₦airaland Forum

In its continued onslaught against criminality in the Southeast, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Ebonyi State Police Command have intercepted 753 live ammunition of General-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) concealed in a sac being transported in a commercial vehicle from Abakaliki, Ebonyi State to Umuahia in Abia State, ABN TV reports.

In a statement signed by CP Frank Mba, Police Public Relations Officer, the intelligence-driven covert operation also led to the interception and recovery of the deadly ammunition.

The statement partly reads, "Similarly, following investigations into the foiled bank robbery on the Onueke branch of a commercial bank in Ebonyi State which occurred on Tuesday, 27th April, ​2021; Police operatives led by the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, on 29th April, 2021, stormed the criminal hideout of suspects indicted in the investigations located at Oriuzo village in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The suspects on sighting the Police squad, opened fire on them. The Police team engaged them gallantly and professionally. At the end, three (3) members of the gang including two (2) male and one (1) female met their waterloo following bullet injuries sustained during the exchange of gunfire. Other suspects fled in different directions.

"Two (2) Ak47 riffles, five (5) pump action guns, six (6) pistols, fifty (50) Ak47 ammunition, one hundred and twenty-six (126) cartridges, Jack knives, cutlasses, and a 40-page notebook containing inventories of ammunition purchased by the gang were recovered. A Honda Pilot Jeep with Reg No. ABJ 163 NV used for the foiled bank robbery was also recovered by the Police Team.

"Unrelenting in their quest to apprehend the remaining suspects, the Police team traced the suspects to a shrine where the robbers usually go for mystical powers before embarking on their robbery operations. Two (2) of the suspects were eventually arrested from the supposedly safe haven - the shrine, which led to the arrest of additional three (3) members of the gang. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang and their spiritual godfather - the chief priest of the shrine.

"The Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc, while commending the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Police Command, CP Aliyu Garba, psc (+) and officers of the command, for excellently harnessing intelligence to nip the crimes in the bud, assured citizens of the renewed commitment of the Force to improving public safety and combating all forms of violent crimes across the land."

Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has began moves to make it illegal for anyone to engage in open defecation anywhere in the state with signing into Law, the Abia State Water Bill 2021 which was recently passed by the State House of Assembly.

The Governor also launched the Abia State Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Policy (WASH) even as he declared a state of emergency on the WASH sector in the State.

Dr. Ikpeazu while speaking at the event today at Government House Umuahia, disclosed that with the new law and the declaration of the State of Emergency in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Sector, people are no longer allowed to defecate in the open as it will give greater impetus to the Ministry of Environment to enforce the new regulations.

In a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onyebuchi Ememanka, Governor Ikpeazu said that the essence of the law is to provide the legal framework to guide the State actions with regard to the provision of potable water to all households in the State.

According to him, water is essential for the socio-economic development of the State as well as the building of a healthy society.

Dr. Ikpeazu said the law makes it mandatory for the government to do the needful to give water to the people, adding that it also spells out the responsibilities of the citizenry.

He further said that the WASH policy is well-thought-out with about seven components as well as what the State stands to gain from it.

The release partly reads, "He appealed to development partners to continue to rise to the support of the State.

"Presenting the Abia State Water Bill, the Secretary to the Abia State government and Chairman, Steering Committee on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Barr. Chris Ezem described the signing of the Bill into Law as a milestone. He disclosed that the State has continued to partner USAID E-WASH over time, adding that, the partnerships are increasing with new projects such as rehabilitating the Ariaria and Ubakala Water Schemes as well as deliver ICT equipment in the water sector. Barr. Ezem said that signing the Water Bill into Law will facilitate those projects and bring other benefits to the State.

"In their remarks earlier, the acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Utilities, Engr. Friday Chika and the General Manager, Abia State Water Board, Engr. Leo Ogbonna said signing of the bill is the beginning of good things in the State as it will reduce mortality rate as a result of water borne diseases in the State. They thanked the Governor for his efforts in ensuring that the bill is finally signed into law and assured that they will live up to expectations.

"Deputy Governor Sir Ude Oko Chukwu and some members of the State Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries and other top government officials were present at the event."

A Police Inspector identified as Ochofie Ijimbile attached to MOPOL 55 Aba, Abia State on Friday allegedly shot and killed himself while servicing his rifle in readiness for the day's job, ABN TV reports.

He was before his death serving as a hotel guard in Aba metropolis.

Police spokesman in the command, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna while describing the incident as sad and unfortunate told ABN TV that Inspector Ijimbile accidentally shot himself on the chest.

Following the incident, he was immediately rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.

While stating that the late policeman could be unaware that there is bullet in his rifle chamber called on policemen in Abia and across the country especially those handling rifles to always exercise extra carefulness while servicing their arms.

His corpse has since been deposited in the morgue while efforts are on to reach the family members.