security
Farmers, Herders Crisis Claims Soldier, 24 Others in Taraba

From Christiana Babayo, Jalingo
A soldier and 24 other residents of Ussa and Takum local government areas of Taraba States are said to have been killed so far in the unending feud between Kuteb farmers and herders in the state.
This is according to the Police Public Relations Officer in Taraba State, Abdullahi Usman.
He said the military officer was ambushed and killed while the other 24 persons are either Kuteb or Fulani extractions.
“The military officer who was from the checkpoint coming back to 93 Battalion Barrack was ambushed and killed, though nothing was taken from him, his motorcycle and luckily he has no rifle on him,” Usman stated.
“He was killed by unknown persons and an investigation has been launched to unravel those behind the killing. Statistically, 20 Kuteb indigenes were killed while three Fulani herdsmen also paid the supreme price as a result of the crisis.”
He insisted that at the moment, the major problem halting the return of peace is the claim by the Fulani herdsmen that their cattle are held hostage by the Kuteb farmers and the denial from the other end.
The problem we are now facing is that the Fulani are claiming that their cattle are rustled and are held hostage within the Kuteb farmers’ areas while the Kutebs fear going to the farm for fear of attack from the Fulani herdsmen.
“The commissioner of police has called on the leader of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Ussa and the claimants to discuss, agree and go to where they alleged that their cattle are held hostage for fact-finding as well as the release of same for peace to reign,” the police spokesman added.
All attempts to speak to the state chairman of MACBAN proved abortive.
However, the President of the Kuteb Yatgso Association of Nigeria, Emmanuel Ukwen – an umbrella body of the Kuteb-speaking tribe in the country – revealed that peace was brokered between them late last year in which a 14-point resolution was reached and signed.
Ukwen alleged that the state government failed to provide the needed funds to implement the agreements reached which gave rise to enemies of progress to renew the attacks.
“What baffles us was that peace was brokered with herdsmen, it then became an onslaught by bandits.
“Who invited or hired the bandits? We want the state government to investigate and tell the world. It should be noted that as we speak dozens of innocent citizens have been killed by the bandits in Takum, Ussa, and Yangtu Special Development Area, and equally thousands of people have been displaced from their ancestral homes.” he said.
He said as the leader of his people, he has not seen the state government either visit his people or sympathize with them or provided the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and relief materials, a situation the state government denied saying it provided the shelter they are staying as well as relief materials in quantum.
DEFENCE
Police Nab 5 Suspected Cultists, Recover Firearms in A’Ibom

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom says it has arrested five suspected cultists and recovered firearms at Ibesikpo Asutan area of the state.
DSP Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Uyo.
John said the arrests took place at the cultists’ hideout in Ikot Etuk village, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area on Wednesday.
She said that the operatives of the command, based on credible information, arrested the cultists.
John said that during the operation, operatives recovered one locally made pistol, one fabricated single-barrel gun and assorted charms.
According to her, the suspects have voluntarily provided useful information to the police regarding their criminal activities.
“This includes their involvement in a recent attack on Fulani herdsmen, which resulted in the killing of two cows.
“The stolen cows were reportedly shared among various cult groups within Ibesikpo Asutan,” she said.
John said that efforts were currently underway to apprehend other fleeing gang members and recover their operational weapons.
The spokesman further said the developments would be communicated to the public as they unfold. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Police Arrest 4 Suspects, Recover Stolen Property in A’Ibom

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom said it had arrested four suspected criminals in Udi Street in Uyo and recovered numerous stolen items.
DSP Timfon John, the Command’s Public Relations Officer said this in a statement in Uyo on Monday.
John said that the suspects were arrested base on credible intelligence and in compliance with the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare’s directive.
She said that an operation which was inaugurated last Friday at exactly 1:15 a.
m., led to the arrest of the four suspects.”In a significant intelligence-led operation, operatives of the command raided a location in Udi Street, leading to the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of numerous stolen items.
The raid also resulted in the arrest of another two suspected receivers of stolen property,” she explained.
The command’s image maker said that exhibit including 14 sewing machine heads and a generator were recovered from the suspects.
According to her, two complainants have come forward and identified their stolen machines among the recovered items.
She added that investigation into the matter was ongoing. (NAN)

Police Detain 2 for Alleged Murder, Burning of Corpse in Mile 12 – PPRO
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two principal suspects in connection with the brutal murder and burning of a young woman on May 24, 2025, in the ‘Gangare’ area near the canal behind Mile 12 Market, Lagos.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed this in a statement on Monday in Lagos.
Hundeyin said that the victim, originally from Nasarawa State, was allegedly attacked and set ablaze in a premeditated act orchestrated by her estranged boyfriend and accomplices.
The police clarified that contrary to widespread misinformation, there was no blasphemy involved in the incident.
The police noted that the deceased had been living in the area with relatives from the northern part of the country, and her exact occupation remains unknown.
“Facts from preliminary investigations clearly revealed that she is from Nasarawa State and not a Yoruba woman.
”The protracted problem between her and her boyfriend, now at large, who tried to forcefully rekindle their relationship, led to the conspiracy.
“The boyfriend, along with other suspects, two of whom are now in custody, planned and executed the attack,” he said.
According to him, investigation is being intensified to apprehend the boyfriend and the other suspects still at large.
He said that the suspects were currently in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), where they were assisting the police detectives and investigators in efforts to apprehend other perpetrators involved in the murder.
The PPRO assured the public that normalcy had been fully restored in the affected slum and other areas in Mile 12 area.
“Lagos residents are encouraged not to panic. They should go about their lawful activities peacefully without apprehension. While awaiting the outcome of the investigation which will certainly be made public.
“People are implored to exercise restraint and refrain from spreading unverified information that may cause unnecessary fear, ” he said.
According to the spokesperson, the command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and will continue to provide timely updates as the investigation progresses.
(NAN)