The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Commissioner, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, on Wednesday disclosed that two bandits belonging to a gang that have been terrorizing the capital city have been shot dead.

Sanusi disclosed this while addressing journalists at the Command on Wednesday, said he led the operation that resulted in their deaths.

The gang was trailed over the abduction of five residents of Paze community in Byazhin ward of Bwari Area Council last week.

Bandits had kidnapped five people including a pastor, while a local vigilante member identified as Shuaibu Yerima was shot dead during an invasion of Paze community on Thursday.

But the police boss said the kidnapped victims were rescued during the operation involving a team comprising operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the NPF Intelligence Response Team (IRT), and Kubwa Area Command, in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante groups.

The operation reportedly led to the arrest of suspects identified as Icheh Mohammadu and Abubakar Usman, while other gang members reportedly fled into nearby hills.

“And during the operation, the police team also recovered two AK-47 rifles with magazines, while two of the gang members were arrested during the crossfire,” he said.

He said it was at approximately 9:00 p:m on Tuesday, when he led the joint security team to launched an intensive search, clearance, and rescue operation across Paze and Byazhin communities.

CP Sanusi said the five rescued victims have since been taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention, while efforts are ongoing to reunite them with their families

A devastating rainstorm has killed a 50-year-old woman and her four-year-old granddaughter, while leaving a trail of destruction in Kirfi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The victims, identified as Aisha Sagir and Aisha Shuaibu, died after heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds battered Katsinawa Bara Village on Wednesday morning.

Confirming the incident, the State Police Command said the downpour, which occurred at about 10 am, caused extensive damage to houses, livestock, and other property valued at millions of naira.

In a statement issued by the command’s spokesman, SP Nafiu Ahmed, the police described the incident as a tragic weather-related disaster that has thrown the affected community into mourning.

The statement noted that officers from the Kirfi Divisional Police Headquarters were deployed to the area to assess the situation, support affected residents, and ensure public order.

Commissioner of Police Sani-Omolori Aliyu expressed condolences to the bereaved family and residents of the local government area over the loss of lives.

He also sympathised with families whose homes and means of livelihood were destroyed by the storm, praying for strength and comfort for those affected.

The police commissioner further assured residents that the command would continue to work with relevant agencies on emergency response efforts, while urging the public to take precautionary measures and promptly report emergencies during the rainy season.

The Nigerian Army says troops of 82 Division Garrison, operating under Sector 1, Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, Enugu State Command, have achieved a significant operational success in the ongoing Operation Eastern Sanity II.

According to a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayani,

Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, the operation was in an effort to consolidate the peace building process in the South East.  

According to the statement, acting on credible intelligence derived from previously arrested suspects affiliated with the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, ESN, security forces conducted a precision follow-up operation in Gariki, Enugu South Local Government Area.

“Troops uncovered a clandestine arms hideout concealed within a zinc structure disguised as a piggery. A thorough exploitation of the site led to the recovery of a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition.

“These include General Purpose Machine Guns, RPG-7 launcher tube, AK-47 rifles, hand grenades, tear gas gun with cartridges, AK-47 magazines, 270 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, and 478 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.  

“All recovered items and arrested suspects have been handed over to the DSS Enugu State Command for further investigation and appropriate legal action,” the statement said.

It said that the intelligence-driven operation underscores the effective interagency collaboration in the region, resulting in proactive measures to counter threats to national unity and public safety.

“It also reflects the Operation UDO KA’s unwavering commitment to sustaining offensive actions against criminal and terrorist networks that undermine peace in the region,” it said.

The statement added that Operation UDO KA reaffirmed its dedication to protecting citizens and preserving national sovereignty.

It encouraged the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security forces, thereby enhancing collective efforts to achieve lasting peace and security in the South East.