# The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old woman, Nwachukwu Chidubem Blessing, over an alleged case of conspiracy, fraud and suspected self-kidnapping, following the payment of a ₦3 million ransom by her family.
The suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, after credible intelligence emerged during investigations into a reported kidnapping incident.
According to police reports, Blessing was allegedly abducted along the Onitsha–Asaba Expressway on August 29, 2026. However, despite the payment of ₦3 million ransom by her family, she was reportedly not released, prompting the police to intensify investigations into the matter.
Following sustained intelligence gathering and investigative efforts, operatives traced and located the alleged victim on the afternoon of September 18, 2026, in a room in Asaba, Delta State, where she was recovered.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said preliminary investigations suggest that the suspect allegedly conspired with a female associate identified as Onyinye, whose other names are yet to be established, and an unidentified male accomplice to stage her own kidnapping in order to obtain money from her family.
SP. Ikenga stated that the suspect is currently assisting investigators with useful information aimed at establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident and identifying other alleged accomplices.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, psc, mnips, has directed that investigations be intensified to unravel the complete details of the case and ensure that all persons found culpable are brought to justice in accordance with the law.
# The Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi, has represented the First Lady of Anambra State, Dr. (Mrs.) Nonye Soludo, at the send-off ceremony for nine residents of the Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Centre, Nteje, who have successfully completed their rehabilitation programme and been certified fit for reintegration into their families and communities.
The ceremony marked another milestone in the state government’s efforts to rehabilitate, reintegrate and empower vulnerable persons, while providing them with opportunities to regain their independence and live productive lives.
The nine beneficiaries were formally reunited with their respective families in the presence of government officials, management and staff of the centre, as well as members of the community.
During their stay at the centre, the beneficiaries received care, rehabilitation and vocational training, particularly in baking, to equip them with practical skills for self-reliance and economic independence upon their return to society.
As part of the reintegration programme, the beneficiaries were presented with bags of flour, baking equipment and take-off grants to enable them establish small-scale businesses in their communities and apply the skills acquired during their rehabilitation.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs. Onyekesi commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his administration’s continued support for the welfare, rehabilitation and empowerment of vulnerable persons across the state.
She also expressed appreciation to the First Lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Nonye Soludo, for her personal commitment to the empowerment of the beneficiaries and for ensuring that their welfare and living conditions at the centre remained satisfactory throughout their stay.
The Commissioner urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the empowerment materials, grants and skills provided to them, noting that the support was intended to give them a fresh start, promote self-reliance and facilitate their successful reintegration into their communities.
He also commended Dr. Okeke and ANSACA for taking HIV services beyond conventional health facilities and pledged Naira Rice’s continued support for health awareness and community engagement.
# The Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba, has commended the Wife of the Governor of Anambra, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, for using the Anambra Skilled Ladies Initiative to promote women empowerment and community service.
Agha Mba gave the commendation during a charity painting exercise at St. Faith Orphanage Home, organised by beneficiaries of the initiative in partnership with Norlux Paints and the Abraham Foundation.
The exercise brought together skilled women artisans, volunteers and partners who repainted sections of the orphanage to provide a more conducive environment for the children and caregivers.
The commissioner described the outreach as a practical demonstration of compassion and service, noting that it showed how acquired skills could be used to support vulnerable members of society.
Mba commended the beneficiaries for giving back to society through their skills and appreciated Norlux Paints and the Abraham Foundation for supporting the exercise.
He also acknowledged Mrs. Soludo’s efforts in promoting initiatives that empower women, build their capacities and encourage them to contribute to community development.
# The President, Anambra State Traditional Union Council, Youth Wing, Comrade Ken Okoli, has emphasized the need for inclusion of youths in budget process so as to harness their potential in contributing to the economic growth of the state.
Comrade Okoli laid the emphasis when executive members of the Union and the leadership of APGA Youths led by Comrade Tochukwu Obiadi paid a courtesy visit to the Secretary to Anambra State Government, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake at her office at the Light House, Awka.
Comrade Okoli expressed their readiness to contribute their quota in things that would benefit the state and asked the SSG to always reach out to them any time, any day to work with them in any area she deemed necessary.
While appreciating Governor Soludo for giving such highly exalted position to a youth, Comrade Okoli noted that the Governor does not hesitate to place youths in good positions especially where they would perform optimally, praising the Governor’s youth friendly disposition.
Responding, the SSG, Mrs Nnake, commended the leadership of Anambra State Traditional Union Council Youth Wing for the peace in the state, acknowledging that that youth restiveness and protests have become a thing of the past in Anambra State urging them not to relent.
Mrs Nnake who promised them more collaboration with the body in the future, said the Governor is benevolent and magnanimous in the appointments of the youth and also that the Governor needs the energy of the youths to match his own energy in the development of the state.
# The newly inaugurated Community Women Leader of Alor Community, Lady Ifeoma Uzokwe and other Stakeholders have tasked mothers to sit up and teach their children proper moral values and godliness so that they would not become a menace in the society.
The call urging Ndigbo to revert to communal training, Igbo language and craftsmanship was made during the 2026 Alor Women Meeting where the entire Inyom Alor Exco was unanimously reelected for a second term and inaugurated at Alor Community, Idemili South LGA, Anambra State
The Keynote Speaker, Former Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board ASUBEB Chairman, Dr. Nkiru Nwadinobi recalled that originally in Igboland, communal training of children was practiced by co-wives (Ndi Nwunye di), Umu ada and umunna collectively to impart good morals, discipline, respect for elders and others.
Lady Uzokwe said that what brought about their reelection was that the leadership love doing things together. “We are transparent and accommodating. We make sure that our programs and projects touch the lives of the women”.
# The Women Support Women Community Network (WOSCONET) has sought collaboration with the Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare to empower youths through digital skills training.
The Founder of WOSCONET, Mrs. Amaka Nweke, made the request when she led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Commissioner, Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi.
Nweke said the organisation, in partnership with Jobberman, plans to train young people in digital skills, including CV writing, with successful participants receiving internationally recognised certificates and employment opportunities.
Responding, Commissioner Onyekesi commended WOSCONET for the initiative and expressed her support for efforts aimed at equipping young people with relevant skills and creating opportunities for their economic independence.
She assured the team of the Ministry’s willingness to collaborate towards achieving the objectives of the programme.
# Anambra State Government says it targets to partner women in communities to fight the mounting environmental degradation confronting the state and to plant ten million trees in three years.
Commissioner for Environment, Dr Clem Aguiyi revealed the plan when he led the management team of the Ministry of Environment on a courtesy call on the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, Awka, Mr Chris Molokwu.
Dr Aguiyi highlighted the critical role women play in societal development, saying that if every woman plants at least two trees in their compound or farmland every year, the state will be unprecedented in its drive to secure its environment and lands through aggressive afforestation initiatives.
The Environment Commissioner worries at the environment challenges facing the state including flooding, erosion, and waste management and harped on the importance on community initiatives in the fight against environmental degradation.
He congratulated Mr Molokwu on his reappointment as ABS chief executive and sought for avenues of partnerships between his ministry and the media outfit to sustain sensitizations on the protection of the environment.
For the ABS Boss, the establishment considers protecting the environment as a civic obligation and public emergency as such will partner the ministry in any effort that will drive the message against man-made environmental disasters.
He promised that ABS will come up with public service programmes that will increase enlightenments on how good to treat and preserve the environment.
She further commended the management and staff of the Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Centre, Nteje, for their dedication to the care, rehabilitation and recovery of the beneficiaries.
# Frontline NDC senatorial candidate for Anambra South and renowned industrialist, Chief Ebuka Onunkwo, has reiterated his resolve to redefine representation in the zone as he graced the New Yam Festival celebrations of Ezira and Nawfija communities in Orumba South Local Government Area.
Chief Onunkwo, who was accompanied by members of his campaign team and the NDC House of Representatives candidate for Orumba North and South Federal Constituency, Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo (Ewepudike Nanka), added colour to the twin celebrations, which drew traditional rulers, Ndi Ichie, cabinet chiefs, women and youth groups, as well as sons and daughters of both communities at home and in the diaspora.
Speaking at the separate events, the senatorial hopeful said the people of Anambra South are yet to get what is due to them in terms of quality representation, noting that the vacuum created by the sudden demise of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah is still being felt across the senatorial district.
According to him, the wait for responsive and impactful representation is over, assuring the people that he has come to fill the gap and surpass their expectations.
# Transparency and accountability are two cardinal principles of public administration and good governance especially at the third tier of government.
Also the deployment of public funds for public good especially when such funds address the most pressing and fundamental needs of the people with direct positive impacts on their living conditions, exemplifies presence of government in the lives of the citizens.
This is the situation in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, where the reelected Mayor, Hon. Engr. Anayochukwu Charles Orjiako has deployed public funds for public good as evident in the plethora of projects and programmes that have direct positive impacts on the living conditions of Ihiala people.
Anayo Orjiako in this report showcased his first term achievements as Ihiala Local Government Chairman with concrete projects at verifiable locations across the 20 political wards in the council area coupled with testimonies and evidences of the functionality of the projects and problems they addressed.
The Supervisory Councillor for Works Hon. Jerry Obiokoye during a tour with journalists, showcased the projects.
# The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) has expanded its workplace HIV and integrated health screening programme to Naira Rice, strengthening efforts to take HIV prevention, testing and essential health services directly to workers across the state.
Speaking during the outreach, ANSACA Executive Director, Dr. Nkem Okeke, said the initiative reflects the commitment of Governor Chukwuma Soludo to intensify HIV sensitisation, testing and prevention across workplaces and other settings in Anambra State.
Workers received free HIV counselling and testing, tuberculosis screening, hepatitis B and C screening, malaria screening, vital-sign checks and health education. Participants who test positive for HIV will be confidentially linked to appropriate treatment and supported to remain in care, while those who test negative will receive prevention information and guidance.
Okeke explained that ANSACA is moving beyond stand-alone HIV testing by integrating other preventive health services and taking them directly to where people work and live. He also disclosed that participating organisations that meet the agency’s required standards may be recognised with an ANSACA Certificate of Compliance for a Healthy Workplace.
In his remark, the Chief Executive Officer of Naira Rice and Founder of Naira Group, Omenwa Arenze Benjamin, commended Governor Soludo and ANSACA for the initiative, describing accessible healthcare as fundamental to productivity and economic prosperity.
