Police Dismiss Kidnap Rumour in Edo School, Arrest Woman Over False Alarm

By: Zagazola Makama

The Edo State Police Command has dismissed reports of an alleged kidnapping attempt at a primary school in Iguobazuwa, describing the incident as a false alarm.

Police sources said information circulating on June 22 claimed that suspected kidnappers had gained access to Success Academy Primary School located on New Road, Iguobazuwa.

Following the report, police operatives, alongside other security agencies, swiftly deployed to the school to verify the claim and take necessary action.

According to the police, a thorough assessment of the situation revealed that no kidnapping incident occurred and that the report was unfounded.

Investigators subsequently arrested a woman identified as Happiness Osamudiamen, who was alleged by the school authorities to have originated or circulated the information that triggered panic in the community.

The suspect is currently being interrogated as part of ongoing investigations.

Police authorities said normalcy had since been restored in the area, while proactive security measures had been put in place to prevent similar incidents.

The command noted that academic activities at the school were temporarily disrupted due to panic generated by the rumour.

To reassure residents, police officers engaged with the school management and visited schools within the area to boost confidence among students, teachers and parents regarding their safety.

The command urged parents to allow their children return to school, assuring them that there was no security threat or cause for alarm in Iguobazuwa and its environs.

Investigation into the matter is ongoing.

Police Dismiss Kidnap Rumour in Edo School, Arrest Woman Over False Alarm

Police Probe Alleged Child Theft in Benue, Suspect Complainant Under Investigation

By: Zagazola Makama

The Benue State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the alleged disappearance of a two-month-old baby in Gboko Local Government Area of the state.

Police sources said the incident was reported at about 1400 hours on June 22 at the ‘A’ Division, Gboko, by Terna Mbaigbaade of Apine Village, Mbayion.

According to the report, the complainant alleged that while he was at the Gboko Main Market on June 20 at about 1200 hours with his infant son, Aondoyaven-ga Terna, an unidentified woman took the child and disappeared to an unknown destination.

Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer led a team of detectives to the scene and commenced investigations to establish the identity of the suspected woman and trace the missing child.

Police authorities said efforts to identify the suspect had so far proved unsuccessful, while search operations were ongoing to locate and rescue the infant.

However, investigators disclosed that the complainant was also being questioned as part of the ongoing inquiry, as preliminary findings suggested that the circumstances surrounding the report appeared suspicious.

The case has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.

Police said efforts were continuing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure the safe recovery of the child.

Police Probe Alleged Child Theft in Benue, Suspect Complainant Under Investigation

Two Fulani Killed in Ambush by Irigwe Youths Along Jos South Road, One Escapes

By: Zagazola Makama

Two fulani youths were killed while another escaped unhurt following an ambush by Irigwe youths along the Gero-Rafin Bauna axis of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Security sources said the incident occurred late on Monday when the attackers ambushed a motorcycle conveying three passengers near River Line community.

Troops of Sector 3 of Operation Enduring Peace, acting on a distress report, reportedly mobilised to the scene in conjunction with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN).

The sources said that upon arrival, security personnel found the bodies of two victims identified as Sadik Mohammed of Dutsen Kura and Mossaud Abdullahi of Jebbu Bassa.

According to the sources, the motorcycle rider, identified as Samaila Haruna of Dutsen Kura, escaped the attack without injuries.

The motorcycle used by the victims was found abandoned at the scene.

The troops immediately launched a pursuit operation to track down the assailants but no contact was established, the sources added.

The remains of the deceased were later released to their families for burial in accordance with local customs.

The latest killings along the Gero–Rafin Bauna road are the latest indication that cycles of attacks and reprisals continue to intensify across several communities in Plateau State.

On Monday, Fulani bandits attacks and killed 18 persons in Bokkos while several others injured.
In recent months, communities like Mangu, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Bokkos and parts of Jos South have witnessed recurring violence, including ambushes, attacks on villages, reprisal killings and destruction of property.

The persistence of these incidents has left many residents questioning the effectiveness of the states government efforts to stem the crisis. While security deployments and official condemnations often follow major incidents, there has been little visible progress in addressing the underlying drivers of the conflict or bringing perpetrators to justice.

The continued bloodshed reflects a failure of both concerned stakeholders and political responses to a crisis that has persisted for years.

Two Fulani Killed in Ambush by Irigwe Youths Along Jos South Road, One Escapes