The Anambra State Police Command has announced the arrival of operatives from the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit, deployed to enforce the nationwide withdrawal of police officers from VIP escort and guard duties.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ikioye Orutugu, confirmed the development in a statement on Monday, emphasizing that the directive is part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving professionalism, discipline, and the optimal use of police manpower.

According to him, removing officers from private escort assignments will free up more personnel for core policing functions, enhance response time, and strengthen public security across Anambra.

“The Anambra State Police Command today, December 8, 2025, formally received operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit deployed to ensure full implementation of the IGP’s directive on the withdrawal of police personnel from VIP escort and guard duties,” the statement read.

Orutugu added that Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Unit heads have been directed to give full support to the visiting enforcement team for a seamless and transparent operation.

The command urged all affected individuals, organisations, and VIPs to cooperate fully, noting that the order is a nationwide security reform backed by President Bola Tinubu.

DAILY GAZETTE had reported how Nigeria Police Force deployed a Special Enforcement Team to Lagos to monitor compliance.

According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, officers began operations on December 6 at locations including the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge and the domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

He noted “commendable compliance” with the presidential directive.

Gov. Soludo,

Panic swept through the Nawfia community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State on Sunday after unknown gunmen opened fire near the Afor Market Junction, leaving several people feared dead.

According to residents, the attackers stormed the busy area without warning and began shooting indiscriminately, forcing people to run for their lives.

Some victims reportedly sustained fatal injuries, while many others escaped in confusion and fear.

A local source said, “The armed hoodlums invaded Afor Market Junction and immediately opened fire, killing many people. No one knows why they carried out the attack. Our community is in shock.”

Other residents who spoke about the incident said they were still traumatised and urged authorities to intensify security in the area.

One eyewitness described the attack as sudden and well-coordinated, noting that the assailants operated “in a commando-like fashion.”

Videos circulating online showed people fleeing as gunshots rang out, with some bodies seen lying in pools of blood on the ground.

The President General of the Nawfia Progressive Union, Chief Daniel Okoye, confirmed the attack in a statement, describing it as “a senseless act of violence.”

He said security agencies had been alerted and that investigations were underway.

Okoye said, “This evening, I received with deep shock the tragic news of an attack at the Afor Market Junction in Nawfia.”

“The incident resulted in multiple casualties. I strongly condemn this heartbreaking act and the attempt to disturb the peace of our community.”

He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security operatives, assuring them of the union’s support while expressing condolences to affected families.

The Anambra State Police Command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, could not be reached for comment.

However, a police source, who asked not to be named, said investigations had already begun to track down the perpetrators.

“We condemn these heinous acts and assure the public that we will do everything possible to bring the culprits to justice,” the source added.

Panic engulfed the Lilu community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State on Sunday when armed attackers stormed St. Andrews Anglican Church, Isiokwe, killing two people and setting parts of the church premises ablaze.

During a visit to the scene on Monday, our correspondent observed burnt vehicles, charred structures, and scattered debris, signs of a violent assault that left the area deserted.

Among the two people killed was the wife of the church’s priest.

Some sections of the church building and the cleric’s residence were also torched.

Residents said the attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday as worshippers were preparing for church activities.

The gunmen reportedly arrived heavily armed, opened fire, and began burning property within the church compound.

One witness recounted, “The hoodlums invaded the church just as people were getting ready for Sunday worship. They started shooting and setting fire to buildings and vehicles.”

“They brutally murdered the priest’s wife and one other person. Many others were injured, and the priest’s house was completely razed.”

The eyewitness added that the incident caused widespread fear in the Christian community, lamenting the lack of public outrage over such an attack on a place of worship.

Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident on Monday.

He said the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, had condemned the attack and ordered heightened intelligence operations and expanded surveillance in the area.

According to Ikenga, “The Commissioner of Police condemns, in strong terms, the armed attack carried out on December 7, 2025, which resulted in the death of one person, serious injuries to others, and the partial burning of the church building and its properties.”

He described the assault as a grave affront to peace, human life, and freedom of worship, assuring residents that the police would pursue the criminals relentlessly.

The command said it has mobilised a Joint Security Team and is following all available leads to ensure the attackers are apprehended and prosecuted.

Residents were urged to remain calm and provide useful information to support the investigation.

Lilu, a border community between Anambra and Imo states, has suffered recurring armed attacks in recent months.

Locals say the region has been under the grip of gunmen who routinely strike without warning, leaving residents in constant fear.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused an application by Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu, seeking to be moved from the Sokoto Correctional Facility to another prison closer to the capital.

Kanu, through the Legal Aid Council, had filed an ex-parte application asking the court to order his immediate transfer to either Kuje Custodial Centre in the FCT or Keffi Custodial Centre in Nasarawa State.

He urged the court to decide the matter without hearing from the Federal Government.

In the alternative, he asked to be moved to a facility within the court’s “immediate environs,” such as Suleja or Keffi, arguing that doing so would allow him to effectively exercise his constitutional right to pursue his appeal.

However, Justice James Omotosho on Monday rejected the request, ruling that granting such an application without hearing from the other parties would not serve the interest of justice.

The judge directed Kanu to convert the ex-parte motion into a motion on notice and serve it on all relevant parties so they can respond.

The case was then adjourned to January 27, 2026, for hearing.

This comes a week after the same court barred Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel, from addressing the court on his behalf, noting that he is not a legal practitioner and therefore could not represent the IPOB leader.

The Federal Government has reportedly secured the release of 100 of the schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.

The rescue comes two weeks after armed bandits stormed the school and kidnapped 315 people, 303 pupils and 12 teachers.

With the latest development, 153 pupils and all 12 teachers are still being held by the abductors.

Details of the circumstances surrounding the release remain unclear as of press time.

The Guardian was also unable to independently verify whether any ransom was paid or if the children were freed unconditionally.

However, reliable sources confirmed that the rescued pupils are undergoing medical evaluation and will be reunited with their families once security debriefing is completed.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, were unsuccessful.

She told reporters she was in a meeting and would respond later.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had earlier announced that 50 abducted pupils had escaped captivity and been reunited with their parents.

However, a BBC Pidgin report clarified that the 50 children were among those who fled during the initial chaos of the attack, not escapees from the kidnappers’ hideout.

Parents who spoke to the BBC said many of the kidnapped children were very young.

One woman recounted that her sister’s two children, aged six and 13, were still missing.

She added that villagers had alerted soldiers after spotting signs that the children were nearby, possibly due to the attackers’ vehicle breaking down.

The Agwara school attack came just days after a series of violent incidents across northern Nigeria, including the kidnapping of 25 students from a girls’ secondary school in Kebbi and the abduction of church worshippers in Kwara.

The week also saw the killing of senior army officer General Sani Uba, allegedly by ISWAP militants.

As security agencies continue efforts to free the remaining captives, concern remains high among parents and local residents, who fear for the safety of those still in the hands of the attackers.