Ven. Joseph Nweke, the Anambra State chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has accused some Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency, ARTMA, officials of attacking him and looting his vehicle at the Dennis Memorial Grammar School, DMGS round-about axis in Onitsha on Friday afternoon in the name of traffic control.
Nweke, an Anglican Archdeacon, claimed that ARTMA officials beat and battered him after he questioned their identity when they pounced on him for allegedly committing a traffic offence.
He confirmed that the officials, acting commando-style, took away his car battery, plate number, money, and other valuables during the process, and they quickly zoomed away to avoid retaliation from sympathisers who cursed them for attacking a cleric.
Ven. Nweke recounted his ordeal at the hands of the attackers, saying, “I escaped being killed eight hours before my Diamond Jubilee celebration (60th birthday, scheduled for today, Saturday) by hoodlums claiming to be working for the state government.”
“I invited Governor Charles Soludo to the celebration, which I will host for guests from all walks of life as it is a celebration of my time on earth and service to God and humanity,” he said.
“My problem began with them when I was driving past the DMGS roundabout and a tricycle in front of me was stopped by the gang dressed in plain clothes. During the process, one of them rushed up to me and asked why I was blocking the road; I explained that the tricycle they had stopped was the cause because it was in front of me.
“He immediately began dragging my car key, and his members began looting my car; they removed the battery, plate number, and everything else in the pigeonhole, including a large sum of money, the value of which I cannot estimate at this time.”
“They quickly rushed and put on their aprons when sympathisers yelled that they were criminals and fled the scene.”
“I reported the incident to the Onitsha Police Area Commander, Mr Gregory Itobore, and the Inland Town Divisional Police Officer, Mrs Tina Okeke, who directed her men to ensure the safety of the car that was abandoned at the scene of the incident,” he said.
Confirming the incident, Mrs Okeke, the DPO, told reporters in her office that she had heard several negative stories about ARTMA officials assaulting and causing harm to road users in the name of checking traffic offences.

Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has called on leaders at all levels of government to demonstrate moral rectitude and ethical leadership in their service to the nation.

Archbishop Okoh emphasised the importance of leadership integrity, accountability, and selflessness, as well as the critical role of ethical governance in guiding Nigeria towards long-term development and unity.

He called on Nigerians to reflect on their common aspirations for a just, equal, and respectful society, grounded in principles of justice and equality.

Archbishop Okoh reaffirmed CAN’s commitment to interfaith dialogue and cooperation, calling for religious unity and collaboration. He urged Nigerians to embrace diversity as a source of strength and work together to create a peaceful and prosperous future.

As Muslims around the world commemorate the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, reflection, and spiritual renewal, Archbishop Okoh extended warm congratulations to our Muslim brothers and sisters.

Recognising the profound significance of the Eid-el-Fitri celebration, he expressed solidarity with the Muslim community and acknowledged its importance not only for Muslims but for the entire nation.

Archbishop Okoh emphasised the values of compassion, humility, and generosity embodied in Eid-el-Fitri and their relevance to Nigeria’s diverse society. He emphasised the importance of drawing inspiration from these values to promote peace, harmony, and progress in the face of national challenges.

The Archbishop emphasised the lessons of empathy, forgiveness, and understanding embedded in Eid-el-Fitri, emphasising their importance in bridging religious and cultural gaps.

Finally, Archbishop Daniel Okoh’s Eid-el-Fitri message serves as a powerful reminder of the values of ethical leadership, unity, and cooperation that are critical to Nigeria’s progress and development. As the nation commemorates this auspicious occasion, his words serve as a call to action for all Nigerians to uphold honesty, transparency, and equity in their endeavours, as well as to embrace the spirit of unity and solidarity across religious and cultural lines.

Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general elections, has urged Nigerian Muslims to use the window provided by Sallah to seek Allah’s intervention in Nigeria’s current situation.

Obi charged the people not to allow the current unprecedented hardship in the country to affect their spirit of love, brotherhood, and peaceful coexistence.

Rather, Obi stated that the people should use this year’s Eid-El Fitri festivities to foster a spirit of unity and re-dedicate themselves to the virtues of love, patriotism, and unity for the sake of national development.

In a message to Muslims, the former Anambra state governor stated that as the two major faiths, Christianity and Islam, come out of their fasting period, they should allow the solemnity of the holy months to influence their thoughts and actions in relating to one another and thinking about the country’s future.

Obi expressed dissatisfaction with the amount of blood shed in this country on a daily basis and requested that the situation be reported to Allah for prompt intervention.

The LP standard bearer stated that the blood of thousands of innocent souls being wasted daily in our land at various troubled spots, particularly the stress of schoolchildren in the North, and the unnecessary death of our troops should be enough to implore God to save this country from destruction.
“An intense prayer for our beloved country has become more important than ever before, as our nation is in desperate need of divine intervention to survive.
“Our economy is already under severe stress, with the currency losing value every day, unemployment, and inflation.
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Obi finally implored the people not to despair and miss the essence and meaning of festivity and the divine succour it brings, assuring us that there is always a light at the end of every tunnel as a new Nigeria is still POssible.