The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspected cultists in separate operations and recovered firearms along with other incriminating items.
In a statement on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the arrests were made during intelligence-led patrols across the state.
He said, “On 22nd March 2025, police operatives attached to the Obosi Division on intelligent-led patrol along the Obosi/Nkpor Road arrested one Kosiso Okonwko ‘M’ and recovered one Berreta pistol.
“The suspect confessed to being a member of Aye Confertanity.”
He added that in another operation, officers from B Division, alongside Mobile Police personnel from the 29 Squadron, intercepted a tricycle along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway in Amansea.
He said the tricycle “with Reg No. BBG 767 QH, driven by one Augustine Okafor ‘M’ wearing Army Camouflage trousers.
“During interrogation, the suspect could not provide a satisfactory answer, which caused the operatives to search him and recover one Berreta pistol, seven live ammunition, cash N15,600, substances suspected to be hard drugs and charms.”
Following the arrests, Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the command’s tactical unit for further investigation.
“The CP further notes that the Anambra police operatives are more motivated and have been actively working to combat crime and ensure public safety in the state,” he added.
A joint security operation involving the Federal Capital Territory Police Command and the military has rescued a kidnapped naval officer, Lt. Cynthia Akor, attached to the Defence Headquarters and two civilians abducted from Mpape, Abuja.
The victims were taken on March 21, 2025, when armed men attacked the Maman Vatsa Estate gate, blocked Mpape Road, and opened fire on moving vehicles before abducting them.
The kidnappers later contacted their families, demanding ₦500 million for the naval officer and ₦200 million each for the civilians, according to FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, in a statement on Sunday.
“The FCT Police Command, in collaboration with the military, has successfully rescued a kidnapped naval officer, along with two civilians, who were abducted by armed criminals in Mpape, Abuja, on March 21, 2025.
“At approximately 7:35 pm on the said date, heavily armed assailants attacked the Maman Vatsa Estate gate, blocked Mpape Road, and opened fire on moving vehicles before abducting the three victims.
“Shortly after the attack, the kidnappers contacted the victims’ families, demanding a ransom of ₦500 million for the naval officer and ₦200 million each for the two civilians,” Adeh said.
Following a distress call, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), DCP Isyaku Sharu, coordinated a rescue operation involving the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the military, the Department of State Services, and local hunters.
“Upon receiving the distress report, DCP Isyaku Sharu, in collaboration with military authorities, mobilised a joint operation led by the Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit and comprising personnel of the Nigerian military, DSS, hunters, and members of the local Hunters’ Group,” Adeh said.
She added that the search-and-rescue mission covered Mpape, Gidan Bawa, Anguwan Mu’azu, and Yelwa Hills, extending into Nasarawa State.
“An intense search-and-rescue operation was conducted across Mpape, Gidan Bawa, Anguwan Mu’azu, and Yelwa Hills, covering areas in the FCT and Nasarawa State,” she said.
Acting on intelligence, security operatives stormed a Fulani resettlement in Anguwan Mu’azu and Yelwa Hills between 2 am and 5:30 am on March 23, where four suspects were arrested, and the victims were rescued unharmed.
“Acting on credible intelligence, between 2 am and 5:30 am on March 23, 2025, operatives traced the suspects to a Fulani resettlement in Anguwan Mu’azu and Yelwa Hills, Nasarawa State, where four suspects were arrested, and the victims were rescued unharmed.
“Additionally, the sum of ₦3.2 million, suspected to be ransom money from previous kidnapping operations, was recovered from the suspects,” Adeh stated.
She noted that the rescued individuals are receiving medical care at the Nigerian Army Clinic and are in stable condition.
“Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the remaining suspects currently at large.
“Security deployments have also been reinforced in Mpape and surrounding areas to prevent future occurrences, as members of the public are advised to go about their daily activities without any apprehension,” she added.
Pope Francis appears at a window of the Gemelli hospital before being discharged following a five weeks hospitalization for pneumonia, in Rome on March 23, 2025. Pope Francis is to leave hospital todayand return to his residence in the Vatican, where he is to spend “at least two months” recovering, one of his doctors announced during a press conference on March 22, 2025. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)
Pope Francis greeted and thanked the faithful from a balcony of Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Sunday, the first time the 88-year-old has been seen in public since his admission on February 14.
“Thank you, everyone,” a weak-sounding Francis said into a microphone, as he sat in a wheelchair waving gently to hundreds of people gathered below, doing a thumbs-up sign.
26-year-old Nigerian travel content creator, Alma Asinobi, attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest journey across all seven continents in 60 hours has travelled across six continents and is closer to the end of the journey.
PUNCH reports that as the youngest and only Black solo record attempt in this category, she is determined to challenge and transform the narrative surrounding passport inequality.
Her attempt, dubbed #AlmaChasingContinents and #7in60 seeks to break the current record of 73 hours set by Sujoy Kumar Mitra and Dr Ali Irani using only her Nigerian passport.
In the course of her attempt, Asinobi has been vocal about the numerous visa and travel setbacks she encountered due to her Nigerian passport.
Unlike travellers from countries with better passport privileges, she noted that she has had to navigate complex visa requirements, expensive travel arrangements, and flight cancellations that threatened to derail her record attempt.
Following a delay from the initial scheduled date of March 15, her journey officially began on March 20 from King George Island, Antarctica, where Asinobi boarded a flight that kickstarted the countdown.
Visiting one continent after another, her journey has taken her from King George Island in Antarctica to Chile in South Americ, the Dominican Republic in North America, Spain in Europe, Egypt in Africa, Dubai, UAE in Asia, and Asinobi’s final stop is Sydney in Australia, which will mark the completion of her journey.
Her record-breaking attempt has drawn the attention of many as supporters track her journey in real-time through a provided live location tracker.
Beyond attempting a world record, Asinobi’s journey which is now trending on X.com has sparked conversations about passport inequality and the barriers that travelers from developing nations face.
She also used her platform to highlight how expensive and complicated travel can be for citizens of countries with limited visa-free access.
“I don’t even know if it’s because of the Heathrow fire thing, but the bigger issue is that the only other flight to Europe is to Madrid, and it’s full. The worst part is that the next flight to Europe is on Monday.
“Even if I don’t break the record, I just want to finish what I started. I want to prove that limitations are not denials,” she shared during one of her challenging moments.
“My village people free me naaaaaaaa! We have a whole lot of work to do for our passport and our spot in the world. It feels like as I am chasing continents, my village people have started chasing me.
“I just wanted to help someone out there with low-mobility passport like mine dream beyond all the restrictions. I just wanted conversations to start so my fellow Nigerians can enjoy the beauty of access that developed countries enjoy. I didn’t want the dreams of my people to be restricted because of the colour of their passport,” she added.
Giving further updates, Asinobi posted when she departed Europe, “Cairo here we comeeee. For a lirru context, I was supposed to head to a different African country but I wasn’t allowed to check in online because of my passport and check in closed but when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade and sell the t-shirt.”
Upon arriving in Egypt, Asinobi wrote on Saturday, “Made it to my continent! So bummed I couldn’t go to my home country, Nigeria. I won’t lie, I’m missing the jollof, the puff, and all our sweetness… but don’t worry I’ll be home soon. Let’s bring this home.”
“Tired but not defeated! Continent 5 done and dusted, let’s chase 6 shall we? Dubai, UAE! We are going to Asia – Continent 6! The visa processes for UAE are not very favourable for Nigerians right now, but… here we comeeee. I hope that through this movement, things like this can change,” she continued.
Asinobi’s next and final stop is Australia, which will mark the completion of her journey.
She wrote on X.com on Sunday, “I was just denied boarding on my flight to Perth, Australia for my final leg of the trip. Due to visa issues.
” I was put on standby for confirmation from Australia till boarding closed and the gate agent had to rebook me on the next flight to Australia. He asked me to choose between Brisbane and Sydney, and I chose Sydney since it’s the Australian city I’ve always wanted to visit anyway.
“I was tempted to cancel the flight altogether and just head home to where I’m loved, but I’m not one to start something and not finish. This journey has taught me way more than I set out to learn. I’m taking the sweet with the sour and hoping that one day – hopefully in my lifetime – we see change.
“From where I’m standing, we’re nowhere close to that day, but I know it’s possible. Hanging my boots here for now, till I land in Sydney, on my last continent, and recover from all the humiliation and stress I’ve taken in huge doses within the past 56+ hours. I’ve cried, I’ve run, I’ve met new people along the way, and now I’m nearing the finish line.
“Right now, my final mission is to fly our Nigerian flag on the 7th and final continent and bring it home. I cannot wait to be home, and I cannot wait to see you when we come out in solidarity to sign this flag.”
“Dear green passport, all the hardships we’ve faced so far on this journey, I hope it counts for something. You won’t believe all the privileges, access, and options that were available but not to me, because of the colour of my passport.
“The things I missed, the routes I couldn’t take, the extra checks I was subjected to, the delays I experienced just because of my passport. Me and my passport have seen shege promax in the last 52+ hours.” She wrote in a separate post on Instagram.
The Anambra State Police Command has rescued Reverend Father Stephen Echezona, abducted by gunmen at a petrol station in Ichida, Anaocha Local Government Area.
The assailants, operating in a white Lexus SUV without a plate number, took the priest in his own vehicle after abandoning theirs during a gun exchange with security operatives who responded to the attack.
In a statement on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the victim was rescued in the early hours of March 23, 2025, by a joint security team comprising the police, military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and local vigilante groups from Ichida and Ihiala.
“In the early hours of today, March 23, 2025, a Joint Security team comprising the Police, Military, Civil Defence, AVG Ichida, and Ihiala respectively secured the release of Rev. Father Stephen Echezona at Ihiala. The priest was returned unharmed,” Ikenga said.
He added that the kidnappers abandoned their Lexus SUV in an attempt to escape after a gun battle with security forces.
“The victim was abducted at a fuel station in Ichida where a joint security force engaged the armed criminals in a gun duel.
“The assailants abandoned the white Lexus and, in a bid to flee the scene due to the superior firepower of the Joint Security Team, held the Rev. Father hostage.
“The operatives also recovered the white Lexus vehicle,” he further stated.
Ikenga explained that a coordinated chase led to multiple security checkpoints being alerted, forcing the kidnappers to abandon the priest in Ihiala and escape through a nearby bush.
“In a coordinated hot chase by the operatives, different security checkpoints and security operatives in the state were alerted, which resulted in the criminals abandoning the Priest at Ihiala and escaping through a nearby bush.
“The joint security team has taken over the scene in Ihiala for possible arrest of the armed criminals and recovery of the Toyota Highlander belonging to the Rev. Father.
“Further developments would be communicated, please,” Ikenga added.
Mrs Uchechi Kanu, wife of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has said the apologies tendered by her husband’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi, SAN, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, are yielding results.
Uchechi said it was crucial for Agabi, whom she described as “a towering figure” to address the court in that manner to ease tensions.
The IPOB leader’s wife stated this in a press statement shared with Sunday PUNCH.
She disclosed that the apologies were Agabi’s initiatives to clarify past arguments and outbursts witnessed at Justice Binta Nyako’s court, adding that the counsel’s decisions would facilitate dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
At the resumed sitting, Agabi apologised to the court on behalf of the IPOB leader, saying, “They are now at a place where they must apologise to Justice Binta Nyako, the prosecution team, and his legal team.”
Agabi stated that Kanu had been angry for a long time, and noted that the attack on Justice Nyako was unjustified. He also apologised to Kanu’s team, whom Kanu had verbally attacked at the last sitting.
The counsel further expressed regret over Kanu’s comments directed at the Federal Government’s counsel, who is also the chairman of the Body of Benchers, describing him as a lawyer held in high regard.
Reacting to the development, Uchechi said, “My husband, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, accepted the need for Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, the new lead counsel, to address the court of Justice James Omotosho on what transpired at Binta Nyako’s court, that shook the foundations of the Nigerian judiciary.”
“These clarifications were duly delivered by Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN—a towering figure. Chief Agabi, stepping into Onyendu’s brief, acted to smooth the ruffled feathers in some segments of the bar and bench, caused by his legitimate, anger-fuelled outbursts against Justice Binta Nyako’s court that led to her recusal.
She said, “Chief Kanu Agabi’s stature demanded it; he couldn’t represent Onyendu without restoring decorum acceptable to the Abuja bench in particular and the judiciary in general.
“Remarkably, Justice James Omotosho, also apologised to Onyendu for the prolonged delay and mishandling of his trial over the years, acknowledging his ordeal at the hands of the Federal High Court Abuja.”
The Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi, has said that President Tinubu acted fast to save Nigeria’s economy by declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State.
He also said it was the proper thing to do to suspend the political actors in the two factions to allow for tensions to diffuse.
Karimi, in a statement on Friday in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, said that the President acted in the best interest of the state and Nigeria, having taken his decision in compliance with the constitution.
He said, “President Bola Tinubus’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State have wider political and economic safeguards for both the state and the county at large.
“No President or government worth its name, will fold its arms and watch a political situation deteriorate to what we saw in Rivers State. We saw that bombing of pipelines had begun, and the security situation was getting worse with the tension everywhere.”
He recalled the “fatherly role” Tinubu had played in the crisis since 2023 in a bid to get the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, to reach an understanding, but to no avail.
He explained, “We were all here in 2023 when Mr President called that truce meeting at the Aso Rock Villa. There was an eight-point agenda for settlement reached between the factions.
“When Nigerians expected that progress should be made to achieve peace, things started deteriorating considerably to a point where the governor demolished the House of Assembly building and administered the state with only three legislators.”
Karimi observed that with the recent judgment of the Supreme Court, which gave the upper hand to the 27 lawmakers loyal to the camp of the FCT minister, matters merely got worse in the state as the lawmakers were set to impeach the governor.
“What did you expect would be the implications? There would have been more destruction, killings and economic losses for the country.
With the bombings that had already started, it was a matter of time before the whole state would be engulfed in flames. No responsible President would sit, arms folded, and allow that to happen,” he added.
The senator further argued that it took “painstaking efforts” by the administration to raise daily crude oil production to around 1,800 barrels, noting that Nigeria’s economy was already “witnessing a rebound under the renewed hope projects of the government.”
“Allowing the situation in Rivers to get worse before he would act, wouldn’t have helped the state or Nigeria as a country in any way.
“Mr. President intervened at the right time, and his actions are covered by law”, he said
Karimi also spoke on the emergency declaration done in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and a couple of other states by former President Goodluck Jonathan without removing the governors from office or suspending the state assemblies.
He stated that the case with those states was not generated by political crises but rather by security concerns.
“So, I will advise those comparing the two scenarios to remember that one was purely about security threats resulting from the insurgency caused by Boko Haram, while that of Rivers is clearly political.
“It was the proper thing to do to suspend the political actors in the two factions to allow for tensions to diffuse. Nigerians should appreciate the President for the action he has taken so far,” he stated.
He also noted that there was no cause for alarm as the National Assembly had indicated that the emergency rule could be reviewed as soon as there were signs that things could quickly normalise in the state.
A former queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, has applauded the dismissal of criminal charges against her and two others over a stampede incident in Ibadan, Oyo State, which led to the death of 35 children.
She, however, says her heart still grieves over the tragedy.
PUNCH Online reports that the Oyo State Government had in December 2024 filed murder charges against the ex-queen, popular broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat and the Principal of Islamic High School in Bashorun, Abdullahi Fasasi.
The defendants spent nearly a month at Agodi Correctional Centre in Ibadan and spent Christmas and New Year’s Day in custody before they were released on bail.
At the Thursday proceedings, the Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, applied to withdraw the charges before an Oyo State High Court.
Following the application, the judge, Justice B.K. Olawoyin struck out the case and dismissed the murder charges.
Reacting to the ruling in a post via her Instagram handle on Thursday, Silekunola stated that she had been silent on the matter due to a court order but expressed relief at the outcome.
She wrote, “As a woman and a mother who for many years has been a passionate lover and advocate of children, my heart bleeds and goes out to the bereaved families whose children lost their lives in the event of December 18, 2024, which was intended for good but later ended up in a sad experience for us all.
“My prayer is for God to comfort the families and rest the souls of the children who lost their lives in the unfortunate occurrence. May the Lord restore their joy and grant each of them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
She appreciated the Oyo State Government for acting in good faith and also expressed gratitude to her family, religious leaders, and supporters for the love and prayers she received during her ordeal.
“Through God, in His infinite mercies today, the charges against us were withdrawn after a compassionate consideration from the Oyo State Government, having considered our intention and our attitude towards all that has happened.
“Though we feel relieved by the outcome of today’s court proceeding, my heart and the hearts of everyone directly affected still grieve the loss. I pray for our healing and ask for your prayers also.
“I have received love so pure, so genuine, with no iota of discrimination and prejudice… My dearest nuclear and extended family, my spiritual daddies and mummies, my loving ardent followers and fans spread across the globe, my friends, volunteers, and partners of Wings. Indeed, eniyan laso mi! You all prayed for me, on me, and with me. Ha! Thank you!! I couldn’t believe my ears and my eyes.”
NAFDAC destroys N1tn fake drugs, others in Anambra
The National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control, on Friday, destroyed counterfeit, substandard and fake pharmaceutical and other products worth over one trillion naira at the Anambra State Waste Management Authority Dump Site, Agu Awka, Anambra State.
The Director General of the agency, Mojisola Adeyeye, who performed the exercise at the dump site located in the Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra, said the affected products include, Analgin, controlled substances such as Tramadol 225mg, amongst others.
Adeyeye, who was represented by the NAFDAC’s South-East Zonal Director, Dr Martins Iluyomade, said the fake, substandard, unregistered, and expired drugs were confiscated from Onitsha Bridge Head Drug Market (Ogbu- Ogu) and Ekumi/ Tenant Road drug market in Aba.
Addressing journalists shortly before the destruction of the items, the NAFDAC boss reiterated the commitment of NAFDAC to ensuring that food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, packaged water and drinks are safe, wholesome and effective for human consumption.
NAFDAC destroys N1tn fake drugs, others in Anambra
She said, “Today, we are destroying the fake, counterfeit and illicit drugs that were seized during our one month enforcement exercise. The products that were classified as illicit, expired, and banned were confiscated during a raid on Onitsha Bridge Head Drug Market (Ogbu- Ogu) and Ekumi/ Tenant Road drug market in Aba.
“The recent discovery of counterfeit and other products in these major markets in the country is mind-boggling. The discoveries made of the presence of unregistered products, banned products such as Analgin, and Controlled substances such as Tramadol 225mg amongst others, are part of the things making our country unsafe in terms of security.
She noted that the agency intends to put an end to substandard drugs.
She said, “We, as an agency have come to realise that the time has come to put an end to the circulation of substandard medicines in Nigeria. Different calls, different cries have been made and we have listened to those cries and rejig our ways and assured Nigerians that they can go to bed that whatever medicines that are now in the system are safe and fit for consumption.
The enforcement exercise took us about a month from February 10 to March 5 and we want to say it is a continuous exercise. The current management of NAFDAC has an unrenewable commitment to ensure that these fake drugs are stamped out. It is a bit complex even though we have said that medicines have been certified but still people get them in.
“Bulk volumes of narcotics and other medicines that are not approved because of their effect were confiscated. The volume that we found during this exercise is more than enough to destabilise a country, by research, there is a correlation between them and insecurity.
“The volume is huge and humongous and it is one of the highest in the world. From Onitsha and Aba, the total volume of trucks of fake drugs that have been moved out of these markets are over a 100 40ft containers. And it is over a trillion naira, the estimated value of products that are being destroyed today. Millions of people have been saved by this action alone
“We assure all Nigerians that the medicines that are now available in the market are authentic and efficacious and we urge Nigerians that when they see something, they should say something.”
The NAFDAC boss, however, commended the media for its role in propagating the fight against fake drugs in the country, calling for every individual to lend their voice against fake drugs.
The Managing Director of Anambra State Waste Management Authority, Mike Ozoemanam, who represented the governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, commended NAFDAC for sanitising the market of fake and illicit drugs.
He said, “The governor visited the market during the enforcement exercise. He did not come there to play politics, but to support the agency. The governor took the bull by the horns because we saw the correlation between the fake drugs and the effect on our youths and you can see that the state is now quiet.
“Anambra people are good people and peace-loving people and we urge NAFDAC not to relent in their fight against fake and illicit drugs Whether banned or contaminated, we do not want it in Anambra State.”
The suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Friday, secured a court injunction barring the Independent National Electoral Commission from accepting the recall petition from her constituency.
The push to recall the lawmaker intensified on Thursday, with more groups in her constituency throwing their weight behind the process.
The move comes on the heel of her suspension from the Red Chamber, after a dispute with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over seating arrangements.
On Wednesday, constituents began the process for her recall but INEC denied knowledge of the process.
The Federal High Court sitting at Lokoja on Thursday, however, granted an interim injunction restraining INEC from receiving or acting on any petition seeking to recall her pending the determination of the motion.
The court granted the application following an ex-parte application for interim injunction supported by an affidavit of extreme urgency along with other court processes sworn to by Anebe Jacob Ogirima for himself and four others who are registered voters and constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The application was moved by Smart Nwachimere of West-Idahosa, SAN & Co.
The case was adjourned to May 6, 2025 for a report of service and further mention.
The order read, “That an interim injunction is granted restraining the defendant, staff, agents, privies or assigns from receiving, accepting or acting in any way whatsoever on any purported petitions submitted to the defendant by any person or persons whatsoever, containing fictitious signatures and names of purported members of the said district and conducting any referendum to initiate a recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as senator pending the determination of the motion.
“That the enrolled order of this honourable court alongside the Motion on notice be served on the defendant/Respondent pending the determination of the substantive suit. That the return date shall be the 6th day of May 2025 for report of service and further mention.”
