SECURITY

Scavengers, Enugu Taskforce Clash At Abakpa

Published

2 years ago

June 5, 2024

Aproko

The Enugu State taskforce enforcing government’s ban on the activities of plastic and iron scavengers, Tuesday, clashed with scavengers, as team members were trying to prevent the loading of suspected stolen and vandalised items into trailers to their illicit buyers.

The incident occurred at the scavengers’ dumpsite located at Abakpa Nike, Enugu, where a vehicle belonging to the taskforce was also torched by the scavengers.

This was even as residents, who recounted their losses over the activities of the scavengers, commended the effort of the Peter Mbah Administration to enforce the provisions of the Enugu State Environmental Law, which prohibits the activities of scavengers and also prescribes a two-year prison term for violators.

The taskforce had taken the scavengers unawares as they were loading the items into a trailer. However, an attempt to stop them resulted in a violent attack on the taskforce members with dangerous items like iron and broken bottles.

Not even the reinforcement of the team with a detachment of police personnel could deter the scavengers, as they became more violent, hauling various missiles at the police and the taskforce.

It was gathered that the scavengers burnt a car belonging to the taskforce as the confrontation intensified, while one of the scavengers, who sustained serious injury, as he reportedly fell on a sharp iron, was rushed to the hospital.

A shopkeeper in the area, Ukamaka Udeh, said, “Look at what they did here today. Just imagine. You are doing something illegal. You are vandalising street lights, water galleries, and stealing things up and down. And you were caught red-handed, loading these items into a lorry. Instead of running away or pleading for mercy, you mobilise yourselves to fight the taskforce and fight the police. What more evidence do you need before you know that these are hardened criminals? They smoke weeds and take ‘Mkpuru Mmiri’ around this area as if there is no tomorrow.

“It is those of us who do business here that will tell you what we pass through. Everyday, shop vandalisation. I mean everyday.

“It is the same type of people that vandalise iron components of the newly constructed Second Niger Bridge as we saw in a trending video today. So, it is good that the government is now doing something about it. But the government must prepare for full war because these people are not easy nuts to crack,” she said.

A resident of Achara Layout, Enugu, who simply identified herself as Chidimma, described the scavengers as security and economic risks, saying, “They have finished us in this area.”

“They are vandalisers and security risks. They break into people’s shops at night in this neighbourhood and steal all they can. If you leave any valuable item outside, they will quickly steal them. They steal generators and generator parts. The same goes for electrical wirings in people’s homes. They remove the wires and burn them to extract the copers for sale. They even make the whole environment very, very dirty. We don’t want them here.

Another resident, who lives at Independence Layout, lamented that since the government banned them, they dropped the carts in the area and now carry sacks.

“We are not comfortable with them. Inside their bags are people’s valuables. These people have finished us here,” she stated.

It was further revealed that the Chief Security Officer of Ogbete Main Market caught the same scavengers with 15 bags of rice concealed in their carts.

From Monkey Roundabout at Independence Layout to Kenyatta, Gariki area, Coal Camp, and Emene, among others, the complaints are the same against the scavengers in virtually every part of the state capital and across the state: vandalism, theft, dirt, drug, and other forms of criminality.

Meanwhile, security sources said police stations across the state record 28 reports each on the average on the activities of scavengers.

He said, “Their activities have reached dangerous proportions. So, we are now targeting the big men behind them, the off-takers, who sponsor them or buy these things from them. Enough is enough.”

It is recalled that the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, had at a meeting with leaders and representatives of Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa/Fulani communities in January restated the government’s ban on the operations of scavengers, warning that defaulters would be prosecuted.

He said the ban followed numerous petitions by members of the public against the activities of the illegal waste merchants, revealing that enforcement of the ban, arrest and prosecution of violators would commence on Monday, 29 January, 2024, as some scavengers were associated with house breaking and stealing.

“The government will no longer condone the activities of scavengers in the state. We have to rid the state of every vestige of crimes by restoring sanity. We want to assure all residents in the state who are into genuine business that we will continue to work towards making the environment safer for them.

“You will recall that sometime in November 2023, after reports from residents complaining about harassment and theft from scavengers and illegal waste pickers, the government set up a committee to assess the extent of the threats scavengers posed to the wellbeing of our law-abiding citizens.

“It was established that criminals are now roaming the streets posing as scavengers. Following this establishment, the government activated Section 20 of the Enugu State Environmental Law, that provides against scavenging activities by outlawing these illegal operators,” Onyia stated.

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FOREIGN NEWS

A New Era? US and Saudi Arabia Near Landmark 30-Year Nuclear Agreement

Published

1 week ago

July 22, 2026

Aprokorepublic

The United States is set to announce a landmark 30-year nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, aimed at establishing a civilian nuclear program in the kingdom, according to reports from US media outlets.

The deal, expected to be unveiled Wednesday, comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

The New York Times cited US officials confirming that the Trump administration would formally sign and announce the agreement, which is projected to generate billions of dollars for the US nuclear industry.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the pact could allow US companies to build a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia.

However, the proposal has drawn opposition from US lawmakers across party lines and Israeli officials, who fear the program could be diverted toward developing nuclear weapons.

While the deal will be submitted to Congress, its approval is not required for implementation. Washington has also sought to link the nuclear agreement to broader strategic goals, including Saudi Arabia’s potential normalization of ties with Israel and a US-Saudi defense pact.

Saudi Arabia has long insisted on its right to pursue a civilian nuclear program, similar to the UAE, which signed a nuclear deal with Washington in 2009 but does not enrich uranium.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Manila, declined to confirm the deal but assured that Washington would not enter any agreement that risks nuclear proliferation.

The announcement comes as the US war with Iran continues to destabilize the region, with Yemen’s Houthi rebels threatening to blockade Saudi ports, a move that could disrupt global oil supplies.

Aprokorepublic

Gbasgbos

ICPC Uncovers 908 Ghost Workers — Guess Which Agency Tops the Fraud List

Published

1 week ago

July 22, 2026

Aprokorepublic

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has uncovered 908 ghost workers across several federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), recovering about ₦942 million allegedly siphoned through fraudulent payroll schemes.

ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu disclosed that the discovery followed a probe launched in 2024 after irregularities were detected in pension payments.

The investigation revealed widespread payroll manipulation, with fictitious names inserted into salary systems to divert public funds.Aliyu alleged that some senior officials enrolled relatives and associates on government payrolls, pocketing their salaries.

In one case, a suspect reportedly placed his wife, son, and mother-in-law on the payroll while also collecting salaries of 12 other workers.

The investigation covered at least 50 federal MDAs, with the Nigeria Police Force recording the highest number of ghost workers at 570.

Other affected institutions include:

National Water Resources Authority — 80 ghost workersFederal Ministry of Works — 56

Ministry of Foreign Affairs — 24

Ministry of Defence — 19

Ministry of Power — 17Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment — 17

Federal Ministry of Health — 15

Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation — 12

Aliyu added that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Interior were also implicated, though the number of ghost workers in those institutions is still under review.

The ICPC says investigations are ongoing, with efforts focused on strengthening payroll integrity and ensuring accountability across government agencies.

Aprokorepublic

Gbasgbos

Something Doesn’t Add Up!” — Rufai Oseni Tears Into Police Explanation of Officers Saluting Suspected Bandits

Published

1 month ago

June 25, 2026

Aprokorepublic

Arise News anchor, Rufai Oseni, has reacted to the viral video of a policeman waving at ‘vigilante men’.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’, Rufai insisted that Nigerians are not daft.

Recall that there was a viral video on Wednesday where a policeman was seen waving at large numbers of armed men previously tagged as
bandits.

However, the police, in a statement on Thursday, clarified that the said group of armed men riding on motorcycles were members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, VGN.

Airing his own opinion, Rufai said, “Do they think Nigerians are daft or we don’t have brains?

“I don’t know when the police started giving salutes to vigilantes, and they carry some sophisticated weapons. So, the vigilante will be passing on motorcycle. Police will see them, police will be waving. Oh, vigilante, go ahead, go ahead.

“You see, we live in a mess. And this mess has been largely caused by our political class because of their own selfishness,” he said.

Aprokorepublic

Gbasgbos

Anambra Security Outfit Claims Major Breakthrough, Neutralizes Three Gunmen Linked to Soludo Aide Attack

Published

1 month ago

June 24, 2026

Aprokorepublic

The Anambra State-owned security outfit, Agunechemba, has successfully dislodged a terror group’s camp in Aguata Local Government Area, killing three armed men while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

The operation, carried out Tuesday night by Agunechemba operatives attached to the FOB Unit in Aguata, led to the recovery of a Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG), AK-47 rifles, the gang’s operational white Hilux van, charms, handbags, and other incriminating items.

In a statement on Wednesday, Agunechemba’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Nweke Nweke, revealed that the gang had previously attacked the convoy of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Chief of Staff, Ben Nwankwo, killing four people, including two police officers and two civilians.

According to Nweke, the raid was conducted in partnership with the police after intelligence gathering pinpointed the gang’s hideout. During a fierce gun battle, three members of the group were neutralised.

“This gang had been masquerading in Federal Government security uniforms and had previously attacked the convoy of the Chief of Staff to Governor Soludo. Their downfall came during a firepower encounter with our operatives,” the statement read.

The gang was reportedly operating across Anambra South Senatorial District, engaging in kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes.

Prince Ken Emekayi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security; Sylvester Ofodeme, Chairman of the State House of Assembly Committee on Internal Security; and Chief Chinenye Ihenko, Agunechemba’s Head of Operations, hailed the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against insecurity.

The recovered weapons and vehicle are expected to aid further investigations into the group’s activities.

This latest success underscores the state government’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on criminal networks and restore peace across Anambra.

Aprokorepublic

Gbasgbos

Why Akpabio Is Warning Governors About State Police

Published

1 month ago

June 24, 2026

Aprokorepublic

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has cautioned Nigerian governors against abusing state police when it is finally established.

Akpabio issued the warning on Tuesday during plenary as the National Assembly prepares to approve state police to tackle insecurity in the
country.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday sent a Constitution Alteration Bill to the National Assembly, seeking the establishment of state police.

The Nigerian Senate fixed Wednesday (today) for the passage of the state police bill.

“Many of us like to go back home after we are through here, without being afraid of the state police.

“Even the current governors will one day leave office, they should not be afraid of the state police they created.

“Your conscience will be looking at you, and they will be interested in what you say. Since 1960 Nigeria did not have the courage to decentralize the police. This is the first time we’ll do it.

“And this will be done in two phases; one will be through alteration of the constitution and the other one we will embed an Act of
Parliament in order to bring out the modalities to avoid abuses,” Akpabio said.

Aprokorepublic

Gbasgbos

Hours After Sunday Igboho’s Ultimatum, Kidnappers Free Abducted Family

Published

1 month ago

June 21, 2026

Aprokorepublic

Residents of Igboho in Oyo State erupted in celebration after a kidnapped family, including a pregnant woman, her children, and a sibling, were released following a two-hour ultimatum issued by Yoruba activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.

Videos circulating on social media showed large crowds singing, dancing, and rejoicing at the victims’ return to the community.

The release came shortly after Igboho addressed community leaders and traditional rulers, expressing outrage over rising kidnappings and insecurity in the area.

He accused some elements within the Fulani community of involvement in the abductions and referenced a recent case where a ransom bearer was allegedly killed.

“I am Sunday Igboho. I am calm because my fathers asked me to be calm with you. Let this be the last time such a thing will happen,” he warned, while giving a two-hour deadline for the release of the victims.

Igboho had earlier shown restraint at the request of traditional rulers but threatened decisive action if his ultimatum was ignored. Details of exactly how the victims were freed remain unclear, but the swift development has been widely attributed to his intervention.

Aprokorepublic

Gbasgbos

“That Is Nonsense” — Peter Obi Breaks Silence on Nnamdi Kanu Protection Claims

Published

1 month ago

June 18, 2026

Aprokorepublic

Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has responded to reports alleging that he is shielding the convicted
leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

In an interview with Nevon News hosted by Rufai Oseni, the former Anambra Governor said he openly criticises every wrong done in Nigeria,
including the South East.

During the interview, Rufai told Obi that his critics are alleging that he does not criticise Kanu

Rufai said, ” Your critics allege that you don’t come out openly to criticise whatever is done wrong by Nnamdi Kanu because he is from
your place.”

But Obi responded saying, “that is nonsense, absolute nonsense. They don’t follow me because if you follow me, I criticise whatever
things that are wrong, whether in the East, North, or anywhere.

“But in criticising it, I keep saying that we should look at it holistically”.

On whether Nnamdi Kanu has done anything wrong to deserve his sentencing, Obi said “Nobody is perfect.”

According to him, “we all have the wrong side of us but I’m saying that in building the future, we use the experiences of things we didn’t
do well to do it better.

“Every human being has done wrong things in the past, whether it is Nnamdi Kanu, Sunday Igboho or Peter Obi, we have all done
something wrong.”

Aprokorepublic

NEWS

Anambra: Police command addresses students on safety

Published

5 months ago

February 19, 2026

Aprokorepublic

By Chuks Collins, Awka
o

The Anambra State Police command has stepped up it’s community policing teachings with interaction with schools

The package includes personal/corporate safety, and crime prevention strategies.

The Command while engaging the students and their school authorities on Tuesday, 11th February 2026, in an interactive session focused on school safety, personal security awareness, and crime prevention.

During the season the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations Department) Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Oruru Harrison enlightened the students of Sacred Heart Academy Ifite Ogwari, in Ayamelum Council area of the State on the dangers of cultism, drug abuse, bullying, cybercrime, and other social vices.

He emphasised the importance of vigilance, responsible conduct and prompt reporting of suspicious activities in and around the school premises.

The Command encouraged students to imbibe positive relationships with law enforcement agencies and reassured them of the readiness of the police to respond swiftly to distress calls and security concerns affecting educational institutions.

The Police command also urged school administrators to strengthen internal security measures and maintain close collaboration with security agenciesbso as to proactively address potential threats.

The Command remains steadfast in its resolve to safeguard schools and create an enabling environment for academic excellence across the State.

SECURITY

Security Boost: Enugu South Chairman Backs Osun-Trained Forest Guards

Published

5 months ago

February 16, 2026

Aproko

Dr. Caleb Onyema Ani, Chairman of Enugu South Local Government Area, in a group photograph with members of the Forest Guard after addressing them at the council headquarters.

The Executive Chairman of Enugu South Local Government Area, Dr. Caleb Onyema Ani, has has welcomed members of the council’s Forest Guard following their completion of a 10-week intensive security training programme in Osun State.

Addressing the officers at the council headquarters, Ani described the training as a significant step in strengthening grassroots security structures and enhancing the operational capacity of personnel tasked with safeguarding local communities.

The officers underwent rigorous instruction at Ila Orangun, as part of a state-coordinated initiative designed to bolster tactical proficiency, intelligence gathering, and coordinated response mechanisms.

The Enugu South contingent, led by Sector Commander Okechukwu Ugwu, formed part of a larger group of approximately 1,040 forest guard personnel drawn from political wards across Enugu State.

The programme focused on modern security strategies, surveillance operations, and techniques aimed at addressing criminal activities, particularly within forested and rural environments.

Ani commended the officers for their discipline, resilience, and dedication, noting that their willingness to undertake demanding training outside the state reflected a deep sense of responsibility and professional commitment.

He characterised the successful completion of the programme as a milestone in the ongoing efforts to reinforce the security architecture at the local level.

Caleb Onyema Ani, Chairman of Enugu South Local Government Area, addressing members of the Forest Guard at the council headquarters.

According to the chairman, the training initiative underscores the government’s proactive approach to tackling evolving security challenges.

He expressed confidence that the enhanced knowledge and tactical skills acquired by the officers would translate into improved vigilance, more effective patrol operations, and strengthened protection of forests and vulnerable communities.

Emphasising the collaborative nature of security management, Ani reiterated that ensuring peace and safety requires sustained synergy among federal, state, and local authorities, as well as active engagement with community stakeholders.

He urged the officers to remain professional, vigilant, and community-oriented in the discharge of their duties, stressing that public trust remains fundamental to the success of security operations.

The chairman also acknowledged the leadership of Ugwu throughout the training period, encouraging him to ensure the effective deployment of the knowledge gained.

He advised the officers to uphold the highest standards of conduct, discipline, and service delivery.

Reaffirming the council’s support, Ani pledged to provide the necessary logistical and operational backing to enable the Forest Guard perform optimally.

He assured the officers of continued motivation and institutional support, recognising the critical role they play in maintaining law and order.

The reception concluded with renewed assurances from the officers to intensify their efforts toward safeguarding lives and property, as well as sustaining peace and security within Enugu South Local Government Area.

Enugu South LG Media