# The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the arrest and detention of a police officer allegedly linked to the incident that led to the death of a three-month-old baby in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated the officer had been identified and taken into custody while a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident had commenced.
According to the statement, the investigation is aimed at ascertaining the facts surrounding the unfortunate development and ensuring that justice is served.
Anambra Commissioner of Police, CP. Ikioye Orutugu, while expressing deep regret over the incident, sympathised with the family of the deceased child and assured the public that the command would remain transparent and professional in handling the matter.
The command further urged members of the public to remain calm and refrain from actions capable of escalating tension, assuring that anyone found culpable would not be shielded from justice.
# The immediate past All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) National Chairman, Dr. Victor Oye, Ozonkpu Amawbia, has described the party’s primary election conducted on May 23 as “cumbersome and time-consuming,” while commending the overall outcome.
Speaking to journalists after the exercise, Ozonkpu Oye, who was present at his Ward III, Amawbia, from morning until late evening for the primary election, said the process overstretched the capacity of party officials in his area.
He urged the party’s leadership and electoral authorities to allow political parties flexibility in conducting primaries according to their structure and capacity, rather than imposing a uniform process.
Despite the challenges, the APGA chieftain expressed gratitude that the exercise was concluded peacefully. “As far as I’m concerned, what happened today was quite cumbersome, but we thank God,” he added.
# Ahead of the 2026 Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has deployed 851 personnel across the state, with an assurance of a hitch-free sallah celebration.
Commandant Maku Olatunde, the NSCDC State Commandant, stated that the massive deployment is designed to bolster security at Eid prayer venues, recreational centres, markets, critical national, state, and local government assets, major roads, motor parks, and other sensitive locations throughout the state before, during, and after the festivities.
According to him, personnel drawn from tactical and specialised units, including the Agro Rangers Squad, Armed Squad, Female Strike Force, Rapid Tactical Squad, Anti-Vandalism Squad, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) Unit, Counter-Terrorism Unit, and Disaster Management Unit, have been strategically positioned to uphold public order, safeguard lives and property, deter criminal acts, and provide comprehensive security coverage throughout the holiday period.
In line with the operational order released for the incident-free celebration, Area Commanders and Divisional Officers are to employ all means of ensuring thorough supervision of personnel deployed, intensify surveillance and visibility patrols across flashpoints within their areas of responsibility in addition to synergising with sister security agencies in intelligence gathering and information sharing.
The NSCDC State Commandant urged officers and men of the Corps to remain committed, vigilant, and professional while respecting the fundamental rights of citizens. He emphasized strict compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Rules of Engagement (ROE), and Service Orders (SO) in the discharge of their duties.
Commandant Maku conveyed his heartfelt Eid felicitations to the Muslim community and called on them to uphold the values of sacrifice, compassion, and harmony. He also advised the public to obey the law, stay alert, and remain conscious of their security throughout and beyond the festive period.
The Command solicits the cooperation of all residents by reporting suspicious persons, movements, and objects to the nearest NSCDC formation or through the following emergency lines: 08035771835,
08036172748, 08036789255.
# The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has commended members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Nigeria (CCRN), Awka Diocese, for their steadfastness and preparedness to receive the Holy Spirit.
Delivering a sermon at the grand finale of the Awka Diocesan CCRN 2026 Pentecost programme at St. Patrick’s Church, Awka, the bishop praised participants for prioritising the spiritual event despite concurrent civic engagements in the state.
Bishop Ezeokafor reminded the faithful that the law of God is not contained solely in Scripture but is also preserved in the Catholic Church’s sacred tradition, which complements biblical teaching. He encouraged congregants to ground their words in Scripture while remaining faithful to Church teachings.
The prelate emphasised that the presence of the Holy Spirit in an individual is evidenced by the fruits of the Spirit reflected in personal character. He urged believers to seek wisdom defined as practical knowledge that strengthens faith and informs daily conduct so they may defend their convictions rather than follow popular opinion.
# Deputy Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly and House of Representatives hopeful, Rt. Hon. Chukwuma Okoye, has alleged plots by political jobbers to scuttle his primary election victory for Awka-North and Awka-South federal constituency.
Okoye who polled 4, 465 votes as announced by the Returning Officer Elizabeth Nwokeocha, defeated other contestants by a wide margin and was declared winner of the Awka-North and Awka-South APGA primary election.
He further alleged that in spite of being declared winner of the APGA primaries for Awka-North and Awka-South federal constituency, information reaching him revealed that some disgruntled elements are vehemently plotting to upturn his electoral conquest by planning to reconduct elections in three wards of the constituency even when he has been declared winner by the Returning Officer.
Okoye insisted that he has the video evidence of his declaration by the Returning Officer.
# The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ, at Mater Christi Centre in Amawbia, organised a heartfelt farewell with gratitude and celebration for Rev. Fr. Dominic Anyalagbuna, who served faithfully for a year and is now departing for further studies abroad.
During his homily, Fr. Anyalagbuna highlighted that Pentecost Sunday is a special church celebration that marks the birth of the church and the descent of the Holy Spirit on humanity. “The Holy Spirit is our paraclete, comforter, and intercessor. It guides us in understanding ourselves and our distance from God.”
During the celebration, Fr. Anyalagbuna expressed his gratitude to the Sisters for organising such a grand farewell. “I am overwhelmed by this ceremony and display of love because I usually do not celebrate my birthdays or like to be celebrated. I am very thankful for the opportunity to serve your centre, and I pray for God’s blessings on all of you,” he stated.
In her farewell speech, Sr. Mary Lucella Ukaegbu IHM, the administrator of Mater Christi Centre, expressed appreciation to Fr. Anyalagbuna for his dedicated service over the past year. She highlighted that his homilies provided crucial guidance and encouragement, strengthening listeners and inspiring them to embody Christ’s love in daily life. “Father Dominic came to Amawbia almost a year ago, and despite the short time, he made a lasting impact.
# Anambra State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Maku Olatunde, has commended residents for cooperating with the Command and other sister security agencies, following an on-the-spot assessment of security arrangements for the weekend political party primaries and the Imoka Festival celebrations.
During the assessment on Saturday, 23rd May 2026, the command’s head of Operations, Deputy Commandant of Corps, Akaachia Godwin visited key locations including voting centres, collation points, and major venues of the Imoka Festival to evaluate the deployment and conduct of NSCDC personnel on the ground.
Akaachia noted that officers were professional, alert, and effectively collaborating with sister security agencies to maintain law and order.
Commandant Maku commended the people of Awka and party faithful for conducting themselves peacefully and in an orderly manner throughout the events. He stated that their cooperation significantly eased the work of security operatives and contributed to a hitch-free exercise.
He further directed Area Commanders and Divisional Officers to sustain high-level vigilance and visibility policing until the conclusion of all activities. He also urged residents to continue reporting any suspicious movements or actions to the nearest NSCDC formation.
The Commandant reassured the public that the NSCDC, in collaboration with other security agencies, remains committed to protecting lives, property, and critical national assets throughout and beyond the festive and political period.
# The immediate out gone Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Anambra State Erosion, Watershed and Climate Change Agency (ANSEWCCA), Prof. Philip Phil-Eze has poured encomiums on Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s performance in governance, describing it as unprecedented.
Speaking in an interview after All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Primary Election, at Nkwo Akpo, in Aguata LGA, the Professor said, “Soludo is better described as God sent to serve Ndi Anambra.
He described him as a man that has achieved much with little, an Economist of international repute who has brought his Economics know how to bare in driving affairs of Anambra State.
