Metro

Army Kills 10 Bandits, Rescues Nine Kidnapped Victims

Published

2 years ago

January 4, 2024

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Hadarin Daji, have neutralised 10 terrorists and rescued nine kidnapped victims between Zamfara and Katsina States.

They also recovered arms and ammunition including operational motorcycles and communication gadgets.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Force Information Officer, Cpt. Ibrahim Yahaya.

Yahaya said that the feat was recorded in recent dry season clearance operations commanded by the General Officer Commanding, 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen Godwin Mutkut.

Yahaya said that on January 3, 2024, the combined troops of the OPHD conducted an offensive operation in identified terrorist enclaves at Batsari and Safana Local Government Areas of Katsina State, neutralising 10 of the terrorists while others fled with gunshot wounds.

He maintained that the troops also recovered one AK-47 rifle, ammunition, seven Dane guns, three locally fabricated guns, and other dangerous weapons as well as communication gadgets.

Mobile phones, military uniforms, and four motorcycles were recovered and destroyed by the military.

“Similarly, on the same day, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, operating in Zamfara State, conducted a search and rescue operation at Dansadau and Dandalla villages in Maru LG of Zamfara State.

“During the operation, nine kidnapped victims were rescued including five women and four babies,” he said.

Yahaya added that the victims were abandoned by the terrorists who fled after a gun duel with the resilient troops.

“The rescued victims were immediately reunited with their families at Magami in Zamfara State,” Said Yahaya.

The Commander, Maj-Gen Godwin Mutkut, commended the efforts of the troops and urged them to maintain the tempo.

The PUNCH reports that troops of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army deployed at Birnin Yero in Igabi LG, Kaduna State, rescued 11 civilians kidnapped at Anguwan Maharba and Dandami villages by bandits.

However, two of the abducted victims were killed by the bandits before the arrival of the troops.

Also, men of Operation Hadarin Jadi destroyed terrorists’ enclaves, neutralised scores of them and recovered arms and ammunition in Zamfara and Sokoto States.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

15 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.