CRIME
Reps Raise Concerns Over Waves of Killings at Takum in Taraba

*As Lawmaker Says Security Agencies, State Govt Overwhelmed by Bandits
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
The House of Representatives yesterday, raised serious concerns over the waves of killings by armed bandits, currently at Takum area of Taraba state.
This is even as the lawmaker Hon. Danjuma Usman, representing ShiddiWukari/Ibi Federal Constituency of the state told newsmen that the security agencies and the state government were overwhelmed by the armed bandits.
Thus, the House urged the Chief of Army Staff and Inspector-General of Police to deploy more security men to effectively secure the Takum LGA in Taraba State and fish out the bandits.
It also urged the intelligence agencies to take steps to fish out the sponsors of these bandits so that they are made to face the law.
The House further urged all branches of government to ensure that the shortage of men in the armed forces is urgently addressed, noting that there were too few armed men to combat the nature of security challenges confronting the country today.
It urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to urgently provide assistance to members of the affected Communities in Takum LGA in Taraba State.
The resolutions followed a motion of urgent public importance jointly brought by Hon. Danjuma Usman and Hon. Rimamnde Shawulu Kwewum, Takum/Donga/Ussa/Yangtu SDA Federal Constituency, Taraba State.
The motion spoke to the unconscionable Killings of Civilians and Soldiers in Takum, Taraba State and the need to increase the capacity of the armed Forces and security agencies to forestall further loss of lives.
The lawmakers in presenting the motion told the House that “on Tuesday 10th May 2022, bandits/terrorist attacked Tati village in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State; FURTHER NOTES that the Tati village, a farming community was razed down by bandits who had arrived in the area the previous night; INFORMED that in response to several distress calls made by the residents, Security agency mobilized scantily to the area.”
He informed the House that the bandits ambushed the security agents who were outnumbered and in the ensuring face off six Soldiers were killed; this was after the bandits had earlier killed a Policeman at a check point and other civilians at Tati; the Commander of the 93 Battalion is missing in action.
Hon Usman said that the massive movement of the bandits to the area had been reported by residents to government agencies and functionaries as well as security agencies some days back ;
“Also aware that Security agencies especially the 93 BN of the Nigeria army and some units of the Special Forces (operations Wild Stroke) had engaged the bandits successful last week and seized dangerous weapons from them;
“Further aware that about a month ago the bandits had struck e.t.c Kwentwen, Kwencwen, Kwenmboi (Quarry), Gangum 2, Tati-Kumbo and Tati area. Others are; Bassang, Fawen, Kashiten and Muji in Takum and Ussa Local Government Areas respectively and killed over 46 persons without any serious challenge.
“Concerned that these bandits are increasing their reach and destabilizing more parts of the Country;
“Also concerned that these bandits operate in very large numbers and in this instant case, less than 20 military men are confronted by over 300 well armed bandits”, he said.
The lawmakers said they were disturbed by this persistent and consistent killings of both security personnel and civilians that may dampen the morale of our soldiers and encourage the bandits to cause more havoc;
He added that it was further disturbing that, “Nigeria has one of the lowest ratios of Soldiers to the civilian population and the men are overstretched as operations are taking place in almost all States of the Federation.”
The motion was overwhelmingly supported and approved by the House presided by Deputy Speaker Idris Wase.
CRIME
Police Nab Native Doctor, Recover Arms, Ammunition From Shrine

The police operatives of the Enugu command, attached to the Special Anti–Cultism Squad (SPACS) have nabbed a native doctor, for alleged possession of fire arms and ammunition hidden in his shrine.
This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in Enugu on Monday.
Ndukwe said that the police recovered one locally-made pistol, one revolver pistol, one expended and one live .
38 special calibre ammunition and one live cartridge from his shrine located at Ugwuochie-Iwollo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state.“The recovery followed the suspect’s confessional statements after his earlier arrest, as well as a subsequent raid on the shrine by the operatives.
“The suspect confessed to being a member of the Black Axe confraternity.
“He will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, commended the operatives for their efforts and urged them to sustain the momentum, ensuring that “Enugu State remains uninhabitable for unrepentant criminals.”
The commissioner also urged members of the public to remain supportive of the command’s efforts. (NAN)
CRIME
Man Bags 18 Months Imprisonment For Gambling With Employer’s N1m

An Ota Magistrates ‘Court in Ogun, on Monday, sentenced a 24-year-old Point of Sales (POS) attendant, Yusuf Olamilekan, to 18 months imprisonment for stealing N1 million belonging to his employer.
In her judgement, the Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Fadairo, sentenced the convict to 18 months imprisonment with an option of fine of N60, 000.
Fadairo said that the convict should also restitute N1 million to the complainant, Emeka and Jane Company.
She added that the Prosecution Counsel had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the convict was guilty of the charge preferred against him.
Olamilekan, whose address was not provided, had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing.
The Prosecutor, Insp E.O. Adaraloye, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on April 7, at 6 p.m., at Sango-Ota.
Adaraloye said that the defendant unlawfully withdrew N1 million from his employer’s account, Emeka and Jane Company, without consent, to play a game of chance.
He said that the now convict subsequently lost the money, adding that the offence contravened Section 383 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
IGE/DCO
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Edited by Deborah Coker
An Ota Magistrates ‘Court in Ogun, on Monday, sentenced a 24-year-old Point of Sales (POS) attendant, Yusuf Olamilekan, to 18 months imprisonment for stealing N1 million belonging to his employer.
In her judgement, the Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Fadairo, sentenced the convict to 18 months imprisonment with an option of fine of N60, 000.
Fadairo said that the convict should also restitute N1 million to the complainant, Emeka and Jane Company.
She added that the Prosecution Counsel had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the convict was guilty of the charge preferred against him.
Olamilekan, whose address was not provided, had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing.
The Prosecutor, Insp E.O. Adaraloye, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on April 7, at 6 p.m., at Sango-Ota.
Adaraloye said that the defendant unlawfully withdrew N1 million from his employer’s account, Emeka and Jane Company, without consent, to play a game of chance.
He said that the now convict subsequently lost the money, adding that the offence contravened Section 383 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006. (NAN)
CRIME
Criminalities: Police Arrests 239 Suspects

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
In its efforts to flush out criminal elements across the three senatorial district of Kogi, the State Police Command has arrested 239 suspects involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, homicide, cultism, rape, and illegal possession of firearms, among other crimes.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Miller G.
Dantawaye, disclosed this during his maiden press briefing at the command headquarters in Lokoja on Tuesday.Dantawaye attributed the feat to enhanced intelligence-led policing, rigorous patrols along major highways, raids on criminal hideouts, and the recent graduation of operatives from the command’s Refresher Combat Operation Training Exercise (Course 7), aimed at boosting operational effectiveness.
“In line with our resolve to rid Kogi State of criminal elements, we have adopted comprehensive crime prevention and control strategies that are already yielding commendable results,” the CP said.
He emphasized the importance of public partnership in maintaining security, appealing to traditional rulers, community leaders, transport unions, market associations, youth groups, hunters, and vigilantes to collaborate with the police in sustaining peace and order.
Highlighting a major breakthrough, the CP revealed that on May 11, 2025, operatives stationed near Kogi State University, Kabba, intercepted a green Sharon vehicle with registration number KUJ 265 BL after the driver refused to comply with a stop-and-search directive.
“The fleeing suspect abandoned the vehicle and escaped into the bush. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the recovery of five AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, 283 rounds of 7.62/39mm ammunition, 62 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, and two rounds of 7.62/59mm ammunition,” Dantawaye stated, adding that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the suspect.
The CP also disclosed that the command arrested:75 suspected kidnappers,66 suspected armed robbers,21 for unlawful possession of firearms,18 for homicide,6 for cultism,4 for rape, and49 others for various crimes
He added that the command recovered many exhibits during, operations, including 2 AK-49 rifles,2 pump-action guns,2 locally made pistols,locally made revolver barrel gun,1pump-action magazine,9 expended AK-47 ammunition and 7 expended cartridges.
CP Dantawaye attributed these achievements to the command’s proactive strategies and robust collaboration with community stakeholders.
“Our success is anchored on intelligence-led operations and strong community-police relations. No police force anywhere can function effectively without the support of the people,” he said.
He urged citizens to continue sharing timely and credible information to aid ongoing security operations, reaffirming the police’s commitment to ensuring peace and order in Kogi State through professionalism, strategic engagement, and vigilance.