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.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is mourning the sudden death of Chief Narcotics Officer Ogbonna Maurice Uzoma, its Cross River State Commander.

Uzoma assumed his post on August 18, 2025, and had been temporarily lodging in a hotel in Calabar pending permanent accommodation.

On the morning of Thursday, September 18, he was scheduled to lead his officers in a 10am engagement but failed to report by 9am.

When officers and hotel staff could not reach him by knocks and phone calls, an attendant gained access to his room via a ceiling aperture and discovered his lifeless body inside.

The state Police Command was alerted and the Cross River Commissioner of Police visited the scene.

Meanwhile, NDLEA Chairman Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has directed Zonal Commander Mathew Ewah (Zone 14) to relocate to Calabar to assist with the investigation.

The cause of death is not yet known.

The agency has expressed condolences to his family and reaffirmed its commitment to uncover the truth.