Metro

Fear In Anambra Community Over Missing 19 Rifles

Published

1 year ago

May 20, 2024

Fears and concerns have heightened over the disappearance of about 19 pump action guns reportedly donated to the local vigilante security team in the Awada community in the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The PUNCH gathered that the whereabouts of the guns became unknown during the handing over of the community’s security equipment to a newly engaged security outfit.

The development caused a mild drama at the community town hall on Sunday, when the community leaders, led by its newly-elected President-General, Patrick Oyeduba, and the executive members, discovered that out of the 27 pump action guns donated to the outgoing local vigilante, only eight were handed over, while the remaining 19 could not be accounted for.

The handing over of the security items, including the pump action guns, vehicles, motorcycles and other security gadgets was supervised by the police team from the Area Commander in Ogidi led by the leader of the patrol team, Inspector Hyginus Giwonke.

Members of the community had in April, elected new executive members of the landlord association of the area, where Oyeduba emerged as the new President-General of the Awada Landlord Association.

Oyeduba, who spoke to journalists at the end of the handover, said the change of community leadership necessitated a total overhaul in the security architecture in the area to fortify security in the area.

He said, “Today, our community is changing its security architecture and personnel. A new security outfit under the Nigeria Police Community Policing led by Commander Jude Akachukwu has taken over today.

“This development became necessary because we want to fortify the security in the area by bringing in new personnel who will be loyal to the new leadership of the community.

“In the past, we had lots of security concerns even though we had the local vigilante security team in place. In the last dispensation, the community witnessed many reported cases of stealing, kidnapping, burglary, armed robberies and attacks carried out by hoodlums around the community. This shows that the security on the ground then was not active and it became necessary for us as the new leadership to make the required change.

“The former security team did not live up to expectations and there are fears they might not be loyal to the new leadership, hence the need to change and overhaul the security apparatus of the community. With this development, there is a new dawn for the Awada community in terms of security as the people can now sleep with their two eyes closed.”

Oyeduba, while lamenting over the missing guns, said an official report would be made about the worrisome development.

Earlier, while advising the new security team, the Inspector from the Ogidi Area Command, Giwonke, who supervised the handover, told the personnel to ensure they were security conscious at all times.

The commander of the new security team, Jude Ukachukwu, assured the community of adequate security of lives and property.

“We will ensure that the people of Awada are well protected. We are also using this opportunity to fire a warning to the hoodlums disturbing the community’s peace because there would not be a hiding place for any criminal elements and criminalities in Awada anymore,” he added.

Metro

‘My Wife Accused Me Of Dating Other Women, Poured Dry Pepper On Me, My Friends’

Published

26 seconds ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

A man, Olugbenga, has approached Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, seeking that an end be put to the 17-year-old marriage between him and his wife, Anatu, on the account of irreconcilable differences.

Olugbenga said that Anatu was always accusing him falsely of engaging in extramarital affairs and would fight him.

Oluwagbenga, in addition, said that Anatu once instigated her son from a previous marriage to hire thugs to beat him.

The plaintiff further stated that the defendant was hostile to his family members and his friends.

According to the plaintiff, the defendant once poured dry pepper on him and his friends, thus embarrassing him.

Olugbenga entreated the court for their children’s custody.

He also sought an order restraining his wife from harassing, threatening, and interfering with his private life.

Anatu was in court on the day the case was opened for hearing, and she denied all the allegations brought against her.

She refused to make an appearance on other adjourned dates.

Olugbenga testified that “My marriage to my wife has brought me nothing but shame and regret.

“I got married to Anatu in 2008. We have a Customary marriage and I paid her bride price.

“Peace deserted me the day my wife started living with me.

“Anatu is troublesome and difficult to live with.

“She was fond of causing trouble in our home and would end up fighting me.

“My wife was always suspecting me.

“She would accuse me of dating other women without having any proof.

“Anatu would turn the whole house upside down whenever she was in this mood and would cease that I had rest of mind.

“She would sometimes turn violent when fifteen and would destroy my property.

“My wife is also unfriendly.

“She hated it any time my friends came visiting and would refuse to attend to them.

“My friends and I were once discussing an important issue in my living room, and my wife rushed in, angry and shouting on top of her voice.

“She alleged that we were discussing our escapades with other women.

“Anatu, to my chagrin, ran to the kitchen, came back with a bowl of dry pepper, which she emptied on us.

“She did extend her hostile behaviour to my family members.

“My wife refused to attend the burial ceremonies of my grandmother, and likewise that of my grandfather.

“She gave no reasonable explanation for her action.

“My lord, Anatu once instigated his son from a previous marriage to hire thugs to beat me black and blue.

“I brought a divorce suit against her in a court, but I was prevailed upon by my family members and hers to drop the case.

“I sent her packing when it was obvious she was not ready to change.

“Anatu, still unrepentant, came to my house on a day that I was not around and broke my car windscreen.

“My lord, I have had enough of my wife’s atrocities.

“I pray the court to rule that we are no longer husband and wife.

“I again beg that the court grant me custody of our children.

“I have been taking good care of them since their mother left.

“I, in addition, request an order restraining him from threatening and interfering with my private life.”

The court president, Mrs O.E. Owoseni, in her judgment, stated that the defendant was given the right to defend herself, but she refused to come to court.

Rulings, Owoseni dissolved their union.
(TRIBUNE)

Metro

NAF To Close Lagos Airport Road For Fitness Walk

Published

17 hours ago

October 17, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force said there would be a temporary road closure in Lagos around the Murtala Mohammed Airport axis on Saturday for a 10km walk exercise by its personnel.

This is contained in a statement on Friday by the spokesperson of the NAF Headquarters Logistics Command, Lagos, Sqd. Abigail Ologun.

Ologun said that the upcoming fitness exercise is aimed at enhancing the health, well-being, and operational readiness of its personnel.

“The exercise is scheduled to commence at 6.00 a.m. and conclude by 8.00 a.m.

“During this period, certain sections of the Airport Road and adjoining routes will be temporarily closed to public vehicular movement,” she said.

Ologun said that the affected route to be closed temporarily was the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 to Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

She advised members of the public to make use of alternative routes and comply with traffic directives from the NAF and security personnel who would be on the ground to ensure safety and minimise inconvenience.

“Normal traffic flow will be restored immediately after the exercise.

“The Command assures the public that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth, safe, and hitch-free exercise.

“The Nigerian Air Force sincerely regrets any inconvenience this may cause and appreciates the understanding and cooperation of the general public,” Ologun said.
(NAN)

Metro

NAF Announces Two-hour Road Closure In Abuja For 10km Walk

Published

17 hours ago

October 17, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force will on Saturday, conduct its annual 10-kilometre Walk/Jog Exercise in Abuja as part of efforts to enhance the health, fitness and operational readiness of its personnel.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Ejodame said that the exercise underscored the importance of physical fitness to military efficiency and overall mission readiness.

He said the exercise, which would commence by 6:00 am and end by 8:00 am, will take place along the service lane between Karu Bridge and Mogadishu Cantonment Bridge in the Abuja-Nyanya-Keffi expressway.

This, according to him, will lead to temporary closure of the road to vehicular movement during the period.

Ejodame said adequate arrangements had been made to ensure the safety of participants and residents, adding that normal traffic flow would resume immediately after the exercise.

He appreciated the cooperation and understanding of the public as the NAF continues to promote the well-being and effectiveness of its personnel in the discharge of constitutional duties.

(NAN)