# The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old ex-convict, Chidera Anthony Eleh, popularly known as “Timaya,” over his alleged involvement in a series of motorcycle-assisted robberies targeting Point-of-Sale (POS) operators and other unsuspecting victims in Awka, the state capital.
The suspect was arrested on Friday, October 9, 2026, as part of the command’s sustained intelligence-led operations aimed at tracking down individuals allegedly involved in motorcycle-enabled robberies and related criminal activities across the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that operatives recovered a motorcycle, an axe, a cutlass and other incriminating items suspected to be linked to the alleged criminal activities during the operation.
SP. Ikenga said the suspect was currently in police custody as investigations continued to determine the full extent of his alleged involvement and identify other suspected accomplices.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that individuals found culpable of criminal offences were brought to justice in accordance with the law.
# The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Anambra State Branch, has condemned the alleged harassment, intimidation and assault of court bailiffs by police officers attached to the B Division of the Nigeria Police Force in Awka, calling for an immediate investigation and disciplinary action against those involved.
The union accused the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of B Division, Awka, CSP Stephen Okwundu, and his men of obstructing court officials from executing a valid court judgment and using force against one of the bailiffs.
In a statement signed by its Anambra State Branch Chairman, Comrade Henry Ifeanyichukwu Ezeoke, JUSUN described the incident as horrifying, embarrassing and unbecoming of a police officer of the DPO’s rank.
The union’s Assistant Secretary, Comrade Ugochukwu Nwezi, also called for an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and urged the authorities to ensure that anyone found culpable was brought to book.
The petition, titled “Allegation of Abuse of Office, Assault, Intimidation, Harassment and Act of Hooliganism Against Court Bailiffs in Awka, Anambra State by the Divisional Police Officer in Charge of B Division, Awka, CSP Stephen Okwundu, and His Officers,” described the incident as alleged unprofessional conduct and a disregard for judicial authority and the rule of law.
According to the statement, the union was reacting to a video circulating online which allegedly showed a court bailiff being harassed, intimidated and assaulted while performing his official duties.
# Anambra State Governor and Visitor to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has approved the full implementation of the 2025 Federal Government/Academic Staff Union of Universities (FG/ASUU) Agreement for staff of the institution.
The approval, which will take effect from January 2027, was disclosed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, in a statement issued in Awka.
According to the statement, the decision is in line with the governor’s commitment to workers’ welfare in Anambra State.
The approval was formally communicated to the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, by the Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Peter Onwualu, on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
Receiving the communication on behalf of the university’s management, Senate, staff and students, Prof. Omenugha expressed gratitude to Governor Soludo, describing him as a dependable leader who keeps his word, in reference to his earlier assurances on the implementation of the agreement.
# The Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi, has called on residents to prioritise mental health and emotional well-being, urging an end to the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health challenges.
Mrs. Onyekesi made the call in a message ahead of the observance of World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2026, stressing the need to build a society where people experiencing emotional and psychological difficulties can speak openly and access necessary support without fear of discrimination.
The Commissioner noted that women, children and other vulnerable persons are particularly susceptible to mental health challenges arising from abuse, domestic violence, neglect, trauma and other distressing experiences, which could have lasting effects on their mental and emotional well-being.
According to her, early identification of mental health challenges, appropriate counselling, family support and access to professional care are essential to helping affected persons regain their confidence and lead fulfilling lives.
# The Association of Marketing Academic Professionals (AMAP) has challenged marketing educators in Nigeria to embrace artificial intelligence, data analytics and creativity in reshaping marketing education to meet the demands of a rapidly changing business environment.
The call was made at the 2026 AMAP Conference and Annual General Meeting, held from Thursday, October 8 to Friday, October 9, 2026, at the ASUU-NAU Secretariat, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
The event marked the 2nd Academic Conference and 23rd Annual General Meeting of the association and was themed “The Future of Marketing Education: Embracing Artificial Intelligence, Data, and Creativity.”
Declaring the conference open, the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Bond Ugochukwu Anyaehie, described the theme as timely and transformative, noting that the rapid digital disruption of global markets had made the intersection of technological innovation, analytics and creativity central to business sustainability.
Anyaehie stressed the need for higher education institutions to respond to these changes by updating academic frameworks, redefining curricula and promoting research that aligns with contemporary industry demands.
# The Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, formally opened a three-room Value Reformation Project Office at the ministry in Awka.
Addressing stakeholders at the event, Mefor said the office was a demonstration of good faith and commitment to the value reformation mandate given to the ministry by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.
He recalled that a few weeks ago, stakeholders gathered to tease out ways of activating the dual mandate, adding that since then, the team had worked online leveraging digital technology to produce a working manual that is now before the Governor and the Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) for inputs.
Mefor disclosed that the new office was not a handover to any group but a project office for all partners in the coalition of the willing, and commended the Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria, which honoured him as its National Grand Patron, for equipping the office and for showing consistent commitment to the project, urging other organisations to emulate the gesture.
# Water supply from the Obizi Water Scheme in Aguata Zone has been disrupted following severe erosion damage to a major 12-inch ductile iron pipeline conveying raw water to the scheme’s reservoir, prompting the Anambra State Urban Water Assets Holding Corporation (ASUWAHC) to commence immediate restoration efforts.
The damage was discovered during an on-the-spot inspection of the water scheme and its facilities by the Scheme Manager, Principal Geologist, Mr. Amucheazi Chinedu.
The inspection was carried out on the directives of the Corporation’s Officer-in-Charge, Mrs. Emmanuella Okafor, as part of efforts to monitor critical water infrastructure and address challenges affecting service delivery.
The inspection also revealed that the affected 12-inch ductile iron pipeline conveys raw water from the mainstream intake to the reservoir. Severe erosion had damaged the pipeline, leading to the shutdown of the supply line and disruption of water supply from the scheme. Further assessment showed significant siltation at the mainstream and intake point, making urgent dredging and desilting necessary to restore effective water flow and improve the quality of raw water entering the system.
# Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has urged members of the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Stream I of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to acquire additional skills, uphold integrity and contribute meaningfully to society.
Soludo gave the charge through the Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Mr Patrick Agha Mba, who represented him at the swearing-in and opening ceremony held at the NYSC orientation camp in Umuawulu/Mbaukwu.
The governor described the NYSC scheme as an important platform for national integration, patriotism, youth development and nation-building, bringing young Nigerians from diverse backgrounds together to serve outside their familiar environments.
He said his administration had prioritised human capital development through investments in education, skills acquisition, technology, entrepreneurship and innovation, urging the Corps Members to take advantage of available government programmes.
Soludo disclosed that the One Youth, Two Skills programme had empowered 5,000 youths with about N2 billion in its first phase, while 8,300 beneficiaries received N3.5 billion during the second phase.
He said the third phase of the programme would commence soon, urging the Corps Members to take advantage of it, as well as the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme and other initiatives designed to equip young people with practical and entrepreneurial skills.
The governor also highlighted his administration’s investments in technology through the Solution Innovation District, Code Anambra and Digital Tribe, noting that more than 30,000 youths had received training in digital skills and related areas. “Your degree is valuable. But add a skill to it. Your certificate may open a door; competence, character and creativity will keep you inside,” Soludo said.
He urged the Corps Members to serve professionally at their Places of Primary Assignment, respect the cultures and traditions of their host communities, remain security-conscious and use their Community Development Service to address identified needs in their host communities.
# The Anambra State Town Union Councils Youth Wing (ASTUC Youth) says it has prepared a bill to promote core values and responsible citizenship in the state and will facilitate its sponsorship by a member of the State House of Assembly.
President of ASTUC Youth, Comrade Ken Okoli, disclosed this at the group’s celebration of Nnewi North community role models and shared values at the Nnewi North Local Government Headquarters to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.
Okoli clarified that ASTUC Youth would not sponsor the bill but would engage a member of the State House of Assembly to sponsor the proposed legislation. He said the initiative was aimed at promoting responsible citizenship and greater participation in governance.
He said the initiative was motivated by the need for collective participation in governance and what he described as the leadership vision of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
At the event, the group honoured the Mayor of Nnewi North, Hon. Echezona Anazodo, Architect Chukwuebuka Paul Ileka, Prince Chinedu Orizu and Chijioke Nwizu for their contributions to community development.
Responding, Anazodo appreciated the recognition and highlighted interventions during his two year tenure in education, agriculture, road construction, empowerment, waste management, erosion control and fire services.
He acknowledged the constraints of limited time and resources, saying his administration prioritised pressing needs.
# The escalating dispute between Aguleri and Umuoba-Anam communities in Anambra State has allegedly claimed five lives, with several others injured and properties destroyed.
Following the development, the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, has directed the immediate suspension of economic and other activities at Otuocha Company Market.
Dr Ibezim gave the directive on the instruction of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, he led top government officials, security agencies and other stakeholders on an on-the-spot assessment of the crisis-affected areas.
During the violence, several houses and shops, as well as a rice-processing factory containing numerous bags of rice, were reportedly burnt. Other goods and properties were also destroyed, while traders were seen fleeing the area with whatever goods they could salvage.
The Deputy Governor, who is also Chairman of the Anambra State Boundary Committee, warned that no activities would be permitted at the market until the state government completes its investigations and takes appropriate action against those responsible for the incident.
He stressed that neither community leaders nor local government chairmen have the authority to determine boundaries between communities without the involvement of the state government.
