Crime
Gov Mbah: We Won’t Rest on Security Laurels in Enugu
… Says Enugu among Safest States
…As police nab two over Eha-Amufu attack
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, says Enugu remains among safest states in the country, irrespective of propaganda by peddlers of falsehood.
Mbah, however, said that although his government had put proactive measures in place and invested in capacity to solve every single crime and bring the perpetrators to book, it would not rest on its ores and laurels in the security sector.
This was even as the Police in Isi-Uzo made arrests over the recent attack on Eha-Amufu farm settlements that left some persons dead.
Mbah spoke when he received in audience the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 13, AIG Abayomi Oladipo, at the Lion Building, Enugu, on Wednesday.
Mbah said he was aware that his administration could not achieve the ambition to grow the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn and position it as the premier destination for investment, business, tourism and living without security, hence his decision to invest huge resources and political will in fighting the scourge of insecurity from the outset.
He maintained that with the enormity of security infrastructure such as the Command and Control Centre, establishment of Distress Response Squad special police unit with over 150 security vehicles, installation of AI-enabled cameras across the state for surveillance, and other resources put in place, Enugu had acquired the capacity to not only prevent crimes, but also to solve them when they occur.
“Enugu is the most secure city in the country, unarguably, save for people, who like to magnify things, and who believe that the security we enjoy in Enugu is disturbing them.
“So, they like to sometimes conjecture things to somehow entertain their views or opinions. What they do is to post or peddle falsehood on social media by going back to things that happened years ago to make them appear as if they are just happening. Also, things that happened elsewhere, they make it appear as if they are happening in Enugu.
“I have seen some images and videos recently of things that never happened here, but made to look as it they happened here in Enugu State.
“Therefore, if we discount those false narratives, those fake narratives that we hear from social media, Enugu as I mentioned, unarguably is the safest city in this country.
“But we are not going to rest on our oars. We have to see that our security agents are alive to their responsibilities, to their duties.
“We do not have any tolerance for insecurity, for crime in Enugu State. We are going to continue to work with the security agencies to ensure that we sustain this security we are enjoying in the state today.
Speaking earlier, AIG Oladipo, who said he had received security briefing from the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Police Command, CP Mamman Giwa, and his Anambra State counterpart, CP Ikioye Orutugu, and rolled out modalities for synergy in fighting crime, commended Governor Mbah for the notable improvement in security of lives and property in the state.
“I can tell you that what we have put in place is really working for us. I want to thank you for the support and your cooperation with the police and other security agencies of the state,” he stated.
It is recalled that while there were various levels of warning against trips to 27 states by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO, in its 13th June 2025 travel advisory, which was still valid as of 18th June, Enugu State was among the few states without any travel warnings whatsoever against them.
Meanwhile, the Police in Isi-Uzo have arrested two alleged collaborators and informants, Matthew Ebeh, and a woman, who allegedly provided guide for the attack and also sold information on security movement to the militant herders.
It was gathered that Ebeh, 26, allegedly led the suspected herders into the community. He, however, ran out of luck when one of the locals escaped, leading to his arrest.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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