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2023: ‘Obidient’ youths rally support for Obi/Datti in Kwara

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1 year ago

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•Youths rally for Peter Obi/Ahmed Datti Presidential Ambition in Ilorin on Saturday

Some youths in llorin on Saturday embarked on a rally supporting the Peter Obi/Ahmed Datti presidential ambition, after an initial hiccup with security operatives.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group, made up mainly of youths, trooped out enmasse with branded T-shirts and posters of the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, gathered at the Stella Obasanjo Hall, along Ajase-Ipo road in Ilorin.

Some security agents, including officers of the Police, were also noticed in the area in large number engaging the organisers of the rally and some participants.

After a long discussion, the youths were later allowed to march towards Offa-Garage roundabout area.

Speaking with newsmen, Mr Aloysius Nwora, the Kwara Coordinator of the Coalition of Obi Support Groups, said the rally was in solidarity with the political aspiration of Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra.

“We are having a health walk in solidarity for our principals, Peter Obi and Ahmed Datti.

“The essence of this rally is to counter what is happening in social media or media generally that Obi has no structure.

“We want to clear those saying such that Obi has a structure and we are the structure.

“They said Labour Party has no structure; we agree with them because we are not politicians, but individuals with a passion to make a change in the country through ballot revolution.

On the chances of Obi/Datti in the 2023 General Elections, the coordinator said: “I am not a member of Labour Party and I can’t speak for them, but I can speak for the movement.

SEE ALSO:  Gunmen attack patrol team, kill two officers in Kogi

“This movement has covered the whole 16 local government areas in Kwara state alone and same in other states in Nigeria.

“Masses and youths, in particular, are our real structure and you can see it with the level of turnout today,” he said.

On the altercation with the security operatives, he explained that the group sought approval from the police to avert possible hijack of the peaceful rally.

“Just as we all know the country has been hijacked, we fully wrote to the security agencies to inform them about this rally, but unfortunately early this morning we got information that we should not hold the rally.

“We insisted that this is a peaceful rally, not a political campaign and here we are, although, this can serve as a discouragement to some people that have not come here this morning.

“But, I believe they would soon be joining us as we are marching on. We have put in every arrangement for this rally and regret the little delay that occurred,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Omoniyi Idowu, the state Coordinator for Peter Obi Youth Vanguard and Secretary for the Coalition of Peter Obi in Kwara, said: “We are only here for solidarity rally because as our slogan says, we are Obidiently Yusuful.

“We are not here to disturb the peace of the people in the state.

“The presence of police officers in numbers is just to intimidate us because I was one of the persons that signed the letter submitted to the security agencies to intimate them about this rally today.

SEE ALSO:  Two policemen shot, as anti-thuggery agents allegedly attack convoy of Lawal’s wife

“I along with others were with police on Sept. 21 for interrogation, although police boss told us that Kwara state is not ready for campaign but we told them that what we are doing is not a campaign but solidarity rally for a man we believe in.

“Police boss kept saying Kwara is not ready for campaign and we kept telling him that it is rally not campaign.

“You can see from what is written on my T-shirt, Support Peter Obi/Ahmed Datti, it is not vote for Peter Obi/Ahmed Datti.

“So there is no basis for the police officers to be blocking us not to hold support rally for our man,” he said.

Reacting to the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Okasanmi Ajayi said “we saw them gathered, they claimed they want to march for Peter Obi of Labour Party.

“Like we all know that it’s not yet time for campaign and we have report that the time is not ripe for this type of rally in Kwara.

“That is why the Commissioner of Police, CP Paul Odama, called their leaders and addressed them but they had already gathered and nothing we can do at this stage again than to guide them and ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order.

“That is why you see a lot of policemen here. I can tell you that so far, they have done their talks and they have been asked to go, because it’s not yet a time for campaign.

“They also said it is not a campaign but solidarity rally, that is why we are preventing them from moving beyond this area.

SEE ALSO:  Student shot as armed robbers invade banks in Kogi community

“Although it’s their right to move but what we are saying is that the security report does not permit such movement to certain areas because we have other groups doing other things along the area they intend to march to, like ‘Post Office and Taiwo.

“It could lead to commotion and we don’t want to give chance to anything that would lead to breakdown of law and order,” said the PPRO.

(NAN)

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Eid-el-Maulud: Gov. Mbah calls for religious harmony, patriotism, support for gov’t

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3 hours ago

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September 27, 2023

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Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has called on Nigerians to learn to coexist peacefully regardless of their religious beliefs, adding that doing so would promote peace and accelerate the country’s development.

In an Eid-el-Maulud message issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Dan Nwomeh, Governor Mbah expressed his congratulations to the Muslim community in the state, Nigeria, and throughout the world as they celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad.

Mbah urged the Muslim Ummah to always exhibit the same humility, empathy, and sympathy for the poor and needy as exhibited by Prophet Muhammad, and to not let the lessons of Eid-el-Mualud slip their minds.

He urged the populace to embrace the spirit of patriotism by assisting government initiatives both locally and nationally.

“As we celebrate the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, let me implore our people to take inspiration from his life and practise the virtues of peace, humility, selfless sacrifice, devotion, love of neighbours, and support for the government at all levels.

“In a time like this in the history of our nation, there is much we can learn from the Prophet’s life that will act as a catalyst for nation-building and national growth. We owe it to ourselves to always uphold the law.

“As a state, we will continue to defend our people and residents, guarantee that they live in a safe environment, and make the ultimate sacrifice of escorting whatever unlawful activity there may be out of the state. We are wasting no time in providing the necessary amenities for our people to enjoy decent standard of living, “he said.

SEE ALSO:  Gunmen attack patrol team, kill two officers in Kogi

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Murder of Oruku Traditional Ruler: Enugu court remands Police Inspector Dennis, Moses Nnamani

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7 hours ago

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September 27, 2023

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• In the dock: Police Inspector Daniel Dennis and Moses Nnamani at Enugu Magistrate Court on Tuesday
An Enugu State Magistrate Court sitting in Enugu North, on Tuesday, remanded 46-year-old Inspector Daniel Dennis and one Mr Moses Nnamani for allegedly killing Igwe Emmanuel Chidiebere Mbah, the traditional ruler of Oruku community in Nkanu East local government area of Enugu State.

The Advocate reports that the arraignment of the 46-year-old police officer and Nnamani, a 57-year-old native of Oruku, came 2 years and 8 months after the gruesome murder of the monarch, who was committed to the restoration of peace in Oruku, a hitherto peaceful community that had been devastated by endless communal feud.

Several lives and property worth millions of naira had been lost on account of the senseless conflict while the community has long been deserted by the natives.

It was learnt that the Nigeria Police Force on September 14, this year,  finally released the police Inspector who allegedly shot and killed the traditional ruler and one of his collaborators, who led the police team to the scene of the incident, for trial.

The younger brother of the late traditional ruler, Mr Ejike Mbah, had on Monday, September 11, 2023 petitioned the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, asking him to intervene and ensure the prosecution of the Police Inspector  and his collaborators.

The traditional ruler was allegedly shot and killed on December 26, 2020, by Inspector Dennis who was attached to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit of the police, while he was addressing an annual general meeting of his community.

SEE ALSO:  Student shot as armed robbers invade banks in Kogi community

On Tuesday, the Enugu State Police Command arraigned the duo on two counts bordering on conspiracy and murder in a suit numbered CME/673c/2023

The presiding Magistrate, (Mrs) Ngozi Edeani, subsequently remanded the duo at the Enugu Maximum Correctional Custodial Centre after the charges were read to them because the court had no jurisdiction on the matter.

The two-count charge obtained by The Advocate reads: “That you Moses Nnamani ‘m’, Daniel Dennis ‘m’, others now in Correctional Centre, Enugu in Charge No. CME/100C/2022 and CME/158C/2022-C.O.P vs. Emmanuel Nwobodo and others now at large on the 26th day of December 2020 at about 1400hours at Oruku Community in Nkanu East Magisterial District holden in Enugu did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: Murder and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 494 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.

“That you Moses Nnamani ‘m’, Daniel Dennis ‘m’, others now in Correctional Centre, Enugu in Charge No. CME/100C/2022 and CME/158C/2022- C.O.P vs. Emmanuel Nwobodo and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did unlawfully kill the Traditional Ruler of Oruku Community, HRH Igwe Emmanuel Chidiebere Mbah ‘m’ by shooting him with a gun which led to his death and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 274(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.”

Meanwhile, the court adjourned to October 18, 2023, to get the opinion of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

SEE ALSO:  18-yr-old Katsina divorcee throws ex-husband’s son into the well 

The Charge sheet:

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How Gateman plotted kidnap of master’s mother in-law, Nanny, Baby in Enugu – Police

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16 hours ago

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September 26, 2023

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• Suspects paraded by Enugu State Police Command on Tuesday
• Twelve kidnap victims rescued
The police in Enugu on Tuesday revealed how one Kelechi Okwara aged 27, from Ohafia, Abia State, allegedly conspired with his brother serving as a gateman and kidnapped his master’s mother in-law, his nanny and little baby.
The incident occurred in Enugu last Saturday, September 23,2023, according to the State Police Commissioner, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu.
The gateman who is now at large was working in a house in Trans-Ekulu Enugu when they plotted the kidnap.
Kelechi and his gateman brother had taken the victims to an unknown destination, on 23/09/2023 at about 8pm, demanded and obtained a ransom of N3 million from the said master.
They were said to have used the proceed to buy a red coloured Toyota Corolla car, which was recovered upon his arrest last Sunday 24/09/2023 at about 6.30pm at Nokpa/Ezimma Nike boundary point, by Police Operatives in Abakpa and Trans-Ekulu Police Divisions, with assistance from Neighbourhood Watch Group.

Kelechi was among 92 suspected criminals arrested between August 16 and September 25 and paraded Tuesday by the Enugu State Police Command.

The suspects were arrested for cultism, robbery, murder, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.

Items recovered from them included four AK 47 rifles, 66 other firearms of different calibres, 333 live ammunition of different calibres, 25 vehicles and several other incriminating items such as charms and phones.

Addressing his maiden press conference as the 28th commissioner of police in Enugu, the CP, Kanayo Uzuegbu, disclosed that  12 kidnapped victims were also rescued from various parts of the state within the period under review.
Uzuegbu, who said the task of effectively policing the society is daily becoming daunting, however said he had since assumption of duty, ensured that the right policing strategies are devised to tackle existing and emerging security challenges in the State.

“These strategies are subsumed in my grassroots-driven, proactive, people-oriented and problem-solving policing thrust, which is in line with the policing Vision and Mission of the Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM.

SEE ALSO:  Gunmen attack patrol team, kill two officers in Kogi

“In view of this, I have met and interacted with critical security stakeholders, including local government chairmen, traditional rulers, heads of other security agencies and many others, on the best ways to collectively tackle security challenges in the State. These engagements I must tell you have started paying off, as we are making remarkable progress in tackling violent crimes of kidnapping, armed robbery and the criminal activities of subversive criminals.

“It is a known fact that it is humanly impossible to totally eliminate crimes in human society. However, I want to assure the good people of Enugu State and visitors that we remain committed to ensuring that maximum security and tranquility are maintained in the State”.

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