Archive August 6, 2025

On a seven-count charge involving numerous kidnapping and murder incidents in Umumba Ndiagu and surrounding Enugu LGA, the police on Wednesday arraigned Mr. Obi Levi Obieze and two other suspects.

The suspects were deposed in Enugu, the state capital, before His Worship, Osondu Chukwuani, Court 1, Enugu North.

The charge sheet read, “That you, Obi Levi Obieze, a.k.a. a Ozo Ezeani/E dey play e dey show (male), Sabastine Emeka Offor (male), Odinwamkpa Ejike (male), and others now at large, between April, 2025 to May, 2025, at around 1800hours at along Umuojo Road, Ishiagu Village, Umumba Ndiagu Community in E Enugu State of Nigeria’s revised laws, part II, 2004.

That you, along with others at large, used personal violence to kidnap a female Ukamaka, age 13 years old, and did so in the aforementioned Magisterial District, committed a crime punishable by Section 315 (2) of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, No. 14 of 2010.

That you, along with others at large, used personal violence to kidnap a 15-year-old man called Chimaobi Ezi and commit a crime punishable by Section 315 (2) of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, No. 14 of 2010.

That you, along with others at large, used personal violence to kidnap 31-year-old Joy Miracle Udokamma, a woman, and others at the same time, place, and in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did so in violation of Section 315 (2) of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, No. 14 of 2010.

“That you conspired among yourselves to commit felony, including murder, and committed an offence punishable by Section 494 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. Enugu State of Nigeria’s revised laws, part II, 2004.

That you unlawfully killed a male Chimaobi Ezi, aged 15, on the same day, time, place, and in the aforementioned Magisterial District, was this an offense punishable by Section 274(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. Enugu State of Nigeria’s revised laws, part II, from 2004.

That you committed an offense punishable under Section 274(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. 1, and on the same day, time, place, and in the aforementioned Magisterial District by unlawfully killing one Joy Miracle Udokamma, a woman, aged 31 years. Enugu State of Nigeria’s revised laws, part II, 2004.

Read more about court orders for interim forfeitures of Lagos property that are allegedly linked to crimes.

The Magistrate ordered the defendants to review their charges and, through the Enugu State Jurisdiction, recommend a higher court because Magistrate Courts had no authority to hear such capital crimes. The defendants, however, entered a not guilty plea on the seven-count charge.

He set the hearing for August 20 and ordered the accused to be put on hold for a second time.

Obieze, alias E dey play e dey show, was taken at the Badagry-Seme border area.

Following allegations of involvement in abduction, kidnapping, and ritual killing that rocked the Umumba Ndiagu community in May of this year, the police, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and other sister security agencies worked together to flee Nigeria.

The governor’s administration’s zero tolerance for crime and promise to bring about justice for the matter are at the forefront of the arraignment.

In accordance with Enugu State’s current laws governing any property connected to kidnapping, his administration had earlier destroyed Levi Obieze’s country home in May.

Governor Mbah also handed an Executive Bill to the Enugu State House of Assembly in June to stop the state’s native doctors, herbalists, and related individuals from doing business there.

According to Mohammed Goje, the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Yobe State are still struggling with limited access to means of survival despite improvements in security.

Goje acknowledged the need for humanitarian aid in a statement on Wednesday on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, adding that the state’s strategy had changed from “temporary camps” to more “durable and realistic” options.

The situation in Yobe State is completely different. He claimed that we have already found a more viable and realistic alternative to IDPs in camps.

Read more about EU funding of €1.5 million to help victims of Yelewata and other internally displaced people in Benue.

Most IDPs in the state have been resettled, he claimed, aside from those who came from Mandunari&nbsp, a town still recovering.

He explained that the government was rehabilitating important infrastructure in Mandunari, including housing, healthcare, education, water, and security facilities, to enable residents’ safe and sustainable return.

Goje acknowledged that despite improving security across the state, significant challenges still existed, particularly as a result of funding constraints and declining international support.

The government is burdened more by the return of IDPs because of the funding constraints (which we do not partake in) and other development challenges, despite the fact that there have been significant improvements.

“And when I say the government, I mean in terms of resettlement, providing for them, and returning them to their traditional threats and businesses. The government is facing a lot of difficulties, he said.

He noted that Yobe’s displacement issues were particularly complicated because many of the affected people were “required by customized reintegration plans and livelihood support” because many of them were rural and nomadic “horse communities.”

Goje claimed that the government was employing a three-step approach to IDP resettlement, each supported by a specific support package, to address these issues.

These include improvements to basic services, housing for returningees, and support for host communities.

He also disclosed that a comprehensive state-level IDP policy has been created with an emphasis on closing sectoral gaps in education, water, health, and water.