The Ebonyi State Police Command has detained ten youths in connection with the death of a clergyman and the burning of the L.G.A Chairman’s house in the state capital.

CP Aliyu Garba, the state’s Commissioner of Police, urged residents to remain vigilant and law-abiding, urging them to go about their lawful business.

According to a press release issued by its spokesperson, DSP Levi Philip, the Police Commissioner stated that his men would thoroughly investigate the matter while expressing his condolences to the families of those who died in the incident that erupted among the youths of the enraged Ebiya Unuphu community in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
Recall that on September 19, 2021, around 10:00 p.m., some enraged youth from Ebia Unuphu Community invaded the homes of one Okechukwu Onyibe aka Bosco and one Sunday Nwangele ‘m’ the Chairman of Abakaliki LGA from Ebia Unuphu Community and set their homes on fire on the allegation that Bosco, who owns Bosco Guest House in Abakaliki, was responsible for the death of one Oluch

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The same youths mobilized to set fire to the Bosco Guest House on Hatchery Road in Abakaliki, but were repulsed by police officers on the ground.

The same youths from the Community regrouped in the early hours of September 2021 to continue their heinous act of torching the Bosco guest house, but were quickly repulsed by security personnel on the ground.

Unfortunately, one Pastor Emeka Ogbonna ‘m’, 45, who lives across the street from the hotel, was hit by a stray bullet and rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor on call during a gun duel that ensued between security operatives and irate youths who were heavily armed with sophisticated weapons.

Meanwhile, ten (10) of the enraged youths who took part in the house burnings have been arrested, as has the Chairman’s Special Assistant, Okechukwu Onyibe aka BOSCO. The investigation into the main cause of the chaos is still ongoing.

While urging residents of the state to remain vigilant and law-abiding, the Commissioner of Police urged them to go about their lawful business.

He also assures everyone that the Command has the capability, resolve, and commitment to deal decisively with troublemakers and any form of harassment or intimidation of innocent members of the public by anyone or any group of people, under any guise.

Members of the Corps have been advised to avoid induced rejection and instead accept their assignments in good faith and settle in to contribute their fair share to the development of their host communities.

Brig-Gen. Shuaibu lbrahim, Director-General, National Youth Coups (NYSC), gave the advice while debriefing the 2021 Batch ‘B’ Stream Two Corps Members and Camp Officials via a nationwide virtual address on Monday morning.

“Any Corps member found inducing posting or redeployment will be sanctioned in accordance with NYSC bye-laws,” he said.
He also revealed that “there is nothing like two weeks off after leaving the Orientation Camp,” but that “if there is a compelling need for any Corps member to travel, the concerned must obtain permission from the NYSC through the established channel.”

“No Corps employer is authorised to grant permission to any Corps member to travel,” Ibrahim explained, citing their procedures.

“Don’t put pressure on your employers for rejection once you arrive at your primary assignment tomorrow.

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“Don’t try to persuade anyone to change your job or relocate you. You will be punished if they write to us claiming that you induced or forced them to reject you.

The DG stated, “As patriotic Corps Members, it is expected that you accept postings anywhere you are posted and add value to the community.”

He urged them to be patriotic in their service to their country and to ensure that they contribute equally to themselves, the NYSC Scheme, and society as a whole.

The Director-General advised them to take advantage of the NYSC platform to succeed in life.

“Now that you’ve completed the rudiments of the Orientation Course, take advantage of it and see what you can do to help your fatherland.

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As Nigerians, let the spirit of the Orientation Exercise live on in you forever. Your watchword should be national integration. The DG went on to say, “As a country, we should be united.”

General lbrahim warned against the negative use of social media and urged people to double-check all information before sharing it online.

“Don’t spread fake news to sow division; avoid cybercrime and other forms of criminality. Please consider where you came from before taking any action, and avoid taking any action that will come back to haunt you tomorrow.

He advised people to avoid drugs and to be good citizens and ambassadors for their institutions, families, and the NYSC Scheme.

The Director-General urged Corps members to continue their post-camp training in skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development.

He said the Scheme had partnered with financial institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, Access Bank, Bank of Industry, Unity Bank, NYSC Foundation, and Leventis Foundation, among others, to provide loans and training to Corps Members.

The Director-General stated that efforts are currently underway to establish the National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund, which would make start-up capital available to interested Corps Members as they leave service.

Ibrahim also advised the Corps members to maintain a high level of security awareness at all times and to avoid taking any actions that could jeopardize their safety.

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He forbade them from boarding vehicles from unlicensed parking lots, instead advising them to use authorized parking lots.

“You must be security conscious and not put your safety in jeopardy. You should never travel at night or board a vehicle on the side of the road. NYSC is very concerned about your well-being.
You must be permitted to travel if you wish to do so. Write to your Local Government Inspector through your employer, and it will be forwarded to the State Coordinator for approval. If you’re going to travel, make sure you’re allowed,” the DG advised.

He stated that the Scheme is working to obtain a flight fee rebate for Corps Members who wish to travel by plane.
He informed the Corps Members that efforts are ongoing to enlist Corps Members in the National Health Insurance Scheme for effective medicare during the service year, as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

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He advised members of the Corps to get the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and others from the deadly virus.

The Imo State Corps Camp Director, Otobo Joshua Osa IM/21B/1740, praised the Director-General for his tenacity and passion for the welfare and security of Corps Members in his vote of thanks on behalf of his colleagues nationwide.

“We are eternally grateful, and we assure you of our commitment to the NYSC ideals, having absorbed all of the lessons taught to us during the Orientation Program,” he said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Awgu local government area, Enugu state, was set ablaze by unidentified hoodlums on Sunday, September 19. The incident happened in the wee hours of the morning.
The arsonists climbed over the office walls before setting fire to some of the offices, according to an eyewitness. However, fire fighters from the Enugu State Fire Service intervened quickly and prevented extensive damage.

The incident was confirmed by the Enugu state police command. Daniel Ndukwe, a state police image maker, said the command has begun an investigation to find the arsonists.
The incident has also been confirmed by the victim, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Mr Emeka Ononamadu, the Enugu state Resident Electoral Commissioner, informed the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye(Esq). He revealed that no one was killed in the hoodlums’ attack, and that sensitive INEC materials had been evacuated from outside stations to the state headquarters following their initial experience.

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“Our Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu State, Mr. Emeka Ononamadu, reported an attack on the INEC office in Awgu Local Government Area of the State,” he said in a statement.

The building was set on fire this morning, September 19th, 2021, causing extensive damage to the stores section, which houses election materials.’

“Fortunately, following recent attacks on our offices in the State, all movable election materials had been evacuated. There have been no injuries as a result of the incident.”

“The attackers’ identities and motives are unknown, and the incident has been reported to the Nigeria Police Force for investigation.”

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‘The Commission commends the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as the Enugu State Fire Service and the Awgu Local Government Neighbourhood Watch, for their prompt response.’

‘This is the first attack on our facilities since the last one four months ago, in May 2021.’

It was previously reported that arsonists set fire to the INEC office in Udenu local government area and the INEC state headquarters, which is located at Independent layout in Enugu.

According to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the increasing human capital flight of doctors from Nigeria is due to poor welfare and remuneration of its members.

Dr. Aniekeme Uwah, the NMA’s National Publicity Secretary, spoke on Monday at the 2021 Correspondents’ Chapel Week in Uyo on the topic “The Post-COVID-19 Economy and the Challenges to Ethical Journalism Ahead of the 2023 Elections.”

As a result, Dr. Uwah has called on all levels of government to address the issue.

“So many of our Nigerian colleagues have left for greener pastures abroad, and if this is not addressed, the health sector will be severely impacted,” he said. The only way for doctors and other health workers to be motivated and well compensated is for the government to make adequate budgetary provisions.”

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Health Committee has urged the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to end its strike and return to work in the public interest.

Pascal Obi, the chairman of the committee, made the announcement during a tour of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) to inspect capital projects on Monday.

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“As we appeal to executives to do the right thing, we also appeal to medical practitioners to show compassion when it is required. You can only carry out any responsibility if you are in good health.”

In a related development, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi, the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti in Ekiti State, has appealed to the federal government to resolve current differences with the striking doctors.

Oba Alabi, speaking at a stakeholders meeting in his palace to mobilize his community for COVID-19 vaccination, said doctors must return to work urgently due to the rising cholera outbreak across the country, COVID-19, and other viral diseases.

Bandits’ activities in Katsina State’s Batsari Local Government Area have forced eight village heads to flee their homes for safety in the state capital.

Bandit attacks are common in the villages and communities of one of the state’s most dangerous frontline local government areas.

The state government took steps to curb bandit activity in the state, including shutting down the Batsa­ri Cattle Weekly Market, one of the largest in the region.
In an interview with newsmen, the District Head of Batsari, Sarkin Ruman Katsina, Alhaji Tukur Muazu, said his domain was constantly overrun by bandits.

“Eight of my village chiefs have given up because they can no longer bear it. Likewise, the villages and farmlands have been abandoned,” he said.

He also claimed that most of the villages and hamlets bordering the Rugu Forest have been abandoned as a result of the constant attacks.

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“The local government headquarters, Batsari, is bursting at the seams with internally displaced people from the villages. When you go there, the only people you’ll find are those who have nothing to fall back on,” he added.

Farmers in the area are the hardest hit, according to the traditional ruler, who claims that they have chased all farmers away from their farms and rustled their cattle.

He hasn’t worked on his farmlands in three years, he said.