News
Anambra Ends Sit At Home: As Markets, Banks, Schools Open On Monday, Zero Attacks Recorded
By Okey Maduforo Awka
After more than five years , Anambra state may have finally put an end to the Monday sit at home order by the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) as markets , schools and banks were opened .
Recall that IPOB had insisted that the sit at home order must be obeyed despite the order by Governor Charles Soludo that normal activities must hold warning that institutions that failed to comply to this directive would face the wrath of the law .
Soludo had last Monday shut down the Onitsha main market on the account of the traders not opening for business.
The markets, especially the Onitsha main market were open as well as the banks and schools as against the apprehension that the separatists group would unleash mayhem on defaulters.
At the Onitsha main market all the shops were open while security operatives which is a combine team of the eight Service Commanders made up of the NIgerian Army , the Police and the Agunechemba Security Squad were on hand to avert any unlikely event of attacks or arson in the area .
Most traders urged photo journalists to record their shops to indicate that they have complied with the Governor’s directive of opening shops on Monday.
“We are complying with the Governor’s directive and as you can see our shops are open and we are attending to our customers as expected” the traders said .
They also expressed happiness with the heavy presence of the security operatives and urged the state government to sustain it every day .
The National Coordinator APGA Media Warriors Evangelist Chinedu Obigwe who was also at the market stated that this development has shamed the opposition in Anambra state adding that it is a win win situation for the people of the state..
“The opposition had boasted that the traders would not obey the Governor but today they have been shamed ”
“Those miscreants that go about harnessing people every Monday were no where to be found and the era of playing politics with the well being of Anambra is over and we are home and dry ”
“We especially thank our able working Governor Prof Charles Soludo for this as well as the traders and security operatives for this success in putting an end to this draconian order of sit at home” he noted .
The Chairman of Onitsha Main Market Association Mr Chijioke Okparaugo who was seen monitoring compliance to the Governor’s order told reporters to feel free to visit any line in the market adding that those days of Monday sit at home are over .
“I cannot say anything now but I urge you to feel free to visit any line or any part of the market to confirm that we are back in business every Monday ” he said.
Police Public Relations Officer SP Tochukwu Ikenga described the compliance as above eighty percent adding that the Command was proactive in it’s operations to ensure that security of lives and property is guaranteed.
“You can see and it speaks for itself that the issue of Monday sit at home has been laid to rest and I can score the level of compliance over eighty percent”
“This is exactly what we are talking about that you cannot on a Monday sit at home doing nothing when you are supposed to go out for business and we also appreciate both the Anambra state government and the traders for this success story ”
“We want to reassure the general public that those gory tales of attacks and arson occasioned by the Monday sit at home are over as we as a security personnel would continue to ensure the safety of lives and property in the state and everyday; not just on Mondays alone ” he said.
Special Adviser to Soludo on Community Security Prince Kenneth Emeakayi described this development as great adding that the Agunechemba Security Squad would remain battle ready to take care of the internal security in all the markets in Anambra state.
“We particularly thank out traders for this and also all the security operatives for coming out in their numbers to recover our Monday which was hijacked by these miscreants and most of them are not even traders ”
“We shall ensure that the internal security in our markets are sustained and we urge the traders to go about their lawful duties without any fears or worries because Agunechemba is indeed on top of the moment” he noted
Chief Anthony Nweze Nworah the Mayor of Onitsha North local government area where the main market is located said ;
“This is a welcome development and for four and half years Onitsha main market has always been shut down every Monday and through the resilience of of our Governor Charles Soludo the market came alive today”
“In Anambra state only this market is known to have always be shut down and today history has been made and as you came see the market is bubbling and all the shops are open and people are doing business and the entire place is busy ”
“Also the security operatives are here to make sure that business is going on and that there is protection of lives and property which is the foundemental duty of the Governor and me myself as the Mayor of Onitsha North local government area”
“Nobody is being molested or harassed and most importantly our Governor has gone underground to put things in place to make sure that the banks are open and people have gone to school and the motorparks are operating”
“We are so happy with the traders for coming out to open their shops to do business and the transporters are complying and this is the vision of the Governor”
“It would be sustained and that is being consistent and it is a collaborative effort of all and sundry and you cannot estimate how much people lose including revenue when markets are closed every Monday”
“People pay stolage fees annually and if you open or not you must pay so it is to the benefit of the traders that they open shops on Mondays and the revenue that goes to government it would still get it “; he concluded.
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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