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Confusion and grief has engulfed Ideani community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State after the bodies of three children were discovered inside the residence of a female native doctor.

The victims, believed to be between six and 15 years old, were found in the suspect’s home located in Umuoduba village on Wednesday, sparking outrage and anxiety among residents.

Community sources said a fourth person was rescued alive from the premises and rushed to a hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased children were evacuated to a mortuary.

Although the identities of the victims had yet to be established as of the time of filing this report, residents said they were either children working for the woman, who reportedly keeps pigs and poultry, or members of her household.

The female native doctor, popularly known in the area as an Ezenwanyi, has been taken into police custody at the Ogidi Police Division as investigators begin efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The Anambra State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident or reveal the suspect’s identity at the time of this report.

Meanwhile, a video circulating on social media showed police officers inspecting the compound shortly after the discovery, while the suspect was escorted away by security operatives for further investigation.

Authorities are expected to carry out forensic and medical examinations as investigations continue to determine the cause of death and establish the identities of the victims.

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Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has made a new adjustment to its ex-gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, reducing it from N1,215 to N1,165 per litre.

A reliable source who is privy to this development confirmed that the refinery also reduced the price of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, from N1,650 to N1,570 per litre.

The latest review reflects N50 and N80 reductions in petrol and diesel prices, respectively.

Details shortly…

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The Federal Government has assured public servants that the outstanding wage award will be paid before the middle of August, while promotion arrears are being processed as part of ongoing efforts to fulfil its commitments to workers.

The assurance was given by the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, during a meeting with the leadership of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Trade Side, led by its National President, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir.

The Minister said government had already commenced work on many of the issues presented by the Council even before receiving its formal communication, adding that the administration remains committed to resolving legitimate labour concerns through constructive engagement.

“When government makes commitments, it delivers. We are not in the habit of making promises that cannot be fulfilled. Where there are outstanding issues, we will give realistic timelines and ensure they are implemented,” the Minister said.

He disclosed that the necessary release for payment of the outstanding wage award was being concluded and expressed confidence that eligible public servants would begin receiving the payment before the middle of the month.

The Minister also assured the delegation that promotion arrears were receiving the required attention, with the outstanding batches being processed in line with established procedures.

He directed officials to immediately review all documents presented by the Council, work with the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and accelerate action on all outstanding matters requiring government intervention.

Oyedele acknowledged the concerns expressed by organised labour over delays in implementing some agreements but assured the delegation that the Federal Government would continue to strengthen trust through openness, regular consultation and prompt action.

“Our objective is to build a system where issues are resolved proactively. We want workers to have confidence that once government gives its word, it will honour that commitment,” he said.

Earlier, the National President of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Trade Side, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, commended the Minister for receiving the delegation and appealed for the speedy resolution of pending labour issues, including the outstanding wage award, promotion arrears, salary relativity concerns affecting health workers and other matters affecting public servants.

He said timely implementation of the outstanding commitments would further strengthen industrial harmony and boost workers’ confidence in government’s resolve to address their welfare.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Raymond Omachi, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with organised labour to ensure that approved workers’ entitlements are processed and released without avoidable delays.

He said the Ministry would continue to engage relevant government institutions to fast track the resolution of outstanding labour issues, stressing that constructive dialogue remains the most effective path to sustaining industrial harmony.

The Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, assured the labour delegation that government was making steady progress in addressing outstanding workers’ entitlements.

He disclosed that Batch 7 promotion arrears, which was inadvertently omitted during the earlier payment exercise, is now being processed alongside Batch 9, expressing confidence that beneficiaries would begin receiving their payments once processing is completed.

Danjuma further stated that the Federal Government is working assiduously to address the issue of the Peculiar Allowance and other outstanding labour related matters in collaboration with the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Providing an update on the payment process, the Director, Cash Management Department, Federal Ministry of Finance, Christiana Osho, disclosed that reconciliation for the outstanding wage award had been completed and that the payment release was at its final stage.

She explained that once the release is effected, eligible public servants will begin receiving the outstanding wage award, while processing of the outstanding promotion arrears continues in line with the approved schedule.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to sustained dialogue and collaboration to ensure the timely resolution of outstanding labour issues and the continued promotion of industrial harmony across the Federal Public Service.