₦airaland Forum

The Igbo communities in Canada have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order the immediate and unconditional release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, over what they described as his worsening health condition and the alarming state of insecurity in the Southeast region.

In a press statement signed by the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Canada, Chief Dr. Anicetus Nwizundu (Okanga Ogadagidi) and made available to ABN TV, the group expressed deep concern over Kanu’s continued detention in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for over four years despite repeated appeals for his freedom.

“We, the Igbo people living in Canada, stand united in calling upon the Federal Government of Nigeria to intervene compassionately in this matter and facilitate the unconditional release of our brother, Nnamdi Kanu,” the statement said.

Chief Nwizundu noted that Kanu’s health condition has deteriorated seriously, as confirmed by several medical experts, including cardiologists who have examined him during hospital visits. He warned that further detention could endanger his life.

“We implore the Federal Government to act swiftly to release him from custody before it’s too late,” the statement urged.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Canada president also highlighted that Kanu’s incarceration was a result of his persistent advocacy against the marginalization of the Igbo people in Nigeria. He stressed that the Igbo community is not seeking confrontation but fairness and justice within the Nigerian federation.

“The Igbo do not seek trouble; they yearn for recognition, equality, and peace as Nigerians. Yet, they are treated as second-class citizens in their own country,” the statement lamented.

Chief Nwizundu further expressed worry over the worsening insecurity in the Southeast, describing the situation as “terrifying and disheartening.”

“There is no safety in Igboland today. One cannot travel without fear, nor sleep peacefully at night owing to insecurity pervasive across various parts of our land,” he stated.

The group maintained that releasing Nnamdi Kanu would help restore calm and unity in the region, paving the way for sustainable peace and development.

“With his release, we envision correction of many wrongs afflicting our homeland, paving the way for total peace,” Chief Nwizundu added.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has urged Abians to acknowledge the role of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in supporting Governor Alex Chioma Otti’s development agenda in Abia State.

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Kalu, speaking during the commissioning of projects in Aba, said the President demonstrated fairness and accountability by channeling funds from the removal of fuel subsidy directly to the states rather than retaining them at the federal level.

“When the president removed the oil subsidy, he did not keep the money in Abuja, he sent it to the states. Please, give credit to whom credit is due. Make sure Abians know that our president is supporting his friend, Governor Otti, so that he will release more to Abia State,” Kalu emphasized.

The Deputy Speaker maintained that recognizing the President’s contributions will encourage further federal support for ongoing projects in Abia.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has disclosed that his administration uncovered and closed down several fraudulent bank accounts previously operated by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state, ABN TV reports.

Speaking at the 2025 Ngwa Convention held in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, Otti, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Caleb Ajagba, said the discovery was made possible through the introduction of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) at the inception of his administration.

He explained that the policy enabled the government to clean up the state’s payroll system, eliminate ghost workers, and transition to a digital payment structure.

“In the early days of this administration, the Treasury Single Account was introduced and this cleaned up payrolls through verification to remove ghost workers, and moved to digital payment systems. The implication is that several fraudulent bank accounts maintained by MDAs across the state that could not be accounted for were closed, thus ushering us into better management and use of public funds for public good,” he said.

Governor Otti noted that the gains from the financial reform have enhanced the government’s capacity to pay workers and pensioners regularly, while health, education, security, and infrastructure sectors have also received significant attention.

He commended members of the Ngwa clan in the diaspora for their contributions to the development of Abia State and urged them to partner further with his administration by investing at home.

Otti assured them that Abia is now one of the safest states in the country following the introduction of Operation Crush. This joint security outfit has drastically reduced kidnappings and other violent crimes.

The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has approved a new wave of appointments aimed at bolstering administrative effectiveness and deepening institutional reforms across the state’s public service. The appointments, which take immediate effect, were announced in a public service statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, FCA.

The list reflects the Otti-led administration’s continued focus on competence, accountability, and service-driven leadership across sectors.

PROTOCOL DEPARTMENT: To ensure seamless execution of official state events and maintain high-level protocol standards, Governor Otti approved the following appointments:

Uche Mark Nwosu – Chief Protocol Officer

Ikechukwu Nwankwo – Deputy Chief Protocol Officer

Adaeze Ivy Iroegbu – Chief Moderator

Emmanuel Paul Irechi – Protocol Officer

Amarachi Inyama – Protocol Officer

Augustine Chukwuebuka – Protocol Officer

These appointments are expected to professionalize the state’s protocol engagements and improve the image and orderliness of government functions.

Leadership of Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu: In a move aimed at strengthening the state’s tertiary education sector, Dr. Otti approved the appointments of:

Dr. Joe Emeson – Chairman, Governing Council

Dr. Mrs. Idowu O. Eluwa – Provost

Abuja Liaison Office

To enhance the state’s coordination and presence at the federal level, Iheanyi Frank Chinasa has been appointed as the Chief Liaison Officer/National Assembly Liaison Officer.

Abia State Transport Corporation Board

A new board has been appointed to reposition the state’s transport services. The members include:

Emmanuel M. Ufomba – Chairman

Godanswer P. Kalu – Member

Mrs. Salomey Onwu – Member

Kingsley Oriaku – Member

Onyebuchi Nna – Member

Additional Strategic Appointments

Governor Otti also made the following appointments to drive initiatives in key focus areas:

Chima Raymond Ukwa – Special Assistant, Sports

Prince Christian Enwerenmadu – Special Adviser, Agriculture

Mrs. Chinenye Nwaka – Senior Special Assistant, Women Affairs

These appointments are part of the Governor’s ongoing efforts to consolidate institutional reforms, enhance administrative effectiveness, and deepen service delivery in Abia State.

According to the SSG, all appointees are expected to resume duties immediately.

A day of celebration at the annual August meeting organized by the Abia State Governor’s wife in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area turned tragic on Monday, August 18, 2025, when a popular entertainer, Mrs. Nwandinma Dickson, widely known as “Nwayi Garri”, suddenly slumped and died during a performance, ABN TV reports.

She was born on October 1, 1960, and was 65 years old.

Mrs. Dickson, a native of Oza Umuebukwu in Nneji Autonomous Community, Ugwunagbo LGA, was scheduled to participate in dance and drama at the high-profile event. Dressed in her performance costume, she moved around different canopies, exchanging greetings and entertaining guests with her usual theatrics.

Eyewitnesses recounted that in the middle of her display, she stooped briefly and then slumped. Many in the audience initially mistook the incident for part of her act and continued cheering, only to realize minutes later that she was unresponsive.

The Mayor of Ugwunagbo LGA quickly intervened and used his vehicle to rush her to the hospital, but medical personnel pronounced her dead on arrival.

Family members told ABN TV that the late Mrs. Dickson had initially expressed reluctance to attend the meeting but eventually decided to honor her scheduled performance.

Her sudden passing has thrown the community into deep mourning, with many describing it as a devastating loss of a woman who used her talent to bring joy to others.

The Abia State Police Command has achieved a major breakthrough in its fight against kidnapping, following a successful raid on a notorious criminal hideout linked to the abduction of the Director of Sobaz Oil and Gas earlier this year.

According to a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka and made available to ABN TV , operatives acting on credible intelligence traced the suspects to Ikot Ukpon Village in Obot Akara Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

On Thursday, August 21, 2025, around 8:30 pm, police stormed the camp, arresting six suspected kidnappers. Items recovered from the operation included two AK-47 rifles, fifty-seven live rounds of ammunition, one locally made pistol, six magazines, and a large bag of charms and spiritual materials.

The suspects were linked to the March 4, 2025, abduction of the Sobaz Oil and Gas Director along Azumiri Road, Ukwa East LGA of Abia State — an incident that also claimed the lives of ASP Tanko Naptip of the Counter Terrorism Unit in Rivers State, Anayo Ukwu, and the Managing Director of DozzMan Filling Station, Mr. Chidozie Confidence Chijioke.

However, as operatives exited the camp after the successful raid, they were ambushed by other gang members who attempted to rescue their arrested colleagues. A fierce gun battle ensued, during which the six suspects sustained gunshot wounds while trying to escape and later died on the way to the hospital.

Other fleeing members of the gang escaped with bullet wounds, while two police officers sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ensuring that criminals have no safe haven in the state. He assured that the manhunt for fleeing suspects will continue in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Police Command.

He also urged residents to be vigilant and report suspicious individuals, especially anyone with bullet injuries, to the nearest police station or through the Command’s hotlines: 08035415405, 08079210003, 08079210004, and 08079210005.

“See something, say something,” the CP stressed.