The Kebbi State Police Command has neutralised a suspected kidnap kingpin, identified as Jiji Mujugu, and arrested another gang member during an operation in Bagudo Local Government Area of the state.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.

According to him, police operatives, in collaboration with other security agencies, acted on credible intelligence and arrested Bube Tukur of Yarma Village in Suru Local Government Area, who resides in Kasuwar Daji, Bagudo.

Usman said investigations revealed that Tukur belonged to an eight-member gang allegedly led by Mujugu and linked to the abduction of a resident, Alhaji Abu Geza.

He added that one locally fabricated pistol and a live cartridge were recovered from the suspect.

According to the police spokesman, Tukur subsequently led security operatives to the gang leader’s hideout.

Usman said Mujugu opened fire on security personnel and attempted to escape when operatives arrived at the location.

He said the operatives responded and neutralised the suspect during the exchange of gunfire, recovering another locally fabricated pistol from him.

The police also rescued the abducted victim, Alhaji Abu Geza, unharmed from the hideout.

According to the statement, the gang had been terrorising several communities, including Geza, Adawa, Matsinkai, Sharabi, Illela, Suru, Dakin Gari and Bagudo, as well as surrounding areas.

The command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.

Usman added that the Commissioner of Police commended residents for their cooperation and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

Tragedy struck the NPA Waterside in Warri, Delta state today after a canoe carrying passengers from Sandfill II capsized after collision with an engine boat.

A 19-year-old lady, Chinaza, is still missing just as divers and local fishermen are searching the NPA river for her body.

According to eyewitness, the incident occurred when the canoe collided with another wooden engine boat mid-stream with several passengers onboard at the time of the accident.

Chinaza, an Ibo lady aged 19 reportedly sank and could not be found due to her inability to swim.

A 7-year-old boy who was also in the boat with his mother and sibling survived the accident by swimming to safety.

Miss Favour, friend of the missing girl who was also on the ill-fated boat narrated that the engine boat driver had reported himself to Marine Police, NPA and was taken into custody for questioning.

“The driver weh jam us report himself to marine police,” she said.

Rescue efforts were ongoing at press time as divers and local fishermen searched the NPA river for Chinaza’s body.

Authorities have yet to release an official statement on the incident.

The accident has renewed calls for stricter safety enforcement on Warri waterways, including use of life jackets and regulation of boat speed.

Six persons have lost their lives in a multiple-vehicle crash involving tankers, articulated trucks and passenger cars at the Ibadan Toll Gate axis of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, the Oyo State Fire Service has confirmed.

The fatal accident, which occurred on Friday night, triggered a fire outbreak that led to severe traffic congestion, leaving commuters stranded for several hours into Saturday along the busy highway corridor.

Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Mr Moroof Akinwande, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday, noting that eight other victims were rescued from the wreckage and handed over to officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, for medical attention.

According to him, the agency received a distress call at about 9:29 p.m. from a police officer, Sola Rotimi, prompting the immediate deployment of fire service personnel to the scene.

Akinwande said responders met about six vehicles involved in the crash, including gas tankers, heavy-duty trucks and two cars, with parts of the scene already engulfed in flames upon arrival.

“The crew quickly swung into action, and the fire was restricted from causing further damage to other vehicles and nearby properties,” he said.

He further disclosed that preliminary investigations suggested brake failure as a possible cause of the accident.

The Fire Service boss urged motorists to exercise caution while using highways and ensure that their vehicles are equipped with functional fire extinguishers to help contain emergencies before they escalate.

Footage shared on social media showed a massive traffic build-up as burnt tankers obstructed a section of the expressway, with charred remains of vehicles and debris scattered across the road. The situation caused significant frustration among stranded travellers.

Popular comedian Bayegun Oluwatoyin, known as Woli Arole, was among those caught in the gridlock. In a video shared on Facebook on Saturday, he lamented the prolonged delay, stating that motorists had been stuck for about three to four hours.

He suggested that an earlier vehicle fire may have contributed to worsening the traffic situation and called on road safety authorities to intervene urgently.

The video showed a long stretch of stationary vehicles, including trucks and cars, extending along the expressway.

“People have been here for three to four hours. If you are planning to come to Ibadan today, just stay back. There was a vehicle fire on the road yesterday or so. It’s serious. We are close to Guru Maharaj Ji,” he said.