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According to a statement signed by the Force spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, the operation was carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT), attached to Kwara State.

The statement reads, “A covert operation carried out in collaboration with operatives of the Kwara State Police Command, intercepted and arrested two members of a dangerous banditry and kidnapping gang along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.”

“The suspects arrested are Abubakar Usman, alias Siddi ‘m’, aged 26, and Shehu Mohammadu, alias Gide ‘m’, aged 30. Both suspects were arrested in Komen–Masallaci village, Kaiama LGA of Kwara State at the time of arrest.”

The Nigeria Police Force recalled that one of the suspects, Abubakar Usman (alias Siddi), was recently identified as the individual seen in a viral video flaunting firearms and large sums of money on social media.

It added, “During the operation, the following items were recovered from the suspects: one brand new Honda Ace 125 motorcycle, red in colour, valued at ₦1,850,000.00, which investigations revealed was purchased with proceeds of ransom payments; ₦500,000.00 cash, being unspent ransom money; one AK-47 rifle with a magazine loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition.”

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are members of a notorious banditry and kidnapping gang terrorising communities across Zamfara, Katsina, Niger and Kwara States, with further findings indicating that the gang also doubles as suppliers of arms and ammunition to armed groups.

“Both suspects are currently cooperating with investigators to enable the arrest of other members of the syndicate and recovery of additional weapons,” the statement concluded.

Read Also: Police Arrest ‘Sai Mallam’ Cult Leader, Suspected Serial Rapist in Sokoto

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, commends the operatives involved for their professionalism and dedication, and reassures Nigerians of the Force’s unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal networks, combating banditry and kidnapping, and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.

Meanwhile, members of the public are encouraged to continue to support the Police with timely and credible information to aid ongoing security operations.

Sourc: TVC

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According to reports, assailants arrived at the work site in Ejidongari, Moro LGA, shooting sporadically and kidnapping two Chinese nationals.

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A new wave of insecurity has hit Kwara State, as at least 11 residents of Isapa community in Ekiti Local Government Area were kidnapped by armed bandits.

Witnesses said between 20 and 30 attackers entered the quiet farming settlement in the evening, shooting repeatedly as residents ran for safety. Bullet holes were later seen on buildings across the community.

A community leader, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that 11 people were taken, including seven members of one family. The victims include a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers and several children.

“This is the worst attack we have experienced. People are frightened and unsure of what will happen next,” the community leader said.

A senior security official confirmed the incident and said operatives are searching the forest around Isapa, Eruku and nearby villages. He noted that despite federal security presence, the large forest area makes surveillance difficult.

Read Also: Presidential Aide Speaks on Why Security Agencies Can’t Bomb Bandit Enclaves

The attack is the third major kidnapping in Ekiti LGA in a short period, following the kidnapping of 38 worshippers inside a church in Eruku. All were later released.

The latest incident has increased fear in the area, leading to tighter vigilante patrols and reduced evening activities in many religious centres.

Source: Punch

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You would recall that at least 30 people were taken during the evening attack, which also left three dead.

A community leader, Olusegun Olukotun, whose relatives were among the victims, said the abductors had begun contacting families and grouping hostages according to their relations.

He said he escaped through a window with one of his wards when the gunmen struck during a church service.

The church pastor, Abiodun Bamidele, said between 30 and 35 worshippers were abducted during a thanksgiving service held for 18 people earlier kidnapped and rescued.

Read Also: Kebbi Community to Hold Special Prayer for Return of Abducted Schoolgirls

Angered by the incident, youths in Eruku blocked the Ilorin–Kabba highway in protest, accusing security operatives of failing to respond despite being stationed in the area. Community leaders also criticised the police for what they described as inaction.

Kwara State authorities have requested urgent reinforcement to tackle rising attacks in border communities, including the latest incident in Eruku.

Source: Channels

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According to a statement from the NSCDC’s Public Relations Officer, Ayoola Shola, the suspects were intercepted while in possession of vandalized transformer and streetlight cables. These cables are believed to have been stolen from the Asa Dam and Sapati areas of Ilorin.

The items recovered from the suspects included damaged transformer cables, streetlight cables, and burnt copper wires.

Read Also: NSCDC Officers Nab Fake Security Operatives in Anambra

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were involved in the deliberate vandalization and theft of public electrical infrastructure. This is a violation of Section 1(9) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The suspects are currently in custody, and the NSCDC confirmed they will be charged in court once investigations are concluded. Efforts are also underway to apprehend additional individuals linked to the crime.

The NSCDC’s State Commandant, Umar Mohammed, spoke to newsmen about the arrest, emphasizing the severe consequences of vandalizing public infrastructure. He pointed out that such acts not only hinder development but also contribute to power outages and increased insecurity in affected communities.

“We are committed to protecting all critical national assets and infrastructure in Kwara State, let this serve as a strong warning to others: those caught sabotaging public utilities will face the full wrath of the law.”

The NSCDC remains resolute in its mission to safeguard critical infrastructure and bring those responsible for vandalism and theft to justice.

Source: Punch

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The operation was led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division and Commander of Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMA, Maj. Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, during an operational visit to Patrol Base Babanla.

According to Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Polycarp Okoye, the victims were handed over to the traditional ruler of Ayekale, Oba Pius Oluwole Onidofin. The rescue followed an earlier attack near Idofin in Omu-Aran LGA, where three traders were killed.

Oba Oluwole attributed the rise in attacks to the area’s proximity to Babasango Forest and called for continued military presence.

Read Also: Kwara Governor Visits Crisis-hit communities

Maj. Gen. Nnebeife, while consoling the monarch, reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to clearing the forest of bandits and restoring security.

Kwara has witnessed increased violence in recent weeks, including a deadly attack in Oke-Ode where at least 15 vigilantes and hunters were killed, prompting mass displacement of residents.

Source: Punch

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In a statement released to journalists, security chiefs in Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states confirmed this to journalists, saying that they had activated various containment plans to prevent the infiltration of their states by bandits fleeing the ongoing military operations in Kwara.

This came as the Federal Government uncovered the movement of the bandits heading for the South-West region from Kwara.

Journalists gathered that the bandits, who recently attacked several communities and killed many residents in Kwara State, are being tracked by intelligence agencies to ensure they don’t advance to Oyo and the other south-west states.

Sources said an intelligence report detailing the activities and movement of the bandits was receiving attention at the highest level of government.

Read Also: EFCC Nabs 28 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Kwara

It was gathered that a containment strategy had been activated to address the concerning development.

Source: Punch

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In a statement released by the EFCC Media Office, “the suspects were picked up during sting operations carried out in Tanke, University Road, Oshin, and Agbabiaka areas of the state capital.”

The commission said the arrests followed credible intelligence linking the suspects to cybercrime activities within Ilorin.

EFCC disclosed that items recovered from them included “seven exotic cars, among them a latest model Toyota Corolla and a Lexus, two motorcycles, as well as expensive phones and laptops allegedly used for internet fraud.”

The statement added, “The suspects will be arraigned in court after the conclusion of investigations.”

According to a report, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, who was represented by the Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Coker Oyegunle, at an event in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, organized by the Coalition of Nigerian Youth on Security and Safety Affairs, earlier warned against the rising cases of internet fraud, which are worsening visa restrictions for innocent Nigerians abroad.

Read Also: ‘Yahoo Boys’ Causing Visa Woes for Nigerians- EFCC

“The EFCC boss highlighted that internet fraud, money laundering, and economic sabotage cost Nigeria billions of naira annually, undermining national growth and depriving citizens of infrastructure, jobs, and opportunities. Beyond the economic damage, he pointed out that the crimes erode Nigeria’s international image and subject innocent Nigerians to stricter visa restrictions abroad,” the statement read.

Source: Punch

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The chief press secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, in a statement said the governor’s visit was to condole with affected families and to reaffirm the administration’s resolve to prevent further calamities.

“In Babanla today, we are here to commiserate with you over the recent incident. We reassure you and other communities that we will ensure this does not happen again. It is a sad occurrence which we are working hard to curtail,” Ajakaye said in the statement.

The governor was received in Babanla by the Oba of Babanla, Adegboyega Yusuf, and his chiefs.

Among the governor’s entourage were the Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Ezra Barkins, the state Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, the Senior Special Assistant on Security, Muyideen Aliyu, and the Chairman of Ifelodun LGA, Femi Yusuf.

Read Also: Arms supplier to Kwara-Kogi kidnap syndicate arrested

AbdulRazaq lauded the efforts of the security agencies and community members for ensuring normalcy is restored in the area. He attributed the disturbances to pressure on criminal groups in other regions, which pushed them into Kwara’s rural communities.

“Obviously, there has been pressure on those criminal non-state actors in other regions, and that has forced them into this peaceful location. But surely, they will be flushed out of this area,” the governor said.

Source: PremiumTimes

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