Crime
Abducted Anambra Catholic Priest Regains Freedom As Police Allegedly Collects N1m For Logistics
The Spiritual Director of Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, popularly known as “Father Ebube Muonso” has narrated how a priest and colleague, simply identified as Rev. Fr. Nonso, was kidnapped and spent a week at his captors’ den in a forest, before his rescue.
Obimma also stated that the police in the state initially refused to carry out any rescue action, claiming there was no logistics to do so until he sent N1m to them.
The priest disclosed this to members of his congregation during a ministration monitored by our correspondent at the Adoration ground in Uke, on Monday.
He said the victim was abducted on December 17 shortly after his return from overseas for the Christmas holiday and was released by the kidnappers, a week after he was taken into the forest by the gunmen.
Obimma, who presented Reverend Father Nonso to the congregation during the ministration, said, “For a week, Reverend Father (Nonso) was in the hands of kidnappers. Government could not do anything, it got to a point where I had to use my arsenal to rescue him.
“I approached a state outside Anambra and begged them to use their tracker to find my brother priest. They tracked him and sent the full location to me. I sent it to security people and they asked me what I want them to do with the information. I told them to go after the kidnappers and rescue our priest, but they told me they don’t usually go into the forest.
“I volunteered to lead the operation. I called the Chief Security (Officer) of Adoration Ministry and told him to assemble his men, let those who have cutlasses bring their cutlasses and those who have guns should bring them, I would lead the operation. When they saw that I was serious, that was when the police told me I should not worry that they could rescue him, just that they lacked logistics
“I had to send N1m to them. This is a state where we have a governor who receives security votes, but it is individuals who are now funding security.”
The priest lamented that the shocking part of the scenario was that for one week, the kidnapped priest was in custody, his mobile phone line remained open and the kidnappers never bothered to put it off or even dispose of it, knowing that they could be tracked through it.
“They knew that there is no security in this state. That was why I said there is no security in Anambra State. Imagine using a tracker from another location to trace kidnappers, yet, the security agencies refused to act until I opted to use my security to rescue the victim, and later they accepted and I still paid them N1m for mobilisation. Only God will lead us,” the priest added.
The rescued priest was seen shedding tears while he was being presented before the congregation by Fr Obimma.
It was gathered that the priest was rescued alongside a businessman who was abducted on the same day by the same gang but in a different location.
When contacted on the development on Tuesday, the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the development, adding that the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, had ordered a full-scale investigation into the allegations.
“We are aware of the allegations and the CP has directed the investigation, please. I will get back to you as soon as an investigation is concluded,” Ikenga added.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Prosecution witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) has cleared former Minister of Labor and Employment Senator Chris Ngige of allegations of ground to the tune of N80 Million.
Ngige was charged on 5 counts of conferring UNDUE advantage to 5 companies said to belong to his Associates and 3 counts of receiving monetary gifts of N38m ,and N42m through his Sen Chris Ngige Foundation Scholarship scheme and Sen Chris Ngige Campaign Organisation respectively.
Recall that on the strength of this matter the former Anambra state Governor was last year remanded at kuje Correction Center for three days and later granted bail.
Sen Ngige pleaded not guilty to the charges and pleads his innocence. Political observers believes the Minister is being witch hunted.
The EFCC prosecution witness at a Federal capital territory Court presided by Justice Marian Hassan again told the court that there was no undue influence,nor interference by the former Minister of Labour & Employment, Senator Dr Chris Ngige during the 12 months period that the NSITF Procurement was domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment between 2021and 2022.
The Procurement activities in the Parastatal’s Tenders board PTB and the Ministerial Tenders Board MTB performed their activities with due process and no hindrance.
The witness; Dr Maduka Onwusoro,now a Permanent Secretary said he served as Director of Procurement in the Labour Ministry 2019 up to 2023,with his Deputy Ms Joyce Akponor who was later deployed to NSITF on their request to man the needs of the various Departments ,collate bids and forward for PTB and MTB awards between 2021 and 2022.
Under Cross Examination by Lead defence Counsel PIN Ikwueto SAN the witness took a look at an Exhibit tendered by the Prosecution, he then affirmed that the approval annotation made on the document were his and affirmed that all the companies recommended and approval by the MTB in the document were done on merit and that there was no UNDUE interference or influence by anyone.
The Ex -Minister was being accused of conferring undue advantage Messrs Zitacom Ltd,Shale Atlantic ,and Olde English Consolidated ltd were on the list with many other companies.
The witness said as overall supervisor of Procurement activities no pressure was brought on him in connection with the 3 companies.
Earlier during his appearance last Thursday the same witness was emphatic that two other Companies Messrs Cezimo Ltd and Jeff & Xris Ltd also passed through due process and got their contracts on merit because there were pre- qualified and gave lowest bids.
Thereafter the defence sought to tender through the Bar some documents which were approvals and directives given to the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation( SGF )and the former Minister, Ngige by the former President Muhammadu Buhari but the Prosecution opposed and pointed out that the certification of the documents by the Federal Ministry of Labour Human Resources Department were not properly done in accordance with a past Supreme Court ruling on certification of documents.
This prompted the defence team to withdraw the application to tender them ,to enable them do the needful.
Thereafter the Judge adjourned the matter to October 14 2026 for further hearing.
The Enugu State Police Command says it has recorded major operational successes in its ongoing border security operations under the Inspector-General of Police’s “Handshake Patrol” initiative.
The operations, carried out at different border locations across the state, led to the foiling of an attempted armed robbery, the neutralisation of one suspected armed robber, the arrest of four other suspects, and the recovery of two firearms, suspected illicit drugs and other incriminating exhibits.
According to the Command, operatives attached to the Amechi-Idodo Division, working with members of the Neighbourhood Watch, foiled an armed robbery attempt along the Enugu–Abakaliki Road at about 6:15 a.m. on June 28, 2026.
The police said the gang had blocked a section of the highway to rob commuters but was confronted by security operatives in a gun battle. The gang, which was already on the Command’s watchlist for a series of armed robberies along the border route, was forced to flee.
Its alleged leader, Ifesinachi Kenneth, sustained gunshot injuries during the exchange of fire and was arrested. Information obtained from him reportedly led to the arrest of another suspect, Izuchukwu Nwanga, who allegedly kept the gang’s proceeds of crime. Kenneth was taken to hospital but was later confirmed dead.
In a separate operation at about 5:30 p.m. the same day, operatives from the Umumba Division, acting on credible intelligence, raided a suspected criminal hideout at Umumba Ndiagu in Ezeagu Local Government Area, near the Anambra State border.
The operation led to the arrest of two suspects, identified as Uwah Ifesinachi Sunday, 23, and Chinonso Okafor Paul, 25. Police recovered a locally fabricated pistol, a knife, a pair of scissors and quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
Also on June 28, at about 10:00 a.m., operatives of the Command’s Distress Response Squad (DRS), during a stop-and-search operation along the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway at Ugwuoba in Oji River Local Government Area, intercepted a commercial tricycle carrying passengers.
A search led to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size gun allegedly belonging to 21-year-old Ifediri Nwobu. Police said the suspect attempted to escape by jumping into a nearby river but was successfully apprehended.
The Command said investigations are ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects, while all those arrested will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the professionalism and bravery of the operatives and members of the Neighbourhood Watch, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to strengthening border security and combating violent crime through intelligence-led policing. He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with credible information.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has explained the circumstances surrounding the public arrest of former Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, saying the action followed his repeated failure to honour invitations and a valid court order.
The explanation appears to validate earlier media reports that Nnaji was arrested at the airport, following initial denials from some quarters.
In a statement issued on Thursday, ICPC spokesperson John Odey said the commission obtained a court warrant authorising Nnaji’s arrest after he allegedly ignored several invitations for questioning over allegations of certificate forgery.
According to the commission, Nnaji was arrested on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, upon his arrival at the Abuja airport with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS) and was subsequently taken to the ICPC headquarters for interrogation.
The anti-graft agency also disclosed that it had secured a 14-day remand order to keep the former minister in custody while investigations continue, adding that the detention could be extended if necessary.
Odey said the commission had earlier sent formal invitations to Nnaji through a letter dated May 15, 2026, referenced ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOL.V16, which were delivered to his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu as well as via email. However, he allegedly failed to appear for the scheduled investigative interviews.
Following his refusal to honour the invitations, the ICPC approached the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026, where it obtained an order on June 11, 2026, authorising his arrest to facilitate investigation.
The commission said the investigation centres on allegations that Nnaji submitted forged academic credentials, including a degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate during his 2023 ministerial screening.
“The Commission assures the public that the matter will be pursued diligently in accordance with the law,” the statement said.
A student of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), identified simply as Ademola, has alleged that she was assaulted when soldiers from the Army Depot in Osogbo reportedly invaded student hostels.
Speaking in a video shared by OsunDefenderNG, Ademola recounted that the incident occurred while she was alone in her room preparing a meal.
According to her, she initially noticed soldiers around the hostel but assumed the situation had calmed down before they allegedly returned.
The development follows Monday night’s reported invasion of student hostels by soldiers from the Army Depot, Osogbo. During the incident, several students were allegedly assaulted, while more than 60 mobile phones and other electronic devices were reportedly taken away.
There were also allegations that some female students were stripped naked and forced to dance unclothed by some of the soldiers, who were said to have participated in the Army Depot’s passing-out parade held last Saturday.
Recounting her experience, Ademola said she was cooking in her room when the soldiers returned to the area.
“They started shining their torch into my room and asked who was inside. They told me to open the door, and I did. One of them asked how many people were in the room, and I told him there were two, explaining that my roommate was not around,” she said.
Fighting back tears, the student alleged that one of the soldiers became physically aggressive.
“He pinned me against my bathroom door, told me I would like it and warned me not to shout. I begged him and struggled to free myself. I managed to get to the door and told him to leave, but he asked if I really wanted him to go,” she alleged.
Ademola further claimed that another soldier entered the room and attempted to calm her while encouraging her not to resist.
“His colleague came in and told me to calm down, saying I would enjoy it and shouldn’t shout. When they started moving towards me, I screamed loudly. After I shouted, they both left, and I quickly forced the door shut,” she said.
She added that shortly afterward, a fellow hostel resident knocked on her door to check on her after hearing the commotion.
In response to the allegations, the Army Depot, Osogbo, on Tuesday announced that it had launched an investigation into the alleged misconduct following a complaint by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D.
The Army said the investigation is aimed at establishing the facts surrounding the incident and assured the public that any personnel found culpable would be held accountable in accordance with the law.
The incident was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Executive Committee of the Nongo u Kristu u i Ser u sha Tar (NKST) Church.
According to the church, the victims were abducted in the early hours of Tuesday from the pastor’s residence at NKST Church, Andyar, in Ishan Classis, Benue State.
“It is with a heavy heart, yet with unwavering confidence in the sovereignty of Almighty God, that we announce the unfortunate abduction of our cleric, Rev. Dr. Samuel Gbinde, along with two members of his congregation, in the early hours of today, 30 June 2026.
“They were abducted from the pastor’s residence at NKST Church, Andyar, in Ishan Classis, Benue State,” the statement read.
The church called on its clergy, members, congregations and friends to pray for the safe and unconditional release of the abducted persons.
The statement also said, “The leadership of the NKST calls upon all clergy, members, congregations and friends of the Church to unite in earnest prayer during this difficult time for the safe and unconditional release of Rev. Dr. Gbinde and the two church members.
The church also appealed to security agencies and the Benue State and Federal Governments to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We further call on the relevant security agencies, as well as the Governments of Benue State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to act swiftly and decisively to secure the safe rescue of the abducted persons and ensure that those responsible for this criminal act are apprehended and brought to justice,” it said.
It urged both governments to adopt more proactive and sustained measures to tackle kidnapping and other security challenges.
“Furthermore, the Church urges both the Benue State and Federal Governments to adopt more proactive and sustained measures in addressing kidnapping and other forms of insecurity. It is imperative to take the fight to the perpetrators rather than merely responding after these heinous crimes have been committed,” the statement read.
The church expressed confidence that the victims would return safely and prayed for peace and security across the country.
The Benue State Police Command has yet to issue a statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report. Efforts are ongoing to obtain the command’s reaction.
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