Metro

JUST IN: Airstrikes Destroy Bandit Hideouts In Katsina, Kill Over 20

Published

10 months ago

March 15, 2025

The Nigerian Air Force has said airstrikes from operatives in Katsina State have decimated notorious criminal hideouts in Unguwar Goga Hillforest, Ruwan Godiya Ward, the Faskari Local Government Area of the state.

The operation, carried out by the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma in the early hours of Thursday, targeted the fortified camps of two notorious bandit kingpins, Gero (Alhaji) and Alhaji Riga.

A statement on Friday night by the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Group Captain Kabiru Ali, said the airstrikes successfully neutralised over 20 bandits, with additional casualties reported in the surrounding rocky hills.

The statement read, “The Nigerian Air Force has delivered a devastating blow to banditry in Katsina State, as the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma executed a precision airstrike in early hours of 13 March 2025, decimating notorious bandit hideouts in Unguwar Goga Hillforest, Ruwan Godiya Ward, Faskari Local Government Area.

“The airstrikes, which preceded careful and actionable intelligence advancing purposeful lethality, destroyed the fortified camps of notorious bandit kingpins, Gero (Alhaji) and Alhaji Riga, neutralising over 20 criminals, with additional casualties reported in the surrounding rocky hills.

“The airstrike had a decisive impact on the criminals, assessment of the full extent of the damage is ongoing.”

Ali said Riga and Gero were key enablers of banditry in the region, providing shelter for terrorist elements responsible for deadly ambushes along the Funtua-Gusau Road, particularly between Yankara and Sheme villages.

He added that their elimination is seen as a major breakthrough in the ongoing military campaign to restore peace in the North-West.

Metro

Court Sentences Man To Death For Killing Son

Published

1 hour ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

The Kano State High Court has sentenced Abubakar Alhaji Sabo to death by hanging after finding him guilty of killing his newborn son.

The Kano State Government prosecuted Sabo before the court on charges of culpable homicide and causing grievous harm.

He was accused of force-feeding the infant with a local insecticide known as ‘fiya-fiya’, resulting in the child’s death.

Sabo killed the baby after the mother, his girlfriend, refused to obey his instruction to kill the child to avoid the shame of fathering a child out of wedlock.

Following the incident, he was also found guilty of striking the girlfriend’s father on the head with a brick after he caught Sabo poisoning the baby.

During the trial, the prosecution counsel, Barrister Safiya Yalwati Yahaya, presented three witnesses, while the defendant testified in his own defence.

After reviewing the evidence presented by both parties, Justice Aisha Yau, who presided over the case, found him guilty of infanticide and sentenced him to death by hanging.

The court also imposed an additional three-year prison sentence for causing grievous harm.

Metro

Nine Kwara Victims: Kidnappers Insist On N300m Ransom

Published

1 hour ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

No progress has been recorded on the bandits demand for N300m ransom for the release of nine victims abducted in Adanla community of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara state on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025.

Coordinator of the Joint Security Watch for Kwara South Senatorial District, Zubair Olaitan, disclosed this on Wednesday.

According to DAILY POST, the bandits have so far made three contacts with the community leaders that “if the N300m is not paid, the victims will not be released.”

The bandits seized the nine victims in an attempt to abduct the King of the community, and his wife on Boxing Day, but failed.

The King, David Olarinoye, was away to Igbaja town for a programme when the armed bandits invaded his community.

The bandits, however, later seized nine other victims in the community and marched them to the bush.

While seven victims were abducted at the palace of the King, two others were captured on their way to the bush.

Following the abduction, the bandits demanded a N300m for the release of the abducted victims, resisting any negotiations for reduction of the ransom.

Metro

Man Arrested In Edo For Alleged Abduction Of 4-year-old

Published

15 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

21-year-old ThankGod Destiny has been arrested by the Edo State Security Corps, ESSC, for allegedly kidnapping a four-year-old boy in the state.

Deputy Corps Commander, Operations, of the ESSC, Richard Balogun, who disclosed this to newsmen in Benin on Thursday, said the suspect has been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.

Balogun, while disclosing that the incident happened on January 4, 2026 at Ikpoba Hill, Benin, said the arrest of the suspect followed an alarm raised by a commercial bus driver and a female passenger.

The ESSC commander said, “On January 4, 2026, a woman went out with her son at lkpoba Hill in Benin city. A few minutes later, the son disappeared from her sight.
This suspect identified as ThankGod Destiny had allegedly kidnapped the four-year-old boy.

“The little boy was hurriedly taken into a commercial bus going towards kings Square in Benin city.

“The driver of the bus who noticed a great difference in resemblance between the little boy and the man, however questioned where he was heading with the little boy.

“He lied that the boy is ill and he is taking him to the hospital. But later on, a female passenger asked him about his destination with the boy. He replied that he was going to buy the boy shoe.

“The various replies made the driver and the woman raise the alarm. The alarm attracted men of the Edo State Security Corps who were on patrol. The suspect was immediately arrested and the kidnapped little boy rescued unhurt.”

Balogun, who said the victim has been reunited with his family, assured that the Corps will continue to hunt for criminals in the state.