News
FG to investigate Sokoto airstrike, ensure justice, says Matawalle
The Federal Government has announced that it will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the airstrike that led to the deaths of 10 people in Gidan Bisa and Runtuwa villages in the Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, made this assurance during a condolence visit to the state Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, in Sokoto, the state capital, on Friday.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the governor’s spokesman, Abubakar Bawa, quoted Matawalle as saying that justice would prevail and reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all Nigerians, wherever they may be.
Matawalle expressed regret over the actions of terrorists, who he said were disrupting the peace of Nigerians. However, he assured that the Federal Government would confront them decisively.
He praised Governor Aliyu’s commitment to fighting banditry and other criminal activities in Sokoto State.
According to Matawalle, Aliyu is the only governor who has proactively requested a military base in his state and reassured him of the military’s support in making the state safer.
“We will continue to provide all the necessary equipment and resources to Sokoto State,” Matawalle assured.
“Mr President (Bola Tinubu) is deeply concerned about this unfortunate incident and asked me to come and convey his condolences,” he added.
The minister attributed the wrong bombing to erroneous information available to the military during the operation.
However, he clarified that security reports confirmed the area where the incident occurred was being dominated by the Lakurawa bandits.
In response, Governor Aliyu called on the military to improve its information gathering and surveillance to avoid hitting the wrong targets in the future.
He commended the military and other security agencies for their continued commitment to ensuring the state’s safety and thanked President Tinubu for his concern regarding the incident.
The governor also thanked Matawalle for his support in the fight against banditry.
He described the incident as something that was bound to happen and prayed to Almighty Allah to prevent its recurrence.
Aliyu expressed his sorrow over the events in the two villages and assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine the full facts of the situation.
NAN
News
Police hunt for abductors of Ebonyi ex-deputy Governor’s Father
Eyewitnesses said that armed men on a motorcycle intercepted his vehicle, forced him out, and whisked him away to an undisclosed location.
The Nigeria Police Force in Ebonyi State has confirmed the abduction of Francis Igwe, father of former Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe.
He was reportedly kidnapped on Sunday morning while on his way to church in Ndufu-Alike community.
Eyewitnesses said that armed men on a motorcycle intercepted his vehicle, forced him out, and whisked him away to an undisclosed location.
The Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Sunday Nwankwo, confirmed the incident, noting that local authorities are working closely with security agencies to facilitate his rescue.
Also confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Joshua Ukandu, said operatives have intensified efforts to ensure the victim’s safe return.
News
A Lagos Drug Kingpin Ends Up in NDLEA Net After 13 Years in Hiding
Reacting to the eventual arrest of Chidiebere after 13 years on the run, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), said that the agency remains resolute in dismantling criminal networks and bringing all offenders to justice.
Photo credit: NDLEA
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a notorious drug kingpin, Reginald Peter Chidiebere after 13 years in hiding.
Femi Babafemi , Director, Media & Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, made the disclosure in a statement on Sunday.
The drugs kingpin was caught by the operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos.
The drug lord was first arrested in 2013 over the shipment of cocaine into Nigeria and was subsequently arraigned before Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court Lagos in charge no. FHC/L/187c/2923.
He however jumped bail and went into hiding after the trial judge granted him bail in 2013 and has since remained at large.
In February 2024, his name featured prominently as one of the masterminds of the shipment of 49.70 kilograms heroin imported from South Africa following the interception of the consignment by NDLEA operatives at the import shed of the Lagos airport.
A follow-up operation was carried out on 19th February 2024 at his Golden Platinum Hotel & Suites, located at No. 16/18 Reginald Peter Chidiebere Street, Hope Estate, Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos where an additional 2.20 kilograms of heroin was recovered from one of his guests, Igbuanugo Ebuka ThankGod.
As a result, Chidiebere went underground.
The agency however secured the interim forfeiture of his hotel and blocked all bank accounts traced to him since 2024.
Following these developments, Chidiebere could no longer sustain himself in hiding, prompting his surrender to the agency on 13th February 2026 and has since been taken into custody to face his pending charges for which he jumped bail in 2013 and fresh charges based on the 2024 heroin consignments linked to him.
Reacting to the eventual arrest of Chidiebere after 13 years on the run, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), said that the agency remains resolute in dismantling criminal networks and bringing all offenders to justice.
“I commend our officers and men for their persistence and professionalism in this operation”, he added.
News
Governor Nwifuru Suspends Commissioners of Work and Infrastructure
The affected commissioners have been directed to hand over all government property in their possession, including their official vehicles, to the Secretary to the State Government without delay.
The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has approved the indefinite suspension of the State Commissioner for Work, Engr. Stanley Lebechi Mbam, and the Commissioner for Infrastructure Development for Concession, Engr. Ogbonnaya Obasi Abara, over alleged dereliction of duties.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Monday Uzor, the suspension takes immediate effect.
The affected commissioners have been directed to hand over all government property in their possession, including their official vehicles, to the Secretary to the State Government without delay.
No further details were provided regarding the specific circumstances surrounding the suspension.
Police hunt for abductors of Ebonyi ex-deputy Governor’s Father
A Lagos Drug Kingpin Ends Up in NDLEA Net After 13 Years in Hiding
Governor Nwifuru Suspends Commissioners of Work and Infrastructure
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