Mentally unstable man kills 6-year-old boy in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

A 30-year-old man, identified as Basiru Umaru, has allegedly killed a six-year-old boy, Aliyu Muhammed, in Mariga Town, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.

The tragic incident occurred on June 28 at about 9:00 p.m., when the suspect, said to be mentally unstable, reportedly lured the child to a riverside in the area.

According to community sources, the suspect tied the boy’s hands and legs before throwing him into the river, where he drowned.

The parents of the deceased, who had declared him missing, were later led to the riverbank by the suspect himself. The child’s lifeless body was recovered shortly after.

Police personnel were deployed to the scene. The corpse was taken to a medical facility for autopsy, while concerned community members mobilised to ensure the suspect was restrained and isolated from the public.

Medical and mental health professionals are expected to conduct psychiatric evaluation on the suspect to determine his state of mind at the time of the incident.
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Police Officer wounded while repelling bandit attack on security camp in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

Security forces have successfully repelled an attempted armed bandit attack on C Watch Camp in Rimaye Village, Kankia Local Government Area.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 12:30 a.m. on June 30 when suspected armed bandits stormed the location in an attempt to overrun the camp.

Security sources swiftly mobilised a team to the scene, where they engaged the assailants in a gun duel.

The bandits were forced to retreat and flee the scene with unspecified casualties on their side.

During the exchange of gunfire, the Officer-in-Charge of Rimaye Police Outpost, ASP Shola Odenkule, sustained gunshot wounds on his right leg, as well as bruises to his head and right hand.

He was immediately rushed to Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC), Rimaye, where he received medical treatment and was admitted for further observation.

Police Officer wounded while repelling bandit attack on security camp in Katsina

11 kidnapped Benue Links passengers rescued in Okpokwu

By: Zagazola Makama

Eleven passengers abducted from a Benue Links commercial bus have been safely rescued in a forest near Ondo village in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.

Zagazola Makama recalls that the passengers were kidnapped on June 22 while travelling along the Otukpo–Enugu highway in a Benue Links Hummer bus.

Security sources reliably confirmed that the victims were freed on June 29 following sustained search operations by the security forced supported by local vigilance groups and the Benue State Civil Protection Guard.

Credible intelligence reportedly indicated that the kidnappers were moving the captives through a bush path around Ondo village in Ugbokolo. In response, the rescue teams swiftly mobilised and launched a coordinated search operation in the area.

After several hours of intense combing of the forest, the victims were found alive and safely evacuated to Ugbokolo town, where they were provided immediate care.

The rescued individuals were identified as Bam Joseph, Doom Terhile, Uju Mercy, Ashika Linda, Atule Ladi, Undia Iveren, Terfa Kwshdoo, Akume Hembadoon, Ikpeen Msendoo, Mlumun Hurt, and Philip Igbuan.

One of the victims, Philip Igbuan, suffered a deep machete wound to the head inflicted by the kidnappers and was immediately taken to the General Hospital in Ugbokolo for medical treatment.

The freed passengers have since been debriefed by the Police and Benue Links has arranged transportation to help them reach their original destinations and reunite with their families.

According to accounts from the victims, their abductors were heavily armed and are suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

11 kidnapped Benue Links passengers rescued in Okpokwu