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Couple Arrested at Abuja Airport for Child Trafficking

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Couple Arrested at Abuja Airport for Child Trafficking

By: Michael Mike

The issue of child traficking keeps on taking different dimension daily in the country. it is an establish fact that nearly all trafficked victims are children. 

According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) report, more than half of child trafficking victims are trafficked within their own country according to new report.

It was dramatic scene at the Nnamdi Azikwe international airport on last Wednesday, June 26th 2024, when one Mr Godfrey Ayodele Iyama and his wife Mrs Stella Iyama trying to smuggle a 6 years old child (name withheld) away from the country without the concent of the father and blatant disobedience of court order (contempt of court) that the child in question should not leave the shore of Nigeria.

According to private investigator who had been put on the trail of the couple. According to the father of the child, “in order to perfect their criminal activities the identification of the innocent little girl was changed from the name is was given at birth and in the international passport I had earlier procured for her to Mr Godfrey Ayodele Iyama claiming that the father of the little girl has died while the father is still alive. The surprising things is that the little girl is having two valid passport bearing different name”.

However, if what Mr Godfrey claimed is right, why changes the name of the child, which is totally different from the name on the first passport issued to her? Even if the father is dead, does that automatically changed the identity of the girl in question? A lot of question is begging for an answer, the father of the girl asked.

He said: “If not God and quick intervention of immigration officer and proactiveness of the local investigator at the airport they would have boarded the Qatar Airway flight going to Birmingham international airport with the child. The immigration officer at the airport after arresting and detaining them handed them over to the airport security who investigated them and established that they were guilty of child trafficking.”

He added that: “This singular incident should open our eyes as a citizen of this country Nigeria to irregularity in our data system and how those saddle with the responsibility of keeping record should be on top of their job. In a country where the system is working, how possible for same person to have two different identification, but in a country where anything goes it is very possible.”

Our correspondent met with the biological father of the child who narrated the whole story. He said, “I got married to Shulamite November 28, 2017. We had our child in August 16, 2018. In 2021, many times I confronted her over my feelings that she was being unfaithful to me but she denied it. Finally In April of 2021, she confessed to sleeping with her ex-boyfriend. Because we haven’t slept together for over a year , we did a pregnancy test and she tested positive. A few weeks later she told me she had removed the child and when I reported the matter to the church they invited her and she ran away from my house with my three years old girl while I was still at work”.

He added, “For over a year she refused to tell me where she is with my baby. I was forced to file for custody of the child. She also filed for custody. In the court, she alleged that I use to beat her but the court found no such evidence but rather found evidence of her finger nails on my neck when she held me on the the neck while I was asleep. The judge ruled that we should both have custody of the child. That the child will be with her during school period but will be with me during holidays. And that none of us should take the baby outside Nigeria. They have failed to obey the court injunction as they have consistently denied me access to my child up till now”.

He alleged that: “In addition, my father-in-law Mr. Godfrey Ayodele Iyama conspired with his wife Stella Iyama and their daughter Shulamite Ewoma Ozo-iyama to change my daughter’s NIN and fraudulently obtained another imternational passport for her.”

All effort to talk to the Mr Godfrey Ayodele Iyama to hear his own side of the story prove abortive, though the case is now being handled by NAPTIP.

Couple Arrested at Abuja Airport for Child Trafficking

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Troops Repel Deadly Ambush by Armed Berom Militia in Plateau, Recover Nine Dead Cattle After Attack on Herdsmen

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Troops Repel Deadly Ambush by Armed Berom Militia in Plateau, Recover Nine Dead Cattle After Attack on Herdsmen

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have repelled a deadly ambush by suspected armed Berom militia during a response operation following targeted attacks on cattle in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 1:00 p.m. on May 10, 2026, after troops received reports of gunshots around Gero area in Jos South LGA.

The sources said troops of Sector 3 swiftly mobilised to the scene in support of personnel of Sector 6 OPEP already operating within the area.

While attempting to link up with Sector 6 troops, the security personnel reportedly came under ambush from suspected armed Berom militia who allegedly attempted to encircle the troops from surrounding mountainous areas.

Troops, however, responded with superior firepower, forcing the attackers to withdraw toward Nyango and Daron communities within Jos South LGA.

Military sources said troops expended ammunition during the exchange while continuing pursuit operations across the general area.

Following the operation, troops confirmed that nine cows were killed while five others sustained gunshot injuries during the attack.

A herder identified as Aliyu Yusuf also sustained gunshot wounds and was rushed for medical treatment.

The attack in Jos South is not an isolated incident. Only recently in Mangu Local Government Area, troops deployed to stop attacks linked to illegal mining unrest came under deadly assault from another groups of armed Militia.

During the confrontation, a senior Nigerian Army officer was killed after troops were attacked while attempting to restore order. Two of the armed terrorists were instantly gunned down.

Troops have since intensified patrols and domination operations within the affected communities to prevent further attacks and restore calm.

Zagazola report Violence keeps recycling itself because armed groups on all sides continue launching attacks knowing that ethnic sympathy and propaganda will later shield them from accountability.

Troops Repel Deadly Ambush by Armed Berom Militia in Plateau, Recover Nine Dead Cattle After Attack on Herdsmen

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Troops Arrest Suspect with Over 1,300 Empty Ammunition Casings in Borno

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Troops Arrest Suspect with Over 1,300 Empty Ammunition Casings in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Security forces headed by the Special Adviser of the Borno State government, Ibrahim Mohammed, who was the former OC Crack in Borno state have arrested a suspect in connection with the discovery of a large quantity of empty ammunition casings following an explosion incident in Kaleri general area of Jere Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that operatives, in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), mobilised to the scene at about 9:13 p.m. on May 6, 2026, after receiving information on the explosion.

On arrival, one suspect was apprehended in possession of 1,341 empty cases of 12.7 x 99mm ammunition as well as 47 ammunition boxes.

Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the recovered items were linked to the suspect’s brother, a soldier serving at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, who allegedly removed warheads from live rounds and diverted the empty casings for illegal sale.

The suspect is currently in police custody while further investigations are ongoing to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the diversion and possible network involved.

Troops Arrest Suspect with Over 1,300 Empty Ammunition Casings in Borno

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23 Suspects, Including Notorious Gang Leader, Transferred After Joint Security Screening in Adamawa

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23 Suspects, Including Notorious Gang Leader, Transferred After Joint Security Screening in Adamawa

By: Zagazola Makama

Security agencies have transferred 23 suspected criminals, including a wanted gang leader, to the Adamawa State Police Command following a joint screening operation in Mubi South and Mubi North Local Government Areas.

Security sources told Zagazola that the development followed a joint raid conducted on May 6, 2026, in which 73 suspects were arrested at a suspected criminal hideout within the area.

The sources said a joint screening exercise was carried out at about 10:00 a.m. on May 7, 2026, at the Mubi South Police Division, involving intelligence operatives, military police, Nigeria Police Force representatives and officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Following the screening, 50 of the suspects were released to their families after being cleared of direct involvement in criminal activities.

However, 23 suspects were retained for further investigation and subsequently transferred to the Adamawa State Police Command for additional interrogation and possible prosecution.

Among those transferred was a suspected notorious gang leader identified as Mallam Salim Danabba, also known as “Bravo Boy Leader,” who is reportedly on the security watchlist for involvement in organised criminal activities in the area.

Security authorities said the joint operation was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and improve security across Adamawa State and surrounding border communities.

They added that follow-up operations and intelligence-driven raids would continue to prevent the regrouping of criminal elements in the region.

23 Suspects, Including Notorious Gang Leader, Transferred After Joint Security Screening in Adamawa

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