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The Onitsha Traditional Council in Anambra State has strongly condemned the use of masquerades during political events in the city, warning that such practices constitute an abuse of its traditional values and will no longer be tolerated.

In a statement signed by the Chief of Staff to the Council, Chief Osita Anionwu, the body cautioned that politicising masquerades could create divisions among the people and threaten the unity of the Onitsha community.

‘The Traditional Council views this development as a dangerous precedent that threatens the sanctity and neutrality of Onitsha’s cultural institutions. For centuries, the people of Onitsha have successfully preserved their unique cultural heritage, embracing modernity while maintaining the integrity of their traditions. Masquerades, as sacred embodiments of the ancestors, play a vital role in the spiritual and communal life of Onitsha people,’ the statement read.

It further stressed that linking masquerades with political movements or candidates undermines their spiritual authority and the communal purpose they serve.

The Council also expressed concern over what it described as ‘external interference’ in Onitsha’s cultural practices, particularly the use of masquerades from outside the city to influence local customs and traditions.

‘We stress that these masquerades are alien to Onitsha and have no place in our cultural landscape,’ it added.

In light of this, the Council called on security agencies to collaborate with traditional authorities to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

It also urged political aspirants and their supporters to respect Onitsha’s cultural heritage and refrain from using sacred institutions for political gain, warning that the politicisation of cultural symbols could lead to unnecessary conflict and division.

‘We appeal to our subjects to remain united, strong, and vigilant, and fiercely protect the integrity of our traditions,’ the statement continued.

Reaffirming its stance, the Onitsha Traditional Council declared its commitment to upholding and defending the cultural values that have defined the identity of the Onitsha people for generations.

Members of the Oke-Onijo Descendants Union in the Ifelodun local government area of Kwara state have condemned last Sunday early morning attack on the neighbouring Oke-Ode community by armed bandits, describing the development as unacceptable.

It is recalled that on Sunday, September 28, 2025, armed men stormed the community, killing no fewer than 12 persons, including the Baale of Ogbayo and members of the local vigilante group. Four persons were also injured and currently hospitalised, while unspecified number of residents were reportedly abducted by the attackers.

In a statement by one of the community leaders in Ile L’oke Aro House of Oke-Onijo community, Mr. Idrees Adesina, he condoled with families who lost their loved ones in the attack, and prayed for the injured to recover quickly as well as safe rescue of the abducted members of the community.

‘The unfortunate incident has no doubt left residents of the community and neighbouring communities in fear; it is our collective responsibility to ensure their safety and security,’ he said.

He commended Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, the Nigeria Police and other security agencies, chairmen of local governments in the area, and other stakeholders for their efforts in combating the security challenge in the state.

‘Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s swift and decisive response to the recent security challenge in Kwara state is truly commendable. His proactive approach and commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents have been evident in the measures taken to address the situation. The governor’s leadership and dedication to peace and stability in the state are a testament to his vision for a secure and prosperous Kwara state,’ he said.

Adesina, who is also a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urged the Kwara state government, security and intelligence agencies to go after the perpetrators of the dastardly act with a view to bringing them to justice. ‘It is imperative that we do not let such acts of violence go unpunished.

‘I also call on community and religious leaders, and residents to be more vigilant and join forces with security agencies in ensuring the security of lives and property. If you see something, you must say something. Reporting suspicious behaviour on time can help prevent future attacks. Our combined efforts to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice will go a long way in discouraging other criminal elements’, he said.

He assured the people of Oke-Ode community, and indeed all residents of Kwara state, that they are not alone in the trying time.

‘We will work together to ensure that our communities are safe and secure. I urge everyone to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice,’ he said.

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) Prophetic Ministry has announced that its 20th Annual Prophetic Fire Conference will hold on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the church’s International Headquarters, Main Auditorium, Onike, Lagos.

The 2025 edition, themed ‘Prophets and the Secret of Prophetic Mantles,’ will be held both physically and virtually, bringing together prophets, prophetesses, and other ministers of God from across the world for a time of impartation and revelation.

According to the organisers, this year’s conference will feature seminars and workshops on topics such as Prophetic Ministration, Equipping End-Time Prophets, Prophetic Workshop, and Charting a Prophetic Destiny for Our Land.

General Overseer of MFM Worldwide, Dr Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, who founded the Prophetic Ministry and served as its pioneering leader, will minister live during the conference.

The ministry said the gathering would ‘unfold mysteries of the prophetic’ as led by the Holy Spirit through anointed men and women of God.

Members of the public, especially believers with prophetic gifts or those who desire to operate in the office of a prophet-irrespective of denomination-are invited to attend the power-packed conference, which is expected to be ‘a blessing to individuals and to Nigeria as a nation.’

Special prayers will also be offered for the rebirth of Nigeria and other nations of the world during the event.

The MFM Prophetic Ministry, established years ago by Dr. Olukoya, aims to raise prophets as God’s mouthpiece and battle axe, bringing divine counsel and guidance to the people.

The ministry trains members to hear clearly from God, interpret mysteries, and develop their prophetic giftings for effective service in the body of Christ.

While Dr Olukoya remains the spiritual father and visionary of the Prophetic Ministry, Pastor Kunle Adesanya, a Senior Regional Overseer (SRO) and Rector of the School of Prophets, currently serves as the International Leader of the group.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on African governments to prioritize eye health and expand access to affordable, quality vision care to curb the growing burden of preventable blindness on the continent as the world marks World Sight Day 2025.

In a statement commemorating the day, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, described good vision as vital to human development and economic prosperity, warning that millions across Africa still live with avoidable visual impairments due to inadequate access to eye health services.

He said, ‘Good vision significantly enhances overall well-being, academic performance, employment opportunities, and economic productivity. Unfortunately, vision impairment remains a major public health concern in our region, and without urgent, targeted interventions, its prevalence will continue to rise.’

Dr. Janabi commended African countries for the progress made in tackling causes of blindness such as vitamin A deficiency, onchocerciasis, and trachoma, but cautioned that new and emerging factors threaten to reverse those gains.

‘Eye health in Africa now faces new challenges linked to aging populations, unhealthy lifestyles, and the increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases,’ he said.

‘Environmental factors, poor awareness, and limited knowledge of good eye health practices have also contributed to the rising cases of preventable vision impairment and blindness, especially from refractive errors and cataracts.’

To address these challenges, Dr. Janabi highlighted the importance of ongoing global initiatives, including Vision 2020: The Right to Sight, which sought to eliminate avoidable blindness through cost-effective cataract services, and the World Health Assembly’s 2021 resolution (WHA74(12)), which calls for integrated, people-centred eye care.

‘The 2021 World Health Assembly decision set ambitious but achievable targets-by 2030, we aim for a 40-percentage-point increase in effective coverage for refractive errors and a 30-percentage-point increase in cataract surgery,’ Dr. Janabi noted. ‘These goals require stronger political will, sustained funding, and cross-sectoral collaboration.’

He also emphasized the role of WHO’s SPECS 2030 initiative, launched in June 2024, which envisions universal access to affordable, quality eye care services for people with refractive errors.

‘SPECS 2030 is a bold step forward,’ he said. ‘It focuses on strengthening service delivery, expanding the eye health workforce, improving public awareness, reducing the cost of refractive services, and enhancing surveillance systems. Eight Member States in our region have already begun implementation-some are developing national workplans and engaging stakeholders, while others are still in the planning phase.’

Despite these efforts, Dr. Janabi lamented that progress remains uneven, with only 32 percent of African countries having national policies on vision loss and blindness.

‘This limited policy coverage reflects a broader gap in prioritization and resource allocation for eye health,’ he said. ‘Currently, effective coverage for cataract surgery in Africa stands at just 26 percent-meaning only one in four people who need surgery receive it with a good visual outcome. Effective refractive error coverage is about 30 percent. These figures reveal the magnitude of unmet need.’

He called on governments to act decisively by integrating sensory and eye care services into Universal Health Coverage (UHC) frameworks and ensuring sustainable financing.

‘In line with WHO Resolution WHA78.7, Member States must increase awareness, reduce stigma, and empower individuals with sensory impairments,’ Dr. Janabi urged. ‘This includes developing national strategies aligned with WHO guidance, expanding the health workforce, and incorporating sensory health indicators into national information systems to support evidence-based policymaking.’

Dr. Janabi further encouraged policymakers and health advocates to leverage global observances such as World Sight Day to raise awareness and promote early detection of eye conditions.

‘Tools like WHO Eyes-a free smartphone app for vision assessment-can help countries enhance screening, data collection, and advocacy,’ he said. ‘We must make full use of such innovations to bring eye care closer to the people.’

He concluded with a call for individuals to take personal responsibility for their eye health through preventive habits.

‘This World Sight Day is a reminder that our eyes deserve care and attention,’ he said. ‘I urge everyone to have regular eye examinations, seek prompt medical care, and adopt healthy habits that protect their vision. Together, we can ensure that every African enjoys the benefits of good sight.’

Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Wednesday kicked against the resolution passed by the US Senate, which seeks to designate Nigeria as ‘Country of Particular Concern’ and impose sanctions on Nigerian officials under Executive Order 13818 (Global Magnitsky) and related authorities.

The resolution was passed in sequence to the adoption of a motion on the ‘Urgent need for a coordinated Diplomatic and Domestic response to the proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 (U.S. Senate Bill S.2747) and to Mischaracterisations of Nigeria’s Security and Religious-Freedom Landscape’, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu and others.

The Deputy Speaker specifically frowned at the negative narratives that frame Nigeria’s security crisis as a singularly religious conflict or as State-sponsored persecution; however reaffirmed Nigeria’s constitutional protections for freedom of religion and belief.

In his lead debate, Hon. Kalu noted that on 9th September 2025 a bill titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 (S.2747) was introduced in the United States Senate seeking to require the U.S. Secretary of State to designate Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ (CPC) and to impose sanctions on Nigerian officials under Executive Order 13818 (Global Magnitsky) and related authorities.

‘The House further notes that the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has in recent Annual Reports, recommended Nigeria for CPC designation, citing persistent violations and state failures to protect against non-state actor abuses.

‘The House recognises that Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion and bars adoption of a State religion, and that successive administrations, security agencies, faith leaders and civil society continue to undertake measures to protect all worshippers and prosecute offenders, as reflected in the U.S. Department of State’s 2023 country chapter and prior reports.

‘The House observes that insecurity in Nigeria is complex and multi-causal, driven by insurgency, criminal banditry, farmer-herder conflict, separatist violence and communal disputes, affecting Citizens of all faiths; international reporting attributes a significant share of fatalities to terrorist groups and criminal gangs rather than State policy or a single religious dynamic.

‘The House is concerned that external legislative actions based on incomplete or decontextualised assessments risk undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty, misrepresenting facts, straining strategic relations, and unintentionally emboldening violent actors.

‘The House is mindful of Nigeria’s longstanding partnership with the United States on counter-terrorism, human rights, democratic governance and inter-faith dialogue, and the African Union’s emphasis on tolerance and inclusive societies.’

To this end, the House condemned all forms of violence and persecution against any person or group on the basis of religion or belief and commiserates with all victims irrespective of faith.

The lawmakers also rejected outrightly narratives that frame Nigeria’s security crisis as a singularly religious conflict or as state-sponsored persecution, and reaffirmed Nigeria’s constitutional protections for freedom of religion and belief.

The House also mandated the Committees on Foreign Affairs, National Security, and Intelligence, Interior, and Information, National Orientation and Values, Police Affairs, Civil Society, Human Rights to within 21 days coordinate the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, D.C. to lodge a formal diplomatic demarche to the sponsors of S.2747 and relevant U.S. committees, transmitting empirical data and Nigeria’s official position.

The joint committees are also expected to lodge a formal diplomatic demarche to the U.S. Mission in Nigeria and interested U.S. legislators to propose a Nigeria-U.S. Joint Fact-Finding and Dialogue Mechanism on freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), with participation from Faith Leaders and independent experts, and to invite USCIRF to a hearing/briefing of this House to examine sources, methodology and remedies.

The House further mandated the Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure execution of these resolutions and to report back to the House within 28 days.

The lawmakers also ordered that this resolution be transmitted to the Presidency, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Heads of Security Agencies; as well as the United States Congress leadership (Senate Foreign Relations; House Foreign Affairs), the U.S. Department of State, and USCIRF, The African Union and ECOWAS Commissions.

The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Oyo State Field Office, has started filling potholes and carrying out other road maintenance works to ensure safer driving conditions on highways across the state.

The exercise began on Wednesday in Ibadan with the launch of Operation Safeguard the Road (OSGR) – an initiative aimed at preserving Nigeria’s federal roads and improving the safety of road users.

FERMA Maintenance Engineer, Engr. Tunde Adepoju, said the programme became necessary due to the rising number of accidents on highways.

While noting that human error accounts for over 80% of crashes, Adepoju said the Federal Government is taking steps to reduce the trend. He added that the agency has recruited 50 ad-hoc workers to help kick-start the operation in the state.

‘This initiative, conceived under the leadership of our Managing Director, Engr. Dr. Emeka Agbasi, through the Public Works Department, marks another milestone in the drive to protect the public facilities of our great nation.

‘We are committed to making our roads safer and more motorable by ensuring clear visibility for motorists, free flow of drainage systems, and proper maintenance of road furniture,’ he said.

Adepoju explained that the operation would include clearing roadside vegetation, desilting blocked drains, managing traffic, and patching potholes along major roads in the state.

‘Our roads remain one of the most critical infrastructures in Nigeria,’ he added. ‘They connect communities, power business activities, and serve as lifelines for economic and social development. Protecting them is a collective duty we owe to ourselves and the next generation.’

He noted that beyond improving road conditions, the project will also provide short-term jobs for local youths who will work along the 43-kilometre stretch currently under maintenance.

‘We have 50 labourers registered for this operation,’ Adepoju said. ‘Their engagement has been properly documented to ensure transparency and accountability.’

Adepoju thanked FERMA’s Managing Director, represented by the Zonal Director for South West I, Engr. B.O. Aina, as well as other agencies present, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

‘Together, we can make our nation great and our roads safer,’ he added.

‘Development is gradual,’ Adepoju tells Nigerians

Speaking on the sidelines, Adepoju admitted that maintaining Nigeria’s vast network of federal roads is a major challenge due to limited resources and high material costs.

‘If you look at the total number of federal roads in the country, you’ll understand the enormity of the task,’ he said. ‘In Oyo State alone, I have over 1,118 kilometres under my supervision. The government is doing everything possible to make our roads better, but development takes time. We can’t fix everything overnight.’

He appealed for patience and public support, stressing that FERMA is doing its best within available means. ‘It’s not that the government doesn’t know what to do,’ he explained. ‘Economic realities and the high cost of construction materials have made road maintenance more challenging. But FERMA remains committed to doing its best.’

Adepoju also condemned vandalism and sabotage by individuals who damage newly repaired roads, including traders who deliberately create potholes to slow down traffic.

‘People need to understand that these roads are built with taxpayers’ money,’ he said. ‘When they destroy them, they’re wasting public funds. Protecting our infrastructure must be seen as a shared responsibility.’

In separate remarks, stakeholders such as the Police Commissioner (represented by CSP Rotimi of the Toll Gate Division), officials of the FRSC, NSCDC, and members of the Oyo State Park Management System (PMS) commended FERMA for the effort, describing it as ‘timely and proactive.’

They noted that many road crashes stem from reckless driving and poor road culture, especially among truck and trailer drivers along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The stakeholders called for stronger collaboration with FERMA and more public awareness to promote safer driving and prevent avoidable road accidents.

Nigeria’s betting industry shifted to mobile apps faster than almost anywhere else. Not because operators sat in boardrooms planning ‘mobile-first strategies’ – because they had no choice. When your customers exclusively use phones to access internet, you build for phones or disappear.

Desktop Never Existed Here

Nigeria skipped the desktop era completely. While Europe and North America spent the 1990s and 2000s on dial-up modems and home computers, Nigeria went straight to smartphones. By 2025, over 90% of internet traffic comes from mobile devices.

The numbers: 107 million internet users out of 235 million people. Mobile connections hit 150 million – 64% of the population. Many people keep multiple SIM cards for different networks and pricing, which partly explains the numbers.

Fixed broadband barely exists outside Lagos and Abuja. It’s expensive and limited. Mobile broadband through 3G, 4G, and now some 5G became the default. Median mobile speeds hit 18.91 Mbps in early 2025. For millions in rural areas or without steady income, a smartphone is the only gateway to internet.

Economics Changed Everything

Smartphone prices dropped dramatically over the past decade. Entry-level devices still cost a chunk of monthly income for many Nigerians, but they became accessible. This happened right when betting companies realized their audience lived on phones.

Think about Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt. Young guys commuting have phones in pockets. Lunch break? Phone. Evening hangout? Phone. Desktop computers need dedicated space and time. You don’t fire up a PC while waiting for danfo or sitting at a bukka.

Betting apps let you place wagers in transit, check scores during matches, withdraw winnings without visiting a shop. The convenience gap is enormous.

Data consumption matters too. Surebet247, Sportybet, Betking, Bet9ja – all optimized apps to use minimal data compared to websites. Some offer ultra-lite versions for older phones and slower connections. When you’re monitoring every megabyte to avoid expensive data charges, this efficiency becomes critical.

Apps Do Things Websites Can’t

Push notifications changed user engagement completely. Platforms alert you about match starts, odds shifts, promotions, bet outcomes – all without opening the app. Desktop websites can’t compete with that immediacy.

Payment integration works seamlessly. Nigeria’s mobile money ecosystem – Opay, PalmPay, bank USSD codes – plugs directly into betting apps. Deposit and withdraw within minutes using tools already on your phone. Try doing that smoothly on a desktop site.

Security advanced too. Two-factor authentication, fingerprint login, facial recognition, encrypted connections. These features exist on desktop, but they integrate naturally on mobile where you already use them for banking and social media.

Apps cache data locally, reducing load times and data use. They handle network instability better – common in Nigeria. Live betting needs split-second responsiveness, which works more reliably in native apps than browsers.

Survival Required Apps

The Nigerian betting market reached a point where not having a solid mobile app meant death. When Surebet247 betshop launched apps, they weren’t innovating – they were catching up to baseline expectations. Bet9ja, Betking, Sportybet continuously refine their apps because falling behind technologically is existential.

User acquisition happens through app stores now more than Google searches. Young Nigerians discovering betting search app stores, not URLs. The psychology matters: downloading an app signals commitment. It sits on your home screen, constant reminder, zero friction for placing bets.

Social features drive adoption. Many apps let you share bet slips with friends, join group challenges, use chat functions. These features make sense on mobile, not desktop. They create communities and boost retention.

What Comes Next

Mobile dominance will intensify. 5G expansion continues from current low single-digit penetration. Better infrastructure means apps will add HD live streaming, augmented reality features, AI-powered recommendations.

Cryptocurrency payments might expand. Voice-activated betting through digital assistants could emerge. AI could personalize experiences based on betting patterns.

Regulation will shape the future. Lagos State Lotteries Board and state regulators show increasing sophistication after the November 2024 Supreme Court ruling. Future regulations will address mobile-specific concerns: responsible gambling, age verification, data protection. Companies investing heavily in mobile platforms position themselves to meet evolving standards.

What This Means If You Bet

Mobile apps from Surebet247, Bet9ja, Betking, Sportybet make betting accessible anywhere with network coverage. That cuts both ways. Spontaneous opportunities, yes. But also requires discipline to avoid impulsive decisions.

Having apps from multiple platforms lets you compare odds and chase promotions. Check Betking, compare with Surebet247, bet on Sportybet – all within minutes from your couch. Desktop never enabled this kind of platform hopping.

Modern apps include responsible gambling features. Use them. Deposit limits, self-exclusion options, spending trackers exist for reasons. The same convenience enabling constant access should help you maintain control.

The Reality

Nigerian betting operators going all-in on mobile reflects deeper economic realities. Mobile-first internet access, smartphone economics, technical advantages of native apps, competitive pressure – these forces collectively made mobile apps the primary interface between companies and customers.

Surebet247, Bet9ja, Betking, Sportybet didn’t just follow this trend. They shaped it through continuous investment. For Nigerian bettors, this revolution transformed betting from an activity requiring dedicated equipment into something woven into daily life.

As telecommunications infrastructure improves and smartphones penetrate deeper, mobile betting apps will evolve. But one thing’s certain: the mobile-first paradigm dominating Nigerian betting today isn’t temporary. It’s the permanent foundation for whatever comes next.

Youths in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the aegis of the Kwara South PDP Youth Alliance have appealed to former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, to ensure a level playing field and uphold the democratic principles he is known for, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement signed by the state secretary of the group, Ambassador Timilehin Ogunleye, the youths called for the resignation of the Director-General of the Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Foundation, Dr Audu Musa, following his alleged declaration of intent to contest in the forthcoming elections.

The group noted that Dr Musa had formally announced his ambition to contest for the House of Representatives seat for the Irepodun, Isin, Ekiti, and Oke-Ero Federal Constituency, describing his continued stay in office as ethically inappropriate and politically insensitive.

According to the statement, holding on to the position of ABS Foundation DG while pursuing a partisan ambition gives the impression of endorsement from Dr Saraki, who has consistently maintained neutrality in political contests.

‘Ordinarily, our group would have no issue with any qualified member of the party aspiring to elective office. However, in this peculiar case, the position currently occupied by Dr Audu Musa has a direct and inseparable connection with the leader of our party and patron of the foundation, His Excellency, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki (GCON).

‘It is on record, and we hold the leader by his word, that he has publicly, consistently, and firmly maintained that he will neither favour nor impose any aspirant in the build-up to the 2027 general elections.

‘This principled stance on neutrality and fair play has been widely commended by our group and all genuine members of PDP in Kwara South,’ the statement said.

The group further alleged that Dr Musa and his associates had been misleading unsuspecting party members into believing that he was a ‘Saraki-anointed candidate,’ describing such actions as an abuse of privilege and a misrepresentation of the foundation’s purpose.

It also accused the ABS Foundation DG of previously expressing interest in the Kwara South Senatorial race before shifting focus to the House of Representatives seat, saying the move raised doubts about the sincerity of his political ambition.

‘The Kwara South Youth Alliance, therefore, rejects in totality any attempt to use the ABS Foundation – an institution built on philanthropy, unity, and service – as a political launchpad or intimidation tool against other qualified aspirants,’ the statement added.

The group urged Dr Musa to resign immediately from his position to allow a fair contest among aspirants, stressing that their demand was not driven by malice but by a shared commitment to fairness, accountability, and respect for moral boundaries between institutional service and personal ambition.

‘We trust that our revered leader, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki (GCON), will act decisively in preserving the sanctity of his words and the democratic ideals he represents.’

The Niger State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with allegations of criminal conspiracy, theft by servant, and receiving stolen property.

According to a statement released on Wednesday in Minna by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the case involved the theft of two tyres and 25 litres of engine oil from a Howo truck with registration number MNA 426 YL. The stolen tyres were valued at about N470,000, while the engine oil was worth about N55,000.

The statement read: ‘On 29th Sept., 2025 at about 3.45pm, based on a report made at Maje Div that a driver of a Howo truck with Reg. No. MNA 426 YL, one Ibrahim Abdullahi and Mohammed Umar, both of Suleja area, allegedly conspired among themselves, removed two new tyres from the truck valued at about #470,000 and 25litres of engine oil also valued at about #55,000.’

It added that the suspects allegedly replaced the stolen tyres with worn-out ones.

‘In the course of the investigation, the two suspects were arrested and confessed to the crime, while investigation was extended to Lambata area of Gurara LGA where two other persons, one Sadiq Saudi, 34 years, and Kabiru Suleja, 32 years, were arrested, saying that they were both residents of Lambata in Gurara LGA of the state,’ the statement said.

The police noted that the additional suspects were arrested for buying and receiving the stolen tyres, and that the exhibits were recovered.

SP Wasiu Abiodun added that ‘All suspects were charged to court for prosecution.’

Former Governor of Abia and Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has raised concerns over the worsening state of insecurity in the country, including kidnappings, killings, and attacks across different parts of Nigeria.

Speaking on Channels Politics Today on Wednesday, Senator Kalu warned against politicising sensitive national issues, especially those involving security and judicial matters, even as political alignments begin to shift ahead of the 2027 elections.

‘The terrain is already turbulent. Some people are planning for their parties to go into extinction, but what we need now is stability, inclusion, and peace. Nigeria must remain united despite the turbulence within our political zone.’

Addressing the renewed agitation for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Kalu cautioned against making public pronouncements on a matter still before the courts.

‘You know this case is before a court of competent jurisdiction. It is not a very good thing for me to come out openly to start canvassing my opinion without knowing the position of the court or that of the President. The President is watching the judiciary closely.’

He added that discussions are ongoing at various levels, but he would not divulge private conversations held with President Bola Tinubu on the matter.

‘I have discussed this issue with the President many times. But I cannot tell you what I discussed with him. It’s a privilege for me to have spoken to the President. What matters is that everyone wants a peaceful resolution,’ Kalu said.

Senator Kalu underscored his respect for the judiciary, urging Nigerians to allow the courts to conclude their work before drawing conclusions.

‘All of us are doing what I call backdoor diplomacy because of the utmost respect I have for the judiciary. We must not make Justice Nyako or any judge look like a fool by discussing this case publicly. Nigerians must respect the decisions of our courts,’ he said.

While emphasising that only the Attorney-General of the Federation has the legal power to discontinue such a case, Kalu urged restraint among those calling for Kanu’s immediate release.

‘The proper process of discontinuing a case lies with the Attorney-General, not with people shouting on television or in their homes,’ he said. ‘We should all respect the law and follow due process.’

However, Kalu expressed optimism that resolving the issue through lawful and peaceful means would help restore calm and unity in the South-East region.

‘My position is that the matter should be resolved amicably, after the judiciary has made its pronouncement. If handled properly, it will bring permanent peace to the South-East and to Nigeria as a whole,’ he concluded.