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Enugu Police Arrest Nine Over Robbery, Other Offences
No fewer than nine suspected criminals have been arrested by the Enugu State Police Command over their alleged involvement in various crimes in parts of the state ranging from conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, stealing, adulteration of beverages, cultism, among others.
Parading the suspects before newsmen in Enugu, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mohammed N. Aliyu, expressed his readiness to deploy best policing strategies ,including utilising the re-jigged Community Policing Model of the Nigeria Police Force, to combat acts of crime and criminality in the State.
The arrest of the suspected criminals, he said, led to the recovery of several incriminating items, including arms and ammunition, motor vehicle and tricycle, telecom solar inverter batteries, bottles of different brands of wine suspected to be fake and adulterated, among other items.
CP Aliyu stated that on 20/02/2021 at about 0100hrs, following a distress call received at 9th Miles Police Division that hoodlums were operating at MTN Telecommunications Mast Station located at Ebe Town in Udi L.G.A. of the State, operatives attached to the Division immediately swung into action and arrested the suspects.
He gave the names of the suspects to include Uzo Kingsley, 26, of Umuezike Umuaga in Udi L.G.A. of the State, Ebere Chibuike, 25, of Aria Road, Enugu, Agu Chinedu,20, of Works, New Market, Enugu, and Igwe Kingsley, 23, of Works, New Market, Enugu.
According to him, sixteen (16) pieces of solar inverter batteries and a yellow-coloured Hi-Jet Daihatsu Mini Bus with Registration Number BLF 596 XA and Fleet Number R-07/8398 they used for the operation were recovered,adding that discreet investigation is ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate and charge them to court accordingly.
On unlawful possession of firearm and cultism, CP Aliyu further stated that on 18/02/2021 at about 1800hrs,operatives attached to Anti-Cultism Squad arrested one Agbo Pascal, 25, of Ogige Market Road in Nsukka L.G.A. of the State.
The Enugu State Police boss explained that his arrest was sequel to the receipt of credible information that on 15/02/2021 the suspect, an alleged notorious cultist and leader/executioner of Senior Vikings Confraternity Cult Group, Nsukka Forum, alongside other armed members of the group attacked a warring faction of the group and caused tension in the area.
He said that preliminary investigation shows that the suspect confessed to being a member of the cult group and was involved in the said attack, while one locally-made Revolver pistol with four (4) rounds of .9mm live ammunition were recovered from him.
“Discreet investigation is ongoing to fish out and prosecute other fleeing members of the cult group”.
On the suspects allegedly involved in armed robbery and attempted kidnapping, CP Aliyu further explained that on 15/02/2021 at about 0600hrs,operatives attached to Enugu Area Command in synergy with Neighbourhood Watch Group, arrested one Edeh Onyekachi, 29, of Eke Obinagu, Emene, Enugu.
Pointing out his arrest was as a result of a distress call received that a victim was being kidnapped in an Estate at Emene, Enugu by suspected kidnappers, CP Aliyu said the victim was rescued unhurt, while other members of the kidnap gang escaped after a hot chase by the Team.
He went on to say that one cut-to-size locally-made gun with seven (7) rounds of live cartridges was recovered from the suspect, adding that “discreet investigation is ongoing to arrest fleeing members of the gang and charge them to court”.
He said, “One Toyota Camry 2.4 Model car with Registration No. AGL 181 F they used for the criminal operations was recovered. The suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation”.
The Police Commissioner, while commending efforts of the operatives involved in theseoperational breakthroughs, charged Area Commanders, DPOs and Commanders of Tactical/Operational Units in the command to sustain the increasing tempo in crime detection and prevention as well as the maintenance of public security and safety in the State, warning that lapses of any kind will not be tolerated under his watch.
By: Canice Amadi, Enugu
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.
