Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
By Adesina Soyooye
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, chose the day set aside to celebrate women all over the World – International Women’s Day – to mock Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The two clashed on the floor of the Senate over a new seating allocation to Akpoti-Uduaghan, but it boiled over when Akpabio refused to allow Akpoti-Uduaghan make a contribution from her old seat. She refused to go to the new seat.
Flowing from that, in an interview with Arise Television, she accused Akpabio of maltreating her because she refused to give in to his inappropriate solicitations.
That has since resulted in a couple of legal suits – one by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio and an aide of his, and the other by an infuriated Mrs Unoma Akpabio against Akpoti-Uduaghan. It also earned Akpoti-Uduaghan a six-month suspension from the Senate.
Akpabio has since denied he ever made such solicitations, but on March 8, while speaking at a function in Abuja to mark the International Women’s Day, Akpabio mocked Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Aside from denying any such incident took place, he said that all the men Akpoti-Uduaghan had, earlier, accused of harassing her se3ually, came out smelling of roses; that the allegations were proved to be false.
Akpabio: “This is said to have happened on December 8, a day to my birthday which was celebrated in the Stadium in 2023. So, from December 8, 2023, I never heard, my wife never heard, no Nigerian ever heard, even the husband never heard any issue of sexual harassment until her committee was changed and then her seat was changed.
“Have you ever wondered about the trauma caused by that same woman on the other people she has accused in the past. None has been proven so far. Do you even wonder the trauma this caused to the 10th Senate and the image of the Senate with all these useless allegations. I have refrained myself from making a statement.”
He added that he had come across many beautiful women and none had accused her of such misconduct, and wondered why she thought herself more beautiful than the other women.
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to leveraging sports as a tool for job creation and wealth generation.
Oyebanji, who stated this during an inspection of ongoing renovation of Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado Ekiti, emphasized that sports in the state would no longer be regarded solely as a recreational activity, but as a strategic platform for empowering athletes.
The Governor, who expressed dismay at the poor conditions under which the athletes train, assured them that such situation would soon become a thing of the past as the administration is determined to revamp the stadium to meet international standard.
He also hinted that his government has awarded over Seven billion naira contract for the construction of a state- of- the – art indoor sports hall, which is expected to be completed before the end of his administration.
The governor assured the athletes that his administration would continue to provide enabling environment for them to thrive, which include modern facilities and training programmes that would position them to compete effectively at national and international levels.
He charged them to remain diligent and concentrate on their goals and take advantage of the opportunities his administration is creating to develop their talents.
“I came here this morning in continuation of what we started yesterday just to look at what is happening at the stadium. I recall that I was here last year, I went round and I did not like what I saw and I promised that we are going to revamp sports in Ekiti State.
“If you look at the six pillars of our administration, one of them is human capital development, that is where sport development is and I made a promise that we will use sport as an avenue to create job and wealth.
“Sport will no longer be a recreation activities, it will be a platform for sport lovers in sporting activities to make money and we can only do that if we put in place structures and buildings that will allow you to exhibit your potentials.”
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has observed that the future of democracy is deeply tied to the empowerment of women and their full participation in the electoral process.
The Commission reaffirmed on Saturday that it is committed to creating an environment for women to participate and be active collaborators in shaping the nation’s electoral landscape, adding that gender equality will remain a priority for INEC in all areas of its work.
In a statement to mark the International Women’s Day by the Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, the electoral body said it was committed to breaking down the barriers women face, including societal expectations, lack of support systems, and gender-based violence.
It urged all Nigerians to join in advancing gender equality, not only in the electoral process but across all aspects of life.
It added that when women are empowered to take leadership roles and given equal opportunities, Nigeria’s democracy will be stronger, governance will be more inclusive, and the future will be brighter for everyone.
The Commission revealed that it is working on policies that will encourage greater participation of women at all levels of the electoral process, from candidates to voters, from election administrators to party representatives.
The statement reads: “Today, as the Commission celebrates the International Women’s Day, it reaffirms its commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women in Nigeria’s electoral process.
“International Women’s Day highlights both the remarkable contributions women have made in society, including within the electoral system, and the need for further efforts toward true gender parity.
“INEC has made significant strides in ensuring women’s inclusion and representation within its leadership and decision-making bodies.
“As the theme for the 2025 International Women’s Day is ‘Accelerate Action,’ INEC recognizes that gender equality is not only a matter of fairness, but also a critical pillar in strengthening democracy.
“A leadership that reflects gender balance, where women equally participate in decision-making, leads to more inclusive and responsive governance.
“INEC continues to make efforts to ensure that women hold leadership positions within the Commission.”
The statement stated further that under the current leadership composition at INEC, two of the 12 National Commissioners are women, making up 16.7% of the total leadership, adding that while this is a notable milestone, there is still work to be done in achieving gender balance in this decision-making body.
It said further that position of secretary, responsible for overseeing INEC’s operations, is held by a woman while four of the current 32 Resident Electoral Commissioners are women, accounting for 12.5% of this critical leadership group.
Denies five Governors are in support of Obi/El-Rufai ticket
Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has clarified that there is no division among members of the forum on the choice of Presidential candidate for 2027 election.
He denied speculations that five of their members were in support of an El-Rufai/ Obi 2027 Presidential ticket.
The PDP Governors Forum, Chairman, made the remark in a statement signed on his behalf by the forum’s Director-General, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, on Saturday.
He said, it is incumbent on the PDP Governors’ Forum through its leadership anchored by the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, to openly denounce the rumor seen as handiwork of the ruling party.
“Unsatisfied with the results their clones have gotten in the low-willed factions they keep financing within our party structure, they have proceeded with direct confrontation on the Governors towards creating a one-party entrapment.
“This is with intention to split the opposition and thereby cripple democratic institutions and values through questionable adoptions and misinterpretation of the law, all to strangle the lifeline of our nation to enforce dictatorship and one-party rule.
“The PDP Governors’ Forum is not in consonance with these actors, neither does it enjoy any ambience of political space to discuss nor seal the auction of the PDP through lowlife grifters, who are allegedly working behind the scenes to support a “potential Nasir El-Rufai/Peter Obi presidential ticket in the 2027 election.
“As a formidable party, all organs of the party have continually been engaged in attaining reconciliation across the board and reconsolidation of progressive development made in our Subnational to ameliorate the lives of our people.
“It is obvious that these mischief makers and detractors, who are bewildered at the way and manner PDP Governors are daily performing to pull the people out of economic hardship despite the intimidation by the ruling APC, are only intimidated and can only throw mud at our good works.
“In the world of politics, rumors and speculations are common, as such, we will not allow these ‘Enemies of Progress’ and ‘Agents of Confusion’ to gaslight the Nigerian people to draw wrong and erroneous conclusions.
“Our principles are for equity, social justice, sincerity of purpose, accountability, enthronement of undefiled electoral process, enhancement of the lives of the people, and propagation of humanity.
“Suffice it for us to irrevocably state here that in 2027, PDP Governors as disciplined leaders and stakeholders will exemplify this by wholeheartedly supporting whoever emerges as the flag-bearer of our great party in the battle to wrestle power from the non-performers at the centre.
“As a creed we all share, the dreams of the founding fathers of our great party will not be in vain.”
A former Senator and prolific commentator on National issues, Shehu Sani, has slammed the National Population Commission (NPC) over its request for nearly a trillion naira to conduct a National Census. He described it as “sheer madness”.
The NPC had proposed a budget of N942 billion for the national housing and population census scheduled for this year.
However, reports indicated that President Bola Tinubu turned down the request, instead considering the deployment of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members for the exercise.
Arrangement for the national headcount had peaked during the administration of former President Mohammadu Buhari but had to be postponed at the inception of President Tinubu’s government.
Reacting to the development, Sani, in a post on X on Saturday, applauded Tinubu for rejecting the proposal outright.
“National Population Commission request for almost a trillion naira just to count the number of Nigerians is total madness.
“The rejection of their budget is commendable,” Shehu Sani wrote on his verified page.
Does CAN not remember that Schools are closed, nationwide, during Easter and Christmas – both Christian Festivals – for between two weeks and one month?
Over the week, there have been discussions brought about by the CAN’s rejection of the closure of schools in some predominantly Muslim states in the North. Along the line I saw another article published by the Daily Trust on the same subject, but that one is by a Muslim, or at least someone bearing a Muslim name, at least I don’t know his faith.
It is only this morning I took some time off the assessment of my students to read the articles. It is not fair to react to a statement one has not read.
I read the press release by the Christian Association of Nigeria a few times over, per chance I might find some wisdom. Unfortunately, I couldn’t. CAN is its usual self, apprehensive of anything Islamic out of fear for losing relevance. Christianity in Nigeria, like I always say, is only surviving because of Islam. For example, if Muslims were to stop going on hajj, all the Christian pilgrims’ boards including the central one in Abuja will die off naturally. It is only when Muslims speak about Shariah that Christians remember that there is something called Ecclesiastical law which most of them know little about. The examples are many.
This time around, CAN understands that closing schools “for an extended period disrupts academic schedules and threatens the educational advancement of millions of students”. What CAN has forgotten is that Nigerian schools have always been closed for the same “extended period” of at least one month since our colonial days for the purpose of Christian festivals. In fact, the Nigerian school calendar is designed to close all schools for at least two weeks each for Easter and Christmas celebrations. These Christian holidays have been officially recognized and embedded in our school calendar in a so-called secular country. If CAN were concerned about religious balance as they falsely claim, they would have advocated for the cancellation of Christmas and Easter holidays and proposed something neutral.
Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the signatory to the press release wanted Nigerians to believe that closure of schools during Ramadan would compromise the education of Christian children and devalue Christian communities in the North. This is an admission by the CAN President that education of Nigerian Muslim children has always been compromised and that Nigerian Muslims have no value in Nigeria since their children are forced to remain out of schools for Christian festivals.
I am waiting for CAN President and his team to go to court as they have threatened. What I would like to assure them is that Nigerian Muslims are now wiser. CAN hasn’t yet seen nothing. All traces of Christianity as imposed on other Nigerians must be removed from our national life. It is just a matter of time.
The opening argument of the Daily Trust writer is that there is no single injunction by Islam mandating the closure of schools in Ramadan. I wish he told us where Islam mandates the closure of schools for Christmas and Easter. Islam is a complete way of life. Isn’t that what he is trying to argue out? Does Islam not prevent us from blind copying of Jews and Christians?
From the beginning, Muslims have been paying for the unity of the North and indeed Nigeria with their religion and in some cases their blood. This must stop somewhere. If we are to remain united, then the rights of Muslims must be recognized and given.
The people who colonized us were Christians. That explains why Christianity is embedded in almost every aspect of our national life. Now that Muslims are saying no, some people are shouting unity. A shared Northern identity? Yes. One Nigeria? Yes. One religion? No, we are Muslims and would not continue to accept the imposition of another religion on us.
Finally, let me call on our Governors and indeed the Federal Government to embark on a comprehensive reform of our school system with a view to making it in line with our values and beliefs. All neocolonial items should be removed.
Over the past two weeks, we have witnessed a number of events at the Nigerian Senate, which have left some of us shell-shocked. It is quite common for arguments and battles of all kinds to break out in the National Assembly. It is not easy for so many representatives of their people to get along without ruffling each other’s feathers. However, what we have all witnessed recently cannot be considered normal. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, wanted to speak from the floor of the Senate. She was not recognised to speak because her seat had been moved. She refused to proceed to her new seat because she felt undermined and disrespected. Apparently, Senator Natasha had been bottling in a number of grievances against her colleagues, especially the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio. She then went on to make allegations of sexual harassment against the Senate President on national television.
After she dropped the bomb, there was a flurry of activities. Senator Ireti Kingibe, a serving female Senator and two former female Senators – Senator Abiodun Olujimi and Senator Florence ita-Giwa, were invited to share their views. All three Senators are older friends or at least acquaintances of mine, and I have a lot of respect for them. However, I found their submissions extremely disappointing. It is one thing to argue that it is important to follow the rules. I don’t think anyone will insist on flouting the rules of such an important institution, especially if they are applied fairly and not subjectively. It was however clear that Senator Natasha felt beleaguered, and she believed that there was a score the Senate President wanted to settle with her. If this was the case, then I would have expected the three Senators to support a process that would enable Senator Natasha shed light on her serious allegations of sexual harassment (beyond national television) and for the Senate President to defend himself in a transparent manner. To my horror, none of the female Senators deemed it necessary to stand up for another woman. Even if, in their opinion, Senator Natasha was misguided on matters of process and temperament, she was still entitled to have her fears and concerns heard. It is so painful that all three of them missed an opportunity to see the bigger picture, and address the constant intimidation, gaslighting and belittling women in leadership positions go through.
I was shocked to hear Senator Florence Ita-Giwa claim that ‘if you are a Senator as a woman, no one can harass you’. On July 12th, 2016, Senator Dino Melaye threatened to assault and impregnate his female colleague, Senator Oluremi Tinubu on the floor of the Senate, and ‘nothing will happen’. That unbelievable insult was not only directed at Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who is now the First Lady of the country, but to all Nigerian women who venture into public life in various capacities. Before our very eyes, in this country we live in, several senior female politicians have been insulted and disrespected by other male politicians at one point or the other. Most women in leadership positions have to contend with patriarchal odds overwhelmingly stacked against them, so they learn survival skills to help them conserve their energy and live to fight another day. It is an understandable strategy, but not always a wise one when you have an opportunity to close ranks and make a point that will go a long way in demanding a new culture of respect for women in leadership.
To all the women who have publicly taken a position against Senator Natasha, I have news for you. You are not fighting the same battle as most of the male Senators or the men around us who have also aired their views. You are not on the same page, you are not even reading the same book. If it was just about Senator Natasha following the rules and not disrupting the space for women in politics, the problem can be easily fixed. I am sure if Senator Natasha takes the time to familiarise herself with Senate rules and proceedings (assuming she has not done so already) this will make her work in the Senate more productive.
However, this is not what is at play here. What is happening is a full-scale war on women in public life, with clear lines drawn. Women need to wake up! We need to do battle with the powerful forces that want women to keep being silent in the face of provocation and abuse, those who have a penchant for using women against women and those who dangle carrots and sticks while we dance and perform for them. We don’t have to like Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. She does not need to be liked or admired. Yet, she needs to be respected, heard, and allowed justice. The misogyny in high places this case has revealed is unsettling. One of Senator Natasha’s colleagues, Senator Peter Nwebonyi, Deputy Chief Whip, had the audacity to go on television to allege that Senator Natasha has X number of children for X number of men (a claim that is untrue) therefore her allegations of sexual harassment should be disregarded. Really? Coming from a place where many of the leaders there have households straight out of the popular family comedy ‘Fuji House of Commotion’.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
My heart broke when one of the female ‘protesters for hire’ said she was protesting because they do not want ‘stubborn women’ like Senator Natasha. Her words might have sounded like the rants of an illiterate, but those are the sentiments of the powerful people who surround Senator Natasha. She is too opinionated, stubborn, uncontrollable, all the things no woman is meant to be. They want women who are quiet, humble, play by the rules (as set by them) and who literally and figuratively, keep their heads down. Since we only have 4 women out of 109 Senators, it is no surprise that the ‘Landlords’ will always make sure the ‘Tenants’ know their place. The moment you forget, you will be forcefully reminded. If you are in doubt, seek out the footage of proceedings at the Lagos State House of Assembly on March 3rd.
What happened in the Senate chambers on March 6th 2025 was a travesty. The impunity and disregard were breathtaking. The Senate President should have demonstrated leadership by allowing someone else to receive the petition against him. You cannot sit in judgement over a case that involves you. As if that was not bad enough, there was a rush to suspend Senator Natasha for six months, minus her privileges, even when there are court rulings that suspending legislators for more than 14 days is detrimental to their representational functions. This was clearly designed to humiliate, punish and demean Senator Natasha as much as possible.
Time and history will be the judge of all concerned. In my own opinion, this is not about Senator Natasha. This is about all the women who venture into leadership positions, who have to contend with hostile working environments, who have to live through their private lives being picked apart, and who have to struggle to balance all their professional and personal obligations. To those who have been asking the foolish question, is she the only one? why don’t you start by asking all the women in your life what they have gone through to get where they are.
As we mark (I can’t find it in me to celebrate) another International Women’s Day on March 8th, it would serve us well as Nigerian women to know which battles we want to fight and what wars are worth winning. We all need to stand and fight for ourselves, the war is not against one woman.
#IstandwithSenatorNatasha.
Adeleye-Fayemi is the immediate past First Lady of Ekiti State
The Nigerian Human Rights Community, NHRC, a Civil Society Group has called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to set up an Independent Panel of Inquiry to investigate the invasion of Ikeja Electricity by armed state actors.
The Nigeria’s largest Coalition of Human Rights Groups said the Panel should identify those responsible for the rascally act and bring them to justice. It described the invasion as usurpation of civilian authority and a conscious attempt that undermines democracy in Nigeria.
The coalition established in 2003 with 135 members spread across the country condemned the invasion of Ikeja Electricity Company by armed men of the Nigerian Airforce a couple of days ago.
In a statement at the weekend, the Nigerian Human Rights Community, (NHRC) said the invasion was an act of violence unleashed on a corporate organisation by the Nigerian Airforce.
It said it represents a major test for President Tinubu’s attitude towards creating enabling environmental for foreign and local investments in Nigeria apart from being an acid test for the Government’s committment to human rights and sustainable development in Nigeria.
It stated that the attitude of the Presidency will determine if the Government tacitly supports brigandage and unconstitutional acts by people in uniform or not, the group said.
The coalition said it is prepared to challenge the invasion using all local and international legal instruments of which Nigeria is fully committed.
“Invasion of private or corporate institutions by armed Airforce or soldiers should be a thing of the past after 25 years of post military rule. The orders for the invasion by some senior officers violated the Nigerian constitution and portrayed the country as facing the prospect of brute force intervention, yet with an elected President, in a democracy”, the coalition said in a statement signed by its National President Adewale Adeoye, General Secretary and regional officials Digifa David Weri and Kudu Abubakar.
The group said: “We are appalled that in this century, armed soldiers could forcefully enter the corporate headquarters of a strategic service provider, beat up its staff, destroy property and even threaten to shoot the workers. This is savage and shows a lack of discipline and professionalism on the part of the airforce men.”
The coalition said even though it was unusual that the Airforce base was denied Electricity for 12 days, it is not enough justification to resort to violence and banditry in pursuant of their cause.
It noted that if every aggrieved Nigerian or association resorts to violence to register their grievances, the result would be anarchy at the state and Federal levels.
“The Nigerian Airforce performs critical roles linked to National Security. The constant provision of electricity is key to optimum performance. This is understandable”, but added that there is no way the choice of violent armed attacks and invasion of Ikeja Electricity offers the best solution.
“Democracy and dialogue are slow but remain the surest and legitimate means of conflict resolution. Violence, no matter the provocation, can never replace the dictates of the constitution,” the coalition said.
It noted that the Airforce should be made to pay compensation to the company and the victims for the damages and the destructive attacks carried out by the armed men.
It said to allow the issue to be swept under the carpet will set a bad precedent for the country.
The coalition said the Airforce has many options available which included continuous dialogue, involvement of the Presidency, the Service Chiefs and the National Assembly for immediate intervention which might involve the purchase of high powered generators temporarily to cater for special security needs.
“If the Airforce has a good case, the resort to violence, destruction of corporate property and savage assaults on Ikeja Electricity workers has annulled any justification they may have.
“This issue should not be swept under the carpet. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly are strongly urged to set up an independent Panel of inquiry to identify the remote causes, the officers involved and to ascertain the extent of damage done to the property of the organisation towards compensation.
The NHRC also called for a National Dialogue on energy provision for millions of Nigerians saying that efficient, transparent and affordable energy provision remains the only way to the country-s industrial, economic and social upliftment.
The detained leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kalu, on Saturday March 8, 2025 ,expressed appreciation ,to the Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun for promptly responding to his appeal for her intervention in the issue of reassigning his trial to. another Judge.
The Source reports that the trial of the IPOB leader has, in the last two hearings, suffered serious disruptions, owing to Kanu’s rejection of his continued trial by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High court Abuja .
Mazi Kanu, during a previous hearing had requested Justice Nyako to recuse herself from the case on the grounds that he no long had trust in her abilities to dispense justice in his case before her.
His request,was obliged by the trial judge, who subsequently ,transferred the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court Abuja the Honourable Justice John Tsoho .
Curiously, the Chief Judge returned the case file to Justice Nyako, a development that forced the IPOB leader to tongue-lash the system and flatly remained adamant on not being ready to submit himself to Justice Nyako for continued trial.
Kanu, who is standing trial on alleged terrorism-related charges, also vowed to remain perpetually in detention instead of allowing Justice Nyako to continue his trial.
However, on Saturday, March 8, his legal team led by Aloy Ejimako in a statement, disclosed that the trial of the IPOB leader has finally been reassigned to another Judge .
He however did not reveal the identity of the new judge.
Following is the full text of the statement from Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer.
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case finally reassigned to another Judge
Yesterday, before the legal team conducted our routine visitation to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, we received two separate official letters regarding his case. The letters are momentous.
One letter was from the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, responding to a recent letter we had written to her, seeking her prompt administrative intervention (as the administrative head of Nigerian Judiciary) on the matter of a proper and lawful reassignment of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case, following the recusal of the Judge that was conducting it.
The other letter was from the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, informing us that the case has been reassigned to another Judge of the Federal High Court.
Consequent upon these latest developments, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu instructed the legal team to publicly convey his sincere gratitudes to the Chief Justice of Nigeria for her sound administrative discretions and the despatch with which she responded to our request. He also expressed his profound appreciations to members of the general public who publicly expressed their support to our righteous demands that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case be reassigned to another Judge, as the law demands.
To be sure, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has always been ready to take his trial because he is firmly convinced of his innocence. But the perverse events of the past six months (from September 2024, when the recusal happened) posed portent dangers to his constitutional rights, particularly his right to fair and speedy hearing. It was in view of these untoward developments that we were propelled to resort to taking extraordinary measures to ensure that his case is properly reassigned and conducted in accordance with the law.
So, now that the first steps have been taken by the authorities to do the lawful thing, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his legal team shall take stock and hanker down to the zealous preparation of his defense.
An Abia State billionaire- businessman, Chief Lawson Obasi, has been abducted by gunmen.
Obasi, who is the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Petroleum Retailers Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, was, according to the Association, abducted at about 7.00pm on March 4, 2025. He also owns SOBAZ Oil and Gas, Azumini, Abia State. He is big in oil and gas business.
While he was abducted, his abductors, in the process, shot dead his driver, identified as Anayo Ukwu, and his Special Assistant, Conference Chijoke who was, also, the Vice President of the Association in Rivers State. Both men were in same car with Chief Obasi.
Ironically, the Chief had three Police Escorts with him, all of whom escaped from the heat of the fire.
In a statement, Joseph Obele, PETROAN National Publicity Secretary, said Obasi’s vehicle was ambushed by his abductors who killed his two Aides on the spot, and violently abducted him.
Part of the statement reads: “The incident occurred on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at around 7.00pm, when Chief Obasi Lawson’s SUV was ambushed, resulting in the death of his driver, Mr Anayo Ukwu, and his Special Assistant, Mazi Confidence Chijoke, who were with him. Meanwhile the three Policemen with them escaped.”
Reacting to the incident in a statement on Friday, the Abia State Police Command confirmed the abduction of Chief Obasi and the killing of his Special Assistant and Driver.
According to the Command, on March 4, a report was received from Sergeant George Gubi Ernest that ASP Tanko Natip, Inspector Ernest and himself all of the Special Protective Unit, SPU, Base 6, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, were assigned as Escorts to Chief Obasi Lawson. They traveled to Arochukwu, Abia State with him.
At about 13:00hrs, according to the Police report, while they were on their way back to Port Hacourt through Azumini Ndoki, Ukwa East Local Government Area, Abia State, they ran into an ambush at Mkap Jekere Ndoki, around 19.00 hours, laid by gunmen in a dark blue Sienna. The vehicle double-crossed them, and opened fire.
The statement read in part: “While the Officers were repelling the attack, another set of gunmen forcefully took Chief Lawson, ordered him into their vehicle, and took him to an unknown destination, leaving the driver and one other person dead.
“Tactical teams were immediately drafted to the scene, and the area is being presently combed with the aim of rescuing the victim unhurt. The crime scene has been visited, and Police Operatives are conducting thorough searches in the area.
“The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Daniel Isa, immediately visited the area in the company of the DC Operations and other teams. He urged residents to remain calm and security-conscious as intensive patrols have been activated in the area.”
