Crime

Troops foil kidnapping attempt on Otukpo-Enugu expressway, rescue 24 passengers

Published

4 months ago

December 24, 2025

Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE have foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Otukpo–Enugu Expressway in Benue State, rescuing 24 passengers and forcing the assailants to flee.

The incident occurred on 22 December 2025 at about 10:00pm following a distress call, prompting troops on routine patrol to mobilise swiftly to the Amoda axis in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.

Acting Media Information Officer, HQ JTF Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, December 23, said the armed criminals had emerged from the bush and briefly occupied an existing checkpoint.

The assailants subsequently stopped two 18-seater commercial buses travelling from Jos, Plateau State, to Ibadan, Oyo State, and attempted to abduct all passengers; however, the timely intervention of troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE led to a firefight that compelled the kidnappers to abandon their victims and flee into the bush.

In the initial encounter, 15 passengers were rescued and handed over to Nigerian Police Division, Otukpo, while six adults and four minors were declared missing, however, subsequent operations led to the rescue of additional five adults and all four minors now in custody of the Police Area Command, Otukpo, with search efforts ongoing to locate the remaining missing passenger.

Commenting on the development, the Force Commander Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their prompt response and professionalism.

He reaffirmed the Task Force unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property within its Area of Responsibility, stressing that sustained offensive operations, intelligence-led patrols, and coordinated engagements with sister security agencies would continue to deny criminal elements freedom of action.

“Major General Moses Gara, extends warm Christmas and Yuletide greetings to all Christian faithful within the Joint Operations Area, covering Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States,” the statement read.

“He prays that the season brings God’s abundant mercy, peace, and enduring joy to families and communities.

“The Force Commander urges all believers to remain united, to shun all forms of violence, and to live by the noble virtues exemplified by the Lord Jesus Christ of love, humility, tolerance, and compassion as a prerequisite for shared prosperity throughout the festive period and beyond.”

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Post Views: 391

Crime

EFCC nabs suspected fake lawyer with forged NBA seal in Lagos

Published

3 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Ikoyi, Lagos have commenced an investigation of a suspected fake lawyer, John Anoruo, for possession of a forged seal of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA.

Anoruo, who operates a legal and educational consultancy in the Ikorodu area of Lagos, was arrested by EFCC operatives on Monday, April 20, 2026.

The agency in a statement said his case began after he submitted a petition dated September 22, 2025 to the EFCC, on behalf of his clients, against the management of a company, Global West Vessel Specialist Nigeria Limited.

However, investigations revealed that both the petition and the subsequent Letter of Withdrawal dated March 5, 2026, bore a forged seal of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, which Anoruo confessed to have obtained from an undisclosed business centre in Lagos.

During investigations,the 55-year-old claimed that although he obtained a Law degree in 2018 from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, through evening classes, he did not attend the Nigerian Law School.

The agency says the suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

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Crime

Nigerian woman arrested for operating brothel in Ghana

Published

3 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Ghana Police Service has arrested a 28-year-old Nigerian woman, Esther Egbuhama, for allegedly operating a brothel at Manso Watreso in the Ashanti Region.

The operation was carried out on Sunday, April 19, 2026, when officers from the Manso Nkwanta Police Command raided the suspected facility.

The premises, identified as Mama Nice Lodge, were targeted following intelligence gathered on alleged activities at the location.

In a statement issued on Monday, April 20, 2026, police indicated that the raid formed part of efforts to clamp down on suspected criminal operations in the area.

Egbuhama was arrested at the lodge and subsequently transported to the Manso Nkwanta Police Station to assist with ongoing investigations.

However, several other individuals believed to be connected to the operation reportedly fled the scene before police arrived.

“The police picked up intelligence on the activities going on at the place and mounted the operation to stop the crime being perpetrated there and arrest the culprit for the necessary action,” the statement read.

“Unfortunately, all her accomplices and other suspects managed to escape.”

Meanwhile, the Ashanti South Regional Police Command has reminded the public that operating a brothel constitutes a criminal offence under Section 277 of the Criminal Offences Act, as amended by N.L.C.D 398, Paragraph 16.

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Crime

PHOTOS: Troops arrest suspected ISWAP logistics courier in Borno

Published

3 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP logistics courier in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State.

The suspect, identified as Chari Kura from Gajiram in Nganzai LGA, was apprehended at about 6:20 p.m. on April 20, 2026 at Charlie 19 location in Monguno town.

The arrest followed credible intelligence indicating that the suspect was en route to deliver logistics supplies to terrorists at Bindur village in Kukawa Local Government Area.

Items recovered from the suspect include 180 mosquito coils, 12 packs of Jolly Jus, one Itel mobile phone and the sum of N500.

The suspect is currently in the custody of Sector 3 for further interrogation and necessary action.

Military authorities said the arrest is part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist supply chains and deny insurgents access to logistics support within the theatre of operations.