A tense situation unfolded on Tuesday in Nkpolu Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, after a group of local youths allegedly assaulted and flogged a police officer, Inspector Joseph Nyian, whom they caught using illicit drugs.

The incident led to an intense police raid on the community.

Inspector Nyian, who does not live in the area, reportedly visited frequently and engaged in drug use. He was apprehended by the youths in a raid aimed at curbing the growing drug menace in their community.

The officer quickly went to the Police Command’s hospital in Port Harcourt, where he obtained a medical report, and subsequently filed charges of torture and theft against the youths, claiming they extorted N78,000 from him.

Nyian also stated that the youths attacked him while he was visiting his pregnant girlfriend.

The police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the officer’s version of events in a statement, describing the incident as a case of assault and extortion by the youths.

According to her, Nyian had been targeted by the youths because their president, Owhondah Chamberlain, had an interest in the officer’s girlfriend. In retaliation, police forces launched an operation in the community, arresting over 20 individuals.

The Nkpolu youths have long been concerned about the widespread drug use in their area, which they believe is destroying the lives of their peers.

Spearheaded by Chairman Owhondah Chamberlain, they have taken a hardline stance against the drug trade.

The youths initiated an “Operation Say No to Drugs,” which has seen them actively patrol their community, raiding known drug hotspots, and arresting dealers, whom they have handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The youths have been credited with successfully closing down all known drug-selling locations and stopping drug use in the community.

Chamberlain noted that the NDLEA had been supportive of their efforts, providing guidance and encouragement.

“We have completely eradicated drug sales and use in this community, and we won’t stop until the entire area is free of drugs,” Chamberlain said.

“We are committed to helping users stop their addiction, and we only send dealers to the NDLEA for proper investigation and prosecution.”

During one of their raids, the youths discovered that a man, who later turned out to be the police officer, was engaging in drug use with several others.

The officer allegedly tried to stop the youths from intervening, telling the other users that nothing would happen to them because he was a policeman.

Despite not being in uniform, the youths did not recognize him as a police officer and continued their mission to rid the community of drugs.

Chamberlain expressed disbelief at the officer’s behavior, stating, “He told the others that he was a cop and nothing would happen to them.

He even encouraged the continued use of drugs. It was then that we realized he was a police officer, but we were more focused on stopping the drug abuse in our community.”

The youths had no intention of taking the law into their hands but were adamant about protecting their community from the dangers of drug addiction.

They now believe the police officer is attempting to cover up his drug use by accusing them of extortion.

Chamberlain denied any wrongdoing, particularly the claim that he had accepted the N78,000 from Nyian, stating, “There is no truth to that claim. The police should investigate this and confirm that there is no such transaction.”

Local elders also weighed in on the devastating impact drugs have had on the youth in Nkpolu.

Mr. Okechukwu Aka, a community elder, expressed deep regret over the growing drug problem, noting that many young people who had gained university admissions had dropped out due to addiction.

Some even sold family properties at a fraction of their worth to fund their drug habits.

Aka explained, “Our children, who had bright futures, are now losing everything because of drugs. Some have sold properties worth millions for just a fraction of the price, all to buy drugs. We cannot stand by and watch our youths destroy themselves.”

The elder also highlighted the increasing number of women getting involved in drug abuse, a trend that was even more concerning than the situation with the men.

“The women are now more involved in drug abuse than the boys. This has to stop,” he added.

A joint operation by the Anambra State Police Command and the Agunechemba Security Squad has resulted in the death of four suspected gunmen and the rescue of a kidnapped victim in Awa community, located in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

According to the police, the operation targeted camps believed to be operated by members of a separatist group.

The combined security team stormed the area following credible intelligence, leading to a 15-hour gun battle with the armed men.

During the raid, a kidnap victim was rescued, despite having been held hostage even after a ₦20 million ransom had been paid by his family.

Four suspected militants were killed in the process, and the team also recovered arms, explosives, and vehicles.

Weapons recovered include 2 pump-action guns, 1 fabricated AK-47 rifle, 1 K2 assault rifle, 1 locally made hunter gun, 3 locally made IEDs, 2 empty gas cylinders, 2 cable wire wraps, 1 black Lexus RX 350 (Reg. No. ACA 340 MA).

Others are; 3 Toyota Camry cars (Reg. Nos: ABC 268 FQ, EKY 151 CD, FGG 706 ME), 1 additional black Toyota Camry, Radio communication box, 3 bags of 50kg rice, driver’s license, National ID card, 5 mobile phones (Infinix, Tecno Spark, and 3 analogue phones), sleeping gear, a desert boot, a large cooler, and a roll of tarpaulin

SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer, stated that the success of the operation was due to the effective community policing strategy in place, supported by the Agunechemba Squad.

“In a sustained effort to rid Anambra of criminal elements, operatives from the Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu, in collaboration with Agunechemba Vigilante Group, stormed a secessionist/terrorist camp in Awa. Despite the ransom paid, the victim remained in captivity until the joint team rescued him,” the statement said.

The police also confirmed that Awa community has been identified as a major operational base for the gang, with an estimated three camps used to launch their criminal activities.

Governor Charles Soludo previously reaffirmed his administration’s support for the Agunechemba Security Squad amid calls for its dissolution.

He praised the recent operation as proof of its effectiveness.

Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, assured residents that the police remain committed to restoring peace and order in Anambra.

He revealed that follow-up operations are underway to track down fleeing suspects and dismantle remaining criminal camps in the state.

“The Command is resolute in ensuring the safety of Ndi Anambra. We urge the public to remain vigilant and continue supporting our efforts to rid the state of criminal elements,” he added.

The Enugu State Government has commenced the payment of agricultural insurance premiums on behalf of farmers across the state, in a move aimed at mitigating the impact of pests, crop diseases, and climate change on food production.

This was disclosed on Friday in Enugu by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Mr. Patrick Ubru, during the South-East Zonal Consultative Forum for the Review of the National Gender Policy in Agriculture and its Strategic Plan of Action (2025–2030).

Speaking at the sidelines of the forum, Ubru emphasized the importance of insurance in light of the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns and natural disruptions affecting farming.

“The vulnerability of the climate has significantly affected agriculture. The payment of insurance premiums is a step toward protecting farmers from these risks,” he said.

Although he did not reveal the total amount of premiums paid or the number of farmers who will benefit, the commissioner stressed that the initiative reflects the state’s commitment to building climate resilience in agriculture.

As part of broader agricultural reforms, Ubru also announced the establishment of a seed laboratory at the Ministry of Agriculture.

The facility is designed to test seed viability, fertility, and overall condition prior to planting, ensuring higher yields and more productive farming.

Additionally, a seed gallery has been created to make quality, affordable seeds and seedlings more accessible to farmers, tailored to suit the various soil types across Enugu State.

Highlighting ongoing state initiatives, Ubru spoke on Governor Peter Mbah’s Cocoa Initiative, which currently has 30,000 cocoa seedlings available.

The program aims to cultivate over 3,000 hectares of cocoa farmland as a starting point.

He further revealed that the state government is developing 260 farm estates, one in each of the state’s political wards.

Each estate will cover 200 hectares, with one hectare allocated per farmer, along with extension services to support cultivation.

“The governor will soon announce the commissioning date for these farm estates,” Ubru noted.

The commissioner reiterated that agriculture remains central to the current administration’s economic growth strategy.

“Governor Peter Mbah is committed to transforming agriculture in all its forms. His plan is to grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion through agriculture and agro-industrialisation,” he concluded.