NIGERIAN NOTCH

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has described the death of the former captain of Nigeria's Men's National Football team; the Green Eagles, Mr Christian Chukwu, MFR, as the loss of a national and international football icon. Akpabio stated this in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Jackson Udom. According to Akpabio, "we mourn the loss of a Nigerian football icon; Christian Chukwu. As a pioneering defender and former Green Eagles captain, he etched his name in the annals of Nigerian football history. His leadership, skill, and dedication inspired countless fans and paved the way for future generations. "I'm deeply saddened by his passage. He was a legendary Nigerian footballer. His contributions to Nigerian football are immeasurable.  "As a pioneering defender and former Green Eagles captain, he etched his name in the annals of Nigerian football history. His leadership, skill, and dedication inspired countless fans and pave...

RAYMOND OZOJI reports The Executive Governor of Anambra State His Excellency Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo has assured the people of Umueri community in Anambra-East Local Government Area of the state that Ugwu-Oyi road will be constructed in no distant time.  The governor who stated this at the grand commissioning of the Chinua Achebe International Passenger and Cargo Airport road Umueri recently, assured Umueri community that he has taken cognisance of the road in question and how it is strategic to the Omambala region, adding that necessary actions will commence on Ugwu-Oyi road shortly.  Meanwhile the traditional ruler of Umueri ancient kingdom His Royal Majesty Igwe Bennett Izuchukwu Emeka who drew the attention of the governor to Ugwu-Oyi road, noted that Ugwu-Oyi road is so important and strategic such that if constructed, it will serve the navigation needs of Ayamelum, Anambra-East and Anambra-West especially as the road also leads to the Chinua Achebe ...

The Anambra State Security Commanders have launched is set to launch a formidable force against crimes in the state, code-named "Operation Udo Ga Chi targetted at Zero Kidnapping and Other Violent Crimes". This is coming at the heels of a closed door meeting with the Anambra state Police Commissioner, Ikioye Orutugu fwc MNIPS PhD at Awka yesterday.  In a press release made available to newsmen in Awka, the Anambra state Police Relations Officer SP Ikenga Tochukwu said that the initiative which is set to coincide with the Easter season celebrations, underscores the security force's dedication to maintaining peace and security during festive periods and beyond.  He said that the operations aims to prevent all violent and related crimes, especially kidnapping, by ensuring a safer environment for residents and visitors, stressing community engagement, proactive policing strategy and creating a safer environment in Anambra.  The Operation Udo Ga Chi is part of Gove...

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal led a delegation of prominent politicians to pay a post-Sallah visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari at his Kaduna residence. The delegation on the entourage of the former Vice President included, former governors, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Sokoto State, Senator Jibrilla Bindow, Adamawa State, Senator Gabriel Suswam Benue State, Chief Achike Udenwa Imo State, while former ministers are, Isa Pantami,Communications. Other notable attendees, include, Senator Idris Umar, Hon. Mohammed Kumalia, Captain Yahaya Abubakar, Alhaji Musa Halilu Dujima Adamawa, Alhaji Salisu Makarfi Atiku described the visit as a "wonderful time" with the former President, sharing a lighthearted moment with Buhari's "peculiar humour". However, the details of the meeting's agenda and outcome remain undisclosed. The visit comes...

The Anambra State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in their efforts to curb criminal activities in Ihiala, arresting four suspects involved in attempted kidnapping, cyberstalking, and other related crimes. The suspects, identified as Chimezie Ezebuo, Chinaza Ndimani, Chinecherem Okafor, and Nzube Azubuike, were apprehended on April 10, 2025, after a painstaking investigation by the Joint Security Force in Ihiala. The Anambra State Police Command also noted the improved security situation in Ihiala, while thanking the cooperation and resilience of the local community in identifying and reporting suspicious activities. The command's spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, however praised the community's efforts, stating that their vigilance has been instrumental in helping the police crack down on criminal elements. During the arrest, operatives recovered phones and SIM cards used by the suspects to threaten their victims, causing widespread panic and unde...

On Thursday, 12 out of 36 Biafrans who had been detained since May 24, 2021, were granted their freedom after four long years. This release followed a series of court orders that discharged and acquitted these individuals of all charges. Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lead counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), described the release as historic. He said that while justice may be delayed, it cannot be denied, asserting that freedom will ultimately prevail. In a statement released on April 10, 2025, Ejiofor said, "History was made today at the Ebonyi State High Court, as 12 Biafran inmates, part of a group of 36 held since May 24, 2021, were finally set free in compliance with successive court orders discharging and acquitting them of all charges." Ejiofor also mentioned the formal application by the Ebonyi State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), who withdrew the latest charges against the 12 individuals, marking a long-overdue respect for the rule of law...

By Engr. P.U Ekezie In politics, timing is everything. And when desperation meets denial, political actors scramble for old loyalties they once scorned. That is exactly what we witnessed when 21 APC governors rushed to Kaduna some days ago to plead with former President Muhammadu Buhari not to abandon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC in the run-up to the 2027 elections. Let us call it what it is: a late-night knock on a door they once slammed shut. Since the 2023 elections, the APC-led Federal Government under President Tinubu and many APC state governors have governed with arrogance and exclusion — dismissing those who built the Party, mocking their political relevance, and downplaying their electoral value. It even became fashionable in some quarters to sneer, “Where are Buhari’s 12 million votes?” — as though the North and the CPC bloc had suddenly become disposable. Yet, it is an unalterable fact that the North gave Tinubu more votes than any other region — inclu...

....Tasks them to preach the gospel of solution Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, yesterday at the International conference center in Awka welcomed thousands of supporters of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah into the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). These supporters, mostly from the All Progressives Congress (APC), and YPP defected to APGA to work towards Soludo's re-election, citing his commitment to Anambra State's well-being. Soludo at the August event promised to immortalize the late senator, saying, "We will ensure we immortalize him, even if it's naming a street after him. But we will do better to find a monument to name after him. The leader of the defecting members, Chuks Kamen Ogbonna, in his speech urged APGA members to accept them as part of the party. Ogbonna stated, "I speak today not just as Kamen Chuks Ogbonna, but as a vessel of a legacy—the legacy of Senator Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah." He pledged to lead the group ...

......As Buhari Says he is staying in APC but can't interfer with their political choices   A delegation of APC governors yesterday in Kaduna met with former President Muhammadu Buhari, to felicitate with him on Salah. They commended the former President for his achievements while in office which has laid a foundation for future developments in Nigeria, while urging him to prevail upon his allies to remain in the party admist speculations of defection to other parties ahead of the 2027 general election, as the CPC constitutes the biggest Bloc in the APC, stating that if this very Bloc goes APC in Nigeria will be doomed.    However, Buhari who spoke to our sources, who on the condition of anonymity, for fear of victimization on the closed door meeting with the governor's said, the former president seemed to have distanced himself from the issue, stating that individuals like Hon.  Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba,  Abubakar Malami (SAN) and others should dec...

The Anambra State Police Command has apprehended two suspects, Chidiebere Igboanugo and Emmanuel Ibeabuchi, in connection with the murder of 80-year-old Mrs. Theresa Igbojonu in Ihiala. The suspects, both from Umunwaji Ogboro, Ihiala, are currently in custody at the Ihiala Divisional Police Station. This was made known to newsmen through a press release by the PPRO of Anambra state Police command SP Ikenga Tochukwu. He said that the late victim was tied on both legs and mouth before she was murdered in cold blood. A joint security team have arrested Chidiebere Igboanugo on April 5, 2025, when the deceased's son recognized the stolen motorcycle being driven by the suspect along Ezego junction in Ihiala.  Further interrogation led to the arrest of Emmanuel Ibeabuchi on April 7, 2025, who was implicated by Chidiebere as a co-conspirator A black CG motorcycle allegedly stolen from the deceased has also been recovered. However, two other suspects, Alla and Emeka,...

The Anambra State Joint Security Team, comprising the police, army, navy, department of State Security, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and Anambra State Vigilante, has intensified security patrols in Nnewi and Ihiala. This move the PPRO of the command SP Ikenga Tochukwu said aims to prevent any security breaches and ensure a safe environment for residents and businesses. The Anambra state commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, however commended residents of Awka and Onitsha for their resilience in condemning acts that threaten national peace. He praised their efforts to improve economic activities, particularly on Mondays.  The police-led joint security force is committed to maintaining law and order, ensuring public safety, and promoting economic growth.  The patrol is intended to enhance security  and surveillance to deter criminal activities and build community trust within the state, as it's also a...

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has lauded the officers of the Anambra State Police Command for their professionalism during yesterday's primary elections of political parties for the November 8th 2025 elections in the state.  The officers the command PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said were deployed for the National Assignment, which involved the election of flag bearers for governorship positions in various political parties. While commending the officers, CP Orutugu noted that there is still much work to be done to ensure a peaceful and secure environment, particularly during the campaigns and main elections. He emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards of professionalism in law enforcement, especially during sensitive and high-stakes events. The Commissioner urged officers to continue exceling in their duties, reiterating the Command's commitment to providing a secure environment for all political actors and the general public. He said tha...

RAYMOND OZOJI reports  The Executive Governor of Anambra State His Excellency Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo is to commission the Chinua Achebe International Passenger and Cargo Airport Road Umueri in Anambra-East Local Government Area of the state on Monday 7th April, 2025.  President-General of Umueri community Amb. Dr. John Metchie who disclosed this to HEADLINE NEWS on Sunday, said the airport road is one of the governor's road revolution in the state and very pivotal to the effective operation of the airport, adding that Umueri community has been a beneficiary of the dividends of democracy championed by the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state.  Metchie who lauded the governor's commitment to road infrastructure, maintained that the governor has awarded over 700 kilometers of roads and completed over 450 kilometers. He therefore emphasized that the grand commissioning of the airport road at Umueri is another significant milestone ...

....Says incident indicates loss of confidence in security apparatus and judiciary  Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba has extended his condolences to the families affected by the recent Plateau jungle justice incident, where a mob took the law into their own hands in Bokkos Local government area (LGA), which resulted in over 52 deaths and numerous injuries.  He said this tragic event is a stark reminder of the breakdown of societal norms and the erosion of trust in our security apparatus and judiciary. "The increasing reliance on jungle justice is a direct result of citizens' loss of confidence in the security agencies and the judiciary. When people feel that the system has failed them, they resort to extrajudicial measures, undermining the rule of law and perpetuating a cycle of violence." Hon. Nwajiuba attributes this breakdown to security outfits lacking intelligence and focus, due to non commitment of the Tinubu's administration to the basic human existence. H...