Crime
Federal Government Arraigns Nine Suspects for Terrorism in Deadly Yelwata Attack
The Federal Government has formally arraigned nine individuals on multiple terrorism-related charges in connection with the June 2025 attack on Yelwata community in Benue State, which claimed the lives of at least 150 people.
The defendants, including Lawal Mohammed Dono, Muhammadu Saidu, Haruna Abdullahi, and six others, appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik and pleaded not guilty to all 57 counts contained in the amended charge sheet.
The charges, brought under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, include conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism, recruitment and mobilization of fighters, procurement and supply of weapons, financing terrorism, and aiding and abetting terrorist activities.
Prosecutors, led by Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), allege that the accused coordinated, financed, and directed the assault on Yelwata.
They are further accused of instigating and instructing Fulani youths from Nasarawa, Kwara, and Taraba States, as well as from Giza and surrounding villages in Nasarawa State, to carry out the attack.
The defendants reportedly procured the services of armed Fulani men from those locations to participate in the raid, which resulted in over 150 deaths and widespread destruction of homes and property in the community.
In addition to the terrorism counts, some of the suspects face separate charges under the Firearms Act for unlawful possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition.
During the proceedings, the court struck out the name of the sixth defendant from the original 10-person charge sheet following an application by the Attorney General.
The case has been adjourned for further hearing, with all nine defendants remanded in custody.
Details of the trial are expected to emerge as proceedings continue.
Crime
BREAKING: Police Rescue Kidnapped Sister of Ex-minister Adelabu and Twin Sons
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have successfully rescued Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, alive following a swift late-night operation on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
The rescue took place around 7:30 p.m. as police engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, neutralising two suspected members of the syndicate and recovering two firearms.
The victims were abducted on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, around 7:30 a.m. while on their way to drop the children at school. Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul is the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu.
According to police sources, sustained intelligence tracking and tactical pressure on the kidnappers forced them into a confrontation with security operatives, leading to the successful rescue of all three victims unharmed.
Security forces have launched a manhunt and are currently combing surrounding areas for other fleeing members of the kidnapping gang, some of whom are believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire.
Crime
FCT Police Foil Midnight Kidnapping, Arrest Viral AK-47 Bandits
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has recorded significant successes in its ongoing fight against crime, foiling a midnight kidnapping attempt in Byazhin and arresting several high-profile suspects, including bandits who recently flaunted AK-47 rifles on social media.
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit stormed a residential area near Paze Hills in Byazhin in the early hours of Thursday and disrupted armed men attempting to break into a building to abduct its occupants. A couple was rescued unharmed during the operation.
The victims expressed relief at the timely intervention by the police.
In a related development, the police arrested three suspected bandits who gained notoriety after appearing in viral social media videos brandishing AK-47 rifles while dressed in military camouflage. The suspects were tracked and apprehended in Runji village, Zuba. Items recovered from them include one AK-47 rifle, eight mobile phones, two jackknives, power banks, and several incriminating photographs and videos.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, who paraded the suspects before journalists, vowed continued aggressive action against criminal elements.
The Command also presented a suspect and his girlfriend over the alleged kidnapping and murder of 22-year-old Emmanuel Chukwuemeka. Police investigations revealed that the suspect lured the victim to a mountainous area in Lokogoma over a dispute involving fraudulent proceeds before allegedly killing him.
In another operation, security operatives arrested a wanted suspect linked to the supply of ammunition to bandits, terrorists, and kidnapping gangs operating in the North Central region and the FCT. Arms and ammunition were recovered during the operation.
Additionally, two suspected “one-chance” robbers were arrested after they allegedly attacked a female commuter along the Giri-Lugbe road.
The CP used the occasion to dismiss social media reports of a recent kidnapping at a school in Gbagalape, describing the claims as false and misleading.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command has begun strict enforcement against vehicles with unauthorised tinted glasses across the territory.
The breakthroughs come despite the rainy weather as officers continue to intensify patrols and intelligence-led operations to make the nation’s capital safer.
Crime
BREAKING: Gunmen Invade Ondo Community, Injure Several Residents, Abduct Pastor’s 9-Year-Old Son
Armed gunmen stormed a community in Ondo State on Friday, shooting indiscriminately, injuring multiple residents, and abducting the 9-year-old son of a local pastor before fleeing into the bush.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos as the attackers invaded the area in the early hours, firing sporadically at residents. Several people sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment. The motive behind the invasion remains unclear, though sources suggest it may be linked to ongoing security challenges in parts of the state.
The most distressing aspect of the attack was the abduction of the young boy, identified as the son of a prominent pastor in the community. Family members and residents are said to be in shock, with the pastor appealing for the immediate and safe release of his child.
Security operatives have been deployed to the area to track down the gunmen and rescue the abducted child. A manhunt is currently underway, with local vigilantes and police collaborating in the search.
This incident adds to the growing concerns over kidnapping and violent crime in Ondo State and surrounding regions. Community leaders have called on the government to intensify security measures to protect vulnerable residents, especially children.
More updates will follow as the situation develops.
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