Metro

Pandemonium In Onitsha, Nnewi As Markets, Schools, Banks Closed Over Gunmen Threats

Published

2 years ago

July 7, 2023

Pandemonium Friday broke out at some markets and places in Onitsha and Nnewi the commercial and industrial towns of Anambra State, as commercial and business activities were disrupted following gunshots said to have be fired by some unknown gunmen enforcing sit-at-home.

The development caused traders at the markets in the communities including Onitsha Main Market, Ochaja Central Market, Relief Market and Head Bridge Markets to close shops while banks hurriedly shut their doors against customers who visited to carry out some banking transactions.

The development made some schools to call parents who immediately rushed to schools to pick their children, particularly when the saw some Secondary School students going home.

This is eve as the Anambra State Police command had urged residents of the state to go about their lawful activities and not to panic over rumours making the rounds, asking the people to remain indoors on Friday.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP, Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement on Friday, said the panic was created by some “mischief makers” sharing false security alerts/messages and doctored old videos of security incidents to cause tension and panic in the state.

However the resident and traders dismissed Police assurances of securing them, saying that Police, Army, Navy, DSS and NSCDC, have been no where to be found on Mondays in Anamvra State and other days people are made to sit-at-home flowing one order from outsiee or from within the country, that all they know is issuing statements of assurances without backing it up with action.

A trader in Onitsha Main Market, who gave his name as Okechukwu Emelummadu, said, “We have Police, Army, Navy with their numerous check points where they extort money and delays traffic movement, and we also DSS operatives, but it is funny that on Mondays and days people declare illegal sit-at-home that is not even from the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, whose own sit-at-home orders are made known in the newsoapers, you cannot see the Policemen, soldiers, naval rating on the roads in the state particularly in Onitsha and Nnewi the two economic strength towns of the state to give security to the people to go about their businesses.

“Even when you visit banks on a day like this like many people did today, policemen were stationed in the banks but banks shut their doors and left security men to tell visiting customer that they are not working today, so what is the essence of assurances of protection of the people and them going about their businesses without fear when the security agencies are hiding in their barracks while hoodlums continue to have field day since August 2021 the issue of Monday and other days sit-at-home started.

“We heard that some people have warned that there won’t be movement today, Friday, and markets will not open. That people should remain indoors, but nobody knows the reason and the direction it is coming from, and unfortunately the security agents in the state particularly in Onitsha and Nnewi have no answer to the security threat, so why won’t people and traders and business men shut their markets and offices.

“Some of us who came to the market this morning hanged around and were watching development while some traders opened their shops partially. But pandemonium started when we heard gun shots being fired near the Bridgehead and these made the traders and some people who were in the market to start running helter skelter, closing their shops and rushing home”

Some of the market that hurriedly shut their gates in Nnewi are Nkwo Nnewi Market age other surrounding markets, like Motor Cycle Parts Market and Agbaedo Market while all the banks near them that opened earlier in the day shut their doors against stranded customers who wanted to travel to their respective destinations and those who needed money for the weekend.

Part of the statement issued by the PPRO, Anambra State read: “The Anambra State Police Command, today 7/7/2023,has observed with great dismay, the mischievous act of persons sharing false security alerts/messages, and doctored old videos of security incidents to cause tension/panic in the state. Given the above, the Command shall invoke relevant cyber laws on persons found wanting in this regard.

“Meanwhile, the Command has noted that the confidence reposed on us by Ndi Anambra in the protection of lives and properties shall not be taken for granted. The Police with other security forces have intensified patrols, improved security dominance and surveillance in the state.

“In the event of any request for security service, members of the public are advised to call the following phone numbers: the Command Control Room Number at *07039194332* or the Public Relations Officer PRO at *08039334002*.

“The ‘npf rescue me app’ is also available for free download on both Android and Apple IOS, for Android and iPhone users respectively.”

However, another resident of Onitsha, and Onitsha based legal practitioner Mr. Okey Uduma, dismissed the Police statement, saying that residents of Onitsha have already made up their mind about the inactions of the government and security agents in the state over incessant sit-at-home order”

Metro

Abducted NDLEA Director In Anambra Rescued — Police

Published

1 day ago

June 22, 2025

Editor

The Police Command in Anambra says the Director of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the state, Mr Daniel Onyishi, who gunmen abducted on June 12, has been rescued.

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Awka.

It would be recalled that Onyishi was abducted by unidentified persons along Winner Road, Awka, on June 12.

“He is currently in a safe custody and receiving medical attention,” Ikenga said.

According to him, the police, in collaboration with sister security agencies, especially the high-powered covert operations of the NDLEA, led by the Zone-12 Commander, Mrs Florence Ezeonye, complemented the aggressive rescue efforts.

He said the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Ikioye Orutugu, had briefed the police high command on the issue.

Ikenga also said that the commissioner had activated the Inspector General of Police’s directive to ensure the perpetrators were brought to book through a manhunt.

Metro

Owo Massacre: Tension In Ondo Over Govt Demolition Of Cenotaph Honouring Victims

Published

1 day ago

June 22, 2025

Editor

Tension has gripped the ancient town of Owo in Ondo State following the demolition of a cenotaph erected in honour of victims killed in the terrorist attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in 2022.

The cenotaph, constructed by the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to immortalize over 50 worshippers murdered during the tragic incident, was pulled down on the orders of the current administration, led by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The move has sparked mixed reactions across the state.

A viral video circulating online shows bulldozers tearing down the monument and adjoining structure where the names of the slain victims were inscribed, drawing public outrage and rekindling painful memories of the gruesome massacre.

Sources revealed that the decision followed persistent complaints from residents of Owo, particularly over the cenotaph’s location — directly opposite the palace of the Olowo of Owo, the town’s paramount traditional ruler. Critics had earlier described the location as a violation of Yoruba customs, referring to it as a cultural taboo.

While many residents welcomed the demolition, calling it a necessary cultural correction, others accused the state government of playing politics with the memory of the slain worshippers. Some alleged that Governor Aiyedatiwa was attempting to erase the legacy of his late predecessor.

Defending the decision, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the demolition was a response to a formal request from the Olowo-in-Council, who argued that the cenotaph’s location was spiritually inappropriate.

“It was a special request from the palace of the Olowo, as it is said to be against culture and tradition to site such a symbol of death near the palace — the sacred seat of life and authority in Owo,” Adeniyan explained.

He emphasized that the action was not an act of desecration but an effort to “restore cultural balance.” He also disclosed that a modern market would be constructed on the site, while the cenotaph would be respectfully relocated within the town.

Adeniyan assured residents that the government remains committed to preserving the memory of the victims and would soon begin work on a new memorial at a more appropriate location.

It will be recalled that on June 5, 2022, gunmen stormed the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo during a Sunday Mass, killing over 50 worshippers — including children — and injuring many others in one of Nigeria’s deadliest church attacks.

Metro

NDLEA Arrests Woman With Cocaine En route To India For ‘Fibroid Surgery’

Published

2 days ago

June 22, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 43-year-old makeup artist, Adekoya Adebukonla Mary, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, for attempting to smuggle 2.20 kilograms of cocaine to India under the guise of traveling for fibroid surgery.

Spokesperson for the agency, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that Adekoya was arrested on Monday, June 16, 2025, after a surveillance operation based on credible intelligence. She was allowed to check in her luggage and was apprehended at the boarding gate of a Qatar Airways flight to India via Doha.

Upon inspection, officers discovered two large parcels of cocaine factory-fitted into the walls of her suitcase. Adekoya later confessed she was promised financial rewards and falsely claimed she was traveling for a medical procedure.

Further investigations linked the illicit shipment to a drug baron, Akeem Ayinde Adekanbi, said to be the owner of Rockford Hotel in the Sango area of Ogun State. He is currently at large.

In other operations, NDLEA officers from the Directorate of Operation and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted 1.3kg of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, concealed in sewn female dresses heading to Bahrain via courier. In a separate case, 850 grams of cocaine hidden in cloth hangers were intercepted en route to Australia.

In Bauchi State, NDLEA arrested Ibrahim Galadima (37) and Ibrahim Muhammed (28) on the Bauchi–Darazo road with over 1 million opioid pills, including tramadol, diazepam, and exol-5.

In Kaduna, Bishir Isyaku (38) was caught with 14.2kg of skunk and 198kg of rubber solution concealed in sacks of charcoal on June 17.

In the Federal Capital Territory, six suspects, including Murtala Adamu and Ahmed Ismai’l, were arrested in raids at Karu Abattoir and Torabora areas. 6.9kg of skunk and 59 grams of methamphetamine were recovered.

Along the Zaria-Kano road in Kano State, multiple suspects were arrested, including Umar Hamisu (19) and Dahiru Abdullahi (32) with 56.2kg of skunk, and Obiwuru Henry (27) with 23,720 capsules of tramadol and 1,400 ampoules of pentazocine.

In Kwara State, a 22-year-old polytechnic student, Olotin Nifemi, notorious for supplying drugs to students, was arrested in Ilorin with 1kg of skunk.

In Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided Ugbada camp in the Uzebba forest of Owan West LGA, destroying 4,226.11kg of skunk and arresting Albert Shamaki (33). Another raid in Emado community, Esan West LGA, led to the arrest of Esther Abumere (28) and the recovery of assorted drugs like Colorado, Loud, Molly, and opioids. In Igueben LGA, Eko Gift (38) was arrested with 1.143kg of skunk.

NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative with sensitisation programs in schools across Jigawa, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kano, Enugu, and a visit to the Ooni of Ife in Osun State, promoting public awareness and drug demand reduction.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), applauded the operatives from MMIA, DOGI, and various state commands for their dedication.

“These arrests and seizures reflect a balanced approach between supply suppression and demand reduction. I commend our officers for their professionalism and resilience,” he said.

Investigations are ongoing, and efforts continue to track drug syndicates and dismantle distribution networks nationwide.