Crime
FCT police arrest notorious kidnap kingpins, recover firearms and N7.4m cash
Operatives of the FCT Police Command have arrested two notorious kidnapping kingpins: Masud Abdullahi, ‘m’, of Karu LGA, Nasarawa State (the gang leader), and Muhammad Tahir, ‘m’, of Jos, Plateau State, following a counter-kidnapping operation.
A statement from the command’s spokesperson, CSP Josephine Adeh says the arrest followed a report received on 16th August 2025 at approximately 12:05 a.m., that a kidnapping syndicate had invaded an estate in Karu, Abuja. The armed assailants forcefully broke into the home of one Barrister Henry Chichi and abducted him to an unknown location. Adeh stated that upon receiving the report, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit immediately swung into action, mounting intense pressure on the kidnappers, which eventually led to the safe release of the victim on 17th August 2025 at about 9:05 p.m.
‘’In a follow up operation, in collaboration with the Nasarawa State Police Command, the assailants were tracked and intercepted along the Guraku axis of the Nasarawa – FCT Highway after their operational vehicle, a red Opel Vectra with registration number BLD 566 AT, lost control. While some of the gang members escaped, the gang leader, Masud Abdullahi, and his associate, Muhammad Tahir, were arrested.
The suspects later led police operatives to their hideout in Karshi Forest, Nasarawa State, where one more gang member, identified as Kabiru Jibril (22 years), was arrested. Exhibits recovered from the hideout include: N7.4 million cash, Three AK-47 rifles with magazines, One G3 rifle with magazine, Sixteen rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, One Tecno handset.”
He further stated that the state Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Ajao S. Adewale, commended the courage and professionalism of the operatives and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents. He further assured that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.
FCT Police Emergency numbers: 08032003913, 08061581938.
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Crime
PHOTOS: Kebbi man arrested over alleged ritual desecration of Qur’an after burying it in pit with s€men to make woman more submissive to her husband
The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old man, Abubakar Musa, over alleged ritual desecration of the Holy Qur’an in Zuru Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesperson for the command, SP Bashir Usman, who disclosed this in a statement on 14th August 2026, said the suspect was arrested in connection with alleged criminal conspiracy, abuse of religious books, use of spells and hypnosis, and inciting disturbance.
According to the PPRO, on August 9, 2026, Musa and two other suspects, Rabi’u Tela and Hamza Zango, allegedly dug a pit and buried a copy of the Holy Qur’an, together with semen, white and red kolanuts, underwear, d3ad animals, and other fetish items.
The police spokesperson said the act was allegedly intended to make Rabi’u Tela’s wife Zarau Hassan more submissive to him.
“The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested Abubakar Musa, male, 29, of Rafin Mose Village, Zuru LGA, in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy, abuse of religious books, use of spells and hypnosis, and inciting disturbance,” the statement read.
“The incident occurred on 9th August 2026, at about 1900hrs, at Zango Area, Zuru. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly conspired with two others; Rabi’u Tela, husband of Zarau Hassan, and Hamza Zango, both now at large, to dig a pit inside Zarau Hassan’s room and bury therein a copy of the Holy Qur’an, together with semen, white and red kolanuts, underwear, dead animals, and other fetish items.
“The act was allegedly intended to make Zarau Hassan more submissive to her husband, Rabi’u Tela, and was carried out in circumstances capable of provoking a breach of the peace among the Muslim faithful in the community.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the two fleeing suspects, while Abubakar Musa remains in police custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, psc, MNIM, strongly condemns the alleged act and warns that the Command will deal decisively, within the law, with individuals whose actions threaten religious harmony, public order, and peaceful coexistence.
“Members of the public are urged to promptly report suspicious activities to the Police through 09039911876 or 07081074395. All information will be treated with utmost confidentiality.”
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Gunmen have abducted 14 passengers travelling along the Otukpo–Adoka road in Benue State.
The incident occurred on Thursday night, August 13, 2026 when an 18-seater commercial bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja was reportedly ambushed along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area.
A resident, Ochai, who spoke with punch on Friday, said the gunmen forced all the passengers into the surrounding forest.
“Some gunmen ambushed an 18-seater bus heading to Abuja between Omutele and Ankpechi along Otukpo -Adola road yesterday (Thursday) night. All the passengers in the vehicle were whisked away by the gunmen,” he said.
The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, who confirmed the incident in a statement said five of the victims have so far been rescued.
According to the PPRO, the police launched a coordinated rescue operation early Friday.
Aondongu said the operation involved an exchange of gunfire between the security operatives and the kidnappers.
“The Benue State Police Command has confirmed a kidnapping incident involving a commercial passenger bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area on the night of 13 August 2026,” the statement read
“Following the incident, operatives of the command commenced a coordinated rescue operation early this (Friday) morning. The operation, which involved an exchange of gunfire, has so far resulted in the successful rescue of five victims, including a four-year-old boy, while nine others remain in the custody of the suspected kidnappers.”
The police spokesperson disclosed that one of the rescued victims sustained a gunshot injury during the operation and was taken to a medical facility in Otukpo for treatment.
He said the police, working with other security agencies, had intensified efforts to secure the release of the remaining nine victims.
According to Aondongu, the operation was being conducted cautiously, with the safety of the abducted passengers prioritised.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Cletus Nwadiogbu, also assured the victims’ families and members of the public that efforts would continue until the remaining passengers were rescued.
He urged residents of the affected communities to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible information that could aid the rescue operation.
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PHOTOS: Kebbi man arrested over alleged ritual desecration of Qur’an after burying it in pit with s€men to make woman more submissive to her husband
