South East
Ikpeazu Declares Three-Day Curfew In Aba
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has declared a three-day curfew that would last between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. in the commercial city of Aba with immediate effect.
Ikpeazu made the declaration in a statement made available to newsmen in Umuahia last Tuesday.
He said that the measure was to calm tension occasioned by the proclamation of a military operation code-named ‘Operation Python Dance 2’ in the South-East.
He said that his administration was committed to the protection of lives and property and had to take such measure to protect residents of the state.
“Abia State has for the past few days been the focus of security searchlight.
“This is occasioned by the reported skirmish between some groups in the state, especially the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) with men of the Nigerian Army.
“Government notes and has observed the frenzy of activities of members of IPOB within Afara, Umuahia, the ancestral home of the leader of IPOB for some months now.
“Government is equally aware of the recent proclamation by the Nigerian Army of Operation Python Dance II within the South-East geo-political region of Nigeria.”
Ikpeazu said that the military operation was to check kidnapping, banditry, assassination, secessionist activities within the region, among other forms of criminal activities.
“The recent confrontation between the Nigerian Army and members of IPOB last Sunday could presumably be attributed to the commencement of the said Operation Python Dance II.”
The governor said that the state is a component part of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that he subscribed to the supremacy of the Nigerian Constitution and all other extant laws.
“The state government recognises the right of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to perform their statutory duty of protection of lives and property of Nigerian citizens.
“Such duties must, however, be carried out within acclaimed Nigerian and international standards of engagement with the civil populace, with due respect to the human rights of citizens and sanctity of human lives.
“Meanwhile, Aba residents are advised to observe a curfew from 6p.m to 6 a.m. from September 12 to September 14.
“The government recognises the constitutional right to freedom of movement for all Nigerians, but objects to the influx of people into Abia State for purposes of unsettling the enduring peace in the state.”
Ikpeazu urged residents of the state to go about their normal legitimate businesses without fear or favour.
Meanwhile, a medical doctor with Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Dr Unya Okocha, has reacted to the development.
Okocha told newsmen in Aba that the curfew was necessary to stop possible bloodshed that could arise from confrontation with military men.
He said that the cause of the trouble was that after Sunday’s clash with IPOB men in Umuahia, the army surrounded Nnamdi Kanu’s house with armoured cars.
According to him, the anger of the IPOB people is rising and extending to Aba, hence the action by the state government to forestall clashes that can be bloody.
He said that the curfew would take social and economic toll on the residents of the commercial city.
However, in a reaction, Maj. Oyegoke Badamosi, the spokesman of 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ohafia, said that the army was quelling erupting unrest in Aba.
Badamosi said that the army in Aba swung into action when it found that some miscreants were making bonfires on the roads to cause trouble in the city.
Meanwhile, reliable police sources told NAN that some miscreants seeking opportunity to commit crimes had hijacked “IPOB sympathy protests” in Aba and turned it against the people.
The source said that the action degenerated to breaking and looting of shops, resulting in the closure of Ariaria and other notable markets in the city, including roadside shops.
The police in Ebonyi State say they have discovered the body of a yet to be identified middle-aged woman in a hotel room in Abakaliki, the state capital. The spokesperson of the police in the state, Loveth Odah, stated this yesterday.
She said the body has deep cuts on the chest and neck and has been deposited in a mortuary. According to the spokesman, it was discovered at Crown Garden Hotel located along the ever-busy Afikpo road in the capital city.
Mrs Odah, who said that the victim was found in the pool of her own blood, said the suspect had been identified as one Uchenna Awoke.
She said the hotel manager, Emmanuel Eze, the supervisor, and other workers had been taken to the police station for questioning and accused the hotel management of negligence.
“The manager of the hotel, the supervisor and other staff of the hotel were taken to the station for questioning and I must confess to you that the whole thing is negligence on the part of the hotel management. How can a guest be murdered in a hotel room and days after, the management is not aware of the incident.”
“We will investigate the matter properly and I assure you, the perpetrator of the act must be arrested and prosecuted. All we are asking is for the members of the public to avail the police of useful information that will lead to the arrest of the suspect.”
The Senate yesterday passed the South East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill 2018.
The proposed commission aims at enhancing the infrastructural development of the South East zone, which is grappling with huge ecological challenges.
It also seeks to act as a catalyst for the development of the commercial potential of the zone.
The proposed legislation requires the concurrence of the House of Representatives to become a bill of the National Assembly, and the President’s assent to become a law.
Senators Stella Oduah (PDP-Anambra) and Samuel Anyanwu (PDP-Imo) jointly sponsored the bill read in the Senate on June 22, 2016.
Its passage in the Red Chamber followed the presentation of the report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service by its former Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Paulker (PDP-Bayelsa), on the floor of the Senate.
The bill, after Paulker’s presentation, was considered clause by clause by the committee of the whole, and amendments made by the lawmakers were read for the third time and eventually passed.
In his remarks, presiding Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, commended his colleagues for a job well done.
In his words, “Every morning we pray that God should give us the grace to do only those things that will promote the peace and unity of this country.
“I believe that we have shown today that we are committed to the unity of this country, and it is this unity that will give us faith in this country.
“This faith will in turn help us to pursue peace and progress,” he said.
Briefing newsmen after plenary, members the South East caucus of the Senate, led by Sen. Enhinnaya Abaribe (PDP-Abia), thanked their colleagues and members of the committee for their efforts.
Abaribe, who spoke on behalf of the caucus, urged the President to sign the bill into law “as soon as we tidy it up and bring to him, in the interest of the unity and progress of Nigeria”.
“This will put to rest the long-drawn agitation in the South East, and the difficulties in the rehabilitation and reconciliation efforts that started at the end of the civil war.
“All things we see always will end up at the negotiating table, which is what we have done,” he said.
The lawmaker said he hoped the House of Representatives would give concurrence to the bill as it went in the Senate.
When established, the South East Development Commission would be the third zonal interventionist body in the country.
Bishop David Oyedepo, the Founder and Presideng Bishop, Living Faith Church Worldwide, on Saturday predicted that nothing would disturb the peace of Nigeria and its story would change for the better in the year 2019.
Oyedepo made the declaration at the just concluded annual prophetic gathering of the Winners’ family, christened the “Dominion”, in a satellite telecast of the church.
In the telecast monitored in Abuja, the cleric also declared that 2019 would be a year of “I have Dominion”.
“Nothing will tamper with the peace of Nigeria; the story will change for the better in the name of Jesus.
“Nigeria shall not see bloodshed, the Prince of Peace will continue to dominate in Nigeria, in Africa and Nigeria is declared blessed.
“Anywhere you step, accident is forbidden; death will not come near you and our nation.
“Anything that is of grace in my life, I freely release upon you today.
“God has opened the year 2019 to us, celebrate Him because its our year of “I have Dominion,” he said.
The Bishop added that the year 2019 would be a year of humbling testimonies for Nigeria and pace-setting testimonies.
He further declared that 2019 would be a colourful year for the nation.
According to the cleric, as long as Jesus has the final say on the issues of Nigeria, it will experience greatness.
Oyedepo said that there would be no more cause of alarm in any area of the nation and its citizens.
He advised Christians in Nigeria to delight themselves in the spirit of servant-hood, adding that the spirit of Christ is the spirit of servant-hood.
“The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of servant-hood. As you keep rising on the ladder of leadership, you must retain our spirit of servant-hood, constantly working to add value to others and be kingdom minded,” he said.
According to him, dedication is at the root of dominion, saying: “Sow yourself as a seed by being totally dedicated to God and His Kingdom’’.
He told his congregation that sacrificial giving guarantees the meeting of all their needs.
“When you engage in taking care of the well-being of others, God is also committed to your well-being,” he explained. The cleric admonished Christians would engage in meeting the needs of the needy, every barrier on their path of destiny would be crushed.
“Nobody tampers with your life, your career, your family and goes away with it because you are promoted to God’s kingdom.
“God will stand for your defence in the day of trouble. Every sacrificial giver has a defence around him in the day of trouble always have that in mind,” he said.
He reminded his congregation that the Church is not a building; the Church is a people and the Redeemed of the Lord.