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ASATU Prime Minister Metchie begins construction of joint security base for Army, Police, others in Anambra
Photo caption:
Amb John Metchie (Middle on ash Safari suit), Sen. Emma Anosike (speaking) and others at the foundation laying event weekend
By our reporter
A joint security base that would accommodate the Nigerian Army, Police, Civil Defence and similar agencies is underway to cater for Omambala region of Anambra State.
The project which is being funded solely by the Prime Minister of Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), Ambassador John Metchie who is also the President General of Umueri community, is part of efforts to frontally tackle and combat insecurity in about four local government areas of the state.
Cited at the border between Anambra-East and West, the base when completed, would make it easier for the benefitting security agencies to engage in rapid response against banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities in area.
Performing the foundation stone laying ceremony, a former lawmaker, Senator Emma Anosike said the project is a welcome development and a timely response to insecurity in the region.
Anosike stated that security is a collective responsibility of all and maintained that the establishment of a joint unit for the Nigerian Army and other agencies would go a long way to guarantee a secured atmosphere not only in Umueri community but the entire Omambala region comprising Anambra-East, Anambra-west, Ayamelum and few other local governments in the North senatorial district.
The former lawmaker therefore thanked Chief John Metchie for his lofty ideas and service to humanity adding that his philanthropy has yielded monumental results to the benefits of the communities and humanity in general.
In his response, Metchie who is also the Deputy Commander General of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) in charge of Technical Service said he chose to construct the joint base for the security agencies to foster unity of purpose among them in order that they would synergise to rid the region of criminalities.
Metchie said the project was another way he is responding to the call of the state Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo for all hands to be on deck in issues of security in particular and overall development of Anambra state in general.
The Umueri President-General further disclosed that with the recommendation of the Police, Army, the DSS and the local government chairman, a security post was voted to be cited at the border between Anambra-East and West for crime control in the area.
He however admonished other well to do members of the society and communities to borrow a leaf from Umueri community as government, according to him, cannot do everything alone, adding that citizens should be able to assist government in addressing basic needs and challenges affecting their respective domains.
Metchie equally lauded the efforts of the government of Soludo in combating insecurity in Anambra state, stressing that it was Governor Soludo who upon inception of office, initiated home land security for Ndi-Anambra.
Chief Emma Edochie a prominent citizen of Umueri community who commended the President-General for the project he undertook singlehandedly, said the nearest Army base is Onitsha, adding that to have a base in Umueri community will enhance security and reduce crime rate in the area.
Present at the official foundation stone laying ceremony were military officials, officers of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service among other dignitaries.
News
Supreme Court to rule on ADC, PDP cases Thursday
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
News
Tinubu to reconstitute NHRC board, retains Ojukwu as ES/CEO
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
News
Breaking: EFCC investigates Pastor Jerry Eze over alleged money laundering
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.
“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.
“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.
He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.
“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.
“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.
The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.
He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.
The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.
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