Home Blog Page 381

APC group lauds Ganduje’s leadership

admin
-
0
APC group lauds Ganduje’s leadership

The All Progressives Congress, North-Central Forum, has lauded the national leadership of the party for carrying its members along in the recently constituted National Campaign Council for the Ondo State governorship election.

In a statement on Saturday in Abuja, the Chairman of the APC North-Central Forum, Saleh Zazzaga, commended APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, for carrying the Forum and other sections of the party along in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday.

Ganduje had on October 28, 2024, inaugurated a 305-member National Campaign Council for the Ondo State governorship election.

The Council is headed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State heads the Finance Committee, with Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio as his deputy.

The Media and Publicity Committee is chaired by Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, with Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, as Deputy Chairman.

Borno State governor Babagana Zulum, and Gombe State governor, Inuwa Yahaya, are the chairman and deputy chairman of the Security Committee, respectively.

Other members of the APC Ondo election campaign council include former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who will serve as the Secretary, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume.

Some members of the APC North-Central Forum were included in the 305-member Ondo governorship election campaign council.

Reacting to the development, Zazzaga said the APC national leadership has shown a commitment to integrate and unite all sections of the party.

He said, “We laud the APC national leadership led by Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje for the decision to carry the North-Central Forum and other sections of the party along in the Ondo State Governorship Election Campaign Council.

“We commend the national leadership for getting different sections of the party involved in this all important assignment.

“The APC leadership has demonstrated a commitment to unite the party and this will ensure that our great party is positioned for victory in Ondo State and in future elections.

“A united APC is an asset to Nigeria as a united front is needed to turn the fortunes of the country around, as spelt out in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The APC North-Central Forum remains committed to the growth and progress of not only our great party, but also the entire Nigeria at large and we will always put in our best to ensure that the country moves to the next level.”

The APC North-Central Forum chairman urged Ganduje to continue the policy of inclusiveness in order to give all members the opportunity to contribute to the programs and progress of the party.

He also reassured the APC national chairman of the commitment and and support of the North-Central to his leadership.

Zazzaga also urged the people of Ondo State to come out enmasse and vote for the party’s candidate, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in the governorship election scheduled for November 16, 2024.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa’s records speaks for him, he has done well and deserves to continue in office to continue his people-oriented policies and programmes.

“We, the North-Central APC Forum, are calling on the people of Ondo to troop out in large numbers to vote for Aiyedatiwa on election day. The APC candidate will take Ondo to the Promise Land and we believe a victory for Aiyedatiwa will consolidate progress and development in Ondo State,” he added.

Zazzaga noted that Aiyedatiwa’s decision to approve N73,000 minimum wage for Ondo workers shows his commitment to the welfare of the people.

In the same vein, the APC North-Central Forum chairman urged Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Tinubu.

Noting that the President has initiated policies towards addressing the country’s economic challenges, Zazzaga urged Nigerians to give Tinubu time for the impact of the policies to manifest.

Urging Nigerians to support the President, he said, “The challenges being tackled by the President are longstanding problems, they were there before he assumed office but he is determined to solve these problems.

“The President has initiated policies that will turn the situation around, and very soon, Nigerians will be better off. All the President needs is support and patience, and with time, the story will change for the better.

“The President is not insensitive, he listens and he understands the situation. He is determined to turn things around in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Six drug suppliers to terrorists arrested

admin
-
0
Six drug suppliers to terrorists arrested

Two major cross-border drug trafficking syndicates have been smashed and six drug kingpins arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

The syndicates had members from Adamawa, Anambra, and Lagos states as well as Cameroonians.

The NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a statement, on Sunday, said the group had been under surveillance for several months, being major suppliers of drugs to terror groups operating in Nigeria and Cameroon.

Babafemi said six leaders of the syndicate, identified as  Ibrahim Bawuro, Najib Ibrahim, Ibrahim Umar, Nelson  Anayo, Ezehi Martin and Adejumo Ishola, have been arrested.

He said, “After months of intelligence gathering and painstaking surveillance, operatives of the NDLEA have smashed two major cross-border drug trafficking syndicates with cocaine and opioids worth billions of naira recovered from them while six leaders of the cartels were arrested in different parts of the country.

“The syndicates, which comprised Nigerians based in Mubi, Adamawa State; Onitsha, Anambra State, and Lagos State as well as Cameroonians came under the NDLEA radar after they were suspected of being major suppliers of drugs to terror groups operating in Nigeria and Cameroon.

“Leaders of the syndicates so far arrested include: Ibrahim Bawuro, Najib Ibrahim, Ibrahim Umar, Nelson Udechukwu Anayo, Ezeh Amaechi Martin and Adejumo Elijah Ishola.

“Intelligence gathered revealed that some psychoactive substances, including tramadol were often sourced by Ibrahim Bawuro and Ibrahim Najib from a notorious drug dealer in Onitsha, Nelson Udechukwu Anayo, and thereafter packed and concealed in vehicles on the premises of Ezeh Amaechi Martin, an associate of Udechukwu.

The duo of Ibrahim Bawuro and Ibrahim Najib would thereafter transport the drugs from Onitsha to Yola and subsequently to other parts of the North and Cameroon in specially constructed false compartments of vehicles, which travel from the East to the North at night.”

Babafemi said on October 7, 2024, Bawuro and Najib were trailed from Onitsha where they had gone to buy another consignment, and eventually arrested in Taraba State the following day. A total of 276,500 pills of tramadol were recovered from a Toyota Avensis saloon car marked DKA 57 TT, which they abandoned on the Jalingo-Yola Expressway when they noticed the NDLEA operatives were on their trail.

“Follow-up operations were subsequently carried out in Delta and Anambra states where Ezeh Amaechi Martin and Udechukwu Nelson Anayo were arrested by operatives of the NDLEA Directorate of Intelligence, which coordinated the whole efforts with their counterparts in Taraba, Adamawa, Delta and Anambra states,” he added.

Babafemi also said another leader of a different syndicate, Adejumo  Ishola, on Tuesday, was arrested at the Seme border in Lagos on his way from Ghana with 3.3 kilograms of cocaine and 600 grams of synthetic cannabis.

He said the 37-year-old was arrested following months of intelligence and surveillance on his cross-border criminal activities.

In another operation in Lagos, Babafemi disclosed that operatives in Apapa seaport, Lagos, on November 6, intercepted 31,750,000 pills of 240mg Voltron, a controlled opioid, packaged and concealed in a container imported from India, as diclofenac sodium 100mg tablets.

He added, “The discovery was made during a joint examination of the container with men of the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.

“At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport import shed, Ikeja, Lagos, the NDLEA officers on Tuesday, November 5, intercepted a 700 grams consignment of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis. A software engineer, Olu Marshal, who showed up to collect the package was promptly arrested, and a follow-up search of his home in Lekki led to the recovery of some drug paraphernalia, including a cannabis crusher.”

Babafemi also said an attempt by another suspect, Orji Nnaorji, to send 32.50kg bottles of codeine syrup and 5.70kg cannabis to London, UK, concealed in a tiger nuts cargo through the export shed of the Lagos airport was frustrated by operatives on Friday.

“A follow-up operation led to the arrest of Orji at his warehouse in Ajao Estate, Lagos,” he added.

In Kwara State, Babafemi said no fewer than 162,800 pills of opioids were seized by the NDLEA operatives from four suspects during interdiction operations in parts of the state.

Babafemi added, ”112,200 tablets of tramadol were recovered from Wahab Saliu, 18,900 tablets of the same opioid were recovered from Dalha Musa both at the Eiyenkorin area of Ilorin, Kwara State; 29,000 pills of tramadol, 200 ampoules of diazepam and 99 bottles of codeine syrup seized from Ahmed Isiaka, just as 2,500 tabs of tramadol were seized from Ahmed Garba, both at Bode Saadu in Moro Local Government Area of the state on Friday.”

In Abuja, Babafemi said operatives on Thursday intercepted a truck along the Abaji- Kwali Road with 755.50kg of cannabis concealed under empty cartons of noodles.

“The truck driver, Lukman Rasheed, 41, claimed that bags of the psychoactive substance were loaded into the trailer in Ogbese, Ondo State after departing Lagos with only empty cartons of noodles.

“Also in Ondo State, four suspects: Friday Daniel, Patrick Felix, Samuel Agada and Igwe Chukwuka were arrested at Emure Ile with 672kg cannabis sativa, while 513kg of the same substance was seized at the Gbodo camp, Ikun Akoko and a total of 4, 908kg cannabis recovered from a suspect Musibau Kosama at the Alabi Yellow, Ijoka area of Akure, Ondo State, on Wednesday,” he added.

[ICYMI] Abia LG poll: ZLP wins 15 LGs, YPP two

admin
-
0
[ICYMI] Abia LG poll: ZLP wins 15 LGs, YPP two

The Zenith Labour Party emerged victorious in 15 out of the 17 Local Government Areas in Abia State during the local government elections held on November 2, while the Young Progressive Party claimed victory in the remaining two LGAs. The results were announced by the Chairman of the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. George

Read More

Court jails fraudster for possession of fake documents

admin
-
0
Court jails fraudster for possession of fake documents

Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Special Offences Court on Friday sentenced a man, Babatunde Sodiq, to a year imprisonment for possessing fraudulent documents.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned Sodiq on an amended one count of possession of fraudulent documents.

According to the EFCC, the offence occurred on May 14, 2024, in Lagos State.

Sodiq was accused of having in his possession a bundle of documents that he “knew or ought to have known was false.”

The commission said that the offence contravened Section 320 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.

Upon arraignment, the convict pleaded guilty to the charge.

In light of his plea, the EFCC prosecuting counsel, T.J. Banjo, requested that the court should hear the case facts from the prosecution’s witness.

The witness, John Enemali, an investigative officer with the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate, reviewed the case details for the court.

He testified that the EFCC received intelligence about the activities of an “Organised Cybercrime Syndicate Network” operating around the Ajegunle, Apapa area in Lagos in April 2024.

“Acting on the intel, surveillance was conducted, and a raid was carried out on April 25 2024 around 06:00 hours, leading to the arrest of the convict along with others. He was subsequently taken to the EFCC office,” Enemali explained.

He stated that Sodiq later admitted to his involvement in spamming and cryptocurrency scams, using the alias “Michael Scott” and claiming to be based in Florida, USA.

Upon his arrest, officers found an iPhone 11 on him, which, according to Enemali, “yielded fraudulent documents following forensic analysis.”

Further investigations revealed that Sodiq had profited $250 from his activities, the witness said.

After the review of the case, the prosecution applied to tender as evidence Sodiq’s statements, the fraudulent documents, the iPhone 11, and a manager’s cheque for N100,000, which Sodiq used as restitution.

Defence counsel, Kelvin Emonvuan, raised no objections, and the court admitted all the items into evidence.

The defence chose not to cross-examine the witness, after which the judge pronounced Sodiq guilty.

Emonvuan then made a plea for leniency, arguing that Sodiq was a “first-time offender who did not waste the court’s time by pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity” and had vowed never to re-offend.

Given the chance to address the court, Sodiq apologised and explained how he created a fake Facebook account to lure his victim.

Justice Oshodi consequently sentenced Sodiq to one year in prison.

The judge also ordered that all items recovered from the convict should be forfeited to the Federal Government.

In consideration of the plea for mercy, the court allowed Sodiq the option of paying a fine of N500,000.

Rivers crisis stems from control of resources

admin
-
0
Rivers crisis stems from control of resources

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has revealed and insisted that the current political crisis rocking the state is for the sole control of the state resources.

This is as the governor assured Rivers people that he will continue to utilise the state resources judiciously for the betterment and overall interest of the people.

Fubara made the revelation while addressing the congregation of Omega Power Ministries, Worldwide during the 51st Birthday of the General Overseer, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, and the 18th Anniversary of the church at the headquarters, Mbodo, Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the State on Sunday.

The Governor, however, sued for continuous prayers from the church in order for his administration to remain focused with a view to achieving the purpose of governance in the State.

Fubara stated, “There is a reason for this crisis, and that reason is the control of the resources of Rivers State. Rivers State resources belong to you (the people), and we will make sure that the resources are applied judiciously for the betterment of Rivers State.

“What you owe us is just one thing: Continue to pray for us. Let us not lose focus because we know the devil is always at war to derail people in governance. 

“Continue to pray for us because what is most important is the interest of the people here, and I believe that with your prayers, we will not lose focus and the purpose of governance will be achieved in Rivers State.”

Fubara lauded the General Overseer of OPM Worldwide, Apostle Chinyere for his philanthropic works and contributions to humanity.

The governor, who noted the decay of public amenities met on assumption of office, commended the cleric for the various educational programmes in the ministry aimed at providing children with the requisite vocational and technical knowledge needed for future employment.

He said, “I want to commend you for what you are doing. Life is not about taking. What is important in life is giving, and anybody who believes that it is only taking, the person won’t go far in life.

“For all you are doing for humanity, God will continue to strengthen you. You don’t know what you are doing, but those of us who are outside understand your contributions to humanity.

“Look at what you just showed me here. How many of our schools are still functioning to provide that level of training? They are no longer there! We met a dead system which we are trying to revive. But you are doing it as a private person. Why won’t God bless you?”

Fubara further thanked the cleric and the congregation for the support to his administration, particularly the prayers, which he noted, have kept the government alive, in spite of all the challenges, urging them to continue to pray for the progress of Rivers State and defense of humanity. 

He also donated the sum of N200 million to the church to support its ongoing infrastructure development projects.

“I am happy to be here, especially to celebrate this birthday with him. He has been a very strong supporter of our cause. Right from the time we started this journey, he has kept faith with me in prayers. 

“I strongly believe his prayer and the prayers of the church are one of the reasons that while in the face of all our troubles, we are still standing. There is nothing God cannot do. So, I know that with your continuous prayers, we will overcome this present challenge.

“I am aware that there is a building for your TV station, and one of the dreams for that place is when you finish it, guests will be staying there when they come for programmes. Let me, on behalf of the government and every one of you here, and the good people of Rivers State, donate the sum of N200million to support the project,” he said.

Earlier, the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Mrs Patience, lauded the cleric for his philanthropic work, describing him as a beacon of hope, strength, restoration and spiritual guidance to many in the church and beyond. 

She added, “Apostle Chinyere has been a great blessing not only to the body of Christ, and his followers in Rivers State but also to the world in general,” even as she urged him and other clerics to continue to pray for peace in Rivers State. 

The OPM General Overseer, Chinyere, said giving arms is core in Christendom, saying he has established an all-girls school free to encourage the girl child and discourage prostitution. 

He stated, “We have established an All Girls’ Technical College. We find out that, if you go to Casablanca (a spit in GRA, Port Harcourt) you will see so many girls and those girls if you ask them questions, you’ll find out that most of them are university students.

“So I ask, why do you people do prostitution? They can’t meet up with the university system. When they finish secondary school with their parents and they enter university, they can’t meet up with the handouts, school fees, and feeding, so they have to use what they have to get what they need. 

“I said okay, how do we solve this problem? The only way to solve this problem is to empower the girl child.”

Continuing, Chinyere said, “When she’s in secondary school, while she’s still under the confines of the parents, we empower her. When you empower the girl child, as she’s finishing secondary school, she already has a trade. 

“So when she enters university, she can be doing any of those trades, she will no longer use her body to generate money, she’ll use her hand to generate money.”

Man jailed 13 years for stealing in Lagos

admin
-
0
Man jailed 13 years for stealing in Lagos

An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Friday convicted and sentenced a man Michael Enegbuma, to 13 years imprisonment for fraud.

Justice Rahman Oshodi sentenced him after finding him guilty of the two counts bordering on obtaining and stealing.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had arraigned

Enegbuma before the court for obtaining, stealing, and issuing a dud cheque under false pretence.

The EFCC said the convict committed the offences sometime on December 7, 2021, in Lagos.

The commission said Enegbuma dishonestly converted to his use the sum of N10m property of one David Umeh.

He was also accused of falsely presenting to Zenith Bank Plc, a Zenith Bank Manager’s Cheque No. 00060505, dated November 16, 2021, to the tune of N10m, issued in favour of David Mark Umeh and thereafter repurchased the said manager’s cheque, thereby procuring the execution of valuable security.

According to the EFCC, the offences committed contravened Sections  285(9) and 322 of the Criminal  Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

Enegbuma pleaded not guilty to both charges when he was first arraigned on October 19, 2023, prompting a full trial.

During the trial, the EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, called three witnesses and presented several documentary evidence to support the case.

The alleged victim, David Umeh, testified as the prosecution’s second witness. He narrated to the court how he was defrauded of about N84m, in a supposed car deal.

Umeh also told the court that after he reported the matter to the EFCC, the commission launched an investigation and secured a manager’s cheque of N10m on his behalf.

“Upon attempting to cash the cheque at the bank, I was shocked to learn it held no value.

“This triggered a further investigation by the EFCC, revealing that Enegbuma had repurchased the cheque under the pretence that the original had been lost.

“Less than a week after depositing the funds into his account, which reportedly held just N10,000, Enegbuma spent the N10m, in quick succession,” he said.

Enegbuma testified in his defence, claiming he had acted on a lawyer’s advice.

However, he failed to identify the lawyer during the trial.

In his judgment, Justice Oshodi held that the prosecution had proved all counts beyond reasonable doubt.

”The judge held that Enegbuma’s actions had ‘undermined the sanctity of the manager’s cheque.’

Justice Oshodi pronounced him “guilty as charged.”

Following the plea of leniency by his counsel, G. Okoli, the judge sentenced Enegbuma to four years and two months on the first count and nine years on the second count. Oshodi said both terms were to run concurrently.

He ordered that Enegbuma serve his sentence at the Ikoyi Maximum Custodial Centre.

Kano lawmaker dumps Kwankwaso’s NNPP faction

admin
-
0
Kano lawmaker dumps Kwankwaso’s NNPP faction

The lawmaker representing Rano/Kibiya/Bunkure Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Kabiru  Rurum, has distanced himself from Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, aligning instead with the camp led by the party’s founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam.

Rurum, a former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, declared on Sunday that he recognized the NNPP under Dr. Aniebonam—symbolized by a fruit logo—as the authentic one, dismissing Kwankwaso’s faction, which operates under a book logo.

He also urged Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to exercise his authority independently and refrain from taking instructions from Kwankwaso.

“My loyalty remains with Governor Yusuf,” Rurum stated, assuring Kano residents and his constituents that the governor is capable of taking the right steps for the state.

In response to questions about a potential defection, Rurum asserted that he remains a loyal member of the NNPP under Boniface’s leadership, while condemning Kwankwaso for allegedly hijacking the party for personal gain.

“Dr. Boniface provided Kwankwaso with a platform, and it is wrong to take the party from him and treat him poorly,” he said.

Following this announcement, the member representing Dala Federal Constituency also left the Kwankwasiyya movement, urging his supporters to abandon the red cap—the emblematic symbol of Kwankwasiyya’s ideology.

This shift comes in the wake of a recent order by the Uzuakoli Division of the High Court in Abia State, led by Justice C.U. Okoroafor.

The court, on November 1, 2024, mandated that the NNPP be immediately placed under the control of its Board of Trustees, chaired by Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, the party’s founder.

This order followed a suit filed by three NNPP members in Abia seeking resolution to the party’s leadership crisis.

Probe begins on killing of Abuja man by suspected gunmen

admin
-
0
Probe begins on killing of Abuja man by suspected gunmen

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command says it has commenced an investigation into the alleged killing of a man, David Ikechukwu, in Abuja.

The spokesperson for the FCT Command, Josephine Adeh, in a statement obtained by According to Metro on Sunday, said the incident occurred on Saturday.

According to Adeh, the suspected gunmen were operating from a tricycle while wearing a blue and black uniform.

The PPRO noted that an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ikechukwu’s death had begun.

She said, “The attention of the FCT Police Command has been drawn to an incident involving Mr David Ikechukwu, who was reportedly shot by yet-to-be-identified gunmen allegedly operating from a tricycle and wearing blue and black uniforms on November 9, 2024.

“The Commissioner of Police for the FCT Command, CP Olatunji Disu, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to apprehend those responsible and to uncover the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate event.”

“The FCT Police Command assures the public that a dedicated team of detectives is actively investigating all aspects of the case. This investigation aims to provide clarity and hold those involved accountable for their actions.”

She disclosed that the command would ensure that justice was served on the matter.

“We urge the public to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement efforts. The FCT Command is committed to ensuring justice is served and to maintaining the safety of all residents. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses,” Adeh concluded.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According to.

Contact: [email protected]

Lawmaker applauds Tinubu’s intervention, condemns police

admin
-
0
Lawmaker applauds Tinubu’s intervention, condemns police

The lawmaker representing Niger East, Sani Musa, has strongly condemned the actions of the Inspector General of Police and certain police prosecutors over their handling of minors among the 72 #EndBadGovernance protesters arraigned in court last Friday.

Their arraignment for allegedly participating in anti-government demonstrations faced widespread calls for their release, especially after several minors were discovered among the detainees.

Activists across the country had rallied around the protesters’ cause, calling on the government to uphold their rights to peaceful assembly.

In response to growing public pressure, President Bola Tinubu issued a directive on Monday ordering the immediate release of all detained minors, emphasising the importance of reuniting them with their families.

Musa praised the President’s intervention, describing it as a compassionate and humane decision that reassured affected families and restored some level of public trust.

Musa stated, “I commend the President for his decisive and compassionate directive to release all detained minors and ensure they are safely reunited with their families across the country.

“This action demonstrates a profound commitment to justice and humanity and reflects a true spirit of leadership. It is both a relief and a source of reassurance for families affected by these unfortunate incidents.”

Musa also voiced frustration with the conduct of law enforcement officials, specifically the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and the prosecutors involved in the case.

He expressed disappointment in what he referred to as “senseless conduct” and highlighted the damaging impact it has on public trust in the police force.

“It is disappointing to witness the senseless conduct exhibited by the Inspector General of Police and the involved police prosecutors,” he said. “Such actions not only undermine public trust in our law enforcement agencies but also contradict the principles of justice and the welfare of our children,” he said.

Musa called for a thorough investigation into the matter to ensure that those responsible for the mishandling of the minors’ cases are held accountable.

He emphasised the need for a justice system that respects the rights of all citizens, particularly vulnerable groups such as minors, and urged all stakeholders to prevent such incidents from recurring.

“Let this stand as a reminder that the rights of minors are to be respected and protected at all times,” the senator added.

Two killed, three missing in Ebonyi land dispute

admin
-
0
Two killed, three missing in Ebonyi land dispute

No fewer than two people have been killed in Ogwor, a community in the Ishiagu clan, in the Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

According to Metro gathered that three others were said to have remained missing as of the time of filing this report on Sunday.

An elderly woman from the area and a labourer, who was helping to cultivate her farmland, were said to have been killed by the assailants.

A reliable community source told our correspondent that the assailants were from Omobor village, Akaeze community, in the Ivo council area, which has been having a land dispute spanning decades.

According to the source, “Akaeze people invaded our farm and killed an aged woman working on her farm and also shot a man working in the same farm.”

It could not be independently verified if the assailants were from Omobor-Akaeze as alleged.

When contacted on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the incident.

He said, “Yes, two persons were killed. The police have deployed tactical teams to the area and restored normalcy. Investigation has commenced into the matter.”

The chairperson of the Ivo council, Chief Emmanuel Ajah, condemned the killings when According to Metro contacted him on Sunday and vowed that the killers would not go unpunished.

According to him, “‘This is a resultant effect of a land dispute between the two communities which has lasted for decades, and my administration has done her best to handle this issue since we came on board.

“A committee I formed had mediated on this issue and came up with a resolution that the said land should be parcelled this November 2024; a solution adopted by the stakeholders of the two communities, but to my surprise, this evil act came up.”

The council boss noted he had visited the area alongside security agents during which he condoled with the victims’ families to foster a peaceful atmosphere in the communities involved.

1...380381382...2,807Page 381 of 2,807
© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv