Crime
Anambra: Isseke Youths Chase Gunmen Away, Hold Church Services After 4 Months
By Okey Maduforo Awka
After over four months of non ecclesiastical activities, the people of Isseke Community in Ihiala local government area of Anambra state would be holding church services this Sunday.
This is on the account of the insecurity in the area which has lasted for three years now occasioned by the deadly menace of the gunmen in the entire Ihiala local government area up to Imo state.
On the month of June this year gunmen stormed the St Joseph’s Catholic Parish and St Mary’s Anglican Parish Isseke fired several shots and stopped church services that were going on that fateful day; ordering both the clerics and their congregation to stop holding church services.
This latest development was made possible when on the 25th of September the youths and leaders of Isseke Community numbering over 130 stormed their town chanting war songs and engaged the gunmen that had taken over the town for years who fled the town for their dear lives.
When Sunday our reporter visited the Isseke Community, the markets , schools and other public places have been over grown by grasses while human skeletons were littered at most overgrown farmlands.
According to Rev Fr Obidiegwu Chukwuemeka Earnest the Parish Priest of St Joseph Catholic Parish Isseke, the church compound is being cleared and the church is being cleaned up preparatory for the Sunday Mass.
‘I have been parish priest for three years and half and I have been here for five years as Parish Vicah ”
“We are trying to clear our compound because we were forced to stop celebrating Mass for some months now ”
“We have been celebrating Mass casually for about three years now but last three months they came here and asked us to stop celebrating Mass”
“Since then the congregation dispased”
Obidiegwu whose happiness knew no bounds announced that he would be celebrating Mass this Sunday urging the congregation to attend as peace has returned to the Community.
“But today we are clearing our church compound that has been overgrown by grasses for years now to celebrate Mass tomorrow and after , both Morning Mass and Sunday Masses”
“We thank God for peace that is being restored gradually and every quarter if making efforts to restore permanent peace in Isseke and on our part as the church we have make our own contributions to this peace by opening and cleaning the church for the people of God to come and worship God ”
“By the grace of God I intend to celebrate Mass this Sunday and that is 6 am Mass and 9 am Mass ”
“To God be the glory that what we have been praying for has come and God has answered our prayers” .
“We thank our young men and women of Isseke for taking over their town and we pray that it is sustained” he said.
Also speaking the Pastors of St Mary’s Anglican church Isseke, Rev Princewil Usoetu and DSO Ezeani , re echoed the same announcement that there shall be church services this Sunday to show that the three years of gunmen captivity are over and that peace has returned to Isseke Community.
“Isseke people have resolved to reclaim their community that was taken over by hoodlums and it was not like this before”
They both recalled how gunmen came into the church on a Sunday and ordered them not to hold church services.
“Yes we were inside the church that fateful day when the gunmen stormed the church and told us to stop holding church services and shooting everywhere and so the congregation had to run away to other safe towns ”
“We urge the government to come and help us to rebuild our destroyed churches , schools and health centers”
“Even our market was destroyed by them ”
“Government should give us adequate security and we are ready to work with the state government to achieve that .
“We had general encounter on 15 of June they came here shooting so the church closed”
“We are going to hold church service this Sunday tomorrow and as you can see the congregation is here clearing and cleaning the church ” they promised.
One of the leaders of the Community and Special Assistant to Governor Charles Soludo of Assembly matters Hon Thadeus Elukaoha explained that the peace in Isseke Community is as a result of several meetings by group of youths , community leaders which has resulted in a huge success.
“As you can see we are cleaning everywhere including our markets , schools and churches and you can see people returning to their homes because peace and security has come back to our town ”
Elukaoha further reported that most buildings were either burnt down or vandalized by the gunmen adding that over one hundred persons had been killed by the fleeing gunmen.
“The number is not clear but an estimated over 100 persons have been killed by gunmen and countless buildings either burnt or destroyed by these hoodlums”
“We the people of Isseke have taken over our land and that was on the 25th of September this year when we mobilized everyone and we saw them and engaged them and they ran away out of our town ”
“But it is not over yet because we have taking steps at ensuring that they do not come back here ”
He expressed the appreciation of the community to the Police, Army Agunechemba and other security operatives for their assistance and protection while calling for reenforcmet.
“We thank Governor Charles Soludo for what he has done for us in the area of security as well as the NIgerian Army , the Police , Agunechemba and other security personnels for their assistance because we couldn’t have done it alone and we urge them to please give us more security architecture and personnel to sustain this peace ” he pleaded.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has alleged that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, violated the conditions attached to a court-approved medical visit while in the commission’s custody.
The anti-graft agency also announced the arrest of El-Rufai’s personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, over alleged false statements made during the incident.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the ICPC said it approved El-Rufai’s medical visit in compliance with a Kaduna State High Court order and in keeping with its obligation to respect the rights and welfare of persons in its custody.
According to the commission, the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7 and 8, 2026, for the accelerated hearing of criminal charges against the former governor. However, El-Rufai was absent when proceedings commenced on the first day.
The ICPC said its prosecution team informed the court that when officers arrived to convey El-Rufai to court, he declined to accompany them, insisting on seeing his personal physician.
The commission stated that no prior request had been made for the medical consultation and that when questioned by its medical doctor, El-Rufai reportedly said he had no immediate medical complaints but explained that his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also one of his legal counsel, requested that he consult his personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until July 15, 2026, to hear El-Rufai’s application seeking the trial judge’s recusal and to await the decision of the Kaduna State Chief Judge on a petition seeking the transfer of the case.
Despite the adjournment, the ICPC said it approved the hospital visit in line with the court’s directive.
The commission said its medical and security personnel accompanied El-Rufai to the private wing of the National Hospital, Abuja, on Tuesday and remained outside the consultation room at the request of his family members while he was being attended to by an oncologist.
However, the ICPC alleged that it later discovered photographs posted on Facebook by one of El-Rufai’s political associates, Isa Ashiru Kudan, showing the former governor receiving several visitors, including Professor Abubakar, during the period designated for the medical consultation.
According to the commission, the photographs suggested that the hospital visit was used for activities beyond the purpose approved by the court.
“The images and post by Isa Kudan indicated that the arranged medical visit was utilised for activities outside the scope contemplated by the court and the ICPC. This is a clear violation of the court order,” the statement said.
The commission said it had treated El-Rufai and other suspects in its custody with professionalism, patience and courtesy, but alleged that its goodwill had been abused.
It added that it would bring the alleged violation of the court order to the attention of the court.
The ICPC also announced that Professor Bello Abubakar had been taken into custody for further investigation over alleged false statements.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to operating within the law, warning that it would not tolerate any abuse of its goodwill or disregard for court orders.
The controversy surrounding the alleged N1.3 billion Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council scandal deepened on Monday following the reported arrest of the father of the council’s embattled promoter, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, is currently standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges bordering on conspiracy, forgery and impersonation. The Federal Government has listed the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and 10 others as prosecution witnesses.
The arrest of Adeyemi’s father reportedly took place at the family’s residence in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, on Monday. According to Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, police officers stormed the residence and took the elderly man into custody.
“The father has been arrested. There is no legal basis for substituted arrests. The young man has promised to appear in court, so why arrest his father?” Falana said.
Eyewitnesses alleged that police officers arrived in four vehicles, prevented neighbours from intervening, and took the elderly man to a police station. A family friend who was visiting the residence was also reportedly arrested, while Adeyemi’s aged mother was left in a state of shock.
The development has sparked concerns among legal practitioners and human rights advocates over the legality of the arrest.
President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, cautioned against drawing conclusions without knowing the reasons behind the arrest.
“If a person is arrested solely to pressure a suspect to surrender, such an arrest is unlawful,” Osigwe said. “However, if the father is himself a suspect or a person of interest in the investigation, then the law permits his arrest.”
Similarly, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sam Erugo, maintained that arresting a parent for an offence allegedly committed by a child is unlawful.
According to Erugo, Section 7 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, expressly prohibits arrest by proxy or in lieu of another person.
He, however, urged the Nigeria Police Force to clarify the circumstances surrounding the arrest, stressing that the public deserves a clear explanation from the authorities.
The Nigeria Police Force had yet to issue an official statement on the reported arrest as of the time of filing this report.
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Nigeria’s foreign ministry said on Sunday one man was killed in front of his shop in the northeastern city of eMalahleni by unidentified criminals.
It gave no more details on the incident, which it said took place on Sunday, June 28 — on a weekend when tensions were building up ahead of nationwide anti-migrant rallies last week.
Vigilantes have attacked foreign nationals and looted foreign-owned shops on numerous occasions in the last few months, as South Africans blame immigrants for problems such as crime and unemployment. Migrant rights groups say foreigners are being used as scapegoats for deep-rooted problems.
Ghana said last week one of its citizens was fatally wounded in a shooting during the anti-immigrant demonstrations. South Africa said his killing was not related to the protests and accused Ghana of spreading misinformation.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the attacks against migrants. Police said they arrested 900 people during last week’s protests.
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Nigeria’s foreign ministry said on Sunday: “We wish to place the Government of South Africa on notice that if the situation continues to persist, all options remain on the table, some of which will be activated if the uncultured and provocative trend of intolerance… against foreigners is not addressed.”
Crime
Enugu Forest Guard Rescues Kidnap Victim, Arrests Native Doctor, Others in Intelligence-Led Operation
A coordinated operation by the Enugu State Forest Guard has led to the rescue of a kidnapped man and the arrest of four suspected criminals, including a man allegedly linked to ritual activities connected to the abduction.
The intelligence-driven operation was carried out in the Ette axis of Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area following credible information that a young man, identified as Samson Eleje Abah, had been lured into a forest and abducted by suspected criminals.
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, operatives of the Forest Guard stormed the location, rescued the victim unharmed, and arrested three suspects identified as Reuben Okwudili, Reuben Gebechukwu Chinoso, and Reuben Emeka.
The suspects have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Forest Guard said further intelligence gathered during the operation led to the arrest of John Agbo, a resident of Ofante Egberi in Kogi State, who allegedly travelled to the community to perform ritual activities believed to be connected to the kidnapping. He has also been transferred to the police to assist with ongoing investigations.
According to the agency, preliminary findings, supported by consultations with community leaders, revealed that residents had previously raised concerns about the alleged criminal activities of some of the suspects and had consistently provided intelligence to security agencies.
Community leaders condemned the incident and reaffirmed their commitment to partnering with security agencies by providing timely and credible information to combat crime. They also announced the imposition of traditional sanctions on the family of the principal suspects in accordance with local customs, stressing that criminality would not be tolerated in the community.
Describing the operation as another major breakthrough in its intelligence-led security campaign, the Forest Guard reiterated its commitment to tackling kidnapping, violent crime, and other security threats across Enugu State.
The Commander of the Enugu State Forest Guard, Dr. Akinbayo O. Olasoji, commended the operatives for their professionalism, courage, and swift response.
“We commend our operatives for their professionalism and prompt action in rescuing the victim and apprehending the suspects,” Olasoji said.
He urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence, emphasizing that public cooperation remains vital in the fight against crime.
“The Forest Guard will sustain aggressive patrols and deepen collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to ensure criminal elements have no safe haven in Enugu State,” he added.
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed how suspected internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo boys, stole more than ₦7.2 million from the bank account of a serving judge in a midnight cyberattack.
Olukoyede made the revelation during the public presentation of two books authored by retired High Court judge, Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye.
According to the EFCC chairman, the judge contacted him around 1 a.m. after receiving multiple debit alerts from her bank account. She told him that about ₦7.2 million—money she had saved over six years for her child’s education—had been fraudulently withdrawn.
He said the commission immediately swung into action and, despite legal restrictions limiting certain investigative activities in the state where the incident occurred, successfully recovered the entire sum before the close of business that same day.
Olukoyede said the incident underscores the increasing threat of cybercrime in Nigeria and warned that many people only appreciate its devastating impact after becoming victims.
He called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, the judiciary and the public to combat internet-related crimes more effectively.
The EFCC boss also urged the National Assembly and legal experts to review existing laws to accommodate the use of artificial intelligence in criminal investigations, noting that current legal provisions make it difficult for AI-generated evidence to be admitted in court.
Also speaking at the event, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi (SAN), urged anti-corruption agencies to intensify efforts to recover stolen public funds traced to foreign countries.
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