Police Arrest Suspected NSCDC Operative, Two Others Over Alleged Robbery

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a suspected operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) alongside two other individuals over their alleged involvement in armed robbery, following an intelligence-led operation in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area.

The arrest was confirmed on Sunday in Awka by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who stated that the operation formed part of ongoing efforts by the command to strengthen security operations in Anambra State and curb criminal activities across the region.

According to the police, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, acted on credible intelligence to raid a suspected criminal hideout in Ogidi at about 1:46 p.m. on March 21, leading to the arrest of four suspects, including the alleged security personnel.

The suspects were identified as Francis Anen (46), Emmanuel Obi (29), Okoye Chinoso (35), and an alleged serving member of a security agency whose full identity was not immediately disclosed.

During the operation, officers reportedly recovered two locally made Beretta pistols, four rounds of live 9mm ammunition, and a suspected fake security agency identity card. The recovered items are believed to have been used in facilitating criminal operations, including robbery, kidnapping, and intimidation of residents.

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Preliminary findings suggest that the suspects may be part of a wider criminal network operating within Ogidi and surrounding communities. Investigators are also probing possible links between the suspects and other violent crimes in the area, including the killing of the late President-General of Ogidi.

In a related development, the police also announced the recovery of a suspected stolen white petrol tanker along the Onitsha–Owerri Expressway. The vehicle was discovered by officers attached to the Ozubulu Police Division on March 17.

The tanker was found abandoned without a registration number and with the key still in the ignition, raising suspicions of theft or attempted concealment. Authorities said efforts are ongoing to identify the rightful owner and determine the circumstances surrounding the abandonment.

SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed that investigations into both incidents are still ongoing, with the aim of uncovering the full extent of the suspects’ involvement and identifying any additional accomplices.

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, has reiterated the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order across the state. He also urged residents to support crime prevention efforts by providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

The latest arrests highlight ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat armed robbery in Anambra, as well as other forms of violent crime such as kidnapping and cult-related activities. Security agencies have continued to rely on intelligence gathering and coordinated raids to dismantle criminal networks operating within communities.

Authorities emphasized that no individual is above the law, adding that any security personnel found culpable of criminal activity will face prosecution in accordance with due process.

Police Arrest Suspected NSCDC Operative, Two Others Over Alleged Robbery

Remi Tinubu Condemns Ozoro Festival Assault, Demands Prosecution of Perpetrators

Nigeria’s First Lady, Remi Tinubu, has strongly condemned the reported physical and sexual assault of women and girls during the Alue-Do Festival in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, describing the incident as horrific, degrading, and barbaric.

In a personally signed statement released on Sunday, the First Lady said she was disturbed by viral videos circulating on social media showing women and girls being allegedly assaulted during the festival, which is traditionally meant to celebrate community culture and heritage.

She emphasized that while Nigeria’s diverse traditions are respected, no cultural practice justifies violence against women or the violation of their dignity and freedom.

“No such tradition or custom grants any man the right to violate the dignity or freedom of a woman or girl,” she stated.

The First Lady also commended the swift response of law enforcement agencies and urged authorities to ensure that all those involved are held accountable under the law. She further encouraged victims to seek both medical care and psychological support to aid their recovery.

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The Federal Government had earlier directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute all perpetrators following public outrage triggered by the circulation of the disturbing footage. The incident has since drawn widespread condemnation from civil society groups, government officials, and international observers.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described the incident as unacceptable and a violation of human rights, calling for a transparent and accelerated investigation to ensure justice is delivered without delay. She also pledged coordinated support for victims, including legal assistance, healthcare, and psychosocial services.

Civil society organizations have also reacted strongly. ActionAid Nigeria condemned the incident as a breakdown in public safety and called on authorities to take decisive action. Similarly, BPW Nigeria described the assault as criminal, insisting that all perpetrators, facilitators, and enablers must be prosecuted.

The Delta State Police Command confirmed that at least 15 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident. According to police spokesperson SP Bright Edafe, the suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue.

Some of the individuals identified include Samson Atukpodo, Steven Ovie, Ugbevo Samson, Afoke Akporobaro, and Evidence Oguname, among others.

Authorities stated that preliminary findings suggest that criminal elements exploited the festival environment to carry out the assaults, clarifying that the acts do not represent the cultural values of the Ozoro community.

The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Aina Adeshina, has reportedly directed a comprehensive investigation aimed at identifying all those involved and ensuring they are prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The incident has intensified national conversations around gender-based violence in Nigeria, cultural accountability, and the need for stronger safeguards at public events. Stakeholders continue to call for stricter enforcement of laws protecting women and girls, as well as improved community awareness to prevent similar occurrences.

Remi Tinubu Condemns Ozoro Festival Assault, Demands Prosecution of Perpetrators

NLC Pushes for Unified Energy Ministry, Rejects ₦6 Trillion GENCO Bailout

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has renewed its call for far-reaching reforms in Nigeria’s energy sector, urging the Federal Government to merge the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources into a single Ministry of Energy as part of efforts to address the country’s persistent electricity crisis.

In a statement signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the labour union described the current structure of Nigeria’s energy governance as fragmented and inefficient, arguing that it has contributed to decades of underperformance in power generation, electricity distribution, and energy management.

The NLC also rejected the proposed ₦6 trillion bailout for power generation companies (GENCOs), describing it as a short-term fix that fails to address the deeper structural problems plaguing the sector. According to the union, repeated financial interventions without systemic reform risk perpetuating inefficiencies and rewarding poor performance.

The union maintained that Nigeria’s energy challenges are interconnected, particularly in the area of gas supply, which is critical to thermal power plants that generate a significant portion of the country’s electricity. It argued that separating power and petroleum oversight into different ministries creates coordination gaps that hinder effective planning and implementation.

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By advocating for a unified Ministry of Energy, the NLC said government would be better positioned to coordinate policies across the entire energy value chain—from upstream petroleum production to electricity generation and distribution—under a single institutional framework.

The labour body further argued that a consolidated ministry would improve accountability by ensuring that one authority is responsible for outcomes in the sector, rather than the current situation where responsibilities are divided and often result in blame-shifting between agencies.

The NLC also emphasized the importance of prioritizing domestic energy needs, stating that Nigeria’s abundant gas resources should be directed primarily toward powering industries and households rather than being exported or underutilized. It added that better utilization of these resources would support industrial growth, job creation, and broader economic development.

On electricity pricing, the union criticized the current tariff structure, particularly the cost-reflective tariff model, arguing that it places an unfair burden on consumers. It called for a more balanced approach that ensures Nigerians pay fair rates for actual service delivery rather than inefficiencies within the system.

The NLC also expressed concern over what it described as the failure of Nigeria’s electricity privatization model introduced in 2013. It argued that the privatization of the power sector has not delivered the expected improvements in reliability and access, citing persistent outages, infrastructure deficits, and high costs.

In addition, the union called for the suspension of the proposed GENCO bailout and urged the Federal Government to instead convene a national stakeholders’ summit. The proposed summit, according to the NLC, should focus on developing a comprehensive energy reform roadmap that prioritizes public interest, transparency, and sustainable investment in power infrastructure.

Nigeria’s power sector continues to face major challenges, including inadequate generation capacity, weak transmission networks, frequent grid collapses, and inconsistent gas supply. These issues have contributed to unreliable electricity access for millions of households and businesses across the country.

The NLC maintained that a unified approach to energy governance would help streamline decision-making, improve efficiency, and strengthen long-term planning. It insisted that energy should be treated as a critical public resource essential to national development rather than a purely commercial commodity.

The union concluded by urging the Federal Government to act decisively in restructuring the sector, warning that without bold reforms, Nigeria’s energy crisis will continue to hinder economic progress and worsen living conditions for citizens.

NLC Pushes for Unified Energy Ministry, Rejects ₦6 Trillion GENCO Bailout