# The Anambra State Police Command has intensified security operations across identified flashpoints and suspected criminal hideouts in the state, deploying joint security operatives on sustained bush-combing and clearance exercises to flush out criminal elements and dismantle their operational bases.
The operation, led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, ACP Harrison Oruruo, involves personnel from other security agencies and Agunechemba operatives.
The exercise forms part of the Command’s proactive, intelligence-driven strategy to deny criminals safe havens, disrupt their networks and prevent crimes, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent activities.
During the operation, security operatives systematically combed identified forest areas, bushes and other suspected hideouts, while maintaining effective inter-agency coordination to ensure comprehensive coverage and prevent criminal elements from regrouping or relocating to other areas.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, through a press release signed by PPRO SP. Tochukwu Ikenga, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining its offensive against criminal elements through intelligence-led policing, inter-agency collaboration and continuous security operations across the state.
# The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening efforts to prevent and respond to Gender-Based Violence (GBV), emphasising the importance of stronger partnerships, improved service delivery and coordinated support for survivors across the state.
The agency made this commitment during a high-level stakeholders’ review meeting convened by Jhpiego at Hilton Leisure (Chyben) Hotel, Awka.
The meeting brought together relevant stakeholders to assess ongoing GBV interventions, review service delivery achievements, identify existing gaps and develop practical strategies for strengthening the state’s response to gender-based violence.
A major highlight of the meeting was a presentation by the Head of ANSACA’s Gender and Human Rights Response Unit, Mr Cyril Okedinachi, who outlined strategic recommendations for improving GBV prevention and response mechanisms.
His recommendations focused on enhancing service quality, strengthening referral pathways, improving collaboration among service providers and promoting evidence-based interventions to ensure survivors receive timely, appropriate and compassionate care.
# The Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) has demolished illegal structures along Woman Lecturer Road, Okpuno, Awka, in an enforcement exercise aimed at removing obstructions to ongoing road construction.
The exercise followed routine inspections by the Authority, which revealed that some individuals had erected structures within the approved road alignment, encroaching on the Right of Way (RoW) and obstructing the smooth execution of the Anambra State Government’s road project.
Following the expiration of statutory notices and warnings issued to the affected property owners, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ACTDA, Dr. Ossy Onuko, led an enforcement team to the site to reclaim the road corridor.
The affected structures were subsequently removed, clearing the obstructed areas and allowing construction activities to proceed without further hindrance.
# The Idemili North Local Government Area (LGA) Health Authority has intensified efforts to identify and vaccinate zero-dose and under-immunised children through an expanded routine immunisation campaign.
The Director of Primary Health Care Centres in Idemili North, Mrs Chinwe Okeke, disclosed this during an orientation programme for social network members at the Maternal and Child Health Centre, Ogidi.
Okeke said the campaign would run from October 29 to November 2, 2026, followed by a mop-up exercise on November 3 to reach eligible children missed during the main exercise.
She explained that the campaign targets children aged zero to nine years who missed routine vaccinations between January and October 2026.
According to her, zero-dose children are those who have never received any vaccine, while under-immunised children are those who have received some vaccines but have not completed their recommended vaccination schedules.
# The Mayor of Idemili South has made a call to Ndi Anambra especially the indigenes Idemili south to seriously embark on monthly sanitation to enhance a healthy living for the people of Anambra.
During the sanitation exercise, the mayor extolled the Anambra state Government for its tirelessly efforts tto sustain and promote the environmental cleanliness in the state.
He admitted that constant participation of environmental cleanliness by the residents would help curb environmental challenges including blocked drainage channels and the threat of gully erosion.
Hon. Ilogbenu expressed concern over the indiscriminate disposal of refuse in drainage channels, warning that the practice obstructs the free flow of rainwater and contributes to flooding, damage to tarred roads and the deterioration of public infrastructure.
He also highlighted the importance of environmental cleanliness to public health, noting that a clean environment helps prevent the spread of diseases, reduces avoidable hospital visits and promotes the overall well-being of residents.
The Mayor urged residents, traders, business owners and other community stakeholders to take collective responsibility for maintaining a clean environment.
He also called on them to avoid indiscriminate waste disposal and make environmental sanitation a daily habit rather than an activity restricted to designated sanitation days.
He reaffirmed the importance of sustained community participation in building a cleaner, healthier and more environmentally responsible Idemili South.
# The Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi, has led an inspection exercise to assess the operational standards and welfare conditions of children’s homes across the state.
During an inspection of Arrow of God Children’s Home at Nwelle Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government Area, the inspection team discovered that the facility was operating below the required standards, with a poor and unhygienic environment raising concerns about the welfare and safety of the children.
Consequently, the home, owned by Lt. Col. Deborah Ogoo, was sealed by the inspection team for failing to meet the prescribed operational standards.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to safeguarding children and ensuring that all residential care facilities provide safe, clean and conducive environments for their residents.
# The Purgatorian Society observes nine day novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory traditionally prays from October 24 to November 1 concluding on the eve of All Souls’ Day on November 2 of every year.
The Purgatorian Society is one of the pious society recognized in the Catholic Church aimed at praying for the souls in Purgatory and the dead. They have a uniform that portrays their identity as white blouse, purple skirt and a purple scarf specifically meant for different occasions in the Church.
Moreover, Purgatory is a state of final purification and spiritual cleansing for souls who die in God’s grace and friendship but are still imperfectly purified before entering heaven.
The Purgatorian Society prays different prayers, meditations and spiritual offerings each day to God meditating on the suffering and purification of Souls in Purgatory during this period.
During this novena private intentions are written on paper and wrap with money carried out by members of the Purgatorian Society placed on the altar for prayers.
Also, the Purgatorian Society designed a sheet for booking of masses for the departed souls in the month of November enclosed with a certain amount of money dropped in a box placed during holy mass.
# The atmosphere of Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State, was filled with celebration like no other as the students, Management and Old Girls of Rosa Mystica High School, Agulu, gathered for the grand finale of the Diamond Jubilee of the school, described by admirers as the best school for the best girls.
Speaking in a homily during the Holy Mass, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor
expressed happiness and deep gratitude to God, saying the school was making steady progress, academically, morally, and materially.
Bishop Ezeokafor said the school had produced great women who were distinguishing themselves in their various fields across the world.
He advised the graduating students and the old girls to live out the knowledge and values they acquired wherever they found themselves as good ambassadors of the school.
The Prelate thanked the Old Girls for their contributions to the development of the school, urging them to continue supporting the school which he described as the foundation of what they were.
# It was celebration galore at Ifiteani, Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State, as the parishioners of St Paul’s Catholic Parish, Agulu, converged to celebrate their maiden anniversary as a parish, and the 2026 Feast of St Paul the Apostle, their Patron Saint.
The double event which took place with funfair, featured unveiling of St Paul’s proposed ultramodern gigantic church building, presentation of the prototype cash and food items to some less-privileged individuals, especially the sick among the parishioners, the parish’s Catholic Men’s Organization’s 2026 New Yam Festival, among others.
In a homily during the Holy Mass heralding the historic event, the Parish Priest of the Church, Rev Fr Jonas Unegbu, said the essence of the event was not only to appreciate God for His abundant grace upon the parish, but also to celebrate unity, the coming together of the St Paul’s parishioners to form a parish, and show love to the less-privileged, especially the sick among them.
The Parish Priest expressed optimism for better days ahead, and assured that in no distant time, the parish would not only meet its other parishes existing before it, but would also move ahead.
# The newly appointed Anambra State Coordinator for the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Presidential Campaign Council, Hon Dr Ifeanyi Ibezi, says delivering massive votes in Anambra for the party’s Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, is a must.
Ibezi, while reacting to his appointment after he recently dumped the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, for NDC, said it was time for work, without room for complacency. He stated that the campaign would be taken to the 21 LGAs, 326 wards, 5,720 polling units, markets, churches and every household in Anambra State in order to ensure what he described as a resounding mandate for Obi in next year’s Presidential Election.
Expressing what he described as a deep honour to be appointed as the Anambra State Coordinator of the NDC Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 General Elections, Ibezi said he received this responsibility with what he described as a profound sense of duty, full appreciation of the task ahead, and an unwavering commitment to the cause he and others had chosen to pursue.
We must reach those who are undecided, those who feel left behind, those who have grown weary of the system, and those who have withdrawn from the electoral process because they no longer believe their votes can make a difference. We must listen to them, earn their confidence, and remind them that the future of our country is too important to be surrendered to apathy, ‘ Ibezi declared, reiterating that it was a clearly call to duty.
