Crime
Burial turn awry as gunmen attack, kill 20 persons
**”Gunmen kill renowned Professor of economics, Onyemelukwe
A burial ceremony in Umuogbuefi village, Ebenebe, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, has turned awry as armed men suspected to be members of a secret cult invaded the ceremony, kill 20 persons
It was gathered that the burial ceremony was that of a suspected leader of a cult, Ozo who was killed by a rival cult last year.
The suspected cult gang stormed the venue of the ceremony while the corpse of Ozo was lying in state in his compound and sent the mourners scampering for safety, while shooting at them.
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said that it was a case of cult rivalry.
He said: “Yes, this morning (Saturday), there was an incident at Ebenebe. A burial was going on, when some people suspected to be cultists invaded the area and started shooting.
“I do not have details of casualties now, but I will keep you informed once the picture becomes clear.
“For now, the Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng has despatched tactical squads comprising of various units to the area to maintain calm.”
In another development gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have killed Prof I.O.Onyemelukwe.
Onyemelukwe, a professor of Economics until his death is the father of Prof Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, a Canadian scholar and winner of the Nigeria prize for Literature, 2021, with prize sum of $100,000.
It was learnt that gunmen had on Thursday night struck in Oko, Orumba South Local Government Area, where they blocked vehicles coming from Umunze, Ufuma, near Oko town.
Sources said the gunmen killed an unidentified man in less than one hour operation, while abducting two men who were said to have been unable to answer questions about the self determination struggle of IPOB.
A social media user with the name Onyi has identified the slain man as Prof Onyemelukwe.
Onyii in the post said: “South East is indeed going down. Just lost my Godfather to the hands of the marauding killers devastating the Southeast environment.”
“An 88 year old man, first class brain, Prof I.O.Onyemelukwe. He was the former permanent secretary in the old Anambra State. Later a Professor of Economics at UNIZIK.”
“He studied Economics with OAU scholarship at Adis Ababa, Ethiopia at the age of 22. He is the father of Dr Cheluchi Onyemelukwe that won LNG $100,000 literature prize last year.”
“He (Onyemelukwe) was returning to Nanka from Enugu with his wife and decided to follow Oji, Ufuma, Amaokpala, Oko axis instead going through Awka when he was attacked by these hoodlums.
“He is the cousin of the former Bishop of the Niger, Bishop J.A.Onyemelukwe. “May his soul rest in peace,Amen!
His daughter, Dr Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, winner of the 2021 NLNG Prize for Literature with the novel; a Son of the House, had in January been named one of the Canadian Black Writers to look out for in the future.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state command, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga when contacted on Saturday said he was aware of the shooting incident in Oko community but had no detailed information on the matter
Crime
Nigerian Military clamps down on Yoruba Nation Agitators, apprehend 9
Troops of the Nigerian Army on Saturday clamped down and apprehended 9 adherents of the Yoruba Nation who invaded the Oyo state Secretariat
Kitted in foreign military camouflage with berets and armed with dangerous weapons the attackers arrived in a commado style in buses and motorbikes, and started shooting sporadically after sighting the troops
However, the troops with superior firepower subdued the attackers, who retreated but in disarray.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement indicated that 9 members of the irredentist group were apprehended, while one Semi Automatic Pump Action rifle and ammunition were recovered.
He said while the situation is under control, troops have gone out to track down the fleeing adherents.
“We assure members of the public that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety and security of the general area.
“We urge the public to remain calm and vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity to the appropriate security agencies. The safety and security of the citizenry remain a priority, as we will continue to work tirelessly to maintain peace and order in the region,” Major General Nwachukwu assured
Crime
Kidnappers highjack two Abuja-bound buses conveying passengers in Kogi
***Police confirms abduction of passengers
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Two buses fully loaded with Passengers travelling from the Eastern part of the country to Abuja have been highjacked and passengers abducted in Inele-Eteke Ogugu new road in Kogi east Senatorial district
The two buses belonging to God Is Good (GIG) transport and Logistics company and the ABC transport company were highjacked while heading to Abuja by Kidnappers in Kogi state.
The source further discosed that GIG bus left umuahia at 7:30 am on Saturday on its way to Abuja.
GIG company it was gathered has contacted security services and they are tracking them.
Meanwhile the Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the Saturday kidnap of passengers aboard two Abuja-bound buses from the Eastern part of the country on Inele-Eteke Ogugu new road in Kogi East Senatorial district of the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Williams Aya (SP) made the confirmation in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Lokoja.
Aya who could not give the number of passengers however, confirmed that two buses were involved,
The PPRO said that the state Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha, immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer, Local Vigilantes and Hunters to comb the bushes with a view to apprehending the hoodlums and rescuing the victims.
He disclosed that Onuoha further deployed the Tactical Squad consisting of Quick Response Unit, Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, as well as conventional Police personnel to the area to continue with the bush combing to ensure all victims are rescued unhurt.
Our correspondent gathered on Monday that the buses, one from GIG Motors and the other from ABC Transport heading to Abuja were intercepted by the gun-wielding hoodlums on the lonely road in Kogi state.
The victims were said to have been marched into the bush by the hoodlums leaving no traces.
According to the source, the GIG bus left Umuahia at about 7:30am on Saturday enroute Abuja adding that the GIG company said they had contacted security agencies.
Crime
Gunmen kill two royal fathers in Ekiti, another escapes by the whiskers
***Fish out killers, Oyebanji orders security agents
Tragedy has struck in Ekiti State where gunmen yet to be identified laid ambush for two first class traditional rulers and gunned them down in a gruesome manner on Monday
The unfortunate incident occured on IRELE -Oke Ako road in Ikole Local government area of Ekiti State .
The slain traditional rulers are Oba Olumojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsola.
Another traditional ruler, Oba Alara of Ara Ekiti,, Oba Adebayo Fatoba escaped being killed by the whiskers
They were said to be returning from a meeting when the gunmen opened fire on them, killing two of the traditional rulers on the spot.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji who confirmed the killing of the traditional rulers in a statement ordered security agencies to immediately fish out the killers of the two traditional rulers.
In the statement signed by his Special Adviser on media and publicity, Yinka Oyebode, Oyebanji condemned the gruesome murder of the two traditional rulers.
The statement reads thus :
” Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has condemned Monday’s dastardly attack in Oke-Ako area in Ikole Local Government, which led to the gruesome killing of two traditional rulers; and ordered security agencies in the state to fish out the killers.
“The two traditional rulers- the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsola were killed in an ambush by armed men while returning from a meeting.
“The third traditional ruler, the Alara of Ara –Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba escaped the attack.”
Oyebanji, said security agents have been despatched to the area to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
The killings were carried out barely one hour Governor Oyebanji presided over the state security council meeting in Ado-Ekiti.
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