Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano today announced the reopening of all markets in the state next week Monday, 4th May 2020. The governor had over the weekend directed that food and drug markets resume normal business activities today but said reopening of other markets will be after he meets with the traders today. After a closed-door meeting with the leaders of all 61 markets across the state, Governor Obiano it was resolved that the markets be reopened next week. He, however, said for the markets to reopen, they must during the week, set up taskforces which will be trained…
Author: Elochukwu Benjamin
There have been 24 documented incidents of extra-judicial killings by security personnel across Nigeria since the COVID-19 lockdown began, the Centre for Law Enforcement Education in Nigeria, (CLEEN) says. The statistics from the CLEEN Foundation is the outcome of the analysis of data provided by volunteers of the organization in all 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Federal Government had on Monday 31st March 2020, commenced enforcement of restriction of movement in Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja (FCT), for an initial 14 days period because of the outbreak of the Coronavirus…
A truck loaded with 900 bags of cement allegedly snatched by a robbery syndicate in Uromi, Edo state has been intercepted in Anambra State. Also arrested were four persons suspected to have masterminded the theft, Anambra Police Command says. They include three males Anayo Ulugha aged 26 years of Orlu in Imo State, Omoke Chigozie aged 28 years of Orlu in Imo State and Joseph Agu aged 24 years of Omuma, Imo State. Among the exhibits recovered from them were the truck and 900 bags of cement as well as a machete. A statement by the State Police Public Relations…
The Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, South East Zone has condemned what it called the dissent to dictatorship and anti-democratic actions by the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Dave Umahi. A statement signed by the Zonal Chairman of the CLO, Comrade Aloysius Attah, said in Ebonyi state under Umahi, free speech is nonexistent while freedom of expression, holding opinions and press freedom as enshrined in Chapter 4, sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended which the governor swore to uphold, are all observed in the breach. Umahi had in a statewide broadcast on…
28 days after it locked down the state, Anambra State Government has announced some adjustments in the lockdown. Governor Willie Obiano announced in a special broadcast on Covid-19 on Saturday. Part of the adjustments announced by the governor was the resumption of normal business in food markets, restaurants and bars and the reopening of churches. The operations of the markets, the governor explained, must, however, be conducted in compliance with the principles of Social Distancing and facilities for hand-washing points with soap and hand sanitizers made available at the entry points. “Following the outcome of all the tests we have…
Anambra State Police Command has received 228 new constables posted to the state from the Police College, Oji Rivers in Enugu state. The new constables who are all indigenes of Anambra state have successfully completed their training at the Police College. They are to be deployed to their respective local government areas of origin following the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Adamu Abubakar. It was gathered that this is in furtherance of the community policing initiative which was suggested by the IGP and endorsed by Governors of the Southeast at a security meeting earlier this year in Enugu.…
A 70-year-old man, one Godwin Ezeofor has been allegedly murdered by his 37-year-old son, Chigorom Ezeofor in Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA of Anambra State. The suspect who is said to be mentally retarded committed the dastardly act on Saturday morning at Umuezegoro kindred, Umuchiana village, Ekwulobia. Confirming the incident, Anambra Spokesperson of the Nigeria Police, Haruna Mohammed said, “at about 9:45 am today, One Mr Timothy Ezeofor of Umuezegoro Kindred Unuchiana Village reported at Aguata Police Station that at about 8:am of the same day, his elder brother, Godwin Ezeofor aged 70 years of the same address, was allegedly murdered using…
Abia State Government says it has traced 200 persons who made contact with the two index COVID-19 cases in the State. The contacts are presently in isolation, the State Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu said in a statement. Okiyi said the tracing of the contacts covered three Local Government Areas in the state including Ikwuano, Ukwa West and Umuahia North. “As at Thursday, April 23, 2020, the State Rapid Response Team and medical protocol sub-committee of the inter-ministerial committee on COVID-19, in conjunction with the team from Federal Medical Center (FMC), Umuahia, have traced 209 contacts of the…
A bloody clash on Monday between Odekpe and Alanonugwa communities in Anambra West Council Area of Anambra State has resulted in four deaths, one kidnap and sacking of an entire community. The clash was caused by an age-long boundary dispute between both communities which are located in an area called Olumbanasaa Two in the Council Area. It was gathered that similar clashes had occurred several times in the past between the sister communities, with efforts by the Local Government Authorities to address them. According to the traditional ruler of Olumbanasaa, Igwe Pius Omachonu, the fresh trouble started when one of…
…Anambra APC politicizing the COVID-19 issue-Govt The All Progressives Congress in Anambra State has accused the State Governor, Willie Obiano of abandoning his promise of producing 3 million face masks to be distributed to Anambra citizens for the prevention of the spread of coronavirus. Governor Obiano had in one of his COVID-19 broadcasts, said the state government will undertake the production of three million face masks for onward distribution to people of the state. According to the governor, the masks will be produced locally by tailors in all the 181 communities of the state while the various community heads are…
In line with its commitment to ensuring that the justice is done in the case of a citizen shot and killed by a police operative at Nkpor in Idemili North Council Area of Anambra State, the Police Stakeholders Partnership Forum (PSPF) Anambra State, on Wednesday met with the State Commissioner of Police, CP John Abang. The meeting which was held at the instance of the Police Commissioner at the State Command Headquarters in Awka was also joined by the Rule of Law And Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) represented by Barr Chisom Chude. It discussed the lingering issue of the Nkpor…
Delta State has recorded two new confirmed cases of Coronavirus, the State Government announced on Wednesday. The Commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Ononye, who disclosed this in Asaba, said the new cases have brought the total confirmed cases in the state to six, with one death and five active cases. Ononye said the active cases were being treated at the Isolation Centres in the state. He stated that the two new cases, one female and one male, were recorded at Uvwie and Udu Local Government Areas of the state. The commissioner further disclosed that all the patients were doing very…
Anambra State Government has directed that henceforth, residents must wear face mask once outside their homes. Governor Willie Obiano gave the directive on Wednesday, in a special broadcast to update citizens of the state on the latest developments on the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor said anyone seen outside without a face mask shall be guilty of breaking the State Protocol on COVID-19. “From today onwards, it has become compulsory to wear a face mask in Anambra State. Anyone who is seen outside his home without a face mask shall be guilty of breaking the Anambra State Protocol on COVID-19. This…
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP says it plans to assist in taking legal action against human rights violations linked to COVID-19 lockdown. Most states of the federation on lockdown has witnessed an increase in brutality on citizens by security agents and the taskforce enforcing the lockdown. In some states, there have been recorded cases of death resulting from the shooting of unarmed civilians. There have also been issues of extortion within the states and at different borders. Speaking on the development, the SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare said they are compiling such cases and will soon commence legal action…
In a bid to facilitate free movement of food and agricultural inputs nationwide to avoid food shortages and ensure 2020 production season is not hampered, security agents enforcing the lockdown has been directed to allow free passage of food items, livestock and farm inputs. The directive came in a communiqué issued by the Minister of Agriculture, Mohammed Sambo Nanono after a meeting with the Ministers of Defense, Interior and Police Affairs on Emergency response to COVID-19. The meeting was held on Monday at the Minister’s conference room, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Headquarters, Abuja. The communiqué read; “After…
Mr Ndobu, the Owner of Wilmark Pharmacy and Stores, a popular business outlet in Delta State where a young Lady was stripped naked for stealing milk, has been arrested by the Delta State Police Command. Mr Ndobu has arrested the incident which happened on Monday, 13th of February at his supermarket located along old Lagos Asaba Road. An online video has shown the girl stripped unclad, begging on her knees for mercy while another person suspected to be the shop owner was talking in the background. The lady had while pleading for mercy, claiming the milk was for her child.…
Natives and business owners in Amaezike Village, Mgbakwu in Awka North Council Area of Anambra State are presently living in fear over a major gully that has engulfed parts of the village. The gully which is developing at Amaiyi road, Amaezike village, Mgbakwu, presently sits on over 10 hectares of land including the boundary between Mgbakwu and neighbouring Okpuno community in Awka South LGA. A visit to the site shows that the Amaiyi road connecting both communities has been cut into two by the gully, which is deep enough to swallow a three-story building. It was also observed that all…
Imo state government has described as false, the rumours that it plans to rename Imo State University after the late Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari. The Chief Press Secretary/ Media Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State stated this on Monday in a press release in reaction to an online report making the rounds that the governor is to change the name of the University. The online report titled ‘Uzodimma To Rename IMSU Mallam Abba Kyari University’, purportedly signed by the CPS read in part; “Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has hinted that plans…
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned that it will not tolerate what it called the senseless killing of unarmed Igbo youths in the Southeast states. The position came in a statement made available to newsmen by the Media and Publicity Secretary of the IPOB, Comrade Emma Powerful on the recent killing of citizens in Anambra and Abia states. While condemning the killings and the incessant humiliation and harassment of innocent citizens, the IPOB said the renewed killings in Igboland by the security agents have become a norm and will soon raise catastrophe in Igboland and Nigeria at large.…
About 17 persons came out unscathed from a multiple crash that occurred just after the River Niger Bridgehead, Onitsha involving not less than eleven vehicles. An eyewitness said the crash occurred when a Mack Truck with registration number JJT887XG, loaded with iron, developed break failure and lost control. It was said to have rammed into ten other vehicles, including two Police Patrol Vehicles. The vehicles involved include a Mercedes Benz 911 with registration number XT492ENU, another Mercedes Benz Truck with registration number AJL358XA, J5 bus with registration number AAH697ZV and a Skygo tricycle without a registration number. Others were a…
The Anambra COVID-19 Network has berated Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano of not giving the deserved attention to the gruesome killing of a citizen and grievous injury to another at Nkpor by the Nigerian Police. The network, comprising Civil Society Advocates, Media Professionals, State and Non-State Actors and other concerned Citizens, was reacting to the governor’s broadcast on Saturday on the incident. Obiano had in the broadcast, briefly appealed to the police and residents to embrace peace while pledging government’s support towards the victims. In his words, “the clash between a group of youths and some security operatives at…
Anambra’s first and only confirmed case for coronavirus has tested negative for the virus, the state government says. The index case was confirmed a week ago by the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC), resulting in a total lockdown of the state by its government. The case had spoken out from Protective Care Centre in Onitsha where he was isolated, maintaining that he does not have a virus and accusing the government of planning to kill him. But in a broadcast on Saturday, to update people of the state on the state of things as it concerns the virus, Governor…
An emergency meeting of the expanded Ebonyi State Security Council has resolved to fully lock down the state in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The meeting presided over by the state governor, Dave Umahi took place on Saturday at the new governor’s office, centenary city, Abakaliki. Also in attendance were the State Security Council Members, Council Chairmen, Leaders of the Development Centre Coordinators’ Forum and members of the State COVID-19 Central Committee. Briefing newsmen, the Commissioner for information and State Orientation and Acting Commissioner, Human Capital Development and Monitoring, Barr. Orji Uchenna said the full lockdown of the Communities and…
54 inmates in four correctional facilities in Anambra state has been granted freedom by Governor Willie Obiano. The gesture is in the exercise of the Prerogative of Mercy granted the governor in Section 212 of the Nigerian constitution. Governor Obiano announced this on Saturday in a special broadcast on the COVID-19 challenge and efforts of the state government towards addressing the challenge. The governor noted that the world is going through an extraordinary time, a moment that calls for acts that will renew and restore the people’s faith in humanity. “It is as a result of this that I have…
Abia state government says it will not condone the reckless killing of unarmed civilians by security agents which are supposed to protect lives and property. The state government was reacting in a statement today to the shooting of a citizen by security agents in Ohafia during the week. The statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi, called for an end to the senseless killings forthwith. The statement read, “Abia State Government is shocked to receive the news of yet another alleged extra-judicial killing of a citizen by security agents, this time in Ohafia. We are also receiving…
Nigeria’s government and citizens have been urged to make genuine efforts towards diversifying the nation’s economy due to increasing revenue shortfalls from crude oil and its derivatives occasioned by COVID-19 global lockdown. The call came from a Non-governmental organisation, Amaka Chiwuike-Uba Foundation (ACUF) in Enugu on Friday. Board Chairman of the foundation, Dr Chiwuike Uba, while speaking to newsmen in Enugu said if there is a lesson Nigeria can learn from the economic effects of COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant economic implications, it is to look beyond oil. Uba, a developmental economist and governance expert, advised the federal and state…
Anambra State Police Command has launched an investigation into an incident that happened at Umunze in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State where a Police officer allegedly harassed a citizen, shot and deflated the tyres of his car. An online video had shown the citizen, who identified himself as Henry Muokwe in his car videoing the whole episode even as the police officer videotaped as well. Muokwe had in the video, complained that he was driving to a nearby bank at Umunze in Orumba South Council Area of Anambra State when the Policemen stopped him and demanded money…
In response to the hardship which the Coronavirus pandemic has brought across the nation, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Awka, Most Rev Jonas Benson Okoye has called on Anambra State government and law enforcement agencies to consider the sufferings of the teeming masses before issuing directives on restrictions and its enforcement. Bishop Okoye who made the call in a phone interview said such consideration would minimize the hardship faced mostly by commoners. He advocated that government directives and manner of its enforcement must have a human face for it to go well with the masses who have…
Security agencies in Anambra State have applauded people of the state for complying with the directive on lockdown issued by the State Government due to the coronavirus pandemic. The commendation came after heads of the various security agencies in the state-monitored the lockdown today across the state. Among service commanders who joined the monitoring team were the State Commissioner of Police, John Abang, Commander, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), David Bille and the Commander 302 Artillery Regiment of the Nigeria Army, Colonel A.I Lapai. Others are the state Director, Department of State Security (DSS), Alex Agada, the State…
Policemen attached with the Special Anti-Cultism Squad (SPACS) of Anambra Police Command have allegedly shot and killed a man and injured another while enforcing the lockdown order in Nkpor Idemili Council Area of Anambra State. The incident took place at about 1 pm Wednesday, at Ezego street, Nkpor. When the area was visited at about 2 pm, the dead body of the man identified as Ebuka Agbada was seen lying in a pool of blood with bullet wounds to his chest. Angry youths had carried the dead body to New Tyre Junction axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway and blocked the…
