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Anambra flood death toll rises to 17 as 14,000 refugees cry for help

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The death toll from the flood that ravaged coastal areas of Anambra State, has risen to 17, while the number of refugees in the eight local councils affected by flood hit 14,000 people.

According to reports, about 10 out of the 40 persons believed to have boarded an ill-fated canoe that capsized, after hitting the disembarkation of a bridge were reported dead while 30 were rescued alive, in Ogbaru Local Council area.

Also, a man who had successfully evacuated his family from the flood and opted to stay back to take care of the vicinity got drowned in Ogbaru while he was asleep.

On Saturday, a family of six, including the mother, four kids and a sister were drowned at Nzam community in Anambra West Local Council, when their residence was submerged.

It was gathered that the entire Anambra West Local Council is submerged, forcing displaced indigenes to relocate to Premier Primary School, Aguleri; Unity Primary School and St. Augustine, Umuoba Anam, respectively in Anambra East Council.

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Some displaced persons have also created additional holding centres for people who are in dire need of accommodation to settle at the vicinity of the bridge.

A trending video which captured the sad incident showed that members of the family were preparing to leave their home for a safer upland when they were submerged.

The video also showed a scene of youths of the community bringing out corpses of victims from a house and depositing them in an upland area.

It was learnt that members of the family were already prepared to leave for a safe place, before their residence was submerged by flood.

By the latest accident, the total number of flood-related deaths rose to 17. Executive Secretary of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Chief Paul Odenigbo, said information available to the Committee on flood in the state, headed by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyeka Ibezim, confirmed that 30 persons were rescued alive, while 10 bodies were recovered.

See also  One dead, 651,000 displaced in Anambra flood

Odenigbo said the state government would open other camps as the need arises, stressing that some holding camps came up when floods affected the originally-planned settlement.

He noted that the state government has been pro-active and forthcoming in terms of provision of food, water, toiletries and security, among others, to make the victims feel more comfortable and at home.

Odenigbo hinted that the Federal Government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has concluded arrangements to assist the state and refugees, adding that NEMA and the military had commenced aerial surveillance, using helicopters, to rescue trapped residents of the flooded areas.

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Kidnappers of retired Major General release video, demand cows, members’ release

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The abductors of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, and his wife has released a video of the couple in captivity.

It would be recalled that the couple were abducted along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, near Zakin Baure village.

In the four-minute video circulated on social media on Saturday, the wife of the retired general was seen conveying the abductors’ demands.

The demands included the release of three of their members identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru, as well as the return of livestock allegedly seized from them.

According to her account, two of the detained individuals were arrested in Jikamshi while the third was arrested in Kano.

She also appealed to the Katsina State Government and leaders of five local government areas to facilitate compliance with the demands to secure their release.

The retired general, who spoke briefly in the video, called for efforts to ensure peace, adding that the abductors had expressed interest in dialogue and peaceful coexistence.

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The notorious bandit leader, Kachallah Muhammad, who operates in parts of Katsina State, had reportedly established communication with the family of the retired general, according to a report by Daily Trust.

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Police uncover gun factory in Yobe, arrest seven suspects

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Operatives of the Yobe state command of the Nigeria Police Force have uncovered an illegal firearms fabrication factory in Potiskum, Yobe State.

The Command’s spokesman, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, in a press statement, confirmed that seven suspects were arrested as part of the renewed strategies of the Commissioner of Police aimed at combating crime and criminality across the state.

“On June 2, 2026, at about 1800hrs, acting on credible intelligence, the Potiskum Area Command led a coordinated raid in collaboration with the Divisional Police Headquarters following reports that some blacksmiths were engaged in the illegal fabrication of Dane guns and other firearms.

“Police operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene, a blacksmith workshop located at Tasha Adua along Danchuwa Road, Potiskum. During the operation, seven suspects were arrested, and the following exhibits recovered,” the state read in part.

Abdulkarim added that fabricated pistols, 24 muzzle pipes, nine gun butts, four unserviceable Dane guns, one filing machine, and one sharp cutlass were recovered.

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He said that the suspects are currently undergoing thorough investigation with a view to identifying their collaborators, possible buyers, and the intended use of the fabricated firearms.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Usman Kanfani Jibrin, has directed officers handling the case to intensify investigation, identify other illegal firearms fabrication centres within the area, and assess the level of security threat posed by such criminal activities.

“The Command further advises members of the public to refrain from allowing their premises or facilities to be used for unlawful activities, including the fabrication of dangerous weapons.

“Residents are urged to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station or other security agencies,” the statement added.

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NDLEA intercepts drugs concealed in water purifiers from Netherlands, arrests man with 380 rounds of military-grade ammunition

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have intercepted high-potency illicit drugs concealed in water purifier machines shipped from the Netherlands.

The discovery was made on May 26, 2026, at a courier company, where officers found 3 kilograms of ketamine and 199 grams of MDMA hidden inside the appliances.

Femi Babafemi, the Director, Media & Advocacy of NDLEA, in a statement released on Sunday, said, “Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have uncovered consignments of high potency illicit drugs concealed in water purifier machines shipped to Lagos from Netherlands.”

In another operation in Kaduna State, operatives arrested a couple, Musa Sunday and Mercy Sunday, alongside Salomi Ezekiel, after recovering 100 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 1,246 kilograms from their residence in Gonin Gora area on May 24.

On the same day, along the Abuja–Kaduna highway at Jere, officers intercepted Sunusi Musa, a 30-year-old suspect found with 380 rounds of 7.62mm military-grade ammunition, allegedly heading to Katsina State.

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The suspect and exhibits were handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation.

Babafemi said, “In Niger State, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence raided a warehouse at Gidan Kukah, Bosso Local Government Area, on May 27, where 457 kilograms of skunk were recovered.

“A suspect, Godwin Zakka, was later arrested at his residence in Minna in connection with the seizure.

“In Enugu State, operatives on patrol along the Onitsha–Enugu expressway intercepted a commercial vehicle marked JAY-158-YF on May 28, recovering 22,000 tramadol pills, 100 ampoules of pentazocine and 200 grams of bromazepam. A suspect, James Maigari Wisdom, was arrested.”

The agency said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign continued nationwide alongside enforcement operations, with lectures held in schools and communities across Cross River, Taraba, Lagos and Anambra states, among others.

It said, “With the same zeal, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities, among others.”

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Commending the operations, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised officers for sustaining both enforcement and preventive efforts and urged them to intensify the nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking networks.

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