A 45-year-old man, Yusuf Usman, has died after he became trapped inside a well in Kwa Town, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State, while attempting to retrieve his mobile phone.

The incident was contained in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Yusif Abdullahi.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at about 11:13 am, according to the statement.

The Fire Service said it received a distress call from one of its staff, Kabiru Tata, after which rescue officers were swiftly deployed to the scene.

“On arrival, the rescue team found the man inside a well that had been converted into a waste disposal pit,” the statement revealed.

The victim reportedly entered the well to retrieve his phone after it fell inside but was unable to find a way to climb out.

“The rescue team successfully brought him out of the well unconscious. He was later confirmed dead, reportedly due to oxygen depletion and heat inside the well,” the Fire Service said.

The body was handed over to the Ward Head of Kwa Town, Alhaji Mukhtar.

At least five worshippers kidnapped during the violent attack on ECWA Church in Omugo, located in the Oro Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, are reported to have died in terrorists’ captivity.

Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Security, Zubair Olaitan, confirmed to DAILY POST on Wednesday that the report is true.

The tragic development emerged from reports filtering out of the terrorists’ camp, including accounts provided by one of the abductees who reportedly escaped from the armed gang.

Informed sources revealed that the wife of the church pastor, Rachel Oluwaremilekun Omole, is among those reportedly killed alongside four other abductees.

According to one of the sources, “Five of the Omugo abductees have died in captivity,” though the exact details surrounding the deaths remain sketchy.

“No details of how and where they died,” the source further stated, citing information allegedly provided by one of the victims who escaped from the kidnappers’ den.

The source added that the tragic development has already been relayed to the affected families.

“The sad news has been broken to the families of the deceased,” the source said, adding that relatives of the victims were thrown into mourning following the revelation.

The victims were among worshippers abducted on March 22, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen invaded ECWA Church, Omugo, during a church service in the Oro Ago area.

Witnesses had narrated how the attackers opened fire within and around the church premises, causing panic among congregants before whisking about eight worshippers away into nearby forests.

Following the abduction, the kidnappers reportedly established contact with the families through the father of one of the abductees and demanded a ₦1 billion ransom for the release of the victims.

Sources, however, said the amount was later reviewed downward during negotiations.

Alleged efforts by relatives to secure the victims’ freedom, including the delivery of about ₦20 million, food supplies, and hot drinks requested by the abductors, proved abortive, as the captives were reportedly not released.

Security agencies had earlier disclosed that joint rescue efforts were ongoing to locate the victims and apprehend those behind the attack.

Official confirmation from authorities regarding the reported deaths could not be obtained at the time of filing this report on Wednesday.

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.