News
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.”
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of thousands of senior police officers, including two Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs), 10 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and 17 Commissioners of Police (CPs).
The promotions followed the successful completion of promotion examinations and oral interviews conducted by the commission.
According to a statement issued on Thursday, the approvals were granted during the commission’s plenary meeting in Abuja, presided over by its Chairman, retired DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu.
The two officers elevated to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police are Olaolu Adegbite, Head of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau, Abuja, and Dankombo F. Morris, who heads Zone 4 Headquarters, Makurdi.
Adegbite holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Russian Language from the University of Lagos and a Master’s degree in Philology from the Pushkin Institute, Moscow.
A recipient of the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), he is also a member of the FBI National Academy Associates and an alumnus of Harvard Kennedy School. He previously served as Director of Operations at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Morris, an indigene of Gombe State, holds a degree in History from the University of Maiduguri and a Diploma in Police Science. He previously served as Commissioner of Police in Adamawa State.
The 10 officers promoted from Commissioner of Police to Assistant Inspector-General are Omosanyin Olusegun, Ogbodo Ugobueze, Ohagwu Felix Ndukwe, Taylor Lennox Olanrewaju, Regina Cosmas Udoette, Afolabi Wilfred Olutokunbo, Nwogoh Martin, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, Ibrahim D. Gotan and Danjuma I. Yahaya.
The commission also approved the elevation of 17 Deputy Commissioners of Police to the rank of Commissioner of Police.
They include Nache Bashir Liman, Sirajo Lawal Salihu, Ayeleye Adegboyega, Isiaka O. Salau, Usman Shaik Adamu, Aminu Maiwada Garba, Abdulkarim Musa Waziri, Muhammad Yusuf Adamu, Sani Adamu Nufawa, Bello M. Adamu, Okezie Chikezie, Aminu Usman Gusau, Abiodun Onuoha, Salisu Bello Fago, Adegoke A. Alani, Wuwa Auwal Muhammad and Benedict U. Agbo.
In another round of promotions, 85 Assistant Commissioners of Police were elevated to Deputy Commissioners of Police.
Among the beneficiaries are Dr Ruth Oyinmearelu Okunbo, Medical Director of MD Abubakar Police Hospital, Deidei, and ASR Police Reference Hospital, Utako, Abuja; Isah Adejoh of the Police Staff College, Jos; and Mannir Yusuf Gafai of the Kano State Command.
Similarly, 49 Chief Superintendents of Police were promoted to Assistant Commissioners of Police, while 245 Superintendents of Police advanced to Chief Superintendents.
Notable among those elevated to CSP are Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer of the Federal Capital Territory Command, and Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, spokesperson of the Adamawa State Police Command.
Other beneficiaries include Abah James of Rivers State Command, Okere Romanus of Isiowulu Division in Anambra State, Ugochukwu Ozoude Alex of Zone 9, Umuahia, Vincent Elekwa of Rivers State Command, Umar Sani of FCT Command and Mustapha Mohammed.
The PSC further approved the promotion of 498 Deputy Superintendents of Police to Superintendents of Police, including Isa Osu of the Border Patrol Force Headquarters, Abuja; Samaila Amadu Bangajiya of the 12 Police Mobile Force Squadron, Minna; and Akadu Godwin of the Tactical Intelligence Unit, Force Headquarters.
Another 3,218 Assistant Superintendents of Police were elevated to Deputy Superintendents.
Among them are Frank Okafor, former Chief Security Officer of Jaiz Bank and Intelligence Coordinator at Government House, Uyo; Samson Sule, Chief Security Officer to the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund; Ibrahim Abuh of Force Headquarters; Dauda Yusuf Olatunji; Sarauta Mohammed Mohammed; and Yusuf Mukarram Ado of the Airport Police Command, Ikeja.
Congratulating the newly promoted officers, Argungu charged them to see their elevation as a call to greater responsibility, professionalism and dedication to duty.
He urged them to redouble their commitment to protecting lives and property, maintaining public order and enforcing the law.
The PSC chairman stressed that Nigerians expected improved performance, discipline and accountability from officers entrusted with higher responsibilities.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has suspended Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) Onoja Babayo Samuel over his alleged involvement in a shooting incident at Kubwa Market, Abuja, on October 25, 2026.
The Corps has also ordered an Orderly Room Trial and referred the officer to its disciplinary committee to determine his level of culpability.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, the NSCDC disclosed that Samuel was arrested by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command after allegedly firing gunshots into the air during a confrontation with traders at the market.
The Corps described the alleged conduct as a gross violation of its rules of engagement and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), particularly those regulating the use of firearms.
Consequently, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, directed the officer’s immediate suspension pending the conclusion of investigations and disciplinary proceedings.
Following the directive, Samuel has been relieved of all official duties and stripped of his responsibilities until the disciplinary process is concluded.
According to the statement, the disciplinary committee at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja will examine the circumstances surrounding the incident alongside the Orderly Room Trial.
The NSCDC assured the public that the outcome of the proceedings would be made known upon conclusion.
Reaffirming his administration’s zero tolerance for professional misconduct and the misuse of firearms, Audi warned that no officer found culpable of violating operational guidelines would be shielded from appropriate sanctions.
He reiterated the Corps’ commitment to protecting lives, maintaining professionalism and ensuring public safety, stressing that personnel must conduct themselves within established operational procedures at all times.
News
C’Riiver Speaker Ayambem Opens 2027 Budget Retreat, Pledges Thorough Scrutiny of Appropriation Bill
The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, has opened the 2027 Budget Retreat in Obudu, pledging a thorough legislative review of the proposed budget to ensure prudent resource allocation and effective service delivery.
The retreat, themed “Consolidation and Renewed Hope,” is being held at Centurion Hotel, Obudu.
Ayambem said the retreat would enable lawmakers to critically examine the 2027 Appropriation Bill, assess government spending priorities and ensure that proposed expenditures reflect the needs and aspirations of the people.
He identified agriculture, healthcare, education, infrastructure and human capital development as key sectors requiring adequate attention in the budget.
The Speaker reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to a comprehensive and timely review of the budget estimates, emphasising the need for fiscal responsibility, transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
He commended Governor Bassey Otu for maintaining a constructive relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government, noting that cooperation between both institutions was essential for effective governance.
Ayambem described the annual budget retreat, sustained by the 10th Assembly for four consecutive years, as evidence of the legislature’s commitment to strengthening budgetary oversight and improving its engagement with the state’s fiscal plans.
He expressed optimism that the deliberations would produce a responsive and people-centred budget that advances the gains of Governor Otu’s People First Administration, promotes sustainable development and translates government policies into tangible improvements in the lives of Cross River residents.
Matthew Okache
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker
October 28, 2026
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed N70,000 transport allowance for workers, demanding an immediate upward review of salaries to N300,000 for the lowest-paid federal employee.
The labour union insisted that temporary financial interventions could no longer address the worsening economic hardship confronting Nigerian workers, particularly amid rising inflation and the increasing cost of essential goods and services.
In a statement jointly signed by its President-General, Comrade Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, Comrade N. A. Toro, the TUC maintained that the Federal Government must prioritise a substantial salary increase rather than rely on transport allowances as a short-term relief measure.
The congress disclosed that it had formally communicated its position to the government in a letter dated October 8, 2026, following deliberations at its National Administrative Council meeting in Abuja.
It explained that subsequent discussions with government representatives, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, had failed to produce a satisfactory resolution.
According to the TUC, there is no legal restriction preventing the government from increasing workers’ salaries ahead of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
It consequently proposed raising the earnings of the lowest-paid federal worker from N70,000 to N300,000, with corresponding adjustments across other salary grades.
The union cited several state governments that had already increased their minimum wages beyond N100,000, arguing that the Federal Government had no justification for delaying an upward salary review.
“Negotiations of a new national minimum wage must not become an excuse for postponing urgent pay increment,” the congress declared.
The TUC also expressed dissatisfaction over what it described as the government’s failure to fully implement the N40,000 wage award agreed upon with organised labour on October 2, 2023.
It alleged that while some workers had experienced payment delays of between one and two months, others had yet to receive the award.
The congress further claimed that more than 80 per cent of states, as well as the informal sector, had not implemented any form of wage award.
Beyond salary adjustments, the labour organisation urged governments at all levels to introduce sustainable measures aimed at reducing living costs, guaranteeing prompt payment of salaries and pensions, protecting jobs and eliminating exploitative labour practices.
It equally called for renewed investment in the productive sector to stimulate employment and improve the economic conditions of Nigerian workers.
TUC Demands Implementation of JOHESU Agreement
Meanwhile, the congress has accused the Federal Government of reneging on its agreement with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), seven months after the unions suspended their industrial action.
The TUC recalled that the agreement was reached during a conciliation meeting convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, alongside other senior government officials.
It explained that the agreement provided for the resolution of outstanding issues concerning adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
However, the congress lamented that the government had failed to implement the agreement despite JOHESU suspending its strike in good faith.
Describing the development as a breach of trust and a threat to collective bargaining, the TUC demanded immediate implementation of the agreement, adequate budgetary provisions, a definite implementation timetable and meaningful engagement with the affected unions.
“While the workers have kept their side of the bargain, the government hasn’t kept its side of the agreement,” the statement noted.
The congress warned that health workers could not be expected to continue delivering essential services indefinitely while the government failed to honour its commitments.
It pledged solidarity with JOHESU and vowed to explore all lawful and legitimate options to compel compliance.
The TUC, however, disclosed that it would await the outcome of a scheduled meeting with government representatives before deciding on further action.
It reiterated that the welfare of Nigerian workers must remain a priority, stressing that agreements freely entered into between the government and organised labour must be respected and implemented.
Clarify N70,000 allowance versus salary
Tighten the repeated TUC attribution
Strengthen the transition to JOHESU
Five persons, including four male students and a young woman, have reportedly lost their lives in a fatal road accident involving a vehicle in the convoy of Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, in Minna, the state capital.
The tragic incident occurred on Monday at Gidan Mangoro community along the Minna–Bida Road when a Hilux van attached to the governor’s convoy reportedly collided head-on with a private Peugeot 206 car.
The female victim, identified as Mrs Nafisa, was reportedly driving the Peugeot when the accident occurred. She was said to be a Programme Manager at Labspace, an NGO, and founder of Wosh Mart Service Ltd.
According to Vanguard, an eyewitness and resident of Gidan Mangoro, Abdullahi Musa, said the accident happened at approximately 11:35 a.m. while the governor and his entourage were returning from Bida.
Bago had reportedly visited the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, to commiserate with him over the death of Sagi Nupe, Hajia Aisha.
Musa alleged that the accident resulted from wrongful overtaking by the Hilux driver, claiming that the government vehicle veered into the lane of the oncoming Peugeot.
“The accident was caused by wrongful overtaking by the Hilux in the governor’s convoy. The other car was in its lane when the Hilux rammed into it,” he said.
The four male occupants of the Peugeot were suspected to be postgraduate students of the Federal University of Technology, Minna.
A staff member of Minna General Hospital, where the victims were evacuated, disclosed that three persons died at the scene, while two others later succumbed to their injuries.
Some of the injured victims were subsequently transferred to the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Specialist Hospital for further medical attention.
A former local government chairman in Niger State, who was reportedly travelling in the Hilux, also sustained fractures to his legs but was said to be alive as of the time of the report.
Confirming the incident, the Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Aishat Sa’adu, said personnel of the agency arrived at the accident scene after the victims had already been evacuated.
Similarly, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the crash, stating that investigations had commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
“The accident occurred this morning and we are investigating it,” Abiodun said.
The police, however, did not immediately release the identities of the deceased or officially confirm the casualty figure.
Clarify the confirmed casualty figure
Remove repeated accident attribution
Use more cautious identification language
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