The Onitsha Port in Anambra State was abuzz with excitement early this month as the first barge for the 2025 season, MV ZUPITOR/MV RB ALASKA, berthed at the port. The General Manager of Universal Elysium Limited, the concessionaire of the port, Mr Chris Mbonu, expressed his enthusiasm, describing the berthing of the barge as a positive milestone and a reminder of the pressing infrastructural gap. Mbonu explained that operations at the port were ongoing but largely seasonal, with activity peaking only during the rainy season when the River Niger’s water level rises sufficiently to allow vessel movement. He attributed the seasonal operation to the inconsistency of dredging and channel management of the River Niger, rather than a lack of infrastructure or demand. “The port is functional and ready to work 365 days a year. But without consistent dredging of the River Niger, we are forced to operate only when the waterway allows us—essentially turning a national asset into a seasonal stopgap,” Mbonu said. He likened a port without a navigable waterway to a car without fuel, adding that the current situation limits the port’s capacity to serve as a true inland logistics hub for Nigeria’s growing domestic and international trade. Mbonu appealed to the federal government, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority, and private stakeholders to make regular dredging and maintenance of the River Niger a national economic priority. Regular dredging of the River Niger, according to Mbonu, would unlock year-round navigability, enabling barges, ferries, and larger vessels to move seamlessly between the southern seaports and the inland commercial centers. This would lower transportation and logistics costs, ease congestion on critical highways, reduce delivery timeframes and business inefficiencies, and increase investor confidence in inland logistics. The concessionaire also highlighted the potential impact on agriculture, tourism, and recreation, including helping farmers and aggregators move produce quickly and efficiently, encouraging investment in industrial and logistics infrastructure, promoting export trade, and supporting outbound movement of raw materials and agro-commodities via coastal ports. With proper dredging of the River Niger, Onitsha River Port could transform into a year-round, multimodal commercial hub, impacting several sectors and driving economic growth. Mbonu emphasized that the infrastructure is in place, the demand is evident, and the benefits are far-reaching; what is required now is government consistency and strategic investment to make inland waterway transport a pillar of Nigeria’s economic growth.

The Rivers State Police Command said its operatives had busted a sophisticated inter-state car snatching syndicate with a foreign network. Twelve suspects were arrested, and 22 vehicles were recovered. The police said among the suspects was a dismissed police officer who had 11 cars as of the time of his arrest, while three ex-convicts who were hired into the illicit deal were also arrested by operatives. Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday and sent to newsmen. Iringe-Koko said the arrest followed a major intelligence-led operation after one of their victims, identified as Enoch Daniel, had his Toyota Hiace snatched at gunpoint in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area of the state. She further disclosed that one of the arrested suspects confessed to having earned N5 million in eight months as proceeds from the crime, saying some members of the syndicate were traced to Akwa Ibom and Kano states respectively, where they were apprehended. The statement reads, “In a major intelligence-led operation, the Rivers State Police Command successfully dismantled a sophisticated car theft syndicate operating across multiple states in Nigeria. The operation led to the arrest of twelve male suspects and the recovery of twenty-two (22) stolen vehicles. “The case began in September 2024 after a report by Mr. Enoch Daniel, who was dispossessed of his Toyota Hiace bus at Trailer Park, Onne. Swift investigations by the Command’s C4i Strike Force/Octopus team led to the arrest of: John Amadi, 40 years, from Ogu/Bolo LGA of Rivers State; Nna Goodluck, 45 years, from Khana LGA, Rivers State. “Both ex-convicts confessed they were hired by one Godspower Okpa to snatch the vehicle using hammers and were paid ₦90,000 each. Further investigations extended to Oyigbo, Kano, and Akwa Ibom, resulting in the arrest of key suspects including Yakubu Abdullah (m), 35 years, apprehended in Oyigbo during a pickup; Abdulkareem Saminu (m), 35 years, caught with two stolen vehicles; and Adamu Musa (m), a dismissed police officer from Akwa Ibom, in possession of 11 vehicles. “The syndicate is coordinated by Falco Ibrahim (m), currently at large, whose network spans Rivers, Anambra, Taraba, Enugu, Borno, Kano, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States. Vehicles were smuggled via his agent, Shehu Shagari (m), now in custody, and sold in Cameroon either whole or as parts. “Other arrested members include: Onyekachi Igwe (m), 53 years, ex-convict and Port Harcourt liaison, who confessed to earning over ₦5 million in eight months; Ikechukwu Joseph (m), 35 years; and Michael Emerenwa (m), 40 years — both auto-electricians who modified vehicles for export. “Elijah Nwauwa Sunday (m), 45 years, a self-styled pastor from Owerri, Imo State, who fronted as a spiritual leader while acting as the syndicate’s broker at Mgbuka-Obosi car scrap market, Onitsha; Samuel Ejigbo (m), 39 years, from Kogi State, an ex-convict and field operator in Port Harcourt; Umar Jabbo (m), 25 years, from Taraba State, caught attempting to purchase a stolen Toyota Camry.” The police image maker said the feat underscores the command’s resolve to make Rivers State uncomfortable for criminal elements and syndicates and called on residents to remain vigilant and support the police with credible information. “All suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations, while efforts continue to arrest the ringleader and other fleeing accomplices. “The Rivers State Police Command remains committed to the safety and security of all residents. These operations reflect a broader strategy to dismantle criminal networks and ensure public confidence in law enforcement,” the statement concluded.

The Gombe State Police Command on Thursday arrested two youths in connection with the killing of a 22-year-old man, Dauda Ahmed, in Kumo, Akko Local Government Area of the state. According to the police, the suspects, Babayo Musa, 20, and Zaidu Sani, 18, are accused of conspiring with two others still at large to attack Dauda with machetes over allegations of motorcycle theft. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning at Jauro Musa Quarters, where the victim was reportedly ambushed and inflicted with severe injuries to his head and stomach. He was rushed to the General Hospital, Kumo, but was confirmed dead on arrival. The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, in a press statement, said the command condemned the act and warned the public against resorting to mob justice. “This was a clear case of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide. “We have arrested two of the suspects, and they have already confessed to the attack, citing suspicions over motorcycle theft in the area,” Abdullahi stated. He added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining two suspects, identified simply as Sulaiman and Usama. “Regardless of the allegations, no one has the right to take the law into their hands. “Jungle justice is not only unlawful but also undermines the justice system. “Any individual or group involved in such acts will be held accountable under the law,” the police spokesman stressed. The incident was first reported to the police by the victim’s elder brother, Dahiru Ahmed, of Sarkin Yaki Quarters, who said the assault happened around 9:30am on August 6, 2025. Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer of Akko Division, CSP Adam Ngubdo, led a team of officers to the scene, after which the suspects were tracked and arrested. The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Gombe, for further investigation and possible prosecution. The police urged residents to report any criminal suspicion or concern to the nearest station instead of taking matters into their own hands. “We call on the public to remain law-abiding and assist the police with information that could lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects,” Abdullahi added.

One person has died and another sustained injuries following a late-night road crash involving a Peugeot J5 bus along the Kubwa–Suleja road opposite the Niger Barracks in the Federal Capital Territory. The FCT Emergency Management Department confirmed the incident, which occurred around 9:21 pm on Wednesday. In a statement by the Head of Public Affairs of the FEMD, Nkechi Isa, the FEMD said the Peugeot J5 bus, carrying bags of groundnut, burst into flames after running into a heavy-duty truck in front of it. Isa explained that the charred remains of the fatally injured victim had been handed over to his family for burial. “The FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has rescued 2 people trapped in a burning Peugeot J5 bus. The accident occurred along the Kubwa/Suleja road opposite the Niger Barracks around 9.21 pm yesterday. “The Head of Operation, Search and Rescue FEMD, Mr Monday Adi,e said the driver of the Peugeot J5 bus was fatally injured from the incident as he suffered severe burns. According to Adie, the charred remains of the victim have been handed over to his family for burial. “The accident occurred at about 9.21 pm when the Peugeot J5 bus, which was laden with bags of groundnuts, rammed into a heavy-duty vehicle in front of it and immediately burst into flames,” the statement read. Meanwhile, the lone survivor, who was taken to Asokoro General Hospital, has reportedly been discharged “at the request of his family”. The agency also stated that the FCT Fire Service, the Nigerian Army and the FCT Police Command participated in the rescue operation that lasted between 9.21 pm and 1.30 am. “In a reaction to the incident, the Acting Director General of FEMD, Abdulrahman Mohammed, appeals to motorists to exercise caution while on the road. He emphasised the need for vehicles to be in pristine condition,” the statement added. He further appealed to FCT residents to always use the 112 emergency toll-free number in the event of a disaster.