A total of 542 stranded Nigerians in the UAE evacuated back home by the Federal Government arrived Nnamdi Arzikiwe International Airport Abuja on board Maxair charted flight on Sunday morning at 4:29am.
The evacuees consisted of 79 males, 460 females and 3 infants.
They were received by Federal Government team led by @nemanigeria, airport officials, security agencies @ncfrmi_ng @naptipnigeria @nidcom_gov @ndlea_nigeria @CorrectionsNg @CustomsNG, Port Health Services, @NCDCgov @official_NSCDC @PoliceNG @nigimmigration amongst others.
On arrival, the returnees were screened by the Health officials, profiled by various relevant agencies and cleared by Nigerian Immigration Service before being given a token of transport fare by NEMA before leaving the airport.
Earlier, #DGNEMA Mustapha Habib Ahmed who officially received the returnees on behalf of the Federal Government admonished them to learn from their unpleasant experiences and be law abiding, look inward towards supporting Nigeria's economy and global positive image.
The NEMA boss, who was represented by the Director of Finance and Accounts Alhaji Sani Ahmed Jiba said the Federal Government had approved the evacuation and provision of the token for the returnees to support their local movement back home.
In her remark, the Consul General of Nigeria in Dubai Amb Atinuke Taibat Mohammed who coordinated and accompanied the returnees back on the flight appreciated the Federal Government for the special intervention in safe evacuation of the stranded citizens back home.
Ebonyi guber candidates decry activities of Ebubeagu
By Leo Sobechi, Abuja 24 October 2022 | 3:31 am
Call for peace accord among public office-seekers
Governorship candidates of Labour Party (LP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Action Alliance, (AA), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Young Progressives Party (YPP) have condemned incessant attacks allegedly by operatives of Ebubeagu security outfit on opposition politicians in Ebonyi State.
Addressing newsmen, yesterday, in Abuja, the Coalition of Frontline Governorship Candidates in Ebonyi State accused Governor Dave Umahi of visiting violence on candidates of opposition parties in the state.
The candidates regretted that barely one week after the celebration of the state’s 26th anniversary, strange and unimaginable things have begun to happen. In a communiqué jointly signed by Dr. Edward Nkwegu (LP), Chief Ifeanyi Odii (PDP), Chukwuma Nwandugo (AA); Prof. Bernard Odoh (APGA) and Chief Sunday Opoke (YPP), the coalition urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to call his men in Ebonyi to order and keep to the highest standard of professionalism by refusing to serve the evil intentions of the governor towards the 2023 polls.
Chronicling the various instances of attack, abduction and unexplained disappearance of people, the governorship hopefuls called for immediate disbandment of Ebubeagu security outfit, saying it has turned into a political militia.
They listed the flogging of civil servants, abduction of LP senatorial candidate for Ebonyi South (Linus Okorie), attacks on the APGA governorship candidate (Odoh) and his supporters, teargasing of Obidients and sudden disappearance of Mr. Uzoma Ani, an aide to Odii, as some of the glaring cases of violent intimidation of the opposition.
It, therefore, appealed to the international community, particularly the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and European Union (EU) as well as the United States (U.S.) and United Kingdom (UK) embassies to investigate the alleged abuse of human rights by Umahi and other key actors in his government.
“We ask the embassies to review their requests for travels, as a strong signal to those who seek to derail our democracy and a demonstration of your commitment to protect human rights and justice,” they said.
While insisting that the incumbent All Progressives Congress government in Ebonyi wants to create a climate of fear to scar away voters and make them helpless, the coalition urged the supporters to remain law-abiding.
The communiqué reads: “We totally condemn the unlawful and dangerous actions of the ruling APC government led by Governor David Umahi to deliberately derail the campaign.
“Leaders of the National Peace Committee should consider the necessity of administering oaths of good conduct and non-violence on Umahi and others contesting elective positions in the state.
“Government and partners should do all within their power to protect Ebonyians and safe-guard the sanctity of the electioneering process in Ebonyi.”
Ahead of the 2023 general election, the All Progressives Grand Alliance governorship candidate, Prof Benard Odoh, and his campaign team were, on Thursday, reportedly attacked by suspected personnel of the Ebubeagu Security Outfit.
It was gathered that Odoh and his team were allegedly attacked in the Izzi Local Government Area of the state, where they were to meet with party faithful, officials, and supporters, on Thursday.
In a video that is trending on social media, our correspondent saw an image of a shattered windscreen of a Toyota SUV.
Narrating his ordeal to journalists, in Abakaliki, on Thursday, Odoh said the incident signposted ‘war’ on democracy and the people of the state, adding, “if I can’t go to Izzi, it means I’m not qualified to run for the election.”
He said, “We were on a visit to Izzi LGA today to meet with our supporters and some of our party officials in that council area. This is because Izzi LGA is one of the 13 local government areas of the state. We have our supporters and campaign office there.
“As early as 6am this morning, I started getting distress calls. One of our coordinators there, called and said the Chairman of that local government warned him and said no meeting should take place in his local government and that he was under pressure from the government. The DPO also called and raised similar alarm that he was under same pressure and that we should not come.
“I am the governorship candidate of APGA in Ebonyi State. I am in this race to govern everybody in the state. Therefore, if I can’t go to Izzi, it means I’m not qualified to run for the election. And that was why I went there.
“We were confronted by the Ebubeagu team (I don’t know what to call them now). I don’t know whether they are government militia or terrorists. They shot at one of our cars. You guys can see it right here shattered. And we went there with official security men- the Department of State Services and the police, and our full campaign team.
“That’s the latest development. They have taken the war directly on us and we want to let the world know what’s happening here in Ebonyi State. This is our state, nobody is a stranger here. They have declared war on us. We are not cowards; we are not fools. This is undemocratic.
“He (Umahi) can’t force anyone on Ebonyi people. Ebonyi people have the right to make choice on who becomes their leader. This is not how to run democracy. We have rights to reach out to our people. I have four local government areas- Ezza South, Ezza North, Ikwo and Ishielu. Will Francis Nwifuru come there to campaign with this kind of behaviour?
“So, we are putting this out to the public, for them to be aware that this is what has happened today. Thank God nobody was injured but we have sustained gunshots injuries on our cars. This is why we thought it wise to address the press this afternoon. From here, we are going to lodge a formal complaint at the Ebonyi State Police Command. After that, we are going to another local government and we hope they (the Ebubeagu) meet us there.”
He added, “In Ezza South, last week, they confronted us there. Two days ago, we were inaugurating our support team, they were also there. This can’t be the way to get into Government House. This is not the way to do it.
“Yes, of course, we met our supporters in Izza. But our office was under luck and key. They had come before our arrival and chained the office. However, we met our supporters outside the office and addressed them. There are video clips of this incident today. Dr. Laz Eze was on ground and he did live coverage of the incident. Look at the shattered SUVs and these are gunshots.
“My advice to Ebonyians is, this is our state and we will not run way from this state for anybody. We will stay here. The only thing that will stop this kind of situation is people rising to face it squarely. ”
When contacted, the State Police Command linked the development to political rivalry.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Garba Aliyu, stated this in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Thursday.
He said, “Attacked for where? I have just spoken with the APGA governorship candidate. It could be political rivals.
“I don’t know anything about it now. Until I confirm further, I don’t know.”
Ebonyi People In Diaspora Condemn Attack On APGA Guber Candidate, Call For Restraint
By Grace Egbo- Abakaliki On Oct 23, 2022
Ebonyi people in the Diaspora have condemned the attack of Prof. Benard Ifeanyi Odoh, the APGA governorship candidate in Ebonyi State during one of his campaign consultations at Iboko in Izzi LGA of the state.
The gunmen, alleged to be men of the Ebubeagu security outfit, attacked the APGA governorship candidate on the heels of the abduction and arrest of a former federal legislator and Ebonyi South senatorial candidate of Labour Party (LP), Hon. Linus Okorie.
The group frowned at the attack in a statement signed by Dr Daniel Nwibo (UK), Dr Martin Itumo (UK), Mr Joshua Ekoyo (Canada), and Tony .C. Amadi (Japan), Mirabel Nwibo (Japan) and made available to newsmen in Abakaliki.
The group also condemned the state-wide ban on public gatherings. According to them, the action is indirectly against opposition parties’ campaigns even at a time when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has lifted the ban on electoral campaigns.
They, however, demanded the intervention of all, and sundry before such divisive tendencies incubate and blossom into an untold conflagration that might not be able to be controlled.
“We also note that the APGA campaign attack was allegedly led by Izzi Development Centre coordinator, Paschal Obiya, who had on assumption of office announced through his social media handles that opposition (Non-APC) political parties in Ebonyi State are no longer allowed to campaign, either in form of posters, billboards or meeting.
“As Ebonyians in different parts of the world where true democracy is practised, we view this as a deliberate attempt to stifle our democracy. More instinctively, it is a calculated attempt to stifle the opposition, circumvent the democratic rights of the people, heat up the polity and frustrate the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections in Ebonyi State.
“We equally charge those viewing the attack on Prof. Odoh and his team from clannish perspectives to desist henceforth. As brothers in the same family of Ebonyi, we emphasize that no tribe or clan is superior to the other in Ebonyi State. Hence, we must work in unity and love. We commiserate with our brethren in Iboko Izzi that sustained varying degrees of injuries, or lost their properties to the attack. More so, we commend all Ebonyians for their equanimity, even as we view these unwarranted provocations as part of efforts of a failed few to derail our march towards prosperity.”
Furthermore, the group urged the state government to ensure that all contending factions of the polity are given due freedom to operate, insisting that every Ebonyi son or daughter has the legitimate right to campaign in any part of the state without any intimidation, or fear.
“On this ground, we state unequivocally that only Ebonyians and God can determine who leads Ebonyi from May 29, 2023. Imposition of candidate(s), or use of state apparatus to hound perceived oppositions are by this missive, discouraged and derided.
“We kindly request that Ebonyi state government, led by Governor Dave Umahi, would do all that is legally required within the ambits of our laws to ensure that Hon. Linus Okorie, previously mentioned, gets a fair trial, or is acquitted as legally required. This should be done urgently as justice delayed is justice denied.
The group also called on Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba, Ebonyi state government to swiftly review the actions of police and Ebubeagu outfits with the aim of ensuring a more people-centred security even as the election approaches.
“Ebonyians in Diaspora, hereby, charge security agencies in Ebonyi State and Ebonyi State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, David Umahi, to brace up to their responsibilities of securing the lives, properties, and democratic rights of all Ebonyi people; and to ensure a hitch-free 2023 general elections where Ebonyi people are allowed to freely choose the leaders they want from the impressive array of Ebonyians offering themselves for service to Ebonyi people in various leadership capacities via the 2023 general elections.
Gbenga Omotosho is the Lagos State Commissioner for Information
Gbenga Omotoso @gbenga_omo
FLASH: The Lagos State is battling to remove a truck that plunged into the lagoon on 3rd Mainland Bridge (inward Oworo) around the UNILAG Axis… Traffic has been diverted. Going towards Oworo from Island? Go through Adekunle
FLASH: The Lagos State is battling to remove a truck that plunged into the lagoon on 3rd Mainland Bridge (inward Oworo) around the UNILAG Axis… Traffic has been diverted. Going towards Oworo from Island? Go through Adekunle pic.twitter.com/Cdw3r7TcYZ
LASEMA at work on Third Mainland Bridge. Traffic has been diverted to remove a truck that plunged into the lagoon last week. No casualties. pic.twitter.com/J3elgrAoEm
BREAKING NEWS: The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has recovered the PSP Truck that plunged into the Lagoon. Traffic on 3rd Mainland (inward Oworo) to ease out soon.
@TalktoLaswa @followlastma @Lawma_gov @safety_lasg all on ground
UPDATE: The Hardworking Governor of Lagos State, Mr @jidesanwoolu has acquired 62 Brand New Fire Apparatuses for the State. Today, are doing Roadshow just to show you that Lagos Development is not stopping at all.
UPDATE: The Hardworking Governor of Lagos State, Mr @jidesanwoolu has acquired 62 Brand New Fire Apparatuses for the State. Today, are doing Roadshow just to show you that Lagos Development is not stopping at all. #ForAGreaterLagospic.twitter.com/3atnmkJpDT
UPDATE: The Hardworking Governor of Lagos State, Mr @jidesanwoolu has acquired 62 Brand New Fire Apparatuses for the State. So, we are doing Roadshow just to show you that Lagos Development is not stopping at all.
The video of all the different parts (including the first assault) is in the YouTube frame on the first post. Just click on "Watch on YouTube" to see it.
Travel › Re: Federal Government Evacuates 542 Stranded Nigerians From UAE (Photos) by naptu2(op): 10:04am On Oct 24, 2022
