Politics
N350m Paid As Ransom To Kidnappers Indictment On Soludo, Security Agencies – Ogbu
A human rights advocate, Charles Ogbu, has described the SBM Intelligence report ranking Anambra State as the headquarters of kidnapping as a huge indictment on Governor Charles Soludo, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies.
The statement comes after the SBM Intelligence report stated that 27 out of Nigeria’s 36 states recorded ransom payments to kidnappers between July 2023 and July 2024, with Anambra State recording the highest ransom paid at N350 million.
Reacting to the development, Ogbu lamented that there is hardly a day that someone is not kidnapped in the state, including clerics, businessmen, and students.
In a post on his Facebook page on Friday, Ogbu alleged that everyone who lives in the state knows about the issue but has chosen to be silent about it.
He, therefore, urged Soludo not to wait for President Bola Tinubu, stressing that the governor needs to step up before the people lose one of the most important parts of Igbo land to criminals.
Ogbu’s words: “As Anambra Becomes Nigeria’s Kidnapping Capital:
“Yesterday, the SBM Intelligence report covering July 2023 to July 2024 ranked Anambra as the headquarters of ransom-for-kidnapping in the country, with around N350 million paid by Anambra victims to kidnappers, with many killed even after the ransom was paid. This is far ahead of the second-placed Rivers, which recorded N67 million in ransom payments by victims of kidnapping.
“This is a huge indictment on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies and, above all, the Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo-led government in the state.
“Just last week Wednesday, a man who parked his car to buy suya close to the G.R.A gate ran into the local government secretariat right opposite that popular suya joint, but the kidnappers followed him right inside the secretariat and still took him. That same week, just a small traffic jam from Sea Breeze Hotel after Sharon Hall to that 33 Road close to the G.R.A gate, saw gunmen diligently robbing almost all the cars in the traffic.
“There is hardly a day that someone is not kidnapped in the state, from reverend fathers to businessmen to students. No one is spared.
“The worst part is that everyone who lives in the state knows about this, but there appears to be a conspiracy of silence on this issue.
“To develop AlaIgbo and encourage Aku-Ruo-Uno, we must be ready to call out special cases of this nature and put pressure on the governor and those in charge to do something. Silence DOES NOT CUT IT!
“Soludo should not wait for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who clearly ‘no send anybody.’ Before Mr. Peter Obi’s tenure, Anambra was a no-go area, but he came in and tackled it squarely. Soludo needs to step up before we lose one of the most important parts of AlaIgbo to criminals.”
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
Politics
PRESIDENT TINUBU FORWARDS NEW AMBASSADORIAL LIST TO SENATE, NOMINATES DAMBAZAU, IBAS, CHIOMA OHAKIM AND OTHERS
By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
4-DEC- 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a fresh set of ambassadorial nominations to the Senate, featuring a mix of distinguished public figures and seasoned professionals drawn from across the country.
Among the notable nominees are former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; former Chief of Naval Staff and immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; former senator Ita Enang; and Mrs. Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State.
The President formally transmitted two comprehensive lists containing 34 career and 31 non-career ambassadorial nominees, bringing the total number of nominees awaiting Senate confirmation to 68.
The newly submitted lists mark another significant step in the administration’s ongoing diplomatic restructuring, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s representation and presence across global missions.
The Senate is expected to commence screening and confirmation proceedings in the coming days.
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