Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has announced a N10 million reward for anyone who provides information leading to the capture of the gunmen responsible for the killings of security operatives and innocent civilians in the state.

During a condolence visit to the families of the victims in Ihiala Local Government Area on Thursday, Soludo condemned the attackers, emphasizing the importance of community support in tackling insecurity.

The incident, which occurred on December 30, resulted in the deaths of two security operatives and five unarmed residents, who were shot during preparations for a burial ceremony.

In his remarks, Soludo expressed his determination to bring the perpetrators to justice and called on local leaders and residents to collaborate with security forces by providing vital information.

“We are placing a N10 million bounty on the heads of these killers. This must not happen again,” he stated, blending Igbo and English to drive home his message.

A Catholic priest, Father Joseph Enyinaya, has been arrested and detained by the Imo State Police Command in connection with the tragic shooting of a boy at St. Columbus Catholic Church, Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Government Area.

The incident occurred on January 1, 2025, during the New Year Mass as worshippers gathered to celebrate the end of the year.

According to police spokesperson Henry Okoye, the altercation began when the boy set off fireworks, also known as knockouts, during the service.

The priest, reportedly angered by the action, allegedly picked up a firearm and shot the boy fatally.

The body of the deceased has been taken to a mortuary in Atta Ikeduru for further investigation.

Eyewitness accounts shared on social media platforms, including a Facebook post by ‘For The Love Of Anambra,’ corroborated the police statement, noting that the shooting occurred after the fireworks were set off.

The incident has sparked widespread reactions online and raised concerns over the escalation of violence in a place of worship.

Okoye assured the public that the police are thoroughly investigating the matter and are committed to uncovering the full details of the tragedy.

He urged residents to remain calm as the investigation progresses and promised that more information would be provided in due course.

Residents of Azuofia Edda community in the Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, who were severely affected by communal conflicts, have called on the government to prioritize the demarcation of the disputed land between them and their neighboring community in Cross River State to restore lasting peace.

Mr. Innocent Igwe, Chairman of Zone Five Azuofia Edda community, made the appeal during the distribution of relief materials donated by Ebonyi-born businessman and philanthropist, Mr. Monday Elom.

The relief effort, aimed at easing the hardships of war victims, included essential items such as two cows, over 100 bags of rice, cartons of Maggi seasoning, salt, assorted drinks, and cash gifts, and took place at St. Mary’s Primary School, Azuofia Edda.

Igwe, a retired Headmaster, expressed concern over the deteriorating state of basic infrastructure in the community, including schools, health centers, boreholes, and roads, all of which have become non-functional.

He urged both state and federal authorities to take urgent action to address these issues and alleviate the suffering of the residents.

The war victims included 45 widows, more than 100 elders, orphans, and other vulnerable individuals who have borne the brunt of the violence that erupted from a boundary dispute in 2017.

Elom, Chief Executive Director of Molompet Nigeria Limited, expressed that his donation was a way to alleviate the ongoing suffering of his people, highlighting the lack of government presence and support in the aftermath of the conflict.

The philanthropist lamented that despite the crisis ending years ago, the community continues to face neglect, with over 150 graduates living in the area without employment opportunities.

He appealed to stakeholders, including political leaders and well-meaning organizations, to do more for the community.

“I urge our political leaders, especially Governor Francis Nwifuru, Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, and other stakeholders, to come to the aid of this war-torn community,” Elom stated.

“The people are suffering—80% of their farmlands have been taken, many homes were destroyed, and infrastructure is in ruins. It is time for action to address the devastation and improve their living conditions.”

Elom also expressed disappointment over the state of education and healthcare in the community, noting that most schools were burned down during the war and have yet to be rebuilt.

He stressed the importance of providing educational facilities and healthcare to help the community rebuild.

Igwe concluded by acknowledging the contributions of local figures like Elom but called for more to be done, especially in providing employment opportunities for the youth and addressing the community’s basic needs.

“Our people are struggling, and the government must take decisive steps to bring relief,” he said.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has extended an invitation to former President Olusegun Obasanjo to visit its rehabilitated refineries following his recent criticism of the $2 billion investment in the facilities.

Obasanjo, during a television interview, expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the rehabilitation efforts at the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.

He pointed to the significant historical challenges faced during his own administration in attempting to revive Nigeria’s refining capacity, while questioning the effectiveness of the current investments.

“I was told not too long ago that since that time, more than two billion dollars have been squandered on the refinery, and they still will not work,” Obasanjo remarked.

He added that if the refineries were functioning, there would be no need for foreign investors like Aliko Dangote to build his own refinery.

In response, NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, acknowledged Obasanjo’s esteemed position but defended the current progress, emphasizing the company’s transformation from a loss-making entity to a profit-driven global energy player.

He reassured the public that the rehabilitation efforts were substantial, involving comprehensive overhauls rather than mere Turnaround Maintenance, which had previously failed to yield lasting improvements.

Soneye credited the successes to the leadership of NNPC’s board, under CEO Mele Kyari, and the supportive energy policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He invited Obasanjo to personally inspect the refineries, stating that his vast experience and wisdom would be highly valued in assessing the progress made.

The family of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has voiced their dismay over President Bola Tinubu’s failure to fulfill an alleged agreement made by his son, Seyi, regarding Kanu’s release during the 2023 presidential election.

Prince Emmanuel Kanu, Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother, revealed in a statement that shortly before the election, Seyi Tinubu, with his father’s approval, met with him in Abuja.

During this meeting, an agreement was reportedly reached in which IPOB would not boycott the election in exchange for a commitment from Tinubu to secure Nnamdi Kanu’s release if he became president.

Despite Tinubu’s victory and nearly two years in office, Kanu remains in detention, even though the presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako, has recused herself from the case.

Prince Emmanuel expressed his frustration with Tinubu’s failure to honor the agreement, especially after public assurances made during Tinubu’s campaign, including his visit to Owerri.

He emphasized that IPOB had upheld its end of the bargain by not calling for an election boycott, despite having the capacity to do so, and by overcoming internal divisions against such a call.

Prince Emmanuel further criticized the Nigerian judiciary for not assigning a new judge to Kanu’s case, despite several rulings in his favor, including the Court of Appeal’s discharge order and the Supreme Court’s stance on his bail.

He described the situation as a betrayal of trust, stating that the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu lacked legal justification and was a failure to honor the commitments made during the election period.

The Agbere community in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State is in shock and mourning after the brutal kidnapping and beheading of Mr. Clement Hamo, a candidate for the community’s traditional stool.

According to reports, Hamo was abducted by unknown gunmen on Christmas Day, who then escaped with him by boat along the river.

His decapitated body was discovered days later, on Tuesday, floating on the River Forcados in Delta State.

While the motive behind the killing remains unclear, with no ransom demanded, it is believed that Hamo’s bid for the traditional leadership position may have played a role in his tragic demise.

A source familiar with the incident said, “The body was found floating and stuck in the river. After confirming it was Hamo, we brought it back for burial. He had been contesting for the role of traditional ruler.”

Residents of Agbere have expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the beloved candidate, who was known for his good character. Social media platforms have been flooded with tributes and reports of the horrifying crime that has shaken the community to its core.

Spokesperson for the Bayelsa State Police Command, Musa Mohammed, confirmed the incident and stated that investigations are currently underway.