News
Killing Of Soldiers: Markets, Schools Shut Down As Tension Heightens In Aba
Markets and other public facilities have been reportedly closed down as tension heightens in parts of Aba, Abia State, following the gruesome murder of five military personnel by gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB).
The Tide’s source reports that the bloodthirsty gunmen, who have been wreaking havoc in the SouthEast, attacked a military checkpoint at Obikabia junction, Ogbor Hill in Obingwa Local Government Area last Thursday.
The incident, which claimed the lives of five soldiers, occurred when members of the proscribed secessionist group were enforcing sit-at-home in the region to mark the 2024 Biafra Heroes Day.
The daredevil gunmen also destroyed two patrol vans belonging to the military.
The Tide’s source gathered that at least six civilians were also killed in the crossfire.
The soldiers who paid the supreme price are Sergeant Charles Ugochukwu, Sergeant Bala Abraham, Corporal Gideon Egwe, Corporal Ikpeama Ikechukwu and Corporal Augustine Emmanuel.
Reacting to the incident, the Defence Headquarters on Friday vowed to fight back, saying it would be fierce in its response.
A statement issued by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba accused IPOB and its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network, ESN, of carrying out the heinous attack.
“The situation leaves more to be desired. Accordingly, it is absolutely imperative that the military retaliate against this dastardly act against troops.
“The military would be fierce in its response. We would bring overwhelming military pressure on the group to ensure their total defeat,” the statement said.
The Tide source gathered that hours after the military’s stance, the entire Aba was enveloped in palpable fear.
Reports emerged on Saturday that the tension was heightened as two military helicopters were sighted hovering over the Ogbor Hill area and its environs.
Sources said on Saturday that the city of Aba is currently under siege by the military, triggering fear of attacks.
It was also gathered that some schools were closed on Friday following the statement by the military.
President General of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, Goodluck Ibem told Tide’s source that the military has shut down four markets including Ngwa Road Market, Alaoji Market, Cemetery Market and Enyimba Market since the incident happened.
“There is a serious tension in Aba right now. The presence of the soldiers alone is very intimidating. They have blocked any road that leads to their checkpoint. No vehicular movement in those places.
“Some markets are no longer functional because the military closed them down.
“They have closed down four markets. Ngwa road Market, Alaoji Market, Cemetery Market and Enyimba Market are not functioning at the moment.
“Other markets are scanty because of fear of attack by the army”, the COSEYL’s President General added.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Chinaka Maureen declined speaking on the tension, saying “it is a military matter, I only speak for the police”.
However, a police source, who spoke to The Tide’s source on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak, confirmed the development, saying people no longer step out of their homes.
According to him, the only solution to the impending face-off between the army and the community where the attack was carried out is for residents to fish out the assailants.
He said, “The Nigerian army will not back down until the perpetrators are apprehended.
“So the best thing the people of Aba will do to save the innocent people is to bring out those that carried out this attack.
“They know themselves. The gunmen were not ghosts, definitely they are members of the society. They should fish out the bad eggs.
“I’m sure that the army is not after any innocent person but you can’t attack and kill military personnel like that and think that you will be free.
“The residents are scared because of what happened in Delta State early this year when soldiers were killed and the military took over the community. The best thing for them now is to help the military apprehend the criminals”.
Meanwhile, the Abia State Government has placed a N25 million bounty on the killers of the five soldiers.
The Commissioner for Information in Abia State, Okey Kanu, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
“To underscore its resolve, the state government is offering a N25 million reward to anyone with useful information that could lead to the location and arrest of any of the criminals connected to the unfortunate killings, and the subsequent state of apprehension across the city of Aba and environs,” he stated.
The commissioner added that security agencies in the State have been directed to treat informants with confidentiality to guarantee their cooperation and assistance until the killers were arrested.
Similarly, while reacting to the killing of the soldiers, President Bola Tinubu on Saturday vowed that the federal government will come down heavily against the criminal elements.
Tinubu in a statement he personally penned down, said on no account should anyone, under any guise, have the audacity to kill agents of state.
He warned that the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the armed forces have the capacity to crush violent non-state actors.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.