The Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Awka Branch, has demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged assault of a lawyer by operatives of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, OCHA, task force at the Eke-Awka Market in Awka, Anambra State.

The association condemned the incident, which reportedly occurred on Monday, describing it as a disturbing display of impunity by operatives of a state-run enforcement agency charged with maintaining environmental sanitation and public order.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Publicity Secretary of the NBA, Awka Branch, Michael Ozojiofor, identified the victim as Barrister Charles Ifeanyi.

He alleged that the lawyer was brutally attacked by members of the task force, including operatives of the Agunaechemba security outfit, following what the association described as a false claim that he obstructed their enforcement exercise.

Ozojiofor said video clips accompanying the statement captured the moment the lawyer was forcefully dragged into the task force vehicle as traders and passers-by watched and recorded the incident.

He added that subsequent images and videos showed visible injuries sustained by the lawyer.

According to him, members of the NBA Human Rights Committee who visited the task force office were informed that the operatives were carrying out an enforcement operation and that the lawyer allegedly challenged their authority.

“He was detained in their cell alongside his brother, who had gone to inquire about his arrest,” Ozojiofor said, adding that the operatives also denied the human rights team access to the detained lawyer and threatened to arrest them as well.

He described the conduct of the operatives as a reflection of long-standing lawlessness and abuse of power against residents, noting that some officers even suggested that the visiting lawyers should be treated in the same manner.

The NBA said it had formally notified the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, as well as the Nigeria Police Force, over what it described as persistent acts of misconduct by the task force.

“The branch condemns this assault in strong terms and will take all necessary steps to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,” Ozojiofor stated.

Speaking separately, the assaulted lawyer, Charles Ifeanyi, said the incident occurred between 3 pm and 5 pm at Ezenwa Plaza within the Eke-Awka Market.

He explained that he was at the market when task force operatives began confiscating a trader’s goods.

“As the goods were falling, the trader followed them pleading. Suddenly, one of the officials slapped him,” Ifeanyi said.

“I only asked why the trader was slapped when he did nothing wrong. Immediately, about 15 of them descended on me and started beating me.”

He said he hit his head on the pavement during the assault, after which he was handcuffed, dragged into a vehicle, and his phone seized along with those of individuals who were recording the incident.

Ifeanyi further alleged that operatives of the Agunaechemba security outfit later joined in the assault before he was taken to a detention facility in Awka, where he was held for several hours and released late at night.

“I sustained injuries to my head and body. I have just returned from Amaku Hospital, where I underwent medical examinations. The results are still being awaited,” he said.

The lawyer disclosed that petitions had been submitted to the Commissioner of Police, with copies forwarded to the Commissioner for Environment, who oversees the task force.

Reacting to the development, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, confirmed that the incident occurred, noting that investigations had been initiated.

“Although it is wrong for anyone to be manhandled, I spoke with the commander, who claimed the lawyer challenged the enforcement team. An investigation will, however, be conducted,” he said.

Efforts to reach the Commissioner for Environment, Felix Odimegwu, were unsuccessful as calls and messages to his phone were not returned as of the time of filing this report.

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that an abduction incident occurred in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, following days of denial and uncertainty surrounding the reports.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said investigations by operational units and intelligence sources established that the incident did take place, contrary to earlier claims that it was false.

The abduction had generated widespread fear among residents after initial reports emerged, but was publicly dismissed during a meeting of the Kaduna State Security Council convened by Governor Uba Sani.

Police authorities at the time asked for evidence to support the claims.

Hundeyin explained that comments earlier attributed to the Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, Rabiu Muhammad, and widely interpreted as a denial, were meant to prevent public panic while security agencies verified the situation.

According to the police, conflicting accounts from individuals in the affected local government area contributed to the uncertainty and delayed confirmation of the incident.

Following the confirmation, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the deployment of critical operational and intelligence assets to Kajuru and surrounding communities.

Tactical units have been dispatched, patrols intensified, and targeted search-and-rescue operations launched to locate and rescue the abducted victims.

The police appealed to the public and the media to rely only on official sources for verified information and to avoid speculation that could compromise ongoing security operations.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the northern region, John Hayab, had claimed that scores of worshippers were abducted in the community.

These claims were initially dismissed by the Kaduna State Police Command and the state government as false.

Rabiu Muhammad had challenged those making the claims to present a list of the kidnapped persons and their details, while the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu, said engagements with CAN at the state level and community leaders indicated that the reports were unfounded.

After decades of neglect and repeated failed interventions, the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway is now scheduled for completion by April 28, 2026, the Federal Government has confirmed.

The announcement came from the Minister of Works, David Umahi, following an inspection of the project, which he described as one of the most challenging roads in the South-East.

“This road has been a major problem for years, ignored by eight previous administrations. It is only through the vision and commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that progress is finally being made,” Umahi told journalists on Saturday.

The 107-kilometre expressway, linking Enugu and Anambra states, is being reconstructed under the Federal Government’s tax-credit initiative.

MTN Nigeria was initially awarded the project at a cost of N202 billion and is collaborating with subcontractors Nigercat, RCC, and SKC to complete various sections.

Umahi disclosed that work valued at N50 billion had already been completed by MTN before economic adjustments, including the naira’s float and subsidy removals, prompted a project review.

Currently, about 72 kilometres across four sections are under active construction.

Two sections of 15 kilometres and 18 kilometres will feature reinforced concrete, while the remaining stretches will be finished with asphalt pavement.

“The 15-kilometre carriageway will be completed in the next two weeks, leaving only the shoulders,” Umahi said.

He also revealed that the Federal Government is considering awarding SKC a separate contract to install solar-powered streetlights along the entire corridor, except where the Anambra State Government has already provided coverage.

Umahi praised the quality of work and assured that objections raised during inspections would be addressed.

“We are satisfied with the progress, and this rehabilitation will end the years of hardship faced by motorists and residents along this route,” he said.