News
Abia traditional rulers to meet Buhari over Nnamdi Kanu’s health
The royal fathers disclosed this Thursday evening when they visited Kanu’s family at their Isiama Afaraukwu community in Umuahia North Local Government Area.
They expressed worry over his reported failing health, and said they would have audience with the President as soon as he returns from the United Nations General Assembly trip to seek solution to Kanu’s plight.
The monarchs noted that Kanu’s late father, HRM Eze Israel Kanu, was one of them, hence there was no way they could abandon the family in their trying moment.
Fielding questions from newsmen after a closed-door meeting with Kanu’s family, the National Chairman, Royal Fathers of Nigeria, cum Chairman, Ikwuano/Umuahia Supreme Council, HRM, Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu, said the ‘royal intervention’ had become necessary to help stave off the bitter consequences of Kanu dying in custody.
He expressed optimism that the President would heed the wise counsel of the Royal Fathers and consider political solution for Kanu in the overall interest of the country.
Eze Ofoegbu who said that the monarchs also used the visit to solidarise with the Kanu family, strongly condemned the September 14, 2017 military invasion of Kanu’s compound, describing it as a desecration of the royal stool.
Adding his voice former Chairman of Traditional Rulers Council, Umuahia North LGA, and the Traditional Ruler of Okwulaga Afaraukwu Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Eddy Ibeabuchi, decried the continued detention of Kanu despite appeals by eminent Nigerians and groups for his unconditional release.
He said that it would be unfair for the IPOB Leader “who is fighting against injustice and the deliberate exclusion of Ndigbo from the scheme of things” to be termed a terrorist “while real mass murderers are being pampered by the same Government persecuting a freedom fighter”.
The royal father urged Ndigbo not to abandon Kanu who he said, had sacrificed so much for their survival and freedom.
He added that while Kanu’s legal team continued to explore the legal avenues for his freedom, there was need to also seek political solution to end the stand-off.
On Kanu’s deteriorating health condition, the royal father advised the Federal Government not to allow any harm befall him in custody as the country might not be able to handle the after effect of such ugly scenario.
Responding, Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, thanked the royal fathers for standing with the family.
He promised that the family would apply the various “reasonable suggestions” they offered during the closed door meeting.
Prince Emmanuel who regretted that efforts by the family to secure a private physician for Kanu was frustrated by the DSS, sought the intervention of the international community.
” I have made numerous efforts to get him a private physician but each time I try my best, they ( DSS), turn it down. He is going through very difficult times. He is complaining bitterly about his health. He has big issue with his stomach.
“This is the time for the world to come in and say something about that because if he dies there, it is not going to be easy for anyone.
” So, what I’m asking people to do from today is to make sure they sustain the pressure to allow Mazi Nnamdi Kanu travel overseas for medical treatment.”
He, however, expressed disappointment over the non-committal of the South East political elite in the efforts to free Kanu.
” The political elite are not doing enough; I see them as part of the problem and not the solution. They don’t have the balls to stand up and make case for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
” They even find it difficult to visit him. Apart from Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, no other Governor from South East has visited him in detention.”
Speaking with newsmen also, member representing Aba South state constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Obinna Ichita who has been part of the peace initiate between the Federal Government and the Kanus, said political solution remained the only way to solve the Kanu/ FG debacle.
Ichita who said he had been privately engaging top senior federal officials over Kanu, expressed optimism that the intervention by the traditional institution would be fruitful.
The lawmaker who said that releasing Kanu would help douse mounting tension in the South East, urged the Federal Government to quickly consider the clamour for political solution over the lingering face-off.
In their separate remarks, President General of Afaraukwu Autonomous Community, Chief Ugwumba Oriaku; his Isiama Afaraukwu counterpart, Obioma Ebogu; Chief Levi Ogbonna of Okwulaga Community; and Chief John Nwagwu of Enyiukwu Afaraukwu community, begged Buhari to listen to the preponderance of appeals to release Kanu.
They expressed deep worry over the reported failing health of Kanu and begged the Federal Government to give him a special consideration as a prince, and in honour of his late parents.
Highlight of the event was a visit by the monarchs to the grave site of Kanu’s late parents inside his father’s palace.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
DSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
Renowned Nigerian novelist, journalist, and academic, Okey Ndibe, was reportedly detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday morning.
Ndibe disclosed his situation in a message sent while in custody, stating: “I’ve been with the SSS now for more than an hour. They’re waiting for clearance from some oga before they let me go.”
According to sources close to the writer, his detention follows a pattern that dates back to previous administrations, including that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, during which he was frequently stopped and questioned over his critical commentaries on Nigerian governance and public affairs.
However, associates noted that Ndibe has largely stepped away from active commentary in Nigerian media over the past two years, focusing instead on writing books and his academic responsibilities at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he teaches.
A close friend of the author and former Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said similar incidents had occurred several times in the past. He explained that airport DSS officials typically contacted their superiors in Abuja before eventually releasing Ndibe.
“It is a pity that this agency doesn’t update its database to enable officers on duty at the airport to know that the agency no longer regards Prof. Ndibe as a security threat to the administration,” Adinuba said.
He added that on previous occasions, the DSS had apologized to the respected author after determining that his detention was unwarranted.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the DSS regarding the circumstances surrounding Ndibe’s latest detention. The development has raised renewed concerns about the treatment of government critics and the continued use of security watchlists affecting returning Nigerians.
Hegseth made the disclosure during a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, where he said the directive was issued about a year ago after Trump became aware of attacks against Christians in Nigeria.
He explained that the operation involved behind-the-scenes coordination and deployment of military assets, adding that intelligence gathered during the mission contributed to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as ISIS’s second-in-command, during a joint operation involving U.S. and Nigerian forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
“Maybe a year ago, he heard the call of Nigerian Christians who were being targeted and killed by ISIS in Nigeria, and he said, ‘Pete, I want the War Department to focus on ensuring that we do everything we can to protect those Christians,’” Hegseth said.
According to him, the operation yielded significant results in the fight against terrorism in the region.
“And we got the assets there, and over the last month, and there hasn’t been much coverage of this, we killed ISIS number two in Nigeria, who’s most responsible for killing Christians and trying to target the U.S. homeland,” he stated.
Hegseth added that working on the Intel gathered, they have killed hundreds of ISIS members who were targeting and killing Christians in Nigeria.
The U.S. defence chief described the operation as part of the Trump administration’s broader commitment to counterterrorism efforts and the protection of vulnerable communities.
“So there are a lot of things we do that the media pays attention to, and a lot of things that the President empowers the Department to do on behalf of the American people that he deserves great credit for,” Hegseth stated.
ISIS second in command, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed in a coordinated U.S.-Nigeria military operation in northeast Nigeria earlier this month.
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