Kanayo O. Kanayo recently marked his daughter Valeria’s 25th birthday with a special celebration, complete with a serenade by instrumentalists. In a heartfelt message, he reflected on their relationship and acknowledged that his frequent absences due to work have been a point of contention.

However, he also set a clear expectation for her future, stating that by 2027, she should have achieved significant milestones.

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No fewer than six people, including a pregnant woman, have been killed and several homes destroyed in a renewed outbreak of violence over a longstanding land dispute in Ebonyi State.

The land tussle was said to be between the Ndukwe community in Amasiri, Afikpo Local Government Area, and Okporojo in Oso, Edda Local Government Area, of the state.

The renewed hostilities reportedly resulted in the destruction of properties worth millions of naira, deepening a conflict that has plagued the neighboring communities for decades.

Ekwutosblog reports that the dispute has previously claimed numerous lives and caused extensive property damage estimated in billions of naira.

Fear of further violence has reportedly prompted residents of Edda to avoid the Amasiri road, opting instead to travel through Afikpo town to ensure their safety.

Chairman of Edda LGA, Chima Ekumankama, confirmed the renewed violence, saying that security operatives had been deployed to restore peace and prevent further escalation.

“I can assure you that normalcy and peace have returned to the area. I personally visited and witnessed the level of destruction. As we speak, there are sufficient security personnel on the ground to prevent any further violence,” Ekumankama stated.

In the same vein, Chairman of Afikpo LGA, Timothy Nwachi, confirmed that the state government had stationed security forces in the buffer zone between the communities to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace.

Nwachi described the renewed violence as unfortunate, appealing to residents of Amasiri to remain calm while the government works towards a lasting resolution to the land dispute.

Three American citizens imprisoned over a failed coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been released and transferred to U.S. custody, following high-level diplomatic talks focused on security cooperation and mining agreements.

The Congolese presidency confirmed the Americans were handed over after their sentences were commuted last week, allowing them to serve their remaining time in the United States.

The handover was finalized during a visit to Kinshasa by Massad Boulos, senior Africa adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, who met with President Felix Tshisekedi amid ongoing negotiations between both nations.

The talks come as the U.S. expresses interest in Congo’s proposed minerals-for-security deal, with the State Department recently signaling openness to partnerships involving critical minerals.

Tina Salama, spokesperson for President Tshisekedi, said the move reflects growing bilateral cooperation.

The release also followed appeals from the Trump administration’s special envoy for hostage affairs. The State Department reiterated that repatriating detained Americans remains a top priority.

Additionally, lobbyist Joseph Szlavik-Soto revealed that Congo agreed to cover damages from protests earlier this year that targeted the U.S. embassy and other foreign missions.