The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Delta police rescue kidnap victim, arrest suspect

    Delta police rescue kidnap victim, arrest suspect

    The Delta State Police Command has rescued a female kidnap victim and arrested her suspected abductor.

    Spokesman for the Command Superintendent of Police Bright Edafe, made this known in a statement.

    He said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Agbor Division, Chief Superintendent of Police Obekpa Michael, his men alongside members of the vigilantes, raided a part of Oza Nogogo community, arrested Bila Halili, 30 from Kosso community and rescued Rebecca Mathew of Bodinga community in Washegu Local Government Area of Niger State. 

     The operatives said the suspect lured her out of her family home and destroyed her phone SIM card to make her unreachable before taking her away.

    The spokesman said: “Further investigation led the operatives to the victim’s mother, one Esther Moses, of Bodinga community, Niger State, who later said the victim had been missing since September 2.

    “The victim’s mother said complaint had been made to the Police in Niger State. Investigation is ongoing,” he added.

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    Also, Edafe said the Eagle Net Special Squad, in synergy with the Nigeria Hunters Forest Security Service (NHFSS), led by the Commander, Eagle-Net Special Squad, Superintendent of Police Yunusa Danyaya, raided Basket market on Asaba–Benin Road, and arrested 27 suspects, recovered one fabricated firearm and large quantities of illicit drugs.

    Commissioner of Police (CP) Olufemi Abaniwonda has reiterated the importance of partnering with the community in the fight against crime.

    He restated that that security is everybody’s business.

    The CP, therefore, urged the public, to make provide them with information.

  • Police nab 54 suspects in Anambra

    Police nab 54 suspects in Anambra

    • N10million drugs recovered

    Anambra State Police Command has arrested 54 suspects in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area.

    The suspects, comprising 39 males and 15 females, were nabbed during a raid of black spots.

    The command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said at a press conference yesterday, that the suspects were undergoing screening and profiling, after which those found culpable would be charged.

    He said the operatives of Special Anti-Cult Squad (SPACS) also arrested a 25-year old man, Chiderah Obochi, Enugwu-Ukwu along Old Onitsha/Awka Road with some quantities of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

    “Upon interrogation, he confessed to being a drug runner in Umudioka Village, Dunukofia Local Government Area. He led the team to the house of the one Ginika Okeke in Umudioka Village, but the suspect was not met at home.

    “However, 11 bags containing a very large quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Cannabis Sativa (Indian Hemp) worth N10million were recovered from the house.

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    “The recovered hard substances will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further necessary action.

    “The command is also working on credible intelligence to identify and apprehend drug dealers supplying these harmful substances,” he added.

     Ikenga attributed the trend partly to declining levels of parental supervision and poor guidance over their children and wards.

    He said the command has intensified surveillance, patrols, and intelligence-gathering to nip such incidents in the bud.

    “In addition, the command has strategised further by adopting kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.

    “These include inviting individuals suspected to be with cult groups for questioning, as well as conducting targeted raids on drug hideouts.

    “The abuse of hard drugs remains a major driving force that emboldens youths to commit heinous crimes.

    “On behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, the Command reassures Ndi Anambra of her commitment to restoring sanity, protecting lives and property, and ensuring that the state remains safe for all law-abiding residents,” Ikenga stated.

  • Four die, six rescued from Lagos collapsed building

    Four die, six rescued from Lagos collapsed building

    The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed that six persons were rescued and four died following the collapse of a three-storey building.

    The building is located at No. 325, Bornu Street, Ebute Meta, Lagos State.

    At the scene of the incident, Mr Olatunde Akinsanya, Director of Operations, LASEMA, told reporters that the agency received a distress call at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and deployed a team to the scene.

    “Emergency scene management is highly complex, and casualty figures often change as rescue operations progress.

    “So far, six people have been rescued alive, while four have unfortunately lost their lives,” Akinsanya said.

    He said coordinated efforts of multiple agencies helped to contain the situation and ensure timely recue.

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    He listed the agencies to include Lagos State Building Control Agency,  the police, Lagos State Fire Service, and Federal Road Safety Corps.

    Akinsanya said despite of the magnitude of the collapse and number of people in the building at the time, swift intervention of the  agencies prevented much loss of lives.

    “The emergency services of Lagos State under the leadership of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu have proven to be highly effective and efficient. As operations continue, we will keep updating the public.

    “We urge Lagosians to remain calm and assured that the state government has state-of-the-art equipment to manage situations like this,” he added.

    On crowd control and security at the scene, Akinsanya commended the residents for cooperation, attributing it to increased sensitisation and synergy between emergency services and the public.

    “People now understand the need to give space for responders, and the residents have been highly cooperative,” he said.

    He added that rescue operations were still ongoing, as officials worked to clear debris and increase search.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that two persons were rescued early yesterday after about three days of being under the debris of the collapsed building, making the total number of rescued persons to six.  

  • 40 worshippers abducted in Zamfara by bandits

    40 worshippers abducted in Zamfara by bandits

    Bandits have abducted 40 people while observing early morning prayer in the mosque at Tuber village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

    According to a security expert, Zaragoza Makama, the attack occurred around 5:30 a.m. when the bandits were returning from the Katsina Peace dialogue.

    Sources said the abductors moved the victims into the forests around the Gohori axis of Tsafe.

    “The bandits have no unified command or control. You can negotiate with some groups in Katsina, while others continue to carry out attacks in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Kaduna,” a source said.

    The member representing Tsafe West state constituency, Amiru Ahmed Keta, confirmed the incident. “It is true early morning today, the bandits attacked the villagers but they didn’t kill anybody in Turbe village, despite that, they abducted 10 people and confiscated multiple cell phones but two of the abductees escaped.

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    “Apart from that, they attacked Dogon Daji village under Keta/Kizara ward slaughtered the village Head and they also entered Bawa Ganga village and killed one Alhaji,. Amiru stated.

    The lawmaker lamented the horrible situation of Kucheri to Wanke Road and how bandits turned it to their ‘‘market’’.

    “The bandits are blocking this road that connects Wanke to Kucheri daily, more especially, Keta- Danjibga-Keta-Kwaren ganuwa villages. They turned this road as their market, they almost sleep there. Even today people of my town Keta were denied access to Gusau and other cities to source for their means of livelihood,’’ Keta further lamented.

    The state Police Command has yet to issue a statement on the incident. Also, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar, didn’t respond to calls.

  • Man arraigned for alleged robbery

    Man arraigned for alleged robbery

    An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State has remanded a 28-year-old man, Victor Okafor, over alleged armed robbery.

    Magistrate Lateef Owolabi, declined to take Okafor’s plea on the ground that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain capital offences.

    “This court cannot try armed robbery cases. The defendant shall be remanded in lawful custody while the case file is forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for advice,” Magistrate Owolabi  ruled.

    The court, thereafter, adjourned the matter to December 3, for mention

    Earlier, the police alleged that the defendant and others still at large committed the offence on June 18, at about 8:00 p.m. in the Ijanikin area of Lagos.

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    According to the charge sheet, Okafor and his accomplices, while armed with a gun, robbed one Mr Hassan Oseni of his Bajaj motorcycle with registration number LSR 77 KTU, valued at N750,000.

    The prosecutor, SP. Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that preliminary investigations had been concluded by the Investigating Police Officer, Insp Faromoju Adeyemi of the Lagos Command Tactical Team, Ikeja.

    “My Lord, the defendant and his accomplices violently dispossessed the complainant of his motorcycle.

    The offence is armed robbery, a capital offence under the law. We therefore seek that the defendant be remanded pending legal advice,” Ikhayere submitted.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Under Section 296 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, robbery is defined as the unlawful taking of property through violence or threat of violence.

  • Gun runner escapes arrest as troops raid residence in Plateau

    Gun runner escapes arrest as troops raid residence in Plateau

    A notorious gun runner in Barkin Ladi Local Government of Plateau State has escaped arrest when the troops of 3 Division and Operation Enduring Peace raided his residence.

    The troops, however, recovered arms and ammunition in his possession.

    In a statement, the Media Officer of the troop, Major Samson Zhakom,  said: “In continuation of efforts to clampdown on gunrunners to mop up illicit arms and ammunition, in the early hours of September 15, 2025, troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP), raided the hideout of a notorious gunrunner at Kurra Berom Village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

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    “The troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines and 38 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) from the hideout. 

    “However, the criminals fled from the hideout prior to the operation. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing criminals. 

    “Troops of 3 Division/JTF OPEP will continue to maintain aggressive posture and resistance against any form of criminality in the enhancement of national security within the Joint Operations Area.”

  • Six feared dead in fresh Bokkos attacks

    Six feared dead in fresh Bokkos attacks

    No fewer than six persons are feared dead in Ikn’gwakap community of Mushere Chiefdom, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State after gunmen stormed the community at midnight on Sunday and shot sporadically.

    They said several homes were razed by the gunmen.

    In a statement, the National Publicity Secretarythe Mushere Youth Movement, Kutyil Gashion Nahum, said the dead included women and children while several others are missing.

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    He called on the government to rise to its duty of protecting lives and property.

    He urged the government to assist the families of the victims and the fleeing indigenes.

    He asked the people to safeguard their communities.

    The blood of our people must not continue to be shed in vain.    

  • Lagos Police get new spokesperson

    Lagos Police get new spokesperson

    Lagos State Police Command has announced the assumption of duty of Superintendent of Police Abimbola Adebisi as the new Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the command.

    Her appointment was approved by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun.

    Adebisi holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Tai Solarin University of Education, Ogun State, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution. She also earned a Master of Arts in English Language from the National Open University of Nigeria.

    Her career development includes specialised training and certifications in child protection, human rights, psychology, and conflict management. Notably, she obtained a certificate in Child Protection from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra, Ghana, and attended the Advanced Detective Course at the Police Staff College, Jos.

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    Adebisi is also an Associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and member of several international professional bodies such as the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), International Association of Women Police (IAWP), and International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).

    Her past postings include serving as Staff Officer to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Operations, and as Personal Assistant to the Commissioner of Police, Special Protection Unit (SPU). Prior to her new assignment, she was the Police Public Relations Liaison Officer at the SPU, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

    In a statement, the state comman’s Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Suprintendent of Police Bababeyi Oluseyi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, assured  the public and the media of Adebisi’s readiness to strengthen the relationship between the police and residents.

    The statement added that her appointment aligns with the vision of the IG to consolidate police-community relations in the state.

  • NDLEA burns 18,000kg of cannabis sativa in Edo

    NDLEA burns 18,000kg of cannabis sativa in Edo

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Edo Command has burnt over 18,000 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa at Ugbogui Forest, Ovia South West Local Government Area.

    The substances were discovered during a raid.

    Edo Commander of NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, who disclosed this at a briefing, said the cultivation of cannabis savita constituted serious threat to food security in the state.

    Ofoyeju said the destroyed cannabis savita was cultivated on 6.79 hectares.

    He said 112 bags of harvested and processed cannabis weighing 1,176 kilograms were recovered from the farm.

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    The Edo NDLEA Commander said four male suspects linked to the cannabis plantation were arrested while taking refuge at their tents located within the farm.

    The suspects were identified as Ebenizer Wang, Oshare John, Emmanuel Monday and David Sunday.

    According to him: “The cannabis farm destruction operation which was based on actionable intelligence is posing a serious threat to food security. If these forests can be utilised only for the cultivation of food and cash crops, the challenge of food shortage will be adequately addressed.”

    He said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

  • Group commends Tinubu, demand action on alleged security sponsor

    Group commends Tinubu, demand action on alleged security sponsor

    Concerned Citizens of Zamfara has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s commitment to combating banditry and kidnapping in Northern Nigeria.

    In a statement by Director of Public Affairs for Concerned Citizens of Zamfara, Dr. Yazidu Muhammad Namoriki, the group highlighted the president’s efforts to restore peace and security in the region, acknowledging these initiatives as commendable and deserving of national support.

    This as the group urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to take immediate action against the sponsors of insecurity in the region, citing allegations of activities detrimental to national security and purportedly fuelling banditry in Northern Nigeria.

    The group stressed the need for an impartial investigation into these allegations and for the government to take decisive legal steps if evidence of wrongdoing is found, aiming to reinforce the fight against insecurity and hold public officials accountable.

    Namoriki emphasised the group’s commitment to seeing justice and effective leadership in addressing banditry affecting Zamfara and broader Northern Nigeria.

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    He said, “We, therefore, call on the Presidency and relevant security agencies to launch an immediate, impartial investigation into these concerns and make the findings public to restore confidence in national security institutions.

    “Take decisive steps, in line with the law, should credible evidence of misconduct be established. No public servant should be above accountability, especially when the safety of millions is at stake. Addressing these concerns swiftly will reinforce the government’s determination to end the cycle of violence in the North and protect all Nigerians.”