Crime
Traditional Ruler Urges Security Deployment As Youths Protest In Anambra
Traditional Ruler Urges Security Deployment As Youths Protest In Anambra
Traditional ruler urges security deployment as youths protest in Anambra. They lamented the incessant arrest of youths in the community under the directive of the traditional ruler.
The traditional ruler of Nimo Community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra, Igwe Maximus Iliobi, has appealed for the deployment of more security personnel in the area.
Mr Iliobi appealed during an interactive session with journalists in his palace on Sunday.
He said: “I call on the security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Service and the newly inaugurated state security outfits, Udo gachi and Agunechemba, to urgently deploy more of their personnel to the community to douse the tension and apprehend the protesting youths causing problems.
“I want the security agencies to also investigate the matter,” he said.
He spoke against the backdrop of an allegation levelled against him by some protesting youths in the community.
The youths accused him of masterminding the sudden pass away of one of the community youth leaders, Ifeanyi Odibelu.
The protesters alleged that Mr Odibelu died eight days after he was released from police detention in Awka.
They also lamented the incessant arrest of youths in the community under the directive of the traditional ruler.
However, Mr Iliobi alleged that the protest and other activities of the youths were a security threat to the community.
He urged the people of the community and Nigerians at large to disregard the allegation, denying having any hand in the death of the deceased.
“I am innocent of the allegation levelled against me by our youths.
“They are really protesting against my throne for waging war against Kidnapping, armed robbery and for not condoning land grabbing in the community.
“These are the same people who invited gunmen to occupy the bush between Nimo and Neni from where they started kidnapping our people,” the royal father said.
He further alleged that the protesters, including the deceased, “are the people disturbing the peace, unity and development of Nimo community.
“Nimo is a home of peace that doesn’t need hooliganism,” he said.
According to him, the protest was for their selfish interest and not in the interest of real Nimo youths.
“The community, under my rulership, has done everything possible to engage them, so that they can be useful to themselves, their families and the community, but they refused to work.
“Rather, they preferred to involve in land grabbing and other nefarious activities that would fetch them quick money.
“These youths that are holding the community to ransom are not more than 30 in number.
“For the past three years, their activities have thrown the community into chaos and disunity.
“They are doing everything possible to chase investors away from our land that is largely known for peace and for the community not to benefit from Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s Solution Agenda,” he said.
He said that the community enrolled the youths into various skill acquisition institutions, including Innoson Manufacturing Company in Nnewi and the ongoing “One Youth Two Skills” empowerment programme of the State Government for them to work and earn a decent living.
Youths Protest In Anambra
“They all ran away in search of quick and easy money.
“I was traditionally called to come and rule the good people of Nimo because of my long-time contributions to the development of the community and I can proudly say that my eight years on the throne have recorded a massive transformation across the community.
“What I have initiated includes the ongoing construction of Nimo Civil Centre, which will emerge as the best across communities in the South-East, upon completion.
A total of 14 brilliant indigent students are also studying medicine and engineering at the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, under my rulership scholarship scheme.
“I am doing all these for the sake of progress, peace, unity and the future of the town.”
The protesters shut down all business activities in the area, including the famous Oye Market, during Saturday’s protest to demand justice for the late Mr Odibelu.
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.
EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
EFCC Arrests 10 Suspects, Trucks for Suspected Illegal Mining Activities in Kwara
Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested ten individuals suspected of involvement in illegal mining activities along the Ilorin – Ogbomosho axis.
They were arrested on Sunday, February 1, 2026, following credible intelligence on unlawful mineral excavation and transportation in parts of Kwara and Oyo States.
The suspects, comprising nine truck drivers and one escort were intercepted and taken into custody in a well -coordinated sting operation. Solid minerals arrested with the suspects include lithium, tin, and lepidolite.
EFCC Arrests 10 Suspects
The suspects have no requisite licences, permits, or regulatory approvals for their mining activities.
Other items recovered from the suspects are trucks loaded with the unlawfully mined materials.
The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
List Of 40 Suspects Detained Over Alleged Plot To Overthrow Tinubu Government
List of 40 suspects detained over alleged plot to overthrow Tinubu Government. Nigerian security agencies have concluded investigations into an alleged coup plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration, with at least 40 suspects detained in connection with the conspiracy.
The suspects include senior military officers, a police officer, and several civilians accused of roles ranging from reconnaissance and funding to propaganda.
According to a Premium Times report, the arrests followed a covert intelligence operation coordinated by the Army Headquarters and the State Security Service (SSS).
“Thirteen people were apprehended by the SSS, including two military personnel (one retired), one policeman, and ten civilians,” one source said.
In total, 16 serving military officers were detained for direct involvement, while others were linked to funding and incitement. Two civilians were reportedly recruited to incite civil unrest intended to justify the coup.
According to the online newspaper, one of the detained soldiers was said to have escaped custody but was later rearrested by SSS operatives in Bauchi State, according to insider accounts.
Recall that on Monday, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed that the investigation had been completed and forwarded to “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.”
“Findings identified several officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” the military said, describing the act as “inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
Sources said authorities are now awaiting presidential approval to constitute a court-martial panel to try the indicted soldiers.
Investigations revealed that the coupists initially planned to disrupt the May 29, 2023 handover ceremony from former President Muhammadu Buhari to President Tinubu, but the plan was shelved due to lack of funds and logistics.
The conspiracy was allegedly reactivated in 2025, after former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva purportedly transferred nearly ₦1 billion through multiple Bureau De Change accounts to fund the operation.
Sylva and a retired senior officer identified as Major General Adamu, both accused of bankrolling the plot, are reportedly at large.
Security sources said one of the fugitive suspects has been tracked to a South American country, though his precise location remained undisclosed for security reasons.
Investigators also uncovered a chilling plan to assassinate top government officials, including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
“They were waiting for a day when all of them would be in the country. Wherever they were, they would be assassinated,” one source revealed.
The plot allegedly relied on informants inside the Presidential Villa, who monitored the movements of top officials. The conspirators were to seize control of strategic locations such as the Presidential Villa, Niger Barracks, Armed Forces Complex, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Military
Hereunder is the full list of the alleged coupists arrested
MA Sadiq (Brigadier General) Army lHeadquarters Garrison
MA Ma’aji (Colonel) Defence Space Administration
S Bappah (Lt. Colonel) 525 Signal Regiment
AA Hayatu (Lt Colonel) 130 Battalion Main, Ogoja, Cross River State
P Dangnap (Lt Colonel) 134 Special Force Battalion
M Almakura (Lt Colonel) 197 Special Force Battalion
AA Jarma (Lt Colonel) CO, 35 Battalion Katsina
SM Gana (Lt Colonel) 115 Task Force Battalion
AD Dauda (Maj) Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji
JM GANAKS (Maj) Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji
AJ Ibrahim (Maj) Army Headquarters’ Department of Policy and Plans
MM Jiddah (Maj) 26 Battalion
MA Usman (Maj) 35 Battalion
D Yusuf (Maj) Forward Operating Base Molai (AHQ SG)
J Iliyasu (Maj) 3 Division Garrison
A Mohammed (Maj) 63 Brigade Garrison
DB Abdullahi (Lt Cdr) Naval Base Abuja
SB Adamu (Sqn Ldr) National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC)
NG Zuzu (Sqn Ldr) Headquarters, Nigeria Air Force Camp
G Binuga (Captain) 1 NMF Brigade
AA Yusuf (Captain) Nigerian Army of the School of Finance and Administration (NASFA)
1 Bello (Captain) 82 Division Garrison
SS Felix (Lt) 81 Division Provost Group
J Aminu (Lt) Headquarters Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR)
Nasiru Ibrahim (WO) 82 Division Garrison
Sanda Usman (Sgt) 167 Special Force Battalion
Mohammed Zubairu (Sgt) 177 Guards Battalion
Momoh Audu (Cpl) 343 Artillery Regiment
Ahmed Ibrahim (Inspector) 24 Police Mobile Force, Presidential Villa
EO Victor (Navy Capt/Rtd) 3 Abraham Avenue off Odili Road, Port Harcourt
Umoru Zekeri Julius Berger, Villa Electrician
Y Nasiru (LCpl) 82 Division Garrison
Sambo Danladi (LCpl) 82 Division Garrison
Abdul Abdullahi (SSgt) 82 Division Garrison
Ali Isah Villa Ambulance Driver
ML Mohammed (Capt) 18 Battalion
UI Yusuf (Wg Cdr) International/Helicopter Flying School, Enugu
IM Gana (Maj Gen Rtd) No 34 A Army Estate, Kubwa, Abuja
Stanley Kingley Amandi Propagandist
Goni Bukar
Security sources confirmed that joint operations involving multiple agencies are underway to dismantle remaining cells and track fleeing suspects. The EFCC and SSS are also interrogating several civilians over alleged roles in funding, logistics, and coordination.
At least 25 military personnel are expected to face trial in connection with the plot, according to sources close to the investigation.
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