Security forces have rescued nine kidnapped victims and neutralized three armed bandits in a coordinated operation in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The Chief Press Secretary to Ekiti Local Government Council Chairman, Prince Dada Sunday, in a statement said the rescue operation, carried out in the Obbo-Aiyegunle, Ejiu-Ora and Osi axis of Ekiti LGA bordering Ekiti State and Niger State, was conducted by the Kwara State Forest Guards in conjunction with operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, local hunters and vigilantes.  

He said the operatives reported that the victims were abducted from Eju community after the local market and were being moved through the bush towards Niger State before the security team intercepted them.  

One of the rescued victims, Umaru Muazu of Obbo Aiyegunle, said the attack occurred around 4:57pm.  

“Men came from nowhere and put a gun to my head. Four of them took me and my son. Fear gripped me and I fell to the ground. They also took my friend’s motorcycle and kidnapped us,” Muazu told reporters.  

Another rescued farmer, Ibrahim Danga, also of Obbo Aiyegunle, confirmed they were held briefly before the security forces arrived.  

Owolabi Adebayo, a member of the Kwara Forest Guards, said the team had been on intelligence-driven bush combing when they engaged the terrorists. 

“We neutralized three of them and rescued nine people. One of the victims is receiving treatment for injuries,” Adebayo said.  

He added that the bandits were better armed. “There is no type of firearm that is not in their hand. We need more equipment such as body armour, binoculars, night goggles, walkie-talkies and more ammunition to confront them.”  

The Chief Security Officer of Ekiti LGA, Agbemuko Gabriel, commended the forest guards for their efforts.  

“What they did for us two days ago, they are the ones that helped us rescue those people that were kidnapped along Ora-Yetoro axis. They have been doing enough security and intelligence work for us and we are happy for that,” Gabriel said.  

Footage from the scene showed security operatives with several motorcycles allegedly recovered from the bandits.

The development comes as the Federal Government moves to strengthen the fight against banditry and kidnapping. 

DAILY POST recalls that a new Army battalion has been approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Umaro in Kwara South to bolster security operations in the area.  

Authorities say bush combing and joint patrols will continue in Kwara South and border communities to prevent further attacks on farming communities.

The Kano State Police Command has recovered two stolen vehicles in separate intelligence-led operations and arrested one suspect.

The command said the operations were carried out by its Special Intervention Squad (SIS) as part of ongoing intelligence-led and community-centred policing strategies introduced by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on Wednesday, the police said the first case involved the recovery of a white Toyota Hilux stolen in Kano.

According to the statement, on Sunday at about 10:35 pm, Zaiyyad Farouk of Hotoro Quarters reported that his driver had parked the white Toyota Hilux, with registration number KMC 25, along Lamido Crescent in Tarauni Local Government Area.

The owner later discovered that the vehicle had been stolen by unknown persons.

According to the statement, “Upon receipt of the report, operatives of the Special Intervention Squad swung into action. Through diligent follow-up and sustained effort, the stolen vehicle was trailed and recovered in the possession of one Abdussalam Salisu of Kurna Asabe Quarters, Kano.”

The statement further said, “The recovered Toyota Hilux has been handed over to the rightful owner after proper verification. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and his accomplices. Investigation is still ongoing.”

In the second case, the operatives of the police command recovered a black Hyundai Elantra believed to have been stolen in Abuja and linked the suspects to an interstate vehicle theft syndicate.

According to the statement, intelligence received on July 10, 2026, revealed that the vehicle, which had no registration number, was stolen at Annur Mosque in Abuja.

Acting on the information, operatives of the SIS tracked the suspects to Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

The police said that during a coordinated tactical operation on July 22, 2026, at about 9:00 pm, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled after sighting the officers.

According to the statement, “Preliminary findings indicate that the suspect is a member of a notorious syndicate terrorising Abuja, Kaduna and Kano states.”

The command said the recovered Hyundai Elantra had been processed and was being handed over to its rightful owner in Abuja.

It added that investigators had intensified efforts to arrest the fleeing suspects and those receiving stolen vehicles in order to recover more exhibits and dismantle the criminal network.

A fresh clash between rival terrorist groups, Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, JAS, and the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, has reportedly left dozens of fighters dead in parts of the Lake Chad Islands, raising renewed security concerns across Nigeria’s North-East.

The development was reported by security analyst Zagazola Makama.

According to the report, the fighting erupted around Mangari and Tumbun Allura after both factions engaged in a fierce battle over control of strategic locations within the Lake Chad basin.

Makama reported that JAS fighters gained the upper hand during the confrontation, allegedly killing dozens of ISWAP fighters before seizing two boats belonging to the rival group and retreating to their stronghold at Kurnawa.

The report noted that the boats are considered critical assets because they are used to transport fighters, weapons, food supplies and other logistics across the Lake Chad waterways.

“The reported seizure of the boats is considered significant, as watercraft remain a critical means of transportation for fighters, weapons, food supplies and other logistics across the difficult terrain of the Lake Chad waterways,” the report stated.

According to intelligence sources quoted in the report, troops deployed in Mallam Fatori, Baga, Cross Kauwa, Kukawa and other communities around the Lake Chad axis have been placed on heightened alert amid fears that fleeing ISWAP fighters could disperse into nearby areas.

Makama added that security assessments warned the confrontation could increase the risk of isolated attacks, improvised explosive device, IED, ambushes and retaliatory assaults as surviving fighters attempt to regroup.

The report further stated that military authorities are considering intensified offensive operations, including increased patrols and enhanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities, to prevent fleeing insurgents from reorganising.