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Edo Gov. Tribunal: APC Kicks As PDP’s INEC Witnesses Tender More BVAS

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INEC Tenders BVAS Used in Edo Election

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, on Monday, February 3, 2025,  submitted another set of the BVAS machines used in the September 21, 2024, off-circle gubernatorial election in Edo State.

This is even as the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, formally closed its case at the  Election Petition Tribunal, now forced to  be sitting in Abuja.

The Source reports that the PDP had, after the polls which was won, according to INEC, by the All Progressive Congress’ Governor, Monday Okpebholo, approached the court, seeking a reversal.

The PDP in its petition is disputing the figures of the election, as announced by the INEC.

The party is of the position that the number of votes pronounced by the electoral umpire far outnumbered the total number of accredited voters

In all, the PDP had anchored its petition against the result of the polls on alleged over-voting and bogus allocation

of figures far more than the number of accredited voters.

The INEC had initially objected to the request by the PDP for the submission of the machines, used in accrediting voters during the election but had to succumb in the face of a subpoena.

The electoral body had on Thursday, January 30, 2025, presented the first set of about 148 BVAS machines to the Tribunal.

The Tribunal has since admitted the machines in evidence, a development which has greatly unsettled the ranks of the rival APC.

The BVAS is expected to provide a clear insight into the actual number of accredited voters, during the election.

It is also widely seen as having the huge potentials of establishing any discrepancies between the number of accredited voters and the figure announced during the election.

Expectedly, the further admission of the second tranch of the BVAS, during Monday’s sitting did not go down well with the APC legal team.

But despite their stringent opposition, the Tribunal ruled to admit the additional machines in evidence, thus piling more pressure and anxiety on the already jittery APC.

The Source further reports that the submission of the second tranche of the BVAS greatly shocked the APC, and its legal team as they were made available by INEC officials, who appeared as PDP witnesses.

The move has been seen by not a few as signaling troubled times for the APC

Instructively, the PDP with the arrival of the second batch of the BVAS, announced the conclusion of its case .

“With the BVAS machines and all the evidence we have submitted to the Court, our case is sealed”, one of the PDP Counsels enthused.

During the sitting, the APC legal team, obviously stunned, asked the Tribunal to grant it some time to prepare and present its defence.

Consequently, the Tribunal adjourned to reconvene on Wednesday, February, 5, 2025.

“Bola Ige Was Murdered By Govt., Govt. Can Kill Anybody” – Bisi Akande

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Bisi Akande and Bola Ige

By Gideon Njoku

Akande also said former Oyo Governor, Ladoja, would know more about Ige’s murder

24 years after the gruesome murder of Chief Bola Ige, SAN, in his Bodija, Ibadan, residence, there is still no end to the controversy, accusations and counter accusations that have dogged the tragic incident which shook the Nation to its foundation.

At the time of his murder, Ige, whose late wife, Tinu, was an Appeal Court Judge, was the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice under the Government of President Olusegun Obasanjo. Before he was redeployed to that office, Ige was the Minister for Power.

But in the night of 23rd December, 2001, all that ended tragically when Ige, Nigeria’s Chief Law Officer, was murdered in his home in Ibadan.

Since then, inspite of what was thought to be credible breakthroughs, nobody has been convicted. Every possible suspect arrested and prosecuted has been released. There was no guilty verdict. Not a few people had since resigned themselves to the seeming fact that the case has come to a dead end, but suddenly, the controversy  strongly reared up its head again. It’s again on the front burner, thanks to former Governor of Ige’s Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande.

Chief Akande was Ige’s great friend and political ally. Both were in the same political party too.

Akande, still shocked and sad over Ige’s murder, has just given an inkling into why he thinks Ige was murdered.

In an interview with a renowned broadcaster, Edmund Obilo, in Ibadan, Chief Akande described Ige’s murder as a “State murder.” He said Ige was killed by the Government, probably the Government he served under.

Proof, according to him: Ige was killed after he said he had made up his mind to quit Obasanjo’s cabinet, but was warned by a friend not to do so because if he did, he will be killed.

Akande revealed that Ige had called him one evening and told him, (Akande) that he was going to resign from Obasanjo’s Cabinet. He said he asked Ige to please wait. Akande said he then reached out to one of Ige’s closest friends, Oluwole Rotimi. According to Akande, Rotimi asked him to advise Ige not to resign because it could cost him (Ige) his life.

Akande: “One evening, he (Ige) called me and said he was going to resign from this government tomorrow. It was sudden, and I said, ‘Please sir, I will come back to you.’ I called Oluwole Rotimi, that this is what your friend told me; that he was going to resign from Obasanjo’s government tomorrow.

“He (Rotimi) asked me to advise him not to resign because if he does, he is likely going to die—he said that to me on the phone. I called Uncle (Ige) and begged him not to resign.

“He said he had talked to Wole Soyinka and Bola Tinubu, and both of them said he should resign. But I said, ‘Don’t. You can go to Obasanjo, tell him what you are angry about, and if he doesn’t want you anymore, here is your letter.’’

He also disclosed that it was a collective decision of the Action for Democracy, AD, and Afenifere that Ige accepted to serve in Obasanjo’s Government.

Akande’s revelation runs  contrary to the belief that Ige went solo, and accepted to serve in Obasanjo’s Government to spite Afenifere and AD who gave the party’s Presidential ticket to Chief Olu Falae instead of Ige.

Akande revealed that when Obasanjo approached Ige to be part of his Cabinet, that Ige consulted with both Afenifere and AD, and that both asked him to go ahead and accept it since Obasanjo wanted to form a kind of Unity Government. He, however, revealed that Chief Ayo Adebanjo was against Ige’s acceptance to serve as Obasanjo’s Minister.

Asked if Ige trusted Obasanjo, Akande answered in the negative and revealed that even after Ige was murdered, Obasanjo, allegedly, showed no serious interest  in investigating the murder.

Akande: “Since he was resigning from his government, I think he stopped trusting him.”

But when Obilor asked, specifically, who he thought killed Ige, Akande said: “I don’t know. He was killed in Oyo State while I was ruling in Osun State. The government killed him (Bola Ige). It was a state murder.

At the time Ige was killed, Akande  was the Governor of Osun State, Ige’s home State, while Ige was killed in Ibadan, Oyo State where Lam Adesina was the Governor.

On Ige’s murder, Akande said Adesina went to Court but disclosed that Adesina’s successor in office, Rasheed Ladoja, withdrew the case.

For that, Akande said Ladoja should be asked why and/or what happened, and emphasized that Ladoja would know more about Ige’s murder.

Akande: “There are many things that die with people. I know Lam Adesina went to Court over the matter, and I also know his successor, Ladoja, withdrew the case. Ask Ladoja, he would know more about Bola Ige’s death.

“Lam Adesina, who was the Chief Security Officer of Oyo State then, went to court, and Ladoja withdrew the case from court. He might know more and be able to tell you.

“It was the government that killed him, and the government can kill anybody.

“Obasanjo wasn’t keen about Ige’s death; he was more interested in the stability of himself.”

Akande expressed  regret that Adesina told him many things he might not be able to reveal.

Akande: “… there are many things you don’t want to tell the public. I don’t want to tell anybody. Now, Bola Ige is dead and Lam Adesina too is dead. So, who will be my witness. Nobody.

“I know Lam Adesina went to Court on the matter and Ladoja withdrew the case from Court. Ask Ladoja. He would know more  about Bola Ige’s death”

Since after the interview, there has been no response from either Obasanjo or Ladoja.

Chief Akande was the Interim National Chairman of the APC on its formation.

One Killed, 23 Surrender As Military Raids, Dismantle Bandits Camp In Taraba State

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Soldiers on Duty - Nigerian Army

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Military says they paid a Local Chief the sum of N1.5m to secure a base for their Camp

The 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, on Monday, February 3, 2025, announced the killing of a banditry element, and the surrender of 23 others in a clearance operation conducted on Sunday, February 2, in Angwan Bala, Kambari Community,  Karim Lamido Local Council of Taraba state.

This is even as the Commander of the Brigade Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa a Brigadier-General reassured of the military’s readiness towards maintaining security and stability of Taraba State and its environs.

A statement from the Brigade’s Acting Assistant Director of Public Relations, Captain Olubodunde Oni, informed that the operation was preceded by the receipt of actionable intelligence on the activities of suspected bandits in the area.

During the operation, troops mounted a fighting patrol around the identified camps of the insurgents, resulting in heavy exchange of gunfire, Oni stated

According to him, the gun battle led to the neutralization of one of the bandits, and the surrender of 23 others, comprising of 19 males and four females

The Army spokesman noted that preliminary findings have revealed that the banditry elements entered Taraba from Plateau State.

Subsequently, they were said to have paid a local Chief from Amar Village ,in Karim Lamido Council, the sum of N 1.5 million to  acquire land for the establishment of an operational camp.

Captain Oni further informed that a comprehensive search of the camp led to the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition.

The recovered arms include four AK-47 riffles, five AK-47 riffle magazines, 80 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one English made pistol, two locally made guns, 28 cutlasses, 16 motorcycles, 48 daggers and jack knives

General Uwa, also, urged members of the public to remain vigilant, and avail the Military relevant information that will assist in  the fight against insurgency in the country.

“This operation is a testament to our resolve  to eliminate criminal elements, restore lasting peace, and ensure that Taraba State does not become a safe haven for terrorists”, Uwa noted

Ecobank ‘Millionaire Geng Promo’ Boosts Savings; Customers Get N42m Reward

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Nigeria’s forward moving commercial bank has disclosed that customers savings across all its banking channels have increased since the commencement of the Millionaire Geng Promo.

The Mobolaji Lawal-led lender made this revelation at the weekend during the grand finale of the monetary reward to loyal customers of the bank.

The magazine reports that the commercial bank awarded N42 million some to customers as part if its commitment to encourage  saving culture in the country.

Speaking at the event, t bank’s Head of Consumer Banking, Adeola Ogunyemi said the promo is not only about wining but the need for customers to set some money aside to ensure their “financial security and long-term stability” because of emergencies.

She urged customers not to eat up their earnings by saving in naira and other foreign currencies.

The Promo, “is not just about winning cash prizes; it is about financial security and long-term stability,” Ogunyemi stated adding that the need to save for the future has become very essential in the face of the current economic crisis in the country.

Mobolaji Lawal
Ecobank Nigeria MD; Mobolaji Lawal

She explained: “With the fluctuating value of the Naira, we have encouraged our customers to save consistently, whether in Naira or foreign currency.

“This has led to a steady rise in deposits across the banking sector.

“Many people don’t realise the importance of saving until they face emergencies. No matter how much you earn, it will never be enough if you don’t discipline yourself.

“This initiative is about showing our customers that every amount saved adds up over time.

“A country’s economic growth is influenced by how much its citizens save. Over the last six months, we have seen tremendous growth in savings, with customers becoming more conscious of the need to save.

“Month after month, deposits have increased, which is very encouraging.”

PDP Crisis: Govs Have Taken Over, Party Will Become Stronger – Lawal Assures

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Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal
Governor Dauda Lawal

Governor of Zamfara state Dauda Lawal has assured Nigerians and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will become stronger and survive the crisis currently rocking the party.

The Zamfara helmsman made the remark at the weekend when he paid a condolence visit to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state who lost his elder brother recently.

Part of the problems facing the party include the continued occupation of Umar Damagun as the party’s National Chairman, the tussle over the National Secretary position amongst others.

According to Lawal, what is going on in the PDP is a normal thing that will fizzle out with time, saying some critical steps, one of which is the affirmation of Sunday Ude- Okoye as the National Secretary of the PDP, has been taken recently to save the party from collapse.

Lawal and other PDP governors met last week in Asaba, Delta state where they affirmed Ude-Okoye as the PDP National Secretary against the claim of Sam Anyanwu, a former Scribe of the party and governorship candidate of the PDP in Imo state.

The Zamfara governor affirmed that the party is currently undergoing restructuring that will make Nigerians to be proud of it, adding that PDP has learnt from its ‘mistakes’, as its governors, as leaders of the party have taken charge.

According to Lawal, “Concerning what is currently going on in the PDP; in politics, there are always issues. With what happened in Delta two days ago, it shows we are making waves to be back to the people to lead this country.

“We [governors] are the leaders of this party. We have a say and whatever we say is what would be implemented.

“There is nothing really wrong with the PDP. The ongoing crisis is normal and it happens like that in other parties too. So, it is nothing new. It is one of those things.

“This will make us even stronger because we need to learn from certain mistakes and that will be a learning process.”

Meanwhile, Anyanwu has insisted that he remains PDP National Secretary, describing the governors’ decision to affirm Ude-Okoye as illegal.

IPOB As Terrorist Group: Kanu’s Lawyer Blames Ejimakor, Others

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Ifeanyi Ejiofor

A member of the IPOB legal team Ifeanyi Ejiofor says he was not part of the legal battle that led to last week’s judgment which affirmed the secessionist group as a terrorist organisation.

The lawyer stated his position in a statement he issued to journalists on Sunday., blaming Aloy Ejimakor and other IPOB lawyers for the outcome of the case.

The magazine reported that a three man panel of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, the nation’s capital affirmed the 2018 judgment by a high court declaring IPOB as a terrorist group.

The appellate court said in the judgment that it reached the decision considering that IPOB posed security threat to the country and a danger to Nigeria’s corporate existence.

However, Ejiofor said he was not part of the legal team decision to appeal the High court judgment, blaming other lawyers for what he described a shoddy representation at the Court of Appeal.

He stressed that he had made his position on the issue known to Ejimakor and other lawyers, wondering why his name was listed among the lawyers who defended that case at the Appeal Court.

He said Ejimakor and co should be held responsible for their woeful performance at the appellate court, saying he was not part of the team that prepared the Brief challenging the High court judgment at the higher court, adding that the case had been taken “over from me by Machukwu Ume SAN and Aloy Ejimakor, in 2022.”

According to him, “My attention has been drawn to a misleading tweet by Aloy Ejimakor, which seeks to misrepresent facts and mischievously associate my name with the recent concluded Appeal on IPOB proscription, which judgment was handed down on the 30th day of January 2025.”

He accused Ejimakor of ‘totally’ messing up the case after they took it over from him by including “additional grounds of appeal the basis of which I am not in a position to explain,” which may have led to Court of Appeal decision.

Nnamdi-Kanu - IPOB Leader
Nnamdi Kanu: IPOB’s Strongman

“When their gimmicks became obvious that they were routing towards taking over the Appeal, I specifically but respectfully requested the learned Senior Advocate leading them, not to include my name on any processes they are filing, and clearly informed him that I have respectfully taken a bow.”

He added, “The records are clear – Aloy Ejimakor, who is now attempting to cause mischief by deceptively including my name in their woeful outing on Appeal, has consistently provided updates on the progress of the Appeal when they were effectively prosecuting it, without ever mentioning me.

“It is therefore suspicious that he now seeks to involve me after the Appeal’s dismissal, by publishing a document wherein my name curiously appears in the list of those who represented the Appellant.

“As the primary force behind taking over the Appeal, Aloy Ejimakor and his team are fully responsible for its outcome. He should be held accountable for details of what happened in their case on Appeal, what led to their unsuccessful Appeal, rather than dragging my name into his failed legal outing. I urge him to refrain from associating me with his missteps and to take responsibility for his actions.”

Few days before the court of Appeal judgment, the magazine reported that its leader, Maxi Nnamdi Kanu sued the Nigerian Police Force for N20 billion for describing IPOB as a terrorist organisation

Osun 2026: Aregbesola Is A Beautiful Bride, Bring Him To PDP- Fed Lawmaker

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Aregbesola-Group

A member of the House of Representatives, Oluwole Oke has described a former Governor of Osun state Rauf Aregbesola as a beautiful bride that should be courted by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP into its fold.

Oke, representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of the state said the former governor still has a large fellowship in the state due to his deep pocket, in a message he shared on his X handle on Sunday.

The federal lawmaker spoke on the heels of last week’s decision of the former governor and his supporters to dump the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Aregbesola, a former Minister of the Interior, announced the departure of the ‘Omoluabi’, a break away group from the APC under his leadership. He made the announcement in Ilesha, Osun state during a stakeholders’ meeting by the group. The former minister has yet to announce his new party.

Following this announcement, the APC has also expelled him saying he was no longer useful to the party, apart from accusing him for anti-party activity.

The magazine reported that the former minister has been having problems with his former party, but his decision to support the PDP during the 2022 governorship election finally nailed the sour relationship with the APC.

Describing Aregbesola as a very influential politician,  Oke said the PDP will need him for the next governorship  election in the state in 2026.

Oke said, “The PDP must act fast, pay the necessary dowry, and bring this ‘bride’ into their fold. Symbol, as he is popularly known, is not someone you let wander.”

He added,  “Any politician who can invite 10 to 20 people to a meeting, feed them, and provide them with a token afterward should not be ignored.”

“Baba Kabiru is a factor in Osun politics. Please keep this post and get back to me after 2026.”

Recall that Aregbesola worked against the APC governorship candidate, and former governor Gboyega Oyetola by supporting the incumbent Governor Jackson Adeleke.

Oyetola was Aregbesola’s Chief of Staff during his eight year terms as governor.

Tension As Leadership Re-Open Market Sealed By NAFDAC Over Fake Products

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Eziukwu Road International Market

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Some unknown persons have reportedly unsealed a session of the embattled Eziukwu Road International Market, Aba, which was closed by  National Agency  for Food Drug Administration and Control NFDAC, after its raid of the market.

The development came just a day after the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, on Friday, January 31, at a Media chat, promised to collaborate with the regulatory agency to rid the State of all forms of  fake and counterfeit products.

The Source reports that NAFDAC had, between December 16 and 17 last year, raided the market and sealed over 300 shops and business premises identified as  productions and distribution sites for adulterated essential items.

The surprise raid, the second since 2023, led to the seizure and destruction of counterfeit products worth over N5 billion.

Penultimate week, the NAFDAC South East Zonal Director, Martins Iluyemode, at a meeting featuring the Abia state Commissioner for Trade and Commerce Kingsley Nwokocha, the Market Leadership and stakeholders ,insisted that the sealed session of the Market ,( zone 9 ,13 and 15 ) will only be re-opened  after due deliberation and approval by the  national leadership of the regulatory body .

But in a move that has sent shock waves across the State, some persons claiming to be the new leadership of the market, allegedly  using thugs, ordered the re-opening of the sealed area considered to be haven for merchants of fake and counterfeit products in the market.

Available information indicates that some persons led by one Kingsley Igwe, had in company with some of the identified dealers in fake products, stormed the market on Saturday February 1, and proceeded to unlock the sealed session.

The group which claimed to be acting on the directive of the new market leadership headed by one Oba Moses, in addition to unlocking the sealed session of the market, allegedly, directed those whose shops were affected to report to their shops on Monday .

Since Friday, there have been palpable anxiety and confusion concerning the leadership status of the Market.

There are conflicting reports concerning Government’s  appointment of new interim leaderships for all the markets in the State.

But in the main, not a few  have expressed serious concern over the alleged re-opening of the fake products session of the Eziukwu Road Market at a  time some issues have not been properly addressed.

All attempts to speak with the NFDAC South East Director on the development ,as at the time of reporting, were unsuccessful.

Several calls and message put across were not responded to .

Instructively, the purported re-opening of the sealed session of the market by persons claiming affinity with the Government, is coming at time the State authorities vowed to root out the menace of fake and counterfeit products in the state .

At his monthly media parley on Friday January 31,2025, Governor Otti promised to continue the war against adulterated products from where NAFDAC has stopped.

“I have directed my people in Government to ensure that we continue from where NAFDAC stopped.

“Our people are industrious and making a lot of things in Aba. So we encourage them to make their products and call them their names instead of faking other people’s products ,or we will raid and stop them  in their tracks”, the Governor noted .

He advised all those involved in manufacturing concerns to ensure they explore due processes, including obtaining NAFDAC registration nod before engaging in their activities.

The state Governor, however, reaffirmed the determination of the State Government to come down heavily on identified dealers on fake and counterfeit items .

” I do not have a problem with you making your own products, but I have a problem with you faking the products of somebody else and trying to pass it as original version.

:We are going to come down very hard on manufacturers of fake products  because they are giving us (Abia state) a bad name and that is not acceptable ” Governor Otti warned .

Fans Urge Adesanya To Quit UFC After Third Consecutive Defeat

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Nassourdine Imavov and Israel Adesanya
File Photo: Israel Adesanya in one of his previous fights.

By Akinwale Kasali

Following his disappointing performance and loss to  Nassourdine Imavov, who brutally knocked out Nigeria’s Stylebender, Israel Adesanya, in their UFC bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, fans of the Nigerian have urged him to quit the sport.

Adesanya has experienced consecutive losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis, before his loss to rising star Imavov.

Imavov defeated the former two-time UFC champion, by a second round TKO in the headlining bout of UFC Fight Night 250 at the ANB Arena in Riyadh.

The former two-time middleweight champion  failed to stop the rot as Dagestani-born Frenchman Imavov picked up the biggest win of his career in a stunning second-round KO loss.

Adesanya was light on his feet from the get-go and landed a series of hard low kicks that rattled the lead leg of Imavov.

Imavov, however, was undeterred and continued to plod forward.

And he put himself in range to land a stiff shovel left hook that snapped back the head of the former champion.

Adesanya ate a huge right hand a minute and a half before the end of the round but took it well.

But he didn’t take the same shot as well shortly after the restart, crumpling to the canvas.

Imavov followed up with a huge left uppercut and a barrage of ground-and-pound that forced referee Marc Goddard to wave off the contest.

Everyone in attendance at the AnB arena – including Cristiano Ronaldo – was left gobsmacked by the finish.

Adesanya himself cut a stunned figure as the harsh reality of the stoppage started to sink in.

He tried to hide it, but he was clearly crestfallen at his third defeat on the trot.

But he showed his class by sticking around to praise Imavov for the biggest victory of his career.

Three defeats in his last four have well and truly put Adesanya out of the title picture.

The defeated has put Adesanya on a long walk to reckoning, bringing to fore his retirement from the sport.

Fans around the world are now eagerly awaiting the next move of Adesanya who had once been a force to reckon with in the UFC.

Deaths, Blood, Sorrow As Suspected Herdsmen Attack Ebonyi Community

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Gunmen

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Ebonyi State Police Command on Sunday February 2, 2025, said they have deployed operatives to Amegu Nkalahu community ,in Ishielu Local Council to maintain peace and order. This followed  rising tensions over the killing of yet-to-be ascertained number of persons by suspected herders.

The Source reports that some gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen early Sunday  attacked and killed several local farmers, and razed many houses .

Confirming the incident ,the Police Command spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, SP, informed that the number of casualties is still unclear .

He, however, assured that security has been enhanced in the affected area ,while details of both human and material losses will be made known after ongoing investigations .

“Yes, an attack occurred and Police are responding to the situation .The Command is still working.to determine the precise number of people killed in the incident”, the Police Spokesman stated.

The authorities of Ishielu Local Government noted that rescue and evacuation processes are underway , with efforts being made to deposit in the morgue recovered bodies of victims.

Until the efforts are concluded, the exact number of casualties will not be known,according to the Chairperson of the Council,  Ifeoma Agwu.

She, however, assured of providing more insight into the number of victims, as well as the extent of damage recorded in the attack after the evacuation process .

While the motives for  the attack remain hazy ,some  associate it to the recent killing of an unspecified number of cattle belonging to the herdsmen in the community.

One of the accounts, however, blamed the attack on the cows on some suspected operatives of the Eastern Security Network ESN,who are believed to be camping in adjourning forests in the area.

According to one of the locals ,the incident going by the palpable tension and anxiety in the community since the killing of the cattle ,Sunday’s perceived reprisal attack was a disaster waiting to happen.