Suspected bandits have abducted the wife and son of the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Yusuf Alhasan.

The incident was disclosed in a post shared on X by security analyst and conflict reporter Bakatsine.

According to information obtained by Bakatsine, the attackers stormed Alhasan’s residence in the Low-Cost area of Yauri around midnight on Monday and whisked away the two victims to an undisclosed location.

There was no immediate official statement from security agencies or the Kebbi State Government regarding the incident.

The attack has heightened concerns over insecurity in parts of Kebbi State, where cases of kidnapping and armed attacks have continued to affect communities.

As of the time of filing this report, security authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident, while the whereabouts of the abducted victims remained unknown.

Troops of Operation ”FANSAN YAMMA” have neutralised two suspected terrorists and recovered weapons, motorcycles and livestock during an intelligence-led raid on a terrorist enclave in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

This is contained in an Operational report made available to NAN on Monday.

The army said the operation was conducted in the early hours of Monday, under Operation Clean Sweep III.

The military said troops of 17 Brigade stormed the suspected terrorist hideout at Ginchawa following credible intelligence on the activities of criminal elements in the area.

According to the report, the terrorists attempted to resist the troops but were overwhelmed by superior firepower and forced to flee into the surrounding bushes.

The troops reportedly pursued the fleeing terrorists along their withdrawal routes until contact was lost.

“During exploitation of the enclave, troops recovered two PKT machine guns, one locally made gun, one AK-47 magazine, 75 rounds of 7.62mm NATO linked ammunition, three motorcycles, two mobile phones and a pair of camouflage uniforms.

“The troops also recovered cows and goats believed to have been rustled by the terrorists,” it said.

The army disclosed that two terrorists were neutralised during the operation, while several others escaped with suspected gunshot wounds as traces of blood were observed within the enclave.

It said the operation formed part of ongoing efforts by security forces to dismantle terrorist networks and deny criminal groups freedom of action across the North-West.

Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command on Sunday night engaged some criminal elements suspected to be kidnappers in a gun battle in Owo town, Owo Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, who confirmed this in a statement on Monday, said the gun battle ensued in the area following an attempt by a six-man kidnappers to abduct the Chairman of Ojana New Area, Pastor Taiwo Taiwo.

According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 7:05 p.m. when the command received a distress call about the activities of the criminal elements.

The PPRO said the assailants subsequently abandoned their plans, leading to the rescue of the intended victim and his family.

The statement reads, “At about 7:05 p.m. when the Police received a distress call indicating that a six-man armed kidnapping gang had stormed the residence of Pastor Taiwo Taiwo, Chairman of Ojana New Area, Owo, with the intention of abducting him.

“Acting promptly on the information, the Divisional Police Officer, B Division, Owo, mobilized and led a patrol team to the scene.

“Upon arrival, the operatives encountered the armed assailants, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

“The superior tactical response and determination of the police operatives forced the criminals to retreat into the surrounding bush, abandoning their plan.

“The intended victim and his family members were successfully rescued and unharmed and subsequently relocated to a safer location for enhanced security and protection”.