The Anambra State Police Command has nabbed two suspects over alleged theft of two related minors at Okpuno-Oba, Idemili-South Local Government Area of the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Awka.
Ikenga said that on June 12, police operatives attached to Ozubulu Division rescued the children between the ages of three and five.
He said that during the operation, the operatives arrested one Daniel Onyedika, male, 19 and Nkechi Onuwa, female, 25, at Okpuno-Oba, Idemili-South LGA.
According to Ikenga, the operatives swift reaction followed a report by the mother of the victims, that one of her children came and narrated to her how an unknown person had taken away two of his siblings on their way to her shop along Nwafor Junction, Eziora, Ozubulu.
During the interrogation of the suspects, Onyedika admitted to the crime and took the operatives to Oba where he had already handed over the children to Onuwa for the continuation of their criminal plan.
The police spokesman further said that the command has expanded the investigations for the arrest of the other members of the syndicate.
He said that the case would be charged to court on the conclusion of investigations.
“This achievement showcases the command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable members of the society and tackling crimes against children,” he said.
The Executive Chairman of Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area, Musibau Asafa, is dead.
Asafa was said to have died during a prolonged illness.
His death, which has thrown the LCDA into mourning, was formally announced in a statement shared via Facebook on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Bodunrin Ayodele.
Ayodele, however, did not disclose when the chairman died.
The statement read, “Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area is in mourning following the passing of its Executive Chairman, Prince Musibau Adekunle Asafa.
“Prince Asafa, a respected politician, leader and dedicated public servant, succumbed to a prolonged illness, leaving behind a legacy of service and commitment to the people he served.
“According to a close family member, Prince Asafa’s passing was confirmed after a long battle with illness. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, he was unable to recover and passed on, leaving his family, friends, and colleagues in shock and grief.
“As news of his passing spreads, tributes and condolences are expected to pour in from well-wishers, community leaders, and government officials who had the privilege of working with him. Prince Asafa’s leadership was marked by a commitment to improving the lives of his constituents, and his contributions to the local government will be deeply missed.
“Oto-Awori LCDA has lost a dedicated servant, and his passing will be felt by many. May his legacy live on, and may his family find solace in the memories of his life and service.”
The Executive Chairman of Somolu Local Government Area, Abdul-Hamed Salawu through the Somolu LGA social media accounts on Saturday also condoled with Oto-Awori LCDA over the chairman’s demise.
The post read, “The executive chairman of Somolu Local Government, Abdul- Hammed Salawu, has sent the condolences of the Executive, Legislature, Management and the people of Somolu Local Government to the people of Oto- Awori LCDA and APC family, over the painful demise of Prince Musbau Adekunle Asafa, the executive chairman of Oto- Awori LCDA.
Segun Oluwayomi: Pioneering AlujoHymn Fusion, the New Sound of African Worshi
Award-winning gospel saxophonist Segun Oluwayomi is the creative force behind AlujoHymn Fusion—a powerful new genre where the pulse of African rhythms meets the sacred soul of Christian hymns. A native of Ilorin, Nigeria, and an alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University, Oluwayomi has turned his saxophone into a prophetic tool for worship and healing.
His musical journey spans over two decades, three landmark albums (Arugbo Ojo Series I–III), and multiple international tours across Europe, the UK, the U.S., and East Africa. His recent singles—Bethlehem, Prophetic Declaration on Nigeria, and Praise of the Prophets II—continue to reinforce his position as a spiritual voice in African jazz and Christian music.
Oluwayomi’s ministry is deeply rooted in Colossians 3:16, calling people into deeper worship. Whether through live concerts, social media, or broadcast ministry, testimonies of divine encounters and miraculous healings have followed his music.
Described as “the face of traditional Christian music,” Segun Oluwayomi is a cultural bridge between heritage and holiness, carrying the sound of heaven with Africa’s heartbeat.
Villagers from Umunobo, Nkwu-Emeke, Akalovu in Emekuku in the Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State have raised the alarm following the presence of masked herdsmen in the community.
This is even as the Imo State Police Command has assured the residents that there was no cause for alarm as security operatives had been deployed to ensure calm and safety.
One of the villagers who pleaded anonymity told PUNCH Metro on Thursday during our correspondent’s visit to the community that eight masked herdsmen were seen advancing towards the village on Wednesday morning from the bushes.
The source said villagers had a misunderstanding with the herdsmen over the trampling of their crops in the farms by their cows adding that they later dispersed.
However, early Wednesday morning, they said eight masked herdsmen were seen bearing AK-47 rifles and advancing into their village, a development that triggered panic and confusion.
When contacted, the Imo State Police spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, said the command was aware of the incident.
Okoye said “the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, had immediately deployed the DPOs of Owerri Urban, New Owerri, Owerri North divisions to the place to guard against any attack.
“Furthermore, he immediately deployed men from the Special Intervention Squad of security operatives in synergy with Nigeria Army operatives to patrol the area.
“There is no cause for alarm as the situation is under control. We have an adequate security presence. We appeal to the people to go about their lawful business, as their safety is guaranteed”, Okoye said.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has stated that operational use of the newly renovated Abuja International Conference Centre will commence after the inauguration, scheduled for the 10th of June, 2025.
The Minister disclosed this on Monday, after inspecting the renovated ICC, the Outer Southern Expressway going to Wassa, and the Gishiri road construction project.
Recall that the Minister had shut down the Conference Centre in April 2024 for an initial period of eight months, cancelling all previously booked events and activities, while citing poor maintenance by the previous managers, Messrs Integrated Facility Management Services Limited.
Wike then reawarded the comprehensive renovation of the facility to Julius Berger, announcing that the ICC will be handed back to the Abuja Investment Company Limited following its renovation.
However, on Monday, the Minister stated that the FCT administration will enter an agreement with Julius Berger for the maintenance of the facility, describing maintenance of government facilities as “a significant challenge in this country.”
He noted that the new technological installations were not too complicated to be operated by the local staff who worked in the facility, adding that the administration will ensure that things are properly done.
“The centre will be maintained by Julius Berger, the company that built it. We’re not going to hand it over to any politician to manage. Maintenance is a significant challenge in this country, and we’re committed to doing things differently.
“The agreement with Julius Beggar will ensure that maintenance is done properly. We’re working on the details, and once the agreement is signed, we’ll make sure that anyone who uses the centre pays for maintenance.
“Don’t worry about the new technology; the company that provided it will handle maintenance. The staff working there are Nigerians who have been supervised by us. The technology isn’t complicated, and we’ll start operations soon after commissioning,” he said.
Wike also stated that leadership was crucial to the completion of various projects in the FCT, despite bureaucratic hurdles, stating, “Bureaucracy can be a challenge, but when you communicate your vision clearly and set expectations, people understand what needs to be done. Leadership is essential. Without it, you can’t achieve anything.”
“I work closely with civil servants who understand the vision and are committed to achieving it. If someone is not performing well, I take decisive action. It’s not about dictating, but about communicating and setting clear expectations,” he added.
The PUNCH reports that the FCT administration has scheduled 17 days for the inauguration of projects across the nation’s capital, with the Conference Center scheduled to be inaugurated on Tuesday (tomorrow).
Thomas Tuchel said he is impatient to see improvement from his England side and believes there is no need to “sugarcoat” criticism after an underwhelming 1-0 victory over minnows Andorra on Saturday.
The Three Lions came under fire for their sloppy performance in the World Cup qualifier in Barcelona, where Harry Kane scored the only goal early in the second half.
They were booed after struggling to break down a team ranked 173rd in the world even though they extended Tuchel’s winning start to three games.
“I’m impatient and want to do better,” the former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain boss said ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Senegal in Nottingham.
“We are thinking about giving the players a little bit more freedom in the structure — let’s see.
“Tomorrow we face a more physical and demanding team. On paper it might not look as offensive as we were against Andorra but will give the players more freedom to express themselves and hopefully we see that on Tuesday.”
A serial winner of major titles, Tuchel was appointed as the third foreign coach of England to great fanfare, but he has so far failed to deliver on the exciting brand of football he promised.
His reign began with a 2-0 win over Albania and 3-0 victory against Latvia in March.
England captain Kane conceded the Euro 2024 finalists had “got away with one” given their lacklustre performance in front of a small crowd at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium.
“I think there was commonsense straight after in the dressing room,” said Tuchel.
“We underperformed clearly in the physical input in the game which you could see on the sideline and the data. We didn’t run enough.”
The German said he believed in brutal honesty.
“I protect my players, I said no names of players,” he said. “We as a team didn’t match our standards.
“I didn’t like the last 10 minutes, I felt on the sidelines. We didn’t play seriously enough to win it in the end and what we needed to do in a World Cup qualifier.
“Everything I say here I say to the players, why should I sugarcoat? There is no harm done, we can have criticism and I believe a group of players in football can speak honestly to each other.
“I always include myself in that — now it’s on us to do better. The attitude towards training and the camp and commitment is outstanding. Everybody wanted to be there and be involved, they wanted to start and wanted to play. We will analyse and try to do better.”
The lawmaker representing Borno South, Senator Ali Ndume, on Monday clarified that an earlier report attributed to him regarding an attack on former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen.Tukur Buratai (retd.) in Borno State was misrepresented.
The former Senate Leader clarified this speculation in a statement he signed on Monday in Abuja.
According to him, the ‘Buratai’ he referred to was a town in Biu Local Government Area of the state and not the ex-chief who shares the same surname with the place.
Ndume, who featured as a guest during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, had raised concerns about the escalating insecurity in the region.
While revealing the extent of killings in the area, he added that a fierce exchange of gunfire ensued between the attackers and soldiers when they attacked Buratai last Friday.
While on the show, Ndume lamented, “We are in a dire security situation
“Just two days ago, Buratai was attacked at the front operations base in Borno.
“Some soldiers responded gallantly, but the insurgents managed to destroy several military assets.”
“The attackers reportedly targeted high-value equipment, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPVs), tanks, and machine guns.”
Ndume added that the insurgents not only destroy these assets but also cart away weaponry and equipment.
Barely 24 hours after his interview, the senator clarified his earlier statement, saying he wasn’t referring to the immediate past Chief of Army Staff.
“It was Buratai town in Borno state that was attacked, not the person of the erstwhile Chief of Army Staff,” he clarified.
Incidentally, the former service chief also hails from the same Buratai town in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
Buratai served as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff from 2015 to 2021 and was a central figure in the country’s counterinsurgency campaign.
Since his retirement, he has remained an influential figure in security circles.
Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, has declared that after God, his loyalty lies with President Bola Tinubu, saying that he takes instructions only from the duo.
Umahi made the declaration in Abakaliki while speaking with newsmen on the president’s recent commendation of him over some infrastructural feats.
The minister said the commendation was worth more than one trillion dollars to him, as it shows he was on the right track and that God answers prayers.
“I have told the president even publicly that my loyalty is to God first and then, him.
“When a man gives you the type of trust Tinubu has given me, you will.be of the devil to betray him,” he said.
He said that anyone who betrayed Tinubu after receiving such a level of trust and support would incur the wrath of God.
“Have you seen where a man presided over the procurement of a project worth N1.6 trillion, and his boss did not call him to ask how he went about it?
“I am talking about one section of the project, depending on the length.
“I pray every day that if I place myself, family, and friends over God, Tinubu, and Nigerians, let Him not answer me,” he said.
Umahi vowed to continue praying for Tinubu and all those who love him and appreciate what his doing.
“I also dedicate the president’s commendation to all those who pray for me to succeed in serving the people.
“This means that contractors would be on their toes to complete about 30 mega projects which the president will inaugurate by Dec.20.
“I am involved in the construction and inspection of the projects scattered across the six geo-political zones of the country,” he said.
Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi has defended his administration’s investment in the state’s brewery, insisting it remains a major economic asset despite criticisms.
In an interview on Monday with Arise News anchor Rufai Oseni, Obi recounted the challenges he faced attracting investment to Anambra, particularly in establishing the brewery, which he said has become the state’s largest revenue earner.
“If I ever tell you what I suffered for that brewery to be built in Anambra State, you will not believe it,” Obi said. “I had to go out trying to attract business to Anambra State. The biggest revenue source for Anambra today is that brewery.”
Responding to claims that the government’s stake in the brewery had depreciated, Obi dismissed the criticism. “Thank you very much. I wish other people in Nigeria invested in something that went down. That’s not smart,” he said sarcastically.
According to Obi, the brewery directly employs at least 500 Anambra residents and supports the livelihoods of over 5,000 others, including distributors and truck drivers.
He criticised the negative perception surrounding the investment, contrasting it with similar ventures in other states.
“They have the biggest brewery in Ogun State. Have you ever heard anybody say in Ogun State, oh, the brewery is this?” he said.
Obi also responded to recent criticisms suggesting his administration contributed to rising poverty in the state, with some accusing him of lacking the moral right to speak on poverty reduction.
“You are talking about a narrow interest, a narrow assessment. Go and look at Nigerian Competitive Index,” he replied, citing international development benchmarks. “Before I was governor in 2006, and after I came back from impeachment in 2007, I was effectively governor until 2014 — seven years.”
He noted that Nigeria, being a signatory to the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals, had global standards to measure development progress.
“By the time I ended in 2014, Anambra State under me was number one. It was UNDP that measured it, not me. I was even invited to the United Nations to come and give a speech on what we did,” Obi claimed.
The former governor emphasised improvements in education and health during his tenure and urged doubters to consult donor agencies and experts who worked on poverty reduction at the time.
“Ask everybody — the only thing I didn’t do well, Rufai, is that I wasn’t in the media. I wasn’t going about paying media people, advertising myself,” he said.
Obi concluded by stressing his simplicity and closeness to the people.
“I live in Anambra today. The only place I have a house in my name is in Anambra State. I’m inviting you — any day in Anambra State — let’s walk the streets. And people will tell you who this man is,” he said.
Residents of the Munga Dosso community in Karim- Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba have appealed to the state government to ensure strict enforcement of its anti-open grazing law to address herders and farmers’ clashes in the state.
The Youth Leader of the community, Robert Bukar, disclosed this on Monday, while briefing newsmen in Jalingo.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the Munga Dosso community has come under attack recently when scores were killed, and property worth millions of naira was destroyed by suspected herders.
Bukar noted that the bill was signed into law by the former Gov. Darius Ishaku in 2018.
He said that the enforcement of the law would address the lingering farmers/herders conflict.
He also decried the absence of the government’s representatives in the crisis-affected community.
The youth leader also said that the community was left to its faith at the time, when 12 residents of the community, who were given a mass burial, were killed by suspected herders
“Notably, no government representatives from federal, state, or local levels visited the community after this incident.
“We have a senator, a house of representatives member, a state assembly member, yet none deemed it necessary to visit us and to listen to our lamentations.
“As a peace-loving community, we always report all incidents and seek assistance from security agencies.
However, we were disappointed by the lack of government representation at the mass burial, where officials failed to commiserate with our people.
” It is true that the state government sent relief materials to the victims but relief materials are not our problem. We expected their solidarity at the time.
“The aftermath of such violence has tragically resulted in not only fatalities but also a significant number of injuries and displacements.
“It has led to a humanitarian crisis that requires urgent attention. Families are left to mourn their loved ones, while survivors grapple with trauma and insecurity.
“Access to essential resources has become increasingly challenging, complicating efforts for community stability.
“Moreover, in all these, our people are often arrested and from the police station to prison but none of the perpetrators are brought to justice.
“It is only in the recent crisis that the herders were arrested with assault rifles by the police in Karim-Lamido but were released the next day,” Bukar said.
The youth leader also appealed to government to increase security deployment to allow farmers to safely return to their farms.
He also requested Taraba government to ensure that the recently constituted administrative committee of enquiry carry out a thorough investigation to apprehend and punish the perpetrators of the recent attacks.
