Crime
Court Remands Blogger Cybercrime Against Gov Soludo, Family
By Okey Maduforo Awka
An Awka Magistrate Court has remanded a blogger , Mr Ejike Ofoegbu following an Experte Order brought by the Police for his remanded.
Recall that Ejike Ofoegbu was arrested by the Police on the account of defermation and invasion of privacy through his Media platform Igbo News Magazine.
Contained in the said platform was a report on the disowning of Soludo’s son Ozo Nna and the other report that Ozo Nna had accused his father of maltreatment on his mother.
Shortly after Ejike Ofoegbu was arrested, he went on air to tender an apology to Governor Charles Soludo and the rest of the family members stating that the stories were false and unfounded adding that no such disagreements took place within the Soludo family.
Delivering his ruling the presiding Magistrate Ozekwele in Suit No M/ W 3136/ 2026 stated that the Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter adding that the issue under contention is wheather the accused should be granted bail or remanded .
Ozekwele further stated that the matter should be referred to the State Attorney General for his input on the case before the matter would be entertained at the High Court.
Earlier counsel to the accused (Ofoegbu) S.A Machie in response to the Experte Order prayed the Court to consider the application for bail which the Court did not grant .
The matter was adjourned to the 27th day of July waiting for the submissions of the state Attorney General and ordered for the remand of Ejike Ofoegbu.
Also in a statement the Police Public Relations Officer SP Tochukwu Ikenga said that the arraignment of Ejike Ofoegbu followed the Command’s receipt of the suspect from the Department of State Services Awka, and the conclusion of Police investigations into a petition alleging the publication of false information capable of causing reputational harm and inciting public disaffection.
Ikenga noted that the Command will refrain from making further comments, as this may prejudice the ongoing Court proceedings.
“Furthermore, the Command advises members of the public, media practitioners, and publishers to exercise due diligence in verifying information before publication and to adhere to the ethics of responsible journalism and the provisions of extant laws governing the dissemination of information” he said.
The Nigerian Army has arrested two serving soldiers over their alleged involvement in an unauthorised deployment during the wedding ceremony of Nigerian content creator Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, and fellow TikTok personality Jarvis.
The arrests followed intelligence indicating that the soldiers allegedly participated in an illegal deployment at the celebrity wedding held in Lekki, Lagos State, over the weekend.
The personnel were apprehended on Tuesday morning as the Army commenced investigations into the incident.
The arrested soldiers were identified as 23NA/85/10007 Private Onasanya Ifeoluwa of the 81 Division Medical Services and Hospital (81DMSH) and 23NA/85/7885 Private Ukpai Onyinyechi, also attached to the 81DMSH in Obalende, Lagos.
A report on the incident stated: “Following credible intelligence on the involvement of Nigerian Army personnel in illegal deployment during a popular social influencer’s wedding known as Peller at Lekki, Lagos, the Group arrested 23NA/85/10007 PTE Onasanya Ifeoluwa of 81 Division Medical Services and Hospital (81DMSH) and 23NA/85/7885 PTE Ukpai Onyinyechi of 81DMSH at Obalende this morning.”
It added that a preliminary investigation was ongoing to determine the extent of their involvement and identify other personnel connected with the incident.
“Further details will be forwarded as the investigation unfolds,” the report stated.
The arrests came after videos from the high-profile wedding circulated widely on social media, showing uniformed military personnel providing security around some of the celebrity guests.
One of the videos that attracted significant public attention allegedly showed a Nigerian soldier acting as a bouncer for TikTok personality Ivanna, escorting her through the crowded venue.
The footage sparked criticism online, with many Nigerians questioning the presence and alleged deployment of military personnel at a private social event involving influencers and celebrities.
The wedding, held in Lekki over the weekend, attracted prominent entertainers, social media influencers and content creators, with videos from the ceremony dominating social media platforms.
The controversy emerged after clips surfaced showing men in military uniforms controlling access to parts of the venue and escorting some attendees.
The Nigerian Army has repeatedly maintained that serving personnel are prohibited from undertaking unauthorised private security duties or participating in deployments without official approval.
Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have rescued four kidnapped victims in two separate intelligence-driven joint operations conducted within Enugu State and across the border with Benue State.
The operations also led to the recovery of 15 rounds of live ammunition and other exhibits, while the decomposing body of another kidnap victim, who was allegedly shot by his abductors while in captivity, was recovered.
The command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
In the first operation, operatives of the Udenu Police Division, Anti-Kidnapping Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and Distress Response Squad (DRS), in collaboration with operatives of the Orukam Police Division of the Benue State Command, Benue State Civil Protection Guards, Nigerian Army, Enugu State Forest Guards, Neighbourhood Watch members and Ezimo Vigilante Group, rescued two brothers who were abducted on August 3, 2026, at Ezimo-Ulo in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The operation, which also leveraged the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu’s Handshake Patrol initiative, was carried out across the Enugu-Benue border.
The victims were rescued unhurt at about 1:40 p.m. on August 4, 2026, at Ikele, Owukpa Community, Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, following an intense gun duel that forced the kidnappers to flee with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
Recovered from the kidnappers’ hideout were 15 rounds of live ammunition, the victims’ Android phones and car keys, other mobile phones and accessories, a bottle containing suspected hard drugs and drug paraphernalia, clothing items and ₦11,800.
The rescued victims were subsequently debriefed and reunited with their family.
In the second operation, operatives of the Command’s Umabor Police Division, Anti-Kidnapping Section of the VCRU, Enugu State Forest Guards and Neighbourhood Watch members rescued two victims abducted on July 31, 2026, at Amukpa Village, Ogbozara Community, Nsukka Local Government Area.
The Police, however, said another victim was found dead from gunshot injuries sustained while in captivity, with his decomposing body recovered from the forest.
The two rescued victims were debriefed and reunited with their families.
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the operatives and other supporting security teams for their courage, professionalism and effective collaboration.
Giwa directed the operatives to sustain the ongoing manhunt for the fleeing suspects and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating violent crime and protecting residents across the state.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing the Police with credible and actionable information that could assist ongoing security operations.
The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, on August 4, 2026.
Four people have been killed and several others injured after suspected armed herders reportedly attacked Abaushwa community in Nzorov Council Ward, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The attack occurred around midnight on Monday, with the assailants reportedly invading the community and attacking residents in their homes.
A resident, who identified himself only as Atoundo, said the attack was unprovoked.
According to him, the attackers forced open the doors of some houses and killed residents while they were asleep.
“They came and attacked the community without any provocation, killing people in their sleep. They forced open the doors of their victims and murdered them inside their houses.
“Three persons were killed during the attack, while several others sustained injuries. The injured were taken to the General Hospital in Gbajimba, but one of them later died, bringing the death toll to four.”
Dr Frank Kyungun, a former Executive Secretary of the Benue State Teaching Service Board and an indigene of the community, also described the incident as an unprovoked attack.
He said the assailants launched a heavy assault on the community around midnight, killing four people and injuring several others.
“We accompanied the former governor to sympathise with our people and urged them to remain calm and allow the police to carry out their investigations,” Kyungun said.
The Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, Morris Orwough, condemned the attack in a statement issued by his Personal Assistant on Communication and Strategy, Ernest Tortiv.
Orwough said security personnel had been deployed to Abaushwa to restore peace, protect lives and property, and prevent further attacks.
He urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and provide credible information that could assist efforts to tackle insecurity in the area.
The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondona, confirmed the attack, saying four people were killed.
“I can confirm that there was an attack in Guma LGA in which four persons were killed by suspected bandits,” Aondona said.
He added that investigation was ongoing, while efforts were being intensified to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
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.
At least six soldiers and 12 civilians have been killed after suspected terrorists launched coordinated attacks on communities in Zamfara and Sokoto states, overrunning a military outpost, abducting scores of residents and setting a family ablaze.
The attacks occurred late Saturday night in Kasuwar Daji, Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, and Lajinge village, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
In Zamfara, residents said the terrorists stormed Kasuwar Daji at about 11:30 p.m., overpowering a military outpost before attacking the community.
Six soldiers were reportedly killed during the assault, while no fewer than 75 residents were abducted and taken into the forest. The attackers also looted shops and other properties.
A resident, Alhaji Aminu Kasuwar Daji, said the gunmen arrived in large numbers and first engaged the military before turning their weapons on civilians.
“Our calls to the Zamfara State Government and the Federal Government are to come to the aid of Zamfara people generally on this insecurity bedevilling the state.
“We are really in danger if terrorists can overpower the military and succeed in their attacks on innocent citizens,” he said.
Former Deputy Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Namadi Kasuwar Daji, also confirmed the incident, saying he was informed by relatives while he was outside the state.
“I was told that the terrorists even killed soldiers, but I was not told the actual number. Again, I was told that after looting shops of foodstuffs, drinks and other properties, they also abducted an unspecified number of residents whom they took into the bush,” he said.
The Zamfara State Police Command had yet to officially confirm the attack as of press time. Its spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said he would verify the report after contacting officers in the area.
Father, two sons burnt alive in Sokoto
In neighbouring Sokoto State, suspected terrorists attacked Lajinge village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, killing at least 12 people in an assault that residents said lasted for more than four hours without any security intervention.
The attackers reportedly invaded the community at about 11 p.m. on Saturday and continued shooting until around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday.
A resident, who spoke anonymously, said 11 victims were killed by gunfire, while a woman identified as Agada reportedly died from shock during the attack.
He said six people, including a father and his two sons, were burnt alive after the terrorists surrounded the house where they had taken refuge.
“They ordered those inside to come out, but they refused. The attackers then poured petrol on the room and opened fire. When those inside attempted to escape through the door, they kept shooting at them. Their bodies were left inside the burning room,” he said.
Those reportedly burnt to death were identified as the head of the household, Mallam Wauro, popularly known as Mallam Roro; his two sons, Ukasha and Mujaheed; two relatives, Sufyanu and Sani Shanbami; and an internally displaced person sheltering in the house.
Another resident, Lawwali, was reportedly shot dead while attempting to flee the compound, bringing the reported death toll in the household to seven.
Other victims, including Yusuf and three internally displaced persons, were also reportedly shot while trying to escape from the village.
A community vigilante member said local volunteers were overwhelmed by the terrorists’ superior firepower.
“We were at the primary school guarding the village when we suddenly heard heavy gunfire. We all ran for safety and kept moving from one hiding place to another whenever the shooting came closer,” he said.
According to him, the attackers moved freely through the village after overpowering the local vigilantes and rustled cattle and sheep from several homes.
“They stationed one of their rifles in a strategic location that kept firing while the others entered houses to steal livestock,” he said.
He added that the gunmen later attacked Mallam Wauro’s residence, killing him and two of his sons, abducting his two wives and taking away all his cattle.
Residents said they could not immediately establish the exact number of people abducted because some of those initially taken away, particularly children, were later released.
They lamented that the terrorists operated unhindered for several hours.
“The bandits stayed in our village for hours without any intervention. They even walked along the main road laughing and smoking cigarettes as if they had conquered the community,” one resident said.
The villagers alleged that security personnel stationed in nearby Unguwar Lalle and Dan Tudu, both about two kilometres from Lajinge, failed to respond despite repeated distress calls.
They also disclosed that eight people had been killed in the community about three weeks earlier and appealed for urgent government intervention.
“We are Nigerians and we have voter cards. We elected the government to protect our lives and property. We are pleading with the authorities to deploy security personnel to safeguard our communities,” another resident appealed.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said he was on transit and would verify the incident upon arriving at his office.
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