Ukraine says it has struck a bridge connecting to Crimea with underwater explosives SBU

Ukraine said on Tuesday that it had hit the bridge connecting Russia and the occupied Crimean Peninsula with explosives planted underwater, in its third attack on the vital supply line for Moscow’s forces since the full-scale war began in 2022.

Ukraine’s security service, the SBU, said on Telegram that its agents had mined the piers of the road and rail Crimean Bridge, also called the Kerch Bridge, and detonated the first explosive at 4.44 a.m. Tuesday. The whole operation took several months, it added.

The agency said it had used 1,100 kilograms of explosives which “severely damaged” the underwater pillars supporting the bridge.

Russian officials did not immediately respond to Ukraine’s claims. Traffic on the bridge has been temporarily suspended, the bridge operator announced on its official Telegram account.

Although the scale of the damage was not immediately clear, Tuesday’s attack is the latest example of the SBU’s attempts to blindside Moscow and demonstrate that there are costs to continuing its war.

On Sunday, the SBU launched an audacious drone attack on Moscow’s fleet of nuclear-capable bombers, stationed at various Russian airfields thousands of miles away from Ukraine.

Vasul Malyuk, the head of the SBU, said that attack caused an estimated $7 billion in damage and had struck 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers, which have been used to pummel Ukrainian cities throughout the war.

A view of the Crimean Bridge, the only direct link between Russia and the occupied Crimean peninsula.
A view of the Crimean Bridge, the only direct link between Russia and the occupied Crimean peninsula. Alexey Pavlishak/Reuters
The SBU said Malyuk had also overseen Tuesday’s attack.

“God loves the Trinity, and the SBU always sees things through to the end and never does the same thing twice. We previously struck the Crimean Bridge twice, in 2022 and 2023. So today we continued this tradition, this time underwater,” Malyuk said.

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He stressed that the bridge is a “completely legitimate target,” since Russia uses it “as a logistical artery to supply its troops” fighting in mainland Ukraine.

As well as serving as a vital supply line for Moscow’s troops, the Crimean Bridge also has huge symbolic value for President Vladimir Putin, embodying his objective to bind the Ukrainian peninsula to Russia.

Built after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, Putin opened the bridge in 2018. The project cost around $3.7 billion.

Tuesday’s attack marks the third time that Ukraine has targeted the bridge since Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022. In October of that year, a fuel truck exploded on the bridge, engulfing a part of it in flames. In July 2023, the SBU said it had blown up a part of the bridge using an experimental sea drone. Both times, Russia moved quickly to repair the damaged sections.

As well as suspending traffic on the bridge, Russian authorities temporarily halted maritime traffic in the waters off Sevastopol, the largest city in Crimea, according to state media RIA Novosti.

How We Brought Telemedicine to 326 Rural Health Centers in Anambra — 24Telemed Co-founder.


Dr. Mariette Obianozie-Amadi, a distinguished physician has shed light on how they developed and successfully deployed telemedicine services across 326 primary healthcare centers in all 21 local government areas of Anambra State, a groundbreaking medical revolution and transformative healthcare initiative that is silently transforming access to quality healthcare in rural communities and quietly reshaping the rural medical landscape in Nigeria at large.

In an exclusive interview with this reporter, Dr. Obianozie-Amadi, who holds a PhD and MBA in Healthcare Management, narrated a deeply personal and inspiring story behind her passion for rural medicine, and why she chose to pursue a cause many others considered either too complex or unsustainable. This deeply personal backstory, she said, inspired her journey into medicine and eventually birthed 24Telemed.

According to her, the journey did not just begin in a hospital or boardroom, but began with a family tragedy. She stated that the death of her mother was a pivotal moment in her life.

Although she went on to become a trained medical doctor with diverse experience in clinical practice and healthcare management, she said that the COVID-19 pandemic further ignited her decision to tackle one of Nigeria’s most glaring healthcare challenges, which is access to quality healthcare in rural communities.

This realization, combined with her growing interest in telemedicine, gave birth to 24Telemed,a social enterprise focused on deploying and managing telemedicine programs to bridge medical gap in hard-to-reach rural communities.

Unlike urban-focused models, 24Telemed directs its skills toward communities that are often off the grid both figuratively and literally.

In September 2022, in partnership with the Anambra state ministry of Health, a centralized tele hub was launched by his excellency Governor Soludo which marked the beginning of 24Telemed foot print in the state. By January 2025 Anambra state telemedicine service was deployed in 326 primary healthcare centers across the state, ensuring that each local government area was covered.

She further stated that the deployment wasn’t simply about installing devices or apps, but far beyond that, as it involved setting up full-scale, well-tailored, context-specific, and community-friendly telemedicine services that enable rural dwellers and patients in hard-to-reach areas to consult specialist doctors and access specialist medical services remotely via local health workers, without having to travel miles away to the urban cities or spend money they don’t have.
When asked how her team overcame obstacles associated with rural health innovation in Nigeria, such as poor infrastructure, lack of digital literacy, and resistance from local staff, Dr. Obianozie-Amadi mentioned that “ resilience, tenacity, strategy, stakeholder engagement, and adaptability.”

She also acknowledged the active support of the Anambra State Ministry of Health, especially during the implementation and deployment phase, and thanked the ministry of health in making the project a success.
Looking ahead, she revealed that 24Telemed’s vision is to expand to other rural areas in Nigeria and ensuring that a child in any rural area can connect with a doctor just like a child in Victoria Island.

Dr. Obianozie-Amadi passionately called for more investment in rural telemedicine, especially from development partners, philanthropists, and governments.

“Telemedicine is a necessity, especially in hard-to-reach rural communities where people have no other medical option. If we really want to solve the medical access crisis, we have to scale innovations like this.

With telemedicine service now operational in every part of Anambra State, the narrative of healthcare access in rural communities is gradually shifting from despair to hope, from distance to connection, and from avoidable deaths to affordable care,bringing quality healthcare to the doorstep of the rural population.

Ranked: Top 25 Countries With the Highest Life Expectancy

Life expectancy is one of the clearest indicators of any country’s quality of life and overall well-being.

The world’s average life expectancy, estimated to be around 73 years in 2024, has been increasing steadily, up from 66 years in the year 2000. However, some countries stand out for their exceptional longevity.

This infographic highlights the top 25 countries by average life expectancy at birth, while also breaking it down by gender to show the gaps between female and male populations. The data comes from the UN’s World Population Prospects portal.

Where Do People Live the Longest?
The majority of the top 25 countries by life expectancy, a total of 16 countries, are in Europe. The small, rich country of Monaco tops the list with residents living an average of 86.5 years, and women living more than 88 years.

Many of the countries where people live the longest also have high per-capita healthcare spending as they improve access and quality of their healthcare systems.


Close behind Monaco are San Marino (85.8 years) and Hong Kong (85.6 years), both of which offer high standards of living and healthcare systems. Other high-ranked Asian countries include Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, marking a total of four countries from the continent in the top 10.

Additionally, small European countries are prevalent on the list. High-income nations such as Andorra, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Malta, and the Vatican are renowned for their low crime rates and high quality of life.

Meanwhile, Australia is the only country outside of Europe and Asia to crack the top 10, with a life expectancy of 84.1 years.

Do Women Live Longer than Men?
Women outlive men in every country on the top 25 list.

Across all 25 countries, women live an average of 4 years longer than men. The gender life expectancy gap is especially large in places like France (5.6 years), South Korea (6.0 years), and Japan (6.1 years).

This gender gap is largely due to a mix of biological and behavioral factors—newborn boys and youths have higher mortality rates than girls, and women are also less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors as compared to men.

The Nigerian Communications Commission has directed Deposit Money Banks to start deducting charges for unstructured supplementary service data transactions directly from users’ mobile airtime.

According to an email from the United Bank for Africa to customers on Tuesday, the charges will no longer be deducted from customers’ accounts.

The UBA said the directive takes effect from Tuesday, June 3.

The statement reads, “In line with the directive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), please be informed that effective June 3, 2025, charges for USSD banking services will no longer be deducted from your bank account.

“Going forward, these charges will be deducted directly from your mobile airtime balance in accordance with the NCC’s End-User Billing model.

“Under this new billing structure, each USSD session will attract a charge of ₦6.98 per 120 seconds, which will be billed by your mobile network operator.

“You will receive a consent prompt at the start of each session, and airtime will only be deducted upon your confirmation and availability of the bank to fulfil this service.

“If you do not wish to continue using USSD banking under this new model, you may choose to discontinue use of the USSD channel.”

UBA said customers can continue using other digital banking options and internet banking platform for convenience.

The latest directive may be another move by the commission to address the historical USSD payment conflict between Mobile Network Operators and commercial banks.

In December 2024, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the NCC directed mobile network operators and DMBs to resolve the long-standing N250 billion USSD debt.

Following threats by telcos to withdraw services over the debt accumulated by banks, the NCC, in January, threatened to suspend the USSD service and publish a list of banks still owing telcos.

On January 15, the regulator directed telcos to disconnect the USSD codes assigned to nine banks by January 27 due to unpaid debts.

On February 28, MTN Nigeria said it received N32 billion — out of N72 billion — from banks as part of payment for the USSD debt.

ABARAKA—Security agents allegedly opened fire on unarmed residents protesting the never-ending kidnapping in Abraka community, Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State, yesterday.

Vanguard learned that nobody was shot dead, but a protester sustained an injury on his face, with blood spouting.

The protesters ran for safety as shots rented the air, with security agents advancing further to take over the protest venue.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Bright Edafe, who confirmed that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Olufemi Abaniwonda, had directed the Area Commander to handle the situation, stated that the Area Commander had dealt with the matter and the protesters had dispersed.

“It was later that we heard that somebody was shot, and until this moment, nobody has been able to take the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, to the person they claimed was shot so that we can see the person,” he said.

Responding to the reporter, who interjected that eyewitnesses said one person was shot and injured, the PPRO said, “If they said somebody was shot, they should be able to give us a name and location.”

Residents of Abraka have embarked on daily protests over the alarming rate of abduction in the university town since last week.

They were angry that the police in the Abraka Division were not confronting the kidnappers, which gave the abductors the nerve to abduct people at will.

Students of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, who gave the Commissioner of Police in the state a 72-hour ultimatum to tame the rampaging abductors on May 29, warned they would join the residents in the daily protests, yesterday.


A source said the students mobilised and joined the residents at a popular junction in the community where the people gathered daily with placards to call attention of the state government and security agents to their predicaments in the hands of kidnappers.

The source said: “The area commander addressed the protesters, including the students, saying that the commissioner of police had mandated him to restore sanity to Abraka.

“He said he has taken charge and the police would go into the bush to comb for the kidnappers, but the residents should give the security agents time to handle the development.”

“The president of the Students Union Government (SUG), Augustine Onovughegor, vented the grievances of the students over police inaction and later led the students of the university out of the protest venue.

“He told the area commander that the students would return to join the protest if, after two days, the police did not bring law and order to Abraka.

“After the students and some persons left the venue, there was a report that a protester stoned a security agent, and the angry security officials opened fire.

“The area commander wanted the protesters to disperse, which seems to be what the police and army came to effect in Abraka. Some protesting residents declined to vacate the protest venue, which is why security agents opened fire to disperse them.”

Meanwhile, an activist, Victor Ojei, reacting to the incident, said: “For days, youths in Abraka protested against the relentless killings and kidnappings plaguing their community.

“Rather than addressing the suffering, the authorities responded with silence and neglect and ultimately, deployed soldiers to suppress and humiliate them. Now, the question remains: who gave the order to open fire?”

Harrison Gwamnishu, another activist, said: “The people of Abraka staged a protest over kidnapping, and I have just been informed that security agencies began shooting at unarmed protesters. Are their grievances legitimate? Yes. Are there instances of kidnapping? Yes.

“I condemn the attacks on our people advocating the safety of all and urge the Delta State government to address the concerns raised by the protesters. Failure to do so, we will all join in the solidarity protest.”

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has relocated to Makurdi, the Benue State capital, over the incessant killings of innocent villagers by herders and militia groups.

The killing, which is becoming almost a daily occurrence, has left many dead, several others injured and maimed, and several houses burnt, leaving many homeless.

Vanguard gathered that Lt Gen Oluyede departed Abuja, Tuesday morning, accompanied by his Principal Stafftaff Officers (PSOs) and other top officers at the Army Headquarters, to the state to have an on-the-spot assessment of the situation on the ground.

Sources further said the army chief has ordered the deployment of more troops to the state to give the militia and other armed groups terrorising the people of the state the battle of their lives.

In Benue State, the source said, the COAS will hold strategic meetings with all operational and unit commanders to brainstorm on the way forward as well as review the ongoing operations with a view to end the killings.

The COAS will also visit troops’ locations and operational bases in the state to interact with troops and boost their morale and fighting spirit.

The COAS is also expected to visit villages that have been attacked and reassure residents of their safety and the resolve of the Nigerian army to protect the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.

The COAS is said to be unhappy with reports of daily killings in Benue that have ravaged the state in the past few weeks and may order some strategic changes, including the redeployment of some commanders to head some of the operational units on ground.

General Oluyede, while in the state, will personally lead troops in the operation on the battlefront. He is expected to spend some days in the state before relocating back to Abuja.

Victor Osimhen has reportedly agreed to continue at Galatasaray but is demanding a record-setting wage offer from the Turkish champions.

The 26-year-old striker helped the Cim-Bom achieve their goals this season, leading them, as the top scorer, to a league and cup double. Galatasaray are keen on furthering that relationship and are open to signing Osimhen permanently.

Osimhen's terms

Hasan Şaş, a former Galatasaray player, said that the former Wolfsburg forward was demanding a five-year contract from the club and an annual wage of €20 million, according to multiple reports.

This would keep him at the club until 2030, when he turns 31, and would make him the top-earning player at the club by a considerable margin, with a weekly wage of around €380,000.

Real Madrid defender David Alaba is currently in Nigeria, joining a growing list of top football stars reconnecting with their African heritage. The Austrian international, born to Nigerian parents, is making his first official visit to the country since rising to global football fame.

Warm Welcome at Fela’s Shrine

Over the weekend, Alaba received a hero’s welcome at the iconic New Afrika Shrine in Lagos, a cultural landmark founded in honor of legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti. According to Nation Sports, his visit not only sparked excitement among fans but also gave a significant boost to local economic activity at the Shrine.

In a video shared by the @afrikashrine Instagram page, supporters were seen shaking hands, taking selfies, and celebrating the presence of the Real Madrid star. Alaba paid tribute to Fela by raising both hands in the late musician’s signature salute, alongside one of the Shrine’s longest-serving staff members, known affectionately as Waiter 1.

Celebrating His Nigerian Heritage

While Alaba has been a prominent figure in international football for years, this marks his first known trip to Nigeria. It’s a journey of cultural reconnection for the 32-year-old, whose father, George Alaba, hails from Ogun State and holds the title of a crown prince.

George Alaba moved to Austria in 1984 to study Economics at the Vienna University of Economics and Business. In 1988, he met his future wife, Gina, an immigrant, and the two later married and had two children—David and his sister, Rose May Alaba, now a celebrated musician.

George was also a well-known DJ at an African nightclub in Austria, and his prominence helped him secure Austrian citizenship in the 1990s. He also broke barriers as the first Black soldier in the Austrian army, making the Alaba family a symbol of integration and success in Europe.

David Alaba’s Rise to Stardom

David Alaba’s football journey began when he was just six years old, after his father registered him at SV Aspern, a youth club in Donaustadt, Austria. His talent was evident early on, prompting a move to Austria Vienna’s youth academy in 2002 when he was only 10.

By the age of 17, he had made history by becoming the youngest player to debut for the Austrian national team, a record he still holds. Alaba’s club career has seen him shine with Bayern Munich, before making the move to Real Madrid, where he has become a key figure in their defense.

A Season to Remember

Alaba recently played a crucial role in Real Madrid’s successful 2023/24 campaign, where they clinched both the UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles, according to Olorisupergal. His leadership and experience were pivotal in guiding the Spanish giants to a historic double.

Footballers Reconnecting with Nigeria

Alaba’s visit comes just days after fellow star and CAF Player of the Year, Ademola Lookman, was seen spending time with his family in Lagos Island and even visited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The growing trend of foreign-born Nigerian footballers visiting the country highlights a strong desire to embrace their cultural roots and inspire the next generation of athletes.

The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga has reacted after two traditional rulers mentored by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited him at his Lagos residence on Sunday.

The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga stated on his verified Twitter page on Monday; "President Bola Tinubu and the kings he mentored during a Sunday visit to the President’s Lagos residence."

He stated further; "Standing right of him is Oniru of Lagos, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II and to the President’s left, the Elegushi of Lagos Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Kusenla III."

Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, has received dozens of defectors from the Kwankwasiyya Movement into the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing their defection as a divine step towards a better political future.

Speaking during a brief reception in Kano, Senator Barau commended the new members, saying their decision to join the APC was timely and beneficial.

“Whenever God intends to improve your life, He directs you to the right path. I believe He has brought you into the APC to make life better for you,” he said.

Barau contrasted the APC with the Kwankwasiyya movement, accusing the latter of fostering confusion and poverty. “While the APC is building, the party you left is demolishing,” he said.

He further claimed that many people had suffered losses, including loss of lives, wealth and mental health, due to their involvement with the Kwankwasiyya group.

Describing the movement as “kwan-kwa-tsiya,” meaning “generating poverty,” Barau urged the new members to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and contribute to consolidating APC’s gains in Kano and beyond.

The reception was attended by APC stakeholders, local leaders, and the defectors, who pledged loyalty to the ruling party.

The biggest mistake post 2023 was some loud mouths in the Obidients camp alienating a voting bloc in the SW with toxic rhetoric that fought the APC machinery. Many exploited reckless commentary for engagements not realizing the long term effects. Support in the SW has dissipated

Those same toxic accounts will show up under this tweet to repeat the same bad behaviors we tried correcting for months. People get fatigued with bad behavior and will dissociate from a group that continues to promote the behaviors they are accused of exuding. Correct course!

Well, you are right.

This is based on fact only. The group we created that year has been dismantle.

Seeing many groups go offline in the past 1 year has been disheartening. The comment section only further proves the point I am trying to make.

Reality doesn't care about emotions; majority are too young and don't really understand the game of politics, it's absurd.

Goodluck to everyone though.

Note: you have a thick skin brotherman 👍💪💯

Nigerian forces have neutralised at least 45 armed bandits near Kuchi town in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State following a coordinated security operation.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region, made this known in a post on his X account on Wednesday.

According to the report, Makama disclosed that the operation was jointly executed by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and military tactical units in the early hours of Monday.

Makama stated that the bandits were believed to be loyal to notorious terrorist Dogo Gide, adding that the terrorists were en route to launch coordinated attacks on communities around Kuchi before they were intercepted.

“The insurgents, estimated to be over 100 in number, had mobilised from Bilbis Forest in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara and other hideouts in Kaduna State,” Makama said, citing a source who requested anonymity.

He added that the security forces engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle at the outskirts of Kuchi, resulting in the elimination of no fewer than 45 of the assailants, with several others escaping with gunshot wounds.

The operation also led to the recovery of multiple motorcycles, arms, and ammunition.

However, five DSS operatives sustained injuries during the exchange and are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility.

No fewer than 15 people have been reportedly killed, and several houses set ablaze following a communal clash between the Mbakine and Ojumole communities in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.

Sources told newsmen that the violence erupted over the weekend after a minor disagreement between two women at a local market spiraled into a deadly conflict, leaving scores dead and properties destroyed.

The warring groups are said to be Igede and Tiv-speaking residents of the area, who have coexisted peacefully for over a century until the latest crisis broke out.

Confirming the incident, the Igede National Youth Leader, Mr. Andyson Egbodo, expressed deep concern over the scale of destruction and loss of lives.

“We are shocked about what happened. The crisis occurred between the Ojumole and Mbakine communities in Gwer East LGA. Akpacha Council Ward is an Igede-speaking area, and for over 100 years, they’ve lived peacefully with their Tiv neighbours like brothers and sisters,” he said.

Egbodo added that the conflict, which began on Friday, intensified on Saturday, leading to the complete destruction of Ojumole and the killing of at least 15 people, including women and children.

“The entire Ojumole community was burnt down. The scale of the destruction is unimaginable,” he lamented.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, for confirmation were unsuccessful, as her mobile line was unreachable at the time of filing this report.

Oluwo adopts Alaafin title, to notify Adeleke

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has said that he wants to be called Alaafin of Iwo.

He said he would inform the Osun State Government about his adoption of the new title.

He spoke in Iwo on Tuesday when he hosted the new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade I, who paid him a courtesy visit.

He said he was not aware of any other traditional title in Yorubaland that is superior to that of the Alaafin of Oyo Kingdom.


“I don’t know any other title in Yorubaland that is superior to the Alaafin. Alaafin will continue to be Alaafin because that is the title that Oramiyan adopted and I will also adopt the saying.

“Henceforth, I will also want to be called Alaafin of Iwo and we will inform the government about it,” Oluwo said.

He expressed optimism that with the humility and exposure of Owoade, Oyo would witness peace and unprecedented development.

He assured that the good relationship between the Iwo and Oyo would continue to flourish.

Earlier, Alaafin Owoade, accompanied by his wife, Olori Abiwumi and other Oyo chiefs, said his visit was to thank Oluwo for attending his coronation ceremony in April.

“I came to see Oluwo because he was at my coronation ceremony in April. Even when my name was mentioned as Alaafin-elect, Oluwo called to congratulate me. It is also good to come around to pay him a courtesy visit.

“Iwo and Oyo have been enjoying a good relationship for years, even with my predecessor and I want that relationship to continue,” he said.

Enugu Police Command Summons Council Chairman For Setting Up Vigilante Group To Go After Killer Herdsmen

According to security sources, Ezugwu was invited twice with his vigilante group to the state police command headquarters through the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations.

The police in Enugu State have summoned the Chairman of the Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Mr Chijioke Ezugwu, over allegations that he and his vigilante group have been combing forests and going after killer herdsmen, SaharaReporters has learnt.

According to security sources, Ezugwu was invited twice with his vigilante group to the state police command headquarters through the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations.


The DCP, a northerner, reportedly interrogated the council chairman "on the allegations of killing herdsmen."

"The aim was to stop the council chairman from flushing out the criminals and kidnappers who have been masquerading as herders to unleash terror on the people," the source disclosed.

The police reportedly wanted him to make a statement under caution, but the chairman refused, citing his legal background and duty to protect his people.

Ezugwu, according to the source, explained that the actions of his vigilante group were necessary to protect his people from attacks and kidnappings, stating, "You know the dire situation in my area and we have to be armed to go into the forest to protect our people."

The matter is said to have been taken up by Governor Peter Mbah, who intervened to prevent Ezugwu from being taken to the Force Headquarters Abuja, where the DCP felt his associaties would be able to bring up trumped-up charges against the council chairman.

The circumstances surrounding the governor's intervention have also raised suspicions, given the alleged connections between the governor and northern interests.

"In the past months, several people in the council area have been killed and farmlands destroyed. So many have also been kidnapped and millions of naira paid in ransom. Some are still under their captors," lamented another source.

"Of most recent is the killing of a 90-year-old man and wife in Nimbo. It should also be noted that marauding herdsmen not only operate from the forest but they come into people's homes.

"Now the chairman took the bold step to protect his people and started going into the forest, remember that the police didn't respond to all these problems and killings but now, he is being harassed by the police," said another source.

SaharaReporters reported on June 2, how a 90-year-old man, Elder Otiakugwu, and his wife were allegedly killed in their home at Ekwuru village of Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani LGA by assailants suspected to be marauding herdsmen who had made life miserable for local communities.

The unfortunate incident, which was latest in the series of carnage going on for months in the Council Area occurred on last Wednesday.

The witnesses had told SaharaReporters that the victims' grandchild had visited them earlier and returned to school, unaware of the danger that awaited them.

"The assailants entered Ekwuru village of Nimbo unnoticed, met the nonagenarian and his wife eating. They killed them and dropped their blood soaked machete on their body and fled under the cover of the night. It was in the following morning being Thursday that they were seen lying dead in the pool of blood," said the witnesses.

The community is still reeling from the shock of the brutal killing, with many questioning the motive behind the attack. "What may have been the offence of the oldest man of the community and his wife to be gruesomely killed?" residents lamented.

This incident has reignited fears in the community, which has been plagued by attacks from Fulani herdsmen in the past. In 2016, about 12 indigenes were killed in a similar attack. Since then, the community has been under siege, with reports of killings, rapes, and destruction of farmlands.

On May 18, SaharaReporters reported the killing of seven farmers in Daba and Nimbo communities in Uzo-Uwani LGA and the kidnap of six others by marauding herdsmen.

Those killed were from Aku community in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu but who were farming at Daba community in Uzo-Uwani council area.

It was reported that the assailants equally abducted three farmers from the community.

An indigene of Nimbo community identified as Simon Odenigbo was equally killed in a separate attack at Ekulu village. After the killing, the suspected kidnapers proceeded to Abbi community, and abducted three people.

No fewer than 36 people had been confirmed killed in various attacks across Uzo-Uwani local government with little police efforts to arrest the killers who regularly infiltrated the communities from neighbouring Kogi and Benue States.

Meanwhile, SaharaReporters' efforts to speak with the Command's spokesperson SP Daniel Ndukwe over the development were unsuccessful as he did not take his calls as at the time of filing this report.

Also, Mr Ezugwu did not take his calls when SaharaReporters reached out to him or respond to a text message seeking his comment on the incident.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to restrain the 2007 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Patrick Okedinachi Utomi (also known as Prof. Pat Utomi) from further making public comments or engaging in rallies in relation to the subject of a suit pending against him over his announced plan to establish a shadow government in the country.

The request is contained in a fresh application filed before the court on Wednesday by the State Security Service, SSS, following reports that Utomi, who is said to be currently abroad, has planned to engage in protests, road shows, media interviews and related activities upon his return to the country on June 6.

The application seeks mainly, “an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining the defendant/respondent (Utomi), his agents, privies, associates, servants, workers or any person acting through him from staging road shows, rallies, public lectures or any form of public gathering, newspaper publications, television programs, jingles or any other public enlightenment programme (s) aimed at sensitizing, instigating, propagating or in any way promoting the purported “shadow government/shadow cabinet” or its objectives or goals with the view to establishing the said “shadow government” pending the hearing and determination of this substantive suit.”

The grounds for the application, according to the SSS’ legal team, led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), includes that, if not restrained, Utomi’s proposed rallies, road shows and actions “constitute a serious threat to public order, safety and national unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. ”

The SSS added that as the agency statutorily empowered to safeguard the internal security of the country and prevent any threats to the lawful authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its constituent institutions, it was incumbent on it to forestall any threat to public order, safety and national unity.

It stated that before it filed the substantive suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, Utomi had, through public statements, social media and other platforms engaged in statements and actions aimed at undermining the outcome of the case now pending before the court, and which he is aware of.

The SSS said it gathered through monitoring and intelligence reports that Utomi, who is currently out of the country and is due to return on June 6 plans “to stage road shows and rallies under the guise of freedom of speech and association in a bid to cause public discontent in furtherance of his establishment of the purported ‘shadow government/shadow cabinet.’

The plaintiff added, in a supporting affidavit, that Utomi’s intention “is to stage road shows and rallies that are capable of drawing a large number of Nigerians with intent that will cause huge disruption of peace, breakdown of public order, enable riots and violent protests just as the recent “End SARS” protests in 2020.

“All the planned protests, riots and agitations that will ensue, if the purported actions of the defendant/respondent are not stayed, may lead to mayhem with a potential for anarchy, toss of lives and property.

“The proposed allies, road shows and actions of the Defendant/Respondent constitute a serious threat to the public order, safety and national unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The SSS stated that on May 26 during the fourth edition of the Topaz Lecture Series, themed “Shadow Government: A Distraction or Necessity”, hosted by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Mass Communication Class of 1988 Alumni Association, Utomi made statements, capable of undermining the pending suit.

It added that the statements, widely publicized by various national newspapers and on social media platforms, Utomi defended the creation of the purported shadow government and further stated that if the suit succeeds in favour of the SSS, himself and his group shall adopt a different name.

The SSS added that Utomi “has been served with the originating process in this suit and has entered appearance vide his Counsel Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN) since 20 May, 2025.

“The defendant/respondent (Utomi) is aware of the pendency of this action before this Honourable Court as he has been served with the originating process in this suit by courier as ordered by this honourable court.

“Unless this honourable court intervenes by granting this application, the defendant/respondent’s acts may foist a fait accompli on the court.

“It is in the interest of justice, national security, and the rule of law for this honourable court to grant this application,” the SSS said.

Speaking shortly after filing the fresh application, DSS’ lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, explained the rationale behind his client’s decision to approach the court.

Kehinde said: “We, as counsel to the SSS have just filed an application seeking interlocutory injunction against the defendant and his group pending the determination of the substantive suit. The application, being a public document can be obtained from the registry of the honourable court.

“It is good that as members of the 4th estate of the realm you are keeping watch over the case filed against the formation of “Shadow Government” by Prof. Pat Utomi and his group.

“The civil suit, as you are aware, was filed by the State Security Service (SSS) in consonance with its statutory mandate of ensuring internal peace and avoidance of any form of insurrection and treasonable felony against the democratically elected government in the country.

“This fresh application is premised on the fact that despite the pendency of the substantive action, the service of same on the defendant and the entry of appearance to same by his Counsel, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, the defendant has continued to make inflammatory statements capable of igniting chaos in the country instead of abiding by the hallowed principle that civilized parties before the court are expected to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive matter.

“What our client has submitted to the court is for the interpretation of the Constitution whether any form of government by whatever nomenclature can be formed or allowed outside the Constitution.

“Furthermore, our client is not interested at arresting anybody in respect of this matter having on its own accord submitted itself to the jurisdiction of the honourable court to interpret the Constitution and determine the legality or otherwise of the ‘Shadow government’ or any other nomenclature that it may be so named.

“It must be pointed out that our client under its current leadership is a very civilized organization with absolute confidence in the rule of law and that is why, it or any of its personnel will always approach the court of law whenever it feels that there is any infraction on its statutory duties by anyone or the rights of its personnel. Let the court have the final say.