Operatives of the Nasarawa State Police Command have foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Akwanga–Jos Road, rescuing four abducted victims after a gun battle with suspected kidnappers in Akwanga Local Government Area.

The operation took place at about 9:40 p.m on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, following a distress call reporting the activities of suspected kidnappers around Megona Filling Station in Andaha.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Ramhan Nansel, officers attached to the Andaha Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, responded swiftly to the emergency report and moved to the scene.

On sighting the approaching security operatives, the armed suspects opened fire, prompting an exchange of gunfire.

The police, however, overpowered the attackers, forcing them to flee into the surrounding bush with suspected gunshot injuries while abandoning their captives.

The four victims were rescued unharmed during the operation.

Nansel stated that Police also recovered several provisions believed to have been stolen from a nearby provision store. The recovered items have been taken into police custody as investigations continue.

Reacting to the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Command, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, praised the officers for their courage and prompt response, describing the rescue as another demonstration of the Command’s resolve to safeguard lives and property across the state.

The police commissioner has ordered an intensive manhunt for the fleeing suspects, directing that all operational and intelligence resources be deployed to ensure their arrest and prosecution.

Nansel added that the ongoing search operation is being carried out in collaboration with military personnel, local vigilante groups, and hunters, who have launched coordinated bush-combing operations in an effort to track down the suspects.

The Nasarawa State Police Command also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support efforts aimed at tackling crime and improving public safety across the state.

The Anambra State Police Command has said the killing of four herders and some cows in Anambra on Tuesday was a calculated attempt by some people to cause ethnic tension in the state.

A press release by the State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer SP Tochukwu Ikenga said the command responded promptly and gathered firsthand information that showed that some people intentionally engaged in the attack to cause ethnic tension.

The attack happened in the early hours of 21st July 2026 on residential settlers in Agu-Ifite.

Ikenga said: “It was part of a calculated criminal plot aimed at creating ethnic tension and undermining the existing peace and security in the State.

“The command notes that Ndi Anambra have continued to demonstrate unity, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence, and have refused to be drawn into divisive ethnic narratives.

“This collective resolve has undoubtedly frustrated the criminal objective of sowing discord among residents.”

He stated that a manhunt has been launched to ensure that the perpetuators are arrested and brought to book.

He said: “To this end, the intelligence gathered from survivors and other credible sources has provided useful leads. Consequently, security operatives have intensified intelligence-driven and coordinated manhunt operations to identify, apprehend, and bring all those involved in the attack to justice.

“The Command urges members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and continue to support security agencies with credible and timely information.

“The Command also reiterates its commitment to protecting every law-abiding resident of Anambra State, irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation, and assures that no effort will be spared in ensuring that the perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted,” Ikenga said.

The Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, has confirmed the death of its chief photographer and senior raid commander, Abu Salim al-Barnawi, who was reportedly killed during a failed attack on a Nigerian military base last week.

The development was disclosed in a report by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security analyst covering the Lake Chad region.

According to the report, ISWAP circulated an obituary announcing the death of Abu Salim al-Barnawi, confirming that he was among the fighters neutralised by Nigerian troops during the attempted assault.

The report stated that Abu Salim served as one of the terrorist group’s most prominent media operatives, overseeing photography and video production used to document combat operations and produce propaganda materials for recruitment and internal mobilisation.

Before joining ISWAP’s media unit, he reportedly commanded several cross-border attacks into neighbouring Cameroon, where he led operations against security forces before transitioning into propaganda activities.

“The terrorist group circulated an obituary announcing the death of Abu Salim al-Barnawi, confirming he was among the fighters neutralised by Nigerian troops,” the report stated.

Makama said Abu Salim’s death is regarded as a significant setback to ISWAP’s propaganda machinery because he coordinated the production and distribution of the group’s operational videos and other media materials.

The confirmation of his death came days after Nigerian troops repelled the attempted attack on the military base, an operation that reportedly left several ISWAP fighters and key operatives dead.

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