Crime

Rivers man in police net for defiling neighbour’s teenage daughter

Published

2 days ago

May 8, 2026

Operatives of Special Area Rumudomaya police attached to the Rivers Police State Command have arrested a man simply identified as Mr Goodnews for allegedly defiling his neighbour’s 16-year-old daughter along the Apu Road in Rukpokwu in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

A family friend to the victim’s parents, Chidi Obulor, told newsmen in Port Harcourt that the incident occurred on Monday, May 4, 2026, when the suspect, who resides in the same compound as the teenager, under the guise of sending her on an errand, tricked the girl into his apartment and had carnal knowledge of her.

Obulor disclosed that ‘following a formal complaint by the parents of the girl, policemen from the Special Area Rumudomaya went to work and arrested the suspect. The girl was rushed to a hospital where a medical examination was conducted on her and treatment was administered.”

When contacted, a spokesperson for the state police command, Blessing Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident and the arrest of the suspect, saying the investigation is ongoing.

Agabe stated, “I can confirm the arrest of the suspect by operatives of Special Area Rumudomaya, and investigation has also commenced.”

Meanwhile, a human rights group, Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, has criticised some persons under the umbrella of a particular organisation in the area for attempting to initiate a settlement in the matter.

The National Coordinator of the Centre, Prince Wiro, in a voice note sent to our correspondent, stated, “Yes, the victim/parents are the nominal complainants in the matter, but the crime is not only against the victim but also against the state.

“Crimes of this nature are intentional, not a mistake and when perpetrators escape facing justice by way of settlement, it emboldens others to commit the same crime.”

Wiro called on the Police to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident, saying that if the suspect is found culpable in the course of the investigation, he should be made to face the law.

As of the time of filing this report, it was gathered that efforts were being made to transfer the suspect to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Port Harcourt, for detailed investigation.

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Crime

EFCC Declares Former Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Sadiya Farouk Wanted

Published

13 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, wanted over allegations of abuse of office and the diversion of public funds.

It was reports that the anti-graft agency made the announcement through a notice published on its official platform on Friday.

The commission asked members of the public with information about her location to report to any EFCC office through the contact details provided in the notice.

According to the EFCC, the former minister is 52 years old and comes from Zamfara State. The agency also listed her last known address as EN008, Okpo River, off Agulu Street, Maitama, Abuja. Umar Farouq served as minister between 2019 and 2023 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The development followed an earlier ruling by a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo on April 16, 2026. Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie issued an arrest warrant against the former minister after she and another defendant failed to appear in court for arraignment.

The court also approved the arrest of Bashir Nura Alkali, a permanent secretary in the ministry. Both men, alongside Sani Mohammed, are standing trial over a 21-count charge filed by the EFCC.

The charges are connected to alleged breach of trust and abuse of office involving public funds linked to a social intervention programme.

The EFCC claimed that about $1.3 million and ₦746.6 million were misappropriated. The commission said part of the money was supposed to be returned to the ministry after payments made under the programme, but was allegedly diverted for personal use.

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Crime

Troops Destroy Suspected IPOB Shrine, Recover Explosives In Enugu

Published

14 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Troops of Sector 1, Operation UDO KA, have destroyed a suspected ritual shrine and recovered improvised explosive devices during an operation in Imezi Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

It was reports that the Nigerian Army said the operation targeted alleged members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Olabisi Ayeni.

According to the statement, the operation was carried out on May 6 in collaboration with other security agencies following intelligence reports on alleged terrorist collaborators in the community.

The Army said troops on an intelligence-led patrol came under attack from gunmen operating from a building allegedly used as a hideout by IPOB and ESN members.

It said three soldiers sustained injuries during the exchange of gunfire and were evacuated to a military medical facility for treatment.

The statement read, “While troops were advancing on foot to the community, they were attacked from a building, resulting in injuries to three personnel.

“Despite the attack, troops maintained operational dominance, foiled the attack and secured the general area.”

IEDs Detonate During Operation

The Army said improvised explosive devices allegedly stored in the building detonated during the gun battle, causing a fire that destroyed the structure.

It added, “During the exchange of fire, improvised explosive devices stored by the terrorists in the building used as their hideout detonated and triggered a fire outbreak that destroyed the hideout.”

According to the military, troops later recovered additional IEDs, improvised hand grenades, and a shrine allegedly used for ritual activities during a search of the area.

The Army said the shrine was thoroughly searched and destroyed to prevent further criminal use.

One suspected collaborator was also arrested during the operation. The suspect was handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Ezeagu Division, for further investigation.

The military urged residents of the community to remain calm and avoid harbouring criminal elements.

It also warned members and sympathisers of IPOB and ESN to desist from illegal activities or face the consequences.

The statement added, “Security forces remain resolute in their determination to build peace in the region and will continue to dismantle criminal networks and deny terrorists any freedom of action.”

Meanwhile, videos circulated online showed several houses engulfed in flames. Some residents claimed that at least seven compounds and about 10 houses were destroyed during the incident.

In one of the videos, residents alleged that an elderly, sick woman was trapped inside one of the burning buildings.

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Crime

Soldiers kill 50 ISWAP terrorists, recover arms in Yobe attack

Published

17 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Troops of the Operation HADIN KAI have neutralised at least 50 suspected Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists during a coordinated attack on the Headquarters of 27 Brigade in Buni Gari, Yobe State.

The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Sani Uba.

According to the statement, the terrorists launched the attack at about 2 am on Thursday from multiple directions targeting the brigade headquarters and the Buni Gari checkpoint.

The army said the attackers first advanced from the western flank before reinforcing through the southern axis along Ganinga Junction and later attempted to encircle the troops from the south-western flank.

“The assault, launched under the cover of darkness by a large number of terrorists from multiple axes, was met with devastating firepower, tactical brilliance and resolute determination by troops who held their ground and inflicted catastrophic losses on the attackers.

“No fewer than 50 terrorists were neutralised, while a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the fleeing remnants,” the statement read.

The military said troops deployed indirect fire and offensive-defensive tactics to repel the insurgents, forcing them to retreat while evacuating some of their dead and wounded fighters.

It added that no part of the military formation was breached during the attack.

“At no point was any part of the camp breached, as the integrity of the location remained fully intact throughout the engagement.

“Exploitation of the general area confirmed the recovery of 10 terrorist corpses within the immediate vicinity, while human intelligence reports indicate that over 20 additional bodies were scattered across bushes around Gashua, Azare, and Kamuya along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes,” he stated.

The army also said the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI provided Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance support during the operation, enabling precision air strikes on identified terrorist positions and fleeing insurgents.

“In a synchronised air-land operation, precision air interdiction strikes were conducted on confirmed terrorist positions and fleeing elements, accounting for an additional 20 terrorists neutralised as aircraft pursued retreating insurgents along their escape corridors,” he added.

Recovered items included eight AK-47 rifles, two General Purpose Machine Guns, two Rocket-Propelled Grenade tubes, five RPG bombs, three RPG chargers, boxes of 7.62mm ammunition, loaded magazines, bandoliers and three Improvised Explosive Device canisters.

The military disclosed that some Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and gun trucks sustained minor damage during the operation, while injured personnel were receiving treatment.

It also confirmed that two soldiers were killed during the encounter.

“Regrettably, two gallant soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of the engagement. Their sacrifice embodies the highest traditions of service, courage, and unwavering commitment to the defence of the nation,” the statement added.

The army said troops and volunteer forces had commenced follow-up operations to track fleeing terrorists and prevent regrouping attempts in the area.

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