Tag: Police

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested three underage girls over an alleged kidnapping attempt.

The suspects — Nurudeen Fathia, 17; Fatai Taiwo, 17; and Munirat Saliu, 16 — were apprehended after a complaint by one Islamiat Omowumi on Friday, January 9, 2026. Omowumi reported receiving a threatening call from a private number.

Confirming the incident, the Command’s Spokesman, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ayanlade Olayinka, said the girls allegedly threatened to abduct Omowumi, demanded human parts, and requested a ransom of N10 million, warning of severe consequences if their demands were not met.

Olayinka said, “The Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public of the successful arrest of suspected kidnappers following a threat report received by the Command, demonstrating its commitment to proactive, intelligence-led, and preventive policing.

“On Friday, 9th January, 2026, one Islamiat Omowumi (female) of Ikoyi-Ile reported at the station that she had received a threatening phone call from a private number.

“The caller allegedly threatened to kidnap her and demanded human parts, claiming she was being targeted because she is a meat seller, and further demanded a ransom of Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000.00), with threats of dire consequences should the demand not be met.

“In response, detectives of the Command immediately swung into action, deploying intelligence-led investigative measures which swiftly led to the arrest of three suspects, namely: Nurudeen Fathia (female), aged 17 years, Fatai Taiwo (female), aged 17 years, and Munirat Saliu (female), aged 16 years

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the act, claiming that the threat was intended as a prank. A small Itel mobile phone allegedly used in perpetrating the crime was recovered from them, further corroborating the investigation.

“The suspects are currently in custody while the investigation continues to fully unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and to determine appropriate legal action in accordance with the law.

“The Command uses this opportunity to warn members of the public, particularly youths, against engaging in acts capable of causing fear, panic, or threat to life, as such actions constitute serious criminal offences with attendant legal consequences.

“The Oyo State Police Command reassures the public of its unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property and encourages residents to promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station. This proactive and timely intervention underscores the Command’s resolve to ensure a safe and secure environment for all residents across the State.”

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a notorious bandit during a gun battle with operatives in Ukum Local Government Area after an attempted kidnapping incident.

In a statement on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said the confrontation occurred at about 11:43 a.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, following credible intelligence that armed bandits had been sighted around Channel Two, Zaki-Biam, plotting to abduct a hotelier.

Operatives from the Ukum Division were deployed to the area, but the bandits opened fire upon sighting the patrol team, triggering a shootout. According to the police, one of the suspects was fatally injured after officers responded with superior firepower.

Read Also: Police rescue man abducted by bandits in Ondo

A locally fabricated Beretta pistol, two rounds of live 9mm ammunition, and a bag of charms were recovered from the scene.

The injured suspect was taken to the General Hospital in Zaki-Biam, where he was confirmed dead. He was later identified as Terkaa Samuel, a notorious bandit from Jandekyula in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The police said additional patrol and tactical units have been deployed to track fleeing members of the gang, some of whom may have sustained gunshot wounds.

In a separate operation earlier that day, operatives of the Jato-Aka Division responded to a violent clash between rival cult groups, Red and Black, which resulted in two deaths and several injuries.

Eight suspects were arrested, while recovered items included a locally fabricated pistol, an expended cartridge, two axes, and two machetes. Injured victims were taken for medical treatment, and efforts to apprehend other fleeing suspects are ongoing.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, reassured residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and urged the public to continue providing timely and credible information to aid policing efforts.

The Imo State Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old man, Wisdom Onyeaju, in connection with an alleged defilement case that went viral on social media.

The suspect, a resident of Umuekweye, Irete, Owerri-West Local Government Area, is currently being held in police custody.

Confirming the arrest, Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye said, “We have arrested the suspect, and he is currently in custody, undergoing thorough investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department.”

Read Also: Police rescue man abducted by bandits in Ondo

According to him, the arrest followed a tip-off from the victim’s family, who had drawn public attention to the incident through a viral video.

He disclosed that the police had identified and detained officers alleged to have mishandled the case.

“An Orderly Room Trial has been scheduled to commence on Monday, 12th January, 2026, in line with extant police regulations,” DSP Okoye said.

He reiterated the Command’s assurance of its commitment to professionalism, transparency, and accountability, adding that “justice will be served in this matter.”

The Ondo State Police Command has rescued a man identified as Jimoh Isah, who was abducted by suspected bandits along the Ifira–Isua Akoko Road in Akoko South-East Local Government Area.

Isah, 25, was attacked at about 4:10 p.m. on Wednesday when four armed men reportedly ambushed commuters along the Ifira/Isua Akoko axis. He was riding a Bajaj motorcycle with his wife, Esther Isah, 22, and their young son when the assailants seized him.

The bandits later abandoned his wife, their child, and a physically challenged man who was also caught in the incident.

Confirming the development in a statement on Thursday, the spokesman for the state police command, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said the rescue followed a distress report lodged at the Isua Divisional Police Headquarters.

He explained that upon receiving the information, the Divisional Police Officer mobilised operatives and coordinated with non-state actors to launch a swift tactical response.

The joint team stormed the area, conducting an intensive bush-combing operation across surrounding forests and blocking suspected escape routes.

Abayomi said sustained pressure from intelligence-led operations forced the kidnappers to abandon the victim, leading to his safe recovery.

“The sustained search, intelligence-led pressure, and coordinated security operations compelled the suspects to abandon the victim, who was later rescued unharmed.

“He has since been reunited with his family. Meanwhile, efforts have been intensified to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects involved in the criminal act,” he said.

Commending the professionalism and swift response of the operatives, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Adebowale Lawal, reaffirmed the command’s resolve to combat crime and criminality across the state.

He also lauded the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for what he described as visionary leadership and policing reforms that have strengthened intelligence-sharing and operational coordination nationwide.

The police boss, however, reassured residents of the state of the Command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property, urging members of the public to continue providing credible and actionable information to security agencies.