Metro
Terrorists k!ll Kaduna Catechist, bride-to-be, and 4 others after 120 days in captivity and ransom payment
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Terrorists have k!lled a Catholic catechist who was abducted alongside five other captives during an attack on Kutaho and Kugir communities in Aribi Ward, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
32 victims, including a bride-to-be, Peace Lami Williams, were kidnapped on February 9, 2026 when heavily armed bandits invaded the two communities in a midnight raid, firing sporadically before forcing villagers from their homes and marching them into the forest.
It was gathered that the victims were k!lled despite months of ransom negotiations and payments by members of the affected communities.
A church source, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, confirmed the latest development to journalists on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, the Guardian reported.
According to the source, the incident has thrown the agrarian communities into mourning and renewed concerns over the worsening security situation.
The source disclosed that the communities had made frantic efforts to secure the freedom of the abductees through ransom payments and contributions from residents, many of whom reportedly sold personal belongings and farm produce in the hope of bringing their loved ones home alive.
The community sources identified those killed as Friday Agama, Kunama Dogo, Monday Tanko, Peace Lami Williams, a man identified simply as Pawpaw’s brother, and the Catholic catechist, who was reportedly subjected to severe torture before he d!ed in captivity.
The attack had sparked widespread fear, forcing many residents to flee the communities, while families and religious leaders repeatedly appealed to government and security agencies for urgent intervention.
According to community sources, the kidnappers initially demanded N30 million and four motorcycles for the release of the captives.
Despite months of negotiations and financial contributions by residents, the bandits later insisted on an additional N15 million before releasing the remaining victims.
“The community has been raising the money by itself. People contributed whatever they could and even sold valuables, hoping everyone would return alive,” one of the sources said.
The source lamented that despite the sacrifices made by residents, six of the captives were eventually k!lled.
Meanwhile, findings revealed that the attack was preceded by threats from the bandits.
Before the invasion, the gunmen reportedly contacted a parishioner, Bulus Alim, demanding N10 million and threatening to attack the community if the money was not paid.
The source said the bandits specifically cited the community’s thriving ginger cultivation and irrigation farming as evidence that residents had the financial capacity to meet their demands.
Despite warnings for residents to remain vigilant, the attackers returned as threatened and carried out the mass abduction.
Community sources further pointed out that women and children abducted during the attack were released on Easter Sunday.
The wife of the slain Catholic catechist, who was pregnant when she was abducted, was among those freed.
She later gave birth on Easter Wednesday after returning to the community.
The sources further disclosed that all abductees from Kugir community have now regained their freedom.
Two of the released victims, Williams Ishaya and Iliya Dauda, are currently receiving medical treatment in Kachia for injuries and trauma sustained during their captivity.
Two others, identified as Shedrack and Daniel Ganga, were also released and have since reunited with their families.
However, the latest k!llings have reignited calls for urgent government intervention to stem the growing wave of banditry in Southern Kaduna.
Residents said the prolonged captivity, repeated ransom demands and eventual k!lling of six victims have devastated the affected communities and weakened their means of livelihood.
They appealed to Governor Uba Sani, the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify rescue operations, strengthen security presence in vulnerable rural communities and ensure that those responsible for the k!llings are arrested and prosecuted.
Community members also expressed concern that despite complying with ransom demands through self-help efforts, they still lost six of their loved ones, describing the development as a painful reminder of the insecurity confronting rural communities.
Suspected armed bandits have abducted the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Hon. Nura Umar Abdullahi, killing four persons, including two policemen and two local vigilantes who attempted to foil the attack.
A family source said the gunmen invaded the chairman’s residence and took him, his mother, wife and two children away. The source, however, said the family members were later released, while the abductors moved away with the council chairman, a health worker from the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Gusau, and a Point of Sale (POS) operator.
The bandits reportedly engaged security personnel and local vigilantes in a gun battle while making their escape, leaving several people injured by stray bullets. Among those affected was a retired treasurer of the Zamfara State Ministry of Finance and elder brother to the abducted chairman, Bello Umar Abdullahi.
The chairman’s wife said the bandits informed them that their target was only the council boss and asked the family members to return home.
“They released us at a shallow distance into the bush,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY), Northwest, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, said troops of the Nigerian Army successfully rescued the family members of the abducted chairman after a fierce gun battle with the bandits.
The Gombe State Police Command has handed over a Toyota Highlander to its rightful owner, Mrs. Cecilia A. Duru of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, nearly five years after the vehicle was stolen.
The SUV was presented to its owner on Friday after police concluded investigations that confirmed her ownership.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer in Gombe, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, said the vehicle was recovered on June 8, 2026, by operatives of the State Intelligence Department, SID, in collaboration with officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC.
He said the SUV was intercepted during a routine vehicle data verification exercise at the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service Vehicle Licensing Office, where discrepancies in its registration documents raised suspicion.
According to the police, investigations revealed that the Toyota Highlander was stolen in Rivers State on September 17, 2021, before it was smuggled to the Republic of Niger in 2023.
The command said the vehicle later re-entered Nigeria through the Illela border in Sokoto State in October 2025. It was then sold in Kaduna State and eventually brought to Gombe for re-registration, leading to its recovery.
The police described the successful recovery and return of the vehicle as proof of the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing and inter-agency collaboration in combating vehicle theft and related crimes.
The command said efforts were ongoing to track down and prosecute those responsible for stealing and illegally transporting the vehicle across international borders.
It also advised prospective vehicle buyers to verify the authenticity of ownership documents before purchasing any vehicle, and urged members of the public to report suspicious transactions promptly to security agencies.
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft, arresting a vessel allegedly involved in illegal oil bunkering and taking 12 crew members into custody during an intelligence-led operation in Akwa Ibom State.
The operation, conducted under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, saw naval personnel intercept the vessel, MT FILIA, at the UTUE Terminal while it was allegedly siphoning crude oil from an oil well terminal jacket.
Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the successful operation followed credible intelligence generated through the Navy’s surveillance systems and continuous monitoring by its operational platforms.
He disclosed that preliminary investigations showed the vessel was carrying about 32.82 metric tonnes of fuel oil and 650 metric tonnes of crude oil without lawful authorisation or the required documentation.
According to him, the vessel, its 12 crew members and the recovered products have been taken into custody pending further investigation and possible prosecution.
Reacting to the development, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, praised the officers and ratings who carried out the operation, describing their professionalism and vigilance as commendable.
He reaffirmed the Navy’s determination to stamp out crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other maritime crimes that continue to undermine Nigeria’s economy.
The Naval Chief said Operation DELTA SENTINEL has continued to deliver measurable results through intelligence-driven operations, robust surveillance and collaboration with other security agencies and key stakeholders.
Folorunsho recalled that between April and June 2026, the Navy recovered more than 4.7 million litres of petroleum products, dismantled 58 illegal refining sites, destroyed 239 dugout pits and 13 refining ovens, and arrested 91 suspects linked to crude oil theft.
He added that the sustained operations coincided with Nigeria’s crude oil production rising to 1.89 million barrels per day in July 2026, surpassing the country’s OPEC production quota.
The Nigerian Navy assured Nigerians that it would sustain operations aimed at protecting the nation’s oil and gas assets and urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to support the fight against maritime crimes.
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