Crime
Gunmen Abduct Catholic Priest, Seminarian in Edo, One Attacker Killed
Gunmen Abduct Catholic Priest, Seminarian in Edo, One Attacker Killed
By Zagazola Makama
Gunmen suspected to be armed Fulani attackers have abducted a Catholic priest, Rev. Father Philip Ekeli, and a seminarian, Peter Andrew, from St. Peter Catholic Church in Iviukwa Community, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
A Police sources confirmed the incident on Tuesday, stating that the attack occurred on Sunday night at about 11:30 p.m.
“The police received a distress call from the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Mr. Inaede Gabriel, informing them that the church was under siege.
“Operatives, including members of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), were immediately mobilized to the scene, where it was confirmed that the priest and the seminarian had been abducted and taken into the bush to an unknown location.
The sources revealed that during the attack, local vigilantes engaged the gunmen, killing one of the assailants. His body was deposited at the General Hospital Mortuary in Aghenebode.
“Items recovered from the scene include a button phone with two Airtel SIM cards, a power bank, a dagger jacket, a bag containing biscuits and sachets of Nescafé tea, two pairs of rubber shoes, and a small bag containing ₦168,850 in cash.
The sources added that a joint search-and-rescue operation involving personnel from the Nigerian Army’s 195 Battalion, police operatives, vigilantes, and local hunters is ongoing to rescue the victims and apprehend the abductors.
Gunmen Abduct Catholic Priest, Seminarian in Edo, One Attacker Killed
Crime
After al-Minuki, Joint Army, DSS, Amotekun Operation Kills Another ISWAP Leader Planning Terrorist Attacks
Breaking!
After al-Minuki, Joint Army, DSS, Amotekun Operation Kills Another ISWAP Leader Planning Terrorist Attacks
By: Zagazola Makama
An intelligence-led operation by a combined team of troops of the Nigerian Army, Department of Department of State Services (DSS) personnel, and Western Nigeria Security Network aka Amotekun officers, at the weekend in Owo forest, Ondo State, eliminated a senior leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abdussamad Ohida.
Security sources said Ohida aka Anwar, who was on the verge of planning massive terrorist attacks in some southern states, was killed alongside many members of the terrorist organization by the security forces who led a surprise attack on their forest hideout.
According to the sources, the eliminated ISWAP leader previously served as deputy to ISWAP Central Nigeria leader Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais. Ikrimah was arrested by the DSS in 2023.

Following Ikrimah’s arrest, continued the sources, Ohida assumed leadership of ISWAP activities across parts of North central and southern parts of the country, where he subsequently played a key role in the planning, coordination and execution of terrorist operations.
Through the interrogation of Abu Uwais, continued the sources, the DSS was able to gather credible intelligence on plans by Ohida to
attack innocent persons during the forthcoming Yuletide.
“The plan was to attack civilians during the festive period and ultimately disrupt the 2027 general elections. This Intelligence was corroborated by intelligence partners from the United Kingdom, who supported the elimination operation,” offered one of the sources.
He said Ohida planned and executed the 31st December 2025, invasion of Ipele Divisional Police Station, Owo, Ondo State, carting away right AK-47 rifles before bringing down the station with an explosive. He mentioned the 28 July 2022 Suleja–Zuba Road, Niger State military checkpoint attack in which several soldiers, officers and civilians were killed.
He also blamed on Ohida, the July 11, 2022, attack on Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja; the 23rd April, 2022 attack on Ogaminana Police Station, Adavi LGA, Kogi State, which resulted in the death of five police officers, and the February 7, 2022, attack on Okene Area Command police station.
“The terrorist planned and executed the 24th December, 2020 attack on a Naval checkpoint in Okene, Kogi State, which resulted in the death of two naval officers, not to mention the several attacks he launched across parts of the country,” he added.
“We may not immediately realize it, but the elimination of Abdussamad Ohida represents a significant disruption to ISWAP’s leadership structure, operational network and expansion efforts in central and southern Nigeria.
“Ohida’s elimination, coming a few months after after the killing of ISIS leader Abu Bilal al-Minuki, is a very big blow to ISWAP’s efforts to expand its operational presence in Nigeria, and underscores the growing efficiency of our security services,” he declared.
After al-Minuki, Joint Army, DSS, Amotekun Operation Kills Another ISWAP Leader Planning Terrorist Attacks
Crime
Seven Passengers Reportedly Shot Near Bukuru Roundabout in Plateau
Seven Passengers Reportedly Shot Near Bukuru Roundabout in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Seven passengers travelling from the Kara Bukuru Livestock Market were reportedly shot by unidentified gunmen near the Total Roundabout in Bukuru, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, when the passengers were travelling in an open-body Boxer vehicle from the market to Rafin Bauna village in Bassa Local Government Area.

According to the driver and a survivor, identified as Murtala Isa Ibrahim, seven of the 20 passengers aboard the vehicle were affected in the shooting.
The victims were reportedly taken to Rukuba Barracks Hospital for medical attention, although their conditions had yet to be established as of the time of filing this report.
No death had been confirmed, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting remained unclear.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over reported attacks on herders and other travellers returning from the Kara Bukuru Livestock Market.

In a related development, a pastoralist association in Plateau has condemned a reported attack on Fulani herders around the Federal Low-Cost area of Bukuru, calling on security agencies to investigate the incident and apprehend those responsible.
The association recalled that five Fulani herders were reportedly killed around Kassa in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area on Sept. 20 while returning from the same livestock market.
It also cited an earlier attack near the Conoil Filling Station in December 2025 involving herders returning from the market.
The recurring incidents have raised concerns about the safety of pastoralists and traders who depend on the livestock market for their livelihoods.
The association urged the Plateau State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Operation Safe Haven, the Department of State Services and other security agencies to strengthen security along the market route and prevent further attacks.
It also appealed to community members to remain calm and refrain from retaliatory violence, stressing the need for justice and equal protection for all residents, regardless of ethnicity or occupation.
As of the time of filing this report, no official security statement confirming the latest shooting had been issued, and the details remained preliminary pending independent verification.
Seven Passengers Reportedly Shot Near Bukuru Roundabout in Plateau
Crime
Troops Arrest 15 Suspected Drug Peddlers in Jos Raid
Troops Arrest 15 Suspected Drug Peddlers in Jos Raid
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have arrested 15 suspected illicit drug peddlers during a raid on a suspected drug hideout in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was conducted at about 6:00 p.m. on Oct. 3, 2026, at Congo Russia, an area in Jos North.
The sources said the troops raided the identified hideout and arrested 15 suspects, who were subsequently profiled for further investigation and necessary action.
The raid forms part of ongoing security efforts under Operation Enduring Peace to curb drug-related activities and dismantle criminal networks in Plateau State.
Troops Arrest 15 Suspected Drug Peddlers in Jos Raid
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