The Director of the North West Tinubu/Shettima campaign support group, Baffa Babba Dan’Agundi, has disclosed that over 100,000 persons in Kano state have declared their interest to serve as agents for free in favour of the All Progressives Congress, APC Presidential Candidate, Ahmad Bola Tinubu.
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The gesture by extension will also be applied to the state Gubernatorial Candidate and His deputy, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna and Murtala Sule Garo.
Dan’Agundi disclosed to Governor Ganduje at the Kano state government house roundabout in front of thousands of supporters vying to serve as agents for free.
According to Dan’Agundi “I told them they dont need to show their declaration in my office, rather they should endeavour to come down to this roundabout and declare their interest resin front of you, Your Excellency”
“They all came here willingly without financial support from the governor or any stakeholder in the party,” He said.
The Director explained most of the supporters trekked from their respective locations like kurnar asabe, hotoro and many more to witness the gathering.
Dan’Agundi also reminded the Governor that when he bought President Buhari to Kano, he was voted without a single penny and assured same will be extended to Tinubu.
He further relayed women’s message to the governor saying they will vote for the sake of the first lady, Prof. Hafsat Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for her unending commitment to supporting women in Kano state.
Benue state Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2023 general elections, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has promised to give honest and profitable amnesty to militia and other repentant criminals in the state if elected Governor.
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Alia stated this at Tor-donga, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, during a campaign visit.
He called on the people to vote for all APC candidates starting from the Saturday presidential election saying the promise will be easier to fulfill if Bola Ahmed Tinubu is elected President.
“I beg you to come out enmasse this Saturday and vote Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president of Nigeria. I can vouch for the proactive and candour posture of the APC presidential flag bearer, he said.
In a statement signed by his Director Communications, Mr Kula Tersoo, Alia decried what he described as “a phoney amnesty” which the present administration hurriedly arranged with hypes and braggadocio to achieve a cheap popularity, assuring that his will be beneficial.
He said it was unfortunate that many criminals that would have been properly rehabilitated and reintegrated to be useful to the society have gone back to perpetrating societal ills saying when he is elected, his administration would ensure they all quit crimes for good.
He pledged that if he and Tinubu are voted into power, Tor-donga and the neighbouring communities which has remained dreaded as hub of criminal activities even after the death of a criminal kingpin, Terwase Akwaza aka Gana, will be rid of all criminal elements.
The candidate who was earlier honoured by unions in the Local Government, including Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees NULGE, Nigeria Union of Teachers NUT, College of Education Academic Staff Union COASU, National Union of Road Transport Workers NURTW, Nigeria Union of Pensioners NUP among others, promised to attend to their welfare if voted into office.
Alia also described as mischief makers, those tagging of the APC ticket as a Muslim-Muslim ticket, saying those playing the religious card are out to blackmail and confuse Nigerians to their advantage.
“Tinubu has a wife who is not only a Christian, but a pastor. If he cannot Islamize his wife and children, why would one think he will Islamize Nigeria, if not mischief?
“I assure you, Jagaban is the only person I believe will answer anytime I knock at his door. So, just do me this favour and vote for him ” he appealed.
The former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), and deposed Emir of Kano State, Alhaji Lamido Sanusi have been bombarded with series of reactions following his accusations of Governor Samuel Ortom over the killing of some suspected terrorists’ targets in Akwanaja, Doma Local Government Area, LGA of Nasarawa State recently.
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Mr Sanusi in a recent outing had alleged that the attack on the terrorists was carried out by the Governor of Benue State and that he (Ortom), was using the Benue State Livestock Guards and the State Volunteer Guards to carry out a genocide.
Following the allegations, individuals and groups have been voicing their reservation with many condemning the Mr Sanusi for what they described as “his show of the desperation to profile the Governor and set him up for elimination.”
Some of the groups condemning the allegations were the three Socio-cultural Organizations In Benue State; Mdzough U Tiv, Ochetoha K’Idoma And Omi Ny’Igede, Benue Elders Forum, Middle Belt Forum, (MBF), Coalition for Truth and Justice, (CTJ), among others
The sociocultural groups in a statement signed by Chief CP, Iorbee Ihagh rtd, President General, Mdzough U Tiv and Chairman of the three Sociocultural Groups in Benue State, AVM Tony Adokwu rtd, President General, Ochetoha K’Idoma, Comrade Ben Okpa, President, Omi Ny’Igede, said Mr Sanusi and his co-travelers are killers of Benue people but have chosen to twist the facts of the matter.
They recalled that even though, the military has claimed responsibility for the air strike that killed the terrorists, Sanusi and his cohorts are hell-bent on making the allegations on the Governor stick saying that amounts to giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it.
“We have also identified the desperate attempt by Sanusi and his band of supporters to give the attack on the terrorists an ethnic coloration, thereby setting Benue State up against the armed herdsmen invasion.
“Otherwise, how would someone like Sanusi place the cost of one cow at N1 million, if it is not in a desperate attempt to cause disaffection, pick a fight and get a reason to attack Benue communities.
“The grand conspiracy by Sanusi and his ‘partners’ may have also began to work out in their favour, with the annihilation of peasant farmers from their communities on both divides, through reprisals, since Sanusi and his company levelled the false allegations against Governor Ortom.
“So, we want to state unequivocally and with emphasis that Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and his co-travelers are the sponsors and by extension, the killers of the people of Benue State.
“The Federal Government, FG has always said it was on the verge of releasing the names of sponsors of terrorism in the country and we are making it clear that the FG does not have to look any further, because it is our firm belief that Sanusi is one of the sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria.”
The groups called on the security agencies to arrest, question and subsequently hold Sanusi and his cohorts responsible for the reprisal attacks that have already taken place as well as any further attacks on the people of Benue State.
“We state this without mincing words because for the former Governor of the CBN to set Governor Ortom up for hatred and declare him as an enemy of the Fulani race is a deliberate attempt to incite and stir up strife, which is an offense punishable by law.”
They also appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to beef up security at the border towns surrounding Benue State to forestall further reprisals, which may lead to breakdown of law and order or further planned attacks by the armed militia herdsmen on Benue communities.
They said that it was also important for “the International Community to place Sanusi on the terrorists’ watch list, keep a close tab on his activities; the activities of his collaborators and the armed militia herdsmen and hold them accountable for their actions.”
Another group, Middle Belt Forum (MBF), simply urged Mr Sanusi to leave Governor Ortom out of Nasarawa killings
MBF said while they are opposed to any form of extra-judicial killing, they are shocked at at the attempt by the Kano deposed emir to rope Ortom on the issue.
MBF National President, Dr Pogu Bitrus, noted that since the introduction of the anti-grazing law in Benue, supporters of murderous herdsmen have always seen the promulgation of the law as targeted against them.
He said in the wake of the enactment of the law, MACBAN and other Fulani groups vowed to ensure the anti-grazing law remains ineffective.
He also noted that they orchestrated series of violence aimed at weakening the resolve and commitment of the Benue State Government to implement the anti-grazing law described by the herders as obnoxious.
The MBF called on Sanusi to exercise caution and desist from doing anything that is capable of undermining peaceful co-existence of Nigerians.
The Middle Belt Forum calls on the Federal Government to set up an independent probe of the Nasarawa killings with photos and pictures of the slain herders and also their cattle as bombs don’t discriminate so as to ascertain the claims surrounding the killings.
“We also call on President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the killings of unarmed and defenceless citizens in various states of the Middle Belt Region in the interest of justice and fair play.
“Governor Ortom’s traducers must desist henceforth from accusing him falsely on a matter he is not involved as he remains the leader of Benue State who is not willing to let down his resolve in standing up for the democratic rights of his people in particular, and Nigerians in general.
“For equity and justice to hold sway, Nigerian leaders must learn to treat all citizens across political, ethnic and religious divides. We must eschew enthroning the supremacy of one ethnic nationality over others if we ever hope to build a just nation for all,” Bitrus said.
Meanwhile, the National Coordinator, Coalition for Truth and Justice, (CTJ), Aloysius Gbakaan, inna statement, has also called on the federal government to beef up security around Benue communities in Gwer-West, Guma and other parts of the state where herdsmen militia are threatening to launch more attacks on the people.
The stated that “These types of threats were issued by Miyetti Allah in 2017 but were taken for granted and the armed herders carried out the attacks which left 73 people dead on the eve of 2018 new year.
“We maintain our position that Governor Ortom had no hand in that military operation which took place outside Benue state and should be left to carry out his functions without the barrage of attacks on his person.
They rather encouraged Governor Ortom to remain resolute in his burning desire to ensure that he leaves Benue state better than he met it.
Recall that the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Terver Akase had also described Sanusi’s latest outing and letter, as ” shameful, full of fury, bile and false allegations” saying that Sanusi and 51 other elites who appended their signatures were apparently looking for the backing of the President to execute their agenda against Governor Ortom and the Benue people in general.
Akase said, “Sanusi had for years disguised himself as a patriot and nationalist, but his hypocrisy was exposed long before now. There is little or no wonder that he was deposed by the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje for his crass indiscipline and uncommon arrogance.
“As a government and people of Benue State, we have withdrawn our sympathy for Sanusi over his dethronement which ab initio looked like victimization.
“Many Nigerians have now come to realize that it was actually well deserved due to his disregard for constituted authorities and support for lawlessness.”
Akase had advised Sanusi to desist from spitting on the graves of hundreds of Benue people who have fallen to the sword of his kinsmen, withdraw all the unguarded utterances he made against Governor Ortom and tender an unreserved apology.
Governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), are currently mounting intense pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to settle the cases over Naira redesign policy out of the Supreme Court, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Timi Frank, said on Tuesday.
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According to him, Malami has acceded to the request of the APC and its governors to settle the case out of court.
He said the meeting between the leadership of the APC and its governors with Malami was aimed at pressurizing the President and Malami to agree for the out of court settlement request.
Timi Frank
Several calls, SMS and WhatsApp messages to the Special Assistant (Media and Public Relations) to the AGF, Dr. Umar Gwandu for response, were not replied.
Frank told journalists in Abuja that the Governors and the leadership of the APC have succeeded in blackmailing both the President and Malami to consider the reintroduction of the N1,000 and N500 notes before the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday.
He insisted that the governors and the leadership of the APC are not working to protect the interest of Nigerians but to be able to deploy their looted funds to compromise the elections through massive vote buying.
Frank, Ambassador to the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (East Africa and Middle East), asked Buhari to be mindful of his promise to bequeath free, fair and credible elections to Nigerians as his parting legacy, saying any attempt to yield to the antics of the governors and APC’s national leadership would defeat that noble goal.
He also told Malami to be resolute and to stand by the people by not succumbing to the overwhelming pressure of the governors now calling for out-of court-settlement.
Frank said the APC and its governors have become increasingly desperate to reverse the Naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in order to fraudulently swing the results of the presidential election in favour of their unpopular candidate who cannot win if the elections are free, fair and credible and devoid of monetary inducement of voters.
He called on Nigerians to know that if Malami and the Governors withdraw their suits at the Supreme Court on Wednesday to settle out-of-court, then they should not expect the elections to be credible, free and fair.
Frank said, “Buhari must keep to his words by not bowing to the unholy pressure of APC’s Governors to settle out of court and to have N1,000 and N500 notes reintroduced.
“The APC governors don’t have the interest of Nigerians at heart. We have seen how they have serially blackmailed the President to do their bidding in recent past.
“Now they are trying to blackmail the AGF to withdraw his suit challenging their own suit for an out of court settlement during the sitting of the apex court tomorrow.”
Part of the tactics of the Governors have been to consistently drum into the ears of Nigerians that Buhari has so far failed in administering Nigeria, he said.
He said they have also told Buhari and the AGF that the Naira redesign policy and attendant scarcity of new notes would lead to the defeat of the APC during the general elections.
The activist said, “The APC Governors have told Buhari and Malami that the Party cannot win with the Naira redesign policy in place.
“So they have continued to blackmail them. They know their presidential candidate is unpopular and cannot win the forthcoming election if one-man-one-vote prevails.
“Buhari and Malami should know that the forthcoming election is not all about APC and its governors alone.
“Rather, it’s for the generality of Nigerians who desperately need succour from their present hardship through a new and purposeful leadership in the country.”
He insisted that if there is any need to reconsider the reintroduction of the old N1,000 and N500 notes, it should wait till after the elections.
“Nigerians should know that we have only three days to go. Let us bear the pains for the next three days.
“Otherwise, the elections would be compromised through massive vote buying by the APC and its governors and the present order of cluelessness and hardship would continue,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission today, February 20, 2023 arraigned one Emmanuel Adedeji Esekhaegbe before Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa of the Federal High Court Kano on an eight count charge of impersonation and stealing.
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The defendant allegedly stole the identity of unsuspecting persons and used the same to open accounts with several banks for the purpose of receiving stolen funds from his victims’ bank accounts.
One of the charges against the defendant reads “That you, EMMANUEL ADEDEJI ESEKHAEGBE, on or about 28th January, 2022, in Kano within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did removed the sum of N200,000.00 from the account of one Nazir Abdulkadir Ahmed with account number 0164161006 domiciled with Guaranty Trust Bank Plc to purported accounts of Hassana Onyi Momoh and Famous Imokhai with Opay Digital Services Ltd before moving same to your Zenith Bank account with account number 2178627241, which sum you knew represented the proceed of an unlawful act and with the aim of disguising the origin of the money, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) of Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
In view of his plea, counsel for the prosecution, Sadiq Hussein requested the court for a trial date.
Counsel representing the defendant Felix Nnana moved a bail application asking the court to admit his client to bail pending the determination of the case.
Hussein objected to the application, arguing that the defendant was a threat to the public as the Commission discovered during investigation that he had opened numerous bank accounts using other people’s identities.
After listening to arguments canvassed by counsel, Justice Yunusa remanded the defendant and adjourned the matter till March 6, 2023 for ruling on bail application.
The investigation was triggered by a petitioner who alleged that sometime in January 2022, he woke up to a series of withdrawals from his bank account to the tune of N442, 499. The funds were transferred into the accounts of one Hassand Momo and Shafiu Abubakar.The defendant was tracked and arrested in Benin, Edo State.
Anambra state based lawyers from Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, under the aegis of Anambra based Abakaliki Lawyers Association, have expressed shock over the recent arrest of Princess Nkiruka Nwode, a Superintendent of Police, SP and Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, ZPPRO, Zone 13 Police Command Headquarters, Ukpo, Anambra state, over alleged human rights abuses.
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They said they were shocked because they knew Princess Nwode as one of the police officers who do not compromise investigations, as well as one who has been policing with integrity.
Chairman of the association, Barr. Victor Alo who stated this in a press statement he issued yesterday in Onitsha, said they were surprised that Princess Nwode who is not attached to Rapid Response Squad, RRS could be involved in such a weighty allegation of human rights abuses, organ harvesting and all that.
Alo insisted that they don’t want a situation where Princess Nwode would be dumped inside police detention cell without proper investigations to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of her involvement in such weighty allegations.
He further stated that if after investigations and it is established that she is not innocent of the allegation, then such an act is condemnable and our hands will be tied.
According to Alo, “But if after investigations, she is found to be innocent of all the allegations and was being falsely accused, cajoled and mesmerized just because she is an enterprising senior police officer, we, Abakaliki lawyers association shall leave no stone unturned by putting the machinery of justice in motion to ensure that she gets justice in the court of competent jurisdiction”.
“We also call on the police authorities to carryout the investigations within a reasonable period of time and also disclose the identities of the accusers in the interest of justice. If in the course of investigations, she is found to be innocent, the police authorities should release her with immediate effect, disclose the identities of her accusers and charge them for false information”.
Barely one week to the presidential elections, the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has charged the Igbos all over the country to work for the election of Peter Obi as Nigeria’s next President.
Governor Ortom gave the charge when he hosted the Igbo community Assembly in Benue State at the new Banquet Hall of the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi.
The Igbo community during the visit also conferred chieftancy titles on the Governor and his wife, Eunice Ortom.
According to Governor Ortom, “I know that if the people are connected in this world, it is the Igbos. This is an opportunity you have to say that an Igbo man from the South East is President because some of us believe in the unity of Nigeria. We believe in working together. That is why we accommodate everybody here. We believe in the unity of this country and so let us not miss this opportunity that God himself is providing.”
“The youth have told me, my own people have told me, stakeholders here, traditional rulers, party people across party lines that Obi’s matter is not about PDP, APC or SDP or any other political party. It is about Nigeria,” the governor emphasized.
He further told the Igbo leaders,”You are many. You have the population and thank God that what is unfolding, Peter Obi is someone that is not bonded by ethnicity and that is why when I hear some prominent Igbo personalities castigating Peter Obi for contesting election, i feel sad.”
He asked, “is it not you Igbos that are lamenting that you have been marginalized since after the war? An opportunity has come today and you are still complaining? What do you want? What are you looking for? What do you want? The whole country North, South, East and West are saying that Peter Obi and you hear some people saying we don’t want it “haba” those people should be outcast,” the governor stated.
The Governor lauded the Igbo people for their enormous contributions towards socio-cultural, economic and political development, stating that their economic models of empowering younger generations was unequalled.
He particularly commended the Igbo community in the state for coexisting peacefully with people of Benue, saying “you live and do your business among our people without violence and the value addition that you have done here is great.”
He expressed appreciation to the Igbo community for conferring on him and his wife chieftaincy titles, stating that he cherished the honour and it would foster his relationship with Igbo people whom he noted have inspired him particularly in doing business.
In his address earlier, President General of Igbo Community Assembly, Engr. Friday Anigor extolled Governor Ortom for providing a conducive environment for Igbos in the state to do their commerce unhindered.
He noted that the Governor’s drive towards total security and protection of lives and property of all citizens in the state was highly appreciated by the Igbo community, stating that “the recognition, affection and appointment of Igbo sons and daughters in your Government are gratefully acknowledged.”
The Igbo community Assembly led by its Traditional Council Chairman, Prof. Charles Ariahu conferred on Governor Ortom the Igbo chieftaincy title of “Agu Na-eche Mba 1” meaning “Lion of Benue State” and the Governor’s wife, Dr. Eunice Ortom the chieftaincy title of “Uno Agu 1” of Benue State, meaning the ‘Lions den.’
According to the Igbo community, the chieftaincy titles were in recognition of “positive endeavors by you and your wife as the voice of the voiceless and defender of the people.”
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, said the members of the Igbo Assembly offered prayers for Ortom to emerge victorious in his Senatorial bid to represent Benue North-West Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
*Issues 24-hours ultimatum
*Says any attempt to rig 2023 presidential election will be resisted by nigerian youths
…We Wouldn’t Accept Election Results From Sokoto, Kastina, Kano, Jigawa and Borno
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Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC says it has uncovered plots by INEC to pad vote in Kastina, Sokoto, Kano, Jigawa, Borno through Niger, in their quest to render the efforts of Nigerians to vote in their choicest candidate futile.
The Apex Socio-cultural youth organization of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Ohanaeze Youth Council OYC, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the names of 240 cancelled Polling units with 24 hours or be ready to contend with the heavy consequences of the perceived electoral fraud.
Speaking to news men in Abuja, on Tuesday, 21 February, 2023, the National President of OYC, Comrd. Igboayaka O. Igboayaka reminded INEC that 2023 presidential election “is a peculiar election in the history of Nigeria political project.
“INEC must remember that 2021/2022 voters new registration remain the most interesting period where Nigeria youths that have lost interest in voting came out en mass to register because of Mr. Peter Obi presidential project, therefore, INEC will have been playing with Nigeria political stability and unity, if within 24 hours INEC fails to publish those 240 polling units that were cancelled.
“INEC should know as crucial as such information is, that it didn’t go well with Nigeria youth to state that 240 polling units were cancelled without giving details and reasons for the cancellation.
“INEC must clear itself as independent and impartial institution by giving details through a press briefing and a gazetted documents, the reason behind the cancellation of 240 polling units within 24 hours.
Continuing, Igboayaka said: “We implore INEC to know that the more than 21 polling units allegedly registered in Niger Republic, as well as INEC’s body language already is an indication that INEC has already compromised to rig 2023 presidential election.
“This perceived fraudulent activities on voters registration, as alleged in Niger Republic, obviously shows that Nigerians and Ndigbo in particular will not accept votes coming from Kano, Borno, Jigawa, Kastina and Sokoto States, if INEC don’t correct this error. Because, the aforementioned States have link to Niger Republic. And the master plan is to rig and pad through the above three States.
“Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must know the peculiarity of 2023 election. He should not be ignorant of the glaring fact that, Nigerian youths today, being very creative in technology cum computer wizardry will uncover every step he makes, geared towards compromising the 2023 presidential election.
“Finally, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu should as a matter of urgency Grant a world Press conference on why 240 polling units was cancelled, and if Nigerians couldn’t find the reason reasonable and logical, we must compel him that election must hold in those polling units on 25 February or as a supplementary election after 25th February”, Comrade Igboayaka concluded.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has denied receiving any directive from President Muhammadu Buhari, to reissue and recirculate the old N200, N500 and N1000 Naira notes to remain legal tenders for the 70 days, to ease the hardship orchestrated by naira scarcity.
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This denial was coming shortly after a press release purportedly signed by the CBN Director of Corporate Communication Osita Nwanisobi started trending on the on social media.
The press release reads: “Due to the current and unpleasant situation happening in Nigeria, in line with Mr. President after having a close meeting with him on 20th February 2023, Central Bank of Nigeria has been directed to ONLY reissue and recirculate the old N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes and this is expected to circulate as legal tender for 70 days up to May 1, 2023. Members of the public should therefore continue to spend the old notes. Media practitioners are advised to SPREAD out this helpful information to the public.”
The wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, on her verified social media accounts also said that she spoke to her husband about the naira scarcity and he agreed to reintroduce the 1000 and 500 old notes into circulation.
However, the apex bank debunked all those publications as fake, including that of the First Lady, who is said to be spreading lies and fake news to Nigerians.
Reacting through its Corporate Communication Director, Osita Nwanisobi, the CBN simply branded the information as fake and misleading.
“It is fake news,” Nwanisobi said in a brief statement.
Three persons have been declared missing after attending a church program in Anambra State.
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The missing persons, identified as Okafor Chukwukannene (aged 37), Onyedika Odubulu (aged 24), and Umeh Obumneme (aged 22) were said to have been abducted by the rampaging unknown gunmen along the Ihiala—Orsumoghu—Ukpor Road as they were returning from a prayer convention organised by the Jehovah Witness Church at Uli, Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.
A relative of one of the abductees who pleaded anonymity for security reasons said the they were abducted on Saturday, February 18, 2023, and have not been seen or heard from since then; while their phone numbers have also not been connecting.
“We’re asking the public to endeavour to contact us if there are any useful information regarding their whereabouts,” the source said.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the state, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu said he had no information about the incident.
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