The Anambra Police Command and a vigilance group in the state, on Friday, arrested a couple for allegedly issuing kidnap threats to unsuspecting members of the public.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this to newsmen in Awka.

Ikenga identified the couple as Mr Kingsley Okoye and his wife, Chidinma.

“Given reports of text messages and voice notes received by unsuspecting members of the public on threats of abduction, the Joint Security Force, comprising the police and Anambra Vigilance Group, acting on technology driven information in the early hours of today, arrested a couple.

“They are Mr Okoye Kingsley and Mrs Chidinma Okoye, 36 years and 27 years, respectively.

“The duo were arrested in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the state,” he said.

Ikenga said that the operatives recovered mobile phones and sim cards from them.

According to him, the couple specialised in sending threat messages to people and demanding ransom or they would be abducted or killed.

He said that the suspects confessed to the crime and admitted to destroying some of the sim cards, which they had earlier used to commit the crime.

The PPRO further said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Nnaghe Itam, had directed the immediate transfer of the case to the Anti-Kidnapping/Robbery Squad of the command for comprehensive investigation.

Ikenga said that the couple would be arraigned on conclusion of the investigations. (NAN)

The Police Command in Jigawa has apprehended seven persons believed to be responsible for cattle theft in the north-western state.Its spokesperson, Lawal Shiisu, confirmed the development in a statement in Dutse on Wednesday.Shiisu said that two of the suspects were apprehended on Tuesday after a combined patrol team intercepted a vehicle carrying three cows and 11 sheep in the Ringim area of the state.

“On Tuesday, 26/11/2024, at about 3 p. m., a combined team of police and other security agencies, while on patrol at Kirdau village in Ringim, intercepted a vehicle loaded with three cows and 11 sheep.“The driver of the vehicle and his assistant later confessed that they stole the animals,” Shiisu said.He explained that when interrogated, the duo mentioned the names of five other members of the syndicate who were later apprehended at Unguwa Uku area of Kano state.“All the five suspects have confessed to committing the offence and will be charged to court upon completion of our discreet investigation, ” he said. (NAN)

Nasarawa State has initiated a review of its public health bills to strengthen its health security framework.

The bills under review are the Nasarawa State Public Health Security Bill and the Public Health Bill.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Labaran Magaji, announced this development at a four-day stakeholders’ meeting on Monday in Nasarawa.

The meeting aims to refine the bills and enhance the state’s health security framework.

The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Nasarawa State Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health, Orixine Consulting, and Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL).

NAN also reports that the proposed bills aim to address gaps in the state’s existing legal framework, aligning it with international health regulations and national health security benchmarks.

Magaji emphasised the urgency of overhauling the bills, stating that the health and well-being of the people were paramount.

He noted that revising these laws would not only ensure compliance with national and international standards but also enhance the state’s preparedness to prevent and respond to public health emergencies.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Gwamna Shekwonugaza, highlighted the collaborative nature of the effort, emphasising the goal of creating practical, enforceable laws that could make a real difference in people’s lives.

Shekwonugaza was represented by Mrs Naomi Oyegbenu, Department of Planning, Research and Statistics.

“Our goal is to create laws that are not only theoretical but also practical, enforceable, and capable of making a tangible difference in people’s lives.”

Mr Yenan Sebastian, Director of the Subnational Support Department at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), commended Nasarawa State for setting a precedent in public health.

He noted that the state’s proactive approach to legal reform in health security was commendable and essential for building resilience against emerging health threats.

Emem Udoh, Senior Legal Advisor at Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), emphasised the importance of robust and actionable legislation.

He expressed optimism about the outcomes, stating that strong legal frameworks were the backbone of effective public health systems.

Mr Audu Arome, Executive Director of Orixine Consulting, highlighted the significance of stakeholders’ engagement in legal reforms.

He noted that inclusive participation ensured comprehensive and considerate laws that catered to all facets of public health.

The meeting, which will run until November 21st, aims to refine a set of bills ready for legislative action, demonstrating Nasarawa State’s commitment to prioritising public health.(NAN)