From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Police Command has rescued a 42-year-old woman, Sarah Chinedu, who was abducted in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state, after spending nearly one month in captivity.

The 42 years old woman is an Indigene of Ebonyin State and resident in Amassoma in Southern Ijaw Local Council area.

The victim was abducted on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, after suspected kidnappers reportedly stormed her foam shop under the guise of wanting to buy an item.

The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Ajao Adewale, disclosed this on Sunday morning while briefing journalists on the successful operation carried out by men of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, saying the woman was rescued unhurt from the kidnappers’ hideout in Ogobiri Forest, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the State.

Adewale said the command received a distress call at about 7 pm on the day of the abduction and immediately activated its intelligence network to track the perpetrators.

He said intelligence gathering, including digital and local sources, eventually provided clues on the movements of the kidnappers and their ransom negotiations with the victim’s family.

According to him, the kidnappers initially demanded N100m but later reduced the ransom to N20m. And reportedly collected N1.5million for “refreshments” from the Husband.

The CP said operatives of the command’s Violent Crime Response Squad, led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, relocated to Ogboinbiri Forest five days before the final operation and began closing in on the suspects.

He said the operatives stormed the kidnappers’ camp at about 1:45 a.m., rescuing the victim and arresting one of the suspected kidnappers.

The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Mark from Akenfa 1 community, was arrested during the operation.

The CP said the suspect had confessed to his involvement in the abduction and explained how the gang allegedly carried out the operation.

The CP said the suspect had confessed to his involvement in the abduction and explained how the gang allegedly carried out the operation.

According to Adewale, the suspects claimed to have approached the woman’s shop, where foams are sold, under the pretext of buying foam before taking advantage of the situation to abduct her.

“They surveyed the environment and saw that the woman was not sufficiently protected. They abducted her, put her in a vehicle and moved her to the riverside, where she was ferried to the camp,” he said.

The police commissioner said the rescue operation involved personnel from the Violent Crime Response Squad, the Federal Criminal Investigation Unit and the Marine Department.

He commended the offic

By David Torough, Abuja

Troops of Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued six kidnapped victims and recovered N800,000 taken from them by terrorists during an operation in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The victims were rescued on Saturday, August 22, 2026, after troops of Sector 2 responded to a distress call that terrorists had intercepted a vehicle and abducted six occupants along the Dandume–Sheme Road.

According to a statement by the Joint Task Force Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, the troops advanced to the area and engaged the terrorists, overpowering them with superior firepower and forcing them to flee into nearby bushes.

The six victims were subsequently rescued unharmed, while N800,000 earlier taken from them by the terrorists was recovered. The recovered cash and vehicle were handed back to the victims in the presence of the Divisional Police Officer, Dandume.

In a separate operation on August 21, troops also engaged terrorists along the Maraban Kankara axis in Kankara Local Government Area.

The troops forced the terrorists to retreat into the surrounding bushes and pursued the fleeing elements before recovering a motorcycle during a subsequent search of the area.

The Joint Task Force said it would continue aggressive patrols and offensive operations to restrict terrorists’ freedom of movement and protect lives and property.

It also appealed to residents to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The Kogi State Police Command on Saturday, launched campaign against cultism and other vices in commemoration of International Youth Day 2026 to enlighten youths across the three senatorial districts of the state on dangers of involving themselves on negative tendencies like cultism and other social vices

The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi while declaring the event opened at the Command’s Headquarters in Lokoja at the weekend, said that the campaign with the Theme: “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”

“My Future Is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery” has created enabling stakeholders engagement with the youths on the way forward to have a better living and greater future.

The commissioner said that this year’s theme has reminded us that although young people may come from different backgrounds and face different challenges, there are aspirations that unite us all — peace, security, opportunity, dignity and a better future.

“It is in this spirit that the Nigeria Police Force has chosen to place youth engagement at the centre of this year’s commemoration.

“Our campaign theme, “My Future Is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery,” is a call to every young Nigerian to recognise that their future is too valuable to be sacrificed to violence, political manipulation, online abuse, misinformation or criminality.

“Young people are not merely the leaders of tomorrow; you are important partners in building the safer society we desire today. Your energy, creativity, influence and understanding of the digital space can either contribute to peace and development or be exploited to create division and violence.

“As a Command, we therefore believe that policing cannot be effective without the active participation and trust of young people. This is why today’s Youth Campaign Walk and Moderated Police–Youth Dialogue are more than ceremonial activities.

“This is an opportunity for us to listen to one another, address concerns, build trust and identify practical ways of working together to prevent crime and maintain peace in our communities.

“I particularly encourage our young people to use social media responsibly. Do not allow yourselves to become instruments for spreading false information, inciting violence or promoting hatred. Verify information before sharing it, disagree without violence, and remember that what is posted online can have real consequences offline.

“As we approach future electoral activities, I also urge our youths to reject the temptation to serve as instruments of political violence.

“No political ambition is worth your life, your freedom or your future. Participate peacefully, exercise your civic rights responsibly and hold firmly to the belief that your future is indeed greater than political and digital thuggery.

“On our part, the Kogi State Police Command remains committed to maintaining an open channel of communication with young people and to working with youth organisations, student bodies, religious groups, civil society and other stakeholders in strengthening security across the State.

“I wish to sincerely appreciate all the organisations and individuals who have joined us today, particularly our youth and student representatives, for demonstrating your commitment to peace and responsible citizenship.

“I also wish to specially commend the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for his leadership and continued support for initiatives that promote meaningful engagement between the Nigeria Police Force and young people”

The Inspector-General of Police’s emphasis on community-oriented policing, youth engagement and proactive crime prevention continues to reinforce the understanding that effective policing is built not only on enforcement, but also on partnership, trust and dialogue.

He said that Kogi Command remains committed to supporting the Nigeria Police Force in building a policing system where young people are seen, heard and actively involved in creating safer communities.