The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of former lawmaker representing Okigwe State Constituency, Hon. Ngozi Ogbu, who was abducted by armed men and held captive for several days.

Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that Ogbu was freed on Wednesday night.

“The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the release of Hon. Ngozi Ogbu, the former legislator who represented Okigwe State Constituency. He was released yesterday night. The Command is working in synergy with other security agencies to make sure his abductors are apprehended and brought to book,” Okoye said.

He assured residents that the command remained committed to enhancing peace and security across the state.

Naija News reports that before his release, a disturbing video of Ogbu in captivity went viral on social media.

In the footage, the visibly distressed former lawmaker pleaded with the government to withdraw security operatives from Okigwe, particularly from the “White House” security base, which his abductors claimed was their target.

The masked and heavily armed captors, suspected to be members of IPOB/ESN, threatened to kill him within four days if their demands were not met.

Ogbu, who was seized on September 7, 2025, in Onuimo Local Government Area, appeared visibly shaken in the clip, sparking widespread public outrage and calls for urgent government intervention.

While details of the rescue operation remain sketchy, the police stressed that efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the gang responsible.

Security sources said the case highlights the continued threats posed by criminal groups in parts of the South-East, even as authorities intensify counter-insurgency operations.

Residents of Okigwe have expressed relief at Ogbu’s safe return, describing the incident as a stark reminder of the security challenges in the region. Community leaders urged security agencies to sustain operations to deter further attacks and abductions.

“The rescue of Hon. Ogbu is commendable, but it must not end here. His abductors must be found and prosecuted to send a strong message that such acts will not be tolerated,” one resident said.

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Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has approved a new minimum wage of ₦104,000 for civil servants in the state.

Naija News reports that the governor announced the increase during a meeting with labour union leaders on Tuesday night at the Government House, Owerri.

According to the governor, the wage adjustment raises the minimum salary for workers from ₦76,000 to ₦104,000.

Other categories of workers also received upward reviews:

• Doctors’ minimum pay rose from ₦215,000 to ₦503,000.
• Teachers in tertiary institutions had their salaries increased from ₦119,000 to ₦222,000.

Uzodimma said the decision was informed by the need to ease the economic hardship confronting workers.

“When workers are paid well, productivity rises, families are happier, and the local economy grows. This is our way of investing in Imo people,” he said.

The governor highlighted the challenges faced since his administration assumed office in 2020, ranging from insecurity, the COVID-19 pandemic, subsidy removal, and disputes over wages.

“We tried as a government to always put it behind our mind that there is no way any government will do well if it doesn’t have a friendly and cordial relationship with the organised labour,” Uzodimma stated.

He added that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) had increased from ₦400 million to over ₦3 billion per month, while allocations from the Federation Account grew from ₦5-₦7 billion in 2020 to about ₦14 billion.

Uzodimma also disclosed that the state debt profile had reduced from ₦280 billion in 2020 to less than ₦100 billion.

The governor acknowledged the hardship caused by fuel subsidy removal but insisted the policy had long-term benefits.

“It is a thing of joy that we have started seeing the dividends of that bold decision of President Bola Tinubu to remove fuel subsidy. What government is confronted with now is how to ensure that the dividends of that policy trickle down to the common man on the street,” he said.

Uzodinma assured that transparency in resource allocation was key to sustaining reforms.

The Governor further revealed that the state government would commence the payment of the last batch of gratuities owed to pensioners, amounting to ₦16 billion, on August 27.

He added that his administration had introduced a health insurance scheme, equipped health facilities, and keyed into the Federal Government’s initiative of establishing 1,000 businesses in every active INEC ward.

The governor urged labour unions to foster unity with government and charged workers to avoid unethical practices and redundancy.

The state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Uchechigemezu Nwigwe, described the wage increase as a major win for Imo workers.

“Today, no worker in Imo will say you (Uzodimma) have not been fair to us. You rescued us from economic challenges and placed Imo among the highest-paying states in Nigeria,” he said.

He prayed for the governor’s protection, assuring that workers would reciprocate through diligent service delivery.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Uchenna Ibe, lauded the governor’s “strong political will” in increasing wages and implementing reforms.

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Security forces in Imo state have reportedly dislodged terrorist hideouts belonging to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Njaba Local Government Area of the state.

Naija News gathered that the operation followed the confessions of two arrested suspects – Uchenna Opara and Ozioma Ihedoro – who led operatives to various hideouts of IPOB/ESN commanders identified as Asari and Spare Key.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, ACP Odeyeyiwa Olademeji, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Department of Operations (DOPS), led operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to Ubaa, Umuaka, Njaba LGA, on Aug. 18 at about 1:40 p.m.

On arrival, armed terrorists guarding the camps engaged security operatives in a gun duel before fleeing with multiple gunshot injuries. The hideouts were successfully dislodged by the police.

Items recovered during the operation included one AK-47 rifle, three AK-47 magazines, 40 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition, 60 rounds of live General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) ammunition, two pump action guns, 582 live cartridges, two Biafra flags and one Point of Sale (POS) machine

Sources told Zagazola Makama that ongoing to track down the fleeing IPOB/ESN members, who remain at large is ongoing.

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