Burglars break into Polaris Bank in Awka, cart away money

By: Zagazola Makama

Business activities were disrupted on Thursday at the Polaris Bank branch in Amenyi, Awka, Anambra State, following a burglary in which thieves broke into the bank and stole an unspecified amount of money from the vault.

Zagazola learnt that the incident was discovered by the branch manager, Mrs. Okpara Ugoo Chiaka of No. 21 Nnosike Akabugo Street, Nodu, Awka, when she arrived at the bank at about 7:30 a.m. to commence daily operations.

On arrival, she found that the banking hall, offices, and vault had been broken into and thoroughly ransacked, with cash missing from the strong room.

The development has caused anxiety among customers and staff, as the exact amount of money stolen has not yet been disclosed.

Meanwhile, sources close to the bank said measures are being taken to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the burglary while internal investigations are ongoing.

The sources added that police were invited to investigate.

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Burglars break into Polaris Bank in Awka, cart away money

ADC inaugurates 30-man committee to strengthen membership in Gombe

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has inaugurated a 30-man committee to drive membership registration campaign in the state ahead of 2027 general election.

Former Minister of Transportation and Gombe State ADC coalition leader, Idris Umar, while speaking after the inauguration held in Gombe on Friday said the move was to boost its membership base.

Umar said that the ADC was on a rescue mission to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress-led government in the state and country and would only achieve that with membership strength.

He said that the party’s mobilisation drive would be taken to the grassroots and to every community in the state towards welcoming residents whom he said were eager to join the party.

According to him, the party is optimistic of garnering 500, 000 new members within the next three months.

He said with the calibre and experience of the committee members, the ADC would gather enough membership strength to oust the ruling APC in the state.

“There is already grassroots support for the ADC and people love the party and are eager to be part of us and that is why we set up this committee.

“We are under pressure to bring membership cards for people to register and today we are launching the drive.”

On his part, the Chairman of the ADC Membership Drive, Gombe State and former deputy governor of Gombe State, Mr Lazarus Yoriyo said that his committee would work to boost ADC membership.

Yoriyo said he would also encourage members to register and their Permanent Voter Card, urging residents to embrace the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration.

On his part, the Gombe State ADC Chairman, Mr Auwal Barde, appealed to members to be united and loyal to the course of building the party.

Barde said that the ADC would work hard to ensure that it remained one united team that could provide a better platform for citizens to get good governance.

ADC inaugurates 30-man committee to strengthen membership in Gombe

Seven pupils injured in Benue school explosion

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police Command in Benue has confirmed that seven pupils were injured when a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) went off at a primary school in Ukum Local Government Area of the state.

Sources confirmed on Friday that the incident occurred on Sept. 16 at about 2:00 p.m. at the Local Government Education Authority Primary School, Ater Ayange.

He said the explosion happened when some pupils, who found an object in the school premises, began to play with it without knowing it was an explosive device.

“While playing, the pin of the device was pulled off, causing an explosion that injured seven children,” he said.

The sources said the children were rushed to St. Anthony Hospital, Zaki-Biam, where they were receiving treatment and responding well.

He added that the incident was not immediately reported to the police until Sept. 18, when the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Ukum received information and deployed a patrol team to the school and hospital.

He said the Officer-in-Charge of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit had been deployed to sweep the area for possible detection of other hidden explosive objects and determine the nature of the device.

The police further disclosed that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had commenced an investigation into the incident.

Seven pupils injured in Benue school explosion