The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 65-year-old man, Chibuike Azubike, for allegedly parading himself as the “Obi of Lagos.”

He was apprehended alongside three alleged accomplices while attempting to stage an unlawful unveiling ceremony.

The arrest comes against the backdrop of growing ethnic tension, particularly among youths on various social media platforms, who exchanged banters over Azubike’s planned installation.

Azubike, said to be an indigene of the Obodoukwu Ancient Kingdom in the Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, was arrested with Chief Chibuzor Ani (57), Chief Martins Nwaodika (65), and Ikechukwu Franklin Nnadi (41).

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The four are currently being held at the command headquarters in Ikeja.

According to the police in a statement shared on X.com on Wednesday, the group had planned to unveil a prototype of a purported N1.5bn “Palace of Obi of Lagos State” on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the Apple Hall in Amuwo Odofin.

The command noted that the venue was swiftly sealed off by security operatives to prevent public disturbance and protect unsuspecting citizens from being deceived.

The Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, said tactical teams, including the Eko Strike Force, were deployed to the location to maintain law and order.

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He added that investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be charged in court once concluded.

Jimoh further warned residents to be vigilant against impostors exploiting cultural and traditional institutions, stressing that such acts are illegal and capable of disturbing public peace.

This is not the first time that the police would make such arrest.

Notably, on April 1, 2023, Frederick Nwajagu, the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, was similarly arrested for unlawfully parading himself as a titled chief in Lagos.

The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a woman for allegedly abandoning her newborn baby in a bush in Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.

The baby, wrapped in a piece of cloth, was discovered near a primary school on AA Koto Street in Akwanga on Wednesday. Residents who found the infant alive quickly alerted the police.

Confirming the arrest to newsmen in Lafia on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, said the Commissioner of Police had ordered the case transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for thorough investigation and prosecution.

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He said, “The mother of the baby has been identified and arrested. The Commissioner of Police has ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia, for thorough investigation and prosecution.”

It was gathered that the suspect is a final-year NCE student of the College of Education, Akwanga.

The incident has sparked outrage among residents, many of whom expressed shock and anger over the abandonment.

Similar cases have been recorded in other states.

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In July, a farmer in Kamba town, Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, rescued a newborn baby girl who had been buried alive on his farmland.

The farmer, Kabiru Kamba, said he noticed an unusual ridge on his farm and invited motorcyclists to help dig. They discovered the baby wrapped in a cloth, crying and still alive.

Kamba informed security operatives, and the child was later placed in his custody by the Dandi Local Government Council.

Out of compassion, he and his wife, who had recently given birth, took in the baby and planned her naming ceremony.

These recurring incidents have continued to raise concerns about the rising cases of child abandonment across Nigeria.

The Edo State Special Security Squad said it uncovered an armoury and camps in the forest used by kidnappers to carry out their devilish activities.

The squad made this known in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua, and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Benin.

Itua in the statement said the discovery was made during the bush combing exercise carried out by the outfit from Tuesday to Thursday.

According to Itua, the coordinated exercise was carried out under the direct supervision of the governor’s Chief Security Officer and Principal Security Officer.

He noted that the operation covered Ovia North-East, Esan North-East, Esan West, and Esan South-East Local Government Areas of the state.

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Itua noted that particular attention was paid to the Benin–Akure Road corridor, where passengers of the New Edo Line were recently kidnapped.

He added, “During the bush combing, operatives recovered two locally made double-barrel guns and one live cartridge in adjoining communities, including Osa-Somba and Idunwingie in Ovia North-East. Officials noted that the discoveries point to the entrenched use of local armoury by kidnappers operating in the region.”

Head of the ESSC, Idemudia Noah, in the statement said the team was deploying drones, military personnel, and advanced surveillance in its relentless pursuit of kidnappers.

“We received distress calls from Ugboha people reporting kidnapping incidents, and we responded with massive combing of the forests. This administration is determined to ensure Edo is too unsafe for criminals. The message is clear: criminals must leave the state or face decisive action,” Noah declared.

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A member of the squad, Eribo Emwanta, disclosed that in Ugboha forest, operatives discovered abandoned camps suspected to have been used as kidnapping hideouts.

He said that the exercise would remain continuous, with Governor Okpebholo personally monitoring the team’s activities.

Recall that Last Friday, gunmen suspected to be kidnappers killed eight personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps attached to the BUA Cement Factory located in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of the state.

An expatriate, a Chinese national, was also kidnapped while four others were rescued from their abductors. Four people were also injured and are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

Also, passengers in an Edo Line bus and a Toyota Corolla car were abducted along Benin-Auchi Road on the same day, but 16 of them were later rescued by the police.