
The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested seven suspected bandits as part of ongoing investigations into criminal activities in the Bagudo Local Government Area, including the recent killing of three Federal Road Safety Corps personnel. The arrests, made on June 5, resulted from intelligence-led operations targeting criminal networks in the Soda Forest axis and surrounding border communities. Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, stated that Mobile Police operatives intercepted three suspects, Muhammadu Bande, Aliyu Abubakar, and Muhammadu Aliyu, on a motorcycle from the Soda Forest area, allegedly on a mission to procure food supplies for criminal elements. In a separate operation, four other suspects, Haruna Abubakar, Abubakar Lawali, Anme Shehu, and Yahaya Shehu, were arrested along the Bakin Ruwa鈥揔a鈥檕je axis. All suspects are in custody, and investigations are continuing to determine their full involvement in criminal activities, particularly the attack on FRSC personnel. The Commissioner of Police in Kebbi State, CP Umar M. Hadejia, described the arrests as a significant breakthrough in combating banditry and violent crime, commending the operatives and public for their support. He reaffirmed the command's commitment to intelligence-driven operations to restore peace and urged residents to remain vigilant.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
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The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani to life imprisonment for their involvement in the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The men pleaded guilty to terrorism-related charges, including conspiracy, aiding kidnapping, concealing information about terrorists, and professing membership in the proscribed Darul Salam sect, an affiliate of the Ansaru terrorist group. The judge, Justice Salim Ibrahim, ordered the life sentence to commence from their arrest date. The prosecution accused the defendants of conspiring with others to kidnap pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire LGA between January and May 2026. The abduction, which occurred on May 15, 2026, involved 39 pupils and six teachers from three schools. The victims were rescued on July 10 after a coordinated operation by security agencies. President Bola Tinubu, through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the dismantling of the kidnappers' network and the arrest of several suspects. While the convicts' counsel sought leniency, citing them as first-time offenders who showed remorse, the prosecution opposed, arguing they concealed crucial information. The Elesinele of Esinele, Oba Tajudeen Adeoye, and a local resident, Kausara, expressed disappointment with the judgment, suggesting a death sentence would be more appropriate given the severity of the crime and the deaths of security perso

Three minors, aged between four and 15, from Awun community in Oro-Ago, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, have been released after residents reportedly paid a N60 million ransom to their kidnappers. The children were abducted from their home in February while their father, Olajide Buraimoh, was absent. Community sources indicated that the ransom was raised through contributions from local residents and indigenes living abroad, following extensive negotiations. The kidnappers also demanded food items, including rice, groundnut oil, spaghetti, semovita, beer, and seasoning sauce. The fundraising effort was coordinated via the Awun community's WhatsApp platform. A pregnant woman abducted with the children was released last week, while the minors remained captive until Monday. A resident named Ismail described the significant emotional and financial impact on the community. When contacted, Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, stated he was unaware of the abduction or any ransom payment.