Crime

Bandits abduct nine worshipers in Benue

Published

5 months ago

February 9, 2026

At least nine worshipers were abducted on Sunday by suspected bandits in Utonkon district of Ado Local Government Area, Benue State.

Local sources who spoke to journalists on Monday said the bandits stormed St. John’s Catholic Church at Ojije in Utonkon district around 2 a.m.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Ufia Development Association in the LGA, Jude Onwe, said the abductors invaded the church while the victims were attending a night vigil.

“Around 2 a.m. on Sunday, those women and youths—about nine worshippers—were abducted from St. John’s Catholic Church, Ojije in Utonkon, Ado LGA, while they were at night vigil,” he said.

Confirming the incident in a telephone interview on Monday, Chairman of the local government, Sunday Oche, said the abduction occurred during a night vigil in the early hours of Sunday.

He noted that the church was holding a 30-day vigil and regretted that organisers ignored advice to involve security operatives during night activities.

Oche said, “That is what we have been battling with. We received the sad news of the abduction, and I have mobilised all the security agencies, and we are working seriously.

“We had earlier advised the people that whoever is conducting any activity, especially at night, must involve security agents. If people hold a program that has been going on for the past 30 days without recourse to security agencies, then they are endangered.

“There was a similar incident where some people attempted a kidnapping, but they were chased and rescued.

“We assure that the victims will be rescued. Our concern is that people have refused to adhere to advice to constantly involve the police whenever a night activity—be it marriage, burial, or festival—extends beyond 9 p.m.”

While insisting that security agents were on the trail of the abductors, Oche said the situation in the community was normal, adding that the state government is managing the security challenges confronting the area.

Also confirming the incident, State Command spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet said that security personnel have been deployed to the area.

Edet said, “Tactical team already deployed to rescue the victims.”

The latest incident highlights the resurgence of insecurity in the state following last year’s June massacre in Yelwata, which left about 200 people dead and drew national and international outcry.

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Crime

Hoodlums tie up couple, steal ₦4m valuables in Bauchi – Police

Published

7 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have arrested two suspects over their alleged involvement in a case of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking and armed robbery in Gadau community of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, saying the suspects were arrested following an intelligence-led investigation into the incident.

According to the statement, a 28-year-old resident of Gadau Town reported the incident to the Gadau Divisional Police Headquarters on July 3, stating that the robbery occurred on June 8 at about 3:00 a.m.

The statement partly read, “On 3rd July, 2026, a 28-year-old complainant, male, resident of Gadau Town, reported at Gadau Division that on 8th June, 2026, at about 0300hrs, five unknown hoodlums armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons broke into his residence.”

It added, “According to the complainant, the hoodlums forced open his bedroom door, intimidated him and his wife with machetes, tied them up, and carted away valuables. Items stolen include one Jincheng motorcycle, five Android mobile phones, 10 sets of wrappers, the sum of ₦1,000,000 cash, one cap, and three wristwatches, all valued at about ₦4,000,000.”

The police spokesperson said detectives immediately visited the scene and launched an intelligence-led investigation, which led to the arrest of two suspects.

“Upon receipt of the report, police operatives visited the scene and commenced an intelligence-led investigation. As a result of diligent follow-up, two suspects were subsequently arrested.

“They are Salisu Umar, 20, of the same address, and Sadiq Shehu, 20, of Azare, Katagum Local Government Area. They underwent preliminary investigation at the Divisional Headquarters,” Habib stated.

He further revealed that during an identification parade, the complainant’s wife identified one of the suspects.

“During an identification parade conducted, the complainant’s wife recognised and pointed out Sadiq Shehu as one of the persons who entered her room and forced her to open the main gate for the other accomplices,” he said.

The statement added that the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the Divisional Police Officer and his team for the arrest and directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.

He added that the commissioner assured residents that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects, stressing that all those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The police also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information that would assist security agencies in tackling criminal activities across the state.

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Crime

PHOTOS: Fake soldier arrested for allegedly robbing residents in Maiduguri

Published

11 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Troops of the 7 Division Garrison of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have arrested a suspected impersonator accused of posing as a soldier to rob residents in the Shuwari area of Maiduguri, Borno State. Africans& Diaspora

The suspect, identified as Abdulazeez Mohammed, was apprehended at about 2:00 p.m. on July 1, 2026 following credible intelligence on his activities within the Shuwari General Area.

Security sources on Monday, July 6 said the suspect allegedly dressed in military camouflage to gain the confidence of residents before stealing mobile phones and other valuables from homes in the area.

Acting on the intelligence, troops of the 7 Division Garrison, supported by members of the CJTF, swiftly mobilised to the location and arrested the suspect without incident.

The suspect is currently in military custody and is undergoing further investigation to determine the full extent of his activities and whether he is linked to any criminal syndicate.

Security authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report anyone suspected of unlawfully wearing military uniforms or engaging in suspicious activities, noting that impersonating members of the Armed Forces is a criminal offence punishable under Nigerian law.

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Post Views: 40

Crime

PHOTOS: Fake soldier arrested at Borno varsity suspected of acting as terrorist informant

Published

11 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The 25-year-old man who was arrested while dressed in military camouflage at Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri, is being investigated for possible links to criminal intelligence gathering.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama on Monday that the suspect, identified as Mubarak Mohammed, was apprehended at about 4:30 p.m. on July 1, 2026 at the university’s Njimtilo campus after his appearance in a desert camouflage uniform aroused suspicion among troops.

According to the sources, the suspect claimed during preliminary questioning that he was a newly admitted student of the university and had borrowed the military uniform from a civilian friend to attend the institution’s Career Week programme.

However, the claim quickly unraveled during interrogation.

The sources said the suspect was unable to communicate in English, failed to produce a valid student identity card, and could not access the university’s student portal on his mobile phone to verify his admission status.

Troops subsequently contacted the university management through the institution’s Systems Manager, who confirmed that the suspect was not a registered student of the university.

The university official also informed the troops that only final-year students were participating in the Career Week activities, contradicting the suspect’s claim that he had attended the event as a newly admitted student.

Security sources said the suspect is being investigated over suspicions that he may have been gathering intelligence under the guise of a soldier.

He remains in the custody of the 73 Battalion for further investigation.

Military authorities reiterated their warning against the unlawful use of military uniforms, noting that impersonating members of the Armed Forces poses a serious security threat and could be exploited by criminal and terrorist elements.