metro

Newlywed bride killed in Anambra gunmen attack

Published

2 years ago

June 19, 2024

Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam

Newlywed bride killed in Anambra gunmen attack

A 22-year-old newly-wedded bride (name withheld), who had her traditional marriage a week ago, was among those killed during the gunmen attack in Nnobi, Anambra State on Monday, PUNCH Metro gathered.

A family source who spoke to our correspondent who visited the town on the condition of anonymity on Tuesday said the victim, who was the only child of her parents, was waiting for her husband based overseas to return home before she was felled by the stray bullets of the assailants.

PUNCH Metro reports that some yet-to-be-identified assailants on Monday attacked Nnewi town in Nnewi North LGA and Nnobi in Idemili South LGA, killing a yet-to-be-identified number of persons, including some vigilante operatives, while several other persons were injured.

The situation created panic in both towns as traders and residents ran indoors while the assailants, suspected to be enforcers of the Monday sit-at-home shot sporadically into the air. Both Nnewi and Nnobi are neighbouring twons.

The source said, “Among those killed yesterday (Monday) at Nnobi was a relative of mine. She was a newly traditionally married bride of one week old, who was waiting for her husband based abroad to return. She was 22 years old and the only child of her parents.

“It was a heartbreaking incident and a heavy blow on the family yesterday (Monday). Her mum sent her to their farm to bring vegetables for the preparation of their food. On her way back home, she was hit by stray bullets during the gunfire between security officials and those dare-devil criminals.

“The hoodlums invaded the Nnobi community in a black Landcruiser jeep, and opened fire on some vigilante operatives, leaving two of the security operatives seriously injured. It is a serious concern that more than 24 hours after, no arrest has been made. We don’t understand why Igbo land has become a land for shedding of blood with all impunity.”

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Our correspondent gathered on Tuesday that the police command and the vigilante service in the state had begun a hunt to fish out those who carried out the Monday attacks.

While reacting to the development in a statement on Tuesday, the Anambra State police spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the police had ordered an immediate manhunt on the assailants based on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam.

Ikenga assured the people that the police would get justice for the heroic act of the murdered vigilante operative and others who were killed in the attack.

He said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, has ordered an immediate manhunt operation on the armed men operating in a red Highlander jeep, who abducted a citizen in Nnewi by 1:30 pm on Monday and were trailed to Nnobi, where they engaged security operatives in a gun battle.

“During the gun duel, one of the security operatives was fatally hit by the bullet, and due to the indiscriminate shootings by the hoodlums in an attempt to escape the scene, the bullet also fatally struck two innocent passersby in the area.

“The Police Responding Team at the scene recovered the bodies of the victims and took them to the hospital but regrettably, three of the victims, including a 22-year-old lady were confirmed dead by the doctors on duty while two others are currently receiving treatment.

“The commissioner condemned the killing in the strongest possible terms and described the killers as cowards who have murdered sleep.”

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Ikenga said the CP also condoled with the families of the deceased and vowed to get justice for the heroic vigilante operative and unsuspecting members at the scene.

He also called on members of the public, especially the eyewitnesses to assist the police with information on the ongoing operation, adding that further development would be communicated.

Similarly, the Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Vigilante Service, Nweke Nweke, said the group had vowed to work round the clock alongside other security forces to apprehend all involved in the killing of its commander at Nnewi and make the perpetrators pay with their blood.

Nweke recalled that the deceased AVG officer, who he identified as Eloka Ubajekwe, otherwise known as ‘Tallest’, was gruesomely murdered by the “children of the darkness who claimed they were enforcing a sit-at-home order” in the Nnewi area of the state on Monday.

He said, “The ugly incident happened when the Nnewi North Local Government Area sector of the AVG got wind that the gunmen were about to enter Nnewi through Nnobi in the Idemili South Local Government Area. He decided to confront them at the boundary between the two communities, unfortunately, the Commander, Eloka Ubajekwe, was the victim.”

At Nnewi, our correspondent gathered that one of the victims (name withheld) who sustained injuries during the attack, had died due to the severity of the wound.

However, the victim’s family declined to comment on the incident, as they said they were still in trauma and shock the unexpected development had brought to them.

Newlywed bride killed in Anambra gunmen attack

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metro

FG Arraigns Abuja Pastor-Doctor Over Alleged ₦19m Fraud, Sale of Embryos

Published

33 minutes ago

February 23, 2026

Trends Admin

FG Arraigns Abuja Pastor-Doctor Over Alleged ₦19m Fraud, Sale of Embryos

The Federal Government of Nigeria has instituted criminal proceedings against an Abuja-based medical practitioner and pastor, John Onuwabhagbe Abebe, over allegations bordering on ₦19 million fraud, unlawful disclosure of confidential medical records, and the alleged sale of human embryos.

Dr Abebe, a chief consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, is also a pastor with Living Faith Church, Durumi, Abuja. He is standing trial alongside his medical facility, Joje Abebe Hospital & Fertility Centre Limited, which was named as a co-defendant in the suit.

The criminal charges were filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory under suit number CV/005/26, by the Nigeria Police Force, acting on the authority of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

According to the three-count charge, prosecutors allege that Dr Abebe unlawfully released the confidential medical records of Mrs Mary Manga to members of the public without her consent. The alleged act is said to contravene provisions of the National Health Act, 2014, which mandates strict protection of patients’ medical information.

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The prosecution further claims that the disclosure exposed the couple to severe emotional distress, public stigma, and psychological trauma, in breach of medical ethics and the defendant’s professional oath as a medical practitioner.

In another count, the Federal Government accuses the pastor-doctor of obtaining ₦19 million by false pretence from Mrs Manga and her husband between January and May 2025. Dr Abebe allegedly represented himself as a specialist in In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), collected funds for fertility treatment, and subsequently converted the money for personal use, despite allegedly lacking the competence required to carry out the procedure.

The charge states that the alleged conduct constitutes an offence punishable under Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

Most troubling among the allegations is the claim that the doctor sold the couple’s fully developed embryos to other patients without their authorisation. Legal observers say that if proven, the allegation could make the case one of the most consequential fertility-related criminal trials in Nigeria’s recent history, raising serious questions about reproductive rights, medical oversight, and ethical enforcement in assisted reproductive technology.

The case is currently before Honourable Justice A. A. Fashola of the FCT High Court, Abuja. The defendants are expected to take their plea when proceedings resume, while prosecutors are preparing to call investigators, medical experts, and witnesses to testify.

The court is also expected to determine bail conditions in view of the gravity of the allegations and the broader public interest surrounding the matter. Legal analysts say the outcome of the trial could set a major precedent for the regulation of fertility clinics, enforcement of patient confidentiality laws, and criminal accountability of medical professionals in Nigeria.

FG Arraigns Abuja Pastor-Doctor Over Alleged ₦19m Fraud, Sale of Embryos

metro

Dr Sanusi Lafiagi Highlights Ramadan’s Spiritual Blessings, Post-Ramadan Challenges

Published

17 hours ago

February 22, 2026

Trends Admin

Dr Sanusi Lafiagi Highlights Ramadan’s Spiritual Blessings, Post-Ramadan Challenges

Ilorin, Kwara State – Dr Sanusi Lafiagi, Islamic scholar and Chief Imam of Al-Hikmah University, Kwara State, has explained why the holy month of Ramadan is spiritually unique, emphasizing its role in personal transformation, moral discipline, and societal harmony.

In an exclusive interview with PUNCH, Dr Lafiagi described Ramadan as a “month of mercy, spiritual rejuvenation, and character formation,” citing the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) who said: “Whenever Ramadan commences, all the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hellfire are closed, and the devils are chained.”

According to Dr Lafiagi, these divine conditions make it easier for believers to perform righteous deeds, avoid sins, and draw closer to Allah’s mercy. Beyond fasting from food and drink, he highlighted that Ramadan fosters self-discipline, effective time management, self-restraint, charity, and Qur’an recitation, which help Muslims manage their lives spiritually and morally.

“During Ramadan, believers learn patience, forgiveness, and restraint,” he said, explaining that even when insulted, a fasting person is encouraged to respond calmly, reinforcing moral discipline. He added that acts of charity, especially Zakat al-Fitr, purify the soul while assisting the needy in the community.

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Dr Lafiagi also addressed why many Muslims struggle to maintain spiritual gains after Ramadan. He explained that after the month ends, the “gates of Jannah close, gates of Hellfire reopen, and the devils are freed,” making it easier for believers to lapse into previous sinful habits.

“Returning to old habits does not necessarily indicate weak faith,” he said, “but it shows that Ramadan’s lessons were not fully internalized in the heart and soul.” He stressed the importance of carrying Ramadan’s spiritual benefits into daily life to sustain moral consistency.

The scholar highlighted Ramadan’s societal impact, noting that consistent lectures and moral reminders during the month often reduce crime, improve social cohesion, and create a safer environment. He stressed that the company one keeps, the social environment, and exposure to media play significant roles in sustaining moral conduct post-Ramadan.

Dr Lafiagi also urged Muslims to utilize key moments during Ramadan, including the last 10 nights, particularly Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power), where worship is rewarded more than in a thousand months. He emphasized the last third of every night for prayers and the giving of Zakat al-Fitr to purify the fast and help the needy.

Regarding exemptions, he clarified that sick, pregnant, nursing, and menstruating individuals may be exempt from fasting, but they should either make up missed fasts or feed the needy if unable to fast. “Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity,” he reminded.

Concluding, Dr Lafiagi stressed that a successful Ramadan is measured not only by the intensity of worship during the month but also by the consistency of righteous deeds and obedience to Allah afterward.

Dr Sanusi Lafiagi Highlights Ramadan’s Spiritual Blessings, Post-Ramadan Challenges

metro

Assistant Commissioner of Police Dies in Fatal Road Accident

Published

18 hours ago

February 22, 2026

Trends Admin

Assistant Commissioner of Police Abubakar Balteh

Assistant Commissioner of Police Dies in Fatal Road Accident

The Assistant Commissioner of Police Abubakar Balteh, head of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) at the Borno State Police Command, has died in a tragic road accident, the Command confirmed. His passing has sparked an outpouring of grief from colleagues and the wider Nigeria Police Force community.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, ACP Balteh died while travelling in the north-east region. The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation, and further details, including burial arrangements, were expected to be released by the police.

ACP Balteh, who led the SCID in Borno State, was described as a committed and hardworking officer who remained dedicated to his duties up until his death. The statement invoked the Islamic prayer “Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un” (“Indeed, we belong to Allah and indeed to Him we shall return”), highlighting the profound sense of loss felt within the Command.

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The late officer’s death represents a significant loss to the Borno State Police, particularly the Criminal Investigation Department, where he played a pivotal role in overseeing investigations and maintaining law and order. His leadership and dedication had earned him respect from colleagues across the police community.

ACP Balteh was laid to rest on Sunday, February 22, 2026, in Potiskum, Yobe State, following Islamic rites. His passing comes just months after the death of another senior officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ahmed Ibn Umar, underscoring a challenging period for the Borno State Command.

Tributes have poured in from within the police force and beyond, with officials urging the public to remember the late officer’s family in their thoughts and prayers during this period of mourning. The Borno State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the work of maintaining law, order, and safety in the state in honour of the late ACP’s service.