Crime
PHOTOS: Bandits k!ll village head, his son and four others in Sokoto community
Bandits have k!lled the Village Head of Kulodo in Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Alhaji Abubakar Tudu, his eldest son, Abubakar Abubakar, and four other residents in a fresh attack on the community.
The assailants also k!lled another resident in neighbouring Kwance village during the attack.
The attack occurred while residents were observing the Asr prayer on Friday, July 3, 2026.
The victims were buried amid tears on Saturday, July 4.
A security source told Daily Trust that the bandits stormed Kulodo and Kwance villages in large numbers on motorcycles, opening fire indiscriminately.
According to the source, those k!lled in Kulodo included the village head, his eldest son, Rufa’i Bala, Muhammad Sanusi and Aliyu Dan-Uti, while Yellow Dikko was k!lled in Kwance village.
“The bandits invaded the communities in large numbers and immediately began shooting,” the source said.
“They k!lled the village head, his eldest son and four other residents before moving to the neighbouring village, where they also k!lled another person.”
The source added that the attackers rustled a large number of livestock but did not abduct any residents.
“They were mainly after animals. They forced local herders to drive the stolen cattle while they escorted them on motorcycles.
“The herders later told us the livestock were taken to a forest in Zamfara State before they were released to return home,” the source said.
He further disclosed that the attack has forced women and children to flee both communities. ChildCare
“We have just returned from the villages after accompanying some state government officials and lawmakers on a condolence visit.
“The situation is devastating. Virtually all the women and children have fled, leaving behind only a few men,” he added.
The bodies were recovered and taken for burial after security personnel and senior government officials arrived in the affected communities.
A Nigeria Red Cross official, Ahmad Suleiman, who participated in the recovery of the bodies, preparation for burial and funeral arrangements in accordance with Islamic rites, confirmed to Daily Trust that volunteers worked alongside security agencies and community members throughout the exercise.
A resident described the late village head as a respected community leader who dedicated his life to serving the people, adding that his eldest son was equally known for supporting members of the community.
Another elderly resident said the attackers looted cash, mobile phones and other valuables from several households.
He alleged that one resident, identified as Alhaji Shehu, lost more than N1 million in cash and over 40 cattle during the attack.
“They went from house to house and from room to room, taking away anything of value. They spared almost nothing,” he said.
The resident commended the visit by senior government officials, including the Secretary to the Sokoto State Government, Muhammad Bello Sifawa; the member representing Bodinga, Dange Shuni and Tureta Federal Constituency, Nasiru Shehu Bobo; the Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Tukur Bala Bodinga; the chairman of Bodinga Local Government Area; the Commissioner of Police, represented by the Area Commander of the Bodinga Area Command; military personnel, DSS operatives and other officials who supervised the evacuation of the bodies and ensured that the victims received proper Islamic burial rites.
The latest attack came barely 24 hours after bandits reportedly k!lled the Chief Imam of Talluje village and two other residents in another attack in Bodinga Local Government Area, raising fresh concerns over the worsening security situation in the area.
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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
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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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.
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