News
Scores arrested as Gov. Mbah launches onslaught against Uzo Uwani assailants
…offers scholarships, jobs to children, wives of slain cops, vigilante operatives
In an effort to ensure that the government flushes out remnants of criminal activities in Uzo Uwani local government area and enhance the safety and security of the people, the Enugu State governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, yesterday, launched a series of coordinated onslaughts against assailants and criminal elements, which led to security operatives arresting scores of suspects bearing dangerous weapons in some of the forests in the area.
The governor, who warned against self-help by some community members, said anybody or group of persons inciting and encouraging self-help would be dealt with according to the extant laws of the land, insisting that his administration would not condone people taking the laws into their hands as that falls short of all known civilised and legal norms.
While suing for peace among the Adani, Igga and other neighbouring communities in the council area who have been engaging on reprisal attacks over communal land disputes,
Governor Mbah, during an unscheduled visit to both Adani and Igga communities in Uzo Uwani LGA on Sunday evening, announced that his administration had already offered scholarships and job opportunities to the children and wives of the two slain police officers and three Neighbourhood Watch operatives who lost their lives in an ambush on Friday at Ada Rice farm settlement by suspected criminals engaged by Igga community to carry attacks on innocent civilian population.
He said security of lives and property remained the top priority of his administration, while vowing that the ongoing operations, involving combined teams of security operatives, including the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the military and members of the Neighbourhood Watch groups, would continue until the area is completely rid of criminal elements, warning those responsible for the heinous crimes to submit themselves or face the full wrath of the law.
“One thing I can assure you today is that we’ll apprehend all the criminals responsible for this attack. We’ll make sure they face the full wrath of the law as we’ll not spare anyone involved in the crime,” he said.
Governor Mbah, who also visited the Ada Rice Settlement, further warned the communities against taking the laws into their hands, saying grievances and challenges must be channeled to the constituted authorities for amicable resolution.
“It is unwise for you to be encouraging your people to take the law into their hands by killing people, including the security operatives. There are processes for resolving issues. If your people have any grievance, it’s for you to take it to the government. My office is always open for the people. If there is anything we need to do just to be sure that you’re all protected, we’ll do it because that is our primary duty as a government and that’s why we exist.,” the governor added.
According to him, the state government had already deployed security intelligence across the area to ensure people returned to their farmlands, till the soil and grow their plants without fear of being harassed or have their farms destroyed.
He also enjoined the people to cooperate with the security operatives by sharing useful information with them that would lead to the arrest of the assailants infiltrating the communities and their farms.
“Our people should be able to go back to their farmlands without their farms being destroyed by anybody. We’re on top of the situation and we’re going to ensure that those coming to destroy your farms don’t come again. That is our job and I can guarantee you that. We are also calling on you to support the security operatives working tirelessly to protect you by sharing the right information with them that would lead to the arrest of the criminals,” he noted.
Speaking earlier, the representative of Adani community, Chief Nnadozie Simeon, expressed delight over the governor’s visit, saying their confidence had already been restored with the level of security deployment in the area from the state government.
He promised that his people would continue to work with the security agencies by sharing the right intelligence that would ensure rapid response, adding that the jobs and scholarships would help the families of the slain officers to recover and cater for their needs.
On his part, the spokesman of the Igga community, Hon. Festus Okonkwo, a former councilor in Igga/Asaba ward, accused Adani community of harbouring herdsmen, and building mosque and cemetery for them despite warning against such acts.
He said they engaged the criminal elements as their only recognised security outfit in the farm settlement and its environs, stressing that the Friday ambush was as a result of Adani people visiting the farm settlement in dispute with security operatives without clearance from them.
Hon. Okonkwo further alleged that the attack on Adani community by the militants engaged by them led to the minor retaliation on two of their thatch houses and five motocycles by Adani people late hours of Saturday.
News
Gunmen attack mother, sister of Taraba Gov
Gunmen, suspected to be bandits, reportedly attacked Jumai Kefas, the mother of Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, along with her daughter, Atsi Kefas.
The attacks which occurred on Thursday, reportedly took place along Kente Road in Wukari Local Government Council of the state.
Confirming the attacks, the council chairman of Wukari, Dauda Samaila Agbu, expressed sadness over the incident.
Describing it as “deeply troubling,” he disclosed that Atsi Kefas sustained a gunshot wound during the attack and was initially treated at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Wukari, before rushing her to Abuja for further treatment.
“Her condition was stabilised before she was airlifted to Abuja for further medical attention,” he added.
The council chairman called on residents to remain calm and assured them that efforts are underway to apprehend those responsible for the attack.
The Taraba State Police Command also confirmed the incident, through its Public Relations Officer, Usman Abdullahi.
He stated that the attack was reported as an armed robbery.
He, however, did not confirm if the victims were related to the governor.
According to the police spokesperson, one of the occupants of the vehicle sustained gunshot injuries.
News
School Proprietor jailed six months for calling parent a prostitute
Paul Okugbowa, the proprietor of Calvary Crown Academy in Benin City, has been sentenced to six months in prison for publicly calling the mother of one of his pupils a prostitute.
Chief Magistrate Caroline Oghuma delivered the verdict and also sentenced three teachers from the school to varying prison terms for negligence.
The four defendants were arraigned on charges under Sections 167(2), 412, 270, 412, and 267 of the Criminal Laws of Edo 2022.
In her ruling, Magistrate Oghuma offered Okugbowa the option of paying a fine of N100,000 as an alternative to imprisonment.
The three teachers—Blessing Osarodion, Egharevba Esosa, and Isioma Nimen—were found guilty of negligence for abandoning two pupils in their care.
Osarodion and Esosa were sentenced to one year in prison or a N100,000 fine for two counts of negligence, which resulted in the injury of a 6-year-old pupil, Salma Aigbudu.
Nimen was sentenced to three months in prison or a fine of N50,000 for unlawfully abandoning another pupil, Zuri Aigbudu.
The incident that led to Okugbowa’s conviction took place on September 8, 2023, at the AIG Zone 5 headquarters in Benin City.
Okugbowa was accused of publicly calling Mrs. Blessing Aigbudu, the mother of the two pupils, a prostitute in front of her husband and onlookers, causing a disturbance.
News
COAS tasks media practitioners on responsible, balanced reporting
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has tasked media practitioners in the South-East on responsible and balanced reporting on operations and activities of the Nigerian Army.
Oluyede gave the task in Enugu on Thursday in an address at the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Quarterly Media Chat for the Fourth Quarter of 2024, with the theme: “Military and Media Relationship: A Panacea for Enhanced National Security and Development”.
The COAS, represented by Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, noted the need to strengthen collaboration and create opportunities for open dialogue between the Nigerian Army and the media.
According to him, these open dialogues are essential requirements for robust and mutually beneficial relationship.
He said that establishing regular communication channels would enable transparent reporting on military operations, timely dissemination of information, and help counter misinformation effectively.
He said, “I urge media practitioners to prioritise accuracy and fairness in reporting on Nigerian Army activities and balancing the public’s right to information with national security considerations.
“It is also crucial to avoid spreading misinformation or content that could jeopardise national unity and security. Through collaboration, we can enhance, public understanding, build trust and contribute to the greater good of our nation.
“This partnership should extend beyond conflict reporting to include national development and community engagement. Ok
“By highlighting initiatives that improve the lives of citizens, we can promote a united front against violent armed groups and distractions from nation-building.”
The COAS revealed that Nigerian Army had been intensifying operations across various regions to address the complex security challenges the nation currently faces.
“I am pleased to report significant successes, including the neutralisation of terrorists, the rescue of abducted citizens and restoring socio-economic activities in affected communities.
“As we continue these operations, I call on all Nigerians to support the Army and urge the media to maintain responsible and balanced reporting.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to fostering a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with the media, essential for safeguarding our territorial integrity and advancing national development,” he said.
Speaking, the Chief of Civil-Military Cooperation, Maj.-Gen. Nosakhare Ugbo, appreciated the COAS and the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Tinubu, for supporting and funding the media chat to build a robust understand between the Nigerian Army and media.
Ugbo also thanked the media practitioners and executives for taking out time to relate with the Nigerian Army and proffering solutions to localised security challenges.
The Special Guest of Honour to the event, Chief Executive Officer of Guardian Newspaper, Mr Toke Ibru, noted that the media chat and its theme were apt to create accessibility of the public especially media to get correct information and drive away misinformation.
“The event will also enable the Nigerian Army understand how the media functions, including its challenges and pressures; and through this means better the relationship,” Ibru said.
Maj,-Gen. Godwin Umelo (retired), in a lecture titled: “Enhancing National Security through Whole of Society Approach: Effective Information Management in Perspective”, said that the people must get involved in the security of their neighbourhoods and communities.
“Security is everybody’s business in the society and we needed to give security agencies especially the Nigerian Army all the support in terms of actionable information to respond to security threats on time,” Umelo said.
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