Armed men suspected to be members of a secret cult on Saturday invaded a burial ceremony in Ebenebe community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing about 16 persons.



Our correspondent gathered that it was the burial of a suspected leader of a cultist named Ozo, and while the corpse of Ozo was lying in state in his compound, some suspected cultists arrived the scene and sacked mourners, shooting at mourners.





A source who disclosed this to Tribune Online said: “My sister was supposed to be at the burial. She and her friends had already prepared to leave Awka for Ebenebe, but the vehicle they booked to take them disappointed them.”



“She and her friends were so unhappy, and they decided to go in search of another vehicle that can take them. It was in the course of going to the burial that they received a phone call that everybody at the burial had been dispersed by some gunmen.



“She also got a video from the scene, which showed several persons lying in the pool of their own blood dead, while the corpse was desecrated, with its coffin lying far apart,the corpse.”



A video was seen with members of the community wailing, while corpses littered the burial compound.



Reacting, the Anambra State Police command has confirmed the incident, saying that it was a case of cult rivalry.



According to the Command’s spokeperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, he said: “Yes, this morning, there was an incident at Ebenebe. A burial was going on, when some people suspected to be cultists invaded the area and started shooting.





“I do not have details of casualties now, but I will keep you informed once the picture becomes clear.



“For now, the State Commissioner of police, CP Echeng Echeng has despatched tactical squads comprising of various units to the area to maintain calm,” he stated.



Watch video:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3aqVDPd0is


Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2022/02/video-graphic-black-saturday-as.html

Lalasticlala

Halimaatz:
Wow thats a good decision,same should be done to any ritualists caught, without thinking twice.

supported

MufasaLion:
This is really good! Religion and ignorance have ruined many lives because it do Bleep their mentality up and unfortunately, it do affect people close to them also.

He should rot in the deepest of hell!

Olunmercy56:
it's better you ask your spouse traditions before entering into hell fire. How could he?

By Obio Monday

A middle-aged man, Anyanime Festus was today, February 15, sentenced to death by hanging by Honorable Justice A. A. Onyebueke of Cross River State High Court, sitting in Akamkpa for killing his 11-year-old twin daughters, Mfoniso and Emediong Anyanime, after he accused them of being witches, GRASSROOT REPORTERS reports.

Mr. Anyanime killed the duo in January 11, 2017 in Uyanga community in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state.

GRASSROOT REPORTERS gathered that the two female identical twins were found lying along Uyanga bush track in Akamkpa, with one of the twins found dead while the other was lying down and was unable to speak.

Much later, the other twin that was lying down was able to speak and she gave her name as Emediong Festus and that of her twin sister as Mfoniso Festus, both 11 years.

That on Jan. 10, 2017, their father told them he was taking them to their mother, and on getting to a bush track, he gave them malt drink suspected to be mixed with poisonous substances.

Shortly after they drank the malt, her sister died and their father abandoned them there.

The other twin later died in the hospital and their corpses deposited at the General Hospital, Akamkpa, for autopsy.

Reacting to the judgement, Barr. James Ibor of Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI) said:

"This is a great victory to the victims- Mfoniso Anyanime and Emediong Anyanime and the Government of Cross River State at a period witchcraft branding and ritual killing has become a pastime in the State

"The United Nations has urged nations to take measures against abuses linked to Witchcraft beliefs and ritual sacrifice.

"Stop Witchcraft accusations, witch persecution and ritual killing. Blood money is superstition. E no dey work

"Pastors stop witchcraft branding and stigmatisation. It is a Crime". He said

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2022/02/breaking-news-crivwe-court-sentences.html

The governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade says he is happy his tenure as governor is gradually winding down, as it will afford him the opportunity to rest.


Governor Ayade made the revelation in an interview with BBC Pidgin on Friday, February 11, which was monitored by GRASSROOT REPORTERS.


The governor said the state has never owed salaries nor pension, despite the state being the second to the last in terms of allocation from the Federal Government


He said: "I dey pay plenty people salary even though dem no dey work."


Governor Ayade listed some of his achievements in the last seven years to include job creation, construction of major roads in the three senatorial district of the state, Boki East-West road, Obanliku-Bekwarra-Obudu-Ogoja-Yala dual carriage road, Spaghetti Flyover (to be completed in six months), Super Highway.


The governor said necessary approvals has been granted for the Bakassi Deep Sea Port, adding that his administration is currently looking for funds for the project.


On the Super Highway, Governor Ayade said the project cannot be completed by one administration, stressing the importance of having a successor that would continue with the project. He said if the funds at his disposal are not enough to complete the project, he will do the best he can and leave the rest, that that doesn't mean the idea was a bad one. He said the project was hampered by numerous challenges, ranging from court cases to petitions.


He said the state had not benefited from the conservation effort on its forests.


He said:

"For three years, we dey fight say we cut forest, na President Muhammadu Buhari help me, say, wen oyibo dey cut their forest, who dey there dey answer dem? The forest wen we keep, all the conservation effort that they are putting, which one Kobo wen e dey give us?"


On his ambition to contest for the presidency, he confessed that people have been pressurizing him to contest, but that he will await the decision of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), on who should be the candidate of the party, adding that his style of politics is to support the system and not to front himself for elections.


Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2022/02/im-happy-my-tenure-will-end-soon-people.html?m=1

Less than two weeks after a fire outbreak engulfed Room 115, Hall 6 in 'Malabo Republic' of the University of Calabar hostel, another fire outbreak has destroyed properties worth millions of naira and destroyed vital documents in the Department of Mathematics of the University.

GRASSROOT REPORTERS gathered that the latest outbreak which started in the wee hours of Saturday, January 29, and continued till the early hours of Sunday, January 30, destroyed the Head of Department's office, General Office and two other offices in the main bloc of the department.

Timely response by the men of the State Fire Service saved the entire building from being completely razed, as they mobilized to the scene and eventually extinguished the raging fire.

The cause of the fire outbreak is not yet known.

No life was lost in the inferno.

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2022/01/another-fire-outbreak-hits-unical.html

OAM4J

A bishop whose name is yet to be ascertained has been burnt alive, and his son beheaded in a renewed communal war between the people of Abanwan and Urugbam in Erei clan, Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State.


GRASSROOT REPORTERS gathered that the Bishop was ambushed alongside his son on a motorbike on their way from Abanwan community to nearby Afikpo in Ebonyi State.


Sources told GRASSROOT REPORTERS that no fewer than six houses and their occupants were set ablaze as the attackers mobilized and invaded Abanwan community.


The Erei communities have over the years, been at loggerheads over a piece of land that was established by defunct Eastern Region before the the Nigerian Civil War as Oil Palm Plantation Settlement.


The settlement was handed over to the Cross River State government shortly after the Nigerian civil war of 1967-1970 given that the location was in the state. However, the Erei community where the oil palm plantation was located has 10 villages.


Meanwhile, troops from the 13 Brigade of Nigerian Army have moved into Abanwan and Urugbam communities to restore order.


The information officer at 13 Brigade Nigerian Army Calabar, Captain Aluko, confirmed that they have moved men and materials into the communities yesterday.

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2022/01/renewed-communal-war-bishop-others.html?m=1

Lalasticlala

OAM4J

Lalasticlala
Mynd44

A pastor serving with the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Yaba, Lagos State, Reverend Nkanor Okon, has clarified that marrying more than one wife is not sinful before God, GRASSROOT REPORTERS reports.


The man of God said this in a post on his Facebook page which has generated several comments.


He said only pastors, bishops, priests are prohibited from marrying more than one wife.


The pastor, who is also a lawyer, wrote:

"I repeat, polygamy is not stated anywhere in the bible to be sin.

"Only the Pastors, Bishops,Priests are prohibited from getting married to two or more wives. That, not because it's sin, but, to Paul, it would distract them from full dedication to service of God. So that they'll be able to manage their homes and the Church well.

"If you have what it takes to marry two wives, that's your choice. God won't judge you. You'll not break any biblical law.

"But if you took the vow to marry one wife - in Court or Church, then stay with one wife. You sin if you break your vow." The post read.

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2022/01/polygamy-is-not-sin-only-pastors.html?m=1

Ebije1:
how do you adjust your gun directly pointing at someone? most of these uniform personnels have not gone through the proper arms training.

truth

DispatcherLagos:
He was a member of SARS so no pity for him from me. Meanwhile, his wife looks unhappy getting married to him.

Hmmm

DispatcherLagos:
He was a member of SARS so no pity for him from me. Meanwhile, his wife looks unhappy getting married to him.

hmm

A police sergeant, Francis Agube has been 'accidentally' shot dead by his colleague, identified as Sergeant Ubi Arikpo, in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, GRASSROOT REPORTERS has gathered.

The tragic incident took place at Atakpa Police Station in Calabar South Local Government Area.

GRASSROOT REPORTERS learnt that Sergeant Agube was accidentally shot dead in front of the police station when a pick-up van conveying policemen passed through the gate of the station.

It was gathered that the deceased policeman who is from Abi Local Government Area of the state, just got married on the 20th of November, 2021 to his long time girlfriend.

A source who spoke with the Vanguard said:

“The team was from the State CID unit at the Police headquarters on Diamond Hill.

“They were on patrol duty and they were passing through this road (Calabar Road, Watt Market).

“They were driving from Effigy Roundabout, towards the station. When they got in front of the station Sergeant Ubi wanted to adjust his gun.

“It discharged accidentally and shot Sergeant Agube, who was sitting directly opposite him,” he narrated.

According to the source, the shot hit Agube right on his neck shattering his gullet and face, killing him on the spot.

“That spot where they covered with sand on the road in front of the station was where Agube was pulled to the ground from the van by the impact of the shot,” he added.

Another source said:

“Both of them are from Cross River State. Arikpo has been arrested and is on detention here at the headquarters, while Agube’s body is in the mortuary,” he added.

Ms Irene Ugbo, the Cross River Police Command spokesman, when contacted said:

“The tragedy is being investigated to unravel the cause."

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2022/01/photos-how-police-sergeant-was-shot.html?m=1

A young lady, identified as Unyie Afor has gone missing since on the 16th December, 2021.

The lady who hails from Wula in Boki Local Government of Cross River, GRASSROOT REPORTERS gathered, had traveled from Lagos on the 16th to her village to attend her nephew's wedding and possibly celebrate Christmas and new year.

Speaking with GRASSROOT REPORTERS, a friend of the lady, Ogbuefi David said:

"She was taken to her Aunty where she spend almost half of her life selling KPOMO (Cow skin) for her Aunt.

"She left her village (Wula) for Lagos continue to work as house/shop help.

"She is a kind and nice girl. From our deduction, she boarded a vehicle at a park probably one of those vehicles that go to Ogoja to carry goods for a lesser fare.

"She was contacted and disclosed that they slept at Onitsha because the vehicle was bad. The next day, she was contacted again and she said she was like an hour to Ogoja, this was the last time anyone spoke with her before her phone went off."

"After about 5 days or thereabouts, a call was place to her line and it rang and went off. Till date her phone can't be reached and she is not in the village."

Meanwhile, friends and family members of the young lady has called on Nigerians to join the search for her.

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2022/01/family-friends-begs-for-help-as-young.html

Tears flowed uncontrollably on Thursday, December 30, 2021 in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State during the burial rites of a young man, identified as Thomas Obi aka Majar who died in a motor accident.

GRASSROOT REPORTERS gathered that Mr. Obi died at the spot in a fatal accident which took place in Nko, Yakurr LGA of Cross River State while travelling to Calabar to make proper arrangement for his marriage which was scheduled for December 30th and 31st, 2021.

The late groom-to-be was however buried on the 30th of December, a day we was suppose to say 'I do' to his lover.

Narrating the incident in a post on Facebook, a cousin to the deceased, George Odok, wrote:

"Tears upon tears as my cousin brother is buried on his supposed wedding day

"Oh, dead, why the sudden surface, why did you come now to claim away the life of my dear first cousin brother, Mr Thomas Obi, a.k.a Majar?

"Your marriage was fixed for Dec. 30th and 31st in Boki, but sadly, it turned out to be your day of eternal rest.

"My dear late cousin brother, you travelled to Calabar to make proper arrangement for the marriage and to pick some valuables needed for the wedding, only for you to be struck by an accident in Nko community in Yakurr LGA, and you were the only passenger that died at the spot on December 13.

"Can we question God for this painful demise? Oh, no, we cant question God, because he gives and takes according to his divine time-table.

"What about your spouse, who was to wear her wedding gown today to be officially handed over to you in marriage? Oh no, this is a sad one! What about your children, what about your immediate family, extended family, friends and associate? This is one death too painful to behold.

"People have travelled from far and near to attend your wedding, to celebrate with you, to say congratulations on your happy holy matrimony, to watch you kiss your wife, but sadly, with tears in our eyes, we are rather seeing your lifeless corpse.

"Words have failed me, oh dear Majar, I wish we could bring you back to life by neutralising your demise!

"May you rest with the Lord!". The post read.

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2021/12/a-sad-story-of-how-man-was-buried-on.html?m=1

A yet to be identified female traffic warden was yesterday, December 22, crushed to death by a truck carrying scrap metal at WAPI Junction, by Mobil Filling Station in Calabar, the Cross Rivers State capital.


GRASSROOT REPORTERS learnt that the incident occurred at about 5pm while the female police officer was on duty.



According to eyewitnesses, the truck driver tried to dodge a vehicle that overtook it and ran over the officer who was controlling traffic.



The Nigerian Police has confirmed the unfortunate incident. Irene Ugbo, the Police Public Relations Officer, Cross River State, described the incident as unfortunate and a huge loss to the Command.

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2021/12/graphic-female-traffic-warden-crushed.html?m=1