Ebonyi State

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

There was a clash between the men of the Nigerian Police Force, NPF, and the supporters of former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Saturday. 

According to reports, the police dispersed the supporters of the former governor who gathered at the Pastoral Centre in Abakaliki on Saturday morning for a solidarity march for the Labour Party presidential candidate.

Some of the supporters who spoke to newsmen disclosed that they were harassed and some of their members have been illegally detained by the police. 

However, all efforts to reach the State Police Commissioner, Aliyu Garba, for comments have been futile.

By Muhammadu Sabiu

The police detained a 20-year-old woman and her lover in Ebonyi State for selling their baby boy to a maternity homeowner for N500,000.

Jonah Ogbuagu, a bricklayer, impregnated the mother, Ola China, 20, of Amangwu Edda in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi in August 2021.

In April 2022, Ola gave birth to the child in Obigbo, Rivers, where she had gone to hibernate at her aunt’s house throughout the pregnancy.

After giving birth, she and Ogbuagu plotted to sell the child.

On Tuesday, SP Chris Anyanwu, the police spokesman in Ebonyi, reported that “Mummy Abigail,” a pregnant woman who goes by the moniker, had been taken into custody in Ovima, another local government area in Afikpo North.

“Mummy Abigail runs a maternity home which she uses as a cover for her illicit trade.

“The suspects have been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons for necessary actions and prosecution,’’ SP Anyanwu stated.

He added by saying that police in Ebonyi also detained a two-man child trafficking gang that specialized in kidnapping, stealing, and selling children.

Otuu Chizaram, 24, of Ndukwe Akpoha and Agbi Precious, 20, of Evuma Road, both in the Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi, were identified by Anyawu.

“Each of them confessed to the crime of stealing a baby,’’ Anyanwu added.

By Sumayyah Auwal Usman

Ahead of its national convention, youths of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the 19 northern states under the auspices of Concerned Northern APC Youth Forum has called for unity among members of the party for a hitch-free convention. 

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the Chairman, Concerned Northern APC Youth Forum (CNAYF), Hon. Suleiman Liba said, “the All Progressive Congress must stick to the plan and ensure we get it right through internal party democracy since true democratic tenets entail that a few may have their say, but the majority should have their way”.  

On the 2023 Presidential election, Hon. Liba said, “We must commend the readiness and resolved of the masses, especially within the Northern part of the country, to participate massively in the electioneering processes through to 2023”. 

According to the group, the Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, stands as the worthy successor to President Muhammadu Buhari come 2023. They said, “the man’s antecedents of excellence speak volume, and his achievements in Ebonyi state are there for everyone to see”. 

“CNAYF further throws her weights behind the candidature of Engr David Nweze Umahi for President, as it reflects the wish of the people, especially from the North,” he said.