The Imo State Police Command has announced that its operatives arrested 16 suspected members of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, for “terrorising” Oguta, Njaba, and Mbaitoli LGAs.

Commissioner of Police Aboki Danjuma disclosed this during a press briefing on Friday.

Danjuma stated that security operatives stormed the camp of IPOB/ESN in Oguta LGA on Tuesday.

According to him, during the operation the “terrorists” opened fire on the security operatives, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

“On sighting the operatives, the hoodlums engaged them in a fierce gun battle but were overpowered by superior firepower.

“Sixteen suspects, including their sub-commanders, Uzoechi Okechukwu and Paschal Igbuogwu, were arrested.

“Recovered from the camp were two AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, 375 rounds of ammunition, IPOB/ESN flags, and charms,” he said.

The government in Hanoi has ordered the closure of bank accounts lacking biometric verification, affecting over 86 million accounts.

Starting September 1, Vietnam has decided to permanently close more than 86 million bank accounts that did not comply with the new facial biometric authentication requirements. The remaining 113 million accounts have been subjected to verification under the new anti-fraud and anti-money laundering regulations.

The situation has particularly impacted foreigners residing in the Asian country. A Reddit user, a former international contractor, reported being forced to return to Vietnam in person to avoid the closure of his HSBCaccount, as remote solutions for biometric verification were not available.

“This is a very insidious way to do a bail-in while also increasing the surveillance state,”commented Marty Bent.

According to Daniel Batten, researcher and co-founder of CH4 Capital, these measures give the Vietnamese central bank “next-gen financial surveillance ability.”

The Hanoi government justified the introduction of the new rules by citing the increased use of generative AI and sophisticated spoofing techniques to bypass banking security systems. Last May, local police dismantled a laundering network that used fake facial scans and had moved approximately 1,000 billion Vietnamese dong ($39 million).

The new regulations require facial biometric authentication for first-time registration and online transfers over 10 million dong ($379), while combined transactions exceeding 20 million dong ($758) always require biometric verification.

The Abia State Government has reaffirmed that it has paid compensation to landowners whose properties fall within the runway area of the ongoing Abia Airport project at Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area.

Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, disclosed this on Friday during a fact-finding visit to the project site. He was accompanied by the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, and other top government officials.

Pastor Ajagba explained that the visit followed complaints from some community members who alleged that they had not received compensation.

“We discovered that it is not that they have not been paid, but some have challenges with their bank accounts or have not completed the mandatory indemnity certificate required for payment. So far, about 3,500 people have been paid within the runway area, and the process is ongoing,” he said.

He also addressed concerns about clearing of non-enumerated areas, noting that it was a human error by a tractor operator which has since been corrected to the satisfaction of the host community.

While thanking Nsulu residents for their cooperation, Pastor Ajagba assured that government will honor all commitments.

“Everybody will get paid. For now, we are concentrating on the runway, but payments will also cover other areas already enumerated,” he added.

Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, reiterated that government has compensated all verified landowners within the runway corridor.

“This is a responsive government with a human face. If anyone within the runway has not been paid, it is an exception, and we will address such cases individually. By the end of September 2025, compensation for land outside the runway, as captured in the final report, will also be paid,” he explained.

He urged any landowner who had completed the indemnity certificate process but was yet to receive payment to submit their details for verification.

Responding on behalf of the host community, Mr. Echezola Ukaumunna appreciated the government’s intervention, saying the visit had cleared misconceptions caused by poor communication.

Other landowners, including Onyenmaobi Nwairo, Isaac Frank, Chief Isaac Ndubuisi, and John Aliche, also expressed satisfaction with the clarifications and pledged not to obstruct the progress of the airport project.

Other members of the delegation included the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr. Matthew Ekwuribe, and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Lands and Housing/Project Coordinator for Abia Airport, Pastor Okorougo Aji.

Divine Nwankwo
HOD (Information), Government House