₦airaland Forum

Imo State Police Command has rescued 18-year-old Amarachi Okechukwu Dioku, a female of Umudurualaoka Uba Ifakala Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State, who was earlier reported missing on 23/5/2021, by her parents.

Following credible information by the command's tactical unit, the victim was sighted in the premises of a church, JESUS LIFE ASSEMBLY located in an isolated area along MCC/Uratta road in Owerri North LGA of Imo State

PPRO of the command, CSP Michael Abattam in a statement made available to ABN TV said Amarachi Okechukwu Dioku was rescued unhurt with five months pregnancy while the prime suspect and self-acclaimed resident Evangelist of the church, Evangelist Ugochi Orisakwe "F" age 47 years alongside his gang members namely, Chidi Orisakwe "M" age 34 years, Pauline Nwagbunwanne "F" age 42 years, Elizabeth Uzoma "F" age 61 years and Chibueze Joy "F" age 31 years were all arrested and taken to the station.

He added, "On interrogation, Evangelist Ugochi Orisakwe "F" confessed to have been using the church as a place where young girls are kept, impregnated and after delivery, the girls are paid off and their babies sold to rich and childless clients.

"Meanwhile, an investigation is ongoing and efforts are on to arrest other members of the syndicate who are on the run.

"The Commissioner of Police CP Rabiu Hussaini psc, commended the brilliant and gallant efforts of the tactical teams and called on Imolites to be wary of churches located in isolated areas within their localities.

"He then warns all persons or groups, who indulge in kidnapping/ trafficking in children to leave the state as the Command has put in a robust strategy that will lead to their arrest forthwith."

Member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Sam Onuigbo has said the delay in the completion of 47-kilometre Umuahia-Ikwuano Road awarded at the cost of N13.2bn was caused by paucity of funds.

ABN TV recalls that around 2015 and 2016, the road was in very bad shape, making it impossible for commuters to pass through Ndioru to Okwe without passing through Ikwueke, Amizi to Ariamalala.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-c_m4gF1_c
The lawmaker speaking shortly the commissioning of 4 classroom blocks in Ekebebi Oboro, Ikwuano LGA of Abia state on Monday noted that the palliative works he carried out through FERMA made the road a bit usable around 2017.

Hon. Onuigbo who said he deployed extra efforts to work with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to ensure the road was awarded said the completion period was initially four years.

The project he also said will stretch from Ikwuano to Ikot-Ekpene.

He however noted that the temporary setback being witnessed on the road is as a result of financial challenges.

He revealed that Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA has come for inspection of the project, expressing optimism that they will fix the failed section of the road as dry season sets in.

He expressed optimism that the entire project will be completed in no distance time.

After Sen. Kalu's Motion, Senate To Investigate Illegal Exportation Of Gold Worth $9bn Yearly

As the country grapples with dwindling revenue, Senate has concluded plans to begin a 3-day public hearing to investigate the yearly loss of $9billion as a result of illegal mining and smuggling of Gold out of Nigeria.

This public hearing scheduled to commence Monday follows a motion moved by Senate Chief Whip and Senator representing Abia North, Sen. Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.

Our correspondent gathered that the three-day public hearing to address the illicit activities in the nation's mining sector especially as the activities of illegal miners continue to cause revenue leakage.

Recall that the Senate at its plenary session last year passed resolutions to investigate the loss of revenues worth billions of dollars due to illegitimate mining.

Giving analysis to his colleagues, Kalu disclosed that Nigeria lost close to $54b from 2012 to 2018 due to illegal smuggling of gold.

While also pointing out that the country is said to be losing about $9 billion yearly to illegal mining and gold exportation, a huge amount of money unaccounted for through under-the-radar sales of the expensive commodity.

Kalu disclosed further that the activities of unlicensed miners were becoming prevalent within the industry and the incessant smuggling of the solid mineral out of the country by middlemen and smugglers, is leading to loss of government revenue.

According to Kalu, gold mining operations in Nigeria are capable of providing no fewer than 250,000 jobs and over $500 million dollars annually in royalties and taxes to the federal government and as mineral resources.

Raising additional concerns Kalu explained that jobs and revenue accrued to the mining sector would further diversify the nation’s economy and improve the foreign exchange reserve. He elucidated that due to Nigeria’s current estimated gold reserves of over a 200million ounces, most of which have not been exploited, developing sustainable programmes that will catalyse increased investment in the extraction and refining of gold sourced from mines in Nigeria, is indeed vital.

Making reference to data obtained from the Ministry of Solid Minerals and Development, Kalu revealed that there are gold deposits in Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Abia, Bauchi, Cross River, Edo, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, Oyo, Kogi, Zamfara, Osun, and Kaduna states.

Kalu argued that if the country conserves it's gold reserves, and ensures effective exploitation, the accruing revenue would surpass that of oil and gas.

In his lead discourse, Kalu drew the attention of colleagues to section 44 (3) of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Law of 1999 which provides that ownership and control of all minerals in Nigeria is vested in the federal government, which is mandated to manage such natural resources in a manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly.

Acting on Kalu's Motion, the Senate in its resolutions mandated it's Committee on Solid Minerals, Mines, Steel Development, and Metallurgy to investigate the matter and launch an investigation on the matter and report back to the Senate.

It is expected that the Senate will during the three-day hearing grill major Government and non Governmental stakeholders in the mining sector over the clandestine activities of illegal miners in the country.

Other matters scheduled for the three-day public hearing include bills on; Nigerian Minerals Development Corporation (Establishment) Bill 2021 (SB.505),Solid Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission (Establishment) Bill 2021 (SB.713) and Institute of Bitumen Management (Establishment) Bill 2021 (SB.663).iv. Explosive Act 1964 (Repeal and Re-enactment ) Bill 2021 (SB.749).

Former Governor and Chairman Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Mines, Steel Development and Metallurgy, Senator Tanko Al-Makura is expected to preside over the three-day legislative activity.

According to a notice signed by Al-Makura the committee also invites State Governors, the Governor Central Bank of Nigeria, the Hon. Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Minister of Finance, Hon. Minister of State of Mines and Steel Development, the Permanent Secretary and top Management Staff of Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, the DGs/CEOs of Parastatals and Agencies under the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, the Executive Secretary NEITI, Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigeria Immigration, NEXIM, the BOI, Chambers of Commerce, Mines, industries and Agriculture, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Mining and Geo-sciences Society, All Stakeholders, NGOs, CSOs, Artisanal Miners, Nigeria Council of Mining Engineers, Women in Mining Nigeria, Gold Dealers Association and the General Public.

It may take a long while for Mrs. Chibuzor Ikwunze who lost her four children in a day to get over her pains as she says life seems and will never remain the same for her.

ABN TV had reported that seven persons lost their lives in Umuahia Abia state after eating barbecue meat, known as Suya, and an undisclosed brand of juice last week.

In a chat with our correspondent on Sunday, the distraught mother who could not hold her tears gave the names of her children who lost their lives as Kelechi Chibuzor 12, Sunday Chibuzor 10, Oluomachi Chibuzor (f) 8, and Kingsley Chibuzor 3.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AII6orhxDpQ
They had visited a family friend, Sunday Ogba, and his family in Umuahia from where they died after eating the suya and juice.

Sunday Ogbaa who bought the juice also lost his life along with two of his children, leaving his wife and a daughter who survived the incident.

Mrs. Ikwunze said on the fateful day when her four children lost their lives, she received a phone call that the family friend, Sunday Ogbaa whose home his children had visited for holiday has lost his life.

According to her, the news appeared unbelievable, having seen the host, Ogba the previous day in Umuahia town.

While still expressing shock, she said she immediately raced to their home where she saw a large crowd.

Unknown to her, her four children were also dead after eating the suya and drinking the juice suspected to have been poisoned.

She said she was unconscious and recovered after three days in the hospital.

In his comment, father of the deceased children, Chibuzor Ikwunze a native of Umuagu, Umuhu Ohuhu expressed sadness over the incident.

He said the late Sunday Ogba was a former neighbour who later turned to family friend.

He noted that this is not the first time his children are visiting the late Ogba's family.

He appealed to the state government to investigate the cause of his children's death and make the findings known.

Wife of the late Sunday Ogba, Mrs. Chinonyerem Ogbaa, a native of Nkanu Item in Abia State said every member of the family, as well as the visiting family friends ate from the suya and juice her late husband bought on the fateful day.

Mrs. Chinonyerem Ogba who lost her husband and two children said 30 minutes after eating the suya and juice everyone, including herself started feeling intoxicated before she started screaming and later found herself in the hospital.

Her surviving daughter, Ijeoma expressed sadness over the death of her siblings and family friends who had visited.

The state government had in a statement earlier indicated readiness to investigate the death of the seven persons.

Nigerian 1974 Gold Medalist Turns Blind, Begs In Enugu Street To Feed

A 1974 Commonwealth boxing gold medalist, Stephen Ugboo is currently begging kindhearted Nigerians to come to his rescue following the loss of his sight as well as poor living condition that has left him with the option of begging in Enugu streets for survival.

The Nkanu East, Enugu State-born boxing professional boxer in a video obtained by ABN TV said he won a gold medal in 1974 in Australia after trouncing a man from New Zealand, Sylvester Hankor by a knockout at the second round of the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6elX4RaZU0
He said the then Yakubu Gowon administration apart from welcoming him in Dodan barracks and giving him a military escort, did nothing more to accord him recognition for the honour he did the country.

According to Ugboo, he was subsequently recruited as a coach for Nigerian side after which he was retired six months later.

The 1975 national sports festival gold medalist, therefore, appealed to the government to assist him with instruments that can aid his mobility, having lost his sight.

He also decried inhuman treatment meted to him in his community where he has allegedly been banished from.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has appointed Hon. Emeka Stanley sole administrator for Abia State Oil Producing Development Commission (ASOPADEC), ABN TV reports.

This follows dissolution of the commission's board by the Governor after the expiration of its tenure on Thursday, August 26, 2021.

The Governor appreciates the Chairman and members of the Board for their services to Abia State and wishes them well in their future endeavors, Secretary to Abia State Government, Barr. Chris Ezem said in a statement made available to ABN TV.

Appointment of the sole administrator is with immediate effect.

An Environmental, Human Rights & pro-democracy Advocacy group, Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development, FENRAD has threatened to take the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba to court over the prolonged illegal detention of Gloria Okolie, who was accused of working hand in glove with members of the proscribed want-away IPOB.

FENRAD says the detention which has spanned 69 days is in contravention of extant laws and a violation of the fundamental human rights of Gloria Okolie.

In a statement obtained by ABN TV titled, 'Illegal Detention of Gloria Okolie You Will Hear from us at the Court FENRAD threatened Legal suit Against Inspector General of Police' FENRAD decried the refusal of police authorities to grant family members and legal counsels access to the detained suspect, insisting that it will take all the necessary legal action against the Nigeria Police to ensure the enforcement of Okolie's rights.

The statement signed by Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, Executive Director FENRAD Nigeria and Barr. Olusegun Bamgbose, Head legal Team partly reads, "Having followed for some time this detention where nobody (including her lawyers) has had access to Gloria, FENRAD will do everything to ensure justice follows including filing a suit against the Nigeria Police over this matter. It beggars belief that Gloria Okolie - whom sources said is being detained on the grounds of being a friend of one of the separatist group's members, for allegedly furnishing the group with information and so on - is being held for intelligence or any investigation. What type of investigation, FENRAD seeks to know, is that in which a person is detained over sixty days!

"There is no legal justification for such illegal detention given the contemplation, interpretation and presumption of all extant laws in Nigeria including her constitution. The question becomes: from where is the police deriving its power to so detain an indigent citizen?

"Many worrisome details - about Gloria being subjected to slavery conditions and torture - are making the rounds, even those from reliable sources and the grapevine. FENRAD is keenly observing and willing to go the extra mile in exploring all legal alternatives to see that justice is done and that if found guilty Gloria Okolie be made to face the law.

"It is totally amateurish, FENRAD says, that in a world where scientific, forensic, and polished investigation has become the order of the day, Nigeria Police still deploys the crudest investigative method.

"The rights - to freedom of movement, association, to a fair hearing and freedom from degrading and illegal torture - of Gloria Okolie, it should be known, are being trampled upon by state agents and actors this long detention given. We will not fold our arms and let this happen to any Nigerian regardless of their station in life.

"Better Gloria Okolie is by a court of the land found guilty than the police being a judge in its own case as is happening now. FENRAD condemns this in its entirety and will stop at nothing in enforcing the rights of Gloria and if same have been violated will seek redress.

"While we keep following through as a rights group, we only wish to expressly tell the IG and the Owerri command where Gloria has been a resident that fourteen (14) days from the release date of this statement, we shall be willing to test the judiciary, the last hope of common and ordinary Nigerians like Gloria Okolie"