Metro
Bandits Kill Traveller On Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road 48 Hours After Governor Sani Declared Route Safe
Barely 48 hours after Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani declared in a television interview that travellers could use the Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road without security escorts, suspected bandits struck along the route on Thursday, killing one person.
The attack occurred at about 4 p.m., according to a resident of Birnin Gwari who confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters via WhatsApp.
The assailants reportedly killed the victim, stole his motorcycle, and shot his brother, identified as Mallam Haruna, who was rushed to hospital for treatment after the attackers fled.
Governor Sani had, during an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday, challenged the programme’s anchor, Charles Aniagolu, to travel to Birnin Gwari himself or invite the station’s Kaduna correspondent to do so, insisting that the road was now safe and free of security threats.
However, residents disputed the governor’s claim, insisting that bandits remain active along the highway. They recalled that the criminals recently killed a commercial driver, said to be a grandson of one of the district heads in the Birnin Gwari Emirate, before abducting passengers travelling from Kaduna to Birnin Gwari.
Meanwhile, despite the Kaduna State Government’s widely publicised amnesty and reconciliation initiative with bandits, residents of several Birnin Gwari communities have raised fresh concerns over continued attacks and the destruction of farmlands.
In a statement issued under the banner of the Kuyello Progressives and signed by Mallam Abdullah, residents of Kuyello, Kutemeshi, Tabbanni, Dogon Dawa and Kazage appealed to the Birnin Gwari Local Government and the Kaduna State Government to urgently intervene, saying the reconciliation meeting held in Kamfanin Doka has failed to bring peace to their communities.
The residents alleged that herders continue to allow their livestock to graze on cultivated farmlands, destroying crops and leaving farmers with huge losses. According to the group, thousands of hectares of farmland have already been devastated, plunging many farming families into severe hardship.
The statement further alleged that killings, kidnappings, theft and the rape of girls and married women have continued unabated despite the peace accord, raising fresh questions about the effectiveness of the government’s reconciliation efforts.
“We therefore appeal to the government and all relevant stakeholders to intervene immediately to stop this destruction and protect the lives, livelihoods and property of the affected communities,” the statement read.
The group said the affected communities have remained law-abiding and have continued to honour all the terms agreed during the peace process.
It expressed hope that the authorities would take prompt action to ensure justice, lasting peace and the protection of farming communities, warning that the people would no longer remain silent in the face of their continued suffering.
The Airport Police Command has debunked reports of a terrorist attack at the Asaba International Airport in Delta State, revealing that the security operation witnessed at the facility was part of a planned simulation exercise.
The exercise, conducted on Thursday, September 10, 2026, was organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to assess the preparedness of security and emergency-response agencies in handling potential threats.
According to the Airport Police Command, personnel from various security agencies were deployed as part of the controlled exercise, which was designed to recreate a simulated security incident within the airport environment.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Adeola, said the exercise tested critical areas including inter-agency coordination, communication, command and control, and emergency response.
The Command stressed that no terrorist attack, invasion or security breach occurred at the airport, contrary to claims circulating on social media.
Police described the operation as a “controlled and authorised activity” and appealed to members of the public, particularly travellers and airport users, not to panic or share unverified reports.
The Command assured that security at the airport remained under control, adding that security agencies would continue to maintain vigilance around passengers, staff and critical airport infrastructure.
The Police further advised the public to rely on information released through official government and security channels, noting that such simulation exercises are part of broader efforts to improve Nigeria’s response to possible security emergencies.
The Anambra State Police Command has foiled a suspected kidnapping attempt and rescued a 16-year-old victim, Favour Ayogu, at Ekene Junction, along Oguta Road, Onitsha, the commercial hub of the state.
According to The PUNCH, the victim was allegedly abducted in Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State by a kidnap syndicate and later abandoned when the abductors approached a security checkpoint in Onitsha after security operatives thwarted their moves.
In a statement released on Monday, the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the rescue of the victim followed improved strategic joint security operations conducted on Sunday night.
Ikenga said the abductors abandoned their victim and fled after a hot chase by security operatives who had earlier suspected their movements.
According to him, the command has intensified surveillance to apprehend the suspected abductors while seeking the public’s assistance to reunite the victim with his family in Enugu State.
The statement read, “The Anambra State Police Command has intensified efforts to apprehend a suspected criminal gang following the rescue of a 16-year-old boy, Favour Ayogu, who was allegedly abducted in Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State and later abandoned near a security checkpoint in Onitsha.
“The rescue followed improved strategic joint security operations conducted on the evening of September 13, 2026.
“A joint patrol team operating at Ekene Junction along Oguta Road, Onitsha, intercepted the victim after he was reportedly dropped from a black Toyota Highlander SUV by unidentified persons close to the security checkpoint.
“The swift response of the joint patrol team led to the boy’s rescue and prevented further harm. The Command has since stepped up surveillance and other intelligence-led measures to identify, trace, and arrest those responsible for the alleged abduction.
“The Anambra State Police Command appeals to members of the public, particularly residents of Igboeze South and Ibagwa-Aka in Enugu State, who may have information that could assist in locating the victim’s family, to contact the nearest Police Station or the Anambra State Police Command.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, Nnanna Ama, commended the joint patrol team for its vigilance and professionalism.
Ama further urged personnel to sustain intelligence-led patrols, strategic checkpoints and coordinated security operations across the state.
“The Command reassures residents and visitors of its unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property, responding swiftly to distress situations, and ensuring that criminal elements have no safe haven in Anambra State,” the statement added.
(PUNCH)
The Delta State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on illegal firearms and violent crime across the state, with separate intelligence-led operations by the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and Command Anti-Cult Unit (CACU) leading to the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of two pump-action guns, 18 live cartridges and other dangerous items.
The Delta State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the latest operations, carried out in Obiaruku and Isupe Community in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, was the command’s renewed efforts to disrupt the circulation of illicit weapons believed to have the potential to fuel cultism, armed robbery and other violent crimes.
According to Edafe, the first operation, operatives of the VCRU, acted on credible intelligence, and stormed a residence in Obiaruku on September 12, 2026, following information that the occupant was allegedly in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
He said the suspect, identified as 36-year-old Joel Iwomi of Umuebu, Obiaruku, reportedly resisted the operatives’ attempt to gain access to the premises.
Advertisement
The police, however, succeeded in gaining entry and subsequently conducted a search of the residence; and during the search, operatives recovered one pump-action gun and 18 live cartridges, he declared.
He said Iwomi was arrested and taken into custody, while investigation has commenced to determine the source of the firearm and ammunition and establish whether the suspect has any links with other criminal networks operating within or outside the community.
In a separate operation conducted on September 9, 2026, operatives of the CACU arrested another suspect, identified as Chukwuka Nzete, also known as “Ododo,” of Isupe Community, Ndokwa West LGA.
The police image maker said Nzete was suspected of involvement in the illegal sale and proliferation of firearms and allegedly operated a shrine where suspected criminal elements were purportedly fortified.
Following his arrest, operatives searched his residence and recovered another pump-action gun, four dagger knives, one battle axe and pots containing substances suspected to be charms.
The police spokesperson further disclosed that the suspect was also taken into custody as detectives commenced investigation aimed at determining the full extent of his alleged activities and identifying possible associates and criminal groups connected to him.
The recovery of the firearms and ammunition has heightened concerns over the availability of illicit weapons in communities, particularly against the backdrop of persistent efforts by security agencies to prevent criminal elements from acquiring arms capable of escalating violent confrontations.
The Delta Police Command said the operations formed part of its intelligence-driven strategy to identify and dismantle sources of illegal firearms before such weapons are deployed in the commission of crimes.
Nigeria-India Deepen Ties as Trade, Consular Issues Dominate BRICS Talks
Nigeria Eyes India’s Tech Edge, Youth Power at BRICS Summit
Wike: Tinubu privy to my rainbow coalition, says I’m not answerable to APC governors
-
News18 hours agoI’Ve Nothing To Hide, Nothing To Fear – Senator Buba On Banditry Allegations
-
News18 hours agoUCH Ibadan Emerges As Nigeria’s Top Health Institution In 2026
-
Economy18 hours agoDangote Refinery IPO Rush Overwhelms Two Investment Sites
-
News13 hours agoKaru Residents Hail Tinubu, Wike As Road Project Ends Years Of Traffic, Flooding Woes(Photos)
-
News18 hours agoI Don’t Want To Be Called The Richest Man In Africa — Dangote
-
Metro18 hours agoKidnappers Abandon Victim, Flee At Police Checkpoint In Anambra