The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Awka on Thursday.

Ikenga stated that the suspects were caught, following a report that somebody was abducted in his farm at Isiagu, and later released after ransom was paid.

“The command in a swift operation on August 27, caught five suspected members of a notorious armed robbery and kidnapping syndicate.”

According to him, acting on credible intelligence, Police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, stormed the suspects’ hideout at Notoko, Awka.

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“The operation led to the detention of the following persons: Michael Nwobodo, male, 30; Friday Eze, male, 29; Uche Okolo, male, 23; Chinedu Gilbert, male 29 and Dominic Oraz, male, 38,” the PPRO added.

He further stated that some of the exhibits recovered from the suspects, included six automatic pump-action guns, 63 rounds of live cartridges, one microscope, five machetes, one military cap, two police teargas canisters and handcuffs.

Other items were one rocket launcher, charms, three Motorola walkie-talkies, one jack knife, one power bank and ₦26,000 cash.

The police spokesman said that during interrogation, Oraz confessed to having deserted the Nigerian Army in November 2024.

He said that the command had commenced enquiry with the army authorities to guide the police action and prosecution of other suspects.

Ikenga quoted the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, as commending the operatives for their gallantry.

Orutugu was also reported to have urged residents of the state to remain law-abiding and vigilant and continue to report suspicious activities to the police for prompt action.

“He also assured residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to combating violent crimes in the state,” the statement added.

Source: NAN

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The rain also rendered many families homeless.

Properties worth millions of naira, including schools, health centres, electric poles, churches and mosques, were also damaged, while several residents sustained injuries.

Speaking on the incident on Thursday, the Ejeh of Ofu, Alhaji Akwu Obaje, described the damage as “disheartening” and called for urgent assistance for the victims.

“The scene is chaotic, with roofs torn off buildings, trees uprooted, and power lines snapped,” he said.

Obaje noted that six villages were severely affected, including Itobe, Adumu, Oladebu, Ajegwu, and Itagidi.

“The destruction caused by the rainstorm has left many families without shelter, and the community is in dire need of support.

“The government and well-meaning individuals must respond promptly to provide relief to the victims and help them rebuild their lives.

“Our thoughts are with the people of Itobe District during this difficult time,” he added.

The royal father appealed to the government, corporate organisations, and compassionate Nigerians to intervene swiftly and provide relief materials to affected families.

“I urge the government and kind-hearted individuals to help restore hope to those who have lost their homes and means of livelihood,” he reiterated.

Speaking on the incident on Thursday, the Ejeh of Ofu, Alhaji Akwu Obaje, called for urgent assistance for the victims, describing the level of damage as “disheartening”.

The traditional ruler lamented the scale of destruction across six villages including Itobe, Adumu, Oladebu, Ajegwu, and Itagidi in Ofu.

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“The scene is chaotic, with roofs torn off buildings, trees uprooted, and powerlines snapped.

The storm, which came with fierce winds and torrential rains, has left residents in dire need of shelter, medical aid, and food supplies as children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.

Some of the victims, including Mr Atabo Okolo from Oladebu, Momoh Alifiya from Adumu, and Usman Gene from Itobe-Niniya, appealed for urgent assistance.

Okolo said: “We need immediate intervention to rebuild our lives because this destruction has worsened the hardship we are already facing due to the economic challenges in the country.

“We are now looking to the state and federal governments for swift action,” he added.

On his part, Gene pleaded: “We are urging the government and relevant agencies to work together to support us and help our communities recover from this disaster.”

With the rainy season just beginning, the threat of further devastation looms over the affected areas, underscoring the urgency for swift intervention.

Authorities are urged to implement robust solutions to assist victims and mitigate future risks.

Source: NAN

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Capt. James Oya, the media officer of OPSH disclosed this while addressing newsmen on Friday in Jos.

Gunmen killed Na’aman when they attacked the rectory of St Raphael Catholic Church, Fadan-Kamatan of Zango-Kataf local government area of Kaduna State.

The seminarian was killed when the criminals set the rectory ablaze after a failed kidnap attempt on the two priests working in the parish.

According to Oya, among the arrested suspects were those who killed Dorathy Janothan at Afana community of Zangon Kataf, after they failed to have carnal knowledge of her.

“Among these suspects are those in connection with the murder of Mrs Dorathy Jonathan on September 1 at Afana Village in Zango Kataf.

“Also, these suspects involved in the attack and burning of St Raphael’s Catholic Church Fadan Kamatan on September 7, are also here.

“Recall that the attack led to the death of Na’aman Stephen, a seminarian serving at the parish.

“The swift response of our troops rescued Rev. Frs. Emmanuel Okolo and Noah Monday, the parish priest and his assistant.

“On the whole, we have eight suspects in our custody who are arrested for committing the above crimes and also running a gun manufacturing factory in the area,” he said.

The media officer said that 31 weapons of various categories were recovered during the operation that led to the arrest of the suspects.

“These weapons include three AK-47 rifles, 10 locally fabricated pistols, five locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, nine revolvers, three locally fabricated submachine guns, rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and machine tools

“Other items recovered include one pistol holster, one military camel pouch, one police combat helmet, two masks, foru identity cards, gunpowder, charms, amulets, among others,” he said.

Oya thanked residents of its area of operations for their support to OPSH and other security agencies in their bids toward ending all forms of criminalities.

The Commander of OPSH, Maj.-Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar, at a stakeholders security meeting in Zango Kataf, vowed to arrest killers of the seminarian and other criminals terrorising the area.

Source: NAN

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The president recounted how close to home his first intervention in eye health was as he made a pledge on behalf of the federal government during a courtesy visit by the Founder and CEO of Peek Vision Foundation and Co-Founder of the Vision Catalyst Fund, Prof. Andrew Bastawrous.

“My first experience was with my mother of blessed memory. She was ill and she could not recognise me. When I intervened, she was treated and given a pair of glasses. The next question she asked me was: I have you, and you are able to do this for me. What about those other women and their children who may not have somebody like you to intervene for them?

“So I made a promise to her that I will pursue the mass provision of eye care vigorously and that I would provide free eye screenings and surgeries to people because of that question my mother asked me and because of her passion to see others healed. We eventually impacted the eye health of millions of people in Lagos, and you could see their joy over the immediate sight enhancements when they were given a pair of glasses,” the president fondly recalled.

Highlighting the pressing need for improved eye health services in Nigeria, President Tinubu expressed concern about the more than 24 million Nigerians grappling with varying degrees of vision impairments.

“We must act now because sight and vision is critical to economic development and growth,” the president said, recalling his visionary “Jigi Bola” programme, which was initiated during his tenure as the governor of Lagos State in 2001 and provided free eye screenings and surgeries to Lagosians while setting a new precedent for proactive eye care initiatives in West Africa.

“I am in support of this initiative, and I will encourage the mobilisation of further commitment to see this through and to reach vulnerable people all across our country. Some parents may not pay attention to this, but I will, because I am touched,” the president concluded.

Expressing his commitment to the cause, Prof. Bastawrous said: “Good vision unlocks human potential. It improves earning, learning, and wellness for individuals, communities, and countries.”

He shared his personal story and the transformative power of vision care: “When I was 12, I was told by my teachers that I was clumsy and lazy, but the results of an eye exam explained I had very poor vision. And when I put on a pair of glasses, I saw the leaves on a tree for the first time, and my life completely changed and two weeks later, I was using my first pair of free eye glasses and I saw stars clearly for the first time. My grades improved, and the trajectory of my life completely changed, all because of a very cheap intervention that is 700 years old. Had that not happened, I would not be standing in front of you today. I would not be a professor, and I would not be involved in the work I am doing because sight gives opportunity,” the Peek Foundation CEO shared.

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Professor Bastawrous noted that eye care was still chronically under-resourced in many countries, adding that the estimates in Nigeria show that 0.0002 per cent of the health budget was spent on eye health.

“The good news is that President Tinubu has an excellent team in the health sector, and some of them have demonstrated tremendous leadership in the sector. What we would like to offer is to bring our Peek Vision methodology and platform to Nigeria to help unlock resources from multiple sources. In the countries where we have worked, Peek in Botswana unlocked 10 million dollars for the school programme, and in Kenya, 17 million Euros. Through the Vision Catalyst Fund, we have secured a donation of 200 million pairs of glasses, and we would like a significant proportion of that to come to Nigeria,” he concluded.

At the end of the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, was joined by the Coordinator of the National Eye Health Programme, Dr. Oteri Okolo, and the Director of Public Health, Dr. Chukuma Anyaike, as he presented a National Policy Document on Eye Health to the President.

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Church Associate Pastor Edwin Okolo who confirmed the death of his boss described it as “very shocking.”

Okolo, however, refused to speak further on the incident.

He promised to issue a statement later.

Attabo slumped and died in his office shortly after a morning prayer programme held at the church at Lokogoma, in Lokoja metropolis of Kogi.

“Our senior pastor slumped in his office shortly after Friday’s Covenant Hour of Prayer this morning.

“When it happened, we took him to the Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, for medical attention.

“We accepted his death in good faith and have taken his body to the mortuary at Specialist Hospital, Lokoja,” a parishioner said.

Source: NAN

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