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Dons Udeh: Ozalla community protests murder of Enugu guber aspirant, vows to fish out culprits
• Governor Ugwuanyi places N5m bounty on Udeh’s killers
The People of Ozalla community, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, have vowed not to rest until the killers of their son, Engr. Dons Udeh were apprehended.
The members of the community came out in their numbers adorned in black and carrying various placards to protest what they described as “One murder too many.”
Udeh was kidnapped on the 22nd of April and his decomposing body was later found on the 26th at 9th Mile corner, Udi local government area of the state.
In a protest letter submitted to Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Ozalla Development Union (ODU) said “We are resolved to treat this case as a matter of great importance and with utter dispatch to avoid this case falling into the bucket of numerous unresolved murder cases.”
The letter which was signed by the President General of the Union, Chief CNN Nwagbara, added that: “The deceased was an accomplished statesman, a community leader and a patriot who had held several positions at the Local, State and Federal levels including: the Secretary General, Ozalla Development Union, President General, Ozalla Development Union, State Secretary Peoples Democratic Party, Commissioner and member of Enugu State Executive Council, National Commissioner, Nigerian Communications Commission, Board member, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and more recently, a governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Grand Alliance in the 2023 elections.
“He was a man who brought to bear his wealth of experience, capacity and strict sense of nation building to our own State and the nation at large. He had served creditably well in all the offices he had occupied to the admiration of the public. His footsteps in the democratic processes and institutions stand tall as ever.”
Ozalla people protesting Engr Dons Udeh’s murder at Enugu Government House on Wednesday
ODU expressed worry “why such a man of high pedigree should be murdered in such a cruel manner that depicts the public execution of the medieval era. This gruesome murder has traumatized our people and every right thinking member of the society.
“Though we are aggrieved but we have decided not to take laws into tour own hands being law abiding citizens. We are therefore constrained to write to your office knowing your penchant for due process and unblemished integrity to always ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done in any case brought before you.
“We trust your establishment to conduct an intense forensic investigation into this dastardly act in other to reveal the perpetuators behind it and bring them to book as soon as practicable. This will not only bring closure to us but send a signal to others nursing similar criminal intents to steer clear. We are more than willing and ready to cooperate with you to achieve this set objective.
“As a seasoned public servant, we are mindful of the onerous challenge solving this murder will be on your shoulders judging from the circumstances surrounding the case. However, we are very much mindful of your capacity, competence and industriousness which you have always accorded your statutory obligations.
“We kindly urge you to use your highly respected office to ensure that justice is reasonably done in this case.”
Similarly, Obiora Okwuibe the convener of #JusticeforDonsUdeh said the community is yet to heal from the Kidnap of one of their traditional rulers from Ozalla Etiti to be faced with this.
“This is one murder too many for us to swallow. We’ve come on our knees to beg the government to bring the perpetrators of this dastardly and heinous act to book.”
He added that: “The cases of adoption in our community is becoming alarming and we’re begging the government to come to our Aide and stop this carnage.”
Responding, Governor Ugwuanyi expressed deepest concern over the incident and assured the people of Ozalla and the entire state of his commitment to ensuring that hoodlums have no place in the state.
The Governor said late Engr. Udeh was a friend and a loyal party man, thus his death pains him too, while assuring them of his readiness to provide the necessary support to both the community and the security agents to ensure the perpetrators are brought to book.
The Governor therefore announced a cash reward of N5 million for any person or group that provides information to the Nigeria Police that would lead to the arrest of those involved in the murder of Engr Udeh.
He also approved the release of another N5million, one million naira each, to the five communities in Ozalla, Nkanu West Local Government Area where the late Udeh hailed from, to assist them in their separate and collective investigations towards unraveling those behind the death of their son.
Ugwuanyi said that the N5million bounty will be made available to the Nigeria Police, Enugu State Command, while the other N5million will be released to the five communities in Ozalla.
The governor disclosed that he had detailed the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Ahmed Ammani and the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, DCP Fidelis Ogarabe to carry out thorough investigation into the matter to unravel the culprits and bring them to justice, stressing that he wants to get to the root of the matter to serve as deterrent to others, and enhance the status of the state as one of the safest and most peaceful states in the country.
He pointed out that the death of Engr. Udeh is even more painful to him and the state government than his community, revealing his closeness to the deceased and his meritorious service to the state.
Two persons sustained gunshot injuries on Wednesday during an attempted arrest by police officers at the River Niger Head Bridge, Onitsha, Anambra State, causing panic and disrupting vehicular and pedestrian movement in the area.
The incident, which occurred around noon, caused gridlock along the busy Onitsha-Awka Expressway, as a confrontation reportedly broke out between the security operatives and some hoodlums.
Eyewitnesses near the scene said the victims were shot during the confrontation and later became unconscious before they were rushed to a nearby hospital.
One of the sources said, “The incident occurred this afternoon. It arose from a confrontation between the police officers and the victims. They were being stopped by the officers for questioning. In an attempt to arrest them, they resisted the arrest and the police fired some shots at them.
“The incident resulted in heavy skirmishes around the Bridgehead Market as people scampered to safety. The area remained in chaos until the arrival of another batch of police team. The victims were later rushed to a nearby hospital.”
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the incident occurred when the suspects allegedly resisted arrest, resulting in gunshot injuries.
Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji Ama, had visited the scene and addressed the crowd, adding that an investigation had commenced to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to him, the CP subsequently visited the victims at the hospital, where he assured them of the command’s support and pledged to personally ensure that their medical expenses were covered.
He said, “The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji, while addressing the crowd in Onitsha over the incident arising from a confrontation during an attempted arrest, stated that the immediate priority of the Command is to ensure that the victims recover fully.
“The incident occurred when suspects allegedly resisted arrest, resulting in gunshot injuries. The Commissioner of Police subsequently visited the victims at the hospital, where he assured them of the Command’s support and pledged to personally ensure that their medical expenses are covered.
“The CP further ordered a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, particularly the events leading to the discharge of the firearm.
“He stressed that the investigation will establish the facts and ensure that appropriate action is taken based on its findings.
“The Commissioner of Police appealed for calm and urged members of the public to remain peaceful and allow the investigation to run its course.”
Ikenga reiterated the command’s commitment to professionalism, accountability, respect for human life and the rule of law.
“Meanwhile, traffic and human movement around the Head Bridge area have been de-escalated, with free flow of vehicular and human movement now restored,” he added.
Three churches in Lagos State have been shut down by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) over noise pollution as part of an enforcement exercise targeting 11 establishments in Agege and Mushin.
The affected churches are Holy Temple of Christ on Ayetoro Street, behind NIPCO Filling Station, Mushin; Christ Covenant Gospel Church, Western District, along Ikorodu Road, Fadeyi, Mushin; and Christ Apostolic Church, Oye Iyanu, located at Mushin Road, Church Bus Stop, Itire.
LASEPA carried out the enforcement operation on Tuesday after the affected establishments had received warnings and notices over environmental violations.
The agency said the establishments were given opportunities to correct the problems but failed to meet the required standards.
The shutdown of the three churches was linked to noise pollution, with the agency maintaining that religious activities and other operations must comply with environmental regulations to protect residents and maintain peace within communities.
LASEPA also sealed Akorohunfayo Central Mosque on Akorohunfayo Street, Fadeyi, Mushin, over noise pollution.
Other establishments affected included Biolarique Bakery Academy on Mushin Road, Mushin, which was sealed for failing to comply with the agency’s directives.
Tiles & Marbles on Silver Street, Olorunsogo, Mushin, was also shut over air pollution.
Five scrap yards operating in Agege and Mushin were equally sealed.
The facilities were accused of various environmental offences, including failure to provide evidence of an E-Waste Permit, environmental pollution and non-compliance with directives issued by LASEPA.
The affected scrap yards are Abubakar Scrap at Pipeline, Ifako-Ijaiye, Agege; Benjamin Scrap Yard on Ladoje Street, Oko Oba, Agege; Starlas and Sons Scrap Yard, also on Ladoje Street, Oko Oba, Agege; Jamin Scrap Yard at Jungle Bus Stop, Iju Road, Agege; and a Scrap Yard on Olu Aina Street, Daleko, Mushin.
LASEPA General Manager, Dr Babatunde Ajayi, said the agency would continue to monitor establishments across Lagos and enforce environmental regulations where operators fail to comply.
He urged religious organisations, business owners, facility operators, scrap dealers and other residents to obtain the necessary permits, follow environmental rules and take steps to prevent activities that could affect public health or the wellbeing of people living around their facilities.
The agency said further monitoring and enforcement exercises would continue across Lagos as part of efforts to maintain a cleaner and safer environment.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has approved the appointment of 23 Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants to support his administration in various areas of governance.
The appointments, contained in a Public Service Announcement signed by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, take effect immediately.
Nine of the appointees were appointed Special Advisers, while 14 were appointed Senior Special Assistants.
Among those appointed as Special Advisers are Hon. Chukwudi Ezinwa, Labour Union and Association Matters; Hon. Sunday Nnamani (Orlando), Special Duties; Mr. Williams Chukwu, Agriculture; Prince Afam Agana, Infrastructure Compliance; and Humphrey Onyima, Investment Strategy and Public Relations.
Others are Hon. Tony Ugwu, Rural Development; Chief Ernest Nweze, Party Coordination and Mobilisation; Hon. Emeka Onunze, Monitoring and Evaluation; and Mr. Robinson Odo (mni), Labour and Productivity.
Those appointed as Senior Special Assistants include Pastor Kenneth Asogwa (Ebube Muonso), Heritage and Community Relations; Pastor Tochukwu Ogbodo, Social Engagement; Barr. Lucky Chukwu, Public Affairs; Belonwu Nnaji, Cultural Orientation; and Hon. Steve Odo, Tourism.
Also appointed are Hon. Francis Ikewette Ede, Public Communication; Mr. Sunny Okafor, General Duties; Hon. Chinedu Okwu Otaka, Social Orientation and Mobilisation; Otaba Cosmas Ikechukwu, Protection of Public Utilities; Pius Okeagu, Assets Management; and Rt. Hon. Innocent Emeka Ugwu, Inter-Party Affairs.
The remaining appointees are Mrs. Eucharia Offor, Human Resource Management; Mr. Kenneth Oforma, Policy and Communication; and Kelvin Ede, Research and Strategy.
The state government said the appointments are effective immediately.
The new appointments are expected to strengthen the administration’s capacity across key sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, investment, labour, rural development, public communication, tourism, human resources and community relations.
The full statement:
ENUGU STATE GOVERNMENT
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
The Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has approved the appointment of the following persons as Special Advisers (SPAs) and Senior Special Assistants (SSAs):
1. *Hon. Chukwudi Ezinwa* — Special Adviser on Labour Union and Association Matters
2. *Hon. Sunday Nnamani (Orlando)* — Special Adviser on Special Duties
3. *Mr. Williams Chukwu* — Special Adviser on Agriculture
4. *Prince Afam Agana* — Special Adviser on Infrastructure Compliance
5. *Humphrey Onyima* — Special Adviser on Investment Strategy and Public Relations
6. *Hon. Tony Ugwu* — Special Adviser on Rural Development
7. *Chief Ernest Nweze* — Special Adviser on Party Coordination and Mobilisation
8. *Hon. Emeka Onunze* — Special Adviser on Monitoring and Evaluation
9. *Mr. Robinson Odo (mni) — Special Adviser on Labour and Productivity*
10. *Pastor Kenneth Asogwa (Ebube Muonso)* — Senior Special Assistant on Heritage and Community Relations
11. *Pastor Tochukwu Ogbodo* — Senior Special Assistant on Social Engagement
12. *Barr. Lucky Chukwu* — Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs
13. *Belonwu Nnaji* — Senior Special Assistant on Cultural Orientation
14. *Hon. Steve Odo* — Senior Special Assistant on Tourism
15. *Hon. Francis Ikewette Ede* — Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication
16. *Mr. Sunny Okafor* — Senior Special Assistant on General Duties
17. *Hon. Chinedu Okwu Otaka* — Senior Special Assistant on Social Orientation and Mobilisation
18. *Otaba Cosmas Ikechukwu* — Senior Special Assistant on Protection of Public Utilities
19. *Pius Okeagu* — Senior Special Assistant on Assets Management
20. *Rt. Hon. Innocent Emeka Ugwu* — Senior Special Assistant on Inter-Party Affairs
21. *Mrs. Eucharia Offor* — Senior Special Assistant on Human Resource Management
22. *Mr. Kenneth Oforma* — Senior Special Assistant on Policy and Communication
23. *Kelvin Ede — Senior Special Assistant on Research and Strategy*
The appointments take effect immediately.
Signed:
Prof. Chidiebere Onyia
Secretary to the Enugu State Government
Wednesday, 19th August, 2026
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