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Kenneth Okonkwo eats his words, emerges as Atiku’s spokesperson

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Kenneth Okonkwo and Atiku Abubakar
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Nollywood actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo has accepted an appointment as spokesperson to the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, weeks after publicly withdrawing his support for the former Vice President over the choice of Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.

Okonkwo announced his new role in a statement on Thursday July 1, expressing gratitude to Atiku for the confidence reposed in him and describing the appointment as evidence of the ADC presidential candidate’s willingness to embrace dialogue instead of taking offence at differing opinions.

“I give God all the glory to be appointed by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as his Spokesperson. I thank HE AA for the immense confidence reposed in me,” he wrote.

The appointment marks a dramatic turnaround from Okonkwo’s earlier stance. Following the ADC’s unveiling of Amaechi as Atiku’s running mate, the former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesperson had announced that he could not support a presidential ticket that excluded the South-East from both the presidential and vice-presidential positions.

At the time, Okonkwo described the decision as an “unpardonable injustice” against the South-East, arguing that the region had not produced either a President or Vice President since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.

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He had also recalled that Atiku once described himself as the “pathway to the presidency of the South-East,” insisting that his only request was for the former Vice President to choose a running mate from the region.

“I am not favourably disposed to campaigning for any presidential ticket that does not have a person of South-East origin as President or Vice in 2027,” he had declared.

However, announcing his acceptance of the new role, Okonkwo revealed that discussions with Atiku and other leaders of the ADC had addressed his concerns.

According to him, the interests of the South-East had been discussed and guaranteed within the realities of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the political circumstances surrounding the coalition.

“This appointment speaks volume of the democratic credentials of HE AA. Rather than pick offence against any of his associates for expressing genuine reservations of any action taken, HE AA always opts for dialogue and compromise that will engender solution to problems.

“At a dialogue with HE AA and other well-meaning members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the interests of the South-East have been discussed and guaranteed within the existing challenges posed by the Electoral Act, 2026, and the realities on the ground,” he stated.

Okonkwo also thanked several key figures for their roles in resolving the matter, including former ADC National Chairman Ralphs Nwosu, whom he praised for his sacrifices in strengthening the party, as well as Dr. Kashim Imam and Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr. Ekene Onwuka.

He equally appreciated his family, supporters and friends for standing by him, praying for wisdom and strength to discharge his new responsibilities.

The appointment is expected to strengthen Atiku’s media team as the ADC intensifies preparations for the 2027 general election, while also signalling that the party may have succeeded in resolving one of the early disagreements that emerged after its presidential ticket was unveiled.

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Police arrest three Anambra women over alleged sale of child for ₦2 million

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The Anambra State Police Command has arrested three women for their alleged involvement in child trafficking and the sale of a four-year-old boy for N2m.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspects, Florence Nnakuzie, 45; Hannah Ugah, 52; and Chinasa Daniel, 27, were arrested by operatives attached to the Awada Divisional Headquarters at a motor park in Onitsha.

Ikenga alleged that the suspects belonged to a child trafficking syndicate that specialised in trafficking children and selling them to buyers for various sums of money.

According to him, the suspects were arrested during a raid on their hideouts on Saturday evening, while other members of the syndicate escaped. He added that some children were rescued during the operation.

The statement read, “The Anambra State Police Command, on the evening of July 11, recorded another breakthrough in its sustained fight against child trafficking with the arrest of three female suspects, Florence Nnakuzie, 45; Hannah Ugah, 52; and Chinasa Daniel, 27, at a motor park in Onitsha by police operatives attached to Awada Divisional Headquarters.

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“Preliminary information revealed how Chinasa Daniel allegedly brought two children, a two-week-old baby and a four-year-old child, on two separate occasions between June and December 2025 and handed them over to Hannah Ugah.

“Chinasa further disclosed that the four-year-old child was subsequently handed over to Florence Nnakuzie and allegedly sold for the sum of N2 million, while the two-week-old baby was allegedly sold to another woman, who is currently at large.”

According to him, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ikioye Orutugu, described child trafficking as a grave violation of human rights and a crime against humanity and directed the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for a comprehensive and discreet investigation.

“The CP has also ordered operatives to intensify efforts to identify and apprehend every member of the trafficking syndicate and to commence coordinated operations aimed at locating, rescuing, and reuniting the trafficked children with their biological families.

“The Command appreciates members of the public whose timely and credible information led to the successful operation and urges residents to continue supporting the police with useful intelligence,” the statement added.

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Soldiers intercept illicit drugs on Lagos-Calabar road, arrest driver

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Troops of the 65 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have intercepted a truck conveying a large consignment of illicit drugs along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and arrested its driver.

The interception followed an intelligence-led operation conducted on July 9, 2026, after troops received actionable intelligence from a credible source.

This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lt. Col. Musa Yahaya.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the illicit consignment was being transported to the Berger general area of Lagos State.

“However, the suspect could not provide satisfactory information regarding the ownership or intended recipient of the drugs,” the statement read.

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It added, “In line with established procedures, the suspect and the recovered illicit drugs were subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Command, for further investigation and prosecution.”

The handover was carried out by the Commanding Officer of the 65 Battalion, Lt. Col. S. Adeojo.

Commending the troops, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Maj. Gen. Adebayo Babalola, praised their vigilance, professionalism and operational effectiveness.

He urged them to sustain the momentum of ongoing operations and intensify efforts to deny drug traffickers and other criminal elements freedom of action within the division’s area of responsibility.

The Army said the operation underscored its continued collaboration with relevant security agencies in tackling drug trafficking and other criminal activities.

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Three brothers charged with murder after beating mother’s boyfriend to death

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Three brothers have been charged with murder in Eswatini after allegedly beating their mother’s boyfriend to death over claims that he was involved in a romantic relationship with her.

The accused — Mlondi Mbuli, 25, Sakhelwe Mbuli, 18, and Lindani Mdziniso, 23 — appeared before the Mbabane Magistrates Court in connection with the killing, which reportedly occurred on June 28, 2026, in Hholoshini, located in the country’s Hhohho Region.

During the hearing, Principal Magistrate Sfiso Vilakati ordered that the three men remain in custody until July 10, 2026, while prosecutors prepare to transfer the case to the High Court, where murder cases are typically tried.

According to investigators, the suspects allegedly attacked the victim, identified as Njabulo Ngwenya, using bricks, stones, sticks, punches and repeated kicks, inflicting injuries that proved fatal.

Police believe the alleged assault stemmed from accusations that Ngwenya was having an affair with the
brothers’ biological mother.

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The incident came to the attention of authorities after Sibongile Motsa reported finding her son dead inside her sister’s home in the early hours of June 28.

Court documents state that Motsa discovered Ngwenya’s body at about 1 a.m. before notifying the Royal Eswatini Police Service, which subsequently launched an investigation and arrested the three suspects.

Following their first court appearance, the accused were remanded in custody pending the next hearing and the formal transfer of the matter to the High Court.

Authorities have not disclosed additional information beyond the facts presented during the initial court proceedings.

The case has drawn widespread public interest across Eswatini as investigations continue.

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland before Mswati III officially renamed the country in 2018, is a landlocked nation in southern Africa bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. Under the country’s judicial system, serious criminal offences such as murder are generally transferred from the Magistrates Court to the High Court after the initial hearing.

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