Metro

Bandits Kill 11 In Sokoto Communities Raid

Published

3 years ago

November 9, 2023

No fewer than 11 persons have been killed by suspected bandits in two villages of Gandi District of Rabbah Local Government Area of Sokoto State within one week.

A source who spoke with The PUNCH from one of the affected villages, confirmed that the attacks which were launched in Gidan-Buwai and Maikujera within the local government also resulted in the rustling of over 300 animals.

The separate attacks occurred in the two communities in less than a week

The source who gave his name as Salisu Gandi said the bandits who attacked Gidan – Buwai community arrived at the village on Monday night.

“They also rustled over 100 cows, 200 sheep, and goats belonging to the community members as well as some residents of the community in the process,” he said.

Gandi further explained that the insurgents riding motorcycles numbering over 100 arrived and surrounded Gidan-Buwai village with sophisticated weapons and immediately started shooting indiscriminately killing and injuring others.

He described the attack as the worst incident as the bandit razed many houses, over 60 silos, 10 motorcycles, and five vehicles, while seven people sustained various degrees of injuries.

According to him, the bandit also burgled many shops and stole essential commodities and food items.

The gunmen also hunted vigilante members in the villages where they intensified a house-to-house search of the vigilante members.

However, a few days ago, the bandit also attacked Maikujera village and killed five while many people sustained various degrees of injuries.

Victims who sustained injuries were admitted to the trauma centre of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital

When contacted, the spokesman for the state police command, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, confirmed the incident but declined to comment on the figures.

He assured residents that the Nigerian Police would make their findings known to the general public upon completion of their investigations.

In a related development, there was also a report of another attack in the early hours of Wednesday in Maikara village, Kware Local Government area of the state.

One of the residents of the village who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity said the gunmen killed two persons, a father and his son in the attack.

He also disclosed that five persons were kidnapped by the gunmen during the raid which he said lasted for almost two hours.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

14 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.