The Enugu State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has ushered in a new leadership following the successful conclusion of its long-awaited election over the weekend.

The election, initially postponed three months ago, formally ended the tenure of the caretaker committee that had been overseeing the council’s affairs.

Comrade Obinna Ogbuka of the Radio Nigeria Chapel emerged as the newly elected chairman.

He takes over from Comrade Sam Udekwe of the Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS), who withdrew from the race prior to the rescheduled vote.

Also elected was Comrade Chinedu Adonu of Vanguard Newspaper, who defeated Regis Anukwuoji of Business Day to become the council’s Vice Chairman.

Other members of the new executive include Suleiman Onyeama of the State Ministry of Information, elected Secretary after defeating the outgoing Secretary, Ifeoma Amuta.

Fred Nnaji of ESBS was returned unopposed as Assistant Secretary.

Stephanie Ude from the Federal Ministry of Information emerged as Treasurer, defeating Chinyere Agbo of the State Information Chapel.

The position of Financial Secretary went to Sandra Ukeje of Solid FM, who beat Adaku Agbara of Radio Nigeria.

Florence Ani triumphed over Uchenna Nnamene of the NTA Chapel to become the new Auditor.

In his acceptance speech, Comrade Obinna Ogbuka, who previously served as Chairman of the Radio Nigeria Chapel, expressed his gratitude and outlined his administration’s focus.

“With my emergence as Chairman of NUJ Enugu Council, a new administration has begun. We are here to serve the interests of all members and take NUJ to greater heights. I seek the cooperation and support of all to enable us to succeed,” he said.

He also commended the electoral committee for conducting what he described as a transparent and credible election.

The process was supervised by Ezenwafor Adiukwu, the Zonal Secretary of NUJ Zone C, who represented the National Secretariat.

Adiukwu lauded the members for the maturity and decorum exhibited throughout the election, urging collective support for the new executives moving forward.

A 31-year-old man, Mohammed Sani, a resident of Banin Hashim Estate in Minna, Niger State, has been arrested by the police over the alleged killing of his wife, Hauwa Isah, who was nine months pregnant.

The tragic incident, which occurred on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, has drawn widespread condemnation, especially as neighbours reported a history of domestic violence in the household.

Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, told Daily Trust that the authorities acted following a distress call.

“On 3rd June, 2025 at about 10:30pm, a distress call was received that one Hauwa Isah 24yrs of Bani Hashimu Estate, Limawa ‘A’ Minna was found lifeless laying on the floor with blood stains in the room,” Abiodun said.

He explained that officers from A Division, Minna, responded promptly to the scene.

“Police operatives of A Division Minna rushed to the scene and the suspected lifeless body of the lady was found on the floor.”

“She was rushed to General Hospital Minna where she was confirmed dead and it was also confirmed that she is about nine months pregnant,” he added.

The police suspect that the husband, Mohammed Sani, was responsible for the incident, especially in light of repeated allegations from neighbours about ongoing abuse in the marriage.

“However, the husband one Mohammed Sani 31yrs of the same address is suspected to have committed the act due to the allegation of wife battery as alleged by neighbours.”

“He was arrested and the case has been transferred to SCID Minna,” Abiodun said.

Authorities have promised a thorough investigation, as the public continues to call for justice for Hauwa and her unborn child.

Traders from the South-East region operating in Ifo, Ogun State, have closed their shops in protest over the killing of an Igbo woman, Blessing Eze, who was allegedly stabbed by touts demanding payment of a so-called festival tax.

The incident, which occurred on Friday, June 6, 2025, during Eid Mubarak celebrations, has triggered outrage and calls for justice.

According to eyewitness accounts, touts reportedly demanded ₦1500 from each trader as a levy for the festival.

Eze, who was said to be financially constrained at the time, allegedly refused to pay and was fatally stabbed during a confrontation.

Chiamaka Eze, a fellow trader, shared details of the incident in a phone interview with SaharaReporters on Saturday:

“The incident happened on Friday being yesterday when some touts began taxing traders over the Eid Mubarak festival of Muslim faithfuls that took place yesterday. Each trader was asked to pay ₦1500.”

She further explained how events escalated when they got to Blessing Eze’s stall:

“On getting to late Mrs Eze, she told them she didn’t have the money as at the time they came, and pleaded that they should come back.”

“As touts that they are, they started destroying her goods, during which she dragged one of them and asked him to arrange her goods properly and come back.”

“She said she would pay but she didn’t have the money as of that time because she had not sold anything. That’s how one of them stabbed her on the chest which later led to her death.”

Simon Uchenna, a member of the Igbo Market Union, condemned the killing and described a history of intimidation:

“We are mourning the loss of one of our own, and we demand justice. Before this woman’s death, we had been experiencing assault and intimidation from those group of touts.”

He said the union had declared a four-day mourning period, during which Igbo traders will not open their shops.

“We implore the Ogun State Government to intervene and make sure the perpetrators are brought to book,” he added.

The protests are not only in reaction to Eze’s murder but also to years of unchecked harassment by street tax collectors. One market member recalled another violent incident from the previous year involving the son of the Baba Loja (market head), Waheed:

“Despite reporting the incident to the police, he was advised to drop the case due to the suspect’s alleged connections.”

“Nigeria will always be what it is, where killers will tell you to your face that they will kill you and nothing will happen,” the trader lamented.

Other traders echoed the same concerns, calling for protection and regulation.
“Festival money shouldn’t be by force, it should have been something of free will,” said Okoye Chizoba.

“True to their words, they will kill you and nothing will happen. Human lives mean nothing to everyone, even those (government) whose duty is to protect you from killers.”

The closure of businesses has led to significant disruption in Ifo’s markets, as both traders and customers react with shock and grief.

The market union has vowed not to resume business activities until those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.

“May her soul rest in peace,” the traders said in a solemn tribute to Blessing Eze.

Enugu Police Commissioner, Giwa

The Enugu State Police Command has strongly denied reports suggesting it summoned the Chairman of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area over the formation of a vigilante group aimed at combating herdsmen violence in the region.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, and made available to DAILY GAZETTE, the police described the reports as “misleading” and “a calculated attempt to distract from an active investigation” into the gruesome killing of eight individuals in the Opanda community.

According to the statement, on March 15, 2025, the Command received a report concerning the disappearance of eight male Muslim worshippers in Opanda, a community in Uzo-Uwani LGA.

A subsequent search led to the discovery of five bodies on March 16, all bearing gunshot wounds and machete cuts.

The burnt remains of the remaining three victims were recovered later, alongside seven expended cartridges.

A key witness, a surviving child, claimed the attackers were members of a Neighbourhood Watch Group and identified one of the suspects who fled on a motorcycle.

Security operatives later intercepted the motorcycle, but the rider managed to escape.

Shortly after, the local government chairman reportedly contacted the operatives, requesting the release of the seized motorcycle.

Due to this alleged involvement, the Chairman was invited to provide a statement and assist with the production of the suspect in question.

The Command clarified that the invitation had no connection to the establishment or operation of the Neighbourhood Watch, a government-recognized security initiative in the state.

“The reports are not only misleading but appear designed to derail the course of justice,” SP Ndukwe stated, adding that the investigation focuses strictly on criminal accountability, not the legality of the vigilante group.

Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, also addressed the controversy, warning individuals spreading false information to desist from further dissemination of misleading narratives.

“The investigation will be conducted with fairness, transparency, and a strong commitment to justice, without bias to tribe, ethnicity, or religion,” CP Giwa affirmed.

He further reiterated the Command’s dedication to law enforcement across the state, vowing to pursue all criminal cases without fear or favour.

The Police Command called on members of the public to disregard misinformation and allow law enforcement to carry out its duties professionally and without interference.