Police rescue six children, arrest five over child stealing in Ogun–Lagos axis

By: Zagazola Makama

Police operatives have rescued six children and arrested five suspects in connection with a child stealing and abduction syndicate operating between Ogun and Lagos States.

Security sources said that the breakthrough followed the abandonment of a six-year-old boy, Samuel Honesty, who had been abducted on Nov. 28, 2025, from the Idanyin area of Ogun State.

According to the sources, the child was dropped in front of the Gowon Estate Police Station in Lagos on Jan. 21, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m.

“Following investigations, a team from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested five suspects on Jan. 23 at about 5:00 p.m. in the Badagry area of Lagos State in connection with the case,” the sources said.

They added that during the operation, six other children were rescued from a facility known as Joyful Kids Orphanage Home in Badagry, allegedly used by the suspects to keep abducted children.

“The orphanage is said to belong to one Joy Chidozie, 36. She confessed during interrogation that she bought the stolen child from one Bunmi for the sum of N1.5 million,” the sources disclosed.

The rescued children have since been placed in protective custody, while investigations are ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate and uncover the full extent of their operations.

Police assured the public that those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Police rescue six children, arrest five over child stealing in Ogun–Lagos axis

Armed bandits invade Ungwan Alede, abduct several residents in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits on Sunday morning invaded Ungwan Alede in Bangi District, Niger State, blocking both Bangi–Kotonkoro and Bangi–Mangoro roads and abducting an unconfirmed number of residents.

According to a source, the attack occurred at about 5:35 a.m., with bandits operating in large numbers.

The identities and number of the abducted persons are yet to be confirmed.

Security sources said that army troops, police and local vigilante groups were mobilized to the area to carry out rescue operations and apprehend the hoodlums.

Armed bandits invade Ungwan Alede, abduct several residents in Niger

Bandits raid Kitibawa community in Katsina despite peace deal

By: Michael Mike

Residents of Kitibawa community in Makera Ward, Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area of Katsina State, were thrown into panic on Saturday afternoon after armed bandits stormed the area and carried out a daylight raid.

Eyewitnesses said four bandits riding on a motorcycle entered the community and first targeted phone-charging points, where they forcefully collected mobile phones from residents.

The attackers later moved to a fuel seller, where they reportedly took fuel without any resistance before leaving the town.

Residents said that as the bandits were exiting the community, they fired two gunshots into the air, causing fear and confusion among villagers.

Shortly afterward, the gunmen intercepted a civilian on the outskirts of Kitibawa and forcefully took his motorcycle before escaping from the area.

The incident has heightened anxiety among residents, especially coming barely weeks after a peace agreement was said to have been reached between communities and armed groups in Dutsin-Ma LGA.

Some residents questioned the credibility and effectiveness of the peace deal, noting that such attacks occurring openly in broad daylight suggested the agreement might already be failing.

Kitibawa and surrounding communities in Dutsin-Ma LGA have suffered repeated attacks by bandits in recent years, including killings, abductions and cattle rustling.

Residents are now calling for renewed efforts to restore confidence and ensure lasting peace in the area.
End