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Former governor of Abia state and Chief Whip of Nigerian Senate, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has urged Ndigbo and people of other zones in the country to take advantage of the APC membership registration and re-validation exercise to join the party.

According to Kalu in a verified Facebook post, President Muhammadu Buhari has performed well despite the challenges he inherited in 2015.

He added that South East geopolitical zone has enjoyed an unbeatable infrastructural development under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

While reiterating that the ruling APC is committed to the welfare of all Nigerians, the federal lawmaker added that credible leadership remains the hallmark of the party.

He said, "As our great party, APC is set to commence registration of new members and re-validation of old membership, it is important for Ndigbo and other Nigerians to use this rare opportunity to join the winning team.

"Despite the challenges President Muhammadu Buhari inherited when he assumed office in 2015, the level of infrastructural development in the South East and other geopolitical zones in the country has been impressive and unbeatable.

"Our party the APC will continue to maintain the lead in credible leadership and good governance at all levels and we remain committed to a united, indivisible, and prosperous Nigeria.

"The welfare of Nigerians is paramount to the APC and as such, the party’s ideals based on probity, transparency, and accountability, will not be compromsed

Nigeria international Samuel Chukwueze has undergone successful surgery on his groin at a facility in Munich, Germany, ABN TV reports.

The Villarreal star aggravated the injury during the Yellow Submarine’s 4-0 triumph at Celta Vigo in a Spanish top-flight game – having replaced French midfielder Etienne Capoue in the 66th minute.

Subsequently, he has been out of action for Unai Emery’s team – missing fixtures against Tenerife, Granada, Huesca, Girona, Real Sociedad, and Levante.

Meanwhile, the La Liga side confirmed on Thursday the 21-year-old’s operation went well alongside teammate Ruben Pena.

“Samuel Chukwueze, who has been out injured receiving treatment for discomfort in his groin, has undergone surgery this morning [Thursday] by Doctor Ulrike Muschaweck in Munich, hoping to definitively relieve him of the said pain,” a statement from the club website read.

“Ruben Pena suffered muscle damage to his left hamstring in yesterday’s Copa del Rey quarter-final against Levante.

“Both footballers’ recovery time will depend on how they progress.”

Chukwueze, who has featured in 17 Spanish top-flight games in the 2020-21 campaign with a goal to his credit recently became the youngest centurion for the Estadio de la Ceramica side.

The 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup winner reached this hallowed rank having featured for Villarreal in their 4-1 triumph over Zamora in a Copa del Rey encounter on January 5, 2021.

At 21 years, seven months, and 11 days, he shattered the record set by Argentina international and AC Milan center-back Mateo Musacchio who reached the centenary mark aged 21 years, 11 months, and 20 days.

The Super Eagle joined the Spanish side from Diamond Football Academy following his spectacular performances in Chile. There, he helped Emmanuel Amuneke’s boys emerge as winners of the cadet world championship.

In that tournament, he was named the third-best player behind Johannes Eggestein and compatriot Victor Osimhen.

As he steps up his recovery, Chukwueze will miss few games as Emery’s side continues their chase for their first La Liga title ever. They are currently fifth in the log after accruing 35 points from 21 games.

As the country battles to stamp out insecurity across board, Speaker Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji has said the nonchalant attitude of the police and other security agencies in dealing with the issues is a result of the negative impact the #EndSARS protest had on them last year.

The Speaker who spoke while presiding over plenary on the floor of the Assembly on Tuesday night against the backdrop of attacks in Isialangwa South where a police post was burnt down and security personnel beheaded in cold blood, and Isuikwuato urged the police to rise above their challenges and tackle insecurity with the needed energy.

According to the Speaker, the recent heightened security challenges in parts of the country that were hitherto peaceful won't be far from the hijacked #EndSARS protest.

He said the original intention of the conveners of the #EndSARS protest was thwarted by hoodlums who started destroying people's properties, businesses, and houses, burning down police stations, and carting away firearms in the process.

"What we are witnessing here today is the total nonchalant attitude of the police and other security agencies because of the hijacked #EndSARS protest which hugely affected them negatively. But that should change.

"Also the Laws made by us here and the many resolutions passed by the elected representatives of the people are not being implemented as expected. We have passed the Anti-Grazing Law and I'm made to understand the Governor has given his assent to it. if anybody wants to do Cattle business in the State, the person can do ranching where you buy a piece of land, fence it, and put in the cows there and do your business. In such a way, you don't cross paths with the locals.

"The issue of kidnappings having some colouration of collaboration with some security agencies should also be looked into because it is abominable," he said.

He vowed that the Assembly will make use of the instrumentality of its power to make inquiries from relevant security agencies on what needs to be done to secure the people of Abia.

"As an arm of Government, we have the constitutional powers to invite anybody here to give us some answers to questions we want so we can pass same to our Constituents because we will be failing in our duties if we don't do anything concerning this matter as our people are being kidnapped and shot. If we don't do anything now and the people take laws into their hands, it will only lead to an escalation of an already bad situation" the Speaker said in an emotion-laden voice.

"We need to look deeply into these reoccurring security breaches that have been happening in Isuikwuato and other parts of the state especially the one that just happened in Isiala Ngwa South before it escalates, which might lead to a total break down of law and order", the Speaker said.

Some hoodlums attacked Umuoba Police Station in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia on Monday and killed a police inspector, the police in Abia say.

Police Public Relations Officer Geoffrey Ogbonna in the command confirmed this on Tuesday in Aba, observing that the hoodlums came on Monday at about 3 a.m.

Ogbonna said that the hoodlums who attacked the police station also burnt the station and its operational vehicles.

“In the course of that attack, one inspector lost his life, another policewoman was seriously injured.

“The hoodlums then broke into the armoury of the police at the station and stole some arms, including the gun of the inspector who was killed.

“They also burnt down the station and the vehicles parked in the premises, including one of our serviceable patrol vans.

“The body of the inspector has been taken to the mortuary while the policewoman is being treated,” he said.

Ogbonna said the police in Abia had begun investigations to unravel the cause of the attack.

He urged the residents to be watchful and be on the lookout in their communities for intruders and unknown faces.

He also called on hoteliers to volunteer credible information on certain visitors who would want to leave the hotels at midnight to commit crimes.

The police promised to protect the details of anybody who volunteered the information that could lead to the arrest of the hoodlums.

Abia State Police Command has debunked a viral video in which homes of people said to be Fulani herdsmen were burnt in a Sunday attack in Ogboko Ozuitem, Bende local government area of the state.

Speaking with ABN TV on Monday, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Janet Agbede said the video did not emanate from the incident of Sunday, calling on mischief makers to desist from spreading falsehood.

According to the Commissioner of Police, some hoodlums at about 4am on Sunday invaded an open field in the community where Fulani herdsmen were resting with their cows, killing about 15 livestock and injured a herder whose name was identified as Abdullahi.

She further explained that the Bende incident did not take place in a settlement but an open arena and as such no makeshift houses were burnt as the viral video portrayed.

CP Agbede while stating that the injured victim is stable in a medical facility where he is currently receiving treatment said efforts are ongoing to arrest the hoodlums involved in the attack.

Recall that the member representing Bende Federal Constituency, Hon. Benjamin Kalu had on Monday visited the injured Fulani herder where he promised to assist with the medical bills.

He also met with heads of security agencies in the state to device means of forestalling future attacks.

Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has condemned the alleged destruction of farmlands in Bende, Abia North by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

This is even as the Governor frowned at attack on livestock allegedly belonging to herdsmen. This governor's position is contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, and made available to ABN TV on Monday.

The Governor while alleging that criminal herdsmen grazing their cattle in the open in Abia have masterminded recent brazen kidnap of innocent citizens around Abia North Senatorial Zone of the State urged security agencies to fish out those behind criminal activities in the area.

The release read in part, "Consequently, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has directed security agents in the state to bring to justice all those involved in the criminal activities.

"Government also frowns seriously at the wanton destruction of cows by yet to be identified individuals whose aim is to exacerbate already existing tensions.

"Government has fully activated all relevant components of the state security architecture to ensure the safety of lives and property of law-abiding citizens, residents, and visitors to the state.

"We, therefore, call on the people to go about their legitimate businesses without fear as government is on top of the situation and will spare nothing in protecting Abians."

Barely about one week after the dissolution of Abia State Executive Council, the governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has dissolved the State Local Government Service Commission, ABN TV Online reports.

This is contained in a release signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr Chris Ezem on Sunday.

Though no reason was given for the action, the Governor, however, thanked all the former members of the Commission for their services, wishing them well in their future endeavors.

Recall that the dissolution of the state Executive Council recently saw the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Chris Ezem and the Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice retained.

Also, the suspended Chief of Staff to the governor, Dr. ACB Agbazuere was recalled.