# Joined by the common goal to reduce road accidents and bring about road safety awareness, the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC and Special Marshals has conducted a joint National Patrol in Awka, along the Amawbia axis of Enugwu-Onitsha Expressway.
Speaking on the exercise, the Secretary of the Anambra State Special Marshals, Mr. Chidi Onyebuchi explained that the joint national patrol is a monthly exercise simultaneously holding at Onitsha, Nnewi and nation wide with the aim of bringing about road safety and awareness amongst motorists and road users, emphasizing that road safety is everyone’s business.
Also, in an interview another special marshal, Mr. Gab Okpalaeze noted that aside traffic control, the marshal with the exercise, aims to check on those contravening the road safety rules to caution and educate them while also urging road users to be mindful of their safety while on the road by putting their vehicle in proper shape.
# The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspects involved in a self-orchestrated kidnap incident designed to extort money from the victim’s own family.
The suspects Miss. Chinecherem Okonkwo, age 28years old and Mr. Chinecherem Aronu age 30years old.
Anambra Police Spokesperson SP. Tochukwu Ikenga through a press release stated that the Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) acting on an intelligence-led investigation of a disturbing report of alleged abduction of Chinecherem Nwaokoye, a female student of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), stormed a lodge located at UNIZIK Temp Site, Awka, where the victim was found alive and in the company of her male accomplice.
According to the report, Chinecherem had earlier contacted her family on Tuesday, 8th July 2025, informing them that she was returning home from school but never arrived. Her phone remained switched off throughout that day.
“On Wednesday, 9th July 2025, her family received a call from an unknown male voice who claimed responsibility for her kidnap and demanded a ransom of ₦10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira) only.
“After negotiations, the ransom was reduced to ₦3,000,000, and a part payment of ₦1,000,000 was later paid into the victim’s bank account.
“Upon interrogation, the duo confessed to staging the kidnap as a plot to extract money from the victim’s family.
The female suspect, Chinecherem Nwaokoye, admitted she masterminded the plan after watching a movie and intended to give the money to her boyfriend to start a business.
# The Chairman of idemili South LGA, Hon. Mrs Amaka Obi, distributed educational materials to pupils in Community Model Primary School Akabor, Ojoto.
Speaking during the distribution, Hon. Obi said that the exercise was in fulfilment of the mandate of administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo CFR, in the education sector.
The Mayor stated that her passion was to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor by providing quality education for the wards in the council area through distribution of educational materials.
While appreciating teachers for their commitment in training the pupil, the local government boss appealed to them to put more effort, stating that teaching is a selfless work.
In a vote of thanks, Principal of the school, Mrs Edozie Obi Precious, who applauded Hon. Amaka Obi for her commitment towards the progress of the pupils and prayed for more wisdom and strength upon her to continue her selfless service to the people and humanity in general.
# The Panel of Inquiry set up by the Anambra State Government to look into the lingering crisis in Ogwuaniocha, a community in Ogbaru Local Government Area, has finally restored peace to the community.
The Chairman of the Panel of Inquiry, Justice Calagne Anigbogu while speaking
after the peace talk held at the Old Government House, Awka, noted that the panel was set up to restore peace between two rival youths in the community who were in enmity for years, which led to the destruction of structures and loss of lives, including the traditional ruler of the community.
Justice Anigbogu stated that the panel interacted with the youths, and they were able to come together as one body of Ogwuaniocha Youths to settle the rift between them.
Anigbogu further mentioned that they will still access the damages done with the help of the Technical Committee made up of estate valuers and quantity surveyors who would do proper evaluation, which will in turn help the Government to ameliorate the losses by some kind of palliatives.
Other committee members of the Panel including Prof. Charles Ofoegbu, admonished the youths to continue to live in peace in order to enjoy the amenities as an oil producing area.
The Youth President of the Ogwuaniocha community, Engr. Uche Onyedi, while presenting the letter of peace resolution, thanked the state government for the interventions. He pleaded that the state government helps in flushing out elements in the community living in the forest that has made life unbearable for them, whilst assisting them with resettlement and provision of infrastructures.
# The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has assured Anambra residents of enhanced security, urging them to partner with them in its task of providing the much needed security of lives and property.
Commandant Maku Olatunde, the NSCDC Anambra State Commandant stated this recently when he received on a familiarization visit, Forum of Heads of Federal Establishments in Anambra State led by the Chairman, Dr. Ogbonna Blessing at the State Command Headquarters Awka.
Olatunde praised the establishment of the association, which aims to foster synergy and provide a platform for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to showcase their histories, share the impact of their operations, and discuss challenges, among other objectives.
The Association of Heads of Federal Establishments, Anambra State Chapter Chairman, Dr. Ogbonna Blessing while commending NSCDC operatives for their gallantry and professionalism, said, aside from catering for the welfare and progress of the members, the association plays informal mornitoring role on what members are doing in their respective Establishments.
# Anambra residents have called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the Anambra State Government to urgently find lasting solutions to the erosion menace and save their community from disaster.
The residents in a desperate appeal cried out over a worsening erosion site along the Onitsha – Owerri Road, specifically at the New Road junction near Rojenny Games Village Oba; stretching down to Mmiri Ose in Idemili.
They held placards with various inscriptions such as: “Governor Soludo, Help Us!”, “Erosion is Killing Us”, “Vision World Estate Needs a Solution.” among others, saying that constructing a large drainage system from Onitsha – Owerri Road down to Mmiri Ose Idemili will address the challenge.
The protesters maintained that the environmental disaster has been wreaking havoc on properties and threatening lives within Vision World Estate, Uruokokwu Umuogali Oba, in Idemili South Local Government Area.
The estate’s Chairman, Mr. Joseph Mbanaso, while speaking traced the erosion problem back several years were the state government had previously addressed a damaged section of the Onitsha-Owerri Road, but the diverted drainage channel flowing into the estate has since worsened the situation.
# The Executive Chairman of Orumba South Local Government Hon. Shedrack Azubuike has once again demonstrated his deep commitment to community development.
Through his well-regarded initiative, the Nwabugo Empowerment Foundation, the mayor extended financial support to Mrs. Mbuba Joy, a local entrepreneur, providing her with the sum of N1,500,000 (One Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira) to boost her business and enhance productivity.
Mrs. Mbuba, known for her resilience and industriousness in her line of work, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Hon. Azubuike for the life-changing support. She noted that the financial injection would not only expand her operations but also create job opportunities for others in her community.
# A corps member serving in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State,
Mr. Moses Yakubu has successfully launched a community-focused digital skills bootcamp aimed at empowering local youths with practical, 21st-century technological competencies.
Yakubu while speaking at the official commissioning of the ‘Digital City Bootcamp Project’ which took place at the Ekwusigo LGA headquarters in Ozoubulu,
said he was inspired by the need to address the digital divide and lack of opportunities in the community.
Yakubu, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Community Development Service (CDS) group, with registration number (AN/24B/2807), who is currently in his mandatory one-year national service in the area, credited the initiative to the encouragement he received from his Local Government Inspector, Mr. Kenneth Ani, who urged corps members to use their service year to make a meaningful impact in their host communities.
Despite initial challenges, including limited resources and low turnout at the start, Yakubu said the support from local leaders, including the Ekwusigo Local Government Chairman, played a crucial role in bringing the project to fruition.
# Anambra Young Progressives Party (YPP) Deputy Governorship Candidate, Uzu Okagbue says the state does not lack potential, but suffers from misdirection.
Okagbue maintained that him and Sir Paul Chukwuma are on a mission to rescue Anambra by fixing the leadership in the state l.
“Today, I had the profound honour of joining my brothers and neighbours in Umudioka and Ogidi as both communities marked the cherished Mkpikpa and Nwafor festivals. It wasn’t merely a celebration; it was a vivid reminder of who we are: a people steeped in heritage, resilience, and pride.
“Every venue I visited radiated with the richness of our culture, our dances, our language, our masquerades, our community spirit. It was beautiful. It was refreshing. It was a stirring reminder that, despite the shadows that now hover over our state, Anambra’s soul is alive and yearning to shine.
“But let us be honest with ourselves: the enduring beauty of our culture is being dimmed by the pressing failures of governance. At the heart of these is insecurity, an evil that has not only shattered lives but has also crippled our economy, muted our social vitality, and cast fear over even the most sacred communal celebrations.
“Today, I witnessed cultural resilience. But I also saw the caution in the eyes of elders, the reduced crowds, the shortened processions, subtle yet telling signs of a state held hostage by fear.
“This is precisely why Sir Paul and I are not just committed to politics; we are committed to purpose. A core plank of our vision is the restoration of security across Anambra. Not for show. Not for applause. But so that our communities can breathe again. So that our festivals can flourish without anxiety.
” So that we can open our doors to the world and proudly export the richness of Mkpikpa, Nwafor, elimede, Ofala, and Igu Aro beyond the banks of the Niger and across continents.
“We must restore safety. Only then can we truly unleash the cultural, economic, and human possibilities of this great state.
“To Ndi Anambra, I say this: hold on. Do not give up on our homeland. The night may be long, but morning is coming. A new dawn is possible. And joy; real, shared, sustainable joy is coming”. Okagbue declared
