₦airaland Forum

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.

tony0806:
Nonsense. Did you know Professor Yemi Osibanjo before 2015,?

loosecanon50:
PO/DATTI2023 is fast becoming an inevitable tsunami that will sweep through Nigeria

Emergingnation3:
Says Fulani Muslim pig.... We don't care about your useless politics.... Biafra actualization is at hand...

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.

stevnwigw1:
Let him go and wipe out those in his village first before coming to Imo. Imo is not a theatre of war.

Zonefree:
No...are you?

Zonefree:
Come and wipe them out yourself. Coward!

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.

A suspected Nigerian drug trafficker, Osigwe Chukwuemeka James, has been arrested by sleuths of the Hyderabad Narcotic Enforcement Wing (H-NEW) along with Narayanguda police in India.

The 37-year-old suspect was arrested for possession of 30 grams of MDMA at Niyaz Khana near King Koti Hospital under Narayanguda on Friday, August 12.

Police also seized four cell phones, Rs 4,000 cash, two one-dollar notes of Cayman Islands currency and a Qatari riyal note from him.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Zone, M. Rajesh Chandra told reporters that the accused was residing illegally in Hyderabad.

Police found that he was frequently visiting Goa, procuring the narcotic drug MDMA, and selling the same to needy consumers in Hyderabad to earn easy money.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad-Narcotic Enforcement Wing (H-NEW), Sneha Mehra said the police so far identified 108 consumers, who were purchasing drugs from the accused. Investigations were on to identify other consumers.

During earlier visits to India, the accused used his original passport with the name Osigwe Chukwuemeka James. In order to avoid police cases and whenever police catch him, he produces a fake passport.

During March 2022 he was arrested by Goa police under NDPS Act. He identified himself as Alamanjo Nmasichukwu by showing his fake passport.

Police also said he had created a WhatsApp group for customers.

The youth leader of Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, Prince Emmanuel Uche, has pleaded with Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, to come over to the Council and assist them in the fight against incessant kidnappings by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Prince Uche made the appeal when Senator Mao Ohuabunwa who represented the Abia North in the eight senate visited the council to solidarise with the people over their predicaments in the hands of kidnapers on the prowl in the area.

He begged Ohuabunwa to leverage on his closeness to Wike and draw his attention to the sorry-security situation in Umunneochi for his possible assistance since Rivers State had had similar or worse security challenge in the past.

According to him, Wike has fought militants and cultists in Rivers, and has experience on dealing with criminals.

” Follow Better, we know you are very close to Wike and he is your man. Please, tell him to assist us in this security challenge we have because Rivers State has had worse situation before.

” Please tell him to send to us some of the equipment he used to fight insecurity which he is no longer using.”

Responding, Sen. Ohuabunwa decried the menacing activities of kidnappers in the area and the failure of the federal government to arrest the situation.

The former Leader ECOWAS Parliament said he was disturbed as he read about the activities of kidnappers in the area, and decided to solidarise with the people because of his affection for them.

He said that only proper legislation would arrest the festering insecurity in the country as the Executive Arm of Government has failed to take necessary action to curb and menace.

Ohuabunwa commended the efforts of Abia State Government as well as Umunneochi Local Government and the locals to secure their environment, and urged the Federal Government to quickly complement those efforts.

There was an improved business atmosphere in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State on Monday and Aba, the commercial nerve of the State despite the continued sit-at-home order of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the southeast.
Our correspondent, who monitored the level of compliance of residents, reports that while major markets were still closed for businesses, other roadside markets opened for business.

The Nation reports unlike in the past, major commercial motor parks at the popular Milverton, which serves as bus terminals to major motor parks and loading bays in the commercial nerve, opened for business as passengers going to different parts were boarding the vehicles.
Though some of the park operators who pleaded not to be mentioned lamented low patronage, they stated that it was a clear departure from the past.
There was also an increase in intra-city transportation with many bus and tricycle operators recording more patronage.

Shops on some major roads, including traders of the popular School Road Spare Parts Market, opened for business with some of them seen attending to their customers and some roadside mechanics repairing some broken down vehicles.
Traders at Ehi road, Umungasi-Abayi market opened for business as well.

Our correspondent reports that some residents of Aba who were not able to go to work used the early hours of the day for their routine physical exercise activities.
Like the usual Monday, no security personnel was seen on the roads at various police stops and checkpoints, except the military personnel stationed at various locations in the commercial city.

While financial institutions are still being closed for business, some bank customers used the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) for various reasons.

ObaOfYorubaLand:
May your Obituary be declared.

Idiots who wish Peter Obi dead will die in his place.

Tinubu Terrorist urchins

ObaOfYorubaLand:
May your Obituary be declared.

Idiots who wish Peter Obi dead will die in his place.

Tinubu Terrorist urchins