The Supreme Council of Southern Nigerian Youths Leaders has issued a strong call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the immediate and unconditional release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

In a communiqué issued at the conclusion of their three-day Inaugural Strategic Meeting in Onitsha, Anambra State, the youth leaders also urged the Federal Government to establish a Special National Ethnic Communities Peace and Development Commission to address long-standing grievances across various ethnic groups in Nigeria.

They stressed the need for the Tinubu-led administration to urgently address rising insecurity in the southern region, warning that the South has “had enough” and would no longer tolerate the persistent threats to its safety and development.

According to the group, “While we call for the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the establishment of Special National Ethnic Communities Peace and Development Commission, and tackling the escalating issues of insecurity within Southern Nigeria headlong, we unanimously reiterate our commitment to the unity of Nigeria without compromise.”

Mr. Arthur Obiora, President of the Supreme Council of Southern Nigerian Youths Leaders, made the remarks during a press briefing.

Surrounded by youth leaders from all 17 Southern states, Obiora said the meeting was a deliberate effort to build a strong, unified platform among Southern Nigerian youths.

The gathering, he added, marks the beginning of a broader consciousness and mobilization to demand policy reforms, infrastructure development, and increased investment in human capital across the South.

The group highlighted the ongoing ethnic, religious, and political divisions among southern youths, noting that real progress will remain elusive without deliberate efforts to bridge those gaps.

“We observe in the light of our extensive deliberations, retrospection and consultations with key stakeholders within Southern Nigeria, that the youth within our region have remained divided along ethnic, religious and party lines, and unless concerted effort is made to mitigate such divides, there won’t be meaningful region-based progress,” the statement noted.

They emphasized the need for a unified youth front, citing the vast contributions of young people to the Southern region’s population and workforce.

“The unity of Southern Nigeria youths has become paramount and imperative in order to speak with one voice to get rid of the penchant for government at all levels in Southern Nigeria to scheming the youths and their leaders out of the value equation.”

“The youths constitute over sixty per cent of the entire population of Southern Nigeria, and also provide over seventy per cent workforce of the region, therefore, the government of President Tinubu should provide a rare opportunity for strategic integration of the youths into the scheme of things within the polity.”

The council further expressed a willingness to work with Southern political leaders to foster regional unity and development.

“We believe that for the Nigerian Federation to thrive politically, economically and otherwise, equity and fairness should be strictly encouraged. We also resolve to strategically partner with all political leaders within Southern Nigeria to foster regional cohesion.”

Despite their demands, the youth group affirmed its support for President Tinubu’s administration.

“Southern Nigerian youths have resolved to continue to support the present administration of the Federal Government, led by His Excellency, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, as constitutionally mandated.”

In conclusion, the council called on all youth-led organizations across the South to join forces under its umbrella for a unified and impactful regional voice.

“We call on the youth-based organisations within Southern Nigeria, to, as a matter of regional urgency, partner with the Supreme Council of Southern Nigerian Youths Leaders, in order to raise a strong voice for the region and the youth in particular.”

Enugu Police PRO, SP Ndukwe

The Enugu State Police Command has intensified its campaign against violent crime, successfully arresting 13 male suspects involved in various criminal activities including armed robbery, illegal firearms possession, and cultism.

The suspects were apprehended during a series of intelligence-driven operations conducted by the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, which also led to the recovery of firearms, stolen vehicles, and other incriminating items.

One of the operations, carried out on July 30 at around 3:40 am, was based on information obtained from a suspect already in custody, Ekene Akpata (aka Odumodu), 35, who is under investigation for armed robbery and cult-related offenses.

Acting on his confession, officers raided Oyofo-Oghe in Ezeagu LGA, leading to the arrest of three individuals: Ebuka Odinko (35), Chiemerie Amano (25), and Onyebuchi Onyekwere (24), all alleged members of the Vikings Confraternity involved in multiple robberies.

In a related operation between July 23 and 28, the squad extended its operations to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, following leads from two other suspects; Okechukwu Ogbonna (65) from Abia State and Ezeonuji Charles (52) from Anambra State.

Two additional suspects were arrested: Udofia Richard (43) of Akwa Ibom and Richard Arinzechukwu Nwaomu (32) of Imo State.

Police recovered two suspected stolen vehicles, a red Toyota Camry XLE (YEN 221 AG) and an ash Kia Soul (PHC 845 AE).

On July 21, another group of suspects was captured in Umuasi Ngwo, Udi LGA. Arrested were Stephen Chidiebere (aka Shaggy, 42), Arinze Udeh (aka Anonymous, 30), and Onuigbo Kingsley (49).

The police seized a cut-to-size double-barrelled gun. Their arrests were connected to that of Ikemefuna Ani (aka Majority, 31), earlier picked up for similar offenses.

Preliminary investigations identify them as members of the Black Axe Confraternity.

Separately, on July 15, police from the Ogui Division, in collaboration with a local Neighbourhood Watch Group, arrested a 30-year-old robbery suspect, Ifeanyi Ede.

The suspect had allegedly used a pistol-shaped gas lighter to rob a taxi driver of ₦30,000, a phone worth ₦17,000, an ATM card, and vehicle keys. His accomplice escaped.

The stolen phone was recovered, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

The Enugu State Police Command confirmed that all suspects are under active investigation and will be prosecuted upon completion of case files.

Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, praised the officers for their diligence and urged them to maintain their momentum in curbing crime.

He reaffirmed the Command’s dedication to the security of lives and property, calling on residents to stay alert and report any suspicious activity.

The public can reach the Enugu Police Command via the following emergency lines: 08032003702, 08086671202, or through the Command-and-Control Centre on 112.

The Nigerian Army has installed and handed over an industrial-grade water borehole to the Ohodo community in Igbo‑Etiti Local Government Area, Enugu State, to address chronic water shortages.

During the commissioning ceremony on Saturday, Lieutenant‑General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), represented by Major‑General Oluyemi Olatoye, General Officer Commanding 82 Division described the water project as a high-impact initiative designed to “give back to the society”.

The project was dedicated to Major‑General Patrick Eze (retired), former Commandant of the Nigerian Army Ordnance School, in recognition of his distinguished service.

According to the COAS, the initiative falls under the COAS Special Intervention Civil–Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Projects, which support communities linked to retired senior officers.

“The idea of Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Civil‑Military‑Cooperation Projects was conceived as part of efforts to support the communities of Nigerian Army senior officers… what concept of the COAS Special Intervention Projects is to give back to the people as essential partners in progress and we have over 200 projects scattered all over the country done with consultation with the communities.”

“The top notch basic amenities are provided to complement rural development efforts… serve to bring solutions to pressing needs, ameliorate hardship and enhance the people’s quality of life.”

Earlier at the event, the Chief of Civil–Military Affairs, Major‑General Gold Chibuisi, emphasized that the borehole aims to deliver reliable drinking and domestic water to Ohodo residents.

“This project was executed by Major‑General P.I. Eze (retired). It has a 30 KVA sound‑proof generator, electricity supply, solar‑powered security lighting, solar‑powered digitalised security surveillance cameras, overhead tankers and multiple dispensers, among others.”

Speaking afterwards, Major‑General Eze expressed gratitude to the COAS for sanctioning and funding the project.

He highlighted that the community previously relied on privately bought tanker water, paying ₦50,000 for 1,000 litres during the dry season.

“The situation was so bad that during the dry season my community people buy 1,000 litres of tanker water for N50,000.”

Traditional ruler Igwe Hycient Eze also voiced appreciation, welcoming the “high‑impact project” and pledging full community protection for the facility.

“We appreciate the Nigerian Army coming to bring a solution to the age‑long challenge of our community, as we bear great financial burden to get water.”

A local indigene, Mr. Nicholas Agbo, described the Army as the community’s “only messiah,” acknowledging the relief the borehole brings.

The inauguration concluded with the COAS symbolically handing over the keys to the facility to the traditional ruler.

The event also included a donation of relief items to community widows by Mrs. Regina Eze, wife of Major‑General Eze.