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Atiku Says Wike Good In Gutters As Minister Mocks Him Over Presidential Defeats

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The Source
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Atiku Abubakar and Nyesom Wike

By Gideon Njoku

Reno Omokri to Atiku: “By responding to Wike, you are diminishing yourself. It is like a lion chasing after a rat”

The war of words between former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who was, also, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 Presidential Election, and Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, is still raging.

The two have been at each other’s neck from the months running to the PDP Presidential Primaries. It worsened when Atiku defeated Wike to pick the ticket, and rose to high heavens when he rejected Wike as his running mate and picked then Wike’s Governor-colleague, Delta State’s Dr Ifeanyi Okowa. That prompted Wike and his loyalists and supporters to work against Atiku in the Presidential election. They openly worked for the then Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, now President Bola Tinubu.

The sour relationship between the two also affected the PDP badly. The Party is literally in disarray. Wike is a serving Minister under the APC Government, has refused to quit the PDP and, no thanks to a number of Court orders, tied PDP’s hands from either suspending or expelling him.

A few days ago, both men crossed each other’s path after Atiku hailed Rivers people for ignoring threats to participate in the State’s Local Government Elections held on October 5, won by loyalists of the Governor, who contested under an otherwise unknown Party, Action Peoples Party, APP. The PDP and APC factions, controlled by Wike, citing a Federal High Court Order, refused to participate.

Atiku: “It has now been revealed that the citizens of Rivers are astute and resolute, unwavering in their rejection of any form of political oppression, harassment, or the machinations of self-serving godfathers.”

Apparently, the, “godfathers” being referred to here by Atiku are Wike and co., especially Wike. He was the political godfather of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and, almost, single-handedly, installed him as a the Governor of Rivers State.

So, Wike, not one to be outdone, took on Atiku on Saturday when he hosted members of the Rivers State. He mocked Atiku for the number of times he  contested for the Presidential seat of Nigeria and failed. Having been rejected by Nigerians, Wike told  Atiku, he should pack and go home.

Wike to Atiku: “If you say for an election we did not contest, never participated in, that it shows Nigerians have rejected us, fine. You that contested and failed woefully, Nigerians have rejected you. So, pack up and go.”

Atiku has contested for the Presidential seat three times and failed.

Stung, Atiku, through his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, dismissed Wike as one very comfortable in the gutters  and said he wouldn’t descend to Wike’s level. Wike, Atiku said, is selfish and only interested in himself, not the people. The former Vice President also dismissed Wike as one full of bile and bitterness over his defeat in the PDP Presidential Primaries.

Atiku to Wike:

“Mr Wike’s comments are nothing more than   a string of inanities, lacking substance and driven by personal  grievances. If he truly believes that Nigerians are content with the current state of affairs under the Government he serves, it reveals a deeper truth: his priorities lie not with the people but with himself.

“This self-absorption is evident in his preoccupation with domestic affairs in Rivers rather than his Ministerial responsibilities.

“While he may seek to divert attention with his baseless rants, we remain focused on the genuine issues affecting Nigerians. It is clear that Mr Wike is more concerned with self-interest than addressing the real challenges faced by the nation. In contrast, our commitment remains unwavering, centered on the welfare and progress of the people.

“Mr Wike appears to delight in conjuring fantasies indulging in his imagination, and paying for live TV coverage to launch tirades against whomever he pleases. However, we shall not descend into the gutters where he feels at home. Instead, we prefer to rise above, maintaining our dignity while others revel in the mud.

“His recent remarks are another of his theatrical outbursts. Nigerians are well acquainted with his antics, a lingering symptom of the bitterness he habours from his defeat to the Wazirin Adamawa at the 2022 Party Presidential Primaries.”

But weighing in, Reno Omokri, controversial Socio-political and  a former Presidential aide under former President Goodluck Jonathan, chided Atiku for descending to Wike’s level. He said it is like a “lion chasing after rats.” He said Wike was just a Local Council Chairman when Atiku was Nigeria’s Vice President.

Omokri: “If I were Waziri, I would allow Wike to say whatever he wants about me and absorb it. It does not diminish Waziri. What diminishes Waziri and gives Wike muscles is Atiku responding to him or attacking him.

“If Atiku engages in a media exchange with Wike, it is a promotional advert for Wike and a demotion for him. Even if there must be a response, Waziri could consider delegating it to his running mate in the 2023 election, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.  And if Ifeanyi is unwilling, then he should request another surrogate to do so.

“But to personally throw jibes at Wike, or respond to Wike’s own quips should be considered a low-hanging fruit by Waziri. Even Governor Simi Fubara does not respond directly to Wike, how much the former Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“If a lion chased after rats, it may be mistaken for a domestic cat.”

“Kenneth Okonkwo Is an Unstable Character” – Labour Party

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The Source
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Kenneth Okonkwo
Kenneth Okonkwo

By Charles Igbo

The Court and Independent National Electoral Commission – recognized Labour Party, LP, has dismissed Actor-turned Politician, Kenneth Okonkwo as one with an unstable character.

In a post, the faction which National Chairman is  Julius Abure, a Lawyer like Okonkwo, dismissed Okonkwo’s opinion on political issues as nothing, and advised him to consider a career in skit-making to boost traffic to his page.

It referred to a Nollywood Home video “Living in bondage” , acted in the 1990’s, where Okonkwo was the main character, and concluded that Okonkwo was still living in bondage.

The Party’s reaction was in response to Okonkwo’s statement which held that the Abure-led LP is working with, and for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

But it is an allegation the Part seriously denies, and said it ordinarily should not waste its time reacting to the utterances of a characters like like Okonkwo.

Following is the full text of the Abure-led statement on Kenneth Okonkwo as posted in its official page.

“It has become imperative for the leadership of the Labour Party to quickly respond to the handiwork of our adversaries and those who desperately frustrate the leadership  of the Labour Party at all cost.

“For Kenneth Okonkwo, we have decided that we won’t join issues with him because it is very clear he is still ‘living in bondage’. We are very sure that ‘living in bondage’ film he acted some decades ago is still having very great in his life. Today, he says one thing with one side of his mouth, tomorrow, he says  another thing from another side of his mouth. We will not waste out time to discuss people with unstable character. We can only advise him that there is a huge difference between politics and skit making, and that he should consider concentrating on the later, to boost his followership.”

Okonkwo was an APC member. He defected to the LP a couple of months to the 2023 Presidential Election. He was, to the surprise of not a few, appointed a Spokesperson to LP’s Presidential Campaign Committee, and by extension, it’s Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi and his running mate.

However, in recent months, Okonkwo has been attacking Obi, including calling him weak, a situation that has perplexed not a few people.

COAS’ Health: “In Absence Of COAS, Major General Bagudu Is Standing In” – Nigerian Army

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Lt General Taoheed Lagbaja

By Adesina Soyooye

The Army Headquarters on Saturday moved to douse the anxiety over the health status of the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja.

In the past couple of days, anxiety over his health status had been raised high considerably.

It was SaharaReprters which first broke the news that Lagbaja was very ill and has been flown out of the Country by his family members.

While many doubted the angle that it was his family that flew him out, and asked: why not the Federal Government, Defence Headquarters or the Army, it is now confirmed that, indeed, the COAS is ill and the Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Army, Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu, is standing-in for him.

Reports had insisted that the COAS was so ill he no longer had any sense of hearing. There was also the insinuation that a number of things, including promotions were at a standstill and, therefore, triggered a brewing discontent. There were also hints of alleged quiet struggle and lobby for Lagbaja’s high profile office among senior Army Officers.

But the Nigerian Army, in a statement, made light of the health status of the COAS, and dismissed, as utter rubbish, the insinuations that nobody was in charge; that Senior Officers were in a struggle for Lagbaja’s office; that activities, and especially, promotions, were at a standstill.

In the statement signed by Army’s Director of Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, it said the COAS is on a medical vacation, and revealed that until he returns, Major General Bagudu is standing-in for him. The COAS is, afterall, a human being, the statement noted.

Following, the full text of the Army’s statement as put out by Major General Nwachukwu.

“Recently, the media space, especially social media, has been awash with stories, rumours, and innuendos about happenings in the Nigerian Army(NA).

“While some of these are laughable and deserve no further reference, others have bordered on pure mischief calculated to cause panic and confusion within the rank and file, as well as the general public.

“Specifically, many insinuations about personnel postings, promotions, and even training activities have been raised vis-a-vis the official leave of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

“There have even been insinuations that there is a leadership vacuum, with officers confused about what to do. Nothing can be farther from the truth.

“To be very clear, the Nigerian Army is a highly structured establishment with well-laid-out procedures and processes for dealing with different circumstances.

“Before proceeding on leave, necessary protocols were put in place for the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim, to act on behalf of the COAS, while he is away.

“This is not peculiar to the NA as there have been instances where unforeseen human frailty kept service chiefs away for about three months, and their Chiefs of Policy and Plans held sway in their absence.

“Claims of leadership vacuum in the NA presently is, therefore, mere speculation, as all routine and scheduled activities of the Service are on course.

“Indeed, in line with its Forecast of Events for 2024, the Nigerian Army recently conducted the Captain-Major Practical Promotion Examination in Akure.

“Subsequently and in line with extant procedures, the Commander Traning and Doctrine Command, Major General Kevin Aligbe, announced the result after due authorisation by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), who currently answers for the Chief of Army Staff in his absence on leave and medical checkup abroad.

“Additionally, the Master Warrant Officer to Army Warrant Officer Promotion Exercise is currently ongoing in Jos.

“This follows a similar exercise held for Warrant Officer to Master Warrant Officer (WO-MWO) in Kaduna.

“The results of these exercises are expected to be released in the coming days, pending final reconciliation between the respective Corps and the Army Headquarters Department of Personnel Management.

“Contrary to the insinuation that the absence of the COAS occasioned by his leave, has caused undue delay in the release of the result of the WO-MWO promotion exercise, the NA wishes to clarify that it has never been the practice for the COAS to sign postings or promotions for both officers and soldiers in the NA.

“The appropriate Departmental Chiefs perform these functions routinely. These Departmental Chiefs, demonstrating their unwavering commitment, are fully carrying out their responsibilities in line with the COAS Command Philosophy.

“The Army Headquarters, therefore, enjoins the general public to remain confident in the NA and be assured that the Service remains on top of the security situations in the country and is ever ready to defend Nigeria against any aggression on its land territory.

“Meanwhile, the Army Headquarters wishes to thank all well-meaning Nigerians who have shown genuine concern about Lt Gen TA Lagbaja and have continued to pray for him.

“The Army Headquarters assures Nigerians and the international community that all land-related training, operational, and administrative activities are on course and that the COPP(A) is firmly and effectively running the affairs of the Service pending the return of the COAS.”

The absence of the COAS from official duties became public when he was nowhere to be seen during the activities which marked Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary.

President Tinubu Returns After Two week Working Leave

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bola Tinubu Travels

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu returned to the country on Saturday evening after a two-week working leave.

A report monitored on the NTA News indicated that the president was received at the Abuja airport by top government officials and aides.

President Tinubu commenced a two week working leave on October 2, and departed Abuja for the United Kingdom. The presidency had explained that the two week leave is, part of the President’s yearly leave.

Bayo Onanuga, special Adviser  on Information and Strategy, stated that the president will use the two weeks as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.

The president, during the working leave had reported to have left UK for France with the presidency defending that he was free to choose where he would spent his leave.

The vice president, Kashim Shettima also traveled out of the country to Sweden during the week for an official engagement.

The absence of the two leaders had generated reactions from opposition especially Peter Obi, of the Labour Party (LP) who faulted the absence of the two leaders from the country.

Obi,  knocked President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for their simultaneous foreign trip, leaving numerous domestic issues unaddressed.

He stated that “While it is arguable that with the President and Vice President absent from the Villa , there is no vacancy in the Presidency, in a situation where both the President and Vice President are out of the country, as reported in the media, it’s concerning for a country with such myriads of domestic problems.

“The President had told us he would only be gone for 14 days. The 14 days have passed now, and we are waiting to see him in the country.

“One would have expected him to return earlier than expected, considering the volume of work that needs to be done in a troubled nation like ours.

“The untold hardship that has been unleashed on our people as a result of some of his administration’s policies is unimaginable and we need his urgent attention to pilot the nation out of this present situation.

“Again, since the President is reportedly in Paris, France, which is just about 833 nautical miles from Stockholm, Sweden, one wonders why he did not just attend the 2-day working visit to Sweden. He could simply have done it on his way back from France with his new powerful jet, which would have taken him a little over 2 hours.

“This would have saved time and the very scarce national resources we need critically at this time. Instead, he delegated the Vice President, who needed to travel 3055 nautical miles, over nine hours, and (about 4 times the travel time from Paris) Abuja, Nigeria, to Stockholm, Sweden, to represent him at the event. It would take about 4 times the time and distance it takes to travel from Paris to Stockholm to travel from Abuja to Stockholm.

“This does not represent the kind of fiscal responsibility and common sense that is expected of leaders whose people are facing severe hunger and poverty.

However, special adviser to the president on media and strategy, Bayo Onanuga had argued that government activities were ongoing despite the absence of the president and his vice.

Ebonyi Police Disburses N25 Million To Families Of Dead Officers

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police - Anthonia Uche Anya

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, Anthonia Uche Anya, has appealed to recipients of the benefits accruing to deceased and wounded personnel of the Service to make judicious use of the funds.

The CP who spoke at the occasion of the formal presentation of cheques to relations of the beneficiaries, urged them to take adequate care of the dependents left behind.

A statement issued on Saturday, October 19, 2024, by the Ebonyi Police Command spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, said that over N25 million was disbursed to the families of the beneficiary- officers on behalf of Group Life Assurance/Group Personal Accident and IGP Family Welfare Scheme .

CP Uche-Anya who was represented at the ceremony by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Administration, Muhammad Alhaji Muhammad, also expressed solidarity with the families of the concerned personnel.

Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Nwali Emmanuel, while appreciating the Inspector General of Police for the gesture, assured that the fines will be channeled into useful ventures for the benefit of those left behind by the deceased and wounded Police officers.

Niger Govt Gets Chinese Investors’ Support To Boost Agriculture

By
Ayodele Oni
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Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State

By Ayodele Oni

Chinese investors are supporting the Niger State Government to boost agriculture and make the State an agro- industrial processing zone.

To this end, the State has secured an investment worth $684 million (N1.094 trillion) in the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) from China Overseas Engineering Group Company Limited (COVEC) and China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC).

The Commissioner for Commerce and Investment, Aminu Suleiman Takuma who disclosed this in Minna, said the State is on track to boost agricultural productivity and make the State a hub for agro-industrial processing.

Takuma explained that the State is on track to reposition itself as a major player in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, driven by the vision of Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago.

“We have taken a significant step towards transforming the agricultural sector through a partnership with Chinese investors and have secured an investment worth $684 million (N1.094 trillion) in the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) from China Overseas Engineering Group Company Limited (COVEC) and China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC).

“This milestone agreement was signed during the recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), marking a major breakthrough in the state’s efforts to boost our economy and to create job opportunity for about five thousand women and youths.”

The commissioner further disclosed that, the Niger State Government had a crucial meeting with the African Development Bank (AfDB) team, COVEC and CREC to discuss the implementation plan for the SAPZ development, which he said aims to transform agriculture into an internationally competitive sector across Africa.

Accordingly, he said, by focusing on high-potential commodities, the programme will promote increased productivity, value addition, market access, and private sector investment.

In his remarks, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman said the project is expected to revolutionize the agricultural landscape as it will stimulate socio-economic growth and development in the state.

“With the support of COVEC and CREC, Niger State is not only poised to become a model for agricultural transformation in Nigeria, but will attract significant investments from local and international partners.

“The programme will boost agricultural productivity and make the State a hub for agro-industrial processing and generate thousands of employment opportunities for locals.”

Imo: Security Agencies Embark On Show Of Force  Over IPOB’s Two Days Sit-at-Home Order

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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IPOB Members

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Ahead of the declaration of a two-day sit-at-home order in Imo State by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, the Police said it has  deployed enough  officers and equipment to all strategic locations across the State to protect lives and properties.

Effective today October 19, it also informed that it will commence state-wide show of force and confidence building exercises through out the State.

This is even as the Police authorities have called on  law abiding residents to remain calm  and go about their lawful activities without fear of molestation.

The Police action comes on the heels of IPOB’s declaration of Monday October 21 and Tuesday October 22 as sit-at-home in Imo state .

The  Group had called on residents of ,Owerrri,and environs to remain at home through out  the period.

The Imo State Police Command Spokesman, Henry Okoye, in a statement on Saturday October 19, however,urged residents to ignore the order, insisting that the Police, in collaboration with other security outfits are on top of the security situation in the State.

Okoye noted that security agencies have deployed adequate personnel and equipment within and outside Owerri with a view to securing lives and properties.

The Police, while  declaring the sit-at-home order  illegal, called on residents to go about  their normal businesses.

“Starting today, October 19, and continuing through October 23, 2024, security personnel will enhance visibility through patrols.

“Additionally, detectives will conduct reconnaissance operations to gather actionable intelligence.

“These efforts aim to reassure the public and maintain law and order”, part of the Police statement reads.

The Source reports that the IPOB had in 2021 declared Mondays as sit-at-home in South East states as direct response to the arrest and detention of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Federal Government.

However, following series of allegations of it being hijacked and used for the perpetration of some unintended criminal activities by some elements, the various State Governments in the region decided to ban the exercise.

The Federal Government and Security Agencies have equally described the development as illegal and unacceptable.

Striking NAFDAC Workers Vow To Continue As Importers Count Losses

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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NAFDAC at Ogbete Market Enugu

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Striking staff members of the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, have vowed not to blink until their demands are fully met.

The workers, under the aegis of Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria. MHWUN, had, on October 7, 2024, declared an indefinite industrial action to press home their demands.

The Source reports that some of the demands centre on the call  for the review of the 2024 promotion exercise, the payment of statutory arrears and benefits spanning from 2022, and the unwillingness of NAFDAC Management to fulfill the terms of an agreement reached with the workforce in 2022.

In a statement issued on Saturday October 19, 2024, by Adetoboye Ayodeji, Chairman of the Kaduna Chapter, MHWUN insisted that Government and NAFDAC Management must revisit the 2024 promotion exercise for peace to reign.

He informed that out of about 700 staff members that took part in the promotion examination, only about 200 were promoted.

The figure, he noted, represents a paltry 36 per cent of the total number of participants in the promotion examination.

Ayodeji said that increasing the percentage to 80 will calm frayed nerves for now.

He lamented that rather than promoting staff who sat and passed the examination, NAFDAC Management, allegedly, opted to recruit outsiders for the same vacant positions which existing staffers can conveniently fill.

“We rejected the entire promotion process and demanded that more staff be promoted. How can there be motivation in an agency where only 36% of staff get promoted.

This will have a devastating effect on morale, ultimately impacting the health of 200 million Nigerians” the MHWUN-NAFDAC Chairman, Kaduna Chapter stated.

Ayodeji also faulted the Management’s foot-dragging  in fulling its 2022 agreement with the staff, noting that it was intended to straighten issues concerning the general working conditions of the workers.

“Allowances that were supposed to be approved by December, 2022, have still not been approved and the conditions of Service remain unapproved”

Furthermore, Ayodeji claimed that several efforts made for the Management to respect the terms of the agreement, including the writing of numerous letters have remained unsuccessful.

He, therefore, maintained that the strike action will remain in force until the issues surrounding it are resolved.

Ironically, however, the Management of the regulatory agency has continued to plead non- culpability, insisting that it has remained faithful in the implementation of its statutory obligations to the workers.

Meanwhile, the strike action has continued to exact serious negative impact on operational activities at the various sea ports across the county because of stockpiles of uncleared cargoes.

NAFDAC’s examinations are part of the regulatory measures required for imported cargoes to be released

Stakeholders have been lamenting difficulties in cargo clearance at the Ports, resulting in port congestions across the country.

Many importers of consumables and perishable products are said to be currently counting  huge losses due to the delay in clearing their cargoes

Some importers are also worried that the strike action may lead to their cargoes incurring demurrages far beyond their reach.

Jigawa Suspends Commissioner Over Adultery Allegations

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Auwal Danladi Sankara

By Ayodele Oni

Despite putting up a strong defence against allegations of extra marital affairs leveled against him, the Jigawa State Government has  suspended its Commissioner for Special Duties, Auwalu Sankara.

The  Commissioner was, allegedly, involved in an untidy relationship  with another man’s wife.

On this particular day, he was  allegedly caught with the woman in an uncompleted building.

A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Bala Ibarahim,  on Saturday, stated that the Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, approved the immediate suspension of the Commissioner pending an investigation into the allegations made by the Kano State Hisbah.

The Kano State Hisbah Board had earlier detained the Commissioner after he was, reportedly seen with the married woman in an uncompleted building which belongs to him.

The Board’s Director General, Dr. Abba Sufi, confirmed the arrest of Sankara with the married woman on Friday evening.

The SSG explained that the decision to suspend the Commissioner  was informed by a need for a thorough investigation into the allegation, to ensure transparency and uphold the integrity of the State Government.

He emphasized   Governor Namadi’s commitment to accountability and adherence to ethical standards in governance.

“The suspension is a precautionary measure intended to facilitate a fair investigation.

“We take all allegations seriously and are dedicated to upholding the trust of Jigawa citizens in the government.”

The commissioner had, in a statement, denied the allegation and threatened to deal legally with those behind its circulation.

Police Neutralizes Two Members Of Enugu Deadly Abduction Gang

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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0
Nigerian Police

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Enugu state Police Command on Friday, October 18, 2024, announced the neutralization of two suspected kidnappers in the Nokpa-Nike area, Enugu East Local Council of the State.

The two suspected hoodlums were eliminated following an audacious and successful raid on their criminal hideout on Thursday October 17, by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Distress Response and Special Intervention Squad.

A statement by the  Command’s spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, DSP, said the raid was sequel to the receipt of actionable intelligence on the activities of the criminal elements.

“Upon the operatives arrival, the kidnappers opened fire, prompting a return of fire. In the process, two of the suspects were neutralized, while others fled with varying degrees of gunshot injuries .

A manhunt for the fleeing suspects and others linked to the syndicate is underway.

The police also said that its personnel were able to rescue a victim, as well as recover some dangerous weapons in the course of the raid on the kidnappers’ den.

“A male victim, identified as the Personal Assistant, PA, to a public figure ( names withheld ) kidnapped by the gang on September 27, 2024 in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, was rescued unharmed.

“During the operation, the police recovered one G-3 rifle ,two AK-47 rifles ,three magazines and one hundred and twenty five (125) rounds of live ammunition.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that this criminal group had demanded a ransom of forty Million Naira( N40 ..million) for the release of the victim.

“The group is also found to be responsible for several kidnappings within Enugu metropolis and its environs .Some of their members had previously been arrested and arraigned in court, with firearms and ammunition recovered from them”, part of the police statement reads.

Meanwhile, in line with its recent resolution, the Enugu state Government, according to the statement has already demolished the buildings which served as holden cells for the criminal gang.

The Police spokesman noted that the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, while commending the gallant efforts of the operatives, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment towards halting criminal activities in the state.

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