N15m had been paid to the abductors before the lawmaker was beheaded.
Gunmen have beheaded a former Anambra State lawmaker, Mr. Nelson Achukwu. The headless body of the man, who was physically challenged, was found and identified by his relatives, days after he was kidnapped.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Tochukwu Ikenga, the headless remains of the late Achukwu was found at the boundary between Uke and Ukpor axis of the state.
He disclosed that the victim was abducted at about 10:15 pm in his house on June 9 and efforts were being made to rescue him before the unfortunate development wherein his body was found without the head.
Mr. Ikenga said an investigation was still ongoing while assuring that the command would do everything within its powers to arrest the perpetrators of the crime.
Findings showed that the headless body was quickly buried by the family members on Tuesday as the corpse had started to decompose.
Achukwu, a former member of the Anambra State House of Assembly and a businessman, had earlier been abducted by gunmen a few months ago and later released after the payment of N15 million ransom. He was kidnapped again on June 9th and the reason for his second kidnap and murder is still unknown.
His death is coming after similar gruesome murders in Anambra State after the lawmaker representing Aguata II State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Mr. Okechukwu Okoye, was kidnapped and beheaded by his abductors last month.
Wike and Bala contested the PDP presidential primary election.
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on Wednesday paid a visit to his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, at his private residence in Port Harcourt.
This was moments after the former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, met with Governor Wike at his residence.
Both meetings were held separately behind closed doors.
None of them also spoke to journalists about the purpose of the meetings as no media coverage was allowed.
Obi and Bala’s visit was held four days after the Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, was also received by Governor Wike at night.
The visit comes after Peter Obi was received by Governor Wike.
All the visitors and their host were presidential aspirants in the last primary conducted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
While Umahi was a presidential aspirant on the platform of the APC, Bala Mohammed and Nyesom Wike contested on the platform of the PDP.
Peter Obi, who was seeking the ticket of the PDP, pulled out of the race mid-way to pick the presidential ticket of the Labour Party (LP).
Political consultations are expected to be high in the run-off to the 2023 elections as political parties have concluded the selection of party flag bearers and running mates for the elections.
Police operatives in Anambra have rescued 35 girls from a baby factory in the Nkpor area of the southeast state.
A statement by the spokesman of the Anambra Police Command Ikenga Tochukwu said the girls were rescued during a raid in a hotel.
“Following a rigorous analysis of crime trends and pattern, the Command operatives on 13th June 2022, working on information burst a hotel named Gally Gally in Nkpor where they use children between the ages of 14 years-17 years for sex slaves, prostitution and baby factory,” Ikenga said in a statement.
“The operatives rescued, 35 girls and four of them are pregnant. The police also arrested three persons namely: Mrs Ifeoma Uzo age ‘F’ 35yrs, Chidiebere Alaka ‘M’ 28years, and Nweke Chidiebere. We recovered three pump action guns, seven cartridges, and a cash sum of Eight hundred and seventy-seven thousand, five hundred naira (#877,500). The suspects arrested are being interrogated with a view to eliciting information on their involvement and unmasking other gang members.”
He said the victims have been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for the “welfare and rehabilitation of the children.
“All suspects will be charged to court at the end of the investigations.”
The police image maker also called on parents and guardians to always build good relationships with their children/wards.
“This will help to guide and direct them in their activities,” he said. “It will help to monitor against unforeseen issues and bad company.”
Gunmen have attacked a state-owned media outfit, Anambra Broadcasting Service, the police said on Monday.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the early-morning attack in a statement in Awka, the state capital.
He revealed that the incident occurred at about 4:30 am at Awada in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.
Tochukwu explained that the command was alerted of the attack at the facility and a team of operatives was swiftly deployed to engage the assailants.
“Following a distress call today 30/5/2022 at about 4:30 am of a case of arson in Anambra Broadcasting Service, Awada Station, in Idemili North Local Government Area, the police operatives responded swiftly and prevented the hoodlums from causing damage on the structure,” he said.
“Unfortunately, two operational vehicles belonging to the station were affected. No life was lost. Meanwhile, the station has been cordoned off and Operation is still ongoing in the area.”
Monday’s incident is the latest in the series of attacks carried out recently by armed men despite the amnesty offered by the government to criminals terrorising the state.
While the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has been linked to most of the attacks in the state, the secessionist group has repeatedly insisted that it had no hand in the violence.
As part of efforts to find a lasting solution to the security challenges in the state, Professor Charles Soludo, recently paid a visit to IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja.
Governor Solodu, who later shared pictures of himself and Kanu on social media, stated that Kanu was against the attacks and killings by gunmen in the South East region.
The Anambra government is assuring that justice would be served.
The Government of Anambra State has condoled with Mr. Jubril Ahmed, the husband of late Hariri Jubril, who was killed alongside her four children by yet-to-be-identified gunmen in Anambra.
The delegation sent by Governor Soludo including the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Paul Nwosu, and the Women and Social Development counterpart, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, the Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Christian Aburime, among others met with him at the Cattle Market, Amansea.
Commissioner Nwosu, who conveyed the condolence message from the Governor and the people of Anambra State to the family of the departed, explained that it was not a targeted attack on a particular tribe or religion.
Mr Nwosu expressed shock at how people could be killed in cold blood and noted that the Governor would have attended but for urgent security concerns, he was attending to, stressing that Ndi Igbo and other tribes have lived together for so long in peace and harmony, urging them to take heart and go about their lawful businesses.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Women and Social Development, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Obinabo, stated that Anambra people are largely travelers who are receptive to people from other tribes, appealing to the gunmen to have a rethink for the sake of the unborn generation and stop killing fellow human beings as such does not pay.
The leader of Miyetti Allah in the South East, Mallam Gidado Sadiq, described the incident as horrible and appreciated the governor for sending the delegation, He explained that they have lost many people and regretted that many of their people are now afraid because of the incident.
While pledging their readiness to continue working with the government to enthrone peace in the state, Mallam Gidado noted that their people living and doing business in Anambra are aware that they are not the target, recalling the lawmaker who was also killed in a gruesome manner.
The deceased’s husband, Alhaji Jubril lacked words to express himself, while the Sarkin Chamba of Anambra State, Usman Farang prayed that violence should stop.
The Chairman of Amansea Cattle Market, Alhaji Bello Maigari, younger sister to the late Harira, Suweiba Musa, as well as the Hausa Community in Amansea, were present during the visit.
Alhaji Jubril works as a security guard in Anambra State. Before her death, Harira Jibril was aged thirty-two, while her four children: Fatima, Khadijah, Hadiza, and Zaituna, were aged nine, seven, five, and two respectively.
File photo of Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo
Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, on Wednesday imposed a curfew on eight local government areas of the state.
In a state-wide broadcast in Awka, Soludo said the curfew will commence on Thursday from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am.
He equally banned motorcycles, commercial tricycles also called Keke, and shuttle buses from operating in the affected local councils on Mondays until the sit-at-home order completely stops.
“With effect from tomorrow, Thursday, 26th May 2022, a 6 pm to 6 am curfew is hereby placed on motorcycles (Okada), tricycles (Keke), and shuttle buses in the Aguata, Ihiala, Ekwusigo, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ogbaru, Orumba North and Orumba South Local Governments until further notice,” he stated.
“Until further notice also, motorcycles, Keke, and shuttle buses are banned from operating in these local governments on Mondays until the Sit-at-Home completely stops.”
The governor also called on residents of the state to join hands with him to achieve his dream of making Anambra a liveable and prosperous homeland.
“The youths of every community in the zone are hereby enjoined to assist the security agencies in the implementation of this policy and are mandated to seize any such motorcycle or tricycle on the spot,” he said.
“Local Vigilantes should report such motorcycles or tricycles (Keke) immediately, and they will be confiscated by the government and the owner prosecuted.
“The Okada, Keke, and shuttle bus union leaders must take responsibility to report their members who are involved in criminal activities. We shall review this after two weeks, and if members of these unions continue to be involved in criminal activities, the government will have no choice but to either disband the Unions and/or ban them out rightly in the state.”
See the full speech by Professor Solido below:
Being Press Statement by Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR (Governor of Anambra State) at a News conference: Awka, Wednesday, 25th May 2022
Umu nnem, Ndi Anambra!
You employed me to lead the process of building a livable and prosperous homeland. After swearing-in on the 17th March, 2022, I worked for 8 hours and 45 minutes that day and have kept working hard every day to make you proud. A lot is ongoing, and we will report to you in due course. However, we recognized from the first minute that restoring peace and security will be foundational to our larger agenda as a people. We devoted several paragraphs in our inaugural speech to underscore the grave security challenges we inherited (with the deadly criminal gangs largely in the occupation of 8 local governments). You may recall that I was attacked by so-called “unknown gunmen” while addressing youths at a rally in March 2021 leaving three policemen dead, and indeed hardly any candidate could campaign freely in the seven local governments of the south senatorial zone in 2021. I knew the grave situation and was determined to confront it. I met with the state security council for three and half hours on the first day and there was a consensus to deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.
While the security agencies have been doing their best with limited resources, we are convinced that sustainable peace and security cannot be achieved without the cooperation and solidarity of the people. Consequently, we went to work to mobilize our people and address the wider socio-economic and legacy issues fueling agitations and insecurity.
We consulted and collaborated with the South East Joint Body of Bishops and traditional rulers; issuing joint statements, with the Joint body of bishops organizing prayers sessions in the entire South East on 4th April 2022, with the goal of ending the Sit-at-home and ensuring enduring peace and security in the southeast;
We organized Anambra Peace and Security Dialogue, with the leadership of the Christian denominations, town unions, traditional rulers, youth organizations, women, market, and transport unions, as well as political leaders and non-indigenes on XX with a Communique calling for an end to the Sit- at home—and peace and security in the South East on 2nd April 2022;
We offered the Olive branch to all the armed youths in the forests to come out, surrender their guns and with the commitment that our government would help to retrain and empower them to contribute positively to our development. Our government has, in our proposed revised budget, provided handsomely for youth empowerment.
The official leadership of IPOB also repeatedly issued statements dissociating itself from the senseless and destructive Sit- at home on Mondays etc as well as the kidnappings and criminal actions of gangs in the state and the southeast;
We set up the Truth, Justice, and Peace Committee, with the goal of getting to the remote and immediate causes of the agitation and criminality, with a view to proffering systematic and lasting solutions;
We have severally again met with town union leaders and traditional rulers; landlords etc, all in the mobilization of the people for lasting peace and security;
True to our commitment to engage with ALL state and non-state actors relevant to the search for lasting peace and security, we visited Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and he reiterated that he never authorized the senseless Sit at Home, and absolved his organization, IPOB, from the crass criminality especially the barbaric enforcement of the Sit at home and the kidnappings and spilling of blood. Mazi Kanu expressed his willingness to personally address the press to charge his followers to keep the peace. Subsequently, his lawyer issued an official statement confirming this position and his associate also addressed the media in the same vein;
We have also had Town Hall meetings with Ndi Anambra in Lagos and Abuja, and our people are united in their condemnation of the criminality going on in the state and environs and demonstrated their commitment to join hands with us in solving it.
The list of the public engagements is long (with even a longer list of backroom plans and actions).
Despite the above, the criminal gangs are unrelenting in their desperation to maintain their very lucrative criminal enterprise and expand their other agenda of domination. When the security agencies rooted them out of two of their numerous camps, their reprisals were to burn down the secretariats of two local governments and attack police stations, police and soldiers. Routinely they kidnap for ransom, rape, and murder their victims as well as burn houses and properties. They relish in shooting soft targets, including recently a poor woman frying akara in front of her house on a Monday.
Over the past one week, Ndi Anambra and indeed the nation have been treated to the gory stories of the kidnapping and subsequent beheading of Hon Okechukwu Okoye (member of the State House of Assembly) and his aide, Cyril Chiegboka (both from my community, Isuofia) as well as the brutal murder Mrs Harirat Jubril from Adamawa state and her four children and three other northerners. Anambra people have been in shock. This is not who we are. Our deepest condolences are with the families of the various victims. We are working round the clock with the security agencies and the perpetrators must be brought to book.
Let us be very clear. These criminals causing mayhem in Anambra, albeit of disparate groups and gangs, are Igbos (dominantly from other southeast states) whose real objective is lucrative criminality and foisting their idolatrous religion on the region. Unfortunately, every criminal gang (including cult groups) claims to be a “liberation movement”, making it difficult to differentiate between any genuine agitators from criminals. Unfortunately, also, criminals now dominate the space. Anambra is the prime target because that is the most lucrative location for kidnapping for ransom in the South East.
With their immense propaganda machine funded largely by their sponsors abroad, they have tried everything to indoctrinate the people with all kinds of false emotive narratives, and divert attention from their real objectives. They claim to be “fighting for the people”, and yet randomly kill the same people, destroying their livelihood, and stopping their children from going to school.
What has agitation to do with kidnappings including the kidnapping of priests of God, invasion of churches, and tabernacles including desecration of the Alters of God? Why is it that everywhere they gather and in every camp they operate, there is a Deity/idol to which they routinely offer blood in sacrifice? From accounts of those kidnapped and later freed the stench of dead bodies in the camps to cry up to heaven. We see videos of them and their idol worship; we note their threats to priests and bishops, including threatening to take over some churches?
The truth is that this tiny minority (certainly far less than 0.1% of us), is bent upon challenging the foundation of the things that make us who we are:
Enterprise: We are known for our enterprise but these people are bent on killing our businesses through the forceful Sit at home; kidnapping for ransom; forceful taxation of communities, businesses, and individuals; etc;
Christianity: The people of the South East, especially Anambra, are predominantly Christians. But with this gang, idolatry is back with vengeance. They forcefully try to convert people, especially the young ones to idolatry by initiating them into cults, swearing oaths to their Deities, etc with the promise of invincibility. Consequently, these youths join them as members and informants.
Desecration of our culture: Spilling of the blood of the innocent is considered an abomination by our culture and by our Christian religion. We understand that they kill and harvest human organs for rituals and human sacrifice in their so-called camps.
With their new religion of idolatry and deadly weapons which they use to kill at random, they have tried to create a culture of fear and silence. More recently, the people have begun to question their propaganda, motive and means and they know that they have lost the sympathy of the people.
That explains why they desperately tried to ignite a national inter-ethnic crisis by killing some innocent northerners who have lived peacefully in our state for decades to divert attention from their criminality and then seek to re-brand themselves as “defenders of the people”. They have failed and will continue to fail. Millions of our people live in the North and other parts of Nigeria, and the Anambra people are known for their uncommon hospitality.
In most homes in Anambra, non-indigenes live happily as tenants or as landlords, pursuing their legitimate businesses and this won’t change. We pride ourselves as the Light of the Nation, and Anambra will continue to be a land of opportunity for every Nigerian as well as non-Nigerians. We will continue to work hard with security agencies to ensure the security of life and property in our state.
Umu nnem, Ndi Anambra!
The hour has come for us to step up our game, and take back our state. The tiny but vicious gangs that have invaded our state and terrorize us are mostly in eight local governments in Anambra and three neighboring local governments in Imo State. They are in our forests, communities, and houses owned by individuals. They don’t come from the air, and hence are not “unknown” gunmen. They are known. You know them, but are either too scared to speak up or out of indifference. But for how long will you be silent while our people continue to be killed in the most cruel and barbaric manner?
It is because we have remained ambivalent, opting to sit on the fence rather than take a stand against an obvious evil, that has made a minor sore to fester so cancerously. The hour has now come, and we must rise up to take our destiny in our hands. Everyone, indeed, everyone has a role to play. While we continue to commit Anambra unto the hands of God, we as a people must rise up to clean and cleanse our land. The security agencies will continue to do their part, but we the people, must proclaim that Enough is Enough and demonstrate full ownership. Consequently, as complementary measures to the efforts of the security agencies, our government has decided on the following immediate steps:
Once again, we are releasing several telephone numbers for the public to report any criminality or suspicious conducts. These phone numbers are managed in my office (in strictest confidentiality). Call us, or text (SMS or WhatsApp), and we will respond expeditiously. The phone numbers are:
09017280990
07039896429
09167514891
09076237441
09168041120
08093175528
08124153139
In addition to the N10 million cash reward we placed on those who gruesomely murdered Hon Okechukwu Okoye and his aide, we are also offering a cash reward of AT LEAST One Million (N1,000,000) to anyone who provides useful information leading to the arrest of any of the leaders or members of these criminal gangs including those who support them financially or in kind, and all those enforcing the illegal Sit-at-Home order, or anyone involved in the kidnapping, murder, and arson, or access to the camps where the criminals operate from. The bounty will depend upon the profile of the criminal: their leaders will attract higher amounts. Similar bounty will be paid to anyone who gives information about anyone or location where hard drugs (especially “Mkpulu mmili”) are manufactured in the state. The State Government hereby assures any informant of confidentiality in this process and would not disclose your identities or contact.
With effect from tomorrow, Friday, 26th May, 2022, a 6pm to 6am curfew is hereby placed on motorcycles (okada), tricycles (keke), and shuttle buses in Aguata, Ihiala, Ekwusigo, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ogbaru, Orumba North and Orumba South Local Governments until further notice. Until further notice also, motorcycles, keke and shuttle buses are banned from operating in these local governments on Mondays until the Sit-at-Home completely stops. The youths of every community in the zone are hereby enjoined to assist the security agencies in the implementation of this policy and are mandated to seize any such motorcycle or tricycle on the spot. Local Vigilantes should report such motorcycles or tricycles (keke) immediately, and they will be confiscated by the government and the owner prosecuted. The Okada, Keke, and shuttle bus union leaders must take responsibility to report their members who are involved in criminal activities. We shall review this after two weeks, and if members of these unions continue to be involved in criminal activities, the government will have no choice but to either disband the Unions and/or ban them out rightly in the state.
No part of Anambra State (house, bush or forest) shall be used as camps for these criminals. Anyone with a gun in a camp is considered a criminal in Anambra State, and the government and people will work with security agencies to flush them out. The State Government shall pursuant to its powers under the Land Use Act revoke and acquire any land found to be harbouring these criminals, for public purpose. Henceforth, every community is required to provide information on any part of their land occupied by these criminals as camps. If the community fails to do so, the government will take over such land.
All communities are hereby charged to take over their communities completely and through the leadership of their Town Unions and Traditional Rulers give weekly security reports (submitted every Friday) to the State Government on the state of security in their communities. The cooperation of the youths in that regard is now imperative. I charge the vigilantes of each community to rise to the occasion and contend with these criminals in your locality whether they are in your bush or the houses in your community. The State Government expects the report of any progress made in this regard and shall support and reward you accordingly.
Any buildings found to be harbouring these kidnappers and murderers who have laid siege on our State will, as provided by Criminal Code (Amendment No.3) Law 2013, be forfeited to the State Government. To that extent, all landlords are hereby directed to proceed with “Operation Know Your Tenant” by keeping appropriate records of their tenants and reporting anyone suspected of being involved in criminal activities. Each community leadership must keep a full register of all tenants in their communities, their occupation, etc and keep an eye on their activities. The State Government shall as an emergency measure, disband the leadership of any community which fails to report criminal activities in their communities or immediately respond to the requests contained in this address.
All market leaders and stakeholders are hereby charged to join the communities in taking back their territory and monitoring the activities in their markets. They are all required to return weekly security reports to the State Government.
Everybody who either in person or through telephone calls demands cash support or ransom from anyone in furtherance of any criminal activities or groups should immediately be reported to the government via the telephone lines provided.
All transporters, i.e, bus drivers, shuttle drivers, tricycle (keke) and motorcycle (okada) riders must immediately report any suspicious passengers. Because it has come to the knowledge of the State Government that over 80% of transport operators use fake plate numbers and identities, all transport operators must henceforth re-register their vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles with their valid means of identification and their biometrics captured. This exercise shall immediately be commenced and anyone who defaults in doing that after four weeks from today would be treated as a suspect and adequate measures taken against him or her.
All hotels are directed to obtain the means of identification of their guests and keep an inventory of all guests in their hotels. The management of the hotels should immediately report any suspicious persons or group of persons checking into or converging in their hotels. Immediate sanctions would attend any dereliction in that regard, including possibly shutting down or demolition of such hotels.
All fuel stations are hereby directed to, within 4 weeks from today, place surveillance cameras in their stations and keep the records generated by those cameras in order to assist the State Government, when required, in tracking these criminals who inevitably fuel their vehicles at fuel stations.
Finally, let me urge our people to remain calm. This season shall pass. The God of Anambra assures that we shall overcome the forces of darkness. Indeed, this tough beginning foretells of a more glorious future. We thank all the stakeholders in the Anambra project, and particularly thank the security agencies for their determination and sacrifice. We enjoin our religious leaders to continue to lift up the state in prayers and to also mobilize our people as they fight evil in our land. Together, we shall take back our state and make it the true Light of the Nation.
In this file photo, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo speaks at the combined convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Wukari, in Taraba State on February 12, 2022. Credit: State House.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has condemned the killing of Harirat Jubril and her children in Anambra State, describing it as “a terrible tragedy”.
The former Lagos State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General said the incident, which happened on Sunday, is capable of stoking ethnic and religious crisis and must thus be condemned by all well-meaning people.
“What took place in Anambra with the killing of a woman and her children demeans us all. It is such a callous act and so brutal. And I think that we must be very careful, as a people, with this type of killings that are going on, especially where it is obviously to create such horror, annoyance and create a situation where we begin to have ethnic conflicts again and all that,” he told journalists after meeting the All Progressives Congress (APC) delegates in Makurdi, Benue State on Wednesday.
“And I think we must all be careful and condemn it in the strongest possible terms, there is no excuse for it whatsoever. We must not allow a situation where we get to the point where we even countenance individuals who can do this sort of thing.
“How does anyone kill a woman and her children? I think it is such a terrible tragedy condemnable by all. Mr President has spoken about it and I just want to join my voice with those of others who are completely outraged by it.”
The APC chieftain also condemned the rising levels of insecurity in the South East and some parts of Nigeria and reiterated President Muhammadu Buhari’s vow to flush out the miscreants.
“In his statement earlier today, President Muhammadu Buhari very strongly condemned what he described as “wild, barbarous and wanton killings of innocent people” in the South-East as well as the other parts of the country, which he also described as “deeply distressing,” the statement by Osinbajo’s media aide, Laolu Akande, re-echoed.
“The President then warned the perpetrators of these acts to expect [a] tough response from the security forces”.
Osinbajo is the latest to join the long list of reactions and condemnation that have trailed the incident.
While the woman, who was reported to be pregnant, has been buried, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State had also faulted the killing. In the wake of the spike in insecurity in the southeast state, he imposed a curfew on eight local government areas.
Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has vowed to fish out the killers of Harirat Jubril and her four children, saying the development has left the people of the state in “shock”.
The governor said this in a state-wide broadcast in Awka on Wednesday as he assured that security agencies are working to make that happen.
“Over the past one week, Ndi Anambra and indeed the nation have been treated to the gory stories of the kidnapping and subsequent beheading of Hon Okechukwu Okoye (member of the State House of Assembly) and his aide, Cyril Chiegboka (both from my community, Isuofia) as well as the brutal murder Mrs Harirat Jubril from Adamawa state and her four children and three other northerners,” the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor said.
“Anambra people have been in shock. This is not who we are. Our deepest condolences are with the families of the various victims. We are working round the clock with the security agencies and the perpetrators must be brought to book.”
Aside from his condemnation of the recent killings in the southeast state, he also imposed a curfew on six local government areas as part of efforts to tackle the challenges.
“With effect from tomorrow, Thursday, 26th May 2022, a 6 pm to 6 am curfew is hereby placed on motorcycles (Okada), tricycles (Keke), and shuttle buses in the Aguata, Ihiala, Ekwusigo, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ogbaru, Orumba North and Orumba South Local Governments until further notice,” Soludo said as he called on residents of the state to liaise with him to make the state liveable.
“Until further notice also, motorcycles, Keke, and shuttle buses are banned from operating in these local governments on Mondays until the Sit-at-Home completely stops.”
“The youths of every community in the zone are hereby enjoined to assist the security agencies in the implementation of this policy and are mandated to seize any such motorcycle or tricycle on the spot,” the governor added.
“Local Vigilantes should report such motorcycles or tricycles (Keke) immediately, and they will be confiscated by the government and the owner prosecuted.
File photo of Anambra State House of Assembly. Inset: Late Okechukwu Okoye
The Anambra State House of Assembly has mourned one of its members, Okechukwu Okoye, the lawmaker representing Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s constituency.
Okoye was gruesomely murdered after gunmen kidnapped him and his aide, Cyril Chiegboka, last week Sunday, along Aguluzigbo road, Anaocha Local Government Area of the state. He represented Aguata 2 Constituency in the Anambra State Assembly.
Seven days after the kidnap, House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Uche Okafor issued a statement where he described Okoye’s death as unfortunate and heartbreaking.
He said the deceased lawmaker was “one of the outspoken and articulated lawmakers,” noting that “the Legislative Institution in the state has lost a quality member in the person of Hon. Okoye.”
While recalling his contributions to the House, the Speaker said other lawmakers will deeply feel his demise as well as miss his sense of humour, hospitality and commitment to duty among other positive attributes.
The Speaker also tasked Governor Chukwuma Soludo with securing lives and properties in Anambra State, urging him not to relent in the state government’s efforts.
He equally called on residents of Anambra State and other well-meaning citizens to join hands with the governor in securing the state.
The House also commiserated with the late Okoye’s immediate family, his kinsman, Governor Soludo and the entire Isuofia community on behalf of the entire legislature enjoining them to take solace in the fact that the short but eventful life of the deceased was full of quality service to God and humanity.
A photo combination of Okechukwu Okoye and Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo.
Gunmen have beheaded Okechukwu Okoye, the lawmaker representing Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly.
The lawmaker and his aide, Cyril Chiegboka, were kidnapped on Sunday, along Aguluzigbo road, Anaocha Local Government Area of the state. He represented Aguata 2 Constituency in Anambra State.
Eyewitnesses told Channels Television that Okoye’s head was dumped at Chisco park in Amichi, Nnewi South Local Government Area on Saturday, six days after he was abducted.
Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident on Saturday night.
Reacting to the murder, Governor Charles Soludo condemned the gruesome killing of the lawmaker and commiserated with his family on the loss.
Soludo in a statement by his media aide, Christian Aburime, described the lawmaker’s killing as heartless and barbaric, saying he received the news with rude shock and deep sadness.
According to him, it is probably the same criminal gang that attacked him and killed three policemen at Isuofia two years ago that is once again on the prowl.
The governor also reassured the people of Anambra State of his administration’s resolve and renewed determination with the security agencies to go all out against the criminals and ensure they are brought to justice.
This is even as he placed a N10m reward for anyone or group that will avail valuable information that will lead to the immediate arrest of the perpetrators of the dastardly act.
“Soludo condoles with his kinsmen of Isuofia, noting that it is probably the same criminal gang that attacked him and killed three policemen at Isuofia two years ago that are once again on the prowl. But they can never cow down Isuofia and Anambra State,” the statement read.
“The governor is still in shock over the barbaric acts against his two kinsmen, vowing that the perpetrators, as well as all criminals operating in Anambra, must be decisively brought to book.
“Governor Soludo has consequently placed N10m reward for anyone or group that will avail valuable information that will lead to the immediate arrest of the perpetrators of this dastardly act. Anambra will soon be hell for these criminals.
“He wishes to reassure Ndi Anambra of the government’s resolve and renewed determination with the security agencies to go all out against the criminals and ensure they are brought to justice.
“Anambra will win against the forces of darkness. Ndi Anambra should brace up for the all-out war against the criminals.”
He said the Anambra State Police Command had launched a manhunt for the kidnappers to rescue the lawmaker.
Although the details of the abduction are still sketchy, a viral video show the lawmaker’s vehicle stuck inside a drainage system in the area where the incident occurred.
The latest attack is coming a few days after the state governor, Professor Charles Soludo visited the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja.
Soludo, who shared pictures of himself and Kanu via social media on Saturday night, said the IPOB leader condemned the violence and senseless killings going on in the Southeast and wished he had the opportunity to a broadcast to address the situation.
Some unidentified arsonists have burnt down Court Three Magistrate Court and other buildings housing several offices on the premises of the secretariat of Idemili Local Government Area in Ogidi, a town in Anambra State.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident happened on Sunday night as the hoodlums destroyed files and properties in the secretariat, including the secretariat building.
While the entire buildings were left in ruins, vehicles parked inside the local government secretariat were also razed.
In another attack close to the local government secretariat, the office of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), was badly torched.
The main office building and several shuttle buses used by the company for their operations were all destroyed completely.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incidents to Channels Television on Monday via telephone conversation.
Although he stated that no life was lost in both attacks, the command’s spokesman regretted that several buildings and vehicles were destroyed.
He explained that it took the intervention of the police to contain the attacks, thus reducing the level of damage that would have occurred.
Ikenga, hjowever, said the command has deployed a team of operatives in the area for heavy surveillance operation and with a view to restoring normalcy.
These attacks come a few days after the state governor, Professor Charles Soludo, visited the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who is being remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja.
Governor Soludo, who shared pictures of himself and Kanu via social media on Saturday night, said the IPOB leader was against the attacks and killings by gunmen in the South East.
According to him, the IPOB leader wished he has the opportunity to give a broadcast to address the situation.
