Governor Willie Obiano has signed the Anambra State COVID-19 and other Dangerous Diseases Prevention and Eradication bill into law. The governor signed the bill at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia. The bill, which was passed recently by the State House of Assembly, was necessitated by the need to ratify and legitimize measures taken by the Anambra state government to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. Made up of fifteen sections, the Law provides for the protection of medical professionals, healthcare providers and other frontline workers in an epidemic or pandemic. There are also stipulations for the conduct of citizens and residents during a…
Author: Elochukwu Benjamin
Abia State Government says a COVID-19 patient, Emmanuel Ononiwu who ran away from a holding centre, is now in custody Ononiwu, was earlier this week declared wanted by the State Government after he bolted from a holding facility in Aba, but is now in medical custody and currently at the isolation centre in Amachara, the State Government said. The Commissioner for Information in Abia State, Chief John Okiyi Kalu disclosed today while briefing newsmen in the State Capital, Umuahia. Kalu said the patient reported at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), Aba, with his family, including his wife, at 8.05am today…
A six-man crime syndicate that diverted a truck with goods worth over ten million naira has been busted by Anambra State Police Command. Police said it also arrested the receiver, one Godswill Ehirim, who allegedly priced the goods at #2,5000,000 and also gave the sum of #400,000 to transport the goods from Lagos to Onitsha without a waybill. It was gathered that the suspects allegedly diverted a forty feet container loaded with Aluminium ingot used in making aluminium products valued over #10 Million naira, belonging to Llyod Industries Limited Sango Ota in Ogun State. They were said to have also…
The Joint Action Civil Society Coalition has raised alarm over the spate of violence and mass killings going on in parts of Nigeria. The group raised the alarm yesterday as it enjoined all Nigerians to join in the commemoration of the third National Day of Mourning on May 28, 2020. Nigeria has continued to experience an exponentially rise in violence, perpetrated by organized criminal groups with a monumental loss of lives, livelihoods, and property. For the most part, the destruction associated with this spiralling crisis of violence and mass killings has been grossly under-reported. Speaking to newsmen on behalf of…
Umueze Anam community in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State has written the Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, stating reasons they feel the setting up of a caretaker committee for the community, was ill-informed and should be reversed. A circular signed by the Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Matters, Greg I. Obi, dated May 22, 2020, had declared government approval for the constitution of a caretaker committee for Umueze Anam. The government memo had directed the 8 man committee to bring lasting peace to the committee as well as resolve all issues thereby…
A man identified as Emmanuel Ononiwu who tested positive to COVID-19 has escaped from a Government Holding facility in Aba. The case was confirmed positive after a test was run on him by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), but refused to submit himself for appropriate medical management and isolation. It was gathered that he escaped from a temporary holding facility in Aba, before moving to an isolation centre after being informed of his COVID-19 status. The news had filtered into town and caused mass hysteria among citizens, some of which shut down their businesses earlier today because of…
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu has announced the establishment of five new Zonal Headquarters for the Nigeria Police Force. A statement personally signed by the IGP announced that the five new Zonal headquarters will be at Ukpo, Akure, Katsina, Yenagoa and Maiduguri. Ebonyi, Enugu and Anambra State now have a new Zonal Police Headquarters at Ukpo in Dunukofia LGA of Anambra State. The creation of the new Zonal structure automatically removes Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi from Zone 9 which had its headquarters in Umuahia where it hitherto was. Akure will now be the new Zonal headquarters for Ekiti…
The new Chief of Staff (COS) to President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, has been called upon to resist the temptation of placing tribal and religious sentiments over national interest. The Human Rights, Liberty Access and Peace Defenders’ Foundation (HURIDE), which said this in a statement issued in FCT Abuja, but made available to newsmen in Onitsha, reminded Gambari that as a diplomat and scholar of international repute, he should leave a legacy in his new office In the statement signed by the chairman of HURIDE, Dede Uzor A Uzor, the rights group advised him to balance his loyalty to…
Anambra State has recorded its first death, resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. The State Governor, Willie Obiano disclosed this in a statewide broadcast last night. According to the governor, the victim was a 66-year old man who did not report his ill-health on time. The case was said to have reported late to the hospital but by the time his result came back positive 24 hours later, he had already passed away. “Out of the many tests we have conducted so far, we have recorded 9 positive Covid-19 cases. Four of these cases are currently in our Protective Care Center.…
A Human Rights Group in Anambra State says it has uncovered plans by prime suspects in the murder of one Angus Okoye of Isuaniocha in Awka North LGA of Anambra State, to evade arraignment and trial for their crimes. Okoye, a 48-year-old businessman, was killed after being kidnapped at about 1:30 am on December 16, 2018, at his home in Ifite Isu Village, Isuaniocha. His family members said he was killed for being the star witness in a case of N100m fraud instituted by the community through the Economic Financial Crimes Commission against one Anthony Onyeagolu. Chidiebere Okoye, an indigene…
An arm of Anambra State Government notorious for many incidences of extortion of innocent citizens and other notorious crimes has been disbanded by the state government. The action by the State Government is coming against the backdrop of numerous complaints by citizens over the nefarious activities of the group charged mainly with traffic control and other ancillary functions in some parts of the state. The State Commissioner for Transport, Christian Madubuko who disclosed the disbandment in Awka, said the present administration is reviewing the activities of its agencies and other attachments to ensure that they conform to best practices globally.…
Abia State Government has inaugurated its Post COVID-19 Economic Advisory Council with the target to evolve a blueprint for the management of its economy beyond the Coronavirus pandemic. The Council has as its Chairman, a former Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Prof Anya O Anya. Others members of the Council include a former Chief Executive of the Defunct Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Emeka Onwuka, Businessman and Chairman of Mainland Oil and Gas, Dr. Chris Odinaka Igwe, Traditional Ruler and Professor of Finance at the University of Lagos, Eze Professor S I Owuala, Economic Management Consultant, Sam Onukwue…
A serious crash in Anambra between a tipper and a commercial bus has resulted in two deaths while another had his legs amputated and twelve others sustaining varying degrees of injuries. The accident happened during a heavy downpour in the wee hours of Friday near Bako Hotel along Ihiala axis of the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway. According to an eyewitness, the tipper driver was negotiating into his house when the bus with registration number NEN59XQ, suddenly rammed into it. TNC further gathered that the crash was caused by Over-Speeding and Loss of Control. Confirming the incident, the Public Education Officer of the…
Youths from Enugwu-Ukwu numbering hundreds today blocked the Enugwu Ukwu axis of the Old Enugu Onitsha road in protest over the alleged killing of a young man in the community, Wednesday night by the Police. The deceased, Mr Anthony Okafor we gathered, was a barber apprentice, an only son from Adagbe Avomimi village of Enugwu Ugwu, who was heading home from work around a few minutes past 8. A policeman from Nimo Police Division, identified as Okeke who is a terror in the area, had chased him until he was knocked down by a moving vehicle The said Policeman, it…
Anambra State Government has revealed that one of the last three coronavirus cases confirmed for Anambra is not from Anambra State, nor is he resident or does business in the state. Over the weekend, three tests out of the total 19 samples sent to a private molecular laboratory at Nnewi, Anambra State, came out positive, sparking fear and apprehension across the state. The development had brought Anambra’s COVID-19 tally to 5, with only one person discharged. But in a chat with newsmen on Thursday, the State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C-Don Adinuba explained that the case was…
Anambra state government has opted to train a COVID-19 task force for Garki market, Amansea, Awka North local government area of the state. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Vincent Okpala disclosed this on Wednesday when he led a delegation of health officers to the market to sensitize traders on measures for preventing the spread of COVID-19. The visit was necessitated by the need to ensure adequate enlightenment of all citizens and residents of Anambra state with respect to the novel coronavirus. Speaking at a market-square meeting with traders, Dr Okpala expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance to established…
Anambra State Police Command says it has arrested 147 suspected cultists across parts of the state between the 1st to 11th of May, 2020. Police also said they recovered firearms, hard drugs and other incriminating substances from some of the suspects. A statement on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra state, Haruna Mohammed said the arrests were part of efforts at stemming the tide of cultism and other nefarious activities in the State. According to him, the Command’s Special Anti-Cult Squad (SPACS) in conjunction with Puff-Adder/Kpochakpu operatives had during the period under review raided various hideouts and…
A vigilante operative identified as Solomon Alozie on Monday allegedly shot and killed a 23-year old man at Fegge, Onitsha. The vigilante operative was said to have accidentally fired his pump action gun and shot one Chibuike Ewuru who resides at No 5 Joseph Street Fegge Onitsha but is a native of Umudugba village, Isu local government area of Imo State. TNC gathered that the operative had a minor altercation with the deceased which resulted in the shooting. Speaking with our correspondent, an eye witness who would not want the name mentioned, said there seemed to be lingering bad blood…
Security agents in Anambra State have intercepted a truck filled with Northerners from Plateau State en route to Onitsha. The truck was loaded with about 33 persons from Jos, Plateau State Capital. It will be recalled that the Federal Government and the 36 states of the Federation had initiated a ban on interstate travel as a way of curtailing the spread of Coronavirus. When questioned, some of the persons revealed that they are on their way to Onitsha to pursue economic opportunities. After due interrogation by a combined team of security agents and medical experts, the truck with all its…
Nnewi, the industrial hub of Anambra State has been thrown into panic following an alleged death of a C0VID-19 patient at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi. The patient was said to have been taken to the hospital on Friday by his relations for high malaria-related sickness. It was gathered that by Saturday morning, the patient started showing symptoms of coronavirus. The specimen was said to have been taken by the medics in the hospital which was immediately sent to NDDC for confirmation. The patient according to our source died on Sunday and his family immediately took his dead…
A lone accident which took place in Anambra State Capital, Awka, has resulted in the death of one person. The accident which involved a red coloured Toyota Avalon with registration number AKD-69A-FB, took place yesterday evening near Government House, Awka along Awka-Enugu expressway. An eye witness said the car was overspeeding when all of a sudden, the driver saw a man crossing the road. The driver it was gathered, had applied brakes too sudden, resulting in the car somersaulting. Confirming the incident, the Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps, Anambra State, Pascal Anigbo said two male adults were involved…
The Special Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano on Health, Dr Simeon Onyemaechi, has disclosed that active coronavirus case search would commence this week following Governor Willie Obiano’s announcement of the opening of testing centres in the state. Onyemaechi disclosed this in an exclusive interview with TNC in Awka. Anambra over the weekend, recorded an additional 3 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total confirmed cases in the state to 5, with only one person discharged. Onyemaechi said following the relaxation of the lockdown in Anambra state barely a few weeks ago, it was important that regular monitoring was conducted to…
A mentally-deranged woman and her two infant children have been rescued and provided succour by the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Children’s Affairs, Mrs Ndidi Mezue. The Commissioner picked up the woman and her two children, a boy and a girl, at Ufuma Junction, Orumba North LGA, Anambra State, after two weeks of intensive search for the woman. Following a tipoff from a concerned citizen, who alerted on the terrible condition of the trio, Hon Mezue and her team had swung into action and with the assistance of Ufuma Vigilant Group rescued the woman. Following the rescue, they were…
As Anambra State on Wednesday recorded its second case of COVID-19, the State Governor Willie Obiano has directed security agencies enforcing the closure of the state borders, to ensure no movement into the state. The new case was said to have returned from Kano on the 6th of May after a short business trip. In a special broadcast on Covid-19 Thursday, Obiano said it is saddening that despite his government’s efforts to tighten security at the boundaries, the new case was able to sneak back into Anambra State after a trip to Kano. “We have been monitoring developments across the…
The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) attached to Ogidi Police Division, Anambra State today, on the orders of the State Commissioner of Police, John Abang, refunded the sum of #23,000 its operatives extorted from some innocent citizens. Two siblings, Kosisochukwu and Chukwunonso Okite were on Thursday, arrested in their father’s compound at Ire village, Ogidi, Idemili North Council Area by SARS operatives who were said to be in pursuit of a suspect. According to a legal practitioner, Chukwuemeka Okite who is a relative to the victims, the Police had insisted that they produce the fleeing suspect who they claimed ran through…
The Disability community Covid-19 response team has been inaugurated in Anambra by the state government. The response team comprises of a Steering committee and six other sub-committees which includes Information and Communication, Medical Outreach and Rehabilitation, Palliative and Welfare, Contact and Mobilization, Fund Raising, Security and Statistic. The team is expected to coordinate with and take initiative from the State COVID-19 Action Committee, towards the achievement of its terms of reference as regards the various sub-committees. The inauguration ceremony which was held at the Prof. Dora Akunyili women development centre, Awka, makes Anambra the first state in the country to…
Ebonyi State Government has announced a pardon for most violators of its directives on COVID-19 restrictions and prevention in the state. The pardon was announced yesterday by the state governor, Engr Dave Umahi in a broadcast after the state Security Council Meeting in Abakaliki. The weekly special Security Council meeting had in attendance, members of the State Security Council, members of the State Anti-Coronavirus Committee, Council Chairmen, Leadership of Coordinators’ Forum and the Chairman of Traditional Rulers Council in attendance. Among the decisions reached was that all suspensions placed on government functionaries, including those of the State Executive Council members…
…Ebonyi State to get 80 million dollars from Islamic Bank for road infrastructure Amendments of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework of 2020 to 2022 and the 2020 budget, on Wednesday, received the endorsement of the Federal Executive Council. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this at the end of a virtual session of the FEC, held at the Council’s Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Ahmed said the council has approved recommendations by the economic team and the approval has these key parameters. “The crude oil price is approved at $25 per barrel, crude…
Anambra State Police Command says it has in the last five days, arrested 65 persons across the state who violated the presidential curfew initiated across the country to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Out of the total figure, 24 were arrested at Umunze in Orumba South LGA, 15 in Onitsha and 20 in Nnewi. The Police said fifteen vehicles were also impounded. The Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra, Haruna Mohammed who disclosed this to newsmen in Awka, said in Umuchu in Aguata Council Area, a Toyota Hummer Bus with registration number JXL 76 YF, conveying 19 young men…
What would have been a major disaster was today averted in Anambra state when a tanker carrying petroleum product crashed into an oncoming tipper truck along Enugu-Onitsha expressway. The incident happened on Wednesday at about 8:30 am near Igbariam junction axis of the expressway. An eyewitness said the Mack (Tanker) with registration number NEN875XA, laden with fuel, had lost its brakes and rammed head-on into a Mercedes Benz 911 (Tipper) with registration number AUG22ZL. When TNC arrived the scene at about 9am, occupants of the vehicle were seen seated on the floor while the product from the tanker suspected to…
