The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has insisted that neither the Force authorities nor its personnel had a hand in the death of Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile. On 14 July 2020, Arotile’s death was announced in very unusual circumstances, triggering a lot of conspiracy theories and innuendoes in public space, especially on Social Media. Fingers were pointed at the NAF leadership of complicity in the death of the 24-year old Arotile over ethnic sentiments among other accusations. As a result, the NAF had ordered an investigation into the unfortunate incident to formally determine the circumstances…
Author: Kenechukwu Ofomah
The Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers (ASTRC) has reiterated its position on the zoning of political offices, maintaining that the office of the Governor has been zoned to Anambra-South Senatorial zone for the 2021 gubernatorial election in the state. The Royal Fathers disclosed this after deliberating on the zoning and rotation of political offices in Anambra state over the weekend. A communique signed and released by the Chairman of the Council and Obi of Onitsha, HRH Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, emphasized that the decision of the Council was not new. The communique which was also signed by the Secretary of…
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) on Friday called on the Inspector General of Police to order an investigation into the police invasion of the residence of a former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Joy Nunieh. Yesterday, a video surfaced online, of Police officers attempting to break into the residence of former acting NDDC MD, without any warrant, before they were stopped by the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike. Wike had revealed that the operation was carried out by police officers from the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit. The motive of…
The South-South Governors Forum believes the forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will place the commission on a better pedestal to drive the transformation which people of the region have been yearning for. The position was made known after a meeting of the forum yesterday. A lot of issues have risen from the forensic audit of the NDDC ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari over allegations of corruption and maladministration by the Interim Management Committee (IMC) set up to reposition the Commission. The governors expressed deep concern over the crisis rocking the commission and said that it was…
The Catholic Diocese of Enugu has announced the death of a priest in the Diocese, Fr. Joachim Cabanyes as a result of coronavirus. Fr. Cabanyes died yesterday at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Isolation Centre in Enugu. The late Cabanyes who is from Spain, has served the Nigerian Catholic Church for about 28 years. He was buried this evening in line with COVID-19 Guidelines. According to a statement by the Fr. Nkemjika Igweshi, Secretary to the Diocesan Bishop, Most Reverend Callistus Valentine Onaga, Cabanyes was a priest of the Opus Dei Prelature, working in our Diocese. “He had…
Anambra State Commissioner for Public Utilities, Engr Emeka Ezenwanne says the state governor, Willie Obiano is committed to extending electricity power to rural communities in the state and ensuring that the state enjoys stable power in the near future. The Commissioner disclosed this during the second edition of Meet the Media, an interactive expository of the Obiano administration, organized by the governor’s media team to provide insight into the Governor’s achievements in the state. As developed as Anambra State appears, many of its communities especially in Anambra North Senatorial District have never seen electricity since inception. Ezenwanne at the meeting…
A 65-year-old woman, Obiageli Ezeuboaja and her 12-year-old houseboy, one Chikamso have allegedly died in Ekwulobia in Aguata LGA of Anambra State, as a result of smoke from a charcoal fire they set to warm their room due to cold. The deaths were discovered by the husband of the woman, one Bernard Ezeuboaja of Umuchiana village, Ekwulobia, in the early hours of Wednesday, the Public Relations Officer of the Police in Anambra State, Haruna Mohammed said. The PPRO said the incident was reported by Mr Bernard, prompting the Police to take action. “Today being the 15th of July, 2020, there…
Anambra State Government is hopeful that the clergy in the state will key into the State Health Insurance Scheme to guarantee quality health service for themselves and their dependents. The expectation was made known on Wednesday by the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA), Dr Simeon Onyemaechi when he attended the monthly workshop for the clergy in the Anglican Diocese on the Niger held at the instance of the Bishop, Rt Reverend Owen Nwokolo, at All Saints Cathedral Church, Onitsha. Since its establishment through a Bill passed by the Anambra State House of Assembly and accented to by…
The Sexual Harassment Bill recently passed by the Upper House of the National Assembly, aimed at upholding ethics in tertiary institutions across Nigeria, has been greeted with approval from a cross-section of Nigerians. Recent times have seen a spike in reported cases of sexual violence and rape all over the country. Many lecturers in the nation’s tertiary institutions have been caught in sex-for-grade scandals, igniting the need for stiffer legislation to check the anomaly. Titled: ‘A Bill for an Act to prevent, prohibit and redress Sexual Harassment of students in tertiary educational institutions and for matters concerned therewith 2019’, the…
Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano has directed the State Police Command, to arrest and prosecute any agency or group of people not approved by the government, masquerading as COVID-19 taskforce in the state. Obiano gave the directive in a broadcast in Onitsha on Monday, on the state of affairs with respect to the management of the coronavirus pandemic in the state. In the past few months, there have been reports and substantiated evidence to the illegal operations of fake COVID-19 enforcement teams who parade themselves in fake COVID-19 Task Force uniforms. These individuals have been arresting people and extorting huge…
The Nigeria Police Force has debunked rumours that an incident of inhuman treatment by security personnel captured in a video and circulated online, took place in Nigeria. In the viral video credited to @NigeriaDream, the security officer was seen stamping his feet on the neck and head of a man lying helplessly on the floor, in clear violation of his rights, dignity and freedom. A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba issued on Monday, said the Force condemns the act in its entirety. It further said the Police authorities have however painstakingly fact-checked and examined the video…
A 17-man team from the Federal Ministry of Health deployed to Calabar to engage Cross River State government on setting up their COVID-19 response and aligning it with the national response, has successfully completed its mandate, Nigeria’s Health Minister, Osagie Ehanire said on Monday. The team has also returned to Abuja, after a successful mission led by the Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency. Its team comprised staff of Departments of Family Health, Port Health Services, Public Health, Food & Drugs Services, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, National Agency for Food…
A 60-year old man, Okafor Ndubuisi has been arrested by the Police in Anambra for allegedly defiling a 9-year old girl. The man was said to have on Sunday, lured the girl to his house at Sun Rise Estates Nkwelle Ezunaka in Oyi LGA of Anambra State, where he allegedly defiled her in his room. Police Spokesperson in Anambra, Haruna Mohammed, said at about 2:30pm yesterday, following a tip-off, Police operatives attached 3-3 Division arrested the suspect. “Suspect had on the same date and on different occasion allegedly defiled a 9 years old girl in his room. The scene was…
The Nigeria Police Force says it has successfully an American citizen who was confined in a Lagos hotel where she was held against her wish for over a year. The victim who hails from Washington DC, USA and is a retired civil servant in the US, arrived Nigeria on 13th February, 2019 on a visit to one Chukwuebuka Kasi Obiaku, 34years old, a native of Ikeduru LGA of Imo State whom she allegedly met on Facebook. A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mbah said the victim was rescued by police operatives attached to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT),…
A fatal Road Traffic Crash at Kwatta Junction, along Awka-Enugu expressway yesterday claimed the life of one person and injured another. The accident involved a Mercedes Benz 911 with registration number AKL325ZT and a Tricycle with registration number HTE159VC. According to an eyewitness, the driver of the M/Benz 911 beat the traffic light and rammed into the tricycle, whose rider was obviously not concentrating. The Public Relations Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra State, Pascal Anigbo confirmed that the tricycle rider was killed instantly, while the female victim sustained serious injuries and was rushed to an…
The Chairman of Issele-Uku Vigilante, Mr Nkeadi Obunwa has confirmed the apprehension of eight Fulani herdsmen suspected to be kidnappers in Issele – Uku and environs. Mr Nkeadi disclosed this to TNC shortly after the combined monthly meeting of all vigilante groups in Aniocha North Council Area of Delta State at the Unity Hall, Issele-Uku. According to him, the suspects have been handed over to the Delta State Police Command. He also said the group is working in synergy with the police to see that Issele-Uku and indeed all community in Aniocha North were rid off any criminal elements and…
A Ghanaian man identified as Emmanuel Opoku, will be arraigned in an Enugu high court tomorrow for allegedly pouring hot water on the breasts of his nursing wife. The man was arrested by men of the Enugu state police command following awareness on the incident raised by a rights group, Women Aids Collective (WACOL). According to an update by WACOL online, the nursing mother with a three-month-old baby, was allegedly assaulted by Opoku after she asked him for money to purchase some food items. It said a good Samaritan had on the 9th day of July 2020, reported the case…
The Anambra State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Sir Emma Ifesinachi, the Managing Director and CEO of National Light, Sir Chuka Nnabuife and Editor of the newspaper, Mrs Rose Oranye, yesterday met with Mr Onwuasoanya and members of his family. During the meeting, Barr. Onwuasoanya narrated his ordeal within the five weeks of his surprising absence. According to Onwuasoanya, he was abducted from his residence on May 30, 2020, by some security men as was earlier reported but he got released thereafter. “After the shocking encounter with security agents which left me rattled, I promptly sought medical attention to attend…
A 35-year-old man, Christian Alisigwe has been arrested by the Anambra State Police Command for allegedly killing his 4-year-old son, Ebubechukwu using a cutlass. The suspect, who is from Ihite- Azia in Ihiala Council Area of Anambra State, was said to have buried the corpse of the deceased in a shallow grave in his compound. According to some neighbours, the man had committed the crime yesterday. While there was no clue as to why he committed the dastardly act, efforts to speak with the mother of the child proved abortive as she was unavailable. Confirming the arrest, the spokesperson of…
A renowned broadcaster and Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Mobilization to Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state, Egbuna Amuta has died after fallen from a three-storey building. Amuta was said to have occurred on Tuesday after he came back from work. According to the wife, they were at the veranda of the third floor where they live when she decided to go into the flat and get something. Upon coming out, she could not find her husband and had dialled his phone but it rang in the flat. She said it was then she heard children shouting and he then…
The Police in Anambra State says it has arrested two persons for allegedly robbing and killing a 45-year-old man, Enoch Nwosu of Enugwu-Aja village Ichi in Anambra State. The two male suspects, Emmanuel Nwafor, aged 23 years and Chukwuebuka Obi, aged 21years all of Amichi town in Nnewi South LGA, were said to have on Sunday, robbed the victim who left his house since Saturday with his Lexus 330 Jeep with Registration Number ZBL 38RL. A statement by the Police spokesperson in Anambra, Haruna Mohammed said following actionable intelligence, the suspects were arrested on Thursday by Police operatives attached to…
The Leadership Of National Association Of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), has frowned at the recent statement made on Wednesday by the Minister Of Education, Adamu Adamu, that schools will not be reopening anytime soon and that Nigerian students in Senior Secondary transitional classes will not partake in this year’s WASSCE. The NAPS National President, Comrade Benedict Olalere who disclosed this in an exclusive interview with TNC on Thursday, is of the opinion that if schools are locked down, the future of Nigerian Students is in jeopardy. Minister of Education, Adamu had yesterday during a Federal Executive Council meeting, insisted that schools…
21 new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Anambra state. The development is coming a few days after the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) activated the state’s COVID-19 test centre at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku-Awka. Anambra had initially remained the least hit by the virus in the Southeast region with about 71 confirmed cases and only 9 deaths. The State Governor, Willie Obiano had last month, warned that the number of cases may possibly rise in the state with the increased testing which the state intends to launch soon. Briefing newsmen in Awka today, the…
The Management of Federal Polytechnic Oko, has debunked rumours that students of the institution were involved in the recent cult clashes in Oko, Orumba North Council Area of Anambra State and neighbouring communities. The clashes had allegedly claimed the lives of about two persons which some publications had claimed were students of the institution.But speaking with TNC today in Awka, the Public Relations Officer of the Institution, Obini Onuchukwu, made it clear that no student of the institution was involved in the ongoing cult clashes that happened recently in the community. Onuchukwu revealed that the clashes were as a result…
A middle-aged man on Wednesday escaped death by the whiskers when his vehicle crashed into the Ulasi River along Ihiala-Onitsha expressway.The incident happened this evening at about 4pm, when according to an eye witness, the Mitsubishi L300 commercial bus with registration number ENU113XJ, lost its breaks. The vehicle had plunged into the Ulasi River after breaking open the handles on the bridge, as the driver struggled to gain control of the vehicle. Confirming the incident, the Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra, Pascal Anigbo, said the victim was immediately rushed to St. Thomas Hospital…
The 13th Zonal Command of the Nigeria Police Force was on Wednesday inaugurated in Ukpo in Dunukofia Council Area of Anambra State.The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu performed the inauguration. The Zone 13 will be in charge of Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states, and will be headed by AIG Mohammed Danmallam. However, neither the Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, in whose domain the Command is domiciled, nor his Enugu and Ebonyi Counterparts, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Dave Umahi, whose states fall under the zone, were present at the event. There have been insinuations that Governor Obiano had disagreed with the choice…
A cardiologist based in the US, Dr. Leo Egbujiobi has donated a biosafety level 2 cabinet machine for the testing of coronavirus patients to Anambra state Government. The equipment was received by the Secretary to Anambra State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, who represented Governor Willie Obiano at the official handover of the equipment worth millions of naira at Jerome Udorji Secretariat in Awka. Governor Obiano in his remarks noted that Ndi Anambra in Diaspora has been very supportive in the fight against COVID-19 in the state, appreciating the donor, Dr. Egbujiobi and his wife Dr. Bridget Egbujiobi for thinking home…
The Policemen from the Eagle Crack Squad who allegedly tortured late Rivers trader, Chima Ikwunador to death last year, have been dismissed, Police sources say. In December 2019, the Policemen were alleged to have tortured the late Ikwunado to death 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 Rivers State spokesperson, Dsp Nnamdi Omoni in a statement made available to TNC on Tuesday, said the policemen have been dismissed by the Rivers State Police Command and will be charged to court today…
The Enugu State Police Command says it has charged one Ifeoma Ozougwu aged 24 and her husband, Jude Ozougwu to court for an alleged act of child abuse and inflicting of grievous bodily injuries on their minor female househelp, Nneoma Nnadi aged 10. The suspects have also been remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service for further proceedings. The couple were arrested on the 2nd of July, 2020 for the act of violence on the minor which include using hot pressing iron, iron rod, nails and inserting substances into her private part.A statement by the Police Public Relations…
Anambra State Government has revealed that it is focusing on constructing roads leading to inner communities of the state with no access before due to their peculiar terrain. The State Commissioner for Works, Marcel Ifejiofor disclosed this on Monday at the Head of Service Conference Hall, Jerome Udorji Secretariat, Awka, when he played guest to the maiden edition of a media chat titled “Meet the Media”. According to him, the Willie Obiano administration in the state is determined to change the story on poor road infrastructure in the hinterlands in the state. He explained that since its inception, the Obiano…