Crime
Agunechemba Hands Over 2 GPMGs, Rocket Launcher to Nigerian Army as Army Chief Commends Soludo
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The Agunechemba Security Squad in Anambra State has recorded another major breakthrough in the fight against insecurity following the dislodging of a suspected gunmen’s camp in Orumba North and Orumba South Local Government Areas.
The operation led to the recovery of a cache of arms, including two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) and a locally made rocket launcher, which were subsequently handed over to the Nigerian Army.
The development drew commendation from the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, who praised Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo for supporting the operations of the Agunechemba security outfit.
The Army Chief reiterated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with sister security agencies and community-based security organisations such as Agunechemba in the fight against crime and criminality in Anambra State.
The breakthrough followed days of intelligence gathering and undercover operations by Agunechemba personnel at major security flashpoints across Anambra South Senatorial District.
According to the publicity secretary of the outfit, Mr Nweke Nweke, the weapons were formally handed over to the Nigerian Army at the office of the Director of Operations in Awka.
The handover, he said, was led by the Director of Operations, Chief Chinenye Ihenko.
Nweke said the gesture reflected Agunechemba’s commitment to fighting crime and enhancing security across the state.
He quoted Ihenko as describing the transfer of the recovered weapons as a further strengthening of the partnership between the military and Agunechemba.
Ihenko also emphasised the importance of working closely with federal security agencies and pledged to sustain collaborative efforts aimed at improving security in the state.
Representing the Governor’s Special Adviser on Community Security, Prince Kenneth Emeakayi, Ihenko said the operation that led to the recovery of the weapons was a significant achievement for Agunechemba in its campaign against banditry.
He assured residents of the outfit’s continued commitment to its responsibilities under the state’s Homeland Security framework.
Ihenko, popularly known as Okpompi, also praised the operation for its success, noting that no member of the team was killed despite confronting armed attackers.
He said the gunmen retreated when confronted by the security operatives, abandoning their weapons and fleeing with injuries.
“This operation is among our greatest achievements. Our team performed valiantly without any losses. When confronted by the gunmen, they retreated, leaving their weapons behind and fleeing with injuries,” he said.
Ihenko expressed appreciation to Governor Soludo for the support provided to Agunechemba, saying the backing had strengthened the outfit’s efforts to reclaim areas previously dominated by criminals, particularly in Orumba North and South, Ihiala and Ogbaru.
He also called on residents to continue supporting and praying for the security outfit, stressing that the fight against insecurity requires collective efforts.
The Majority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly, who also heads Agunechemba’s investigation unit, commended the state government for adequately funding the Homeland Security initiative.
He said the successes recorded by Agunechemba had demonstrated the importance of the Homeland Security laws passed by the state in 2025.
Also speaking, the Commander of the 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support), Onitsha, Colonel Buteus M. Yakubu, represented by Lieutenant P.O. Idowu, conveyed the Chief of Army Staff’s appreciation to Governor Soludo for the achievements recorded by Agunechemba.
He said the Nigerian Army was pleased with the successful collaboration among the military, the Nigeria Police Force, Anambra State Command, and Agunechemba.
Idowu assured the state’s Homeland Security team of continued support from the Nigerian Army.
“I will relay your commendable efforts to Colonel Buteus M. Yakubu, who I trust will inform military leadership across Nigeria. I am confident that Agunechemba will receive the necessary support whenever required,” he said.
The event culminated in the formal handover of the recovered weapons to the Nigerian Army, including two General Purpose Machine Guns and a locally made rocket launcher, followed by an exchange of pleasantries among personnel of the Nigerian Army, Agunechemba leadership and members of the Anambra State House of Assembly.
A police inspector has been killed and another officer seriously injured after gunmen allegedly ambushed a joint security team in Jigawa State.
The incident occurred on Saturday, August 22, 2026, after security personnel responded to reports of farmland destruction in Gwaram Local Government Area.
According to a security report obtained by Zagazola Makama, the attack took place at about 3pm in a forested area.
The joint team comprised personnel from Gwaram and Fagam police divisions, the 35 Police Mobile Force and local security outfits. Members of the Vigilance and Community Response Unit (VCRU) and Operation Salama also participated in the operation.
The report said the team had been patrolling the area following recurring complaints involving suspected herders and farmland destruction.
The personnel reportedly came under attack after entering the area, with the assailants said to have used arrows.
Inspector Bukar Wakili, attached to Gwaram Division, was reportedly struck in the face and sustained serious injuries.
Another officer, Inspector Mohammed Shafiu of the VCRU in Dutse, was also injured during the incident.
Both officers were taken to a hospital, where Shafiu was confirmed dead, according to the report.
Bukar was later referred to the Malam Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital for further medical treatment.
The identities and affiliation of the attackers have not been independently confirmed, and no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Additional tactical teams were subsequently deployed to reinforce the security personnel and support efforts to identify those responsible.
Police have opened an investigation into the incident and maintained a security presence in the affected area.
The attack comes amid recurring disputes involving farmers and herders in parts of northern Nigeria, where disagreements over farmland and grazing routes can sometimes escalate into violence.
A young man suspected of attempting to steal cables from a transformer was found dead after reportedly being electrocuted along Trademore Road in Lugbe, Abuja, in the early hours of Friday.
The deceased was reportedly found crouched and lifeless near the transformer, with his body said to have become stiff, suggesting he may have been electrocuted when power was restored.
Residents said there had been no electricity supply in the area on Thursday night before the incident occurred.
The discovery attracted a crowd of residents, who expressed concern over the increasing activities of cable vandals in different parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
Rasheed Ogunyemi, a resident of Iddo Seriki along the Airport Road, said residents in his area often contribute money to repair their transformer, only for vandals to return and cut the cables.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident, stating that the deceased’s body had been evacuated and deposited at a mortuary in Gwagwalada for autopsy.
More than 60 worshippers are feared to have been kidnapped from the Central Mosque in Dekara town, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, during Jumu’at prayers on Friday.
The incident occurred when suspected terrorists, said to be operating in large numbers, stormed the mosque while the prayers were ongoing.
According to sources, the attackers fired several shots before rounding up some of the worshippers and taking them into the surrounding forest.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Borgu Local Government Area witnessed several security incidents on Friday, including attacks on three communities.
“So many things happened in Borgu LGA on Friday. Terrorists attacked three communities, including Dekara. In Dekara, they went to the Central Mosque while Jumu’at prayer was ongoing and kidnapped more than 60 people. But they did not injure anybody,” the resident said.
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Oyewole Mayowa Solomon, has died after reportedly collapsing during a party reconciliation meeting in Iyara, the council headquarters.
Solomon reportedly slumped suddenly while participating in the meeting convened on Friday by a former Ijumu council chairman, Funsho Olumoko, as part of efforts to resolve internal disagreements and promote unity among APC stakeholders in the area.
An eyewitness said the incident caused confusion among participants, who immediately attempted to revive the party chairman before rushing him to a hospital in Kabba.
He reportedly died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
The development shocked party leaders and other stakeholders who had gathered for the reconciliation meeting, which was aimed at strengthening the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting was expected to bring together party leaders, ward and local government executives, women and youth leaders, as well as government appointees from the 15 wards in Ijumu.
The incident occurred amid renewed efforts by APC stakeholders in the council to resolve longstanding disagreements and restore unity within the local chapter.
Earlier in the month, party leaders in Ijumu had endorsed President Bola Tinubu and Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, for second terms.
However, that gathering was reportedly disrupted by disagreements over the leadership of the local government, with Solomon and some other officials said to have walked out of the meeting.
Olumoko, who organised Friday’s reconciliation meeting, had previously been mandated by the Ijumu Consultative Forum to facilitate dialogue among political stakeholders in the council.
Solomon’s sudden death is expected to create fresh uncertainty around the ongoing reconciliation efforts within the Ijumu APC, coming barely two weeks after stakeholders renewed calls for unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
The cause of his death had not been officially disclosed as of the time of filing this report, while efforts to obtain an official reaction from the APC were ongoing.
Tension and grief have gripped the political community in Enugu State following the suspected murder of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Chairman in Udenu Local Government Area, Chisimdiri Emmanuel Ngwu.
Ngwu, described as one of the longest-serving members of the ADC in the state, was reportedly found dead in the early hours of Wednesday, August 19, 2026, under circumstances that have raised concerns among his family, friends and political associates.
A family source told our correspondent that Ngwu woke up early on Wednesday, left the house and never returned alive.
The source said the family became worried after they noticed he was missing, only to later discover his lifeless body outside the compound.
“We woke up and didn’t see him, only to discover his lifeless body in front of our compound,” the source said.
The source further alleged that scratches were found around Ngwu’s neck and that his neck appeared to have been twisted backwards, raising suspicions about the circumstances of his death.
The incident has sparked concern within the ADC in Udenu and the wider political community in Enugu State, with calls for security agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring anyone found responsible to justice.
Meanwhile, two persons have reportedly been arrested in connection with the incident.
Their identities and the specific circumstances surrounding their arrest were not immediately known as of press time.
Ngwu’s death has since sent shock waves through the ADC, with party members and associates mourning his death and demanding a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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