News

Killing of soldiers in Delta state: Pa Clark’s country home raided.

Published

2 years ago

March 27, 2024

csunews

By the Editor

Elder statesman and leader of the Pan Africa Niger Delta forum, Edwin Clark, has said that soldiers raided his country home in Kiagbodo, Delta State in search of arms on March 23.

He told journalists on Tuesday at his Asokoro residence in Abuja that the soldiers went in about five trucks and broke open all the doors in the compound with legs including the security door to his sitting room which was locked.
The raid is not unconnected with the killing of 17 officers and men of the 181 Amphibious Battalion at Okuama in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta.

Clark, said the soldiers also broke into the house of his late brother, Ambassador Akporode Clark.

He said, “At about 6pm on Saturday, 23rd March, 2024, I got a telephone call from someone who identified himself as the commanding officer Nigerian Army, Division in Port Harcourt. He said that a tracker of the Nigerian Army, had tracked one Mr. Vote, the community chairman of Okuoma Community, whom the Army was looking for in respect of the killings of the 17 men of the Nigerian Army, to a house in Ughelli; and that the military men had broken into the house, ransacked it, before they were informed that the house belongs to me, that he was very sorry and apologising to me on behalf of the Army.
“In my usual way and as a leader who is expected to condone as much as possible, I accepted his apology wholeheartedly, but told him that I do not own a house in Ughelli, that the house he is referring to, could be my father’s. I went on to sympathise with the Nigerian Army over the gruesome murder of the soldiers, an action I had condemned severally the moment I heard of it in the news.
“I assured him that we will all work within our powers to avail the security agencies with any available information that would unravel the whole thing and bring the perpetrators to book. We ended the discussion on a cordial note.
“It was not long after that, I was inundated with calls from my home, Kiagbodo, telling me how the army had invaded my country home by land and by air. That they came in about 5 trucks loaded with armed soldiers numbering between 30 and 40. They were in my house, used their legs to break open all the doors in the compound including the security door to my sitting room which was locked because I reside in Abuja. At the same time, flying their drone within the premises. Some of them went to the buildings behind the main house, and also broke all the doors that were locked. They matched out my staff living in those buildings, including lecturers at the university; made them to sit on bare ground. They also broke into my late brother, Ambassador Akporode Blessing Clark’s house; a man who served this country internationally in various capacities, including as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; as both of us share the same premises.
“They brought out his son almost naked, as the young man was taking a bath, when they stormed the house.
“All their phones were seized. The people had to identify themselves, and told them whose house it was, before they asked for my telephone number, which they said they will pass to their ‘oga’, before they all departed. One would have expected that at this juncture, a call could have been put to the Governor of Delta State, to inform him of what happened.
“I immediately called back the commanding officer to tell him of the actions of his men. And he said he was aware, and that was why he called to apologise.

“Before continuing, let me play the devil’s advocate by stating that the army may not know that the house they went to in Kiagbodo is my country home. But I feel very uncomfortable to conclude this recent incident with such theory, when I recall how men of the Tactical Squad of the Nigeria Police, attached to the Office of the Inspector General of Police, on 4th September, 2018, at about 12 noon, stormed my house in Abuja with in a bus load, fully armed. They came with a Search Warrant from a Magistrate Court in Abuja, bearing Mrs. Helen Clark, but with the address of my house on it, that they had come to search the house; that they had information that arms from the Niger Delta were being stock piled there. I identified myself, and told that there was no one named Helen Clark, living with me in the house. I spoke with the then Deputy Inspector General of Police, Operations. But they insisted on carrying out their search. With a very clear conscience, I allowed them to go ahead with their mission. They took their time to search every space in the compound, including my bedroom, but found nothing incriminating.”

According to thenicheng, Clark commended President Bola Tinubu for his efforts in combating the security challenges in the country.

“Again, I call on the various state actors to let me live in peace, and treat me with the kind of respect that I deserve, having served this country, and still serving even at the age of 97 years, until when it will please the Almighty God to call me home,” he concluded.

Human angle

Igbokwe’s Family Commences Burial Preparations for Late Matriarch, Dame Peace Igbokwe

Published

6 hours ago

December 5, 2025

csunews

By Editor, Umuahia

The family of Nze Samuel Nmaralam Igbokwe of Wowo Umueke-Umuyota, Umuawa Alaocha, Umuahia North LGA, Abia State, has formally commenced the burial preparations for their late matriarch, Dame Peace Onyekwulechi Igbokwe (née Ogu), fondly known as Peace Kwulechi, who passed away in 2025 at the age of 60.

The burial rites begin Friday, December 5, 2025 with a service of songs at her Lagos residence at 34 Road, A’Close, House 13, Gowon Estate.

According to the programme released by the family, the funeral activities will continue with a Service of Songs/Tribute Night on Friday, 9th January 2026 at the Igbokwe country home in Umueke-Umuyota, Umuawa Alaocha.

The rites will progress on Saturday, 10th January 2026 with the departure of the body from the mortuary, followed by lying-in-state at her residence and thereafter procession to Wesley Cathedral, for funeral service.

Interment follows after the service at the family compound, and a reception at Umuawa Central School.

A Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday, 11th January 2026 at Methodist Church, Umuawa Alaocha.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe (Don Lulu) appreciated friends, relatives, and well-wishers for their support as the family begins the solemn journey of laying their matriarch to rest.

Human angle

Punishment and Prejudice: Navigating Strict Laws, Taboos against same-sex union in Nigeria

Published

19 hours ago

December 4, 2025

csunews

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia.

Homosexuality is an old practice which was initially considered a taboo in the past before some countries like the United States of America and parts of Europe legalised it.

Within 2025, various issues bothering on same sex relationships were reported across Nigeria.

In Abia State, people speculated about individuals sexuality at various times because of their dress sense or their body structure.

Sometimes, these speculations turned out to be true, yet also false alarm at other times.

As the year winds down, CSUNews examines how in 2025, personal choices worked at cross purposes with the nation’s law and communities’ traditions with regards to homosexuality.

We asked a cross section of residents of Abia State of their impressions about lesbianism, gay and same sex marriage.

Nearly every one interviewed exhibited knowledge of the law that prohibits same sex union and recommends penalty for offenders.

They’re equally aware that it is a “taboo” in many cultures across the country.

Mr. Kelechi Thompson, a native of Ezea in Ebonyi State but resident in Aba narrates how his community punished a same sex couple found in their “love nest” which happened to be an uncompleted building.

“It is an abomination. How can two men be together ? This is unheard of,“ he lamented.

According to Mr. Thompson, those who first saw them leave the uncompleted building holding hands as lovers would while kissing on the road, stripped both naked and dragged them to the village head.

The village head according to him ordered that they both be flogged while still naked.

“It did not end there, because after the beating, they were handed over to the police, you know the law is against it.

“However, after they were granted bail on their first appearance in court, one of them jumped bail and is still at large while his partner is still being tried in court,” he said.

Like Mr. Thompson, Mr. Onwuka Ijebuonwu believes people should live by their customs as he gives an insight into what his community in Afara would do to such persons if caught in the act.These are typical mind-sets of many citizens concerning LGBTQ which have caused those with such sexual orientation to hide perpetually while living in the country or flee the country as the last resort.

The human rights advocates and activists appear handicapped with the law and so cannot protect those who have become or perceived victims of the law and culture .

Mrs. Lizzy Ugwum during an interview shared how someone she knew but never understood her sexual orientation was allegedly forced to run away after she was caught with her partner by her husband.

The people mete out corporal punishments in most cases before handing the perceived culprits over to the law enforcers.

The law prescribed a 14 year jail term for anyone found guilty of the offence, but fears are that those involved in the act may suffer being lynched even before the matter goes to court.

Some enlightened citizens of Nigeria may argue that the people have their lives to live, but the reality is that the Nigerian law with its culture and religions may never take lightly issues of homosexuality, hence the safety of gay people and lesbians is not guaranteed in the country.

.It does not also look like the nation is interested in reviewing the anti gay law any time soon.

News

OMPAN AGM: Bloggers roll out programmes for 2025 summit

Published

1 week ago

November 27, 2025

csunews

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

All is now set for the Abia Online Media Publishers 3rd annual general meeting.

The group has planned the 2025 event on the theme: “The Impact of AI on Media and Journalism: the advent of artificial intelligence,” to explore the new technology.

This topic has been greeted with diverse reactions owing to its positive and negative effect on all facets of human endeavor and this will be addressed at the AGM.

A renowned IT expert and practitioner, Dr. Pastra Arinze Etie has been selected to speak on this year’s annual general meeting of the Abia Online Media Publishers (OMPAN), while member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha will chair the occasion.

Governor Alex Otti is the special guest of honour for the event.

The chairman of the planning committee and former Chairman of the Organization, Comrade Ugochukwu Nwankwo told journalists in Umuahia that the theme was carefully chosen to align with the realities of media practitioners at the moment, where most are neck deep in the use of AI.

Also Speaking, the Chairman of the organization Chief Promise Uzoma Okoro said that this year’s training will be unique because it would come with a training session for both members, intending members and the public.

The event is slated to hold on Friday 12th December 2026 at the Umuahia North Local Government Area Multipurpose Hall.

This is a call for all to attend.