Tinubu’s Works Minister Son, Osbourne Umahi, Joins Ebonyi LG Chairmanship Race, Pays N30M Form Fee

Osbourne Umahi, 27-year-old son of former Ebonyi Governor and current Works Minister David Umahi, has picked the APC chairmanship nomination form for Ohaozara Local Government, paying N30 million for the expression of interest. Welcomed by party leaders and supporters in Abakaliki, Osbourne pledged to prioritize youth empowerment and continue his father’s infrastructure legacy if elected. The APC primaries in Ebonyi are set for January 25, 2026, amid debates over the high cost of the nomination form.

#EbonyiPolitics #UmahiSon #APCElections

Police Said I Won’t Return Soon”: Journalist Detained for Months Over Reports on Ebonyi Lawmaker Chinedu Ogah

Investigative journalist and publisher Friday James Alefia has accused Nigerian police of detaining him for weeks over reports linked to Ebonyi lawmaker Chinedu Ogah. Alefia said armed officers arrested him in Lagos in September 2025, seized his gadgets, and held him across multiple facilities, including Abuja’s Abattoir, over alleged cyberstalking and false publications. He insists the reports were legitimate journalism. After months in detention, Alefia was granted bail on December 20, with trial set for January 27, 2026, raising fresh concerns about press freedom and abuse of cybercrime laws in Nigeria.

#PressFreedom
#JournalismUnderThreat
#NigeriaNews

JUST IN: Osborn Umahi, son of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has obtained the nomination and expression of interest forms of the All Progressives Congress to contest the chairmanship of Ohaozara Local Government Area ahead of the August local government elections in Ebonyi State.

Umahi’s Son, Osborn Umahi, Picks APC Chairmanship Forms Ahead of Ebonyi LG Polls

Osborn Umahi, son of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has obtained the nomination and expression of interest forms of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest the chairmanship of Ohaozara Local Government Area.

The development comes ahead of the August local government elections in Ebonyi State.#OsbornUmahi #APC #EbonyiPolitics #LocalGovernmentElections

APC Fixes ₦30 Million Nomination Fee for Ebonyi LG Chairmanship Aspirants

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State has fixed the nomination form fee for local government chairmanship aspirants at ₦30 million, a figure higher than the total salary earned over a four-year tenure.

The disclosure was made by the APC State Chairman, Stanley Okoro Emegha, while briefing journalists in Abakaliki following a closed-door meeting with party officials from across the state.

According to Emegha, the decision was taken after consultations within the party ahead of the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

APC Fixes N30million For Ebonyi Council Chairmanship Form, More Than Four-Year Salaries . #Apc #Ebonyi

Pregnant Women Deliver With Lanterns as Ebonyi Community’s Only Health Centre Rotts Away – Report

More than 3,000 residents of Akpaka community in Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State face grave health risks as their only Primary Health Care centre lies abandoned and in ruins. A report by MonITNG describes the facility as a failure of governance, with broken roofs, damaged beds, no equipment, no electricity and no qualified health workers. Pregnant women reportedly give birth under lantern light using unsterilised tools, while other patients travel long distances or rely on costly private clinics. The group has urged Governor Francis Nwifuru and federal authorities to urgently rehabilitate, equip and staff the centre.

Ebonyi Community Forced to Drink Contaminated Water Shared With Animals

Residents of Onyikwa community in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, are relying on polluted water sources shared with livestock for drinking, cooking, and daily use, a report by MonITNG reveals. Despite repeated appeals to authorities, no action has been taken, leaving families exposed to severe health risks and poor hygiene. Civic tech investigations show stagnant ponds used for both human and animal consumption. MonITNG urges the Ebonyi State Government and Federal Ministry of Water Resources to provide a sustainable water solution, emphasizing that access to clean water is a fundamental human right.

#EbonyiWaterCrisis #SafeWaterNow #NigeriaNews

Anambra Gov Cry Out: Dem Use 35 Small Girls for Ashawo Work for Brothel

Serious gbege don burst for Anambra as state government don strongly condemn alleged child trafficking and sexual exploitation after police rescue 35 underage girls from one brothel for Aguleri area of Anambra State. The girls, wey dem say traffick come from Ebonyi State, allegedly dey use for prostitution.

Police PRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, talk say Rapid Response Squad (RRS) storm the building after relatives report say three girls—Divine Mbam (14), Nwagu Favour (15), and Oke Blessing (18)—missing since September 2025. After investigation, police arrest one woman, Ifeoma Success Anthony (37), and rescue 33 girls, while property owner Mrs Ngozi Nnanyelugo (45) still dey run.

Preliminary findings show say the building dey operate as hub for child trafficking and prostitution. Reacting, Anambra Government, through Information Commissioner Law Mefor, describe the matter as disturbing and unacceptable, say dem no go tolerate any form of child abuse or exploitation.

Government don order full investigation, protection of the victims, sealing of any place involved, and prosecution of all culprits. Dem also urge residents to report suspicious activities through emergency line 5111, promising confidentiality, while reaffirming commitment to protect children and vulnerable persons.

Is Ebonyi Government Threatening Community Land and Mineral Rights? Host Communities Petition Gov. Nwifuru Over Nigercem Dispute

Host communities of the Nigerian Cement Company (Nigercem Plc) in Ebonyi State have petitioned Governor Francis Nwifuru over what they describe as growing threats to their land, mineral resources and legally established rights. The communities, through a petition dated January 7, 2026 and signed by Dr. Sulaiman Usman, SAN, accused unnamed political actors of attempting to undermine existing court judgments and community consents under the pretext of building a new state-owned cement plant.

In the petition addressed to the governor at the Ebonyi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, the communities warned that recent developments could “gravely prejudice” their proprietary rights and destabilize the lawful future of Nigercem Plc. They recalled that Ibeto Group lawfully acquired majority shares in Nigercem in 2010, but that the Ebonyi State Government under former Governor Martin Elechi allegedly revoked the company’s mining lease, a move they resisted through litigation.

According to the petition, prolonged court battles ended in 2013 with judgments in favour of Ibeto Group and the host communities. The communities said they supported the investor because earlier plans to site a new cement plant outside their area would have reduced them to mere limestone suppliers without benefiting from the economic and social gains of hosting a functioning cement factory.

While welcoming Governor Nwifuru’s campaign pledge to work with Ibeto Group to revive Nigercem, the communities expressed disappointment that a 15-member committee set up in August 2025 has yet to publicly present its findings. Their concerns deepened after the governor announced plans during the 2026 budget presentation to borrow ₦150 billion to build a new state-owned cement plant, despite the existence of Nigercem Plc.

The petition further alleged that some political office holders from the host clan were pressured on December 31, 2025, to sign a fresh consent letter purportedly revoking earlier agreements with Ibeto Group. The communities described this development as “deeply unsettling,” adding that the proposed site for the new plant lacks commercially viable limestone deposits and would still depend on resources from their land.

They also rejected what they called an “unauthorised and self-appointed committee” allegedly acting in their name, warning that they would resist any attempt to reduce Nigercem to a mere limestone excavation zone or to bypass existing legal rights through political manipulation.

In their appeal, the communities urged Governor Nwifuru to halt any action affecting ownership, mineral rights or control of Nigercem Plc and to convene an inclusive town hall meeting involving traditional rulers, professionals, youth and women groups, religious leaders and other stakeholders to transparently determine the company’s future.

As of the time of filing, the Ebonyi State Government had not issued an official response. However, the communities said they remain open to dialogue, expressing confidence in the governor’s sense of justice and statesmanship.

The unfolding dispute raises critical questions about resource control, investor confidence, community rights, and state-government intervention in Nigeria’s extractive sector. Observers warn that failure to address the grievances transparently could trigger renewed legal battles and social tensions in Ebonyi State.

Who Was Trafficking These 33 Underage Girls in Anambra? How Police Tracked a Suspected Syndicate, Arrested One Woman, and Launched a Manhunt for the Alleged Ringleader

Who was behind the trafficking of 33 underage girls in Anambra State—and how did police uncover the operation? What role did a single distress call play in exposing what authorities describe as a suspected hub for child trafficking and prostitution? And who is the woman now on the run as investigations widen?

The Anambra State Police Command has announced the rescue of 33 underage girls and the arrest of a 37-year-old woman in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area, in what officers say is a major breakthrough against a suspected child-trafficking network. The operation, carried out by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, followed a distress report received through the Command’s Control Room.

According to Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the report came from relatives of three missing girls—14-year-old Divine Mbam, 15-year-old Nwagu Favour, and 18-year-old Oke Blessing—who were allegedly abducted in Ebonyi State in September 2025 and taken to an unknown location. When information later surfaced that the girls had been sighted at a building along Emma Pigin Road in Aguleri, police moved swiftly.

What did officers find at the location? Upon storming the premises, they arrested a woman identified as Ifeoma Success Anthony and rescued a total of 33 underage girls. Preliminary investigations, the police said, indicate that the property was allegedly being used as a hub for child trafficking and prostitution—raising urgent questions about how long the operation had been running and how many victims may have passed through it.

Who is believed to be behind the operation? Police revealed that the building is allegedly owned by a 45-year-old woman, Mrs. Ngozi Nnanyelugo, who is currently at large. Authorities say efforts are underway to locate and arrest her, while investigators work to determine the full scope of the alleged crimes and identify any accomplices.

What happens to the rescued girls? The police confirmed that all victims have been placed in protective custody, where they will receive care and undergo welfare interventions pending the outcome of investigations. Officials also assured the public of the Command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable children and dismantling networks that profit from their exploitation.

As the manhunt continues, critical questions remain: how extensive is this trafficking network, who else may be involved, and will the arrests lead to a broader crackdown on child exploitation across the region? For now, the rescue of 33 girls marks a significant step—but one that underscores the urgent need for vigilance, community reporting, and sustained law-enforcement action against child trafficking in Nigeria.

MURIC Demands Arrest of Nigerian for Inciting Kidnap and Kill of Igbo Muslims

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Maazi Kanayo over alleged incitement against Igbo Muslims in Southeastern Nigeria. According to MURIC Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, Kanayo circulated an audio clip on TikTok urging the kidnapping and killing of Igbo Muslims in Enugu, Ebonyi, and Imo states.

MURIC highlighted that some Igbo Muslims are traditional rulers, raising concerns about potential communal unrest. The organisation urged security agencies, including the DSS and Nigerian Police, to act swiftly to protect lives, emphasizing that every minute counts in preventing harm.

Ebonyi Widow Brutally Attacked Over Donkey Meat Sales in Enugu, Sparks Outrage Over Ethnic Intimidation

Mrs. Ukamaka Agbo, a widow from Ebonyi State, was viciously attacked by cow butchers at Gariki Market, Afor-Awkunanaw, Enugu, over her sale of donkey meat. The assailants reportedly used machetes and knives, severely injuring her hand and threatening her due to her state of origin. Despite being the victim, Mrs. Agbo was arrested alongside her attackers, triggering public outrage. Police sources confirmed she was operating legally under Enugu State Public Health Law and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission. Human rights advocates have called for an impartial investigation, accountability, and protection for the widow, highlighting the dangers of ethnic discrimination and intimidation in business.

Tinubu Support Group Distributes Christmas Food Items to Vulnerable Residents in Ebonyi State

A pro-Tinubu support group, South East Renewed Hope Agenda (SERHA), Ebonyi chapter, distributed Christmas food items to vulnerable residents in Ebonyi state. The initiative aims to support households affected by economic challenges and reinforces the group’s commitment to grassroots welfare, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda. SERHA coordinator Ambassador Belusochukwu Enwere highlighted the distribution as a gesture of appreciation for public support and encouraged continued backing of government policies. The outreach included collaboration with volunteers, community leaders, traditional rulers, women and youth groups, and security agencies.

Governor Fintiri Grants One-Month Salary Bonus to Adamawa Civil Servants as Christmas Gift

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has approved a one-month basic salary bonus for state civil servants as a Christmas gift, aimed at easing economic pressures and boosting festive cheer. Speaking on the decision, Fintiri emphasized the critical role of civil servants in government service delivery and the administration’s commitment to supporting workers, women, and youth-led enterprises. The bonus aligns with similar festive initiatives by other governors, including Oyo State’s Governor Seyi Makinde, who pays a 13th-month salary, and Ebonyi State’s Governor Francis Nwifuru, who announced a ₦150,000 Christmas bonus. These gestures highlight a growing trend among Nigerian states to enhance civil servant welfare during the festive season.

Ebonyi Man Arrested For “Looking Like” Murder Suspect Rots In Aba Prison For 13 Years Without Trial

A 55-year-old Ebonyi State indigene, Sunday Anyim, has spent 13 years in detention at the Aba Correctional Centre in Abia State without trial after being arrested in 2012 for allegedly resembling a murder suspect.
According to his lawyer, Barrister Onyekachi Ezedike Hillary, Anyim was arrested at Ehere Market in Aba while selling second-hand clothes (okirika) after travelling from Ebonyi State for business. Police officers reportedly detained him solely on the claim that he looked like a suspect accused of killing a woman on her farmland in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State.
Since then, Anyim—married with children—has remained in custody awaiting trial, while his family believed he had died after failing to return home. His case was further stalled after court records were destroyed during the #EndSARS protests in 2020. The lawyer revealed that Anyim recently collapsed in prison and is now critically ill, unable to speak or walk, as efforts intensify to reconnect him with his family and secure his release, raising renewed concerns over prolonged detention, human rights abuse, and Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

Ebonyi Communities in Darkness for Five Years: Residents Accuse EEDC of Neglect and Exploitation Over Failed Transformer Replacement

Residents of Obodoaba and Ikpele villages in Ebonyi State have endured nearly five years of total blackout after the removal of their only electricity transformer by Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC). Despite repeated complaints, payments, and assurances from the company, electricity has not been restored. Residents allege EEDC supplied an underpowered transformer and diverted the original one to more “valuable” customers, leaving local businesses, schools, and healthcare services in hardship. Calls have been made for government and regulatory intervention to address this prolonged power crisis.

Ebonyi ACP Ogbon-Inu Taiwo Popoola Dies Suddenly During Official Police Meeting in Abakaliki

The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the sudden death of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ogbon-Inu Taiwo Popoola, who collapsed during a management meeting in Abakaliki. According to the police spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, ACP Popoola developed breathing difficulties and was rushed to the Police Medical Centre, but despite resuscitation efforts, he was pronounced dead. Preliminary assessments suggest cardiac arrest linked to hypertensive heart disease. The late officer, who headed the State Intelligence Department (SID), had shown no prior signs of illness. His remains have been deposited at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital (AE-FUTHA 1).

MTN Nigeria Confirms Network Outage in Abia, Enugu, and Ebonyi States

MTN Nigeria has confirmed a network outage affecting parts of Abia, Enugu, and Ebonyi states, warning that services may be temporarily unavailable. The company disclosed the disruption via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, assuring customers that engineers are working to restore services as quickly as possible. MTN urged subscribers to remain patient and understanding while efforts continue to resolve the network challenges. The telecom giant previously experienced similar outages in the Federal Capital Territory and other regions.

Crisis at AE-FUNAI as Governing Council Accuses Pro-Chancellor of Attempting to Rush Vice-Chancellor Appointment

Tensions have erupted at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, over allegations that the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Engr. Dr. Tony Nebo, is attempting to impose a new Vice-Chancellor before the end of 2025. Council members argue that the current Vice-Chancellor’s tenure expires in February 2026 and that the selection process should proceed in January 2026. Concerns have been raised over alleged external influence from Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru and logistical pressures, including pre-arranged flights for council members. Critics warn that proceeding under these disputed conditions could undermine the integrity of the process and destabilize the university.