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BREAKING: 5 detained Obigbo residents dies in army custody, 134 still missing
Five out of over a hundred residents of Obigbo (Oyigbo) in Rivers State secretly held at the Nigerian Army’s Alpha Military Commando Base in Suleja, Niger State, have lost their lives, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) announced today, Wednesday, August 11, 2021.
A statement signed by the group’s Principal Officers; Emeka Umeagbalasi, Obianuju Igboeli, and Esq., Chidimma Udegbunam, Esq. gave the names of the victims as Thomas Ekwueme, Pius Onochie, Obinna Akapuru, Monday Ifeanyi and Tobechukwu Odoka.
Intersociety regretted that out of about 550 abducted Obigbo residents, “not less than 134 are still not independently located and are still languishing in secret military custodies, only known to the Nigerian Army.”
The rights group, however, announced the release of a fresh batch of 107 detainees. (See list below)
It said that “their release followed a court bail granted to them a week or two ago and perfection of their bail conditions. The 107 mostly Igbo Christian citizens of Obigbo residency have also successfully rejoined their families and other loved ones over nine months after they were waylaid by soldiers of the Nigerian Army on their way back from work or going to work and other legitimate social activities and abducted and disappeared.”
Intersociety recalled that soldiers “had on 21st Oct 2020 invaded the Obigbo part of Rivers State following the State-wide broadcast by Governor Nyesom Wike who hastily and maliciously accused the Indigenous People of Biafra of masterminding the EndSARS protests in the State that led to death of dozens of civilians and security personnel and destruction of some public properties. The Governor had played into the hands of the lopsidedly composed Nigerian Army which cashed in on his broadcast to lay the area under siege and go on killing spree leading to the death of not less than 102 civilians in two months, during which no fewer than 550 were abducted and private properties worth hundreds of millions of naira burnt or destroyed.”
The statement further said: “With the release of 107 Obigbo abductees in addition to release on 29/30th June 2021 of 26 others held by DSS and previous release of a total 283 other abductees; a total of 416 of the 550 abductees have been freed through various Court bails. In other words, not less than 134 are still not independently located and are still languishing in secret military custodies, only known to the Nigerian Army. It must be remembered that till date, the authorities of the Nigerian Army have kept mute over the abductions and disappearances; refusing to speak on why they were abducted and held in captivity for almost ten months without trial. Intersociety had in its statement of 6th July 2021 released names of the 112 abductees including the four (now five in number) that died.
“Sadly, among those 112 abductees, secretly held at the Nigerian Army’s Alpha Military Commando Base in Suleja, Niger State, five have lost their lives; namely: Thomas Ekwueme, Pius Onochie, Obinna Akapuru, Monday Ifeanyi and Tobechukwu Odoka.”
Below are the names and states of origin of those recently released in Suleja-Abuja.
NAMES AGES STATE
Benjamin Eze 27 ANAMBRA
Paul Uwazieike 22 ABIA
Humphrey vickie 38 EBONYI
Peter Umeze 20 IMO
OdemgboIsreal 26 ANAMBRA
Prince Achi 30 ABIA
Wie Gift 25 EBONYI
KamsoIgnatus 27 ANAMBRA
Chibuike Ochi 29 ANAMBRA
Bobo Ochi 32 IMO
Mensah Boniface 44 ENUGU
Elechi Sylvester 29 ENUGU
AmadiChinasa 30 IMO
Okeke Zachariah 41 IMO
Mebechi Justice 35 ABIA
AnwulukaDieide 22 EBONYI
Alphonsus white 47 EBONYI
Saturday Amonwa 24 EBONYI
Daniel Onwubiko 31 IMO
SupuruOnochie 22 IMO
Clifford Francis 25 ABIA
EmekaUgbochi 26 ABIA
EchefunaUchenna 24 ABIA
Anthony Okpara 31 IMO
Godswill Ike 30 IMO
IkennaAbuoma 29 ENUGU
Paul Nwille 28 ABIA
Okochi Emmanuel 27 ANAMBRA
Richard Okoli 28 ANAMBRA
Imma Sunny 27 ANAMBRA
Johnson Akabuku 26 IMO
MichealAzubuike 24 EBONYI
Oku Confidence 22 EBONYI
Mark Uche 22 EBONYI
Mr Dominic Asiema 20 ABIA
Freedom Acalpu 21 ABIA
Nsikak Friday 20 EBONYI
ChinonsoAmaechi 25 EBONYI
Bright Sunday 26 ABIA
OkparaDinma 48 ABIA
John Igweba 21 ABIA
HumpheryChukwunonoso 21 EBONYI
Boniface Uwuoma 45 IMO
OsaretinChinda 23 ABIA
Ekene Denison 25 EBONYI
Emma Maduabuchi 40 ENUGU
Chiedu Kelvin 29 EBONYI
Osita Austin 28 ABIA
Legit Kerere 27 IMO
Eric Alphonsus 28 ABIA
Iyke 37 ENUGU
Godwin Ume 30 IMO
ChineyezeEkpere 35 ENUGU
Innocent Odum 37 IMO
Pastor Uchenna 35 IMO
Boniface Ume 30 IMO
Gilbert 29 EBONYI
Okafor Kingsley 28 ANAMBRA
ChieyuranIbe 26 ABIA
Emeka David 25 ABIA
Sodienye Moses 24 ABIA
OnyinyeNwokeke 23 IMO
Monday Ogah 28 IMO
IfeomaIgwe 26 ABIA
ChikeJideofor 38 IMO
ChukwudiAnyazue 35 IMO
Chimezie 32 ENUGU
Ayigbo 31 EVONYI
Chijioke 29 EBONYI
Ekene 26 IMO
Nwude 25 ENUGU
Vincent 28 IMO
Ugochukusu 26 ANAMBRA
AdrewIheme 24 IMO
Thomas Ibekwe 22 ENUGU
Precious Anozie 25 ABIA
Cletus Justice 23 ABIA
Augustine 34 ABIA
OsitaChikwado 27 ABIA
Adam Kennedy 29 ENUGU
EgesiGoffrey 38 IMO
ChidiOkeke 29 IMO
Egbo Godwin 38 IMO
TobechukwuUdoka 29 EBONYI
Chineyenze Bishop 34 IMO
AkaudoObinna 21 ENUGU
KanyineneUche 20 IMO
AzubuikeCalistus 32 ANAMBRA
Victor Ugoechi 31 ANAMBRA
OkwuNonyerem 31 IMO
KamsoAnayo 39 IMO
SopuruDikachi 35 ENUGU
ChibuikeUzo 32 ENUGU
Osuagwu Emmanuel 31 IMO
Ojiako Bright 33 IMO
Harrison Jude 34 IMO
Winner Onukube 32 IMO
Chika Dede 30 IMO
Papa Emma 28 IMO
Success Mba 26 IMO
Clifford Obunneme 27 IMO
ChieunraChukwuma 38 ENUGU
Ekweme Thomas 36(Dead) IMO
Pius Onochie 32(Dead) ENUGU
ObinnaAkapuru 28(Dead) IMO
Monday Ifeanyi 27(Dead) IMO
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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