Mount Zion LightHouse Church Retires Centenarian President, Begins Leadership Transition

 

The Board of Trustees of Mount Zion LightHouse Full Gospel Church has announced the retirement of its President, Archbishop Nyong Davies Ayakhdue, who recently turned 100 years old, citing age and health considerations.

The decision followed the inauguration and first meeting of a newly constituted Board of Trustees, held recently, at the church’s headquarters on Inyang Street, Calabar.

 Members of the Board were appointed in accordance with ecclesiastical procedures and duly approved by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

According to the Board, the resolution to retire the Archbishop from active leadership duties was taken unanimously after careful deliberations and prayers, and was aimed at allowing him a period of rest after decades of service to the church.

The Board disclosed that Archbishop Ayakhdue has been formally notified that his retirement will take effect on January 19, 2026, with transitional arrangements already in place to ensure administrative continuity.

 The Trustees also said the timeline would enable the completion of internal processes and the receipt of formal acknowledgement from the Archbishop.

In a statement, the Board described the decision as an expression of care for the Archbishop’s wellbeing and a necessary step to safeguard the future growth and stability of the ministry. 

Plans are also underway to organise a special service of appreciation to celebrate the cleric’s lifetime of dedication and leadership.

The Trustees emphasized that the action was taken in good faith and was neither punitive nor disrespectful, but guided by responsibility, love, and spiritual discernment. 

They noted that the leadership transition forms part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at repositioning the church to fulfil its founding mandate of soul-winning and spiritual growth.

Members, elders, and stakeholders of the church were urged to remain calm and prayerful during the transition period, while the Board reaffirmed its commitment to peace, unity, transparency, and inclusive dialogue as the process unfolds.

Police Neutralise Armed Robber, Recover Firearms in A'Ibom

 

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has foiled a planned armed robbery operation in Abak Local Government Area, neutralising one suspected robber and recovering firearms and other items during a late-evening operation.

According to the police, the operation followed credible intelligence received on January 2, 2026, indicating that a notorious armed robbery gang was planning to attack a petrol station along Ikot Ekpene Road by Ikot Ekang Junction in Abak.

 The gang was reportedly linked to a series of robberies targeting Point-of-Sale operators, petrol stations, and supermarkets within Abak and neighbouring communities.

Police operatives were immediately deployed to the location. At about 7:47 p.m., the suspects, numbering about six, reportedly arrived at the area and attempted to rob the pump attendants. On sighting the police team, the suspects opened fire, leading to a gun duel.

During the exchange, one of the suspects was fatally wounded, while the remaining members of the gang fled into a nearby bush and escaped on motorcycles. Police said some of the fleeing suspects may have sustained gunshot injuries.

A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of four locally made firearms, six live cartridges, two mobile phones, a brown bag, a wallet, and four Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards. The body of the neutralised suspect, who has yet to be identified, was found with charms tied to it and has been deposited at a mortuary.

Commending the officers involved, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, praised their bravery, swift response, and professionalism, noting that the operation prevented the robbery and ensured that no innocent life was lost and no property damaged.

The police command disclosed that an intensive manhunt is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and urged residents to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information.

Members of the public, especially medical practitioners, were also advised to report any individuals seeking treatment for gunshot wounds under suspicious circumstances, assuring that all information would be treated with strict confidentiality.

Thirteen Suspected Nigerian Islamic Bandits and Their Wives Arrested in Bong County, Liberia While Fleeing After US Airstrike

 

Thirteen undocumented Islamic immigrants from Northern Nigeria and their wives were apprehended in Bong County, Liberia while fleeing after a US airstrike. 

According to reports, the suspects, posing as traditional medicine merchants, were detained by the town chief and an immigration officer. Ten of them were found with expired travel documents. All remain in custody as investigations continue

Just in: African Union Condemns US Military Strikes On Venezuela, 'Abduction' Of President Maduro

 

The African Union has condemned the United States’ military strikes over Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro by the United States’ personnel.

Read the statement for full details