Unidentified gunmen have abducted a Senior driver with Dangote Cement Company, Ibese, Usman Umar, popularly called ‘Baba Olowo’, at Ajibawo Village near Ijako-Orile, Yewa North Local Council of Ogun State.

The Guardian learnt that Umar was abducted at midnight on Wednesday while he was returning home from work and was allegedly attacked in front of his residence.

Sources said that on getting to his residence, three men attacked him as soon as he alighted from his motorcycle.

It was said that the kidnappers forcefully dragged him into a nearby bush, shooting sporadically into the air to frighten residents and deter them from attempting to intervene.

The abductors, it was gathered, did not come with a vehicle but whisked away the victim on foot along the bush path.

Security operatives have reportedly launched a rescue operation to locate the victim and bring the perpetrators to Justice.

As of the time of filing this report, the whereabouts of Umar remained unknown, while details of possible ransom demands or communication from the abductors were not immediately available.

Efforts to reach the Spokesperson of the Police in Ogun State, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, proved abortive as he was not picking up his WhatsApp calls or messages. (The Guardian)

The elder brother of the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, has reportedly been killed by suspected bandits.

The victim was the Village Head of Galla in Borgu Emirate, Niger State.

The assailants were said to have stormed his palace on Monday, August 24, 2026, in an incident that has reportedly unsettled residents of the community.

According to Daily Post, sources familiar with the development said the monarch had earlier warned the bandits to stay away from the community.

His warning was allegedly viewed as an affront by the criminals, who later returned and attacked him at his palace.

The killing has further raised concerns about the security situation in the Borgu Emirate, where bandit attacks and other criminal activities have reportedly increased in recent times.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, acknowledged receiving inquiries about the incident.

He, however, said he would get back with details after obtaining the necessary information.

As of the time of filing this report, the police spokesman had yet to issue an official statement confirming the killing or providing details about the circumstances surrounding the attack, Naija News understands.

Meanwhile, fourteen people who were reportedly kidnapped have been rescued from bandits in Zamfara State by troops of the Nigerian Army.

The operation, carried out by Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, in the Tsafe Local Government Area of the state, also prevented the criminals from carrying out another abduction.

The troops responded to information about suspicious movements of the criminals around Magazu village on August 26, 2026, and acted swiftly.

According to the military, the troops moved into the area and came across a group of armed men allegedly attempting to abduct civilians, including motorists.

The operatives engaged the suspected criminals, forcing them to abandon their vehicle and escape into the surrounding bushes.

The troops subsequently launched a search of the area and discovered 14 victims who had already been taken hostage by the attackers.

One of the rescued victims sustained gunshot injuries during the incident and was immediately taken to the General Hospital, Tsafe, where he was admitted for treatment.

The military said none of its personnel was injured or killed during the operation.

The latest rescue, according to the military, is part of ongoing efforts by Operation FANSAN YAMMA to disrupt the activities of criminal groups and prevent them from freely operating across Zamfara State.

The troops also reaffirmed their commitment to protecting residents and motorists while denying bandits the opportunity to carry out further attacks in the area.

Motorists and travellers using the Benin-Agbor-Asaba route have been stranded for days as severe traffic congestion continues to disrupt movement between the South-South, South-East and Lagos.

The gridlock, which has reportedly persisted for about five days, has left motorists spending long hours on the road, with some travellers unable to reach their destinations.

The situation has been attributed largely to the poor condition of sections of the road, which has been further worsened by heavy rainfall in the area.

Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi and some National Assembly members inspecting Benin-Agbor road on Tuesday

The rain has reportedly made some portions of the road difficult to navigate, resulting in vehicles becoming stuck and worsening the already severe congestion.

The route is a major link for motorists travelling between Lagos and several states in the South-South and South-East, making the prolonged gridlock a major concern for travellers, transport operators and motorists.

Some motorists have reportedly been forced to spend extended periods on the road as efforts to navigate the affected sections have proved difficult.

The development has also raised concerns about the impact of the bad road on the movement of goods and passengers, particularly during the rainy season.

Travellers using the route have called for urgent intervention to restore movement and prevent further deterioration of the situation.

Meanwhile, the  Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, on Tuesday led an urgent federal intervention on the congested Benin-Agbor-Asaba Expressway following President Bola Tinubu’s order to ease the hardship faced by stranded motorists.

Umah’s arrival in Edo State was disclosed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, who shared a video of the minister’s on-site inspection on his official X handle.

“Umahi arrives in Benin, Edo State, to address the congestion on the Benin-Agbor-Asaba Road,” Nwaze posted, adding in a subsequent update, “Umahi arrives Benin-Agbor-Asaba Road to resolve issues surrounding the road, which was handed over to concessionaire on PPP Basis since 2025.”

In an official press statement issued on Tuesday, Nwaze confirmed that Tinubu ordered immediate corrective measures on both the Benin-Agbor-Asaba axis and the deplorable Ifaki-Kabba-Ado Ekiti road spanning Ekiti and Kogi States.

To execute the directive, Umahi reportedly deployed the Minister of State for Works alongside ministry officials to commence remedial works on the Ekiti-Kogi corridor.

“While the intervention team moved into Ekiti and Kogi States, Umahi himself headed to Benin, Edo State, alongside members of the National Assembly Works Committees, to initiate a similar coordinated intervention on the Benin-Agbor-Asaba road.

“The Benin meeting is expected to bring together key stakeholders, including representatives of the Edo and Delta State Governments and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), with the aim of finding immediate solutions to the challenges confronting motorists on the strategic corridor,” the statement partly read.