From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

A joint security team comprising Police operatives, Forest Guards, and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group has intensified operations and is on the trail of armed men alleged to have abducted three persons within the precinct of a church at Inoyi, Affa Community, Udi Local Government Area, in the early hours of today, August 2, 2026.

In a statement signed by the Police public relations officer Enugu State command headquarters Daniel Ndukwe said that the operatives, while closing in on the fleeing suspects, forced them to abandon one of the victims, who was immediately rescued unhurt.

The assailants, however, escaped with the remaining two victims.

The Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has directed the Area Commander, Oji-River, and the Head of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to further intensify ongoing operations and deploy all available operational assets to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining victims and the apprehension of the suspects.

He also directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID) to immediately generate actionable human and technical intelligence in support of the operation, while activating the surveillance and technical capabilities of the Enugu State Command-and-Control Centre to bolster the ongoing rescue efforts.

The Commissioner urges residents of the community to remain calm and continue to support the Police with credible and actionable information, assuring them that every available resource is being deployed to secure the safe rescue of the remaining victims and bring the perpetrators to justice. Such information can be reported through the following emergency lines: 08032003702, 08086671202, 112, 09134666668, or 09134448093, or via email at pproenugu@npf.gov.ng.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Police in Benue State uncovered and destroyed two illegal firearm manufacturing factories, recovered three AK-47 rifles and apprehended many suspects in connection with various crimes in the State.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of Benue State Command, Cletus Nwadiogbu, made this known at a press conference held at the command’s headquarters in Makurdi at the weekend.

He said operatives of the command equally arrested a 20-year-old suspected gunrunner, Joro Jakata, in Guma local government area with 115 rounds of live 7.

62mm AK-47 ammunition, while intelligence-led operations in Kwande dismantled two illegal arms factories and led to the recovery of two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, five English pistols and firearm-making equipment.

According to him, investigations into the attack on the Efeyi Ugboju community indicated that the assailants rustled about 20 cattle before killing 13 residents.

He further disclosed that police later killed two suspects after engaging them in a gun duel resulting in the recovery of one AK-47 rifle with 15 rounds of live ammunition.

“Furthermore, six suspected armed robbers linked to the murder of a trader in Buruku, were arrested alongside cattle rustlers, homicide suspects, child trafficking suspects and members of a suspected fraud syndicate operating across Benue and Kogi states.

He noted that the Command also foiled a staged kidnapping involving a female student and was treating the reported disappearance of seminarian Ochai Kevin, 39, as a missing person’s case pending the outcome of investigations.

From Ifeanyichukwu Nwannah, Gusau

Troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kasuwan Daji, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, have foiled an attempted infiltration by terrorists.

 The successful defense of the base resulted in heavy casualties for the attackers, forcing them to retreat in disarray, and led to the rescue of 9 abducted civilians.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Division 8 Nigeria Army/Sector 2 OPFY, Lt.

Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, and made available to newsmen in Gusau, the State capital.

According to the statement, the incident occurred at approximately 0140 hours (1:40 a.m.) on 2 August 2026, when terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the military facility.

 “Alerted troops swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated, overwhelming firepower. The fierce resistance compelled the terrorists to abandon their mission and withdraw in confusion”

“Following the initial engagement, reinforcements arrived and troops launched a hot pursuit of the fleeing terrorists, who had abducted an unspecified number of residents from the surrounding community during the attack. The relentless pursuit by the troops led to the rescue of 9 abducted locals, who were safely recovered”

“Regrettably, one Army officer and one Police officer paid the supreme price during the heavy firefight. Additionally, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care; both personnel remain in stable condition”

“Troops have since secured and dominated the area, and are currently conducting exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses and ensure the safety of the community”

“This failed infiltration attempt represents yet another significant operational setback for the terrorists, capping a costly weekend for the group amid intensified military pressure across the North West Theatre”

 “The outcome underscores the increasing difficulty these armed groups face in executing coordinated attacks against highly alert and combat-ready troops, further degrading their combat capability, morale, and freedom of action”

“Contrary to rumors circulating online that six personnel died, it worthy to mention that only one Army officer and a policeman paid the supreme price”

“Operation Fansan Yamma remains resolute in its commitment to sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities, and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are fully restored across the North West”