Metro

Anambra: Gunmen Invade APC Meeting, Kill One, Injure Others

Published

4 years ago

September 27, 2021

Gunmen on Sunday reportedly attacked some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing one of its members.

DAILY POST gathered that the party members were holding a meeting of Uruagu Ward 3, in preparation for the forthcoming governorship election, when the men struck, disrupted the meeting with a hail of gunshots, leading to the death of one Somadina Oforma, a member of the party in the ward.

It was also gathered that several other members of the party who were in the meeting sustained varying degrees of injury as a result of the attack.

Meanwhile, the candidate of the APC in the forthcoming election, Senator Andy Uba has said the attack was politically motivated, while also calling on the state governor, Willie Obiano to quickly rise and stop the spate of killings in the state.

Uba in a press release by his campaign organization, which was signed by the Director of Media, Victor Ogene stated that it is not the first time its party members would be attacked.

The release reads: “The late Oforma was, without any provocation, shot dead inside the APC office at Uruagu Ward 3, Nnewi North Local Government Area of the state, while holding a meeting with other party faithful, many of whom sustained varying degrees of injury.

“Uba has, however, promised to immortalize the deceased, and also reach out to the injured.

“We recall that, on July 31, 2021 at Oba, Idemili South LGA, unknown gunmen, operating in a similar fashion, accosted and killed Mr. Cosmas Eze, our party’s acting Assistant Secretary for the local government area, and dispossessed him of the APC branded Sienna vehicle he was driving. The late Mr. Eze hailed from Akwu Ukwu in the same council area.

“The seemingly targeted attack on the APC was to go a notch higher, when on Saturday, September 10, 2021, the traditional ruler of Mkpunando in Anambra East LGA, Igwe Alex Edozieuno, and his driver, Chukwuemeka, were waylaid and killed.

“It is instructive to note that the late Igwe Edozieuno had one month before his brutal death joined the APC, after being deposed by the Obiano administration.

“Whilst not imputing any direct motive to these attacks, we are however constrained to observe that our party, the APC, has borne the brunt of the majority of them, leaving us to wonder when political contest in Anambra State degenerated to the point of opposition party members living in fear.

“We, therefore, call on Governor Obiano, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, and other law enforcement agencies, including the police, the Department of State Security, DSS and the Civil Defense Corps, to urgently take steps to halt the growing reign of terror in our state.”

The spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident, saying it happened at about 7pm on Sunday.

Ikenga said: “Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command CP Tony Olofu has ordered an investigation into a shooting incident at Uruagu Community, Nnewi on 26/09/2021.

“Preliminary investigation reveals the attackers at about 7pm on 26/09/2021, along Uruagu Community, started shooting sporadically. Two persons who sustained gunshot injuries were taken to the hospital. One of the victims who was later identified as Somuadina Oforma was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty while the other is receiving treatment in the hospital.”

Metro

Man Arrested In Edo For Alleged Abduction Of 4-year-old

Published

10 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

21-year-old ThankGod Destiny has been arrested by the Edo State Security Corps, ESSC, for allegedly kidnapping a four-year-old boy in the state.

Deputy Corps Commander, Operations, of the ESSC, Richard Balogun, who disclosed this to newsmen in Benin on Thursday, said the suspect has been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.

Balogun, while disclosing that the incident happened on January 4, 2026 at Ikpoba Hill, Benin, said the arrest of the suspect followed an alarm raised by a commercial bus driver and a female passenger.

The ESSC commander said, “On January 4, 2026, a woman went out with her son at lkpoba Hill in Benin city. A few minutes later, the son disappeared from her sight.
This suspect identified as ThankGod Destiny had allegedly kidnapped the four-year-old boy.

“The little boy was hurriedly taken into a commercial bus going towards kings Square in Benin city.

“The driver of the bus who noticed a great difference in resemblance between the little boy and the man, however questioned where he was heading with the little boy.

“He lied that the boy is ill and he is taking him to the hospital. But later on, a female passenger asked him about his destination with the boy. He replied that he was going to buy the boy shoe.

“The various replies made the driver and the woman raise the alarm. The alarm attracted men of the Edo State Security Corps who were on patrol. The suspect was immediately arrested and the kidnapped little boy rescued unhurt.”

Balogun, who said the victim has been reunited with his family, assured that the Corps will continue to hunt for criminals in the state.

Metro

Imo Police Arrest Man Accused Of Defilement In Viral Video

Published

11 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

Imo State Police Command has arrested one 24-year-old man, Wisdom Onyeaju, from Umuekweye, Irete, Owerri-West Local Government Area, in connection with an alleged case of defilement.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Okoye Henry, made this known in a statement on Thursday.

DSP Henry said the arrest followed credible information received by the Command from the family of the victim, who had earlier drawn public attention to the incident through a viral video circulating on social media.

According to Henry, the suspect is currently in custody and undergoing thorough investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID.

The police mouthpiece further said that the suspect would be arraigned in court with the appropriate charges upon the conclusion of investigation.

DSP Henry also disclosed that the Command has also identified and detained the police officers alleged to have been involved in professional misconduct in the course of handling the case.

“An orderly room trial has been scheduled to commence on Monday, 12th January, 2026, to address the misconduct in line with extant police regulations.

“We remain committed to professionalism, transparency, and accountability. Justice will be served in this matter,” the Command assured.

Metro

Edo widow-lawyer Diabolically Blinded Over Contract Seeks Okpebholo’s Intervention

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2026

Editor

…says efforts to meet gov blocked

A blind-widow and mother of four, Barr. Benny Francis, has appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State to intervene over what she described as injustice meted on her and her children.

She lamented that after her husband, who was the breadwinner of the family, was knocked down by a bus chased by the then Kelly Okungbowa aka Ebo-Stone-led Edo State Task Force, all her efforts to meet with the governor had proved abortive.

“When the governor heard about the incident, we were told he asked “where is the family of the man?” The governor is actually interested in the case but we are being blocked from gaining access. I have met with the Coordinator of the First Lady, and she was trying to arrange for our meeting with the governor, but in one of my visits to the Office to the Office of the First Lady, I met Ebo-Stone in the office, so I waited at the reception. To my own surprise, the Coordinator didn’t meet with me that day despite the fact that she was the one that asked me to come. Till this moment, no attempt from that end. This is what happens to any highly placed political office holders I met regarding my ordeal. They may attend to me and listen to me initially, but once I meet them with Ebo-Stone, their doors become completely shut against me. I don’t know what they are hiding,” she narrated.

Narrating how her tragic and pathetic story started on Wednesday, she said, until the tragic incident that happened to her that led to her losing her sight, “she was a contractor with the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC) and was awarded a contract to construct a 10-unit staff quarters in Ughoton Community, Edo State.”

She added that “during the execution of this project, I was diabolically attacked and rendered blind,” stressing that “following this unfortunate incident, EDSOGPADEC assured me that they would compensate me for all my losses, settle my medical bills, and support my recovery. Unfortunately, these promises were never fulfilled.

“The former Secretary to the State Government (Barr. Osarodion Ogie) directed them to provide me with a Prado Jeep and a hilux to assist with my mobility, but after the car was delivered, the former Oil and Gas Chairman ordered its retrieval within 24 hours under the pretext of repairs. Till date, the vehicle has not been returned.

“In pursuit of justice, I took the matter to court, where I initially demanded N1 billion in damages. The government pleaded for a settlement of N300 million, but after court deliberations, it was agreed that I would receive N500 million in compensation. Despite this legal resolution, only N50 million was offered, which I was advised to reject due to the lack of a conclusive agreement. Since then, the government has failed to fulfill their promises, including offering me new contracts as earlier pledged.

“As a result of this ordeal, I lost all my properties, including my home, cars, and valuables to the bank, as I had taken loans to finance the EDSOGPADEC project. My financial situation has deteriorated drastically, leaving me struggling to survive.”

She lamented that “as if my suffering was not enough, tragedy struck again on December 11, 2024. My husband, who had been my only pillar of support, was tragically killed in an accident caused by the Edo State Task Force under the current administration.

“He was struck by a bus driver being pursued by the Task Force, led by a man known as “Able Stone”, and the vehicle crushed his head. He was rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital and later referred to UBTH, where he sadly passed away by 5:00 PM that same day.

“I lost my husband when I was five months pregnant and left to care for four young children, now as a widow, with no means of support. I have made several attempts to meet with His Excellency, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, to personally narrate my plight, but all efforts have been unsuccessful.”

The widow, who debunked Ebo-Stone’s claim that he has compensated her and the children, appealed to the governor to “as a father and a man of compassion, to intervene in my case. I seek the support of the Edo State Government.”

Contacted, Ebo-Stone picked the phone call but hurriedly said “I am in a party,” and ended the call immediately he heard journalist. The SMS sent to his telephone as a follow-up was not responded to as at when filing the report.