
Crime
Fake Prophet Remanded Over Alleged Defamation, Attempted Murder

OBINNA UCHENDU Abakaliki
An Ebonyi State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Abakaliki, on Monday, remanded a 24-year-old man (popularly known as Prophet Ubadinma) in a correctional facility over allegations bothering on defamation of character; attempted murder, malicious damage, stealing; arson, among others.
It was gathered that the suspect, who was alleged to have been in the habit of reeling out fake prophecies, allegedly committed the offences at Offianka Inyima, Agharaoza, Affiauku and the Ochiohu Inyegu villages in the Izzi and Ikwo Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State in 2020, 2023, 2024 and 2025 respectively.
The accused allegedly prophesized that an Ogun State-based businessman, one Emeka Mgbore (popularly known as EmmyBest) was a ritualist and circulated a video of the said ‘fake’ prophecy to various social media. The development, our Correspondent gathered, led to varying degrees of attacks on the Ebonyi-born entrepreneur and looting of his shops by angry mobs in Ogun State.
it was equally alleged the ‘prophet’s inciting utterances and misdemeanor exposed the character of one Linus Uguru, Njoku Iziogo and others to ridicule and defamation at Offianka Inyima village, in the Izzi LGA of the state.
He was arraigned in Court, on Monday, by the Ebonyi State Police Command on four different cases comprising of 16 count charges. The charges bothered on attempted murder, arson, stealing, defamation of character, malicious damage, among others.
His lead Counsel, Barr Emeka Anosike, pleaded the Court to grant his client bail on the four different matters entered before it, maintaining that they were bailable and did not constitute serious harm to the defendants.
The Police Prosecutor, ASP Lilian Aliede (Mrs) opposed the bail plea, arguing that the offences were both serious and unsettling on the complainants’ image.
For the matter on defamation of character, she told the court that the offences were punishable under sections 517 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33 and 373(a) Criminal Code Cap.33 Vols. 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
The Magistrate, Mrs Sandra Ifeanyi-Oyibe, granted the suspect bail on the two cases over defamation of character in the tune of N2,000,000 each with two sureties who must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court. According to her, the sureties should show evidence of tax clearance for three years.
The charges read partly, “That you Ubadinma Nwebonyi ‘M’ and others now at large on the 10th day of of January, 2023 at Offianka Inyima, in the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit misdemeanor to wit: Defamation of character and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 517 of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.”
“That you Ubadinma Nwebonyi ‘M’ and others now at large on the 28th day of July, 2025 at Offiauku village, in the aforementioned Magisterial District did defame the character of one Emeka Mgbore ‘M’ by verbally saying that he is a ritualist which you know to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 373(a) of the Criminal Code Cap 33, Vol. 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.”
Mrs Ifeanyi-Oyibe adjourned the two matters till September 16th and 15th, 2025, for hearing.
For the other two matters bothering on attempted murder, arson, malicious damage, stealing , among others the suspect was not granted bail.
Their charges read in part, “That you Ubadinma Nwebonyi ‘M’ and others now at large sometime in the year 2020 at Ochiohu Inyegu, in the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: Attempted Murder/Malicious Damage/Defamation of Character/Stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516A(a) of the Criminal Code Cap 33, Vol. 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
“That you Ubadinma Nwebonyi ‘M’ and others now at large on the 7th day of June , 2024, at Agharaoza village, in the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: Arson/Malicious Damage/Defamation of Character/Stealing.”
The Magistrate said her Court lacked the jurisdiction to adjudicate on them.
She directed that the cases’ files should be transferred to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for report of compliance. She adjourned till September 15 and 16 respectively.
Crime
Two Policemen Killed As Gunmen Attack DPO’s Convoy in Benue

Two police officers have been killed after suspected armed herders ambushed the convoy of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ayilamo, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The latest attack occurred on Monday evening, barely four days after another deadly incident in the community reportedly left four policemen and seven residents dead.
Community sources said the DPO had travelled to Makurdi on official duty and was returning to Ayilamo when his entourage came under attack.
One of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the victims were among newly deployed Mobile Police officers stationed in the area.
He said the officers were attacked at about 6pm while travelling from Ayilamo to escort the DPO back to the community from Makurdi.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, said two officers attached to the DPO’s entourage were killed in the attack.
“The DPO came to Makurdi to collect some things, and while returning to Ayilamo, he was attacked and lost two of his men in the attack,” Aondongu said.
The latest incident has raised fresh concerns over the security situation in Ayilamo, where repeated attacks have resulted in casualties among security personnel and residents.
Crime
Police Place Nigeria on Red Alert Over Planned Attacks

The Nigeria Police Force has placed its formations nationwide on red alert following intelligence reports of planned terrorist attacks on worship centres, schools, NYSC orientation camps and other public places.
The alert followed fresh intelligence indicating increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks on vulnerable targets across the country.
Police authorities also reportedly received intelligence on the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.
The operational order was contained in a police wireless message dated September 13, 2026, with reference number CB: 0900/FDPS/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL38/68, issued by the Department of Operations at Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Marked “Security General” and tagged “Treat as Very Important,” the message was circulated to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police overseeing Zones 1–17, Mobile Police formations, counter-terrorism and other specialised units, as well as Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The police directed formations to intensify vigilance and take proactive measures to prevent criminal and terrorist elements from carrying out attacks.
The warning specifically highlighted places of worship, educational institutions, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable public locations as potential targets.
Crime
Kidnappers Dump 16-Year-Old Enugu Boy Near Onitsha Checkpoint, Police Rescue Him

A 16-year-old boy, Favour Ayogu, who was allegedly abducted in Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, has been rescued in Onitsha, Anambra State, after his abductors reportedly abandoned him near a security checkpoint.
Ayogu was rescued on the evening of September 13, 2026, by a joint security patrol team operating along Oguta Road, Onitsha.
According to the Anambra State Police Command, the teenager was found at Ekene Junction after unidentified persons reportedly pushed him out of a black Toyota Highlander SUV close to a security checkpoint.
The patrol team immediately intervened and rescued the victim, thereby preventing what the police described as further danger to his life.
Following the rescue, the Command said it had intensified surveillance and intelligence-led operations to identify and apprehend members of the suspected criminal gang responsible for the abduction.
The police also appealed to residents of Igboeze South and Ibagwa-Aka in Enugu State who may have useful information about Ayogu or his family to contact the nearest police station or the Anambra State Police Command in Awka.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the security personnel involved in the rescue and directed officers to sustain strategic checkpoints, intelligence-led patrols and coordinated security operations across the state.
The Command assured residents and visitors that it would continue to intensify efforts to prevent criminal elements from using Anambra as a safe haven.
Crime
Gunmen Attack Commercial Bus, Kill Nine Passengers

At least nine passengers have been killed after gunmen opened fire on a commercial bus at Dungus Junction in Kuru community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack reportedly occurred around 9:40 p.m. when the bus, which was travelling towards Jos, stopped at the junction to drop off some passengers.
Several other passengers were reportedly injured in the attack and rushed to hospitals for treatment.
Lawan Suleiman, a neighbour and teacher of one of the victims, identified the driver as Ibrahim and said three of the victims were from his community in Bukuru.
“The driver is Ibrahim and he was my student. Three of them are from our community here in Bukuru. Their bodies have been deposited at the hospital. But relatives are preparing to collect them for burial,” Suleiman said.
The bus was reportedly riddled with bullets, with bloodstains visible inside the vehicle after the attack.
Rwang Tengwong, spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders (BYM), also confirmed the incident, saying the victims were passengers travelling to Jos when the attackers opened fire on the vehicle.
Tengwong said one of those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow.
“The incident happened around 9.40 p.m. The victims were all passengers travelling to Jos when the terrorists opened fire on the vehicle. Among those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow. It is a very sad development and we lament the loss of lives,” he said.
He added that some passengers sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to hospitals, while some of the injured reportedly later died.
The attack has raised fresh concerns over the safety of commuters travelling along the route at night amid continuing security challenges in parts of Plateau State.
As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
Crime
Enugu Police Probe Alleged Disruption of Political Gatherings, Warn Against Violence

The Enugu State Police Command has ordered an investigation into two separate incidents of alleged disruption of political gatherings in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state.
The incidents reportedly occurred on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Ndiuno-Obuoffia community and St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to thoroughly investigate the incidents and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
According to the statement, armed hoodlums allegedly disrupted a National Democratic Congress (NDC) ward meeting at Ndiuno-Obuoffia with sporadic gunshots, leaving two attendees injured.
In a separate incident at St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani, hoodlums allegedly destroyed canopies and chairs arranged for a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally.
The police said operatives were promptly deployed to both locations after receiving reports of the incidents to prevent further breaches of peace and track down the fleeing suspects.
The Command, however, noted that neither of the political gatherings had been formally brought to the attention of the police for security coverage.
CP Giwa reiterated his warning that all political activities in the state must be conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.
He stressed that electoral offences are punishable under the law and warned political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders against violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other acts capable of disrupting public peace or the electoral process.
The Commissioner urged political parties and other stakeholders to notify the police ahead of campaigns, meetings, rallies and other political gatherings to enable the Command to make adequate security arrangements.
He assured residents that the police would continue to maintain a peaceful and secure environment for lawful political activities while dealing decisively with anyone found violating the law.
-
News2 days agoCommissioner Dies Suddenly at Abuja Hospital
-
Politics2 days ago2027: Odii: I’ll Attract ₦2tn Investment to Ebonyi in Six Months
-
News2 days agoSept. 26 Polls: ‘ENSIEC is over 90% ready’ – Chairman
-
Crime2 days agoGunmen Attack Commercial Bus, Kill Nine Passengers
-
Crime3 days agoEnugu Police Probe Alleged Disruption of Political Gatherings, Warn Against Violence
-
News2 days agoWhy Nigerian Leaders Should Spend Vacations at Home – Ebonyi Reps Candidate
-
News3 days agoHotel Building Collapses in Enugu Kills One, Traps Workers
-
Foreign2 days agoFour Nigerians Jailed 17 Years Over Fake Marriage Document Scheme in UK

