CRIME
Boko Haram: Lalong Happy over Rev. Zongo Release

From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has expressed excitement over the unconditional released of Rev. Polycarb Zongo of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) Wild Life Park, Jos who was abducted by insurgents October last year.
He described the release of the Clergyman and other abductees as an answere to the prayers of the Church and other people of goodwill, an indication that God does not abandon his people even at difficult moments.
Lalong in a press statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affiars Dr. Makut Simon Macham and made available to newsmen yesterday in Jos the Plateau state capital.
The Governor commended all those who played various roles in facilitating the release of the clergyman, as well as those who showed concern to the family and the Church stating “this is the solidarity and humanity that is needed to overcome the insecurity and intolerance in the country.
”Lalong wishes Rev. Zango well as he recuperates from the emotional and physical trauma he has undergone. He also urges him to remain strong and use his ordeal to encourage and motivate the people towards trust in God and respect for humanity.
Lalong while celebrating with the COCIN family and its President, Rev. Dr. Dachollom Datiri, and charged them to continue to pray for God’s intervention in the affairs of the nation and interceed for other people in similar circumstances as well as upholding the security agencies as they continue to battle the insurgents in the country.
Nasarawa Police Parade 42 Armed Robbers, Kidnappers, other Suspects
From Beauty John, Lafia
The Nasarawa state Police Command, on Wednesday, paraded 42 suspects for alleged armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, cultism and rail line vandalism in the different locations in the state.
The commissioner of Police in Nasarawa state, CP Bola Longe, while parading the suspects at the Police Headquarters in Lafia, the state capital, said 12 vandals , 24 armed robbery/kidnapping suspects, two rape suspects, and six cultists have been arrested by his men.
According to him, Six fire arms, eight live ammunition, one vehicle, and one handset were recovered from the suspects.
“On 26 /05/2021 at about 11:30am, information was received by Police personnel attached to Area Command, Keffi from a public spirited individual that, a commercial motorcyclist was attacked by suspected armed robbers along Pyanko road, Keffi.
Longe said that Police operatives who were on vehicular patrol close to the area raced to the scene, after a hot chase, arrested one Nwafor “M”23year old resident of Keffi LGA of the state.
Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed that, himself and other members of his gang from FCT Abuja came to Keffi and lodge at Kumbo Hotel along Keffi-Nasarawa road on a mission to rob designated houses at Federal Medical Centre quarters, Keffi before the arrest.
“Furthermore, the Police operatives moved to Kumbo Hotel in search of other members of the gang and one Afam Okoh ‘M’ 26yrs of Kabusa Area 1, FCT Abuja who on sighting the Police, scaled through the fence of the hotel in a bid to escape arrest but was shot on his left leg and arrested and taken to hospital for treatment.
“One Italian made pistol with breach number ITANFOGLIO/GUISPE was recovered from him as exhibit,” the CP added.
According to the CP, an Expanded investigation into the case, led to the arrest of other members of the syndicate and their arms supplier namely: Valentine ‘M’ 27yrs , Ikechukwu ‘M’ 28yrs and Justice ‘M’ and 50 year old Mukailu whom was the arms supplier to the syndicate and receiver of stolen vehicles from the criminal gang.
One Lexus ES300, Black in colour with registration number PHC 220 MS RIVERS snatched at gun point by the group in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State and one English Baretta pistol were also recovered from the suspects as exhibits.
CP Longe also disclosed that 12 persons have been arrested by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit for allegedly vandalizing railway sleepers in Gudi, Akanga LGA and Mararaba area of Karu LGA.
Three welding Machines and one Filling Machine were recovered from the suspects.
Longe thanked members of the public for cooperating with the police to ensure criminals are taken off the streets by providing useful information that leads to their arrests, as he called for sustenance.
He charged the people to be more vigilant especially people living along railway routes and its environs and to report any untoward activities to the Police.
“The responsibility of protecting and safeguarding public assets rest on all of us and people should not hesitate to inform the Police or other security agencies of suspicious moves or activities in their areas,” he said.
CRIME
Police Arrest Five Kidnappers, Recover N5m Ransom in Delta

From Francis Sadhere, Delta
Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping in the state, with the arrest of five suspected kidnappers and recovery of N5 million ransom from the criminal gang.
In a press release issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, stated that the arrests were made during a series of coordinated operations carried out by the Command’s Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad and the CP’s Special Assignment Team.
According to the statement, on July 12, 2025, at about 6:30 am, operatives led by Godwin Osadolor tracked and apprehended one Sanusi Abdulahi at a hideout in Ogwashi-Ukwu, Oshimili North Local Government Area.
Abdulahi was reportedly found in possession of ₦5 million, believed to be part of a ransom paid by a recent kidnapping victim.Preliminary investigations linked the gang to multiple kidnapping incidents in Ibusa, Ogwashi-Ukwu, Obulu-Okiti, Isele-Uku, and Isele-Asagba. The gang was also fingered in the abduction of a young woman in Ogwashi-Ukwu on July 9, 2025. Based on intelligence provided by Abdulahi, police raided hideouts in Second Deputy and Oko, both in Asaba, leading to the arrest of four other members of the gang.
Meanwhile, in a separate sting operation on July 9, 2025, along the Patani-Ughelli Expressway near the Unenurhie axis, operatives of the CP’s Special Assignment Team stormed the hideout of a notorious gang led by one Solomon Danisco, alias “Picolo.”
Other gang members include Nelson Jacob, Oruma Saturday, Olise Jude, Precious Urhobowin, and Whisky Rufus, also known as “Asawana,” a native of Ewu community.
The suspects reportedly engaged the police in a fierce gun duel. Six of them sustained severe gunshot wounds and were later confirmed dead at the hospital, while two others are receiving treatment under police custody.
Items recovered from the scene include four locally-made guns and 19 rounds of live cartridges.
Edafe reaffirmed the Command’s commitment under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Olufemi Abaniwonda to rid Delta State of criminal elements and ensure the safety of residents.
He also called on the public to continue supporting the police by providing credible information that could lead to the arrest of criminals.
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CRIME
Plateau Killings: Night Raid Assault Claims 20, Injure Many

From Jude Dangwam, Jos
No fewer than 20 people were killed on Monday night in an attack by gunmen in the Bindi village, Ta-Hoss District of the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The assault, which also left many injured, is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have plagued the state’s rural communities.
According to eyewitnesses, the attackers stormed the village while residents were asleep, launching a coordinated house-to-house onslaught.
Women, children and the elderly were among the victims, as many were unable to flee the violence in time. Survivors described the assailants as heavily armed.
Senator Pam Dachungyang, representing Plateau North, condemned the killings and expressed concern over what he described as a “War situation.
”In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Eric Dung, the Senator said the recurring attacks, including previous ones in Jol and Rim villages, point to a deliberate effort to terrorize and displace farming communities.
“This cycle of daily, unprovoked attacks is an indictment on all of us. The situation in Bindi (Jebu) last night is beyond tragic and stands to be condemned by all. These are people whose primary occupation is farming, and the continued violence is not only destroying lives but also threatening food security and livelihoods,” Dachungyang said.
The Senator further disclosed that he had reached out to the leadership of the National Assembly to push for a more practical and coordinated military response aimed at dislodging the armed elements behind the attacks.
He also called for an urgent review and strengthening of the state’s security architecture, especially the Special Task Force (STF) responsible for peacekeeping in the area.
Also reacting, the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM), Riyom Chapter, issued a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Gideon Manjal and Publicity Secretary, Gadu Dong, condemning the attack and calling it part of a broader campaign to displace indigenous people and seize ancestral lands.
“This assault occurred despite the visible presence of security forces in and around the area, including armored military assets. The identities and hideouts of these attackers are known to authorities, yet no meaningful action has been taken to dismantle them,” the group stated.
COPDEM accused both the state and federal authorities of negligence, stressing that repeated attacks on communities like Ta-Hoss, Jol, Rim and Bachi have occurred without adequate protection or justice.
The group called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Caleb Mutfwang to authorise a full-scale military operation to flush out terrorist elements from Plateau’s regions.
It also urged the government to provide urgent humanitarian aid, trauma counselling and reconstruction support for the affected communities.
CRIME
Police Crush Two Major Human Trafficking Syndicates, Rescue Children, Others

From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
In a bold and coordinated crackdown on organised human trafficking, the Nigeria Police Force have dismantled two major syndicates operating within the country, rescuing multiple victims, including children, pregnant women and foreign nationals, while arresting a total of 11 suspects across two states.
Recently, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Zone-13 Police Command executed a precision-led sting operation, targeting a deeply rooted child trafficking and baby factory network.
The operation led to the arrest of eight suspects from various locations, including Uzoamaka Ani (27), Joy Madu (52) and Victoria Onodu Akasike (56).These individuals, during interrogation, confessed to active involvement in child theft, abduction, illegal adoption schemes, and the operation of unlicensed medical facilities functioning as baby factories. Their criminal activities were strategically spread across Enugu and Anambra States, targeting vulnerable women and children for exploitation and sale.
The victims rescued during the operation include a seven-month-old infant, a four-year-old child, and two heavily pregnant women, all held under captivity in a remote village. Both pregnant women, identified as indigenes of Ebonyi State, were reportedly lured and held for the purpose of forced births and subsequent sale of their newborns. The rescue was swift and executed without harm to the victims, who are now in safe custody and receiving necessary care.
Meanwhile, in a statement sent by the force public relations officer, force headquarters Abuja, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said that efforts have intensified to apprehend other members of the syndicate who managed to escape during the sting.
In a similar development, operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have successfully rescued a Ghanaian national, David Angerinya, who was trafficked into Nigeria under false pretenses. This operation was launched following a formal petition from the Interpol Liaison Office at Force Headquarters, Abuja, calling for immediate police intervention in a suspected case of transnational human trafficking.
Acting swiftly, the operatives initiated a targeted investigation that led to the arrest of three suspects: Hayford Nyamekye, Awine Alex, and Kojo Felix. Investigations revealed that these suspects are part of a wider international trafficking syndicate that specialises in deceiving individuals, particularly from neighbouring West African countries, with fake promises of employment and travel visas to countries like Canada.
During the operation, an additional thirty-nine Ghanaian nationals were discovered to have fallen victim to the same group. Many of them lacked valid travel documentation, while those in possession of passports presented expired papers, further underscoring the depth of exploitation. The victims were found in distressing conditions and are currently undergoing medical treatment.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commends the gallantry of all operatives involved in these successful operations, which further underscores the firm stance of the Nigeria Police Force against all forms of human trafficking, child exploitation, and transnational crimes.
Members of the public are encouraged to maintain vigilance and support ongoing efforts by reporting any suspicious individuals or movements to the nearest police station or command. The Force remains resolute in its duty to protect the vulnerable and bring perpetrators to justice, reinforcing the message that such crimes will not be tolerated under any guise.
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