Police

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested 17 suspects over alleged involvement in theft, shop breaking, cattle rustling, vandalism and other criminal offences across the state.

The command said the arrests were made during separate operations in Malam Madori, Gwaram, Garki, Kiyawa, Taura, Birniwa, Dutse, Ringim, Miga, Kazaure and Roni Local Government Areas.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Shiisu Lawan Adam, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday. He said the operations were based on credible intelligence, prompt responses and investigative efforts by the command.

Among the items recovered were five motorcycles, five cows, two goats and one sheep.

The police also recovered nine Android smartphones, a keypad phone, 44 batteries, four SIM cards and a Lenovo laptop.

Other items recovered included a plasma television, a solar battery, a ceiling fan, cutting pliers, a ring spanner, two pairs of shoes and parts of vandalised school desks.

The command further reported the arrest of three suspects over an alleged armed robbery involving a Boxer motorcycle valued at N1.2 million. The motorcycle has yet to be recovered.

Police said efforts were underway to trace the owners of the recovered property and return the items to them on bond. The command also said it was working to recover the stolen motorcycle.

The suspects were identified as Usman Sale, Abubakar Aminu, Musa Sale, Abubakar Bashir, Yau Yahaya, Shaibu Muhammed, Anas Uba, Gali Ibrahim, Shafiu Ilyasu, Haruna Alhaji, Musa Haruna, Basiru Datti, Abdullahi Bello, Usman Adamu, Adamu Sani, Umar Wada and Salisu Nasiru.

According to the command, the suspects had been taken before a court for prosecution. The armed robbery case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Dutse for further investigation.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Tijjani Murtala, reaffirmed the command’s resolve to strengthen intelligence-led policing, surveillance and coordinated operations across Jigawa State.

He also warned criminals and those who assist them to abandon their activities, stressing that the police would ensure that offenders face the full weight of the law.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of the traditional ruler of Igbesi community in Isin Local Government Area of the state.

The monarch, Oba Moses Oyinloye Iwedunmoye I, the Kabiyesi Onigbesi of Igbesi land, was reportedly taken away by armed bandits who invaded the community in the Oke-Onigbin area at about 11 p.m. on Saturday.

The state Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, confirmed the incident.

The development was also confirmed by the Coordinator of Joint Security Watch, Kwara South, Comrade Zubair Olaitan.

Olaitan said a joint search and rescue operation had commenced to locate and rescue the monarch.

According to him, soldiers, police officers, local vigilantes, hunters and members of Sunday Igboho’s Iru-Ekun group were part of the operation.

The whereabouts of the traditional ruler remained unknown at the time of the report.

However, the police commissioner clarified that the monarch was the only person abducted during the incident.

The police boss said, “Efforts are in top gear to rescue the victim.

“The narrative of attacks within the past 24 hours is far from the truth; nothing of such,” he added.

Authorities are expected to provide further updates on the rescue operation and the circumstances surrounding the monarch’s abduction.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Multiple people have died after a collision involving a police vehicle and a Volkswagen Passat on a major road in northern England.

The incident occurred at about 3:39am on Saturday along the A66 at South Bank, near Middlesbrough in Teesside, according to reports by the BBC.

Cleveland Police said its vehicle was involved in the crash, while the North East Ambulance Service confirmed that three vehicles were involved in the incident.

A police spokesman said: “Sadly, the collision has resulted in multiple fatalities. We are working to identify the victims and contact their families.”

The police said the A66 remained closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane. The closure was expected to last “for some time” as emergency personnel continued operations at the scene.

The force described the situation as “quickly evolving” and appealed to members of the public to “respectfully avoid speculation” while investigations continued.

The North East Ambulance Service said 14 ambulances were dispatched to the scene. The service added: “Sadly, despite the best efforts of everyone attending, a number of patients died at the scene.”

It further stated: “We send condolences to all of those affected by such a tragic event and thank everyone for all they did to help.”

Authorities were yet to release the identities of those who died, while investigations continued to establish the circumstances that led to the collision.

The public was advised to avoid the affected section of the road and use alternative routes as emergency services remained at the scene.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has raised the alarm over the alleged recruitment of minors by criminal gangs to assist in traffic robbery operations across Abuja.

The command said some of the children, who often disguise themselves as beggars, are allegedly paid between ₦500 and ₦1,000 after helping adult members of the gangs steal from motorists caught in traffic.

The FCT Commissioner of Police disclosed this during an engagement with residents, where he explained that the children are used to divert the attention of drivers while other members of the gangs target their valuables.

According to him, the minors approach motorists under the guise of seeking financial assistance, while their accomplices use the distraction to steal from another side of the vehicle.

“These children are being recruited by these bigger ones. They would be the ones that would stop the vehicle or approach you as if they are begging you for something, distracting you so that when you are paying attention to them, these other ones would be stealing from the other side of your vehicle,” he said.

The commissioner said the children receive small payments after successful operations.

“They just meet these people that if they are able to steal anything, they will just give them ₦500 or ₦1,000 for them to go and eat,” he stated.

He also disclosed that some traffic robbery incidents have resulted in serious injuries to victims.

The police chief cited the case of a woman who allegedly lost part of her ear after a robber attempted to remove her earring.

“We have gotten some of them that were responsible for removing a woman’s ear because they went to remove her earring. They pulled it and the ear was cut,” he said.

The commissioner further alleged that some of the minors were brought into Abuja from other states and left there to participate in criminal activities.

“Unfortunately, most of these children were brought in from another state and dumped here for just this purpose,” he claimed.

He explained that the police cannot prosecute the minors in the same manner as adult suspects because of their age.

Instead, the command is working with social welfare authorities to rehabilitate them and facilitate their return to their families.

“When you get them, because of their age, you can’t take them to court. But we already have a place for them with the social welfare so that they can be rehabilitated and reunited with their families,” the commissioner explained.

He added that the police sometimes obtain information from the children to trace the adults suspected of controlling the operations.

“We also talk to them and give them the same ₦1,000 or ₦500 to tell us who is sending them to do the job,” he said.

The police warning comes amid concerns over traffic-related robbery and the alleged exploitation of children in parts of the FCT.

The command said the allegations remain under investigation, while stressing the need to protect and rehabilitate minors involved rather than treating them in the same manner as adult criminals.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Edo State Police Command has announced the arrest of four suspects, including a private home lesson teacher and a father, over separate allegations of child defilement across the state.

The arrests were disclosed during a press briefing by Commissioner of Police, CP Patrick Daaor, who also unveiled a major shift in the command’s operational strategy aimed at curbing crime and protecting vulnerable citizens.

“Let me state clearly from the outset that the security and safety of Edo people remain the central priority of this Command,” CP Daaor said. “We are also strengthening our operational posture by turning Edo State into a highly Mobile Command. The objective is simple: to ensure that criminals do not find Edo State a comfortable operating environment.”

In one of the cases, 52-year-old Daniel Erumudonmoh Okhuilegbe, a home lesson teacher, was apprehended on August 5, 2026, for allegedly assaulting a 13-year-old pupil entrusted to his care.

“The complainant alleged that the suspect was engaged as a home lesson teacher but allegedly abused the trust placed in him and sexually assaulted the child,” Daaor stated.

Following the conclusion of investigation, the suspect was charged before the Benin High Court on August 14, 2026, and subsequently remanded at Oko Correctional Centre, Benin.

In a separate incident reported on August 6, 2026, a 42-year-old father was apprehended in Iyahmo over the alleged defilement of his 15-year-old daughter. Following a discrete investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the suspect was charged to court on August 14, 2026, and remanded at the Benin Correctional Centre.

The command also arrested 29-year-old Samson Amachie following an August 10 report transferred from the Okhoro Police Station to the Gender and Family Support Unit. Amachie allegedly lured an 11-year-old girl into an uncompleted building behind his shop. He has since been arraigned before the Benin High Court and remanded at the Oko Correctional Centre.

In another case reported on August 12 in Okpella, police arrested 26-year-old Otaru Jonathan for allegedly taking a 14-year-old girl on a motorcycle to an uncompleted building in Afokpella, where he assaulted her and gave her ₦2,000.

“The survivor was taken to the hospital for medical evaluation and attention,” CP Daaor noted, adding that the suspect remains in custody pending arraignment.

Alongside the gender-based violence arrests, police operatives recorded success in tracking down stolen property following a late-night home invasion.

According to the commissioner, on August 14, 2026, at approximately 1:15 a.m., six armed hoodlums invaded a residential compound on Jesus Christ Street, Iduowinna Community, dispossessing residents of mobile phones, laptops, wristwatches, perfumes, human hair, and a Lexus 350 saloon car bearing registration number BWR 988 DH.

“The scene was immediately visited, all divisions were alerted for possible recovery of the vehicle, and patrols were intensified within the community,” Daaor explained. “In a major breakthrough, at about 0900hrs the same day, the stolen Lexus 350 was recovered at Oba Market.”

The police chief assured residents that investigations remain active to track down the fleeing members of the robbery gang and recover the remaining stolen items.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested two men suspected of having links to cattle theft and an alleged attempt to compromise an investigation in Alkaleri Local Government Area.

The suspects were identified as 26-year-old Abdullahi Adamu and 20-year-old Muktashir Idris, both residents of Jarmai Village in Dangi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The command’s spokesperson disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Sunday.

The statement said the development followed a report by two residents of Yalo Village, Alkaleri LGA, over the theft of 103 cattle by unidentified gunmen in July 2026.

According to the police, the complainants formally reported the matter at the Alkaleri Divisional Headquarters on August 6, 2026.

Police operatives later moved to Mararaban Liman Katagum, where the complainants reportedly identified three of the missing cattle.

The police said a traditional leader in the area helped the operatives to arrest the two suspects, who were taken to the police division on August 7.

During questioning, Idris allegedly told investigators that his master, identified as Alaba, sent him to sell the stolen cattle.

The command said efforts were in progress to apprehend Alaba.

The investigation also uncovered an alleged attempt to influence the case with N400,000.

The police said a brother of one of the complainants told investigators that Alaba had given him the money to compromise the case. The cash was subsequently recovered and kept as an exhibit.

According to the command, the man had earlier indicated that he would help the police secure Alaba’s arrest but did not fulfil the promise.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.

The police said the suspects would be charged to court after the investigation is concluded.

By Anas Abbas

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have apprehended four suspects believed to be part of a criminal syndicate accused of carrying out killings, armed robbery and cult-related activities within the Ajah area of the state.

Items recovered from the suspects include three locally fabricated pistols, one round of live ammunition, two battle axes and a Point-of-Sale terminal.

This was contained in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos, SP Abimbola Adebesi, released on Wednesday.

The statement explained that the arrests came about through continued investigative work tied to a robbery case previously reported to the command.

Those apprehended have been named as Kareem Abiodun, 26; Tansiru Emmanuel, 29; Lateef Usman, 28; and Alashe Azeez, 32.
Police said early findings tie the suspects to a string of robbery incidents recorded around Ajah, Sangotedo and Ibeju-Lekki in recent times.

According to the command, the four have since confessed to their roles in cases bordering on armed robbery, murder and cult activities.
Officials disclosed that the suspects remain in custody as investigations continue, noting that a manhunt is underway for other gang members still at large, alongside efforts to recover additional items linked to the crimes.

Once investigations are concluded, the suspects will be arraigned in court, the police said.
The Lagos Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, praised the operatives involved for their diligence, urging them to keep up the momentum in tracking down the remaining members of the syndicate.

He further warned criminal elements operating within the state that the command would continue relying on intelligence-driven operations to hunt them down and ensure they face justice.

Residents have been encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the police through its emergency contact lines for swift response.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Ghanaian authorities have arrested two religious figures in connection with inflammatory statements made about Prophet Muhammad, the police service announced Wednesday.

Imam Masud Abdullah, 35, was taken into custody after a video surfaced showing him delivering a sermon at a mosque in Ntensere, located in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of Ghana’s Ashanti Region. In the footage, Abdullah is seen advocating violence against anyone who insults or speaks ill of the Prophet Muhammad.

The arrest was conducted jointly by the Ghana Police Service and the National Signals Bureau (NSB) following an investigation into the content of the sermon.

“Anyone who insults the Prophet Muhammad… he is trying to provoke us… Therefore, wallahi, if you kill him, you haven’t done anything wrong,” Abdullah was heard saying in the video. He further claimed that such an act would be rewarded with entry to paradise.

In a separate operation, police arrested Daniel Junior Yaw Adjei, also known as Apostle Daniel JY Adjei, who was captured in a video making derogatory and offensive comments about Prophet Muhammad.

The Ghana Police Service issued a stern warning to religious leaders, preachers, community figures, and social media commentators against using freedom of religion or expression as justification for inciting violence.

“Freedom of religion and freedom of expression must never be used as justification for inciting violence or encouraging members of the public to harm others,” the police statement read.

Authorities confirmed that investigations into both cases are ongoing, and the suspects will face the full legal process.

“Such inciteful utterances constitute infractions and perpetrators will be arrested to face the full rigours of the law,” the statement added.

The arrests come amid growing concerns about the use of religious platforms and social media to spread messages that could provoke violence or encourage attacks on others.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested two men, including the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery, over an alleged plot to exhume a recently buried corpse and steal its casket for financial gain.

The suspects were identified as Nsikak Effiong and Elijah Matthew Edet, the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery in Nsit-Ibom Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued to journalists in Uyo on Thursday.

According to the police, the incident occurred at about 11:30 p.m. on Monday after a vigilant operative noticed two men moving a casket on an unregistered motorcycle within the cemetery.

The operative reportedly confronted the men, prompting one of them, identified as Effiong Asuquo, to flee. His accomplice, Nsikak Effiong, was apprehended and handed over to the police.

The police said questioning of Effiong led to the discovery that the suspects had allegedly dug up a recently buried corpse, removed the body from its casket and taken away the casket for sale.

The police subsequently recovered the empty casket and the unregistered motorcycle allegedly used to transport it.

“During interrogation, Nsikak Effiong confessed that he and his accomplice had unlawfully exhumed a freshly buried corpse, removed the corpse from the casket, and stolen the casket with the intention of selling it for financial gain.

“The police recovered the empty casket as well as the unregistered motorcycle used in conveying the stolen property, while investigations were immediately expanded to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the crime and identify all persons connected to the act.

“Further investigation yielded another breakthrough on August 5, 2026, at about 5:00 p.m., with the arrest of one Elijah Matthew Edet, the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery. During interrogation, the suspect admitted to conspiring with the grave diggers in the commission of the offence and stated that it was his first involvement in such criminal activity,” the statement said.

The police said Edet was arrested on Wednesday after investigators expanded their inquiry into the alleged offence.

The Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, condemned the incident and described it as barbaric, sacrilegious and morally reprehensible.

He also directed the police to conduct a comprehensive investigation to identify everyone linked to the alleged crime and ensure that suspects face prosecution in line with the law.

Azare commended the operative whose vigilance led to the interception of the suspects and recovery of the casket.

The command urged residents to remain alert and provide the police with credible information that could assist in preventing crime.

The police said investigations were still ongoing, while efforts were underway to arrest the fleeing suspect.

By Uzair Adam

The Sokoto State Police Command has thwarted an attempted bandit attack on Tauma Village in Bodinga Local Government Area, recovering five magazines loaded with 40 rounds of live ammunition after a gun battle with the attackers.

The incident occurred on the night of July 25 following a distress call reporting that a large number of armed bandits had invaded the community.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) promptly deployed tactical teams, including operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU), to confront the attackers.

According to the statement, security operatives engaged the bandits in a fierce exchange of gunfire, forcing them to flee into a nearby forest with suspected gunshot injuries.

A subsequent search of the surrounding area led to the recovery of five magazines containing 40 rounds of live ammunition.

The command said no casualties were recorded among security personnel or members of the community during the operation.

It added that confidence-building patrols had been intensified in and around Tauma Village to reassure residents and strengthen security against further attacks.

The police also disclosed that neighbouring divisions had been placed on alert and directed to monitor for injured suspects who might seek medical treatment or attempt to evade arrest within their jurisdictions.

The command urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious individuals, particularly those with visible gunshot wounds, to the nearest police station or other security agencies.