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Troops nab 12 suspected kidnappers in raids on Edo forests

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Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 12 suspected kidnappers during clearance operations code-named Operation KO SALO in forests areas of Owan East and Esan South-East Local Government Areas of Edo State.

Kennedy Anyanwu, Assistant Director Army Public Relations who announced this in a statement on Tuesday said the operation was carried out by troops of 4 Brigade, under 2 Division Nigerian Army, in conjunction with the other security agencies and the Edo State Security Corps.

According to the statement, the troops cleared Ugbovbighan Village, Olelo Forest, Egoro Amede Village, and conducted cordon-and-search operations at the Rugan Fulani settlement during which three suspected criminals identified as Ishaya Obadis, aged 20, Markus Ballu, aged 35, and Godknows Owonoji, aged 30, were arrested.

Anyanwu listed items recovered from the suspects who he described as collaborators and logistics suppliers to kidnappers to include two motorcycles and two mobile phones.

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He added that the suspects were handed over to the Ekpoma Police Division for further action.

The Army spokesperson said that troops also cleared Ekeke Forest, Ishiolili Village, and Camp Sule Rugan Fulani, all in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State during which two suspects identified as Bala Mahmood, aged 70, and Ibrahim Abdullahi, aged 25, were arrested.

“Items recovered from them included dangerous weapons and one small Tecno mobile phone. The suspects and recovered items were also handed over to the Ekpoma Police Division for further investigation and prosecution,” Anyanwu said.

He added that at Uwarlor-Oke Forest in Esan North-East Local Government Area, as well as the Udo Government Reserve Forest in Esan South-East Local Government, the troops arrested seven suspected kidnappers namely; Isah Shehu, aged 25, Hamadu Safiyanu, aged 22, Tijani Shehu, aged 24, Yahaya Babangida, aged 25, Usman Hamza, aged 26, Abduladi Saleh, aged 23, and Gadafi Tukur, aged 27.

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Anyawu listed items recovered from the suspects to include one motorcycle and two Itel mobile phones. The suspects and recovered items were handed over to the Amendokhian Police Division for further action.

He further revealed that the troops in conjunction with Nigerian Police Force and local vigilantes conducted operations at Emu Forest in Emu, Esan Southeast Local Government Area, Edo State during which they extensively searched Otobo Camp and Nnamdo Camp and recovered one locally made long barrel gun and one motorcycle.

“Recovered items were deposited at Ubiaja Police Division for further action. Troops continue with the ongoing operation aimed at ridding the state of criminal elements,” said Anyawu.

He added that Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their professionalism and charged them to sustain the operational tempo towards dismantling all kidnappers’ hideouts across Edo State.

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“He also reassured members of the public of the Brigade’s unwavering commitment to sustaining offensive operations aimed at eradicating kidnapping and protecting lives and property. The Commander urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations.

“He further appreciated the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife for his strategic guidance and support which he said has fostered operational excellence,” Anyawu

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Metro

Gunmen abduct RCCG Pastor in Ondo

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Suspected gunmen have abducted a cleric with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), identified as Pastor Gbenga Sanny, in Ondo State.

It was gathered that Sanny was seized by three gunmen on Sunday evening in the presence of his children.

Sources who confirmed the abduction to The Nation on Monday said the incident occurred at about 7.00 p.m in front of his residence located at Ilu-Abo community in Akure North Local Government.

Sanny, who is also a staff of the Akure North Local Government Area of the state, was taken to an unknown destination by the attackers.

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His wife reportedly escaped the attack.

“The three armed men reportedly came out of the nearby bush and whisked him away,” one of the sources revealed.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the police command, Jimoh Abayomi said investigation has been launched into the abduction case.

He stated that officers and tactical teams of the command have already been mobilised to the area and working to secure the safe rescue of the victim and apprehend those responsible for the crime.

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Father of four missing after being swept away by floodwaters

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A man was carried away by floodwaters at Christian Village in the Greater Accra Region on June 7, 2026, during a heavy downpour.

The victim, a father of four, reportedly slipped into a gutter while helping colleagues desilt it, and despite rescue efforts, the strong current swept him away.

Recounting the incident in a video shared by Ask Media on social media on June 8, 2026, eyewitnesses said the incident occurred while the victim and three others were clearing a heavily clogged drainage system to improve water flow during the rains.

The area is known to flood whenever there is heavy rainfall, prompting residents to regularly engage in desilting exercises.

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One eyewitness said the victim lost his footing during the exercise and fell.

“He slipped and fell into the river while we were removing debris. I tried to hold him by his collar, but I couldn’t keep hold of him. The current was too strong,” the eye witness recounted.

Despite immediate attempts to rescue him, he was swept away by the raging floodwaters and has since gone missing.

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Houses razed as soldiers, police clash with Delta community youths

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An orgy of violence broke out weekend in Emede community, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, as a joint operation of soldiers and police in the community turned bloody with many injured and houses burnt.

It was gathered that the joint security team under the aegis of “Operation Delta Sweep” comprises of personnel from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies had stormed the community to arrest an alleged drug kingpin but met resistance.

Vanguard sources claimed that the security team invaded a hotel when they could not find their target where they meet a group of guests and youths who were on a celebration spree.

Sources said; “The people were having a birthday party at the hotel when suddenly the security team stormed the place. They subjected everyone to a search and demanded that they drop their phone for search too.

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“Some of the youths tried to resist the search of their phones at the hotel resulting to a shouting match. Soon the place became chaotic and there was serious resistance against the security team who fire multiple gun shots to desperse the surging crowd.

“While some youth sustained injured during the scuffles, one particular security personnel was unlucky as mobs who had gathered in large number descended on him before he was rescued.

Sensing danger following the overwhelming numbers of mobs who had gathered at the scene, the security team reportedly beat a retreat and went for reenforcement.

Irked by the development, the security team reportedly invaded the community at night unleashing mayhem on the community and in the process razed down the hotel and several other residential houses.

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Efforts to get comment from the Police Public Officer, SP Bright Edafe proved abortive as of press time.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area in Delta State, Hon.(Comrade) Warri Ovoke Friday, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring peace in the wake of recent violent confrontations involving youths and security agencies in Emede.

During visits to the affected areas where properties were destroyed, Warri assured residents of lasting peace and urged them to remain calm.

The council chief, accompanied by the traditional ruler of the kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Johnson Egbo, Ewhiri II, Security agencies among others visited the affected areas to assess the security situation, offer sympathies to impacted families, and engage with community leaders and stakeholders on strategies for achieving lasting peace.

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The chairman had earlier imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Emede town, restricting movement of humans and vehicles outside homes between the hours of 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM.

Warri assured residents and the general public that Emede remains calm and peaceful, with the government closely monitoring all activities to ensure lasting peace.

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