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.
PUNCH
Metro
NSCDC Mining Marshals Smash Illegal Mineral Storage Network In Rivers

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Mining Marshals, South-South Zone, have dismantled an illegal mineral storage network uncovered within the Onne axis of Rivers State.
CSC Babawale Afolabi, National Public Relations Officer of the command disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
According to the statement, the efforts was in a bold step to protect the nation’s resources and ensure the safety of local communities.
READ ALSO:FG To Disburse ₦6.3bn Interest-free Loans To 21,000 Flood Victims
It said the operation, led by DSC Emmanuel Abiahu, followed credible intelligence and was carried out in collaboration with officials of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, just as the team discovered warehouses stockpiling mined minerals without valid permits, licenses or evidence of royalty payment to the Federal Government.
It said the illegal activities does not only undermine the economy but also poses environmental and safety risks to residents.
DSC Abiahu noted that the action was in direct response to the directive of the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, who has consistently emphasized the need to protect Nigeria’s solid mineral wealth and create a fair, regulated space for legitimate miners, investors, and communities that depend on the sector for livelihood.
READ ALSO:FG To Disburse ₦6.3bn Interest-free Loans To 21,000 Flood Victims
He warned that all operators within the region must comply with the law or face decisive enforcement action, adding that the Corps remains committed to safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and the environment through sustained surveillance and collaboration with stakeholders.
The NSCDC called on citizens to continue supporting security agencies with credible information that will help curb illegal mining and ensure that the benefits of Nigeria’s natural resources serve the people and the nation at large.
Metro
Nigerian Troops Rescue 17 Kidnap Victims, Including Four Chinese Nationals

The Nigerian Army has rescued at least 21 kidnapped victims, including four Chinese nationals, during coordinated operations across Kwara and Kogi States.
This was contained in a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Polycarp Okoye, on Saturday.
The statement said the daring rescue, was carried out on Thursday, October 17, 2025, adding that the operation involved personnel from the 2 Division, 12 Brigade Lokoja, and the 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, under Operation FANSAN YAMA, a military offensive aimed at flushing out bandits and kidnappers in the North Central region.
READ ALSO:FG, Nigerian Army Intensify Forces To Combat Proliferation Of small Arms, Light Weapons
According to the army, the victims, who included 14 men, five women, one infant, and four Chinese nationals, were freed after troops intensified attacks on criminal hideouts in both states, stressing that some of the captives were said to have been held for more than four months before their release.
It further explained that the successful rescue was a result of the army’s renewed strategy to combat insecurity in the region.
READ ALSO:Insecurity: Army HQ Directs GOC Ibadan To Relocate To Kwara
“In a sustained effort to eliminate bandits and other criminal elements operating in Kwara and neighbouring states, troops of 2 Division and Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMA, successfully rescued 21 kidnapped victims.
“The coordinated operations by troops of 12 Brigade, Lokoja, and 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, led to the rescue of the kidnapped persons who include 14 males, 5 females, 1 infant, and 4 Chinese nationals.
“The victims revealed that they were abducted from different locations across Kwara and Kogi States. Following the troops’ intensified offensive, the bandits were forced to release their captives, some of whom had been with them for over four months,” the statement said.
Metro
My Husband Doesn’t Love Me, I Want Divorce —Wife

…I ‘m still interested in her —Husband
A woman, Mrs Hajara Busari, has asked an Area Court Centre Igboro in Ilorin, Kwara State, to dissolve her six-year-old marriage to her husband, Mr Mumini Anafi, over lack of love.
The petitioner told the court that she is no longer interested in the Islamic marriage with her husband, and urged the court to dissolve it.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), she is seeking an order for marriage dissolution, custody of their three children, as well as the sum of N50,000, being cost of maintenance of the children.
READ ALSO:Woman Divorces Husband For Smashing Her Phone, Refusing To Repair It
Meanwhile, the respondent told the court that he is still interested in their marriage and urged the court not to grant the reliefs sought by the petitioner.
The presiding judge, Mr Toyin Aluko, urged the husband to explore every opportunity within his reach to achieve amicable settlement of any dispute with his wife.
The court adjourned the case until December 17.
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