Security agencies in Enugu State have assured residents of the state of a peaceful, hitch-free and credible Local Government Election upcoming on Sept. 26.

Speaking on behalf of other security agencies after a security meeting on the elections on Thursday, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, said that the election security arrangement had been concluded.

Giwa noted that the security agencies had put in place firm and robust strategies to ensure a peaceful, hitch-free and credible election on Sept. 26.

He said that the security agencies had made robust plans to take care of flashpoints and ensure no miscreant do anything to violate electoral rules.

According to him, we have planned to give the residents of Enugu State a very successful and peaceful election that they will be proud of.

“We have put our heads together to come out with formidable strategies for the conduct of the election.

“Our officers and men from various security agencies will be everywhere to ensure safety for all residents and people come out to cast their vote without fear or favour.

“The security agencies have vowed to ensure peace before, during and after the election and respond swiftly to any perceived incident that will be a threat to the election,” he said.

The commissioner said that so far there had been no threat to the election, while the security agencies had deployed adequate intelligence to ensure any threat is taken care of proactively.

Giwa urged those who would want to protect their votes after going to the ballot to do it with civility and decorum, while respecting electoral rules.

Speaking, the Executive Chairman of Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), Prof. Christian Ngwu, said that ENSIEC was “very ready” for the election after “due and proper” arrangement.

Ngwu said that security agencies had assured residents adequate security with all their officers and men on ground before, during and after the election.

“They have assured the commission to deal decisively with any threat or persons that intend to cause trouble or create problem for election officials or electorate.

“We are anticipating a successful, hitch-free, transparent and credible election on Saturday.

“ENSIEC want eligible voters to come out en masse with their voters cards to cast their votes and elect their preferred candidates,” he said.

It would be recalled that ENSIEC had scheduled polls for the 17 Chairmanship and 260 Ward Councillorship positions in the state for Sept. 26.

The chairman also urged electorate to be free to defend their votes, adding,: “But you should not cause any trouble while doing that”.

The other security agencies that attended the meeting included: Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense (NSCDC) and Department of State Security (DSS).

The rest are: the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Federal and State Fire Service and the Forest Guard among others.

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Governing Board of the South-South Development Commission, SSDC, Chibudom Nwuche, has urged the Federal Government to grant amnesty to repentant cultists and militant youths in the Orashi area of Rivers State who are willing to lay down their arms and embrace peaceful and productive lives.

Nwuche also called for the rehabilitation, reorientation and reintegration of such youths into society, saying the initiative would help restore peace and security to the troubled communities.

The Orashi area comprises Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Abua/Odual and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas of the state.

Nwuche made the appeal through his representative, Chief Kingdom Ajugo, at the commencement of the 2026 Upata Folklore, Ele, at Ula Upata, Ahoada East Local Government Area, on Tuesday.

He expressed concern over the deterioration of security in Ahoada and other parts of the Orashi region, saying the area had witnessed killings and various forms of criminality.

He recalled the gruesome killing of the then Divisional Police Officer, DPO, late CSP Bako Amgbashim, whom he described as a dedicated, intelligent and gallant police officer.

According to him, several appeals have been made to Rivers State government for an amnesty programme for repentant youths in the area, with no action taken.

Nwuche, therefore, appealed to the federal government, particularly the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, headed by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to consider an amnesty programme for repentant cultists and violent youths.

He said the programme should include proper rehabilitation, reorientation and reintegration measures to enable beneficiaries become productive members of society.

He also appealed to youths still involved in cultism, kidnapping, robbery and other criminal activities to abandon violence and embrace legitimate livelihoods.

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“Those who are still carrying guns and killing our people indiscriminately should stop and accept amnesty and be ready to be reintegrated into society,” he said.

Nwuche said the predominantly farming and trading Ekpeye people should be able to carry out their legitimate businesses without molestation, harassment or fear.

He said hundreds of Ekpeye people had lost their lives to cultism and related violence over the years, declaring that the situation must end.

He urged traditional rulers, community leaders, government and the people to work together to restore peace, insisting that Ekpeye land could no longer be allowed to become a haven for criminals.

Urges Ekpeye unity

Nwuche also urged Ekpeye traditional rulers to provide exemplary leadership and work together to advance the interests of the people.

He appealed to the people of Upata to support their monarch, Eze (Dr.) Felix E. Otuwarikpo, Eze Igbu Upata III, and preserve the cultu ral heritage of the kingdom.

He described the annual Upata Folklore as an important platform for promoting unity, culture and hospitality among the people.

The monarch had earlier declared the 2026 celebration open, describing it as an enduring tradition through which the people celebrate their culture and heritage following the harvest season.

Use your votes wisely in 2027

On politics, Nwuche urged the people of Ekpeye to vote wisely in the 2027 general elections, saying they should support politicians who had demonstrated commitment to the development of the area.

“We have seen and known all those seeking our votes, and I will therefore urge you not to waste your votes but to support those who have shown attention and developed Ekpeye land,” he said.

Nwuche also spoke in support of President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid and the political platform associated with FCT Minister and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike.

He said he would, at the appropriate time, tour Ekpeye and the wider Orashi region to mobilise support for the political coalition led by Wike.

He recalled projects executed during Wike’s tenure as Rivers State governor, saying they remained significant to the development of Ekpeye land.

The event attracted traditional rulers, chiefs, community leaders, women and youth groups, students and representatives of Ahoada East and Ahoada West local governments. It featured cultural displays, traditional dances, goodwill messages and presentation of gifts to the monarch, chiefs and participants.

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, on Wednesday alleged that some pilgrim boards have been involved in corrupt practices in the country.

Olukoyede stated this at the Inter-Religious Council meeting in Abuja and the public presentation of the commission’s inter-faith manual to religious bodies.

While speaking about past investigations carried out by the commission, the EFCC chairman spoke on how monies released by government for both Christian and Muslim pilgrimages were siphoned.

He urged Christian leaders to use their platforms to champion the anti-corruption fight, explaining that the moral dignity of honest living must return through preaching.

Olukoyede also underscored the importance of the inter-faith manual in addressing topical issues that affect religious adherents.

The EFCC, therefore, urged religious leaders to deploy their influence to sharpen the conscience of their faithful as part of Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign.

The leaders of the two major religions in the country, Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Daniel Okoh, in their separate remarks, emphasis end the importance of fostering unity for a better Nigeria and leading the effort against corruption in the country.

The Executive Secretary of NIREC, Prof. Cornelius Omonokhua, said the second edition of the anti-corruption preaching and teaching manual was developed through the Interfaith Anti-Corruption Advisory Committee of the EFCC.

He said the manual and facilitators’ guides were designed to assist Christian and Muslim preachers in communicating authentic religious teachings against corruption while promoting peaceful coexistence.

Omonokhua said, “No nation can flourish in the face of corruption at all levels,” adding that a religious leader involved in corrupt practices could not claim to uphold the teachings of his faith.

Also speaking, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who represented President Bola Tinubu, said religious leaders and other stakeholders had a role to play in addressing insecurity and other challenges confronting the country.

Akume said violence, banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes and terrorism had left many Nigerians afraid, including parents who were reluctant to send their children to school.

He said religious leaders, traditional rulers and the government must work together to counter narratives of division and conflict.

The event was attended by the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Daniel Okoh; the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar; former JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede; the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli; and the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar El-Kanemi, among others.

The EFCC has previously identified engagement with faith-based organisations as part of its preventive anti-corruption strategy, including the development of interfaith manuals for Christians and Muslims.