The traditional ruler of Ekwulobia, His Royal Majesty, Igwe (Engr.) Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, has announced the suspension of the community’s New Yam Festival, earlier scheduled for September 4, following the abduction of one of its prominent sons, Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, the Chief Executive Officer of Jesco Oil.

The monarch said the community could not proceed with the celebration while Ezeokafor remains in the custody of his abductors.

He expressed concern over the incident and called for prayers for the safe release of the businessman.

The traditional ruler urged members of the community and well-wishers to pray for divine guidance, protection and the safe return of Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor.

The suspension of the festival underscores the community’s concern over the safety of its abducted son.

Unconfirmed sources say the kidnappers are demanding a whopping N20 Billion as ransome.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 30-year-old Italy-based businessman, Joseph Cyril, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, after he allegedly ingested 98 wraps of cocaine while attempting to travel to Italy through Addis Ababa and France.

Cyril was intercepted at the airport’s departure hall on Sunday, August 2, during the outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET930.

He was subsequently placed under excretion observation and passed 98 wraps of cocaine weighing a total of 1.51kg.

According to the NDLEA, investigations revealed that Cyril arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13 and allegedly ingested the drugs at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before travelling to Enugu to board his flight.

The suspect reportedly told NDLEA operatives that he had operated a business in Italy for several years and agreed to traffic the consignment for €3,500 to raise money to relocate to Germany, where his family lives.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives also foiled an attempt to export 1.2kg of cocaine concealed in 25 phone chargers destined for Saudi Arabia through a courier company.

Similarly, 500g of cocaine hidden in the false bottom of a backpack and allegedly bound for Italy was intercepted at another logistics company on August 3.

The agency also seized 2.3kg of “Loud”, a potent strain of synthetic cannabis, which arrived from the United States at a shipping company on August 4.

Along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway, NDLEA officers on patrol intercepted a truck carrying 1,633kg of skunk concealed in bags of rice shafts on August 4. Two suspects, Buba Jamilu, 40, and Sanusi Ibrahim, 30, were arrested.

A further 147kg of skunk was recovered from Ita Ogbolu Forest during a raid conducted the previous day.

In Oyo State, a tip-off led NDLEA operatives to a drug warehouse in Elebure village, Orire Local Government Area, on August 3, where 731.03kg of various illicit drugs were recovered.

A suspect, Felicia Thompson, 57, was arrested, while her alleged partner, Thompson Vincent Nwaka, remains at large.

In Edo State, NDLEA officers, supported by soldiers, recovered 65 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 604.5kg at Ewe Luleha, Owan West Local Government Area, on August 5.

In Abia State, a drug joint operator, Chibuike Charles, 31, was arrested during a raid in Osisioma Local Government Area on August 6, with 7kg of skunk recovered.

In Lagos, a long-wanted drug dealer, Adome Claude Sikuru, was arrested at the Fibre Market drug enclave in Badagry on August 8, following a three-month manhunt. A total of 88.5kg of skunk was recovered from him.

At Tincan Port, a joint operation involving the NDLEA, Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies uncovered 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies weighing 309.4kg.

The consignment, concealed in a 40-foot container, was intercepted on August 4, while a suspect, Larry Nnaji, was arrested in connection with the seizure.

Meanwhile, NDLEA commands across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities.

The campaigns were held at Islamic High School, Saki, Oyo State; Holy Ghost Academy, Nkpor, Anambra State; and Madarasatul Hidayatul Aulad Islamiyya, Gaya, Kano State.

The Rivers State Command also conducted a WADA advocacy visit to Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the Directorate of General Investigations (DOGI), Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Ondo, Oyo, Edo, Abia, Seme and Tincan commands for the successful operations.

He urged them to remain committed to the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.

The Osun State Police Command has arrested the state Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Asejoorin, following a shooting incident at an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Ilesa, Osun State, on Saturday.

The incident reportedly occurred during an APC campaign activity in the Ilesa metropolis following a confrontation between some supporters of the party and members of the Accord Party.

Gunshots were heard during the clash, leaving at least four people injured.

The victims, who sustained varying degrees of injuries, were taken to a hospital for medical attention. No death had been reported as of the time of filing this report.

One of those injured was identified as 14-year-old Ilesanmi, who was reportedly hit by a stray bullet while at his mother’s shop. The bullet struck him in the thigh.

An eyewitness, Kola Adeoti, said the incident occurred after some Accord chieftains were confronted during the rally.

He alleged that security personnel attached to the Accord members fired at APC supporters, triggering panic and protests in parts of Ilesa.

Following the incident, police officers were deployed to the area and the scene was secured. Investigators also recovered items believed to be connected to the shooting, including spent cartridges and caps reportedly belonging to personnel of the Amotekun security outfit.

The state police command confirmed that Asejoorin had been taken into custody in connection with the incident.

According to the command, his arrest was part of efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and determine those responsible for the violence.

Police personnel reportedly moved to the scene shortly after receiving information about the incident.

The area was cordoned off as officers gathered evidence and commenced preliminary investigations.

The arrest of the commissioner comes amid growing concern over the use of firearms during political activities in the state.

The police are expected to question those arrested and examine the evidence recovered from the scene as investigations continue.

The injured victims remain under medical care as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the events that led to the confrontation between the political groups.

The Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court sitting at the High Court in Awka, Anambra State, has convicted and sentenced a 27-year-old final-year Mass Communication student, Wisdom Edem, to a total of 35 years in prison for raping a 10-year-old girl, sexually abusing her and inflicting physical injuries on her.

Edem was sentenced to 25 years for rape, five years for sexual abuse and another five years for inflicting physical injury.

Justice Peace Otti delivered the judgment on Wednesday in Charge No. A/3C/2024, The State v. Wisdom Edem.

The three-count charge included rape, contrary to Section 34(2) of the Child’s Rights Law of Anambra State, 2004, and inflicting physical injury, contrary to Section 4(1) of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law of Anambra State, 2017.

The prosecution, led by the Principal State Counsel of the Anambra State Ministry of Justice, Chinelo Akorah, called six witnesses and tendered several pieces of evidence, including the defendant’s confessional statement and the victim’s medical report.

According to the charge sheet, the 10-year-old victim told the court that Edem deceived her into coming to his house under the pretext of participating in a comedy skit.

The victim said she had previously acted in skits with Edem and others, so she went to his house accompanied by her younger sister.

On arrival, Edem reportedly sent the younger sister home to get a change of clothes for the victim and subsequently asked the girl to enter his room, claiming that other people were waiting there.

However, the victim said she found no one in the room. Edem allegedly locked the door, raped her and caused her to bleed.

A medical doctor who examined the victim on the same day testified in court and confirmed that she had sustained bleeding and injuries.

In his defence, Edem denied wrongdoing and claimed that the girl had seduced him. He alleged that she removed his clothes, inserted his penis into her vagina and screamed. He further claimed that she told him she was 14 years old and had a boyfriend.

The court rejected the defence, holding that a child is incapable of giving consent to sexual activity under the law.

Justice Otti also described the offence as premeditated and carefully planned.

The judge noted that Edem had not even paid the child for the purported comedy skit, adding that he had instead exploited the situation to sexually abuse her.

The court held that the victim’s testimony was fully corroborated by the defendant’s confessional statement, which admitted that she came to his house with her younger sister.

The prosecution’s case was further strengthened by the testimonies of PW2 to PW6, including the police officer and vigilante member who participated in the defendant’s arrest.

Although Edem had been on bail and was present throughout the trial, he was absent when the judgment was delivered.

The court, relying on the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Anambra State, proceeded to deliver judgment in his absence.

Justice Otti subsequently issued a bench warrant for his arrest and ordered that he be declared wanted, with his photographs circulated to the police and published on the internet.

The court held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt through the victim’s testimony, corroborating evidence and the defendant’s own confessional statement.

The judge also directed Edem’s university not to issue him a certificate until he completes his prison sentence.

In addition, the court ordered him to pay a fine of N200,000 as compensation to the victim for the physical injuries inflicted on her.

The Principal State Counsel and the Publicity Secretary of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) were commended for their efforts in securing the conviction.

The judgment reinforces Anambra State’s stated zero-tolerance policy towards sexual and gender-based violence and its commitment to ensuring that perpetrators are prosecuted and punished in accordance with the law.

Anambra State has received a new Commissioner of Police, CP Nanna Oji Ama, following a nationwide reshuffle of senior police officers approved by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu.
The deployment comes after the Police Service Commission approved the appointment of eight Commissioners of Police to fill vacancies created by recent promotions and strengthen policing across affected state commands.
Under the new postings, CP Afolabi Wilfred Olutokunbo was assigned to Abia State, CP Ayodeji Faniyan to Plateau, CP Saka Adewale Ajao to Bayelsa, CP Ajo Geofrey Ordue to Cross River, CP Nanna Oji Ama to Anambra, CP Patrick Daaor to Edo, CP Tani Murtala to Jigawa, and CP Samuel Erale to Delta State.
The Police Service Commission also approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Auwal Mohammed as the new Commandant of the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State.
In addition, the IGP redeployed several senior officers to strategic formations and departments. CP Yemi John Oyeniyi was posted as Commissioner of Police in charge of Intelligence and Training at the Force Intelligence Department, Abuja, while CP Charles Ezekwesiri Dike was assigned to head INTERPOL at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja.
Also, CP Aina Adesola was deployed to oversee the Department of Finance and Administration and the Department of Training and Development at Force Headquarters, Abuja. CP Uduak Ita Otu was posted to the FCID Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, as Commissioner of Police in charge of Anti-Human Trafficking.
Similarly, CP Abdullateef Ajape Yusuf was assigned to head General Investigation at the FCID, Abuja, while CP Taiwo A. Adedeji will lead the Counter Terrorism Unit at Force Headquarters. CP Ajayi Oluyemi was deployed as Commissioner of Police in charge of Anti-Human Trafficking at the FCID, Abuja, and CP Bolanle Aremu was posted to the Department of Finance and Administration at Force Headquarters.
Other senior officers were also deployed to the Police Staff College, Jos, the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, and other strategic police formations nationwide.