DEFENCE
Army Provides Free Medical Services for Kogi Communities

The Nigerian Army on Thursday provided free medical services for the people of Eika-Ohizenyi communities in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian Army provided the free medical services as part of its Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC)-related activities.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.
-Gen. Farouk Yahaya, said the medical outreach was carefully planned to cater for the identified common health challenges of the indigenes in the communities.This, he said, would enhance the existing cordial relationship and boost the support the Nigerian Army had enjoyed from the people.
The COAS, who was represented by the Commander, Headquarters Command Army Records (CAR), Maj.-Gen. Sunday Igbinomwanhia, said the free medical outreach was in continuation of exercise Enduring Peace II, recently inaugurated by the Nigerian Army.
The COAS said it was in line with his vision of a professional Nigerian Army, ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria.
Yahaya explained that in pursuance of his vision, he had ensured that the Nigerian Army formations and units paid adequate attention to the non-kinetic aspect of the military operations.
He said that conscious efforts had been made to cater for pregnant women and nursing mothers by making provisions for the distribution of treated mosquito nets during the outreach.
According to the COAS, aside the free drugs to be dispensed, free medicated eye glasses would also be distributed to people with sight challenges.
He stressed that Nigerian Army had enjoyed and would continue to enjoy the support and cooperation of the good citizens of Kogi in surmounting the challenges of insecurity in the state and the nation in general.
The COAS appealed to the people to see the medical outreach as evidence of the cooperation between the Nigerian Army and Kogi residents.
“Let it foster the desired peace, progress and prosperity in these communities and the entire Kogi,“ h said.
The COAS assured the people that the Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other sister security agencies, was working assiduously to rid the country of criminal activities and all forms of insecurity.
He thanked Gov. Yahaya Bello for his support in making the apparatus of the Kogi State Government available for military operations.
He also commended the heads of all the sister security agencies for the seamless synergy in their efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.
Yahaya urged the people to continue to live in peace and harmony and to be tolerant of one another.
In his remarks, Bello commended the COAS for the medical outreach and for ensuring adequate security in the state.
Bello, who was represented by the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd.), advised the people to be well informed and to use the opportunity to give credible information to the security agencies to rid the state of criminal elements.
The Chairman of Okehi Local Government Area, Mr Abdulraheem Ohiare, praised the COAS for the gesture and for restoring peace to the area.
According to Ohiare, the area had been a den of criminals, noting that Eika Police Station was burnt down twice and many people killed.
“We thank the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for restoring peace to our communities,” he said.
Some of the beneficiaries of the outreach, Mrs Sabiat Abdulkadiri, Mrs Hajara Salihu and Hajia Habibat Sadiq, all praised the COAS for the free medical treatment and free drugs. (NAN)
CRIME
Police Arrest 53 Suspects over Benue, Plateau Killings – IGP

By David Torough, Abuja
Barely one weekend after President Bola Tinubu’s directives to immediately fish out the perpetrators of the Yelewata massacre in Benue state, the Inspector-general of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has confirmed the arrest of 26 suspects for their alleged involvement in the recent massacre at Yelewata community of Guma local government area in Benue State.
Egbetokun said in the attack, 47 villagers were killed, two attackers were killed by the police and over 100 others were displaced.
He disclosed this during a press briefing at the Force Headquarters yesterday in Abuja.
Egbetokun said the majority of the suspects were arrested on June 22.
Relatedly, the IGP also revealed that 22 suspects have been arrested for killing 12 travellers in Plateau State, while five persons have been arrested for killing two people in Benue State this week.
The arrests were coming barely a week after President Bola Tinubu directed the immediate arrest of the killer-herders who perpetrated the heinous killing of over 100 people in Yelewata community in Benue State.
Tinubu gave the directive while addressing stakeholders at the Government House, Markudi, during a visit to the State.
The meeting included the Secretary to the Federal Government, George Akume, Traditional Rulers and former governors of the state among others.
Tinubu had called out the Inspector General of Police to know why arrests had not been made at the time.
“How come no one has been arrested for committing this heinous crime in Yelewata. Inspector General of Police, where are the arrests? The criminals must be arrested immediately,” President Tinubu directed.
He urged the heads of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to intensify surveillance and gather actionable intelligence to apprehend the perpetrators.
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DEFENCE
Malete Imposes Nighttime Restrictions to Curb Robbery Attacks on KWASU Students

From Abdullahi Abubakar, Ilorin
In a move to stem the tide of rising robbery attacks targeting students in Malete, authorities have imposed a series of restrictions on movement and nighttime activities within the university host community.
The resolution was reached at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the management of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, on Monday with the agreement of all key stakeholders, including the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Alade Jimoh, members of the University’s extended management team, the Chairperson of Moro Local Government Council, traditional leaders, security agencies, the alumni association, and the Student Union body.
As part of the new security measures Motorcycle operations are now restricted from 10:00PM, all commercial activities and general movement must cease by 11:00PM while generator sets are to be switched off by midnight and night parties banned outright.
The stakeholders also agreed on the formation of a Joint Security Committee, comprising representatives from the University, Malete community, Students Union, and security agencies.
In addition, all private hostels in the community are mandated to engage security personnel, while trained vigilantes will be employed to support formal security efforts.
Speaking at the meeting, Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh reiterated the University’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all students.
Chairperson of Moro Local Government Council, Hajia Mariam Abdulwasiu, disclosed that the Council would initiate the legal framework to enact a bye-law formalizing the agreed restrictions.
She also announced the deployment of 10 additional vigilantes equipped with necessary security tools to bolster the area’s night patrol.
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DEFENCE
Troops Arrest Eight Kidnap Suspects, Rescue Others in Kwara

From Abdullahi Abubakar, Ilorin
Troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade, stationed at the Forward Operating Base in Patigi, Kwara State, have arrested eight kidnap suspects and rescued two victims from captivity. The operation, carried out on Saturday, June 21, 2025, was the result of a tactical strike based on credible intelligence, according to the Nigerian Army.
The operation targeted a known hideout on the outskirts of Latandaji Village in Patigi Local Government Area of the State.
Acting on credible intelligence, the troops launched a swift and coordinated assault, catching the suspected criminals off guard. The successful rescue underscores the military’s ongoing efforts to dismantle kidnapping syndicates in the region.In a statement issued on Sunday by Lieutenant Stephen Nwankwo, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 22 Brigade, the suspects attempted to resist the troops but were quickly overpowered by superior firepower. “During the engagement, troops encountered mild resistance but swiftly subdued the criminals,” Lt. Nwankwo stated.
The operation led to the safe rescue of two kidnap victims, identified as Mr. Amos Moses and Mr. Philip Michael. Both individuals were found unharmed and have since been reunited with their families. Their rescue brought relief to the local community, which has grappled with a rise in cases of abduction in recent months.
During the operation, one individual, identified as Mohammed Mohammed, sustained gunshot wounds in the crossfire. He was promptly evacuated to Bachita Teaching Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment. His role in the incident, whether as a suspect or otherwise, has not been officially clarified.
Military personnel also recovered two motorcycles and two expended cartridges from the scene, items believed to have been used by the kidnappers during their operations. The recovered materials are currently in the custody of the military and will aid ongoing investigations.
All eight suspects are now in military custody pending preliminary investigations. Lt. Nwankwo confirmed that they will be handed over to the appropriate security agencies for further interrogation and prosecution in accordance with the law.
Reaffirming its commitment to regional security, the Nigerian Army assured residents of Patigi and its environs that operations will continue to root out criminal elements, urging the public to continue supporting security efforts with timely information. The Kwara North senatorial district has, in recent months, witnessed a wave of terrorism and banditry with the presence of “Mahmuda”, believed to be a splinter group from Boko Haram around Kiama and Baruten Local Government Areas of the state, around Kainji National Park. The public outcry over the havoc being wreaked necessitated the visit of the Chief of Army staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, on the 22nd of April, 2025, to rally the troops of 22 Armoured Brigade Sobi, Ilorin. The visit has yielded positive results, as the criminals have since the operation got under way.