Ervin Joaquin Gutierrez, 22, was arrested and charged with an open count of murder after allegedly shooting his 25-year-old cousin, Nathaniel Cavazos, during a dispute over the spiciness of green chile enchiladas at an apartment complex in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on 27 August 2026.

Police responded to reports of gunfire at the Copper Hills apartment complex in northeast Albuquerque shortly after 11 p.m. Cavazos was found unresponsive on a walkway outside the complex with multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to court documents and witness accounts cited by local media, Gutierrez had travelled from Roswell to Albuquerque to spend time with Cavazos and another cousin. The group spent part of the afternoon drinking and preparing green chile enchiladas.

The disagreement reportedly began during dinner after Gutierrez repeatedly claimed that the chile in his enchiladas was hotter than the chile in Cavazos’ dish.

Cavazos reportedly argued that the cousins had prepared the food together and that the dishes should therefore have the same level of heat.

A third cousin attempted to ease the tension by suggesting that they take a walk with a dog, according to the witness account. The attempt did not settle the disagreement, which later developed into a physical confrontation.

The witness told investigators that Cavazos punched Gutierrez, leaving him bleeding.

Court records cited in local reports state that Cavazos subsequently attempted to walk away. Gutierrez allegedly produced a handgun and fired several times, striking Cavazos in the back. One local report based on the witness account said three or four shots were fired.

A handgun believed to belong to Cavazos was later found roughly 10 yards from where his body was discovered. The witness said Cavazos did not have the firearm drawn when the shooting occurred.

The presence of the firearm may become significant as the case proceeds, particularly because reports say Gutierrez later claimed that he had acted in self-defence.

After the shooting, Gutierrez left the scene. He later surrendered to police in downtown Albuquerque and was taken into custody. He remains accused, rather than convicted, and the case is continuing through the courts.

The case has attracted attention because the reported dispute began over something seemingly minor before escalating into a fatal confrontation.

However, the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain a matter for investigators and the courts. The allegation that Gutierrez acted in self-defence has not been established as fact, while prosecutors will have to present their case through the judicial process.

Peter Onwubuasi Gregory Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, declared on Thursday, September 3, 2026, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, that he was prepared to risk his life to protect his votes in Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.

Obi made the declaration during an “Obi Talks Nigeria” town hall meeting with voters in Port Harcourt, where he spoke about the need for Nigerians to defend their electoral choices and ensure that votes cast at polling units are counted.

He said neither he nor his supporters would allow intimidation to determine the outcome of the election.

According to reports of the meeting, Obi said he was ready to die while protecting his votes, stressing that the 2027 election would not be treated in the same manner as the 2023 poll.

“Nobody will intimidate us again,” Obi was quoted as saying.

He also warned those who might attempt to manipulate the election, saying Nigerians would resist efforts to undermine their votes.

The comments come as Obi begins his campaign under the NDC banner after emerging as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

His campaign was formally launched in August, with the former Anambra State governor presenting an economic message focused on transforming Nigeria from a consumption-driven economy into one centred on production.

Obi’s political position has shifted considerably since the 2023 presidential election, when he contested under the Labour Party and finished third behind Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party.

He later moved to the African Democratic Congress before joining the newly formed NDC, where Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is serving as his running mate for the 2027 contest. Reports in July said Obi and Kwankwaso had reached an understanding under which Obi would serve one term if elected.

At the Port Harcourt meeting, however, the focus was firmly on the electoral process and the determination of Obi and his supporters to ensure that their votes are protected.

The declaration adds a forceful note to the early campaign season, as political parties and candidates intensify efforts to mobilise voters ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Customs hands over 189000 ammunition has been completed by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Niger/Kogi Area Command.

The Command has formally handed over 189,000 rounds of live ammunition seized from suspected illicit arms dealers to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).

The ammunition was intercepted by Customs personnel during a routine patrol at Wawa village in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Comptroller of the Niger/Kogi Area Command, Sani Mohammed Umar, explained that the seized ammunition had remained in the custody of the service since 2018 due to litigation arising from the seizure.

He warned that the circulation of such a large quantity of illegal ammunition could have devastating consequences, especially at a time when the country is facing serious security challenges.

Umar disclosed that the consignment comprised 7,560 packages, with each package containing 25 rounds, making a total of 189,000 rounds of live ammunition.

Receiving the items, the North-Central Zonal Director of the NCCSALW, Abdul Adamu Eneche, who represented the Director-General of the Centre, DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (rtd), commended the Customs Service for the handover.

He described the action as a clear demonstration of effective synergy among security agencies.

Eneche stated that the illegal ammunition would undergo the required procedures before being destroyed. He emphasised that destruction was necessary to prevent the seized ammunition from finding its way back into the hands of criminals.

“I am optimistic that stronger cooperation, information sharing, effective border control and public awareness would reduce the availability of illegal arms in the hands of criminal groups,” he said.

The handover ceremony took place in Minna, Niger State.

Officials noted that the transfer forms part of ongoing efforts to ensure proper management and control of recovered arms and ammunition, while strengthening measures against the proliferation of illicit weapons in the country.

The development further highlights the continued collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the fight against the illegal circulation of arms and ammunition.

Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to working closely to curb the movement of illegal weapons across Nigeria’s borders and within the country.