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Nigeria @65: Enugu Police Commissioner Felicitates Citizens, Reaffirms Commitment To Peace, Security

 

As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence Anniversary, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, has extended warm felicitations to the government and people of Enugu State, joining millions across the country and the diaspora in celebrating this national milestone.

In a statement released by the Command, CP Giwa described the anniversary as a moment for sober reflection, national pride, and renewed commitment to the ideals of unity, peace and progress, values that continue to shape Nigeria’s journey despite prevailing socio-economic and security challenges.

“This historic day offers us another opportunity to reflect on God’s enduring faithfulness to our nation,” the Commissioner stated. “It is a time to hold fast to the principles that bind us together as a people, our unity, resilience and shared hope for a better tomorrow.”

Reaffirming the Enugu State Police Command’s dedication to public safety, CP Giwa assured residents of sustained efforts to safeguard lives and property across all parts of the state.

He emphasized that the Command remains proactive in combating crime, enhancing community policing, and fostering an atmosphere where all citizens can live and thrive in peace.

He also called on residents to continue supporting law enforcement agencies by remaining law-abiding, vigilant and cooperative, particularly in the face of efforts by criminal elements to disrupt public order.

“Security is a shared responsibility,” he noted. “The active participation and vigilance of the public are crucial in our ongoing mission to ensure a peaceful and secure Enugu State.”

“We celebrate not just the passage of time, but the progress we’ve made and the promise that lies ahead. Happy Independence Day, Nigeria.”

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Powell Homes MD Congratulates Enugu Attorney General On SAN Elevation, Reaffirms Support For Mbah’s Administration

 

The Managing Director of Powell Homes and Shelters Ltd, Architect Chibuikem Onyekachi Emmanuel, has extended heartfelt congratulations to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Enugu State, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, on his recent elevation to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Architect Chibuikem described the honour as a “well-deserved recognition” of Dr. Udeh’s transformative leadership in the justice sector, legal scholarship, and unwavering commitment to justice reform in Enugu State.

Dr. Udeh was among the 57 legal practitioners sworn in as SANs on Monday in Abuja by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, following their nomination in July 2025.

Architect Chibuikem praised Dr. Udeh’s sweeping reforms since assuming office in 2023, including the revitalization of community mediation centres, the digitalization of court processes and the enactment of progressive laws aimed at improving governance and service delivery in the state.

“Under his leadership, the Ministry of Justice has prepared over 18 bills, 15 of which have already been passed into law. These cover critical areas such as electricity regulation, land administration, environmental protection, and property rights,” the Powell Homes boss noted.

He also commended the Attorney General for initiating the Witness Trust Fund, a mechanism designed to protect witnesses and uphold the integrity of the criminal justice system.

Highlighting Dr. Udeh’s academic background, Chibuikem described him as “a scholar, teacher and reformer,” noting his academic journey from the University of Nottingham to earning a Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) at Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

“His knowledge of law and governance has shaped policies that not only advance justice but also contribute meaningfully to development in Enugu State. He is respected not just as a lawyer, but as a mentor and a shining example for the next generation of legal professionals,” he added.

The MD further expressed gratitude to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for providing Dr. Udeh with the platform to serve and shine, describing the governor as a “world-class leader whose administration is setting a new benchmark for governance in Nigeria.”

He pledged his full support for the governor’s “Renewed Hope” agenda and urged all citizens of Enugu State to rally behind the current administration in its mission to transform the state.

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Mburubu Community Reaffirms Support For Gov. Mbah, Rebukes Commissioner’s Aide Over Leadership Claims

 

The Mburubu General Assembly has publicly reaffirmed its loyalty to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and the Enugu State Government, while rejecting what it describes as misleading and false statements by Dr. Chidi Peters Okorie, media aide to the Commissioner for Science and Technology.

The resolution comes in response to a recent publication by Dr. Okorie, which accused the government of planning to impose leadership in Mburubu via a caretaker committee.

The community says those assertions are unfounded and contrary to established processes.

In a strongly worded statement, the General Assembly clarified that the Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Matters had merely called for a pre‑election meeting with community stakeholders.

According to the Assembly, such a meeting is a normal part of organizing community leadership elections: reviewing local constitutions, determining election modalities, setting up an electoral panel and fixing an election date.

They rebutted claims that the Commissioner sought to install a caretaker committee, demanding “Who scheduled the ‘canceled election’ you referenced? Who formed the electoral panel? Was there any prior engagement with the Ministry or the community before the October 2, 2025 meeting?”

The community also objected to Dr. Okorie’s claim that the government had collected ₦20 million in order to impose a caretaker committee.

In response, the General Assembly demanded a formal investigation, noting that similar claims had been made in 2023 regarding the Mburubu Igweship matter, accusations that were later retracted after proving false.

“Recycling the same baseless allegation clearly shows a lack of sincerity,” the Assembly charged.

Beyond rejecting the allegations, the Mburubu General Assembly warned political aides against sowing confusion and discord.

It emphasized that leadership transitions in the community must be grounded in transparency, consultation, and respect for due process.

The Assembly also cautioned that if the Ministry ever considered appointing a caretaker committee, it would need to act within constitutional limits, but that community voices must not be sidelined.

“What Mburubu needs now is unity, honesty, and the courage to move forward together, not recycled lies and baseless allegations,” the statement concluded.

The resolution was signed by Chief Edwin Ezeh on behalf of the Mburubu General Assembly.

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Osimhen Breaks Record, Becomes Nigeria’s Top Champions League Goal Scorer

 

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has etched his name into the history books by becoming Nigeria’s all-time leading goal scorer in the UEFA Champions League.

The 26-year-old striker achieved the milestone on Tuesday night after converting a 16th-minute penalty for Galatasaray in their clash against Liverpool.

The goal took Osimhen’s total tally in the competition to 10 goals, surpassing Obafemi Martins, who previously held the record with nine goals.

Osimhen’s Champions League journey began with Lille in 2019, where he scored his debut goal against Chelsea on October 2 of that year.

He went on to add more goals during his impressive stint with Napoli, and has now reached double digits at Galatasaray.

Beyond his Champions League exploits, Osimhen has continued to shine on the global stage:

He was first African to win the Serie A Golden Boot after netting 26 goals for Napoli in the 2022/23 season.

And named CAF African Footballer of the Year in 2023, becoming the first Nigerian recipient since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.

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Tinubu To Deliver 65th Independence Day Address At 7am Wednesday

 

President Bola Tinubu will address Nigerians at 7am on Wednesday, to mark the 65th Independence Day of Nigeria.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.

The address will be broadcast live on Channels Television and other major electronic media outlets.

This will be President Tinubu’s third Independence Day address since he took office on May 29, 2023.

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US Judge Blocks Mass Layoff Of VOA Staff

 

A U.S federal judge has issued a temporary injunction preventing the Trump administration from terminating more than 500 employees of Voice of America (VOA), following a controversial executive order that effectively halted the broadcaster.

The decision, handed down by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, suspends the planned layoffs set to begin September 30, declaring that the reductions “may not be implemented until this Court has ruled on the plaintiffs’ Motion.”

The judge’s order references ongoing legal challenges and an earlier preliminary injunction from April, which had already constrained the administration’s authority over VOA’s operations.

The layoff effort, orchestrated under the leadership of Kari Lake, Senior Advisor to the U.S Agency for Global Media (USAGM), faced criticism from the court, particularly over the agency’s lack of transparency and failure to show a coherent plan to comply with existing judicial orders.

Judge Lamberth noted that defendants appeared to be “running out the clock” on the fiscal year while disregarding statutory obligations.

This latest ruling extends and fortifies the April injunction, which had already limited the administration’s ability to dismantle VOA’s broadcasting role.

VOA, founded in 1942 to serve as a public diplomacy instrument, has long been mandated by Congress to function as an authoritative source of information to international audiences.

The mass layoffs threatened to undermine that mission, especially in regions with restricted media access.

Under Lake’s proposed cuts, VOA’s workforce would shrink drastically, and its operations would face significant disruption.

The court found that such measures likely violate the terms of the April injunction and risked making VOA noncompliant with its legal duties.

With the mass layoff paused, the court will now evaluate plaintiffs’ motions and determine whether the administration’s plans can proceed under stricter oversight.

Judge Lamberth’s order alludes to possible contempt proceedings if defendants continue to resist court mandates.

Both the White House and USAGM have yet to publicly respond to the ruling.

Meanwhile, this legal reprieve offers VOA a temporary safeguard as debates over press freedom, executive authority, and the role of government-funded media intensify.

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Anambra: 14 Political Assassinations Recorded In Two Years – Report

 

Between 2022 and 2024, 14 politically motivated killings were documented in Anambra State, the Cleen Foundation disclosed in its latest 2025 Anambra Governorship Election Security Threat Assessment.

The organisation warned that the trend could jeopardize the integrity of the upcoming November 2025 gubernatorial election.

During the report launch in Abuja, Salaudeen Hashim, the Foundation’s Director of Programmes, expressed alarm at the rise in politically linked violence amid a broader climate of insecurity that includes kidnapping, small arms proliferation, and gang activity.

“The number is deeply disturbing and demands urgent attention from security agencies and stakeholders,” he said.

Hashim further revealed that, in addition to the 14 assassinations, over 213 deaths tied to political violence were recorded between 2022 and 2024, along with nine attacks on INEC facilities during the same period.

The report flagged several local government areas (LGAs) as high risk, including Ihiala, Ogbaru, Nnewi South, Orumba North, and Onitsha North.

According to Hashim, these areas have recently recorded violent incidents, making them potential flashpoints ahead of the election.

To reinforce election security, the foundation plans to open an Electoral Security Support Centre on November 7, aiming to monitor developments and assist security agencies through the election cycle.

Hashim pointed to the deep politicisation of local structures and intensifying rivalries among major parties as key drivers of electoral violence in Anambra.

He also flagged the role of misinformation, disinformation campaigns, youth gangs, and non-state armed groups as destabilising forces.

“The mix of existing crime and fierce political competition sets up a high-risk environment,” he said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reports that 2,802,790 voters are registered in Anambra for the November 2025 election.

With tensions already on the rise, the state may face serious challenges in ensuring a free, fair, and secure vote.

Anambra has seen politically linked killings before. For instance, In May 2022, Okechukwu Okoye, a state lawmaker, and his aide Cyril Chiegboka were abducted and murdered.

In December 2024, Justice Azuka, a member of the Anambra House of Assembly from Onitsha North 1, was kidnapped on Christmas Eve. His body was found early in 2025.

As the election draws near, the report urges heightened vigilance and preemptive security planning to avert a repeat of past violence.

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PDP To Blame If Gov Mbah Dumps Party – Former Chairman

 

A former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, Chief Augustine Nnamani, has said that the party will have only itself to blame if Governor Peter Mbah eventually defects to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speculation has intensified over Governor Mbah’s potential defection, with reports indicating that an official announcement may follow a series of stakeholder consultations.

According to Premium Times, the consultations were reportedly influenced by key political figures including former Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime and former Senate President Ken Nnamani.

While Mbah’s media aide, Uche Anichukwu, acknowledged the ongoing consultations, he stopped short of confirming any decision to leave the PDP.

Speaking on Monday, Chief Nnamani expressed disappointment in the PDP’s treatment of the South East region and Governor Mbah, calling the situation a self-inflicted crisis.

“If Governor Mbah eventually defects, PDP should take full responsibility. The party’s consistent disregard for the South East has left many disillusioned,” he said.

Nnamani recalled how the region had obeyed the directive of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) to nominate Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as a replacement for Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, following the latter’s decision to contest the Imo State governorship election.

Despite this, internal wrangling and indecision stalled the process.

“Even after the Supreme Court returned the matter to the party to resolve internally, PDP leaders failed to act decisively. The party leadership chose to play politics instead of doing the right thing,” he lamented.

Nnamani also accused some PDP governors of failing to support Mbah, alleging that both the governor and the entire South East PDP were sidelined in favor of “narrow personal interests.”

“This is the first time I’ve seen an entire region thrown under the bus to appease a few individuals,” he said.

“Governor Mbah was betrayed, not just by the party, but also by his colleagues in the PDP Governors’ Forum who refused to back him at a critical time.”

He further stated that the South East had previously warned the PDP that continued marginalization would force the region to reconsider its allegiance to the party.

“So, if Governor Mbah makes the move, it would only reflect the collective frustration of the region. It won’t be a personal decision but a political statement.”

According to Nnamani, Mbah’s potential departure would mark a significant turning point for the PDP.

“If Governor Mbah defects, the PDP will become the only major party in Nigeria without a single governor in the South East, a region that once gave the party its strongest support.”

He described Mbah as one of the most effective and high-performing governors in the country today, warning that his exit would be a major loss for the party.

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One Remanded As Enugu Police Nab 63-Year-Old Pastor For Allegedly Raping Two Sisters

 

The Enugu State Police Command has arraigned and secured the court-ordered remand of a 63-year-old pastor, Luke Eze, for the alleged rape of two sisters (names withheld), aged 16 and 19.

A statement made available to DAILY GAZETTE on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe says the suspect was arrested on September 11, 2025, by operatives of the Iwollo Police Division of the Command, following a report by the victims’ parent.

“Investigations revealed that the pastor lured the 16-year-old victim to his church, City of Hope Ministry, a.k.a. “Ọkụ Night,” at Okunito-Amansiodo in the Oghe community of Ezeagu LGA, for a “deliverance session” on September 7, 2025.”

“After having her engage in an empty-mortar-pounding ritual, he administered a stupefying liquid substance that rendered her unconscious, enabling him to rape her.

When the younger sister did not return, her 19-year-old sibling (the second victim) went to the church, where she was subjected to the same deceptive ritual.

“The suspect administered the substance to her as well, and after she lost consciousness, he similarly violated her. Both victims regained consciousness the following afternoon, September 8, to find themselves naked, with bloodstains on their private parts and other physical evidence of the assault.”

The police recovered two plastic bottles containing the unidentified substance the suspect administered to the victims for forensic analysis. Luke Eze confessed to the crimes, blaming it on “the devil.”

“He has been arraigned in court, after conclusion of investigations by the Gender and Anti-Human Trafficking Section of the Command’s State CID, and remanded in correctional custody.

The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa condemned the act as abominable and senseless, cautioning parents and the public against falling prey to criminal elements masquerading as spiritual leaders.

He assures the public of the Command’s commitment to ensuring justice is served in the case.

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Gov Peter Mbah: In The Service Of The Rich And The Poor

By Francis Ede,

Recently there have been an avalanche of criticism against our hard working Governor of Enugu State over his choice of multiple projects he is executing across the state within the little time he has been in office as ‘elitist’ by design or default.

Spurred by their morbid fear about Peter Mbah’s apparent grip on the electorate of Enugu State, the purveyors of puerile brand of propaganda are hoping to detach and disembark some of the uninformed from the fast moving train towards 2027 Governorship Election in the state.

These criticisms oscillate from the sublime to burlesque, and from the trivial to the pedantic and dogrel rooted in perverse interpretation of the Governor’s policies and actions.

While some others hide their own mischief in intellectual sophistry, and subterfuge but in the main all they are trying to do is to entrench public despair against a government that is doing all it could to salvage the people of Enugu State from poverty and underdelopment that have weighed us down, through a radical and revolutionary approach to governance.

Yet there are those who believe albeit spuriously, that they belong to the tribe of the champions of the adumbrate slogan of ‘let the poor breathe’.

Sure enough, the poor should breathe but so should the rich also breathe, after all, it is the same oxygen that both the rich and the poor thrive on. Our people were right when they say, ‘let the eagle perch and let the kite also perch: and whosever says no to the other let its wings break ‘.

But I can tell whomever cares to listen that Gov Peter Mbah cares for both the rich and the poor with equal love and dedication in his pursuit of the greatest number of goods for the greatest number of people.

He knows that both sides have equal stakes to the resources of the state, even when the poor because of the level of their needs and the deprivations associated with their low level of income will require all the sense of empathy, commitment, service and upliftment that they can get from the government, but the rich no matter the urgency of relief sought for the poor should not be undermined in any way.

Knowing this as a matter of fact, Gov Peter Ndubuisi Mbah the Governor of Enugu State has pursued with vigour and honesty of purpose the establishment of infrastructure and service delivery that carter to the needs of the rich and the poor alike.

A cursory glance at the achievements of Governor Peter Mbah’s administration in the last two years in office, his projects both completed and ongoing, and programmes instituted to ensure good governance will show to the unbiased observer that there is a deliberate intent to serve both the rich and the poor with equal commitment and dedication.

In fact, it is the resources of the rich that is being mobilized through tax, tariff, levies and through PPP i.e Public Private Partnership to build or renovate new industries and old ones like the Niger Gas Plant, Emene or the Sunrise Flour Mill, amongst others so that our children should be gainfully employed.

Take Security of lives and property for an instance which has been a major plank of this administration’s remarkable achievements.

Even the cynics would readily agree that the level of insecurity and violence in Enugu State before the coming into office of Governor Peter Mbah was of a frightening dimension made more grave by thge Monday Sit at Home with its strict enforcement by a highly mobile, highly diffused group with the masked name of ‘Unknown gun men ‘.

That His Excellency, Barr Peter Mbah was able to stop Sit at Home that was crippling both government and private businesses in the state with its attendant loss of lives and property of the people of Enugu State and our visitors alike, with quick dispatch was a delight to both the rich and the poor and commendations have trailed such uncommon achievements from people even beyond the state.

The issue of herders/ farmers clash or invasion of Fulani herdsmen on farm lands and settlements that decimated the population of Isi -Uzo LGA, Uzo- Uwani LGA and other parts of the state is almost becoming a thing of the past.

That is also true with massive kidnapping of people on such routes like Ugwogo/ Opi road and other major roads in the state. Now such incidents have been tacticaly controlled to the joy of all.

Meanwhile, the government has since gone ahead to strengthen coordination among the security agencies in the state, police, DSS, military and local vigilantes through joint task forces and integrated operations.

It also went further to procure AI embedded surveillance cars equipped with facial and license plate recognition, GPS tracking and life feed transmission to the Command Center.

When Enugu State Government under Gov Peter Mbah forced the the EDDC now known as Main Power Electricity Distribution Limited to bring down its consumption tariff to the people of Enugu State, it is to the benefit of both the rich and the poor.

And this has helped to increase production for both Medium and Small Scale Industries and bigger industries and even in the use of appliances in our homes both in townships and rural areas.

And when the State Government boosted the rate of pipe born water available to the people of Enugu State from 5,000 to 120,000,000 cubic meters, it is so that there would be water for all, the rich and the poor inclusive.

Let the rich enjoy alluring ambiance of wonderful state of the art International Conference Center, Enugu, the 5 Star hotels, Hotel Presidential, Nike Lake Hotel and the International Conference Center Hotel, the Enugu Airline with its brand new planes, the 5 Star Hospital at Rangers Avenue, let them bring us increased tourism and increased revenue.

But let the poor both in the townships and rural areas enjoy the benefits of the Smart Green Schools with its state of the art equipments and cosy environment for learning, free tuition fees, free meals, digital learning and global technology skills.

Let the poor also enjoy the new bus terminals across the state with its multipling business effects and let them enjoy the brand new 100 CNG ultramodern buses procured and distributed by the State Government cutting transport costs by up to 30% and creating jobs.

Let the poor also enjoy the type 2 Smart Primary Healthcare Centers that are being built and equipped simultaneously across the 260 wards in Enugu State that will incorporate overall healthcare service delivery to our people.

In the midst of all of this, let the poor also enjoy the Smart Farms and Smart Farm Estates in all the 260 Wards in Enugu State and let them also enjoy the distribution of farming inputs by governments to farmers across the state, while not excluding the benefits of the established 15 Aggregation and cottage processing centers for rice, cashew, and poultry, reducing post harvest losses and increasing farmers incomes.

It would be trite to argue that both the rich and poor are benefiting from the 293 roads built and rehabilitated across the state, improving connectivity, reducing travel time and supporting socio -economic activities.
These are the realities on the ground, and facts and truth are not partisan.

Tomorrow Is Here.

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