News
Wigwe’s kinsmen promise to probe cause of death ‘traditional way’
The people of Isiokpo kingdom in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State on Wednesday vowed to use traditional means in investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of their son, Herbert Wigwe, in a helicopter crash in the United States of America.
Wigwe, who was the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, was killed alongside his wife and son in a crash while travelling from Califonia to Nevava.
But peeved by his death, the Isiokpo’s traditional leadership, during a procession to begin eight days of mourning declared in Wigwe’s honour, said on Wednesday that they would deploy the ancient tradition to unearth the circumstances leading to his demise.
“We must get to the root of the whole thing. Isiokpo is an ancient city. We must go back to our traditional way and find out what really killed Herbert Wigwe,” the traditional ruler of Isiokpo, Blessing Wagor said.
Our correspondent who visited the community on Wednesday observed that markets, shops and other business premises in the kingdom were shut, while the people wore black attires to mourn the death of Wigwe.
Many people in Omueke, Wigwe’s hometown and other communities in Isiokpo described him as generous, calm and friendly,
The procession that went round the communities terminated at the palace of the traditional ruler of Isiokpo, Blessing Wagor, who was seated with his council of chiefs to receive hundreds of mourners.
The crowd of mourners sang and called on God to intervene and help the community cope with what they described as an ‘unbelievable and incalculable’ loss.
Speaking, the monarch, King Wigor, described Wigwe as a special man to the community, saying he was championing the development of Isiokpo before his shocking demise.
Wigor further said Wigwe lifted many young men in the area from poverty and fulfilled many promises he made to the community.
He, however, expressed dismay that the community was anticipating the fulfillment of many other promises, including the provision of electricity he made to the people that would have affected more lives positively before his death.
The monarch stated, “Who will now complete the ongoing electricity project he initiated? Who will give us light?”
On some of Wigwe’s legacies, he said, “He is a special man to us. We are crying and mourning him. God knows everything. I won’t ask God why. We hand over everything to God. May God give us the mind to endure it.
“We relied on him. He came to develop Isiokpo. He was a wonderful person to us. He left many legacies in the community. He cited a university here. He made many promises. He promised us plenty of things. We are in tears.
“The light project that he promised us is still ongoing. Who will give us light again? He has gone, and we are in pain. What happens to our Christmas rice and bonus? He used to supply rice all over Isiokpo.
“We enjoyed him, and his death is painful. He was humble, honest and respectful.”
While stating that Wigwe would not be buried anywhere outside Isiokpo, he noted that the community was waiting for his remains to be given a traditional burial befitting him.
He, however, said the community would return to its traditional practice to ascertain the real cause of death of Wigwe.
“We must traditionally bury him. He cannot be buried outside Isiokpo. He must be buried here. The Isiokpo must find a way to probe his death.
“We must get to the root of the whole thing. Isiokpo is an ancient city. We must go back to our traditional way and find out what really killed Herbert Wigwe.
“If his death is natural. We will know. If it is from a human, we will know.”
The king said Wigwe’s death had taught many to work hard and make a positive impact in their communities, adding that if Wigwe had not left such legacies, the entire Isiokpo would not be mourning him.
He added, “This death is an example to all of us. You must make impact in your community. If Herbert is not a good man, this crowd will not gather here today. We can’t be here crying. Let’s follow Herbert Wigwe’s footsteps.”
The President of Isiokpo Youth Council and the Co-ordinating Chairman of all the Ikwerre community youth leaders, Apostle Peter Ezemoye, said the death of Wigwe should be thoroughly probed to find out its real cause.
Ezemoye said, “We are not too comfortable with the stories. We, the youths of Isiokpo, are using this opportunity to call on the Federal Government, the state and the National Assembly to look into this and follow up on investigations to know what actually happened.
“We are not buying into the stories. It is a great loss to us, and we can’t just lose a brother and father like that. We want the Interpol and the Nigerian government to find out what actually happened.
“I am not a pilot, and I am not an engineer, but in my layman’s understanding, when the weather is bad, you don’t take off. So the engineering crew and the helicopter company should be investigated. We need a thorough investigation to see what really happened.”
He flayed the death of Wigwe, describing it as shocking, pointing out that the entire community had been crying since the sad news was confirmed.
He said, :Wigwe was my boss; the news of his death came as a shock. I worked closely with him. We planned with him over the years with the things he brought down to Isiokpo. Education is the key of every society. He had the idea of turning the town into the envy of many people.
“He made many promises to us. We have been crying all these days. We took to the streets today to mark the respect and love we have for him. Today is Valentine’s Lovers Day. You can see the crowd, the entire Isiokpo, the King and chiefs, including the women, are here today in solidarity.
“But one thing is key. What is happening today shows the impact he made in Isiokpo, Ikwerre and Rivers at large. Other communities came here to partake in the procession. The only way we can honour his death is to ensure that his legacies are sustained. That is the best way anyone can mourn him.
“We must protect all and ensure we actualise all his dreams and aspirations. His dreams and his name shouldn’t be allowed to go into extinction. We are mourning him for eight days.
“But after today, activities will go on in the community on a low key. Wigwe did a lot for the community.”
News
Arsenal ten-point ahead others after slamming Everton 2-0 as Dowman emerges youngest goal scorer
Max Dowman became Arsenal’s youngest ever goalscorer as he created one goal and then scored another to sink Everton in a 2-0 win at the Emirates.
The Gunners struggled to break down David Moyes’ side until Downman came off the bench and changed the game.
The 16-year-old delivered a cross which goalkeeper Jordan Pickford missed, leading to a tap-in for Viktor Gyokores. And Dowman finished it off with a run from his own half to score into an empty goal after Pickford had gone up for a corner.
It gave Arsenal a 10-point lead at the top of the table before Manchester City’s match at West Ham later on Saturday evening.
Viktor Gyokeres has this to say at full-time.
On Dowman: “It’s incredible, you can see how he plays, with no fear, and he’s in the right positions most of the time. He’s an amazing player, and I’m so happy.
On what the plan was, he says: “The plan that we talked about before the game, try and change the game and get the win.
“Every win is important, we try to do our best in our games and we’re in a good position.
“Come into games with the right attitude, together with a good atmosphere, I think we can achieve anything,” he added.
No fewer than 20 security personnel and local vigilantes were killed when heavily armed terrorists ambushed a patrol team in the Garga area of Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident occurred around 4pm Friday when a combined team of military personnel and vigilantes, travelling in two vehicles on routine patrol across Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, and neighbouring communities, came under heavy fire near Wanka.
According to a press statement issued Saturday by the Kanam Development Association (KADA), about 12 security personnel, including two senior military officers, lost their lives in the fierce gun battle, while eight vigilante members who joined forces to defend their communities also paid the supreme price.
While some terrorists were reportedly neutralised during the exchange, the attackers later stormed Kyaram community, looting property worth millions of naira and rustling a large number of cattle from innocent residents.
The Kanam group described the attack as part of a prolonged wave of insecurity that has plagued the border communities linking Plateau with Taraba and Bauchi states for over three to four years.
The association highlighted recurring incidents of terrorism, cattle rustling, kidnappings, and property destruction, despite repeated appeals to authorities.
The statement jointly signed by Barr. Garba Aliyu, the chairman, and Shehu Kanam (secretary), expressed deep sorrow over the loss and condemned the continued freedom with which terrorists operate in the volatile border corridor.
They demanded urgent intervention from the local government, Plateau State Government, and Federal Government.
They also called for the immediate deployment of additional military and security forces to Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, Wanka, and surrounding areas, as well as the establishment of permanent security outposts in these border communities.
We called for enhanced coordinated operations along the Plateau-Taraba-Bauchi border as well as relief support for victims who have lost livelihoods, homes, and livestock,” the statement said.
The association stressed that the affected communities are law-abiding citizens seeking only to farm, raise families, and contribute to national development.
The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence has disclosed that the country’s air defence systems intercepted multiple aerial threats launched from Iran, as tensions continue to escalate in the region.
In a statement posted on its official X handle on Saturday, the ministry said that “UAE air defence systems on 14th March engaged 9 ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran.”
The disclosure highlights the scale of the latest wave of attacks that the Gulf nation says it has had to repel in recent days.
According to the ministry, the interceptions form part of a broader pattern of hostilities since the beginning of what it described as “the onsets of the blatant Iranian aggression.”
It stated that its defence forces had repeatedly been forced to activate their air defence systems to neutralise incoming threats aimed at the country.
Providing a cumulative breakdown of the attacks so far, the ministry said that “since the onsets of the blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1600 UAVs launched from Iran.”
The figures suggest a sustained barrage of aerial projectiles and drones that authorities say have targeted the United Arab Emirates over time.
The ministry also confirmed that the attacks have resulted in casualties and injuries involving people from several nationalities living and working in the country.
According to the statement, “these attacks have resulted in 6 fatalities of Emirati, Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi nationals.”
It further disclosed that a significant number of individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries during the attacks.
The ministry said “141 minor to moderate injuries” had been recorded among residents and workers from a wide range of countries.
Those affected, the statement said, include nationals of the United Arab Emirates as well as individuals from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.
While giving the casualty details, the ministry did not specify the locations where the fatalities and injuries occurred or the specific incidents that led to them.
However, the statement suggested that the attacks involved multiple aerial threats over time.
Reaffirming the country’s defence posture, the ministry said the armed forces remain on high alert and prepared to respond to any further threats targeting the nation’s territory or security.
The Ministry of Defence affirmed that it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats,” the statement said.
It added that the military would “firmly confront any attempts to undermine State security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities.”
Authorities did not indicate whether additional defensive measures have been put in place following the latest interceptions, but reiterated their commitment to maintaining national security and protecting residents across the federation.
Recall that the government of Qatar sent another formal complaint to the United Nations and the United Nations Security Council over what it described as repeated military aggression by Iran against its territory.
In a statement released on Friday, Qatar foreign ministry said it had sent its eighth identical letter to the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, and to the United States Permanent Representative to the UN and President of the Security Council for March, Michael Waltz.
According to the statement, the letter was submitted by Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani.
The Qatari government said the communication was aimed at informing the UN about what it called “Iranian aggression” against its territory and to highlight the security implications for the region.
The letter described the incidents as serious violations of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Arsenal ten-point ahead others after slamming Everton 2-0 as Dowman emerges youngest goal scorer
Terrorists ambush patrol vehicle, k!ll 20 security operatives in Plateau
NFF mourns death of ex-Eagles midfielder, Henry Nwosu
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