Crime
Jim Nwobodo Clears Wife of Demolition Allegation, Accuses Pastor of Land Grabbing in Enugu Estate
Elder statesman and former governor of old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo, has distanced his wife, Pat, from allegations linking her to the demolition of an illegal property under construction by Pastor Basil Ogbuanu in his private estate in Enugu.
Ogbuanu had earlier accused Mrs. Nwobodo of orchestrating the demolition of an unapproved building inside Patson Estate at Independence Layout, Enugu, last week.
However, in a detailed statement issued on Monday, Nwobodo strongly condemned what he described as the criminal conduct and illegal activities of Basil Ogbuanu, whom he referred to as “a self-proclaimed pastor.” He accused Ogbuanu of endangering other property owners in the estate he allegedly took unlawful control of.
Nwobodo explained that he originally acquired a large parcel of land in Enugu in 1976 under the company name Linkana Hotels, with plans to build a hotel. He said those plans were abandoned after he became governor of the old Anambra State, as he chose to focus entirely on governance.
According to him, during his time in office, individuals entrusted with managing the property allegedly sold off large portions of the land, leaving him with only a small fraction of what he initially owned.
After retiring to his hometown of Awkunanwu in Enugu State, Nwobodo said he made efforts to recover the remaining parts of the property, including the Linkana Hotel land. However, he claimed his attempts were resisted by Ogbuanu and his cousin, Barrister Amaka Igwe, who allegedly tried to fraudulently carve out parts of the land.
He further alleged that although he declined to hand control of the estate to Igwe, she later bought a plot within the property but tried to avoid a refund when the transaction was eventually invalidated.
The situation reportedly escalated when Ogbuanu allegedly pressured him to allocate additional plots of land despite being informed that the titles were still undergoing certification due to changes in government land use regulations.
Nwobodo stated that he remained committed to following the legal process for the certification of the land and even offered to refund Ogbuanu if he was unwilling to wait for the documentation to be completed. Instead, he alleged that Ogbuanu proceeded with illegal construction activities within the estate.
The dispute took a dramatic turn on January 16, 2026, when Nwobodo’s wife, accompanied by professionals including a landscape architect and a police officer, visited the estate.
According to Nwobodo, the team discovered the estate gate locked and security personnel missing. They were allegedly confronted by a group of men who detained them inside the premises and prevented them from leaving.
“My wife and the group were subjected to a tense situation, and the police officer accompanying them was physically assaulted. His uniform was torn and they were threatened with further harm,” Nwobodo said.
He explained that his wife contacted authorities, prompting a police response that led to the estate being surrounded and the detained individuals rescued. Some suspects were also arrested.
Nwobodo alleged that Ogbuanu, who reportedly instructed the men to detain the visitors, attempted to flee Enugu by boarding a flight to Lagos but was apprehended by police at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.
He was subsequently taken to the Independence Layout Police Station, where he was charged with kidnapping, illegal construction, and other criminal offences.
Police investigations, Nwobodo said, revealed that Ogbuanu had been involved in unauthorized building activities within the estate and had allegedly harboured criminals while ignoring government directives to halt such activities.
Nwobodo said the actions of the pastor had created fear among other property owners in the estate, many of whom were worried about living alongside someone he described as having a criminal disposition.
The former governor strongly rejected allegations linking his wife to any wrongdoing, insisting that she had acted in good faith and had even tried to assist Ogbuanu before his alleged misconduct became evident.
“I’m at a loss as to why Basil Ogbuanu would implicate my wife in this ordeal. She has been nothing but kind and supportive to him, yet he repaid her kindness by endangering her life and falsely accusing her,” Nwobodo said.
Ogbuanu has since been arraigned in court and granted bail while trial continues over multiple charges, including kidnapping and illegal land dealings.
Nwobodo described the pastor’s conduct as “lawless” and “criminal,” stressing that he would continue to pursue justice and protect the rights of legitimate landowners in the estate.
“I am deeply troubled by the motives behind Ogbuanu’s actions. His disregard for the law and manipulation of innocent people for personal gain is unacceptable. I will ensure justice is served,” he added.
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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