News
Ebonyi land dispute: Lawyer petitions CDS, DSS, CP, others over attacks in Amasiri
Activist lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, has petitioned the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, Commandant Nkwegu Military Cantonment in Abakaliki, Director General of the Department of State Service, and Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State over military aggression in Amasiri, Afikpo in Ebonyi State.
Amasiri and Oso Edda communities have been at war following a clash over ancestral lands.
The attack, which targeted Ama-iyime and Ozara-Okangwu of Amasiri, saw several properties worth millions of naira burnt while several other valuables were also looted in the process.
Last week, military personnel had stormed the Amasiri community in large numbers over the clash between both communities.
However, Idam lamented that the military incursion brought about brutality while aggression reigned freely against the Amasiri community.
The petition, titled “Re-Emergence of Military Invasion, Brutality, and Aggression Reign Freely Against My Community, Amasiri,” reads:
“The above subject refers.
“As a civil rights and public interest lawyer of Amasiri indigene, I write in pensive but helpless emotion to yet again draw the attention of well-meaning Nigerians and the authorities to the above subject matter, yearning for urgent intervention.
“The crisis between Oso Edda and Amasiri in Ebonyi State, which has regrettably occasioned the loss of several lives and properties, has continued to pose tension, hostility, and anxiety among the two neighbouring communities (Oso Edda and Amasiri) in Ebonyi State, despite efforts by Amasiri indigenes to pursue amicable settlement options only in resolving the matter, even in the face of provocations.
“Quite disturbing is that on 11th April 2025, the stakeholders of Amasiri, in pursuance of their resolve to seek a peaceful alternative to the resolution of the conflicting issues with their Oso Edda neighbour, attended a peace committee set up by the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State, following an invitation for that purpose, which was also attended by several other stakeholders in the old Afikpo Zone.
“Unfortunately, the Oso Edda neighbouring community refused, ignored, and completely rebuffed the invitation to attend the peace committee and instead seized the opportunity to again embark on another round of attacks against certain communities in Amasiri while her stakeholders were away in Abakaliki seeking a peaceable settlement to the conflicting issues.
“An incident that has triggered the already existing tension, anxiety, and unrest among the once most blissful and quiet community of Amasiri in Ebonyi State.
“While Amasiri indigenes and visitors who identify with her are targeted for onslaught by their estranged Oso Edda neighbouring community, who are now on a rampage along the Okigwe-Afikpo federal highway, waylaying vehicles and fishing out commuters who are either of Amasiri origin or identify with Amasiri. This coordinated aggression is freely carried out uninterruptedly as a result of tacit silence from the government of Ebonyi State.
“More worrisome is that there is a totally unprovoked, unwarranted, and needless military resurgence in my community, Amasiri. Overnight, the military, reportedly detailed from Nkwegu Barracks, reinvaded yet again my community, breaking homes, destroying properties, arresting the young and old, and shooting sporadically in a totally peaceful area, without any news of any form of attacks from Amasiri or crisis in Amasiri, while leaving the aggressor, her Edda neighbouring community. This unrest is reportedly aided, sponsored, and coordinated by powerful politicians in Edda zone who have deployed their contacts in government to set the military at all costs against my people in Amasiri, just as a bait to secure a major pogrom or massacre of Amasiri people, simply to achieve their age-long desire to take over her ancestral land.
“The public is hereby notified that there is no crisis nor violence in Amasiri, and her people have not in the least behaved in any manner to warrant a military presence.
“I am constrained to yet again call on Nigerians to speak against the ongoing needless military aggression and urge the Chief of Defence Staff and the Commandant Nkwegu Military Cantonment to withdraw the military operation in Amasiri, which is totally unwarranted and unprovoked, even as I prevail on the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Francis Ogbonnia Nwifuru, to quickly intervene in this matter to save the lives and properties of the peaceful people of Amasiri.
“The governor is here again informed that there is total unrest in Amasiri, which is occasioned by the military; homes are deserted, farmlands are also not safe, and economic activities have been halted as anxiety and tension now possess the hitherto quiet and peaceful land. The governor is urged to most urgently break the deafening silence and intervene in the matter to restore peace in Amasiri.
“In a loud but very helpless voice, I urge the governor of Ebonyi State to quickly and directly address the situation personally as the Chief Security Officer of the state to curtail the ongoing intimidation, harassment, and prevent a possible carnage on the defenceless and vulnerable people of Amasiri.
“Let the whole world know that there was no reason for the resurgence or re-invasion of the military. The people have remained peaceful and have been attending all the peace meetings called for by the authorities in search of peace.
“The military re-invasion in Amasiri remains unlawful, ill-motivated, self-serving, unwarranted, illegal, unprovoked, and must be condemned by every Nigerian.”
News
Nigerians now banned from traveling to US as Trump expands travel restriction list
President Donald Trump on Tuesday, December 16, signed a proclamation further restricting entry into the United States for nationals of countries identified as high risk due to what the White House described as persistent and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting and information sharing that threaten national security and public safety.
Among the 15 additional countries placed under partial entry restrictions is Nigeria. The decision was announced in a fact sheet published on the White House website on December 16, 2025, titled “President Donald J. Trump Further Restricts and Limits the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States”.
The White House said the move was aimed at strengthening national security through what it called common sense restrictions based on data.
The proclamation maintains full entry restrictions on nationals from the original 12 countries previously listed under Proclamation 10949. These countries are Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
It also introduces full restrictions on five additional countries, namely Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria, as well as individuals holding travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. Laos and Sierra Leone, which were previously under partial restrictions, have now been placed under full restrictions.
Nationals of Burundi, Cuba, Togo and Venezuela remain subject to partial restrictions.
In addition, the proclamation imposes partial entry restrictions on 15 more countries. These include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The fact sheet states that exemptions remain in place for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories such as athletes and diplomats, and individuals whose entry is deemed to serve United States national interests.
Business
IMO OPENS NEW ECONOMIC FRONTIER AS UZODIMMA COMMISSIONS NOVA BANK REGIONAL OFFICE IN OWERRI.
By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
16- DEC- 2025
Imo State took another decisive step toward economic expansion on Monday, December 15, 2025, as Governor Hope Uzodimma formally inaugurated the regional headquarters of Nova Bank in Owerri, signalling the state’s growing appeal as an investment destination.
While addressing guests at the commissioning ceremony, the governor noted that deliberate reforms, sustained infrastructural development, and a more business-friendly policy environment have steadily repositioned Imo State to attract credible investors. He described Nova Bank’s choice of Owerri as a strategic endorsement of the state’s economic viability and long-term growth prospects.
Governor Uzodimma praised the Chairman of Nova Bank, Mr. Philip Oduozor, for his experience and leadership within the financial sector, assuring the institution of continued government collaboration. He added that the arrival of Nova Bank, alongside the recent establishment of Access Bank’s regional headquarters in the state, reflects increasing confidence by the private sector in Imo’s economic direction.
Reiterating his administration’s vision, the governor emphasized ongoing efforts to transition Imo from a largely leisure-based economy into a competitive commercial centre. He pointed to significant investments in road networks, security architecture, digital systems, power supply, and overall ease of doing business, while encouraging Nova Bank to expand its footprint in the state, including consideration of Owerri for its corporate headquarters.
In his remarks, Mr. Oduozor explained that Nova Bank, which began operations in 2018 as a merchant bank, has now secured a full commercial banking licence. He stated that the bank intends to play a critical role in financing small and medium-scale enterprises across Imo State and the wider South East region by improving access to credit.
The commissioning ceremony ended with a guided inspection of the new facilities by Governor Uzodimma and top executives of the bank, marking another milestone in Imo State’s economic transformation drive.
News
Actress Doris Ogala doubles down on claims against Pastor Chris Okafor, insists on compensation or marriage
Actress Doris Ogala has intensified her allegations against Pastor Chris Okafor, insisting she was in a long-term relationship with him from 2017 and was promised marriage.
Speaking emotionally, Doris claimed she supported the pastor privately, bought gifts for his children, and stayed loyal for years, only to be abandoned when he decided to marry someone else.
She accused those online, including Dee One, of taking money to do “damage control,” stressing that her demands are legal, not blackmail. According to her, she is seeking compensation for emotional damage, career loss, and broken promises, adding that her lawyer is already preparing formal demands.
Doris also admitted to phone-based intimacy during her troubled marriage but denied any physical affair at the time. She maintained she has evidence to back her claims and alleged she is not the only woman Pastor Chris promised marriage.
“I’m not backing down. This is my right,” she said, warning that she is ready to speak fully if pushed further.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DSVHaVegjI7/?igsh=ZG1jNWNnZjN4YWZt
-
Business1 year ago
US court acquits Air Peace boss, slams Mayfield $4000 fine
-
Trending1 year agoNYA demands release of ‘abducted’ Imo chairman, preaches good governance
-
Politics1 year agoMexico’s new president causes concern just weeks before the US elections
-
Politics1 year agoPutin invites 20 world leaders
-
Politics1 year agoRussia bans imports of agro-products from Kazakhstan after refusal to join BRICS
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky falls ill in police custody, rushed to hospital
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky transferred from Immigration to FCID, spends night behind bars
-
Education1 year ago
GOVERNOR FUBARA APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR KEN SARO-WIWA POLYTECHNIC BORI
