NIGERIAN NOTCH

In a bid to strengthen security measures and combat crime, the Commissioners of Police from Anambra and Enugu States met on March 24, 2025, to devise operational strategies for policing the neighboring states. CP Ikioye Orutugu of Anambra State and CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa of Enugu State identified the infiltration of criminals between the states as a major security challenge. They pledged to collaborate, share intelligence, and pool resources to combat violent crimes at the borders and within their respective states. The Commissioners reiterated their commitment to decisively combating all forms of crime and ensuring maximum public security and safety. They warned criminals to either repent or face the full weight of the law. The meeting, held at the Anambra State Command Headquarters, was attended by Deputy Commissioners of Police and other officers from both commands. This development is in line with the enhanced policing guidelines of the Inspector-General of Police, aimin...

Middle age Mrs Rachael Odoh, from Amalogbo Akpoga-Ezimo, in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, has solicited for help from public-spirited individuals and groups to enable her treat her spinal cord injury that has kept her bedridden for more than one year. Mrs Odoh, residing in Onitsha in Anambra State, had a motor accident alongside her husband, which affected her thighs and waist.  According to Mrs Odoh, “I survive on charity. I had an accident, which fractured my thighs and dislocated my hip. The injuries demobilised me. I was treated, but my health condition kept worsening by the day.  "At a stage, even to move my legs became a problem. I have sold everything I have to treat my ailment. Even to feed is becoming a big problem. It is becoming much more difficult for me to survive.” It was gathered that a public-spirited individual, one Mathew Ugwueya, took her to an orthopaedic specialist hospital located at GRA, Onitsha, where the specialists carried ou...

In a daring operation, a joint security team comprising the Police, Military, Civil Defence, AVG Ichida, and Ihiala successfully secured the release of Reverend Father Stephen Echezona in the early hours of March 23rd, 2025. The priest was abducted at a fuel station in Ichida, where a gun duel ensued between the joint security force and the armed criminals operating in a white Lexus SUV without a plate number. The assailants abandoned their vehicle and fled the scene, taking the Reverend Father hostage. However, in a coordinated hot chase, the operatives alerted various security checkpoints and operatives across the state, leading to the criminals abandoning the priest at Ihiala and escaping into a nearby bush. The joint security team has taken over the scene in Ihiala, working to apprehend the armed criminals and recover the Reverend Father's Toyota Highlander. The police have assured that further developments will be communicated in due course. This successful operati...

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), OkoPoly chapter, has inaugurated its newly elected officers to pilot the affairs of the chapter. The election and subsequent inauguration took place on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the school auditorium of the extension site of the polytechnic.  The new officers include: Barr. Oduah Fidelis, Chairman; Engr. (Dr.) John Ananti, Vice Chairman; Dr. Ezekwe Angela, Secretary General; Ifegwu Nduka, Assistant Secretary; Agbawodikizu Emmanuel, Treasurer; Nwankwo Rowland Ntu, Financial Secretary; Ilo Elochukwu, Welfare Officer; Nwafor Ikechukwu, Publicity Secretary, and Obiora Chukwuka, Internal Auditor. The election and subsequent swearing-in of the officers was conducted by ASUP Coordinator for Zone D, Comrade Dr. Richard Iloma. Prior to the election, Dr. Iloma paid courtesy visit to the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Chioma Awuzie.  He was accompanied by top officials of the union, including the ASUP Oko chapter ch...

In a significant move to ensure transparency and accountability, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, has inaugurated the Personnel Audit Committee of the Governing Council of the polytechnic, on behalf of the governing council of the Institution. The inauguration ceremony took place in her office, yesterday, with key stakeholders in attendance. The committee members, who are internal members of the Governing Council, include: Comrades Chibuzo Asomugha, Dr. Egwuchukwu Ifensor, Dr. Chinelo Ndife, and Dr. Helen Nnabuenyi. Present at the function were the Deputy Rector Administration, Dr. Kenneth Ezekwe, and the Public Relations Officer (P.R.O) of the polytechnic, Mr. Chijioke Ibeziako. In her inaugural speech, Dr. Awuzie emphasized the importance of commitment, thoroughness, and adherence to the principle of impartiality.  She assured the committee of her support; promising to provide conducive environment for them to carry out th...

~By Chibunnam Paul. The question of who will represent the good people of Anambra South in Abuja, if not Chief Ebuka Onunkwo, is one that weighs heavily on the hearts of well-meaning individuals in the district. Leadership is not about occupying a position but about making a meaningful impact, and Chief Onunkwo has demonstrated that he is a true leader, not just a ruler. He is a man destined by God to lead, ready to sacrifice his time, resources, and expertise to serve the people of Anambra South. As the district faces the challenge of filling the void left by Senator Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, it is clear that only a capable, visionary, and selfless leader like Chief Onunkwo can provide the quality representation the people deserve. HRM, Dr Ebuka Onunkwo brings a leadership style that is inclusive, progressive, and people-centered. His vision for Anambra South is built on fostering growth in critical areas such as infrastructure, innovation, entrepreneurial training, commun...

The lawyer representing the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and human rights activist, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on Enugu State Governor Peter Mba to take urgent action regarding the invasion and attack on Ndiagu Amofia, Umuhu Autonomous Community in Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area. In a statement released on Friday, Ejiofor expressed deep concern over the continuous attacks by armed herdsmen in the Southeast, particularly in Enugu and parts of Ebonyi, which have escalated to a critical level. Despite repeated assaults on various communities, he stated that the government's response has been inadequate and passive. Referencing a recent investigative report by Sahara Reporters, Ejiofor highlighted the devastating attack on Ndiagu Amofia, where armed herdsmen seized control of the community, burned homes, and displaced thousands of residents on February 28, 2025. Describing the attack as a "bloody invasion" that cannot be ignored, Ejiofor calle...

By Mokwugwo Solomon, Awka Alor Community in Idemili South local government area of Anambra State was agog on Thursday, March 20, 2025, when hundreds of rural dwellers - including men, women and children gathered at Dr. Chris Ngige Civic Center, Alor, to receive free medical care of the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers championed by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and sponsored by Hon. Silas Emeka Okudo, Councilor representing Alor Ward 1, under Emeka Silas Okudo Foundation. In her welcome address during the event, the Anambra State coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Blessing Ekene Iruma, said the initiative, launched in 2014, is a testament of the commitment of the NYSC towards improving the well-being of undeserved communities across Nigeria. According to her, the initiative leverages the expertise and dedication of NYSC's corps medical personnel to provide free medical services, health education, and disease prevention campaigns to rural population. She added that ...

The Human Rights, Liberty Access and Peace Defenders'Foundation (HURIDE) and Campaign for Democracy CD South East Zone has called on the  Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, to use this momentous ocassion of his celebration of three years in office to grant amnesty to three native doctors now under the detention of the State Government. The trio of the native doctors according to HURIDE are: Akwa Okuko tiwara Aki in Oba, Eke Hit from Okija and Onyeze Jesus from Nkpor. In the joint statement signed by the Executive Director of the human Rights  body,CD South East Zonal Chairman Dede Uzor A.Uzor, the groups said he should use their release as  gift to their families in this season and occasion of 3 years in office.  The trio were  arrested in connection with "spurious and obnoxious social media instigation on our youths" which  painted a very bad image for the society. They  said it encouraged ostentatious lifestyle and crime, ma...

Human rights  lawyer and lead counsel for the IPOB,  Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor has condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu,  describing it as a gross violation of the Nigerian Constitution. In a statement issued on Thursday , Ejiofor characterized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's decision to declare the state of emergency as unconstitutional and an overreach of executive power. He emphasized that the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the entire Rivers State House of Assembly constitutes an outright assault on constitutional democracy and a blatant deviation from the legal provisions governing emergency declarations. Ejiofor pointed out that the Constitution specifies the conditions under which a state of emergency may be declared, asserting that none of these conditions exist in Rivers State. The human rights lawyer called on both the Legislature and the Judiciary to take decisive action in defe...