Connect with us

News

Bandits kill FIRS boss, abduct 3 others in Niger attack

Published

on

Spread the love

The Coordinator, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in charge of Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states, Alhaji Muhammad Kudu Adamu, was reportedly killed by bandits on Sunday night at Saminaka community, along Lapai-Lambata Road in Niger State.

A friend of the deceased, Dr Zubairu Ibrahim, told newsmen that he was returning from Lafiagi, his hometown in Kwara State, where he had gone to greet his relations who just returned from the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

He said Adamu and three other occupants in the vehicle ran into the bandits who shot indiscriminately in their direction.

Two tankers loaded with Premium Motor Spirit and parked by the roadside were also hit by bullets and engulfed in fire.

Saminaka is a busy community along Lambata-Bida Road where dozens of tankers and heavy articulated drivers and other travellers park to rest.

When contacted, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the attack and said three persons were kidnapped while two tankers caught fire.

Maduka College Advert

He said the attack occurred around 10:30pm on Sunday.

Abiodun said the bandits invaded a restaurant in Saminaka and abducted its owner, Zainab Usman, and two others.

The Chief Imam of Saminaka, Alhaji Umaru Mohammed, told newsmen on the telephone that the bandits chased a woman into the Mosque during Quranic teaching and abducted her alongside the deputy chief imam.

He said, “When they wanted to shoot her in the Mosque, the deputy chief imam started pleading with them and one of them said he should also be taken along. Luckily, they (bandits) entered a shop opposite the Mosque where they sell mobile phones and started packing phones. It was in that process that the deputy chief imam escaped but they went away with the restaurant owner and two of her workers.”

Mohammed said the restaurant had been attacked twice in two years, adding that a boy, Mohammad, was also hit by a bullet in his shoulder and was taken to a hospital.

He told our correspondent that the vehicle in which the FIRS official was travelling was also hit by a stray bullet but the driver of the vehicle was able to escape.

A community leader, who pleaded anonymity, lamented that the area which extends from Old Gawu to Yaba in Abaji Area Council had been very dangerous due to mountains and a thick forest that served as shelters for criminals.

“Sometimes, they do send their informants to communities to work as labourers who study the environment and get back to them before they attack. The Abaji Area Council has posed a serious threat to our communities.

“They have kidnapped many people in our area. A few weeks ago, they invaded Rafin-Daji village and kidnapped 15 farmers including four women on their farms. One of the tractor drivers was killed and one of the two tractors with which they were working was set ablaze. They were released after collecting N3 million for each person as ransom.

“We also spent N400, 000 in buying bags of rice, wraps of Indian hemp, cartons of noodles, packs of cigarettes and other hard drugs that they demanded. The victims spent about two months before they were released.

“Also recently, six people were kidnapped in a village very close to us. They were released after the payment of ransom. The village head that was among the victims had his legs and hands broken before they released them,” the leader added.

Residents in the area decried the absence of security operatives even in the face of continuous attacks and kidnapping.

One of the residents who spoke in confidence said, “There are no armed security personnel in our area. There are policemen but you won’t see them with guns. The attacks were beyond the strength of our vigilantes.”

News

Final-year female varsity student found dead in Kogi

Published

on

The deceased student, Sarah Ojodomo Idoko
Spread the love

The lifeless body of a final-year female student of the Federal University Lokoja has been discovered along the Felele–Lokoja Road in Kogi State.

The deceased, identified as Sarah Ojodomo Idoko, was a final-year student of the Federal University Lokoja. Her body was reportedly found on Saturday night near the Crusher area along the busy Felele axis after she was allegedly dumped there by unknown assailants.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that a vehicle was seen stopping briefly near the location at about 8 p.m. before speeding away. Shortly afterwards, passers-by reportedly discovered the victim’s body by the roadside and alerted authorities.

Initial reports suggested that Sarah was a student of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, after an identity card bearing her name and academic details was recovered at the scene.

The card indicated that she was enrolled in the Higher National Diploma (HND) programme in the Department of Office Technology Management for the 2024/2025 academic session.

However, the Kogi State Police Command later clarified that the deceased was actually a student of the Federal University Lokoja.

Maduka College Advert

Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, CP Naziru Kankarofi, said investigations had commenced.

He noted that the police were working to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and track down those responsible.

According to the police commissioner, details of the investigation would be made public at the appropriate time, while assuring residents that the command remains committed to ensuring justice for the deceased.

The tragic death of Sarah Ojodomo Idoko has once again raised concerns about the safety and security of students and residents along the Felele corridor, a major gateway to Lokoja that has witnessed several security-related incidents in recent years.

Meanwhile, the Association of Nigeria Female Students (ANFS), Kogi State Chapter, described the killing as cruel, unfortunate, and unacceptable.

In a statement issued by its State Coordinator, Comrade Celina Ojoniko James, the association expressed deep sorrow over the loss and called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that those responsible are identified and prosecuted.

The group also urged government authorities and security agencies to strengthen safety measures around campuses and student communities to prevent similar tragedies in the future. (TRIBUNE)

Continue Reading

News

Gunmen kidnap ex-minister Adelabu’s sister, children in Ibadan

Published

on

Former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu
Spread the love

The sister of the former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress 2027 governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Bayo Adelabu, and her twin children have been kidnapped in Ibadan, the state capital.

An eyewitness told PUNCH Online that the incident occurred on Wednesday in the Challenge area of Ibadan South West Local Government Area of the state.

Confirming the incident in a statement, one of the media aides to Adelabu, Femi Awogboro, said, “The family of Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power and leading governorship aspirant of APC in Oyo State, wishes to formally confirm the unfortunate kidnapping of his younger sister, Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, alongside her twin sons, Peter and Paul, in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

“Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, aged 43, was reportedly abducted by armed gunmen at about 7:30 a.m. while on her way to drop her children at school in Ibadan. The abductors also forcefully took away her 12-year-old twin sons, who were with her at the time of the incident.

“Mrs. Adegoke John-Paul is the youngest of the five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu. Until her voluntary retirement last year, she had served meritoriously at both the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian.

“Following her retirement, she relocated to Ibadan with her children while making preparations to eventually join her husband, Mr. John Paul, who had earlier relocated to the United States of America.”

Maduka College Advert

“Mrs. John-Paul, aged 43, was reportedly abducted by armed gunmen at about 7:30 a.m. while on her way to drop her children at school in Ibadan. The abductors also forcefully took away her 12-year-old twin sons, who were with her at the time of the incident.

“Immediately the incident was reported, all relevant security and law enforcement agencies were duly contacted. We are pleased to confirm that security operatives have swung into action and preliminary investigations have commenced in earnest. Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this heinous crime.

“Adebayo Adelabu and the entire family are deeply distressed by this tragic development but remain hopeful and confident in the capacity of the security agencies to secure the safe release of Mrs. John-Paul and her children,” the statement read.

The family, therefore, appealed to members of the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and refrain from circulating unverified information that may jeopardise ongoing security operations.

It also solicited prayers and support from well-meaning Nigerians during this difficult period.

The family further urged anyone with useful information that may assist security agencies in their investigation to promptly report such information through the appropriate channels.

The statement added, “The family will continue to cooperate fully with security authorities and will provide further updates as events unfold.

No fewer than 40 teachers and students were kidnapped on Friday, May 15, 2026, during a coordinated attack at Ahoro-Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

It will also be recalled that a chieftain of APC in the state, Wale Oriade, was abducted by armed men in Ibadan, the state capital, in December, 2025.

It was gathered that the incident occurred around 7:06 pm at his office located at PJ Square Shopping Complex, beside the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited station, Elewure, along Iyana Ajanla, Akala Expressway, New Garage, Ibadan.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived in a blue Micra vehicle with two occupants—a driver and an armed man—who forcibly seized Oriade and whisked him away in the same vehicle.

“The nature of the attack and the precision with which it was carried out have caused deep concern within his community,” the eyewitness

Reacting in a text sent to Crime Reporters Oyo platform, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said, “I can not independently verify this for now, but please hold on.”

Continue Reading

News

Pastor beats 14-year old girl to death over alleged theft in Cross River

Published

on

Spread the love

Tragedy truck in Wula, in Eastern Boki, Boki local government area of Cross River state when a pastor allegedly beat a 14-year-old girl, Nancy Peter to death.

The Incident sparked outrage after allegations that she was first beaten by her mother and later flogged by a pastor over claims of theft.

In a statement by the Cross River State Police Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, he disclosed that preliminary findings indicate that the victim, identified as Miss Nancy Peter, was first assaulted by her mother, Mrs. Agnes Peter, 45, before being taken to Pastor Samson Roman Dago, 43, who allegedly subjected her to further corporal punishment with a cane.

He said a full-scale investigation has begun to really establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the involvement of all those linked to the tragedy.

The command also dismissed, for now, social media claims that the girl was sexually assaulted, saying no evidence had been found to support such allegations.

It added that medical examinations and other investigative steps were ongoing.

Maduka College Advert

Some village sources said the teenager became unconscious after the beating and was rushed to a medical facility in Wula Community, where doctors confirmed her dead on arrival.

Vanguard gathered that the community has now been left in shock, as the death has revived painful concerns about the dangers of corporal punishment and the need for greater child protection.

A child rights advocates, James Ibor esq, and principal Counsel at Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, ( BRCI)said that physical punishment does not correct children; it scars them, deepens fear, and can lead to irreversible harm.

“It is reprehensible and heartbreaking , that in 2026 this kind of barbaric act will still be happening, after the child rights act was passed since 2023.

“I’m calling on the Commissioner for police not to allow this girl’s murder to go unpunished , neither should it be forgotten like other murders of this nature.

“A child should never be disciplined to the point of collapse. This is a tragedy that should never have happened, the police must do everything possible to ensure the girl get’s justice , it is a sad development, ibor said.

Continue Reading

Trending

Maduka College Advert