Metro

Continuous Closure Of Onitsha Drug Market: Traders Sue NAFDAC, SON, NSCDC For N1 bn

Published

7 months ago

February 28, 2025

Editor

A group of traders at the Ogbo Ogwu Bridgehead market, Onitsha, Anambra State, under the umbrella of Unite Nigeria Group (UNG), has dragged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and three others to the Federal High Court sitting at Awka, Anambra State, for allegedly breaking into their shops at the drug market and carting away their goods worth billions of naira without a valid court order or search warrant.

Joined in the suit as the second, third and fourth respondents are Dr Martins Iluyomade, Southeast Zonal Director of NAFDAC; Director-General, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON; and the Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Anambra State Command.

The applicants, Comrade Peter Okala, Dr Tanko Yunusa, Prof. Samuel Anidike and Comrade C. C. Enwereonwu, for themselves and on behalf of other members of the group operating under the name and style of UNG, are claiming a total sum of N1 billion from the respondents as exemplary and general damages jointly and severally for the damages they suffered at Ogbo Ogwu market located at Niger Bridgehead, Onitsha, as a result of the acts of respondents.

In the Suit No. FHC/AWK/CS/40/2025, the applicants brought the application for the enforcement of their fundamental rights by way of Motion on Notice, pursuant to Sections 34, 35, 41, 43, 44 and Section 46 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), and under Order 2, Rules 1, 2 and 3 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009 and under the Inherent Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

Apart from asking the court to order the respondents to pay them the total sum of N1 billion jointly and severally, the applicants are also seeking a declaration that the respondents’ act of breaking into their shops at Ogbo Ogwu market, Niger Bridgehead, Onitsha, confiscating and carting away goods worth N500 billion without a valid court order or search warrant is a breach of their fundamental rights guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The applicants are also seeking a declaration of the court that the respondents should return back to them all the goods, drugs and pharmaceutical products confiscated and carted away from their shops at Ogbo Ogwu market, Niger Bridgehead Onitsha, as well as an order restraining them and their agents from further breaking into their shops and carting away goods without valid court order or search warrant.

Metro

Gunmen Kill 12 Forest Guards In Kwara

Published

13 minutes ago

September 29, 2025

Editor

Gunmen in central Nigeria have killed at least a dozen guards who protect forests and flush out criminal gangs and jihadists, police said.

The attack occurred on Sunday when the attackers raided Oke-Ode, a small town around 70 kilometres (45 miles) from the Kwara state capital, Ilorin.

Police said the armed men “invaded” the area, “shooting sporadically”.

Police and forest security services responded and “discovered 12 lifeless bodies” of the guards. Four others were wounded.

It was not immediately clear who the gunmen were.

But gangs known locally as bandits and jihadists operate out of bases hidden in forests across the northern and central states.

The criminal gangs loot and burn down villages as well as carry out kidnapping for ransom.

The state has witnessed a series of deadly attacks in recent months, with locals blaming the Mahmuda group, a gang loyal to Mahmud al-Nigeri, a senior leader of the Ansaru terror group.

Ansaru grew out of a 2021 split within the Boko Haram group and the group then allied itself with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

Nigeria’s national security adviser Nuhu Ribadu said last month that Ansaru has “urban sleeper cells” and “remote forest bases” in Niger and Kwara states in central Nigeria.

In mid-August, Nigerian authorities announced the capture of al-Nigeri along with fellow Ansaru figure Mahmud Muhammad Usman.

Kwara state governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq called for “increased security deployments” to help “roll back the activities of criminals.”

Metro

Kidnappers Demand N10m To Free in-law Of Delta Governor’s Media Aide

Published

20 hours ago

September 29, 2025

Editor

Tension has gripped Jesse community in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State following the abduction of Mr. Francis Amakare, an in-law to Prince Joseph Orhomonokpaye, Senior Special Assistant on Community Newspapers to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

According to The Guardian, Amakare was reportedly kidnapped on Friday, September 26, while returning home. The abductors, said to have operated swiftly and without resistance, have since contacted his family, demanding ₦10 million for his release.

A family source confirmed the ransom demand and disclosed that the kidnappers warned against involving security agencies, heightening fears among relatives and residents.

As of press time, Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, said he had not received an official report of the incident.

Meanwhile, local vigilantes and community security outfits in Jesse have launched a manhunt for the abductors.

Prince Orhomonokpaye, who was visibly distressed, is reportedly working with authorities and community leaders to secure Amakare’s safe release.

The incident has once again highlighted rising insecurity in Delta State and the growing wave of kidnappings across the Niger Delta region.

“We are no longer safe in our homes or on the roads. Every day we hear of kidnappings, yet little seems to change,” a resident lamented.
Negotiations with the kidnappers were reportedly ongoing at the time of filing this report.

Metro

Residents Flee Kogi Community Over Fear Of Bandit Attacks

Published

2 days ago

September 27, 2025

Editor

Hundreds of residents of Okunran village in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State have deserted their homes following persistent attacks by armed bandits.

A viral video circulating on social media showed the once-bubbling community completely deserted, with houses abandoned and streets empty.

“Okunran, once a bubbling town, is now a ghost town,” a resident said.

The villagers said they fled to escape incessant kidnappings, killings, and ransom demands that have plagued the community.

“The government has failed us, security agencies have failed us. If we remain here, we will be consumed by bandits. We are tired of paying ransom and contributing money for bandits,” said Akin Samuel, a fleeing resident.

The Guardian learnt that neighbouring communities, including Okoloke and Egbe, are also considering leaving if the attacks persist.

The abduction of the first-class traditional ruler of Okoloke, 90-year-old Pa. Dada James Ogunyanda, in May 2025, deepened the climate of fear in the area. Although he was released after a ransom was paid, the monarch has refused to return to his palace.

A native of Okunran, Auwal Maroof, who now lives in Lokoja, said the decision to flee became inevitable.

“We have been praying for God’s intervention, but the insecurity persists to the point that fleeing was the only option to stay alive,” he said.

Egbe, the commercial hub of Yagba, is feared to be vulnerable due to its close connection with neighbouring Kwara State, where the bandits are suspected to be coming from.

Local sources report that at least 10 people, including seven police officers and three civilians, were killed by bandits in Yagba within one week this month.

The Chairman of Yagba East Local Government recently imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in a bid to contain the crisis, while the Kogi State government and the senator representing the district have pledged to rid the area of bandits.