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Police kill six robbers, one cop dead in Ebonyi
Men of the Nigeria Police Force, on Thursday, shot dead six suspected members of an armed robbery gang, who attacked workers at the Ebonyi International Airport, a new generation bank as well as traders at the popular Eke Market in the Onueke community, Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, on Tuesday.
The gang had gone on a rampage in the area killing one policeman and injuring another during a gun duel.
The gang members raided a new generation bank in the area and shot the branch manager, before proceeding to the busy Eke Market, where they dispossessed traders of their money and other valuables.
Eyewitnesses said they operated in a SUV and motorcycles.
The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Infrastructure for Concession, Fidelis Nweze, who was at the airport site waiting for Governor David Umahi, who was said to be coming from his hometown, Uburu in the Ohoazara Local Government Area for a routine inspection of the site, was among the victims robbed.
It was gathered that Nweze lost his laptop and other valuables to the robbers, who broke into his SUV.
The hoodlums, it was further gathered, later proceeded to a quarry site at Umuoghara in the Ezza North Local Government Area of the state, where they robbed and shot several quarry dealers.
Worried by the development, Umahi convened a security council meeting on Wednesday and directed security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice within 72 hours.
Sequel to the governor’s directive, the state police command, it was gathered, launched a manhunt that led to the killing of six members of the gang during an exchange of gunfire at their hideout in Oriuzo village, Ezza North Local Government Area of the state.
According to a police source, many of the hoodlums fled with bullet wounds.
The source told one of our correspondents that only three of the suspects were killed during the gun battle with security agents, while three others arrested during the raid were allegedly killed in police custody.
The personnel subsequently arrested two suspects in a shrine and three others elsewhere.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Aliyu Garba, in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents, confirmed the killing of six members of the gang by the personnel of the command.
Aliyu, however, said it was not true that three of the gang members were killed in police custody, adding that the command recovered arms and ammunition as well as a Honda Pilot SUV from the suspects.
The CP stated, “My brother, based on your message to me, you should have approached the PPRO to reply you. But on the other issue that some suspects died in our custody, there is nothing like that. There is no truth in that.
“For this particular incident at Onueke, which involved robbery at the bank, we are on it. We have arrested some people and recovered lots of arms and ammunition, and some of the suspects are still at large.
“Yes, some of them were demobilised. It was an exchange of fire. We arrested some and even recovered their vehicle, that’s a Honda Pilot that they have been using to terrorise the area.”
A statement on Sunday by the force spokesman, Frank Mba, said efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang and their spiritual godfather, the chief priest of the shrine.
The statement titled: ‘Police intercept 753 GPMG ammunition in Abakaliki’, disclosed that two AK-47 rifles, five pump action guns, six pistols, 50 pieces of AK-47 ammunition, 126 cartridges, jack knives, cutlasses and a 40-page notebook containing inventories of ammunition purchased by the gang were recovered.
“A Honda Pilot SUV with number plate ABJ 163 NV used in the foiled bank robbery was also recovered by the police.
“Unrelenting in their quest to apprehend the remaining suspects, the police team traced the suspects to a shrine, where the robbers usually go for mystical powers before embarking on their robbery operations.
“Two of the suspects were eventually arrested from the supposedly safe haven – the shrine, which led to the arrest of additional three members of the gang. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang and their spiritual godfather, the chief priest of the shrine.”
Meanwhile, a policeman attached to the Abaomege Police Station in the Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State was killed on Saturday when gunmen attacked the station.
Sources in the area told PUNCH Metro that the gunmen attacked the station around 8pm.
It was gathered that another policeman, who was also on duty, sustained severe injuries during the attack and had been hospitalised.
A Technical Assistant to Governor David Umahi, who hails from the area, confirmed the attack on the telephone.
Also a police source, who spoke to one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the incident, confirmed the attack, saying that the gunmen attacked the station around 8pm.
The governor’s aide stated, “The injured officer has been taken to an undisclosed hospital in Abakaliki for treatment.
“The gunmen attacked the Abaomege Police Station on Saturday evening. There is no report of casualty for now. But one policeman is said to be missing, while another officer sustained serious injuries. But he has been rushed to hospital in Abakaliki for treatment.”
The state police command confirmed the incident on Sunday.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mrs Loveth Odah, said, “Actually, one of our men was killed last night in Abaomege when some gunmen invaded the police station. One of the men on duty also sustained injuries. He is currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital. Investigation is ongoing.”
Meanwhile, police operatives in Ebonyi State have also intercepted 753 pieces of live ammunition of General Purpose Machine Gun concealed in a sack being transported in a commercial vehicle from Abakaliki to Umuahia in Abia State.
According to the force spokesman, comprehensive investigations aimed at bringing to justice all persons linked to the crime are ongoing.
In the Federal Capital Territory, the police arrested six suspects for ‘one chance’ robbery in the Zuba and Lugbe areas.
According to a statement by the FCT police spokesperson, Mariam Yusuf, the suspects, who paraded themselves as commercial drivers, confessed that they lured their unsuspecting victims (mostly women) into their operational vehicle before carrying out their nefarious act.
Exhibits recovered from them include a red Toyota Corolla with number plate BWA 782 BD, one fabricated Beretta pistol, six rounds of live ammunition, a pair of pliers, chisel, two Automated Teller Machine cards, one camouflage cap and vest, three different number plates, seven human hair wigs, 10 mobile phones, a bunch of keys, two pairs of female shoes, four female handbags, N128,120, invoice booklet, one lighter, six pieces of female clothes and other items.
In a related development, the Joint Security Team of the FCT refuted reports that bandits were planning to attack the nation’s capital, noting that it had adopted the use of motorcycles, horses and other technical means of gathering intelligence to check criminality within the FCT.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The emergence of Chief Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere as the Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives has been described as a vindication of the fact that the Action People’s Party (APP ) represents the collective interests of the Nigerian masses.
Recall that recently, Ugochinyere was elected as the Minority Leader of the party in a keenly contested election of the Federal House of Representatives.
According to a statement by the Chairman Anambra state chapter of the APP Chief Chijioke Okeke, Ugochinyere had been consistent in offering himself as the voice of the people and that of the voiceless.
“It did not come to us as a surprise that our great leader High Chief Ugochinyere became the Minority leader of the Federal House of Representatives because he has always been consistent and focus towards providing himself as the only vent for the masses at the Green Chambers”
“We know his pedegre as a politician as well as a leader and he has remained focus in ensuring that the voiceless are heard and this is also a vindication of our party’s unflinching desire to provide a veritable platform in a democratic process”
Okeke further stated that the fifth columnists who had attempted to deregister the party have been put to shame adding that the party shall continue to champion the interests of the Nigerian people.
“They made failed attempt at deregistering our great party but they lost sight of the fact that the APP is firmely rooted on ground and has all that it takes to drive the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian populace and with this recent development our traducers have been put to shame and our party is on the path of further greatness “. Okeke noted .
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.
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