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Defence and Security

Security operatives kill Kogi notorious criminal who burnt alive PDP woman leader

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3 years ago

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Nigeria Police Force
Nigeria Police Force
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Security operatives have neutalised Kabir Bala, a notorious criminal, who killed Salome Abu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Woman Leader in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State in November 2019.

Addressing a press conference at the headquarters of the Kogi State Police Command in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital on Thursday, the State Commissioner of Police, Akeem Yusuf, said several cases had been traced to Bala such as the burning alive of a PDP Woman Leader in her residence on November 18, 2019, at the Ochadamu area of the state; killing of two Igala youths – Umoru Areh and Unekwu Sule on April 20, 2022, at Ejule; killing of five Fulani herders – Ibrahim, Haruna and Shuaibu along Alloma Road, Ofu LGA in April 2022, and Muhammed and Dauda at Imoko in Ofu LGA on March 3, 2023.

He listed other crimes committed by the notorious criminal and his gang to include an attack on troops of the Nigerian Navy and dispossessed them of four rifles at Alloma village on March 4, 2022, which were later returned to the Navy following high-powered intervention; attack on Elisha Aya, Pastor and founder of Kingdom Faith Assembly Ejule on March 18, 2022, who later paid N1 million to Bala as levy for establishing a church; invasion of Egane Fulani settlement, burning 213 huts, rustled 122 cows on December 25, 2022; assault on the Lord’s Chosen Church, Ejule on January 29, 2023, for disturbing his hotel with their service, during which Joy Abuh, a worshipper sustained gunshot injury on her left hand.

Yusuf added that Bala, popularly known as Okwo, and his gang members opened fire on a joint security team at about 4:30 a.m. on Thursday upon sighting the operatives.

Yusuf disclosed that the security operatives engaged the hoodlums, noting that Bala was neutralised in the process, while other members of his gang escaped with varying degrees of injuries.

He said the operation was carried out following the decisions reached at the Kogi State Security meeting on the upsurge of criminal activities in the state.

The police commissioner said the Kogi State Government had, in October 2018, granted Bala pardon in prerogative of mercy as part of efforts to rehabilitate the notorious gang leader in Ejule, Ofu Local Government Area of the state, adding he had turned an unrepentant criminal with many atrocities traced to him.

The police commissioner further disclosed that the Kogi State Security Council, at a meeting held on June 20, 2023, took a decision to revoke the state pardon granted to Bala based on his rising criminal activities.

While giving further details of the decision reached at the Security Council meeting, Yusuf noted that the council reached a decision that known agents of Bala in criminal activities must be apprehended to face the law; “all illegal arms in the possession of criminals in that area should be recovered for peace of the State; and that Joint Operations should be set up, comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police, DSS, Civil Defence, to arrest the established criminals and recover the arms in their possession.”

“Today, 22nd June 2023, at about 0430hrs in pursuit of the above, the Kabir Bala and his gang members on sighting the Joint Security team opened fire on them and started shooting sporadically.

“The team engaged the hoodlums; the said Kabir Bala was neutralized in the process while other members of his gang escaped with varying degrees of injuries,” Yusuf added.

He listed the items recovered from the assailants to include one AK 47 rifle with three fully loaded magazines, six locally fabricated weapons, two phones, and charms.

The police boss, however, promised that the Force would sustain ongoing onslaught against criminal activities to ensure the safety of lives and properties in Kogi State.

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Defence and Security

Police Rescue 75 Kidnap Victims in Kaduna

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1 month ago

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August 22, 2026

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Nigerian Police
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The Kaduna State Police Command has rescued 75 persons abducted by bandits in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state.

The victims, comprising men, women and children, were reportedly travelling in commercial buses when they were attacked and abducted at Folwaya Village, near Birnin Gwari, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

The Command’s spokesperson, Mansir Hassan, disclosed in a statement that the rescue operation followed timely information received from the Birnin Gwari branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

According to him, the armed kidnappers, who were reportedly carrying AK-47 rifles and other sophisticated weapons, took the victims into a forest and concealed them inside a cave in a mountainous area.

Hassan said operatives from the Birnin Gwari Area Command were immediately deployed to the location following the report.

He explained that the abductors fled into the forest after sighting the heavily armed security operatives, abandoning the captives, who were subsequently rescued unharmed.

The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, Rabiu Muhammad, commended the NURTW for providing the timely intelligence that facilitated the operation.

He also praised the Birnin Gwari Area Commander and his personnel for their swift and professional response.

The Commissioner, however, urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies, warning against taking the law into their own hands, as such actions could endanger innocent lives.

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Defence and Security

Troops rescue 16 kidnapped victims in Dekina LG of Kogi State

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2 months ago

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August 10, 2026

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Troops have rescued 16 kidnapped persons after engaging suspected bandits in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The victims comprised six males, six females and four children, according to an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

The report said the victims were abducted on Saturday, Aug. 9 along Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe roads in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.

It said the operation followed intelligence that the victims were sighted around Adumu community in Dekina.

According to the report, the search-and-rescue operation involves troops of 21 Battalion and Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard, the police, vigilantes and Hybrid Forces.

“The security forces eventually made contact with the suspected kidnappers and engaged them, forcing the criminals to abandon their victims and flee.

“However, one member of the Hybrid Forces was killed during the encounter, while one police personnel sustained injuries.

“The rescued victims were subsequently handed over to the police in Ajaokuta for further action,” it said.

The military said the operation highlights the continued collaboration among the military, police and local security groups in tackling kidnapping and rescuing victims in Kogi

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Defence and Security

Kano Multi Agency Task Force Arrest 28 Illicit Drug Suspects

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2 months ago

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August 9, 2026

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The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has arrested 28 suspects and recovered assorted illicit substances in Rimin Gado and Doka communities of the State.

This is contained in a statement  by the Chairman of the Task Force, Mr Muhuyi Malawi and issued by the Secretary, Mr Ibrahim Garba-Muhammad on Sunday in Kano.

Magaji, who led the operation, said it was aimed to tackle drug-related criminality and protect communities from the effects of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

“On Aug. 7, the task force raided five drug joints in Rimin Gado and Doka in Tofa Local Government Area of the state.

The targeted operation was aimed to demonstrate the task force’s impartial enforcement mandate and to send a clear message that no one is above the law.

“We are treating every community equally and enforcing the law without bias.

“Our guiding principle is Kano First and we are determined to ensure a peaceful, prosperous and drug-free state inline with the vision of Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf,” he said.

Magaji said the task force recovered various assorted illicit substances during the raids.

He said  that he commenced the operations from his hometown Rimin Gado saying it was deliberate and symbolic.

“Sanitising my own community is the first step to a wider campaign,” he added.

He said that the campaign would be extended beyond Kano Metropolis to all  44 Local Government Areas of the state.

The chairman noted that the operation combined kinetic interventions to disrupt criminal activities with coordinated follow-up.

He said the task force would also adopt a balanced approach that would combine enforcement with prevention and recovery.

“While kinetic measures continue to dismantle illicit drug networks, non-kinetic efforts are being intensified through engagement with community leaders, regulatory bodies, health services and educational partners to raises awareness.

“We’ll also strengthen supply‑chain controls and expand rehabilitative support to those affected by substance use” Magaji said.

He stressed that lawful and legitimate businesses were not the target of the operations.

“Our aim is to protect honest traders and create an environment in which businesses and communities can thrive free from the effects of drug trafficking and abuse” he said.

Magaji said investigations were ongoing and suspects found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

He urged members of the public to support the ongoing operations by reporting suspicious activities and provide relevant information on drug trafficking and abuse.

The Chairman reaffirmed the task force’s commitment to sustain its operations, uphold professional standards and safeguard the health and security of residents across the state.

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