Metro

Military Airstrikes Kill Kidnap Kingpin, Others In Kaduna, Niger

Published

2 years ago

January 21, 2024

A kidnap kingpin identified as Janari and some of his foot soldiers have been killed during operations conducted by the air component of Operation Whirl Punch in Kaduna state.

Janari was said to have masterminded several kidnappings within Kaduna state as well as the Abuja-Kaduna highway.

The Nigerian Air Force confirmed this in a statement on Sunday by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal, Edward Gabkwet.

Gabkwet stated that the order to strike was given after Janari and his cohorts were gathering to launch an attack on the citizens.

The statement read, “Air strikes undertaken by the air component of Operation Whirl Punch, on Thursday, January 18, 2024, have neutralized a well-known terrorist and kidnap kingpin popularly known as Janari and several members of his syndicate.

“Janari and his cohorts have been responsible for several attacks and abductions within Kaduna State as well as along the Abuja-Kaduna highway. The strikes were authorised after Janari and his gang were sighted at a location near Gadar Katako in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“Further exploitation revealed that they were massing up for a likely attack or kidnapping of vulnerable civilians, hence the need to immediately attack the location. Intelligence received after the strike revealed that Janari was indeed eliminated alongside several other terrorists/kidnappers.”

Gabkwet also said similar operations targeted at kidnappers in Niger state were successful.

“Similar air strikes were also carried out on 20 January 2024 on confirmed terrorists and kidnappers’ hideouts near Chukuba in Niger State with various degrees of success. Feedback after the strikes was also positive as it confirmed that the targets were neutralised and their mobility destroyed,” the statement added.

The country is facing an epidemic of kidnapping and numerous citizens are being abducted by perpetrators in exchange for huge sums of money.

Consequently, various security agencies have intensified their efforts to curb these criminal activities in response to the surge in citizen abductions.

Related Topics:Airstrikes Kaduna Military NAF Niger

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Metro

16-year-old Killed As NDLEA Operatives, Drug Barons Clash In Edo

Published

6 hours ago

October 30, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, and drug barons reportedly clashed at Okpuje, Uzeba community in Owan West Local Government Area, leading to the death of a 16 -years -old boy, identified as Emmanuel Monday George.

Two others identified as God’spower Omage (20 years) and Ajayi Irobia (54 years), were said to have sustained serious injuries during the gun duel which reportedly happened on Monday.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, state commander of the NDLEA disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Thursday.

Ofoyeju said that one of its officers sustained an injury after being struck on the hand with a sharp object.

Recall that Army and NDLEA officers were recently attacked by drug barons in the agrarian community, notable for cannabis cultivation.

Metro

JUST IN: Fire Guts Store At Abuja Mall

Published

9 hours ago

October 30, 2025

Editor

A fire incident occurred at the Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja in the early hours of Thursday.

The cause of the fire, which started around 3am, could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

It was gathered that only the Adidas Sports shop was affected.

It was further gathered that firefighters from the Federal Fire Service, the Berger Fire Department, and the FCT Fire Service, as well as police officers, were deployed to the scene.

A resident of Jabi, Saliu, who informed our correspondent of the incident, said the fire had been contained.

He said, “Around 3am., this morning, there was a fire incident at the Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja. No loss of life or injury was recorded. Only the Adidas Sports shop was affected by the fire.”

The FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident to The PUNCH.

Adeh said police officers were deployed to the location to secure the area and prevent looting.

“We received a distress call at about 3:40 a.m. We immediately deployed our men there to secure the place and prevent any breach of public order,” she said.

Metro

JUST IN: Hausa, Benin Youths Clash Over Killing Of Suspected Yahoo Boy

Published

22 hours ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

Photo: file copy

Several persons were on Wednesday night injured in a clash between Hausa and Benin youths, in Ogheghe community, Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, over the killing of a suspected yahoo boy identified as Chizi Benz.

According to sources, Chizi Benz was said to have been stabbed to death by a Hausa youth over a sour deal.

Though details of the deal were not available as at press time, the killing of Chidi Benz sparked outrage as youths stormed the streets with dangerous weapons in a revenge mission.

According to sources, many ‘Abokis’ were injured in a reprisal attack while others fled for safety.

News of the killing was to have spread to nearby communities of Uwelu along the Siluko Axis, forcing Hausa youths who do petty trading and rides okada closed their businesses and fled for safety.

According to sources, policemen who were deployed to the area fired tear gas to disperse the angry youths.

Edo Police Spokesman, Moses Yamu, who confirmed the incident, promised to send a detailed statement.

He was yet to do so as at press time.