Eight police officers hospitalised in Kogi, others discharged lone accident

By: Zagazola Makama

Eight police officers deployed from Kogi State to Anambra for the upcoming 2025 governorship election are currently receiving medical treatment following a lone accident involving their vehicle along a highway in Kogi.

The accident, which occurred earlier on Monday, involved personnel of the Kogi State Police Command assigned as part of the security contingent for the election in Anambra.

Sources said that the injured officers Insp. George Nkoyo, Insp. Edith Kechere, Insp. Bright Emmanuel, Insp. Ogudele Adeola, Insp. Ibrahim Fatima, Insp. James Ifeoma, Insp. Dansuma Hassan and Insp. Hope Samuel is currently on admission at the State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja.

Sources said the officers are responding to treatment and are in stable condition.

The sources added that several others who sustained minor injuries have been treated and discharged. Those discharged include Insp. Abdullahi Mariam, Insp. Amodu Latama, Insp. Ameh John, Insp. Christina Shiaka, Insp. Owonari Kuriyatu, Sgt. Ochogwu Godwill, Cpl. Joy Akanya and PC Joy Samuel.

“The Command is monitoring the situation closely, and further developments will be communicated,” the sources stated.

The sources reaffirmed the commitment of the Kogi Police Command to ensuring adequate security deployment to Anambra State for the forthcoming election.

Eight police officers hospitalised in Kogi, others discharged lone accident

Benue: Army troops raid bandits’ hideout in Ukum, neutralise one, recover rifles

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 1, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have raided a bandits’ hideout in Aterayange general area of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, neutralising one suspected bandit and recovering arms and ammunition.

Zagazola report that the operation was carried out between Monday night and early Tuesday.

Sources stated that troops of Sub-Sector 1A, led by Maj. M. Babalola, launched the raid after receiving intelligence on the location of a notorious bandit leader identified as Full Fire.

The troops arrived at the objective at about 3:45 a.m. and engaged the armed group.

Although the bandit leader escaped during the engagement, one bandit was neutralised.

Items recovered include two AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifle, five AK-47 magazines, one G3 magazine, one hand grenade, two Baofeng radios, 162 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and one motorcycle.

The sources added that exploitation of the area was still ongoing, while troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remained high.

Operation Whirl Stroke is the joint military operation combating banditry and other violent crimes in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States.

Benue: Army troops raid bandits’ hideout in Ukum, neutralise one, recover rifles

DSS rescues kidnapped police officer after three months in captivity

By: Zagazola Makama

The Department of State Services (DSS) has rescued a police officer, Ibrahim Muhammad, who spent three months in captivity after being kidnapped by armed men in Patigi, Kwara State.

Muhammad, attached to the Patigi Division, was abducted on Aug. 10, 2025.
Zagazola Makama report that the state police command was notified of his rescue by the DSS at about 5:00 p.m. on Nov. 9.

According to sources, the officer was found in a forest, where his abductors had abandoned him.

The sources confirmed that Muhammad has been handed over to the command by the DSS and is currently in stable condition.

“He is being debriefed as part of further investigation,” the sources stated.

The police did not confirm whether ransom was paid or if any arrest had been made in connection with the abduction. However, the command assured that efforts were ongoing to track down the perpetrators.

The rescue has brought relief to the command and the family of the officer, who had been missing for more than 90 days.

DSS rescues kidnapped police officer after three months in captivity