Iniubong Umoren: Akwa Ibom Governor Promises Justice For Slain Jobseeker

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has promised that the government will ensure the killer of Miss Iniubong Umoren does not go unpunished.

He made the promise on Monday when he led some members of the State Executive Council on a condolence visit to the family of the deceased.

Umoren was the lady kidnapped, raped, and murdered by a young man who had promised her employment.

A suspect identified as Uduak Frank Akpan has since been arrested by the police in connection with the killing.

Governor Emmanuel, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, lamented that the whole state was saddened by the gruesome murder of the young jobseeker.

He condemned the killing of Umoren which he said was at variance with the state government’s efforts at encouraging the youths to be engaged in profitable ventures.

The governor decried that the late young lady was awaiting her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) call-up letter for her mandatory national service before the incident.

He was, however, confident in the ability and commitment of the police to ensuring that justice was served, adding that the state government would not interfere with the investigations.

Speaking on behalf of Umoren’s family, her brother and sister, Ukeme and Ifiok, thanked the governor for the visit and appealed to him to ensure that justice was allowed to take its course.

The state government entourage on the visit included the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ini Emememobong; Commissioner for Education, Idongesit Etiebet, and the Commissioner of Women Affairs, Ini Adiakpan.

 

A Journey Of No Return

Late Umoren had shared a post on Twitter in which she said she needed a job to keep her mind and soul together on Tuesday last week.

#AkwaIbomTwitter please I’m really in need of a job, something to do to keep mind and soul together while contributing dutifully to the organisation. My location is Uyo, I’m creative, really good in thinking ctitically and most importantly a fast learner. CV available on request.

— Iron_Lady🔥 (@HinyHumoren) April 27, 2021

 

Thereafter, she was said to have been contacted by Akpan who promised her a job and invited her over to his place.

Rather than getting the job as promised, Umoren’s hope and dream of becoming a great person in life were shattered as the visit to the purported employer became a journey of no return.

Worried by the sudden disappearance of their daughter, her family lodged a complaint at the police station in Uruan – a local government in Akwa Ibom State.

Umoren’s killing sparked outrage on social media as Nigerians demanded that the jobseeker’s killer be made to face justice.

The police also confirmed the arrest of the 20-year-old suspect in a statement on Sunday by the spokesman for the command.

Read the full statement below:

UPDATE ON THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MISS INIOBONG EPHRAIM UMOREN

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested one UDUAK FRANK AKPAN, 20 years old for kidnapping, raping, and murdering one Miss Iniobong Umoren.

On 30/04/2021, the Command received a report on the disappearance of the victim.

Following available leads,   Men of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Command, led by CSP Inengiye IGOSI, consolidated on the initial great progress made by the DPO Uruan, SP Samuel Ezeugo, and arrested the perpetrator who confessed to have lured his victim to his house in the guise of giving her a job but ended up sexually and physically assaulting her which led to her death.

To cover his tracks, he dragged and buried her in a shallow grave in his father’s compound.

The deceased has been exhumed and deposited at UUTH for autopsy.

The suspect confessed to have told his Local Government Chairman of his atrocity before escaping to Calabar and was never at any time handed over to the police by anyone.

Suspect is a confessed serial rapist who has owned up to the raping of other victims. He will be charged to court at the conclusion of the investigation.

The Commissioner of Police, CP AMIENGHENE ANDREW, fdc, psc(+) has called on youths and job seekers to be wary of the activities of scammers and other men of the underworld.

While appreciating the efforts of the social media family and other fighters of injustice, he has condoled with the family and friends of the deceased.

SP ODIKO MacDON (ANIPR)

POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,

FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE,

AKWA IBOM STATE.

Breaking: Missing girl, Iniubong Umoren murdered, buried in shallow grave

The unexpected has happened. The unthinkable has occured. Tragedy has struck. A young lady with life and a future has had her life snuffed out of her and cut short by her abductor, one Uduak Frank Akpan, from Nung Ikot Obio

Iniubong Umoren, the young girl who went job hunting has been murdered and buried in a shallow grave by her abductor, the Informer can authoritatively report. 

The deceased was alleged to have on Thursday, April 29, 2021, went for a "job interview" at an undisclosed location on Airport Road in the outskirts of Uyo.

About two hours later, she reportedly made a frantic phone call where she was heard screaming before the call was abruptly ended. Her phone line has been switched off ever since.

Soon after, the social media was went viral with her story which saw the internet being used to unmask her abductor.

24 hours later, Nigerians on social media provided evidence, locations, contacts and almost everything needed to unmask her kidnapper with the hope that the intelligence provided will help in finding the missing Iniobong Umoren and bring his abductor to justice.

The suspect was alleged to have taken the late Miss Umoren to his house where an argument ensured and in the process, he used an object to hit her on the head resulting in her death. He was alleged to have hurriedly buried her in a shallow grave and ran to Oron to hide.

Following pressure by the Police and Nigerians on social media, Oron became uncomfortable for him and he ran back to Uruan. The Chairman of Uruan LGA, Surv. Iniobong Ekpeyong was said to have met the accused cousin and asked him to bring the accused to him.

When he was taken before the Chairman, he was asked to be truthful about what actually transpired. It was there he confessed to his Local Government Chairman that he actually killed and buried her in a shallow grave. A shocked Surv Ekpeyong had no choice but to call the DPO of Uruan LGA and handed over the suspect to the Police for further investigation and prosecution.

May her Soul rest in peace.

We Will Expose You – APC Threatens Father Mbaka

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has admonished the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka to focus on his spiritual calling and leave politics for the politicians.

The APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena made the call on Friday in a reaction to Mbaka’s call for President Muhammadu Buhari to resign over the growing insecurity in Nigeria.

It will be recalled that Mbaka earlier noted that President Buhari has failed the country woefully, hence he should resign or face impeachment.

However, Nabena submitted on Friday that Mbaka shouldn’t be making such statements capable of destabilizing the country.

He further threatened to expose Mbaka’s ‘dirty secrets’ to the Vatican and the Pope if the priest doesn’t stop levelling accusations against Buhari and other political leaders in the country.

“One would wonder who Father Mbaka is emulating because the Lord Jesus Christ did not threaten to bring down the government during his own time, in fact, Jesus Christ obeyed and honoured constituted authority. That’s why he paid his tax.

“We are calling on Father Mbaka to concentrate on his spiritual calling and stop speaking like politicians who it is obvious he (Mbaka) has been dining and wining with. If Mbaka has found another political ally, it is better to leave a political message for politicians.

“Calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to either resign or be impeached because of the current challenges is ungodly. Father Mbaka should not, however, take his luck too far because there is a lot to tell the Vatican and the Pope about his person and his sources of inspiration”, Nabena said.

Rather than make toxic statements, Nabena urged Mbaka and other clerics to follow the example of Jesus as well as other respected clergymen and pray for the peace of the country.

He urged them to also “emulate the likes of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God RCCG and Pastor WF Kumuyi of the Deeper Life Bible Ministry and many other true men of God who will rather fast and pray to avert a crisis in the country instead of threatening the government of the day”.

Meanwhile, a former aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri has warned the catholic church to sack Fr Ejike Mbaka before he disgraces them totally.

Omokri accused Mbaka of making statements capable of confusing people and which falls below expectations of him as a clergyman.

Workers’ Day: Labour Threatens Mass Action Over Minimum Wage Law

 

Workers’ Day: Labour Threatens Mass Action Over Minimum Wdent of the Nigeria Labour The president of the Labor Congress, Mr. Ayuba Wabba on Saturday threatened to embark on a mass industrial action if the proposed bill which seeks to transfer minimum wage to the concurrent list is passed by the National Assembly.

Mr Wabba made the remark during an event organised to mark Workers’ Day in Abuja.

“There have been attempts by a section the ruling class to remove the national minimum wage from Exclusive Legislative list to the concurrent list,” he said.

“This is condemnable. The national minimum wage is a global standard.

“Therefore, we are reinforcing our earlier position to state that Nigerian workers will not allow a situation where the progress we have made for the past 40 years to be taken by these group of politicians we are going to insist that any day that this law is considered by any of the chambers, Nigerian workers are going to withdraw their services.”

He also said Kaduna workers will withdraw their services for five days in protest of the sacking of workers by the Kaduna State Government.

If the workers are not reinstated, Mr Wabba stressed, there will be a total shutdown.

Workers’ Day: Labour Threatens Mass Action Over Minimum Wage law.

Police arrest ex-convict who stole 273 phones worth N15m in Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a notorious thief and ex-convict and recovered 273 mobile phones worth N15m from him. 

Spokesperson of the command, SP Gambo Isah, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday April 30, said the suspect, Ibrahim Lawal, specialises in house breaking and theft of motorcycles.

"On 22/04/2021 at about 07:00hrs, based on tip off, the Command succeeded in arresting one Ibrahim Lawal, alias ‘ABBA KALA’, ‘M’, aged 23yrs of Fegi Quarters, Daura LGA of Katsina state, a notorious thief and ex-convict, a habitual criminal, who specializes in House breaking and theft of motorcycles," Gambo stated.

"Nemesis caught up with the suspect when he trespassed into the house of one Kamalu Ibrahim, ‘M’, aged 33yrs of Shagari Low cost, Daura, and broke into his motor vehicle, BMW 3 Series, with registration number JW 01 DRA and stole away two hundred and seventy-three handsets valued fifteen million Naira (N15,000,000).

"In the course of investigation, all the stolen two hundred and seventy-three (273) GSM handsets were recovered in his possession during police search. Suspect confessed to the commission of the offence. He will be arraigned in court immediately investigation is completed." he added. 

Culled from Linda Ikeji...

Wike Accuses APC Of Failing To Protect Nigerians

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of failing to protect Nigerians

The governor made the closure on Thursday during a meeting with traditional rulers from Ogoniland.

Governor Wike asked Nigerians not to re-elect the APC because the party has failed in its primary responsibility to protect the lives and properties of the citizens.

He noted that country is now “on life support”.

According to the governor, the security situation under the “APC-led Federal Government has deteriorated so much so that not even a state governor can guarantee his safety”.

He challenged the Federal Government to rise above mere issuing of threats to terrorists and bandits, to take drastic actions that will decimate the gangs.

The Rivers State Governor, however, blamed the citizens of been part of the socio-economic and security challenges facing the country.

According to him, the people have failed in their duty to question and hold public officers to account for the promises made during elections.

US Embassy To Prioritize Visa Appointments For Nigerian Students

The United States Mission in Nigeria on Friday announced that it will prioritize student visa applicants and ensure Nigerian students resuming this Fall (September) get visa interview appointments well in advance of their program start date.

According to Country Consular Coordinator, Susan Tuller, US offices in Lagos and Abuja will make every effort to assist student visa applicants in a timely fashion while keeping personnel and customers safe.

“As we continue to prioritize the health and safety of our staff and customers, processing student visas remains a high priority for the U.S. Mission in Nigeria,” Tuller said, in a statement made available to journalists by the US Embassy.

“We will increase the number of student visa appointments in May and June to ensure that we can offer appointments to as many students as possible. If your U.S. studies are scheduled to begin this Fall, we encourage you to schedule your appointment as quickly as possible.”

Tuller explained that all student visa appointments must be booked through the U.S. Travel Docs website at www.ustraveldocs.com/ng/. She warned applicants against the use of third-party services, including touts, and fixers who broker visa appointments.

According to her, agents or third parties often seek to benefit by charging a fee for their services and they may not always provide the correct information, which can harm an applicant’s chances of qualifying for the visa.

“Both Nigeria and the United States benefit when Nigerian students study at one of our world-class educational institutions. To prepare for your U.S. educational opportunity, we encourage you to check out EducationUSA Advising Centers at our American Spaces in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, and Calabar, or at educationUSA.state.gov,” she added.

Nigeria sends more students to American colleges and universities than any other country in Africa and is the eleventh largest source worldwide of international students to the United States. In academic year 2019-2020, a record-breaking number of nearly 14,000 Nigerians pursued graduate and undergraduate degrees in the United States.

Over the last 21 years, the EducationUSA Advising Centers in Nigeria have directly contributed to an increase in the number of highly qualified Nigerian applicants to U.S. institutions. In 2020, advisees of EducationUSA services received scholarships worth $28 million.

Additional information on U.S. travel and student visas is available at travel.state.gov or ng.usembassy.gov.

How relatives, others exposed amputee hawker

If not for family members and others who wanted their share of the cash donations, amputee sachet water hawker Mary Daniel’s lies would not have been exposed.

Miss Daniel claimed that her parents were dead, but some of her relatives seeking a share of the over N25m donated to her by Nigerians, said she lied.

The 26-year-old also did not say the truth about being an orphan.

A source close to the Lagos State government told The Nation that “some of these discrepancies started emerging on her birthday. Some things were observed that did not add up. Then, the strange calls. She also refused for her child to be brought to Lagos”.

The source added: “Later she came up and said she wanted to go alone to bring the child and those managing her refused since it was not safe to travel. Then, she was taken to where she should learn a skill but she refused. It was clear she just wanted to leave the state. With the information at the disposal of the state government, she was disallowed from travelling alone.

“She was first handed over to the Social Welfare Department but when they complained about accommodation and the Igala traditional ruler in Lagos indicated interest to take her, she was handed over to him.”

When The Nation contacted the leader of Igala community in Lagos State, Chief Sanni Yakubu Ejima, he confirmed that Miss Daniel was in his custody.

The Special Adviser, Office of Civic Engagement, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, in a statement yesterday, said Miss Daniel was kept in protective custody to shield her from possible fraudsters, adding that the ultimate desire of government was to ensure she became a responsible citizen.

According to Adebowale, “she now has the resources to take care of herself and her baby. She can now have a new lease of life”.

She explained that the police were brought in to demonstrate that the state had taken good care of Ms. Daniel while its officials and to ensure her safety thereafter.

Princess Adebowale added that a committee would oversee Miss Daniel’s rehabilitation and ensure that the donated funds were judiciously utilised for the improvement of her standard of living.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso denied that the state was preventing Ms. Daniel from accessing her money.

He said: “We have handed over Mary Daniel to representatives of her Igala, Kogi State community here in Lagos. The handing over was done in the presence of representatives of the Ministries of Justice; Youth and Social Development, and police and a Non-Governmental Organisation.

“Government took the step to shield Ms. Daniel from possible fraudsters who may target the funds donated to her by well-meaning Nigerians. She is also free to set up her dream supermarket in Lagos since it was here that fortune smiled on her. This is a confirmation that Lagos is a land of hope and opportunities. A committee was also set up to ensure the funds are utilised judiciously.”

Baba Ijesha: Lagos govt wades into case, vows to ensure justice if…

Following the alleged molesting of a 14-year-old girl by Nollywood actor, James Olanrewaju, known as Baba Ijesha, the Lagos State Government has given its stance on the matter. Recall Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo, comedienne Princess, and others had recently stormed the SCID, Panti, to protest alleged plans to release Baba Ijesha by the police.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Lagos, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, however, told newsmen that there were no plans to release the suspect as wrongly perceived. Wading into the matter, the Lagos State Government in a statement signed Friday, by its Domestic and Sexual Violence Response team said it is actively involved in the case. It further highlighted some sections of the Law dealing with the act and the likely punishment if Baba Ijesha is found guilty.

The copy of the press release below;

Earlier, the 48-year-old Olarenwaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, was arrested on April 22 for allegedly defiling a minor. CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi had said in a statement that preliminary findings revealed that the suspect started assaulting the victim sexually since she was seven years’ old. There was an uproar following a report that a directive had been given for the release of the Nollywood acto from custody. The report was that the suspect could be released as he could not be detained indefinitely due to the ongoing strike by members of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN). A video of the suspect confessing to the crime and begging for forgiveness had, however, gone viral following the rumour that investigation revealed that Baba Ijesha did not defile the victim. 

Vanguard News Nigeria

The presidency has reacted to accusations levelled against President Muhammadu Buhari by the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom over the insecurity in the country.

Ortom had on Tuesday accused President Buhari of working for the Fulani ethnic stock to take over Nigeria in a reaction to the recent killing of residents allegedly perpetrated by herdsmen.

But the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, condemned Governor Ortom for blaming President Buhari for the deaths.

In a statement titled ‘Governor Ortom Only Sees The Problems Of Others, He Doesn’t See His Own,’ on Thursday Shehu said the President was saddened by the killings in the country as well as the governor’s accusations.

He said, “The President expresses his condolences to the families of our dear citizens who lost their loved ones in the recent spate of killings in Benue State.

“Furthermore, he states that the rising levels of incidents, especially the killings and violence in various parts of the country call for further collaboration with security agencies to curb its recurrence.

“He also states his disappointment and sadness to hear Samuel Ortom, the Governor of Benue State make a litany of accusations against his person and his government following the recent unfortunate incidents in the state.”

‘Deeply pained’

President Buhari and his administration has come under heavy criticism over the violence and killings in several parts of the country. While many critics have accused him of failing to act to secure the nation, Mr Shehu suggested that the government was working to secure the nation.

“No responsible government takes pleasure in such events as the killing of the military and that of innocent citizens taking refuge in an Internally Displaced People’s camp,” he said.

“President Buhari is deeply pained by the terrible acts of violence happening not only in Benue State but also in other parts of the country and expects that the law enforcement agencies will go to every possible extent to catch the perpetrators of these heinous acts and bring them to justice.”

On April 27, after some internally displaced persons were killed in an IDP camp in Benue, Governor Ortom said: “What is happening now, to me, is very clear; Mr President is just working for these Fulanis to take over the whole country.”

“His body language is what is being played out. The body language, the action and inaction of Mr. President shows that he is only the President of Fulani people; I have known this.”

He also lamented that no fewer than 70 people have been killed in the last two weeks in three local governments in the Benue State.

See Garba Shehu’s full statement below:

GOVERNOR ORTOM ONLY SEES THE PROBLEMS OF OTHERS,  HE DOESN’T SEE HIS OWN

The President expresses his condolences to the families of our dear citizens who lost their loved ones in the recent spate of killings in Benue State.

Furthermore, he states that the rising levels of incidents, especially the killings and violence in various parts of the country call for further collaboration with security agencies to curb its recurrence.

He also states his disappointment and sadness to hear Samuel Ortom, the Governor of Benue State make a litany of accusations against his person and his government following the recent unfortunate incidents in the state.

No responsible government takes pleasure in such events as the killing of the military and that of innocent citizens taking refuge in an Internally Displaced People’s camp. President Buhari is deeply pained by the terrible acts of violence happening not only in Benue State but also in other parts of the country and expects that the law enforcement agencies will go to every possible extent to catch the perpetrators of these heinous acts and bring them to justice.

The lives of fellow citizens should not be desecrated by deploying them in political diatribe which unfortunately appeared to be the intent of the string of emotional attacks and blame laid at the doors of the President for those killings by Governor Ortom. President Buhari took an oath to defend the life and property of every citizen, a duty he takes seriously and is committed to ensuring.

Those citizens regardless of their affiliations, who either incite, sponsor or are proven to be abettors of these atrocities will face the law squarely and be answerable for their crimes against our fellow citizens and nation.

President Buhari continuously stresses that the strength of our country lies in our diversity in faith, culture, and traditions and attempts to sharpen the divide between northern and southern Nigeria, between Muslims and Christians, and between communities that have coexisted for centuries should be frowned upon and resisted. As Nigerians, we accuse colonial rulers of the policy of divide and rule. Today, it is our own leaders who put region against region, religion against religion, ethnic group against ethnic group and community against community.

The future of Benue State and indeed that of the entire country lies in harmony and respect for the law, order, and the constitution. It is the only way to achieve progress and development.

While the President will continue to keep security, police and the armed forces on their toes to be on top of their act in troubled parts of the country, the situation in the states will greatly be helped by everyone working together because that is the foundation on which progress and prosperity can be achieved.

Benue under the Ortom administration ought to cooperate with the Federal Government in the implementation of a number of national strategies programs in addressing underlying issues militating against peace, progress and development. This can still get done when the interest of the people is placed above all other interests. A government voted into office by the people, should treat the people as its masters and not as its servants.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity)

April 29, 2021