Crime
Attack on Orsu: Army major was killed, 2 captains in hospital – Uzodimma
Uzodimma spoke after the Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to set up an independent inquiry into the alleged burning of ancestral markets, shops and houses in Orsu-Ihiteukwa Community in Orsu council area of Imo State, by suspected members of Ebubeagu security outfit.
Uzodimma said last Saturday’s incident occurred when one of the arrested bandits took the security joint force to Eke Ututu market, in Orsu LGA, where the bandits manufacture illegal explosives and it was uncovered that some of the shops were parked with items used to manufacture the Improvised Explosives Devices, IED. It was then that the security agents set the shops ablaze.
Uzodimma said the major died from last month’s attack, while the two injured captains were attacked in last Saturday’s incident in Orsu-Ihiteukwa.
According to Uzodimma, “You were all witnesses to the insecurity that enveloped Imo State for a period nearing almost three years now. With the daily occurrences of insecurity and wanton destruction of lives and properties in Imo State, we even made a clarion call to communities in Imo State to seek their support to the security of Imo State.
“We even called on these bandits to cease fire and surrender their weapons and discuss with government so that government can work with them in terms of rehabilitation and empowerment.
“Some of them answered the call, surrendered their weapons and talked with the government. We set up a rehabilitation centre where some of these people will be rehabilitated but adamant ones continued visiting mayhem and destroying properties.”
The governor recalled that “Only last month, soldiers on duty in Awo-Idemili, in Orsu local government area were attacked and we lost a major of the Nigeria Army to illegal locally manufactured explosives.
“Also, last Saturday, the joint security force who arrested one of the bandits took the bandit after his confession as to where they operate from and to visit where the local explosives are manufactured. It turned out to be Eke Ututu market. They saw four shops where fertilizer and other electrical gadgets used to manufacture explosives were packed. As I speak to you, the captain who led that operation is now lying critical at the Intensive Care Unit, ICU, FMC Owerri, with another officer, a captain of the Nigeria Army.
“Soldiers were able to recover all these weapons and fertilizer meant to be used to manufacture these locally made explosives and in the process, they burnt down the shops. They were careful and no innocent lives were lost. They were able to destroy these shops where they met these weapons.
“And it pleases some persons, candidates of a political party to condemn the security agencies and even blackmail them and none of them made any attempt to visit the scene,” he said.
Imo PDP asks Buhari to set up inquiry into burning of markets, houses
The PDP, made this call through the State Publicity Secretary, Collins Opuruzor while speaking to newsmen in Owerri, on the Orsu attack.
The main opposition party said it had to speak out because of what it described as the “silence of Senator Uzodimma’s regime,” adding that it is worrisome that the economic activities of the communities were destroyed.
According to the party, “The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State condemns the bombardment of Orsu-Ihiteukwa, in Orsu Local Government Area of the state, which in its wake reduced to ashes the popular Eke Ututu market and also claimed human lives.
“No security agency has taken responsibility for the attack, though media reports and community sources point out that the operation might have been carried out by the military. What is even more troubling is that some sources have however alleged that the barbarity was perpetrated by Ebubeagu, the rampaging state-sanctioned militia force.
“For the people of Orsu-Ihiteukwa and even neighbouring communities, Eke Ututu is the symbol of economic wellbeing, and it embodies their dreams for a better tomorrow. Today, this source of livelihood for many thousands ofpeople has become a heap of debris.
“Yet, despite the tears, blood and ravages that the incident has wrought upon this hapless community, it is telling that till this moment, the wobbling APC regime in Imo State has not deemed it important to explain to the people what happened and why it happened.
“Imo PDP holds that the silence of the regime of Senator Hope Uzodinma in the face of this unprovoked attack on vulnerable citizens speaks volumes about the depth of disdain which the failed regime has for Imo people. This is a regime that has long abandoned the primary responsibility of government, which is the security of lives and property. The silence is therefore a tacit endorsement of the reprehensible act against the people of Orsu-Ihiteukwa.
“Our Party calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately set up an independent panel of inquiry to unravel the circumstances that led to the dastardly attack on unarmed citizens and bombing of a community market in Orsu-Ihiteukwa and to bring those found culpable to book.
“Imo PDP commiserates with the people of Orsu-Ihiteukwa over this unjustifiable attack. Given the hardship which the destruction of the Eke Ututu market would bring, our Party further calls on the Federal Government to move in expeditiously to facilitate the reconstruction of the razed market and compensate the affected traders,” he said.
The Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has recorded major breakthroughs in its ongoing crackdown on violent crimes, rescuing kidnapped victims, recovering heavy weapons, arresting suspected cultists, and dismantling an alleged child-trafficking network across the state.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ikioye Orutugu, said the Command had intensified intelligence-led operations against kidnapping, cultism, armed violence, sexual offences, and child trafficking.
According to him, one of the biggest breakthroughs came on May 10, 2026, when police operatives rescued four kidnapped victims, including the Chief Medical Director of Crown Hospital, three days after they were abducted.
Orutugu disclosed that the rescue followed a fierce gun battle between police operatives and suspected kidnappers at their hideout in Obosi.
“In the course of the operation, two armed suspects were neutralised, while operatives recovered one locally made pistol, 100 rounds of live GPMG ammunition, 23 expended rounds, and three vehicles, including a silver Lexus RX 350 belonging to one of the rescued victims,” he said.
The police commissioner, however, revealed that a police officer lost his life during the exchange of gunfire, while two others sustained injuries.
“The officer paid the supreme sacrifice in active service to the nation. The Command honours his courage, gallantry, and dedication to duty,” Orutugu stated, while commending the Anambra State Government for pledging support for the deceased officer’s family and treatment of the injured personnel.
He added that the building where the victims were rescued had been cordoned off after angry residents attempted to set it ablaze.
The police boss also disclosed that operatives carried out strategic clearance operations in Owerre-Ezukala, targeting criminal camps linked to a proscribed secessionist group.
According to him, one suspect identified as Nnamdi Nkemdilim Ogbonna, said to be a top commander of the group, is already in custody.
He said the operation led to the recovery of a General Purpose Machine Gun with about 2,000 rounds of live ammunition, two fabricated rocket launchers with 25 propellers, 10 Improvised Explosive Devices, one locally made Beretta pistol, two pump-action guns, three hand grenades, and other dangerous items.
“The operatives also dislodged the armed criminals and sustained operational dominance in the area to prevent any regrouping,” he said.
In another operation, police operatives arrested a suspected cultist identified as Favour Izunna, alleged to be a member of the Vikings Confraternity.
The police said the suspect led operatives to the recovery of a pump-action gun, seven live cartridges, a locally made Beretta pistol, and five rounds of live ammunition.
Orutugu said the suspect allegedly confessed to participating in multiple killings in Obosi and surrounding communities, including the murder of two victims identified as Emeka Chukwuka and Chinelo Onyeka.
The commissioner added that efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing gang members linked to the cult group.
On crimes involving children and vulnerable persons, the police commissioner revealed that five suspects had been remanded over alleged sexual offences and child abuse cases in Awka.
Among them, he said, was a father accused of having unlawful sexual relations with his biological daughter in Oko.
“The Command views crimes against children and vulnerable persons as grave violations and assures the public that all cases involving sexual abuse, violence against children, and related offences will be thoroughly investigated and diligently prosecuted,” he said.
The Command also announced the arrest of a female suspect identified as Chinazo Winners Anyasirikwu over alleged child-trafficking activities in Aguata.
According to the police, 12 children — seven girls and five boys aged between one and 20 years — were rescued during the operation.
“The children have been placed under protective care while investigations continue to uncover the full network and possible collaborators connected to the criminal act,” Orutugu stated.
Reaffirming the Command’s resolve to sustain ongoing offensives against criminal elements, the commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with credible information.
“We shall continue to strengthen security, uphold justice, and make Anambra State increasingly hostile to criminals,” he added.
The Management of Eastland Electricity Distribution Limited has announced the successful prosecution and conviction of a transformer vandal in Ebonyi State, describing the judgment as a major breakthrough in the fight against vandalism of electricity infrastructure.
The development was disclosed to journalists in Abakaliki on Wednesday by the Head of Communications of EEDL, Mrs. Patience Ezeagu.
According to her, on May 6, 2026, a High Court sitting in Afikpo convicted one Ikechukwu Osondu for vandalising a public electricity transformer within the Afikpo area of the state.
The court found the defendant guilty under the Ebonyi State Miscellaneous Offences Law, 2018, and sentenced him to five years imprisonment without the option of fine.
Mrs. Ezeagu explained that the arrest of the suspect followed credible intelligence and the collaborative efforts of community vigilante members and security agencies, while the company’s legal team diligently pursued the matter to a successful conclusion.
“This conviction serves as a strong warning to individuals involved in vandalising electricity installations. Electricity infrastructure remains a critical national asset meant to serve communities and support economic activities. Anyone who destroys such facilities directly harms customers and slows development,” she said.
She recalled that earlier this year, EEDL raised concerns over the increasing wave of substation vandalism across Ebonyi State, which resulted in power outages and significant financial losses.
According to her, EEDL entered Ebonyi State to foster development through improved electricity supply, support businesses, and enhance the quality of life of residents. She, however, warned that these objectives may not be fully realised if vandalism continues unabated.
“We are committed to improving power supply and expanding our network, but continuous vandalism undermines these efforts. We will therefore sustain collaboration with security agencies, community leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure offenders are arrested and prosecuted,” she stated.
The company further appealed to community leaders, youth groups, neighbourhood watch organisations, and residents to take ownership of electricity installations serving their communities by remaining vigilant and promptly reporting suspicious activities around transformers and other power facilities.
EEDL reassured customers of its commitment to improved service delivery and vowed that anyone found vandalising power infrastructure would face the full weight of the law.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Anambra Police Command has debunked the allegation that it’s officers and men had hand in the mysterious death of one Mr Paul Onwualu at Npkor in Idemili North local government area.
The Police which confirmed the arrest of the suspect however explained that preliminary investigations has so far shown that there complications in the health status of the deceased leading to his demise .
SP Tochukwu Ikenga ,who is the Public Relations Officer of the Command stated in a release that ;
“The Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform the public that it has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate death of the late Mr Paul Onwualu in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State”
“Preliminary information available to the Command reveals that the officers allegedly involved in the arrest before the sudden complication of the deceased’s health, which later led to his death, have been identified, but are not operatives attached to the Anambra State Police Command”
“The Command assures Ndi Anambra and members of the public that the matter is being handled with the seriousness it deserves to ascertain the facts surrounding the unfortunate incident”
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc mnips PhD, urges residents to remain calm and allow the ongoing investigation to run its course, while reaffirming the Command’s commitment to transparency, professionalism, and the protection of lives and property.” he said.
Neighbours reported that the event allegedly occurred around 3pm on Sunday, noting that the late Miss Amanda had been a victim of constant and ruthless maltreatment at the hands of her stepmother.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Enugu State, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, has expressed the state government’s anger over the incident, saying it would not relent until justice is done.
“It is on record that the Governor Peter Mbah Administration has zero tolerance for any form of child abuse, let alone child homicide. So, we swung into action on learning about this tragedy to ensure that the suspect was arrested.
“But it doesn’t end there. We will be pressing for thorough and expedited investigation to ensure that justice is not just done, but done really fast.
“Nobody should take another’s life and certainly not the life of any child in Enugu State. We condemn it in totality,” she stated.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
As suspected fake native doctors continue to face the long arm of the law in Anambra State, the government has now commenced a crackdown on alleged fake pastors who preach salvation without the gospel.
Already, scores of suspected fake pastors are reportedly in custody, with some said to have confessed to deceiving unsuspecting members of the public.
Governor Charles Soludo disclosed this during this year’s All Knights Day celebration held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, the governor said:
“The Governor also revealed an ongoing crackdown on fake pastors who exploit the vulnerable by preaching a gospel of ‘salvation without the cross,’ confirming that several are already in custody and confessing.”
He emphasized that a “New Anambra” is emerging and must be rid of deception and criminality, while reinforcing the church’s teaching that hard work remains the pathway to success.
The statement further read:
“In a firm demonstration of fiscal discipline, Governor Soludo granted a request from the Knights to support their charity visits to orphanages but declined a request for public funds to sew uniforms, stating he would not deploy state resources for private institutional regalia.”
The governor also urged the Knights to remain “the light of the world and the salt of the earth” by living according to principles rather than titles.
The event featured a Pontifical Mass celebrated by the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Paulinus Ezeokafor, while the homily was delivered by the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Fr. Evaristus Iheanacho.
In his sermon, Iheanacho reflected on the work of the Holy Spirit, describing knighthood as a process of “sober reflection, stock-taking, and reckoning” guided by strict tenets and discipline.
He reminded the Knights that true love for Christ is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments, discipline, humility, and courage.
The cleric also cautioned against elitist isolation, urging the Knights to remain connected with the people and preserve their human face and prophetic voice within the community.
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