Police

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 Sabiu Abdullahi

A University of Ilorin lecturer, Chief Elijah Olorunsuwa, has alleged that he feared for his life while in police custody after officers arrested him over a WhatsApp post about a road project in Kogi State.

Olorunsuwa, who teaches in the Department of Political Science, said he signed a retraction of the post under pressure because he feared remaining in custody after learning about the deaths of miners in a Civil Defence cell in Minna.

In an interview with PUNCH, the lecturer recounted how 8 policemen arrived at his residence at about 5 am and said they had come to arrest him.

According to him, the officers initially claimed they would take him to the Kwara State Police Command, but later diverted towards Kogi State.

He said a female officer first knocked on his gate and asked to see his wife before telling them that her superior wanted to see him.

Olorunsuwa said one of the officers identified himself as a policeman from the Kogi State Command and informed him that he was under arrest. When he asked about the alleged offence, the officer reportedly told him that he would receive the explanation at the command.

The lecturer said he initially followed the officers in his car after they assured him that they were taking him to the police command. They stopped at an office in Eyenkorin, where nobody was present.

He said he insisted on seeing the arrest warrant and contacted his lawyer, who advised him not to proceed without seeing the document.

Olorunsuwa said the officers later persuaded him to join their vehicle after promising that the warrant would be shown to him at the state headquarters.

However, he alleged that they changed direction and headed towards Kogi State instead.

“I told them, “This is not what you said.” They said they had decided to take me to Kogi. At that point, I knew I had been taken away under false pretences. I felt I had been kidnapped.”

He said the uncertainty over his destination prompted him to contact close associates and ask them to publicise his arrest, which he attributed to Commander Jerry Omodara.

The lecturer eventually arrived in Lokoja, where he was served with a copy of the petition against him.

The petition, according to Olorunsuwa, concerned a WhatsApp message he posted on a community platform about the poor condition of the Kabba-Okehi-Oleluke road, which he said had remained in a deplorable state for more than 10 years.

He explained that he had shared information attributed to the managing director of a Federal Government agency, who allegedly told him that the World Bank had approved funding for the road project. He also said the information identified James Faleke as the person who facilitated the project, with the Kogi State Government expected to provide counterpart funding.

Olorunsuwa said Omodara, the Kogi State Governor’s Special Adviser on Security, subsequently asked him to remove the post and warned that he could face legal action if he refused.

The lecturer said he responded that Omodara could approach the court if he believed an offence had been committed.

He alleged that the petition accused him of cybercrime for sharing what it described as misleading information about the road project’s funding and asked the police to arrest and prosecute him.

Olorunsuwa said he was surprised by the complaint because he believed he had shared information from a source that had also appeared on blogs.

Although he eventually withdrew the post, the lecturer said the decision was not voluntary.

He alleged that police officers made the retraction a condition for his release on bail. He initially resisted but changed his mind after hearing reports about the deaths of miners in a Civil Defence cell in Minna.

The incident, he said, heightened his fears about his safety while detained outside his home state.

Olorunsuwa maintained that the retraction was obtained under duress and that he signed it because he wanted to leave custody.

He also described the arrest as traumatic for his family, particularly his wife, who first encountered the officers when they arrived at the residence before dawn.

The lecturer said the most troubling aspect of the incident was the alleged difference between what the officers told him about his destination and where they eventually took him.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with a clash between farmers and herders in Guda Village, Ningi Local Government Area, which left one farmer dead and several houses burnt.

The deceased, identified as 40-year-old Usman Jibrin, reportedly died while receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the incident.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Habib, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Friday.

According to the police, the incident occurred on September 23, 2026, after three farmers discovered cattle belonging to a herder grazing on and destroying their crops at Guda Hill.

The statement read, “On September 23, 2026, at about 07:40 hours, three farmers from Guda Village went to their farms on Guda Hill and found cattle belonging to a herder grazing on and destroying their crops.

“They chased the cattle to the herders’ settlement, where an argument ensued and degenerated into a fight. In the process, the three farmers sustained injuries. Sadly, in retaliation, some youths from Guda Village mobilised and set ablaze houses at the herders’ settlement.”

The police said operatives from the Ningi Division responded to the incident, restored calm and evacuated the injured to General Hospital, Ningi, for medical attention.

However, one of the injured farmers later died while receiving treatment.

The command said its operatives arrested four suspects on October 8 following intelligence-led efforts.

The statement added, “Through intelligence-led efforts, our operatives have, on October 8, 2026, arrested four suspects in connection with the offences of criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt, mischief by fire and culpable homicide.”

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed that the suspects be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for a thorough and discreet investigation.

The police have not disclosed the identities of the suspects as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the clash and the subsequent burning of houses.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, arguing that the country’s economy is on a stronger footing nearly three years into the administration.

Idris spoke on Thursday in Abuja during a press conference on the state of the economy and the government’s next phase of economic policies.

He said measures introduced by the administration, including the removal of the petrol subsidy, were necessary to tackle longstanding economic challenges and improve the country’s financial position.

“Three years into the Renewed Hope Agenda, results are increasingly evident. The economy is on stronger footing, stability is creating greater room for investment and enterprise,” Idris said.

The minister said the government was moving beyond its initial reform phase towards a new period focused on economic growth, investment, job creation and improved living standards.

He described the next stage of the administration’s economic programme as “From Reform to Prosperity,” a phrase he said reflected the government’s renewed focus on translating its policies into better outcomes for Nigerians.

According to Idris, the administration intends to prioritise employment opportunities, support businesses, strengthen enterprise and improve household incomes.

The minister’s remarks come amid continued public debate over the impact of the government’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy and its implications for the cost of living.

While the government maintains that the measures are intended to strengthen the economy and create conditions for investment, the minister’s comments represent the administration’s assessment of its economic performance and future priorities.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a man, Adewale Ogoemi Arojah, over allegations that he impersonated a popular cleric on Facebook and defrauded victims of more than N18 million by offering fake prophecies and spiritual services.

The suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Ilaro Divisional Police Headquarters following a complaint by Muyiwa Akogun, a cleric popularly known on Facebook as “Prophet Dr Muyiwa Akogun.”

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

According to Babaseyi, Akogun reported the matter to the police on October 3, 2026, after members of the public alerted him to fraudulent activities allegedly carried out through a duplicate Facebook account bearing his identity.

The complaint prompted the Divisional Police Officer in Ilaro to deploy intelligence and detective operatives to investigate the case and locate the suspect.

Babaseyi said, “Upon receipt of the complaint, the Divisional Police Officer, Ilaro Division, immediately detailed intelligence and detective operatives to track down the perpetrator.

“Through sustained technological monitoring and intelligence-led analysis, the suspect was tracked to a nearby village in Ajegunle, via the Ilaro-Ibogun axis, where he was successfully apprehended.

“During a rigorous interrogation, the suspect confessed to impersonating the real Prophet Akogun on Facebook. He admitted to using the cleric’s identity to deliver fake prophecies and offer prayer services to vulnerable individuals, thereby defrauding victims residing both within Nigeria and in the diaspora.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect systematically targeted victims seeking spiritual assistance on the said prophet’s Facebook page, gained their trust and swindled them of funds amounting to over N18m.”

The police spokesperson said the suspect had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

The investigation is expected to establish the full extent of the alleged fraud, identify possible accomplices and clarify the circumstances surrounding the transactions.

Babaseyi said the arrest reflected the command’s determination to tackle online fraud, identity theft and other forms of cybercrime in the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the Ilaro operatives for their vigilance and swift response. He also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting residents against digital and physical threats.

The police urged members of the public to verify social media accounts before sending money or sharing personal information, particularly when dealing with religious leaders and other public figures.

Residents were also advised to report suspected cybercrime, impersonation and other suspicious activities through the Gateway Shield toll-free line, 0800 000 9111, or the numbers 09164859299 and 09154293464.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested a man identified as Zayyanu Halilu for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl inside a vehicle at Airport Bridge Taxi Park in Abuja.

The girl was reportedly found to be about three months pregnant after the alleged abuse, while the suspect remains in police custody.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.

According to the police, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit were on routine patrol around the taxi park on October 2 when they noticed a navy blue Volkswagen with registration number KMC567LQ parked with its windows wound up.

The officers reportedly noticed that the vehicle was shaking and approached it to investigate. They then opened the vehicle and allegedly found Halilu sexually abusing the minor.

“However, the vehicle was shaking. The officers, suspecting foul play, approached the vehicle and opened it, only to see one Zayyanu Halilu raping a twelve (12) year old minor,” the statement said.

The suspect was immediately arrested, while the girl was rescued by the officers.

The police said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect had allegedly taken advantage of the victim on several previous occasions at the same location.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had, on several occasions, lured and sexually abused the underaged victim in the said vehicle parked at the same location, with threats to ‘deal with her’ if she reveals the abuse to anyone.”

A medical examination subsequently revealed that the victim was approximately three months pregnant.

“The victim is currently receiving medical care and assessment, while the suspect remains in Police custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the police said.

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, urged parents and guardians to closely monitor the whereabouts and welfare of children under their care.

The command also advised residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities or persons to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines.

By Uzair Adam

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 33-year-old housewife over the alleged killing of her co-wife during a domestic incident in Bauchi metropolis.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Bauchi.

According to Habib, the suspect, whose name was withheld, was arrested on September 27 following the alleged killing at Tafawa Balewa Housing Estate in the state capital.

He said the Police C-Division, Bauchi, received credible information at about 4:05 p.m. that a domestic incident had occurred between two wives living in the same household.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the 33-year-old suspect, who is the second wife, allegedly, acting under hallucinations, struck the first wife with a pestle on the forehead, and the victim fell unconscious,” Habib said.

He added that detectives attached to the division immediately mobilised to the scene after receiving the report.

Habib said the victim was rushed to the Specialist Hospital, Bauchi, where a medical doctor certified her dead.

He said the victim’s remains had been deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy, while the police recovered the pestle allegedly used in the incident.

The spokesperson said the suspect was being investigated for alleged culpable homicide.

He quoted the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, as directing that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation and prosecution.

The commissioner condoled with the family of the deceased and warned against domestic violence.

Aliyu also advised families to seek timely medical and psychosocial support for members experiencing mental health challenges.

By Uzair Adam

Police in Adamawa State have arrested a 54-year-old primary school teacher, Garba Suleiman, over the alleged defilement of a 10-year-old girl.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Suleiman Nguroje, disclosed this while parading the suspect.

Nguroje said the arrest followed a complaint lodged by the victim’s family at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Yola South Local Government Area.

According to him, operatives of the command acted swiftly after receiving the complaint and arrested the suspect.

He said preliminary investigations indicated that Suleiman allegedly lured the minor and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.

Nguroje added that the victim had been taken to a hospital for medical examination.

He further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Kabir Umar Hassan, had ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yola, for discreet investigation and prosecution.

“The CP condemns in strong terms all forms of Gender-Based Violence and assures the public that justice will be served,” Nguroje stated.

He also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious person or activity to the police.

By Uzair Adam

The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested seven suspected members of a cattle-rustling syndicate allegedly operating across Garki, Jahun and Miga Local Government Areas of the state.

The Daily Reality reports that the suspects were arrested during routine patrols following actionable intelligence and information from members of the public about their alleged activities.

The operation also led to the interception of two vehicles allegedly used by the suspects and the recovery of eight cows suspected to have been rustled.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, September 24, 2026.

According to him, the arrests and recoveries followed sustained intelligence gathering, community engagement and intensified patrols in identified flashpoints and vulnerable areas across the state.

The suspects were identified as Sulaiman Tijjani, 20, of Gunka Village, Jahun LGA; Abdullahi Musa, 40, of Chai-Chai Village, Ringim LGA; Bala Muhammad, 30, of Ayama Village, Auyo LGA; Isah Adamu, 27, of Tagwai Village, Miga LGA; Yusuf Sa’idu, 32, of Kukui Village, Taura LGA; Mansur Usaini, 29, of Majiyawa Village, Ringim LGA; and Kaku Abubakar, 27, of Jajimaje Village in Yobe State.

The command said the vehicles recovered were a dark blue Golf car with registration number WRA 158 FU and an ash-coloured Golf 3 Wagon with registration number ABJ 493 HN, Abuja.

The eight cows were also recovered and are being kept as exhibits.

The Commissioner of Police, Jigawa State Command, CP Tijjani Murtala, commended the officers involved in the operation for their vigilance, courage and professionalism.

He also appreciated members of the public whose timely information contributed to the arrest of the suspects and recovery of the livestock.

The police said the seven suspects remain in custody and are assisting investigators with useful information.

It added that efforts were ongoing to identify other alleged members of the syndicate and recover additional rustled livestock.

The command urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to help combat cattle rustling and other criminal activities across the state.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command says it has arrested 47 persons who allegedly claimed to be operatives of a state-owned security outfit during the bye-election in Disina State Constituency, Shira Local Government Area.

According to the Command, the suspects were arrested on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at various polling units within the constituency. Police said they were allegedly found carrying firearms, cutlasses and sticks.

The arrests came despite an earlier warning issued by the Command on September 17 concerning security arrangements for the bye-elections in Disina State Constituency, Shira LGA, and Sakwa State Constituency, Zaki LGA.

The Police had earlier stated that state-owned security outfits, quasi-security agencies, private security guards and vigilante groups were prohibited from participating in election security operations.

The Command said only security agencies legally recognised under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) were authorised to provide security during the elections.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, the Command said its personnel deployed for election duty apprehended the suspects after finding them within polling units with the weapons.

The suspects were subsequently taken into police custody, while firearms and other dangerous weapons allegedly recovered from them were also secured as exhibits.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu,mni, psc(+), condemned what he described as a disregard for lawful directives and an attempt to undermine the electoral process.

He ordered the suspects to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Bauchi, for discreet investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law.

The Command reiterated its commitment to maintaining peace and ensuring a credible and hitch-free bye-election across the affected constituencies.

It also warned that individuals or groups who attempt to disrupt the electoral process or cause a breach of peace would face decisive action, regardless of their status.

The Police urged residents to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activities to security authorities.