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Armed men attack APGA House of Reps aspirant, shoot two security aides

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Fear  gripped some residents of Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Sunday morning as an aspirant for the House of Representatives under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Ifeanyi Ibezi, was attacked at Agbaja, Abatete, leaving two of his security aides with gunshot wounds.
Dr Ibezi, who seeks to represent Idemili North and South Federal Constituency, said the incident occurred at a community civic centre where he had scheduled a stakeholders’ meeting as part of his consultations ahead of the next general elections.

Addressing journalists at the scene, the former lawmaker said the injured security operatives had been rushed to hospital and were undergoing surgery.

“Two of my security men were shot and wounded. They have been taken to the hospital and are currently in the theatre,” he said.

The aspirant explained that all arrangements had been concluded for the meeting when he received, on Saturday evening, a purported letter allegedly issued by the Mayor of Idemili North Local Government Area, barring him from using the venue.

According to him, the letter was circulated on social media and was neither formally delivered to him nor verified through official channels.

He said he subsequently forwarded both the letter and his rebuttal to relevant authorities, including the state governor and party leadership.

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“I wrote to stakeholders of Idemili North and South for a meeting today to discuss my aspiration to return to the House of Representatives. Everything was in place until I saw a purported letter on WhatsApp claiming I could not use the facility,” he said.

Ibezi stated that despite the development, preparations continued until early Sunday morning when he was alerted that armed personnel had taken over the venue.

“By about 6 a.m., I got a call that a contingent of armed men had cordoned off the premises. When I arrived, I was confronted by security operatives and local vigilantes who said they were acting on the instruction of the local government chairman to stop the event,” he alleged.

He further said that one of the operatives threatened him with a firearm, warning him against proceeding with the meeting.

According to him, the situation escalated as the armed men began firing shots into the air for over an hour, causing panic in the area.

“I immediately contacted the State Director of the Department of State Services, the Commissioner of Police, and other relevant authorities, including the governor. While I was on the phone, the shooting continued,” he said.

Ibezi said the shooting later turned violent, resulting in two security officers attached to him being hit by bullets.

“It was in the course of the shooting that two of my policemen were shot. We have video evidence of everything that happened,” he added.

The aspirant also alleged that some of the armed men issued threats to his life, but he instructed his team not to retaliate in order to avoid further escalation.

“I told my men to remain calm, not to respond or engage them. I am a law-abiding citizen and will not take the law into my hands,” he said.

He disclosed that he had earlier spoken with the state governor on Saturday night, who, according to him, expressed concern over the situation and promised to intervene by contacting the local government authorities.

“As of this morning, I have not been able to reach the mayor, and he has not returned my calls. The governor is aware and is making efforts to reach him,” Ibezi stated.

Citing constitutional provisions, the aspirant insisted that he had the right to hold a lawful assembly, describing the disruption as a violation of his rights.

“Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees freedom of assembly.

This was a private event in a community facility, and there was no justification for stopping it in this manner,” he said.

The Udo Ga-Achi security operatives who cordoned off the venue of the botched event threatened to seize the cameras and phones of journalists, calling them unprintable names.

“Go and seize those cameras and phones. What are they here for? We are on instructions not to allow anybody here What is journalist?” their commander roared.

Efforts to reach the Mayor of Idemili North for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the incident through the Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, but said details were still sketchy. (The Razor)

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Butcher Stabs Colleague To Death Over Disagreement On Market Sanitation In Ogun

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A 21-year-old butcher, identified as Selim Ayodele, has allegedly stabbed his 26-year-old colleague, Ibrahim Wasiu, to death following a disagreement over sweeping their workplace in Ogun State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday, October 18, at a cow meat-selling outlet in the Alagbole area of the Akute/Ajuwon satellite towns in Ifo Local Government Area of the state.

According to reports, trouble started after the day’s business activities when the two colleagues disagreed over the cleaning of their sales outlet, with the argument allegedly escalating into a fatal confrontation.

The Ogun State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the incident to journalists in Abeokuta on Friday, disclosing that the suspect had been arrested.

Babaseyi said the incident was reported at the Ajuwon Police Divisional Headquarters on Sunday night, prompting police operatives to commence an investigation.

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He explained that preliminary findings indicated that the disagreement began after the two men had concluded their day’s work at the meat-selling outlet.

During the altercation, Ayodele allegedly picked up a knife and stabbed Wasiu in the left side of his chest before twisting the weapon.

The victim was reportedly rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The police spokesperson added that the suspect remained in custody as investigations continued ahead of his prosecution.

He further disclosed that the deceased’s body had been deposited in the morgue of a private hospital for an autopsy.

The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to prompt response to criminal incidents, thorough investigations and the prosecution of offenders in accordance with the law.

The police commissioner also urged residents to exercise restraint, resolve disagreements peacefully and promptly report criminal incidents to the appropriate authorities.

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Why Pete Edochie wept in Ghana

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Golfers converge in Enugu for maiden Pete Edochie Golf Tournament
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FRED IWENJORA reports that very brave Okonkwo of “Things Fall Apart”, Ebubedike, the Ononenyi of Nteje, Anambra State, and Ibobo Oyi na Omambala shed tears uncontrollably during this tour especially when students and pupils of Knutsford University used his name for different forms of recitations and poetry.

One may ask why Pete Edochie traveled to Ghana?

This visit was for the launching of the Pete Edochie Legacy project, themed “Celebrating the Africa legend; The lion that needs not to roar”.

It is “a cultural initiative created to honor and celebrate one of Africa’s most revered figures” according to the Ghanaian project organisers.

The Legacy project includes a biographical book, a documentary series and international tour with Ghana serving as the launch pad.

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The publishers, KPL publishers had noted that the contributions of the 79-year-old screen star to Africa cinema are very noteworthy.

At the end of it all, the star actor had, aside unveiling his autobiography in a gala event, paid courtesy calls to industry and policy makers in Ghana including the visit to Ghana’s Goldbod, the body regulating everything gold in Ghana. Organisers saw the visit as an important segment of the tour because a visit to Ghana may have been incomplete without seeing first hand the reason the country was called Gold Coast.

He had also met and greeted select fans and featured in a public lecture and colloquium in his honor before returning to Nigeria.

From when he landed at Kotoka International Airport Tuesday 29th September, 2026 till his departure from Ghana on Wednesday 7, October 2026, there was no dull moment.

Reception was top notch and indeed out of this world.

Ghanaians as well as Nigerians left businesses and trouped out to see “the president of African screen” according to Elizabeth Ama Tetteh, one of his numerous Ghanaian fans who noted that she had been resident in Enugu, Nigeria. It was indeed heartwarming to see Ghanaian as well as Igbo cultural groups on hand to welcome him to the old Gold Coast. Dispatch riders led his motorcade out of the airport.

On arrival, he first paid a courtesy visit to Eze Dr. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, Onyendu Ndi igbo, Ghana and sued for peace between Nigeria and Ghana. The respected Eze Ihenetu had organised a congregation of Igbo and Ghanaian leaders for a traditional cocktail reception.

According to the major propeller of the project Kelvin King Dawie of King Dawie Publishing Ltd (KPL) “When people ask why Pete Edochie, I tell them that no honor for Pete Edochie is too big. He has very much distinguished himself on the continent of Africa and beyond as a custodian of the cultural heritage of Africa and has been consistent in it for decades since mounting the stage at the tender age of 15. He is well known and received a lot of honors and awards globally including Nigeria’s national honor of merit; MON.

“We also looked at the way he has distinguished himself on stage and in communication which has warranted him receiving Honorary Doctorate in Literature and creative arts.

On this continent, Pete Edochie is one of a kind and he needs to be projected and celebrated as that icon of Africa who has held high the heritage of Africa for over six decades of his acting life.

King Dawie, an accountant, business strategist and social impact leader also hinted that “the project is in four phases, the autobiography, a 16-episode documentary to properly chronicle his life’s journey and then also the African youth mentorship initiative to help him pass on information to the next generation and an international tour. It took a lot of several efforts from several people too numerous to mention to set this ball rolling and hopefully achieving. We also remain very grateful to our star guest for accepting our proposal. ” However, there are major take-aways from these nine days Pete Edochie “Presidential visit” to Ghana.

Cultural diplomacy at its highest African peak

Years back, Africa viewers had voted Pete Edochie as their main choice in (AMVCA).

However, this Ghana visit is International cultural diplomacy at its highest African peak.

It seems first in history that a film star would make so much impression in another country that a book would be written and unveiled on him in that country.

It also reveals that Nigeria and Ghana have co-existed as West Africa’s beloved Anglophone countries despite hiccups occasioned by various ‘Ghana must go’ or ‘Nigeria must go’ agitations.

And to see both Nigerians and Ghanaians under one roof because of Pete Edochie, animosities may have been doused even if for a moment.

The unveiling of the autobiographical book; Titan of Africa, the story of Pete Edochie, published by KPL Publishers was a big attraction on its own and first of its kind for a Nigerian actor. The event which held at Kempiski Accra drew together distinguished Ghanaians with highlights including his meeting with Ghanaian legendary actress, broadcaster and musician Grace Omaboe, known to many as Maame Dokono. He also met with 102 years old Warrant Officer 1 and WW2 veteran, Pa Joseph Ashitey Hammond. Their tight hug meant that this meeting for the WW2 veteran was highly anticipated like the story of the nunc dimitis contained in the synoptics.

There are pointers to the huge respect that he commands in the so called Gold Coast and that Africa is so culturally connected in many ways.

Another take away from the tour was that the man Pete Edochie is very well blessed and his star never seems to dim as years roll by.

Despite that he is bound to the wheelchair and could barely walk or sits on the chair in his current films, fans continue to adore him from far and near. (Saturday Vanguard)

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Four Shot as NDC Convoy Attacked in Ebonyi, Campaign Vehicle Burnt

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Four people were reportedly shot when a convoy of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) came under attack in Ebonyi State, with one of the campaign vehicles set ablaze.

The incident occurred during a campaign movement in the state, according to sources familiar with the development.

The identities and conditions of those injured were not immediately available at the time of filing this report.

The motive for the attack remained unclear, while the attackers had yet to be identified.

Security agencies were expected to investigate the incident and determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and burning of the campaign vehicle.

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Further details were awaited from the NDC, the Ebonyi State Government and the relevant security authorities.

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