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Former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, was arrested for breaking into the Royal Spring Palm Hotels and Apartments, the state police command has said.

SaharaReporters had reported how the state government seized the estate allegedly belonging to Nkechi, wife of the former governor.

Enyinnaya Onuegbu, the commissioner for lands, had on Friday led a team of government officials and police officers to seal the property situated along Akachi Road in Owerri, the state capital.

In response, Okorocha on Sunday stormed the facility, demanding to be allowed in but the security personnel on the ground refused to open the gate.

The lawmaker representing Imo West Senatorial District was said to have ordered his men to make way for him to enter the place and they forced the gates open.

On the orders of Okorocha, the gates were flung open and the men with him also allegedly destroyed vehicles and injured the security guards at the place.

Not long after forcibly gaining access into the property, masked police operatives led by two aides of Governor Hope Uzodinma identified as Chinasa Nwaneri and Eric Uwakwe arrived to take him away.

Also arrested were Ijeoma Igboanusi, deputy chief of staff when Okorocha was governor, and Lasbrey Okafor-Anyanwu, who was a commissioner in Okorocha’s government.

Two persons were said to have been killed while many others sustained injuries during the incident.

Speaking to journalists, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed Okorocha’s arrest.

Ikeokwu said the police moved to Akachi Road when they received a distress call that the estate sealed by the state government had been forcibly opened by some men led by the senator.

Orlando said, “The command received a distress call regarding what we termed to be unrest at Royal Spring Palm Estate, and the operatives moved to the place. We discovered Okorocha led some persons to the place hitherto sealed by the Imo government.

“The command calmed the situation and invited Okorocha to come and explain why he led the violent breaking into the estate that led to damages.”

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Former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, was arrested for breaking into the Royal Spring Palm Hotels and Apartments, the state police command has said.

SaharaReporters had reported how the state government seized the estate allegedly belonging to Nkechi, wife of the former governor.

Enyinnaya Onuegbu, the commissioner for lands, had on Friday led a team of government officials and police officers to seal the property situated along Akachi Road in Owerri, the state capital.

In response, Okorocha on Sunday stormed the facility, demanding to be allowed in but the security personnel on the ground refused to open the gate.

The lawmaker representing Imo West Senatorial District was said to have ordered his men to make way for him to enter the place and they forced the gates open.

On the orders of Okorocha, the gates were flung open and the men with him also allegedly destroyed vehicles and injured the security guards at the place.

Not long after forcibly gaining access into the property, masked police operatives led by two aides of Governor Hope Uzodinma identified as Chinasa Nwaneri and Eric Uwakwe arrived to take him away.

Also arrested were Ijeoma Igboanusi, deputy chief of staff when Okorocha was governor, and Lasbrey Okafor-Anyanwu, who was a commissioner in Okorocha’s government.

Two persons were said to have been killed while many others sustained injuries during the incident.

Speaking to journalists, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed Okorocha’s arrest.

Ikeokwu said the police moved to Akachi Road when they received a distress call that the estate sealed by the state government had been forcibly opened by some men led by the senator.

Orlando said, “The command received a distress call regarding what we termed to be unrest at Royal Spring Palm Estate, and the operatives moved to the place. We discovered Okorocha led some persons to the place hitherto sealed by the Imo government.

“The command calmed the situation and invited Okorocha to come and explain why he led the violent breaking into the estate that led to damages.”

Police Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, was arrested for breaking into the Royal Spring Palm Hotels and Apartments, the state police command has said.

SaharaReporters had reported how the state government seized the estate allegedly belonging to Nkechi, wife of the former governor.

Enyinnaya Onuegbu, the commissioner for lands, had on Friday led a team of government officials and police officers to seal the property situated along Akachi Road in Owerri, the state capital.

In response, Okorocha on Sunday stormed the facility, demanding to be allowed in but the security personnel on the ground refused to open the gate.

The lawmaker representing Imo West Senatorial District was said to have ordered his men to make way for him to enter the place and they forced the gates open.

On the orders of Okorocha, the gates were flung open and the men with him also allegedly destroyed vehicles and injured the security guards at the place.

Not long after forcibly gaining access into the property, masked police operatives led by two aides of Governor Hope Uzodinma identified as Chinasa Nwaneri and Eric Uwakwe arrived to take him away.

Also arrested were Ijeoma Igboanusi, deputy chief of staff when Okorocha was governor, and Lasbrey Okafor-Anyanwu, who was a commissioner in Okorocha’s government.

Two persons were said to have been killed while many others sustained injuries during the incident.

Speaking to journalists, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed Okorocha’s arrest.

Ikeokwu said the police moved to Akachi Road when they received a distress call that the estate sealed by the state government had been forcibly opened by some men led by the senator.

Orlando said, “The command received a distress call regarding what we termed to be unrest at Royal Spring Palm Estate, and the operatives moved to the place. We discovered Okorocha led some persons to the place hitherto sealed by the Imo government.

“The command calmed the situation and invited Okorocha to come and explain why he led the violent breaking into the estate that led to damages.”

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to compel the Accountant-General of the Federation to release details of the N173 billion released to various Ministries, Departments, and parastatals during the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic last year. 

The ministries, parastatals, including security agencies, educational institutes, and other contractors are alleged to have received some N173 billion from the federal purse in the first half of 2020 without accountable documentation.

Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris.

However, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda, (HEDA Resource Centre) in a motion ex parte filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, is seeking the order of mandamus to compel AGF to release details of the expenditure up to May 29, 2020.

The Nigerian rights coalition cites Section 6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, order 26 rule 6 of the Federal High Court as the basis for the judges’ powers.

The group submitted as exhibit the publication in respect of Dataphyte consortium titled “N173 billion payments without Description Defeats Nigeria’s Open Government Initiative”.

HEDA Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, said the N173 billion payment raises concern about how government parastatals expend public funds, adding that his group seeks details to determine if the funds were judiciously utilised and in the public interest.

The Dataphyte analysis of data on the open treasury portal had indicated that the whopping sum of N173 billion worth 1,353 payments was made to various parastatals between January 2020 and April 2020 without descriptions. 

HEDA noted that it made several requests in writing, asking the AGF to release details of the expenditure but did not get any response, which it said prompted the legal redress.

The group said it is in the public interest that the details are released.

According to HEDA, there are very strong indications that the office of the AGF has continued to neglect proper descriptions of payments issued to contractors and government agencies. 

It, therefore, expressed fear that the trend may defeat transparency and accountability, key elements necessary for good governance.

A breakdown of the figures showed that the zero description payments in January and February were ₦5.16 billion and ₦6.76 billion respectively.

In March and April 2020, the Nigerian government also paid ₦85.2 billion and ₦15.22 billion without description.

"The way these payments were made suggests unprofessional accounting procedures that will undermine transparency,” Suraju said.

Analysts contend that most of the payments were made to contractors under the National Rural Electrification Agency, National Directorate of Employment, (NDE), Nigerian Navy, Federal Fire Service, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, and National Inland Waterways Authority.

Other end-users were the Nigerian Airforce, Nigerian Defence Academy, Nigerian Correctional Service, and Federal Ministry of Niger Delta.

In an earlier report, Dataphyte said between January and November 2019, ambiguous payments were also made.

The values of the questionable transactions were set at ₦510.2 billion, representing 16 percent of the total payments done by the government in the same period.

The group said the description makes it difficult to establish accountable expenditure. The case has been assigned to Court 3, Federal High Court, Abuja

Nigeria dropped in the 2020 corruption ranking released by Transparency International (TI) in January.

The country dropped three places and scored lower in number of points than in its previous year’s record, which is an indicator that corruption is perceived to have worsened in the country within the last one year.

PUBLIC HEALTH News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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A Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to compel the Accountant-General of the Federation to release details of the N173 billion released to various Ministries, Departments, and parastatals during the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic last year. 

The ministries, parastatals, including security agencies, educational institutes, and other contractors are alleged to have received some N173 billion from the federal purse in the first half of 2020 without accountable documentation.

Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris.

However, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda, (HEDA Resource Centre) in a motion ex parte filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, is seeking the order of mandamus to compel AGF to release details of the expenditure up to May 29, 2020.

The Nigerian rights coalition cites Section 6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, order 26 rule 6 of the Federal High Court as the basis for the judges’ powers.

The group submitted as exhibit the publication in respect of Dataphyte consortium titled “N173 billion payments without Description Defeats Nigeria’s Open Government Initiative”.

HEDA Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, said the N173 billion payment raises concern about how government parastatals expend public funds, adding that his group seeks details to determine if the funds were judiciously utilised and in the public interest.

The Dataphyte analysis of data on the open treasury portal had indicated that the whopping sum of N173 billion worth 1,353 payments was made to various parastatals between January 2020 and April 2020 without descriptions. 

HEDA noted that it made several requests in writing, asking the AGF to release details of the expenditure but did not get any response, which it said prompted the legal redress.

The group said it is in the public interest that the details are released.

According to HEDA, there are very strong indications that the office of the AGF has continued to neglect proper descriptions of payments issued to contractors and government agencies. 

It, therefore, expressed fear that the trend may defeat transparency and accountability, key elements necessary for good governance.

A breakdown of the figures showed that the zero description payments in January and February were ₦5.16 billion and ₦6.76 billion respectively.

In March and April 2020, the Nigerian government also paid ₦85.2 billion and ₦15.22 billion without description.

"The way these payments were made suggests unprofessional accounting procedures that will undermine transparency,” Suraju said.

Analysts contend that most of the payments were made to contractors under the National Rural Electrification Agency, National Directorate of Employment, (NDE), Nigerian Navy, Federal Fire Service, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, and National Inland Waterways Authority.

Other end-users were the Nigerian Airforce, Nigerian Defence Academy, Nigerian Correctional Service, and Federal Ministry of Niger Delta.

In an earlier report, Dataphyte said between January and November 2019, ambiguous payments were also made.

The values of the questionable transactions were set at ₦510.2 billion, representing 16 percent of the total payments done by the government in the same period.

The group said the description makes it difficult to establish accountable expenditure. The case has been assigned to Court 3, Federal High Court, Abuja

Nigeria dropped in the 2020 corruption ranking released by Transparency International (TI) in January.

The country dropped three places and scored lower in number of points than in its previous year’s record, which is an indicator that corruption is perceived to have worsened in the country within the last one year.

PUBLIC HEALTH News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, has given troops of Operation Lafiya Dole in the North-East 48-hour ultimatum to recapture Marte and Ngala local government areas of Borno State, which were recently attacked and taken over by the Boko Haram fighters.

He also ordered troops to clear Kirenowa, Kirta, Wulgo, Chikingudo communities of Marte and Ngala LGAs in the state.

Attahiru gave the ultimatum on Sunday while addressing troops of the Nigerian Army Super Camp 9, Dikwa.

The army chief said, “You should rest assured of all support you require in this very onerous task. I have just spoken to the Theatre Commander and the General Officer Commanding 7 Division. You must not let this nation down. Go back and do the needful and I will be right behind you.
“You are aware of the recent attacks on Dikwa and Marte, you should not allow this to happen again, go after them and clear these bastards. Areas around Marte, Chikingudu, Wulgo, Kirenowa, and Kirta must be cleared in the next 48 hours.

“I have spoken with your Commanders, we are going to provide you with the equipment and weapons you need to end this war. We are also going to address the issue of overstaying in the theatre. No more issue of overstaying.”

Also addressing the residents of Dikwa and those who fled the recent onslaught in Marte, and now taking refuge in Dikwa, the army chief said, “I want to assure you that we are going to protect you. Not only that, we are going to clear Marte, Kireenuwa, Wulgo, Kirta, and their environs. What we need from you are your cooperation and prayers.”

It is not only Marte and Ngala LGAs which have come under the onslaughts of the insurgents in the past days.

Many residents of Biu Local Government Area of Borno State also fled their houses when the Boko Haram terrorists attacked four communities in the area only last weekend, a military source told SaharaReporters. 

Biu is the local government area of the immediate Chief of Army Staff, Yusuf Buratai. It is also where the Nigerian Army University is located.

SaharaReporters gathered that the attacks on the villages were not repelled.

The source said the gunmen carted away foodstuffs and livestock, adding that over 200 houses were burnt down by the insurgents.

“They burnt down over 200 houses, schools, and some shops in the villages,” said the source.

“They also took away so many people whom they caught while trying to escape.”

Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province, have killed thousands and displaced millions in North-Eastern Nigeria.
The terror group wants an Islamic caliphate in the region.

Military News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, has given troops of Operation Lafiya Dole in the North-East 48-hour ultimatum to recapture Marte and Ngala local government areas of Borno State, which were recently attacked and taken over by the Boko Haram fighters.

He also ordered troops to clear Kirenowa, Kirta, Wulgo, Chikingudo communities of Marte and Ngala LGAs in the state.

Attahiru gave the ultimatum on Sunday while addressing troops of the Nigerian Army Super Camp 9, Dikwa.

The army chief said, “You should rest assured of all support you require in this very onerous task. I have just spoken to the Theatre Commander and the General Officer Commanding 7 Division. You must not let this nation down. Go back and do the needful and I will be right behind you.
“You are aware of the recent attacks on Dikwa and Marte, you should not allow this to happen again, go after them and clear these bastards. Areas around Marte, Chikingudu, Wulgo, Kirenowa, and Kirta must be cleared in the next 48 hours.

“I have spoken with your Commanders, we are going to provide you with the equipment and weapons you need to end this war. We are also going to address the issue of overstaying in the theatre. No more issue of overstaying.”

Also addressing the residents of Dikwa and those who fled the recent onslaught in Marte, and now taking refuge in Dikwa, the army chief said, “I want to assure you that we are going to protect you. Not only that, we are going to clear Marte, Kireenuwa, Wulgo, Kirta, and their environs. What we need from you are your cooperation and prayers.”

It is not only Marte and Ngala LGAs which have come under the onslaughts of the insurgents in the past days.

Many residents of Biu Local Government Area of Borno State also fled their houses when the Boko Haram terrorists attacked four communities in the area only last weekend, a military source told SaharaReporters. 

Biu is the local government area of the immediate Chief of Army Staff, Yusuf Buratai. It is also where the Nigerian Army University is located.

SaharaReporters gathered that the attacks on the villages were not repelled.

The source said the gunmen carted away foodstuffs and livestock, adding that over 200 houses were burnt down by the insurgents.

“They burnt down over 200 houses, schools, and some shops in the villages,” said the source.

“They also took away so many people whom they caught while trying to escape.”

Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province, have killed thousands and displaced millions in North-Eastern Nigeria.
The terror group wants an Islamic caliphate in the region.

Military News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Three herdsmen have been arrested by police operatives in the Ayetoro area of Ogun State, after burning several houses and injuring some residents.

The police recovered a gun and “a bloodstained cutlass” from the herdsmen after they were arrested on Saturday.

The herdsmen are identified as Musa Yusuf, Usman Mohammed, and Aliyu Abubakar.  

SaharaReporters learnt that they inflicted a deep matchet cut on a resident identified as Ismaila Alabi. 

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the operatives combed the Igboaje bush where the herders were arrested.

He said, “Three herdsmen were arrested by operatives of Ogun State command for the role they played in the attack on Bamajo village in the Ayetoro area of the state. In the early hours of the day, the men attacked the village where they set some houses ablaze and inflicted a deep matchet cut injury on one Ismaila Alabi. 

“On receiving the report, the Area Commander mobilised his men, hunters, and youths to the scene where the entire area was thoroughly combed. The combing exercise was extended to Igboaje bush where one Musa Yusuf was apprehended with a gun and a bloodstained cutlass.

“His arrest led to the arrest of two others namely: Usman Mohammed and Aliyu Abubakar, who are strongly believed to be part of those who launched the violent attack. 

"The injured victim was quickly rushed to a general hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation.

“He also directed a massive manhunt for the rest of the arsonists with a view to bringing them to justice.”

Yewa communities have been troubled in recent weeks by Fulani herdsmen and reprisals also by residents leading to ethnic clashes in the area.

Governor Dapo Abiodun had last Tuesday met with some northern governors including Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje; Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle and Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sanni.

They were also in Ibadan, Oyo State last week to visit the area where violence raged between herdsmen and residents, leading to the destruction of lives and property.  

In Oyo, Governor Bagudu, who lamented the sad incident between the two groups, however, promised that the northern governors would give necessary support to restore normalcy and redeem the lost property.

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Three herdsmen have been arrested by police operatives in the Ayetoro area of Ogun State, after burning several houses and injuring some residents.

The police recovered a gun and “a bloodstained cutlass” from the herdsmen after they were arrested on Saturday.

The herdsmen are identified as Musa Yusuf, Usman Mohammed, and Aliyu Abubakar.  

SaharaReporters learnt that they inflicted a deep matchet cut on a resident identified as Ismaila Alabi. 

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the operatives combed the Igboaje bush where the herders were arrested.

He said, “Three herdsmen were arrested by operatives of Ogun State command for the role they played in the attack on Bamajo village in the Ayetoro area of the state. In the early hours of the day, the men attacked the village where they set some houses ablaze and inflicted a deep matchet cut injury on one Ismaila Alabi. 

“On receiving the report, the Area Commander mobilised his men, hunters, and youths to the scene where the entire area was thoroughly combed. The combing exercise was extended to Igboaje bush where one Musa Yusuf was apprehended with a gun and a bloodstained cutlass.

“His arrest led to the arrest of two others namely: Usman Mohammed and Aliyu Abubakar, who are strongly believed to be part of those who launched the violent attack. 

"The injured victim was quickly rushed to a general hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation.

“He also directed a massive manhunt for the rest of the arsonists with a view to bringing them to justice.”

Yewa communities have been troubled in recent weeks by Fulani herdsmen and reprisals also by residents leading to ethnic clashes in the area.

Governor Dapo Abiodun had last Tuesday met with some northern governors including Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje; Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle and Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sanni.

They were also in Ibadan, Oyo State last week to visit the area where violence raged between herdsmen and residents, leading to the destruction of lives and property.  

In Oyo, Governor Bagudu, who lamented the sad incident between the two groups, however, promised that the northern governors would give necessary support to restore normalcy and redeem the lost property.

CRIME News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The police in Imo State on Sunday arrested the senator representing Imo West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Rochas Okorocha.

SaharaReporters gathered that Okorocha, who is also a former governor of the state, was arrested for allegedly destroying government and security vehicles and also breaking into a property the government had seized from his wife, Nkechi.

The state Commissioner for Lands, Enyinnaya Onuegbu, on Friday, said the government had recovered Royal Palm Estate on Akachi Road, Owerri, allegedly belonging to Nkechi.

Onuegbu added that the government had sealed up the place till further notice.

He said the seizure was in compliance with the directive of the Imo State gazette on the report of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry on the recovery of lands and other related matters.

He said, “This is as a result of the recommendation of the commission that all illegal lands and structures acquired by the administrations between 2006 and 2019 should be taken over by the government.”

The commissioner said the current administration was doing everything to recover all the stolen properties of the state, especially those carted away by the previous administration.

Onuegbu added that in line with the 3Rs mantra initiative of Governor Hope Uzodinma, the state must continue to work in line with the relevant laws and recommendations of government agencies and commissions no matter whose ox is gored.

SaharaReporters gathered that Okorocha on Sunday stormed the estate and warned Uzodinma and security operatives to stay off the property.

“On arrival, he demanded to enter the estate, telling the security personnel guarding the place that there was no court order to back up the sealing of the building,” a source said.

“Hence, he insisted on entering the building, which he eventually did after the locks were broken by his men.

“Gunshots started when two of Uzodinma’s aides, Chinasa Nwaneri and Eric Uwakwe, arrived at the place with another group of police officers and young men.

“Open confrontation started, leading to sporadic shooting. One of Okorocha’s men got hit by a bullet.”

Police Politics Breaking News News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The police in Imo State on Sunday arrested the senator representing Imo West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Rochas Okorocha.

SaharaReporters gathered that Okorocha, who is also a former governor of the state, was arrested for allegedly destroying government and security vehicles and also breaking into a property the government had seized from his wife, Nkechi.

The state Commissioner for Lands, Enyinnaya Onuegbu, on Friday, said the government had recovered Royal Palm Estate on Akachi Road, Owerri, allegedly belonging to Nkechi.

Onuegbu added that the government had sealed up the place till further notice.

He said the seizure was in compliance with the directive of the Imo State gazette on the report of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry on the recovery of lands and other related matters.

He said, “This is as a result of the recommendation of the commission that all illegal lands and structures acquired by the administrations between 2006 and 2019 should be taken over by the government.”

The commissioner said the current administration was doing everything to recover all the stolen properties of the state, especially those carted away by the previous administration.

Onuegbu added that in line with the 3Rs mantra initiative of Governor Hope Uzodinma, the state must continue to work in line with the relevant laws and recommendations of government agencies and commissions no matter whose ox is gored.

SaharaReporters gathered that Okorocha on Sunday stormed the estate and warned Uzodinma and security operatives to stay off the property.

“On arrival, he demanded to enter the estate, telling the security personnel guarding the place that there was no court order to back up the sealing of the building,” a source said.

“Hence, he insisted on entering the building, which he eventually did after the locks were broken by his men.

“Gunshots started when two of Uzodinma’s aides, Chinasa Nwaneri and Eric Uwakwe, arrived at the place with another group of police officers and young men.

“Open confrontation started, leading to sporadic shooting. One of Okorocha’s men got hit by a bullet.”

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