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Update: For Evans, The Kidnapper, It is Life Imprisonment

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike aka Evans

By Adesina Soyooye

For the notorious kidnapper,  Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popular as Evans, it is life behind bars till the end of his miserable life.

On Friday, February 25, the Honourable Justice Hakeem Oshodi sentenced him and two others to life imprisonment. His life-sentence colleagues are: Uchenna Amadi and Okechukwu Nwachukwu.

They were charged by the Lagos State Government over the kidnapping of  Donatus Duru, the Managing Director  of Maydon Pharmaceuticals. Duru was kidnapped at about 7.45pm along Obokun Street, in the Ilupeju area of Lagos in February 2017.

In condemning Evans, Justice Oshodi said that the convict tried to lie himself out of his heinous crime but that the video evidence of his confession before the Police was damning.

He noted that there was no sign of torture on his body, and that Evans freely confessed to his crime, and was even laughing about it while mentioning the names of his colleagues in crime. Even in the dock, the Judge noted, Evans showed no remorse.

Oshodi: ” He was seen freely laughing and willingly answered questions. A close look at his body showed no sign of torture. He did not look unkempt. He is seen laughing even when he was told that he must be a rich kidnapper.

“He showed no remorse in the dock and tried to lie his way out of the crime despite video evidence.”

Evans collected the sum of 223,000 Euros from Duru before he agreed to release him.

He was arraigned on August 17, 2017, after his arrest in his house at the high brow Magodo GRA, Phase 2, Lagos.

Evans is also facing other charges of kidnapping and alleged murder before the Honourable Justices Oluwatoyin Taiwo and Justice Adedayo Akintoye both of the Lagos High Court.

Kano Palace Reports Air Peace To NCAA, Seeks Punishment – For “Disrespecting: Emir

By
The Source
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By Adesina Soyooye

For, allegedly, disrespecting the Emir of Kano,  Ado Bayero, Nigeria’s largest Airline, Air Peace, has been petitioned against before the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The petition, dated Thursday, February 24, 2022, written by a cousin of the revered Emir, Isa Bayero, said that for not delaying its flight for the Emir to arrive and board, Air Peace has committed a cardinal sin.

The petition alleges that by doing that, the Airliner has not only disrespected the Emir of Kano but, also, the entire Kano people. He seeks punishment against Air Peace.

Isa Bayero said that they had boarded the Airline from Banjul, and were supposed to board a connecting flight, on the same Airline to Kano, on arrival to Nigeria. But Air Peace, he said, delayed its flight out of Banjul by over an hour. By the time they arrived Nigeria, it was 30 minutes to the departure of the airline to Kano. He said, he appealed to them to delay the Kano flight so as to accommodate the Emir and his entourage. They refused. He then decided to  put a call to the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema.

According to Isa Bayero, Onyema told him he couldn’t, and wouldn’t do that. “I, personally, took this as a flagrant show of disrespect to his highness and the Kano people at large,” Isa Bayero wrote.

He added that as if that was not enough, when they rebooked for the  next available fight, 7.00pm, after paying for a stay in a hotel, they were made to pay penalties for “no show” even though it was not their fault as the delay out of Banjul was that of the Airline.

Part of the complaint against Air Peace reads:

“We, 10 of us, including His Highness Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, Sarkin Kano and four other business class passengers, with additional other five economy class passengers, all boarded our return Air Peace flight No. P47776 from Banjul to Lagos.

“Our departure from Banjul was scheduled for 00:10hrs (local time) on 24th February, 2022. However, we departed Banjul at 01:19hrs and we landed at Lagos at 5:45am.

‘’Our connecting flight to Kano on the same Air Peace airline was for 6:15 hrs. This gave us only 30 minutes to make our flight to Kano.”

This was the point he asked the Airline to delay its flight out of Lagos to Kano. He was refused. He then decided to personally call Onyema. That failed.

Isa Bayero: “He (Onyema) flatly refused and avowed that he will not do that. I personally took this as an insult and a flagrant show of disrespect to his highness and the Kano people at large.

“Arriving international flights, departing aircrafts- local or international –  are often delayed to enable arriving passengers to join.

“Why should that be different with Air Peace Airline?

“Despite having to check into a hotel at personal cost, the airline also requested us to pay a “no-show” fee when they wanted to rebook the next available flight of the airline which was by 7pm.

“This is an extreme case of insensitivity and callousness.

“In view of the foregoing, I feel strongly aggrieved and demand your kind intervention for restitution and for appropriate measures to be taken to stop this unwholesome development from happening in the future.”

There has been no response or reaction from Air Peace or NCAA.

APC, PDP Have Failed; Lack Idea To Move Nigeria Forward – Majasan, Ondo NNPP Senatorial Aspirant

By
Ayodele Oni
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Seun Majasan

By Ayodele Oni

As preparations for the 2023 election gather momentum, a chieftain of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Ondo State chapter, Seun Majasan has advised Nigerians to dump the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC), and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that have been dominating the political scene since 1999.

According to him, the two parties, which have been exchanging political baton have failed Nigeria economically, socially, and in securing of lives and properties.

Majasan, who is Ondo central senatorial District hopeful said in Akure, that it is now obvious that both APC and PDP are bereft of new ideas that could move Nigeria forward.

He pointed out that rather than concentrating on governance, they now shift idea to how to loot the treasury at the detriment of the electorate.

The NNPP chieftain noted that Nigerians are in pain and there was hunger in the land, which is currently being compounded with long queues at the Petrol stations across the country.

“No jobs for fresh graduates, a situation that is encouraging them to resort to cyber crimes, rituals to earn a living, absolutely nothing is working in Nigeria today.

“The Youths are coming up and I see a New Nigeria with the NNPP where we can be proud to call ourselves Nigerians. This will happen in my lifetime.

“This is the right time old politicians that have been recycling themselves should quit the stage and allow for younger crops of intellectuals to pilot affairs of the country. This is youth O’ Clock, new Nigeria is possible with You and I.

“Politics is no longer for self seeking and treasury looters, anyone found guilty of corruption deserves to get capital punishment. Nigeria’s resources are in the hands of few ones. Things must change as we approach 2023 election. We must vote out the looters.

“We are suffering and smiling, for how long? This must change come 2023. We need brand new ideas to move Nigeria from its present challenges.

“Nigeria as it is presently constituted today is a crime scene. A criminal enterprise with most citizens awaiting their opportunity to rape and plunder the commonwealth.”

The Senatorial aspirant stated further that despite the mirage of problems, there is still hope for good governance that will midwife better and corruption free Nigeria.

I Forsee Great Potentials In This Bill

By
The Source
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Muhammadu Buhari

By Muhammadu Buhari

“Full Text of the address delivered by  President Muhammadu Buhari at the signing ceremony of the Electoral Bil Into Law, FRIDAY, 24TH FEBRUARY, 2022”

The Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2022, passed by the National* Assembly forwarded for Presidential Assent, via a letter dated 31st January, 2022. In line with* established tradition, I received inputs from relevant ministries, departments and agencies of government after careful and thorough reviews of the Bill and its implications to democratic processes in our country.

  1. It is gratifying to note that the current Bill comes with a great deal of improvement from the previous Electoral Bill 2021. There are salient and praiseworthy provisions that could positively revolutionize elections in Nigeria through the introduction of new technological innovations. These innovations would* guarantee the constitutional rights of citizens to vote and to do so effectively.
  2. The Bill would also improve and engender clarity, effectiveness and transparency of the election process, as well as reduce to the barest minimum incidences of acrimony arising from dissatisfied* candidates and political parties.
  3. These commendable efforts are in line with our policy to bequeath posterity and landmark legal framework that paves the way for credible and sound electoral process that we would all be proud of.
  4. Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of the National Assembly, from the review it is my perspective that the substance of the Bill is both reformative and progressive. I am making this bold declaration because I foresee the great potentials of the Bill. Worthy of note include the democratic efficacy of the Bill with particular reference to sections 3, 9(2), 34, 41, 47, 84(9), (10) and (11) among others.
  5. This however, cannot be said about one provision as contained in the proposed Bill, which provision constitutes fundamental defect, as it is in conflict with extant constitutional provisions.
  6. Section 84 (12) constitutes a disenfranchisement of serving political office holders from voting or being voted for at Conventions or Congresses of any political party, for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election in cases where it holds earlier than 30 days to the National Election. The section provides as follows:-

“No political appointee at any level shall be voting delegate or be voted for at the Convention or Congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election”.

  1. This provision has introduced qualification and disqualification criteria that ultra vires the Constitution by way of importing blanket restriction and disqualification to serving political office holders of which they are constitutionally accorded protection.
  2. The practical application of section 84(12) of the Electoral Bill, 2022 will, if assented to, by operation of law, subject serving political office holders to inhibitions and restrictions referred to under section 40 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
  3. It is imperative to note that the only constitutional expectation placed on serving political office holders that qualify, by extension as public officers within the context of the constitution is resignation, withdrawal or retirement at least 30 days before the date of the election.
  4. Hence, it will be stretching things beyond the constitutional limit to import extraneous restriction into the constitution on account of practical application of section 84(12) of the bill where political parties’ conventions and congresses were to hold earlier than 30 days to the election.
  5. Arising from the foregoing, with particular regards to the benefits of the Bill, industry, time, resources and energy committed in its passage, I hereby assent to the Bill and request the Nationally Assembly to consider immediate amendments that will bring the Bill in tune with constitutionality by way of deleting section 84(12) accordingly .

Thank you may God bless our country.

Buhari Signs Electoral Bill Into Law

By
Uche Mbah
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President Buhari
President Buhari

By Uche Mbah

After dilly-dallying and several back and forth with the Senate , President Muhammadu Buhari Friday signed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into Law.

At a signing ceremony held at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) Chambers at the Presidential Villa,  Buhari finally appended his signature to the Bill.

Present at the signing ceremony were Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Kayode Fayemi, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) .

Buhari sent the Bill to the National Assembly last January, which reworked it and sent it back to him.

But he was irked that the National Assmebly made Direct Primaries for political parties compulsory, and for that sent it back to the National Assembly.

According to him, the provision “violates the spirit of democracy”.

The Senate and House of Representatives bent backwards to accommodate his objections to make provisions for Indirect and Direct Primary, as well as consensus candidates.

The Bill, also, provides for Electronic Transmission of election results.

Evans, Guilty As Charged

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike aka Evans

By Adesina Soyooye

It took long to come with a lot of shenanigans from the high profile criminal. But Judgement was finally pronounced Friday morning by an Ikeja High Court.

The verdict: Guilty as charged.

The Honourable Justice Hakeem Oshodi, in a well crafted judgement on Friday, February 25, 2022, found Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, popular as Evans, guilty of the kidnap charges brought against him and others in the case of the kidnapping of the Managing Director of  Maydon Pharmaceutical Limited, Donatus Duru.

Convicted with him were Uche Amadi and Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu.

However, three others charged with them, a female, Ogechi Uchechukwu, and two former soldiers, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Aduba, were discharged and acquitted for lack of sufficient evidence.

Justice Oshodi said based on the mountain of evidence before the Court, the Prosecution proved its case against Evans and two others.

Details later

Banking: World Leaders Mull Removing Russia From SWIFT System

By
Bayo Bernard
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Russian President Vladimir Putin.

European Union leaders have been considering what some are calling the “nuclear option” of removing Russia from SWIFT, a high security network that connect thousands of financial institutions around the world, following the invasion of Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden said Thursday that removing Russia from SWIFT is not the direction the rest of Europe wants to go in at this moment, but noted that taking the nation out of the network is “always an option.”

“The sanctions that we’ve proposed on all their banks are of equal consequence, maybe more consequence than SWIFT,” Biden said, referring to the latest round of sanctions he announced today.

The Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba on Thursday urged the West to ban Russia from SWIFT in a tweet. Earlier on Thursday, CNN reported that the EU was undecided as to whether to cut Russia off from SWIFT and that EU nations were split over the decision.

But what is SWIFT, and what could it mean for Russia? The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication was founded in 1973 to replace the telex and is now used by over 11,000 financial institutions to send secure messages and payment orders. With no globally accepted alternative, it is essential plumbing for global finance.

Removing Russia from SWIFT would make it nearly impossible for financial institutions to send money in or out of the country, delivering a sudden shock to Russian companies and their foreign customers — especially buyers of oil and gas exports denominated in US dollars.

“The cutoff would terminate all international transactions, trigger currency volatility, and cause massive capital outflows,” Maria Shagina, a visiting fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, wrote in a paper last year for Carnegie Moscow Center. Excluding Russia from SWIFT would cause its economy to shrink by 5%, former finance minister Alexei Kudrin estimated in 2014.

SWIFT is based in Belgium and governed by a board consisting of 25 people, including Eddie Astanin, chairman of the management board at Russia’s Central Counterparty Clearing Centre. SWIFT, which describes itself as a “neutral utility,” is incorporated under Belgian law and must comply with EU regulations.

What happens if Russia is removed? There is precedent for removing a country from SWIFT.

SWIFT unplugged Iranian banks in 2012 after they were sanctioned by the European Union over the country’s nuclear program. Iran lost almost half of its oil export revenue and 30% of foreign trade following the disconnection, according to Shagina.

“SWIFT is a neutral global cooperative set up and operated for the collective benefit of its community,” the organization said in a statement in January. “Any decision to impose sanctions on countries or individual entities rests solely with the competent government bodies and applicable legislators,” it added.

It’s not clear how much support there is among US allies for taking similar action against Russia. The United States and Germany have the most to lose if Russia is disconnected, because their banks are the most frequent SWIFT users to communicate with Russian banks, according to Shagina.

The European Central Bank has warned lenders with significant exposure to Russia to prepare for sanctions against Moscow, according to the Financial Times. ECB officials have also asked banks how they would respond to scenarios including a move to prevent Russian banks accessing SWIFT.

CNN

Celebrating Bail For Mr Chika Nwoba – The Incaserated PDP Publicity Secretary, Ebonyi State

By
The Source
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Anyim Pius Anyim

By Anyim Pius Anyim

The bail granted the Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, Ebonyi State, Nwoba Chika Nwoba, calls for, not only celebration, but deep thoughts about the danger democracy is running into in Ebonyi State.

It will be recalled that Nwoba was abducted in a commando-style on January 9, 2021, by known officers and agents of the Ebonyi State Government under the dreaded Ebubeagu outfit. The swift intervention of the State PDP Deputy Chairman, who invited the police to the scene, saved Nwoba from being killed by his abductors.

To the bewilderment of all, rather than arresting the culprits, the police turned around to detain Nwoba until January 26 when he was arraigned in court; for the following offence:

“That you Nwoba Chika Nwoba “M” on the 23rd day of September, 2020 at Ikwo L.G.A. within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did knowingly and intentionally publish and circulate message via your Facebook Profile (known as Nwoba Chika Nwoba) and falsely credited it to David Umahi, which is a statement, grossly offensive and likely to disturb public peace knowing or having reason to believe that such statement, report is false which statement reads:

“the truth is that the people in Gov. David Umahi’s government are not happy. They have a lot of vital information to leak to the public. What their problem has been overtime is, who’ll have the guts to air it out and not uncover the source….”

The offence for which Mr. Nwoba was charged brings to the fore the fact that any fair comment on Ebonyi State Government talk less mentioning the name of Gov. David Umahi is certain to be punishable by either death or torture or unlawful incarceration or indefinite detention via the instrumentation of a subdued magistrate under a charge that has no place in a democratic society.    

The celebration today is not just because Nwoba has been granted bailed, but because he is alive and that the Deputy Chairman was available and intervened to disrupt the abduction. Otherwise, he would have disappeared to be found death like many others. 

Nwoba’s abduction is only one of the many cases of killings, maiming and intimidation of the opposition or any person that holds dissent opinion in Ebonyi state since Governor David Umahi defected from the PDP to the APC in 2020.

In another bizarre development, the governor on January 25, 2022, without reason or cause, directed that Linus Okorie, a former Member of the House of Representatives, be declared wanted and followed up same by sending the dreaded Ebubeagu to besiege his Abakaliki home in an attempt to abduct him. His saving grace was that he was not at home at the time of the invasion.

On the 21/2/2022, the seat of the Deputy Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Odefa Obasi Odefa, was dramatical declared vacant on a bizarre allegation that he had resigned from his membership of the House of Assembly. In doing this, the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly did not even consider the integrity of the House in raising such claim. We look forward to seeing the reaction of the Ebonyi State Police Command now that Mr. Odefa has clarified that his signature was forged and he is only been hunted because he affirmed his inability to defect to APC. True to the reign of terror in Ebonyi State, deadly hoodlums numbering over 50 were dispatched to surround his country home with unclear intentions. It took the firm resolve of youths of the community to dislodge them and save the Deputy Speaker and his family from evident danger. 

Just today, the same House of Assembly in another childlike drama purportedly declared the seat of two more members, Oliver Ossi and Ngozi Eziulo vacant, for the same reason of reaffirming their membership of the PDP.

As a leader of a party built on the rule of law, the PDP, and a defender of democracy, I remain resolute in conjunction with other leaders, in using all lawful means to protect the citizens and obtain justice for the oppressed, aggrieved and all victims of the nefarious activities sponsored by the State Government. If the Ebonyi State House of Assembly and their master cares, they can declare the whole of Ebonyi State House of Assembly vacant, that will not change the resolve of the 9 out of 24 members that have vowed to remain in PDP. In the same vein, no amount of torture, killing or abduction will change the resolve of all well-meaning citizens of Ebonyi State from remaining in the party of their choice the PDP. 

I, therefore, urge all Ebonyians to remain steadfast; even in the face of intimidation, killings and suppression, as all necessary actions are being taken to ensure that the State is rescued and made greater in 2023.

The will of the people, working together, is stronger than the combination of guns of these official killers rampaging the state.

Finally, I welcome Chika Nwoba back to freedom and the warmth and love of his immediate family that has been truncated by a government we all worked hard to install in the hope that it will ensure our welfare and security. Chika must not be intimidated into silence or acquiescence because of this experience, for success always comes after much struggles.

Let me reassure all that evil lasts only for a time. We shall overcome.

Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON.

Former President of the Senate

Youth Movement In Ondo Vows To Demand For Rights

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Youth Movement in Ondo State

By Ayodele Oni

In an attempt to give youths a sense of belonging and positions in 2023, a new Socio-political group, in Ondo state, Akoko North Intellectual Youth movement  (ANIYOM) has been formed.

The formation took place at Okeagbe, in Akoko North West Local government area.

The group, it was learnt, came into existence on the 23rd of January 2022 with the aim of putting a stop at mortgaging the future of Akoko North youths.

Membership spreads across Akoko North West and North East Local governments, as well as National congress of Akoko Students, Nigeria youth council, and Akoko youth Forum.

The body is also made up of non-indigenes -Igbo, Hausa, Ebira, and Fulani, youth groups in political parties, Youths in Agricuture, Special Work Programme, National Union of Local Government Employees and Nigeria Union of Teachers.

The Convener, a foremost Youths Administrator in Ondo state,  Evangelist Olumuyiwa Asagunla, said the Youth group is a grassroots socio-political movement, aimed at playing vital role during next year’s general election.

Chief Asagunla, who has been mentoring the  movement, explained that: “Since 1999, our Federal Constituency, just like others within Ondo North Senatorial District, has not had meaningful representation.

“It’s one of the moments in the anals of our history that when right people are entrusted with public responsibilities, they must be accountable to those people they represent.

“Therefore, the recent political activities in Nigeria demand  inclusive participation and involvement of young people in politics, as the only sustainable panacea to achieving growth and development.

“It’s in this spirit that we the youths of Akoko North Federal Constituency agree to come together under one umbrella to organise ourselves into a socio-political movement in defence of  our democracy, promote political interests and attract dividends of democracy to the constituency at all levels of governance.

“That such agenda will be pursued by all within the component elements of the movement to the glory of God and benefits of mankind.

“As we all know that the might of youths in politics can’t be underrated, as well as underestimated, if they are  actively involve in politics.

“This Galant movement (ANIYOM) will help to separate bad leaders from good ones in Akoko North federal constituency and by extension Akoko land generally.

“This movement is ready to eradicate voters apathy and Mortgaging the future of our dear constituency. All we  clamour for is good representation and Youths inclusiveness in political matter in Akoko land.”

Chief Asagunla explained further that the movement is working to expand its tentacles to other Local governments in Akoko land and states in the nearest future.

Soldiers Rout Alleged IPOB/ESN Camps, Uncover Bodies Of Murdered Victms Dumped In Deep Well

By
The Source
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0
Soliders in Imo State

By Charles Igbo

The Nigerian Army says it has routed the camps of those it described as criminals who had put residents and travellers through hell in Azia-Orsumoghu-Lilu-Ihiala in  Anambra and Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.

For weeks, those areas take the cake as the most dangerous in the South-east area of Nigeria.

According  to the Army, in a release signed by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the successful operations held  on Wednesday, February 23 and Thursday, February 24, 2022.

During what Nwachukwu called clearance operations, Soldiers overpowered and trounced the criminals. They also discovered decomposing bodies, apparently, of kidnapped victims who were murdered and dumped in a deep well.

The troops neutralized one of the criminals and arrested three suspects. They also recovered “one Pump Action Shotgun,  two live Cartridges,  two mobile phones, One black coloured Toyota Hilux vehicle, and a polythene bag containing substances suspected to be Cannabis.”

Brigadier-General Nwachukwu’s statement reads:

“Troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army on Wednesday, 23, February, 2022, conducted Operations to clear criminal havens, from where members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN) operate at Azia, Orsumoghu, Lilu Forest, Mbosi and Uli in Ihiala and Orsu Local Government Areas of Anambra and Imo States respectively.

“During the clearance operations, troops overpowered and routed the dissidents, who staged an ambush against the gallant troops.

“The troops then proceeded to clear Lilu Forest, where they were met with resistance from the outlawed group.

“The criminals were, again, over-ran by the troops who effectively cleared Lilu Forest and the adjoining areas earlier occupied by the dissidents.

“During the clearance operations, the troops uncovered decomposing remains of kidnapped and murdered victims dumped in a deep well by members of the irredentist groups.

“While conducting the operations, the unrelenting troops encountered and cleared four ambush sites along roads Orsumoghu-Mbosi – Ihiala-Uli, dislodging the irredentists from their criminal havens.

“The gallant troops neutralized one of the criminals, arrested three suspects and recovered one Pump Action Shotgun,  two live Cartridges,  two mobile phones, One black coloured Toyota Hilux vehicle, a polythene bag containing substances suspected to be Cannabis and the sum of #1, 920.

“In a separate operation conducted today, 24, February, 2022, troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army in collaboration with the Nigerian Police have bursted an IPOB/ESN syndicate that disrupted the just concluded Local Government Council elections at some polling stations in Nkanu West of Enugu State.

“During the intelligence driven operation, carried out around Centenary Estate Obeagu Uno, troops uncovered 7 AK 47 rifles, 2 Pump Action rifles, 10 rifle Magazines, 8 live cartridges, 74 live rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, one hand grenade, a tipper truck containing 3 corpses among other items.

“The items have been handed over to Enugu State Police Command for further action.

“The Nigerian Army reassures residents of South East Nigeria of our commitment to restoring lasting peace in the region.”

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