Crime
Ebonyi: School Proprietor, One Other Shot Dead By Gunmen in Ishielu
…Address insecurity Challenges, Water Scarcity in Ishielu residents Urge Council Boss
OBINNA UCHENDU Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Police Command have confirmed the killing of a school Proprietor and one other person by suspected Gunmen in Agba community, Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the killing of the two persons in the community.
SP Ukandu stated that he will get details of the incident from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ishielu Local Government.
“Yes, I know there was an incident somewhere in Ishielu, but I will call the DPO of the area to get more information about it,” he said.
Narrating the community ordeal to journalists, the town Union President, Mr. Sunday Chukwu Nwadibia, gave the names of the deceased as Sunday Oyibe, a school proprietor, and Chukwu Ebuka.
Nwadibia said the community has been witnessing attacks and robberies since last year, which have led to loss of lives, cash running into millions, and properties worth millions of naira.
He revealed that before the killing of Sunday Oyibe and Chukwu Ebuka, the hoodlums attacked a POS operator in the community and dispossessed him of N2.7 million.
Peace Agwu (LG Chair)
The town union president, who said that the hoodlums usually wear military camouflage with bullet-proof vests, also snatched a Toyota Corolla car and five motorcycles from some members of the community when they started operating in the area.
He expressed dismay that their activities have crippled economic activities in the community and urged security agencies to come to the aid of the community.
“I was in my office when people started running, saying that armed robbers were robbing at our junction.
“So, everybody started looking for safety, not knowing that the hoodlums were coming very close to our own side in the community.
“Before we could notice it, we heard gunshots, and my workers and I also started looking for safety.
“The hoodlums advanced to another junction very close to my house, and that junction is called Orie Agba, and started operating there, and people started running.
“I climbed one upstairs and started watching the hoodlums. They started shooting heavily and approached my office, which I had locked already when I noticed their presence in the community.
They shot one Sunday Oyibe, the founder of Unique International School, who is also the chairman of the timbers association in Ishielu. We rushed him to the hospital, but he couldn’t make it.
“They shot another person, Chukwu Ebuka, who people said was dragging his iPhone with them.
“This is not the first time we are having this type of problem in my community. In January 2024, there was an attack on my house, and they shot every door and window in my house, but God protected us, and none of us in the house were hit by bullets.
“That same last year, they snatched a Toyota Corolla car from a member of our community and also snatched five motorcycles from their owners.
“Two months ago, they came to Orie Agba and attacked a POS operator there and took N2.7 million from him. Last month, they came to our market and kidnapped a man.
“These hoodlums always mask their faces, and they always operate at night. They wear military uniforms and always wear bullet-proof vests so that when you see them, you will think they are soldiers.
Ever since they started operating in our community, there has been anxiety, and we no longer move around or do business at night. Once it is night, you can’t see anyone outside,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Residents of the different communities in Ishielu Local Government Area have expressed concern over the incessant gunmen attacks and perennial water scarcity in the different communities in the area and maintained that if urgent steps are not taken to address it, the people will be prone to security danger and waterborne diseases.
Speaking with journalists on the high level of insecurity and perennial water scarcity in the area, some of the residents urged the Council Boss, Mrs. Peace Agwu to immediately declare a state of emergency on the criminal activities going on in the Local Government and the water problem in the area.
A resident, Mr. Ifeanyi Eze expressed the regret that the council chairman has not been able to put security modalities in place to apprehend the armed robbers and hoodlums terrorizing the innocent citizens of the different communities adding that crime and criminality is in the increase in the local government.
Mr. Eze noted that the people now live in fear and hardly goes about their normal business because of the fear of the unknown. When you visit several communities in Ishielu today, people do not have access to portable water and it is something that the council chairman needs to address.
There is the need for her to focus on insecurity and provision of water for the people of the local government. The lives and properties of the people are at risk. We don’t want to experience another waterborne disease outbreak in the local government.
Another resident, Mrs. Ifeanyinwa Okafor also urged the Council Boss to summon a security meeting to address the robbery incident going on in the area.
She lamented that people can no longer carry out their businesses without the fear of losing their money. “We expect the Council Boss to give a matching order to security agencies in the local government to immediately fish out the hoodlums perpetrating the act and ensure that the local vigilante group becomes proactive. Ends
ENUGU — The Enugu State Police Command says it has arrested five male suspects in separate operations across the state and recovered three firearms, six rounds of live ammunition and other exhibits.
The Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, October 8, 2026, by its Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe.
According to the statement, police operatives attached to Inyi Division responded to a distress call about an armed robbery at Umuaor, Umukabia Isiama Awlaw Community, Oji-River Local Government Area, at about 5:10 a.m. on October 7.
One suspect, identified as 26-year-old Arinze Osita Onwuaso, was arrested while other suspects reportedly fled the scene. Police said they recovered a locally made cut-to-size single-barrel gun, two live cartridges, a pry-bar, hammer, scissors and chisel from him.
In a separate operation on October 5, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit arrested two suspected cultists, 24-year-old Jonas Adejo, also known as J-Money, and 25-year-old Okoro Innocent, also known as Virus, at Umudioka Community in Nsukka.
Three live rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered from the suspects. Police said the two men confessed during interrogation to membership of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity.
Meanwhile, on September 25, operatives of Aninri Division, working with members of the Neighborhood Watch Group, raided a suspected criminal hideout at Amagu Mpu Community in Aninri LGA.
The operation led to the arrest of 25-year-old Anichebe Ogbonna, from whom police said one locally made pistol was recovered.
Similarly, on September 18 at about 11:00 p.m., operatives of 9th Mile Division, acting on information and in collaboration with Neighborhood Watch members, arrested 38-year-old Chukwujekwu Chukwuemeka at Ameke-Ngwo, Udi LGA.
He was arrested over alleged involvement in armed robberies in the area. Police said one cut-to-size pump-action gun and one live cartridge were recovered from him.
The Command said investigations into the cases are ongoing and that the suspects would be arraigned in court after the conclusion of investigations.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended members of the public for providing information and praised the police operatives for their response to credible intelligence.
He reiterated the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led operations against armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes, while urging residents to remain vigilant, law-abiding and supportive of security agencies.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The Awka High Court, on Tuesday, denied bail to the General Overseer of Day Spring Assembly, Mr Harrison Anazodo, who is standing trial over alleged offences relating to his activities as a pastor.
Anazodo had applied for bail on health grounds, but the presiding judge, Justice Jude Obiora, rejected the application, citing concerns over possible interference with witnesses.
The development came as seven persons, believed to be members of the congregation, are expected to testify in the case.
The court adjourned the matter until October 16 for further proceedings.
Speaking shortly after the hearing, State Counsel, Victoria Ekwerekwu, commended the Anambra State Government for its efforts to tackle alleged fraudulent activities by some religious figures.
She said, “We thank Governor Charles Soludo for trying to sanitise our society from pastors who make the younger generation believe that making money without hard work is possible.”
According to her, the prosecution has established a prima facie case against Anazodo, although the state would still be required to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
“Today, there is a prima facie case against the accused, Mr Harrison Anazodo, though it is left for us to prove it beyond reasonable doubt.
“The court ruled on the bail application and denied him bail because of the witnesses, to ensure that they are not interfered with. The matter was subsequently adjourned until October 16,” she said.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, expressed optimism that the case would be concluded expeditiously, stressing that the ultimate decision rests with the court.
“We have been here since 9am. The court considered the bail application filed by his counsel and, after weighing its merits, the judge ruled that bail should be denied.
“We are looking forward to the quick dispensation of the matter and we assure you that justice will be done and will be seen to have been done,” Mefor said.
By Our Correspondent
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the search-and-rescue operation for 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members and other passengers abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.
The victims were reportedly abducted on Thursday, October 1, 2026, around Umunoha in Imo State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
According to the statement, Nadada arrived in the state alongside two Commissioners of Police and immediately conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the incident and the ongoing rescue operation.
He also reviewed the operational strategies, deployment of personnel and available assets, while issuing additional directives aimed at strengthening the coordinated response.
The assessment was conducted alongside the Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso; the Commissioner of Police in charge of Federal Operations, CP Akpan Anifiok; the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force; other service commanders and members of the management team of the Imo State Police Command.
Iniedu said the search-and-rescue operation had been intensified, with additional tactical teams and operational assets deployed to identified areas.
He added that the operation was being supported by intelligence-led tracking of the abductors and coordinated efforts with other security agencies.
Nadada assured members of the public that the police remained committed to securing the safe release of the abducted persons.
“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to securing the safe rescue of the 20 abducted persons and will sustain the operation until the mission is successfully concluded,” Iniedu quoted Nadada as saying.
The police boss urged members of the public and the media to remain calm and vigilant, while appealing to anyone with credible information that could assist the operation to contact the police or the nearest security formation.
He assured the public that all information received would be treated with strict confidentiality.
The police said further updates would be provided as the rescue operation progresses.
Five men have been arrested and arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Maiduguri, Borno State, after police allegedly found them wearing T-shirts bearing the words “Tinubu Must Go.”
The defendants were identified as Baba Aji Gremami, 44; Mustapha Abba Yemen, 28; Abbacha Mohammed Ali, 32; Adam Umar Gubio, 21; and Abdulhamid Mohammed, 21.
According to a First Information Report issued by the State Criminal Investigation Department, the incident occurred on September 25, 2026, near West End Roundabout in Maiduguri.
Police charged the five men with criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery under Sections 60, 78, 79 and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Court I in Maiduguri.
Their lawyer subsequently applied for bail. The court adjourned the matter until October 6, 2026, to rule on the bail application, while the substantive trial has been scheduled for October 26.
The case has drawn attention because the alleged conduct involved wearing clothing displaying a political message.
Amnesty International criticised the prosecution, describing the arrests as arbitrary and arguing that peaceful political expression is protected by fundamental human rights. The organisation called for the immediate release of the five men and urged authorities to discontinue the case.
Amnesty International also expressed concern that the prosecution could have implications for political expression and opposition activities in Borno State.
The case has generated reactions on social media, with some commentators questioning whether the display of political messages on clothing should constitute a criminal offence.
There have also been allegations that a prominent politician in Borno State may have influenced the arrests. The allegation has not been independently verified.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Kenneth Daso, were reportedly unsuccessful as of the time of filing.
The defendants remain subject to the court process, and the allegations against them have not been established in court.
The Jigawa State Hisbah Board has arrested eight people in Kazaure Local Government Area over alleged homosexual acts, according to the board.
The board’s Public Relations Officer, Dauda Hadejia, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Hadejia said the arrests followed a complaint filed by a 22-year-old man, who alleged that nine individuals had engaged in sexual acts with him on different occasions.
According to the statement, the complainant also claimed that he later contracted HIV, which he attributed to the alleged encounters. He reportedly appealed to the Hisbah authorities for justice, describing the alleged conduct as deceptive and harmful to his life.
Following the complaint, Hadejia said Hisbah operatives launched an investigation and began searching for the nine individuals named by the complainant.
“So far, eight suspects have been arrested, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspect,” Hadejia said.
He added that the eight arrested individuals reportedly admitted during preliminary investigations to having engaged in sexual acts with the complainant.
Hadejia said the board had gathered information and evidence that would be presented before a court. He added that the investigation remained ongoing and that the suspects would be charged upon its completion.
The Deputy Commander-General of the Jigawa State Hisbah Board, Dr. Hussain Baban, reportedly urged parents to pay closer attention to their children’s upbringing and the people with whom they associate.
He also called on members of the public to be mindful of the consequences of their actions and to uphold religious and moral values.
The board further expressed appreciation to the Jigawa State Government for its support and cooperation in carrying out its responsibilities.
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