The Police Command in Imo on Sunday foiled an  attack by hoodlums on Njaba Local Government Area Divisional Police headquarters, Umuakah.

The command’s spokesman, ASP Henry Okoye, who said this in statement on Monday, said three of the hoodlums were neutralised in the successful defensive operation.

Okoye said the attackers, arriving in three Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), launched a violent assault on the headquarters with sporadic gunfire.

“In response, the ever gallant operatives swiftly took up defensive positions and engaged the assailants, resulting in the neutralisation of three attackers.

“The remaining assailants, who sustained various gunshot injuries, fled into nearby bushes.

“During the operation, our forces recovered one General Purpose Machine Gun, one AK-47 rifle, and three vehicles: a Toyota Lexus 470, a Mercedes GLK, and a Toyota Venza,” the spokesman disclosed.

According to him, an intense operation, led by the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, Mr Aboki Danjuma, is currently underway to apprehend the fleeing suspects and ensure justice was served.

The spokesman, who emphasised Danjuma’s commendation for the bravery of the operatives, assured the  public that the Command remained committed to enhancing internal security in the state.

“The command will continue to take decisive actions against any threats to public peace,” he said. (NAN)

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) worldwide has condemned in strong terms the Sept.14 killings in Abuloma during the ljaw Youth Council elections.

This is contained in a statement by Chief Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, National Publicity Secretary, INC, and made available to newsmen, Abuja on Monday.

Oyakemeagbegha described the killings as unwarranted, senseless and tragic.

According to him, Ijaws are not known to be violent in nature, particularly when what was involved, (elections) is supposed to be a family affair.

“Aside, it beats all reasonable imaginations that people who were supposed to be aspiring to serve the people turned around to massacre the same people in the most bestial manner.

“The INC calls for calm, while it expects the security agencies to do very thorough investigations and fish out the culprits.

“It is the belief of the INC that the full weight of the Law must be visited on any one found culpable.

The congress commiserates with the families of those who died tin this most unfortunate incident.”

The Rivers Police Command said it is aware of the senseless and sporadic shooting in the Abuloma area during the Ijaw Youth Council Central Zone elections”.

In a statement , the police said Commissioner of Police swiftly dispatched Tactical Teams to the scene, but the perpetrators had already escaped.”

The police further  stated that the commissioner had ordered a full-scale crackdown to apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice.

“Normalcy has returned to the area, and law-abiding citizens are encouraged to continue their daily activities,” the statement added, urging residents to report any suspicious activity to the police.

When asked about the alleged casualties, Iringe-Koko said the command had not yet received confirmation, adding that investigations were ongoing. (NAN)

Dr Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, has restated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improve the welfare of senior citizens in the country.

Alake said this in an interview in Ikoro-Ekiti, his country home.

According to the minister, Tinubu is determined to accord dignity to senior citizens by giving them a new lease of life in line with his Renewed Hope Mantra.

Alake said that senior citizens had been adequately factored in all the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.

Report says that Alake had on Saturday, distributed 1,200 bags of rice to the elderly in Ekiti, irrespective of the political party they belonged to.

He thanked the president for listening to the people and demonstrating a caring heart, noting “1,200 bags of rice was made available to me and each minister to further supplement the established channels of distribution.

“We need to reach out to our aged fathers and mothers at times like this to demonstrate the Omoluabi values of taking care of the old in the community.

“In the spirit of inclusion, it is important that we channel this intervention to mainly elderly citizens.

” This is because they do not have the strength to compete for welfare goods such as these at the established centres. We have taken their inventory and we are delivering to them.

“Subsequent interventions will target other segments of the populace, such as widows, orphans, persons living with disabilities and students in higher institutions of learning,” he said.

The minister said that the onus was on the people to care for the elderly by focusing on issues affecting them, adding that every individual would grow old and require the support of the younger generation at some point in life.

“This is a bold step in re-writing our history as a people and changing the undesirable narrative of our lack of desire to adequately take care of our elderly population.

“Those of you that are very familiar with me can attest to the fact that at every opportunity, especially at events like this.

“I have always canvassed that nowhere in the world can government alone meet the needs of its citizens.

“Hence, the need to encourage partnership with high networth individuals, corporate organisations and non-governmental agencies to ensure the welfare of the citizens,” he said.

Alake enjoined all public spirited Ekiti people to lend a hand to the needy, adding that all hands must be on deck to support efforts to rid the state of hunger and poverty. NAN)