Crime
Ebonyi: School Proprietor, One Other Shot Dead By Gunmen in Ishielu
…Address insecurity Challenges, Water Scarcity in Ishielu residents Urge Council Boss
OBINNA UCHENDU Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Police Command have confirmed the killing of a school Proprietor and one other person by suspected Gunmen in Agba community, Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the killing of the two persons in the community.
SP Ukandu stated that he will get details of the incident from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ishielu Local Government.
“Yes, I know there was an incident somewhere in Ishielu, but I will call the DPO of the area to get more information about it,” he said.
Narrating the community ordeal to journalists, the town Union President, Mr. Sunday Chukwu Nwadibia, gave the names of the deceased as Sunday Oyibe, a school proprietor, and Chukwu Ebuka.
Nwadibia said the community has been witnessing attacks and robberies since last year, which have led to loss of lives, cash running into millions, and properties worth millions of naira.
He revealed that before the killing of Sunday Oyibe and Chukwu Ebuka, the hoodlums attacked a POS operator in the community and dispossessed him of N2.7 million.
Peace Agwu (LG Chair)
The town union president, who said that the hoodlums usually wear military camouflage with bullet-proof vests, also snatched a Toyota Corolla car and five motorcycles from some members of the community when they started operating in the area.
He expressed dismay that their activities have crippled economic activities in the community and urged security agencies to come to the aid of the community.
“I was in my office when people started running, saying that armed robbers were robbing at our junction.
“So, everybody started looking for safety, not knowing that the hoodlums were coming very close to our own side in the community.
“Before we could notice it, we heard gunshots, and my workers and I also started looking for safety.
“The hoodlums advanced to another junction very close to my house, and that junction is called Orie Agba, and started operating there, and people started running.
“I climbed one upstairs and started watching the hoodlums. They started shooting heavily and approached my office, which I had locked already when I noticed their presence in the community.
They shot one Sunday Oyibe, the founder of Unique International School, who is also the chairman of the timbers association in Ishielu. We rushed him to the hospital, but he couldn’t make it.
“They shot another person, Chukwu Ebuka, who people said was dragging his iPhone with them.
“This is not the first time we are having this type of problem in my community. In January 2024, there was an attack on my house, and they shot every door and window in my house, but God protected us, and none of us in the house were hit by bullets.
“That same last year, they snatched a Toyota Corolla car from a member of our community and also snatched five motorcycles from their owners.
“Two months ago, they came to Orie Agba and attacked a POS operator there and took N2.7 million from him. Last month, they came to our market and kidnapped a man.
“These hoodlums always mask their faces, and they always operate at night. They wear military uniforms and always wear bullet-proof vests so that when you see them, you will think they are soldiers.
Ever since they started operating in our community, there has been anxiety, and we no longer move around or do business at night. Once it is night, you can’t see anyone outside,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Residents of the different communities in Ishielu Local Government Area have expressed concern over the incessant gunmen attacks and perennial water scarcity in the different communities in the area and maintained that if urgent steps are not taken to address it, the people will be prone to security danger and waterborne diseases.
Speaking with journalists on the high level of insecurity and perennial water scarcity in the area, some of the residents urged the Council Boss, Mrs. Peace Agwu to immediately declare a state of emergency on the criminal activities going on in the Local Government and the water problem in the area.
A resident, Mr. Ifeanyi Eze expressed the regret that the council chairman has not been able to put security modalities in place to apprehend the armed robbers and hoodlums terrorizing the innocent citizens of the different communities adding that crime and criminality is in the increase in the local government.
Mr. Eze noted that the people now live in fear and hardly goes about their normal business because of the fear of the unknown. When you visit several communities in Ishielu today, people do not have access to portable water and it is something that the council chairman needs to address.
There is the need for her to focus on insecurity and provision of water for the people of the local government. The lives and properties of the people are at risk. We don’t want to experience another waterborne disease outbreak in the local government.
Another resident, Mrs. Ifeanyinwa Okafor also urged the Council Boss to summon a security meeting to address the robbery incident going on in the area.
She lamented that people can no longer carry out their businesses without the fear of losing their money. “We expect the Council Boss to give a matching order to security agencies in the local government to immediately fish out the hoodlums perpetrating the act and ensure that the local vigilante group becomes proactive. Ends
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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