In a brazen attack, armed arsonists targeted the Ogbaru Local Government Secretariat in Anambra State, causing significant property damage early Saturday morning, June 15, 2024.

The assailants, arriving on motorcycles and a vehicle, launched an indiscriminate shooting spree before setting fire to four operational vehicles on the premises.

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The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, condemned the attack, describing it as an “act of cowardice.”

He confirmed that there were no casualties but lamented the destruction of the vehicles, which belonged to the local vigilante group.

SP Ikenga Tochukwu, spokesperson for the Anambra Police Command, provided additional details on the incident.

“The assailants arrived in large numbers and began shooting indiscriminately. The vigilante operatives on site mounted a strong resistance until the police response team arrived. The superior firepower of the security forces ultimately forced the gunmen to flee,” Tochukwu said.

He added that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, along with a joint security force comprising the Army, Navy, and other agencies, conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the scene.

“Ongoing operations are being carried out to apprehend the culprits,” Tochukwu stated.

The police commissioner praised the bravery of the security operatives and reassured the public of the police’s commitment to combatting criminal activities in the state.

He emphasized that collaborative efforts with other security agencies would continue to be strengthened to ensure the safety and security of the region.

“Further updates on the investigation and any new developments will be communicated to the public as they arise.”

SP Tochukwu Ikenga
Police Public Relations Officer,
Anambra State Command,
Awka.
15 June, 2024

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ex-governor of Edo State, has pledged to ensure the party’s success in the upcoming September 21 governorship election.

Representing Edo North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Oshiomhole made this commitment while inaugurating the party’s Campaign Council for the election.

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Oshiomhole declared his readiness to take any necessary role, even as a “sweeper,” to secure Senator Monday Okpebholo’s election as governor.

“If it requires me to take the role of a sweeper, I am ready to sweep Senator Monday Okpebholo into office as governor,” he asserted.

He emphasized that every APC member and supporter is part of the campaign for genuine change under Okpebholo’s leadership.

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“Titles do not matter,” Oshiomhole said.

“Every member is a canvasser; every member of our party must work hard to win their units, wards, local government, and state. Move from house to house because neighbor talks to neighbor and understands.”

Addressing the challenges faced by Edo residents, Oshiomhole urged all those affected by issues like flooding and inadequate school facilities to unite in support of the APC.

“There will be a change at Osadebe Avenue. APC will take over Edo democratically come September 21,” he affirmed.

Senator Matthew Urhoghide, Director General of the Campaign Council, called on party members to resolve their differences and work diligently for the party’s victory, stressing the importance of de-emphasizing the role of money in the campaign.

APC State Chairman Jarrett Tenebe reflected on the legacies of past governors like Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, Prof. Ambrose Alli, and Comrade Oshiomhole, who provided good governance.

He criticized Governor Godwin Obaseki for failing to continue the progress made by Oshiomhole, citing recurrent flooding in Benin as a significant issue.

Tenebe expressed confidence that the campaign council, under Senator Urhoghide’s leadership, would work tirelessly to ensure an APC victory.

On Friday, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State granted pardons to 23 inmates at the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Ilorin.

This move came ahead of the Ileya festival as part of the governor’s efforts to show compassion and concern for the welfare of the inmates.

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In a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Adegbulugbe Olumide, it was noted that the governor reviewed the cases of 18 inmates serving life sentences. As a result, 10 of these inmates had their sentences commuted to 21 years imprisonment, six to 10 years, and two to two years.

Additionally, the sentence of a female inmate serving seven years was reduced to six months.

“The Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, visited all the custodial centres in the state on June 14, 2024, to extend his goodwill to the inmates. He released 23 convicted inmates to allow them to celebrate the Eid-al-Adha festival at their homes. Furthermore, the cases of eighteen lifers were reviewed,” Adegbulugbe stated.

The statement highlighted that the decisions to pardon or reduce sentences were based on the inmates’ health status and demonstrated rehabilitation.

The Controller of Corrections in the State, Mr. Danmairomu Shuaib Ayodeji, expressed gratitude to the governor for his generous actions and urged the released inmates to be law-abiding citizens and ambassadors of their communities, steering clear of crime in the future.