Following a coordinated security operation involving police tactical teams and the military, the Sokoto State Command of the Nigeria Police Force said it has rescued 32 kidnapped victims and foiled a major bandit operation in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

In a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, the command said the operation took place on Tuesday in Maikujera village, a remote community bordering Zamfara State, following intelligence received by the Divisional Police Officer in Rabah that a large group of armed bandits had invaded the area.

The statement added that the attackers were moving with rustled livestock and dozens of abducted victims while shooting sporadically at residents.

According to the statement, the Divisional Police Officer immediately mobilised tactical units, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Violent Crime Reaction Unit (VCRU), and coordinated with the Nigerian Army’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) to block all possible escape routes.

The security operatives engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle, forcing the attackers to abandon their captives and stolen livestock before fleeing into the forest.

Following the exchange, security operatives combed the surrounding bushes and rescued all 32 kidnapped victims.

“The rescued victims comprise six adult males and 26 females, the majority of whom are children. They have been evacuated to a safe location, where they are receiving medical and psychological support and will be reunited with their families shortly,” Rufai said.

The police, however, disclosed that four persons were killed by the bandits during the initial attack before security operatives arrived at the scene.

The command said the Commissioner of Police in Sokoto State, Hayatu Shaffa, expressed sympathy with the bereaved families and assured residents that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

It added that he reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating banditry and kidnapping across the state.

Shaffa urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or individuals to the nearest security agency.

The Eastern Naval Command, ENC, of the Nigeria Navy has arrested an oil product tanker MT FILIA (IMO No. 8662684) with 650 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil valued at over N660 million.

The ENC Operations Officer, Commodore Abubakar Umar, who announced the arrest at a media briefing in Calabar on Tuesday, said the feat was achieved based on credible intelligence.

Umar said the vessel sailing under the flag of Sao Tomé and Principe with 12 crew members onboard, was arrested on July 23 within Nigeria waters.

He said preliminary investigations indicated that the tanker vessel loitered within the vicinity of the offshore oil terminals located at Akwa Ibom for over seven days, waiting for an opportunity to gain access to some crude oil jackets.

According to him, the vessel subsequently proceeded to one of the oil jackets where it was engaged in the suspected illegal loading of crude oil.

“At about 04; 00hrs on July 23, MT FILIA departed the offshore oil terminal and proceeded seaward. Consequently, a navy patrol boat pursued and intercepted the vessel.

“On sighting the Nigerian navy ship, the crew began discharging the stolen crude into the sea, causing maritime pollution.

“Subsequent investigation reveals that the Captain of MT FILIA also admitted that the vessel loaded approximately 650 metric tonnes of crude oil at the terminal worth an estimated value of over N660 million.

“It is pertinent to state at this point that investigation is still ongoing to unravel further details of the dastardly act.”

A National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, member serving in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Okebaram Stanley Chimaroke, has been found dead under unclear circumstances.

Chimaroke, a graduate of Civil Engineering and former President of the Students’ Union Government, SUG, of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, was reportedly declared missing before his lifeless body was recovered in a body of water in Nembe community.

Sources familiar with the incident alleged that the 27-year-old corps member may have been attacked by unidentified assailants before his disappearance.

The Bayelsa State Police Command had earlier launched a search operation after receiving a report that the corps member was missing.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the case was reported to the police at about 8:40 p.m. on July 25, 2026, by fellow corps member Aribisola Bisi Isaac, who was accompanied by Adeola Marvelous.

Police sources disclosed that the Local Government Inspector informed the officers that Chimaroke, who was serving in Nembe Creek, was last seen at about 8:00 p.m. on July 24.

Attempts to reach him through his mobile phone lines reportedly proved unsuccessful, raising concerns among colleagues and prompting a search effort.

Following the report, police operatives were deployed to the creek community, located about 45 minutes by boat from the Nembe Divisional Headquarters, to commence a search and investigation into his disappearance.

As of the time of filing this report, the Bayelsa State Police Command had yet to officially confirm the recovery of the corps member’s body or provide details on the exact circumstances surrounding his death.