News
Departure Lounge Of Ebonyi Airport, Not Converted to Church Auditorium-Obichukwu
…Commissioner Vows To Clampdown On Fake News Purveyors
Obinna Uchendu Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Commissioner for Aviation and transport technology, Mrs Ngozi Obichukwu has debunked the insinuation and rumors making the rounds that the departure Lounge of the Chuba Okadigno International Airport Onueke has been converted to a church auditorium following low patronage of the facility.
Speaking with journalists in Abakaliki, the State capital, Mrs. Obichukwu described the information as false and the figment of the imagination of the purveyors and insisted that there is no truth in the information.
Obichukwu explained that the staff of the ministry usually holds monthly prayers to re-dedicate and smoothen the recommencement of flight operations at the Chuba Okadigbo international airport.
The social media yesterday went agog with a trending viral video of individuals purported to be conducting church service at the departure lounge of Ebonyi International Airport with the caption, Ebonyi Airport built by Engr Dave Umahi, has been converted to a church service venue due to low usage. Will governors ever get their priorities, right?
Obichukwu said that the staff of the ministry held a prayer service to pray for the smooth landing and take off of aircrafts conveying prominent Nigerians who came to Ebonyi for the burial of the former first civilian governor of Abia, Ogbonnaya Onu.
She further said that activities has fully recommenced at the Chuba Okadigbo airport since after the rehabilitation of the runway, and however called for the patronage of the general public and air travellers, as a way to boost the internally Generated Revenue of the state.
Obichukwu said that the essence of the monthly prayer service by the staff of the ministry was to seek God’s presence and protection, for all travellers, especially in this season that will be plying Chuba Okadigbo airport to other locations in the country.
She described as enemies of the State Government, those who alleged that the airport lounge was converted to church service venue.
“Those carrying the false information are those who are not happy with the massive infrastructural development and enormous empowerment going on in the state by the governor, Francis Nwifuru.
Governor Nwifuru has demonstrated capacity, commitment, prudence and transparency in all his dealings in the state.
Obichukwu further described the critics as people who darken counsel without knowledge, and however warned them to desist from purveying fake news with the intent to run down the image of the state, and its numerous achievements/ programs.
“We have taken off flight operations, and we are very busy trying to. Of course we held our monthly prayers to kick off the recommencement of flight operations.
“The critics are enemies of development, peace and progress in Ebonyi. They are those who doesn’t see anything good in the current administration, but thanks to our capacity governor, Francis Nwifuru who has shamed them by delivering a quality and long lasting projects.
“You know that after the rehabilitation of the Chuba Okadigbo airport runway, and completion of the asphalting, we were even not sure, but by the Grace of God and appreciation to Governor Nwifuru, who provided all things to ensure that the airport’s runway and other facilities are ready.
“We are proud to say, and to thank all the regulatory bodies in Nigeria; the FAN, NACA, NCAA, NEMA, and the Nigeria estate management for their doggedness in ensuring that the airport recommences flight operations as usual” she stressed.
Similarly, the that National Advisory for Control of Aeronautics NACA has vowed to clampdown on the purveyor of the said fake news.
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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