Crime
3 killed, The Nation vehicle burnt as sit-at-home in Southeast turns bloody
Security agents on Monday killed three hoodlums who were purportedly enforcing the suspended sit-at-home directive of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Imo State.
Another set of hoodlums burnt The Nation newspaper’s distribution car after trying to extort N100,000 from the driver.
The incident occurred in Awo Omamma, in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo.
Businesses and offices were shut again in the Southeast as residents stayed indoor for fear of being harmed or killed.
Not even the reassurances of governors and security agencies, as well as the threat of a sack or sanction, could make them come out.
Many said they would rather lose their jobs or daily income than die.
Transporters also stayed away, leaving residents who came out stranded.
IPOB had urged Ndigbo to stay home every Monday to protest the detention of its leader Nnamdi Kanu, who is on trial over treasonable felony charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The 6 am to 6 pm exercise was first observed on August 9, with several deaths recorded and properties, especially commercial vehicles, destroyed.
Despite the subsequent suspension of the sit-at-home based on an order from Kanu, residents had refused to come out on the last two Mondays. It was the same again yesterday.
Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi had threatened to sack civil servants who fail to report to work or sanction business owners who fail to open, but even a petrol station said to belong to him was shut yesterday. His workers were not convinced.
Soldiers killed three hoodlums said to be enforcing the sit-at-home at Umuonyewere, Umuowa in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area in Imo.
An eyewitness, who pleaded not to be named for safety reasons, said the hoodlums dispossessed residents of their valuables.
He said the security agents engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel at a filling station where they allegedly robbed a fuel attendant of his cash and phones.
Three of the hoodlums were gunned down; others fled into the bush.
Two vehicles, including a Toyota Rav4, two locally-made pistols, five bullet shells, hard drugs, charms, two plate numbers, among other weapons, were recovered from them.
Some of the residents expressed delight at the prompt response of the joint security team.
It was learnt that the hoodlums snatched a vehicle from Emmanuel Chima Ekeh in the Amafor community at about 6:00 am.
“They went on shooting sporadically in the community and stopped by a filling station where they claimed to be enforcing the sit-at-home.
“They assaulted the pump attendants, snatched his phone and all the money he had on him,” the eyewitness said.
The Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Owerri, Brig.-Gen Raymond Utsaha, advised the people to be vigilant and report suspected criminals to law enforcement agencies.
The Nation van set ablaze
A Volkswagen car conveying copies of The Nation to the Southeast was burnt at Awo Omamma in Oru East Local Government Area.
The driver, Lateef Akanbi, said: “They flagged me down but when I noticed that they were armed hoodlums, not the police, I sped into the bush and hid.
“From a distance, I heard them saying: ‘Bring N100,000!’. I had no money with me, so, I did not come out. What I saw next was a cloud of smoke coming out from the vehicle. I then realised they had set it on fire.”
Police spokesman, Michael Abattam, a Chief Superintendent of Police, said an investigation had begun.
“They are thugs. We are investigating the matter,” he said.
Businesses, offices, roads and markets were again deserted in Imo, despite Governor Hope Uzodimma’s claim that the sit-at-home did not work in Imo.
Abakaliki, Ebonyi capital, was deserted. Most businesses did not open despite the threat by the state government that shop owners could lose the right of occupancy of their businesses should they not open.
At the international market Abakaliki, the majority of the shops did not open.
Banks remained shut; a few that had their gates open did not have customers to attend to.
A banker told our reporter that they were instructed to report for work but not to open till they were told to do so.
Some security agents were seen in their vans on patrol of major streets. Students for the National Examination Council (NECO) examinations were seen going to school in the morning.
Major transport companies did not open for business. Filling stations and major eateries did not open, including Brass Filling Station said to belong to Umahi.
Enugu residents urge govt to intervene
Some Enugu State residents urged the government to prevail on transporters and traders to end the sit-at-home.
They lamented that the exercise had impacted negatively on their well-being.
A doctor, Cosmas Anibeze, said: “This whole thing is taking a new dimension. Everyone is afraid of being attacked although IPOB, which initially imposed this order, later cancelled it.
“I think what the government needs to do is prevail on the traders and especially transporters to always come out because this economy depends on everyone to thrive.
“Four of my staff could not come out because there were no buses to convey them from their various locations.”
A trader, Josiah Udeh, attributed the situation to fear created by some mischief-makers as well as insistence by transporters to withdraw their services.
Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Calistus Onaga, appealed to agitators in the Southeast to suspend the sit-at-home.
He spoke at the opening of the Second Plenary Meeting of the Catholic bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Enugu.
He wondered why the agitators, who claimed to be protecting the interest of the poor masses of Southeast, would turn around to inflict pains on them.
Onaga said: “The various leaders of ethnic agitations and interest groups should take care not to employ methods to contradict their intentions in any way or try to reduce their intentions.
“They should take an example from those who have done that in the past. Martin Luther King who died for the Blacks did not punish those he was fighting for.
“Even Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu used his father’s wealth to look for our independence, yet he did not come back to demand return from any of us.”
“When you make us afraid, those you feel you are protecting, what will happen when you get the Independence?”
“This part of the world is known for business; this part of the world is known for education and you tell us to sit at home, doing what?
“What of the parents, who will need to sell their goods to train their children – you tell them to sit at home? Is that the way we can progress?”
Abia, Anambra residents stay home
Residents of Aba, Abia State and Umuahia, the state capital, again closed their shops, offices and markets.
Banks, federal, state and local government workers stayed away despite the assurances of their safety by the security agencies.
Security agents were spotted at different locations in their various patrol vehicles.
In Anambra, commercial activities were paralysed.
Banks, markets, shops and other commercial activities were grounded again in Awka, Nnewi and Onitsha.
It was learnt that there was a gun duel between some criminals and security operatives at Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area.
Police spokesman, Ikenga Tochukwu, did not confirm the incident.
Roads and streets in Onitsha, the commercial city and Nnewi, the Industrial town, were empty.
Markets in the two cities were under lock, including the Onitsha Main Market and Nkwo Nnewi.
A group, the Balance and Equity Group (BEG), appealed to IPOB leadership to ensure proper dissemination of suspension of the weekly sit-at-home.
Its Founder, Chris Arinze, urged IPOB to help save the region’s economy.
He said: “It’s very clear that Southeast governors can’t give a contrary order against that of IPOB for the traders and businessmen in Igboland to go back to their businesses on Mondays.
“Every genuine Igbo accepts that Igbos are not well-treated. There are injustices against Ndigbo and Mazi Kanu cannot be faulted on that, but IPOB needs to do something about this Monday weekly sit-at-home.
“Otherwise, people will continue to observe it from now to December or when Mazi Kanu is released and it is not good for our economy.
“It is, therefore, left for IPOB to order them back to their businesses through the mass media, as a show of love, respect and loyalty.”
Nation
The Enugu State Police Command has arrested three suspects linked to alleged armed robbery, kidnapping, and drug trafficking in separate intelligence-led operations across the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, who reaffirmed the Command’s determination to sustain its crackdown on criminal activities through proactive policing and intelligence-driven operations.
According to the statement, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) on May 30, 2026, at about 7:30 p.m., stormed a drinking spot along the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway following credible intelligence and arrested two suspected armed robbers and kidnappers identified as Ogbonna Chinonso, 22, and Nnachi Cypril, 35.
Items recovered from the suspects included a locally made revolver pistol, a locally made cut-to-size double-barrelled gun, six rounds of 9mm ammunition, and one live cartridge.
Enugu CP
In a separate operation conducted earlier the same day at about 4:30 p.m., VCRU operatives raided a suspected criminal hideout in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, where they arrested a suspected drug dealer, Izunna Ani, 36.
The police said large quantities of substances suspected to be “Loud” and “Kolos” were recovered from the suspect.
The Command noted that investigations into the cases are ongoing and that the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigations.
Commending the operatives for their professionalism and vigilance, CP Giwa reiterated the Command’s commitment to ridding Enugu State of violent crimes and other forms of criminality. He also urged residents to remain security-conscious and continue providing useful information to assist the police in combating crime.
Posters bearing the photographs of seven teachers and 39 pupils and students allegedly kidnapped from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have appeared across several cities and communities in the state.
The posters revealed that one of the abducted teachers, Mr. Michael Oteodokun, was reportedly killed while in captivity.
The abducted teachers were identified as Mrs. Alamu Folawe, Mr. Ojo Jonathan, Mr. Olatunde Zacchaeus, Mr. John Olaleye, Mr. Michael Oteodokun, Mrs. Oladeji and Mrs. Mary Akanbi.
Also listed on the posters are 39 abducted pupils and students, including Rashida Tajudeen (11), Ahmed Ramoni (8), Abdulsalam Toyib (4), Baraka Abioye (16), Fatimo Jimoh (15), Hassan Azeez (14), Joshua Adeleke (13), Samuel Oyedele (7), Emmanuel Oyedele (4), Idowu Taiwo (4), Christianah Akanbi (2), Juwon Sunday (7), Sikiru Salami (3), Soliu Salami (4), Ojo Joseph (8), Lydia Adewole (8), Testimony Jacob (5), Kehinde Kadosara (7), Sewa Seyi (7), Waliya Bello (4), Lydia Olohunoluwa (7), Damilare Obeirinde (8), Deborah Adebowale (5), Aisha Oguntowo (10), Lege Taiwo (12), Balkis Ayanwale (8), Asa David (10), Shuaibu Aliyu (10), Ahmed Aliyu (7), Muiz Aliyu (5), Jomiloju Ogunlola (6), Agune Ndah (8), Elizabeth Abadi (5), Tosin Abadi (9), Pius Stephen (5), Hannah Ojo (14), Habiday Ayanwale (7), Mary Gabriel (6) and Jacob Gabriel.
According to information contained on the posters, the victims were abducted on May 23, 2025, during an attack on the two schools.
The posters carried the message: “Our teachers. Our children. Our future. They must all come home.”
They also appealed to government authorities, security agencies and members of the public to intensify efforts toward securing the safe return of the victims.
The campaign further called for unity, prayers and collective action, stressing that the safety and wellbeing of children remain non-negotiable.
It, however, called for intensified rescue operations to secure the release of victims abducted during the attack.
This resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the lawmaker representing Oriire State Constituency, Johnson Ogundele, during plenary, shortly after the House resumed from the Eid-el-Kabir (Sallah) recess.
The motion highlighted growing insecurity in parts of the Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
Presenting the motion, Ogundele recounted the May 15 attack on Ahoro-Esienle, Oyo and Yawota communities, where bandits invaded during school hours, killing a teacher, a student and an okada rider, while abducting dozens of students, pupils and teachers.
The lawmaker expressed concern over the recurring attacks in the area, saying “Oriire had witnessed increasing bandit activities since January, including the attack on the National Park Service office at Oloka village, where five forest guards were killed.
“Let me use this period to call on Governor Seyi Makinde for his swift response, deployment of security operatives, rescue efforts and personal visit to the affected communities.
“I want to equally urge the state government to intensify support for security agencies and establish a permanent military base within and around vulnerable communities and forest corridors in the area.”
The Assembly also called on the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the State Universal Basic Education Board to immediately conduct security audits of schools located near forests and border settlements across the state.
It said, “The Assembly also urges the government to expedite the installation of solar-powered security lights, perimeter fencing and CCTV cameras in vulnerable schools and to develop a comprehensive Safe School Emergency Response Protocol for public and private schools across Oyo.
“The Assembly equally rejects suggestions and calls that the State Government should negotiate with the bandits who abducted teachers and students during the coordinated attack at the community in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, on Friday, May 15, 2026.”
Seconding the motion, the Majority Leader, Sanjo Adedoyin (Ogbomoso South), renewed calls for the establishment of state police, urging the Federal Government to remove all obstacles delaying its creation.
Adedoyin said the recent rescue operations exposed the challenges conventional security agencies face while navigating dense forests, forcing them to rely heavily on local vigilantes and operatives of the state Western Nigeria Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, to penetrate difficult terrains.
He argued that the security realities confronting states had further justified the need for state police and urged the Federal Government to expedite action on the initiative.
Contributing to the debate, Olubisi Oluranti (Ogbomoso North) commended the efforts of Governor Makinde and security agencies but stressed the need for increased deployment of personnel to vulnerable communities to prevent future attacks.
Also, Gbenga Oyekola (Atiba) blamed part of the security challenge on poor management of the expansive forest reserve owned and maintained by the Federal Government.
He lamented that despite the vast forest stretching across several parts of Oyo State and neighbouring states, security presence within the reserve remained inadequate.
Oyekola further expressed concern that despite reports of mining activities in parts of the forest, including sightings of helicopters landing and departing from the area, adequate security measures had not been put in place to protect residents and legitimate operators.
Also speaking, Babajide Gabriel (Ibadan North II) called for far-reaching structural reforms of Nigeria’s security architecture.
He recalled Makinde’s previous concerns about the limitations faced by governors who are constitutionally regarded as chief security officers of their states but lack direct control over security agencies.
Gabriel appealed to the governor to recruit more personnel into the Amotekun Corps to strengthen local security operations and condemned attempts by some individuals to politicise the insecurity situation for partisan gains.
He urged all stakeholders to approach the challenge collectively, stressing that insecurity had become a national concern requiring unified action.
Dawood Olalere (Ibadan North-West) observed that kidnapping had evolved beyond forest-based criminality and was increasingly affecting urban and semi-urban communities.
He cited the reported abduction of the sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and her two sons earlier on Wednesday as evidence of the widening threat posed by kidnappers.
Olalere called for better equipment and improved weaponry for Amotekun operatives, arguing that personnel armed with locally fabricated weapons could not effectively confront heavily armed criminal gangs operating in forests and remote locations.
The House subsequently adopted several resolutions, including a call on the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Defence and relevant agencies, to establish a permanent military base in Oriire LGA.
Lawmakers also urged the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency to provide trauma counselling, psychosocial support and relief materials to affected families, while calling on traditional rulers, community leaders and local government authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering and community policing initiatives.
The Assembly further directed its Committee on Security and Strategy to undertake an oversight visit to Oriire LGA to assess the security situation, engage stakeholders and recommend urgent legislative interventions.
In his remarks, Speaker of the House, Adebo Ogundoyin, firmly “dismissed calls for the state government to negotiate with terrorists and kidnappers,” warning that “such a move could embolden criminal elements and encourage further attacks.”
While acknowledging the frustration, anxiety and impatience of families whose loved ones remained in captivity, the Speaker urged residents to continue supporting security agencies and the state government in ongoing rescue efforts.
Ogundoyin maintained that negotiating with terrorists would send the wrong signal and potentially strengthen criminal networks, insisting that the focus should remain on sustained security operations, intelligence gathering and coordinated rescue missions aimed at securing the safe release of all victims.
He, therefore, reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to supporting measures that would strengthen security across Oyo and prevent a recurrence of attacks on schools and communities.
A High Court sitting in Nnewi, Anambra State, has convicted two men, Chidozie Obinna and Ifeanyi Onyido, for criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, and causing grievous harm to a businessman, Chief Lawrence Ezeifeka.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Vincent Agbata of the Nnewi Judicial Division found the defendants guilty and sentenced them to death by hanging.
Obinna, the first defendant, was convicted and sentenced in absentia after allegedly absconding while on bail during the trial.
The court heard that the convicts, alongside other members of their gang who are still at large, attacked Ezeifeka at his residence in Ekwulumili, Nnewi South Local Government Area, on December 12, 2020.
According to the prosecution, the assailants assaulted the victim, threw him from the first floor of his building, and abducted him to an unknown location. He was held captive for four days before regaining his freedom after his family paid a ransom of N7.5 million.
The prosecution further told the court that operatives of the Anambra State Police Command, working in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), tracked and arrested the defendants.
Lead prosecuting counsel, Mrs. Mary Ukaekwe-Onyeaharam, urged the court to continue Obinna’s trial in absentia following his disappearance while on bail. She relied on provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Anambra State, 2022, and the Anambra State Practice Direction for Criminal Matters, 2023.
Four prosecution witnesses testified during the trial, including the victim, the Secretary of Ekwulumili Town Union, the victim’s son who delivered the ransom, and the investigating police officer.
In his defence, Onyido denied involvement in the crime and claimed that he was also a victim of kidnapping. However, Justice Agbata held that evidence before the court showed that Onyido received part of the ransom and failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the funds.
The judge ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, noting that the evidence presented was neither effectively challenged nor contradicted by the defence.
Consequently, the court convicted and sentenced both defendants for their roles in the offences.
(NAN)
Senior police sources confirmed on Wednesday that operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) are probing allegations of database misuse, cyber-related offences and the unauthorised disclosure of sensitive national documents belonging to INEC.
As part of the investigation, an INEC electoral officer, whose identity has not been disclosed, has been taken into custody, while Lere Olayinka, media aide to the FCT Minister, was questioned by investigators on Tuesday at the Police Headquarters in Abuja.
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The probe followed a petition reportedly filed on behalf of INEC, alleging criminal conspiracy, cyber intimidation and the unlawful release of classified electoral records.
The controversy arose after Olayinka shared screenshots on social media purportedly showing details of a voter registration transfer involving Nollywood actor and politician, Emeka Ike, from Imo State to the Federal Capital Territory.
The post, which came amid questions surrounding Ike’s eligibility to contest a House of Representatives seat in the FCT following his criticism of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) primary process, triggered widespread reactions.
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Many Nigerians questioned how the information was obtained, alleging that it could only have come from INEC’s restricted voter registration database.
Responding to the controversy on Tuesday, INEC denied reports of a breach or hacking of its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database, insisting that the disclosure resulted from the misuse of legitimate internal access credentials by an authorised official.
Investigations revealed that the detained electoral officer allegedly initiated contact with Olayinka through Facebook Messenger before forwarding voter registration documents to him via WhatsApp.
The documents were reportedly intended to show that Emeka Ike’s voter transfer request had recently been initiated and had not yet received final approval.
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During his interrogation, Olayinka reportedly told investigators that he had no prior relationship with the INEC official and was unaware that the documents shared with him were classified.
Sources said he maintained that the electoral officer did not indicate that the information was confidential or restricted.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has also launched a parallel investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disclosure of the voter information.
Police authorities are said to be considering possible charges against both the INEC official and Olayinka, including criminal conspiracy, cyber-related offences, unlawful disclosure of classified information and actions capable of causing a breach of public peace.
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