Unidentified men riding on motorcycles and wielding AK-47 assault rifles on Saturday invaded Ebenebe community in Awka North Local Government Area, forcing indigenes to close their shops in observance of the Biafra Day celebration.

The secessionist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), had declared May 30 every year as Biafra Day to mourn those killed during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war nearly 60 years ago.

An eyewitness from the community said the men, who were just five in number, entered the community on motorcycles at about 10 a.m., carrying rifles and urging shop owners to close their businesses in honour of those who died during the war.

The source said their arrival caused a huge stir in the community, with shop owners hurriedly shutting down for the day.

He said: “At first, the men were not violent. They just urged people to close, telling them they could reopen by 4 p.m. But because of panic, people were running helter-skelter.

“They later left on their motorcycles, but we subsequently started hearing heavy gunfire and everyone began running. We learnt that they were confronted by operatives of the Agunechemba Security Outfit, resulting in a fierce gun battle.

“Throughout today, there have been gunshots. It ceased at a point because we learnt that the Agunechemba operatives overpowered them, but later this evening, we learnt the gunmen regrouped and returned to confront the security operatives.

“They had been shooting from this evening until about an hour ago. Everyone is afraid and people have retreated into their homes for fear of being hit by stray bullets. Everywhere is deserted as I speak to you, and we do not know what will happen tonight,” the terrified source stated.

It was, however, not clear if any casualties were recorded in the incident, while the true identity of the men had yet to be ascertained.

Attempts to reach Comrade Nweke Nweke, spokesperson for the Agunechemba Security Outfit, were unsuccessful as both his phone lines were unreachable.

Police authorities in the state had also yet to comment on the incident as of the time of filing this report.

A Nigerian-born Roman Catholic priest, Anthony Odiong, has been convicted by a jury in Texas, United States, for sexually assaulting women who were under his spiritual care and guidance.

Odiong, 57, was found guilty of one count of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of second-degree sexual assault following a trial held in Waco, Texas.

The verdict was delivered by a 12-member jury comprising eight women and four men after approximately two hours of deliberation.

According to court proceedings, prosecutors accused the priest of exploiting his position as a spiritual leader to manipulate vulnerable women into sexual relationships while providing them with counselling and religious guidance.

Two women testified during the trial, alleging that Odiong used his authority as a Catholic priest to gain their trust before engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct.

One of the victims, identified in court as Mary Doe, told jurors that the priest initiated a sexual relationship with her while she was receiving spiritual counselling during a difficult divorce.

She further testified that her son once unexpectedly discovered her and the priest engaged in sexual activity inside her residence.

Another complainant, identified as Jane Doe, alleged that Odiong pressured her into sexual acts while presenting the encounters as part of his spiritual guidance.

Prosecutors argued that the priest took advantage of the women’s emotional vulnerability and the trust they placed in him as a religious figure.

Odiong, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, now faces the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence, including life imprisonment on the first-degree sexual assault conviction. Sentencing proceedings are expected to commence on Monday.

The case gained wider attention following a 2024 investigation that detailed allegations of sexual misconduct and coercive behaviour involving the priest during his ministry in Texas and Louisiana.

Authorities said the publication of those allegations encouraged one of the victims to formally approach law enforcement with additional claims.

Investigators subsequently gathered further evidence, including DNA findings reportedly linked to a child fathered by Odiong during his time serving in Louisiana.

Odiong, a naturalised United States citizen, was ordained as a Catholic priest in Nigeria in 1993 before relocating to the United States, where he later served in several Catholic parishes across Texas and Louisiana.

Yobe State Police Command said its operatives have arrested nine suspects in separate operations targeting drug trafficking, substance abuse, and youth hooliganism across the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday and made available to journalists in Damaturu.

According to the statement, police operatives from B Division raided Pompomari Kan Tudu at about 5:40 pm on May 29, 2026, where two suspected drug dealers, Jibrin Mohammed, 30, and Kasim Kyari, 22, both residents of Pompomari, were arrested.

“Police recovered 26 sachets of Tramadol, 23 sachets of Diazepam, two wraps of Arizona Cannabis, 34 wraps of local cannabis, four stones of crystal methamphetamine, an 11-inch dagger, a pair of scissors, and N91,950 in cash.

“The suspects and exhibits are under investigation ahead of prosecution”, the command said.

Similarly, the Divisional Police Headquarters in Fika responded to a distress call that youths had invaded Ngalda Market, engaging in intimidation, public disturbance, and robbery.

The Police Command disclosed that patrol teams arrested seven suspects at the scene.

“Preliminary investigation showed the suspects had pursued teenage girls without provocation, causing panic among traders and residents. Some goods were reportedly looted and vandalised with sticks and cutlasses.

“Investigation is ongoing to identify the masterminds and arrest other fleeing accomplices”, it said.

The Commissioner of Police, Usman Kanfani Jibrin, in the statement, restated the command’s zero tolerance for youth hooliganism, drug trafficking, substance abuse, and all forms of criminality.

He ordered officers to remain dedicated, professional, and steadfast in ensuring peace and public safety across the state.