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Three siblings reportedly kidnapped while transporting mother’s corpse for burial in Benue

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Three siblings travelling from Abuja to Benue State to bury their late mother have reportedly been abducted by suspected gunmen along the Ogobia–Otukpo Road.

The incident was said to have occurred in the early hours of Saturday. It was brought to public attention by citizen journalist Meddy Olotu through a video shared on social media.

According to Olotu, the victims were transporting the remains of their mother, who died in Abuja, to Iklenyi community in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State for burial when they were attacked.

He revealed that the family encountered mechanical problems during the trip, leaving them stranded for several hours before continuing their journey around 2:00 a.m.

“They left Abuja with the corpse of their mother for burial in Iklenyi, but even by 2:00 a.m., they were still on the road because their vehicle had broken down. Despite that, they continued the journey,” Olotu said.

Olotu alleged that while travelling between Ogobia and Otukpo, armed kidnappers intercepted the vehicle and abducted the three siblings, reportedly taking away the corpse of their deceased mother as well.

He described the incident as deeply distressing and advised Nigerians to avoid travelling at night due to the increasing insecurity on major highways.

“If you’re using Nigerian roads at this time, please be very careful. Even travelling during the day is no longer safe, let alone at night. If your journey is not absolutely necessary, stay where you are,” he cautioned.

The citizen journalist further condemned the alleged actions of the kidnappers, saying the incident reflected the alarming level of cruelty among criminal gangs.

“It is sad that these criminals no longer have sympathy or conscience. Imagine kidnapping people conveying the corpse of their mother and even taking away the body,” he said.



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Ekiti court jails two men for roaming streets naked

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An Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate Court has sentenced two men, Adeniyi Oluwole, 49, and Ogunlola John, 30, to one month imprisonment without the option of a fine for roaming the streets naked.

The defendants were arraigned on a one-count charge of conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, contrary to Section 181(i)(d)(h) of the Ekiti State Laws, 2021.

Both men pleaded guilty when the charge was read to them.

Prosecuting police counsel, Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court that the offence was committed at about 4 am on July 13 around the palace area of Ado-Ekiti.

According to the prosecutor, the defendants were seen walking naked around the palace vicinity and along a public highway within the Ado-Ekiti Magisterial District.

He argued that their actions were capable of causing a breach of public peace, leading to their arrest and prosecution.

The defendants were represented by counsel, Ogunleye Abiola.

Delivering judgment, Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun held that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt, noting that the defendants’ guilty plea further strengthened the evidence against them.



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Benue: Police arrest more suspects over varsity professor’s murder

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The Benue State Police Command has confirmed fresh arrests in the ongoing investigation into the killing of Prof. Gabriel Saawua Nyityo and his younger brother, Iorngee John Nyityo, stating that detectives are now tracking other members of the suspected criminal network.

The Command also dismissed reports alleging that armed bandits had blocked the Makurdi-Lafia highway and were attacking motorists, insisting the claims were false and intended to create fear among residents.

Speaking during a press briefing on Friday at the Police Command Headquarters in Makurdi, Commissioner of Police Cletus Nwadiogbu highlighted several security achievements recorded across the state in recent weeks.

He explained that the July 8 killing of Prof. Nyityo and his younger brother in Adaka Community was an assassination rather than a robbery incident.

According to the police commissioner, officers from the ‘D’ Division responded immediately after receiving a distress call around 2:00 a.m. and recovered the bodies of both victims at the scene.

He said security formations and checkpoints were instantly placed on high alert, leading to the arrest of the prime suspect, 23-year-old Abdullahi Usman of Awe Local Government Area in Nasarawa State, at an NDLEA checkpoint in Lafia about four hours after the incident.

Nwadiogbu revealed that the suspect tried to avoid detection by getting off motorcycles before security checkpoints and crossing on foot before rejoining the riders.

“He felt the NDLEA checkpoint was not manned by policemen and decided to walk across. Unknown to him, the officers had already received information about the incident. They searched him, recovered a phone and from the phone we established that he was one of the suspects,” Nwadiogbu said.

He added that security agencies in Nasarawa State, including the Department of State Services (DSS), had expanded the investigation, resulting in additional arrests.

“They have made more arrests of those who came with him, and they have assured us they will hand them over. We are also determined to identify and arrest those who assisted them within Benue because there must have been local collaborators,” he stated.

The commissioner noted that preliminary findings indicate that some criminal gangs responsible for attacks in Makurdi often operate from neighbouring Nasarawa State before returning after carrying out their missions.

Although he confirmed more suspects had been arrested, Nwadiogbu declined to disclose the exact number, saying investigations were still ongoing.

Addressing reports that armed bandits had mounted roadblocks on the Makurdi-Lafia highway, the police commissioner described the information as fake.

“That information was false. It was the handiwork of enemies who wanted to divert our attention and create panic. We patrolled the road from one end to the other. Nothing happened. People travelled freely throughout,” he said.

He also clarified that the Inspector-General of Police had not ordered the removal of legitimate police checkpoints across the country.

According to him, the directive only concerns illegal roadblocks mounted by unauthorised persons and not officially approved security checkpoints.

“The Inspector-General never ordered the dismantling of police checkpoints. We are only removing illegal roadblocks mounted by individuals or groups who have no authority to stop road users. Security agencies will continue to perform their lawful duties on our highways,” he explained.

The commissioner further disclosed that between June and July, police arrested 10 suspects linked to the killing of two Fulani leaders after a peace meeting in Ohimini Local Government Area, adding that swift intervention prevented the incident from escalating into a wider communal conflict involving Benue and Cross River states.

He also said police operatives neutralised suspected armed robbers and kidnappers during separate operations in Makurdi, Katsina-Ala and Logo local government areas, recovering four AK-47 rifles, six locally made pistols, 23 rounds of live ammunition, two motorcycles, mobile phones and assorted charms.

Nwadiogbu said officers recovered a stolen commercial motorcycle from a robbery suspect arrested in Guma Local Government Area, while raids on criminal hideouts in Katsina-Ala led to the arrest of 15 suspected criminals and the seizure of three bags of substances suspected to be cannabis.

He added that five suspected herders were arrested in Guma for allegedly grazing cattle on cultivated farmlands, while seven suspects were apprehended in Naka over the killing of a man during the burial of a youth leader.

The police commissioner also revealed that a woman was arrested in Ukum Local Government Area for allegedly setting a house on fire, resulting in the deaths of two children.

On cult-related crimes, he said one suspect was arrested following a clash between rival cult groups in Makurdi, while 12 suspected cult members were apprehended in Gboko during what investigators described as an annual cult meeting.

Nwadiogbu further confirmed the arrest of a suspect connected to the deadly attack on Otukpo-Nobi community, noting that investigators had obtained useful information about those who allegedly assisted the attackers.

He also disclosed that seven Pakistani nationals intercepted during a security operation at a hotel in Otukpo possessed valid travel documents and claimed they were in Nigeria to conduct a market survey before establishing an electronics business. He said they remain under profiling by the State Criminal Investigation Department.

Appealing for continued public support, the commissioner urged residents to provide timely and credible information to security agencies.

“These breakthroughs reflect our determination to deny criminals any space to operate in Benue State. Security is a shared responsibility, and we urge members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to partner with the police,” he said.



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Police arrest suspected cultists in Delta community, recover guns

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Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested eight suspected cultists at Amukpe, in Sapele Local Government Area of the state.

The operatives recovered three locally fabricated pistols, live ammunition and other exhibits from the suspects.

The suspects were identified as Lucky Naset (30), Ochuko Midwest (27), Samuel Oghene (29), Michael Mmadu (35), Dennis Philip (28), Goodluck Onujenya (30), Ovie Royal (25) and Divine Otemu (22).

They were arrested on July 17, 2026, according to a statement by Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe.

Parts of the statement read, “A thorough search of the hideout led to the recovery of three locally fabricated pistols, six live cartridges, eight rounds of live ammunition of different calibres, two axes, two suspected cannabis grinders, one bottle containing a suspected illicit substance, and other incriminating exhibits.

“Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects are linked to cult-related activities within the Sapele axis.

“Investigation is ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate and recover additional weapons.”



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