Nation
Imo CP Deploys Special Squad To Hinterlands To Stop Killings
The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Mr Abutu Yaro, has orderd the immediate deployment of police special forces to the hinterlands in order to reinforce the security forces patrolling in those areas.
This came as a result of the recent shift of criminal activities to some parts of the hinterlands following the major defeat suffered by the criminal elements in the last few days, while attempting to attack Owerri, the Imo State capital.
The recent attack, according to him, occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, when some hoodlums attacked some houses at Amaebu community in Orsu local government area of Imo state.
According to the commissioner, their attempt to destroy the entire community was swiftly resisted by the police and other supporting security agencies and the vigilante members of the community, adding that two persons were killed by the hoodlums during the attack and about four houses were partially burnt.
According to him, four of the hoodlums were fatally injured during the gun battle with security forces, while others escaped with bullet wound.
It would be recalled that a number of unidentified arsonists, who disguised themselves as local vigilance men in the early hours of Wednesday, stormed Okwuamarihe village in Orsu council area of Imo State, where the private residence of the immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Cyprian Akaolisa is situated and set the building ablaze.
Also, the residence of the member representing Orsu State Constituency, in the State House of Assembly, Chief Ekene Nnodumele, was torched by the hoodlums who were later identified as arsonists.
The multi-million Naira ultra-modern building situated in the ancestral home of the ex-Attorney General was completely reduced to rubbles with explosive inflammable liquids by the faceless hoodlums, who later vanished into thin air after perpetrating the dastardly act.
The hoodlums, on arrival at the compound, reportedly shot sporadically into the air to scare neighbours away before setting the house ablaze.
It was also gathered that the gateman of the Lawmaker – Nnodumele was beheaded by the bandits.
The Alliance Française Port Harcourt in conjunction with the Embassy of France Nigeria over the weekend joined the globe to campaign against the 2025 gender- based violence (GBV) with the theme: “16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Voice”
The event which took place at the event Hall of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt was in collaboration with the Female in Gaming Network, ( FIGN) and partnership with Nexal a body that seeks to promote online safety and responsible digital behaviour.
The Tide reports that the project which was aimed at promoting digital safety and girls inclusion in Gaming, with the initiative tagged ‘Gameover Gender- Base Violence’was part of the global campaign against gender- based Violence.
The activity which experienced a flavour of festivity was full of fun and excitements as participants took part in tournaments on popular digital games such as Mario kart and EAFC 25, with an intent to creating safer and more inclusive digital spaces.
The Director of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal said that these activities were designed to encourage inclusion of girls, team work and fair play on online gaming spaces, saying that the gaming world reflects these inequalities, where female players are often under represented.
According to her the main objectives of the initiative was to provide a supportive environment for girls and female in gaming network.
“GameOverGBV” is a project created to reshape this landscape by offering an innovative inclusiveness of girls on online digital Gaming community and digital environments that provide opportunities for creativity, learning and connection, but also fight against Gender-Based Violence Digital Gaming,”she said
She however, explained that the Digital Game, sport competitions, was launched to strengthen social and digital skills through games, workshops, and raise awareness among all young participants about respect, equality and digital citizenship.
The Tide News reports that in Port Harcourt, the competition brought together 100 young participants from three major universities: University of Port Harcourt, ( UNIPORT),Ignatius Ajuru University of Education(IAUE) and Rivers State University (RSU)as well as students from four selected secondary schools, Oginigba comprehensive Secondary.School, Vine lnternational, Virgo predicanda lnternational, and Excellent Montessori Secondary school.
“This is an approach where girls and boys can learn, play and collaborate in a more respectful and safe space for young women, while ensuring a safe, enjoyable and respectful digital environment. It also expose young women to cyberbullying, exclusion, sexist comments and online hate,” Mrs. Lacal said.
Earlier, a game developer Sophia Nei and her. team had engaged participants in an interactive session with the theme: “Can Video Games Be Safe Spaces For Girls?”
However, Mrs Nei and her team educated the girls on the benefits and violence on online digital gaming and urged them ( participants)to learn to say ‘No’ to Online hate, sexist and cyber bullying, while encouraging them(students) to stand up for themselves by reporting such issues to the appropriate authority.
Highlight of the competition was the awarding of prizes to winners by the Director of Alliance Française, Mrs Marina Lacal.
