The administration of Governor Chukwu Charles Soludo of Anambra State, is currently in the eye of the storm again, after investigation by News Band revealed how his aide on security defrauded Mbosi community in Ihiala Local Government Area of the State over N250 million.

Mbosi community is one of the areas being tormented by gunmen masquerading as agitators.

Since 2020, gunmen, hiding under the guise of agitators, have unleashed a reign of terror on this border town, leaving a trail of death, destruction, and displacement.

This medium understand that the N250 million was raised by Mbosi stakeholders and handed over to the governor’s aide under the arrangement and understanding that he has the capacity and reach to purchase for them the needed equipments and materials for the safety and security of Mbosi.

In a leaked letter addressed to Soludo’s aide by the stakeholders of Mbosi which was exclusively obtained by News Band, he was directed to deliver the equipments (guns) or return the N250 million which was given to him to put the necessary security machinery on ground that will help to give the criminal elements tormenting Mbosi a run for their money.

When News Band further investigated the plight of the communities around Ihiala Local Government Area, Soludo’s aide was further indicted as he has also collected money from Lilu community affected by the activities of the gunmen with the assurance that he will provide men and materials to flush out the bandits Killing people in their community.

Though, this paper gathered that over N50 million was allegedly handed over to the said aide by Lilu stakeholders without him delivering on his promise.

When this medium reached out to some of the stakeholders from these tormented communities, they refused to speak over fear of victimization.

A source who doesn’t want to be quoted, accused Soludo’s administration of benefiting from the precarious security situation in Mbosi, Lilu and others following the fraudulent roles played by the officials of his government.

However, the letter addressed to Soludo’s aide by the stakeholders of Mbosi asking him to refund the N250 million reads: “Dear Ken

“I write you this personal mail as Igwe Mbosi and somebody with a high opinion of you and regards you as a good friend.

“I am sure that most Mbosi people also regard you highly.

“It is over six months that you had an arrangement and understanding with Mbosi Stakeholders, which based on the firm promise you made to them resulted in their raising and handing over to you a huge amount of money geared towards Mbosi security.

“You firmly promised and assured them that you have the capacity and reach to purchase for them the needed equipments and materials for the safety and security of Mbosi. They gave you that huge amount of money in excess of N250m ( two hundred and fifty million Naira) because they trusted and believed you as a man of his words.

“We know you will not let Mbosi down.
The situation in Mbosi is now so dire and desperate that that I have to make this personal appeal to you on behalf of the entire good people of Mbosi.

“Please Ken if you have purchased those materials, make them urgently available to Mbosi through Mbosi PG, Hon Azuka Okolie or through any other Mbosi person of your choice.

“Alternatively if you have not purchased the materials immediately return that money to Mbosi without any further delay.

“Ken, the current condition of your arrangement with Mbosi is exacerbating the unbearable suffering and crisis in Mbosi. It is adding fuel to the fire in Mbosi.

“Something must be done and done quickly.

“Please give the equipment or money to Mbosi without any further delay.

“May God bless and keep you”.

Meanwhile, Mbosi community resorted to self-help after Governor Chukwu Charles Soludo refused to act on the growing security situation in the community.

Mr. Soludo appeared unperturbed over the growing carnage in Ihiala LGA.

Ihiala has been reduced to a ghost town, its streets echoing with the silence of fear and desolation.

News Band reported that the traditional ruler, HRH Igwe Godson Onyediri, along with many notable residents in Lilu, remains in exile, their homes and heritage reduced to ashes.

Despite earlier claims of liberation by the state-backed Agunechemba Security outfit, the reality on the ground paints a grim picture.

The scale of devastation is staggering. The palace of Igwe Onyediri, a symbol of cultural pride, lies in ruins, alongside his residence, security post, and Obi.

The homes of prominent figures like Chief Chidi Nwanoneze, Chief Christian Awugosi, and High Chief Ifeanyi Ozodimbu have been razed.

Community infrastructure, including the Akwalilu and Umuodochi village halls, high-tension cables, and all transformers in Lilu, have been systematically destroyed or looted to their last metal.

Essential communication networks, including Airtel and MTN/9Mobile masts, have been demolished, isolating the town further.

Over 20 residences and businesses, including Mr. Olikagu’s shopping mall and Chief James Ezeiheukwu’s house, have been burnt or vandalized, stripping Lilu of its economic and social fabric.

Investigation revealed that the deadly occupation of Lilu is been orchestrated by criminal bandits, some allegedly linked to IPOB/ESN factions.

Innocent youths have been abducted, tortured, and publicly executed—some beheaded—for refusing to cooperate.

Currently, there is no law, no order—only the fight for survival.

These terror groups operate from underground bunkers, forests, and occupied homes. Last year, an underground kidnapping camp was discovered where victims were held in chains.

But justice has been fleeting, and clean-up efforts have not been sustained as Governor Soludo has failed to show any form of seriousness in addressing the situation.

Lilu, a once-vibrant community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, has been reduced to a ghost town, its streets echoing with the silence of fear and desolation. Since 2020, unknown gunmen, hiding under the guise of secessionism, have unleashed a reign of terror on this border town, leaving a trail of death, destruction, and displacement. The traditional ruler, HRH Igwe Godson Onyediri, along with many notable residents, remains in exile, their homes and heritage reduced to ashes. Despite earlier claims of liberation by the state-backed Agunechemba Security outfit, the reality on the ground paints a grim picture: Lilu is still a town under siege.

The scale of devastation is staggering. The palace of Igwe Onyediri, a symbol of cultural pride, lies in ruins, alongside his residence, security post, and Obi. The homes of prominent figures like Chief Chidi Nwanoneze, Chief Christian Awugosi, and High Chief Ifeanyi Ozodimbu have been looted or razed. Community infrastructure, including the Akwalilu and Umuodochi village halls, high-tension cables, and all transformers in Lilu, have been systematically destroyed or looted to their last metal.

Essential communication networks, including Airtel and MTN/9Mobile masts, have been demolished, isolating the town further. Over 20 residences and businesses, including Mr. Olikagu’s shopping mall and Chief James Ezeiheukwu’s house, have been burnt or vandalized, stripping Lilu of its economic and social fabric.

The human toll is even more heartbreaking. At least 27 lives have been lost to this senseless violence, each name a wound in the heart of the community: Nze Nicholas Olikagu, Chinyere Ann Nwanoneze, Kingsley Okeke, Ada Ginger, and young Chigozie, son of Cornelius, among others. These were not just names but fathers, mothers, siblings, and neighbors—pillars of a community now shattered by grief. Families mourn, displaced residents languish in exile, and those who remain live in constant fear, their livelihoods destroyed, their futures uncertain.

In a press statement dated February 1, 2025, signed by Palace Secretary Chief Osita Dominic Okoli, the exiled Igwe Onyediri refuted claims of liberation, declaring that Lilu remains under the grip of non-state actors. The statement expressed hope in the Agunechemba Security Squad, instituted by the Anambra State government, but this hope is fading as the town continues to bleed. Factreporters.com.ng’s investigations confirm the dire situation: the traditional ruler and prominent community members remain in exile, unable to return to a town that has become a shadow of itself.

The people of Lilu are not just statistics; they are Nigerians crying out for their right to safety, dignity, and a place to call home. The destruction of their homes, the murder of their loved ones, and the desecration of their cultural heritage are a call to action that cannot be ignored.

The Anambra State government, security agencies, and all stakeholders must act swiftly to restore peace and rebuild this broken community. The Agunechemba Security Squad must rise to the occasion, not just in rhetoric but in decisive action, to liberate Lilu from the clutches of terror.

The nation watches, and history will judge. Will Lilu be left to fade into oblivion, or will the government heed this desperate plea and restore hope to a people who have lost so much? The time to act is now. Lilu cannot wait.

Ahead of the 2027 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election, may likely run as Vice to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar under the African Democratic Party (ADC), a source privy to the development reliably told News Band Newspaper.

Though, this is coming after Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna State governor, Atiku and Obi adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the official platform of the opposition coalition.

The three political heavyweights, this medium understand, agreed to adopt ADC after a high powered meeting on Tuesday night involving other aggrieved members of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

“Yes, Obi will run as Atiku’s Vice as this is the only way to uproot APC and Tinubu out of power.

“Obi and Atiku cannot defeat President Bola Tinubu if they don’t come together as one united force.

“The last election taught everyone a lesson. So, it will be another political miscalculation if they don’t work together.

“I can assure you that Peter Obi will run as Atiku’s Vice”, the source said.

Also, the source claim was further collaborated by a former presidential spokesman, Mr. Jackson Ude.

Jackson in a post on his official X handle said that Atiku and his allies are set to dump what he described as “now tattered umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party” (PDP) for the ADC in what would see the former ruling Party heavily decimated.

According to him, President Bola Tinubu will be squaring up with Atiku Abubakar as Presidential candidate and Peter Obi as running mate.

He further revealed that it is not clear yet if Vice President Kashim Shetima would be running as President Tinubu’s VP candidate.

Ude said: “2027:THE BATTLE OF APC AND ADC

“As the 2027 Presidential elections permutation continues, it appears to have now been narrowed down to a battle between the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, and the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

“The two political parties would have incumbent President Bola Tinubu squaring up with Atiku Abubakar as Presidential candidate and Peter Obi as running mate. It is not clear yet if VP Kashim Shetima would be running as President Tinubu’s VP candidate.

“Atiku and his allies are set to dump the now tattered umbrella of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP for the ADC in what would see the former ruling Party heavily decimated. Other Parties are expected to join the ADC to swell and strengthen the opposition camp against the APC.”

President Bola Tinubu In More Trouble As Former APC Vice Chairman Lead Coalition Secretariat

Meanwhile, a former Vice chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Northwest, Dr. Lukman Salihu Mohammed, have been appointed to head the secretariat of the newly formed coalition.

The move herald a strategic political realignment involving aggrieved defectors from the All Progressive Congress (APC).

“The ADC has been adopted as the coalition’s platform, and the secretariat will be headed by Dr. Lukman Salihu Mohammed,” a source said.

This move is seen as a heavy blow to the APC, particularly in the Northwest, a region where Dr. Lukman wields considerable political influence and grassroots appeal.

Dr. Lukman’s involvement in the coalition, despite his previous role in the APC, suggests a broader realignment of political loyalties and a strategic move to weaken the ruling party’s dominance in the North.

Security forces during a special operation in Aba, the economic hub of Abia State, arrested 14 family members of wanted and killer commander of Biafra Liberation Army, who goes by the nickname—Gentle Yahoo.

A source privy to the operation told News Band Newspaper that Gentle Yahoo, whose original name is Ifeanyi, smuggled his family to Aba while he kills and destroy other peoples family in the name of Biafra agitation in other SouthEast states.

“Some family members of Gentle Yahoo have been arrested by security forces during a special operation in Abia. Remember he has been on the wanted list of the security forces for quite some time now”, the source.

“Though, I can’t categorically say the actual date the operation took place and the location his family members were taken to after their arrest”, the source added.

Meanwhile, in a video sighted by News Band, Gentle Yahoo was seen, accusing the governor of Imo State, Senator Hope of Uzodinma of masterminding the arrest of 14 members of his family.

Both Imo State government and military authorities, are yet to confirm or either deny the report of the said arrest.

Who is Gentle Yahoo?

Gentle Yahoo is the commander of the militia group called the Biafra Liberation Army (BLA), which was formed by the self-acclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Government In Exile, Mr. Simon Ekpa.

He was receiving orders from Simon Ekpa, a Finland based gang leader who is currently in Finnish prison for launching bloody separatist campaigns in the South-East region which has resulted in the death of hundreds of civilians and scores of security operatives.

Gentle Yahoo is among the terrorists who attacked and destroyed Orsu Community in Imo State.

He was the criminal in a viral video, who kidnapped a military couple in Imo State in May, 2022.

A.M Linus, a Master Warrant Officer in the army and his Private officer wife, Gloria Matthew were later shot and beheaded.

After beheading the couple, Gentle Yahoo and his accomplice were said to have called their family members to mock them.

A gory video of the incident showed the gunmen putting the heads on the victims’ chests after the incident.

Gentle Yahoo and his gang members said they were aggrieved that the military has been consistently killing innocent residents in efforts to attack them (gunmen).

“It’s quite unfortunate that it is this way. I killed both of them yesterday,” the suspected gunman (Gentle Yahoo) was heard saying in the phone conversation.

The massive wave of defection which greeted Delta State on Wednesday, 23 of April, 2024, appears to be a well plotted political horse trading by James Ibori, a former governor of the state and an old ally of President Bola Tinubu, a source privy to the latest political development reliably told News Band Newspaper.

“He just moved his political family to APC. He was contracted by Mr. President Bola Tinubu to do the dirty job.

“But Omo Agege is grumbling as he will lose APC leadership in Delta State to Sheriff.

“Ibori here went to update PBAT on the Delta assignment well carried out”, the source said.

Yesterday, the entire political landscape of Delta State and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was thrown off balance after the news of Sheriff Oborevwori, Delta State Governor and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa defection to the All Progressive Congress.

Chief Press Secretary to governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Sir Festus Ahon said the decision by his principal to defect to APC was made after “wide consultations with political stakeholders and in the interest of Delta’s long-term development.

But News Band understand that there is more to the defection jamboree.

Mr. Tinubu, inside sources told this medium, is completely unease, following the political rumblings in Northern states, which are threatening to withdraw support for him.

The president has been accused of running a nepotistic government. Moreover, to beat the Northern folks to their game, Mr. Tinubu, ahead of the 2027 general elections, decided to activate the necessary political machinery, including coercing some corrupt opposition governors from the South to join in his re-election bid or get booted out of office.

News Band understand that the political intimidation by the former Lagos State governor (Tinubu), culminated in the current hand over of Delta State political structure which belongs to PDP to him.

Though, Chief Ibori, an old ally of president Bola Tinubu and political godfather, was drafted to do the dirty job in the oil producing state.

The massive defection was nothing but an end product of a well calculated political maneuvering ahead of 2027.

 President Bola Tinubu is playing with Fire.

But a political heavyweight in the North and a member of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC)—one of the parties that formed APC in 2013, told News Band that Tinubu is playing with fire with his lastest political showmanship in the South.

The heavyweight who doesn’t want to be quoted, said president Bola Tinubu will be taught a bitter lesson come 2027.

“Tinubu feels by coercing and putting the Southern governors into his pocket, his re-election bid is guaranteed. We in CPCP will teach him a bitter lesson of his life”, the political heavyweight said.

Relationship between President Bola Tinubu and James Ibori.

James Ibori has been a long time ally of president Bola Tinubu, beginning when they were investigated for Vmobile scam.

The Vmobile scam refers to alleged corruption and financial mismanagement involving the privatization and sale of the mobile telecommunications company Vmobile (formerly known as Econet Nigeria and later Celtel/Zain before becoming Airtel Nigeria).

This was part of the broader telecom privatization process in Nigeria during the early 2000s, when the country was liberalizing its telecommunications sector.

Ibori was alleged to have illicitly acquired shares in Vmobile through proxy companies and laundered money through them.

He was accused of diverting state funds to invest in the telecom sector and overseas properties.

The telecom sector in Nigeria was a hotspot for corruption due to its rapid growth and lack of strong regulatory oversight.

The Vmobile story is often cited in Nigerian media and civil society as an example of how politically exposed persons (PEPs) used front companies to buy into lucrative telecom assets using public funds or laundered money.

While Ibori’s involvement is well-documented and led to international conviction, Tinubu’s case remained largely speculative and was never formally prosecuted in connection to Vmobile.

The Vmobile scandal and the investigations into James Ibori and Bola Tinubu highlight the complexities of Nigeria’s efforts to combat corruption, especially within its telecommunications sector.

James Ibori served as the Governor of Delta State from 1999 to 2007.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Ibori with 170 counts, including conspiracy, official corruption, diversion and misappropriation of public funds, stealing, and money laundering.

He initially evaded prosecution in Nigeria by having his case transferred to a court in Delta State, where all charges were struck out by a judge related to him.

In 2010, Ibori was arrested in Dubai under Interpol warrants and extradited to the UK.

In 2012, he pleaded guilty in a UK court to 10 charges related to corruption and money laundering, including offenses linked to the sale of Vmobile shares.

Sources said that Bola Tinubu who was allegedly fingered in the scam had to bribe the then chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu to drop the investigation against him.

Ribadu is the current National Security Adviser under the present administration.

Though, no formal charges related to Vmobile were made public against President Bola Tinubu.

Bola Tinubu was the Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.

In 2007, the EFCC and the CCB investigated him over allegations of operating foreign bank accounts and potential misuse of state funds.

In January 2009, the EFCC cleared Tinubu, along with former Governors James Ibori and Victor Attah, of charges related to the sale of Vmobile network shares.

Tinubu maintained that the investment in Econet (now Airtel) was straightforward and profitable for Lagos State, with no intermediaries involved.

However, asset recovery efforts related to James Ibori have been substantial, involving international cooperation and legal proceedings.

In contrast, while Bola Tinubu has faced allegations, there have been no formal asset recovery actions against him.