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Tackle Insecurity In Anambra Or Resign, Group Tells Soludo

Published

3 years ago

January 21, 2023

Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA) on Saturday, lambasted the Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo for failing to stem the unprecedented attacks; rapes, killings and kidnappings in the state since he took over in May 2022.

HURIWA has also asked the Imo State governor Hope Uzodinma to perish the idea of engaging in academic arguments with political opposition over the extremely excruciating state of insecurity in Imo State and find a practical solution to the myriads of violent attacks.

The Rights group also urged Governor Uzodinma to request for military posts to be erected in the axis of terrorism around Akokwa Ama-Edward and Arondizuogu whereby several attacks have happened these past few days.

“HURIWA is hereby appealing to the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya to instruct the General Officer Commanding 82 division to set up military posts in Akokwa Ama-Edward and Arondizuogu to stop the frequent violent attacks which have been left to become a daily routine just as the Rights group said locating military and Mobile Police posts in Akokwa Ama-Edward and Arondizuogu will help to check the daredevil attacks that have led to the destruction of property and mass killings.

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement said it is very unfortunate that Soludo has not achieved any of his campaign promises on security in seven months in office despite boasting that he would accomplish them within 100 days in power.

The group said more reprehensible is the fact that Soludo has been playing politics on national television instead of settling down to work alongside security agencies to bring peace and stability to the state.

HURIWA, therefore, asked Soludo to buckle up and stem these tides of insecurity or step down to let a more competent governor emerge.

The group’s statement is coming hours after no fewer than 17 students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State sustained varying degrees of injury while an unconfirmed number of female students were raped during a midnight robbery attack in the off-campus hostels located along Ifite road in Awka, the state capital.

The robbers, heavily armed with guns, axes and matchets, reportedly went from room to room, hostel to hostel, raping female students and dispossessing them of their phones, iPads, money and other valuables unchallenged.

”Lives are no longer safe in the state as abductions, farmland invasion and killings by gunmen have become a norm despite Soludo’s false assurances that security challenges in the state have abated.

HURIWA’s Onwubiko said, “Rapes, cult killings, banditry and outright terrorism are rife in Anambra but Governor Chukwuma Soludo is busy playing politics of election and positioning himself as a potential presidential candidate in the near future, actively undermining Peter Obi and South East chances in next month’s election.

“It is unthinkable that students are raped in Awka near the seat of power but every day Soludo is on national television, playing politics and giving false impression that security challenges have subsided in the state. Soludo better stem these tides of insecurity or step down to let a more competent governor to emerge.”

HURIWA also urge the opposition People’s Democratic Party in Imo State to partner with the Imo State administration in finding lasting solutions to the heightened state of insecurity because if the violence continues then the chances of any successful election in the state are remote and therefore the opposition won’t have the opportunity to seek the mandate of the people.

“What is at stake in Imo State is the survival of the state and the wellbeing of the citizens. It is shocking that many attacks have happened around a particular place in Akokwa Ama-Edward and Arondizuogu for two weeks consistently but the Imo State administration has no solution to it but has gone ahead to pick up petty quarrels with the opposition PDP.

READ ALDO: Trailer Falls, Kills Woman On Anambra Road

“The lives of the people of Ideato North, Onuimo and Okigwe local government Areas are under increasing threats but all that we hear are empty rhetoric and verbal exchanges in the media between APC and PDP in Imo State. This is disappointing and shocking.

“The Imo State government needs to wake up from slumber and get the Army to set up a physical presence in Akokwa Ama-Edward and Arondizuogu for security purposes and not for extortion and these exercises should be well-funded by the government because the primary duty of the government is to guarantee the security of lives and properties of the citizens.”

News

Edo Seeks FG’s Intervention On Land Dispute With Delta

Published

9 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Government has appealed to the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, intercede on the land dispute between the state and its neighboring Delta.

Deputy governor of the state, Hon. Dennis Idahosa made the appeal when he led a delegation comprising officials of the state government and members of the Edo State Boundary Committee on a fact finding mission to disputed communities.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, said the fact finding mission was part of an effort to ensure peace,

Idahosa used the avenue to appeal to President Bola Tinubu to use his good office to ensure justice, equity, and fairness prevailed in the areas in dispute.

“I passionately call on the President to use all necessary demarcation agencies to resolve these lingering issues,” he appealed.

While suing for peace from the affected communities, Idahosa noted that the state government was determined to protect the territorial dignity of Edo State and that of the people of Orhionmwon.

He pointed out that the Jameson River is a natural demarcation landmark to the disputed Ugbakele boundary Community.

While calling on the state boundary committee to be diligent in their investigation, he stressed that the outcome of the investigation will guide the recommendations of the committee to the governor.

“We decided to ask questions and the history of this area. We found out that this Jameson River is the natural boundary between Edo and Delta States.

‘You can see the previous structures of the AT&P company. This land is clearly for Edo State.

“We thank the community people and settlers. We plead they continue to maintain the peace pending the outcome of the National Boundary Commission,” he pleaded.

Earlier, Idahosa and his team interfaced with stakeholders and community leaders of Oben, Ikobi, Iguelaba, and Obozogbe-Nugu communities to verify their claims and grievances.

News

Police Arrest, Charge Content Creator To Court In Edo

Published

11 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Police Command says it has arrested a 24-year-old content creator identified as Osarobo Omoyemen, for allegedly sharing a content on Tiktok capable of “inciting hostility against the Police and triggering unnecessary tension within the state.”

In a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Saturday, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, said the suspect, popularly known as ‘Madam Oil Rice,’ recently circulated a “false claim on social media alleging that she was kidnapped along Upper Sakponba Road in Benin City and later rescued by Police operatives who purportedly detained her at Akpata Police Station and collected the sum of Ten Thousand Naira as bail.”

Yamu said worried by the allegation, the command immediately commenced investigation, adding that it was revealed that the entire story was completely fabricated and deliberate.

According to the police’s imagemaker, Madam Oil Rice fabricated the story just to attract followers and viewership, stressing that she had confessed to having fabricated the story.

“During interrogation, the 24year old female suspect, Osarobo Omoyemen confessed that she staged the incident solely to generate online content and attract followers to her TikTok page.

“It was also discovered that she deleted an earlier video in which an accomplice in the background was appealing to viewers to follow her page, clearly exposing the motive behind the false alarm.

“The content was not only misleading but capable of inciting hostility against the Police and triggering unnecessary tension within the state.”

Yamu, while noting that the “suspect has been identified, arrested, and charged to court on Thursday 20th November, 2025 for prosecution, said “efforts are ongoing to arrest her accomplices to ensure they face the full weight of the law.”

The PPRO, who said Madam Oil Rice’s arrest and charge to court was aimed at serving as a “deterrent to others who may attempt to misuse social media to create panic or disrupt public peace,” said “the Edo State Police Command strongly warns against the creation and circulation of fake news capable of disturbing the peace and security of the state.”

He urged members of the public “to verify information before sharing and to refrain from acts that may mislead the public or undermine the efforts of security agencies.”

News

FULL LIST: FG Shuts 41 Unity Schools Over Insecurity

Published

18 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government on Friday ordered the temporary closure of 41 unity schools over the rising cases of abduction across the country.

The decision was announced in a circular issued by the Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Binta Abdulkadir.

“Sequel to the recent security challenges in some parts of the country and the need to prevent any security breaches, the Honourable Minister of Education has approved the immediate closure of the listed Federal Unity Colleges.

“Principals of the affected colleges are to ensure strict compliance. Please accept the warm regards of the Honourable Minister,” the circular read.

The affected schools are FGGC Minjibir; FGA Suleja; FTC Ganduje; FGGC Zaria; FTC Kafancha; FGGC Bakori; FTC Dayi; FGC Daura; FGGC Tambuwal; FSC Sokoto; FTC Wurno; FGC Gusau; FGC Anka; FGGC Gwandu; FGC Birnin Yauri; FTC Zuru; FGGC Kazaure; FGC Kiyawa; FTC Hadejia; FGGC Bida; FGC New Bussa; and FTC Kuta-Shiroro.

Others are FGC Ilorin; FGGC Omu-Aran; FTC Gwanara; FGC Ugwolawo; FGGC Kabba; FTC Ogugu; FGGC Bwari; FGC Rubochi; FGGC Abaji; FGGC Potiskum; FGC Buni Yadi; FTC Gashau; FTC Michika; FGC Ganye; FGC Azare; FTC Misau; FGGC Bajoga; FGC Billiri; and FTC Zambuk.

Recall that some students from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, were kidnapped by terrorists.

The incident comes just days after a similar attack in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were kidnapped, heightening concerns over the deteriorating security situation in educational institutions across the region.

On Thursday, over 50 schools were shut down in Kwara State following attacks by bandits.

President Bola Tinubu had also cancelled his scheduled trips to South Africa and Angola to coordinate the government’s response to the worsening insecurity.