• Cites public concerns over transparency
• Urges Gov. Peter Mbah to intervene, vows to pursue justice until facts are established

The Enugu Youth Progressive Forum (EYPF) has intensified calls for justice over the death of an engineer reportedly linked by petitioners to the residence of Hon. Nelson Maduka Arum, demanding a thorough investigation, prosecution of anyone found culpable, and immediate intervention by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

In a petition submitted to the IGP and copied to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) and the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, the group expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the incident and vowed to pursue justice until the facts are established.

The petition, dated July 29, 2026, and received at the Force Headquarters, was signed by the National Coordinator of EYPF, Mr. Onyekwere Onu, and the General Secretary, Mr. Ikechukwu Ugwuoko.

According to the group, the incident, which has continued to generate widespread public attention, was reported to have occurred at the Zoo Estate residence of Hon. Nelson Maduka Arum in Enugu State.

EYPF stated that issues surrounding the death have continued to dominate public discourse, particularly following the circulation of photographs and reports allegedly connected to the incident.

The group further stated that reports in the public domain have referenced an alleged financial dispute involving the deceased before the incident. However, it maintained that only a comprehensive and independent investigation can establish the authenticity of such claims and the exact circumstances surrounding the death.

The organisation called on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure a thorough investigation capable of addressing public concerns and strengthening confidence in the outcome of the process.

“Given the seriousness of the incident and the significant public interest it has generated, many residents have expressed concern that the investigation must be conducted in a manner that is completely independent, transparent, impartial and free from any actual or perceived influence,” the petition stated.

The group argued that the status of Hon. Nelson Maduka Arum as a political figure and House of Representatives aspirant under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) makes it imperative for security agencies to handle the matter with utmost professionalism and transparency.

EYPF also noted that concerns had previously been raised about Hon. Arum in petitions reportedly submitted by some constituents to the leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). According to the group, those petitions contained allegations relating to his public conduct. However, EYPF stressed that such allegations remain unproven and that only competent authorities can determine their validity.

According to EYPF, the people of Enugu State deserve answers regarding the circumstances surrounding the death, stressing that public confidence in law enforcement institutions depends largely on their ability to investigate sensitive matters without fear or favour.

The Forum called for the immediate collection and preservation of all available evidence, including video recordings, photographs, witness testimonies, forensic materials and any other evidence that may assist investigators in determining what transpired.

It also demanded that all persons considered relevant to the investigation be invited for questioning and that the findings of the investigation be made public, insisting that anyone found culpable should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“We are demanding a thorough, transparent and independent investigation into this matter. The circumstances surrounding the death of this young engineer are too serious to be ignored. If anyone is found culpable after investigations, such a person must face the full weight of the law,” the group stated.

The Forum further called on Governor Peter Mbah to intervene in the interest of justice and reassure residents that no individual is above the law.

According to the group, the governor’s intervention has become necessary given the growing public concern and the widespread attention the matter has attracted within and outside Enugu State.

The youths vowed not to remain silent until the truth is uncovered.

“We will not keep mute. We will continue to demand accountability and justice until the facts are established. An injury to one is an injury to all. The life of every citizen matters and no one should be denied justice because of the influence or status of another,” the group declared.

While maintaining its demand for justice, EYPF stated that its petition should not be interpreted as a declaration of guilt against Hon. Nelson Maduka Arum or any other individual, noting that only a credible investigation can establish responsibility.

The group therefore urged the Inspector-General of Police to urgently intervene and ensure that the matter is handled by the appropriate authorities and investigated thoroughly in the interest of justice.

As of the time of filing this report, no law enforcement agency had publicly announced any conclusion regarding the incident.

By Aga Samuel Imoter, Makurdi

The Achusa community in Makurdi, Benue State, has honoured the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Youth Organization and Illegal Levies, Hon. Gbenda Terver, with an Award of Excellence for his contributions to youth development and efforts to combat illegal levies and multiple taxation. The award was presented on Thursday during a ceremony attended by community leaders, youth groups, government supporters and other stakeholders.

Presenting the award, the Youth Leader of Achusa Kindred, Comrade Terngu Bufu, commended Gbenda for what he described as his commitment to youth empowerment, leadership development and inclusive governance.

Bufu also praised the governor’s aide for supporting campaigns against illegal levies and multiple taxation, saying the efforts have contributed to improving the business environment and strengthening public confidence in the state’s reform initiatives.

Receiving the award, Gbenda thanked the Achusa community for the recognition, describing it as both an honour and a motivation to continue serving the people. He dedicated the award to the youths of Benue State and encouraged them to remain united, law-abiding and committed to supporting development initiatives across the state.

Gbenda also reaffirmed his commitment to promoting youth participation, human capital development and collaboration with communities in line with the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.The event featured goodwill messages from community leaders and youth organisations, as well as cultural performances celebrating youth leadership and community development.

By Abel Zwanke, Lafia

The Chairman of the Wadada Project, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, has said the group’s campaign ahead of the 2027 Nasarawa State governorship election will focus on issues and development rather than personal attacks.

Kwanta, who is also the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development and Overseer of the Ministry of Works and Housing, made the remarks on Friday during the inauguration of 13 Local Government Area (LGA) Coordinators and 13 Women Leaders of the Wadada Project in Lafia.

According to him, the appointees will coordinate the project’s grassroots mobilisation across the state’s 13 local government areas and strengthen engagement with communities, women, youths and other stakeholders.

Kwanta said the appointments followed consultations aimed at selecting individuals capable of advancing the project’s objectives.He urged the newly inaugurated officials to remain committed to grassroots mobilisation and stakeholder engagement, adding that the project would conduct an issue-based campaign.”We are going to drive an issue-based campaign. We have a candidate we believe has earned public support through his record of service,” Kwanta said.

He added that the project seeks to build on the development initiatives of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration while mobilising support for Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada’s governorship ambition under the All Progressives Congress (APC). The event also featured the inauguration of coordinators and women leaders from the state’s local government areas as part of efforts to expand the project’s grassroots structure ahead of the 2027 election.