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
Troops recover 74 rustled livestock in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 17 Brigade, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police and local vigilantes, have recovered 74 rustled livestock following an operation in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 6:50 p.m. on April 13 after troops received credible intelligence on terrorist activities in Matazu town.
According to the sources, the troops swiftly mobilised to the area, where they made contact with the suspected terrorists and engaged them in a firefight.
“The terrorists were overwhelmed by superior firepower and forced to withdraw from the area,” the sources said.
They added that troops subsequently exploited the general area and successfully recovered 74 rustled livestock.
The recovered animals were later handed over to personnel of the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) for further necessary action.
Security agencies have continued operations in the area to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further incidents.
Troops recover 74 rustled livestock in Katsina
Police officer arrested after fatal armed robbery at Kontagora filling station
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a serving Mobile Police officer in connection with an armed robbery incident that left a fuel attendant dead in Kontagora Local Government Area.
Sources said the incident occurred on April 15, 2026, at about 2:40 p.m., when a distress call was received reporting an armed robbery at Garun Mallam Filling Station, behind BCG Garage, Kontagora.
According to the sources, two armed suspects, one of whom was reportedly dressed in a mobile police uniform and operating on a motorcycle, stormed the filling station and demanded money from the fuel attendant after purchasing fuel.
When the attendant, identified as 20-year-old Jibrin Inuwa of Garun Mallam, resisted, one of the suspects shot him in the chest and fled with an undisclosed sum of money.
The victim was rushed to the General Hospital, Kontagora, where he was confirmed dead, and his body was later released to his family for burial according to Islamic rites.
Following the attack, police patrol teams from ‘A’ Division Kontagora, led by the Divisional Police Officer, trailed the suspects to the Dadinkowa area behind a vigilante office, where they were engaged in a gun duel.
One of the suspects was eventually overpowered, shot in the leg, disarmed, and arrested.
The suspect was later identified as a serving Mobile Police officer, Insp. Jido Ahmed, attached to 61 PMF Kontagora but currently on special duty in Agwara.
He was taken to the General Hospital, Kontagora, and later referred to the Police Clinic in Minna for treatment.
An AK-47 rifle with number 38262 and 12 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered from him.
Sources from the command said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the second fleeing suspect, while investigation into the case continues.
Police officer arrested after fatal armed robbery at Kontagora filling station
Troops rescue injured herder, foil attack by Berom Militia in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Operation OPEP have foiled an attack by Berom Militia and rescued an injured herder in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 12:22 p.m. on April 12 at Rasa village, where gunmen suspected to be Militia from Berom Community reportedly attacked a herder.
According to the sources, troops of Sector 4 OPEP deployed at Bisichi responded promptly to the distress call and forced the attackers to abandon their mission and flee.
They added that the troops rescued the victim, who sustained gunshot wounds during the attack.
“The injured herder was evacuated to Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for medical attention,” the sources said.
They noted that troops have intensified patrols in the area to prevent further attacks and ensure the safety of residents.
Troops rescue injured herder, foil attack by Berom Militia in Plateau
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