Crime
Enugu in trouble, kidnappers everywhere…’probe soldiers, police now’ – Ohanaeze
The recent kidnappings came to a head on Thursday with the abduction of a former secretary to the Enugu State Government, Dr. Dan Shere, along Ugwogo-Opi-Nsukka road. In the past one week the kidnappers suspected to be Fulani bandits laid siege along the road and abducted passengers almost every day of the week. Among those kidnapped is an official of Enugu state government, Mr. Foster Ugwuoke who was abducted within the week among other commuters that travelled along the road.On Sunday, a number of students returning to the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) after the eight months ASUU strike were also packed into the bush along the road and report has it that the kidnappers demanded N300 million ransom, while the relatives pleaded to pay N500, 000.
A cleric who escaped the kidnappers by the whiskers along Ugwogo-Opi-Nsukka road alleged the complicity by the security agents who were in charge of a check point before the Maduka Onyishi University in Ekwegbe. The cleric who pleaded for anonymity said he was surprised that instead of the normal stop-and- search duty of the security personnel, they rather urged them on until they ran into the kidnappers, adding that they escaped by the grace of God.
Kidnapping along the Enugu-Nsukka new road actually resumed in September 2022 when a good number of travelers along the road were packed into the Ekwegbe forest, sending shivers down the spine of commuters along the only serving road to the northern parts of Nigeria from Enugu, since the over eight years collapse of 9th mile- Makurdi road.
At the resumed kidnap operations along the road, a community leader in Ugwuogo autonomous Community, Enugu East Local Government Area, and former member of Enugu State House of Assembly, Chief Joseph Agbo Ugwumba had asked the Enugu state government to establish a police station in Ugwuogo community so that it can help to checkmate series of kidnapping and other crimes that take place along the Ugwuogo-Opi-Nsukka road and Ugwuogo-Neke-Ikem road.
Ugwuogo is an interchange for roads leading to different parts of Enugu north Senatorial district, Isi-Uzo local government areas, Benue, Kogi States and other parts of Northern Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The road became fully functional after former Governor Sullivan Chime developed the road that bypassed the old 9th mile-Makurdi road. More pressure was added to the road following the complete failure of the 9th Mile road, hence different attentions were diverted to the new gateway.
Unfortunately, crime reigned on the road, hence kidnapping by suspected Fulani herdsmen and other violent crimes have been taking place along the Ugwuogo-Opi-Nsukka road as well as the Ugwuogo-Neke-Ikem road. Despite security checkpoints along the roads, the spate of crime increased on the roads.
A Security expert who spoke on the condition of anonymity confided that both the federal and state governments have security reports that the bandits have remained in the forests of communities in Ojebogene, Nike, Igboetiti and Isi-Uzo local government areas from where they have continued to operate along the 9th mile -Nsukka road, the old 9th mile-Opi-Nsukka road and their recent relocation to Ugwuogo areas because of increased traffic in the area.
The security expert lamented that the Commissioners of Police in the south east states have soft spots for the bandits that operate in the south east.
He therefore urged the governors of the south east, particularly the Enugu state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to take the issue of the protection of the lives and properties of the people of his state seriously by implementing recommended measures.
In his private message to Governor Ugwuanyi, Hon. Agbo Ugwumba said: “To address the insecurity along Ugwogo Nike-Opi-Nsukka road, Your Excellency, Ugwogo Nike community constructed four blocks of buildings to house Police stations, but owing to lack of funds the police station was abandoned. If the state government can help to complete the buildings, Police will leave in Ugwogo and patrol the roads 24 hours daily. This is an easy solution.”
Almost simultaneously, is the same kidnap of commuters along Ozalla (4 corners)-Udi road. The road has military checkpoints, yet kidnapping goes on the road. A recent Whatsapp message went viral following an anonymous message of someone who claimed to be a victim of kidnapping along the Ozalla-Udi road.
The message read: “Re-Recent Kidnapping of 6 persons along the 4 corners/Nvene in Enugu State. (True story) SOS!!! On Tuesday 11th day of October 2022, 3 different coordinated kidnappings were successfully carried out along the 4 corners/Nvene road in Enugu State and 6 people were kidnapped. I was one of the victims. The first one happened around 1pm where one person was kidnapped and another shot dead.
“The second one was carried out around 5:30pm. Three people were taken and another one person killed. The third kidnapping took place around 7pm and a man who is a road safety official and a newly married lady were the victims. When we were brought to their hideout, some started interrogating us while some went through our phones. On getting to the road safety official, they queried him if he was a policeman but he told them he belongs to the road safety corps. They questioned him more assuring him that they will not harm him but he insisted on being a road safety official. They then told him that they will help him out. Two hours later, 2 of the kidnappers escorted the man out of the hideout and set him free. I was surprised after we paid ransom and were released to hear that the military men along the 4 corners/Nvene road claimed to the public that the road safety official escaped during a shootout with the kidnappers.
“We all paid ransoms. One of us paid Five million Naira, another paid 4 million, another paid 2 million, one of us paid 1.5million while another paid 1 million, making a total of 13.5 million Naira. All the ransoms were paid just about one pole from the military check point along that 4 corners/Nvene road. As soon as the ransoms were brought, two military men from the check point moved towards the ransom pay point and stood. To our surprise, the kidnappers carefully and comfortably counted the money in bundles right there and then without any fear. We were held by some of the kidnappers in the bush right behind them where we watched and identified our people as they brought the ransoms.
“Soon after counting the money, they signaled to our captors and we were released.
The big question is why should kidnappers decide to collect ransoms just a stone throw from a military checkpoint manned by armed military men? We plead with our peace loving Governor, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the Federal Government to come to the rescue of Ndi Enugu. We also strongly recommend that the GOC of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army be transferred out of Enugu. Enugu State has hitherto his appointment as the GOC of 82 Div been the most peaceful and safest State in Nigeria.
“How can a dog eat the bone that is hung around his neck for safe keeping? The military is supposed to protect us but they have become our nightmares. They now connive with kidnappers to deal with us. This was exactly the case in Kaduna where the current GOC, 82 Div was in charge of the military. He has now resumed his operations here in Enugu. We also call on the Nigerian Army to fish out the soldiers on duty along the 4 corners/Nvene road on Friday 14th October 2022, the day we were set free and bring them to book. They were complicit in our Kidnapping. Ndi Enugu, we must cry out now. Enough is enough!!!
From one of the kidnapped victims.”
In June 2022, no less than seven suspected kidnappers for ransom, made up of Fulani herdsmen and other natives, were arrested by both community security outfits and the police in different parts of Enugu state. In Ibite-Awhum community of Udi local government council area, suspected Fulani kidnappers allegedly invaded the community and kidnapped six pilgrims on June 19. The victims were later rescued by forest guards. The kidnappers reportedly nabbed the pilgrims in broad daylight as they were praying at a popular hill near the Awhum Monastery and took them deep into the forest. The victims were later rescued through joint efforts of forest guards from the Udi and Enugu East Local Government Councils.
The security agents were said to have swung into action immediately receiving the information and pursued after the kidnappers. Director of Enugu State Forest Guards, Mr. Mathew Obodoechi, said the Forest guards in the area pursued the kidnappers and contacted their counterparts at Ogbeke-Nike, Enugu East Local Government who also mobilised from their own end.
Narrating their ordeal, the victims who were evacuated to the Monastery, said they were praying on the hill when they were suddenly surrounded by about seven Fulani looking individuals wearing police uniforms.
“The bandits took all our phones and ordered us into the forest. After a long trek we got into the bandits’ camp deep in the forest where their colleagues numbering about ten were waiting for them. We also found another kidnap victim there. For reasons we didn’t know then, the kidnappers suddenly became panicky and subsequently ran into the forest leaving us alone and confused before the forest guards appeared,” one of the victims narrated.
In Ikem, Isi-uzo local government area, about five indigenes were abducted in a series of kidnapping jointly carried out by both natives of Enugu state and Fulani herdsmen that are reportedly camped at the Isi-Uzo/Benue state border at Okpokwu local government area of Benue state.
The kidnappers den spreads down to Eha-Amufu were most farmers have been killed, kidnapped for ransom, women raped, arson and destruction of properties, with Eha-Amufu indigenes chased out from their land.
The victims in Ikem include the Catechist of Saint James Catholic Church, Ishioroto-Ikem Mr. Lawrence Ndu; an Italy based evangelist, Mr. Emeka Odo and his brother Ikechukwu Odo; Ejike Agbodo, a bus driver, Ejike Agbodo and another Okada operator was kidnapped while on commercial duty along Ikem-Odenigbo Eha- Benue state road.
Narrating his experience, an Italy-based Evangelist, Emeka Odo disclosed that the over 10 kidnappers who abducted them along Ikem- Obollo Afor road were all Fulani terrorists that welded AK-47. Odo who quickly went back to his base shortly after he regained freedom, narrated that they were flagged down in their car, commandeered into the bush and were taken through bush tracks to Eha-Amufu and Benue state border, adding that they paid ransom before they were set free.
Odo said that his abductors spoke Hausa and Fulfude language, stating that most of them came from Niger republic. He also disclosed that some Indigenes of the community connived with the kidnappers to carry out the abductions. “They told us that they own all bush paths from Delta to all parts of the South East and that they do anything they want to do,” Odo said.
He stated that even people from Benue state who were kidnapped were brought to their bush camp in Eha-Amufu Enugu state, where he said the kidnappers have sacked the Indigenes.
Luck however ran out of four natives who were identified as collaborators with the Fulani kidnappers, as they were arrested and submitted to Isi-Uzo Divisional police station, where it was learnt the suspects were moved to Enugu police headquarters. On July 4 2022, an Igbo native was arrested and delivered to the Ikem police station. The Divisional Police Officer met at Ikem police station asked newsmen to go and meet the Police PRO, noting that a reinforcement police had gone back to the theatre of war at Ikem-Nkwo.
In Ezeagu local government area, a traditional ruler who pleaded for anonymity said that what the council area now suffers is insecurity caused by herdsmen kidnapping, starting from Ugwueke, shortly after Nigeria Breweries Plc Ama plant, down to Akama-Oghe, Olo and the rest of Ezeagu local government areas.
The Monarch said: “The kidnappings are too much, there have been many occurrences at Ugwueke there and some have been arrested while the DPO at Aguobu-Owa is in position to say the number arrested and other details.
“There have been kidnappings in Obeleagu-Umana, Umumba-Ndiagbu, and Olo on a daily basis, because the Olo community is between Uzo-Uwani and Ezeagu. In fact there are serious challenges in Ezeagu that include farm lands invasion and destruction. It’s just that human kidnapping is the height of it all. It’s almost a daily affair that people are no longer sure of going to Ezeagu and coming back safely.”
Starting from January to July 2022, Fulani kidnappers invaded Abor, Mgbuji, Aguamede and other farm settlements in Eha-Amufu, which resulted in the death of over six persons and many casualties. Soldiers were deployed but the soldiers left and the attack continued.
“The herders came in full force and killed many people and burnt houses and properties. More than 20 motorcycles and houses were razed, and they have promised to come back. We have reported the incident to the appropriate authorities to intervene,” a community leader in Eha-Amufu said.
However, the Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on Thursday, paid an on-the-spot visit to the scene of the Ugwogo-Opi-Nsukka road incident with the heads of security agencies in the state with a resolve to sustain onslaught against criminal elements and kidnappers on the road.
Addressing newsmen during the on-the-spot assessment visit, the GOC, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Umar Musa, who spoke on behalf of the other heads of security agencies in the state, confirmed that “the perpetrators are purely kidnappers.”
He assured the public that the combined-team of the security agencies are taking further steps into the bush to apprehend the perpetrators, rescue the victims and end the menace along the road.
“I assure you that we are going to go deep into the bush to pursue them and ensure they do not perpetrate more harm along the road,” he said.
However, as on Friday, nothing had been heard of the former Secretary to the Government of Enugu State, Dr. Dan Shere, who was among the victims of the kidnap incident on Thursday. The spokesperson for the Enugu State Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe promised to provide updates on Shere, and other abductees.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP) Senatorial candidate for Enugu North senatorial district, Chief Okay Ezea, (popularly known as Ideke) has asked for a declaration of State of Emergency on the Ugwuogo-Opi-Nsukka road, following the reemergence of banditry along the road.
Ezea said: “There is hardly any week there would not be reports of kidnapping and other heinous crime along that road and the people we elected as Chief security officers are plying the road with loads of security personnel and in bullet proof SUV vehicles all to themselves and their cronies.”
The Enugu State Police command through its Spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe said that the state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Ammani, has ordered the maximum deployment of operational and intelligence resources of the Command to ensure adequate security on Ugwuogo-Nsukka road, rescue unascertained number of persons allegedly abducted and arrest the hoodlums.
Ndukwe said that the Commissioner has reassured users of the road and the citizenry of the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensure that their security and safety are maximally maintained, while categorically stating that onslaught on unrepentant criminal elements in the State shall be sustained.
He also announced the arrest of three kidnap suspects at Ugwuaji community of Enugu South LGA, and rescue of their male victim, adding that there was also an arrest of six kidnap suspects in Udenu local government area of the state. “The suspects will be arraigned in court once investigations are concluded,” Ndukwe said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of a self-styled prophet, Godwin Sunday Ajuluchukwucheya, popularly known as Prophet Sunday Koboko, for fraud involving over ₦136 million.
Ajuluchukwucheya was arraigned by the EFCC’s Enugu Zonal Directorate before Justice H.O. Eya of the Enugu State High Court sitting in Independence Layout on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and stealing to the tune of ₦136,436,000.
The offences contravene Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and are punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges.
Following his guilty plea, EFCC counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE II), Rotimi Ajobiewe, urged the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
The Prophet
Justice Eya subsequently convicted the defendant and sentenced him to one year imprisonment, with an option of a ₦500,000 fine.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of the convict’s landed property, covered by a Customary Certificate of Occupancy dated July 25, 1989, and registered as No. 92 at Page 92 in Volume 512 of the Enugu Land Registry, to the Federal Government through the EFCC.
According to the judgment, the property is to be sold and the proceeds used to compensate victims who lost money to the fraudulent scheme.
The EFCC said the investigation began after a petition by Mrs. Ngene Nkiruka Jane, who alleged that the convict falsely presented himself as a genuine man of God and convinced her he possessed the spiritual power to raise her late husband from the dead.
She claimed she was persuaded to pay into a bogus investment scheme that promised financial returns while also contributing money for the supposed resurrection of her husband, resulting in a loss of ₦6.7 million.
Another victim, Mr. Okey Uwakwe, alleged that the self-acclaimed prophet collected ₦6,231,400 from him after claiming he could spiritually influence his brother, who had travelled abroad in 1997, to return to Nigeria.
The anti-graft agency disclosed that as investigations progressed, more members of the convict’s ministry came forward with allegations that they had also been defrauded.
Investigators further uncovered that Ajuluchukwucheya’s scheme involved persuading followers to purchase so-called “prosperity products” with promised spiritual and financial benefits. The items included “Miracle Sticker,” “Spiritual Dragon,” “Holy Ghost Thunder,” and several other products marketed as possessing supernatural powers.
Crime
Fake Native Doctor Onyeze Jesus Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison, Seven Fake Pastors Remain in Custody
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
An Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has sentenced self-acclaimed native doctor, Onyebuchi Okocha, popularly known as Onyeze Jesus, to six years’ imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₦20 million after finding him guilty under the Anambra State Homeland Security Law.
The judgment comes as seven pastors previously arraigned on related allegations remain in custody pending the determination of their cases by the court.
Another suspected native doctor, popularly known as Eke Hit, also appeared before the court, where his case was adjourned to September 26 after both the prosecution and defence adopted their final written addresses.
Onyeze Jesus had spent about one year and six months in detention after being charged with promoting wealth through supernatural means, contrary to Section 18 of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law.
He faced a three-count charge bordering on allegedly promoting money-making through supernatural means on his social media platforms, operating the controversial Oke-Ite practice, and claims of money doubling.
In his judgment, Justice Jude Obiora discharged the defendant on counts two and three, holding that the prosecution failed to establish allegations relating to ritual practices and money doubling. However, the court convicted him on the first count, finding that he openly propagated the idea of acquiring wealth through supernatural means rather than lawful enterprise.
The judge noted that the defendant admitted being the individual featured in the viral videos and acknowledged ownership of the social media accounts used to disseminate the messages.
Justice Obiora held that there was no credible evidence or testimony proving that Onyeze Jesus engaged in ritual killings or successfully doubled money for anyone, leading to his acquittal on those counts.
Before sentencing, Onyeze Jesus broke down in tears, kneeling in the witness box as he pleaded with the court for leniency.
“My Lord, temper justice with mercy. This is my first offence and the first time I have appeared before a court,” he said.
He added that since his arrest in February last year, he had lost contact with his wife and twin children, who depended on him, and claimed that three widows he had been supporting died while he remained in custody.
Reacting to the judgment, defence counsel, Sir Bath Okafor Ezedinobi, described the sentence as the maximum prescribed by law and said the legal team would obtain the Certified True Copy of the judgment before deciding on its next line of action.
“We will study the judgment carefully and determine the appropriate legal steps. The court convicted him on count one and discharged him on counts two and three,” he said.
Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, welcomed the judgment, describing it as a strong affirmation of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law.
He said the sentence would serve as a deterrent to those promoting practices that encourage the false belief that wealth can be acquired without legitimate work.
“The law is now fully operational, and today’s judgment demonstrates that it will be enforced. Anyone involved in practices prohibited under Section 18 of the law, including Oke-Ite, will face the full weight of the law,” Mefor said.
He stressed that the Soludo administration was neither against traditional religion nor Christianity but against individuals who exploit religion or traditional practices to deceive people, especially young Nigerians, with false promises of instant wealth.
Mefor also confirmed that the seven pastors earlier arraigned under the same law remain in custody in accordance with the court’s directive.
“The pastors are still in detention and will remain so until their cases are concluded and the court reaches its verdict,” he said.
The United States House of Representatives has passed a spending bill containing measures that would make future American assistance to Nigeria conditional on the Federal Government taking demonstrable steps to curb violence and protect vulnerable communities, including Christians.
The fiscal 2027 State Department appropriations bill was approved on Wednesday by a 217-209 vote, largely along party lines.
A key amendment sponsored by Republican Congressman Gregory Steube strengthened the proposed restriction by increasing the amount of US assistance that could be withheld from 50 per cent to 100 per cent until the Secretary of State certifies that Nigeria has taken effective steps to prevent violence, protect vulnerable communities, and hold perpetrators accountable.
Announcing the passage of his amendment on X, Steube said the measure was aimed at ensuring that American taxpayers do not fund governments that fail to protect Christians.
“My amendment to withhold 100 per cent of U.S. aid to Nigeria until its government stops the slaughter of Christians has passed. American taxpayers should never bankroll governments that turn a blind eye while Christians are abducted, tortured, and murdered. No more wasteful foreign aid,” he wrote.
Another Republican lawmaker, Congressman Riley Moore, said the provision would ensure that US assistance is tied to measurable progress in protecting religious freedom, combating terrorism, and addressing violence against Christians and other religious minorities.
Moore alleged that thousands of Christians had been killed or abducted by extremist groups over the years and said the amendment followed congressional investigations, including visits by US lawmakers to assess the situation in Nigeria.
Speaking on the House floor, Steube argued that withholding only half of the proposed assistance would be insufficient.
“Nigeria has faced a horrific wave of violence that its corrupt government has failed to address,” he said, adding that the amendment strengthens existing conditions by ensuring that no US assistance would continue without clear evidence of action against violence and religious persecution.
He stressed that the measure was intended to promote accountability rather than punish Nigerians.
“This is not about punishing the Nigerian people. It is about demanding accountability from their government and ensuring that our foreign aid is leveraged to defend, reflect, and uphold American values,” Steube said.
The proposed measure must still be approved by the US Senate and signed by President Donald Trump before it becomes law. Until then, it has no immediate effect on ongoing US assistance to Nigeria.
The development comes after President Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act in 2025, citing allegations of religious persecution and directing Congress to investigate the situation.
The Nigerian government has consistently rejected claims that Christians are being specifically targeted, maintaining that both Christians and Muslims have suffered attacks from terrorists and criminal groups.
Despite the differing positions, Nigeria and the United States have continued to strengthen security cooperation, particularly in efforts to combat terrorism in parts of northern Nigeria.
Lawyers representing the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, have formally written to the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, requesting that an autopsy be conducted on the late Mary Habila before her remains are released for burial.
In a letter dated July 15, 2026, and acknowledged by the Ebonyi State Police Command the same day, Roy & Associates said they were acting on the instruction of the minister.
According to the petition, Mary Habila, a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, who was on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works, died on June 27, 2026, in a staff residential building located within Umahi’s residence in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The lawyers stated that the deceased did not live in the same building as the minister, explaining that the building was reserved for members of Umahi’s staff and other personnel working with him. They further noted that on the night of her death, only Habila and another female occupant, identified as a physiotherapist, were in the building.
The legal team urged the police to ensure that a comprehensive autopsy is carried out by qualified forensic pathologists to scientifically determine the actual cause and circumstances of Habila’s death. They also requested that her remains should not be released to any person, including her next of kin, until the autopsy and all relevant investigative procedures have been concluded.
According to the letter, the request is intended to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation, eliminate speculation, and ensure that the true cause of death is conclusively established before burial.
Panic erupted at the permanent site of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) after the headless body of a middle-aged man was discovered on a farmland within the university premises on Wednesday.
The discovery was reportedly made in the early hours of the day, sending shockwaves through the university community.
A 300-level student of the institution, Pius Atok, told journalists that the deceased was neither a student nor a member of staff of the university.
“The body was found this morning on a farm around the university community. From what we gathered, the victim was neither a student nor a member of staff of the university,” he said.
A senior university official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident, stating that preliminary investigations showed the victim was a farmer known within the area.
“We have investigated and found the victim is neither a student nor a staff member of the university. He is known to people around the area because he usually goes there to farm. We believe he came very early this morning, as he normally does,” the official said.
The official added that the circumstances surrounding the killing remain unclear but suggested the attackers may have deliberately targeted the victim.
“What actually happened is still unclear, but from the nature of the attack, it appears those responsible came specifically to kill him and made away with his head,” the source added.
According to the official, the university’s Information Directorate is handling the matter and will issue an official statement through the institution’s communication channels.
The victim’s family has been notified, while arrangements are underway to evacuate the body. Security agencies are expected to investigate the incident.
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