The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered a stolen motorcycle following an alleged attack on a commercial motorcyclist in the Apata area of Ibadan.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the command received credible information from a public-spirited citizen that a commercial motorcyclist, identified as Muhammadu Kamilu, had been attacked by a passenger who allegedly struck him with an iron hammer before making away with his Bajaj Boxer motorcycle.

The police said operatives of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) were immediately deployed to the scene, leading to the arrest of the suspect, Shafiu Nuhu, and the recovery of the stolen Bajaj Boxer motorcycle with registration number AJW 842 QU. An iron hammer allegedly used in the attack was also recovered.

The command said the commercial motorcyclist sustained injuries during the assault. It added that Nathaniel Ibrahim, a helpful passerby who attempted to rescue the victim, was also injured.

Both men were taken to a nearby hospital, where they received medical attention.

Police further disclosed that during interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to operating as a lone armed robber who specialised in attacking and robbing commercial motorcyclists in Ibadan and its environs.

“Investigation is ongoing to determine his possible involvement in other similar criminal activities and to recover any additional exhibits connected to his operations,” the command said.

Commending the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, praised the courage of the Good Samaritan and members of the public whose timely information aided the arrest.

He also urged residents to remain security-conscious and continue supporting the police by reporting suspicious persons and activities through the appropriate channels.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, assuring residents that it would continue to deploy intelligence-led and proactive policing strategies to identify, arrest and prosecute criminal elements.

Operatives of the Yobe State Police Command have arrested a suspected drug baron and a notorious kidnapping kingpin operating within and outside the state.

This was disclosed in a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, on Saturday.

According to the statement, operatives of the Yindiski Divisional Police Headquarters in Potiskum, acting on credible intelligence, raided a suspected drug warehouse on July 17, 2026.

The facility was said to belong to Alhaji Abbas, 35, of Danchuwa Village in Potiskum Local Government Area.

During the operation, police arrested Abbas and recovered large quantities of illicit drugs.

“Exhibits recovered include eight cartons of assorted hard drugs, one and a half “Ghana-Must-Go” bags containing Tramadol and Exzol tablets, as well as N835,500 suspected to be proceeds from the drug trade”, the statement added.

The police said the raid was met with violent resistance from members of the syndicate who attempted to free the suspect, but officers repelled the attack, with a few personnel sustaining minor injuries. The injured officers have been taken to hospital and are responding to treatment”, the command said.

The command added that investigation is ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate, while the arrested suspect is assisting the police with information.

In a separate operation, operatives of the Potiskum Area Command arrested a 40-year-old suspected kidnapping kingpin and armed robbery suspect, Saidu Mohammed, of Jalam Village, Bauchi State.

The suspect, according to the command, had been on its watchlist.

“The arrest followed a complaint lodged on July 11, 2026, by a victim who reported receiving a threatening call on July 10, 2026, at about 9:51 pm from phone number 09079401479. The caller demanded N10,000,000 and threatened to kill the victim if he failed to relocate”, the command said.

Following a technically driven, intelligence-led investigation, detectives tracked and arrested Mohammed, with preliminary findings indicating that he allegedly operated across Bauchi, Yobe and Gombe states.

“Efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate”, the command assured.

Troops of Sector 1, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, have killed two suspected terrorists and freed three kidnapped persons during a military operation in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

The operation, conducted in collaboration with the Benue State Civil Protection Guard, took place between July 16 and July 17, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Media Information Officer of the task force, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu.

The statement explained that the offensive commenced around 3:00 a.m. on July 16 and continued until July 17 as troops moved through Takum in Taraba State to Tse Togo and Utenge communities across River Yooyo at Orter Camp, where suspected terrorists had established a base.

“The operation saw troops advance through Takum in Taraba State to Tse Togo and Utenge communities located across River Yooyo at Orter Camp, where suspected terrorists were operating.

“During the operation, troops engaged the criminals in a fierce gun battle, neutralising two of them. 

Three abducted victims namely; Mr Nyityo Abraham, a teacher; Mr Uzuegwu Chukwuemeka Decency, a spare parts dealer; and Mr Terhember Tavarshima, a farmer, all from Katsina-Ala LGA were rescued,” the statement read.

The military also disclosed that several other captives escaped from the terrorists’ camp during the gun battle.

Items recovered during the operation included one AK-47 rifle, one G3 rifle fitted with an optic sight, one pistol, 19 AK-47 magazines, 181 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 40 rounds of 7.62×51mm ammunition, nine rounds of 7.62mm Tavor ammunition, a Moniepoint Point-of-Sale machine, as well as two pairs each of desert and woodland camouflage uniforms.

Reacting to the successful operation, the Force Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE, Maj. Gen. Moses Gara, praised the troops for their bravery, resilience and professionalism.

“He reaffirmed his determination to rid the Joint Operations Area of terrorists and other criminal elements while also appreciating sister security agencies and local communities for their continued support and cooperation,” the statement added.