Crime
Military Veteran Lauds Synergy Between Aba Power and Abia Communities
Nigerian electricity distribution companies (DisCos) have been advised to study the type of cooperation between Aba Power, Nigeria’s 12th and newest power distribution firm, and various communities in Abia State to learn how to protect their assets which are frequently vandalised across the country.
A security consultant, Air Commodore Nicholas Orjiudeh (retired), gave the advice in Aba today while speaking to journalists.
“The deep cooperation between the power firm and the communities has led to a series of arrests in recent times of young men vandalising the power infrastructure in nine out of the 17 local government areas in Abia State serviced by Aba DisCo”, Air Commodore Orjiudeh, also an engineer, stated.
“Due to the impressive cooperation, two neighbourhood watches have just caught the same day in two communities the leaders of two gangs of robbers notorious for attacking transformers and armoured cables and other vital power components. They were caught in action”.
He gave the names of the two robbery gang leaders as one Ifeanyi, a 27-year-old man with no visible means of livelihood, and Ezinwa Amanze, a 38 year -old jobless person from Umuekwe village in Aro Ngwa, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
According to Commodore Orjiudeh, Ifeanyi was attacking power facilities on Umuimo Avenue, off the famous Aba-Owerri Road in Aba, when the local vigilante service saw him and quickly pounced on him while his colleagues fled.
It was easier to catch Ifeanyi than his colleagues because of his reputation in the locality as a robber.
Amanze was apprehended while vandalising the power infrastructure at Isiala Osokwu in Isiala Ngwa South LGA.
Regius Amaechi, a retired commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who now works as the Deputy Chief Security Officer at Geometric Security Service, confirmed to correspondents that the two vandals were arrested by members of different neighbourhood watches who handed them over to his service.
He stated: “After interrogation, we handed over Ifeanyi to the Rapid Response Squad of the Nigeria Police Force while Amanze was handed over to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Aba”.
Both suspects are being tried at magistrate courts in Aba.
Air Commodore Orjiudeh noted that the spate of electricity vandalism in the Aba Ring-Fenced Area used to be much higher but was reduced significantly by a mechanism which the management of Aba Power introduced after it commenced operations in the Aba Ringed Area late last year.
“Just the way the police authorities now emphasise community policing to enhance security in the country”, he continued, “ is the way electricity distribution companies should be focusing on working with communities where their assets are located to protect them because official security agents cannot be everywhere.
“The locals are in an excellent position to provide intelligence which organisational or official security agents can act on quickly”.
While decrying vandalism against critical public assets like telecommunication cables, petroleum pipelines and electricity infrastructure whose social and economic costs are almost incalculable, Orjiudeh counselled various organisations affected by the criminal acts to borrow a leaf from “a new company like Aba Power to reduce the menace significantly”.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, wanted in connection with an alleged financial crime involving $14,859,257.
According to the EFCC, the funds were part of a contribution by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery. Sylva, 61, from Brass Local Government Area in Bayelsa State, is accused of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of the funds.
The notice follows a warrant issued by the Lagos State High Court on November 6, 2025.
The EFCC has urged anyone with information on Sylva’s whereabouts to contact any of its offices across Nigeria, including Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt, and Abuja. Tips can also be sent via info@efcc.gov.ng or through the commission’s hotline: 08093322644.
The EFCC emphasized that information could also be reported to the nearest police station or other security agencies.
A member of the House of Representatives, Jafaru Mohammad Ali Damisa, narrowly escaped death on Tuesday after his convoy was ambushed by suspected terrorists in Niger State.
The attack occurred along the Lumma–Babanna road in Borgu Local Government Area while Damisa, who represents Borgu and Agwara Federal Constituency, was on his way to Babanna for an official engagement.
According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen—identified as “Lakurawa terrorists,” locally known as bandits—opened fire on the lawmaker’s convoy in a surprise afternoon attack.
Security operatives attached to the convoy responded immediately, resulting in a fierce gun battle. One soldier was reportedly killed, while several others sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Some of Damisa’s political aides and supporters were also injured during the exchange.
Witnesses said the attackers fired relentlessly, riddling several vehicles with bullets before fleeing the scene. At least 11 vehicles were reportedly vandalised in the attack.
Despite the heavy assault, Damisa escaped unharmed. Security agencies are said to have launched a manhunt for the assailants in the area.
The Kebbi State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of the Deputy Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Hon. Samaila Bagudu, by gunmen suspected to be members of the Lakurawa terrorist group.
According to eyewitnesses, the attackers invaded Bagudu Local Government Area, the hometown of the Deputy Speaker, on Friday. The assailants reportedly stormed the town in large numbers, firing sporadically to disperse residents before whisking away the lawmaker.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, the command said that a joint team of police tactical units, military personnel, and local vigilantes had been deployed to the area in pursuit of the kidnappers.
“The team is currently combing the surrounding forests with the aim of rescuing the Honourable member unhurt and apprehending the perpetrators,” the statement read.
The police urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could aid in the rescue operation.
President Tinubu to Open All Nigerian Editors Conference Tomorrow
Editors Conference Kicks Off in Abuja
Soludo, Deputy receive certificate of returns from INEC
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Politics5 hours agoCourt order Halts PDP National Convention
-
Politics2 days agoBreaking: Soludo wins Anambra Governorship Election
-
Opinions9 hours agoSoludo’s Historic Victory and the Anambra Renaissance
-
News22 hours agoShagari’s last surviving wife dies at 89
-
News1 day agoJUST IN: Governor Oborevwori to Overhaul Delta State’s Public Media in 2026 Budget — Aniagwu
-
Politics2 days agoSoludo to Anambra People: “You haven’t seen anything yet…we will do more.”
-
News9 hours agoAccident: Taskforce vehicle crush two in Imo
-
Opinions2 days agoPositioning Nigeria Towards a N1 Quadrillion Economy, By Dr. Olisa Agbakoba