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Armed bandits have killed six persons in Tungan-Makeri and set a police station ablaze in the nearby Konkoso district, both in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

Police authorities in Niger State said the incident occurred at about 3:00 a.m on Saturday when armed men invaded Tunga-Makeri village through Shafachi District in Borgu LGA.

The police spokesman in the state, Wasiu Abiodun, said that several houses were set ablaze by the assailants. According to him, an unspecified number of residents were abducted in the course of the attack.

The attack on Tungan Makeri reportedly began on Friday, when over 200 armed men stormed the village, shooting sporadically and setting several houses on fire.

Residents claim the assailants operated for hours, leaving six people dead and many others displaced.

An eyewitness from Zagatina village, along the attackers’ route, said he counted dozens of motorcycles conveying the armed men.

“They passed through my village, and I counted about 41 motorcycles, with two or three persons on each, including women and children on some,” the resident said.

“I quickly hid myself in the bush when I noticed them coming because they passed through the back of my house.”

Following the assault on Tungan Makeri, the bandits were said to have moved into Konkoso on Saturday morning, where they reportedly operated without a visible security presence.

Residents described Tungan-Makeri and Konkoso as major towns in Borgu LGA, heightening concerns over the attackers’ growing boldness.

There were also reports that an Air Force aircraft was sighted around Tungan Makeri after the initial attack, a development some residents believe forced the bandits to withdraw from the village.

Meanwhile, joint security teams have been mobilised to the affected communities for on-the-spot assessment, while efforts to rescue the abducted victims and restore normalcy are ongoing.

The incident has once again raised concerns over security in parts of Borgu LGA, with residents calling for urgent reinforcement to prevent further attacks.

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The Edo State Police Command has vowed to rescue the police officer kidnapped alongside his daughter on February 8 unhurt.

The Command also assured that two other victims abducted in Makeke in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of the state on the same day would also be rescued.

The state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, who stated this after briefing journalists at the State Command in Benin, however, said the rescue efforts cannot be made public.

He said, “Rescue efforts are ongoing and we will not be able to tell you the details but like in other cases, technology has been deployed to secure his release and that of his daughter.

“Those that were also kidnapped in Makeke will also be rescued.”

He, therefore, called on the public to report any unmanned checkpoint, stating that officers who are supposed to be there would be dealt with.

Speaking on some of the results the Command’s effort has yielded from January in the fight against crime, the CP said that 13 suspected murder suspects, 14 suspected armed robbers, 15 suspected cultists and 87 suspected kidnappers have been apprehended and were in custody.

He stated 30 kidnapped victims were also rescued unhurt, noting the command recovered six stolen vehicles, three stolen motorcycles, and 39 stolen phones.

He added, “We have also dealt a major blow to the instruments of violence. A total cache of arms and ammunition has been recovered,

“We acknowledge that each weapon recovered is a life potentially saved. Each suspect arrested is a criminal network disrupted.

“I must profoundly acknowledge the support of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun for approving the deployment of police helicopter, other tactical intelligence support and guidance.

“Also, I commend Governor Monday Okpebholo the Executive Governor of Edo State, whose magnanimous donation of a squadron of drones and other logistic support has significantly enhanced our operational capacity.

“Let me be clear that Edo State is totally out of bounds to criminals.
No forest will be too thick to overcome, no hideout too remote and no network too fortified to break.

“As we approach the Valentine season, a period dedicated to love, unity, and togetherness, I urge all residents to celebrate responsibly. Let this season of love be one of peace, not recklessness. While you celebrate with your families and loved ones, remain security conscious. “

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Edo State High Court has ordered the remand of one Osaze Adùn, popularly known as ”Kapuepue” for 14 days over alleged assault, harassment and brutalisation of Dr Don Pedro Obaseki.

The remand order by Justice R. A. Ogbevoen followed an ex-parte motion filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Adun is to be remanded in prison for 14 days pending advice from the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The case sought the remand of Adun in the Correctional Centre as the court awaits DPP advice.

Counsel to the defendant, Olayiwola Afolabi (SAN), however, argued that the offence is a bailable one, adding that the bail request is in line with fundamental human rights of every individual.

Afolabi, therefore, pleaded with the court to use its discretional power to grant Adun bail.

In a short ruling, Justice Ogbevoen agreed with the defence counsel and admitted the defendant to a bail to the tune of ₦5 million in like sum with a surety who is resident within the court jurisdiction.

The judge further ruled that the surety must be a civil servant of grade level 12 and above.

The judge also ordered the defendant to appear in court every last Friday pending the advice of the DPP.

Recall that Dr. Obaseki was said to have been accosted on Sunday 28 December, 2025, morning at the popular Uwa Primary School football field in Benin while playing football.

The former Managing Director of DAAR Communications, was allegedly beaten, intimidated and forcefully taken away in what could bedescribed as a commando-style operation, a development that sparked widespread outrage and strong public condemnation.

In a video that went viral, the thugs brutalised the victim, stripped him naked before marching him to the palace of the Oba of Benin.

It would be also recalled that Counsel to Dr Obaseki, Femi Falana, SAN, recently informed the public that the secret police had taken over the case.

According to the human rights activist, the issue escalated by his chambers, the DSS headquarters has assumed conduct of the investigation “in recognition of the nature, gravity and implications of the acts complained of.”

“It is important to place on record that the DSS has now formally assumed conduct of the investigation into this matter,” Falana said, describing the decision to classify the case as terrorism-related as “commendable.”