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Commissioner resigns from office, dumps APC joins PDP

Mr Felix Igboke, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Project Monitoring, has resigned his position and defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Igboke, who officially announced his defection on Sunday during a PDP gathering attended by party leaders, executives and supporters in Isu, Onicha Local Government Area of the state, said he defected with more than 10,000 supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He described his return to the PDP as a homecoming, noting that his political journey began with the party.

Igboke said his decision was informed by the need to align with a political platform capable of advancing the interests of the people and promoting inclusive development in the state.

“I am happy to return to the political platform that built me. I served as a councillor, development centre coordinator and chairman of Onicha Local Government Area under the same party before I joined the APC.

“I am grateful to the PDP family in Ebonyi State, especially the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma-Odii, the incoming governor,” he said.

Mr Chukwuma Igwe, the state chairman of the PDP, who welcomed the defectors, described Igboke’s return to the party as a major boost to its fortunes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Igwe said the PDP had regained its strength across the state and was well-positioned to reclaim power in the next election cycle.

According to him, the influx of thousands of supporters into the party demonstrates growing public confidence in the PDP and its leadership.

Also speaking, Mr Eni-Uduma Chima, the PDP candidate for the Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency seat in 2027, said the party was experiencing rapid growth across Ebonyi.

Chima expressed optimism that the increasing support base would translate into electoral victories for the PDP in future elections.

He urged party members to remain united and committed to strengthening the party’s structures at the grassroots level.

The event attracted party faithful, community leaders and supporters from various parts of the state, who pledged their continued support for the PDP. (NAN)
OOC/PAT

EFCC: Death of 16-year-old suspect sparks questions as EFCC reveals what happened

The death of 16-year-old Sesugh Atser during an operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has triggered public outrage and renewed scrutiny of the agency’s enforcement tactics, with many Nigerians demanding an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The teenager reportedly died in May 2026 in the Kanshio area of Makurdi, Benue State, after an encounter involving EFCC operatives.

His death has since generated allegations of extrajudicial killing, with critics questioning the commission’s account of events.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the EFCC maintained that Sesugh was not killed in custody and outlined what it described as the chain of events that led to his death.

According to the commission, operatives arrested 26 suspected cybercrime suspects on April 28, 2026, during an operation conducted by its Makurdi Zonal Directorate.

The suspects were subsequently profiled, arraigned and remanded by a court.

The anti-graft agency said Sesugh and two other detainees escaped from custody on May 4 after being granted access to a toilet facility.

The commission claimed the trio broke through the roof of the toilet and fled. To support its account, the EFCC published images on its X handle showing what appeared to be a damaged roof structure at its detention facility.

The agency further stated that intelligence received on May 21 led operatives to a hideout in the Kanshio area where Sesugh was allegedly staying.

According to the commission, the operation turned violent when the teenager and other suspected cult members allegedly opened fire on EFCC personnel.

“Operatives of the commission returned fire in self-defence. All the suspected cult members, including Sesugh, fled owing to the exchange of fire between them and EFCC operatives.

“However, Sesugh was later sighted lying in a pool of blood by the roadside. He was promptly taken to the Police Cottage Hospital at the Police Headquarters in Makurdi, where he was pronounced dead,” the commission stated.

The EFCC stressed that the deceased was neither granted bail nor in its custody at the time of the incident.

Despite the explanation, the commission’s account has been met with widespread scepticism on social media, particularly on X and Facebook, where many users questioned how three detainees allegedly escaped from a secured facility without immediate detection.

Critics also queried why no public alert or declaration of the escapees as wanted persons was issued after the reported jailbreak.

The controversy comes amid growing concerns over the conduct of some EFCC operations across the country.

In recent months, the agency has faced criticism over allegations of rights violations, indiscriminate arrests and the use of force during enforcement actions targeting suspected internet fraudsters.

One of the most controversial incidents occurred at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, where EFCC operatives reportedly visited to verify a medical report linked to an ongoing investigation.

The operation allegedly degenerated into a confrontation with hospital personnel, prompting accusations of assault, intimidation and disruption of medical services.

The incident led to an indefinite strike by health workers, condemnation from professional bodies and threats of legal action by the Nigerian Medical Association.

Similarly, EFCC operations in Ondo State earlier this year drew criticism after scores of people were arrested during raids on entertainment venues in Akure, with some residents alleging excessive force and wrongful arrests.

Notorious Cult leader linked with multiple killings arrested by Police officers

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a suspected cult leader, Emmanuel Nwokolo, and three other suspects over alleged involvement in a string of deadly cult-related attacks that have rocked parts of Ojo Local Government Area.

Nwokolo, whom police identified as a chairman of the Aiye Confraternity, was apprehended alongside Ayoola Israel, Ebuka Nnamdi and Chinedu Okafor during a tactical operation in the Ajangbadi area.

The arrests followed a directive by the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, amid renewed violence linked to rival cult groups in Ajangbadi, Shibiri and Ilogbo communities.

Residents of the affected areas have long associated periodic outbreaks of violence with dates such as May 5, June 6 and July 7, periods often linked to supremacy battles between rival cult factions.

Police sources said the operation was based on intelligence gathered from previous attacks and crime scenes in the area. Investigators reportedly tracked Nwokolo to a hotel in Ajangbadi, where he was arrested alongside another suspect.

The arrest subsequently led to the apprehension of two other suspects believed to have served as armourers for the group. Police also recovered firearms and ammunition allegedly concealed after the principal suspect’s arrest.

According to investigators, the gang has been linked to more than 10 killings across communities in Ojo Local Government Area.

During interrogation, Nwokolo allegedly admitted being a member of the cult group and confessed to participating in four killings involving rival cult members.

“Yes, I am a member of the Aiye cult group. I am into internet business. I was introduced to the Aiye Confraternity by my friend, Hurry, who is now late. He told me to join the NBM if I wanted to make it in life, but I have not seen any improvement since I joined,” he reportedly told investigators.

He further stated: “I only participated in the killing of four people. The first was Soweto, a member of the Eiye Confraternity. We lured him under the pretence of buying hard drugs. Four of us, Emma, Paragon, Santa and myself, carried out the operation. I was the one recording the killing.

“There was another person we killed because his group allied with Eiye. David identified him. The third victim was also an Eiye member. Emma and David usually identified our targets.

“Whenever we carried out these killings, I could not sleep. It haunted me emotionally.”

Police said several other suspects identified as David, Emma, Paragon, Fela, Santa and Awilo remain at large and are being tracked.

One of the arrested suspects, Ayoola Israel, denied taking part in any killings but admitted storing weapons for the group.

“I am not one of the leaders of the gang. I only helped to keep the guns and bullets for the group,” he said.

“I was forced to keep the guns and bullets by one of the leaders, Emma. I did not follow them to any scene of killing, but I know the group killed some Eiye members.”

The 39-year-old also claimed he was persuaded to join the group with promises of gaining access to influential individuals.

“I was initiated into the NBM with a promise that I would have the opportunity to relate with top and influential people. That was why I agreed to join. When the police came to my house, they recovered 11 bullets and a revolver pistol,” he added.