Author: Editor

By Owei Lakemfa The  youthful Father Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, later, Pope Benedict XVI, was a brilliant theologian and academic who, at age 31 in 1958, was already a full professor at Bonn University. But before turning to the priesthood, he had been a POW in the Second World War. It was a war in which humanity seemed to have lost its soul. But no sooner had the world vowed to settle issues peacefully, and established the United Nations as a backstop than humans resumed wars. In Asia, the two-stage Vietnamese War, first against France, and later against the United States, erupted…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has urged communities in the state to preserve and promote their cultural identities and heritage for the benefit of the future and unborn generations. The Governor said this at the secon edition of the Great Achallaukwu Festival by Affa Community of Udi Local Government Area. The great Achallaukwu Dynasty comprises some communities in Igbo-Etiti, Uzo-Uwani and Udi Local Government Areas of Enugu State. Ugwuanyi, represented by Dr Kingsley Udeh, Commissioner for Rural Development, also represented by, Mrs Ifeoma Ogbu, PRO of the ministry, said there was need for communities to promote and…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Police operatives in Anambra State have arrested a six-man robbery gang, which specialises in robing people around Ogidi area in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state. The state police command’s spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, who revealed the arrest of the gang said the arrested members have confessed to their culpability in several operations. He said: “All the suspects confessed to the crime and they are helping police operatives with more information which serves as a guide to arrest other gang members and recovery of other stolen items.” He also stated that various arms and vehicles…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has accused security operatives and members of Ebubeagu security outfit of terrorising residents of South-East geopolitical zone under the guise of unknown gunmen. IPOB in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, claimed that security agencies and Ebubeagu targeted Igbo youths returning for Christmas and New Year celebrations for elimination. The pro-Biafra movement also accused the duo of displacing some communities in Igboland during the festivities and blaming their atrocities on the Eastern Security Network, ESN. The  statement made available to Ikengaonline read in part: “We the global family and movement…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives candidate, Eni Uduma Chima, and the State Party Chairman, Stanley Okoro Emegha, have denied involvement in the killings which recently rocked Edda Community, Afikpo South Local Government Area. At least four persons were killed in political violence in the area on boxing day in the past year and on New Year day. The violence according to police was as a result of supremacy battle between the duo who have been age-long political foes despite being in same party. Background On boxing day, a clash between supporters of the duo took place in Ekoli Edda leading to the…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has commended the Federal Government of Nigeria for its decision to temporary open the newly constructed Second Niger Bridge during the festive period. The body said that the temporary opening of the 2nd Niger Bridge eased pressure of traffic on the old Niger Bridge during the yuletide season when traffic volume increased. Sector Commander of the FRSC in Anambra State, CC Adeoye Irelewuyi, who spoke in Awka recently about the traffic situation during the festive period, said the corps anticipated an increase in traffic volume and prepared deployments and logistics towards…

By Azu Ishiekwene I’m sure he expected the firestorm. As is his custom, he primed and released it to explode at his own time and season. If the letter by former President Olusegun Obasanjo endorsing Labour Party’s Peter Obi had gone unnoticed, uncriticised, and un-replied, then it would not have been Obasanjo’s letter. The letter had barely landed when the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and, in fact, the Presidency all pounced, with the mildest of them all from the PDP. Whatever the misgivings of the affected parties, I’m sure most might agree on…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu Suspected local Bandits in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State have blocked the road leading to Aguibeje community with trees thereby leaving commuters stranded and barring them from entering the community. A reliable source who spoke to Ikengaonline on the condition of anonymity said that the people of the community were now cut off from the rest of their kith and kin in Enugu Ezike. “These bandits caught trees to block the road and until now, no government or security agents has visited the area. “For how long shall we continue to be isolated; these bandits…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Jideofor Anyigor, one of the youths in Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency, Ebonyi State, whose dreadlocks hairstyle was cut by Member representing the constituency, Chinedu Ogah, has lashed out at his (Ogah’s) critics over the matter. This is as Ogah has doubled down on the action stating that the family of the young man have been thanking him for the action. Ogah who described himself as a reformer and disciplinarian, had spotted Anyigor in a programme with dreadlocks and immediately ordered for a scissors with which he used and cut the dreadlocks. He said  such hair styles were making the…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Kalu Chima, the Commander of Ebubeagu Security Network in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has narrated how gunmen stormed his house and shot dead his seven months pregnant wife, Urenma Chima. The gunmen also also burnt his two houses in the attack which happened on New Year’s day. Ikengaonline had reported how gunmen invaded Chima’s house in Amaetiti, Amaoso Edda in the local government and shot Urenma dead and then set the Commander’s house ablaze. Mr Chima while speaking to our Reporter in Abakaliki said the attack on him was an offshoot of the recent clashes…