More Deaths Recorded As Kogi Killings Spread to Other Communities

Published

7 years ago

April 23, 2018

Eric

The attack by armed person in Kogi has spread to two more communities leading to the death of at least six more people.

An early Sunday morning attack on Kpanche community in Bassa Local Government of Kogi State claimed the lives of 10 deaths including five of the attackers.

The traditional ruler of Mozum community in Bassa, Khalid Bukar, told journalists in Lokoja that the violence has spread, bySunday afternoon, to Ozugbe and Biroko, two villages under his domain.

He said that a number of houses in both villages were completely razed by unknown hoodlums while five persons were shot dead.

The ruler said that one person, he simply identified as Musa, was also missing.

He said those killed included the Madaki of Biroko, Mohammed Umar, and four of his subjects.

Mr Bukar said that so many houses including that of the late Madaki were also razed by the invaders.

The traditional ruler said that he immediately informed security agents of the development but the damage was already done before their arrival.

Also the police, in an update on the incident, said that six of the bandits that invaded Kpanche earlier in the day were killed and not five as earlier announced.

The state police command spokesman, William Aya, said in a statement that 15 houses were also burnt down in Kpanche.

He said upon receiving distress calls from residents, mobile police officers and soldiers were promptly dispatched to restore peace and order.

“On sighting the security personnel, they opened fire at them, but were vehemently resisted by the fire power of the security personnel where six of the attackers were killed,” he said.

However, the release was silent on the attacks and killings at Ozugbe and Biroko communities.

Mr Aya said the commissioner of police, Ali Janga, has ordered a thorough investigation into the unfortunate incidents.

“He vowed to prosecute anyone linked to the attacks no matter highly placed so as to serve as a deterrent to others.”

Mr Janga urged the residents of the affected community to remain calm as the security agencies are determined to ensure adequate security of lives and property in the state.

Premium Times

Police Confirm Abduction of Bayelsa High Court Judge in Yenagoa

Published

2 days ago

June 22, 2025

Eric

The police in Bayelsa State, on Sunday, confirmed the abduction of Justice E.J. Umokoro in Yenagoa, the capital.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the command, DSP Musa Mohammed, confirmed the alleged kidnap of the Judge on Sunday in Yenagoa.

“Umokoro, a judge at Bayelsa State High Court was on Saturday evening abducted from his car at a fast food outlet at Ekeki area of Yenagoa.

“The command has deployed tactical teams and drones to trail and arrest the hoodlums,” he said.

Reports said that the gunmen fired sporadically at the car park of the eatery before forcing the judge out of his vehicle and whisking him away in a waiting Toyota Hilux.

The judge was waiting for his daughter, who had gone into the outlet to make some purchases.

NAN

Otti Plans Recruitment of 4000 Extra Teachers for Abia Schools

Published

3 days ago

June 21, 2025

Eric

Abia State governor, Alex Otti, has revealed has revealed plans to recruit additional 4,000 teachers to raise the teaching workforce to 9,394.in the State’s primary and secondary schools.

The governor disclosed this during the June edition of his media chat, dubbed Governor Alex Otti speaks to Abians”, held on Thursday night at the Government House, Umuahia.

He said that the 5,394 first set of teachers already recruited would be deployed after their ongoing orientation in Aba and Umuahia.

According to him, the next set of recruitment will happen immediately after this orientation.

“We expect that the portal will be opened and applications will be received,” he said.

Otti said that the idea was to prepare the schools for the next academic session, given the massive enrollment witnessed since the introduction of free and compulsory education.

The government, in January, introduced free and compulsory education from primary one to junior secondary school.

The policy is to ensure that every child in Abia, regardless of their state of origin, had access to education up to the junior secondary school.

Otti emphasised the need to prepare and ensure quality teachers for primary and secondary schools across the State.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to continue with the renovation of schools, including the tertiary institutions.

“In addition to the renovation, we are converting 20 schools into smart schools and work is already ongoing,” he said.

The governor also spoke on the government’s activities in the health sector.

He gave assurance that the ongoing renovation of 200 primary healthcare centres across the 17 local government areas of the State would soon be completed and that most of them were ready for use.

“The type of equipment you are expecting to see in the developed countries are already in Abia and we are not opening them without equipping them properly,” he said.

Otti, who highlighted some of his administration’s achievements in other sectors, including security, road infrastructure, sanitation and others, urged the residents to join hands with the administration in building a new Abia.

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Court Grants Natasha N50m Bail in Defamation Case

Published

5 days ago

June 19, 2025

Eric

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Thursday granted the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, bail in the sum of N50 million and one surety who must be a person of reasonable integrity resident in FCT Abuja and owns a landed property within the Abuja Municipal Area Council.