Crime
3 civilians killed as troops contain escalation, restore calm in Jos after unrest spreads to flashpoints
3 civilians killed as troops contain escalation, restore calm in Jos after unrest spreads to flashpoints
By: Zagazola Makama
Three civilians have been confirmed dead following a wave of unrest that spread across multiple communities in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau, before troops and other security agencies intervened to restore calm.
Security sources said the violence, which erupted on April 1, was a spillover from the March 29 attack on commuters and residents around Angwan Rukuba Junction along the Jos–Bauchi highway.
The initial incident had heightened tensions in the area, with fears of reprisals, which later manifested into coordinated disturbances in parts of Jos metropolis.
According to the sources, the unrest began at about 9:30 a.m. in Nasarawa area of Jos North and quickly escalated, spreading to other volatile locations including Katako Junction, Farin Gada, Gada Biu, Angwan Rogo, Rikos and adjoining communities.
“The situation deteriorated rapidly as hoodlums took advantage of the tension to cause mayhem, attacking properties and attempting to ignite further violence across the affected areas,” the source said.
Troops drawn from Headquarters 3 Division Nigerian Army, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), and other special forces, alongside personnel of sister security agencies, were immediately deployed to the flashpoints.
The swift and coordinated response, according to security officials, helped to contain the disturbances before they could degenerate into widespread communal clashes.
“The troops responded decisively and were able to stabilise the situation across the affected locations. Their presence prevented further escalation and restored relative calm in the metropolis,” the source added.
During the operations, security forces foiled several attempts by miscreants to set ablaze some places of worship, particularly in Katako Junction, Angwan Rogo and along Bauchi Road.
Despite the success in containing the unrest, three civilians lost their lives in the course of the disturbances. Their corpses were evacuated to medical facilities, while normalcy has gradually returned to the affected areas.
Following the restoration of calm, troops have maintained a strong presence across Jos metropolis, conducting aggressive patrols and surveillance operations to deter further breakdown of law and order.
The deployment has also been extended to neighbouring local government areas, including Jos South, Riyom and Bassa, where security presence has been reinforced.
Residents in the affected communities have expressed cautious relief as normal activities gradually resume, though tension remains in some quarters.
Security authorities assured that the situation is under close monitoring and urged residents to remain law-abiding, avoid spreading unverified information, and cooperate with security agencies.
In a related development, troops also recorded operational success in rural parts of the state.
At about 2:30 p.m. on April 1, security operatives responding to reports of cattle rustling in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area engaged suspected rustlers heading towards Farin Lamba in Riyom LGA.
The criminals, upon contact with troops, abandoned 30 rustled cows and fled into nearby bushes. The livestock were recovered and handed over to their rightful owner.
Security sources noted that routine patrols have been intensified across the Joint Operations Area to safeguard critical national infrastructure, schools, markets and places of worship.
They reiterated commitment to sustaining peace and preventing any resurgence of violence in Plateau and its environs.
3 civilians killed as troops contain escalation, restore calm in Jos after unrest spreads to flashpoints
Crime
Niger Police Arrest Four Suspects Over Alleged Plot to Sacrifice Biological Children for Money Rituals
Niger Police Arrest Four Suspects Over Alleged Plot to Sacrifice Biological Children for Money Rituals
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has arrested four persons for allegedly offering their biological children for sacrifice in a desperate attempt to acquire wealth through money rituals in Minna.
The suspects, identified as Ibrahim Mohammed Hamisu, 43; Abubakar Abdullahi, 40; Aliyu Sule, 25; and Mohammed Idris Dogara, 57, were arrested alongside a 40-year-old native doctor, Shehu Abubakar, during a police operation at an isolated compound in the Garima area of Bosso, Minna.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a crime bulletin issued on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
According to the police, the suspects were arrested on October 27 at about 8:30 p.m. after operatives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit received credible intelligence about suspicious activities believed to be connected with ritual practices at the location.
The police said operatives immediately mobilised to the scene, where they arrested the five suspects and recovered several items, including blood-stained red and white clothing, four calabashes, two live chickens, three slaughtered chickens, a blood-stained knife and a large mat on which the items were arranged.
Preliminary investigation reportedly revealed that the four suspects had approached the native doctor to perform money rituals for them using a human skeleton allegedly discovered during mining activities.
The native doctor reportedly declined their request, explaining that he did not offer such services. However, the four suspects allegedly persisted and offered their biological children as sacrifices in exchange for different sums of money.
Police said that following their insistence, the native doctor allegedly instructed each of them to purchase a chicken and assemble at a designated location where the ritual would be performed.
The operation was reportedly carried out while the suspects were executing the planned ritual. One of the suspects, Aliyu Sule, was allegedly caught holding a blood-stained knife and preparing to slaughter his chicken, while three others had already slaughtered theirs.
The police said the suspects confessed during interrogation and were being subjected to further investigation before being charged to court.
The command condemned criminal activities and reiterated its commitment to combating ritual-related crimes, violent offences and other threats to public safety in the state.
SP Abiodun urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to security agencies to prevent criminal activities in their communities.
Niger Police Arrest Four Suspects Over Alleged Plot to Sacrifice Biological Children for Money Rituals
Crime
Troops Intervene in Farm Destruction Dispute in Jos East, Invite Farmer and Suspected Herder for Settlement
Troops Intervene in Farm Destruction Dispute in Jos East, Invite Farmer and Suspected Herder for Settlement
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have intervened in a reported farm destruction incident involving a farmer and a herder in Kerker village, Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 5, 2026, when troops deployed at Zarazong responded to a report of destruction of farmland belonging to 45-year-old Mrs Emily Musa.
The alleged perpetrator was identified as 35-year-old herder, Hussaini Abubakar.
On arrival at the scene, the troops invited both parties for an amicable settlement of the dispute.
The intervention was aimed at preventing the disagreement from escalating and maintaining peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders in the community.
Troops Intervene in Farm Destruction Dispute in Jos East, Invite Farmer and Suspected Herder for Settlement
Troops Raid Suspected Kidnappers’ Enclave in Kogi, Recover Ammunition and Motorcycles
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have raided a suspected kidnappers’ enclave in Edimogbo Forest, Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State, forcing the criminals to flee.
Security sources said the offensive operation was conducted at about 7:00 a.m. on November 2, 2026, by troops of Sector 3, operating from Anyigba.
The troops reportedly engaged the suspected kidnappers during the operation, compelling them to abandon their hideout and escape.
Items recovered from the enclave included 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, seven bandoliers, six motorcycles and other sundry items.
The recovered items have been taken into military custody for further action.
Security sources said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal hideouts, disrupt kidnapping networks and restore security across the area.
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