Six individuals have been arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Gombe State for allegedly exhuming a corpse and removing the eyes and other vital organs for ritual purposes.

The disturbing incident occurred in Kwami Local Government Area and involved the grave of the late Mallam Manu Wanzam, an 85-year-old man who had been buried just two days earlier in the Gadam community.

NSCDC spokesperson, SC Buhari Saad, revealed in a statement that the suspects; Adamu Umar (22), Umar Jibrin Aboki (21), Abdullahi Umar Dauda (17), Muhammed Isa Chindo (28), Kawuji Sarki (39), and Manu Sale (23), were apprehended during a joint operation conducted by the State Command Headquarters and the Gadam Division on September 11, 2025, between 10:00 and 11pm.

According to Saad, investigations revealed that Kawuji Sarki had allegedly contracted Muhammed Isa Chindo to carry out the ritual act.

Chindo, in turn, recruited the other suspects.

Each suspect was reportedly promised ₦500,000 for removing the eyes of the deceased.

“The suspects confessed to exhuming the body, harvesting the eyes, and reburying the corpse,” Saad said.

He added that one accomplice is still at large, and efforts are ongoing to track him down.

The Gombe State NSCDC Commandant, Jibrin Idris, condemned the act, describing it as a “grave assault on human dignity and cultural values.”

He reassured residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and upholding public decency.

He praised the local community for their cooperation in aiding the arrest and urged the public to remain alert and report any suspicious activities to security agencies promptly.

“The suspects will face prosecution once investigations are concluded,” Saad assured.

The recent peace talks between the Katsina State government and a notorious bandits’ leader, Isiya Kwase Garwa, have reignited criticism over the continued detention of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

National Post earlier reported that Garwa, who is heavily armed and known for his involvement in violent crimes, attended a peace dialogue session last Sunday alongside members of his gang.

In response, the Igbo Vanguard Group (IVG) has questioned the federal government’s approach to justice and security, particularly the inconsistency in how figures like Garwa and Kanu are treated.

James Nnadozie Uchegbuo, leader of the IVG, spoke with journalists in Umuahia, Abia State, where he expressed outrage over what he called a “double standard” in Nigeria’s justice system.

“Nigeria must embrace unity, justice, equality, and fair play if it truly seeks lasting peace,” Uchegbuo said, referencing the contrast between Garwa’s negotiation and Kanu’s ongoing detention by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Kanu has remained in DSS custody since his controversial arrest in Kenya, with multiple legal and civic groups demanding either his release or transfer to a correctional facility.

Despite these demands, he continues to be held by the secret police.

Uchegbuo also aligned his stance with that of human rights lawyer Malcolm Omirhobo, who earlier condemned the ongoing prosecution of Kanu while armed groups are being granted negotiation platforms.

“How can a wanted bandit involved in mass killings be offered peace talks while a political leader like Nnamdi Kanu is still behind bars?” Uchegbuo asked.

He renewed calls for the unconditional release of Kanu, stressing that true peace in Nigeria cannot be achieved without fairness and consistency in the rule of law.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Health and Human Services Secretary, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, has dismissed rumours of an Ebola outbreak in Abuja, confirming that a suspected case, known only as “Patient X,” tested negative for both the Ebola and Marburg viruses.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Fasawe said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) carried out tests on two recent suspected viral hemorrhagic fever cases, both of which came back negative.

She credited the Administration of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for establishing an “efficient surveillance system” and activating the Emergency Operating Centre—two key measures that helped quickly isolate and investigate the case.

“This meeting is a sort of verification. You have asked what is going on, is Ebola in the FCT? And on behalf of the Minister, I say today that Ebola is not in FCT. Confirmed, verified, and said with authority,” Dr. Fasawe said.

She also commended the patient for promptly seeking medical help, and praised the hospital (Nisa Premier) for following protocols, including isolating the patient and taking samples.

“There was a possible one case that we were determined would not spread further than that one case. … I want to commend patient X for her health‑seeking habits. She came in with a fever; she didn’t even go home, she went straight to a hospital.”

Dr. Fasawe warned against panic and misinformation, reminding residents to treat every fever with caution and to report to the nearest health centre if symptoms of illness arise.

The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two top commanders of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

The suspects, identified as Chukwuebuka Eririogu and Uzoechi Okechukwu, were apprehended for their alleged involvement in multiple violent attacks across the state.

Speaking during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Owerri on Friday, the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, said the arrests were part of a broader crackdown on criminal elements operating in the state.

In the last two months, the police have arrested a total of 955 suspects for various crimes, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, terrorism linked to IPOB/ESN, child trafficking, murder, stealing, and receiving stolen property.

According to CP Danjuma, “One of the key breakthroughs was the arrest of notorious IPOB/ESN terrorists found with arms, ammunition, incriminating materials and financial records. Investigations also led to the apprehension of some of their sponsors and financiers, drastically reducing their nefarious activities and cutting off vital funding channels.”

He added that nine kidnapped victims and seven stolen children were rescued during the operations, many of whom have since been reunited with their families.

The commissioner further disclosed that the following items were recovered during the operations:

• 17 firearms (including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, and locally made weapons)
• 72 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 673 live cartridges
• Nine stolen motorcycles
• Several Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
• 14 laptops, numerous mobile phones, charms, Biafran currencies, counterfeit money, and a large quantity of hard drugs

He highlighted collaborative efforts with other security agencies, noting that “In joint operations with sister agencies, terrorist camps in Okigwe, Mbaitoli, and Njaba LGAs were dismantled, further crippling their capacity to launch attacks.”

CP Danjuma continued: “Following the ongoing Joint Security Operations in Njaba and Mbaitoli LGAs targeting IPOB/ESN hideouts, some fleeing terrorists relocated to Agwa. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, led by ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, and the Special Intervention Squad, led by CSP Gboyako Shaba Adamu, in synergy with other security agencies on 16th September 2025, stormed an IPOB/ESN camp at Obudi Agwa in Oguta LGA.”

“On sighting the operatives, the hoodlums engaged them in a fierce gun battle but were overpowered by superior firepower. Sixteen suspects, including their sub-commanders Uzoechi Okechukwu and Paschal Igbuogwu, were arrested. Recovered from the camp were two AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, 375 rounds of ammunition, IPOB/ESN flags, and charms.”

In a separate operation on 9th September 2025, police arrested another notorious ESN figure, Onye Chukwuebuka Eririogu, in Ogbaku, Mbaitoli LGA.

“During interrogation, he confessed to multiple violent attacks carried out in collaboration with his gang,” the CP revealed.

Reassuring residents of the state, CP Danjuma said, “As your Commissioner of Police, I want to reassure the good people of Imo State that we remain resolute in our duty to protect lives and property. These achievements reflect our firm commitment to rid Imo of crime and ensure a safe environment for all. We will not relent until our state is fully secured and peaceful.”

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has been commended by labour unions for his administration’s decisive efforts in clearing a N12 billion backlog of gratuities owed to retired local government workers.

At a ceremony held Thursday in Yenagoa, over 1,000 retirees from the state’s eight local government areas were presented with symbolic cheques, marking the full payment of long-standing entitlements dating back as far as 2007.

In recognition of his commitment to local government reforms and workers’ welfare, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) honoured Governor Diri with the award for Best Governor on Local Government Reforms in Nigeria.

Presenting the award, NULGE National President, Comrade Aliyu Kankara, praised Diri’s administration for introducing financial reforms that revitalized Bayelsa’s third-tier governance, ensuring better service delivery, timely promotions, and improved welfare packages.

Kankara highlighted milestones under Diri’s leadership, including: Implementation of an N80,000 minimum wage for council workers, Salary increments of 25% and 30% as well as Financial support to local councils for the payment of primary school teachers’ salaries

“Governor Diri has demonstrated a rare commitment to human capital development and has excelled where many others failed,” Kankara said.

“Since assuming office in 2020, his administration has paid over N20 billion in gratuity arrears.”

The National President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Dr. Kabir Sani, also lauded Diri for significantly improving the lives of grassroots health workers in the state.

In his remarks, Governor Diri said paying workers and retirees their dues should be a norm, not a gesture worthy of applause.

He revealed that although some critics accused him of political grandstanding, he was motivated by personal experience.

“I remember my father, a retired teacher and headmaster, almost died without receiving his pension. That experience shaped my priority to clear these outstanding gratuities,” Diri said.

He recounted how, during a one-time windfall in state allocation, he directed the immediate payment of N7 billion to settle pensions and gratuities.

Governor Diri also credited his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, for effectively overseeing the reform process and ensuring its successful implementation.

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Thompson Amule, provided context to the achievement, noting that prior to Diri’s administration, only four of the state’s eight councils were able to pay salaries regularly.

The others were heavily indebted and unable to meet financial obligations.

He added that promotion for workers had been stalled for more than five years before the current administration introduced fiscal reforms to restore financial stability.

The Chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Mr. Lelei Tariye, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said the local government system in Bayelsa is now functioning efficiently.

He praised the state government’s commitment to council autonomy, even before the Supreme Court’s directive.

Governor Diri concluded by reiterating his vision for inclusive governance focused on improving livelihoods, increasing food production, and enhancing revenue through agricultural development.

He once again urged council chairmen to focus on farming in areas of comparative advantage.

The event’s climax was the symbolic presentation of the N12 billion cheque to over 1,000 retirees, marking a historic moment in Bayelsa’s labour and governance history.

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has announced that he has approved all the demands presented by resident doctors in the FCT, who recently embarked on a strike over unpaid entitlements.

The minister made this known on Friday during the official flag-off of the Northern Parkway construction project, a road connecting Ring Road II to Ring Road III along Shehu Yar’Adua Way, Life Camp, Abuja.

Wike expressed appreciation to the doctors for suspending the strike action, noting that their decision was in the best interest of patients and healthcare services in the territory.

“I commend the resident doctors for their understanding and for calling off the strike. The administration is pleased with your patriotism. All your requests on my table have been signed today,” Wike said.

He further directed the FCT Acting Head of Service and the Senior Special Adviser on Administration, Samuel Atang, to take immediate steps toward implementation.

The strike, which began on Monday, September 15, was prompted by months of unresolved issues between the doctors and the FCT Administration.

Among their key demands were the payment of salary arrears spanning one to six months for members employed since 2023, recruitment of new staff, and the release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund.

The doctors also called for payment of outstanding arrears from the 25% to 35% upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), as well as clear timelines for completing skipping and conversion processes for affected staff.