Metro

Lives Lost, Property Destroyed As Flood Sweeps Imo Community

Published

12 months ago

September 29, 2024

Editor

File photo for illustration

With a life reportedly lost and properties destroyed, the Imo State House of Assembly has called on the state government, to immediately intervene and save residents of Works Layout, Owerri, from the huge flood, ravaging the area.

Moving the motion during plenary, the Deputy Minority Leader, Clinton Amadi, explained that the action was “a show of concern and sympathy” for the residents of the flooded areas.

His words: “To avert further casualties and continued flooding of the affected streets, the burrow pit and tunnel, serving the Works Layout, should be evacuated of debris and sand.

“The call became necessary because of the lawmakers’ desire to ensure that residents of Kurume Uche Street and Standard Shoe area of Works Layout Estate, will not continue to suffer the devastating effects of flooding.

“I am deeply concerned and sympathetic for the residents of the flooded areas, as they have been facing hardship occasioned by the flood.

“Their lives and properties of the residents of the affected areas, are seriously endangered, each it rains in Owerri.

“It must be recalled that the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, greatly mitigated the suffering in the people in Works Layout, by constructing the Balloon Technology Tunnel, which enabled easy flow and evacuation if flood, during the rainy season.

“This has not only been very useful to the residents but has also been working without problems until this year, due to lack of maintenance of the burrow put.

“Investigation has shown that this burrow pit is filled, while the tunnel is blocked with sand debris, resulting in extremely slow flow of flood water, through the tunnel.”

The motion, which was seconded by the member representing Ehime Mbano state constituency, Engr. Bernard Ozoemelam was co-sponsored by nine lawmakers.

Satisfied with contributions from the members, the Speaker, Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe, put it to vote and it was unanimously adopted.

The Clerk was thereafter, directed to communicate the Resolution of the House to the Governor.

Metro

BREAKING: Bodies Of 8 Missing Policemen Recovered In Benue

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Lifeless bodies of the eight policemen who were declared missing after a deadly attack on security operatives at Agu Centre, on the border of Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State, have been recovered.

Dr Justin Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA disclosed this to reporters in Makurdi on Monday.

According to him, “this brings the number of officers killed to 11 (10 policemen and one BSCPG)”.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday, when a team of security operatives came under the attack of armed invaders.

Three personnel were immediately confirmed dead while eight others were declared missing.

Metro

Police Arrest Three Kidnappers Over ₦6.9m Ransom, Victim’s Murder

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested three suspected kidnappers who allegedly killed one of their victims after collecting N6.9 million ransom.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Iringe-Koko identified the suspects as Hassan Mohammed (20) of Wandigah Town, Mandagali, Borno State; Bello Abubakar (25) of Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State; and Yusuf Ahmed (23) of Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.

She said the arrests followed an investigation into the abduction of Humphrey Wagbara of Igwuruta-Atali.

According to the PPRO, the suspects also kidnapped one Mercy Chinyere on September 12, 2025, at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of N3,500,000 before releasing her.

The statement read, “On 26th August, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a distressing report, suggesting the kidnapping of one Humphrey Wagbara, m of Igwuruta-Atali.

“Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annexe, acting on this information and in a daring and coordinated operation on 19th September, 2025, at about 0200hrs arrested three suspects at different locations in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the State in connection with the kidnapping of the victim.”

Iringe-Koko said during interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the State.

Among their past kidnappings are those of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, where they collected a ransom of N6,900,000 before killing the victim.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one G-3 rifle with Breech Number 10398, one magazine, one Itel phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara, a kidnapped victim, three short daggers, one jack knife and one stainless short knife,” Rivers police imagemaker said.

Iringe-Koko added that the suspects and exhibits remain in police custody while detectives track other fleeing members of the syndicate and search for additional weapons.

The Command said it arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

According to Iringe-Koko, George committed the offence on September 6, 2025, after luring the minor while she was sent on an errand by her aunt.