Metro
Ebonyi and Tales of Violent, Mysterious Deaths
By Eric Elezuo
As many that has been to Ebonyi State, especially the capital, Abakiliki, has had one term of endearment or another to describe the governor, Mr. Dave Umahi, for his wonderful works and foresightedness. However, in the midst of the sure footed development sweeping through the state, a lot of uncanny scenarios are reported on a daily basis of violent deaths, sometimes involving very close members against one another.
Earlier in the week, the lifeless body of a nursing mother, one Mama Ebuka, was found inside a gutter in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
It was gathered that the woman, until her death, was nursing a two-week-old girl, whom she gave birth to on January 1, 2020.
Mama Ebuka’s partially burnt body was found inside a gutter around the Enugu North Transport Company park at the VANCO area of Abakaliki.
Investigation revealed that the woman, who was a Catholic, left home for Mass on Sunday, but did not return.
The incident, it was learnt, led her husband to report his wife’s disappearance at the state police headquarters.
Over the weekend, it was reported that a widow, Nkechi Ezaka Ucha, and her lover, Ifeanyi Nwokwu, were discovered to have been killed by an unknown assailant with their corpses locked inside a room to decomposing stage.
The incident, which happened in Umuezeoka Umueze Ezza-Effium in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, threw the area into panic as it was suspected that their killing was linked to infidelity.
Nkechi and Ifeanyi’s decomposing bodies were discovered by neighbours following fowl stench emanating from the man’s room, where they were locked.
An insider described the development as worrisome, saying it was not the first time such ugly incident will occur in the community.
Hear him: “Sometimes last year, a similar incident happened where armed robbers killed a young man in this same Umuezeoka Umueze community and till now the perpetrators of this heinous crime have not been brought to book.
“The spate of killing and armed robbery activities in Umuezeoka Umueze in Effium Autonomous Community has reached an alarming proportion.
“So many of our illustrious sons and daughters can no longer visit home because of the fear of the unknown.
“Our aged fathers and mothers have been living at the mercy of this terror men.
“I am pleading with the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, and Ebonyi State Government to please come to our aid as our people can no longer sleep at home and those of us who are in the cities cannot come home because of cases of similar nature.”
Funnily enough, the killing spree is not limited to Umuezeoka Umueze community.
It was also reported mid December that a 29-year-old man, one late Boniface Nwoha, a native of Amike Aba community in Ebonyi local government area of Ebonyi State was killed by unknown gunmen. It was learnt that he was murdered at a drinking joint where he had gone for relaxation.
It was gathered that the victim had a quarrel with some persons in his residence at Amike Aba, which resulted to fight and wounding of some persons.
When contacted, a family member of the deceased who spoke unanimity, said he received a call around 9:25pm from an unknown person who informed him of the incident, but before he could get to the location, men of the Nigeria Police Force had already taken his corpse away.
He accused one Ekpenyi of masterminding the killing, adding that the suspect was a leader of the gang that attacked his brother.
In addition, a 38-year-old man, Simon Ozibo, was remanded in a correctional facility for murdering his mother, Mrs Felicia Ozibo.
It was gathered that the suspect committed the crime on Thursday, November 14, 2019, at Iziogo community in the Izzi Local Government Area of the state.
The accused allegedly murdered his mother in the presence of his wife with a cutlass and shovel when she came to his house to visit him.
In his confessional statement, Simon said he had always seen her as being responsible for his ugly experience in life.
He added that he was in the habit of smoking India hemp, but maintained that on the day of the incident, he was not under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
The accused was arraigned on one count of murder.
The police prosecutor, Eze Ndubuako, told the court that the offence was punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
In yet another development, a 16-year-old boy, Ifeanyichukwu Ejeh, living in Ndiogodo Idoko village, Ishieke community clubbed his father, Michael Ejeh to death.
Ifeanyichukwu, who is an SS2 student of Community Secondary School, Mbeke in the area, was said to have hit the father severally with a pestle when the father was asleep shortly after a misunderstanding between them over N1,000 money given to the boy to buy things and cook for the family but which he allegedly used to settle financial requirements in his school.
He thereby committed an offence punishable under section 319(1) cap 33 vol. 1 laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria. Ifeanyi was arraigned in charge No MAB/105/2017 before an Abakaliki Magistarte court.
While in the dock, the boy, who pleaded for leniency, blamed his act on a spirit attack. He said he was reading his book in their compound when something suddenly came over him and asked him to kill his father.
He said he regained his senses after committing the crime and saw his father laying in a pool of his own blood.
But wife of the deceased, Mrs Mary Ejeh a Cross River-based business woman, who admitted she was not around when the incident occurred, said the deceased gave N1, 000 to the suspect for cooking but he used it for his school expenses which annoyed the father, leading to a heated argument between the deceased and his son.
As if that wasn’t enough, a 26-year-old man, Christian Nweke, was remanded in a correctional facility for beheading a two-year-old boy, Onyedikachi Nwali.
The suspect allegedly beheaded the two-year-old boy and drank his blood, while the mother went to fetch water from the stream.
It was learnt that the suspect, who confessed to the crime, was a barber in Onitsha, Anambra State, and was allegedly suffering from chest pains, until he was brought to the Church of Christ Mission, Ugbaenyim Ezza, Umuhuali community, in the Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, where the boy and his parents were seeking spiritual help.
Asked if he was a ritualist or sent to kill and suck the blood of the boy for money rituals, the suspect said, “No. I’m not a ritualist. Nobody sent me to kill anybody. But I noticed that since the prophetess of this prayer ministry prayed for me, a lot of things have changed and I no longer reason right.”
It was alleged that the suspect committed the crime on December 13, 2019, at the premises of the Church of Christ Mission, Ugbaenyim Ezza.
Mr Chinasa Ogbaga, a native of Egwuagu Okpuitumo Community in the Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, is not left out in the malady of mindless killings as he was said to have butchered his two children and left one half-dead.
The accused person, who was said to have committed the act on a Saturday night when villagers and other family members had gone to bed, allegedly took the children to the bush one after the other and slaughtered them.
Names of the two slain children were given as Chikamso Ogbaga, a six-year-old boy and Chizaram Ogbaga, four-year-old girl, while the third, who was lucky to have been rescued half dead, is Emmanuel Ogbaga, a two-year-old boy.
The list of the mindless killings is endless. Do we talk about one Chimezie who killed his father because of cooked yam or the woman who murdered her two children or even the five who were not only killed but beheaded.
The police unfortunately seems helpless in most situation as their function has been confined to confirming the incident as the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Loveth Odah, and her boss, the Police Commissioner have been known to answer in recent times.
“We are aware of the matter and the police are investigating it,” has become the language after every bizarre act of blood letting.
Time is now for the police to wake up to their security duties.
Following the fatal crash on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State involving world-renowned boxer, Anthony Joshua and his team, the Zonal Commanding Officer (ZCO) of the FRSC RS2 Lagos Zone, Assistant Corps Marshal, ACM Ann O. Oladayo, on Tuesday conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the accident scene, even as the incident has generated widespread public interest and conflicting reports, the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), can report
Speaking with pressmen during the assessment visit, ACM Oladayo said the inspection was necessary to establish the true facts, noting that some FRSC operatives were already present at the corridor when the crash occurred yesterday. “A lot of reports are out there, but we decided to come for an eyewitness account because some of our operatives were here when it happened. We needed to ascertain what actually occurred,” she said.
According to the FRSC, preliminary findings from eyewitnesses revealed that a trailer conveying soya beans was properly parked off the road, waiting to be offloaded, when a speeding vehicle conveying popular international boxing champion, Anthony Joshua and his friends ran into it. “From what we gathered, the truck was not on the road. It was waiting to be offloaded and was well off the carriageway when the vehicle ran into it,” Oladayo explained.
She dismissed claims that the FRSC failed to respond promptly, stressing that the Corps arrived at the scene within minutes. “Immediately we heard of the incident, we were here in under three minutes. Our priority was rescue. Unfortunately, we lost two lives, but the injured were rescued and taken for medical attention,” she said.
The Zonal Commander added that suspected over-speeding and possible wrongful overtaking were being investigated as likely causes of the crash, noting that the impact force which pulled out the trailer’s tyres suggested excessive speed. “On this highway, the speed limit is 100km/h. From the impact, it is likely that the vehicle exceeded that limit. Investigation is still ongoing,” she stated.
An eyewitness, Yusuf Ajala Oluwaseun, who was at the scene when the crash occurred, blamed persistent speeding along the highway. “We just heard a loud boom. At first, we thought it was a tyre burst. People overspeed a lot on this road. Just last week, an 18-seater bus speeding here hit a man and overturned. FRSC came and rescued the victims,” he said.
Another eyewitness, Sodiq Ayo, confirmed the swift arrival of emergency responders of FRSC and described the moments after the crash. “I heard a sound and came out. People were shouting that someone was still inside the Jeep. When we realised it was Anthony Joshua, everyone gathered, a lot of people were doing video of Anthony Joshua. But before people arrived fully, FRSC came and rescued them,” he recounted.
The FRSC Zonal Commander, Oladayo noted that the damaged trailer has been moved to its facility using a heavy-duty tow truck, while the SUV involved in the crash is currently in the custody of the Ogun State Police Command, as investigations continue. She used the opportunity to caution motorists to plan their journeys properly, avoid over-speeding and reckless overtaking, and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before travelling.
The Corps reaffirmed its commitment to rapid emergency response and road safety enforcement.
The operatives of Ondo State Security Network Agency aka Amotekun Corps, have arrested 39 suspected terrorists who allegedly fled Sokoto State following the “powerful and deadly” United States airstrikes targeting militants linked to the Islamic State (IS) group in North-western Nigeria.
The Commander of Amotekun Corps in Ondo State, Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this on Tuesday in Akure while parading a total of 61 suspects apprehended across various parts of the State during the Yuletide period.
According to Adeleye, the 39 suspects claimed during interrogation that they escaped from Sokoto State and moved towards the South-West in the aftermath of the airstrikes.
“These 39 suspects themselves claimed they fled from the Sokoto area,” he told journalists.
He said the suspects, aged between 18 and 45 years, are currently undergoing profiling, adding that those found in possession of incriminating materials would be prosecuted according to the law.
Mr Adeleye further revealed that the Amotekun corps has intensified patrols and strengthened collaboration with sister security agencies, particularly along border communities linking Ondo State with Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Edo, and Kwara states.
Giving a breakdown of the arrests, the Amotekun commander said that out of the 61 suspects paraded, 50 were arrested for various breaches of law and order, two for offences related to anti-open grazing laws, six for kidnapping-related crimes, while three were arrested for gender-based violence and rape.
He explained that the ember months patrol would officially end on Tuesday, but assured residents that security operations would not be relaxed, as Operation Le Jade Phase Two is scheduled to commence on January 1.
Adeleye added that the Amotekun Corps has also increased its 24-hour surveillance across the state, with the deployment of Amotekun Rangers to forest reserves.
He attributed the numerous arrests to sustained and coordinated efforts by officers and men of the Amotekun Corps to rid the state of criminal elements.
While commending Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for providing an enabling environment for effective security operations, Adeleye said the state government has continued to support security agencies without hesitation.
He also lauded the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), vigilante groups, and members of the public for their cooperation.
Providing details of some arrests, Adeleye said two suspects – Mustafa (34) and Philip (45) – were apprehended for kidnapping around the Ofosio area of Odigbo Local Government Area.
“In the Isua-Akoko axis, three suspects identified as Idris (18), Ibrahim Abdullahi (20), and Lawal Idris (23) were also arrested for alleged criminal activities.
On rape and assault cases, he disclosed that Daniel Ojo (19), Usman (33), and Bejide (41) were arrested in Isinkan for rape and for assaulting Amotekun officers.
“The corps also arrested suspected armed robbers identified as Ola Tunbosun (30), Ibrahim, and Shahidu in Akure North, Oba-Akoko, and Oba-Ile.
“The suspects were allegedly part of a robbery gang that recently stole a vehicle in Akure, with plans to transport it to Abuja for sale. The stolen vehicle, as well as a taxi reportedly used to rob unsuspecting passengers, were recovered and displayed during the parade,” he said.
Adeleye explained that the gang’s modus operandi involved operating in densely populated areas, picking up passengers, introducing another gang member as an extra passenger, and then using a firearm to dispossess victims of their belongings before pushing them out of the vehicle.
He advised members of the public to remain vigilant, particularly when boarding taxis without proper markings or readable registration numbers.
When the National Theatre Lagos first opened ahead of FESTAC ’77, an architectural marvel, a symbol of the cultural soul of a nation ready to introduce its artistic brilliance to the world. Modelled after the Varna Palace of Culture and Sports in Bulgaria and constructed between 1973 and 1976, the National Theatre was designed as an emblem of Nigeria’s ambition to be Africa’s cultural capital. Its 5,000-seat main hall, festival arena, exhibition spaces, and state-of-the-art acoustics made it one of the most sophisticated performance complexes on the continent.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Theatre became home to Nigeria’s most iconic productions, from Hubert Ogunde’s epic plays to international dance festivals, orchestral performances, film premieres, and global conferences. It was a beacon for African creativity, a place where culture, identity, music, and storytelling came alive. But by the early 2000s, the Theatre, though heavy with cultural memory, had fallen into disrepair. Years of inadequate maintenance, stalled concession agreements, and structural depreciation left the building struggling to meet modern technical and creative demands. The symbol of national pride had become a shadow of its past promise.
Recognising the scale of cultural loss and the opportunity embedded within it, the Bankers’ Committee, with Access Bank playing a pivotal role, initiated the largest cultural infrastructure revitalisation project in contemporary Nigeria. The decision was both strategic and patriotic: Nigeria’s creative industry, now contributing significantly to GDP through film, fashion, music, design, cultural tourism, and digital content, urgently needed a modern, centralised hub that could support global-standard production and creative entrepreneurship. Reviving the National Theatre would not only restore a national icon but also stimulate job creation, attract international collaborations, and reposition Lagos as a premier African creative economy hub.
The renewal of the National Theatre is therefore more than a restoration project; it is a necessary economic intervention, a cultural renaissance, and a visionary step toward building a more inclusive and future-ready Nigeria. And for Access Bank, supporting this transformation is a natural continuation of a long, deliberate commitment to art, culture, and creative empowerment.
Access Bank’s Legacy of Championing the Creative Economy
Well before Nigeria’s creative industry gained global recognition, Access Bank had positioned itself as a cultural investor and ecosystem builder. For over a decade, the Bank has supported transformational initiatives across music, visual arts, fashion, film, sustainability, and youth development.
Access Bank has helped spotlight emerging and established African artists on a global stage through partnerships and collaborations with platforms like ART X. The annual fair, now one of Africa’s most influential contemporary art events, has benefitted immensely from the Bank’s commitment to nurturing young talent, commissioning bold projects, and providing a meeting point for creators, collectors, and global art enthusiasts.
In film and entertainment, Access Bank has backed festivals, documentaries, youth-focused storytelling, and creative incubators, recognising that Nigeria’s cultural exports are among its most powerful global assets. Across literature, community theatre, design, and public art, the Access brand remains synonymous with innovation, creativity, and cultural elevation. The revival of the National Theatre is thus an extension of this commitment.
A Cultural Renaissance Rooted in National Development
The National Theatre project is designed as a two-phase undertaking. Phase One, already significantly advanced, focuses on restoring the original theatre structure. This includes upgrading the main stage, cinema halls, exhibition spaces, lighting systems, acoustics, seating, ventilation, and accessibility infrastructure. The goal is to return the iconic building to world-class functionality while preserving its historic architecture.
Phase Two introduces a modern Creative Industries Park, a multi-purpose development designed to house film production studios, music recording labs, fashion houses, IT and gaming centers, photography studios, coworking spaces, and training academies. This innovation hub is expected to host thousands of young creators annually, enabling them to produce, learn, collaborate, and scale ideas into globally competitive businesses.
With Access Bank’s involvement through the Bankers’ Committee, the project has attracted international partnerships, institutional investors, technical specialists, and creative collaborators. It is poised to become one of the most significant cultural and economic catalysts in West Africa.
In a world where creative exports have become a major source of national influence, from Nollywood films to Afrobeats, digital arts to global fashion, infrastructure is destiny. Nigeria’s young creators generate some of the world’s most consumed cultural content, yet the ecosystem has lacked the physical and institutional support systems needed to harness that potential fully.
The revitalised National Theatre is therefore a launchpad for Nigeria’s next creative era.
With Access Bank’s long-standing commitment to empowering Africa’s creative industries, the revival blends heritage with innovation, history with ambition, and art with economic development.
From art fairs to creative hubs, sustainability initiatives to youth empowerment, Access Bank continues to champion platforms that inspire, educate, and elevate communities across the country.
By supporting the transformation of the National Theatre, the Bank has once again placed itself at the heart of Nigeria’s cultural renewal, bridging past and future, preserving heritage, and building an ecosystem where creativity can thrive without limits.
