
News
Anambra senatorial by-election: 18 journalists arrested, beaten to pulp
By Chuks Collins, Awka
Eighteen journalists who were touring electoral Wards and communities of the 7 Councils that made up the Anambra South senatorial zone where the bye-elections held were on Saturday arrested and detained under menacing gunpoint by the operatives of the Anambra State Vigilante Service (aka Udo-Gachi).
The journalists had gone to Nnewi, in Nnewi North, Ukpor, Osumenyi, Ezinifite, Amichi and other communities in Nnewi South LGA of the State to monitor proceedings in the bye-elections.
After covering the day’s proceedings, and were rushing after the APC Governorship flagbearer, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu for his comments on the day’s process at a point described as Eke Orsumenyi were jolted when their vehicle was forcefully stopped and detained for more than three hours, allegedly on the orders of the State ‘s deputy Gov, Dr Onyekachukwu Gilbert Ibezim, according to the security operatives.
“Journalists are the problem of Nigeria, they write whatever they like, and deceive the people, we will deal with you people today,” an overzealous Udogachi operative stated.

Some of the journalists and their cameramen arrested and detained were Correspondents of The Guardian, Daily Independent, Authority Newspaper, Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) Arise TV, TVC, National Vision and National Daily newspapers
The leader of the over one hundred vigilante operatives who kept surging in with about 20 vehicles said that the arrest was on the instruction of the Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Gilbert Ibezim.
As the altercations continued, the Deputy Governor in company of Nnewi South LGA Mayor arrived the scene and ordered a thorough search of the media practitioners.
When information of the development got to the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 8 Anambra State governorship election , Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu also arrived the scene and ensured the release of the detained journalists who he said they are just doing their normal civic duties.
The ugly event prevented these journalists from covering and monitoring the election process in most other Council areas and communities.
News
BREAKING: Tension as Video Shows Islamic Group Members Allegedly Calling for AK-47 to Kill Christians in Enugu, Jos
Tension has heightened following the emergence of a viral video purportedly showing members of an Islamic volunteer group chanting lyrics calling for an AK-47 rifle to attack Christians in Enugu and Jos, the Plateau State capital.
The footage, which has sparked outrage and concern on social media, reportedly features members of the Agaji volunteer wing of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), popularly known as Izala.
The video, shared by counterterrorism expert Zagazola Makama, gained traction on social media, particularly X, on Sunday.
It shows a group of young men dressed in brown uniforms and blue berets, with one of them leading a chant containing violent references to obtaining an AK-47 rifle to attack people described as “infidels” in the two cities.
In one section of the chant, the singer calls for a rifle to enable an individual to travel to Enugu and attack Christians while they are worshipping in church.

“He should be given AK-47. He would then go to Enugu, the land of the infidels. On Sunday, when they are worshipping and clapping, he would then open fire, so that he can kill the infidels,” the lyrics state.
The chant subsequently references Jos, with another call for an AK-47 to attack people described as infidels.
“He asked to be given an AK-47 again, so that he can go to Jos and kill more infidels. That is the training,” the singer says.
The video has triggered widespread concern among Nigerians, with many calling on security agencies to investigate the footage, identify those involved and take appropriate action to prevent any potential threat to public safety.
The references to Enugu and Jos, alongside the explicit calls for armed attacks during Christian worship, have raised concerns about the safety of residents and worshippers in the affected cities.
However, as of the time of filing this report, the governments of Enugu and Plateau states, as well as the relevant security agencies, had yet to issue official statements on the video.
It remains unclear when and where the footage was recorded and whether the individuals featured in it have been identified by security authorities.
News
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala loses mother
Prof. Kamene Okonjo, matriarch of Umu Obi Obahai Royal Family, mother of Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo ll, traditional ruler of Ogwashi Uku community in Delta has passed on.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the matriarch, and mother of the Director- General, World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, died on Friday at the age of 96.
The late Kamene Okonjo was the beloved wife of late Obi (Prof.) Chukwuka Okonjo, the immediate past traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku community, with whom she shared 66 years of marriage.
This is contained in a statement by Chief Ifeakanachukwu Emordi, Palace Secretary of the community on behalf of the royal family on Sunday.
According to the statement, the late Okonjo was an extraordinary woman, whose remarkable life was defined by intellectual brilliance, humility, compassion, dignity and an unwavering commitment to the advancement of humanity.

“An internationally recognised and foremost sociologist, Prof. Kamene Okonjo distinguished herself through her outstanding academic accomplishments, intellectual contributions and lifelong advocacy for women’s rights and empowerment.
“She was a woman of exceptional intellect, yet possessed a rare gentleness of spirit, humility and grace that endeared her to everyone privileged to know her.
“Her achievements transcended the boundaries of Ogwashi-Uku and Nigeria, earning her admiration and respect within academic and intellectual circles internationally.”
The statement added that the late Okonjo represented the very finest qualities of scholarship, womanhood, motherhood and service to society.
“Beyond her considerable professional accomplishments, she was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a cherished pillar of the royal family.
“Her wisdom, kindness, quiet strength and exemplary character will remain an enduring inspiration to generations yet unborn.
“While we mourn her passing, we celebrate a life exceptionally well lived.
“At 96 years, Okonjo left behind an extraordinary legacy of scholarship, service, family values and advocacy for the dignity and advancement of women.
“We take comfort in our Christian faith and the assurance that she is resting peacefully with the Lord, haven completed her earthly journey with grace and distinction,” it said.
The statement said the entire Umu Obi Obahai family extended its deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, her beloved children; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Dr Njideka Okonjo-Udochi, Onyema Okonjo and Chichi Okonjo.
The family also extended their condolences to their spouses, sons and daughters in law, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the entire extended Okonjo royal family.
It also enjoined the people of Ogwashi-Uku to join the family in celebrating the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of their remarkable daughter, mother, scholar and matriarch, whose contributions to humanity would never be forgotten. (NAN)
News
NCDC Reports Two Suspected Ebola Cases as Contacts Rise to 53
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported two suspected Ebola cases as the number of people being monitored following the country’s confirmed infection rises to 53.
The development has heightened the urgency of efforts to contain the virus and prevent further transmission.
The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this on Sunday, October 25, 2026, during a press briefing in Abuja, where he provided an update on the country’s surveillance and response measures.
“We have established two additional suspected cases and 53 primary contact links. They are primary contacts. We have an isolation centre and a quarantine centre,” Idris said.
However, details surrounding the two suspected cases remained unclear, as other accounts of the briefing indicated that authorities had investigated two cases, including the confirmed infection in Abuja and a suspected case in Rivers State that subsequently tested negative.

The reported suspected cases should therefore not be interpreted as additional confirmed infections without laboratory confirmation.
Providing details of the contact-tracing exercise, Idris said the 53 contacts comprised 44 people linked to the healthcare facility where the confirmed patient received treatment and nine others identified through further investigations.
The additional contacts included three members of the patient’s household, three healthcare workers who attended to her at an earlier medical facility and three personnel involved in collecting samples.
According to the NCDC, the identified contacts had been classified according to their exposure risks and placed under monitoring. None had tested positive for Ebola or developed symptoms as of the briefing.
Idris explained that public health teams would monitor the exposed individuals for 21 days after their last possible exposure, in line with established protocols for detecting and responding promptly to potential infections.
He also disclosed that approximately 12 public and private laboratories were available to conduct Ebola testing in Nigeria as authorities continued to strengthen the country’s diagnostic capacity.
The NCDC director-general urged healthcare facilities nationwide to reinforce screening, patient assessment and infection prevention measures.
He stressed the need to provide healthcare workers with adequate personal protective equipment and ensure the prompt reporting of suspected infections.
Idris further appealed to individuals contacted by public health officials to cooperate with investigators and provide accurate information about their movements, possible exposure and symptoms.
Nigeria confirmed its first Ebola case in the current regional outbreak on October 20, 2026, after a woman with a recent travel history to Uganda tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus in Abuja.
According to the World Health Organisation, the woman developed symptoms on October 7 and sought treatment at a private health facility on October 11 before laboratory tests confirmed the infection.
The initial contact-tracing exercise identified 44 people, but the figure subsequently increased to 53 as investigations expanded.
The Federal Government has maintained heightened surveillance while strengthening laboratory testing, isolation arrangements and infection prevention protocols.
Health authorities have urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, cooperate with public health officials and avoid spreading unverified information as investigations and monitoring continue.
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