put his phone number, then Blessing Nwagba and I also signed and put our phone numbers. So, I believed everything was going well, until June 16th, when they issued the list of candidates for the election to represent APC and my name was missing," Rep Onuigbo explained.

Onuigbo further stated that INEC has already issued him with the Certified True Copy of his result which is a further and concrete evidence that he won the primary election and therefore the APC CANDIDATE for Abia Central Senatorial District.

According to him, the Electoral Act, 2022 makes it difficult for his name or that of any candidate who emerged through primary to be substituted for another person who ab-initio was never part of the Senatorial Primary Election for Abia Central Senatorial Ticket or elsewhere.

He said any attempt to foist candidates from backdoor will amount to political gangsterism, which the Electoral Act 2022 does not recognise.

“This is pure political gangsterism. They hijack a position that they never contested for and then, after the election, they now sit in their office and use resources that they are getting from their loots, from their fraudulent conduct to now be fighting the genuine individual. So, it is important for this to be stopped before the general election and that is why we did it”, referring to the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2022.

Rep Onuigbo, who represented the South East Geopolitical Zone in the Joint Technical Committee of the National Assembly that put together the Electoral Act 2022 stated that there are many sections of the Act that were enacted to cure this kind of mischief. The Joint Technical Committee was chaired by Sen Kabiru Gaya and Co-chaired by Hon Aisha Dukku. Other members were Sen Ekweremadu, Sen Shekarau, Sen Bamidele, and Sen Yau. Other members were Hon Magaji, Hon Bob, Hon Mohammed Ari and Hon Adigun. In the Committee, we worked with INEC, Ministry of Justice and the Civil Society Organisation.

According to the Federal Legislator, these are Sections 29(1), 31 and 33. Rep Onuigbo revealed that Section 84(1) states that "a political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this Act shall hold primaries for aspirants to all elective positions which shall be monitored by the Commission." Commission in this case means INEC.

Onuigbo further declared that Section 84(13) states that, "where a political party fails to comply with the provisions of this Act in the conduct of its primaries, its candidate for election shall not be included in the election for the particular position in issue." Onuigbo said laws are enacted or amended to improve activities of human beings or citizens who make up the society in order to achieve peace, development and good governance and not to return to a state of nature or political banditry. He concluded by stating that the nation is moving forward and not not backwards.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested a 27 years old suspect and indigene of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nwamannah Chuks Ifeanyi, for alleged ATM card fraud.

He was picked up on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at the Fruits Market, Wuse Zone II, Abuja, following an intelligence report.

At the point of arrest, 41 ATM cards of different banks, bearing various names, were found in his possession.

Other items recovered from him are a Toyota Venza car with Registration Number KUJ -300 MK, one PoS Machine, two Apple Laptop computers, six iPhones, one Nokia torchlight, one Apple wrist watch and one Driver’s license.

The Benue State University graduate of Political Science and agent to a soccer betting company, claims he uses the ATM cards for Chargeback.

Chargeback is the fraudulent act of using an ATM card to withdraw money and afterwards call the bank to dispute the transaction and ask for a reversal.

He will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.

One of the contestants for the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA governorship ticket in Abia State, Etigwe Uwa SAN has approached the Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, capital of Abia State, urging it to declare him winner of the party’s primary election held on 29th May, 2022.

Uwa wants the court to determine the authentic governorship candidate of the party as a result of the two parallel governorship primary elections held on Sunday, May 29, 2022.

In one of the factional elections, Etigwe Uwa had polled 148 votes only second to Greg Ibe who polled 283 votes, while Ijioma Ijioma got 36 and Sir Chikwendu Udensi got 12 votes.

In an application in suit number FHC/UM/CS/100/2022, seeking to be joined as the 7th defendant in a matter between Chief Udensi and APGA, INEC and four others, Uwa had applied to the court seeking to be joined in a suit filed by Udensi who polled the least number of votes following outcome of the primary election.

Uwa, the applicant, said he took part in the said primary election and was declared the first runner up whilst the Plaintiff, Udensi, came 4th but failed to join him in the suit.

The court has however held that the reliefs sought by plaintiff are prejudicial to the applicant’s rights and interests as the candidate that polled the second highest votes.

The applicant has sought an order of Court to grant leave to the party to allow him join as defendant and be declared as winner of the said election.

The application for joinder is supported by a seven-paragraph affidavit duly deposed to by one Mr Samuel Nwokocha, a clerk in the office of Uche S. Awa, lead counsel in the matter.

APGA chieftain in Abia State, Sir Chikwe Udensi has taken a swipe at the State governor Okezie Ikpeazu in what he described as a high level of insensitivity towards workers in the state.

The security expert was reacting to the trending photos of Gov. Ikpeazu and his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike where the duo are observing a vacation in Turkey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZekJOd3tQfo
Udensi said it was disappointing to see Ikpeazu abandon health workers in the state, alleging that they are being owed backlog of salaries.

According to Udensi, the medical Doctors and workers are being owed 25 months salaries as the Nigerian Medical Association has directed its members in Abia to proceed on a strike and the governor is happily cruising in a holiday oversees.

“Medical Doctors in our teaching Hospitals are being owed 25 months Salaries , they’re also saying their counterparts in the health management board are being owed about 11 months ,our governor is in Turkey with Rivers Governor,Wike enjoying Holiday and i saw the way they were on holding hands in the park enjoying themselves .

“We must have to criminalize this acts.

“I’m fraustrated,I feel sick inside me ,I feel like jumping inside the gutter.

“That we have a government to owe essential workers like medical Doctors,those whose job it is to protect lives,those whose job it is to make sure we do not die,those whose job it is to operate on us everyday ,gives us medications prescribe to us all kinds of medications for us they’re being owed 25 months of salary and our governor is in holiday in a park.”

He maintained that legitimate people must be allowed to govern Abia , adding that the acts of ignorance displayed by Ikpeazu must be criminalized .

Udensi posited that the governor does not have conscience by his attitude towards workers inspite his level of qualifications ,while urged the youths to get their PVC in order to change the narrative.

The Commissioner of Police Abia State Command, CP Janet E. Agbede, has presented cheques worth Twenty-one Million, Four Hundred and Seventy-Seven thousand, and Fifty Naira, Eighty kobo (N21,477,050. 80k) to next of kins of Ten (10) deceased Police Officers who died while in active service.

The check presentation which took place on 23rd June, 2022 at the command headquarters was on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba.

This largesse is part of the IGP's ongoing Group Life Assurance Welfare Scheme to the families of deceased Police officers for 2020/2021 Policy Year, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, the Command’s PRO said in a statement.

The Commissioner of Police who was represented by ACP Jane Mbanefo while presenting the cheques to the next of kins, appreciated the Inspector General of Police for the gesture and described it as timely and will go along way in alleviating sufferings being faced by families of deceased Police officers.

The CP further assured the IGP that, Officers and men of the Command will continue to put in their best to ensure more robust commitment and hard work in the discharge of their duties for sustained security and safety of the State and Nigeria at large.

The release added, "The Commissioner of Police therefore charged the beneficiaries to utilize the money judiciously, noting that the gesture will serve as morale booster to the serving members of the Force in order to enhance their productivity.

"One of the benefiting families, Justice E. John, who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries thanked the Inspector General of Police for the gesture and promised to utilize the money judiciously.

"The Cheques' presentation ceremony was witnessed by the Command PRO, the Command Insurance Officer and other Staff Officers at the Command Headquarters, Umuahia."