Gunmen abduct worshipper in Oyo community

By: Zagazola Makama

Gunmen have abducted a worshipper from a mosque in Gbonkan Village, Ipapo, Itesiwaju Local Government Area.

Sources said that the victim, identified as Amadu Usman, was kidnapped on Monday night while praying at the mosque alongside his elder brother, Adamu Usman.

The sources said seven armed men invaded the mosque at about 9 p.m. and whisked the victim away to an unknown destination.

The sources said that a joint team of security forces, Amotekun Corps, vigilantes and local hunters had since launched a search-and-rescue operation, combing surrounding bushes to track down the suspects and rescue the victim.

Gunmen abduct worshipper in Oyo community

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA repel bandit attack in Malumfashi, Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, in collaboration with the Police, Community Watch Corps and local vigilantes, have repelled a bandit attack in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Sources said that the incident happened on Tuesday evening when armed bandits launched an attack on a hunters’ camp in Naalma village.

According to the sources, the troops and other security operatives responded swiftly to a distress call and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to withdraw.

“During the operation, Usman Lawal, 35, the Commander of the Hunters’ group, sustained fatal injuries. One of the bandits was neutralised while the rifle earlier seized from the hunters’ commander was recovered.

“Other fleeing bandits are suspected to have escaped with gunshot wounds. Troops are currently conducting cordon-and-search operations within the area,”said the sources.

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA repel bandit attack in Malumfashi, Katsina

Police clampdown in Abuja: 71 suspects arrested as violent crimes, mysterious deaths draw concern

By: Zagazola Makama

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has intensified its crackdown on criminal activities across Abuja, arresting no fewer than 71 suspects during coordinated raids on black spots, uncompleted buildings, and criminal hideouts.

Sources confirmed the developments on Wednesday in Abuja, noting that the raids were carried out simultaneously on Sept. 8 across Gwagwalada, Kubwa, Nyanya, Apo, Karmo, Maitama, Mabushi, Dawaki, Galadima, Asokoro, Karu, Jikwoyi, Mpape, Lokogoma, and Utako Divisions.

“Some quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and illicit drugs were recovered from the suspects. They are undergoing screening and interrogation, while those found culpable will be charged to court,” the sources said.

The mass arrests come amid a string of disturbing incidents reported in different parts of the FCT in recent days, point to the resolve of the security forces to deal with all security challenges confronting the nation’s capital.

On Sept. 9, police operatives from Byazhin Division rescued a 40-year-old woman, Ms. Mary Moore, who was allegedly abducted from Keffi, Nasarawa State, and later found wandering in the Byazhin axis.

The victim told investigators that her abductors sprayed an unknown substance on her face, after which she lost consciousness and was dispossessed of her valuables. She has since been reunited with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for medical care.

In another case, detectives in Gwagwalada are investigating the death of an unidentified mentally challenged man, whose decomposing body was discovered in the bush at Ibwa 1 Area on Sept. 9. Community leaders and police agreed to bury the body at the site in line with local customs.

Earlier on Sept. 9, a distressing case of culpable homicide was reported in Gwagwalada after a 24-year-old woman, identified as Ebubechukwu Sunday Kelechi, died suddenly in her fiancé’s home.

Sources said that Preliminary police findings indicated she had been ill from malaria prior to her death, with drugs recovered at the scene. No marks of violence were found on her body, though her fiancé is in custody as investigations continue.

Sources also reported an abandoned dead baby, barely a day old, discovered behind the premises of the Assembly of God Church, Durumi 2. The infant was confirmed dead by doctors at the Primary Health Centre, Durumi, and later buried according to local customs.

While the clampdown and arrests of 71 suspects are commendable, more coordinated community-police collaboration is needed to address the underlying drivers of violent crime, drug abuse, and neglect in the FCT.

Police clampdown in Abuja: 71 suspects arrested as violent crimes, mysterious deaths draw concern