The Delta State Police Command has killed suspected kidnappers and recovered weapons in an intelligence-led operation targeting criminal hideouts in Ughelli North and Ethiope West Local Government Areas.
This was disclosed in a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, on Monday.
According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, directed operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team to track down criminal elements behind reported cases of kidnapping and armed robbery around the Upper-Agbarho axis of Ughelli.
“In compliance with this directive, the operatives led by the commander ASP Julius Robinson on 30/9/2025 extended the investigation to Rivers and Imo States Command respectively and arrested one Abubakar Musa ‘m’ 28yrs of Ajase town, Irepodun LGA of Kwara State but resides at Abajo area, Port Harcourt, and Yusuf Sale ‘m’ 25yrs of Rimin-Zayam town, Toro LGA, Bauchi State but resides at New-Owerri Area, Owerri on 2/10/2025 and 4/10/2025 respectively,” the statement partly read.
The two suspects, during interrogation, reportedly led police operatives to a forested area between Upper Agbarho and Oviri-Ogor communities in Ughelli North, where weapons were hidden.
“Upon interrogation, both suspects led operatives to a bush between Upper Agbarho and Oviri-Ogor Communities in Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, where one (1) AK-47 rifle with its two (2) magazines and forty-three (43) rounds of live ammunition, one (1) pump action, and a locally made pistol were recovered,” the statement added.
However, the police team was ambushed on their way out of the area by other members of the gang attempting to free the arrested suspects.
“On their way out of the bush, the operatives met an ambush by other members of the gang in an attempt to free the suspects already in custody.
“The operatives engaged the suspects in a fierce gun duel, where the suspects and some members of their gang who came to rescue them sustained gunshot injuries,” Edafe said.
Two police officers were also injured in the exchange of gunfire, while the wounded suspects later died in the hospital.
In a separate operation, the police said its anti-cult unit stormed a hideout in Jesse town, Ethiope West Local Government Area, following reports of renewed cult clashes in the area.
“On 5/10/2025, a combined team of State Anti-Cult Unit, following recent cult attacks in Jesse, stormed a hideout where stockpiling of firearms, ammunition, and meetings are usually held before attacks on rival cult groups usually take place,” the command stated.
The operation led to the arrest of multiple suspects and recovery of a pistol and ammunition.
“The operatives stormed Sylvester Street in Jesse town, Ethiope West LGA, Delta State, and arrested one Mudiaga Obey ‘m’ 20 years and eleven others.
“During the raid, one Beretta pistol and one live ammunition were recovered. Suspects are in custody, and investigation is ongoing,” Edafe added.
Seven women d!ed while 11 others were injured during a protest in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
According to Daily Trust, the women were protesting what they termed delayed response by the military to calm tensions between Bachama and Chobo communities of the LGA, when the incident occurred on Monday, December 8, 2025.
The women, who were seen holding leaves blocked the movement of troops into the area, accusing security agencies of delayed responses and biased interventions in favour of the Chobo community.
However, during the confrontation, sources said the military allegedly fired shots into the crowd and four of the women d!ed on the spot, while three others d!ed in the hospital. It was further learnt that 11 others, who were injured are currently receiving treatment.
“They came out peacefully, carrying leaves, begging for security, instead, they were met with live gunfire.
“The wounded were rushed to Numan General Hospital, where medical officials say some remain in critical condition,” District Head of Gyawana, a community in Lamurde LGA, Chief Agoso Bamaiyi, said.
Meanwhile, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Lamurde Local Government Area, following the incident.
The directive was announced on Monday in a statement issued by the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Hussaini Hammangabdo, who confirmed that the governor has instructed security operatives to immediately move into the troubled communities
The statement said Fintiri had ordered security agencies to respond swiftly to the renewed crisis to re-establish stability and prevent further breakdown of law and order.
The Adamawa State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Lamurde Local Government Area with immediate effect following a renewed communal clash that broke out on Sunday evening,” the statement read.
Hammangabdo said security agencies have been directed to move into the area and restore peace and order without delay.
The state government also appealed to residents of Lamurde to remain peaceful and cooperate with the deployed personnel as efforts intensify to contain the situation and avert additional violence.
The fresh violence erupted barely days after Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri brokered a fragile peace deal between the warring Chobo and Bachama groups, according to Dr. Jamila Suleiman, Executive Vice Chairperson of the Adamawa State Peace Commission
When contacted on phone, the police spokesman, Adamawa State Command, S.P. Suleiman Nguroje, confirmed that some people lost their lives and that the injured were taken to a hospital for treatmen
“Actually lives were lost. But for now, we cannot give the total number of people that lost their lives but the injured have been taken to a hospital for treatment,” he said.
Nguroje said that based on the reports he received in the morning, the incident centered within Rugange and neighbouring villages, down to Wadugo
Asked on the cause of the incident, the spokesman said police had been drafted to the area to investigate the root cause, so he will not pre-empt their finding
“I plead that we should give them the opportunity to come out with their findings on what must have triggered the conflict so as to make it known to the members of the public,” he added.
The Kogi State Government has said security operatives have intercepted a group of underage children trafficked into the state in what is suspected to be a covert recruitment attempt for banditry training.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 said some suspects linked to the trafficking operation were arrested.
“At about 1500hrs on December 5, 2025, eagle-eyed security operatives of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Yagba Area Command, in collaboration with other security agencies in Isanlu, acting on credible intelligence from community hunters, intercepted a truck conveying 21 children aged between six and 17 years into Kogi State,” the commissioner stated.
He said initial investigations revealed that the children were moved from different northern states under suspicious circumstances by adults who could not provide legitimate justification for their movement.
“Several suspects linked to the trafficking operation have been arrested, including individuals who claimed they were transporting the children to establish an informal ‘Islamic school’ within Yagba East,” he said.
Fanwo added that further arrests were made as security operatives intensified surveillance in the area, uncovering additional persons allegedly connected to the movement of the minors.
“Some of the suspects were also found with items raising significant security concerns,” he said, adding that the rescued children had been transferred to the NSCDC State Command in Lokoja for detailed investigation and proper profiling of all persons involved.
He said Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to take full custody of the underage victims, ensure their wellbeing and provide necessary psychosocial support pending the conclusion of investigations.
“Upon completion of profiling and verification, the children will be handed over to their respective state governments for further investigation and eventual reintegration with their families,” he noted.
The commissioner, however, said all individuals found culpable in the trafficking operation would be prosecuted in line with Kogi State’s child trafficking and child rights protection laws.
“The Kogi State Government reiterates its uncompromising stance against child trafficking, criminal infiltration and any form of security threat.
“The administration of Governor Ododo will continue to work closely with security agencies and local communities to safeguard every part of the state,” he added.
A 64-year-old man who worked as a “Santa for hire” in New Jersey, United States, has been arrested after authorities accused him of possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material, raising concerns over his repeated interactions with children during holiday events.
As reported by Daily Star on Tuesday, Mark Paulino, of Hamilton Township, was taken into custody on Monday and charged with possession and distribution of child sexual abuse materials, as well as endangering the welfare of a child.
According to Mercer County officials, the investigation began on 4 December 2025, when detectives were alerted to suspicious activity involving the alleged uploading of child pornography from a Hamilton Township residence.
The probe quickly identified Paulino, who had previously worked as a retired elementary school teacher, as the person involved.
Police said Paulino had presented himself online as a retired teacher and had recently performed as Santa Claus for photographs and private, corporate, and organisational events, a role that brought him into repeated contact with children.
“Because this role involved direct, repeated contact with children, detectives worked around the clock to secure a search warrant,” authorities said.
The warrant was executed on 5 December, during which police seized multiple items of evidentiary value, and Paulino was arrested without incident.
Prosecutors have since filed a motion to detain him pending trial, and the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
