Crime

Bandits Abduct Village Head and Chief Imam, Demand N5m Ransom

Published

2 years ago

December 19, 2023

Magaji Sa’idu, the head of Rakyabu village in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, and Malam Abdullahi, the Chief Imam of the village, have been reportedly abducted by bandits.

A native of the area, identified as Amadu Mohammed, reported that the village head and the Chief Imam were abducted from their houses by bandits on Sunday night. He said that the bandits demanded N5m as ransom, out of which the community had only raised N500,000 through donations by the people of the village.

Mohammed lamented that despite collecting the N500,000, the bandits refused to release the village head and the Imam. According to him, “When the bandits sent a message demanding N5m as ransom, the families of the two abducted people could not get any reasonable amount.

“As such, we decided to launch an appeal fund where we generated the sum of N500,000 and handed the amount to the bandits. They collected the money and told us that we must pay the remaining balance, which is N4.5m.”

Raising N4.5m was an impossible task for the community, Mohammed said, especially as the bandits had rustled and stolen all the animals they could have sold to raise some money.

“We have nothing to sell and get the money needed by the bandits because they have taken everything from us,” he said.

Mohammed called on the state government and security agencies to do something to rescue their village head and the Chief Imam.

ASP Yazid Abubakar, the spokesperson of the state police command, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.

Crime

ICPC Recovers Alleged Wiretapping Devices from El Rufai Home, Secures 14 Day Detention Order

Published

2 months ago

March 2, 2026

Editor

By Omoniyi David

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission said it recovered suspected wiretapping devices and sensitive security documents from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State governor Nasir el Rufai.

The commission disclosed that a Magistrate Court in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory, granted a 14 day detention order to allow investigators conclude their probe.

According to the agency, electronic equipment capable of intercepting phone conversations was discovered during a search at el Rufai’s Asokoro home. Officials also said documents described as sensitive to national security were recovered.

The ICPC dismissed claims that the former governor was being unlawfully detained or politically targeted, insisting that due process was followed.

In filings before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, the commission urged the court to dismiss el Rufai’s suit alleging violation of his fundamental rights, maintaining that its actions were lawful and necessary for a thorough investigation.

Crime

Police Arrest Two in Abuja Over Alleged Homicide of 16 Year Old

Published

2 months ago

February 17, 2026

Editor

By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Command, have arrested two suspects over the alleged culpable homicide of a 16 year old boy, Chidera Benjamin, in the Byazhin area of Abuja.

The suspects, identified as Cosmos Okafor, 31, and Okechukwu Wisdom, 17, were arrested following the incident which occurred on Thursday, February 12, 2026, according to the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh.

Adeh said police received a distress call that Benjamin allegedly attacked his mother with a machete during a domestic dispute. Preliminary findings showed the mother had accused him of transferring money from her bank account to his Opay account without her consent.

The boy allegedly became violent during the confrontation and inflicted serious injury on her hand.

The police said two neighbours who witnessed the incident allegedly attacked the teenager in response. He sustained severe injuries and was rushed to Kubwa General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

The suspects are in custody and will be charged to court after investigations. The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Dantawaye, urged residents to avoid jungle justice and resolve disputes through lawful means.

Crime

Poison Allegation: Expect DSS Invitation, NSA Office Replies El-Rufai

Published

2 months ago

February 16, 2026

Editor

By Patrick Idowu

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has replied former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, over his allegation that the agency imported a toxic chemical from Poland, telling him to expect an invitation from the Department of State Services (DSS), as the matter has been referred for investigation.

El-Rufai had written to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, claiming opposition leaders had information that ONSA procured about 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate, a highly poisonous substance.

He requested clarification on the purpose, supplier, permits, quantity, storage arrangements and regulatory oversight, including involvement of agencies such as NAFDAC and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

In a response released to journalists on Sunday night, ONSA denied the allegation, stating it neither procured nor initiated any process to purchase thallium sulphate and had no intention of doing so.

The letter, signed by Brigadier-General O.M. Adesuyi on behalf of the NSA, said the allegation had been referred to the DSS for a comprehensive investigation, adding that El-Rufai and others with relevant information would be invited to provide evidence.