A blogger who claims to be the publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, Mr. Ejike Ofoegbu Experience, has apologised for publishing a series of news items in which he disparaged the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and his son, Ozonna.

The blogger had published four news articles after a video of Ozonna went viral, showing him dancing to a song that called out some Nigerian politicians, including his father.

Ofoegbu claimed in one of the reports that Governor Soludo had said he disowned his son years ago and was no longer responsible for his actions.

In another report, he claimed that Ozonna granted an interview in which he said he had first disowned his father, listing several reasons for doing so.

However, in a retraction and apology video posted on his page, Ofoegbu pleaded for forgiveness, admitting that the stories were false, as none of the individuals mentioned granted any interview.

He confessed that he fabricated the stories in the hope that they would go viral, thereby increasing the popularity of his blogs and generating revenue.

He said: “I wish to offer my deepest and most sincere apology to Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, his family, and the general public.

“I publicly admit that the stories I published concerning Governor Soludo and his son were completely fake, false, fabricated, and untrue. They did not come from Governor Soludo, his son, his family, or any official representative. They were not based on any verified facts or credible source, and they should never have been presented as news.”

He further stated: “I also apologise to the people of Anambra State, readers of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, and everyone who may have seen or shared these false publications. I am committed to correcting this mistake and ensuring that such an incident does not happen again.”

Some of the headlines he published read: “Breaking News: I will arrest anyone who calls Ozo my son. He is not my son. I disowned him years ago, and he is no longer a member of the Soludo family.” 

Another read: “Just In: I Don’t Take Advice From My Father. He Was a Drunkard Who Beat My Mom When I Was Young. His Treatment of My Mother Made Me Decide Never to Take Advice From Him — ‘Soludo’s Son’ Speaks Out.”

Two other fabricated headlines read: “Breaking News: I ordered Ozo from Temu. He is Chinese-made, not my son. Even at the hospital when he was born, I asked the doctor, ‘I hope you didn’t accidentally exchange my real son.’ Ozo is from Temu,” Soludo jokingly told reporters. Another read: “Breaking News: They should organise a drinking competition between my father and Wike. I just want to see something. I’m willing to bet my life that my father would win. People don’t understand his drinking capacity.” — Ozo.

It is not yet clear whether Ofoegbu has been arrested by security operatives, as the apology message was accompanied by a video in which he appeared visibly frightened while apologising for his actions.

The Yobe State Police Command has said its operatives have arrested 14 suspected drug dealers and recovered a large quantity of illicit drugs during a coordinated raid on criminal hideouts in Jakusko Local Government Area.

According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, the operation targeted drug joints at Buduwa Market in Jakusko LGA as part of the command’s sustained efforts to crack down on criminal activities across the state.

The suspects, arrested while allegedly engaging in the sale, consumption and abuse of illicit drugs, include Hamisu Umar, 20; Usman Wakili, 25; Aliyu Mohammed, 20; Hassan Ali, 35; Dudduwa Dorsha, 27; Adamu Hussaini, 27; Sale Adamu, 27; and Adamu Umaru, 25.

Others are Babaru Hassan, 28; Dangi Maikudi, 22; Hassan Audu, 29; Abubakar Usman, 29; Ahmadu Waziri, 23;  and Daudu Yusuf, 20.

“Items recovered from them include over 300 sachets and packages of various illicit drugs such as Tramadol, Vega tablets, Indian hemp, and other prohibited and controlled substances.

“Investigation is ongoing and the suspects are assisting with useful information to facilitate the arrest of other members of the criminal network.

“They will be charged in court upon conclusion of investigation,” the command noted.

In the statement, the Commissioner of Police, Yobe State Command, Usman Kanfani Jibrin, directed all area commanders, divisional police officers and tactical commanders to intensify raids on identified criminal hideouts and black spots across the state.

CP Jibrin reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and substance abuse, noting that the menace remains a major catalyst for violent crimes and other criminal activities.

The Lagos State Police Command have arrested five suspected cultists during an intelligence-led operation targeting criminal elements allegedly terrorising the Apapa, Ijora and Badia areas of the state.

The arrests were carried out by officers of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following credible intelligence on the activities of the suspects.

Police said in a statement that the operation first led to the arrest of a 25-year-old suspect, Abubakar Ayomide, also known as “Garbazin”, who later directed operatives to the group’s hideout, where four other suspected members were arrested.

The other suspects were identified as Tanko Yusuf, 23; Ahmed Abibu, 24; Abubakar Shafi, 23; and Fatai Mohammed, 25.

According to the police, the principal suspect confessed to being a member of the Aiye Confraternity and has provided investigators with useful information to aid ongoing investigations.

The command added that efforts are underway to track down other members of the criminal gang and conclude investigations before prosecution.

A search of the hideout led to the recovery of one battle axe, one UTC knife, two other knives, one hammer, substances suspected to be Indian hemp, suspected criminal charms and other exhibits.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, warned cultists and other criminal elements operating across the state to abandon their illegal activities or face the consequences.

“There is no hiding place for cultists in Lagos, as the Command remains resolute in identifying, arresting, and prosecuting every individual involved in cult-related violence and other criminal acts,” he said. 

The Commissioner also assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-driven operations across the state to tackle cultism and other violent crimes.

He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the police, assuring them that all reports would be handled with the utmost confidentiality.

The police also encouraged residents to report emergencies or share useful information through the Command’s emergency lines.