Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

The Abia State Government has said that the pipeline explosion that occurred in Umuololo community, Owaza, in Ukwa West Local Government Area, was due to an ageing petroleum pipeline believed to have been laid about 70 years ago. The pipeline, part of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11, reportedly exploded at about 1:30 a.m. on Monday, triggering a major oil spill that affected homes, farms, schools, shops and livestock in the community. A delegation from the state government, led by the Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, and the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Professor Joel Ogbonna, visited the affected…

The Imo State Health Insurance Agency (IMSHIA) partnered with The Widow Aid Foundation to enroll 100 widows into the ImoCare Health Insurance Programme on Tuesday, 23rd June 2026, in commemoration of International Widows Day 2026. The enrollment exercise took place at the IMSHIA State Office, Owerri, and aligns with this year’s global theme, _“Invisible Women, Invisible Problems.”_ Each beneficiary was issued an ImoCare ID card, granting access to quality healthcare services without financial hardship at IMSHIA-accredited facilities across the state. The event was attended by key stakeholders in health and women’s development like Hon. Nkechinyere Ugwu, Honourable Commissioner for Women…

The Onyedinma Foundation has issued an urgent call to action following the harrowing rescue of two teenage sisters from human traffickers at the Lagos border earlier this month. The foundation is a leading non-governmental organisation dedicated to protecting vulnerable members of society, especially women and children, from exploitation and abuse.  Onwuka Glory, Executive Director of Onyedinma Foundation, explained that two sisters, aged 14 and 15, were trafficked from Ugwunagbo Local Government Area of Abia State in June 2026 by their own aunt, who deceived them with promises of employment as salesgirls in Lagos.  According to Onwuka, the sisters were intercepted…

The Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Abia State command, Chigbu Chilee, has said that the agency nationwide has long recognised that old strategies cannot solve new drug-related problems and has adopted a more results-orientated approach. Speaking to journalists in Aba, in preparation for the June 26, 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (World Drug Day), with the theme “World drug problem: persisting issues, new challenges, innovative responses”, Chilee said the Abia State Command of the NDLEA is already aggressive in its sensitisation now that these dealers have started penetrating secondary schools. Speaking on…

The Anambra Police Command has foiled an alleged attempt by a 21-year-old woman to sell her newborn baby girl in Igbariam, Anambra East Local Government Area of the state. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Awka. “Operatives of the Anambra Police Command attached to Oyi Divisional Station, acting on credible intelligence, on June 19, successfully foiled an alleged attempt by a 21-year-old woman to sell her newborn baby. “The police promptly secured both the mother and her infant daughter and facilitated their reunion with family members…

The Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to grapple with the fallout from its May 24, 2026 governorship primary election, an exercise that has attracted widespread criticism from party members and stakeholders. Several party faithful have alleged on social media that no actual voting took place across the state’s 184 wards as required during the primary. According to the allegations, results were instead compiled and announced by the state executive committee, led by the party chairman, in favour of Barr. Kelechi Anosike, a candidate many members claim was largely unknown within the party structure across the…

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, says Nigeria is negotiating direct cargo flight operations between China and the South-east through Enugu, with plans to begin operations before the end of the year. Mr Keyamo spoke on Thursday during the unveiling of two Boeing 737-800 aircraft acquired by United Nigeria Airlines. “Just two days ago, the Enugu governor and I were actively negotiating the first direct cargo flight from Guangzhou, China, straight into Enugu. “We are targeting December for the maiden flight. This will allow our Southeast merchants and traders in China to consolidate their goods into unified…

…calls for establishment of child rights desks, emergency hotlines The Anambra State House of Assembly has called for the speedy prosecution of Mrs. Chioma Chukwunyere and the arrest of her husband over the gruesome dehumanisation and abuse of 10-year-old Chiziterem, a case that has sparked outrage on social media. DrumAfricanews gathered that the resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Onitsha North Constituency One, Honourable Ifeoma Azikiwe. Azikiwe further urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to direct the Ministry of Women and Social Development and relevant agencies to investigate and prosecute the offenders in line with…

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that Governor Alex Otti seeks to retain the support of the Obidient Movement and other anti-President Bola Tinubu forces to secure his re-election, while still acting as though he has a soft spot for the president.  This is even as the party urged the governor to stop playing ostrich and declare where his loyalty lies as far as who becomes president of Nigeria in 2027 is concerned.  Uche Aguoru, Publicity Secretary of APC, Abia State, said that everyone is aware of Governor Otti’s longstanding political alliance with Mr…

A victim of the kidnapping activities in Zamfara State, simply identified as Aisha has recounted the harrowing ordeal of being forced by bandits to bury her children who died in captivity. DrumAfricanews reports that Northern Nigerian states like Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto remain among the major flashpoints of banditry in the Northwestern Nigeria. In the above mentioned states, communities continue to suffer abductions, attacks, displacement and imposition of levies by bandits. Speaking in an interview with DW Hausa, Aisha, whose swelling feet bear testimony to months of traumatic experience, said she and her three children were abducted while travelling in…