Members of a family in the Gangare community, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, are seeking justice over the alleged r3pe of their 14-year-old daughter.
The family members alleged that the suspect, Ibrahim, a prominent figure popularly known as Baban Siyama, was earlier apprehended but later released by some community leaders.
Narrating how the incident occurred, the victim (withheld), who was an apprentice at the suspect’s chemist shop, said the incident happened between 7 and 8 pm on Sunday, September 21, 2025 when it was raining heavily.
The victim explained that she would usually go to the chemist and return home, but that day, her boss betrayed her.
“As an apprentice, I go to the chemist to understudy the business. Unfortunately, on Sunday when it was raining, he closed the door, threatened to k!ll me with scissors, forcefully removed my clothes, and s3xually assaulted me,” she narrated.
Her elder sister, who used to take her home, explained the situation she met the girl in.
“I used to take her home, but that day, when I got to the chemist, I met her in a strange condition. Around 2 am in the midnight, I heard her crying and I asked what had happened. She then told me that Ibrahim r3ped her. In the morning, we reported the case to the C Division Police Station. We want justice for our sister,” she said.
Meanwhile, elders and community leaders have vowed to ensure justice for the victim.
Hassan Guda, the ward head of Gangare, lamented the development, promising to ensure that the suspect is arrested and brought to book.
“The case was not officially reported to me by the parents. The news came to me through a neighbour. As a community, we will make sure the suspect is apprehended and prosecuted. We are calling on all members to remain calm,” he said.
While the suspect remains at large, members of the community have vowed to shut down the community if the suspect goes free, calling on security agencies to ensure his arrest.
Meanwhile, the C Division Police Station in Jos has given the community leader a 24-hour ultimatum to produce the suspect.
Meanwhile, residents of the community have threatened a showdown with the leaders in the area if the suspect is not arrested and prosecuted.
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.”
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.