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Ohanaeze backs South-East govs on security outfit against terrorists
The South-East governors on Sunday said they would set up a joint security vigilante, Ebube Agu, for the zone.
The governors stated this in a communiqué issued after the first South-East security summit they held with all the heads of security agencies in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
The communiqué read by the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, stated, “ The meeting resolved to maintain a joint security vigilante for the South- East otherwise known as Ebubeagu. The meeting appreciated the formation of South-East joint security outfit code- named Ebubeagu with headquarters in Enugu to coordinate our vigilantes in the South-East.”
The Ohanaeze in its reaction said it supported the setting up of the security outfit, which it described as long overdue.
The South-East governors, in their communiqué, also condemn terrorism and banditry in any part of Nigeria, particularly in the South- East.
They strongly criticised “the burning of police stations, violent attacks on custodial centres with the unlawful release of inmates, and the killings including security personnel, natives/ farmers and headsmen.”
According to them, the five South-East states are “on the same page with the Federal Government on the issue of security challenges in the country.”
They, therefore, said the South-East would stand resolutely with the Federal Government to fight terrorists and bandits. “The political leadership in the South-East has resolved to bring together all the arsenals at their command, as one united zone, to fight and flush out criminals and terrorist from the zone,” they stated.
The governors said they would mobilise all the relevant stakeholders in the South-East, “the political class, the business community, the bureaucrats and the intelligentsia to provide all necessary support to security operatives in the five south east states to ensure total success in the fight against criminality in the zone.”
They asked heads of security agencies to draw up a comprehensive list of materials needed for sustainable success in the fight against criminality, for the immediate provision by the leadership of the South-East.
They added, “Meeting approve that the acting IGP and other security chiefs do invite the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo and CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria) to find out the reason for increasing insecurity of the South East .”
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation Ohanaeze Ndigbo supported the setting up of Joint South East Security outfit codenamed ‘Ebubeagu’ by the South East Governors Forum to fight and flush out criminals and terrorists that have been killing and terrorising the region lately.
It however, mandated the governors to ensure that the Bills that were sent to various State Houses of Assembly were passed and signed into law for the full operation of the outfit.
Ohanaeze spokesperson, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, who spoke with one of our correspondents on Sunday, said that the establishment of the security outfit was overdue as the people have been waiting for this day to come.
Ogbonnia noted that the formation of the security outfit was sequel to 30 days ultimatum Ohanaeze Elders Council gave the Governors to come up with it to tackle rising insecurity and protect the region from Fulani terrorists that have been killing, raping women and destroying farms across Igboland.
He said “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide received the formation of joint South East Security outfit by the South East Governors with joy. It is all expected. In the last meeting of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Elders Council, we mandated them to do it. In our release last time we urged them to do it. I am happy they have done so and we believe with this the rate of crimes and criminality in the South East will reduce.”
On the law that would back and legitimize the outfit, the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation, said “now the outfit had been established, we expect the Governors to do the needful. Before it was a declaration of intent but now it has become a policy statement agreed by the South East Governors. It is good that it has started at all than not at all.
“We gave them 30 days as a matter of fact. The Ohanaeze Elders Council gave them 30 days to come up with this and I am happy that they are responding.
“Now they have to put machinery in motion to ensure that the Bills that were sent to the various State Houses of Assembly was passed and signed into law for full operation to commence.”
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
DSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
Renowned Nigerian novelist, journalist, and academic, Okey Ndibe, was reportedly detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday morning.
Ndibe disclosed his situation in a message sent while in custody, stating: “I’ve been with the SSS now for more than an hour. They’re waiting for clearance from some oga before they let me go.”
According to sources close to the writer, his detention follows a pattern that dates back to previous administrations, including that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, during which he was frequently stopped and questioned over his critical commentaries on Nigerian governance and public affairs.
However, associates noted that Ndibe has largely stepped away from active commentary in Nigerian media over the past two years, focusing instead on writing books and his academic responsibilities at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he teaches.
A close friend of the author and former Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said similar incidents had occurred several times in the past. He explained that airport DSS officials typically contacted their superiors in Abuja before eventually releasing Ndibe.
“It is a pity that this agency doesn’t update its database to enable officers on duty at the airport to know that the agency no longer regards Prof. Ndibe as a security threat to the administration,” Adinuba said.
He added that on previous occasions, the DSS had apologized to the respected author after determining that his detention was unwarranted.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the DSS regarding the circumstances surrounding Ndibe’s latest detention. The development has raised renewed concerns about the treatment of government critics and the continued use of security watchlists affecting returning Nigerians.
Hegseth made the disclosure during a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, where he said the directive was issued about a year ago after Trump became aware of attacks against Christians in Nigeria.
He explained that the operation involved behind-the-scenes coordination and deployment of military assets, adding that intelligence gathered during the mission contributed to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as ISIS’s second-in-command, during a joint operation involving U.S. and Nigerian forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
“Maybe a year ago, he heard the call of Nigerian Christians who were being targeted and killed by ISIS in Nigeria, and he said, ‘Pete, I want the War Department to focus on ensuring that we do everything we can to protect those Christians,’” Hegseth said.
According to him, the operation yielded significant results in the fight against terrorism in the region.
“And we got the assets there, and over the last month, and there hasn’t been much coverage of this, we killed ISIS number two in Nigeria, who’s most responsible for killing Christians and trying to target the U.S. homeland,” he stated.
Hegseth added that working on the Intel gathered, they have killed hundreds of ISIS members who were targeting and killing Christians in Nigeria.
The U.S. defence chief described the operation as part of the Trump administration’s broader commitment to counterterrorism efforts and the protection of vulnerable communities.
“So there are a lot of things we do that the media pays attention to, and a lot of things that the President empowers the Department to do on behalf of the American people that he deserves great credit for,” Hegseth stated.
ISIS second in command, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed in a coordinated U.S.-Nigeria military operation in northeast Nigeria earlier this month.
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