NEWS
Two Arrested In Anambra US Embassy Attack
The Anambra State Police Command has taken action following the killing of two US Embassy officials in the Ogbaru Local Government Area on Tuesday.
They conducted a raid on a camp occupied by hoodlums and successfully apprehended two individuals believed to be connected to the incident.
CP Echeng Echeng, the State Police Commissioner revealed these latest developments during a press conference held in Awka, Anambra State.
CP Echeng mentioned that upon receiving information about the attack, the police acted promptly and conducted a thorough search of the area and discovered that the camp used by the gunmen had been abandoned.
However, the police managed to arrest two individuals who are currently cooperating with the investigation to shed light on the matter.
He said: “As you are probably aware, a team of officials from the Lagos Consulate of the United States of America and their police escorts (USA) were ambushed on 16/05/2023.
“Consequently, a joint team of Mobile Policemen and troops of the Nigerian Navy stationed in Onitsha was immediately deployed to the area. Upon arrival at the scene of the incident, the joint security team sighted and engaged the assailants in a shot-out, but they escaped through.
“Yesterday – 17/05/2023, joint security forces comprising police tactical teams from the command and troops of the Nigerian Army as well as the Nigerian Navy raided a camp in Ogwuaniocha community of Ogbaru LGA, which was suspected to be the hideout of the assailants, but discovered that it had been deserted. Two persons of interest were arrested and they currently assisting the police in the investigation. The criminal camp was razed down by the joint security team
The CP said the arrested men have had their contacts traced through their phone conversation ad that the command is gradually closing in on the killers.
Asked about the level of cooperation the command has received from the US government since the incident, Echeng said the US embassy has been cooperative and has also helped the command with needed information on the officials and their mission to Anambra.
He said this was not the best time to apportion blame about whether the officials sought security clearance from the command before coming into the state or not, adding that the priority now is to get the perpetrators to face the law.
He stated: “The preliminary investigation conducted by the command, following the incident, revealed that five male officials of the USA consulate and four armed Mobile Police escorted from Lagos on a mission to assess the impact of erosion in Ogbaru LGA were travelling in a convoy of two vehicles when they suddenly came under attack by armed men who targeted them with gunfire and set their vehicles ablaze.”
The release by the CP further revealed the identity of the officials who were involved in the attack.
They include; Jefferson Obayuwane (RTD DSS personnel), Sunday Prince Ubong, Ekene Nweke, Hassan Etila, Avwuvie Kaye Monday, Bukar . A. Kabuiki – (Police), Emmanuel Lukpata – (Police), Friday Morgan -(Police) and Adamu Andrew – (Police).
“Regrettably, seven persons (including three of the consulate officials and four Mobile Police escorts) were murdered during the attack, while two other officials of the consulate are yet to be found.
“The deceased police officers include Inspr. Bukar Adams, Inspr. Friday Morgan, Inspr. Adam Andrew and Inspr. Emmanuel Lupata all of Squadron 23, Police Mobile Force, Lagos. No USA citizen was among the casualties
“Meanwhile, the remains of the deceased persons have all been recovered and deposited in a morgue while the state police command and other security agencies are working round-the-clock, in concert with the Government of Anambra State, to find and rescue the missing officials. In this regard, I call on members of the public who can provide information about the identities and locations of the culprits, to kindly assist the police with such information timeously.
“On behalf of the Anambra State Police Command, I wish to seize this opportunity to condole the families and friends of the deceased persons as well as the USA Consul over this tragic incident. May I assure you all of the resolve and determination of the command and other security agencies to track down the perpetrators.” He added.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) has announced a reduction in the ex-depot prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel).
A company statement on Wednesday has it that the price reduction, which is part of reaffirmation of the company’s commitment to providing affordable, high-quality petroleum products to the Nigerian market is effective Thursday 6th of August, 2026.
Under the new pricing structure, the refinery has reduced the ex-depot price of PMS to N1,165 per litre, down from N1,215 per litre, representing a reduction of N50 per litre. Similarly, the ex-depot price of Diesel has been reduced to N1,570 per litre from N1,650 per litre, amounting to a decrease of N80 per litre.
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The price review reflects Dangote Refinery’s ongoing efforts to enhance energy affordability, improve access to refined petroleum products, and support economic activities across Nigeria. The refinery remains committed to ensuring stable supply while leveraging operational efficiencies to deliver value to consumers, businesses, and stakeholders.
As Africa’s largest refinery, Dangote Petroleum Refinery continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s energy security, reducing reliance on imports, and supporting the nation’s economic development through the supply of world-class petroleum products.
The company reaffirmed its dedication to contributing to the growth of the Nigerian economy and passing on the benefits of improved operational efficiencies to consumers whenever market conditions permit.
Three people have lost their lives, while three others sustained varying degrees of injuries following a tragic road accident involving a crane and a truck along the Sagamu-Benin Expressway in Ogun State.
The fatal crash occurred at about 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday near Babcock Junction in Ikenne Local Government Area.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, said the accident involved a white Mercedes-Benz truck with registration number LG 59 BLF and a yellow crane without a registration number.
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According to Akinbiyi, preliminary investigations showed that the crane was travelling against traffic at excessive speed when it collided head-on with the oncoming truck.
He disclosed that six people—three males and three females—were involved in the crash.
“A total of three persons, comprising two males and one female, lost their lives, while three male victims sustained varying degrees of injuries,” Akinbiyi said.
He added that emergency responders from TRACE, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force, and a rescue team known as “Papa Oscar” swiftly arrived at the scene to rescue victims and manage the situation.
The injured victims were taken to the Babcock University Teaching Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) morgue in Sagamu.
To ease traffic flow, authorities diverted vehicles from Delabo Junction to the second carriageway as efforts continued to evacuate the damaged vehicles from the highway.
Akinbiyi commiserated with the families of the deceased and cautioned motorists against dangerous traffic violations.
“Motorists should avoid route violation and driving against traffic, considering the grave consequences associated with such dangerous acts,” he said.
A businessman, Gbenga Collins, has told the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) that he paid ₦400 million to the council’s embattled Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi, to facilitate the award of a government contract.
Collins made the allegation on Wednesday while testifying before the committee probing the establishment and operations of the controversial council.
According to the businessman, he travelled to Abuja where he was officially received by Adeyemi in what he described as an atmosphere befitting the head of a government agency, a development that convinced him the council was legitimate.
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He told lawmakers that Adeyemi later handed him a contract award letter, the scope of work, and an agreement authorising his company to execute the renovation and furnishing of the Director-General’s official residence.
“He gave me a contract award letter, the scope of work and, at the same time, the agreement with my company to execute that refurbishment project and asked me to pay the sum of ₦400 million for the facilitation of that project to show my strength that I would be able to handle it and that it would also fast-track the mobilisation for the contract,” Collins told the committee.
Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Yusuf Gagdi, disclosed that Adeyemi’s continued absence from the hearings was because he is currently in police custody and is also being investigated by anti-graft agencies.
Gagdi further revealed that the committee intends to meet with Adeyemi discreetly as part of its ongoing investigation.
As part of the probe, the committee also summoned the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) over the alleged use of official Federal Government number plates on vehicles linked to the disputed council.
The House panel is investigating allegations that the PFIPC operated without lawful authority despite being captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The probe followed allegations by Adeyemi that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, demanded 48 per cent of the council’s proposed ₦27.3 billion take-off grant. Adeyemi also alleged that the Chief of Staff received ₦400 million through a proxy and later requested an additional ₦200 million to facilitate presidential approvals.
Gbajabiamila has denied all the allegations, maintaining that he has no personal, official or professional relationship with Adeyemi.
He also rejected claims that he demanded or received money, interfered with investigations, or had any connection to allegations surrounding the death of Babatunde Tanimola or an alleged assassination attempt on Adeyemi.
Following the allegations, President Bola Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the matter.
The House of Representatives subsequently constituted a 12-member ad hoc committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the establishment of the PFIPC, how it was included in the 2026 Appropriation Act, and the alleged allocation of about ₦1.3 billion to the council.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, had earlier informed the committee that none of the funds appropriated for the PFIPC had been released or spent because the statutory conditions required for their disbursement and utilisation were never met.
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