The Enugu State Police Command has reported the arrest and detention of a Police Inspector from its Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, accused of the murder of popular traditional Ogene musician, Okezie Mba, also known as Igbo-Jah.

According to the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the incident took place at approximately 8:10 p.m. on Friday, October 25, 2024, at the Tactical Squad’s Headquarters.

Mba had reportedly been visiting the headquarters on a friendly call and was leaving when the Inspector fired at him under circumstances yet to be clarified.

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“A male Police Inspector serving in the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad of the Enugu State Police Command has been arrested and detained for the alleged murder of a male traditional Ogene musician, Okezie Chikezie Mba, popularly known as Igbo-Jah. The incident occurred around 8:10 p.m. on October 25, 2024, at the Tactical Squad’s Headquarters,” Ndukwe stated.

He further explained, “The musician was reportedly leaving the Squad’s Headquarters after a friendly visit when, for reasons yet to be ascertained, the police officer fired his rifle, hitting the victim. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead by the attending doctor. His body has been deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.”

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Enugu State’s Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has called for an immediate and comprehensive investigation led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State CID.

The investigation aims to determine the exact circumstances of the incident and ensure prompt and appropriate disciplinary actions.

The Commissioner expressed his sympathy to the victim’s family, friends, and associates, describing the event as “unacceptable” and assuring that the officer involved and any other culpable parties would be held accountable in line with the law.

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The statement added, “The Commissioner empathises and consoles the victim’s family, friends, and associates, describing the unfortunate incident as unacceptable. He assures that the police officer and anyone else found culpable will be sanctioned in line with the law to serve as a deterrent.”

The CP urged those close to the victim to remain calm and cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation to ensure justice is served.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has disclosed the identities of six staff members who lost their lives in a helicopter crash on Thursday.

According to the electronic manifest, the deceased NNPC employees were identified as Tamunoemi Suku, Alu Lawrence, Etim Emmanuel, Kenneth Chikwem, Frank Oriamre, and Borris Ndorbo.

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The helicopter’s pilot, Captain Yakubu Dukas, was also among those who perished, while one passenger remains unidentified.

Reports indicate that the helicopter, operated by East Winds Aviation, was en route to the FPSO-NUIMS ANTAN oil facility when it crashed into the Atlantic Ocean.

Three bodies were initially recovered from the crash site, with two more retrieved the following day, bringing the total of recovered victims to five.

Search efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining passengers and the wreckage.

The Nigerian Air Management Agency (NAMA) is coordinating the search operation, with support from Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.

Managing Director of NAMA, Umar Farouq, expressed determination to recover the missing helicopter and passengers, stating, “Through concerted efforts, we are on top of the matter, with other agencies. The search operation is ongoing, and Insha Allah, we shall be successful.”

NAMA has called on all Flight Information Regions in the region for assistance, and the search operation continues as authorities hope for a breakthrough in locating the missing helicopter and victims.

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Members of the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals (JOHESU) have initiated a seven-day warning strike starting from midnight on Friday.

This action follows what the union describes as the Federal Government’s failure to address key welfare concerns.

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The decision to strike was announced by JOHESU’s National President, Kabiru Minjibir, during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, shortly after the union’s national executive council meeting.

Minjibir stated that despite numerous assurances from the government during discussions with various ministries and agencies, there had been no concrete progress.

Minjibir emphasized that the strike might have been avoided if the government had responded to the union’s 15-day notice, which was issued earlier this month.

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He highlighted the core demands, including the enforcement of the consolidated health salary structure and a 25 percent review of arrears from June to December 2023.

Additionally, the union is seeking an increase in the retirement age for health workers, tax exemptions on allowances, and the prompt disbursement of COVID-19 hazard allowances.

He said: “In compliance with the Provisions of Section 41 of the Trade Disputes Act Cap. T8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, members of JOHESU affiliate unions from Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) will begin a seven-day strike action from midnight on 25th October 2024 in Federal Health Institutions.”

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He urged the public to be patient with any disruptions caused by the strike: “The general public should bear with us all inconveniences the withdrawal of services of health workers under the umbrella of JOHESU might cause during this period.”

Minjibir called for public support, emphasizing the goal of improving healthcare: “We urge the consumers of health care and well-meaning Nigerians to empathise with us and also give solidarity to this struggle which is aimed at making healthcare delivery effective, accessible and affordable in the country.”

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He further expressed the union’s frustration over the government’s inaction: “JOHESU has always exhibited maturity, selflessness and patriotism even in the face of extreme provocations and government’s long delay in meeting our demands and we think that our maturity and patriotism have been taken for granted.”

Minjibir affirmed JOHESU’s dedication to resolving the issues through dialogue and warned against any punitive measures against those participating in the strike, which he termed a “dispute of right.”

There has been widespread outrage over the reported beating and detention of a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer by policemen in Osun State.

The incident occurred after the NSCDC officer reportedly stopped the policemen from entering an estate without an arrest warrant or proper identification.

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According to The Nation, the policemen, dressed in plain clothes, attempted to access Elizabeth Estate through the Osun State Secretariat on Wednesday for an arrest.

However, the on-duty NSCDC officer blocked their entry due to concerns over their identities.

A source within the estate explained: “Policemen from Ataoja came to our estate for arrest without warrant and the NSCDC urged them to provide one, else he won’t allow them in. It resulted to altercation where 20 police reinforced to the scene and they beat him up and injured two residents brutally.”

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In response, Kehinde Adeleke, spokesperson for the Osun NSCDC, criticized the actions of the police.

She confirmed the arrest of the NSCDC officer, noting that his uniform was torn and that he was handcuffed, arrested, and detained at the Ataoja Police Command.

The Osun Police spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, acknowledged the incident, stating, “the NSCDC officer beat up two of our men and deflated the tyres of their vehicle.”

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However, Comrade Waheed Saka, the convener of Dialogue 365, condemned the actions of the police, labeling them as “barbaric.”

He added, “There are rising cases of police brutality in Osun State lately. The recent extrajudicial activities of police may result to another massive protest against police.”

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A tragic accident claimed the lives of five individuals when a Mass Transit Bus caught fire following a crash in the G-Hostel area along the Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway.

The accident occurred late at night when the fully loaded bus struck an obstacle on the road, causing it to overturn and ignite.

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The Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi State, Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the incident, revealing that the bus was carrying several passengers when it hit the obstruction.

“The bus crashed and burst into flames after encountering the obstacle,” Ukandu reported.

Seven other passengers who survived the accident are currently receiving medical care at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital in Abakaliki.

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Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased have been transferred to the hospital’s mortuary.

The obstacle, responsible for the fatal incident, was placed on the road as part of ongoing rehabilitation work on damaged portions of the Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway.

Authorities have urged drivers to exercise caution in the area due to construction activities.