CRIME
Stakeholders Adopt Community Policing To Resolve Taraba Clashes
From Samson Zanunga, Jalingo
The crisis rocking the southern zone of Taraba State involving people of Jukun and Tiv, as well as other ethnic groups may soon be a thing of the past.
This is because the state government has adopted a community policing strategy to facilitate involvement and partnership with the police and other security agencies in crime prevention.
To set the ball rolling, the government inaugurated a 16-Member Community Policing Advisory Committee to ensure the full implementation of the programme.
The series of clashes in Taraba – such as Tivs and Jukuns, Yangdans and Fulanis, as well as Konas and Fulanis – have been characterised by deaths, destruction of properties, and displacement of residents who now take refuge in makeshift shelters across the state.
Despite efforts by the government to end the feud, the unending crisis between the Tiv and Jukun that has lasted over a year in the southern zone, and is now spilling to Bali Local Government Area in the central zone of the state.
The latest was a meeting of the heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society organisations, to embrace community policing as the best approach to end the age-long crisis among various tribes in the state.
At the meeting held recently at the Government House in Jalingo, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, stated that the concept of community policing stood on a tripod.
According to Adamu who was represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Logistics and Supply), Aminchi Baraya, the tripod analogy involves inter-agency cooperation, problems solving, and intelligence-led policing.
On his part, the Commissioner of Police in Taraba, Ahmed Azare, believes the concept of community policing has become a global model in policing and commended the success of the programme after years of foot-dragging.
He explained that community policing strategy in Nigeria has five components for effectiveness and ease of operation.
They include State Community Advisory Committee, State Community Policing Committee, Area Command Community Policing Advisory Committee, Local Government Community Policing Advisory Committee, and Divisional Community Policing Committee.
”The above sub-committees will be subsequently inaugurated by the State Community Policing Advisory Committee and will exercise the supervisory role to ensure the implementation of the community policing in Taraba State,” Azare stated.
He added, “The sub-committee will manage and coordinate community policing programmes, provide information and other resources to contribute to societal peace, and ensure that community policing takes its root and succeed in all communities in the state.”
The police commissioner insisted that community policing was a crime-fighting strategy whereupon the members of the community work in partnership with the police for effective policing of their areas or communities.
The philosophy of community policing, according to him, is geared towards encouraging and enabling communities to take greater responsibilities for their own safety and security, improve the cordial relationship with the police, and promote community involvement in the management of crime.
For the state Governor, Darius Ishaku, community policing is a milestone in the search for a workable home-grown solution to the agitation for regional or state policing or a call for another security outfit.
Represented by his deputy, Haruna Manu, he insisted that the step taken in adopting community policing in Taraba should be seen as one in the right direction.
The Governor said, “This occasion is not only fundamental but timely as we seek robust ways of addressing the numerous security challenges facing our dear state.
”This advisory committee will no doubt help in reducing the tension associated with calls for different forms of security outfits by states.”
“As you are very much aware, Taraba State has of recent been faced with numerous security challenges ranging from armed banditry, kidnapping, herders and farmers conflict, as well as petty crimes to full-blown communal clashes that call for a new and radical approach towards finding a durable and acceptable peaceful resolution,” he added.
Governor Ishaku stressed that the adoption of community policing should be viewed as a fruitful partnership between communities and police to ensure early detection of the potential security threatfrom escalating out of proportion.
He added that it sought to engender trust and confidence in the police as truly the friend of the people, help keep the peace, promote safety and security awareness, gather intelligence, fight social vices, as well as settle civil disputes.
“The onerous task of ensuring peace, the security of lives and property of the citizenry can no longer be left with the police alone, as it requires the collective will of all communities to arrest and eliminate social decay in crime and other social vices that threaten the fabrics of the society,” the governor stated.
He, therefore, urged the police to be open and ready to work with the committee at all levels and view the committee as partners who would complement their crime-fighting and prevention capabilities.
The Community Policing Strategy Committee will be co-chaired by the police commissioner and Chairman of the Taraba State Traditional Council.
Residents are hopeful that the strategy will broaden the operational network of policing and make the society free of crime and criminality.
CRIME
Delta Police Arrest School Bus Driver over Minor’s Kidnapping, Assault
A 28-year-old school bus driver, Onome Ughagha, has been arrested by operatives of the Delta State Police Command for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female student in Sapele.
The suspect allegedly demanded and collected ₦503,000 in ransom from the student’s father before abandoning her along Oton Road, Sapele.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement in Warri on Sunday.
According to Edafe, the incident was reported at the Sapele Area Command on October 20, 2026, by the victim’s father, who alleged that the suspect abducted his daughter while she was preparing to leave for school.
“The suspect subsequently contacted him (the father), demanded ₦503,000 and threatened to kill the minor if the ransom was not paid,” the statement added.
The police said the girl was abandoned along Oton Road after the ransom was paid and later reunited with her family in a traumatised condition, with indications that she had been sexually assaulted.
Following the report, operatives of the Sapele Area Command commenced an investigation, while the victim was taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment.
The school principal and vice-principal were also invited for questioning as the police intensified efforts to apprehend the suspect, who had reportedly abandoned the school bus and fled.
Edafe said the operatives, acting on credible intelligence, traced Ughagha to his hideout in the Ajimele area of Sapele, where he was arrested on October 23, 2026.
The suspect reportedly confessed to his involvement in the crime during preliminary interrogation.
The police spokesman added that arrangements were being made to transfer him to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, condemned the incident and reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting children from all forms of violence and exploitation.
The commissioner assured that “investigations will be thorough and that anyone found culpable will be brought to justice”.
He also urged school authorities, parents and transport operators to “exercise greater vigilance in safeguarding children”, stressing that the safety of every child entrusted to their care must remain paramount.
CRIME
Enugu CP Orders investigation into Man’s Death During Police Operation
From Sylvia Udegbunam Enugu
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Nnaji Izuchukwu (male) during an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Oficer, Enugu State command, Daniel Ndukwe said that the CP has directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID) to establish the facts of the incident and determine whether the operation and use of firearms complied with established operational standards and extant laws.
Preliminary findings indicate that operatives, acting on credible intelligence, raided Bull Hotel, Asata, Enugu, where Nworie Chidera Kelvin, a.k.a. “Akidi,” an alleged notorious drug peddler and Vikings Confraternity member, was lodged with associates. Akidi is reportedly linked to multiple cases involving unlawful firearm possession and cultism, including one in which he was charged in absentia.
He was also suspected of keeping the gang’s firearms and other criminal tools. The operation led to the arrest of Akidi and nine other suspects, comprising males and females aged 17–28. Quantities of dried weeds suspected to be “loud” cannabis, a weighing scale suspected to be used for measuring illicit drugs, and ₦43,400 in various denominations were recovered.
During the operation, Nnaji and another suspect jumped through a window in an attempt to escape. While pursuing them, an operative was confronted by both suspects, who allegedly attempted to disarm him. In the ensuing struggle, the firearm discharged, leaving Nnaji with gunshot injuries, while the other suspect escaped. Nnaji was rushed to hospital, where he was later confirmed dead. His remains have been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
CP Giwa has urged the deceased’s family, associates and other concerned persons to remain calm, assuring them that the circumstances surrounding the incident will be thoroughly investigated and that any officer found culpable will face appropriate disciplinary action. He reiterated that professionalism, ethical conduct and strict adherence to operational standards, particularly those governing the use of firearms, must never be compromised in any police operation.
CRIME
Police Officer Shoots Female Colleague to Death, Kills Self in Kogi
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Kogi State Police Command has confirmed a tragic incident that claimed the lives of two police officers in Ajaokuta Local Government Area after a male officer allegedly shot his female colleague, before turning gun to shoot himself.
A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Aliu Afusat, an Assistant Superintendent of Police(ASP), on Sunday, said the Command was investigating the fatal shooting at ASCO Camp, Ajaokuta, on October 23, in which two serving police officers died.
According to the statement, “the incident was reported at 11:04 p.
m., and the Divisional Police Officer, Ajaokuta, led a team of police officcers to the scene.“Preliminary findings indicate that Corporal Amos Yusuf, who was on night duty, shot Woman Corporal Grace Onimisi and thereafter shot himself. Both officers were taken to separate medical facilities, where they were confirmed dead by medical personnel. Their remains have been deposited at the mortuary of ASCO Hospital.
“An AK-47 rifle and four expended cartridges were recovered at the scene as exhibits.
“The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for in-depth investigation. The circumstances and motive remain subjects of investigation, and the Command will not speculate on matters yet to be established.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, psc, mni, extends his condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased officers over this tragic incident. The Command will provide verified updates as appropriate” the statement said.


