HURRICANE NEWS.

  RULAAC: * OPEN LETTER TO THE IMO STATE POLICE COMMAND*  March 1, 2026  *Save Our Students and Young People from Police Predatory Practices*  The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre Rulaac (RULAAC) writes with deep concern over renewed reports of harassment, arbitrary arrests, and extortion of students and young people in Imo State, particularly around the vicinity of Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri. Last Friday, while attending a burial in Mbaise, our Executive Director later visited a relaxation spot within the Nekede Polytechnic axis. What should have been a calm evening quickly turned into chaos as young boys and girls ran helter-skelter following the arrival of police officers reportedly conducting what has now become a “routine” operation - targeting students for arrest and search. Students who spoke with us described a disturbing pattern: random stop-and-search operations; intrusive searches of handbags belonging to female students; unlawful ins...

  Oke-Ite; Akwa - Okuko Sentenced To 11 Months Imprisonment, Shrine To Be Destroyed. NKIRU NWAGBO   The Anambra High Court sitting at Awka this friday sentenced Mr Chigozie Nwangwu aka (Akwa- Okuko Tiwalu Aku ) to eleven months improvement. Recall that about thirteen months ago , Nwangwu was arrested on the account of alleged operation of Oke- Ite Ritual practices and misleading the public about money making . Out of the ten count charges against him , the presiding Judge;  Hon Justice Jude Obiora struck out six count charges while it upheld four of the charges . The Court further waved the total of six years imprisonment and option of N60 Million Optional Fine which should have ran concurrently. The presiding Judge had also stated the earlier motion for pleabargain which the Court admitted in evidence which prompted the Court to reduce the earlier six years imprisonment to two years. According to Justice Jude Obiora however, the convict had been in an awaiting trail...

  RULAAC Urges IGP To Release Alleged  Awkuzu Extrajudicial Killings Report NKIRU NWAGBO. The Rule of law and Accountability Advocacy Center (RULAAC) has urges the office of Inspector General of Police  Tunji Disu to publicly disclose the investigation report on Rapid Response Squad/ Anti -Kidnapping Unit , Awkuzu Anambra State 2023 and related allegations. It would be recalled that the special investigation  Panel was constituted in February 2023 to examine the allegations against officers of the said unit . In a statement signed by the Executive Director RULAAC Okechukwu Nwanguma, said despite sustained public interest and repeated inquiries by civil society organizations the report has not been published. The Executive Director RULAAC said that , on 17th February 2023 the then Inspector General of Police  established panel under the IGP Monitoring and Mentoring Unit to investigate the allegations to include  extrajudicial killings, high handedness, Organ...

  Young, Grassroots Candidates Shake Up Anambra Local Polls NKIRU NWAGBO  Anambra State is heating up for local government elections under Governor Chukwuma Soludo's APGA government.  Two fresh faces have stepped forward, showing a new wave of young, community-focused leaders. Nze Odera Ezenwafor, a culture champion running for chairman in Idemili South LGA, and Nnonyelu Christian Chinaza, a top entrepreneur eyeing Ayamelum LGA, both fly APGA colours.  They mix Igbo roots, fresh ideas, and support for Soludo's reforms, tackling issues like fair zoning, culture protection, and job creation. Ezenwafor launched his bid at a ward meeting in Idemili South, speaking with humility about answering a "call to serve," not chasing power. He quoted American mayor Mitch Landrieu and Nigeria's Obasanjo to push for zoning rotation – a big talk point in Anambra's divided politics.  His plan, "Empowerment – Consolidation – Entertainment & Cultural Revival," focus...

Anambra Markets , Banks , Schools open on monday  as zero attacks recorded   NKIRU NWAGBO, AWKA 02/02/26 After more than five years , Anambra state has finally put an end to the Monday sit at home order by the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) as markets , schools and banks were opened . Recall that IPOB had insisted that the sit at home order must be obeyed despite the order by Governor Charles Soludo that normal activities must hold warning that institutions that failed to comply to this directive would face the wrath of the law . Soludo had last Monday shut down the Onitsha main market on the account of the traders not opening for business.  The markets,  especially the Onitsha main market were  open as well as the banks and schools as against the apprehension that the separatists group would unleash mayhem on defaulters. At the Onitsha main market all the shops were open while security operatives which is a combine team of the eight Service Commanders made ...

  Gov Soludo Meets With Markets and Line Leaders, Vows To Rejig Market Security  NKIRU NWAGBO  In a move to restore the economic pulse of Anambra State, Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has declared that all markets and shops across the state must remain open every working day, including Mondays. The Governor made this mandate during an intensive interactive session with market leaders from across the state. The meeting held in Awka, was sparked by the recent closure of the Onitsha Main Market and a growing long stay over the Monday sit-at-home syndrome that has crippled commence in the Southeast for years. Addressing the traders of Onitsha Main Market specifically, Governor Soludo presented a "renovate or rebuild" ultimatum. He offered two paths forward: leveling the existing structures to build a completely new, world-class trading hub, or undergoing a massive modernization project. Regardless of the choice, the Governor emphasized that the era of Monday closures is ove...

  More Trouble For Anambra Traders As Soludo Threatens Revocation Of Markets/ Shops  BY NKIRU NWAGBO, The troubles of market traders in Anambra state may worsen following the threat by Governor Charles Soludo that if traders refuse to open markets on Monday they would have their shops and markets ownership revoked . Soludo who spoke to reporters in Awka stated that under the land use act he has the right as a government to revoke any market of shops including the private ones under the policy of over ridding public interest. He warned that should the traders refuse to open the markets he would not mind closing the markets for the rest of the year . "We are not afraid of litigations in Anambra state and we are ready and you bring your lawyer and we bring our senior advocates quite a number of them" "It is the property of government of Anambra state and under the Land Use Act even the private ones I will revoke it and pay you compensation and that is what the law requires ...

  ANAMBRA POLICE REVEALS THE IDENTITY OF THE PERSON INSIDE THE VIOLENT MASQUERADE IN AWGBU: REITERATES RESPECT FOR CULTURE BUT WARNS AGAINST RIGHTS VIOLATIONS The Anambra State Police Command has revealed a male suspect, Ifesinachi Ezeolu aged 28 years as the person inside the violent conduct displayed during the outing of a masquerade in Awgbu community. This follows widespread public concern and reports of assaults and intimidation of residents in the occasion. The Command wishes to clearly state that the Nigeria Police Force respects and recognises the cultural and traditional practices of the people. However, no cultural activity or belief system should be used as a cover to harass, assault, intimidate, or violate the fundamental human rights of citizens. The Command also emphasizes that masquerade activities, like all public gatherings, must be conducted peacefully and within the confines of the law. Therefore, any act capable of causing fear, injury, or public disorder will b...

  Ezeakunne foundation gifts house to widow, empowers over 400 in Onneh community Ruth Orji Awka It was a Christmas to remember for one Mrs Nkechinyere Nwafor, a 60 year-old widow in Onneh community, Orumba South Local Government Area Anambra State, as Ezeakunne Foundation gifted her a 3-bedroom bungalow as part of their 2025 edition of empowerment programme. The empowerment, which took place in Umuezeamasi village, Onneh, also witnessed the distribution of four shuttle buses and over 300 bags of rice to the needy and less privileged in the community. Speaking at the event, Nze Vincent Nwankwo, CEO of Ezeakunne Foundation, said the empowerment is an annual initiative aimed at uplifting the poor in the community. He stated that the programme, “which began 10 years ago”, is designed to help lift people out of poverty and suffering. "The empowerment is an annual event and my way of thanking God for His many blessings. God has blessed me  and in my spirit of giving, gives to the p...