Crime

Police foil ambush in Delta, kill kidnapper, recover arms

Published

10 months ago

October 6, 2025

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.

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Crime

Police arrest 10 suspected human parts sellers in Oyo

Published

2 days ago

August 15, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected human parts sellers.

The suspects were arrested in the Iseyin and Saki areas of the state.

Public Relations Officer of the command, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one suspected human heart, human flesh, pieces of human skull and assorted charms.

The statement said the exhibits have been secured for forensic examination and further investigation.

The suspects were identified as Adam Ibrahim, Nasiru Kabiru, Tijani Wasiu, Abiola Nasiru, Amusa Gbadamosi, Raheem Taofeek, Jimoh Muritala, Suleiman Busari, Ganiyu Nurudeen and Usman Abdullahi.

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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

Published

2 days ago

August 15, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

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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Crime

PHOTOS: Gunmen abduct 14 passengers in Benue

Published

2 days ago

August 15, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

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.