ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has rescued four residents abducted during a kidnapping attack in the Yellow House area of Mpape, Abuja, following a gun battle with suspected kidnappers in the Jikoko Hills.

The Command, however, confirmed that one resident was killed during the attack, while another who sustained a gunshot wound is responding to treatment in hospital.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday.

According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 10:40 p.m. on Wednesday when the command received a distress call that armed kidnappers had invaded the Yellow House area of Mpape and abducted four residents.

Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Sanusi, immediately deployed operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, personnel from the Katampe and Mpape Divisions, as well as officers of the 24 Police Mobile Force Squadron to rescue the victims.

Adeh said preliminary investigations showed that the attackers shot two residents before fleeing with four hostages through the Jikoko Hills towards the Ushafa Forest.

“Upon their arrival, preliminary findings revealed that the assailants had shot two victims before fleeing the scene. It was also discovered that the assailants had taken four other victims hostage from a nearby area whom they forcefully marched through Jikoko Hills towards Ushafa Forest,” she said.

She added that the injured victims were rushed to a hospital, where one of them, identified only as Mr. Babangida, was confirmed dead, while the second victim, who sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, is responding positively to treatment.

The police spokesperson said operatives sustained the pursuit of the kidnappers from the night of the attack until the early hours of Friday when they intercepted the suspects around Jikoko Hills.

She said, “The operatives maintained relentless pursuit of the kidnappers from the night of the incident till Friday, 10th July, 2026, when they located the kidnappers at approximately 12:05 a.m. around Jikoko Hills heading towards Ushafa Forest with the hostages.”

According to her, the kidnappers opened fire on sighting the advancing police team, resulting in a fierce exchange of gunfire.

“Demonstrating superior tactical capability, the operatives overwhelmed the suspects, forcing them to abandon the hostages and flee deeper into the surrounding hills and forest in a desperate attempt to evade arrest,” Adeh stated.

She confirmed that all four abducted victims were rescued unharmed, evacuated from the forest and reunited with their families.

The spokesperson added that security operatives were continuing the manhunt for the fleeing suspects.

The Commissioner of Police assured residents that the command remained committed to apprehending those behind the attack and bringing them to justice.

“He further urges members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest Police Station or through the FCT Police Command emergency lines,” the statement added.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Ademola Abiodun, popularly known as DJ Chicken, was on Friday arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court in Ogba, Lagos, over allegations of issuing a death threat against Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.

DJ Chicken was brought before Magistrate M.F. Onamusi on a three-count charge bordering on alleged threat to kill, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and offences under the Cybercrime Act.

According to the prosecution, the charges arose from a video posted on the content creator’s social media platforms last week in which he allegedly threatened Seyi Tinubu while commenting on the 2027 presidential election.

The prosecution told the court that the video contained statements interpreted as a threat to kill Seyi Tinubu, contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

Following public reaction to the video, DJ Chicken posted another video in which he withdrew the remarks, describing them as a joke intended to attract public attention.

He stated that he had no intention of harming Seyi Tinubu and said the comments were part of content creation.

Despite the retraction, the state proceeded with criminal charges against him.

The first count alleges that the defendant posted a video containing a threat to kill Seyi Tinubu through his social media accounts, an offence punishable under Section 232 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The second count accuses him of transmitting a grossly offensive and menacing message through a computer network, contrary to Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act, 2015.

The third count alleges that his conduct was likely to cause a breach of the peace and was intended to intimidate or embarrass Seyi Tinubu, contrary to Section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

DJ Chicken pleaded not guilty to all three charges.

Magistrate M.F. Onamusi admitted him to bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

The court ruled that one of the sureties must be a government employee, while the second must be a recognised community leader with landed property in Lagos State.

Both sureties are also required to provide evidence of three years’ tax clearance, Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) identification, National Identification Number (NIN), and recent utility bills.

In addition, one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendant.

Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the magistrate ordered that DJ Chicken be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.

The case was adjourned until August 3, 2026, for further proceedings.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Tonderai Mupindu, a 20-year-old man from Mvuma, Zimbabwe, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for assaulting his 45-year-old lover, Anna Fadzai Katoma.

The conflict arose after Mupindu discovered Katoma in bed with his friend, Vitalis Masamha. Initially shocked, he later confronted her at a local beer hall.

When Katoma denied any infidelity, Mupindu reacted with violence, resulting in visible injuries to her face.

Following the assault, Katoma reported Mupindu to the police, leading to his arrest.

He was charged and sentenced by Magistrate Constance Mutandwa, who noted that jealousy played a significant role in his actions.