Local

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Suspected bandits have abducted 14 students of an Islamic school in Pandogari, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

The students were reportedly kidnapped on Saturday while assisting their Mallam with maize harvesting on his farm in Tungan-Bako village.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident on Monday, clarifying that the number of abducted students was 14, not 50 as claimed in some reports.

According to the police spokesman, preliminary information indicated that the students were helping their Islamic school teacher harvest maize when the gunmen struck.

He said joint security operatives had commenced rescue operations to secure the students’ release.

Abiodun added that further developments would be communicated as efforts to rescue the victims continued.

The abduction adds to concerns over the safety of students and residents in parts of Niger State, particularly communities exposed to attacks by suspected bandits.

The Daily Reality

By Uzair Adam 

The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has arrested a suspected gang leader, Ishaq Lawan Ibrahim, popularly known as Malam Keya, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The 27-year-old suspect was allegedly responsible for orchestrating violent clashes among rival gangs in several communities in Dala Local Government Area of Kano State.

The Daily Reality gathered that Ibrahim, a native of the Yelwa area of Dala, fled Kano for Port Harcourt after the task force intensified its crackdown on street gangs following repeated incidents of violence in the area.

He was allegedly involved in gang-related activities in Jakara, Madigawa, Yalwa, Sanka, Kul Kul, Dogon Nama, Kuka Bulukiya, Dala, Shatsari and Dandalin Turawa, among other communities across Kano metropolis.

In a statement, the task force said it tracked and arrested the suspect in Port Harcourt following credible intelligence.

The operation was coordinated by the task force’s Head of Operations, CSP Bashir Gwadabe, who led the team responsible for the arrest and subsequent transfer of the suspect to Kano.

Confirming the development, the task force chairman, Muhuyi Magaji Rimin-Gado, said Ibrahim remained in custody and would undergo further investigation before being charged to court.

Rimin-Gado described the arrest as a demonstration of the agency’s determination to track down wanted suspects regardless of where they might be hiding.

He warned individuals allegedly sponsoring violence and criminal activities in Kano against believing they could escape arrest by relocating outside the state.

“Let me assure you that those who bankroll violence should know that no distance and no hiding place will protect them. This arrest is only the beginning. We will not rest until peace is fully restored,” he said.

The chairman further assured residents that the task force would sustain its operations within the confines of the law, ensuring that all suspects were subjected to due process.

He said the agency was committed to dismantling criminal gangs, identifying their sponsors and disrupting drug supply networks allegedly fuelling violence across the state.

Rimin-Gado also called on residents, community and religious leaders, parents and young people to support the campaign against thuggery and drug abuse by reporting suspicious activities to security agencies.

He urged parents to closely monitor their children and remain vigilant about activities within their neighbourhoods.

“You should also refuse to be used by anyone to disturb the peace of our dear state. Safety of Kano is a shared responsibility, and together we will reclaim our streets and secure the future of our state,” he said.

The task force acknowledged support from the Kano and Rivers State police commands, along with other law enforcement agencies, in facilitating the operation.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled a terrorist ambush in Zamfara State and rescued two abducted herders while recovering 520 rustled livestock in Sokoto State, the military said on 28 October 2026.

According to a statement by Captain Tamuno Sinivie, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West), troops of Sector 2 came under a coordinated ambush by terrorists on both sides of the Anka–Guruzu Road in Zamfara while conducting a fighting patrol to clear the route after reports of terrorist activity.

The troops responded with overwhelming firepower, fought through the ambush and inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorists, forcing them to withdraw in disarray. One soldier sustained a gunshot wound during the firefight and was promptly evacuated for medical attention. He is said to be in stable condition.

The statement said troops subsequently dominated the road and restored freedom of movement for commuters.

In a related operation on the same day, troops of Sector 2 foiled an attempt by terrorists to rustle livestock and abduct herders at Takasaba Village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Acting on credible intelligence, the troops mobilised to the scene and engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to flee and abandon 520 livestock and two abducted herders.

The rescued victims were identified as Malam Sulaiman, aged 50, and Nasiru Sulaiman, aged 14. They were handed over to the Sabon Birni Local Government authorities.

The military described the operations as further proof of the resilience, combat readiness and sustained operational momentum of Operation FANSAN YAMMA in denying terrorists freedom of action, securing critical routes and protecting vulnerable communities in the North West.

The Theatre Commander, Major General WB Idris, commended the gallantry and fighting spirit of the troops and urged them to sustain the offensive against terrorist elements. He also reassured residents of the joint operations area of the military’s commitment to restoring peace and security, while encouraging the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A Federal High Court sitting in Damaturu, Yobe State, has sentenced a 20-year-old man, Dauda Umaru, to seven years’ imprisonment for procuring and having sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old girl.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) disclosed the conviction in a statement published on its official Facebook page on Wednesday.

The court, presided over by Justice Aisha Y. Salihu, also ordered Umaru to pay a total of ₦1.5 million, comprising ₦1 million into the Victim Trust Fund Account and ₦500,000 as compensation to the victim.

According to NAPTIP, the conviction was secured under Section 16(1) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, as amended.

The agency added that failure to pay the stipulated amount would attract an additional seven months’ imprisonment.

NAPTIP intensifies prosecution of sexual exploitation cases

The latest conviction comes as NAPTIP continues to prosecute cases involving the sexual exploitation of minors and other forms of human trafficking.

In a related case previously reported by The PUNCH, the agency secured the conviction of 37-year-old Fatima Sanda for procuring a 16-year-old girl for sexual exploitation.

Sanda was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment by the High Court of Justice, Court 10, presided over by Justice Aisha Ndume. The court also ordered her to pay ₦500,000 in compensation to the victim.

The agency’s latest announcement underscores ongoing efforts to hold individuals accountable for offences involving the exploitation of minors.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

At least seven people have been killed after gunmen attacked Georo community in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State on Monday night.

The attackers reportedly invaded the community at about 10:20 p.m., opening fire on residents in shops and at a local restaurant where food was being prepared.

A community member, Bot Silas, who confirmed the incident to journalists in Jos, said the sudden attack triggered panic as residents fled for safety.

“The gunmen arrived in the community at about 10:20pm and started shooting sporadically. Some of the victims were killed in their shops, while others were attacked at a local restaurant where food was being prepared,” Silas said.

He added that seven people were killed in the attack, which left residents terrified as the assailants struck under the cover of darkness.

According to the Punch newspaper, the spokesman of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, condemned the killings and called on security agencies to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.

“The killing of innocent people in Georo is condemnable and must not be allowed to continue. We call on the relevant security agencies to investigate the incident, bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure that residents can live and carry out their legitimate activities without fear,” Tengwong said.

He also urged security agencies to strengthen protection for vulnerable communities and intensify efforts to apprehend the attackers.

As of the time the report was filed, the Plateau State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

The command’s spokesperson, Alabo Alfred, was reportedly unavailable for comment when contacted, as his telephone was switched off.

The latest attack has renewed calls for stronger security measures to protect communities in Plateau State and ensure that those responsible for violent attacks are brought to justice.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 14 Chinese nationals and one Nigerian over alleged illegal lithium processing operations at four plants in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

The commission disclosed this in a statement published on its official X account on Monday, October 26, 2026, saying the suspects were apprehended on Friday, October 23, following intelligence gathering and surveillance.

According to the EFCC, its operatives from the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 raided the four facilities and recovered several items believed to be connected to the operations.

The recovered items included bags of lithium rocks, 18 mobile phones and other mobile devices, four laptop computers, two decoders, a television remote control and a trailer truck.

The commission said investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be charged in court after the conclusion of the process.

The arrests come amid growing concerns over illegal mineral extraction and processing in Nigeria, particularly involving valuable minerals such as lithium, which is used in batteries and other energy-storage technologies.

Nigeria has sought to attract investment into its solid minerals sector while tackling illegal mining and activities that deprive the government of revenue and undermine regulatory oversight.

In a related development, the EFCC recently arraigned two defendants, Marian Elia, 19, and Izuchukwu Uzoma, 21, over the alleged theft of ₦35.92 million belonging to a woman, Esther Ogbeifun, in Benin City, Edo State.

The commission alleged that the defendants faced a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, cybercrime and stealing. It further alleged that Elia, who grew up in the victim’s home, used access to the woman’s phones and banking information to transfer money into an account belonging to Uzoma, her boyfriend.

The allegations in that case remain subject to court proceedings.

In another case involving alleged illegal laboratory operations, authorities in May uncovered a suspected methamphetamine production facility in a forest in Ogun State, with raids also conducted in Lagos. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency described the operation as the largest clandestine methamphetamine seizure in Nigeria’s history.

The latest arrests underline the continued efforts of law enforcement agencies to investigate suspected illegal industrial and commercial activities across the country.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old school bus driver, Onome Ughagha, over the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a 14-year-old female student in Sapele.

The suspect was also accused of demanding and collecting ₦503,000 from the victim’s father as ransom before abandoning the girl.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to the police, the incident was reported at the Sapele Area Command on Tuesday by the victim’s father, who alleged that the suspect abducted his daughter while she was preparing to leave for school.

The statement said the suspect later contacted the father, demanded ₦503,000 and threatened to kill the girl if the money was not paid.

Following the payment, the victim was reportedly abandoned along Oton Road in Sapele, where she was reunited with her family in a traumatised condition, with indications that she had been sexually assaulted.

Police operatives subsequently launched an investigation, while the victim was taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment.

The police also invited the school’s principal and vice-principal for questioning as investigations continued. The suspect reportedly abandoned the school bus and fled after the incident.

However, acting on intelligence, operatives traced Ughagha to a hideout in the Ajimele area of Sapele, where he was arrested on Friday.

The police said the suspect confessed to his involvement in the crime during preliminary interrogation.

Edafe added that arrangements were underway to transfer him to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba for further investigation.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, condemned the incident and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting children against violence and exploitation.

The commissioner assured the public that “investigations will be thorough and that anyone found culpable will be brought to justice.”

He also urged school authorities, parents and transport operators to “exercise greater vigilance in safeguarding children,” stressing that the safety of every child entrusted to their care must remain paramount.

The case has renewed attention to the importance of child protection and the need for effective safeguards in school transportation systems.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested three men accused of sexually abusing girls aged nine, 10 and 11 in separate incidents across the state.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, October 15, 2026, as he raised concerns about children’s vulnerability to abuse and called for greater community vigilance.

According to the statement, the first case was reported on October 12 at the Tilden Fulani Division in Toro Local Government Area.

The victim’s mother alleged that a 47-year-old man, Auwal Ibrahim, of Unguwar Sarkin Hausawa, lured her 11-year-old daughter into a narrow passage with N500 before sexually abusing her.

The girl was taken to General Hospital, Toro, for medical attention. Police said the suspect initially denied the allegation, while detectives visited the scene and commenced investigations.

The second incident was reported on October 13 at the E Division in Bauchi by a woman from Gwallameji, whose nine-year-old daughter was allegedly abused by a 35-year-old man, Sabitu Muhammed.

The woman alleged that Muhammed lured the child into his room and sexually abused her on several occasions.

Police arrested the suspect and took the girl to the police clinic in Bauchi for medical examination and support. The case was subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

In the third case, a 40-year-old woman from Wuntin Dada reported to the B Division in GRA, Bauchi, on October 13 that her 10-year-old daughter had been sexually abused.

According to the police statement, the girl had been sent to buy sugar on the evening of the incident when a 22-year-old resident of the neighbourhood, Anas Adam, allegedly intercepted her and took her to his house.

Detectives visited the scene, while the victim was taken to the police clinic for medical examination. Adam was arrested in connection with the allegation.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged offences, describing them as inhumane and barbaric. He assured the victims and their families that the command would conduct thorough investigations and pursue prosecution where the evidence supports it.

Aliyu urged parents, guardians and community leaders to pay close attention to children’s safety and report suspicious behaviour or suspected abuse to the nearest police station.

He stressed that protecting children required collective responsibility and called on residents to remain vigilant to help prevent further abuse.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 12 suspects, including eight alleged kidnappers and four suspected informants, during security operations in Millennium City and Maraban Rido.

The command also announced the deployment of three additional Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) provided by the Kaduna State Government to strengthen operations against kidnapping and other criminal activities in the affected communities.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement on Monday. He said the operations involved clearance exercises, targeted raids and patrols conducted in collaboration with other security agencies.

The eight suspected kidnappers were identified as Dauda Murna, Usman Abdullahi, Abubakar Sulaiman, Saleh Abdullahi, Usman Muhammed, Mathias Moses, Makama John and Tafarki Audu.

The four alleged informants were identified as Shuaibu Sabiu, Audu Makama, Simon Moses and Amadu Mathew.

According to the police, preliminary investigations suggested that some suspects had allegedly supplied criminal groups with information about security operations.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that two of the suspects allegedly confessed to leaking information about police operations to criminal elements, thereby undermining security efforts and endangering the lives of security personnel and residents,” the statement said.

The command did not identify the two suspects who allegedly confessed or provide further details about the recovered firearms.

Police said investigations were ongoing to establish the extent of the suspects’ alleged involvement, identify other accomplices and bring those connected to the crimes to justice.

In a related development, the command said the state government had released three additional APCs to improve security operations in Millennium City and neighbouring communities.

The vehicles are expected to support surveillance, strengthen police response and facilitate operations against suspected criminal hideouts.

The statement added, “The command assures the residents that clearance operations of criminal hideouts will be sustained to dismantle criminal networks, disrupt their activities, and facilitate the rescue of kidnapped victims.”

The police also disclosed that a government delegation led by the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Malam Sani Kila, met traditional rulers, residents and other stakeholders in the affected communities on October 10 to discuss the security situation.

During the meeting, Kila called for greater cooperation between residents, community leaders, government officials and security agencies.

“He reiterated that security is a collective responsibility and urged residents, community leaders, landlords, and youth groups to promptly report individuals suspected of aiding or abetting criminal activities and to continue supporting security agencies in their efforts to maintain peace and public safety,” the statement said.

The command noted that the forested areas surrounding Millennium City presented geographical challenges for security operations and urged residents to provide credible information to help identify suspected collaborators of criminal gangs.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Rabiu, directed the immediate deployment of additional tactical personnel, operational vehicles and other security resources to the affected communities.

The statement said the deployment was intended to “intensify surveillance, improve response times, and prevent further criminal activities.”

Rabiu urged residents to remain calm, report suspicious movements to the nearest police station and cooperate with security agencies.

The command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across Kaduna State, adding that operations against kidnapping and other criminal activities would continue.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The Kano State Police Command has handed over a recovered orange Vibe motor vehicle and an ash-coloured Haojue motorcycle to their rightful owners.

The command disclosed this in a press release issued by its Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on Friday.

According to the statement, the two properties were recovered through intelligence-led operations and handed over to their owners at the command headquarters in Bompai, Kano, after the verification of ownership documents and completion of necessary procedures.

The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the police for recovering their properties, praising the command for its professionalism, commitment to justice and prompt response.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, congratulated the owners and said the recoveries aligned with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

The vision, the statement said, emphasises the protection of lives and property, the restoration of stolen items to victims and the promotion of public trust through transparent and accountable service.

Bakori reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Kano State, adding that all recovered stolen properties would be returned to their legitimate owners after due verification.

The command urged members of the public seeking further information to contact the investigating police officer on 08140081608 or visit the office of the Police Public Relations Officer at the Bompai Police Headquarters.