Crime

Police intercept smuggled petrol

Published

11 months ago

September 27, 2025

The Nigeria Police Force has intercepted about 103 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit being smuggled out of the country to Cameroon and the Benin Republic.

In a statement on Friday, Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the operation was part of the NPF’s sustained crackdown on economic saboteurs and cross-border criminal gangs across several states.

Hundeyin disclosed that 60 of the jerrycans, loaded in a Toyota Starlet en route to Cameroon, were intercepted by police border patrol operatives at Mubi in Adamawa State.

He added that the remaining 43 jerrycans, transported on three motorcycles, were seized along a bush path linking Nigeria with the Benin Republic.

Two fuel-laden trucks were also recovered at Gembu in Taraba State after smugglers abandoned them following a hot pursuit by border patrol operatives.

“In another incident at Jibia, Katsina State, a motorcyclist attempting to smuggle PMS into the Niger Republic abandoned his consignment on sighting police patrols,” the statement said.

Hundeyin said the crackdown extended beyond fuel smuggling to armed criminals.

“At Ikom in Cross River State, two suspects were arrested with locally made pistols carefully concealed in their vehicle.

“Also, at Imeko, Ogun State, operatives recovered a pump-action rifle with ten live cartridges, along with 20 wraps of cannabis abandoned by traffickers,” he stated.

The FPRO stressed that the operations also disrupted human trafficking.

“At Illela, Sokoto State, a 48-year-old suspected trafficker and an accomplice were arrested while attempting to traffic a 25-year-old victim into the Niger Republic.

“Similarly, in Bachaka, four suspects, including two females, were intercepted en route to Libya and Italy through the Niger Republic without valid travel documents. The victims were promptly rescued and placed under protective custody,” he explained.

The police spokesperson highlighted the recovery of stolen and smuggled vehicles.

“At Jibia, Katsina State, officers attached to Border Patrol recovered a blue Toyota Corolla suspected to have been stolen in the Niger Republic, while in Daura, another suspect was arrested with a Toyota Carina loaded with cartons of illicit drugs.

“In Oyo State, a Nissan Micra smuggled from the Benin Republic was also recovered, and at Daura again, an arrest was made of a suspect in possession of 26 suspected stolen Android phones while attempting to cross into the Niger Republic,” Hundeyin said.

Addressing the impact on criminal networks, he added, “Operatives in Mubi, Adamawa State, investigated and apprehended a notorious trans-border burglar, notorious for motorcycle theft and serial shop break-ins, further weakening the supply chain of cross-border criminality.”

Hundeyin noted that the coordinated operations underscore the Force’s commitment to national security.

“These coordinated operations attest to the unflinching devotion of the Nigeria Police Force to safeguarding national security, protecting the economy, and ensuring the safety of Nigerians across all border corridors,” he said.

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Crime

Police arrest 10 suspected human parts sellers in Oyo

Published

2 days ago

August 15, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected human parts sellers.

The suspects were arrested in the Iseyin and Saki areas of the state.

Public Relations Officer of the command, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one suspected human heart, human flesh, pieces of human skull and assorted charms.

The statement said the exhibits have been secured for forensic examination and further investigation.

The suspects were identified as Adam Ibrahim, Nasiru Kabiru, Tijani Wasiu, Abiola Nasiru, Amusa Gbadamosi, Raheem Taofeek, Jimoh Muritala, Suleiman Busari, Ganiyu Nurudeen and Usman Abdullahi.

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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

Published

2 days ago

August 15, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

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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Crime

PHOTOS: Gunmen abduct 14 passengers in Benue

Published

2 days ago

August 15, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

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.