No fewer than 21 cows have been shot dead by unknown gunmen who invaded a settlement Odogwa community in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in Rivers State, Mohammed Abubakar, disclosed this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt.
Abubakar said the incident occurred at about 9pm on Wednesday when the cattle rearers went to town to buy some beverages, saying of the 21 cows killed, 15 were pregnant.
He expressed shock over the attack, because according to the him, the cattle rearers have been living in harmony with members of their host community.
Abubakar said, “They shot 21 cows and before the Miyetti Allah people came back, the gunmen had escaped.
“The cows were littered on the ground dead, just like that. Some just gave birth; some are pregnant. More than 15 were pregnant.
“In the morning, they went back to find out what had happened to provoke the attack and they took their complaint to the monarch of the community and other residents there.
“They too expressed surprise that they don’t know what happened. We have been living peacefully with the people in this community for long, even when our cows destroy crops, we pay for the damages.
“We also pay for the place we are living, yet this sort of thing happened to us. If there was anything wrong that the cattle rearers have done that the people don’t like, they should tell.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Northern Community in Rivers State, Musa Saidu, has sued for peace and called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
When contacted, spokesperson of the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she was in a meeting and asked our reporter to send a message.
She had yet to give a feedback as of the time of filing this report on Thursday.
Former Aviation Minister and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Femi Kani-Kayode has said the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu played a major role in the national recognition accorded late M.K.O Abiola.
Fani-Kayode disclosed that Tinubu fought for the restoration of June 12 which was declared Democracy Day from 2018 till now by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Recall that Buhari changed Democracy from May 29 to June 12 in 2018 and in the following year named the National Stadium in Abuja after MKO Abiola specifically on June 12, 2019.
Abiola who has been immortalised as the hero of democracy for winning the presidential election on June 12, 1993, declared himself the President on June 11, 1994, and was arrested and detained by the late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
He died in the gulag of the military dictator on July 7, 1998.
On Tuesday, Fani-Kayode on his verified Twitter page said Tinubu has committed himself to democracy by playing a great part in the revival of Abiola’s June 12 mandate.
Fani-Kayode said, “Bola Ahmed Tinubu fought for the restoration of MKO Abiola’s June 12 mandate and 20 years after he was martyred, he ensured that the National Stadium was named after him and that June 12 was declared Democracy Day. There is no greater evidence of his commitment to democracy and justice than this.”
The Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Orji Kalu, has said he would bring military forces to “comb” bushes in Abia State and “kill” those behind insecurity in the state.
Mr Kalu stated this on Saturday during his visit to the Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state as part of his ward assessment tour of Abia North District which he represents.
Mr Kalu, a former governor of Abia, also posted a video clip of the visit on his Facebook page.
He said the insecurity in the state will end after the bushes would have been combed by security agencies within the next four months.
“What is happening in Abia is not acceptable to me. We will comb the bush in Umunneochi Local Government Area; we will comb the bush in Ohafia Local Government Area, and we will comb the bush in Arochukwu and Bende Local Government Areas,” he said.
The senator said bushes in the other parts of the state would also be raided by security agencies to destroy camps of criminals operating in the state.
“I am warning everybody, do not allow your children to live in the bush. Anything they (military) see in the bush, they will destroy,” Mr Kalu said.
He said the raid would resume in November but did not give details.
“We will come with the Nigerian Airforce. We will come with the Nigerian Army. We will come with everybody,” he said.
The former governor of Abia State also bemoaned the impact of the sit-at-home order in the South-east which is enforced every Monday by the outlawed Indigenous People Biafra.
“We want peace here. We want our businesses to continue. The Igbos are losing N25 billion each day they close their businesses. And they cannot continue. I wish I am still the governor of Abia State, but I am not the governor,” Mr Kalu said.
The Senator, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said he would hold a meeting with the state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, next week to ensure “we reposition the state and cooperate with the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
He said he is a patriotic Nigerian, and that he has always stated his stance on the Igbo cause.
Mr Kalu said he acted in the overriding interest of the Igbos when he was the Abia State governor.
“President (Muhammadu) Buhari will surprise you people in the next four months. Warn your children to leave the bush, because we will comb the bushes,” the Senator told his constituents.
“Anything we see in the bush, we will kill because we have disturbed the president so much that there is insecurity (in the South-east). The aircraft will come here. It will be a surprise raid. So, people living in the bushes should leave. All parts of Abia, we will comb it,” Mr Kalu added.
Worsening insecurity Abia State has witnessed increased criminal abduction lately, especially in Umunneochi. Several people, including clerics, have been abducted by gunmen in recent attacks.
About 10 days ago, gunmen abducted a catholic priest and a seminarian along the Okigwe-Umunneochi Road, which is between Imo and Abia States.
The victims were released two days later after reportedly paying ransom to their abductors.
Barely 24 hours before the attack on the clerics, gunmen abducted a police officer at Mbala Divisional Police Headquarters in Isuochi Community, Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.
In July, gunmen abducted some travellers in Lokpanta, a community in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.
Last month, gunmen abducted scores of passengers along the Enugu-Port Harcourt highway between Leru and Ihube Communities of the council area in the state.
Can't this Pandora man mingle with Hausa Fulani too? Or does it mean Hausa Fulani actually hate him for what he did to them when he was the Governor of Anambra?
Omoslim26: All Apc had to do was give the ticket to Osibanjo or Umahi or Amaechi then look for a Northern Muslim,but the sick shaky old desperate emilokan crooner no gree. There is an already existing pattern for picking P/VP respect it, don't try to use our Faith as a card to score political points. As long as Christian-Christian agenda will never be accepted by muric and the Muslim community expecting muslim-muslim agenda to be accepted makes you a dishonest person.
so because of religion Tinubu should be denied his constitutional right?
Atiku and Wike have been at loggerheads over the emergence of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as the vice-presidential candidate of the PDP.
Security operatives attached to Rivers State Government House on Friday sealed a petrol station and two hotels owned by some associates of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The properties sealed are Mega Tools filling station located at Ojoto street in Diobu area owned by Dr Chinyere Igwe, Priscy lounge at Elekahia area owned by Hon Jones Ogbonda and Preray hotel in Eagle Island belonging to Ikechi Chinda.
SaharaReporters gathered that the three business owners are associates of Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and former allies of Governor Nyesom Wike.
Opara, a PDP chieftain in Rivers State is currently in the camp of former Vice President Atiku.
“Wike has started fighting Rivers people again. Government House security last night sealed Mega Tools filling station owned by Hon. Dr Chinyere Igwe, sealed and arrested customers and staff of Priscy's lounge owned by Hon Jones Ogbonda and Preray hotel owned by Ikechi Chinda, a former PDP chairman in Port Harcourt.
“All three business owners are associates of Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, a former ally of Governor Nyesom Wike,” a source told SaharaReporters.
Atiku and Wike have been at loggerheads over the emergence of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as the vice-presidential candidate of the PDP.
The governor’s camp had alleged that Atiku was ignoring him amid moves to reconcile the duo and had started meeting with some Rivers PDP chieftains, with the aim of isolating Wike ahead of the election.
This has further widened the scope of the crisis in Rivers PDP, with those that are opposed to the leadership of the governor standing the risk of facing the consequences of their actions.
Some of them have expressed their support for Atiku or any other candidates of their choice.
Wike has sacked some people in government allegedly not loyal to him.
For example, in a move to get at Senator Lee Maeba, it was learnt that he dissolved the board of the Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt headed by the former senator.
Others said to be affected by the move by the governor to preserve his political dynasty include a former governor of the state, Celetine Omehia; Austin Opara and some others whom he removed as leaders of the party in their local government areas.
In a recent interview, Senator Maeba claimed that the reason behind Wike’s dissolution of the board of the polytechnic was because of his closeness to Atiku.
The view of the senator came against the background of the political intrigues that threw up the former vice president as the candidate of the PDP for the 2023 presidential election.
He said, “We have a candidate of the party who has the capacity to lead Nigeria out of crisis. So, nothing can deter us from supporting Atiku to save Nigeria.
“Wike is not hiding that he is fighting Atiku. He is ready to fight to the finish. We don’t know what he (Wike) is planning to do because when campaigns start, we are qualified to campaign too. We are waiting to see how he will do it. This is a joke taken too far.”
Maeba also confirmed the removal of former Governor Omehia and ex-deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Opara, as leaders of their party in Ikwerre and Port Harcourt City LGAs respectively.
Meaba added, “Yes, he (Wike) called them before their people because we went to pay a solidarity visit to Atiku which we are supposed to do. All of us knew Atiku before him. Austin Opara has been in the House of Representatives since 1999. He was the deputy speaker when Atiku was vice-president. That time, Wike was struggling to be a local government chairman. So, if Austin Opara has to take permission from him today to go and see Atiku, then something is wrong.”
“Let me tell you something. When you apportion so much right to yourself, then you are superhuman. Austin Opara was the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives when Atiku Abubakar was the Vice President. They attended caucus meeting together and National Economic Council Meeting. So, does it mean that Austin Opara, who has been friends with Atiku for over 20 years ago, will now start to beg Wike to go and see Atiku? I met Atiku first in 1992 in Jos for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) campaigns. We started working together in 2003 when I became senator. That time where was he (Wike)?
“When Austin Opara was working with Atiku, holding meetings, Wike was struggling to come into limelight.”
A yet-to-be identified soldier has been killed by gunmen during a shootout with Nigerian troops in Ebem, a community in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria’s South-east.
The incident happened at about 5:02 p.m. on Wednesday near a motor park in the community, PREMIUM TIMES learnt.
The slain soldier, serving at the 14 Brigade Headquarters of Goodluck Jonathan Barracks in the council area, was said to have gone into the community on a motorcycle to buy provisions when the gunmen attacked him.
Sources said the soldier sent a signal to the Brigade when he noticed that the gunmen were trailing him, prompting military authorities in the Brigade to deploy troops for a rescue mission.
A video clip of the shoot-out has gone viral on social media.
In the clip, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, sounds of gunshots could be heard repeatedly in the background.
Some residents were also heard screaming in fear.
A resident of the area, Chukwuma Egbuma, told PREMIUM TIMES that a team of soldiers who arrived at the scene engaged the gunmen in a shootout, killing two of them at a spot.
“The army people came and started shooting at the gunmen. Two of the gunmen died instantly. The gunmen also killed one soldier,” he said.
Mr Egbuma, however, could not say if the slain soldier was the one initially attacked by the gunmen.
He said the gunmen were suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network, the militant wing of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
A shop owner, Chinenye Ajunwa, whose shop is close to the area, was hit by a stray bullet during the shootout.
She was said to have been taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.
A photograph of her in the hospital has been circulating on social media.
In the photograph, the victim was seen lying on a hospital bed and covered with a bloodstained cloth. A pool of blood was also seen on the ground, close to her bed.
Clem Onwuka, another resident of the community, told PREMIUM TIMES Thursday that some roads in the area have been blocked by security agencies after the incident.
Army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, did not respond to calls and a text message seeking comments from him.
Worsening insecurity Security in Nigeria’s South-east has deteriorated lately with frequent attacks by armed persons.
The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities.
In April, gunmen killed and then beheaded two soldiers – an intending couple – at an unknown location in Imo State, South-east Nigeria.
The Nigerian government has accused IPOB of being responsible for the attacks in the region. But the separatist group has repeatedly denied the accusation.
The separatist group is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra to be carved out from the South-east and some parts of the South-south.
The leader of the group, Nnamdi Kanu, is detained in Abuja where he is standing trial for terrorism.
The Inspector General of Police, Baba Alkali, on Tuesday, ordered security operatives in the state to decimate the “enemies” of the state.
The IGP, who gave the charge at the state government House while inaugurating the Amorured Personnel Carriers procured by the state government to aid the fight against banditry, said that the state was strategic in the economy of the South-East zone.
Alkali said that the procurement of APCs would serve as a morale booster for his men in fighting criminals in the state.
He said that his office was always ready to collaborate with the state government to get the state rid of criminal elements in the state.
“With utmost professionalism and absolute synergy among security agencies in the fight against criminality, the people believe unwarranted attacks by criminals will soon be brought to the bearest in Imo State,” he said.
The state governor, Hope Uzodimma, said that his administration was committed to the security and prosperity of the state.
Uzodiinma said, “Although security is in the exclusive list of the Federal Government, the reality is that all tiers of government must synergize to ensure the protection of property and lives of the citizenry. Since the inception of my administration, I have always worked with the federal government and the security agencies to ensure that Imo Stare is safe for our people, residents, and visitors. “Therefore, what we are doing today is not a coincidence but a deliberate and sustainable effort aimed at enhancing the capacity of the police to execute their constitutional law enforcement mandate.
“You will recall that shortly after I assumed office, I procured more than 100 patrol vehicles equipped with modern communication gadgets for the police and other security agencies to help them fight crime and criminality in the state. We followed that up with the donation of the first set of Armoured Personnel Carriers.
“Today, on behalf of the state government, I am presenting for the commissioning and immediate deployment of additional 10 numbers of Armoured Personal Carriers and other vehicles to further strengthen the effectiveness of the police force in the state. This latest donation has been necessitated by the fact that the police have become targets of attacks across the country, including here in Imo State. They are intended to protect the Police from such heartless attacks, to enable them to protect us.
“Conscious of the fact that the price of peace is eternal vigilance, it is only fit and proper that we should provide the police with the necessary equipment to maintain the peace we need.
“As I have always said, there can be no development without peace. Let me reiterate the fact that the government under my watch will do all we can to protect the lives and property of all citizens and residents of Imo state. I am aware that the sponsors of insecurity in the state are not tired of trying to make the state ungovernable for us.
“They continue to deploy every instrument at their disposal, including sheer blackmail, propaganda which they easily spread via Social Media to misinform and incite the public against my administration. They even went as far as trying to set the state against the federal government and other ethnic groups by engaging in all manner of propaganda. But, they will continue to fail because they do not mean well to the people, and the victory of good over evil is always assured.
“Those who will stop at nothing, including shedding the blood of innocent citizens, to get to power must know that they will be held accountable for their evil deeds either here on earth or hereafter. Let me, therefore, use this auspicious occasion to once again call on such people to always remember that the need to secure the collective peace of Imo people should always come before our personal ambitions. They should give peace a chance it deserves.
“As the Governor of the state, let me assure the good people of Imo state that I will continue to do my utmost best to ensure that Imo remains safe for everyone, including investors. I hereby reiterate my appeal to our youths to shun violence in any form and embrace the empowerment programmes of the state government. Always remember crime does not pay. Don’t ever allow any politician to use you for his selfish purposes.
“To our security agencies, especially the police, the state government under my watch will continue to make your jobs easier. As you continue to diligently and gallantly serve the country, always know that you are not alone.”
Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo, says his administration has done all within its powers to protect lives and properties in the state.
The governor spoke on Tuesday at an event to hand over 10 armoured personal carriers (APCs) and other vehicles to the police command in the state.
The south-east has been grappling with insecurity occasioned by the activities of gunmen targeting residents, security operatives and public infrastructure.
Addressing the police officers, Uzodimma said with the cooperation of security agencies in the state, the activities of gunmen have reduced significantly. “Thanks to your courage and professionalism, we have been able to contain the criminal onslaught of hoodlums and their sponsors who vowed to make Imo governable for me,” he said.
He added the three arms of government — federal, state and local government — must work in synergy to effectively tackle insecurity.
He also said since assuming office, his administration has worked hard to provide security in the state by providing equipment to boost the operations of security agencies. “This is the second time the inspector-general of police is coming to commission armoured personal carriers (APCs) in Imo state. The government and people of Imo state are very grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari and the head of security agencies in Nigeria for their commitment and efforts to restore peace in Imo state,” he said.
“I must commend Imo state police command for their gallantry in restoring peace and order in Imo. The reality is that all tiers of government must synergise to boost the security of lives and properties in Nigeria.
“Since my assumption of office, I have worked hard to provide security in the state. Shortly when I assumed office, I procured over 100 patrol vehicles equipped with modern gadgets for security agencies in the state.”
The governor also said it is the responsibility of his government to support the police with the necessary equipment to provide the highest level of security in the state.
He added that the state will take all necessary steps to ensure the perpetrators of violence do not continue with their attacks.
“Those who shed blood to mount to power should know that they will give an account of their lives here on earth and after here; give peace a chance in Imo state,” he said.
“I will continue to do my best to ensure that Imo is safe for everyone including investors. Our youths should know that crime does not pay and should not allow politicians to use them for their selfish interests.”
In his remarks, Usman Baba, inspector-inspector general of police, said the governor has demonstrated he is committed to the security of residents by providing essential equipment to security agencies.
“Any nation desirous of security of its citizens must enhance the capacity of security personnel. Procurement of these security gadgets will significantly improve security in Imo state. I, thereby, call on other state governors in the country to emulate Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma, in supporting security personnel with needed gadgets and equipment for a peaceful Nigeria,” he said.
Baba also asked the governor to support the training of security personnel to boost their skills for the effective discharge of their duties.
Politics › Re: Kwankwaso Shut Down Kassim Shettima State. by Yibo(m): 1:50pm On Aug 28, 2022
