News
Insecurity Tales: Between Reality and Toxic Hype in Anambra – Aburime

By Christian ABURIME
The Chief press Secretary to the Anambra state government, CHRISTIAN ABURIME has reacted to the insecurity Tales both in Anambra state and the country at large.
According to Aburime, the issue of insecurity is a global phenomenon, and today it is not the exclusive preserve of any society. Every nation has its share of security risks and breaches.
He said while responsible governments try their best to fulfill their constitutional primary responsibility of securing lives and property, no society in the world is ever totally safe.
His words: In fact, according to a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report, 6 in 7 people worldwide are plagued by feelings of insecurity. Also, the report further confirms that about 1.2 billion people live in conflict-affected areas, with almost half of them (560 million) in countries not usually considered to be fragile.
This means that, whether in the developed world or developing continents, vulnerability to insecurity is universal. Gun violence is an ever present threat in the US. Fatal stabbings are common in the UK. Terrorism abounds in the Middle East. Deadly crimes occur in Asia. South America has their drug cartel and mafia-related killings.
And most countries in Africa face diverse insecurity crises, including South Africa where crimes and killings are regular. But despite all the spate of insecurity across the developed societies, visitors, tourists and investors never cease travelling there; neither do their citizens badmouth their countries to the outside world.
This makes one wonder why when it comes to the case of Nigeria, some subversive elements are bent on disparaging their own state with exaggerated tales of insecurity, especially in Anambra State.
They have appointed themselves as town-criers of not good tidings, but of horror stories and pull-down-Anambra narratives just to make the government look bad. What a criminal indulgence!
Every day, insecurity rears its ugly head in different parts of Nigeria as daily reported in the news. For instance, banditry and kidnappings are daily tales in the North zone of the country. Weeks ago, five students of Federal University, Gusau in Zamfara State were kidnapped and yet to be released. Sectarian killings continue in Kaduna, Plateau, Niger, Kogi and Benue.
Gallant Nigerian soldiers recently arrested some rail track vandals in Nasarawa, just as policemen lately engaged armed robbers in a gun battle in Gombe State. Abuja, the seat of power that should be supposedly most secure, is a theatre of kidnappings and stabbings.
Over the past weeks, there have been several reported incidents of fatal stabbings across Abuja, from Wuse II to Gwarimpa, Airport Road to Gwagwalada, and Utako to Jabi.
Coming down to the Southwest, the zone has its own share of insecurity crises. Armed robberies and ritual killings do occur in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and other states.
South-south and Southeast regions are not spared either.
In all of this, citizens of various states don’t indulge in mischievous hyping up of terrifying insecurity to discourage visitors and investors as some misguided few Anambra State’s own citizens do. And in spite of isolated incidents of violence and crime, Anambra State today can still be reckoned as one of the safest states in Nigeria.
The relative security in the state is not a mere coincidence, but rather the result of deliberate and concerted efforts by the Soludo-led government to continue to secure lives and protect property.
So, instead of campaign of calumny and pull-it-down syndrome by critics who never see anything good in their state, Anambra State government under the visionary leadership of Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, deserves commendation for its unwavering dedication to ensuring the security of lives and property within its jurisdiction.
The government has made substantial investments in law enforcement agencies, equipped them with modern technology, and provided adequate incentives to enhance their effectiveness.
Furthermore, the government has created an enabling environment for the security agencies to operate optimally, fostering collaboration and intelligence sharing among them.
However, as citizens of this remarkable state, it is crucial to recognize the responsibility we bear in maintaining the positive strides that Anambra State has made in other aspects.
We must refrain from indulging in the temptation to badmouth our own state or spread exaggerated stories of insecurity. While it is natural to discuss and address any security issues that may arise, let conversations be constructive and tend towards improvement.
We must discuss our security situation with caution and accuracy, avoiding the trap of sensationalism in social media platforms that could unjustly scare away visitors and investors.
As it is a universally acknowledged fact that no society is ever totally free from insecurity, the Anambra State government will continue to do all things possible to strengthen the state’s security architecture. And with Ndi Anambra providing their goodwill and support, fostering a healthy environment of positivity, the state will surely flourish under the protective wings of a proactive government led by Governor Soludo.
By so doing, we will attract the much-need development investments that will ultimately help in making Anambra a secure, livable, progressive and prosperous state we can all be proud of.
News
MEDIC Seeks LASG Interventions Over N44m Charity Assets Seized by SOL Beach Management
founded in 2011, MEDIC is recognised globally for its work in tree planting, recycling, and ocean conservation efforts.

The Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children (MEDIC), a registered non-governmental organization is calling on the Lagos State Government to help recover its charitable property -a 20-foot recycling container at Elegushi Beach, allegedly seized by Box Mall/SOL Beach management.
In a statement, Ms Doyinsola Ogunye, Founder of MEDIC, lamented that the interventions of the state government including relevant environmental bodies, and law enforcement agencies have become necessary as all efforts to remove the container valued at ₦44,046,500 (as of September 2024) to a new site at Akodo Ise, Ibeju-Lekki, failed.
This includes beautification trees planted by MEDIC at the front of the beach.
According to Ms Ogunye, tensions began in 2024 when the landlord entered a new partnership with SOL Beach by Box Mall without prior notice to relocate its equipment or inform its donors.
The organization stated that despite efforts to cooperate with the new management, conflict arose in early 2025 after Box Mall allegedly demanded that MEDIC remove its 20-foot recycling container — donated by the Nigerian Bottling Company — within three days or risk it being dismantled.
MEDIC’s Board of Trustees subsequently resolved to relocate all assets to a new site at Ibeju-Lekki.
On 31 March 2025, the organisation formally notified Box Mall in writing, requesting supervised access to retrieve its assets.
However, Ohibaba.com learned that the management of Sol Beach By Box, in a letter of acknowledgement dated April 4, 2025, was demanding for rental payments over alleged evacuation delays by MEDIC.
MEDIC, however countered , and said ” There were never agreed timelines for us to remove our assets from the Premises. You have however detained our assets for your personal and business use since you took over possession of the Premises and have refused us access and entry to the Premises to remove our assets.
Sol Beach management, however insisted: ” It is important to note that all previously agreed timelines for the removal of these assets have now expired, yet no action has been taken.
As a result, we must now implement a daily space rental charge of N150,000, effective April 14, 2025, for any assets that remain on-site beyond this date.
To prevent the removal or scrapping of these assets by Sol Beach, we strongly urge you to fulfill your commitment to their removal.”
Meanwhile, founded in 2011, MEDIC is recognised globally for its work in tree planting, recycling, and ocean conservation efforts.
Through its flagship project, The Kids Beach Garden, established in 2015, MEDIC has educated thousands of children, empowered women and youth through green jobs, and implemented tree adoption and coastal restoration programs supported by local and international partners.
News
Kogi govt demolishes bandits’ camps, arrests injured two bandits
In a major operation, the combined security forces, led by the State Security Adviser, Cdr Jerry Omodara (rtd), demolished and set ablaze bandits’ camps and hideouts in Aherin-Bunu community, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Areas.

The Kogi State Government, led by Governor Ahmed Ododo, has intensified its crackdown on banditry and other criminal activities in the state.
In a major operation, the combined security forces, led by the State Security Adviser, Cdr Jerry Omodara (rtd), demolished and set ablaze bandits’ camps and hideouts in Aherin-Bunu community, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Areas.
Speaking to journalists at the location on Thursday, Omodara said two wounded bandits and their fake doctors were apprehended in a settlement in Aherin-Bunu community, Kabba-Bunu LGA.
Omodara said acting on intelligence information, the security agencies, arrested two wounded bandits who were receiving treatment from local doctors in the settlements.

•State Security Adviser, Cdr Jerry Omodara (rtd).
The doctors, who were treating the bandits, were also apprehended.
According to Omodara, the bandits had sustained gunshot injuries in a previous encounter with security forces.
Following the arrest, Governor Ododo directed that the bandits’ camps and settlements be wiped out.
Acting on the governor’s directive, the combined security forces demolished the camps, including a makeshift clinic, and destroyed the bandits’ farmland and farm produce”.
Omodara emphasised that the security agencies have saturated the state, making it difficult for bandits to hide.
He warned that anyone caught perpetrating, abetting, or collaborating with criminals would be dealt with, regardless of their status or identity.
“We received intelligence that two bandits were receiving treatment in a settlement in Aherin-Bunu community in Kabba-Bunu LGA.
“We swiftly deployed security personnel and arrested the two wounded bandits.
The Governor directed that any house used for treating bandits should be demolished.
We’re arresting fake doctors treating them and warning that anyone perpetrating, abetting, or collaborating with criminals will be dealt with, regardless of their status.
“We will not accept that and we are not going to allow it,” Omodara said.
Omodara stressed that the operation is part of the Kogi State Government’s ongoing onslaught against banditry and other criminal activities, which is yielding unprecedented results.
“Gov. Ahmed Ododo reiterated his commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property in the state,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the combined security forces, led by Omodara, demolished and torched the bandits’ camps, farmlands, and produce in the major crackdown operation on Thursday.
News
NMA: Kanu fit to Stand Terrorism Trial

A medical panel appointed by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has concluded that Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is medically fit to stand trial on terrorism-related charges.
The panel’s findings were submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday by the prosecution team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adegboyega Awomolo. Portions of the report were read in open court, revealing that the ailments Kanu had complained of were not life-threatening and did not impair his ability to participate in legal proceedings.
The medical panel was constituted by the court following conflicting health reports submitted by Kanu’s personal physician and the Department of State Services (DSS), where he is currently being held. Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the case, appointed the independent panel to objectively assess Kanu’s health and resolve the dispute.
Following the panel’s submission, Justice Omotosho ruled that the trial will proceed without further delay. He scheduled six consecutive days, beginning October 23, for Kanu to present and conclude his defence.
In a related development, the court granted a request by Kanu’s lead defence counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), for a private consultation with his client. The defence team had expressed concerns that their previous discussions were potentially monitored by the DSS, thereby infringing on attorney-client privilege.
Justice Omotosho ordered that the private meeting be held inside the courtroom on October 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with only Kanu and his legal representatives present. The trial will resume the following day.
The court’s rulings mark a significant turn in the high-profile case, which has drawn widespread attention both within and outside Nigeria. Kanu faces multiple charges including terrorism, secession, and incitement, all of which he has denied.
-
News2 days ago
BREAKING: Senate Confirms Prof. Amupitan as New INEC Chairman
-
News2 days ago
NMA: Kanu fit to Stand Terrorism Trial
-
News2 days ago
Kogi govt demolishes bandits’ camps, arrests injured two bandits
-
News1 day ago
MEDIC Seeks LASG Interventions Over N44m Charity Assets Seized by SOL Beach Management
-
Business12 hours ago
Top Five Universities Driving Student Housing Investment in Nigeria