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Anambra enforces road setbacks, approves ₦16.7bn for infrastructure projects

Published

8 months ago

January 13, 2026

The Anambra State Government has awarded various contracts worth a sum of about ₦16.7bn for road, electricity, and other key infrastructural projects aimed at driving social cohesion, economic growth and improving the lives of its citizens across the state.

This is just as the state government, through the Ministry of Environment and the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, also known as the ‘OCHA Brigade’, has commenced the enforcement of standards for road setbacks in the newly constructed dual carriageways.

According to a press statement released on Tuesday, the state Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, said the projects were approved and other significant decisions made during the first Anambra State Executive Council meeting in 2026, held at the ‘Light House’, Awka, on Monday.

Mefor said several other key decisions were taken during the meeting, among which include that the Christmas and New Year celebrations called ‘Onwa Dezemba’ programme, has come to stay as an annual event and will be made into something that Ndi Anambra and the world will look forward to every yuletide.

The statement read in part, “At the first Anambra State Executive Council meeting of the year 2026, held at the ‘Light House, Awka, on Monday, the council relished the Christmas and New Year celebrations and reiterated that the ‘Onwa Dezemba’ programme has come to stay as an annual event and will be made into something that Ndi Anambra and the world will look forward to every yuletide.

“The council also reviewed the state of security in the state and the restoration of Anambra as the most secure state in Nigeria, and resolved to continue to promote inter-security agency collaboration and the strengthening of security agencies, such as the 30 Hilux vehicles recently given to the Anambra State Police Command by the state government.

“The council established a committee to determine the best way to give Nnewi a further facelift, in line with the ongoing urban regeneration policy of the Soludo administration. The council also firmed up the plan to give Nnobi a further facelift. The main objective is to revitalise and realign the two strategic urban centres in the state.

“The council mandated the Ministry of Environment and the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, also known as the ‘OCHA Brigade’, to commence enforcement of standards for road setbacks in the newly-constructed dual carriageways.

“These standards have been set at 1.5 metres for built-up areas and three metres for other areas. The setbacks were re-established as a minimum from drainage on all the new dual carriageways for motorised and non-motorised (NMT) users.

“These setbacks from the dual carriageway align with global best practices, which include provisions for pedestrian walkways and other road provisions for pedestrians.”

According to him, the contract sum worth ₦16.7billion approved by the council would be for the dualisation of 33-Nsugbe-Aguleri Road, supply and installation of 500 kVA, 33/0.415 kV transformer at Irueyim Community, Nteje, Nteje Oyi LGA, among others.

“To achieve massive traffic decongestion in the Onitsha and Nkwelle axis and drive development in that direction, the 33-Nsugbe dual carriageway was awarded by the council.

“This will bring the Anambra Beltway and the Solution Government’s policy to dualise all ‘Trunk A’ roads, state and federal, to a fuller completion and further open up the state and ease up Onitsha and its environments.

“Release of the sum of N15,956,407,246.25 only for the construction and dualisation of the 33-Nsugbe to Aguleri road with a 1-span bridge, awarded to Ferotex Construction Company Ltd.

“Release of the sum of N56,386,718.69 only for the supply and installation of 500 kVA, 33/0.415 kV transformer at Irueyim Community, Nteje, Nteje Oyi LGA, awarded to Kennolly Enterprises.

“The release of the sum of N159,599,775.14 only for the supply and installation of solar street lights along the Oye Market Road, Isuofia, awarded to Vigeo-Dome Ltd.

“Release of the sum of N497,033,367.38 only for the reclamation/rechannelisation/& remediation of the gully erosion site at Umugama-Ire Village, Abba, Njikoka LGA, awarded to P & K Int’l Ltd.”

Punch Online on November 2025, reported that the Anambra State Government awarded various contracts worth a sum of about ₦4.7bn for road, electricity, and other key infrastructural projects aimed at improving the lives of its citizens across the state.

According to a press statement released on Tuesday, the state Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, said the projects were approved, and other significant decisions were made during the 23rd Anambra State Executive Council meeting held at the “Light House,” Awka.

Mefor said several other key decisions were taken during the meeting, and one of them includes plans to give Ndi Anambra the most memorable December festivities experience ever, branded “Onwa Dezemba”.

He said the “magnificent festivities” to be held at the Solution Fun City, Awka and the reconstructed and remodelled Ekwueme Square, in Awka, are planned as a “Christmas unlike any other”.

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News

FG names 10-member panel to probe deaths of 37 NSCDC detainees

Published

9 hours ago

September 19, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 people detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State over suspected illegal mining.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the constitution of the committee on Saturday, following a directive by President Bola Tinubu for a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

The 37 detainees died on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command.

The cause of the deaths has not been established, with authorities ordering investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

In a statement signed by the minister, the government said the committee would establish the identities of the deceased and investigate their arrests, detention and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.

It would also determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, as well as recommend appropriate action, compensation where applicable and measures to prevent a recurrence.

“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” he said.

The committee is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, while Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as secretary.

Other members include retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor Olayinka Buhari, a professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; and a representative of the Niger State Government.

The committee also includes Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and public affairs analyst, Dr George Agbakahi.

According to the statement, the committee may co-opt relevant experts, access facilities and documents, visit relevant locations and request memoranda from members of the public.

It has two weeks to complete its work and submit its report to the minister.

The minister also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.

Source: punchng.com

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News

Oriire: Abductors fed us only when convenient for them – DSS witness tells court

Published

12 hours ago

September 19, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The witness of the Department of State Service, DSS in the ongoing trial of five alleged Ansaru terror group members on Friday, September 18 told the Federal High Court in Abuja that their abductors fed them only when it was convenient for them.

The witness code named AAA who was one of the victims of Orire school abduction said they were seriously traumatised during and after their ordeal that lasted 56 days.

Under cross examination by the counsel to the five accused persons Mr Bala Dakum, the witness said they were offered food by the abductors at their own convenient time despite the presence of little children of 18 months among them.

She admitted that the alleged kidnappers used the mobile phone of the victims to contact government officials but said she did not know the phone number of the government officials that were called.

She further told the court that upon their rescue by security operatives, she was interrogated by DSS operatives in their office and also while in the hospital.

Answering a question, the witness admitted that the three out of the five defendants on trial were with them in the forest while she got to know the other two during interrogation at the DSS office.

She also told the court that Michael Oyedokun and John Olaleye were killed at camp A and Camp B respectively but that she was not present at the scene where they were beheaded.

The witness further told the court that because she was not at the scene where the two teachers were beheaded, she did not know the specific kidnappers that carried out the killing.

Meanwhile justice Salim Olasupo Ibrahim has fixed October 12 and 13 for continuation of trial of the five accused person.

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News

Protesters March Against Sunday Igboho’s Iru Ekun Security Outfit In Oyo, Allege Tribal Discrimination

Published

12 hours ago

September 19, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

group of protesters on Friday took to the streets in Oyo State to demonstrate against the Iru Ekun Security Network, a private security outfit associated with Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.

The protesters, who carried placards, accused the security outfit of allegedly discriminating against people from some ethnic groups and called for equal treatment of all residents irrespective of their tribe or background.

Some of the placards displayed during the protest read: “Say No To Iru Ekun, Crime Knows No Tribe,” “A Criminal Is A Criminal. One Nation, One People, One Nigeria,” and “Our Diversity Is Our Strength.”

The demonstration comes amid growing public debate and criticism surrounding the activities and methods of the Iru Ekun Security Network, particularly concerns over the role of privately organised security groups and their relationship with formal law-enforcement agencies.

The latest controversy followed an incident in Oyo State in which Iru Ekun operatives were accused of obstructing police officers who were attempting to arrest a suspect in Ibadan.

A rights group, Vocalpoint Human Rights Initiative (VOHRI), on Wednesday warned against allowing Iru Ekun or any other private group to operate as a parallel law-enforcement institution.

The group said no individual or organisation should be allowed to determine who should be arrested or punished without lawful authority and due process.

The criticism also comes after reports of confrontations involving Iru Ekun operatives during security operations in Oyo State.

In June, members of the group reportedly came under attack during a surveillance operation in the Old Oyo National Park while searching for suspected kidnappers and armed criminals. Igboho subsequently vowed that the group would continue its anti-kidnapping operations in the South-West.

Iru Ekun was established by Igboho as a community security initiative aimed at tackling kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities across parts of the South-West.

At the launch of the Lagos chapter earlier this month, Igboho directed members of the network operating in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti states to intensify efforts against criminality.

According to reports, Igboho said the group would confront anyone threatening peace and security regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation and urged its members to operate within the law.

However, critics have continued to question the structure, accountability and methods of the privately organised security network, particularly given the existence of established state security structures such as the police and Amotekun.

A recent commentary published by Nigerian Tribune also raised concerns about the regulation and oversight of Iru Ekun, while discussing Igboho’s growing involvement in regional security matters.

The protesters’ demonstration on Friday adds a new dimension to the debate, with the placards emphasising ethnic inclusiveness and warning against treating crime through a tribal lens.

The protesters called for security operations to be conducted without discrimination, insisting that criminality should be addressed based on individual conduct rather than ethnic identity.

Source: Saharareporters

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