Crime
Joint Security Forces Nab 12 Kidnap Suspects, Rescue Victims in Kogi/Kwara Operation (Photos)
Twelve suspected kidnappers and one informant have been arrested in a coordinated security operation carried out across parts of Kogi and Kwara States.
This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo through a press statement made available to newsmen.
He said the suspects were apprehended during a series of raids jointly executed by the Hybrid Force from the Office of the National Security Adviser and Officers and Men of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Egbe.
The operations covered Isanlu-Esa and Okoloke in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, and Patigi, Lafiagi and Gbugbu in Kwara State.
The statement identified the suspected kidnappers as Mainasara Abubakar, Sadik Abubakar, Jude Sani, Sanda Abubakar, Lawali Usman, Tukur Shehu, Hassan Abubakar, Kabiru Surajo, Makiri Dodo, Bala Hassan, Umaru Sanda, and Ruwa Abubakar. Also arrested was Rabiu Makeri, who is believed to be an informant for the gang.
According to the statement, the security forces engaged the suspects in a fierce gun battle, during which some of the kidnappers fled, abandoning their motorcycles and kidnap victims. Several kidnapped women were successfully rescued during the confrontation.
“We want to thank the gallant officers from the Office of the National Security Adviser and our men at the FOB, Egbe for their courage and professionalism. We also commend the Kwara State Government for their cooperation, which has yielded this outstanding result,” the statement read.
“Peace has returned to Kogi West as the criminal route from Kwara into our communities has now been disrupted. There will be no hiding place for the criminals. One of the security agents who confronted the kidnappers was shot and he is currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Yagba West Local Government Area of the State. The Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo has offered to cover all the costs of treatment”, he said.
The Commissioner further assured the public that the arrested suspects will face full prosecution after investigations, reaffirming the state’s zero-tolerance stance on criminality.
In a separate remark, the Executive Chairman of Yagba West LGA and ALGON Chairman for Kogi State, Hon. Tosin Olokun, expressed gratitude to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for providing the logistics and support that enabled the success of the operation.
“Governor Ododo promised to restore peace to Yagba West and Yagba as a whole. Today, he has backed those words with decisive action. We can now heave a sigh of relief. The people of Yagba are grateful for his leadership and the results it is delivering,” Olokun said.
The Kogi State Government emphasized its ongoing commitment to working with federal and regional partners to ensure the safety and security of all communities within the state.
The Lagos State Police Command, Gender Unit, has arrested a 60-year-old man, Ajayi Femi, for allegedly raping a 24-year-old lady.
The command disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
The spokesperson for the command, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that the investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly spiked the survivor’s drink, rendering her unconscious, before having unlawful sexual intercourse with her.
The incident took place on August 22, 2025, and was reported by the victim’s sister to the police at the Meiran Police Station before being transferred to the Gender Unit of the command for further investigation.
“Medical examinations conducted by the Gender Unit corroborated the survivor’s account, while the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime during interrogation,” the statement read.
The command revealed that the suspect confessed to the crime during interrogation and has since been remanded in prison custody until the next adjourned date.
It added, “The command remains committed to ensuring justice for survivors of sexual offences.”
This case comes weeks after operatives of the command arrested a 45-year-old man in Ikotun for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl.
The incident, which attracted widespread outrage, reignited calls from rights activists for stiffer penalties against sex offenders.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested seven individuals suspected of cult-related activities in Ikot Osura, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
According to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, the suspects—allegedly members of the banned “Ku Klux Klan” confraternity—were apprehended on August 28, 2025.
The arrest followed a report by a student of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, who was attacked on August 25 after renouncing his membership in the group. The victim was left unconscious, and his phone and ₦41,000 were stolen during the assault.
Acting on the report, police operatives launched a targeted operation that led to the arrest of the suspects: Douglas Ambe Esikhene, Stephen Asukwo Effiong, Saviour Dany Akpan, Emmanuel Friday Umoh, Augustine Uduak Okon, Mary Ating Asukwo, and Itohowo Christopher Uko.
A search of their hideout led to the recovery of a locally made short gun, seven live cartridges, a fresh human skull, a bottle containing a black substance suspected to be ritual oil, and another bottle believed to contain Guyanese oil used for rituals.
DSP John confirmed that investigations are ongoing, with efforts underway to apprehend more members of the group and recover additional evidence.
A suspect has been arrested by the Ebonyi State Police Command for the alleged beheading of a middle-aged man, Dick Nnachi, in Oso-Edda, Edda Local Government Area.
DSP Joshua Ukandu, the police spokesperson, confirmed the arrest and linked the attack to a longstanding land dispute between Oso-Edda and the neighboring Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area, which has lasted over a decade.
Authorities have deployed officers to the area, and while normalcy has returned, investigations continue.
Separately, on January 18, a similar tragedy occurred in Amai community, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, where a 70-year-old man, Mr. Aghanti, and his 50-year-old daughter, Mrs. Atagoshi, were reportedly beheaded over a land dispute.
The victims were allegedly lured into the bush by the suspect under the pretense of discussing the land issue, and their headless bodies were later found.
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