Crime
Court Jails Notorious Kidnap Kingpin, Wadume
Court Jails Notorious Kidnap Kingpin, Wadume
A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced notorious kidnap kingpin, Hamisu Bala, popularly known as Wadume, to seven years imprisonment without option of fine on Monday.
Wadume was convicted of escaping from lawful custody and unlawfully dealing in prohibited firearms.
Wadume, a suspected Nigerian kidnap-for-ransom kingpin, based in Taraba State but operated across Northeast, was arrested in August 2019 by the Nigerian Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
Justice Binta Nyako convicted Wadume on counts two and 10 of the 13-count charge brought against him and six others by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) on behalf of the Federal Government.
Other defendants in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/30/2020 are: Aliyu Dadje (a police inspector), Auwalu Bala (aka omo razor), Uba Bala (aka Uba Delu), Bashir Wazlri (aka baba runs), Zubairu Abdullahi (aka Basho) and Rayyanu Abdul.
Justice Nyako, in the judgment delivered on July 22 this year, upheld the case of the prosecution team, which included Labaran Magaji and Mrs. Yetunde Cole, as it relates to five out of the seven defendants.
Justice Nyako also convicted and sentenced Inspector Dadje to three years on count seven, in which he was accused of tampering with police record to conceal a crime.
Dadje, who was a Station Officer at the Ibi Divisional Police Headquarters, Ibi Local Government Area, Taraba State was said to have, in August 2019, “willfully tampered with the entry made by the leader of the IGP IRT team, Inspector Felix Adolije, by tearing off the entry page to cover up for Captain Tijani Ahmed Balarabe and his team” upon knowing that an offence of terrorism had been committed by Capt. Balarabe and his team, who attacked and killed three members of the IGP IRT team and two civilians who were in Ibi, Taraba State to make lawful arrest.
Justice Nyako equally convicted and sentenced Uba Bala (aka Uba Delu) and Zubairu Abdullahi (aka Basho) to seven years each on counts three, four, five, six and 11.
The duo, in the four counts, were charged with illegal possession and unlawful dealing in prohibited firearms and ammunition.
Justice Nyako also convicted and sentenced Abdul to three years for harbouring Wadume in his house in Kano after Wadume’s escape from police custody in Ibi.
The judge struck out count one, in which Wadume was charged with kidnaping Usman Garba (aka Mayo) and collecting N106million before releasing him.
She however discharged and acquitted Auwalu Bala (aka Omo Razor) and Bashir Wazlri (aka Baba Runs), who were listed as the 3rd and 5th defendants, for want of evidence.
Court Jails Notorious Kidnap Kingpin, Wadume
Bandits Kill Driver, Abduct Two Officials in Zamfara Attack
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have killed a driver, abducted two local government officials and injured another person during an attack along Tashar Lawali Road in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 11:20 a.m. on May 18, 2026, when suspected bandits blocked the road near Jangebe District and opened fire on motorists.
According to the sources, combined teams of the Nigeria Police Force, military personnel and members of the Community Protection Guards (CPG) were immediately mobilised to the scene following a distress report.
The sources disclosed that the attackers abducted Jamilu Sani, identified as the Director of Planning in the local government area, and Muslimu Habibu, a councillor representing Jangebe Ward.
During the attack, Samaila Ladan, a registration officer with the Hajj Affairs Unit of the local government, sustained a gunshot wound to his right hand and was rescued by security operatives.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Lawali Hakimi, reportedly died on the spot.
The injured victim was evacuated to a hospital for medical attention, while security forces commenced combing operations in the area to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the attackers.
Authorities said patrols had also been intensified to forestall further attacks in the area.
Bandits Kill Driver, Abduct Two Officials in Zamfara Attack
.
Troops Foil Cattle Rustling Attempt in Plateau Border Community
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 3 of Operation Enduring Peace have foiled an attempted cattle rustling operation by unidentified armed men in a border community between Bassa and Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 11:50 p.m. on May 17, 2026, following reports of sporadic gunshots around Rigochongo village.
According to the sources, troops swiftly mobilised to the area and discovered that the gunfire emanated from a group of armed men attempting to rustle cattle within the community.
The attackers reportedly abandoned the operation and fled the area upon the arrival of security personnel.
Authorities said no casualty was recorded during the incident, while security patrols and surveillance had been intensified in the area to prevent further criminal activities.
Troops Foil Cattle Rustling Attempt in Plateau Border Community
Troops Raid Suspected Terror Logistics Network in Sokoto, Arrest 11
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 11 suspects and recovered a fabricated firearm during a raid on suspected terrorist logistics suppliers in Sokoto State.
Military sources said the operation was conducted at about 11:00 a.m. on May 17, 2026, by troops of the 8 Division Garrison at Sabon Birni in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state.
According to the sources, the raid targeted suspected logistics hubs believed to be supplying terrorist elements operating within the area.
During the operation, troops recovered one locally fabricated pistol loaded with 10 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, alongside quantities of suspected hard drugs.
The sources added that 11 suspects were arrested from different hideouts within the area during the coordinated operation.
All suspects and recovered items were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Troops Raid Suspected Terror Logistics Network in Sokoto, Arrest 11
Bandits Kill Driver, Abduct Two Officials in Zamfara Attack
NIGERIA AND CHINA: A PARTNERSHIP BUILT ON MUTUAL RESPECT, TRUST AND SHARED STRATEGIC INTEREST- NCSP
FBI Arrests Nigerian Extradited to U.S. Over Alleged $Romance Scam Targeting Elderly Victims
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
