Author: The Whistler Newspaper

  • ADC Backs NBA’s Cautionionary Note On Parties’ Leadership Disputes

    ADC Backs NBA’s Cautionionary Note On Parties’ Leadership Disputes

    The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has welcomed the Nigerian Bar Association’s position that courts lack jurisdiction over internal party matters.

    The party described the Bar’s position as a clear validation of its stance in the ongoing leadership dispute.

    The David Mark-led leadership of the ADC is currently being challenged in court by a former ADC Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe.

    Gombe is praying the court to void Mark’s chairmanship of the party and declare him the authentic national chairman.

    When the matter got to the Court of Appeal, the appellate court ordered the two parties to the dispute to maintain the status quo ante bellum.

    Consequently, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) delisted the Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) from its official records.

    The electoral body attributed its decision to the enforcement of the status quo ante bellum as directed by the Court of Appeal, a development that triggered calls for the resignation of the INEC chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan.

    In a statement on Saturday by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the NBA’s warning against abuse of court process and forum shopping confirmed that the court cases against its leadership are legally defective.

    The opposition party urged INEC to avoid actions that could undermine neutrality or give legitimacy to unlawful judicial interference.

    Describing the NBA’s intervention as “timely and principled,” the ADC alleged
    attempts at subverting the lawful leadership of the party “through judicial manipulation.”

    “The NBA’s position is clear and unambiguous: courts have no jurisdiction over the internal affairs of political parties, and any attempt to secure interim or interlocutory orders in such matters is in direct violation of the Electoral Act.

    “This is precisely what the ADC has consistently maintained. What we are witnessing is not a legitimate legal dispute. It is a coordinated effort to weaponise the judicial process for political ends — a strategy the NBA has rightly described as an abuse of court process, driven by forum shopping and malafide litigation.

    “This pattern reflects a deeper political anxiety within the ruling party, which, faced with a comprehensive failure across critical fronts: worsening insecurity, a crushing cost-of-living crisis, economic instability, rising unemployment, and declining public trust — now appears determined to weaken or neutralise all viable opposition platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    “The implication of this is straightforward: any orders procured in violation of the law, and any actions taken on the strength of such orders, are fundamentally defective and cannot stand,” the party said.

    The ADC said it noted with concern that despite the existence of clear legal provisions, certain “nefarious actors” have persisted in dragging the courts into matters explicitly barred by statute.

    According to the opposition party, other political actors have sought to exploit such processes to create confusion around the leadership of the ADC.

    “We commend the NBA for its courage in calling out these practices and for reaffirming the foundational principle that the rule of law must not be subordinated to political expediency.

    “We also take note of the NBA’s warning to legal practitioners and judicial officers, and its call for disciplinary action against those who deliberately undermine the law. This reinforces the seriousness of the violations currently at play.

    “Accordingly, the ADC calls on INEC to take immediate cognisance of the NBA’s position and to refrain from any action that may lend credibility to processes that are clearly inconsistent with the Electoral Act. INEC must remain a neutral arbiter, not a participant in political engineering.

    “Nigeria’s democracy cannot survive a system where laws are ignored, institutions are pressured, and judicial processes are manipulated to achieve predetermined political outcomes.

    “The issue before us is bigger than the ADC. It is about the integrity of the democratic process itself.
    We will continue to pursue all lawful means to defend the mandate of our party and protect the sanctity of Nigeria’s democracy,” the party added.

    ADC Backs NBA’s Cautionionary Note On Parties’ Leadership Disputes is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

  • Yusuf Babalola: 15-Year Journey That Has Brought GNI to This Defining Moment

    Yusuf Babalola: 15-Year Journey That Has Brought GNI to This Defining Moment

    For fifteen years, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, widely known as GNI has carried one word through every season of growth, every lesson learned, every step forward on an extraordinary journey. That word is Believe._

    Before the political contests, before the campaigns that would define his public profile, there was preparation of a different kind. GNI spent years navigating the complexities of Nigeria’s capital market, building expertise in investment strategy, economic transformation, and wealth creation. He understood how markets moved, how capital flowed, how development frameworks could translate into measurable outcomes.

    These were the postgraduate years in economic management, where he learned the machinery of growth and the science of turning vision into results. It was from this foundation of proven achievement that he stepped into his role as Special Assistant on Investments and Group Managing Director of Gateway Holdings Limited in 2004. In this capacity, he restructured Ogun State assets and demonstrated how government holdings could serve public prosperity.

    When he entered the gubernatorial race in 2011, Ogun State met a vision and a voice that would endure through the years ahead. That first campaign introduced new possibilities, sparked new conversations, raised new expectations. In 2015, he ran his strongest race, coming closest to victory in what many still consider his best political outing. What remained constant beyond the electoral outcomes was the deepening of relationships in every ward across the state, the strengthening of trust across communities, the patient building of political infrastructure designed to outlast any single election cycle.

    In 2019, he maintained principle and gave another strong account of himself, cementing bonds that hold firm today. Each campaign became education. Each became progress. Each became the foundation for everything that would follow.

    Political realities in 2023 directed his service toward the House of Representatives, and he embraced legislative duty with the same intensity he had brought to every previous assignment. As a first-term member representing Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency, he quickly took on significant responsibility, chairing three critical committees including Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, Student Loans and Higher Education Financing, and National Planning and Economic Development. He helped shape the transformative Student Loan Act of 2024, legislation that will change the trajectory of millions of Nigerian students. He sponsored a bill establishing an Agro Processing Export Free Trade Zone in his constituency.

    Beyond Abuja, his constituents have felt his presence directly through tangible interventions. He facilitated road construction, ICT centres, health facilities, solar street lights, boreholes, school renovations and new projects across the constituency. He supported medical outreach programmes, helped facilitate job opportunities, and ensured that interventions reached communities that needed them. The work has been diligent, delivered with urgency and a clear sense of purpose.

    He has also brought strategic planning into focus in ways that reveal how his mind works. His 15-year development plan for the constituency outlined priorities, sequenced growth, and provided direction that extends beyond electoral seasons. The plan offers insight into his approach to leadership: he thinks long-term, weighs consequences carefully, and refuses to be confined by short-term political calculations. Strategy and foresight guide his decisions.

    As the APC primary approaches, GNI arrives with credentials that answer every reasonable question about readiness. A first-class graduate of 40 years standing from the Great Ife. Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.

    An accomplished economic and investment expert with senior experience from the Nigerian capital market. He entered public service with proven expertise, strong strategic management capacity, and demonstrated leadership depth.

    His commitment has remained clear and consistent: building a better-managed, resourceful, economically strong Ogun State anchored on sound planning and world-class human capital. Add to this fresh legislative achievements from the National Assembly. Add relationships cultivated across every senatorial district through fifteen years of consistent presence and engagement. Add a development mindset that refuses to think small or settle for incremental progress.

    The excitement building across Ogun State reflects something tangible and earned. Delegates recognize authentic readiness when they see it. The business community celebrates the investment credentials he built during his Gateway Holdings years. Traditional institutions value the respectful engagement he has sustained across decades. Young people connect with his education advocacy and clear focus on human capital development. Communities point with pride to infrastructure he has already delivered.

    GNI represents ambition that has been refined by service, vision that has been sharpened by experience, character that has been proven through consistency. He approaches leadership as opportunity to serve, as responsibility to transform lives, as a chance to build something lasting.

    Every chapter of his journey has been building toward this moment. Gateway Holdings provided the economic mastery and understanding of wealth creation. Three gubernatorial campaigns built the grassroots relationships and political resilience that now form his foundation across the state. The House of Representatives added legislative excellence and concrete proof of delivery capacity. Every experience has been purposeful. Every season has been preparation.

    Fifteen years ago, when GNI first asked Ogun State to Believe, he planted a seed with that simple word. Now, as the state approaches the APC primaries, many see the harvest of that faith, that work, that remarkable consistency across so many years of service.

    One party delegate captured the sentiment during a recent gathering when he said “Ogun State is ready to welcome the governor it has been preparing for, a governor who has been preparing for Ogun State with every step of his remarkable journey. That person, beyond any doubt is GNI.”

    For GNI and the growing number of his supporters across Ogun State, Believe was never empty hope or political slogan. It carried the promise of this exact moment, when preparation meets opportunity, when dedication meets destiny, when a state makes its choice for the future it wants.

    The journey has been extraordinary. The destination, his supporters insist with growing confidence, will be glorious.

    BELIEVE.

    Yusuf Babalola writes from Abeokuta.

    Yusuf Babalola: 15-Year Journey That Has Brought GNI to This Defining Moment

  • ADC threatens to renew, escalate civil disobedience action until INEC Chair resigns

    ADC threatens to renew, escalate civil disobedience action until INEC Chair resigns

    By Emmanuel Okogba

    The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Amupitan, citing concerns over his perceived impartiality and the integrity of the electoral process.

    In a strongly worded statement title ‘WHY AMUPITAN MUST RESIGN NOW’, the party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi described recent revelations linking the INEC Chairman to a pro-Bola Ahmed Tinubu tweet from 2023 as “a grave affront to the integrity of our electoral system.”

    The ADC maintained that an electoral umpire must not only be independent but must also be seen to be independent beyond reasonable doubt.

    The party further expressed concern over reports of attempts to alter or erase digital records related to the matter, describing such actions as “a calculated assault on truth and accountability.”

    “A man who manipulates records to save himself cannot be trusted to safeguard the mandate of millions,” the statement read.

    Abdullahi argued that Professor Amupitan’s conduct, utterances, and the emerging digital evidence have fallen short of the standard expected of someone entrusted with conducting free and fair elections.

    The party likened the situation to “a referee running around in the shirt of one of the teams he is supposed to officiate.”

    It therefore demanded that Professor Amupitan resign immediately, warning that failure to do so would amount to “an insult to the Nigerian people and a dangerous precedent for our democracy.”

    He added that it will update its petitions to relevant institutions, including foreign governments and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and will escalate its civil disobedience actions until the INEC Chairman steps down.

    Read full statement below: 

    WHY AMUPITAN MUST RESIGN NOW. 

    The recent revelation linking a pro-Bola Ahmed Tinubu tweet of 2023 to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Amupitan, is not merely disturbing, it is a grave affront to the integrity of our electoral system.

    In a democracy, the umpire must be above suspicion. He must not only be independent, he must be seen, beyond any reasonable doubt, to be independent. That is the minimum standard required of anyone entrusted with the sacred duty of conducting free and fair elections.

    However, more troubling is the desperate attempt to tamper with digital records, to erase evidence of his previous partisanship. 

    This is not a trivial matter. It is a calculated assault on truth and accountability. 

    A man who manipulates records to save himself cannot be trusted to safeguard the mandate of millions.

    Over the past few days, it has been repeatedly revealed that Professor Amupitan, by his conduct, his utterances, and now by incontrovertible digital evidence, has fallen far below the standard expected of an electoral umpire. The referee cannot be running around in the shirt of one of the teams he’s supposed to officiate in a match. 

    This is why Professor Amupitan must resign. 

    Now. Anything less is an insult to the Nigerian people and a dangerous precedent for our democracy. Relying on this evidence,  ADC will be updating our petitions to all relevant institutions,  including to foreign governments and the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA. 

    We will also renew and escalate our civil disobedience action until the INEC Chairman leaves office.

    The post ADC threatens to renew, escalate civil disobedience action until INEC Chair resigns appeared first on Vanguard News.

  • I revoked visas Obama granted ex-Iranian VP, relatives – US Sec of State, Rubio

    I revoked visas Obama granted ex-Iranian VP, relatives – US Sec of State, Rubio

    United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has said he revoked the residency statuses of some relatives of former Iran Vice President for Women and Family Affairs, Masoumeh Ebtekar.

    Rubio said he terminated the visas of Ebtekar’s son, Eissa Hashemi, along with his wife and son, noting that they “should never have been allowed to benefit from the extraordinary privilege of living in our country”.

    Posting on X, Rubio disclosed that those affected are currently in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE, pending their deportation.

    He wrote: “Masoumeh Ebtekar – also known as “Screaming Mary” – was the spokeswoman for the Islamic terrorists who stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days – subjecting them to beatings, starvation, and mock executions.

    “In 2014, the Obama Administration granted visas to her son and his family to enter the United States. In June 2016, the Obama Administration gave them lawful permanent resident status via the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program.

    “This week, I terminated their lawful permanent resident status and today, Seyed Eissa Hashemi, Maryam Tahmasebi, and their son are now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement pending their removal from our country.”

    Rubio warned that the US would never become home for “anti-American terrorists or their families under the Trump Administration, it never will”.

    I revoked visas Obama granted ex-Iranian VP, relatives – US Sec of State, Rubio

  • World Health Day: NAS pushes science over superstition to curb sudden deaths

    World Health Day: NAS pushes science over superstition to curb sudden deaths

    By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja

    The Abuja’s Zuma Deck of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) led a public awareness walk in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday to mark World Health Day, urging Nigerians to embrace science-based healthcare and ditch deadly misconceptions fueling sudden deaths.

    This is as the advocacy committee chairman, Charles Ndukwe has described as key health dangers, targeted self-medication, anecdotal fixes, and the myth of “physical strength equals health. Many people do not seek scientific verification of their health status. When they feel unwell, some resort to self-medication, while others rely on another person’s experience, assuming that because a particular drug worked for someone else, it will work for them,” he said.

    Speaking to journalists after an awareness campaign, the First Vice President of Zuma Deck, Hassan Mohammed, who spearheaded the event days after the global April 7 observance, emphasized the theme ‘Together for Science’ to promote regular check-ups over unverified beliefs.

    “Today, we are here to commemorate World Health Day. Although it is marked globally on April 7, this is an annual event for us, and we are here to join in the celebration,” he said.

    Mohammed warned that ignorance and poor health habits—like skipping routine tests—are behind rising fatalities, often from undetected issues such as hypertension.

    “We strongly believe that science is central to achieving proper healthcare outcomes. This outreach is aimed at creating awareness so that people understand what they need to do regarding their health,” Mohammed stated.

    “Essentially, we are engaging members of the public to take their health seriously by embracing science as their guiding principle. People should undergo proper medical tests before taking any medication. They should visit hospitals, consult qualified medical professionals, and avoid patronising quacks. This way, they can receive accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment,” he said.

    “On the issue of sudden death, we are witnessing many cases in society today. Often, this happens because people do not seek medical attention or go for routine check-ups,” he noted.

    “For instance, some individuals are hypertensive without knowing it because they feel physically strong. If they had visited a hospital earlier, they would have been diagnosed and placed on appropriate treatment, which could prevent such tragic outcomes,” he said.

    Drawing from personal experience, Mohammed added: “I have had a personal experience where I believed I was perfectly healthy until I went to the hospital for routine checks and discovered underlying issues. This shows that it can happen to anyone.”

    “That is why we are placing strong emphasis on the issue of sudden death, to educate people on the importance of proactive healthcare,” he said.

    “The truth is that life itself is rooted in science. When people choose alternative paths that are not based on verified knowledge or research, they put themselves at risk. While a few may appear fortunate, many are not, and we have seen numerous unfortunate outcomes. This is why the message about science-based healthcare must resonate widely,” he added.

    Advocacy Committee Chairman Barrister Charles Ndukwe explained the walk’s timing shift due to members’ schedules, with a virtual lecture on ‘Sudden Death: Empiricism versus Diabolism’ set for 8 p.m. that evening.

    “This exercise is essentially a sensitisation campaign held in commemoration of World Health Day, which is marked globally on April 7, 2026. Due to other commitments, we had to move our physical activity to today,” he said.

    “Many people do not seek scientific verification of their health status. When they feel unwell, some resort to self-medication, while others rely on another person’s experience, assuming that because a particular drug worked for someone else, it will work for them,” he said.

    “Many people do not go for regular medical check-ups to determine their health condition. They do not check for conditions such as diabetes, monitor their blood sugar levels, or examine the state of their vital organs. As a result, individuals may be carrying underlying health conditions without knowing it,” he noted.

    “There is a common misconception that being physically strong automatically means being healthy. That is not correct. Strength is not equivalent to good health,” he said.

    He debunked supernatural attributions for collapses in offices, roads, or while driving: “This explains why we sometimes see people suddenly collapse, in the office, on the road, in restaurants, or even while driving. In many cases, such incidents are quickly attributed to supernatural causes or diabolical influences, especially when the individual is involved in community or political activities.”

    “However, these assumptions often lack scientific basis. The human body functions on scientific principles, and health issues should be approached from that perspective,” he said.

    “We are advocating for a shift towards a scientific approach in understanding and managing personal health. People should undergo proper medical examinations and rely on professional diagnosis before commencing treatment,” he said.

    “It is important to note that many health conditions, when detected early, can be effectively managed or treated before they become life-threatening,” he added.

    “Through this awareness campaign and the scheduled lecture, we are inviting members of the public to embrace science-based healthcare practices for their overall well-being,” he said.

    Participants drew FCT residents’ attention with placards rejecting quacks and pushing hospital visits, advancing the group’s call for a science-driven, healthier Nigeria.

    The post World Health Day: NAS pushes science over superstition to curb sudden deaths appeared first on Vanguard News.

  • NBA position proves courts interfering in party matters – ADC

    NBA position proves courts interfering in party matters – ADC

    The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said the position of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) supports its claim that the law is being violated in its ongoing leadership dispute.
    In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the NBA’s view confirms that courts do not have the power to decide internal party matters.

    “The NBA’s position is clear and unambiguous: courts have no jurisdiction over the internal affairs of political parties,” the statement said.

    The ADC described the NBA’s intervention as “timely and principled,” adding that attempts to obtain court orders in such cases go against the Electoral Act.

    According to the party, the leadership dispute is not a genuine legal issue but “a coordinated effort to weaponize the judicial process for political ends.”

    It also accused some individuals of abusing court processes through “forum shopping and malafide litigation” to create confusion within the party.

    The ADC further claimed that the situation reflects wider political pressure, alleging that the ruling party is trying to weaken opposition groups ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    The party warned that any court orders obtained in violation of the law “are fundamentally defective and cannot stand.”

    While praising the NBA for speaking out, the ADC also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain neutral.

    “INEC must remain a neutral arbiter, not a participant in political engineering,” the statement said.

    The party cautioned that Nigeria’s democracy could be at risk if institutions are influenced and legal processes are misused.

    “The issue before us is bigger than the ADC. It is about the integrity of the democratic process itself,” the statement added.

    The ADC said it would continue to use lawful means to defend its leadership and protect democracy.

    NBA position proves courts interfering in party matters – ADC

  • We are ready defeat insecurity – Army Chief

    We are ready defeat insecurity – Army Chief

    Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has expressed the Nigerian Army’s determination to decisively defeat all security threats confronting the country.
    He stressed the importance of continued support from citizens and state governments.

    The Army chief gave the assurance during an operational visit to Yobe State, where he was received by Governor Mai Mala Buni.

    The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, in a statement explained that the visit was aimed at boosting troop morale and assessing the prevailing security situation in the region.

    General Shaibu acknowledged recent operational challenges, including attacks on troop formations, but maintained that the Army remains steadfast and undeterred in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.

    He noted that adjustments in operational strategies were already underway to effectively tackle evolving threats and sustain gains across various theatres of operation.

    The COAS assured that troops would continue to confront terrorism decisively, saying that the military is constantly adapting its approaches to match the changing dynamics of insecurity nationwide.

    He urged state governments to strengthen support for personnel engaged in frontline duties, noting that collaboration is key to achieving lasting peace.

    The Army chief commended the government and people of Yobe State for their continued support, describing such cooperation as critical to operational success.

    During his visit to the Headquarters, Sector 2 Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI in Damaturu, the COAS interacted with troops and charged them to remain aggressive and relentless in the fight against insurgents, in honour of fallen comrades and in pursuit of national security.

    We are ready defeat insecurity – Army Chief

  • INEC Chairman, Amupitan last person I will defend – Bashir Ahmad

    INEC Chairman, Amupitan last person I will defend – Bashir Ahmad

    Bashir Ahmad, a former media aide to late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has suggested that he is not defending the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, amid ongoing controversy over his alleged past partisanship conduct.

    Ahmad made the clarification on Saturday during an exchange on X with a user identified as @UpTownOfLagos.

    The user had questioned Ahmad’s position, asking why he appeared to be defending what was described as ‘indefensible’.

    “Isn’t it sad that even after this, you’re still going further in your public defense of the now indefensible?,” @UptownOfLagos wrote.

    In response, Ahmad stated: “Wait. I am not defending anything. If anything, the INEC Chairman will be the last person I will defend. I am only stating the obvious.”

    Earlier, Ahmad had directed a query to X’s artificial intelligence tool, Grok, seeking clarification on the history of a specific X account allegedly linked to Amupitan.

    He asked about the original username associated with an account created in September 2022, which was later linked to the handle “joashamupitan”.

    Grok responded that the account was created on September 6, 2022, with the username “joashamupitan”, and that there was no record of it being changed to that name in November 2025.

    It added that the account retained the username until April 10, 2026, when it was updated to “Sundayvibe00” and subsequently locked amid controversy over posts from 2023.

    DAILY POST reports that the exchange comes amid calls by the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and some Nigerians for the resignation of the INEC chairman over allegations of partisanship.

    In a statement signed by its spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said a 2023 pro-Bola Tinubu social media post allegedly linked to the INEC chairman raises concerns about the credibility and neutrality of the electoral body.

    The ADC also alleged attempts to alter digital records to conceal past political affiliations, warning that such actions threaten transparency and accountability.

    The party maintained that an electoral umpire must not only be independent but also be perceived as impartial.
    The development has sparked debate across social media platforms.

    INEC Chairman, Amupitan last person I will defend – Bashir Ahmad

  • 2027: ‘Our mission to rescue, reposition Kebbi non-negotiable’ — Malami

    2027: ‘Our mission to rescue, reposition Kebbi non-negotiable’ — Malami

    Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has declared that his mission to rescue and reposition Kebbi State is non-negotiable, vowing to press ahead with determination and unity.

    Malami said there would be no retreat or surrender in the effort to transform the state, expressing confidence that Kebbi would rise through collective resolve and divine support.

    He made the remarks on Thursday during his return to the state after a 123-day absence, drawing a massive crowd that disrupted activities across parts of Birnin Kebbi.

     

    Supporters thronged major roads from the airport into the state capital, chanting and waving flags of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, signalling his political re-emergence ahead of the 2027 elections.

    The large turnout brought movement and commercial activities to a standstill in several areas, as residents and traders struggled to navigate blocked roads.

    Eyewitnesses described the reception as unprecedented. A trader, Sani Abdullahi, said he was forced to shut his shop due to the crowd, noting that he had never witnessed such a large gathering in the state.

    Malami had been away from Kebbi since December 2025 following his arrest in Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over allegations still under legal review. He was later granted bail in March 2026 after months of detention and legal proceedings.

    Despite maintaining a relatively low profile since his return, supporters described the homecoming as symbolic of strong grassroots backing and renewed political momentum.

    2027: ‘Our mission to rescue, reposition Kebbi non-negotiable’ — Malami

  • Gunmen kill Imo monarch, 5 others, burn corpses

    Gunmen kill Imo monarch, 5 others, burn corpses

    By Emmanuel Iheaka

    Unidentified gunmen have killed the traditional ruler of Ochia Autonomous Community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, Eze Paulinus Ekwueme, and five others in his entourage.

    A source in the community who pleaded anonymity said the incident happened along Asaa/Awara road in the area on Friday evening.

    According to the source, the gunmen set the corpses ablaze after firing shots at them.

    Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, stated that the command had launched a manhunt for the killers.

    Okoye said the Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, has paid an on-the-spot assessment of the area.

    “‎The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Audu Garba Bosso has deployed tactical units with available operational assets to go all out, in synergy with other security agencies and hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the dastardly attack on the Traditional Ruler of Ochia Autonomous Community along Asaa Awara Road, Ohaji/Egbema LGA.

    “‎The deployment followed a distress report received from Ohaji Division on 10th April, 2026 at about 1630hrs, indicating that armed assailants attacked the Traditional Ruler of Ochia Autonomous Community along Asaa Awara Road. Regrettably, the attack led to the death of the monarch, HRH Eze Barrister Paulinus Ekwueme (Ochia I of Ochia Kingdom), alongside five other yet-to-be-identified victims.

    “‎Upon receipt of the report, the CP immediately mobilized and dispatched tactical teams to the scene at Assa, where operatives recovered the burnt corpses of the deceased. The remains have been evacuated and deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH), Owerri, for preservation and autopsy.

    “‎Consequently, the Command has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the incident, while intensive operations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover any weapons in their possession.

    ‎”In addition, the Commissioner of Police and his Management Team have embarked on an on-the-spot assessment and confidence-building visit to the Ochia community to reassure residents of the Command’s resolve to restore calm and enhance sustained security presence in the affected area,” Okoye submitted.

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