News
Military to partner Enugu Government on internal security
…Insecurity, big elephant in the room – Mbah
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, has pledged military’s readiness and commitment to partnering with the Enugu State government towards the security of lives and property in the state.
This was even as the state governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, identified insecurity as the major obstacle to his administration’s agenda to raise the state’s economy from the present $4.4 billion to $30 billion.
General Irabor said the hierarchy of the Nigerian military services was impressed by the bold security measures so far taken by the governor, assuring that they would play their part in encouraging socio-economic development of the state by enhancing internal security.
The military chief stated this during a courtesy call on the governor and meeting with critical stakeholders at the Government House, Enugu, Tuesday.
He said he was in the state for a review of the impact of the security efforts of the military in the state.
“Your bold statement on security synchronises with our efforts towards ending insecurity. We came to appreciate you for that and to let you know that such steps fall within our purview and that every stakeholder will support it.
“We are here to assure you the armed forces and security agencies will give you all the needed support”, he said.
General Irabor appealed to the traditional rulers, civil society organisations (CSOs), town unions, and all stakeholders to work in synergy with the governor and security agencies to ensure the security of lives and property as no single body or individual could do it alone.
On his part, Governor Mbah, who identified insecurity as the big elephant in the room, however appreciated the Chief of Defence Staff and security agencies in the state for rising to the occasion in the state’s efforts to encourage productivity and enhance the security of lives and property.
“We promised our people that we are going to do things differently, growing our economy in an unprecedented way from $4.4 billion to $30 billion. But this requires making tough decisions.
“We identified the elephant in the room, being insecurity, and its impact, both psychologically, economically, and socially on our people.
“We can’t adopt the present financing model if we must grow the economy exponentially. It has to be private sector driven and one of the indicators of the Ease of Doing Business is security. We have to secure our state, ensure our people work five days in a week in order to convince them of our state’s viability.
“So, we are glad to have you and all the security agencies as our partner and you have assured us that your men will sustain the efforts to improve the security of lives and property in our state”, Mbah stated.
Also speaking, critical stakeholders, representatives, and leaders of various bodies, including the traditional institutions, labour, traders, religious institutions, CSOs, students, among others, while commending Mbah for his gallant efforts in shoring up security and productivity in the state, equally thanked the Chief of Defence Staff for all the assurances given.
They pledged to mobilise their members and subjects towards supporting the efforts to restore Monday as a working day, saying the inability to work on Mondays for some years had seriously affected the economic fortunes of their members and subjects.
“We have agreed amongst ourselves, as traders in Enugu State, to open our markets from 7:30am to 6pm daily, including Mondays.
“It is our duty too to make our people come out by sensitizing and educating them on the gains of working and trading on Mondays”, President, Enugu Amalgamated Traders Association, ASMATA, Comrade Stephen Aniagu, said.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, HRH Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, who restated the faith of the traditional rulers in the capacity of the Nigerian military to secure the country, reminded the Chief of Defence Staff that the Constitution did not vest powers and control over the armed forces on state governors, urging them to rise to the challenges of insecurity bedeviling the nation.
Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Emmanuel Ede reiterated the readiness of the Church to continue to partner with the Mbah administration and the security agencies to secure Enugu State.
A cleric, Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, has raised alarm after another child was reportedly abandoned at his residence on April 23, 2026.
According to him, the incident occurred earlier in the day when the young boy was discovered at his gate. He stated that he has immediately notified the police and is making arrangements to hand the child over to the appropriate authorities.
The cleric explained that he is unable to take in new children at the moment due to ongoing registration processes with the Ministry of Social Welfare. He stressed that accepting the child would violate existing legal requirements guiding child care and protection.
He further disclosed that his facility is already accommodating over 500 children, making it necessary to strictly adhere to regulations before admitting more.
Chinyere also expressed appreciation to the Federation of International Women Lawyers and the Ministry of Social Welfare for educating him on proper legal procedures.
He reiterated that the child would be transferred to the custody of the Ministry, emphasizing that compliance with the law remains his top priority.
Adewole Emmanuel, a 400-level medical student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has died after reportedly collapsing moments before his final session examination.
Emmanuel’s death was announced on Thursday in a statement by the Ife University Medical Students Association.
The association lamented the sudden departure, describing Emmanuel as a solid pillar of his class.
The statement read in part, “Under the cover of dark clouds, we write to you with the heaviest of hearts to inform you of the passing of one of our own, an integral part of the association and a solid pillar of his class.
While describing the deceased as “a colleague, friend, roommate, and a Part 4 medical student with an undeniably bright future until the time of his passing”, the association added that “This incident is not only sad, but crucially painful as we lost a rising star and a loving member of the IFUMSA family.”
“In honoring his dearest memories, we kindly ask the general public to do without speculations and respect the privacy of the family during this vulnerable period.”
Speaking under condition of anonymity, a senior member of the association said the student died on Wednesday without an underlying ailment.
“He died yesterday. But he hadn’t been sick. He just collapsed and couldn’t be resuscitated,” the source said.
“We were about to write our final exam for the session. And during the process of waiting for the exam, he suddenly collapsed in the college and died.
“It’s just unfortunate as he didn’t have any underlying medical condition. We have contacted his family already.”
..As court srikes out charges against CEO, Energy FM Enugu, Pastor Ogbuanu, 3 others, Awards N1m cost against her
An Enugu State Magistrate Court has struck out a four-count criminal charge brought against a Lagos-based cleric and Chief Executive Officer, Energy FM Enugu, Pastor Basil Ogbuanu, and three of his workers.
.
The court also awarded a N1m cost against Mrs. Patricia Nwobodo, the wife of a former governor of Old Anambra State, Chief Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, for her failure to prosecute the case.
.
The ruling, delivered by His Worship D.K. Ekoh at the Enugu South Magisterial District, followed the persistent absence of the complainants since the inception of the matter in January 2026.
.
The defendants, Ezeh Patrick Muoneke, 46; Arinze Onoja, 26; Sedro Theodore, 28; and Basil Ogbuanu, 56, were arraigned on January 20, 2026, on charges bordering on conspiracy, deprivation of liberty, and assault.
.
The four- count charge levelled against them read:
.
“That you Eze Patrick Muoneke ‘m’, Arinze Only a ‘m’, on the 16th day of January, 2026 at about 1300hours at Patin-Son Estate, Ozubulu Street, Independence Layout, Enugu within Enugu Magisterial District did conspire among themselves to commit misdemeanor to wit: Deprivation of Liberty and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 496(a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. 11 the Revise Laws of Enugu State, 2004.
.
Count 11: That you Ede Patrick Muoneke ‘m’, Arinze Onoja ‘m’, Sedro Theodore ‘m’ and Ogbuanu Basil ‘m’ on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did unlawfully confine the movement and detain Mrs Patricia M. Nwobodo ‘f’ against her will from 11hours to 13hours and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 316 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. 11 the Revise Laws of Enugu State 2004.
.
Count 111: That you Ede Patrick Muoneke ‘m’, Arinze Onoja ‘m’, Sedro Theodore ‘m’ and Ogbuanu Basil ‘m’ on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did unlawfully confine the movement and detain Police Constable Ugwu Emmanuel ‘m’ against his will from 1100hours to 1300hours and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 316 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. 11 the Revise Laws of Enugu State, 2004.
.
Count IV: That you Ede Patrick Muoneke ‘m’ Arinze Onoja ‘m’, Sedro Theodore and Ogbuanu Basil ‘m’ on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did unlawfully assault Police Constable Ugwu Emmanuel ‘m’ by beating him all over his body and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 252 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. 11 the Revise Laws of Enugu State, 2004.
.
However, during the proceedings on April 15, 2026, the police prosecutor, B.C. Nnadozie, admitted that he had not seen the complainants since the matter started.
.
Nnadozie told the court that he could not “manufacture oath” or serve witness statements on the defence as he had no contact with the nominal complainants.
.
Counsel for the defendants, Emeka Oko, urged the court to dismiss the charge, noting that his clients, who are busy artisans and a Lagos resident, had suffered by traveling to Enugu for a case the complainants were not interested in pursuing.
.
Delivering his ruling, Magistrate Ekoh lambasted the conduct of the complainants, describing it as a clear indication of their lack of desire to prosecute the matter.
.
“A complainant whose complaint was investigated and to her knowledge is aware of the charge proffered against the defendants decides to stay in her luxury home without prosecuting her complaint, should as well pay damages to the person(s) she wrongfully complained against”, he said
.
The court subsequently struck out the charge and ordered that the defendants must not be re-arrested on the strength of the same complaint.
.
The trial Magistrate also granted the application for N1m cost against the complainant to be paid to the defendants.
-
News2 days agoAnglican clergyman shot dead
-
News1 day ago
Ojukwu was fighter for justice, Man of ideas — Bianca
-
The suspectThe suspectNews1 day ago
Boko Haram suspect makes explosive claim, says ‘top soldier’ behind Abuja terror attacks
-
News2 days ago
With Transformative Leaders like you, Nigeria of our dream is achievable, Tinubu tells Gov Mbah
-
News3 days ago
Outrage as Tinubu’s Chief of Staff Gbajabiamila asks Rep to ‘Stay in ADC and scatter them’
-
News2 days ago
Over 6,000 Nigerians killed in Benue since Tinubu assumed office — Dino Melaye
-
News2 days ago
FG files charges against alleged coup plotters arrested by DSS
-
News2 days ago
Tinubu sacks two Ministers
