Chidiebube Okeoma

Tuesday, April 13, is a day 24-year-old Chinaza Azuatalam will not forget. It’s the day her 29-year-old husband, Chinonso Azuatalam, who is a welder, lost his life.

The artisan on that day took breakfast with his wife and two daughters, Munachi, aged three years and Amara, one year, and left for his workshop located in Okuku community, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.

Our correspondent learnt that he had barely started work for the day when he got a call that his sister, Chioma, a serving police woman in the state, was in his house and allegedly beating his pregnant wife.

It was gathered that Chinonso returned home to a chaotic atmosphere where some villagers were trying to rescue his wife from his sister.

Chinaza, who spoke to our correspondent from her hospital bed on Thursday in Okuku, said that her husband on arrival protested against his sister’s action, adding that his sister instead called three of their siblings on the phone to join her.

The pregnant woman who spoke in a broken voice added that on arrival, his three brothers-in-law identified as Chibuzor, and twins; Mishark and Shedrack, allegedly descended on her husband.

She said that while villagers at the scene tried to stop them from fighting her husband, one of the twins allegedly hit her husband with a big stick and he fell down immediately. Chinaza noted that her husband’s immediate younger brother, Chibuzor, used a machete to inflict a deep cut on her husband’s forehead and he lost consciousness.

The woman said that contrary to the claim that her husband died in a hospital, he actually gave up the ghost before he could get medical help. The pregnant widow further alleged that her in-laws were also threatening her life after purportedly killing her husband.

She said, “I married Chinonso in 2017. He was until his death a welder and the first son of his family. We had two daughters together, Munachi and Amara and I am currently seven months pregnant. My husband, daughters and I ate breakfast together that day before he left for his workshop. Not long after he left home, my sister-in-law, Chioma, came to our house and started beating me. She abused me and was beating me before some villagers came to my rescue.

“My husband whose workshop was not far away from home was contacted and he quickly rushed home. On arrival, he started protesting and his sister, a police officer, who always boasted of how connected she is, quickly called three of their siblings on the phone to come to our house. They came and started beating my husband. As they beat him, one of the twins hit him with a big stick and his immediate younger brother used a machete on him and he had a deep cut on his head and collapsed immediately.

“People started shouting that they had killed my husband and started crying. I wanted to come out from where I hid but some people quickly held me and the children back. My husband died before some villagers took him to a hospital in Umuguma where he was pronounced dead by doctors.

“The death of my husband was painful because that was not what I bargained for with him. Where do I start from? The incident has crippled me and it looks as if my world has stopped moving. It looks as if the world is against me now. It looks as if I am still in a dream and hoping to wake up in no distant time to realise that this episode is a movie scene.’’

Asked if her husband had issues with his siblings before his death, the widow said there had been disagreements over inheritance which she claimed his family members denied him as the first son.

She said that her husband’s maternal uncles advised him to forget his late father’s shop which the second son occupied and their family land which his siblings allegedly wanted to share without her husband’s consent.

The woman who said that she dropped out in secondary school said, “My husband’s maternal uncles came on Sunday and pleaded with him to allow his immediate younger brother to continue using their father’s shop. Also, his siblings teamed up to share their father’s belongings in her husband’s absence. The development was vehemently opposed by my husband.’’

The widow also claimed that she faced opposition from her mother-in-law whom she alleged mocked her for not having a male child. She stated, “They teamed up to kill my husband and they have succeeded. My sister-in-law always boasted that she would deal with me and my husband and nothing would happen.”

Asked what she wanted upon her husband’s death, she said, “I want my in-laws to bring back my husband. I am only a housewife. My husband was the breadwinner. He was the one who took care of our daughters. I want justice. I want the government to come to my aid. I want my children’s education to be taken care of. My husband was awaiting the arrival of the baby in my womb. But it’s unfortunate that he did live to see his unborn child. I want justice for my husband. I want the government to establish something for me so that I can take care of my children.’’

The widow said that she would not consider staying with her husband’s family, adding that she cannot be safe with them.

Chinaza said, “Nigerians should come to my aid. Nigerians should not allow hunger to kill me and my children. I don’t know how to feed my children and myself or take care of my baby when I give birth. I want my husband to get justice even in death.”

The deceased’s uncle, Amadi Azuatalam, who spoke to our correspondent when he visited the place where the murder took place, said that he was also not spared from what he described as his nephews and nieces troubles.

Amadi said, “Their father was my elder brother and he died in 2019. His children took over his lands and property. The truth is that I am not spared of the children’s troubles. The police officer among them once locked up my family members.”

The president of the community, Martin Daniel, said that the community was working closely with the police to ensure that there was no further breakdown of law and order in the community.

The community leader stated that though the incident was regrettable, the community had moved in to curb negative events in the area.

Daniel said, “What happened in our community was regrettable. It was unfortunate that the family didn’t manage their differences well. The incident happened and our own as a community is to ensure that we work closely with the government to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order.”

He promised that the community would monitor the development of things regarding the matter to ensure that justice was served.

Another source in the community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, accused the siblings of misbehaving to their late brother.

He said, “The deceased was a welder who fought with his siblings and one of them hit him with a big stick on the back of his head and he lost consciousness. Their sister who is a policewoman beat up the deceased’s pregnant wife. They all ran away on getting information that their eldest brother had been pronounced dead. Their mother also ran away. Their fight was over their late father’s property.’’

When Saturday PUNCH visited the Azuatalam family house, no one was at home. On inquiry, it was discovered that the police arrested the policewoman while others, including the twins and their mother, were on the run.

In his narration, second son and one of the late Chinonso’s siblings, Chibuzor, who spoke to our correspondent, said that he had no hand in the death of his elder brother.

He said that it was the deceased who inflicted machete cuts on his hand. Chibuzor added that the deceased refused to accept the formula in sharing their late father’s wealth.

He said “I didn’t kill my elder brother. He was the one who inflicted machetes cut on my hand. It was while trying to further inflict injury on me that one of the twins hit him with a stick. He fell and we rushed to a hospital at Umuguma behind the police station. He was referred to another hospital on Owerri-Okigwe Road at Orji. It was there that the doctors confirmed him dead.”

On the disagreement in sharing their father’s property, Chibuzor said, “Upon the death of our father, we were left with three and half plots of land because we sold one plot to facilitate his burial. After the burial, we contributed money and bought a plot of land, making it four and half plots of land. A family meeting was held and it was agreed that the first son should take a plot and half while the remaining three of us who are males should take a plot each. But our eldest brother disagreed and insisted he would take two and half plots. It was agreed that the male children should continue to live in our father’s house until we build our own houses and leave the house for the first son. But he found that uncomfortable.”

Chibuzor also denied the allegation that her sister, who is a police officer, beat the deceased’s pregnant wife.

He said, “My sister didn’t beat her late brother’s wife. She only poked her mouth. My elder brother was the one who used a machete to destroy things in the house. The deceased was the one who used a machete to inflict injury on my hand. It was in his second attempt to cut me that one of the twins hit him with a stick and he fell down. The incident is regrettable.”

However, the state police spokesperson, Orlando Ikeokwu, who said that the command had swung into action, added that two of the siblings, including the female police officer, had been arrested.

Ikeokwu, said that a report available to the police indicated that the late Chinonso was after her mother to kill her over disagreements in the sharing of their father’s property.

He said, “On April 12, based on a report received at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Owerri West LGA, operatives of the division arrested one Chioma Emenyionu, and her brother, one Mishark Emenyionu, both of Uborji village, in Okuku, Owerri West LGA, Imo State. They were arrested in connection with the murder of their brother, one Chinonso Emenyionu.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the late Chinonso was protesting the formula used in the sharing of their father’s property. As a result of which he took a machete and threatened to cut his mum. His sister, Chioma Emenyionu, then called their other brothers, Chigbu, Mishark, and Shedrack Emenyionu, all of whom arrived at the scene and descended on the late Chinonso and beat him to stupor. Consequently, he was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead. However, the corpse has been deposited in the morgue, while effort is on to arrest the other fleeing suspects. Investigation is ongoing.”

Copyright PUNCH.

A young Nigerian religious, Livinius Nnamani, a seminarian who has been suffering from leukemia was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Daniele Libanori S.J, Auxiliary bishop of Rome diocese and Titular Bishop of Buruni, with the approval of Pope Francis.

The 31-year-old had written to the Holy Father requesting to move forward his ordination, and was granted his wish on 1 April. Bishop Daniele Libanori, an Auxiliary bishop of Rome, ordained Livinius a priest at the Presidio Sanitario Medica Group Casilino Hospital in Rome.

Fr. Livinius’ story
Recently-ordained Fr. Livinius began his vocation journey in Owerri, Imo state, in Southeastern Nigeria, when he entered the Order of the Mother of God, aged 20.

Shortly after his first vows, Livinius was diagnosed with Leukemia, setting off a challenging period of therapies and treatments for the young religious. Two years ago, he was sent to Italy in search of better healthcare and to continue his studies.

Notwithstanding the gruelling transfusions and targeted treatments, Livinius continued his studies at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, better known as the Angelicum, and pronounced his final vows last September.

However, as the illness progressed, He started to spend longer periods in hospital, and his desire to complete his formation to the priesthood began to look more uncertain.

Consequently, Livinius made the decision to write to Pope Francis, asking him to bring forward his ordination. The reply came quickly on 31 March: Pope Francis gave his permission. The following day, Livinius was ordained a priest.

The gift of priesthood
“With this gift,” Bishop Libanori said during his homily, “God the Father wants to sustain you so that you can fully live the trial to which he called you.”

“As a priest, you will be joined with Jesus to make your body an offering pleasing to God. Our priesthood, indeed, reaches its peak when together with the bread and wine, we know how to offer all of ourselves, the things the Lord has given us, and our very lives.”

Presently, Fr. Livinius has begun his priestly ministry at the Casilino hospital, where he gives his blessing to the doctors and nurses who care for him and other patients on a daily basis.

Credit: Nonso Nkwa

Photo Credit: Davide Carbonaro

Five more abducted students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation Kaduna have been released.

The Nation had reported the first five of the students kidnapped on March 11 from their school hostel, regained freedom last Monday.

The five released on Thursday brings the number of freed students to 10, leaving 29 more in captivity.

One on the parents, who confirmed the development to The Nation said, the freed students were picked up by Police in Giwa local Government.

He said they were on their way to Kaduna town as at the time of filing this report.2Fjust-in-five-more-kidnapped-kaduna-college-students-released.

The parent said: “Yes, five more of our children have been released. Presently, we are waiting for them to come into Kaduna.

“But I can confirm to you that they have already been picked by men of the Nigerian Police. We are yet to see them ourselves.

“As soon as they come in, they are going to be taken to the hospital for examination, but we are waiting to receive them first.”

Kaduna Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, said he missed a call from the DPO in charge of Kidenda Giwa Local, who had possibly called to brief him on the development.

He however, promised to get back when he receives details on the development.

Cc. The Nation Newspaper

Accolades As Ozurigbo Commissions Completed Projects in Federal Constituency.

The member representing Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba federal constituency, Rt. Hon. Ozurigbo Ugonna on Wednesday 7th April, 2021 commissioned some completed projects attracted by him.

The projects, all Solar boreholes in IsuNjaba, Isu LGA; Amaokpara, Nkwerre LGA and Agbajah, Nwangele were officially handed over to the communities they are located at for their use and management.

Speaking at Isu, Chief Val Osuala a former local government Chairman stated that Hon. Ozurigbo Ugonna has removed shame from the faces of his followers.

He described the project as timely and of benefit to the community as the people cover long distances to get water.

At Nwangele, the President General of Umuduruaro Udoka Progressive Union expressed satisfaction at the speed with which the project was completed noting that it showed a sign of sincerity.

He further praised the lawmaker for his rare humility and philanthropy while thanking him for trusting their son, Mr Casmir Onuoha and retaining him as his aide.

At Nkwerre, the praises continued on the lips of Sir Anayo Mbachu, the President of Amaokpara Patriotic Union who maintained that it was the first time the community was being remembered by the government with the installation of such a project.

He asserted that the water project is most beneficial to the community and even members of nearby Orlu LGA who troop in to fetch the portable clean water.

Former Transition Committee Chairman of Nkwerre LGA, Barr. Paschal Onwukaike (Iheabata) described OZB, as the lawmaker is fondly called, as a promise keeper.

He noted that finding water in the area is a difficult task but Rep. Ozurigbo took on the daunting task of successfully sinking a Borehole for the people.

In his final remarks he intimated the gathering that Enyioha Gburugburu has informed him of his intention to finish what is left of the Amaokpara-Amaike road.

Responding to the kind remarks, Barr Uche Dike and Hon. Onyema Agbarakwe representing the lawmaker at the events thanked the people for welcoming Hon. Ugonna with an open arm a gesture he noted is expressed in the number of votes cast for him during the election.

Continuing, they promised to inform the lawmaker of the goodwill messages and advice extended to him while charging them to ensure the project are secured from theft and are managed efficiently for the benefit of the people.

Present at the events include Barr. Jasper Onuoha, Hon. Ezenwa Akuta, Hon. Ibeh Onyedikachi Canice, Hon. Ukachukwu Anyaegbu, Prince Emeka Onuoha, Prince Kizito Onuoha, Mr. Francis Obioma Ashamkonye, women groups, youth groups, APC Stalwarts and a host of other dignitaries too numerous to mention.

EBONYI State Governor and Chairman, South-East Governors’ Forum, David Umahi, on Sunday, said governors of the region were currently hiding their faces in shame

Umahi stated that the herdsmen they (South-East governors) fought hard to protect were the ones killing the people.

The governor made these remarks in Abakaliki, the state capital, when Vice President Yemi Osinbajo paid a condolence visit to the state on Sunday.

Umahi said, “Even when the killings happened; very unprovoked killings, some people said they gave the governor of Ebonyi State 21 days to resign. We have been called all kinds of names and we feel ashamed that the same people we fight for day and night as governors and leaders of South-East to ensure the oneness of this country would know about attacks on Ebonyi State and they were asked to leave and they left, and we were slaughtered and killed.

“What face do we have then to face our people? We feel so ashamed to face our people. When this thing happened, Your Excellency, there was going to be very violent retaliation. But I thank God for the leaders of this state. I thank God for CAN, the youths and traditional rulers.

“We immediately called for a stakeholders’ meeting and reached an agreement and said for the interest of this country, there would be no retaliation. But we are happy that you (Osinbajo) have a document that has been given to you.

“We are not saying it shouldn’t be investigated, but that document is information that came from the phone of the murderers and that’s what the community printed out and handed over to you. We demand a proper investigation.”

Umahi said three communities of Obeagu, Egedegede and Amaizu in the Ishielu Council area and the Effium community in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state, needed the sum of N5bn from the Federal Government to rebuild their homes and resettle.

Umahi added, “We demand that justice be given to the victims. This is the agreement and this is the promise I made to the people of Ebonyi State during our extra ordinary meeting on how to calm the situation.

“But it is also very annoying that herdsmen in other parts of the state are being asked to quit because they want to attack again. This is one attack that must not be attempted. This is because as the chief security officer, I’m to report to the Federal Government, I may not be able to control it.

“Let this madness stop. No one has the monopoly of violence, but we assure the Federal Government that there will be no retaliation, believing that justice will be done. This is because what was provided this afternoon by way of information is good enough to unravel what happened to us.

“We plead with the Federal Government to assist the people of Egedegede with the sum of N2bn so that they rebuild their homes and settle down.

“On the unfortunate killings in Effium community, we are equally pleading with the Federal Government to assist the people with the sum of N3bn, so that they can rebuild their homes.”

Nonso Nkwa

By

Lynda Onyekachi

According to a popular saying “we stop living when we stop caring for each other”. Indeed, this is the ideology behind the philanthropic nature of Ada Mbaise Foundation.

A philanthropist, Mrs Chinenye Ohiri-Ejiofor through her Charity Foundation on 29th March 2021,reached out to hundreds of school children in four different schools and across the 3 geopolitical zones in Imo State.

The crew of Ada Mbaise Foundation, visited Central School Umuoma Okpofe in Ezinihitte Mbaise and Community Primary School Ogbor Ihitteaforkwu in Ahiazu Mbaise both in Imo State. Each Pupils were shared School bags,note books and pens to encourage easy learning.

According to Engr Casmir C Nguzoro, the project coordinator of Ada Mbaise Foundation back to school project 2021, “Ada Mbaise Foundation is a charitable organization established to compliment efforts of the government, also to encourage a better educational learning for the average child in the country. The mission is to assist the less privilege and make sure that the poorest of the poor have access to education, and to build a better society of our dreams through her empowerment”.

The crew equally visited two more schools in the state where they lectured the students on the need of neatness, obeying their parents, school authorities, dressing on the appropriate school uniform and coming to school on time. According to them education without discipline is incomplete.

The two schools visited were Community Primary School Amaohuru Nguru Aboh Mbaise and Comprehensive primary school Obinze in Imo State where they distributed note books, pen, and school bags respectively.

Apart from sharing of writing materials, students were given money to buy new school uniforms while some were documented for scholarships.

In the words of the project coordinator Engr, Casmir C. Nguzoro, “ Apart From visiting schools to talk to students, we(the Ada Mbaise Crew) equally visited the palace of the traditional ruler of Obinze Autonomous Community, EZE A.C Enyinnaya to pay a homage to him. Yes, we so much believe in our tradition and the importance of giving respect to our leaders, both political and traditional leaders”.

His Royal Highness, EZE A.C Enyinnaya was briefed on their mission which was to improve and encourage the state of learning in the state. He welcomed them in his palace while they decorated him as an “Ambassador of Ada Mbaise Foundation”.  With gratitude, the traditional ruler encouraged them to keep doing the good work.

“Indeed together we shall build a better society of our dreams”.

The Project Coordinator, Engr, Casmir C.Nguzoro said.

While killing our men the herdsmen boasted nothing would happen to them because their people head security agencies

-Woman who survived Ebonyi killings

We learnt that you narrowly escaped the herdsmen’s attack on the Obeagu Road. How did it happen? Why did they spare your life?

Mrs Ngozi Odo-Abuchi is a graduate of the National Teachers’ Institute, who works in the Education Department of the Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. In this interview with RAPHAEL EDE, the 49-year-old widow who survived herdsmen’s attack on Obeagu community in the Ishielu LGA on Monday last week, explains her face- to- face encounter with death

On Monday, while I was coming home from where I went to, I mounted an okada from their park at the Nkalagu junction to convey me to Obeagu, my hometown. The rider is from the same community but not the same village. We left Nkalagu around 5pm and from Nkalagu to Obeagu is between 30 and 45 minutes with a motorcycle. We passed our junction, Egedegede, and about half way into the town, we saw people wearing black attire and most of them were inside the bush. Because the okada rider was on top speed, he could not stop immediately after sighting those people. And because he was not suspecting anything, he continued.

Unfortunately, when we got to that point, those people swooped on us. We were trying to run, but we didn’t know they had surrounded the entire place and they grabbed us. They started beating us, dragged us into the bush so that nobody could easily see what they were doing from the road. They were hitting us with their machetes on the head and kicking us with their boots. They stabbed the motorcyclist in the stomach and slit his throat. That was how they killed all the men; some of the attackers cut the men’s noses and hands after killing them.

When you got to the Egedegede junction, did you not see the vehicles and motorcycles that were burnt along the road?

They had not done that. It appeared that they started the killing on the road leading to the community. We were the first they stopped and the okada man conveying us was the first person they killed. As other motorcyclists were coming, they continued killing them, while the females were being tortured. After the beating, they would drag them inside the bush and ask them to lie down. They killed all the okada riders, but the women they didn’t kill, but beat us so mercilessly.

Why did they spare all the women and none was killed?

One of them, while they were killing the men, drew his dagger to stab me. Then I was seriously praying and remembering God’s promises to those who entrusted their lives to him. Suddenly, one of their leaders shouted at him: ‘Do not touch the women, they will go and tell their people that this is the consequences of daring to chase Fulani herdsmen out of their community. They will take our message to Nnamdi Kanu that he is doing his Biafra and that he and his IPOB cannot stop us from operating anywhere in the South-East or even South-South. All the heads of security agencies are our people. If they attack any Fulani man in any state, the government security agencies being controlled by our people will go after them, while we will come for reprisal. Tell Nnamdi Kanu of IPOB that he can continue to rant on social media, while we do what we know best.’

What is your experience like in the hands of the herdsmen?

What I saw that evening is better imagined. It was very horrific, but thank God for sparing my life. God is very merciful to me. I was calling the name of Jesus Christ to intervene and save us. While I was praying, I was also quoting the Bible, remembering his promises to those who believe and trust in him. So, as I was praying, one of them said I shouldn’t pray again and close my mouth, but I kept on praying and they kept beating me. One of them raised a dagger to kill me before another one shouted at him to stop and not to kill her or any of the women. There was nothing they didn’t use to torture us; they hit us with machetes; they kicked us with boots and marched upon us.

How long did the operation last?

I don’t know, but I know it started around 6pm and we were there till darkness covered us. After killing people, they started burning the motorcycles. So, their attack at that location could have lasted about two to three hours or more, but I can’t be exact, because they collected all our belongings – phones, money and every valuable item, including handbags.

Then, how did you manage to come out alive?

It was a miracle of God really. After they had killed all the men, they gathered some motorcycles and were burning them. At that point, I discovered that they were not close to us and we all ran inside the bush and while we were running, we continued to hide behind trees and the darkness of the night covered us. So, we slept inside the bush until the following morning. In the morning, two of us who ran and hid in the same place trekked back to the scene to see if our belongings were left and some villagers saw us and took us home.

How many were the attackers?

They were many; more than 20. I couldn’t have counted them because some of them were on the road; some were staying with us and beating us, while some were going up and down. Probably, those ones were on surveillance looking for more people and ensuring that they were not repelled. Meanwhile, all of them were bearing AK-47 rifles with double magazines.

Do you know who the assailants were?

They were Fulani men. In short, they told us that they were Fulani; that they came to show us that since our people pursued them out of our community, they wanted to give us a parting gift.

Is your community having problems with herdsmen?

Yes. They used to take their cows into our farms and destroy crops. They harvest yams and cassava and use them to feed their cows; when our people complained, they would tell us that it wasn’t their cows that destroyed the crops. So, this year, our people asked them to leave our community so that we could return to the farm. You drove to this place, from that Egedegede junction to this town is about 15 kilometres and I am sure you didn’t see any side of the road that was cultivated and that is because when we cultivate, the herdsmen will bring their cows and destroy it.

Our land is lying fallow, while hunger is killing people, because they can’t go to farm. So, our people said since you could not cohabit with us in peace, it was better you relocate to another place. So, after that, a few weeks ago, the people they occupied their land now drove them out.

What did they tell you was the reason they came to kill your people?

They said our people killed their cows and today we must pay with our lives. Like I told you earlier, they said we were agitating for Biafra and that we would see if that would save us; that Nnamdi Kanu was just making a noise. They also said any community in the South that a Fulani was attacked or their cows killed, after using security agencies that their people control to ensure that the cows were paid for, they would attack the community. They told us to go and tell the chairman of the local government council that the attack they carry out won’t go to the Internet, but the one we carry out would be uploaded on the Internet immediately.

What language were they speaking?

They spoke Pidgin English and their language. They spoke their language when talking among themselves. But the Pidgin English was the language they were speaking mainly, probably because they wanted us to hear them. Looking at the way they carried out the killings, they looked like well-trained soldiers.

Did you have a premonition of the incident?

Yes. I had a revelation of this incident but it was about a month now. I saw it happened to me and since then, I had been praying against it until it was made manifest on that Monday. Before, I was watching on the television how people were being slaughtered, but it was during the attack that I saw it with my eyes. It is only the grace of God that I survived the attack. It is callous, inhuman and atrocious.

Since the incident happened, have the police or any other security agency or government officials visited you to ask you how it happened?

None of those you mentioned has visited me. It is only some community members and my relations who are coming to check on me and ask how it happened.

Copyright PUNCH.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, says operatives of the Eastern Security Network carried out Monday attacks in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Adamu condemned the alleged act by the security arm of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra. IPOB, however, has since denied been behind the attacks.

The IGP in a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, ordered the immediate deployment of additional units of Police Mobile Force and other Police Tactical Squads in Imo to strengthen security in the state and prevent further attacks on security formations or any other critical national infrastructure in the state.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that gunmen attacked the Imo State Police Command headquarters and the Owerri Correctional Prison.

Scores of vehicles were razed around 1am on Monday when gunmen attacked Owerri and freed at least 1,500 inmates.

The hoodlums also freed the suspects in almost all the cells at the State Criminal Investigation Department of the command.

Reacting in the statement on Monday, the IGP said, “Preliminary investigations have revealed that the attackers, who came in their numbers with sophisticated weapons such as General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), Sub-Machine Guns (SMGs), AK49 rifles, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), are members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN).

“The attempt by the attackers to gain access to the Police armoury at the Headquarters was totally and appropriately resisted by Police operatives on duty who repelled the attackers and prevented them from breaking-in and looting the armoury.

“The armoury is thus intact! Similarly, the police suffered no human casualty, apart from a police Constable who sustained a minor bullet wound on his shoulder,” the statement partly read.

The statement was titled, ‘Imo Attack – IGP Deploys Security Reinforcement Squads, Sets Up Special Investigation Team (SIT)’.

The IGP also directed the Commissioner of Police in the state and a new Special Investigation Team “to carry out holistic investigations into the incident with a view to fishing-out the perpetrators and bringing them to justice”.

“The IGP, who described the deliberate and criminal attack on security operatives as an attack on the soul of our nation, has enjoined leaders in Imo State, the South-East and other parts of the country to speak out against the unfolding violence and criminality.

“The IGP calls on citizens to avail the Police and other security agencies with useful information that can assist in identifying and arresting the criminals.

“He vowed that the perpetrators will be brought to book, noting that the Force is doing all within its powers to curb the activities of unscrupulous elements hell-bent on threatening the unity, safety, security and socio-economic wellbeing of Nigerians,” the statement added.

Credit: Punch

REGISTRATION IS OFFICIALLY OPEN!!!

It is with great pleasure that we write to announce a joint partnership between Jamie Pajoel International and Vantage Migration to host the 2021 edition of International Youth Summit on the 14th of August by 10:00am at Rockview Hotel in Imo State, Nigeria.

Globally, youths make up 60 percent of the world’s total working population, and youth’s participation in leadership has been increasing faster than ever. Nigeria is known to be the Giant of Africa however our experiences across various strata’s prove otherwise.

We are certain that in other for ‘Real Change’ to occur in Imo State, the minds of her populace must be re-engineered for good. It’s with the hope of being a contributing factor to ‘Real Change’ that we will be having an International Youth Summit in Imo State, Nigeria.

THE SUMMIT

The Summit is envisaged to be a forum for the comprehensive evaluation of the socio-economic and intellectual development of young people in Nigeria. It will bring together young professionals across Nigeria and some international delegates, untied by the goal of creating positive change in their communities.

Register here NOW
bit.ly/JPISummit2021

It is conceptualized to promote an increased recognition of youths as key agents for social change and economic growth in all aspects of the society. The Program will provide delegates with opportunities to build and strengthen their leadership capacity and skills, through an interactive session led by a faculty of experts.

THE DELEGATES
1000 delegates and some international delegates will constitute the summit delegates. These will include change makers, members of civil societies, founders and coordinators of NGOs, lawyers and young professionals in Nigeria and across other Countries.

SPONSORS
• Jamie Pajoel International
• Vantage Migration
• JPI INTERNATIONAL YOUTH is required.

WHY YOU MUST ATTAND THIS EVENT!

JPI INTERNATIONAL YOUTH AWARD AND JPI START-UP AWARDS.

The CEO of Vantage Group- Jamie Pajoel and the founder JPI will be recognizing
• 10 amazing young people with an International Youth Award.
• 5 people will receive JPI Start-Up Grant Award (Cash Prices)

TRAVEL ABROAD VACATION
The CEO of Vantage Migration- Dr Linda Iheme will be giving out all-expenses-paid travel abroad trip at the event.
Would you like to be considered for this vacation, award or the grants?
Then register here NOW
bit.ly/JPISummit2021

Enquiry Only Call:
Regina+234 806 561 6632
Jane +234 806 463 7406

Police Operatives attached to Anambra State Command today 1st April, 2021 have arrested four (4) additional suspects in connection to the recent attack and gruesome murder of three (3)Policemen at Isuofia Civic Center in Aguata LGA of Anambra State.

The suspects are: Mbah Victor ‘M’ aged 30years, John Olisakwe ‘M’ aged 21years. Chigozie Omeh ‘M’ aged 20years and Emmanuel Nnobi ‘M’ aged 28years. The suspects confessed to have actively taken part in the attack and subsequent abduction of Commissioner for Public and Utilities, Engr Emeka Ezenwanne.* Which the Command is working assiduously to rescue.

Consequently efforts are still on going to apprehend other fleeing accomplices, unravel the circumstances surrounding the incidence and bring perpetrators book.

Meanwhile the Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command CP Monday Bala Kuryas fsi reiterates his commitment towards ensuring safety and security of Ndi Anambra and residence alike.

He urged the public not to relent in providing useful information that will assist the command in to nip in the board all forms of criminality in the state including similar ugly incidents.

DSP Ikenga Tochukwu Anipr, PPRO Anambra State Police Command

A 24-year-old former Nigerian beauty queen, Najeebat Sule, has been found shot dead inside her car parked close to her residence at 8800 block of Frankford Avenue on March 12, Daily Mail reports.

Nearly three weeks later, police have not found a motive and have made no arrests, leaving Sule’s family and friends searching for answers.

‘I can’t think of anything that would make anyone want to kill her,’ Sule’s close friend Habibat Magaji, told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Magaji was among the last people to have seen Sule alive before she was gunned down.

The two women had spent the night before at Magaji’s home, eating snacks and watching Netflix together.

Less than 24 hours later, Sule was sitting in her grey Toyota Corolla, exchanging text messages with Magaji, when an unidentified man walked up to the vehicle with a gun drawn and shot her several times.

Sule’s father, Adewale Sule, heard the gunfire and emerged from the house just in time to see the suspect fire the last of the shots at his daughter.

‘I saw the guy shooting my daughter. He shot the last round and I pursued him,’ said the father. ‘He ran back to his car.’

Najeet was rushed to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital, where she was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later.

Her mother, Tawakalitu Sule, said she last heard from Najeet less than two hours before the shooting when her daughter asked her when she was going to be home.

‘All of my children have been crying every day because of their big sister. They really miss her. I miss my daughter,’ she said.

Najeet is survived by her parents and two sisters.

‘She was very talented, smart and funny,’ one of her siblings told 6abc.

The family are currently staying at an undisclosed location over unspecified concerns for their safety.

Sule and her family immigrated to Philadelphia from their native Nigeria in the early 2000s.

Sule had only recently earned a Master’s degree in public health from West Chester University and was pursuing a doctorate.

In 2019, she was crowned a second runner-up at the Miss Nigeria International pageant.

‘Queen Najibat was an amazing young lady whose presence at the Miss Nigerian beauty pageant left a great ripple that continues to resonate,’ pageant organisers wrote on Facebook.

‘She was a breath of fresh air and her presence added a distinct touch that made the event memorable. She carried herself with great dignity and grace and her strength of character and approachability made her such a joy to work with.’

Credit:Punch