News
100 die as Intra/Interstate communal clashes ravage A’Ibom
At least 100 people have lost their lives in communal squabbles between communities in Akwa Ibom on one hand and between their neighbours in Cross River and Abia in the last three months.
Recent cases of communal clashes between communities in the state include land disputes between Enwang /Ukonteghe communities in Mbo LGA, Okopedi/ Amamong Communities in Okobo LGA, and, Ukuko /Umume communities in Urue Offong/Oruko LGA.
These clashes, which went unabated for not less than two months, claimed no fewer than 30 lives, leading many, including the Civil Liberty Organisations to suggest the need for government to take over every land under dispute in the state.
Just as the state continues to grapple with this, an inter-state boundary dispute rocked Ikpanya Clan, in Ibiono Ibom Local Council, Akwa Ibom as warriors of Ugbo community in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State reportedly invaded the area killing at least seven people.
Lamenting the plight of the people of Ikpanya, the clan head of the community, His Highness Chief Isaac Ononson said the attacks occurred during the farming season.
“The people of Ugbo will attack our people as they go to farm. They will beat our women and chase them away, packing the palm fruits. These people have continued to trouble our people year in, year out, and then on the 8th of this month, when my people went to cut palm as I lifted ban on cutting of palm.” He said
Also, no fewer than eight persons, within the last couple of weeks have been killed in Okpoto and Nturi communities of Ini LGA, bordering Ikwanno, Atochukwu and Bende LGAs of Abia State over disputed land boundaries.
According to the Chairman, Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Isreal Idaisin, members of the border Abia communities now ambush the people of Ini and attack them on daily basis.
He has called on the Federal Government as well as the government of the affected states to wade into the boundary crisis to forestall further loss of lives.
On the boundary between Akwa Ibom and Cross River the protracted crisis between the people of Ikot Offiong in Odukpani LGA of Cross River and the Oku Iboku people of Itu LGA, Akwa Ibom States has become a recurring decimal as irate youths from Ikot Offiong would in a slightest provocation invade Oku Iboku to kidnap, kill and rape.
Sources from the Oku Iboku Community who are predominantly farmers reveals that their invaders always target the short harvest and farming seasons, when farmers go to their farms to harvest vegetable crops to attack and hijack their farm produce with local fishermen are said to be the prime targets.
Scores of people, our source said were still missing even as some bodies have been recovered in slums from the latest attack which occurred few weeks back.
The Police Public Relations Officer who had confirmed communal hostilities in Ikpanya Community of Ibiono Ibom, assured that steps were being taken to forestall the escalation of the crisis.
“The police is aware and we are doing everything possible to bring the situation under control. The CP is working to see that the situation doesn’t escalate. The CP has directed that our men be deployed to the area; our men are on ground as we speak.” He said
In the meantime, the state government has threatened to take over disputed lands if warring communities in the state fail to sheat their sword.
Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem who disclosed this at the peace parleys in Ukonteghe Uda and Enwang said the take over of the land had become necessary to prevent further loss of lives in the area as the government could not continue to watch things spiral out of control.
Ekuwem, himself an indigene of Mbo said that the decision is the only and best option to end the age-long rift between the two communities.
“The land is going to be taken over by the government for a large plantation or industry or factory that belongs to Akwa Ibom State Government. The constitution provides that every land is vested in the state government, so the state government is taking over the land inorder to ensure peace.” He explained.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
DSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
Renowned Nigerian novelist, journalist, and academic, Okey Ndibe, was reportedly detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday morning.
Ndibe disclosed his situation in a message sent while in custody, stating: “I’ve been with the SSS now for more than an hour. They’re waiting for clearance from some oga before they let me go.”
According to sources close to the writer, his detention follows a pattern that dates back to previous administrations, including that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, during which he was frequently stopped and questioned over his critical commentaries on Nigerian governance and public affairs.
However, associates noted that Ndibe has largely stepped away from active commentary in Nigerian media over the past two years, focusing instead on writing books and his academic responsibilities at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he teaches.
A close friend of the author and former Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said similar incidents had occurred several times in the past. He explained that airport DSS officials typically contacted their superiors in Abuja before eventually releasing Ndibe.
“It is a pity that this agency doesn’t update its database to enable officers on duty at the airport to know that the agency no longer regards Prof. Ndibe as a security threat to the administration,” Adinuba said.
He added that on previous occasions, the DSS had apologized to the respected author after determining that his detention was unwarranted.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the DSS regarding the circumstances surrounding Ndibe’s latest detention. The development has raised renewed concerns about the treatment of government critics and the continued use of security watchlists affecting returning Nigerians.
Hegseth made the disclosure during a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, where he said the directive was issued about a year ago after Trump became aware of attacks against Christians in Nigeria.
He explained that the operation involved behind-the-scenes coordination and deployment of military assets, adding that intelligence gathered during the mission contributed to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as ISIS’s second-in-command, during a joint operation involving U.S. and Nigerian forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
“Maybe a year ago, he heard the call of Nigerian Christians who were being targeted and killed by ISIS in Nigeria, and he said, ‘Pete, I want the War Department to focus on ensuring that we do everything we can to protect those Christians,’” Hegseth said.
According to him, the operation yielded significant results in the fight against terrorism in the region.
“And we got the assets there, and over the last month, and there hasn’t been much coverage of this, we killed ISIS number two in Nigeria, who’s most responsible for killing Christians and trying to target the U.S. homeland,” he stated.
Hegseth added that working on the Intel gathered, they have killed hundreds of ISIS members who were targeting and killing Christians in Nigeria.
The U.S. defence chief described the operation as part of the Trump administration’s broader commitment to counterterrorism efforts and the protection of vulnerable communities.
“So there are a lot of things we do that the media pays attention to, and a lot of things that the President empowers the Department to do on behalf of the American people that he deserves great credit for,” Hegseth stated.
ISIS second in command, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed in a coordinated U.S.-Nigeria military operation in northeast Nigeria earlier this month.
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