By Magnus Chukwudi, Port Harcourt

The Niger Delta Indigenous Bishops and Ministers’ Forum, NDIBAMF, last Friday paid a courtesy visit to the Department of State Services, DSS, to discuss rising security concerns affecting churches across the oil-rich region.

The senior clerics’ visit which came barely a week after a similar visit to the 6 Division of the Nigeria Army Headquarters, Port Harcourt followed widespread social media reports of bandits allegedly moving into the Niger Delta, with particular concerns for Rivers State.

Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the Forum, Bishop John Ogolo, expressed sincere appreciation to the Director General DG of the DSS, for providing reliable security that has contributed significantly, to peace and safety across the state.

Bishop Ogolo, the Prelate of Lovers of Christ Ministry, commended the agency’s continuous efforts in tackling various threats to the life and property of citizens, vouching that their sacrifices are not taken for granted.

Bishop Ogolo also sympathized with the DG over the casualties security operatives encounter, while protecting the nation’s citizens and critical infrastructure, reassuring the DSS, that the prayers of the Christian community rest on them, vowing that their efforts to sustain peace will continue to yield positive results.

“We sincerely regret the increasing security challenges our pastors, church workers, and worship centres, face, particularly in remote and less-protected areas, hence this our visit aims at deepening collaboration with your organization, to ensuring that worship centres remain safe for religious activities.

The Christian community therefore calls for stronger intelligence sharing, rapid response mechanisms, and proactive measures, to prevent threats before they escalate,” they requested.

Addressing newsmen on the aim of the visit, the President General of NDIBAMF, Archbishop Julius Ediwe, appreciated the warm reception from the Director and his officers. He said the State, and indeed, the entire South-South is peaceful, urging churches to remain calm, as the DSS is fully in control of ensuring safety and maintaining peace.

In his response, the Director General of the DSS, Adeola Olunwantosin Ajayi, assured the delegation of the agency’s commitment to supporting peaceful religious gatherings and strengthening security coordination across the region. He commended the Forum for taking the initiative to engage directly with security agencies.

The meeting is expected to pave the way for stronger cooperation between the Church and security sector, with a shared commitment to protecting lives, ensuring stability, and promoting peaceful coexistence within the Niger Delta. ###.

By Our Correspondent
Anambra State Police Command has foiled a planned cult clash in Enugwu Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area of the state, and arrested two suspected cultists while others escaped into the bush.

This was disclosed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga in a statement made available to journalists in Awka on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

According to him, the operatives who are attached to the Special Anti-Cult Squad (SPACS) Enugwu Ukwu, while acting on actionable intelligence received a signal regarding the gathering of a dangerous cult group for a planned rivalry fight in the early hours of Wednesday, December 4, 2025.

He explained that following the intelligence report, the operatives swiftly mobilized to the scene and arrested two suspects identified as Oluebube Ifediorah, male, aged 21 years, and Offorbuike Emmanuel, male, aged 25 years.

The police spokesman added, “The suspects were apprehended during the operation in Enugwu Ukwu town, where the cult group had allegedly converged in preparation for the violent clash.

“The police recovered a locally-made double-barrel shotgun and two live cartridges from the suspects during the operation.

“The recovered firearm was found inside a red bag that the first suspect, Oluebube Ifediorah, had on him at the time of arrest, while several other members of the cult gang reportedly fled the scene into the surrounding bush upon sighting the operatives.”

He revealed that the recovered firearm was found inside a red bag that the first suspect, Oluebube Ifediorah, had on him at the time of arrest, while several other members of the cult gang reportedly fled the scene into the surrounding bush upon sighting the operatives.

While noting that efforts are currently in top gear to track down and apprehend the remaining members of the gang who escaped during the operation, Ikenga said that the arrest and recovery is part of the ongoing efforts of the Anambra State Police Command to rid the state of cult-related violence and other criminal activities.

He further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu has commended the operatives for their swift response and professionalism in preventing what could have led to loss of lives and destruction of property.

He said, “The CP has once again urged residents of the state to continue providing timely and credible information to the police to aid in the fight against cultism and all forms of criminality across the state.”

The PPRO further said that the suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations..

By Our Correspondent

The North‑Central Writers Advocacy Group (NCWAG), a Nigerian civic accountability and advocacy collective, said it is “profoundly shocked, alarmed, and condemning” after media reports claimed the Zamfara State Government, under Governor Dauda Lawal, secretly freed a large number of convicted terrorists and bandits from state correctional facilities.

In a press statement released to Daily Champion in Jos on Saturday and signed by Irimiya Dunat, Coordinator of NCWAG, the group said:

“According to published reports, a total of 291 Boko Haram members and 219 armed bandits were allegedly freed under circumstances that have not been explained to the Nigerian public.”

The statement added that those released “were not awaiting trial; they were convicted criminals whose offenses include terrorism, mass violence, kidnapping, destruction of communities, and other acts that have destabilised the North‑West and the entire federation for over a decade.”

“If the reports are true, NCWAG says the action represents one of the most disturbing breaches of public trust and national security in Nigeria’s fourth republic,” the release noted.

NCWAG warned that Nigeria is currently battling “unprecedented multilayered security challenges.” The alleged release of hardened terrorists without public accountability or judicial transparency “threatens to worsen this national crisis.”

The group listed further concerns about the release, including:

“A national security threat, disregard for victims and survivors of terrorism, violation of the principles of justice.”

It added that the release is “a dangerous precedent capable of undermining the rule of law across the federation.”

Questioning the legality and rationale behind the releases, NCWAG demanded that Governor Lawal provide a full, public, and verifiable explanation, asking:

“Under what legal framework such pardons or releases were granted?”

“Why individuals convicted of terrorism were considered eligible?”

“How does the decision align with national security protocols?”

“Were victims’ families, law enforcement bodies, the judiciary, or the Federal Government notified or involved?”

The group also called on the Presidency, the National Security Adviser (NSA), the National Security Council, the Ministry of Interior, and the Office of the Attorney‑General of the Federation to urgently investigate the matter and give Nigerians a clear national‑security briefing.

In a seven‑day ultimatum, NCWAG demanded that the Zamfara State Government:

– publicly address the allegations;
– provide documentary evidence of the identities of all persons released;
– disclose the legal basis for their release; and
– clarify whether any negotiations, political agreements, or election‑related considerations were involved.

To date, no rebuttal or clarification has been issued by Governor Dauda Lawal or any official spokesperson of the Zamfara State Government.