A 12-year-old girl, Miss Sopuruchi Ibe, from Ndia Chukpai Compound, Mgbaga, Ebem Ohafia, Abia State, has been confirmed dead after drowning in a flooding incident in the community.

Report says Sopuruchi, a JSS 2 student of Federal Government College, Ohafia, was reportedly swept away by heavy floodwaters following a heavy downpour on Friday.

The unfortunate incident occurred at about 6:00 p.m. along Eni Njoku Road, Ebem Ohafia.

Following the disappearance of the young girl, members of the community launched a search for her but could not find her.

Unfortunately, her lifeless body was discovered on Saturday morning, sparking community-wide mourning.

Confirming the incident, the Publicity Secretary of Ebem Ohafia Development Union (EODU), Ifeanyi Okali, described it as sad and unfortunate.

“Sadly, 12-year-old Sopuruchi Ume Ibe, who was swept away by floodwaters following a heavy downpour in Ebem Ohafia yesterday evening, has been found this morning, but unfortunately, she did not survive.

“Our heartfelt condolences go to her parents, family, friends, classmates and the entire Ebem Ohafia community during this painful time,” the Publicity Secretary, Okali, mourned.

It would be recalled that a 37-year-old trader simply identified as Mr Ejiuwa lost his life in a flooding incident in Ugwueke community, Bende LGA of Abia State, while returning from the market,the report added.

The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested a 54-year-old primary school teacher, Garba Suleiman, over the alleged defilement of a 10-year-old girl in Damare, Yola South Local Government Area of the state.

The arrest followed a complaint lodged by the victim’s family at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Yola South, prompting police operatives to commence action and apprehend the suspect.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect allegedly lured the minor before engaging in unlawful sexual intercourse with her.

Nguroje disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, explaining that the Police moved swiftly after receiving the complaint from the victim’s family.

The alleged incident has prompted further investigation by the Police, with authorities taking steps to establish the circumstances surrounding the case and determine the appropriate legal action.

As part of the ongoing investigation, the victim has been taken to a hospital for medical examination.

The Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State Command, CP Kabir Umar Hassan, has ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yola, for discreet investigation and prosecution.

Hassan condemned all forms of gender-based violence and assured members of the public that the Police would thoroughly investigate the allegation in accordance with the law.

The Commissioner also called on parents and guardians to remain vigilant, particularly in protecting children from individuals who may seek to take advantage of their vulnerability.

He further urged members of the public to promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the Police to enable security agencies respond appropriately.

The Police said the investigation remains ongoing, while the suspect is expected to face prosecution if the allegations are established in accordance with the law.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has appealed to the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, to use his exalted platform to counsel political parties, candidates and their supporters on the imperative of non-violent, issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The INEC chairman made the appeal on Sunday during a courtesy visit to the Emir’s palace in Zaria, Kaduna State, as part of the Commission’s nationwide Zonal Readiness Assessment and Interactive Staff Engagement for the 2027 general elections.

“Elections must never be treated as do-or-die affairs, but as a peaceful celebration of civic choice,” Prof. Amupitan said, urging the monarch to “strongly counsel our youth not to allow themselves to be used as tools in the hands of politicians or instruments of political violence and thuggery.”

He further called on the Emir to encourage the people of Zazzau Emirate to actively participate in all stages of the electoral process, from the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to turning out peacefully to vote on election days, stating that “a vibrant democracy requires an engaged, informed, and participating electorate.”

Amupitan explained that the visit was part of the Commission’s established tradition of deep engagement with traditional rulers, recalling similar consultations with the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti during the Ekiti governorship election, more than 50 Osun monarchs, including the Ooni of Ife and the Ataoja of Osogbo, ahead of the Osun governorship election, and the Oba of Lagos and the White Cap Chiefs during the Commission’s South-West Zonal Assessment tour.

He noted that conducting a national election in “Africa’s largest democracy,” with a national voter register rapidly approaching the 100 million mark, required early planning, operational discipline and deep stakeholder engagement.

He added that the Commission had moved away from last-minute logistics in favour of testing, auditing and strengthening its operational readiness well ahead of time.

He disclosed that the Commission had fixed the statutory dates for the 2027 general elections, with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027, and the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027.

He stressed that all administrative, technological and logistical frameworks were being fortified across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The INEC chairman assured the Emirate that under his leadership, “INEC remains unreservedly committed to absolute neutrality, fairness, and transparency,” stating that the Commission had “no candidate, no political party, and no interest other than the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.”

Responding, the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, commended the INEC chairman for leading the Commission’s delegation to the palace and for providing timely information on preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The Emir described the engagement as remarkable and important, noting that the visit had helped the Emirate and its people gain a clearer understanding of the Commission’s preparations and the election calendar.

He identified fairness, justice, a level playing field, security, timely dissemination of information and the prompt release of results as critical elements for a successful electoral process.

The Emir also urged INEC to address concerns arising from previous elections, particularly the late distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials and technical challenges associated with election technology.

He called for election equipment to be adequately tested before deployment and for election officials and materials to arrive at polling units on time, saying such measures would strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.

The Emir further appealed to political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly during the campaign period and minimise hate speech and other actions capable of threatening peace and national cohesion.

He expressed optimism that Nigeria would continue to remain united and sustain democratic governance.

The INEC chairman and his entourage are in Kaduna in continuation of the nationwide readiness assessment and are expected to meet with staff from the North-West states on Monday, September 28, 2026.