The Youth President of Ndito Eka Iba village in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Ukot Robert, has revealed that nine children of the community have been declared missing since the Christmas Eve surprise attack allegedly by the Eket and Esit Eket neighbours.

Robert who spoke with journalists in Ibeno on Monday amidst information that their assailants had threatened another round of hostility said they were still ambushing and maiming people along the coastal area of the community.

He disclosed that the youths had apprehended and handed over to the police five persons who came to destroy some properties after the December 24, 2024, unwarranted attack.

“Ibeno East comprises of Esuk Ikem Ekeme which is ward 10 Unit 1, Itak Ifaha Unit 2, Itak Idim Nne Ekpe Unit 3, Esuk Ekim Akwaha Unit 4, Ndito Eka Iba Unit 5, Okomita Unit 6, Atia Ward 9 Unit 1, Itak Idim Ukpa Unit 2, Itio Esek Unit 3, Okposo one Unit 4 and Okposo two Unit 5; that all these villages are officially gazetted communities in Ibeno LGA, but their neighbours from Eket and Esit Eket have continually been perpetuating crisis in the area to cede these communities to Eket LGA leading to lost of life and 9 people missing including the children.

“Parents have been looking for some of their children after the incident but to no avail, adding that, those children went missing because of the attack in Ndito Eka Iba before the Christmas Eve attack.

“For people to miss from December 2024 till now in that carnage means that they might have been killed. The community had set up a search party to look for them, while the incident was reported to the police for further investigation,” he stated.

He listed the names of the missing children to include; Emmanuel Udoeka 11. Happiness John 8, Ikotiye Okon 6, Thompson John 3, Friday Moses 4, John Mfon 9, Gabriel Akpan 8, Susana Peter 7 and Ubong Benselem 14.

The president who blamed the crisis on the former governor’s controversial attempt to remap Ibeno LGA and cede some villages to other Local Government Areas, said however that the case is presently in court.

He said it was as a result of the remapping that, some people from Eket and Esit Eket led by one Aniedi Bassey a k.a Capital, living in Ndito Eka Iba village began to cause the problem in an attempt to annex the communities and rename them as Okoiyak Eket.

“The problem, led by one Aniedi Bassey and his boys from Eket LGA, started on December 21, 2024, when they wanted to host an event at Ndito Eka Iba, but instead changed the name of the venue in our village on their signpost (flex) to “Okoiyak Eket Village in Eket LGA”.

“When we saw what was written on the flex, we drew their attention to it and advised that it should be done correctly to avoid having issues with the Village Council.

“Rather, they started challenging us, as their boys came out with matchets and dangerous weapons to attack us. We later reported the incident to the then Ibeno Police DPO, Mr Victor Eze, but they could not do anything at that moment.

“Later in the night, we were surprised to see our Eket neighbours rise against Ibono people and others living in Ndito Eka Iba village; destroying lives, and property and maiming people, while some children went missing,” Robert stated.

Also, another survivor of the attack, Mr Uwem Bensalem Ekaete, father of four, shared his experience on how his 14-year-old son, Master Ubong, went missing from last December attack till now.

“Since that attack happened, I lost my 14-year-old son. I don’t know where he is right now or if he has been killed by the attackers.

“When the problem started, we were all packing a few things to leave the village. He also took some things and put them outside. Suddenly, we sighted the hoodlums coming to the compound and we ran away to escape from them.

“I ran to Nta Ikang village, a nearby community as they burnt down houses and beat up people.

It was after I was able to escape that I did not see my son, Ubong Uwem Bensalem, again. I came back to ask other people till now, but we cannot find him. I am appealing to the government to help us.”

A Chairman of Ndito Eka Iba Village Council, Ime Alfred Nkanga, who also spoke with journalists said throughout his 40 years living in Ndito Eka Iba, which is in Ward 10 with five units, Ibeno Local Government Area has been a peaceful community, until the eventful day when the hoodlums alleged to have come from Eket attacked them and destroyed their properties.

He appealed to the State government to restore lasting peace in Ndito Eka Iba village and indeed Ibeno East and also provide succour to them, as lives and properties were lost to the crisis, including children.

Reacting, the state Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, when contacted by TheNigerian Metro, faulted the report of the missing children, describing it as untrue and fabricated by people who don’t want peace in the area.

He said such a report is not known to the police in the state, challenging the purveyors of the information to declare the identity of the parents of the missing children.

“Don’t help people fuel their imaginations. You know people will just sit down to create confusion to the world and at the end of the day they are telling lies. It’s not true, those who brought that information should prove it.

“If it’s true, why didn’t they report the matter to the police since? And they waited till March. We have been achieving peace but they don’t want peace to reign. Such information is not known to the police anywhere in Akwa Ibom,” he said.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Anambra State has protested the dominance of the Chukwuma Soludo-led All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in the affairs of the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government.

The party chairman in the state, Mr Basil Ejidike while speaking at the weekend said the dominance of Soludo in affairs that concern Anambra even at the federal level has become a challenge to the state chapter of the APC.

He said all appointments coming to Anambra from the Federal Government had nominees from APGA, while even rice distributed to all states to cushion the effect of hardship had Anambra’s share rebagged with the picture of the governor and distributed to only APGA members last Christmas.

Appealing to Tinubu, Ejidike said: “Sir, may I seize this opportunity to draw your attention to some challenges confronting the APC in Anambra State, that require your kind intervention.

“The issue of appointments made by the Federal government without recourse to the party is inimical to the growth and success of the party in our state, as these appointees do not reckon with the party at the state level.

“Whereby, most of those who have made and are still making heavy sacrifices for the party have not been adequately rewarded and appreciated, many of those who have gotten juicy Federal Government appointments in the past were mainly non-party members, drawn especially from our rival All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).”

He said the trend has not served as a source of inspiration or motivation to party members, and is threatening its strength and enthusiasm of emerging victorious in the Anambra 2025 project.

“At the ward, local government and state levels, our members are being discriminated against, as APGA does not recognize or reckon with those who are not their members in the distribution and allocation of government appointments and incentives.

“More worrisome is the fact that what we as a state get from the federal government as incentives and palliatives are usually sent through the state government.

“Sequel to the above, non-APGA members are denied access to them. It is on record that bags of rice sent as palliatives by the federal government were repackaged, and Governor Soludo’s pictures and APGA logo embossed on those bags, thereby giving the impression that they were provided by the governor.

“This arrangement has continued to diminish our party’s influence and reach within the state, and we are terrified to say the least.

“APC in Anambra have come with a passionate appeal, asking that you (Ganduje) intervene and save our members in Anambra from neglect.

“Your kind intervention, Sir, will bolster the morale of our committed party men and women towards the task ahead,” he added.

Festive shoppers and visitors at the Ikeja City Mall in Lagos applauded Lush Hair creative efforts in unveiling a 28-feet record-breaking Christmas Tree on December 19, 2024.

The record-breaking Christmas tree was uniquely made entirely of hair extensions—a first of its kind in Nigeria.

This, however, became the centrepiece of holiday cheer, drawing crowds eager to experience the festive spectacle and exclusive perks from the haircare brand.

For many visitors, the spectacle was more than just a visual delight—it was also an opportunity to enjoy exclusive perks, as Lush Hair offered their premium products at factory prices and treated customers to free hairstyling sessions on-site.

One of the attendees, Ada Umeh, who got her hair done said: “Not only did I get to admire this record-breaking tree, but I also purchased my favourite Lush Hair extensions at a discounted price and had a professional stylist create a stunning look for me—completely free It feels like Christmas came early!”

Another shopper at the mall, Chinedu Eze, said the promotion attracted a diverse crowd, with customers praising the unique combination of affordability and luxury. “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the tree. It’s massive and beautifully decorated. The fact that Lush Hair used their own products to build this masterpiece is truly innovative. And to top it off, the free hairstyling is such a thoughtful gesture. I’m leaving here with a fresh look and a happy heart.”

Members of the public who stopped by to witness the grand tree lighting were equally impressed. “This tree is a work of art,” said Aisha Bello, who attended the event with her family. “It’s incredible to see how creativity and community spirit came together to make something so beautiful. And seeing people get their hair styled for free makes it all the more special. Lush Hair really brought joy to everyone here today.”

The festive initiative provided an unforgettable experience for many, blending record-breaking innovation with a celebration of customer loyalty.

Visitors to Ikeja City Mall continued to marvel at the imposing Christmas Tree, which not only set a new benchmark for festive decorations but also served as a symbol of the beauty and generosity of the season.

The people of the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, Aniocha South local government area of Delta state, have continued to count their losses from last Christmas until today.

Ogwashi-Uku, a town known for its prominent figures like former Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, housing a Nigerian Mobile Force base, a Polytechnic, and recently donating land to the Nigerian Army, is trying.

In less than a week, the community has been gripped by a spree of cold-blooded murders, brazen kidnappings and what can be described as terror.

On December 24, 2024, at around 10:00 pm, gunshots shattered the night near the Chukwura area, off Isah Road. Young and old residents scrambled for their lives as the festive air turned to panic.

On Christmas morning, grim news spread that armed kidnappers had ambushed a newlywed couple. The husband, attempting to escape the ruthless criminals, was shot through his car. His lifeless body was thrown into the back seat while his pregnant wife was abducted.

Adding to the horror, an elderly widow, the late wife of Sir E.B.O. O’Keefe, a respected former principal of St. Anthony’s Model College, Ubulu-Uku, was found dead under suspicious circumstances.
Evidence points to abduction and torture as the cause, plunging the community deeper into despair.

The bloodshed continued unabated on January 1, 2025, and three more individuals were seized along the same Isah Road axis. Ransom negotiations are reportedly underway, but hope for their safety remains grim.

The Police Public Relations Officers (PPRO), Delta Command, and SP Edafe Bright said the situation was under control.