News

Gunmen Enforcing Sit-at-Home Attack Traders, Burn Police Van in Ebonyi

Published

3 years ago

July 5, 2023

Eric

Gunmen, on Tuesday, set ablaze a police patrol van at Ukwuagba-Ngbo community in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The action by the gunmen was said to be part of plans to enforce compliance to the one-week sit-at-home order declared by a splinter group of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

The attackers were said to have stormed a police checkpoint in the area and ordered policemen on duty to leave the scene, while they set the van ablaze.

Recall that IPOB splinter group had penultimate week, declared a one-week sit-at-home across the South-East geo-political zone.

Aside from the attack on the Ukwuagba-Ngbo area of the state, the gunmen also approached the Ishieke Campus of the Ebonyi State University and shot sporadically in the air.

They ordered market women to shut their shops and motorcyclists to stop operations on Tuesday.

The Chairman of Ohaukwu Council Area, Ikechukwu Onwe, condemned the attacks and called for the cooperation of stakeholders to checkmate the activities of miscreants, in the area.

During a security council meeting, on Tuesday, at the council headquarters, Ezzangbo, Onwe said he would deploy every measure to apprehend the hoodlums.

Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State Government has enjoined residents of the state to go about their normal businesses, saying the situation was under control.

A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor, said “The Ebonyi State Government has observed with dismay, apprehension in some parts of the state following activities of unknown gunmen.

“The government, therefore, wishes to advise the general public to go about their lawful businesses as security agents are on top of the situation.”

The Punch

News

IGP Disu Removes Benjamin Hundeyin As FPRO

Published

10 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has reportedly removed Benjamin Hundeyin as the Force Public Relations Officer (PRO) and replaced him with a new appointee, though the name hasn’t been officially announced.

Hundeyin was previously serving as the Lagos Command PRO before being promoted to the national role.

This move comes as part of Disu’s efforts to revamp the Nigeria Police Force and improve its public image.

As the 23rd IGP, Disu has emphasized professionalism, accountability, and transparency, warning officers that there will be no tolerance for misconduct or abuse of power.

News

Assets Declaration: Court Dismisses NDLEA’s Case Against Abba Kyari

Published

11 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, dismissed a case filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), against suspended DCP Abba Kyari on allegations bordering on non-disclosure of assets.

Justice James Omotosho dismissed the suit, filed against Kyari and his younger brothers, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari, for failure of the anti-narcotic agency to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge held that the burden of proving a case beyond reasonable doubt falls in the prosecution which it had failed to do so.

The ruling covers only asset declaration allegations. Other cases including drug related offences are still ongoing.

News

NDLEA Nabs UK-wanted Drug Lord after 15-Year Hunt

Published

17 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 58-year-old fugitive drug lord, Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, who had been on the wanted list of Nigerian and British authorities for over 15 years.

His arrest was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by spokesman of the agency, Mr. Femi Babafemi.

Ilomuanya, according to the agency, was apprehended in Lagos on Monday, February 23, 2026, following what officials described as a high-stakes, well-coordinated operation by officers of the Agency’s Special Operations Unit.

He was first arrested in February 2003 in the United Kingdom and later convicted for drug trafficking.

He was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment but released after serving two years following a successful appeal.

In July 2011, Ilomuanya was again arrested in the UK for drug-related offences.

Though granted administrative bail, he absconded and fled to Nigeria, evading further prosecution.

In November 2018, NDLEA operatives arrested him in Nigeria after uncovering two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories — one at his country home in Obinugwu, Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, and another at his residence in Lagos.

During the operation, officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive drug production equipment.

He was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos but later jumped court bail, remaining on the run until his latest arrest.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s sustained crackdown on drug trafficking networks.

“This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who think they can hide behind borders to escape justice. Whether you jump bail in London or set up clandestine labs in your village, the long arm of the NDLEA will eventually catch up with those who choose to undermine the health, security, and future of our nation,” Marwa said.

He added that the Agency remains committed to strengthening intelligence-led operations and deepening international collaboration to prevent Nigeria from becoming a safe haven for global drug cartels.

Marwa commended officers of the Special Operations Unit for their professionalism, resilience, and diligence in tracking down the fugitive, stressing that the NDLEA remains unwavering in its resolve to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within the country.

The agency is expected to proceed with legal action against Ilomuanya in the coming days.