A 12-year-old girl was hit to death by bullets during a fierce gun battle between police operatives of Edo State Command and suspected kidnappers along the Obe Hill by pipeline leading to Ajaokuta.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen by the Edo State Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Moses Yamu.

Yamu, in the statement said 14 persons were rescued from the suspected kidnappers during the shootout.

According to him, the police got a distress call that some armed men were terrorising Fugar-Agenebode Road, Etsako East Local Government Area of the state, which, according to him, they quickly responded to save the day.

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“On 11/07/2025 at about 1920hrs, upon receiving a distress call that armed men blocked the Fugar-Agenebode road, Etsako East Local Government Area, the Command immediately mobilised a combined team of police operatives from Agenebode, local vigilantes, and hunters who responded swiftly and pursued the assailants into the forest.

“During the encounter, a gun duel ensued along Obe Hill by pipeline leading to Ajaokuta, the security team successfully rescued fourteen (14) kidnapped passengers alive.

“Unfortunately, a 12-year-old girl was fatally shot by the fleeing kidnappers during the crossfire.

“One female victim is still unaccounted for, and search efforts are ongoing to ensure her safe rescue.

“This follows the report that armed men suspected to be kidnappers ambushed and blocked the highway, opened fire on unsuspecting commuters, killing two persons on the spot and abducting others in a brazen act of violence”, Yamu said.

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According to the police image maker, the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the bravery and swift response of the combined security team, adding that the CP assured the public that everything possible will be done to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

The Police Public Relations Officer, on behalf of the command, extended his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, just as assured the general public that operations in the area will be intensified.

He said that additional deployments have been made to prevent further attacks and track down the fleeing criminals.

He appealed to the members of the public to remain calm, cooperate with the law enforcement agencies and continue to provide timely information that can aid ongoing investigations and security operations in the area and in the state.

…Please, don’t dissolve our marriage — Husband

The Matero Local Court in Zambia, has heard that a man allegedly connived with his family to lie to his second wife that he was single.

According to Zambia Observer, Linda Mulenga, 30, giving evidence in the case where her husband, Lameck Mwale, 39, sued her for reconciliation, said she started losing interest in her marriage upon discovering that she was a second wife.

But Lameck said he still loved his wife and did not think that divorce was the solution to their current problem.

The couple got married in 2015 and has one child.

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“I found out recently that my husband has a wife and that they have three children.

What is disturbing is that his family received me well and said nothing about his marital status,” Linda said.

Linda said it was better for them to go their separate ways because she had lost trust in her husband.

She also told the court that she recently discovered that her husband has a child with a Nyimba-based lover.

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Linda said divorce was the best option because she was tired of being tortured mentally.

“It is better I walk out of the marriage now before this man kills me with depression.

“I have already developed high blood pressure because of the way he treats me.

“We have been separated for over three months now,” Linda said.

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Testifying, earlier, Lameck said all was well in his marriage until his wife started accusing him of being promiscuous.

“He said he has not enjoyed his second marriage because of the fights and misunderstandings.

“I was married to another woman before I met her, but there is nothing between me and my first wife as we speak.

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“Linda deserted our home due to the quarrels we have been having.

“I don’t know where she is at the moment,”  Lameck said.

He peaded with the court to help him reconcile with his wife so that they could raise their child together.

Magistrate Kaputo Ng’andwe adjourned the case.

…I’m a labourer, can’t afford more – Husband

A Sharia Court sitting at Rigasa, Kaduna, Kaduna State, has dissolved a –one-year-old marriage, over the husband’s inability to provide for his wife.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the judge, Salisu Abubakar-Tureta, delivering judgment, granted the prayer of Mariya Zhulyadaini for divorce from Jamilu Hassan.

Mariya in her petition prayed the court for divorce because her husband did not provide her the three square meals.

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“My husband gives me only N120 daily to feed four people since we got married in 2020,” she said.

On his part, Hassan, who also resides in Rigasa area told the court that he was a labourer.

“I do not earn much as a labourer.

“When I make money, I give her 1,500 or N2, 00 per day for feeding our children.”