10 dead bodies found in Owerri burrow pit on MARCH 5, 2013 ·

10 dead bodies found in Owerri burrow pit

on MARCH 5, 2013 ·

About ten unknown human bodies that are in varying stages of decomposition have been spotted in a burrow pit at Mgbirichi, along the ever busy Owerri-Port Harcourt federal highway.

Vanguard learnt that the shocking discovery was made a group of women, who were on their way to their farm, suddenly discovered two dead bodies that were dumped in the pit.

Scared by the shocking finding, the hapless women rushed back home to announce the development to their fellow villagers.

Confirming this to Vanguard, one of the villagers who spoke on strict grounds of anonymity, said “the community leaders quickly reported the ugly incident to the Divisional Police Headquarters, Umuagwo”.

Continuing, the villager recalled that after seeing things for themselves, including the seemingly fresh bodies and other decaying human parts littered inside the burrow pit, the two fresh bodies were buried in the place.

“Health workers under the watchful eyes of the visiting policemen later buried the two fresh bodies in the burrow pit, while the other decayed human parts, including bones which littered the place, were not attended to”, the villager said.

The new Police Public Relations Officer, Joy Elemoko, a deputy superintendent of police, DSP, could not comment on the issue because she was not able to get across to the Divisional Police Office, DPO, in charge of the area.

Nigerians remained indebted to Obasanjo, says Jonathan on MARCH 5, 2013 ·

Nigerians remained indebted to Obasanjo, says Jonathan

on MARCH 5, 2013 ·  

 

Abuja – President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated former President Olusegun Obasanjo on his 76^th birthday.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Dr Reuben Abati.

The statement quoted the president as saying that Nigerians remained indebted to Obasanjo for his efforts at ensuring peace, stability and development of the country.

“On behalf of my family, the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and on my own behalf, I write to express warm felicitations to you on the occasion of your 76^thbirthday anniversary which comes up on Tuesday, March 5^th 2013.

“Over the years, you have always readily given yourself to the cause of the peace, stability, growth and development of our country, Nigeria. For this, we owe you an enduring debt of gratitude.

“As you celebrate with family, friends and well-wishers, I pray that Almighty God continues to guide, guard, and prosper you, even as He blesses you with many more years of robust health and abiding fulfilment,” Jonathan said. (NAN)

Cardinals Ready To Elect Pope, As Sistine Chapel Closes To Tourists

Tue, 05/03/2013 -

The Vatican today sent the clearest sign yet that a papal election is nearing with the Sistine Chapel announcing it is closing to visitors.

As of this afternoon, Michelangelo's frescoed masterpiece will be sealed to tourists as Vatican workers put it into shape for the conclave.

In 2005, the last time the College of Cardinals elected a pope, those preparations included installing a false floor to hide anti-bugging devices and attaching the stove, where the ballots are burned, to the Sistine Chapel's chimney.

Today the gathered cardinals began a second round of pre-conclave meetings to organize the election process and get to know one another. With a handful of cardinals still travelling to Rome, no date has yet been set.

Bayelsa Landslide: Group Demands Assistance For Victims

Posted: March 5, 2013 -

Seriake Dickson

The Environmental Rights Action/Friend of Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has urged the Niger Delta Development Commission and the Bayelsa State government to provide urgent assistance to victims of last Saturday’s landslide in Bayelsa.
ERA’s executive director, Nnimmo Bassey, made the call today from Yenogoa, capital of Bayelsa, in an interview. Mr. Bassey said the devastating landslide occurred at about 6 a.m. on Saturday. He remarked that the state government ought to take steps to address the needs of those affected by the landslide. He asked the government to ensure that the residents of the area do not lose their ancestral lands.

Our correspondent learnt that the landslide, which happened on March 2, hit the riverside community of Okoloba in Kolokuma-Opokuma local government area of Bayelsa State, destroying several houses.

The affected houses were located along the bank of the Nun River. Several of the structures were buried by the landslide. No life was lost in the incident, but several sources within the community said the incident was the second time in five years the area was rocked by a landslide. “The worst affected areas are Abadan and Isedam compounds,” one of the sources said.

The source, an indigene of the area, said it was providence that averted what could have been the tragic end of occupants of the destroyed houses.

“We’re thankful to God that the incident did not happen when the occupants of the affected houses were in bed,” he said. “It could have been very, very disastrous. Sadly, a part of the area that was hit by a landslide some years ago was seriously affected by the latest incident.

“Some of the survivors are afraid that the area may witness a repeat of the ugly incident. So there is a lot of apprehension within this community,” he added.

Seyeifa Uzaka, an indigene of the area, also appealed to the relevant authorities to come to the aid of the community and save it from greater disaster.

CP Asadu Was Top Contender For Village Stool

Tue, 05/03/2013 - 

The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, Mr. Chinweike Asadu, who was killed on Saturday night, would have retired in three months time.

The late CP  was a leading contender to the vacant throne in his village and it was further alleged that some people did not want him to succeed to the throne.

But the Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime has pledged a N10million reward for anybody who could give information on the killers of Asadu.

Chime announced the reward yesterday when he paid an unscheduled condolence visit at the Amorji-Nike home of the slain commissioner.

The governor also urged the police to ensure that the perpetrators of the crime were arrested and brought to book.

He was accompanied on the visit by top government officials as well as the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command.

Chime promised that the government would beef up security in the state with the provision of more patrol vans and communication gadgets.

Asking the family of the slain CP to take heart and bear the loss with fortitude, the governor assured them that the state government would ensure that their bread winner did not serve the country in vain.

Late Asadu’s son, Osinachi who received the governor and his entourage, thanked the governor for the visit and his kind words.

He promised the governor that the family would on its part cooperate in the endeavour to arrest the killers of their father.

Meanwhile, Chime has said the State would provide all necessary assistance to security agencies in the country to ensure that the killers of the police chief were tracked down and brought to book.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Chukwudi Achife, the governor described the murder of the Police Chief, last weekend in Enugu, as shocking and dastardly and added that no effort would be spared to fish out the culprits.

Chime lamented that Mr Asadu, who was an indigene of Enugu State, suffered such a cruel fate after many years of dedicated service to the nation. He added that the development was even more disheartening as Mr Asadu was close to retirement from service when he was murdered.

Governor Chime extended his condolences to the Inspector General of Police, the family of the deceased Police Commissioner and the government and people of Kwara State assuring them that the people of Enugu state shared their grief and outrage over the unfortunate incident.

Meanwhile, prominent men from Amukwa, the community of slain Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Chinwike Asadau have appealed to law enforcement agencies to unravel the mystery surrounding the brutal murder of their kinsman.

Also, some residents of Nsukka in Enugu State have condemned the murder of Mr Chinwike Asadu, the Commissioner of Police in Kwara buy gunmen in Enugu.

They urged security agents in separate in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on in Nsukka on Monday to fish out the killers.

A lecturer in University of Nigeria Nsukka, Mr George Okeagu, said that the murder of Asadu in Enugu state had once again shown the level of insecurity in the country.

“The security agents should ensure that the killers of the police commissioner were arrested and prosecuted. It is painful that Asadu was assassinated in Enugu, his home state.

“If a police commissioner can be killed by unknown gunmen, only God can protect ordinary Nigerians on the street,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, officers and men of the Kwara state police command, yesterday in Ilorin ,  observed a one-minute silence in honour of the Asadu.

This development came just as a social critic, Alhaji  Olola Kasum, lamented that Asadu’s killing has exposed the high water point and sophistication of insecurity in the country.

Kasum in a statement titled “National security: Dogs kill lions with impunity” noted that “insecurity of life has descended so low in our society to the extent that dogs are now killing lions with impunity”.

He suggested that the manhunt for Asadu’s killers “should start from the recent senior police officers postings, some of which were later reviewed; including that of Kwara state.”

Also, the Kwara state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has condemned the killing of the police commissioner.

Boko Haram Militants Kill Gwoza Police DPO and Seven Civilians

Posted: March 5, 2013 - 

By SaharaReporters, New York

Some 48 hours before President Goodluck Jonathan's planned visit to Borno and Yobe states, Islamist militant group, Boko Haram today attacked the township of Gwoza killing the Divisional Police Officer there and at least seven civilians in an attack that also targeted banks in the township.
Eyewitnesses said the militants rode confidently in two pickup vans into the quiet township 135 kilometers from Maiduguri around 9PM.
The gunmen then unleashed violence on the area, indiscriminately shooting at civilians on their way to raid the police armory and a local bank.
President Jonathan is scheduled to visit the Borno state capital, Maiduguri and then Yobe starting from Thursday morning.