Metro

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

Published

2 years ago

July 7, 2023

Editor

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

DSS Charges Nine Over Benue, Plateau Massacres

Published

1 minute ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services on Thursday filed charges at the Federal High Court, Abuja, against nine suspects allegedly linked to recent deadly attacks in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, and parts of Plateau State, which left more than 40 people dead, many others injured, and hundreds displaced.

The massacres prompted a visit by President Bola Tinubu, during which he urged the people of Benue to embrace peace.

He also directed security agencies to fish out the perpetrators.

In a charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/453/2025, dated August 8, 2025, the DSS alleged that the suspects, arrested across ethnic and religious lines, were responsible for coordinated attacks.

According to the charge, one Haruna Adamu, Muhammad Abdullahi of Awe LGA in Nasarawa State, and others still at large, allegedly carried out attacks on the people of Abinsi and Yelwata villages on June 13, 2025.

The DSS said the offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.

Adamu and Abdullahi were further accused of conspiring with Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba and Pyeure Damina, among others, to carry out the attacks.

The Federal Government, through the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Muhammad Abubakar, accused the two defendants of engaging in conduct preparatory to committing terrorism.

In another charge, two other suspects, Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede of Guma LGA, Benue State, were arraigned on a three-count charge for allegedly carrying out reprisal attacks against terror suspects involved in the Abinsi and Yelwata incidents.

In the charge sheet marked FHC/ABJ/CR/448/2025, the two were accused of attending and participating in a meeting that led to acts of terrorism, including the destruction of private property and the loss of 12 cattle in Ukpam village, Benue State.

This, the DPP stated, contravenes Section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.

Count two alleged that, in July 2025, at a meeting in Daudu town, Guma LGA, the suspects conspired with others still at large to commit terrorism, contrary to Section 26 of the Act.

Count three accused them of knowingly receiving material assistance, including locally made guns and AK-47 rifles, from one Alhaji Uba, for acts of terrorism that caused destruction of property and the loss of cattle in Ukpam, contrary to Section 13 of the Act.

In a separate case, a 32-year-old woman, Halima Haliru Umar of Faskari LGA, Katsina State, was arraigned on a four-count charge of terrorism. She was accused of transporting 302 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition to bandits in July 2025, an offence contrary to Section 13 of the Act.

She was also charged with concealing information about one Alhaji Sani, a suspected arms dealer, bandit and kidnapper. The DSS said the information could have led to his arrest and prevented acts of terrorism. This, it said, is contrary to Section 6 of the Act.

Similarly, a 75-year-old man, Nanbol Tali, and another, Timnan Manjo, were arraigned on four counts of allegedly buying and selling two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles without a licence for ₦3 million. The DSS said the offence is contrary to Section 9 of the Act and punishable under Section 27 of the Firearms Act, 2024.

They were further accused of possessing a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle in Manju LGA, Plateau State, and of buying three long-range revolvers at ₦60,000 each from one Chomo for resale to bandits.

Also charged was one Danjuma Antu of Jos North LGA, Plateau State, on a five-count charge of unlawful possession of two locally fabricated pistols capable of discharging 9mm calibre ammunition. The DSS said this contravenes Section 3 of the Firearms Act, 2024, and is punishable under Section 27.

In another case, the DSS filed a six-count charge against one Silas Iduh Oloche of Agatu LGA, Benue State, for unlawful possession of 18 firearms, including grenades, without a licence, contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act and punishable under Section 27.

Oloche was also alleged to have been found in possession of 683 live rounds of 7.62mm ammunition on August 2, 2025, contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act.

No date has been fixed for trial yet.

Metro

Police Arrest Ex-Soldier, Four Others Over Armed Robbery, Kidnapping In Anambra

Published

17 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of five suspected members of a notorious armed robbery and kidnapping syndicate, including a confessed deserter of the Nigerian Army, in Awka, the state capital.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the operation was carried out on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Awkuzu.

Ikenga said the operation was carried out after the Command received intelligence on the abduction of a farmer at Isiagu, Awka.

The victim was reportedly released after an undisclosed amount of ransom was paid.

The police spokesperson said that, acting on credible intelligence, police operatives stormed the gang’s hideout at Notoko, Awka, leading to the arrest of the confessed deserter soldier and four other suspects.

Ikenga identified the suspects as 38-year-old Dominic Oraz, a confessed deserter of the Nigerian Army; 30-year-old Michael Nwobodo; 29-year-old Eze Friday; 23-year-old Uche Okolo, and 29-year-old Chinedu Gilbert.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include six automatic pump-action guns, 63 rounds of live cartridges, one microscope, five machetes, one military cap, two police teargas canisters, handcuffs, a robber’s rocket launcher, criminal charms, three Motorola walkie-talkies, one jack knife, one power bank and cash sum of N26,000,” Ikenga stated.

He said that during interrogation, Oraz admitted abandoning the military in November 2024.

Ikenga noted that investigations are ongoing, particularly regarding the deserter soldier, in collaboration with military authorities, to guide further police action and prosecution of all suspects.

He said the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, commended the operatives for the operation and urged residents of the state to remain vigilant and to continue to report suspicious activities to the Police for prompt action.

The commissioner also assured Ndi Anambra of the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating violent crimes.

Metro

Police Arrest Ex-Soldier, Four Others Over Armed Robbery, Kidnapping In Anambra

Published

18 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

Ikenga said the operation was carried out after the Command received intelligence on the abduction of a farmer at Isiagu, Awka.

The victim was reportedly released after an undisclosed amount of ransom was paid.

He said that during interrogation, Oraz admitted abandoning the military in November 2024.

Ikenga noted that investigations are ongoing, particularly regarding the deserter soldier, in collaboration with military authorities, to guide further police action and prosecution of all suspects.

The commissioner also assured Ndi Anambra of the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating violent crimes.