Metro
Court Sentences Two Kidnappers To Death By Hanging

Jigawa State High Court No. 8 has sentenced two kidnappers, Sani Mohammed, and Babannan Saleh (alias Ustaz), to death by hanging after they were found guilty of abduction, robbery, and criminal conspiracy.
The judgment, delivered on Tuesday by Justice Mohammed Kaugama, came after a series of high-profile kidnappings in Jigawa State.
Justice Kaugama confirmed that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, leading to the convicts’ sentences.
“The convicts are hereby sentenced to death by hanging for the offence of abduction,” stated Justice Kaugama, referring to Section 27 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law No. 2 of Jigawa State, 2021.
READ ALSO: Police Rescue Lawyer, Niece From Kidnappers’ Den In Akwa Ibom
“The sentences for robbery and criminal conspiracy will also be served concurrently with life imprisonment and three years, respectively,” he added.
In a separate case involving Babannan Saleh, the court heard testimonies from 10 witnesses.
Saleh was found guilty of abduction, culpable homicide, criminal conspiracy, and trespass.
He received the death penalty for abduction and culpable homicide, along with 10 and three-year prison sentences for the other offences.
The convicts were linked to a string of kidnappings across the region.
READ ALSO: Police Rescue 36 Kidnapped Victims In Kebbi
According to the Director of Protocol and Publicity for the Jigawa Judiciary, Abbas Wangara, the convicts were involved in multiple high-profile cases.
“In one instance, the convicts abducted Hamidan Abdu from Shangel Village in Ringim Local Government Area, robbing him of an unspecified amount and demanding a ransom of N20 million.
“They were also involved in the abduction of Mr. Eze Viginus Emmanuel from his shop in Kore Village, Danbatta Local Government Area, Kano State, where they received a ransom of N14.65 million before releasing him,” he said.
Babannan Saleh (alias Ustaz) faced further charges for his role in a case of abduction and murder.
READ ALSO: Kidnap Victim Escapes Abductors’ Den In Delta
He was convicted of abducting Abdullahi Jarma from Maigatari Town, Jigawa State, and demanding a ransom of N100 million.
“After lengthy negotiations, Abdullahi Jarma’s family paid N2.5 million, which was handed to Ahmed Nadabo for delivery to the kidnappers,” Wangara explained.
“Tragically, the kidnappers shot and killed Nadabo during the ransom exchange,” he added.
Additionally, Saleh was convicted of kidnapping Alhaji Kabiru Taura from Taura Town, Jigawa State, and demanding N20 million for his release.
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Metro
NDLEA Arrests Lady Smuggling Drugs Inside Butt Pads, Phone Chargers

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported two new methods of drug concealment as part of its ongoing efforts to combat trafficking ahead of the festive season, dubbed “Detty December.”
In a post on his X handle on Sunday morning, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi announced the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of their drug consignments.
He shared two videos illustrating the sophisticated concealment methods used by the suspects.
According to Babafemi, one of the videos shows a lady who was caught with drugs hidden inside her butt pad underwear.
READ ALSO:NDLEA Arrests Indian Businessman, 3 Others Over Alleged Trafficking Of N3.9bn Tramadol
The second video reveals a separate seizure where a suspect attempted to smuggle drugs concealed within phone chargers.
“With the spate of ongoing arrests and seizures by @ndlea_nigeria at some major entry points, it’s obvious the race and desperation for Detty December are already in overdrive,” Babafemi wrote.
He urged law-abiding citizens to “stay vigilant and careful.”
Metro
Two Dead, Four Injured In DICON Factory Explosion

Two people, including a military officer, were killed and four others critically injured on Saturday following an explosion at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) factory in the Kurmin Gwari area of Kaduna.
The blast, reportedly from gunpowder used in arms production, occurred during a weekend shift, shaking nearby buildings and sending residents into panic.
Eyewitnesses said the explosion killed the officer and a civilian worker instantly, while four other workers sustained severe injuries.
READ ALSO:VIDEO: Fire Guts High-rise Building In Lagos, Occupants Trapped
The injured were first taken to St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, Kakuri, before being evacuated by military ambulance to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital for further treatment.
Sympathizers and relatives of the victims thronged the hospital, with many weeping.
DICON management has yet to release an official statement on the incident at the time of filing this report.
Metro
Police Detain Lagos NURTW Leader For Killing Resident

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a top official of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the state, Samsideen Oladiti, over allegations of murder and the brutal assault of a dispatch rider.
It was that gathered that the 55-year-old man, popularly known as ‘Shamelon’, was linked to two violent crimes on Lagos Island; one involving murder and the other, assault which caused harm to the victim.
In a statement by the deputy spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command on X, Babaseyi Oluseyi, said the state’s Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, had responded to a protest at the Sandgrouse Market, where they arrested the suspect in connection with murder and assault.
He wrote, “Following news of the death, sympathisers of the deceased mobilised and staged a violent protest at the suspect’s office in Sandgrouse Market, Lagos Island, setting two motorcycles belonging to the suspect ablaze and causing unrest in the area.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Olohundare Jimoh, personally led police personnel to the scene.
READ ALSO:Police Arrest 10 Suspected Drug Peddlers In Delta, Recover Illicit Drugs
“He swiftly restored calm, prevented further breakdown of law and order, and assured residents that the suspect is in custody and will be promptly prosecuted after investigations are concluded.”
Oluseyi stated that the NURTW official had been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
He stated, “The suspect is currently in the custody of the SCID, Panti-Yaba, for discreet investigation.”
Explaining the murder and assault, the deputy spokesperson stated, “On 17th September 2025 at about 3:00pm, the suspect allegedly attacked a dispatch rider on Lagos Island, using a helmet and fists to inflict serious bodily injury (on him). The victim (dispatch rider) was rushed to hospital, placed on oxygen, and is currently receiving medical treatment.”
In August, police reported that the suspect had also assaulted a man who later died.
Oluseyi narrated, “On 18th September 2025, at about 11:00 am, another complaint was lodged against the same suspect in connection with an incident that occurred on 28th August 2025.
READ ALSO:Police Arrest Three Suspected Armed Robbers In Delta, Recover Pistol, Ammunition
“During the altercation, the suspect allegedly used a metallic ring to repeatedly strike a man on the head and face, inflicting severe injuries. Despite medical intervention, the victim was confirmed dead by a doctor on 17th September 2025. His body has since been deposited in the mortuary for autopsy.”
The police appealed to residents, assuring them that justice would be duly served.
She wrote, “The Lagos State Police Command wishes to assure members of the public that justice will be diligently pursued in all the cases against the suspect.
“Jimoh further appeals to residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and not to take the law into their own hands. He enjoins them to cooperate fully with the police in the ongoing investigations.”
Meanwhile, the state chairman of NURTW, Mustapha Adekunle, popularly known as Sego has dissociated the union from the actions of Oladiti, stressing that the “NURTW does not condone violence or any unlawful activity.”
READ ALSO:Police Disown Viral Recruitment Notice, Warn Against Fraud
Adekunle, in a statement on Friday, noted that while he once trusted Oladiti’s loyalty, the incident had left him “bitter and disappointed.”
He urged security agencies to conduct a thorough and impartial probe, assuring that if found guilty, the suspect would also face the union’s internal disciplinary measures after the legal process is concluded.
“I urge law enforcement officers to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation to ensure justice is served.
“Once the legal process is complete, he will also face the union’s internal disciplinary procedures. As I have always stated, the NURTW does not condone violence or any unlawful acts,” Adekunle said.
He warned members of the union against any form of lawlessness, stressing that loyalty or closeness to him would not shield anyone from the consequences of being lawless.
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