Several houses were submerged, on both sides of the Awka- Onitsha old highway, following the flood that is ravaging Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government area of Anambra State.

The development was worsened by a heavy rainfall in the early hours of Monday. Many residents affected by the flood are already packing their belongings and relocating to safer areas of the state.

Several vehicles were also stuck in the flood that has completely taken over about two kilometers of the ever -busy road, and, as a result, motorists have been diverting to nearby villages where youths mounted tolls and forced the drivers to pay before being allowed to pass.

Worried by the development, the youths of Ogidi took to the flooded highway with placards and calling on both the federal and state governments to intervene immediately so as to save the community from further destruction.

President of Ogidi youths, Mr. Chris Obi Okafor, who led the protest, appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Chukwuma Soludo to save the community by tackling the problem without delay.

In an emotion- laden speech he made while standing on the flooded road, Okafor lamented that the economy of the area has been grounded because of the flood, which, he added, has been a recurring feature every rainy season.

He said, “Every rainfall in our community has become a nightmare. What used to be a blessing from God has now become a season of fear, sorrow, and destruction. The flood disaster in Ogidi has gone beyond ordinary suffering; it has become a humanitarian crisis.

“Our fathers can no longer go to their farms with peace because cash crops and economic trees worth millions have been washed away. Businesses are collapsing daily. Roads have become rivers. Homes are flooded. Movement has become almost impossible.

“Even the palace and surroundings of our revered Traditional Ruler, Igwe Ogidi, are not spared. Whenever rain falls, the area becomes impassable. If the palace of our traditional ruler can be overtaken by flood, then tell us, where exactly is safe in Ogidi?”

Okafor said further: “Our children are the ones suffering the most painful fate. Each time rain falls, many children cannot go to school. Imagine the future we are creating when our children are forced to stay at home every rainy season. Imagine the dreams that are dying silently because a child cannot cross flood waters to access education.

“We plead with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for urgent federal intervention before lives are lost. Your Excellency, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, we speak to you today with heavy hearts. Ogidi has supported this government with our whole being.”

“We have stood faithfully with the progress of Anambra State, but today, our people look back in pain and ask: In what way have we offended the government?”

“Mr. Governor, please do not ignore our cries. We have no other place to run to. Do not allow Ogidi to perish in silence.”

He also called on the Federal Ministry of Works, the Anambra State Ministry of Works, as well as emergency management agencies and other relevant authorities responsible for tackling erosion and flood disasters in Nigeria, to come to their aid.

“This is not politics; this is about human lives; this is about children; this is about survival”, Okafor pleaded.

The traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Alexander Onyido, while addressing the youths, urged them not to take the law into their hands, even as he commended them for being peaceful.

The Royal Father said he would lead a delegation of the community to see Governor Soludo on the issue.
He recalled that the governor had promised to tackle the flood and wondered what is causing the delay.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has warned that the risk of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) entering the country is high, following a fresh dynamic risk assessment conducted in response to the expanding outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

In a public health advisory released on Sunday, NCDC said the risk assessment was carried out to guide anticipatory and response measures, ensuring the country remains vigilant and prepared.

The assessment showed that the likelihood of Ebola importation is heightened by several factors, including ongoing transmission in neighbouring countries, increased international travel, population movement, and uncertainties regarding the full scale of the outbreak.

NCDC further noted that early detection may be challenging, as Ebola symptoms often overlap with endemic illnesses common in Nigeria such as malaria and Lassa fever raising concern about possible delayed recognition of cases.

The assessment also mapped out high-risk states, border communities, major transport hubs and Points of Entry (PoEs) where surveillance and readiness activities have now been intensified.

“This assessment estimated the risk of Ebola importation into Nigeria as high due to the ongoing transmission in the DRC and Uganda, international travel and population movement, uncertainty regarding the full magnitude of the outbreak, and the potential for delayed recognition because symptoms may overlap with endemic diseases such as malaria and Lassa fever.

“It also identified high-risk states, border communities, major transport hubs, and Points of Entry (PoEs),” the agency explained.

It said these locations represent critical points for timely case detection, isolation and response should an imported case occur.

NCDC assured the public that it has strengthened coordination through the National Incident Management System and placed the National Emergency Operations Centre on alert mode, while urging Nigerians to remain calm and adhere to public health advisories.

Wives of detained military officers facing alleged coup-related charges have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure fairness and transparency in the ongoing military trial, warning against the conviction of suspects without credible evidence.

The plea was contained in a letter addressed to the President on Friday and titled, “A Humble Appeal for Fairness, Transparency, and Justice in the Ongoing Military Trial.”

The correspondence from spouses of the detained officers was exclusively obtained by our correspondent .

The signatories are Shafa’atu Ali Agbo, Fatima Dauda, Josephine Enemona, Nana Aisha, Zara Abba, Helen Sunday, Khadija Aminu, Aisha Abubakar, Aisha Yusuf, Hauwa’u Aliyu, Firdausi Ibrahim and Zuzu Igbaseimokumo.

In the letter, the women acknowledged Tinubu’s approval for the commencement of the military trial, describing it as “an important step toward accountability, clarity, and the pursuit of justice.”

They, however, expressed fears that the process could be tainted by bias, coercion and institutional prejudice.

“As citizens, we understand the importance of discipline within the armed forces and the sensitive responsibility placed upon the military in safeguarding national security.

“We also recognise that allegations relating to mutiny, coup plotting, or acts capable of undermining military authority are grave matters that must never be treated lightly.

“However, it is precisely because of the seriousness of these allegations that the process through which justice is pursued must itself remain just, transparent, impartial, and free from every appearance of prejudice,” the letter read.

The wives recalled past controversial military trials in Nigeria, saying some later became subjects of “national reflection and regret.”

It added, “From past allegations of ‘phantom coups’ to disputed dismissals and prolonged detentions of officers, many Nigerians have witnessed instances where prosecution appeared, in the eyes of the public, to drift dangerously toward persecution.”

The women also raised concerns over the prolonged detention of the accused officers and allegations of inhumane treatment.

According to them, reports suggesting that confessional statements may have been obtained under coercion had further heightened public anxiety over the integrity of the proceedings.

“The prolonged detention of the accused officers, the reports of inhumane treatment, and concerns that the case relies heavily on statements allegedly obtained under coercion and severe pressure have raised serious questions in the minds of many Nigerians,” the letter added.

They argued that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done, stressing that the credibility of the trial would depend on the fairness of the process and the independence of the tribunal.

“No individual should be condemned without credible and independently verifiable evidence.

“No confession extracted through fear, torture, or inhumane treatment should become the foundation upon which lives, careers, and families are destroyed. Justice loses its moral authority the moment it appears predetermined,” they wrote.

The wives urged Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief, to ensure that the proceedings do not become “another painful chapter” in Nigeria’s history.

“We pray that under your leadership, Nigeria will continue to move toward a future where no citizen fears persecution disguised as prosecution, and where the law remains stronger than suspicion, fear, or institutional pressure,” the letter concluded.

The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.

However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.

According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, scheduled as the planned date for the operation.

Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Ma’aji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.

The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The appeal comes barely two weeks after a Federal High Court in Abuja admitted as exhibits the extra-judicial statements of six persons standing trial over an alleged plot to overthrow the Tinubu government, as the court commenced a trial-within-trial to determine whether the statements were voluntarily made.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted the statements and video recordings during proceedings aimed at resolving objections raised by the defendants over the admissibility of the evidence.

The defendants had earlier challenged the statements, alleging that they were obtained through coercion, torture, inducement and in violation of provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and the Anti-Torture Act.

The Federal Government is prosecuting retired Maj-Gen Mohammed Ibrahim Gana; retired Navy Capt Erasmus Ochegobia Victor; police inspector Ahmed Ibrahim; Presidential Villa electrician Umoru Zekeri; Bukar Kashim Goni; and a Zaria-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani, on charges bordering on treason, terrorism and conspiracy to stage a coup.

At the previous proceedings, the court played a video recording in which Sani allegedly told investigators that he warned the suspected plotters that the coup plan “would fail” and that members of the group would eventually betray themselves.

Following objections by defence lawyers to the admissibility of the defendants’ statements, Justice Abdulmalik ordered a joint trial-within-trial to determine whether the statements were voluntarily made.