The Police Command in Ondo State said it has rescued two kidnapped victims and arrested three suspects at Isua-Akoko in Akoko South-East Local Government Area of the state.

Abayomi Jimoh, command’s Spokesperson, who made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Akure, said the command also recovered N1.

5 million, which was suspected to be payment of ransom.

According to Jimoh, the breakthrough was recorded on Sept.

11 following credible intelligence that a group of suspected kidnappers are hiding in the thick forest along the Ifira–Idoani axis to collect ransom.

 “Acting on the intelligence, operatives of Isua division, in collaboration with personnel of the Ondo State Security Network (Amotekun) and Agbe-Koya, embarked on a coordinated rescue and ambush operation deep inside the forest.

 “The security operatives strategically positioned themselves along the suspected route and maintained surveillance for several hours.

 “At about 2330 hours, the suspected kidnappers, numbering about four and armed with firearms, emerged from the forest.

 “On sighting the security operatives, they opened fire, prompting the security team to tactically repel the attack and rescue the two victims, Owolabi Patrick and Asoto Dada, unhurt.

 “During the encounter, the security operatives recovered the sum of N1.5 million suspected to have been brought for ransom payment,” he said.

The command’s spokesperson, however, said the suspected kidnappers sustained gunshot injuries and escaped into the thick forest.

He also said police personnel sustained follow-up operations and credible intelligence, which led to sighting the kidnappers on Sept. 13 at about 2030 hours along Idoani Road.

 “Operatives immediately mobilised to the area, resulting in the arrest of three suspects, while two of them sustained gunshot injuries to their legs.

 “The arrested suspects are: Abdullahi Abubakar, male, Ibrahim Abubakar, male, and Oseni Abubakar, male, all residents of Akunnu area.

 “The two rescued victims subsequently came to the police station and positively identified the arrested suspects as their abductors,” he said.

Jimoh, therefore, said the Bajaj motorcycle earlier recovered by the police had also been identified by the victims as being connected to the criminal operation.

The spokesperson said the command would continue to deny criminal elements access to forests and other hideouts within the state, and sustain intelligence-led operations against kidnappers and other criminal elements. (NAN)

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa has charged personnel of the Ministry to remain vigilant, security-conscious, and proactive in mitigating safety risks.

Speaking during a Town Hall meeting with staff at the Ministry’s headquarters, Ship House, Abuja, Gen.

Musa emphasised that civilian personnel play a vital role in the national security architecture. He urged staff to report suspicious activities promptly by adopting the mantra, “See something, say something,” while maintaining situational awareness regarding personal movements.

The maiden engagement with the Minister was established to build direct communication between leadership and staff, identify operational gaps, and address pressing workforce concerns.

Expressing gratitude for the personnel’s dedication, General Musa reiterated the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to improving the welfare and working conditions of civil servants, whom he described as the engine room of government.

The Minister highlighted the necessity of strengthening civil-military cooperation, calling for unity, teamwork, and mutual respect between civilian employees and the Armed Forces. He announced plans for structured engagement programs to foster symbiotic working relationships across the ministry’s civilian and military cadres.

In her remarks, the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Bosede Olaniyi, commended the Minister for convening the session. She noted that the initiative reinforces open communication, discipline, and collective responsibility in executing the ministry’s mandate to safeguard national sovereignty.

Presenting staff concerns, Dahiru Goronyo, President of the Joint Executive Council of the Ministry of Defence Union, highlighted key issues affecting personnel welfare.

 These included delays in third-party remittance deductions, transportation challenges, training opportunities, promotion matters, and entitlement arrears. The Minister and his management team addressed the issues raised, reassuring staff of prompt resolution.

Concluding the event, the Director of Human Resources, Idris Gaya expressed appreciation to the Minister for his accessible leadership and clear strategic direction, pledging the workforce’s renewed loyalty and dedication to the administration’s goals.

According to a statement by the Minister’s Media Adviser, Leah Katung Babatunde on Tuesday, the Town Hall was attended by Directors, Heads of Departments and Units, staff across all cadres, and representatives of the media.

By David Torough, Abuja

The ongoing expansion of the Nigerian Army will strengthen the military’s operational capacity and help create the secure environment needed for entrepreneurship, the creative economy and other sectors to thrive, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has said.

Shaibu made the statement on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, while delivering a lecture titled, “Safeguarding the Orange Economy and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development: The Role of the Nigerian Army,” to participants of Senior Executive Course 48, 2026, at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State.

The COAS described the Orange Economy, which includes arts, culture, music, film and digital content, as an increasingly important contributor to employment, investment, cultural diplomacy and national development.

He said Nigeria’s creative talents had continued to project the country internationally while opening new avenues for wealth creation beyond traditional economic sectors.

According to him, creativity and entrepreneurship can only flourish in a peaceful and secure environment, as insecurity disrupts economic activities, limits mobility, discourages investment and reduces productivity.

Shaibu said the expansion of the Nigerian Army, including the establishment of additional formations and units, was aimed at extending its operational footprint, increasing its presence in vulnerable areas and improving its response to emerging security threats.

He added that the expanded force structure would strengthen the protection of communities, critical national infrastructure and economic activities, while restricting the freedom of action of terrorists and other criminal elements.

The Army chief stressed that the military’s contribution to national development extends beyond combating security threats, noting that sustained operations help create the stability required for businesses, investors, entrepreneurs and creative professionals to operate and prosper.

He also called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, government institutions, the private sector and stakeholders in the creative industry, stressing that maintaining security was a collective responsibility.

Shaibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening the security environment necessary to attract investment, promote entrepreneurship and support sustainable national development.