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Enugu Commissioner Accused of Giving Guns to Community Youths to Cause Violence and Arson
Mburubu community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State has accused the Hon. Commissioner of Science and Technology, Prince Lawrence Ezeh, of sharing guns and ammunition with the youths of his community, Mburubu, as well as launching media attacks against one of their good sons, Engr Dr. Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe.
Chief Aniobi Vincent Okafor, in a statement sent to newsmen in Enugu on Monday on behalf of Mburubu General Assembly, with respect to the reported crisis bedeviling the community, where two of their sons, Chief Dr. Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe and Prince Lawrence Ezeh, have been fingered as parties fueling it, stated that the crisis has given much negative publicity to the community, especially allegations of the use of police and other security agencies to harass some youths.
He stated that the reports that circulated last week, where some youths who destroyed properties in the community accused an innocent man, Chief Dr. Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe, of high-handedness, came as a shock because Prince Lawrence Ezeh has been the one using police and thugs to harass the people, especially Onuokaibe’s followers, aides, and others, and has written more than nine petitions against Onuokaibe, submitting them to various security agencies in Enugu, Abuja, and Lagos, including the police and DSS.
He stated that Prince Lawrence Ezeh had sent thugs to attack those who attended Onuokaibe’s official reception on February 2, 2024, where many people were locked up, beaten mercilessly, and also forced to pay fines.
He posited that Mburubu people have always respected Prince Lawrence Ezeh as a renowned son, but his commitment to tarnishing the image of Dr. Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe through both physical and media attacks, as well as using security agencies, has crossed the red line; adding that the height of it was giving some of the community youths guns to attack Dr. Onuokaibe and then playing the victim card.
According to Chief Aniobi Vincent Okafor:
“We are shocked to the brim with what Prince Lawrence Ezeh has been doing to Onuokaibe, his followers, family, and supporters. This is a man who we always respect as a son, but instead of reciprocating the same to other Mburubians, he resorted to the use of security agencies to harass us, Onuokaibe’s supporters, and aides. Between December 2023 and November 2025, Prince Ezeh has written a series of petitions against Dr. Onuokaibe just to blackmail him. In one of his petitions which we saw, he labeled Onuokaibe a drug dealer dealing in ammunition, a fraudster, a terrorist, among others, just because the community chose him to lead us as our traditional ruler. Him and his co has arrested some of Ọnụọkaibe’s supporters who are also from Mburubu several times and took them to Abuja, including Hon Obinna Okonkwo, Rt Hon Ifeanyi Njoku, Hon Azubike Njoku among others. In one of the arrests, Onuokaibe, Hon Obinna, Rt Hon Ifeanyi Njoku and Hon Azubike Njoku were taken to IRS where hardened criminals are kept, yet Onuokaibe did not say anything. It is on record that a court order was obtained against Prince Lawrence Ozoemena Ezeh, the police, and other security agencies from arresting them when the issue got out of hand. Prince Lawrence sent thugs to attack innocent villagers who organized a reception for Onuokaibe in February 2024, illegally locked them up, fined some, seized some of their properties, and committed other evil deeds, but he kept quiet after being begged not to react. All these happened in a country where we have freedom of association. In that vicious attack on his followers, more than 30 who are from Mburubu were beaten, and the reports went viral. But as a man of peace, Onuokaibe kept quiet after the intervention of some of our elders.”
Chief Aniobi Vincent Okafor also stated that the traditional leadership which Onuokaibe is contesting was a plea made by Mburubians to him in 2022 to come and lead them, which he had never imagined doing.
He also stated that Onuokaibe’s acceptance of the plea was the origin of these attacks against him by Prince Lawrence Ezeh, whom he accused of pocketing the community for years and dictating who becomes what without being questioned.
“After mourning our late Igwe in 2022, the move for a successor began, and a meeting was held at Obodo Uhuegbe Village Square with all people, the late Igwe’s cabinet, and the General Assembly present. He was not there. He was told that the community sought someone who would serve like the late Igwe, prioritize the community interest, bring development, be young and vibrant, and hold an Ozo title, which prompted lots of ideas and suggestions, especially regarding how our late Igwe emerged.”
“After deliberations and following the 1976 coronation agreement, he was chosen by the overwhelming majority, and a delegation was sent to inform him of the decision. He was shocked and surprised and did not say anything. He only told them that he would make some consultations. After his consultations, he accepted, and they submitted his name to the local government, then to the Ministry of Local Government Rural Development and Chieftaincy Matters in December 2023 and January 2024, which got Prince Lawrence Ezeh annoyed, and he submitted the name of Linus Igbudu just to oppose him. Prince Lawrence Ezeh would prefer anybody but not Dr. Onuokaibe. When that failed, he began writing damning petitions against him and his supporters. He has sent armed thugs to beat them several times, but this last one will not work.”
On the recent crisis that arose from the community, Chief Aniobi Vincent Okafor stated that Prince Ezeh got a court order through his cronies to stop Onuokaibe’s iri ji programme after hearing about the personalities that would attend just to incite him and, on top of that, sent armed thugs to kill him in his house.
“The recent crisis started when Onuokaibe scheduled November 1st as his new yam festival celebration day, which everybody has a right to do. He came back on October 31st to tell them that it would not take place again due to a court order from Enugu State High Court. On that same day, he was in his house telling his people the new development when some heavily armed youths blocked everywhere and started shooting sporadically. Everybody was shocked because such has never happened before in Mburubu. Aside from shooting sporadically, they began to destroy people’s houses and other properties belonging to his supporters. All these are on video. His family who came home is still traumatized because of the gunshots. These heavily armed youths did not cover their faces; they were acting with vigor while chanting Prince Lawrence Ezeh’s name. Over 30 innocent members of our community were beaten by these armed thugs, and I almost lost my life during that incident, if not for the timely intervention of security agencies. After the ugly incident, Dr. Onuokaibe had to write a petition to the police through his lawyer. One of the prime suspects, by name 2face, was invited but refused to answer until he was arrested. After his arrest, he made a confessional statement that prompted the arrest of others, who confessed that they were given guns by Prince Lawrence Ozoemena Ezeh and bullets by Chief Felix Chukwu, Abata Ana eri. They also confessed that the instruction was to belittle Onuokaibe and kill him on sight if possible and that the hotel where they held the meeting was Simipat Hotel, Mburubu, owned by Chief Simon, while Chief Joseph Nwankwo, Chief Linus Igbudu, among others, were part of it.”
Chief Aniobi Vincent Okafor also decried lies told in the media that Onuokaibe arrested youths of his community and forced them to bow before him as their traditional ruler.
“All these are lies. During the investigation by police coupled with gory revelations by the arrested youths, some elders of the land approached Dr. Onuokaibe to tamper justice with mercy and allow peace to reign. He was asked to help with the release of those youths so that it could be sorted internally, which he did. During all this, Prince Lawrence Ezeh and other sponsors of the assassination attempt and arson were nowhere to be found. Due to Dr. Onuokaibe’s kind nature, he released them to respect the elders who pleaded on their behalf. These boys, on release from custody, came to his house to thank him and also prayed for him. During that process, he urged them not to be involved in anti-progressive activities of some evil men in the land. He also told them that they must not support him but should support whoever they want, but should avoid the use of guns for any reason in Mburubu. After that meeting, those youths begged Dr. Onuokaibe to help them with clothes, which he did. It is on record that he bought clothes worth ₦30,000 for each of them and also released a sum of ₦10,000 each as transport. It was at that point that they begged him to kneel down for prayers, which he did, and they all prayed for him. All these are on video. To be honest, we are shocked with what they did in court. It was a total lie.”
Chief Aniobi Vincent Okafor however stated that Onuokaibe’s lawyers are in court to do justice to the suit while they are making a series of efforts to get the issue resolved.
“We are aware that Prince Lawrence Ezeh financed their court outing and media attacks on him just to hide the truth and we have begged Dr. Onuokaibe again to give us time to resolve it. The evidence against our people is so damning that if not well sorted, it could put us into severe crisis. At this point, we want peace.
We want our lovely Governor His Excellency Peter Ndubuisi Mbah to intervene in this matter. Let the will of Mburubu people on who becomes the traditional ruler as done in 1976 which is Dr. Jerry Ọnụọkaibe stands. It is sad that Mburubu as a community does not have any traditional ruler or existing government.”
Dr. Samuel Ogbuku climbs another rung on the golden-floor ladder of life on August 19, 2026, marking 51 years of a life defined by purpose, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the Niger Delta region.
Born in Ayakoro, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, his journey from the creeks and crowded neighbourhoods of the region to the helm of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is more than a personal story. It is a living expression of what he has described as “Rewind to Rebirth”: the deliberate act of learning from the past to rebuild a stronger, more hopeful future.
Dr Ogbuku’s early years were shaped by the realities of the Niger Delta. He attended public schools in Port Harcourt before earning a Bachelor’s degree in Political and Administrative Studies from the University of Port Harcourt. Further studies led to a Master’s and a Ph.D. in Development Studies.
Alongside academic excellence, he cut his teeth as a student activist and later served as Public Relations Officer of the Ijaw Youth Council (Central Zone). Those formative experiences instilled in him a deep understanding of the region’s struggles and a firm belief that dialogue, education, and opportunity remain the most effective paths to lasting peace. His career has been a steady progression of service. He worked as a Personal Assistant in the Ministry of Petroleum, served as Chief of Staff in the Bayelsa State Government House, managed agricultural enterprises, and later acted as Senior Special Assistant on Niger Delta Affairs.
In 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed him Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC. He inherited an agency long criticised for inefficiency and uncompleted projects. Under his leadership, the Commission has shifted from what he terms a “transactional” approach to a “transformational” one.
The results are visible across the region. Thousands of kilometres of roads have been constructed or rehabilitated. Bridges and jetties have improved connectivity. Health centres have been built and equipped, while free healthcare outreaches have brought medical services to thousands.
The “Light Up the Niger Delta” initiative has extended electricity to communities long left in darkness. Scholarships have opened doors for young people, with many achieving distinction both at home and abroad. These interventions reflect a consistent philosophy: development must be felt by ordinary people in their daily lives.
At the heart of this work lies the “Rewind to Rebirth” agenda, articulated in his writings, including Rethinking the Niger Delta. It is a call to examine past mistakes honestly, discard what has not worked, and rebuild institutions, infrastructure, and trust with clearer purpose.
For Dr. Ogbuku, turning 51 is not merely a personal milestone. It is another opportunity to reaffirm that the Niger Delta’s future can be brighter than its past if leadership remains focused on results, accountability, and the people.As communities, colleagues, and well-wishers celebrate this birthday, the most fitting tribute is continued support for the unfinished work of regional transformation. Dr. Samuel Ogbuku’s 51 years remind us that purpose, when rooted in service, has the power to rewrite the story of an entire region one project, one community, and one generation at a time.
Happy Birthday, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.
The Mission Continues!!!
Jim George Willy Ibimina
Writes from Niger Delta.
News
Transformative Path Born in Ayakoro, Built for Impact: The Leadership Legacy of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku
In the quiet riverine community of Ayakoro in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, a dynamic leader was born on August 19, 1975, who would one day help reshape the fortunes of the entire Niger Delta. That Leader is Dr. Samuel Ogbuku. Today, as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Paramount Ruler of Ayakoro Kingdom (Daufa VI), his journey from the creeks of Bayelsa to the centre of regional development stands as one of the most compelling stories of service and impact in contemporary Nigeria.
Roots in Ayakoro
Dr. Ogbuku’s early years were shaped by the realities of the Niger Delta region: its beauty, its struggles, and its unfulfilled promises. Though he spent much of his childhood in Port Harcourt, regular visits home to Ayakoro left a lasting impression. The underdevelopment he witnessed in his ancestral community planted a quiet determination: if opportunity ever came, he would use it to change the lives of his people.
He began his formal education at Christ the King School, Oromenike, Port Harcourt, obtaining his First School Leaving Certificate in 1987. He proceeded to Government Secondary School, Borokiri, before gaining admission into the University of Port Harcourt. There he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political and Administrative Studies in 2000. He later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Sociology, Industrial Relations and Personnel Management, a Master’s degree, and finally a Doctor of Philosophy in Political and Administrative Studies and Development Studies in 2021. Education, for him, was never merely personal advancement; it was preparation for service.
From Activism to Administration
As a young man, Ogbuku was deeply involved in the Niger Delta struggle. He served as Public Relations Officer of the Ijaw Youth Council (Central Zone) and cut his teeth in student activism. Those early years taught him the language of agitation, but also the limits of confrontation. He gradually moved into structured public service.
Between 2005 and 2007 he worked as Personal Assistant to the Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Petroleum. From 2007 to 2012 he served as Chief of Staff at the Bayelsa State Government House, at the time one of the youngest people to hold that position in Nigeria. He later managed Fulfilled Farms Nigeria Limited, deepening his interest in agriculture and aquaculture, before serving as Senior Special Assistant on Niger Delta Affairs to the Deputy President of the Senate. These roles gave him practical experience in governance, crisis management, personnel administration, and the complex politics of the oil-producing region.
He had the rare privilege of being appointed twice as MD/CEO of the NDDC by two Nigerian Presidents; first by President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2022, and again by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in August 2023 for a fresh four-year tenure.
Ogbuku arrived at the NDDC with both institutional knowledge and lived experience of the challenges he was expected to solve.
Transforming the NDDC
The NDDC Ogbuku inherited carried a heavy burden of unfinished projects, public scepticism, and institutional turbulence. He responded with a clear philosophy: move the Commission from “transaction to transformation.” The focus shifted decisively toward completing legacy projects, improving transparency, and delivering visible results.
Under his leadership, the Commission has made measurable progress in infrastructure. Thousands of kilometres of roads have been constructed or rehabilitated, dozens of bridges and jetties completed, and major connecting projects such as the Ogbia-Nembe Road, the Ibeno Bridge, and the Kaa-Ataba Bridge advanced or delivered. Electrification initiatives, including the “Lighting Up the Niger Delta” programme, have brought power to communities that had lived for years in darkness.
In healthcare, the NDDC constructed and equipped numerous health centres and revived free medical outreach programmes that have provided tens of thousands of patients with care, including thousands of surgeries. Education and youth empowerment received renewed attention through expanded scholarship schemes, school rehabilitation, and skills programmes designed to give young people alternatives to restiveness.
King Ogbuku has also emphasised institutional reform, working with professional partners to strengthen governance systems and prioritise accountability. His administration secured significant budgetary support and focused resources on completing abandoned projects rather than endlessly initiating new ones.
Returning Home as Traditional Ruler
In June 2026, Dr. Ogbuku was installed as Paramount Ruler of Ayakoro Kingdom with the title Daufa VI, succeeding the late monarch after serving as Deputy Paramount Ruler. The dual role technocrat by day and traditional father by night reflects the depth of his connection to his roots. He has pledged to lead with humility, promote peace and unity, and work with stakeholders for the sustained progress of Ayakoro and the wider region.
A Living Legacy
Dr. Samuel Ogbuku’s story is still being written. At just over fifty, he continues to occupy one of the most demanding development positions in Nigeria while simultaneously carrying traditional responsibilities in his hometown. What distinguishes his trajectory is consistency of purpose: a young man from Ayakoro who never lost sight of the community that raised him, and who has used every platform activism, government, private enterprise, and now the NDDC to push for tangible change.
Conclusion
Dr. Samuel Ogbuku’s journey from Ayakoro to the leadership of the NDDC shows that true impact begins with a deep love for one’s people. Through hard work, focus, and a clear vision, he continues to turn challenges into progress for the Niger Delta. His legacy is still growing, but the difference he is making is already being felt in communities across the region.
From the mangrove creeks of Bayelsa to the boardrooms of regional development, his path illustrates a simple but powerful idea: impact is possible when knowledge, experience, and genuine attachment to place are combined with the courage to confront difficult institutions. In the Niger Delta, that combination is already producing results that communities can see and feel.
Martins Ibigomie Ogolo
Public Affairs Analyst
martins.ogolo@yahoo.com
The member representing Enugu North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu, has flagged-off the completion of the 1.3-kilometre Ndafufa-Ugwuaji–Obeagu Link Road to further open up Enugu metropolis.
The project is part of a phased intervention aimed at improving road connectivity and opening up communities within the constituency.
The first phase covered the Ayo Open Space–Ndafufa Ugwuaji, while this second phase will cover Ndafufa Ugwuaji – Obeagu link road. The third phase is expected to extend to the Obeagu–Obinagu–Obeagu Amechi link road.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony on Tuesday, Hon. Atu emphasised the critical role of road infrastructure in driving economic growth, enhancing connectivity and improving the quality of life of residents.
He explained that the third phase of the project would capture adjoining communities, including Obinagu and Amechi, further expanding the network of accessible roads across the area.
According to him, it is another milestone in the drive towards infrastructure development in Enugu North and South Federal Constituency.
Responding, the President-General of the Obeagu Ugwuaji Town Union, Chief Freedom Obi, expressed the community’s excitement over the project, describing the intervention as significant to the development of the area.
Obi also commended Atu for the quality of work executed during the first phase.
Speaking on the technical specifications and timeline of the project, Engr. Ikechukwu Okorie of Ideas Construction Limited, assured that the earthworks and double-drainage system would be completed before November 2026.
Okorie, who is the engineer in-charge of the project, said: “The road is designed with a standard width of 7.5 metres (in-to-in).
“It will have a dual-drainage system to facilitate effective water flow, protect the road and enhance its durability.”
The completion of the project is expected to strengthen connectivity between Ugwuaji, Obeagu and neighbouring communities, while facilitating the movement of people, goods and services and stimulating economic activities within the area.
By Chinedu Sabastine
ENUGU — The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, has called for a shift from confrontational labour relations to strategic collaboration between organised labour and government.
The National President of the association, Comrade Shehu Mohammed, made the call at the South East Zonal Workshop of ASCSN in Enugu, where public sector stakeholders, union executives and government representatives examined emerging challenges in industrial relations and public service efficiency.
Mohammed said the workshop marked a turning point in the history of labour relations in Nigeria, stressing that modern public administration required dialogue, data-driven advocacy, collective bargaining and mutual respect.
According to him, “true progress for the Nigerian worker is no longer achieved solely on the streets through friction, but at the round table through data-driven advocacy, mutual respect, collective bargaining and strategic alignment.”
He identified three key pillars for effective labour-government collaboration: supporting a robust public service capable of funding workers’ welfare, engaging government early before disputes escalate, and equipping workers with modern administrative and negotiation skills.
The ASCSN president urged participants to approach management disputes with institutional solutions rather than immediate ultimatums, saying negotiation should produce outcomes that benefit both government and civil servants.
He commended Governor Peter Mbah for what he described as transformational leadership in Enugu State, particularly his efforts to transition the state from a public-sector-driven economy to a private-sector-driven one.
Also speaking, the Enugu State Head of Service, Dr. Godwin Chinonso Anigbo, said the civil service remained the bedrock of governance, given its critical role in policy formulation and implementation.
Anigbo said changing times required both labour and government to abandon win-lose approaches and embrace solutions that would serve the interests of all parties.
He urged organised labour to move beyond reliance on strike ultimatums, while advising government to avoid what he described as “judicial ambushes” in industrial courts as a means of frustrating legitimate union demands.
The Head of Service disclosed that the Enugu State Government had established a Public Service Training Institute to promote policy research and build institutional capacity.
He also challenged civil servants to take ownership of government policies and their implementation, warning against the traditional mindset that “Soldier go, soldier come, barrack remains.”
According to him, “if governance fails, both the policymakers and implementers have failed.”
In a goodwill message, Mrs. Ndidiamaka Oke, who represented the Controller of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Enugu State, said collaboration remained the most effective approach to resolving contemporary challenges in the public service.
She said, “Collaboration does not mean abandoning your legitimate rights. Collaboration rather means giving workers opportunity for constructive dialogue.”
Oke stressed that constructive dialogue would enable labour and government to resolve disputes while strengthening industrial harmony and improving public service delivery.
She commended ASCSN for providing an intellectual platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, experiences and practical solutions, expressing confidence that the workshop’s outcome would deepen cooperation between government, management and organised labour.
Wike stated this while speaking during an inspection tour of flood-affected areas in the Federal Capital Territory on Monday.
Wike said the fragmented nature of the opposition would make it difficult for the parties to mount a strong challenge against Tinubu in 2027.
He declared, “This election, the 2027 election, will be the easiest election for Mr President. 2023 was a tough election for him.”
The former Rivers State governor further argued that the opposition had been weakened by defections and political movements ahead of the next election.
He said, “This election, where the opposition has been crippled, you know what it means? Depleted; they finished them.”
Wike said a credible opposition needed to spend years building a strong political structure instead of moving from one party to another in search of an electoral platform.
He said, “For you to be opposition to remove a government, it must be what you call a strong, vibrant opposition that has stayed for over four years planning, not opposition that is looking for a party to run to.”
He added, “Today, they’re going to Party A. So, you see, that kind of opposition can never win.”
Wike was emphatic about Tinubu’s chances in 2027, saying, “If it is this 2027 election against Bola Ahmed Tinubu, no, forget it. It’s over.”
The minister dismissed criticism from opposition politicians and commentators, saying their media appearances would not erase what he described as the achievements of the Tinubu administration over the past three years.
Wike said, “I don’t want to reply to political commentaries. I don’t want to reply to people who think that appearing before media houses will give them an edge to win an election that they have lost. No.”
He maintained that the administration’s achievements could not be diminished by political criticism.
He said, “Nobody can diminish what this administration has done in the past three years. Nobody can diminish it. This administration has done very well as far as the Federal Capital Territory is concerned.”
He added, “That does not mean I claim that we have solved all problems, no. Are we solving problems? Yes. Have we solved major problems? Yes. Will we continue to solve problems? Yes.”
The minister also spoke on the government’s response to flooding and illegal structures in the FCT.
He warned officials of the FCT Development Control Department against delaying enforcement operations with bureaucratic excuses, saying the administration had the political will to act against structures obstructing waterways.
Wike said, “And let nobody make a mistake that this government lacks the political will to do anything. The person must be making a very big mistake. If there is one minister that has that political will, I have. I have the political will.”
He directed that houses found on waterways should be demolished, regardless of the status of their owners.
He said, “I’m going to bring those houses down! Any house that’s found on the water channel will go down!”
Wike said the enforcement would not be suspended because of the approaching election.
He added, “Whether there is an election, oh, there’s no election, oh, all those houses will go down. Heaven will not fall; rather, heaven will be at peace that the right thing has been done.”
The minister also condemned the conversion of designated green areas in Abuja into commercial parks and other developments.
He said some individuals had attempted to justify such developments by relying on historical claims about land allocations.
Wike said, “Because something that was done wrongly will not be corrected? No, we will not allow that. We won’t.”
He assured residents that desilting and other infrastructure interventions would continue in flood-prone areas, including Lokogoma and the Yakubu Gowon Crescent axis in Asokoro.
He also urged residents to support efforts to address flooding by properly disposing of waste and avoiding activities that could obstruct drainage channels.
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