The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, Alhaji Ibrahim Saidu, has been shot dead by armed men who invaded his residence.

The attack reportedly occurred on Sunday evening at Anguwan Rogo in Takum town, shortly after Saidu returned home from the cattle market.

A neighbour, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the assailants arrived in the area on motorcycles with their faces covered before opening fire repeatedly on the MACBAN chairman.

The gunmen reportedly fled immediately after the attack, while the shooting threw residents of the neighbourhood into panic.

The neighbour described Saidu as a peaceful individual who maintained cordial relationships with people in the community, adding that his killing had left residents devastated.

The deceased, popularly known by the nickname D.O., was buried on Tuesday in accordance with Islamic rites in Takum.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Victor Mshelizah, said preliminary reports indicated that the attackers arrived on a motorcycle.

He disclosed that investigations had commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing and identify those responsible.

Mshelizah added that the Commissioner of Police, Edwin Ogbeghagha, had directed officers to intensify investigations into the incident.

He further said the command was working with other security agencies to maintain peace and security in the area.

The police spokesman urged residents to refrain from actions that could trigger reprisal attacks and called on members of the public to provide investigators with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.

The Executive Director of the Owelle Ejikeme Odumegwu Foundation, Dr Ejikeme Odumegwu, has applauded the deployment of seasoned police officer, CP Fidelis Ogarabe, as the new Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, expressing confidence that his leadership will strengthen security and community policing across the state.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) had announced Ogarabe’s deployment as the new Commissioner of Police in Enugu State about a week ago.

Odumegwu, who is the Owelle of Nsukka, described the appointment on Wednesday as a welcome development, saying it was a case of “putting a square peg in a square hole”.

He described Ogarabe as a seasoned crime-fighter who combines proactive, intelligence-driven policing with a strong commitment to community engagement, noting that his approach would help prevent criminal activities before they occur.

Dr Ejikeme Odumegwu

According to him, the development has been widely welcomed by residents of the state since the announcement of Ogarabe’s deployment.

“My view is that the security architecture in Enugu State will be tightened and strengthened with CP Ogarabe.

“Under the leadership of a person like him, who has served diligently in various capacities and received awards and recognition for his service in the state, I believe the Nigeria Police Force will record even greater successes.

“CP Ogarabe is a true son of Enugu State, one who understands the political and social philosophies of the people, particularly the mindset and aspirations of the youths.

“So, we have a Red Carpet Officer (RCO) coming home to discharge his responsibilities with passion, working for the security, peace and progress of his own state,” he said.

The foundation’s executive director expressed confidence that Ogarabe would fully deploy the community policing strategy and ensure its effective implementation across the state.

He added that with a thoroughbred professional like Ogarabe at the helm of affairs, the popular slogan, “Police Is Your Friend”, would be reflected in the conduct and actions of police officers.

Odumegwu further noted that Ogarabe’s professional disposition and approach to policing would encourage more members of the public to engage with the police and build mutually beneficial relationships in the fight against crime.

He recalled that his foundation’s involvement in supporting the Nigeria Police Force was inspired by his positive relationship with Ogarabe when he served as Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), as well as his relationship with retired DIG Mohammed Danmallam, who was then the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State.

According to him, their commitment to effective community policing inspired his decision to construct and donate a brand-new police station in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, which was commissioned in 2023.

He disclosed that the foundation had also renovated police stations across the state, including the office of the Commissioner of Police, and carried out the perimeter fencing of the Enugu Ezike Divisional Police Headquarters, among other interventions.

“With him as the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, we shall rally round him in the discharge of his lawful duties and ensure he succeeds,” Odumegwu added.

President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the construction of an international cargo airport in Kogi State, a project expected to boost trade, attract investment and create employment opportunities.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Kogi International Cargo Airport, located in Zariagi, Adavi Local Government Area, was held on Tuesday, with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, representing the President.

Keyamo said the facility would enhance Kogi State’s access to international markets, strengthen its economic competitiveness and make the state more attractive to investors.

He also defended the decision to embark on the project despite criticisms, arguing that governments must provide critical infrastructure to attract businesses, stimulate economic activities and drive development.

The minister disclosed that the airport was expected to generate between 2,000 and 3,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities for residents of the state.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo said the project would support his administration’s efforts to diversify and expand the state’s economy by improving transportation infrastructure and creating new opportunities for businesses.

He identified agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism and hospitality as key sectors expected to benefit from the facility, particularly through the easier transportation of agricultural produce to markets within and outside Nigeria.

The Commissioner for Works, Momoh Salami Ozigi, disclosed that the initial phase of the project would involve the construction of a 3,600-metre runway, taxiways, aircraft parking facilities, drainage channels, perimeter fencing and access roads.

According to him, the runway is being designed to meet the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and accommodate large aircraft, including Boeing 747s.