Crime
Joy, Relief as Mbah’s Security Team Storms Eha-Amufu with Surveillance Helicopters
…Team allays fears over constant helicopter presence_
… Vows to rid forests of any remnant criminals
The people of Eha-Amufu in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, LGA, of Enugu State have expressed joy and confidence over the continued improvement of security in their communities and Isi-Uzo in general under the Governor Peter Mbah Administration.
Stakeholders, youths, women and other members of Eha-Amufu community made their feelings known when they trooped out en masse to receive Governor Mbah’s security team led by his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Vincent Onyeabor, who stormed the Ogbete, Eha-Amufu Joint Task Force (JTF) Security Camp with three helicopters.
The team was at the Ogebete JTF Camp in the company of officers of the Nigeria Air Force and the International Helicopter Flying School, IHFS, Air Force Base, Emene Enugu, led by Air Commodore D. E. Laha, and Wing Commander, O. Adeniyi.
The team, which also visited Aguamede community in Eha-Amufu, were received at St Paul’s Model Secondary School, Eha-Amufu, by the Chairman of Isi-Uzo LG Council, Barr. Obiora Obeagu, and other community leaders and stakeholders of Eha-Ohuala, including the Anglican Bishop of Eha-Amufu Diocese, Bishop Daniel Olinya, and the traditional ruler of Aguamede community, Igwe John Odo Anyika.
Speaking during the visit, Onyeabor noted that wrong notions had existed when helicopters sighted around were presumed to have been used by criminals to supply arms and ammunition to enemies of the communities.
“This is why we have decided to come here with some of those helicopters, to reassure you that they are not enemies, but friends from the International Helicopter Flying School on routine training programme, and that you should feel happy and wave whenever you see them” he said.
He explained that besides the routine training, the security team of the state government partners with the Air Force and the Flying Schools to assist with effective surveillance of the forests and communities to ensure that criminals did not hold any inch of the state.
“So, their training programmes are just one part of the story. The other part, which is very critical is that their operations also help us to keep an eye on what is happening around these forests because in Enugu State, we have zero tolerance for any form of insecurity. The governor has said it repeatedly that we have no room, forest or space for criminal elements,” he added.
Speaking, the Anglican Bishop Olinya expressed great delight at what he described as “the exceptional commitment of His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah to the security and welfare of the people of Eha-Amufu and Isi-Uzo Local Government in general.”
According to the clergy, the recent visit of Eha-Amufu stakeholders to Mbah was an eye opener to the governor’s depth of love and great plans for the people of Isi-Uzo LGA.
Appreciating the renewed confidence and people’s return to displaced farm settlements in the area, the Bishop declared that he would physically be at Ogbete come Sunday, 13th July, 2025, to resume normal Church Service after many years of desertion since 2021/2022.
He called on the people of the community to attend the Service and take advantage of the existing safe atmosphere to return to their homes and resume farming so that the good efforts of the government and security forces would not be in vain.
In his remarks, Isi-Uzo Council Chairman Barr. Obeagu said, “We cannot thank the governor enough for all he has been doing to strengthen security in Isi-Uzo in general and Eha-Amufu in particular since he assumed office. Remember that before he assumed office, there were Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, camps in Isi-Uzo. But in a matter of about a months or two, our people returned to their homes, following massive deployment of security personnel.
“To facilitate security access and improve agricultural production, he has completed the 21.7km Agape-Agu-Mgbuji-Ogbete asphalt Road, which leads into some of the farm settlements. Currently, he has directed for the asphalt road to be extended by about 8km into Aguamede to further improve security. The governor is equally working to ensure that these farm settlements have telecoms connectivity to aid effective communication and security response.
“He is also doing one 200-hectre farm estate in all the 11 political wards of Isi-Uzo. These include the four political wards of Eha-Amufu. That of Mgbuji has since commenced and Abor-Isiala and Aguamade have followed suit. These farms will be fenced and small holder farmers will have access to modern farm machineries, inputs, and the services of extension workers,” he said.
Two police officers have been killed after suspected armed herders ambushed the convoy of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ayilamo, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The latest attack occurred on Monday evening, barely four days after another deadly incident in the community reportedly left four policemen and seven residents dead.
Community sources said the DPO had travelled to Makurdi on official duty and was returning to Ayilamo when his entourage came under attack.
One of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the victims were among newly deployed Mobile Police officers stationed in the area.
He said the officers were attacked at about 6pm while travelling from Ayilamo to escort the DPO back to the community from Makurdi.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, said two officers attached to the DPO’s entourage were killed in the attack.
“The DPO came to Makurdi to collect some things, and while returning to Ayilamo, he was attacked and lost two of his men in the attack,” Aondongu said.
The latest incident has raised fresh concerns over the security situation in Ayilamo, where repeated attacks have resulted in casualties among security personnel and residents.
The Nigeria Police Force has placed its formations nationwide on red alert following intelligence reports of planned terrorist attacks on worship centres, schools, NYSC orientation camps and other public places.
The alert followed fresh intelligence indicating increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks on vulnerable targets across the country.
Police authorities also reportedly received intelligence on the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.
The operational order was contained in a police wireless message dated September 13, 2026, with reference number CB: 0900/FDPS/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL38/68, issued by the Department of Operations at Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Marked “Security General” and tagged “Treat as Very Important,” the message was circulated to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police overseeing Zones 1–17, Mobile Police formations, counter-terrorism and other specialised units, as well as Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The police directed formations to intensify vigilance and take proactive measures to prevent criminal and terrorist elements from carrying out attacks.
The warning specifically highlighted places of worship, educational institutions, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable public locations as potential targets.
A 16-year-old boy, Favour Ayogu, who was allegedly abducted in Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, has been rescued in Onitsha, Anambra State, after his abductors reportedly abandoned him near a security checkpoint.
Ayogu was rescued on the evening of September 13, 2026, by a joint security patrol team operating along Oguta Road, Onitsha.
According to the Anambra State Police Command, the teenager was found at Ekene Junction after unidentified persons reportedly pushed him out of a black Toyota Highlander SUV close to a security checkpoint.
The patrol team immediately intervened and rescued the victim, thereby preventing what the police described as further danger to his life.
Following the rescue, the Command said it had intensified surveillance and intelligence-led operations to identify and apprehend members of the suspected criminal gang responsible for the abduction.
The police also appealed to residents of Igboeze South and Ibagwa-Aka in Enugu State who may have useful information about Ayogu or his family to contact the nearest police station or the Anambra State Police Command in Awka.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the security personnel involved in the rescue and directed officers to sustain strategic checkpoints, intelligence-led patrols and coordinated security operations across the state.
The Command assured residents and visitors that it would continue to intensify efforts to prevent criminal elements from using Anambra as a safe haven.
At least nine passengers have been killed after gunmen opened fire on a commercial bus at Dungus Junction in Kuru community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack reportedly occurred around 9:40 p.m. when the bus, which was travelling towards Jos, stopped at the junction to drop off some passengers.
Several other passengers were reportedly injured in the attack and rushed to hospitals for treatment.
Lawan Suleiman, a neighbour and teacher of one of the victims, identified the driver as Ibrahim and said three of the victims were from his community in Bukuru.
“The driver is Ibrahim and he was my student. Three of them are from our community here in Bukuru. Their bodies have been deposited at the hospital. But relatives are preparing to collect them for burial,” Suleiman said.
The bus was reportedly riddled with bullets, with bloodstains visible inside the vehicle after the attack.
Rwang Tengwong, spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders (BYM), also confirmed the incident, saying the victims were passengers travelling to Jos when the attackers opened fire on the vehicle.
Tengwong said one of those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow.
“The incident happened around 9.40 p.m. The victims were all passengers travelling to Jos when the terrorists opened fire on the vehicle. Among those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow. It is a very sad development and we lament the loss of lives,” he said.
He added that some passengers sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to hospitals, while some of the injured reportedly later died.
The attack has raised fresh concerns over the safety of commuters travelling along the route at night amid continuing security challenges in parts of Plateau State.
As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
The Enugu State Police Command has ordered an investigation into two separate incidents of alleged disruption of political gatherings in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state.
The incidents reportedly occurred on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Ndiuno-Obuoffia community and St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to thoroughly investigate the incidents and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
According to the statement, armed hoodlums allegedly disrupted a National Democratic Congress (NDC) ward meeting at Ndiuno-Obuoffia with sporadic gunshots, leaving two attendees injured.
In a separate incident at St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani, hoodlums allegedly destroyed canopies and chairs arranged for a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally.
The police said operatives were promptly deployed to both locations after receiving reports of the incidents to prevent further breaches of peace and track down the fleeing suspects.
The Command, however, noted that neither of the political gatherings had been formally brought to the attention of the police for security coverage.
CP Giwa reiterated his warning that all political activities in the state must be conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.
He stressed that electoral offences are punishable under the law and warned political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders against violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other acts capable of disrupting public peace or the electoral process.
The Commissioner urged political parties and other stakeholders to notify the police ahead of campaigns, meetings, rallies and other political gatherings to enable the Command to make adequate security arrangements.
He assured residents that the police would continue to maintain a peaceful and secure environment for lawful political activities while dealing decisively with anyone found violating the law.
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