Unknown gunmen have kidnapped the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Information, Tourism and Culture, Barrister Yusuf Musa, at his Shinge residence in Lafia, the state capital.

According to The PUNCH, the gunmen trailed the permanent secretary and picked him up while he was about to open his gate into his house.

“One of his neighbour raised an alarm at night when he discovered that his car was parked outside and his gate was opened. When we got there, we searched for him, but he was nowhere to be found, and his gate was open.

All efforts to reach him through his telephone and people who knew him failed.

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The Nasarawa State Police Command said it has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the suspected abduction of Barrister Musa.

The police said that at about 3:00 am on Tuesday, a patrol team from B Division, Lafia, discovered a Peugeot pick-up van with all doors left wide open in a suspicious manner. Upon closer examination, officers observed that the gate to the victim’s residence was also ajar, prompting immediate security concerns.

A swift search of the premises confirmed that Barr. Yusuf Musa was missing, along with his GMC vehicle, bearing registration number KUJ 88 PA, raising strong suspicion of an abduction.

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In response, the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, promptly activated a coordinated tactical operation by alerting all relevant police divisions across the state — including units in Akwanga, Andaha, Garaku, and Kadarko — and deploying surveillance along strategic routes to track and intercept the fleeing suspects.

The Commissioner has ordered an intensive statewide manhunt and reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the victim’s safe rescue and the immediate apprehension of those behind the act.

The Nasarawa State Police Command urges members of the public to remain calm and vigilant. Anyone with useful information is encouraged to report to the nearest police station or call the Command’s emergency lines on 08036157659, 08037461715, and 07032532391.

The Chief Imam of Uromi, Sheikh Murtadho Muhammad, has reportedly been abducted by unknown gunmen.

Muhammad, who is also the
President of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Edo-Delta Chapter, was said to have been kidnapped at the Angle 90 Area of Uromi, in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, around 2 p.m. on Thursday

Eyewitness accounts revealed that Muhammad had stepped out to buy food for his family near his residence shortly after observing one of the daily prayers when he was forcefully taken away.

Alhaji Abdulazeez Igbinidu, Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), while confirming the incident on Sunday to newsmen, condemned the act and called for the immediate release of the Islamic leader.

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“I am hearing that they are asking for a very large amount of money, and we don’t have such.

“Even if you have it, if you pay, you are encouraging them,” he said.

The chairman urged the Edo State government to intensify efforts to protect ordinary citizens.

“They are the ones with the apparatus for security. So they should do everything possible to ensure the Imam is released unconditionally and unharmed.

“Government should also make every effort to ensure that citizens can sleep with their two eyes closed and move freely without fear of kidnapping or assassination,” he added.

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A family source disclosed that the suspected kidnappers have contacted the family and are demanding a ransom of N30 million.

The incident has sparked widespread concern among the Muslim community in the state, considering the victim’s dual role as a revered religious leader and youth development advocate.

Contacted, the Edo State Police Command confirmed the report, saying: “It was reported to us on 10/7/2025. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim and track down the culprits.”

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a shipment of illicit substances concealed in factory-fitted female lipsticks at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The discovery, which marks the second of such in less than a week, was announced by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, via a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday.

“Ladies beware! It does appear like female lipstick is becoming attractive as an instrument for concealment and trafficking now,” Babafemi warned.

READ ALSO: NDLEA Destroys Cannabis Farms, Arrests 39 Suspects In Edo

“With yet another consignment of factory-fitted female lipsticks stuffed with illicit substances intercepted at MMIA barely a week after NDLEA officers uncovered a similar cargo at a courier company in Lagos.”

He urged Nigerians, particularly women, to be cautious when purchasing or accepting cosmetic products, especially from unfamiliar or suspicious online sources.

The NDLEA has yet to reveal the identity of the suspect(s) behind the latest smuggling attempt, but investigations are said to be ongoing.