Tag: Anambra State

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15 Die In Anambra Cult Clashes

By Babatunde Solanke

Awka, Anambra State capital, is again under the siege of cultists as at least 15 residents have been murdered in cold blood within the last two weeks, including some victims who cannot be identified as cultists, promoting the belief that what is happening could be targeted assassinations.

It was gathered that the major cause seems to be a struggle for the control of revenue windows, especially collection of taxes from bus drivers and commercial tricyclists.

Findings reveal that at least 15 persons have been gunned down in just two weeks in the city.

The bloodletting, it was gathered started on Easter Sunday when as much as six youths were reportedly gunned down.

A source in the state capital disclosed that while the Easter merriment was being observed by Christians to commemorate the resurrection of Christ, the happiness of some people were cut short by gunmen.

“Some were felled at Okpuno area, behind Juhel, others were murdered around Eke Awka area and Obinagu,” a source said.

One of the incidents was said to have happened opposite Dike Park, around the Eke Awka Market, in Awka, the State capital.

According to sources, “The incident happened in the noon of Sunday, and also escalated to the Obinagu area, where some more persons were also gunned down by the cultists.”

It was gathered that one of the persons hit by the bullet was a staff of the Anambra State Judiciary, simply identified as Mr. Nwofor, who was said to be innocently going about his normal business before the cultists struck.

A resident of Awka, who did not want his name in print, said: “I suspected that there would be cult killings during that period. You know that most wanted cultists have left town, but during festive periods, they always come home to celebrate, and their rivals use the opportunity to pay them back for their past atrocities, which may include that they have killed their members.”

Just seven days after the Easter killings, three other persons also suspected to belong to secret cults were gunned down in the city.

Though security operatives could not confirm the number, a source said that two of the victims were killed in her presence.

The source said: “Two tricycles were driving recklessly along Zik Avenue at Eke Awka. They were pursuing themselves. Around Eke Awka market, the tricycle at the front got stuck in the traffic, and one boy inside it alighted and started running.

“Two boys in the tricycle behind also jumped down and pursued him. He ran towards Parkers’ area, along Zik Avenue, and diverted into a road by the right, into a mechanic workshop.

“The boys pursued him into the place, dragged him out and shot him to death. The incident caused pandemonium, and people were just running in all directions,” the source said.

Not done, two days after the same incident, another person described as Nwanayoeze, a popular Awka youth was gunned down around tricycle park, Unizik Junction.

Traders around Unizik Junction confirmed that Nwanayoeze was a very prominent youth in the entire area and also controlled revenue from tricycle operators in the area, and was feared by many people, even though they denied that he had any link with cultism.

The killings however did not abate. Thursday of the same week, a former president general of Amansea community in Awka North Local Government Area, Chief Cajetan Nwokike was killed

On Friday also, at Unizik Junction, a man identified as Christian was gunned down. He is said to be an indigene of Enugu State, but manages a popular transport company in Awka that has fleets of luxury SUVs that ferry passengers to Abuja and Lagos.

He was gunned down in the presence of his co-workers by gunmen who came in a yellow tricycle. Eyewitnesses said the assailants were not in a hurry to leave after the assignment, as they entered the tricycle and drove away slowly.

Earlier on Wednesday evening, gunmen caused pandemonium at Aroma junction.

A youth from Amudo Village in Awka, and said to be a former tricycle operator before transiting into a revenue collector was gunned down.

A source said the assailants trailed him from the Ifite area of the state capital and shot him at close range at a filling station which serves as a popular bus stop for buses and tricycles.

Business outfits in the area were forced to close and roadside traders abandoned their articles and fled.

The major roads in the vicinity of the incident suddenly became empty, just as many people abandoned their cars and took to their heels.

Few hours later, residents of the town received news of another killing in the same junction. This time, an official of the Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA) was the victim.

A source said: “The man who was killed is an ARTMA official. He stopped some people who were driving a Toyota Sienna vehicle with tinted glasses, and the people shot him and drove off. It happened just close to me as I was boarding a vehicle this morning to go to Nnewi.”

The developments have heightened tension in the state capital and beyond, with residents not sure of who would be the next target.

“Security agencies seem to be overwhelmed; everyone is in panic mode,” a distressed resident  said.

Anambra State Police Command’s spokesperson person, SP Tochukwu Ikenga lamented that families of deceased people do not notify the police, so that investigation can commence.

He insisted that operatives were deployed to the areas of the incidents but no news of any killing was gathered.

It was however gathered that deceased person’s bodies are usually quickly removed by family members to avoid confiscation by police.

Meanwhile, in a recent press conference, the police stated its frustration, saying that most cult kingpins arrested by police were being freed by very influential people in the city.

The commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Aderemi Adeoye, who was represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, DCP Akin Fakorede, said: “When those things that have happened over a period of time begin to happen again, the question people should ask is Why?

“Could you imagine that the cultists we arrested, charged to court, and got remanded in prison custody that some powerful locals are going to the judiciary to lobby to get them released?

“And some have been released. And they are the ones unleashing this mayhem again! That is number one.

“Two, you must have heard of the AK-47 we recently recovered from a suspect in Awada. What the suspect told us was that they procured it for him to engage in a showdown with a rival cult group.

“Now, if that AK-47 was not recovered or had joined the recent cult-related clash, could you imagine what the casualty level would have been?

“We are already going after the cultists; and if we find that anybody is subverting justice, or is subverting due process, to get the cultists off the hook, they will face the music, notwithstanding whether the person is in the judiciary or civil populace,” he said.

Currently, major stakeholders in Awka who are worried about the orgy of bloodletting have started working towards finding a lasting solution to the problem.

Three prominent sons of Awka, the member representing Awka South 1 constituency, Hon Henry Mbachu, the Managing Director of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) Mr. Ossy Onuko and the Transition Committee Chairman of Awka South Local Government Area, Mr Anagor ThankGod have teamed up to get security agencies to stop the killings.

Addressing newsmen on behalf of the three after a meeting, Onuko said “Finding a lasting solution to the security challenges is necessary as the elected and appointed officers owe it as a duty to the people to keep Awka safe not just for residents but for thousands of investors trooping into the city.”

It was gathered on Friday evening that as a result of the frequent cases of killings, men of the Special Anti Cultism Squad (SPACS) have mounted guard at Aroma junction.

Meanwhile, a popular activist in Awka, Comrade Osita Obi, who spoke to a popular online medium, said it was unfair that Governor Soludo was yet to utter a word over the killings.

 “Soludo is doing very well in infrastructure, but protection of lives and property is the major reason we elect leaders. He needs to say something,” Obi said. Source: Daily Post

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News

NLC, TUC, Agree On N615,000 Minimum Wage Demand In Fresh Proposal Ready For Submission To FG

By Babatunde Solanke

Organised labour, comprising the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress(TUC), have both agreed on N615,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the country.

It was gathered that that the new wage of N615,000 monthly was reached after consultations by the NLC and TUC at a recent meeting, just as they two bodies said the wage might still increase, following the recent hike in electricity tariff.

A top member of one of the bodies, who declined to reveal his name, told an online medium that “We (NLC and TUC) have given our figures to the government (on the minimum wage), and it is N615,000. That is the position of the NLC and TUC on the matter. The government has been informed as well.”

Recall that President Bola Tinubu, through Vice President Kashim Shettima, had on January 30, set up a 37-member panel at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja.

With its membership cutting across federal and state governments, the private sector, and organised labour, the panel was tasked with recommending a new national minimum wage.

At the inaugural meeting of the panel, Shettima urged members to ‘speedily’ arrive at a resolution, and submit their reports early as the current N30,000 minimum wage expired at the end of March 2024.

Chairing the panel is a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Bukar Aji, who, at the inauguration ceremony, affirmed that its members would come up with a ‘fair, practical, implementable and sustainable’ minimum wage.

The inauguration followed months of agitation from organised labour over the FG’s failure to inaugurate the new national minimum wage committee as promised during negotiations last October.

From the government’s side, members include the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, representing the Minister of Labour and Employment; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, who was represented by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Lydia Jafiya; the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Yemi Esan; and Permanent Secretary, GSO/OSGF, Dr Nnamdi Mbaeri, among others.

Representing the Nigeria Governors Forum are Mohammed Bago of Niger State, representing the North Central; Senator Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, representing the North East; Umar Radda of Katsina State, representing the North West; Charles Soludo of Anambra State, representing the South East; Senator Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, for the South West; and Otu Bassey of Cross River State, on behalf of the South-South.

From the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association is the Director-General of the association, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde; Chuma Nwankwo, Thompson Akpabio; as well as members from the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, including Michael Olawale-Cole, Ahmed Rabiu, and Humphrey Ngonadi.

From organised labour, the Nigeria Labour Congress is represented by its president, Joe Ajaero; as well as President of the TUC, Festus Osifo; and his deputy, Tommy Etim-Okon, among others.

Ajaero had announced N1m as the new minimum wage, owing to the rising inflation in the country which, according to him, had pushed many of his members into poverty.

This led to several controversies, with some experts stating that the wage was unrealisable or sustainable.

However, in an interview with an online medium, another labour leader stated that the NLC and TUC had pegged the new wage at N615,000 tentatively.

Asked if the May 1 deadline was still on course, the labour leader said, “What I want you to know is that we are doing our best. Both the TUC and NLC have harmonised, and they have sent their position to the government.

“We are in the process. Be assured that once anything happens, I will, as usual, inform you. That is all I can tell you for now, because we have not met; even though we have submitted our unified positions to the Federal Government. We will be speaking with one voice.

“But, let me also hint you that with the removal of the electricity tariff subsidy, we are going to have another round of serious conversations with the government. Mind you, the tariff increase is also very good for us, because they (the government) did it when the new minimum wage process had not been concluded. So, it is going to be a good ground for us to ask for more.

“Our position will be defended based on the new price of N225 per kWh of electricity. Although we (the government and Labour) are not in agreement, we are waiting to meet and decide on the next point of action.”

The source added, “This is because if you look at the Electricity Act, it canvassed a position that before any increase at all, there must be stakeholders’ engagement. However, the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission unilaterally imposed the removal of the electricity tariff on the consumers, without recourse to stakeholders. That is in total defiance to the provisions of the Act.

“These are the issues that will be in the front burner of our next negotiation with the Federal Government.

“The new tariff will also give us another strategy to press the government on the need to move the minimum wage upward. This is because the government has not announced any new minimum wage yet, as we are still negotiating.

“As I said, the NLC and TUC have harmonised positions, which we have sent to the government. It is even now that the negotiation will start properly. All that we have done so far was to try to lay the foundation, and now that we have come up with our positions, the government will also come up with their own. We will then start a fresh negotiation.”

Reacting, a professor of Economics at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Sheriffdeen Tella, said, “If internationally, they say there is poverty in Nigeria, what they mean is that Nigerians are earning less than two dollars per day. If you want to fix the minimum wage to end poverty, what you should do is fix the minimum wage above that.

“Whatever the labour unions have presented to the Federal Government is for negotiation and to serve as a benchmark. It is left for the Federal Government to negotiate.

“There is a law that has been established to make them comply. But, they (state governments) decide to flout the law. When it is agreed as minimum wage, that is what the private and public sectors should pay. If they don’t pay, they should be taken to court.”

A professor of Microeconomics at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Adeola Adenikinju, noted that while the Federal Government would bear a significant burden, it was imperative to recognise the involvement of state governments and the private sector in the implementation of the new minimum wage.

Adenikinju, who is also the President of the Nigerian Economic Society, harped on the importance of acknowledging the diverse economic landscapes across states, suggesting that a uniform minimum wage might not be feasible, due to varying levels of affordability.

He said, “The proposed minimum wage by the NLC should be looked at. It is not only the Federal Government that is going to pay this. The state government and private sector are also involved.

“It must be noted that the minimum wage varies by state, as some states are richer than others.”

In a similar vein, another economist, Paul Alaje, explained that there was a high possibility of President Bola Tinubu declaring between N100,000 and N200,000 as the minimum wages for both the private and public sectors if the exchange rate of naira improved to N1,000 per dollar by May.

He added that 30 out of the 36 states would struggle and might not align with the payment of the new minimum wage if it was pegged at N615,000.

According to him, getting special assistance from the Federal Government and intervention funds from international communities should be tied to states having zero clearance of previous salaries.

He also stated while the proposed minimum wage might not be so much of a challenge for the Federal Government and six states, the other 30 states will struggle to pay that amount.”

Source: Punch

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Entertainment News

Movie Producer, Adanma Luke Breaks Silence, Claims Junior Pope Was Provided Life Jacket But Rejected It Because It Was Dirty

By Murphy Akanji

Adanma Luke, the producer of the movie Junior Pope was shooting before he drowned has claimed that the later actor was given a life jacket but rejected it.

Recall that Luke has been under heavy fire following the death of actor Junior Pope and three others after their boat capsized on the Anam River in Anambra State while returning from the location of her movie, ‘The Other Side Of Life.’

Breaking her silence since the incident, Luke Adanma claimed that Junior Pope was provided with a life jacket but rejected it because it was dirty.

Speaking in a video message shared via her Instagram account, she said: “My director was on life jacket, Emeka the DOP was also on life jacket. There was still one life jacket available, I don’t know who took it.

“My producer manager said they saw life jackets hanging and they took them. He said he even asked the late Friday to take one to Junior Pope but Junior Pope said it was dirty so he didn’t take it.

“Those with life jackets survived the boat mishap. And they also told me that when they were in the water trying to survive, Junior Pope was also there asking, ‘Is everybody okay? Hope everybody is fine?’ They said they even threw a gallon to him to use and hold himself which he was holding but all of a sudden they didn’t see him again.

“It was when they came out that they noticed that he was no longer there. They said divers came and reduced some of them while other divers were still there trying to rescue others.

“I said what could have caused this accident? They said they don’t know but TC was standing on the speed boat rigging bell.”

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News

Gunmen kill Anambra Community Leader

By Babatunde Solanke

Un-identified gunmen have killed the President-General of Umuoji Community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Silas Onyima, The Punch Online reports.

It was gathered that the hoodlums, numbering about 15, invaded the deceased’s home on the evening of Friday, 23 February, 2026 and shot him dead thereby throwing the community into panic.

 “The deceased was newly elected president general of our community and he also presided over one election in the community. He was killed on Friday evening when some masked men visited his home and shot him dead,” the medium quoted a source to have said.

The State Police Command through its Spokesperson DSP Tochukwu Ikenga confirming the sad incident, adding that police operatives have been deployed in the area.

 “The police are aware of the development. We got the information and we have deployed our men to the area. Our men have gone to the scene when the information got to us, they found the man in a pool of blood.

“The body of deceased has been recovered and deposited at the morgue with the help of some of the family members. We are also working with some eyewitnesses and community members to help track the perpetrators and investigation is ongoing,” Ikenga said.

Source: The Punch Online

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Judiciary News

Court Remands Lawyer For Allegedly Brutalising Her 11-Year-Old Maid With Broken Bottles, Knife, Electric Iron

By Akeem Oduyoye

The Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court sitting at the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Awka, Anambra State on Wednesday ordered the remand of Anambra State based lawyer, Adachukwu Okafor.

The  court presided over by Genevieve Osakwe ordered that the accused should be remanded at the State Criminal and Investigative Department custody in Awka, for allegedly inflicting physical injuries on the body of her 11-year-old housekeeper.

Okafor, who resides at Chris Igwilo Street Akapka GRA, 3-3 Onitsha of Anambra State, was arraigned before the court for the alleged offence

The female lawyer was said to have allegedly used various objects like a broken bottle, knife, and electric iron to harm her house help in response to an incident involving her daughter.

The two-count borders mainly on willful infliction of physical injuries on the body of one Happiness Nwafor, an offence punishable under Section 4(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition and Protection) Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 2017.

The charge was read and interpreted to the defendant to the court’s satisfaction; the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Okafor, who was reportedly said to be on the run, surrendered herself to the Anambra Police Command in Awka, after the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, had placed an N2m bounty on anyone who knew her whereabouts.

Meanwhile, a bail application was made by the defendant’s counsel, Chijioke Nwankwo, but the bail was denied by the court and the matter was adjourned till February 28, 2024, for ruling.

Speaking with newsmen after the court’s session, the defendant’s counsel, Chijioke Nwankwo, when asked why it took his client time to report to the police, stated that he was unaware of any bounty placed on Okafor.

He explained that he was only contacted for the job and he immediately took the defendant to the police.

He, however, complained that the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare is already doing trial by ordeal, which he noted is not in the best interest of the case.

The victim, an 11-year-old, had since been discharged from the hospital and made an appearance in court too.

Reacting to the development, the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, stated that she trusts the court to do justice.

Obinabo also revealed that her ministry would soon embark on media sensitisation programme, during which Anambra residents would be educated and fully enlightened about the dangers and negative consequences of child abuse.

 “We advise members of the public to shun all forms of social vices in the society, especially, those vices that endanger the life of a child; and we called on everyone to be agents of positive social change,” the commissioner said.

Source: The Punch Online

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Uncategorized

Tragedy In Anambra As Five Perish, 30 Rescue In Boat Accident

Akeem Oduyoye

Tragedy occurred in River Niger around Mmiata Anam in Anambra West Local Government Area of the state as five persons died and 30 others rescued in a boat accident

It was gathered that the boat was sailing from Kogi State to Anambra through the River Niger before it got capsized at the Mmiata banks of the river.

The Anambra State Police Command through its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the sad development to The Punch online. Ikenga, who said that its operatives received a distress call and rushed to the scene, however, added that the rescue operators were able to rescue about 30 persons, while five were already dead.

“The situation is under control. Our marine operatives on getting the distress call about the incident responded swiftly,”Ikenga said.

“We were able to rescue over 30 of the passengers alive and recovered the five lifeless bodies in the depths of the sea and the capsized boat.

“Preliminary information revealed that the boat was from Kogi State, conveying goods and passengers before the unfortunate incident occurred.

“Meanwhile, the cause is yet to be ascertained as the investigation is ongoing, please.”

A source in the riverine area of the community told the medium that the incident happened on Sunday morning.

According to a video made available to the medium by the source showed that the deceased were mainly women and children.

Though the deceased persons have not been identified, they were said to hail from a riverine part of Kogi State, and were travelling by water to Onitsha for various businesses.

 “Early this morning, there was a boat that capsized at the River Niger. Some of the victims are from parts of Kogi State and Mmiata Anam in Anambra West Local Government Area.

“Most of the victims were women and children. Rescue operators who arrived the scene some moments later dived into the waters and recovered their lifeless bodies and they were deposited by the bank of the river. We were able to count over 10 lifeless bodies as rescue operations were still going on,” the source said.

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News

Catholic Priest Allegedly Rapes, Impregnates 17- Year Old -Girl; Remands In Prison

By Akeem Oduyoye

A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Nwaigwe Stephen, has been ordered to be remanded in prison till December 6, 2023 by the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court in Awka, Anambra State for allegedly raping and impregnating a teenager.

The magistrate ordered the prosecutor to transmit the original case file to the office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Anambra State.

The priest was also accused of forcefully taking the pregnant minor to Benin City, Edo State, where she was delivered of her baby, but police investigation revealed that the whereabouts of the said baby is still unknown.

The offence of having sexual intercourse with a minor, is punishable under section 34(2) of the Child’s Rights Law of Anambra State, 2004.

Nwaigwe was among the priests expelled by a popular Catholic Faith-Based Religious Congregation in Orlu, Imo State, known as the Two Hearts of Love Congregation” (Ugwu Nso) in 2018, for alleged misconduct inimical to the image of the order.

The priest had reportedly met the teenager at the St. Albert The Great Catholic Church Parish, Obosi, Anambra State, where he was invited for a religious church programme.

According to the victim, while answering questions in court during remand proceedings on Monday November 20, 2023, the priest took her from her parents to live with him when she was 14 years old, promising to sponsor her education, while she equally served as his cook.

She stated that not long after she moved into the priest’s house, he started forcing himself sexually on her, saying he continued the act until she became pregnant at the age of 17.

The minor further stated that when she informed the priest about her pregnancy, the priest took her from Ihiala Anambra State, where they lived, to somewhere in Benin City, Edo, to the house of a man and woman who the priest introduced to her as his brother and brother’s wife.

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News

Revealed: Untold Story Of How Woman Who Sells Three- Month-Old Grandson For N50,000 Lands In Police Cell, Gives Reasons

By Akeem Oduyoye

A woman named  Oluchukwu Nwosu is currently cooling –off in one the cells of the Anambra State Police Command for allegedly selling her three-month old grandson, saying  that she was forced to take this action as a result of the hardship in the country.

Nwosu apprehended over the weekend by the officials of the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs

The woman, who hails from Nnewi, Anambra State,  was said to have sold the baby boy for N50,000.

The woman was brought before the commissioner, Ify Obinabo, by officials of the the ministry where she confessed of committing the act.

In a video purported to have emanated from the ministry, the woman wept profusely, saying she was pushed to sell the baby because her daughter has been in the habit of getting pregnant, and leaving her with the children to take care of.

“This is the third time my daughter Ijeoma has conceived out of wedlock. Due to our poor income we’ve had trouble feeding right from the time my daughter gave birth to the first baby.

“We had no other option than to take the kids to motherless babies home, especially when our daughter refused to tell us who was responsible for her pregnancy.

“I came across a buyer, one Tochukwu Asiegbu, who approached me, after bargaining, paid me the agreed sum,” she said.

The Commissioner stated in the video that the three-month-old baby had been rescued.

“The mother of the baby, Ijeoma Nwosu, approached us and claimed her mother, forcefully sold her baby soon after he was born and had refused to disclose his whereabouts.

“Following receipt of the allegation, I quickly swung into action to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

“After barely one month of consistent intelligence surveillance by officials in my ministry, the offenders were caught.

“All those involved in the act had all been nabbed and handed over to the police for investigation and prosecution,” Obinabo said.

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News

20 Year Old Mother Throws Newborn Baby In Pit Toilet

By Akeem Oduyoye

A 20 year old mother, named  Nwaedoka Chidinma,  is currently cooling -off  in one of the police cells in Anambra State for allegedly throwing her new born baby inside a pit latrine in Otuocha, Anambra East Local Government Area of the state.

The baby was later rescued three days later by Chidinma’s friend.

Chidinma, the mother of the male baby,  hails from Izzi, Ebonyi State, was said to have deliberately carried out the act last Sunday.

This was contained in a report posted on the Facebook page of Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare

Esther Omesi, a farmer and friend to Chidinma, exposed despicable act of her friend to relevant authorities in the state.

Omesi said she was staying at Chidinma’s place at the time it the incident  happened.

According to her, Chidinma started suspiciously on Sunday after she had notified her (Omesi) that she was having stomach upset and then went to the pit to ease herself.

Omesi explained that Chidimma took time and when she came out of the toilet,  blood was dripping down her thigh and she (Omesi) call a nurse that inspected her and revealed that the baby was gone.

According to Omesi, she thought that Chidinma had a stillbirth, which is why she encouraged her to travel home to her parents and notify them of the development.

According to Omesi,  they heard a baby’s cry on Tuesday morning and quickly used a ladder to rescue the newborn.

Speaking on the despicable incident, the state Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, said she was shocked when both the mother and child were brought to her office.

Obinabo lambasted the baby’s mother, saying “Why would you, after you have passed through pregnancy, given birth and decided to put the baby in the toilet? Why? Since Sunday? Why are you this wicked?”

After lambasting Chidinma for her wicked action, the commissioner immediately ordered that the newborn should be taken to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Amaku, in Awka for treatment and later called for the arrest of the mother of the baby.

Obinabo denounced the rate at which young girls now commit crime and stated that the young mother would face justice for her action.

The commissioner added the State Governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo,  has zero tolerance for such inhumane and dastardly acts and assured of seeing to the end of the case.

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News

Tragedy As Pastor Jumps Down Storey-Building, Kill Self After Lover He Sends To Higher Institution Jilted Him

By Akeem Oduyoye

Tragedy occurred in Nnewi, Ananbra State as a pastor of a Pentecostal Church  identified as Pastor Prosper Igboke, committed suicide by jumping  down from a two-storey building after a lover he sponsored her university education jilted him.

It was gathered that Igboke jumped down from the two-storey building and died instantly after he was jilted by his lover, whom he had spent so much on.

A relative of the deceased who confirmed the development to newsmen on Saturday, said the 30-year-old man from Leru community in Umunneochi Local Government Area, Abia State, had trained his lover in the university, after which she declined his marriage proposal.

 “The incident happened last month. The man (Igboke) was 30 years old at the time of his death. His girlfriend, whom he intended to marry disappointed him after seeing her through the university.

“He jumped down from a two-storey building and died. I am surprised that a man of this age and a pastor can do this.”

According to their village tradition, the relative said he was buried in a forest for committing “sacrilege”.

“He was eventually buried on Friday in a bush in his community,” the source added.

As at the time of filing this report, the state police command has yet confirm the sad development.