Crime
Anambra Killing: Gov Nwifuru, Group Call For Calm, Arrest Of Perpetrators
OBINNA UCHENDU Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru and the political group of the People’s Democratic Party 2023 Governorship Candidate, Anyi G’emeya Movement have called on Ebonyi people to remain calm, refrain from reprisal and urged security agencies to ensure arrest and prosecution of Perpetrators.
Governor Nwifuru and the group described the killing as shocking, barbaric, senseless and unimaginable and called on the to refrain from any action that might escalate tension in the area.
Governor Nwifuru said, I am shocked and utterly dismayed by the tragic report of the recent gruesome killing of thirteen 13 Ebonyi indigenes residing in Ogboji, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State during their monthly town union meeting held penultimate Monday.
“This senseless act of violence against law-abiding citizens is not only barbaric but a direct assault on peace, unity, and the sanctity of human life.
“It defy reason and logic that a group of Ebonyi people holding meeting in a peaceful manner will
be shot at on a close range. It is unacceptable, and I frown strongly at such heinous act in its entirety.”
Governor Nwifuru stated that he has reached out to his counterpart, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, and urged for a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation into this tragic incident.
“I trusts that the Government of Anambra State and relevant security agencies will work swiftly to apprehend and bring the perpetrators to justice as failure or compromise has the potency to come in between the relationship of both states.
“While i awaits the outcome of these investigations, i earnestly appealed to Ebonyi people, particularly the affected families and communities, to remain calm and refrain from any form of reprisal or actions that may escalate tensions.
“Such barbarism has no place in modernity and state arsenals will be deployed to unmasked the perpetrators of the bloody killings” the Governor assured
“The administration in Ebonyi State remains committed to protecting the lives and property of Ebonyi people both at home and in the diaspora”
Governor Nwifuru vowed that there won’t be any sacred cows adding that he will continue to follow the matter closely and ensure that justice is served.
The Anyi G’emeya Movement in a State signed by the Director, Media and Publicity, Mr. Moses Idika maintained that the group condemns in very strong terms the gruesome killing of Ebonyi State indigenes in Ogboji by yet to be identified gunmen.
“This horrifying mass murder of innocent Nigerians who were lawfully gathered for their monthly meeting is a killing too many as several families in Ebonyi State have now been thrown into unthinkable mourning.
“Bread winners, fathers and community leaders have been taken away in their prime. The pain and suffering unleashed on the people of Ebonyi State is simply unimaginable.
“This crime must NOT be allowed to go unsolved and its perpetrators brought to justice. We therefore, call on President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, the Director General Department of State Services, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, and all concerned security apparatuses to intensify effort and ensure that these criminals are apprehended to face justice.
Enough of the unrelenting wasting of lives and unwarranted shedding of blood of law-abiding and hard working Nigerians. Ends.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a suspected notorious fraudster involved in obtaining money by false pretence and other related fraudulent activities in Enugu metropolis.
Addressing journalists on Thursday in Enugu, the State Commandant, NSCDC Enugu State Command, Dr Elijah Willie, disclosed that the suspect, Raheem Abiodun, a male from Kwara, had been under surveillance by the Command.
Willie said that the suspect surveillance followed several reports linking him to fraudulent financial transactions.
The commandant explained that one of the suspect’s recent fraudulent activities occurred on July 6, when the suspect allegedly deceived a victim during a foreign exchange transaction involving $5,000 US Dollars.
According to him, the suspect was expected to transfer the naira equivalent of the foreign currency to the victim but instead transmitted a fake payment alert, thereby obtaining the money by false pretence.
He noted that acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the NSCDC Enugu State Command arrested the suspect on Tuesday, July 28, at the Enugu State Ministry of Finance, where he was apprehended without incident.
“The NSCDC operatives also recovered: four ATM cards from different banks, deposit slips bearing the name Abiodun, two complimentary cards bearing the name Engineer Abiodun, one ID card holder, designer bag, polythene bag and one iPhone 17 Pro-Max.
“One Samsung mobile phone, one internet pocket Wi-Fi device, one designer wristwatch, one file containing vehicle particulars, one gold bangle, one pair of designer trainers, one Nokia mobile phone and banking security tokens belonging to two banks,” he said.
Following the NSCDC preliminary investigation and press briefing, the commandant handed over the suspect, along with all recovered exhibits, to the Zonal Command of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Enugu, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The state NSCDC boss said that the handing over was in line with the EFCC’s statutory mandate over economic and financial crimes.
The commandant reaffirmed the commitment of the NSCDC in collaborating with sister security and law enforcement agencies in combating financial crimes and safeguarding the economic interests of citizens.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant, exercise caution in financial transactions, particularly foreign exchange dealings, and promptly report suspicious activities to the appropriate security agencies.
Willie also assured residents of the command’s continue deployment of intelligence-driven operations to rid the state of criminal elements and ensure that offenders are brought to justice.
The Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, and five others have been arrested and detained by the state Police Command following a raid on his residence in Osogbo on Wednesday.
The police said one of those arrested at the SSG’s residence was Oladele Abiodun, a suspect on its watchlist in connection with alleged criminal offences.
This was disclosed by the Osun State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, in a statement obtained in Osogbo.
Ojelabi also said a total of N4,810,500, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register, a Dynabook laptop, one photocopier and one printer were recovered from Igbalaye’s residence.
Others arrested alongside Igbalaye were identified as Akande Taiwo, 60; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.
The PPRO said a police team, acting on intelligence that members of a criminal gang were hiding at a location in Osogbo, carried out a lawful raid and apprehended the suspects.
“The operation also led to the arrest of the following suspects: Hon Igbalaye Teslim ‘m’ 47years, One Akande Taiwo ‘m’ 60years, Oladele Abiodun ‘m’ 38years, Adeyemo Lukman ‘m’ 45years, Olaoye Muftau ‘m’ 50years, Aderemi Musliu ‘m’ 40years.
“During the operation, officers recovered exhibits comprising cash sum of four million eight hundred and ten thousand, five hundred naira (N4,810,500), one Dynabook laptop, one photocopy machine, one printer, two Voter’s Cards and a voter register for Wards 1-15.
“These exhibits have been secured and are currently in police custody for detailed forensic examination and further investigation.
“The recovery of the cash and the register containing voters’ details raises serious concerns regarding possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.
“While investigations are still ongoing, the facts presently available disclose reasonable grounds to investigate the commission of offences, which may include:
“Bribery of voters (vote-buying), contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022, arising from the alleged distribution of money or other inducements to registered voters for the purpose of influencing their voting decisions.
“Criminal conspiracy, where two or more persons are found to have agreed to commit an unlawful act.
“Harbouring or concealing a wanted criminal, where any individual is found to have knowingly sheltered or assisted a fugitive from justice.
“Any other offences that may be disclosed upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation,” the statement read in part.
The command emphasised that the allegations against the suspects have far-reaching implications for public security, the administration of justice and the credibility of the democratic process.
“Accordingly, investigations are being intensified to identify all persons connected with the recovered exhibits, establish the source and intended use of the recovered funds, and determine the full extent of any criminal enterprise,” the statement added.
The Osun Command said no individual, irrespective of social status, political affiliation or public office, is above the law, adding that anyone found culpable at the conclusion of investigations would be prosecuted in accordance with the Constitution.
It urged members of the public to remain calm, law-abiding and continue providing credible information to assist the police in preventing crime and ensuring peaceful, free, fair and credible electoral processes.
The Osun State Government on Wednesday accused the state command of the Nigeria Police Force of invading the residence of the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, without a search warrant.
The allegation was contained in a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi.
He also claimed that those the police met on the premises were arrested.
Alimi further alleged that the SSG’s residence was burst into by a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations.
The family of slain military intelligence officer, Colonel Abdulrazaq Abdulkareem Udeh, has rejected reports that he was killed while resisting a kidnapping attempt in Abuja, insisting that the senior Army officer was deliberately assassinated by armed attackers.
The family made its position known on Wednesday, contradicting earlier security reports that claimed the colonel died after confronting gunmen who allegedly attempted to abduct him at his residence in the Kurudu area of the Federal Capital Territory.
In a Facebook post, the deceased’s brother-in-law, Ali Chukwudi, described the incident as a calculated assassination rather than a failed kidnap attempt.
“Yesterday, Nigeria failed one of its finest,” Chukwudi wrote. “My brother-in-law, Colonel Abdulrazaq Abdulkareem Udeh, a senior intelligence officer who dedicated years of his life to defending this nation, was not killed while resisting a kidnapping, as some reports claimed. He was deliberately targeted and brutally assassinated.”
According to him, the attackers shot the officer in the head, killing him instantly, before opening fire on other members of the household.
“They shot my sister, his wife, in the leg. The driver and the gateman were also shot in the legs. As I write this, my sister is in the hospital, fighting to survive,” he said.
Chukwudi lamented that the officer’s life was cut short just months before a promotion he had earned through years of dedicated service.
Describing the killing as an attack on a patriotic soldier, he called for a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure that everyone involved is identified, arrested and prosecuted.
“This was not just another tragic incident. It was a calculated attack on a man who served his country with honour. Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done,” he stated.
He also prayed for the repose of the officer’s soul and the recovery of his injured wife.
The family’s account differs significantly from preliminary information released by security sources after the attack. Initial reports indicated that gunmen ambushed Colonel Udeh shortly after he arrived home on Monday evening and attempted to abduct him. According to those reports, the officer resisted despite being outnumbered before he was shot at close range.
A security source familiar with the early investigation had said, “He resisted them. From what investigators have gathered, they wanted to take him away, but he fought back. Unfortunately, he paid the ultimate price.”
The attack also left the colonel’s wife, driver and security guard with gunshot injuries. All three are currently receiving treatment in hospital.
Before his death, Colonel Udeh served in several key military intelligence and counter-terrorism roles within the Armed Forces. He participated in operations against insurgents in Nigeria’s North-East and also undertook specialised international assignments in Chad and France.
His killing has reignited concerns over the security of serving and retired military personnel in the Federal Capital Territory, coming barely two years after the killing of retired Brigadier General Uwem Harold Udokwere during an attack on his Abuja residence in June 2024.
The Kano State Police Command has rescued nine passengers who were abducted after armed bandits attacked a commercial bus along the Jos-Kano highway in Doguwa Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Kano, saying the incident occurred at about 5:30 p.m. on July 26.
According to him, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Doguwa Division received a distress call reporting that a Toyota Hiace bus, with registration number BKK 6824 XA, travelling from Jos to Kano, had been attacked around the Folgore Forest axis, between Gate Two Safer Highway and Dogo Dutse.
Kiyawa said five suspected armed bandits, reportedly armed with machetes and a firearm, blocked the highway, attacked the vehicle and abducted 13 of the 20 passengers on board.
He said the DPO immediately mobilised tactical police operatives to the scene, where they engaged the attackers in a gun battle.
The police spokesperson said the swift intervention of the operatives led to the rescue of nine victims, while another male passenger later escaped from captivity.
He, however, disclosed that three victims — one male and two females — remained in the custody of the abductors.
The rescued passengers were taken to Doguwa General Hospital for medical evaluation and were reported to be in stable condition.
Kiyawa said the command had intensified operations, deploying additional tactical teams and enhancing intelligence gathering efforts to secure the release of the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended members of the public for providing timely information that contributed to the rescue operation.
Bakori reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and urged residents to continue reporting suspicious activities to security agencies.
He added that investigations into the incident were ongoing, assuring that further updates would be made available to the public.
The arrest was effected by troops of Operation Hadin Kai according to an X post by security professional, Zagazola Makama.
Identifying the suspect as Private Mohammed Yusuf of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Training Facility, NAOTF, Lagos with service number: 23NA/84/1939, Makama said he was apprehended by troops of 7 Provost Group led by the Acting Commander at about 6:30pm on July 25, 2026 by.
He had earlier absconded from his unit and travelled to Maiduguri on July 7, 2026, where he allegedly went into hiding.
This made the army high command to declare him wanted.
According to Makama, “The suspect is currently in the custody of the 7 Provost Group, where he is undergoing further investigation into the alleged supply of military accoutrements to terrorist elements and the possible involvement of other collaborators.
“The arrest is a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle insider networks aiding terrorist groups, adding that investigations are continuing to establish the full extent of the suspect’s activities and identify any accomplices,” Makama said.
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