Awka – Anambra State Police Command has described as absolutely false and unfounded, allegations that it is shielding a suspect in a murder case from being prosecuted. A social crusader, Gwamnishu Emefiena Harrison, had raised alarm on various social media platforms over what he called Anambra Police complicity in the cover up of a murder case involving on Madam Nmesoma Okafor. The suspect, aged 25, who is from Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, was said to have tortured her 10-year old house help, Kosisochukwu, resulting in her death in a hospital on the 16th of February, 2021.…
Author: Kenechukwu Ofomah
Awka – Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano on Thursday performed the official flag-off of AstraZeneca COVID 19 vaccination in the state. The ceremony took place at the State Cold Store, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital in Awka. The speaker of the State House of Assembly, Uche Okafor, some commissioners and traditional rulers in the state, at the ceremony, received the vaccine, under the supervision of the state governor. The governor who first inspected the vaccines at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) confirmed that the vaccines are safe, adding that they can help keep the people…
Awka – The government of Anambra State has commiserated with the Nwankwo family of Ifite-Dunu, Njikoka local government area, over the demise of their son, Dr. Basil Nwankwo. The late Dr. Nwankwo was until his death, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka. Dr Nwankwo was said to have died last night in Enugu, after he allegedly had a heart attack although some quarters have it that the CMD died as a result of COVID-19. In a statement on Wednesday, the Secretary to Anambra state government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu said the State Governor,…
Awka – The Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Uche Okafor, today, handed over two Sienna Buses to the Anambra State Police Command for effective patrol activities in Ayamelum Local Government Area of the State. Ayamelum, where the legislator hails from, is a major food basket in the state, with comparative advantage in cultivation of rice, maize, yam, vegetables and other staple crops. However, farming activities in the area have been marred by the constant invasion of arms-wielding Fulani Herdsmen, whose cattle ravage the farms. Handing over the vehicles branded in Police colour to the Command, Rt Hon. Okafor…
Awka – Workers in Anambra State will Wednesday join their counterparts in a nationwide protest, against the move to transfer the National Minimum Wage from the Exclusive list to the Concurrent list. The implication of the Bill which is at the floor of the National Assembly, is that states will be determining what to pay their workers instead of a unified National wage. Letters from the National Secretariat of the labour unions- the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), had directed workers to mobilize against what they called an obnoxious policy by government. In a circular made…
Awka – The southeast Governors have been urged to wake up from slumber and offer the people of the zone good governance and credible leadership. The Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF), which made the call after their emergency national executive meeting in Enugu, Enugu State, accused the governors of having taken the people for granted in providing basic infrastructures and offering of good leadership. President of the group, Dede Uzor A Uzor, who addressed newsmen after the meeting, decried how helpless the Governors appeared to be in the face of the security situation in the zone especially the issue of herdsmen attacks.…
Awka – The Movement for the Conduct of Local Government Election in Anambra State, has threatened to deploy every machinery within its capacity to disrupt the November 6 Governorship election in the state, if local government election is not conducted in the state. The group is also accusing political parties of not pressuring Governor Willie Obiano enough to conduct the council polls, which it said will entrench democracy at the grassroots. Local government elections were conducted last in Anambra in 2014, at the end of former Governor Peter Obi’s 8-year tenure. The Obiano administration had said it has not been able…
Awka – The Nigerian Army has denied claims by an Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, alleging that non-Muslim soldiers were responsible for the attacks against bandits. Gumi was in a video which went viral recently, seen telling the bandits that the soldiers involved in most attacks against them were non-Muslims. He had further told the bandits to be aware that soldiers are divided into Muslims and non- Muslims. But in a statement on Monday, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima maintained that the Nigerian Army does not deploy its troops along ethnic or religious lines. “While the Nigerian…
Awka – Government and the society need to support women to overcome the limitations that have kept them suppressed and unable to achieve their destinies in life. This is the view of a cross-section of women who spoke with TNC correspondent in Anambra on the International Women’s Day celebration. International Women’s Day, is a day set aside by the United Nations to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. The theme for the year’s celebration, is “Let’s all choose to challenge”. Speaking on the essence of the…
Awka – Legal practitioners and individuals interested in civil and criminal matters were, on Monday, disappointed as their matters could not come up at an Anambra Magistrate Court in the state capital city of Awka. The development, TNC gathered, was as a result of compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures, especially the physical distancing, for which the Nigeria Correctional Services and Courts have reduced the number of people to be brought to the Court. The issue of overcrowded courtrooms has been a major concern following the outbreak of the pandemic, and the matter was complicated by the long period in which the…
Awka – The Member representing Onitsha South Two Constituency at the Anambra State Assembly, Hon Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche has expressed sadness over the destruction of citizens’ means of livelihood during a recent fire incident that occurred at Amobi street axis of Ochanja market. Last week, a midnight fire destroyed goods, cash and property worth hundreds of millions at the market at a plaza at the Amobi Market. Speaking after her visit to the scene to get an on-the-spot assessment of the situation, Hon Ikpeazu- Nkemdiche sympathized with her constituents, building owners and traders that have shops at the plaza, as well as…
Awka – Following reports of suspected gay activities at “SWISSER SWISS CLASSIC HOME HOTEL AND SUITE” Ifitedunu, in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, Police operatives, on Sunday, arrested an undisclosed number of people, mostly men of different age brackets. It was gathered that persons suspected to be homosexuals had held a birthday party at the hotel, with some of them eventually lodging at the facility after the party. An indigene of the community, who pleaded anonymity, revealed to TNC correspondent that trouble had started when one of the invited male guests was allegedly sexually molested against his will. It…
Awka – A yet-to-be-identified male adult was on Saturday crushed by an unidentified driver of a Mack Truck, opposite Goodness and Mercy motor park Onitsha. The truck with registration number, JJJ 660 XB, was said to be rolling backwards while it was caught up with trafficand crushed the man to death. An eyewitness attributed the crash to brake failure. Confirming the incident, the Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Florence Edor, said three male adults were involved in the Crash. “One of the male adult was rushed to Toronto hospital by FRSC rescue team from Upper Iweka Outpost.…
Awka – There appears to be some kind of disagreement over whether the three bridges built in the Awka Capital Territory, by the administration of incumbent Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, are strong and safe for motorists to ply. The three bridges located at Amawbia Junction, Kwatta Junction and Aroma Junction, were completed and commissioned in 2015 by the Obiano administration. Sometimes around 2017, alarm was raised over the unhealthy condition of the bridges by the opposition due to cracks observed on its parts as well as the heavy traffic experienced under the flyovers since they were constructed. Some engineers had…
Enugu – The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, Mohammed Aliyu, has called on traditional rulers in the state, to give maximum cooperation to the community policing model initiated by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu. CP Aliyu made the call over the weekend when he visited the Enugu State Traditional Rulers’ Council, over the security situation in the state. He harped on the need for the traditional rulers to remain resolute in giving the right leadership and fatherly guidance to the youths, so as to deter them from crime and vices. “You are not just the custodians of the people’s…
Awka – Residents of Dueze Street Otigba in 3-3 Area of Anambra State are in shock after a 35-year old man, Kingsley Igwe allegedly killed his wife with a kitchen knife under mysterious circumstances. The incident was said to have happened early Thursday morning. According to a resident who spoke with TNC correspondent, the man has been a constant user of hard drugs and is always high after taking the substance. The source said a minor disagreement had ensued between the couple and the man used the knife to slaughter the wife. Confirming the report, the Public Relations Officer, Anambra State…
Onitsha – Traders at a plaza located at plastic market at Amobi street, Onitsha, are counting hundreds of millions in losses after fire razed down the plaza on Friday morning. According to some persons living nearby, the fire which started at about 1:50am today, may have been caused by an electrical fault from one of the shops in the plaza. TNC correspondent in Anambra, reports that the plaza, as well as the entire Amobi street, is fraught with all kinds of illegal electrical connections. It was gathered that Police operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer, Central Police Station Onitsha, Ifeanyi…
Awka – The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, approved the sum of N6.04 billion for the provision of potable water in the four local government areas of Ogoniland. The local government areas include Gokana, Khana, Eleme and Tai, all in Rivers State. The FEC meeting was chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari in the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Minister of Environment, Muhammad Mahmoud, said the approval was with regard to the provision of potable water to the four local governments of Ogoniland of Rivers State. “If you recall, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project,…
Portharcourt – The Mother of one of the bus passengers kidnapped on Monday along the Bori axis of Rivers state has revealed that her twenty-two-year-old daughter was on her way to Ken Sarowiwa Polytechnic to pick up her Higher National Diploma (HND) form, when their bus was hijacked by gunmen. The woman, who gave her daughter’s name as Chinatu Friday, said she is an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) holder from the Polytechnic and is undergoing her one-year compulsory industrial training. The alleged hijack and kidnap incident had filtered in late Monday and had caused panic among residents of the area. The…
Markudi – An Upper Area Court, sitting in Wannune, Tarka Council Area of Benue State, presided over by Aaga Torkaa, Esq on Wednesday, convicted a road traffic offender for assaulting an operative of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, along Wannune – Gboko Road. The driver, whose name was given as Mr. Suaga J Terkumbur was on 9th January 2021, said to have assaulted the FRSC operative who was diligently carrying out his lawful duty. The offender who was convicted on a 3 count charge, resulting to nine months imprisonment, but was handed an option of fine amounting to the…
Awka – Anambra youths under the auspices of National Youth Council of Nigeria, (NYCN), Anambra State Chapter, on Tuesday, protested against the continued stay in office, of Professor Theresa Obiekezie as the State Commissioner for Youths and Creative Economy, pleading with the State Governor to relieve her of her job. The protesting youths from the various youth groups in the state, stormed the State Government house bearing placards with various inscriptions implying that the Commissioner does not have the capacity to lead the youths and has also been neglecting them. Prof. Obiekezie was the immediate past Commissioner for Tertiary Education before…
Awka – Anambra State Government has directed security agencies to treat any AK-47 wielding herdsman seen in the state as an armed robber. The State Governor Willie Obiano gave the directive on Tuesday at a Special Stakeholders’ Security meeting held in Awka. The meeting which is in response to the increasing insecurity in the state, had in attendance, heads of security agencies in the state, traditional rulers, Presidents-General, youth groups, the State Vigilante Service among others. Addressing the meeting, Governor Obiano revealed that there is an ongoing census of Fulani herdsmen in the state in collaboration with their heads, stating that…
Awka – Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Mmaduaburochukwu Obiano has expressed deep sadness over the sudden death of Mrs. Grace Ifeoma Adichie, mother of the great novelist and writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The death of Mrs Adichie comes barely five months after the award-winning Nigerian novelist, Chimamanda buried her father. Mrs Adichie who is from Abagana Community in Njikoka Council Area of Anambra State, died suddenly on Monday, March 1, 2021, in Awka, Nigeria, coincidentally on the 89th posthumous birthday of her husband Prof. James Nwoye, who died on June 10, 2020. She was 78 years old. Reacting to the…
Awka – Despite opposition claims that the State Governor, Willie Obiano has performed poorly in the area of infrastructural development, the State Government has said the Obiano government has completed 54 out of the total 96 road projects it inherited from its predecessor. The administration of the immediate past governor of the state, Mr Peter Obi has been adjudged to have performed very well in the area of roads and bridges, and the Obiano regime was expected to have taken up where the former left off, having come on the same political platform- the All Progressives Congress (APGA). However, the opposition…
Awka – The Member representing Orumba North and South Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo has boasted of having what it takes to succeed Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, come November 6, 2021. Chief Ezenwankwo, who is also a former President of Southeast Amalgamated Traders Association and Anambra Amalgamated Traders Association, has also declared his interest to run for the governorship seat of Anambra State under the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA. According to the Federal Lawmaker, he wants to succeed Governor Obiano so as to continue with the good governance strategies of Obiano. Making this declaration at…
Awka – The International Society for Civil Liberties & Rule of Law is strongly calling for immediate discharge and acquittal of those paraded recently by the Nigerian Army, 82 Division in Enugu and its satellite formations, including the 34 Artillery Brigade, Owerri and the 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha. To be released unconditionally, too, the group said, are others abducted and presently languishing in illegal Army and police cells numbering over 30. Nine out of the total 33 persons arrested by the Nigerian Army, have been arraigned and remanded, with the allegation that they are ‘IPOB/ESN terrorists and murderers who recently killed…
Awka – Anambra State Police Command says it has recovered one pump action rifle allegedly stolen from one of their formations during the #EndSARS protests in the state. The suspect was paraded over the weekend at the State Police Headquarters in Awka. The spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed on Sunday, said the firearm was recovered from a 20-year-old suspect, Debelechukwu Mbanugo by police operatives attached to 3-3 Division, following his arrest in collaboration with local vigilance group at Nkwelle Ezunaka, near Onitsha. “Recall that 3-3 Division was among the Police formations in Anambra State attacked and burned down during the ENDSARS protest of…
Awka – Anambra State government has handed over the Otuocha and Obizi regional water schemes to Birsa Water Limited, a consortium of Paul-B Nigeria limited, for proper maintenance and management. The Otuocha Water scheme is located at Aguleri in Aambra East Council Area of the state and will serve the LGA and neighbouring communities in Anambra North Senatorial District. The Obizi Water Scheme on the other hand, is located at Uga in Aguata LGA and will serve communities of the LGA and other in Anambra South Senatorial Zone. The State Commissioner for Public Utilities, Engr. Emeka Ezenwanne performed the brief hand…
PH – The new Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Eboka Friday on Friday announced the dissolution of the Eagle Crack Squad of the command. The announcement was made this morning after a meeting with his management team. The tactical unit has been notorious for numerous atrocities including extortion, torture, killing and maiming of citizens. In December 2019, the unit were alleged to have tortured a mechanic, one Chima Ikwunado to death while in detention, as well as unlawfully inflicted various degrees of injuries on four others, Ifeanyi Onyekwere ‘m’, Ogbonna Victor ‘m’, Ifeanyi Osuji ‘m’ and Osaze Friday ‘m’.…
The Chairperson, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Chapter, Dr Steve Ufoaroh has called on the Federal and State Governments to fund university education as a basic right of citizens of the country. The Federal Government had insisted that the only way to sustain funding education in Nigeria is to introduce tuition fees in Federal Universities. This has generated serious backlash from various quarters as well as constitutes a key area of disagreement between ASUU and the Federal Government. In a chat with TNC correspondent in Anambra on Thursday, Dr Ufoaroh said ASUU has persistently resisted the…
