Police

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Zamfara State Police Command has successfully thwarted an attempted invasion of Maru metropolis by armed bandits who reportedly planned a mass abduction in the early hours of Sunday.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

“Acting on timely intelligence, a joint security team comprising the Police, Military, Community Protection Guards, and Vigilante Groups swiftly engaged the attackers, forcing them to retreat with suspected gunshot injuries. No casualties or abductions were recorded,” the statement read.

It added, “However, Security has since been reinforced in Maru and the surrounding areas.”

The State Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Maikaba, commended the professionalism of the operatives and assured residents of the Command’s dedication to protecting lives and property.

He also called for continued public cooperation to enhance security.

By Ibrahim Yunusa

The Kano State Police Command has reiterated the restriction on tricycle operations from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm within the Kano metropolis and reaffirmed the ban on commercial motorcycle passenger transport.

The Kano State Police Command made this known through its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, yesterday.

According to the PRO, the enforcement led by the police in collaboration with other security agencies is aimed at enhancing public safety and curbing the spread of unverified and potentially inflammatory information capable of inciting fear and unrest among residents.

The enforcement will specifically cover the following local government areas: Fagge, Municipal, Tarauni, Nassarawa, Gwale, Dala, Kumbotso, Ungoggo, and parts of Dawakin Kudu.

In support of the enforcement, the Kano Road and Traffic Agency (KAROTA) will work alongside the security agencies to ensure compliance with the directive, which is intended to safeguard the lives and property of Kano residents.

The renewed directive follows recent reports of raids and abductions in some villages within Kano’s border communities with Katsina State, as well as an unverified incident involving the arrest of passengers allegedly found with arms and ammunition at the Kofar Ruwa motor park.

By Ibrahim Yunusa

The Nigeria Police Force has debunk the viral document of withdrawing of police officers from VIPs duties circulating in social media.This in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin.

The statement said, “The Force wishes to categorically state that this document, allegedly signed by one CSP Suleiman Abdullahi, described as the Admin Officer of the squadron, is fake and should be disregarded by the public.

There is no officer by the name CSP Suleiman Abdullahi serving in 50 PMF Squadron, nor is the position of Admin Officer in any PMF squadron held by an officer of the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).

This fabrication appears to be a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and create unnecessary confusion.”

The Nigeria Police Force confirms that the implementation of the Presidential Directive on the withdrawal of police officers from VIP duties has indeed commenced.

And the process is being carried out in a structured, phased, and professional manner to ensure that no security vacuum is created that could be exploited by criminal elements.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency and authorised the immediate recruitment of thousands of new personnel into the military and police force.

In a major address from the Statehouse on Tuesday, the President announced that the Nigeria Police Force is to recruit an additional 20,000 officers, a move that will bring the total number of new recruits to 50,000.

To accommodate the surge in trainees, the President has authorised the police to use various National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as temporary training depots. He also directed that officers recently withdrawn from VIP guard duties undergo “crash training” before being redeployed to areas with high security challenges.

The announcement comes amid a wave of attacks and kidnappings across several states.

President Tinubu commended the security agencies for the recent release of abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi and worshippers in Kwara, but pledged to sustain efforts to rescue the remaining students of a Catholic school in Niger State and other hostages.

Outlining a multi-pronged strategy, the President also ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately deploy all trained forest guards to “flush out terrorists and bandits lurking in our forests.”

He declared, “There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil.”

In a significant political move, President Tinubu called on the National Assembly to review the nation’s laws to allow states to establish their own police forces.

He also advised state governments to reconsider the establishment of boarding schools in remote, insecure areas.

Addressing the farmer-herder crisis, the President urged herders to end open grazing, surrender illegal weapons, and embrace ranching, which he described as “the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony.”

He paid tribute to fallen soldiers, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba, and issued a stern warning to adversaries: “Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness.”

The President concluded by urging citizens to remain calm, vigilant, and to cooperate with security agencies, stating, “We are in this fight together, and together we shall win.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The 24 schoolgirls abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, have been rescued and have regained their freedom.

The students were taken from their school in a recent attack that sparked widespread condemnation and concern.

Authorities have confirmed the successful rescue operation, though specific details regarding the operation or the current condition of the girls have not yet been fully disclosed.

This news brings a wave of relief to the families and the local community, who had been anxiously awaiting their return.

Further details are expected as the situation develops.

By Anwar Usman

The Special Protection Unit of the Nigeria Police Force has instructed all officers attached to VIPs and beats nationwide to return to their bases.

This was as a result of a directive issued on November 23 by President Bola Tinubu, who ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to VIP security across the country.

In a memo signed by the Commanding Officer of SPU Base 16 in Lagos, Neji Veronica, and shared on Tuesday by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, on X, all affected officers were instructed to report back before the close of business on November 24.

The memo reads, “Sequel to the directive of Mr President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces on the withdrawal of police personnel attached to VIPs, the Commanding Officer directs, with immediate effect, the withdrawal of all personnel of SPU Base 16 attached to VIPs/Beats across the federation back to base.

“You are all warned to report back before the end of today, Monday, 24/11/2025, and all to attend the lecture parade tomorrow. Attendance shall be taken from the nominal roll. This is for your information and strict compliance.”

Under the new setting, the president said VIPs in need of security protection will now need to request armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), rather than relying on police officers.

The Presidency explained that the move aims to boost police presence in communities, especially in remote areas where police stations are often understaffed and citizens remain vulnerable to attacks.

The statement further revealed that, “Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult,” adding that the president wants police officers “to concentrate on their core police duties.”

To make the initiative an everlasting one, the president has approved the recruitment of 30,000 police officers nationwide, with plans underway to upgrade training facilities in collaboration with state governments.

By Anwar Usman

The Kaduna State Police Command has announced the rescue of 17 trafficked children and arrested three suspected child traffickers.

This was revealed by DSP Mansir Hassan, the spokesperson of the command, in a statement on November 12, 2025, following credible intelligence on suspicious movements of children under the Danmagaji Flyover in Zaria, detectives from Danmagaji Division swiftly swung into action, leading to the rescue of the children.

The rescued children were allegedly being prepared for trafficking to Abuja and other parts of the country and beyond.

Three suspects apprehended in connection with the incident include Musa Shuaibu, 21, a native of Funtua, Katsina; Sani Mamman, 23, from Ingawa, Katsina State; and Mubarak Ismail, 20, from Unguwa Uku, Kano State.

During interrogation, the suspects confessed to having brought the children from different locations and were in the process of transporting them to Abuja before their arrest.

All the rescued children are underage and were found in good health, who are currently under the care and protection of the police command, as efforts continue to locate and reunite them with their parents or guardians.

By Uzair Adam

Former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, was on Thursday taken into custody by armed police officers shortly after attending a court session for the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Sowore, a prominent campaigner for Kanu’s release, was reportedly accosted by the officers who insisted that he accompany them to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.

When he asked for the reason behind his arrest, one of the officers replied that they were acting on the instruction of the Commissioner of Police.

“The commissioner of police said we should bring you to the office,” the officer stated.

Despite questioning the lack of a formal invitation and insisting that his lawyer must be present, Sowore was eventually driven away in a police van.

It would be recalled that the Sahara Reporters publisher played a major role in organising the recent #FreeNnamdiKanu protest that took place in Abuja and other cities on Monday.

During the protest, police arrested 12 participants, including Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel, and one of his lawyers, Aloy Ejimakor. The detainees were later remanded at Kuje Prison.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed before a Chief Magistrate Court in Kuje, the police accused the protesters of criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, and public disorder.

The report alleged that the protest, which violated a subsisting court order, obstructed traffic and posed a threat to public peace.

The court is expected to take the plea of the 12 defendants on Friday.

However, it remains unclear whether Sowore will be added to the charge sheet.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Police Command has arrested five members of a criminal syndicate that specialized in impersonating police officers to extort unsuspecting citizens across Kano, Kaduna and Katsina States.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Command’s Spokesman, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said the suspects were apprehended on Thursday, October 16, 2025, around 1:00 p.m., following credible intelligence.

Those arrested were identified as Aliyu Abbas (35), Sani Iliyasu (47), Ashiru Sule (41), Abubakar Yahaya (45), and Adamu Kalilu (45).

They were nabbed by operatives of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) while parading themselves as police officers.

According to the statement, several incriminating items were recovered from the suspects, including a fake police warrant card, handcuffs, CFA 2,500, mutilated naira notes of various denominations, and a blue Peugeot 406 with registration number NSR-188-BD used for their operations.

“During investigation, the suspects confessed to engaging in a series of impersonations using the fake warrant card to extort innocent citizens and carry out other criminal acts in Kano, Katsina, and Kaduna States,” the statement added.

SP Kiyawa said the suspects would be charged to court upon the completion of the investigation.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, warning that the police would not tolerate any form of criminal impersonation or illegal activity in the state.

He further urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements or persons to the nearest police station.

By Anas Abbas

The Katsina State Police Command has arrested an 11-member gang of suspected armed robbers notorious for terrorising travellers along the Sha’iskawa, Charanchi and Katsina-Kankia-Kano highways.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on Wednesday in Katsina.

He said the suspects specialized in ambushing and robbing motorists on major roads within the state.

According to Aliyu, those arrested include Dikko Maaru, Dardau Kabir, Muntari Musa, Labaran Amadu, Usman Maaru, Lawal Zubairu, Nasiru Sanusi, Adamu Kabir, Abdullahi Zubairu, Muhammad Usman, and Sale Shehu — all aged between 21 and 35.

He explained that the arrest followed credible intelligence which led to the interception of one of the suspects on Sunday around 10 a.m. while attempting to sell stolen items.

The suspect’s arrest, he said, led to the apprehension of other members of the syndicate.Items recovered from the suspects include 80 wristwatches, nine mobile phones, and a knife used in their operations.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bello Shehu, commended the operatives for their swift response and effective coordination.

He also appreciated the public for their continued cooperation and urged residents to keep providing timely information that could assist in combating crime across the state.

Aliyu added that the suspects would be charged to court upon the completion of investigations.