Husband detained by Govt for allegedly chopping off Wife’s left hand

The Enugu State Government says it has detained for prosecution, Mr Sunday Echegi, who allegedly chopped off wife’s left hand, Mrs Chinonso Echegi, in Nsukka Area of the state.

Mrs Ngozi Enih, the State Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Enugu.

Enih’s statement underscores Gov Peter Mbah’s administration’s commitment to combating domestic and gender-based violence in Enugu State.

“This zero-tolerance stance is part of the administration’s broader efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents, particularly vulnerable populations,” she said.

Enih said the governor’s action demonstrated a strong resolve to address these issues head-on.

“This move not only provides support to the victim but also sends a strong message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Echegi’s alleged brutal act surfaced on social media on Jan. 26.

Enih said that Echegi, who hails from Ibagwa Ani in Nsukka Local Government Area, had allegedly cut off his wife’s hand following a quarrel.

“This is yet another sad development, which we are following up to ensure that justice is done.

“The information we have is that the man in question aimed for the wife’s head during a disagreement, but ended up chopping off the left hand with which she tried to fend off the machete.

“She also sustained injury on the right hand. So, we swung into action immediately we got the information and had him arrested immediately and he is now in police custody,” she said.

The commissioner emphasised that the top priority at the moment was to save the victim’s life and ensure she received the necessary medical attention.

“So, we have moved her to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane, where she is currently receiving full medical attention.

“Meanwhile, this is a case the government is taking very seriously.

“The wife of the governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah, is personally on this matter and has vowed that justice must be served.

“The suspect will be moved to the Police Force Criminal Investigation Department, Enugu today for a thorough investigation.

“From there, the law will take its full course,” Enih said.

“The Enugu State Government is taking a strong stance against domestic and Gender-Based Violence (GBV), as well as child abuse.

“Residents are warned to refrain from such acts, as the current administration will not tolerate them.

“This move aims to protect vulnerable individuals, especially women and children, from harm,” she added.

NAN reports that The Mbah administration has taken a strong stance against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and child abuse since taking office.

This is evident in the numerous arrests, investigations, and ongoing trials for various offenses related to GBV and child abuse.

The administration’s efforts are part of a broader movement to combat GBV and child abuse, which are pervasive issues affecting many communities.(NAN

Man, 27, allegedly assaults 2 Police officers with cutlass

A 27-year-old Buda Umaru, on Tuesday appeared before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, for allegedly assaulting two police officers with a cutlass.

Umaru, whose address was not provided, was charged with conspiracy, assault and perversion of justice.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.

The prosecutor, Insp Femi Omilana, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Dec. 22, 2024 at about 11.00 a.m. at Ogbomosho.

Omilana alleged that the defendant unlawfully assaulted two police officers, Sgt. Simeon Agbara and PC Samad Lawal with a cutlass, while performing their lawful duties.

He said that the defendant assaulted the police officers while they were trying to arrest one Mohammed Alabi and one Babuga Umaru, who attempted to obstruct the course of justice.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 516, 355 and 126 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The Magistrate, Mrs Adebola Adeola, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.

She, thereafter, adjourned the case until March 21, for hearing. (NAN)

Ambulance tranporting corpse for burial attacked by gunmen, undertaker killed

Segun Adekoya, the director of an ambulance, was killed over the weekend when unknown gunmen ambushed the ambulance vehicle on the Egbe-Ogbe-Ponyan road in Kogi State’s Yagba East Local Government Area.

Around 5 p.m. on Saturday, Adekoya and his group were on their way back to Egbe from a burial service in the neighboring Ponyan community when the incident occurred.

Reports indicate that the group had been transporting a corpse from a hospital in Egbe, located in Yagba West Local Government Area, to Ponyan for burial when the ambush occurred.

The gunmen opened fire on the ambulance, fatally wounding Adekoya and causing widespread shock in the region.

“The undertaker group headed by Aegun Adekoya is loved greatly in the community, because of its quality service delivery at funeral or burial ceremony.

“He bought a well equipped ambulance on 24th December 2024, with the assistance of people to ease smooth operation of his chosen profession in the community.

“On Saturday morning, with his workers , he took a corpse for burial from Egbe hospital to Ponyan, prosecuting it successfully.

“Shortly after fixing a punctured tire on his way back , he ran into an ambush of the hoodlums, numbering about 30.

“While others escaped from the scene , he could not, as an accident that affected one of his legs years ago rendered it useless, making him to always shuffle in walking .

“His life less body was picked up on Sunday morning beside the road , shortly after farmers spotted it and raised alarm,” said Ademola Ganiyu, a resident of Egbe.

Residents of Yagba East Local Government Area in Kogi State are pointing to the ongoing herders-residents conflict and the growing presence of kidnappers in the region as potential causes behind the recent attack on an ambulance that led to the death of Segun Adekoya.

Many locals believe the gunmen responsible for the ambush could be linked to the ongoing tension between herders and residents, while others attribute the violence to the activities of kidnappers who have been operating in the area for months.

In a related incident, residents reported that another individual was kidnapped along the same route on Saturday, the same day as the ambulance attack.

The victim’s motorcycle and personal belongings were recovered from the scene, but the identity of the kidnapped person remains unclear as investigations continue.

Community leaders have strongly condemned the killing and expressed deep concerns about the growing insecurity in the area.

Chief Leke Akogun, a prominent community leader, lamented the frequent attacks and the resulting climate of fear that has forced many locals to stay indoors and halt their daily activities.

“Our ward (Ogbe) was once a peaceful farming community that thrived economically in Yagba West, but it has now become a hotspot for kidnappers,” said Akogun.

“These recent attacks are a stark reminder of the worsening security situation here.”

The Minority Leader in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Otunba Ibikunle Idowu, who hails from the community, echoed similar concerns.

He noted that the area’s proximity to three states—Kwara, Ekiti, and Ondo—makes it particularly vulnerable to attacks and criminal activities.