Police

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A legal practitioner, Abba A. Hikima, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, demanding what he described as an immediate, independent and transparent investigation into allegations surrounding the disappearance and alleged killing of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata.

Hikima made the disclosure in a petition dated May 8, 2026, which he also shared on his Facebook page alongside copies of the document.

The petition was addressed to the IGP at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja.

In the letter, the lawyer referred to allegations reportedly made by Muhammad Musa Kamarawa, a former Senior Special Assistant to ex-Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle.

According to the petition, Kamarawa allegedly accused CSP Hussaini Gimba and CSP Hassan Gimba of involvement in Dadiyata’s alleged killing.

The petition quoted Kamarawa as saying: “…they threatened to kill me as they killed Dadiyata and Saminu S/Fada Gusau amongst others in my presence at Operations Yaki Kaduna…”

Hikima described the allegation as “an extremely grave matter” that should not be ignored by the police authorities.

He stated that Dadiyata has remained missing since August 2019 and noted that the case has continued to generate public concern and unanswered questions.

“Accordingly, where a citizen expressly claims that he witnessed the killing of Dadiyata and directly linked same to named police officers, there is an urgent need for a thorough, independent and credible investigation into the allegation,” the petition read.

The lawyer further argued that if the allegations are false, a proper investigation would clear the officers’ names and reassure the public.

“However, if there is any truth whatsoever in the allegations, then justice must be allowed to take its full course irrespective of rank, office or influence,” he added.

Hikima urged the IGP to immediately set up an independent investigative panel to probe the claims against the two senior police officers and make the findings public.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Musa Muhammad Kamarawa, a former Senior Special Assistant to ex-Zamfara State Governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has alleged that missing activist Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, was killed while in police custody.

Kamarawa made the allegation while accusing two senior police officers of intimidation, unlawful detention and abuse of office during an investigation conducted against him in 2021.

According to him, the officers threatened to kill him if he disclosed his relationship with Matawalle during interrogation.

He identified the officers as CSP Hussaini Gimba and CSP Hassan Gimba and called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate them over alleged violations of his rights.

Kamarawa claimed the officers used Dadiyata’s alleged killing as a threat against him while he was in custody at Operations Yaki in Kaduna.

“In the course of investigation, I was coerced by them that I shouldn’t make any attempt to disclose my relationship with former Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Bello Matawalle, current Minister of State for Defence,” Kamarawa said.

“That was the main reason in all the video clips they recorded on me under duress, I never disclosed our relationship with him because they threatened to kill me as they killed Dadiyata and Saminu S/Fada Gusau amongst others in my presence at Operations Yaki Kaduna.”

He also accused the officers of conducting a biased investigation against him and searching his residence without a valid warrant.

“The alleged police officers, CSP Hussaini Gimba and CSP Hassan Gimba, have investigated me partially, looted my money, property and illegally searched my house without a valid search warrant,” he alleged.

Dadiyata, a lecturer and social media critic, was abducted from his residence in Barnawa area of Kaduna State in August 2019. Since then, his whereabouts have remained unknown.

The disappearance of the activist attracted national attention and sparked repeated demands from civil society groups and members of the public for answers about his fate.

Earlier this year, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai alleged during an interview on Arise News that former Kano State Governor and ex-APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, had issues with Dadiyata over his criticisms of the Kano government.

“He (Dadiyata) is a critic of the Kano government, it was Ganduje that was his problem, go and check his timeline, I don’t even know him,” El-Rufai said.

He also claimed that a police officer allegedly confessed that operatives were sent from Kano to abduct the activist.

“Three days after Dadiyata’s abduction, a policeman posted from Kano to Ekiti confessed to someone that they were sent from Kano and abducted Dadiyata, and felt bad about it,” he said.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Authorities in Lagos have confirmed the arrest and prosecution of a woman accused of attacking her 15-year-old daughter in the Ipaja area of the state.

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (LSDVA) said the incident came to light after a disturbing video circulated on social media on Wednesday. The clip reportedly showed the woman holding a knife while restraining the teenager after an alleged assault inside a residential compound on Tashoro Street, near Ipaja.

The agency disclosed that it acted quickly after the video surfaced. Officials said the case was reported through the viral footage, which triggered an immediate response under child protection procedures.

According to the agency, the victim was rescued by the Child Protection Unit of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development. She has since been moved to a shelter, where she is receiving care and psychosocial support.

Operatives of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps arrested the suspect and handed her over to the police at the Ipaja Division.

“The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency was alerted to a distressing viral video depicting the alleged assault of a 15-year-old girl by her biological mother in the Ipaja area of Lagos State on Wednesday, 29th April 2026. The Agency immediately activated the State’s response protocol upon receipt of the report.

“The survivor was swiftly rescued by the Child Protection Unit of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development and has been placed in a shelter, where she is currently receiving appropriate care and support services.”

The matter was later transferred to the Family Support Unit of the Ipaja Police Division for further investigation.

LSDVA said the case has now been taken to court. The suspect appeared before Court 23 of the Samuel Ilori Magistrate Court in Ogba on Thursday.

After the hearing, the court ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre. The remand will continue pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

“Following diligent investigation, the case was charged to court on my Thursday, 30th April 2026, and heard at Court 23, Samuel Ilori Magistrate Court, Ogba, Lagos, even as the defendant has been remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the outcome of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ advice.

“We commend the swift collaboration of concerned Lagosians and mandated reporters in ensuring the safety of the survivor and the progression of the case through due legal process.”

The agency also acknowledged the role of residents who raised the alarm. It said their action helped to protect the child and ensured the case moved forward.

LSDVA restated the Lagos State Government’s stance against child abuse. It added that offenders will face prosecution in line with the law. Residents were urged to report cases of domestic and sexual violence through official channels and helplines.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A man in eastern India has triggered widespread anger after he carried the skeletal remains of his late sister to a bank in an attempt to prove that she had died and access her savings.

The incident involved Jitu Munda, 52, from Odisha state. A video showing him taking the remains to a bank branch surfaced online this week and quickly went viral. The development drew strong reactions across the country.

Munda explained that he took the drastic step after several failed attempts to withdraw money belonging to his sister, Kalara, who died earlier this year at the age of 56. He said bank officials repeatedly demanded proof of her death before releasing the funds.

“When the bank manager refused to listen and kept asking for proof, I got frustrated,” he said. “I brought the skeleton to show that she had died.”

Police confirmed that Munda dug up his sister’s remains and transported them to the bank premises. The incident occurred on Monday in Keonjhar district.

In response, the bank rejected claims that it asked him to present the physical remains of the deceased. Officials stated that only standard legal documents were required to process the request. They added that the situation appeared to result from a misunderstanding of procedures. The bank also said the funds have now been released to the rightful beneficiaries.

The case attracted national attention. Many observers criticised both local authorities and the bank for not offering adequate guidance to the man. Others pointed to the bureaucratic challenges families face when trying to access a deceased relative’s funds, especially in rural communities.

Under Indian law, if a person dies without naming a nominee on their bank account, relatives must present documents such as a death certificate and proof of legal heirship. This process can be slow in remote areas where access to documentation is limited.

The bank further alleged that Munda initially arrived in an “inebriated state” and caused a disturbance before returning later with the remains. It described the situation as “distressing”.

Branch manager Sushant Kumar Sethi said Munda first claimed his sister was paralysed and unable to visit the bank. According to him, staff had offered to visit her at home. He added that Munda later reported her death and had not visited the branch in the past two months. He also noted that other legal heirs had come forward, which prompted officials to request proper documentation.

Authorities have since stepped in to resolve the matter. Police and local officials persuaded Munda to return the remains to the burial site and assured him that his concerns would be addressed.

Odisha’s Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said the case is under investigation and that action will be taken against the branch manager over alleged misconduct. The Keonjhar district administration also expressed “deep concern” and stressed that safeguarding citizens’ rights and dignity remains a priority.

Officials later issued the necessary death certificate and documents confirming legal heirs. The bank confirmed that the money has now been handed over to the family. Munda has also been offered financial assistance of 30,000 rupees.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A 200-level Biology Education student of Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), Gadau, Maryam Yakeem, has been seriously injured after suspected phone snatchers attacked her in Bauchi State.

The incident took place in Gadau town, within Itas Gadau Local Government Area, but outside the university premises. The attack has sparked concern among residents, who say violent phone theft has become more common in the area.

Witnesses said the assailants, said to be four in number, confronted the student and demanded her mobile phone. During the attack, one of them allegedly used a knife to cut off two of her fingers and part of her ear before fleeing with the device.

Residents in the area expressed worry over the frequency of such incidents. They urged security agencies to increase patrols and ensure those behind the crimes are arrested.

The Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed the development. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, said the victim suffered severe injuries. He added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the suspects, recover the stolen phone, and bring the culprits to justice.

The student is currently receiving treatment at a health facility in Gadau. There are indications she may be transferred to the Federal Medical Centre in Azare for further care.

Meanwhile, the management of SAZU has dismissed reports suggesting that the attack occurred within the school campus.

Mallam Auwal Hassan, Public Relations Officer of the University, in a statement, said, “The unfortunate incident occurred outside the University environment, contrary to some misleading reports circulating in certain online media platforms suggesting that the attack took place within the University premises.

“The University Management wishes to categorically state that this claim is false and does not reflect the reality of the situation.

“It will be recalled that the Vice-Chancellor sometimes ago paid a courtesy visit to the State Commissioner of Police to further strengthen collaboration and enhance security support for the University community.”

According to the statement, the institution’s Chief Security Officer and Dean of Students Affairs visited the victim at the hospital, where she was reported to be in stable condition.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Fatimah Tahir, also conveyed sympathy to the student and reiterated the university’s commitment to the safety of both students and staff.

The management called for calm among the public and urged responsible reporting. It also reaffirmed its collaboration with security agencies to strengthen safety measures within and around the university community.

By Anwar Usman

Retired police personnel and their families, under the umbrella of the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria, on Monday blocked one of the gates of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in protest.

The retired officers are demanding the removal of the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme, which they described as “fraudulent, illegal, inhumane and obnoxious.”

Protesters carried placards reading “End CPS,” “If military, DSS were removed from PENCOM, why not police?” while many were chanting, “Police dey work, PenCom dey chop.”

The retired officers said the aim of the protest is to call on President Bola Tinubu to assent to the Police Exit Bill passed by the National Assembly on December 4, 2025, and transmitted to the Presidency on March 16, 2026.

They reiteratedthat, the bill, if signed into law, would exempt police personnel from what they called a “slavery and untimely death-inducing pension scheme.”

Speaking in a video of the protest posted by Channels Television, a retired ASP, Nurudeen Dahiru, said, “We are not begging anybody. We have come to fight for our rights. We have suffered.

“We are not here to fight anybody. We are just here to demand for our rights. We have served for 35 years.

“According to the Constitution of the country, when you serve your country for 35 years, you should go home and rest. But see us suffering now. We are not able to take care of our children.

“We have no food to eat. We are dying. Silent killing. So this contributory pension scheme is a killer disease. 35 years is not easy. We are not here to fight anybody.”

Addressing news men, the National Coordinator of the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria, CSP Raphael Irowainu (retd), who led the protest, said the group was at the Villa to press for the President’s assent to the bill exiting the police from the CPS.

“Our major aim here is to prevail on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign our bill by removing police from the Contributory Pension Scheme passed by the National Assembly on 4th December 2025 and transmitted to him on 16th March 2026, into law, nothing more than that.

“The soldiers have been exited, the SSS has been exited, the Air Force has been exited, the Navy has been exited, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has been exited. The police, who are the father of them all, are trapped in this obnoxious Contributory Pension Scheme,” he said.

The protest is the latest in a series of demonstrations by retired police officers over the CPS.

By Anwar Usman

Another tragedy struck again in Plateau State as unknown gunmen invaded Nyango Gyel in Jos South Local Government Area, killing three people in a late-night attack.

The unknown gunmen arrived at the community around 10:40 pm on Friday, shooting sporadically before fleeing into the darkness, eyewitnesses and community sources said.

The incident was confirmed by the secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong,  describing it as “one too many.”

He strongly condemned the attack, saying it represents yet another senseless assault on innocent citizens going about their normal business.

“This cycle of attacks on our rural communities must stop. We call on security agencies to act swiftly and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Tengwong stated.

He urged heightened vigilance among residents of rural communities in Jos South, Riyom, and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas.

Recakked that, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang had earlier vowed that such attacks would not continue unchecked, instructing security agencies to find out those behind the recent bloodshed.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Israeli police on Sunday prevented top Catholic leaders from accessing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, where they were scheduled to lead Palm Sunday Mass.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed the development in a joint statement issued with the Custody of the Holy Land. According to the statement, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and the Custos of the Holy Land, the Most Reverend Fr. Francesco Ielpo, were stopped while heading to the church.

The statement explained that the clerics “were stopped en route, while proceeding privately and without any characteristics of a procession or ceremonial act, and were compelled to turn back.”

Church authorities said the incident marked an unprecedented disruption. “As a result, and for the first time in centuries, the Heads of the Church were prevented from celebrating the Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,” the statement added.

They criticised the action of the police, describing it as “a grave precedent, and disregard[ing] the sensibilities of billions of people around the world who, during this week, look to Jerusalem.”

The Patriarchate noted that Christian leaders had adhered strictly to restrictions imposed since the outbreak of the war. It stated that public gatherings were cancelled, attendance was not allowed, and arrangements were put in place to broadcast religious activities to millions of worshippers globally.

The statement further condemned the move as “a manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure.” It added that the decision was “hasty and fundamentally flawed decision, tainted by improper considerations” and represented “an extreme departure from basic principles of reasonableness, freedom of worship, and respect for the Status Quo.”

Expressing disappointment over the development, the Church authorities said, “We express our profound sorrow to the Christian faithful in the Holy Land and throughout the world that prayer on one of the most sacred days of the Christian calendar has thus been prevented.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Friday formally decorated Moshood Jimoh with the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

During the ceremony, the IGP said the elevation was merited. He pointed to Jimoh’s track record of disciplined leadership and clear operational achievements, especially during his time in Lagos, as reasons for the promotion.

Disu also called on the senior officer to apply his experience and professionalism to enhance policing efforts across the country.

“Your promotion reflects the confidence of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force in your capacity to deliver,” the IGP said, urging the senior officer to sustain his commitment to service, integrity and strategic policing.

Jimoh is among several senior officers recently elevated to the rank of AIG and assigned to different zones and departments within the Nigeria Police Force.

Before his promotion, he served as Commissioner of Police in Lagos. He is now set to take charge of Zone 2, Lagos, in his new capacity.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Police Command says it has recorded a notable reduction in crime across the state in the first quarter of 2026, crediting the progress to improved policing strategies, intelligence-driven operations, and closer collaboration with key stakeholders.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, made this known on Tuesday while briefing journalists at the Command Headquarters in Bompai, Kano, where he outlined the current security situation.

Bakori explained that recent restructuring within the Command has boosted operational effectiveness and strengthened responses to emerging threats, noting that the reforms are already delivering encouraging outcomes in maintaining public safety.

He stressed that the police remain determined to build on the gains to ensure Kano continues to be secure for both residents and businesses.

Speaking on the Command’s 2026 roadmap, the commissioner said initiatives such as community policing, intelligence-led operations, capacity development, and collaboration with other security agencies have reinforced the state’s security framework.

He highlighted the impact of Operation Kukan Kura, which he said has played a key role in curbing thuggery, popularly known as Fadan Daba.

“Our roadmap for 2026 is already producing strong results, and we are focused on sustaining and improving this momentum,” he said.

Bakori further noted that coordinated efforts involving the Kano State Government and other security agencies have helped prevent bandit infiltration, while long-standing farmer-herder disputes have been addressed through dialogue and community engagement.

On the fight against drug-related crimes, he revealed that the Command has utilised open-source intelligence to identify suspected dealers, with over 2,000 names submitted by members of the public.

According to him, many of the entries appeared repeatedly, suggesting credible information.

“We are profiling and verifying these individuals with a view to taking decisive action,” he said, emphasizing the importance of technology and community support in tackling crime.

The commissioner added that suspects linked to offences including armed robbery, kidnapping, cybercrime, and drug trafficking have been arrested and prosecuted, with several stolen items recovered during operations.

While admitting that security challenges persist, Bakori reassured residents of the Command’s resolve to address them through sustained collaboration with relevant authorities.

He also acknowledged the support of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, alongside the cooperation of the public.

The police chief urged citizens to continue providing timely and useful information, assuring that the Command remains committed to safeguarding lives and property.