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PHOTOS: Local hunters rescue kidnapped victim, neutralise gang leader and arrest two in Yobe

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A local hunters’ group has successfully rescued a kidnapped herder, Alhaji Babawuro, from captivity in Yobe State without payment of ransom, following a coordinated operation with security authorities.

Sources told security analyst Zagazola Makama that the Babawuro, a resident of Kurbunga village under Shamka District of the Ngelzarma Emirate in Fune Local Government Area, was abducted at about 2:00 a.m. on November 29, 2025, and taken to an unknown location.

The incident was reported to the Damagum Police Division on November 30, after which the kidnappers contacted the victim’s family and demanded a ransom of N50 million.

“It was the fifth time the victim had been kidnapped, apparently due to his status as a wealthy herder,” the sources said.

They explained that while negotiations were ongoing and the police were making arrangements to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation, the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Yobe State Governor and the Emir of Ngelzarma held consultations with the Commissioner of Police.

According to the sources, it was agreed that a hunters’ group with proven expertise in kidnap rescue operations should be engaged to assist the police.

“The hunters subsequently took over negotiations, which were reduced to N7 million, while efforts were intensified to trace the kidnappers,” the sources said.

“They added that the hunters traced the victim and the kidnappers to Sandi village in Gulani Local Government Area.

“At about 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 11, the hunters stormed the hideout and successfully rescued the victim without paying any ransom,” the sources said.

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During the operation, the leader of the kidnap gang, identified as Ahmadu Shuwa, also known as “Sumo,” was neutralised, while another suspect, Mohammed Bello, sustained gunshot injuries.

Two other members of the gang were arrested and have confessed to the crime.

The rescued victim, who has since reunited with his family, was treated at the State Specialist Hospital, Damaturu, and later reported the incident at the Damagum Police Station.

Efforts are ongoing to recover the weapons used by the kidnappers ahead of handing over the suspects and exhibits to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and prosecution.

The hunters’ group were commended for their role in the successful rescue operation.

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PHOTOS: Ghana arrests 53 Nigerians in large-scale cybercrime operation; laptops and guns recovered

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2 hours ago

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January 19, 2026

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Ghanaian authorities have arrested 53 Nigerian nationals for alleged engagemwnt in cybercrims.

The arrests were made in a sweeping intelligence-driven operation targeting suspected cybercrime hubs across several communities in the Greater Accra Region.

Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, said Sunday, Jan. 18, that the action was part of efforts to safeguard the country’s cyber space and protect its international digital reputation.

According to the minister, intelligence gathered within the last 48 hours by the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) uncovered multiple locations allegedly being used for coordinated cybercrime activities in East Legon Hills, Afienya, Kwabenya, Weija and Tuba.

The intelligence reportedly revealed that several young men, mostly foreign nationals, were being coerced and exploited by suspected ringleaders to carry out cyber-related crimes from these locations.

Acting on the information, a joint security task force comprising operatives from National Security Operations, the CSA, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters and the Ghana Police Service SWAT Unit carried out simultaneous raids on January 16 and 17, 2026.Entertainment center

During the operation, nine Nigerians were arrested as key suspects allegedly involved in organising and coordinating the cybercrime network.

Another 44 Nigerians were rescued from various apartments and are believed to be victims of human trafficking and cybercrime exploitation.

Ghana arrests 53 Nigerians in large-scale cybercrime operation; laptops and guns recovered

The minister disclosed that the rescued individuals were found operating laptops in multiple apartments, pointing to what authorities described as a well-structured and organised cybercrime syndicate.

See also  Delta herbalist arrested as police recover two murder victims’ bodies

Searches conducted at the locations led to the recovery of several items suspected to have been used in carrying out cyber offences, including 62 laptops, 52 mobile phones and two pump-action guns.

A location-by-location breakdown showed that five suspects were arrested in East Legon Hills, 11 in Afienya, 10 in Kwabenya, 10 in Weija and 17 in Tuba, bringing the total number of Nigerians apprehended to 53.

“All the arrested individuals have been duly profiled and handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for safekeeping and further investigations,” George said.

He cautioned foreign nationals against falling for false promises of jobs or quick financial gains, urging them to verify claims made by people who lure them into Ghana under dubious pretences.

The minister added that suspects arrested in previous operations had been profiled by the Ghana Immigration Service in collaboration with INTERPOL, with some already handed over to Nigerian authorities at the Seme border, while others are facing prosecution in Ghana.

“Protecting Ghana’s cyber image internationally is non-negotiable,” George stated, commending the CSA and partnering law enforcement agencies for the successful operation.

 

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Probe begins as hoodlums kill former Osun NURTW boss

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5 hours ago

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January 19, 2026

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The Osun State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the killing of a former unit chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Kazeem Oyewole, who was allegedly murdered by suspected hoodlums in Osogbo on Sunday.

The killing triggered tension across some motor parks in the Osogbo metropolis, as individuals believed to be associates of the deceased reportedly moved around major parks, allegedly searching for those suspected to be behind Oyewole’s death.

Oyewole, who served as part-time chairman of the NURTW Aregbe Unit between 2018 and 2022, was said to have been attacked in the afternoon around Elelede Junction. The exact circumstances surrounding his death remained unclear as of press time.

However, a resident who witnessed the incident from a distance and requested anonymity for security reasons told PUNCH Metro on Sunday that some hoodlums had stationed themselves at the Elelede Junction, allegedly extorting money from passersby under the guise of raising funds for a proposed carnival.

“While that was going on, a motorcycle carrying two people arrived at the scene, and those hoodlums forced the two passengers to disembark. They started fighting those passengers.

I heard gunshots. They later identified one of the two persons who were attacked as Kazeem.

“Later, they brought big stones and smashed the head of a man identified as Kazeem. He died on the spot. The other person, however, escaped from the scene of the attack with an open wound. After the incident, the hoodlums fled before police arrived,” the resident said.

A shop owner at the Elelede Junction, identified simply as Basira, said business activities in the area were abruptly disrupted by the violence.

She said, “The person who was killed was identified as Kazeem Oyewole by some NURTW people who came after the incident. He was said to be the former part-time chairman of an NURTW unit along Osogbo/Gbongan Road in the Aregbe area.”

See also  DSS nabs doctor for allegedly supplying drugs to kidnappers

Our correspondent, who monitored the security situation at Old Garage and Aregbe motor parks on Sunday evening, observed that residents stayed away from the parks for fear of being caught up in possible reprisals, while the presence of hoodlums was also noticed around the areas.

Confirming the incident, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the command had begun a probe into the killing.

He said, “We are aware of the incident that happened at Orita Elelede (Osogbo), and we deployed our men to the place immediately after the information got to us, but unfortunately, one person was confirmed dead. He was identified as Kazeem. Other name unknown. Investigation has commenced.”

On whether security operatives had been deployed to motor parks to prevent escalation, Ojelabi added, “We are still monitoring the situation. We are going to monitor the parks for now.”

The killing is the latest in a series of violent incidents involving NURTW leaders in the state. On November 27, 2025, a prominent NURTW leader in Osun, Adeboye Ademoroti, was shot dead by unknown assailants in Ilesa.

Although the circumstances surrounding Ademoroti’s killing were unclear, security sources told PUNCH Metro that he and another person were attacked in the Olomilagbala area of Ilesa by gunmen.

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Crime

Amotekun nabs 32 suspects for kidnapping, theft In Ondo

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18 hours ago

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January 18, 2026

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The Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, has arrested no fewer than 32 suspected criminals across the state.

The suspects were allegedly involved in crimes including kidnapping, violation of the anti-grazing law, conspiracy, attempted murder and theft.

Speaking on Sunday at the command’s headquarters in Akure, the State Commander of Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, said the arrests followed intensified surveillance and intelligence-driven operations carried out in collaboration with other security agencies.

According to Adeleye, 12 of the suspects were arrested for breaching public law and order, three for offences linked to anti-grazing and farmer-herder clashes, while 17 others were connected to kidnap-related crimes.

“Among the suspects is a group of three men who allegedly attempted to kill their Fulani employer after roasting 10 of his cows in Idoani. The suspects are Ibrahim, 40; Yunusa, 30; and Abdukadri, 25,” he said.

He added that in Oba Akoko, where several kidnapping cases had been recorded around Akungba Akoko, Amotekun operatives acted on intelligence, laid an ambush and arrested two suspects, Pius and John, aged 23 and 35 respectively, at the point where they believed a ransom exchange was to take place.

“Other collaborators are still at large, but efforts are ongoing to apprehend them. We also arrested Elura, Alilu, Adamu and Kamal, aged between 24 and 29, around Ile-Oluji and Ondo town in connection with criminal activities,” Adeleye said.

The commander further disclosed that in Akin Camp, Odigbo Local Government Area, operatives arrested Mohamed Abubakar, Abdulahi, Yakubu, aged between 22 and 35, and Abba Aliu, 29.

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“One of the suspects had previously been arrested for kidnap-related offences but escaped from lawful custody. He was later re-arrested at Akin Camp, where the kidnapping incident occurred. The victims were successfully rescued and the suspects taken into custody,” he said.

In Agbogbo area of Akure, Adeleye said three persons were arrested while in possession of items they could not reasonably explain how they acquired.

“Additionally, four other suspects were arrested at the same Akure garage for conspiracy, assault and breach of public peace,” he added.

He also disclosed that Abdulahi, Kada and Useni were arrested for conspiracy, stealing and anti-grazing-related offences in Elegbeka Forest Reserve and Ifon.

“Also arrested was one Friday, aged 43, for breaking and stealing, while Yayah Abba was apprehended for stealing in collaboration with Masadi and Abubakar, involving motorcycles and water pumps,” Adeleye said.

The Amotekun commander declared that Ondo State remained peaceful, noting that criminal activities were on the decline.

He recalled that the arrests came days after the corps intercepted a Mercedes-Benz truck conveying 38 men suspected to have arrived from the northern part of the country.

According to him, the suspects, who were intercepted at the Cathedral area of Akure, could not give a definite destination within the state during interrogation.

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