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Failed attempt to arrest OMPAN chair: ” I won’t succumb to intimidation” – PUO

Published

12 months ago

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Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

After a failed move to arrest the Abia state chairman of Online media publishers association of Nigeria, Chief Promise Uzoma Okoro last week Friday by a team believed to have come from the force criminal investigation department, Abuja, the former has vowed not to be cowed by anyone in the course of doing his job.

Addressing a press conference in Umuahia one week after the team led by one Francis Ataman came in disguise as seeking him for a media publication, the chairman has come out to condemn in clear terms the conduct of the policeman.

He frowned at the manner the officer lied to his secretary, Dr. Steve Unegbu and also sidelined the state police command in his mission.

According to him, the police had not sent him any invitation to answer to any petition prior to their failed mission in Abia, and also wondered why someone in his position should be targeted for embarrassment in such a manner.

Chief Okoro said being the chairman of a recognised union, it was easy to invite, dialogue or reach out to him, adding that he had never jumped bail nor been arrested for any reason whatsoever.

He described the conduct of the police officer as unprofessional and unethical, saying “The actions of Mr Francis Atama shows unprofessionalism, high disregard to the relationship between Online Media Practitioners in Abia State and the Nigeria Police Force, especially Abia State Police Command.”

Below is the full text of the press conference:

“I Won’t Succumb to Intimidation”

A text of Press Conference issued on Friday, 13th December, 2024 by the Chairman Abia Online Media Publishers Organization(OMPAN) ,Chief Promise Uzoma Okoro, Anipr, over failed abduction by police officers from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Abuja, led by one Francis Atama.Dear colleagues, I wish to address a very dangerous scenario that played out here in our State Secretariat on Friday, 6th December, 2024, when an officer of the Nigeria Police Force ,from the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja, trailed me to this office in a failed attempt to abduct me and whisk me away to Abuja to detain me over the weekend, and possibly arraign me before an ‘already-awaiting Magistrate Court over an alleged case of defamation, without prior invitation to me by the police.Worrisome was the manner in which Mr Francis Atama, who led the police officers from the FCID Abuja, attempted to use subtle means to get at me, abduct me and keep me away from my family over a petition written by a yet to identify individual.Maybe, that Friday, news would have gone that Chairman of Online Media Publishers in Abia was abducted by unknown gunmen’ from his office in Umuahia and maybe when my family and friends would be in the know that it was police officers, I would have been remanded in an Abuja prison, and the matter possibly adjourned to any day and month of their choice in 2025.*How Mr Francis Atama illegally trailed me to this Secretariat*Mr Francis Atama, the officer who led the team from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Abuja trailed me to our Online Media State Secretariat located here at No 54 Eket Street by Enugu Road, Umuahia, the Abia State capital on Friday, 6th December 2024, and deceitfully claimed that he had a media publication he wanted me Online Media People to do for him and was sent by a former Director of FMC in Enugu.According to him, the media publication he wanted to pay me to publish involved the kidnapping of a Prince , in an Ezeship tussle by two brothers in Enugu and a property disagreement. He claimed that he wanted the story to be published that Friday so he could return to Enugu.The secretary of our Union, Dr Steve Unegbu, who was called, rushed down to this office, and met him inside our office. When he (Unegbu) asked him to brief him about the matter so he can write it, dangerously enough, Mr Atama refused and insisted that ‘his Oga’ told him that the Chairman is the only person he should open up to about the details of the story. All these were lies and childish deceit employed by Mr Atama to ensure that I hurriedly come to the office and meet him.Unfortunately for them and fortunately for me, I wasn’t in town that day, but when our Secretary called me and briefed me about the insistence of Mr Atama, I demanded the phone number of the man who desperately wanted to pay me for a publication. It was then that I discovered that the name of the man is Mr Francis Atama, and that his real intentions were to kidnap me, assassinate me or arrest me, as all his claims of coming from Enugu were proved to be false. These were unravelled as a result of my preliminary investigation of all his claims.I quickly told our Secretary to inform him that I won’t see him because his intentions and claims were all false. Our Secretary informed him, and he said he will lodge at Eastern Comfort Hotel in Umuahia.In a bid to verify the identity of Mr Atama, I called the Police Public Relations Officer of the Abia State Police Command, ASP MAUREEN CHINAKA, to ask her if there was a matter against me due to my suspicion that the man might be a kidnapper or a security officer, she told me in clear terms that there was no such matter before her table and asked me to come and see the Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa on Monday by 12noon.The following day, being 7th December 2024, I called his phone number, and Mr Francis Atama still maintained his false and deceitful claims of wanting me to publish a story for him. I told him in clear terms that his story was not connecting and he should come out clean to tell me if he is a police officer or from the DSS, but instead Mr Atama asked me: ‘Did I tell you I am a policeman?’ He tried all his best to convince me to wait for him at any police station, but unfortunately, a trained journalist of my nature cannot be set up with such a childish story.I immediately complained to a sister in Abuja over the fact that an unknown man had been insisting and mounting pressure to see me, claiming that he wanted to do a publication, whereas I din’t know him and who he claimed that sent him.It was after the call of my sister, that Atama now sent me an invitation by 9:16 am on Monday 9th December 2024.(I printed a copy of his WhatsApp message)The letter he sent to me was dated 4th December, whereas they came to Umuahia to arrest me on the 6th December without any prior official invitation.The actions of Mr Francis Atama shows unprofessionalism, high disregard to the relationship between Online Media Practitioners in Abia State and the Nigeria Police Force, especially Abia State Police Command.It is important to state clearly, that there was no official Police Invitation sent to me by Mr Francis Atama and his team before they travelled from far away Abuja to Umuahia that is over 7000 times to arrest me like a common criminal, I have never jumped bail since my life and I have never been detained at any police station for an alleged offence, This is a calculated attempt to embarrass my office as Chairman of Online Media Practitioners Association in Abia State, disgrace my personality, remand me in Prison for Christmas and New Year Season to satisfy the petitioner. If this was not the plan, the police would have done the right thing by sending me an official invitation or better still, Mr Atama would have opened up when he entered our secretariat and found out that I am the Chairman of Online Media Practitioners in Abia State.As a Chairman of a recognized Union in Abia State and Nigeria, we have built synergy with security agencies and I am worried that this man wanted to embarrass my office and breach the already-existing relationship with the Nigeria Police Force.I wish to state categorically clear that I will never be intimidated, succumb to harassment by any highly-placed individual who may want to use the security agencies to intimidate people because they feel they have the money to spend.On Monday, colleagues accompanied me to the Abia State Police Command to register our displeasure over the failed attempt to embarrass, intimidate and abduct me in such a shameful manner.I want to thank the Abia State Police Commissioner, CP Danladi Isa, for condemning the failed attempt and I want to reassure him that OMPAN will continue to work in synergy with the police in the fight against crime and criminality in Abia State.I have submitted a formal complaint to the Complaint Response Unit of the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters Abuja against Mr Francis Atama and I want to call on the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG.Hashimu Argungu (Rtd)to look into this ugly development and handle the unprofessional conduct of Mr Francis Atama of the FCID and his team on Friday 6th December 2024.And to the Petitioner, rushing to attempt using the Police to harass man has failed.Thank you for your Time.Chief Promise Uzoma Okoro, Chairman Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria, Abia State Chapter 13th December 2024

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Human angle

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

Published

4 hours ago

on

December 5, 2025

By

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.

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Human angle

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

Published

17 hours ago

on

December 4, 2025

By

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.

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Human angle

School girls abduction: Protect the Precious Foundation condemns act, says it’s “horrible.”

Published

2 weeks ago

on

November 22, 2025

By

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

As the recent abduction of some 25 school girls in Kebbi state continues to elicit reactions from citizens and groups, Protect the Precious Foundation has also condemned in strong terms the abduction of the schoolgirls from their school – Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State.

The attack was said to have been carried out by armed gunmen in the early hours of November 17, 2025, also claimed the life of the school’s Vice Principal, Mr. Hassan Yakubu Makuku.

In a statement made available to the media the Founder of Protect the Precious Foundation, Ambassador Norah Okafor, described the incident as “horrifying, morally repugnant, and a clear sign of worsening insecurity targeting the nation’s most vulnerable our children.”

She stated that the foundation stands in unwavering solidarity with the families of the abducted girls, the school community, and all Nigerians who believe that no child should ever live in fear for simply going to school.

According to her, “This is not just a security breakdown; it is a brutal violation of the girls’ fundamental right to education. Schools must be safe spaces for learning, not hunting grounds for criminals.”

Ambassador Okafor further decried the killing of the vice principal, describing it as a tragic symbol of the dangers educators face.

“Mr. Makuku died trying to protect his students. His death is a painful reminder that teachers in this country are often on the frontline, paying the ultimate price in the fight for children’s safety.”

She lamented the recurring pattern of impunity surrounding kidnappings across the nation, noting that these incidents highlight deep gaps in protection, intelligence gathering, and accountability.
“Impunity continues to thrive because the systems meant to protect our children are either weak or ignored. This must end.”

The renowned Abia-born journalist and girl-child advocate also emphasized the urgent need for swift rescue operations and justice for the victims. She urged authorities to intensify efforts until all abducted children are safely reunited with their families.


“Those behind this heinous crime must be identified, apprehended, and prosecuted without delay. Nigeria cannot continue to recycle the same tragedies.”

She further highlighted the need for strengthening preventive mechanisms, describing them as critical to stopping future attacks.
“Enhanced school security, community vigilance, early-warning systems, and stronger legal frameworks are essential. Prevention must now be a national priority.”

Ambassador Okafor called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government to deploy every necessary resource to secure the immediate release of the schoolgirls.
“Mr. President must act decisively. The nation is watching, and these children cannot be abandoned to fate.”

She reaffirmed that Protect the Precious Foundation will continue to advocate for the safety, rights, and dignity of every Nigerian child especially the girl child.

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