The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, in charge of the 13th Police Zonal Command, Ukpo, Anambra State, AIG Danmallam Mohammed has asked Commissioners of Police in charge of Anambra and Enugu to deploy every lawful force to protect citizens’ lives and public property and those of private individuals, from malicious attacks by persons and groups who might be operating under any guise and circumstances. Recently ENDSARS protest erupted nationwide and the violence that followed it, saw to the destruction of public infrastructure, police stations and operational apparatchiks, loss of officers’ lives, carting away of some privately owned property and halting of…
Author: Kenechukwu Ofomah
Igbo stakeholders have again reiterated their demand for the Southeast Geopolitical Zone to be given the opportunity to provide the President of Nigeria in the 2023 general elections. The stakeholders are also demanding the creation of additional states in the South-East geo-political zone in the spirit of equity and Justice as well as urgent construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of all federal roads in the zone, which they lamented, have turned to death traps. The demands were made in Enugu on Saturday during a meeting of the Presidential delegation led by the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof. Ibrahim…
In spite of the recent upsurge in crime in parts of Anambra State, the Senior Special Assistant to the State Governor on Security, Mr Ostar Christopher believes Anambra remains the safest state in the country. He, however, thinks there is need for Anambra residents to take full advantage of the Community Policing concept to fight the spike in crime across parts of the state. Recent days have seen crime return to parts of the state especially in Onitsha, Nkpor, Awka, Obosi and many others. In Awka, about four persons have been gunned down since Monday, in what many tagged cult…
It was a day of commendations for the I-Witness Media Crew as it celebrated its second year anniversary today in Awka, Anambra State Capital. The Media crew was founded in 2018, with the intent to disseminate activities of Anambra State Government to the people and garner feedback from the grassroots back to the government for the purpose of good governance. At the Secretary to the State Government’s Hall, Anambra State Government House, Awka, it was commendation after commendation from Anambra stakeholders to the I-Witness Media Crew for their efforts at bridging the gap between the government and people of the…
It was an emotional session today at a sitting of the Anambra Investigative Panel of Inquiry into the allegations of extrajudicial killings against defunct SARS and police brutality, as a widow, Chidinma Edozieuno Johnson asked the Awkuzu office of the defunct Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) to provide the corpse of her husband who died in their custody in 2017. She also asked the Police to return all the property they carted away from her house same day. This was part of the reliefs she sought in a complaint she forwarded to the Panel of Inquiry. Speaking with TNC correspondent…
The Anambra State Investigative Panel of Inquiry into the allegations of Extra Judicial Killings against the Defunct SARS and Police Brutality says it has so far received thirty-three complaints from members of the public. Chairman of the panel, Justice Veronica Umeh while speaking with newsmen in Awka on Wednesday, revealed that they have received twenty nine hard copies and four e-mails from the public so far. The 34-member panel inaugurated on the 20th of October, 2020, by Governor Willie Obiano, has as its terms of reference, to receive and investigate the complaints of police brutality relating to torture and high…
The member representing Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Engr. Chris Emeka Azubogu on Wednesday embarked on an assessment tour of facilities damaged in his constituency following the unfortunate hijack of a hitherto peaceful #ENDSARS protest by hoodlums. Among the facilities visited by the federal lawmaker were Nnewi Central Police Station, Nnewi, Nnewi Area Command, Nnewi, INEC Office, Nnewi North LGA, Defunct F-SARS Office, Nnewi, EEDC Office (Nnewi Improvement Union Building), Police Barrack, Nnewi, Federal Road Safety Office, Nnewi and Osumenyi Police Stations, Nnewi South LGA. Others include Ochi Police Station, Amichi, Nnewi…
Peace has finally returned to Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra state, following the dumping of an Ogbaru high court judgment by both the plaintiff, Ezele Mbana quarter of Ezele Village and defendant, Umuezegbute quarter of Isu village, all in Oba town. The warring communities on Tuesday at the palace of the late traditional ruler of the town, Igwe Peter Ezenwa also signed a memorandum of understanding to toe the path of peace. The defendant, (Umuezegbute), had on 28th day of February 2020, got judgment in its favour in suit No. HID/92/1999, when it was sued by the plentiff,…
Governor Willie Obiano on Tuesday presented the 2021 Anambra Budget Proposal of 143.7 billion naira to the State house of Assembly. The draft estimate is christened ‘Budget for Socio-Economic Recovery and Consolidation.’ The 2021 Draft Estimate which is over 29 billion naira higher than that of 2020 Revised Budget which was N114.9 billion, is predicated on some macro-economic assumptions including a crude oil price benchmark of 35 dollar per barrel and an average daily production of 1.86m barrels, translating to a projected annual FAAC of N46.7bn as against the 2020 revised figure of N34.4bn. Other indices include an annual…
As the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists is marked globally today, journalists have been urged to fully explore the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act to be able to deliver their professional mandate in the achievement of an informed society. The celebration marked every 2nd of November, arose from a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly at its 68th session in 2013, in recognition of the far-reaching consequences of impunity, especially of crimes against journalists. The Resolution urged Member States to implement definite measures countering the present culture of impunity. The 2020 celebration has as…
Anambra state government has been told to dissociate itself from the wanton extortion of operators of Keke across the state by fishing out those behind the criminal activities. Keke drivers in Awka North and South Council Area of Anambra State stated this while speaking to TNC correspondent on Monday over what they called multiple taxation and extortion allegedly by persons working for the state government. The issue of multiple levying against commercial vehicle operators has been a burning issue in recent times especially with the return of touts to the streets of Anambra. Some Keke drivers (names withheld) made it…
A 29-year-old man has been arrested by the Police in Anambra for allegedly robbing a commercial tricycle operator and his passenger. The suspect, one Christian Nwalieji of Umuawa Ifite-Ogwari in Ayamelum Council Area of Anambra State but who resides at City Supermarket Area, Okpuno, was alleged to have committed the crime on Sunday. He and another said to be at large, had while operating on Keke tricycle, attacked one Cheta Geoffrey and his passenger, while they were returning from work with bottles and dispossessed them of their phones and cash sum of #9000. Speaking with TNC correspondent in Awka on…
The Anglican bishop of the Ogbaru Diocese, Most Rev Prosper Amah has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to stop avoiding honest dialogue capable of bringing the country out of the woods it presently found itself. He attributed the inability of the current administration to make serious positive changes since assumption of office, to its unwillingness to throw its doors open to negotiation. The Prelate was speaking while delivering his presidential address during the 2nd session of the 5th Synod of the Diocese held at Immanuel Anglican Church, Umunankwo in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state. According to him, cries…
A non-partisan organization, Academic Frontier Initiative (AFI), has called on the federal government to urgently meet the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in order to reopen public universities across the country. ASUU had embarked on industrial action for over eight months now, following the non-implementation of the 2009 Agreement, 2019 Memorandum of Action, Arrears of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), revitalisation funds, among other issues. National Coordinator of the AFI, Dr Chinedu Onyeizugbe, while speaking with TNC correspondent on the development Saturday, urged the federal government to delay no further in attending to the agitations of ASUU,…
Legendary highlife musician, Chief Dr. Emeka Morocco Maduka has died at the age of 76. The Governor, Performing Musicians of Nigeria (PMAN), Anambra State Chapter, Ikem Mazeli disclosed the news to TNC correspondent in Anambra on Friday. In his words; Morrocco (as he was fondly called) passed on Thursday, October 29th, 2020. All other arrangements as regards his planting to mother earth will be communicated to all of us later.” On the 6th of March 2020, a two-day musical concert tagged ‘60 Years on Stage of Chief Dr. Emeka Morocco Maduka’ kicked off in Awka and climaxed at Onitsha the next day.…
The Nigeria Police Force has denied reports by Amnesty International that its operatives opened fire on protesters in parts of Lagos, resulting in the death of no fewer than 10 persons. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu made the rebuttal on Friday in response to the report by Amnesty International dated 21st of October, 2020. The group had in the said report, alleged that “an on-the-ground investigation confirmed that the Nigerian army and policemen from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Unit, killed at least 12 peaceful protesters at two locations in Lagos, namely- Lekki and Alausa, where thousands were protesting…
Southeast Governors and Stakeholders have resolved to set up funds to assist families that lost persons in the recent violence that trailed the ENDSARS protests across the region. This was contained in a communiqué issued by the Southeast Governors Forum after the first day of a two-day closed-door meeting, organized by the forum in collaboration stakeholders in the southeast geopolitical zone at the Enugu State Government House. The meeting was to strategize on how to make the zone better for the residents in the light of issues raised by youths in the zone during the recent EndSARS protest, and unrest…
Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA), on Friday, commences immunization activities to combat Yellow Fever, Meningitis in Anambra State. The initiative which is done in collaboration with partner agencies commences today 30th October and will last till 8th November, 2020. The ASPHCDA executive director, Dr Chioma Ezenyimulu who disclosed this to TNC correspondent on Thursday, noted that the state is partnering UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO) to run mass preventive vaccination campaigns to combat Yellow Fever. “This will be combined with Meningitis Afrivac (Men A) vaccine because WHO recommends a one-time catch-up campaign for children born after the…
The various State Judicial Panels of Inquiry on Police Brutality, Extrajudicial Killings and Other Related Matters should grant an extension of time to allow as many victims as possible to utilize this opportunity to submit their petitions, complaints and memoranda. This is according to a Rights Group, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC). The Federal Executive Council and the State Governors had decided to set up Judicial Panels of Inquiry in the various states in the aftermath of the #ENDSARS protests by the Nigerian youth across the country. In Anambra, the Secretariat of the Panel inaugurated on the…
There is need for the people to be conscious of the risk factors that predispose them to stroke, maintain a balanced diet and constant exercise, to stay away from suffering a stroke. The Chief Executive, Stroke Action Nigeria, Rita Melifonwu gave the advice while speaking with TNC correspondent on Thursday on World Stroke Day. The World Stroke Day is celebrated on 29 October each year to raise awareness of the global burden of strokes. Stroke, which now a global burden, is brain attack that happens when the blood vessels or artery in the brain is blocked by a blood clot…
Four personnel of the Nigeria Police Force in Anambra State, died in the disturbances that ensued following the hijack of the ENDSARS protests by hoodlums last week. Anambra State Commissioner of Police, John Abang disclosed this on Wednesday when he paraded 17 suspects arrested across parts of the state in connection with the burning of public and private property across the state and killing of policemen. Over 70 percent of the suspects were from Anambra State contrary to the claims of the state governor, Willie Obiano, that the attackers were from neighbouring states. Parading the suspects, CP Abang said 11…
Governor Willie Obiano on Tuesday visited facilities that were attacked by hoodlums during the #ENDSARS Protests that held in the state recently. The governor was accompanied on the visit by the State Commissioner of Police, CP John Abang and other service commanders in the state from the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Customs among others. Among the places visited by the governor were Police stations at Osumenyi and Oraifite as well as Ekwusigo Central Police Station and Area Command Nnewi. Speaking after he inspected the level of…
Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano on Tuesday lifted the curfew imposed on the state with immediate effect. A statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Pubic Enlightenment, C-Don Adinuba, said the announcement followed great improvement recorded in the security situation in the state in recent days. The statement read in part; “Consequently, all educational institutions closed last week in the wake of the havoc visited on the state by gangs of arsonists are hereby directed to resume normal activities immediately. “In the same vein, all civil servants are directed to return to work immediately. “Governor Obiano thanks Ndi…
Delta Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Tuesday, presented the Appropriation Bill of N378.48 billion for 2021 to the state’s House of Assembly for consideration. Titled “Budget of Recovery’’, the governor told the lawmakers that the Bill was made up of N207.52 billion for Capital Expenditure and N171.32 billion for Recurrent Expenditure. He said that capital expenditure constituted 54.76 per cent of the Budget while 45.24 per cent represented recurrent expenditure, and explained that the allocations were consistent with his administration’s agenda of spending more on projects and programmes that would impact directly on socio-economic wellbeing of Deltans. The 2021…
Ahead of the November 3rd Presidential Election in the United States of America, the Living Christ Mission Incorporated has organised a solidarity Prayer March in endorsement of the reelection bid of US President Donald Trump. The church members moved through major streets of Onitsha in Anambra state with different banners campaigning for Trump to be re-elected for a 2nd term in office. The inscriptions visible on their banner expressed their strong belief that Trump would continue to revive America’s economy, introduce sound moral values, restore the sanctity of human lives by standing against the practice of same-sex marriages and abortion…
Anambra State has released 2020/2021 academic session calendar for Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools in the state. The new session will commence on Nov. 16. This is contained in a release signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic Education, Awka, Mrs Nwabueze Nwankwo on Monday. According to the release, the first half of the first term would start from November 16 to end on December 18, for the Christmas break that would last until January 1, 2021. The statement read in part: “The second half of the first term will begin on Jan. 4, 2021 and end on Feb.…
People of Idemili North Council Area of Anambra State, comprising the 10 towns in the council area, on Monday trooped out in large numbers to register the displeasure over the reckless acts of violence and arson witnessed in the LGA in the course of the ENDSARS protest. Youths leaders and other key stakeholders converged on the Mr Biggs Nkpor axis along Onitsha- Awka Old Road from where they embarked on a protest match to say no acts of violence witnessed in the LGA. The protest moved from Mr Biggs axis to Nkpor Junction- Afor Nkpor- Ugwunwasike Ogidi- AforIgwe Market through…
…Says No Plan To Attack Prisons The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has called off its earlier plan to embark on a clean-up exercise of two cities in Anambra State namely Onitsha and Nnewi on Monday. In a statement made available early this morning to TNC by IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, the Supreme Leader of the Group, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has directed that the protest scheduled to hold today, Monday 26th, in Anambra State be put off owing to the fact that Anambra Command of IPOB has already cleaned up the mess caused by the miscreants that held the state…
Vice-Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has appealed to youths across the country, particularly those from Anambra State, to go off the streets in order not to allow their well-thought-out protest which has been supported by people that have the good of the country at heart, to be hijacked by forces of darkness. The appeal was made known in a statement made available to TNC on Monday, personally signed by Mr. Obi. Recalling his various tweets and statements thus far on the protest, Obi said it was pertinent, at this…
As the 2020 Cancer Week commences on Monday, the need has been stressed for increased awareness campaigns on cancer and early presentation of cases as key to successful treatment and management of the disease. According to the Coordinator, National Cancer Control Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Okpako Okpikpi, cancer is not a death sentence if detected early and presented to hospital for treatment. The 2020 Cancer Week which will be declared open on Tuesday by the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, has as its theme, “Cancer in Nigeria in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond.’’ The week-long activity, scheduled…
