The Catholic Diocese of Warri, Delta State has suspended Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe from priestly duties following his alleged marriage sealed in the United States of America.

This was contained in a statement titled ‘Decree of Suspension’, dated Thursday, January 16, 2025, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Sunday.

The statement which was jointly signed by the Bishop of Warri, Rt. Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido and the Chancellor/Notary, Very Rev. Fr. Clement Abobo alleged that “Fr. Oghenerukevwe entered into marriage with Ms. Dora Chichah on December 29, 2024, at the Streams of Joy Church in Dallas, USA.”

It was further gathered that a footage of the marriage reportedly circulated widely on social media had prompted the church to act.

“By this action, Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe has incurred a Latae Sententiae suspension in accordance with the provisions of Canon 1394 S1, and I, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, Bishop of Warri, do hereby officially decree that he is suspended from the exercise of sacred ministry,” the statement read in part.

The Diocese revealed that Fr. Oghenerukevwe had requested on November 30, 2024, to be released from all canonical obligations associated with Holy Orders.

However, the Diocese said it reached out to him, “asking for the required documents to begin the process, but the priest went on to marry without completing the procedure.

“As such, he is prohibited from presenting himself as a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Warri in any capacity. All canonical implications associated with this suspension take immediate effect (cf. Can. 1333),” the statement posited.

The Diocese further stated that Fr. Oghenerukevwe retains the right to petition for the revocation or amendment of the decree but must demonstrate a willingness to reform.

“May God grant him the grace to reflect on this situation and guide him on the path of reconciliation,” the statement concluded.

The Imo State Police Command has apprehended 40-year-old Uchenna Okpara for allegedly stabbing his in-law, Uchenna Unakalamba, to death during an altercation involving their children.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Imo State, Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement released on Sunday in Owerri.

According to the statement, the tragic incident occurred on January 16, 2025, in Ubomiri, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

Okpara allegedly attacked Unakalamba with a broken bottle after a disagreement between their children escalated into a heated argument.

“The anti-kidnapping unit operatives arrested the suspect, Uchenna Okpara, on January 16, 2025, for allegedly stabbing his in-law, Uchenna Unakalamba, to death.

The altercation, which began as a minor dispute between their children, turned fatal when Okpara used a broken bottle to attack the victim,” Okoye said.

Police officers, responding to a distress call, apprehended the suspect and recovered the weapon used in the attack.

Okoye added that the victim was confirmed dead at the hospital, and his body had been deposited in the morgue.

“The suspect is currently in custody as investigations continue. He will be prosecuted once the investigation is concluded,” the police spokesperson noted.

In a related development, the Imo Police Command has arrested a suspected member of a notorious kidnap syndicate, Ozioma Dike, during an operation in a forest near Agwa, Oguta Local Government Area.

Okoye stated that on January 16, 2025, operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit acted on credible intelligence and raided the hideout of the syndicate.

The operation led to a gunfight, during which Dike was arrested while other gang members escaped into the bushes.

Recovered from the suspect was a pump-action rifle loaded with seven live rounds of ammunition and an iPhone belonging to a victim kidnapped on January 8, 2025, in Ubomiri.

During interrogation, Dike confessed to being part of a group responsible for multiple kidnappings in the Ubomiri, Ogbaku, and Ohii communities in Mbaitoli Local Government Area.

Okoye assured the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang.

“The arrested suspect remains in custody and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” he added.

The Police Command reiterated its commitment to eradicating criminal activities in the state, with the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, pledging to sustain peace and ensure the safety of residents across Imo State.

The Katsina State Police Command said its operatives successfully foiled a bandits’ attack on Ruwan Doruwa village, Dutsinma LGA, Katsina State. Seven suspected bandits were neutralized in the foiled operation. While 61 cows, 44 sheep, two donkeys, one goat, and one dog were recovered.

Spokesperson, of the Command, DSP Sadiq Abubakar said the incident occurred on January 18th, 2025, at about 9:00 AM. A distress call was received at the Dutsinma Divisional Police Headquarters that some suspected bandits, armed with dangerous weapons such as AK-47 rifles, sporadically attacked Ruwan Doruwa village, Dutsinma LGA, Katsina State.

Following the report, the DPO, in collaboration with the military, DSS, members of the KTSCWC, and the vigilante, mobilised and responded to the scene swiftly.

Upon arrival, the team engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle, which resulted in the neutralization of seven (7) suspected armed bandits as the remaining fled the scene with various degrees of injuries, abandoning all the suspected rustled animals.

The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, commended the police operatives for their exceptional display of gallantry, act of valour, and professionalism. He also reiterated the commitment of the command towards ensuring the safety and security of members of the public.

CP further called on members of the public to continue to support the command by providing timely and useful information that will help the command in the ongoing fight against all forms of crime and criminality in the state.