Metro
Operation WHIRL STROKE troops rescue two kidnapped victims in Benue
Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE have rescued two kidnapped victims during a sustained intelligence-led crackdown on criminal elements operating in Kyado, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
The rescue operation was carried out in the early hours of Tuesday at about 3:50 am, leading to the safe recovery of Mr Sylvester Micheal Ebuka and Mrs Chidinma Chikwentu.
According to a press release signed by the acting Media Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, the two victims had been abducted in separate incidents earlier this month.
Ebuka was reportedly kidnapped on April 2, 2026, at about 6:50 am, while Chikwentu was taken on April 6, 2026, at approximately 5:13 pm.
The military said the breakthrough followed credible intelligence and sustained operational pressure mounted on suspected bandit hideouts within the Kyado axis. Troops were said to have carried out aggressive fighting patrols aimed at dislodging the criminal elements and disrupting their activities.
The pressure, according to the statement, forced the abductors to flee, leading to the successful recovery of the victims. Both victims were rescued unharmed and did not sustain any physical injuries.
Force Commander of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for what he described as their resilience, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to duty.
He said the successful rescue underscored the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations and the determination of the troops to deny criminal elements freedom of movement.
Major General Gara also reassured residents of Benue State and surrounding communities of the military’s resolve to sustain ongoing operations until all threats to peace and security are neutralised.
He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation remains critical in tackling kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.
Metro
Soldier, five others killed in Adamawa road crash
Six people died in a road crash at the Murke section of the Yola–Song Road in Adamawa State.
Sources said on Wednesday evening that the accident involved a Hummer bus and a military patrol vehicle, which collided while travelling in opposite directions.
A witness said five passengers in the Hummer bus were burnt beyond recognition after the vehicle caught fire following the collision, while a soldier died at the scene.
A seventh person, who was severely affected, reportedly sustained life-threatening injuries and was found unconscious at the scene.
The Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, was on her way to Mubi for an official engagement when she arrived at the scene of the accident.
An aide to the deputy governor disclosed that she immediately directed members of her convoy to evacuate the victims to the Specialist Hospital, Yola.
Metro
Police uncover gun factory in Yobe, arrest 7 suspects
Operatives of the Yobe State Police Command have uncovered an illegal firearms fabrication site in Potiskum and arrested seven suspects.
This is contained in a statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, on Wednesday in Damaturu, the state capital.
Abdulkarim said operatives of the Potiskum Area Command, in collaboration with the Divisional Police Headquarters, carried out a coordinated raid following credible intelligence.
He stated that police operatives mobilised to a blacksmith workshop located at Tasha Adua along Danchuwa Road, Potiskum.
According to him, during the operation, seven suspects were arrested, two fabricated pistols were recovered, twenty-four muzzle pipes, nine gun butts, four unserviceable Dane guns, one filing machine and one sharp cutlass.
“The suspects are currently undergoing thorough investigation with a view to identifying their collaborators, possible buyers, and the intended use of the fabricated firearms,” he said.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Usman Jibrin, has directed officers handling the case to intensify investigation, identify other illegal firearms fabrication centres within the area, and assess the level of security threat posed by such criminal activities.
The command further advised members of the public to refrain from allowing their premises or facilities to be used for unlawful activities, including the fabrication of dangerous weapons.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station or other security agencies.
Metro
Final-year Kogi varsity student found dead by roadside in Lokoja
The Kogi State Police has confirmed the death of a final-year student of the Federal University Lokoja, Sarah Ojodomo Idoko.
The deceased’s body was found by the roadside in the Crusher area along the Felele-Lokoja Road in Lokoja, Kogi State.
Her body was discovered on the night of May 30, 2026, shortly after she was allegedly dumped at the location by unknown persons.
A passerby was said to have seen a vehicle stop briefly near the area around 8 p.m. before speeding away, after which the body was found.
Meanwhile, an identity card recovered at the scene initially led to reports that she was a student of Kogi State Polytechnic, but the police later clarified that she was a student of Federal University Lokoja.
The Association of Nigerian Female Students, Kogi chapter, condemned the killing, describing it as inhuman and unfortunate, calling on security agencies to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, confirmed the incident and said investigations had commenced.
“For now, we are not ready to disclose much about the ongoing investigation. We will make our findings public at the appropriate time for the law to take its course,” he said.
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