Passers-by and residents in Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, have reportedly rescued a Nigerian soldier from being swept away by floodwaters.

According to OSUNDAILY NG, the unidentified military personnel fell into a drainage channel near the Igbira camp during a heavy downpour over the weekend.

The soldier, said to be attached to the Nigerian Army School of Engineering, located near Auchi, reportedly lost his footing while attempting to leap across the flooded drainage and fell in.

He narrowly escaped death, thanks to the swift intervention of passers-by and local residents.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the soldier was swept away by the surging floodwaters.

“Passers-by and other residents in the area quickly ran after him on the road. They placed a barricade and laid wait at the other end of the drainage and rescued the embattled soldier alive,” the source recounted.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson for the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

However, a source close to the Brigade confirmed that the soldier is not under the 4 Brigade’s command but is attached to a training institution in Auchi. The source also confirmed that the soldier was rescued alive.

The traditional ruler of Umudiawa autonomous community in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu, has described his recent suspension as monarch as a grave injustice that will not stand.

He also linked his suspension to an award presented to President Bola Tinubu and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, by the Ndigbo Progressive Traditional Rulers Forum, which he leads.

Eze Ofoegbu was recently suspended by the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers on allegations of running a parallel traditional rulers’ forum and for alleged acts of insubordination.

However, addressing journalists at his palace on Sunday, Eze Ofoegbu insisted that due process was not followed in the suspension, maintaining that he neither challenged the government nor violated any rule of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers.

He further alleged that the chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Linus Nto Mbah, had ordered him to withdraw the awards given to President Tinubu and Deputy Speaker Kalu, and that his refusal to comply with this directive contributed to his suspension.

According to him, the awards were given in recognition of appointments and projects delivered to Igboland under the current administration.

Eze Ofoegbu also claimed that some traditional rulers in Abia were coerced into signing the suspension letter. He clarified that the Ndigbo Progressive Traditional Rulers Forum is not in conflict with either the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers or the South East Council of Traditional Rulers.

He added that his forum has consistently defended Igbo interests, halted the demolition of properties belonging to Igbos in Lagos, promoted Igbo culture, and worked to protect Igboland from external threats.

“From that day we honoured the President, I started receiving phone calls from different people. The chairman warned me not to give the President an award, saying that I will be suspended,” he said.

Eze Ofoegbu also alleged that traditional rulers in Abia State do not enjoy unimpeded access to Governor Alex Otti.

The Edo State chapter of the Social Democratic Party, has suspended four of its executive members for alleged misconduct.

The suspension of the executive members was made known to newsmen on Sunday in Benin City, at a press conference.

The State chairman of the party, Elder Felix Obayagbon, read the press statement which was also signed by state secretary, Mr Hyacinth Esangbedo and state working party members

Obayagbon said the disciplinary action was taken against the erring members after the State Working Committee meeting in Benin City.

OSUNDAILY NG reports that the suspended executive members were accused of illegally suspending the duly recognized State Chairman and State Secretary, among others.

Obayagbon also listed the offences of the embattled executive members to include; convening unauthorized meetings in defiance of established party protocols, making disparaging and inflammatory remarks against the party and its leadership.

“Other infractions include an alleged attempt to relocate the State Secretariat without approval, which undermined the party’s operational structure,

“The alleged forging official of party letterhead and the signatures of the State Chairman and Secretary to mislead the public and falsely legitimize their unlawful actions.

“Alleged use of the State Chairman’s name and forged documents to issue a condolence message without his knowledge or consent”, he alleged.

He said the suspension of the erring members was with immediate effect.

He gave the names of the suspended executive members as the party members Chief Tony Alile, Organizing Secretary, Mr. Chris Ojiekere, publicity secretary, Mr. Benjamin Omonzokpia, Youth Leader and Mrs. Yami Jatto, Woman Leader.

The state SDP chairman opined that the suspension of the officials was in line with the relevant sections of the party’s constitution.

According to him, “the Edo State Working Committee of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has taken decisive disciplinary action against four members whose actions constitute gross violations of Article 19, Sections 19.1, 19.2, and 19.3 of the Party’s Constitution.

“Their conduct has been deemed detrimental to the unity, integrity, and orderly functioning of the party. The suspension of the party’s officials takes immediate effect.

“Alleged travelling to Abuja with two subordinates without obtaining the necessary approval from the State Chairman”, he alleged

Obayagbon stated that particularly disturbing was that Chief Tony Alile and Mr Chris Ojiekere, who joined the party in April 2025, allegedly embraced a path of insubordination, forgery and anti-party activities.

He alleged that the actions of the duo were geared towards tarnishing the image of the party and attempting to undermine its constitutionally established leadership.

He further alleged that the suspended officials were acting in open connivance with a group of well-known transactional politicians, opportunists who notoriously resurface during every election cycle to negotiate self-serving deals and “cash out” at the expense of the party’s integrity and mission.

“This alliance has been rekindled ahead of the upcoming bye-election scheduled for August 2025, with the sole aim of hijacking the party structure for selfish political gain.

“Such actions represent egregious violations of the SDP Constitution and are entirely incompatible with the party’s foundational principles.

“The SDP, Edo State Chapter, remains unwavering in its commitment to internal democracy, discipline and unity. The party will not tolerate actions that jeopardize its integrity, legality or collective vision”, he added.

OSUNDAILY NG gathered that some members of the party had purportedly illegally suspended the party chairman, Elder Felix Obayagbon, and the secretary, Mr Hycenth Esangbedo.