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Suspected Police Operatives Whisk Enugu Suspended Traditional Ruler Out At Night

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Mrs. Martina Okwor has called on the Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to as a matter of urgency intervene and save the life of her husband, Chief Christopher Okwor who was whisked out of their residence on Thursday night by suspected Police operatives.

“I call for quick intervention of the Enugu state Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State as both the offence and whereabouts’ of my husband are not yet known”, Martina Okwor pleaded.

Chief Christopher, the suspended traditional ruler of Ihekwuenu-Aku Autonomous community in Igbo-Etiti LGA, Enugu State whose residence in Nsukka was besieged and broken into by officers suspected to be from the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters Abuja on Thursday night.

Narrating the incident to newsmen, an eyewitness who lives with the traditional ruler, identified as Jenifer, said the operatives who came fully armed and in civilian dress, scaled the fence to gain access to the traditional ruler’s compound.

The eye witness further stated that they heard unusual noise within the compound and suddenly the operatives started breaking one of the entrance doors.

She added that when they (operatives) could not succeed, they pulled down a window burglary proof from where they eventually gained entry into the main building.

The operatives she said subjected the traditional ruler, his wife and two guests in his house to severe beating.

A guest present at the traditional ruler’s house, who pleaded anonymity, alleged that the operatives kicked and hit the traditional ruler with gun; they also threatened to kill him.

Igwe Okwor, the guest added, was thereafter dragged half-naked alongside the wife to a waiting vehicle outside the gate.

A local vigilante member, who rushed to the traditional ruler’s house with his member when the operation was going on, said they were asked to leave the vicinity by the policemen.

But when the Police force was contacted, both the Nsukka Area command and the Police Public Relations Officer Enugu state command, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, denied awareness of such operation.

However, investigation by journalist reveals that the traditional ruler and the wife were taken to the anti-kidnapping unit Enugu that night.

On reaching at the Unit for further confirmation, the journalists were informed that the traditional ruler was being transported to Abuja through the Akanu Ibiam Airport.

The crew however succeeded in locating the traditional ruler’s wife, Martina Okwor, who while narrating their ordeals, accused one Mr. Nnamdi Ezemagu of trying to send her husband to early grave through constant police threats, intimidation, and harassment.

“This is because my husband as the traditional ruler stopped his land grabbing activities in Ihekwuenu-Aku autonomous community; Ezemagu and siblings came with police operatives to invade our home,” Martina said.

The wife of the estranged traditional ruler further stated, “My husband was transported to Abuja by road in the same vehicle with Ezemagu instead of going to the airport as earlier said by the Police.

“I am afraid that they might kill or inflict more injury on him on the way to Abuja.

The traumatized wife expressed shock that the traditional ruler who was in dire need of medical attention as result of the injury sustained and his health condition was denied access to medical attention.

“They also refused to give him the clothes our children brought for their father, the traditional ruler who was dragged out of his residence almost naked.” She said.

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Nigerian officials probe plan to marry off scores of female orphans

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May 15, 2024

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ABUJA, NIGERIA — Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Women Affairs says it is investigating a plan by a lawmaker in central Niger state to marry off some 100 female orphans of unknown ages later this month.

Speaker of the Niger State Assembly Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji announced the mass wedding last week but called off the ceremony following widespread outrage.

Minister of Women Affairs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, condemned the plans.

Kennedy-Ohanenye said she had petitioned the police and filed a lawsuit to stop the marriages pending an investigation to ascertain the age of the orphans and whether they consented to the marriages.

“This is totally unacceptable by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and by the government” of Nigeria, she said.

Last week, Sarkin-Daji announced his support for the mass wedding of the orphans, whose relatives were killed during attacks by armed bandits. He said it was part of his support to his constituents following an appeal for wedding funding by local traditional and religious leaders.

The mass wedding had been scheduled for May 24.

“That support I intend to give for the marriage of those orphans, I’m withdrawing it,” he said. “The parents can have the support [money], if they wish, let them go ahead and marry them off. As it is right now, I’m not threatened by the action of the minister.”

Despite national laws prohibiting it, forced or arranged marriage is a common phenomenon in Nigeria, especially among rural communities in the predominantly Muslim north, where religious and cultural norms such as polygamy favor the practice.

Poor families often use forced marriage to ease financial pressure, and the European Union Agency for Asylum says girls who refuse could face repercussions such as neglect, ostracism, physical assault and rape.

Raquel Kasham Daniel escaped being married off as a teenager when her father died and now runs a nonprofit helping children, especially less-privileged girls, get a formal education for free.

She said the ability of women to avoid forced marriage in Nigeria depends on their income and education.

“I was 16 when I lost my dad and I was almost married off, but then I ran away from home. And that gave me the opportunity to complete my education, and now I have a better life,” Daniel said.

“So, the reason why I prioritize education is to make sure that other girls have access to quality schooling so that it will help them make informed decisions about their lives. Education not only increases our awareness as girls about our rights but also enhances our prospects for higher income earning,” she said.

Thirty percent of girls in Nigeria are married before they turn 18, according to Girls Not Brides, a global network of more than 1,400 civil society groups working to end child marriage.

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Shell investigates smoke near Gbaran oil facility in Nigeria

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May 15, 2024

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YENAGOA, Nigeria, May 14 (Reuters) – Oil major Shell is investigating reports of smoke early Tuesday near its Gbaran Ubie oil and gas facility in Nigeria’s coastal Bayelsa state, a spokesperson said after residents reported hearing explosions and seeing smoke near the area.
The incident would not immediately lead to an operational shut-in, the Shell spokesperson said.
A fire was reported around 0600 GMT by residents in the nearby community, who said blasts were heard where pipeline repair works had been ongoing.
The Gbaran facility, which began operations in 2010, is by far the most important Nigeria LNG gas feedstock project, processing almost 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day.
“We are actively monitoring reports of smoke detected near our Gbaran Central Processing Facility in Bayelsa State. While the source appears to be external to our facility, we are in close communication with regulatory authorities to look into the incident and ensure the safety of the surrounding communities,” a Shell spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
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Shell did not immediately respond to the accounts of residents in the area.
Resident Ovie Ogbuku told Reuters: “At about 7 a.m. I heard the sound so deafeningly and it shook the foundation of the earth and we ran for our dear lives. The result is the thick smoke you are seeing now.”
Another resident Uche Ede said; “We have no idea of the cause of the explosion but we are grateful no life was lost because it was far away from homes.”
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Land operations in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta are prone to sabotage, theft, and pipeline vandalism, forcing oil majors to exit such fields to focus on deepwater drilling.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Nigeria tour: A Round Up

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May 15, 2024

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Meghan and Harry spent three days in the African country, Nigeria in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent time in Nigeria as part of a three-day tour, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of The Invictus Games.

The couple were personally invited on the trip by Nigeria’s chief of defence staff, General Christopher Musa; they are not there in any official capacity on behalf of the royal family or the UK. The tour schedule, which started in the bustling capital of Abuja, has been jam-packed, including a visit to primary and secondary school Lightway Academy, where they met with students, and experiencing the work of Nigeria Unconquered, a charitable foundation dedicated to aiding wounded, injured, or sick servicemembers.

Naturally, the trip also provided the opportunity for Meghan to showcase a multi-day “tourdrobe”, the likes of which we haven’t seen since the couple stepped down as senior working royals in early 2020 – and she hasn’t disappointed, in a series of summery maxi dresses, elegant tailoring and striking separates.

See highlights from their trip so far, below.

On day three, the couple arrived at Lagos airport, where they were given an official state welcome.

The couple posed for a photo with children and Nigerian dignitaries.

 

The couple were greeted by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

 

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They then attended a basketball exhibition training match at Ilupeju Grammar School in Lagos. After the match, they posed for a photo with the Toronto Raptors basketball team president, Masai Ujiri, and the principal of Ilupeju Grammar School, Josephine Egunyomi.

 

The couple attended a reception hosted by the charity organisation Nigeria Unconquered, held at the Officers’ Mess in Abuja.

 

A visit to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

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