A 20-year-old man has been arrested by the Adamawa State Police Command for allegedly assaulting his mother.

The suspect, John Mahmud, a resident of Konan Kuka in Mayo Belwa Local Government Area, was arrested following a complaint that he attacked his mother at their residence.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Suleiman Nguroje, said in a press statement on Monday evening that preliminary investigations established that Mahmud had acted violently towards his biological mother.

“The Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be thoroughly investigated; and the suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation,” Nguroje stated.

He said the command condemned all forms of domestic violence and would continue to protect vulnerable persons, especially women and the elderly.

“Members of the public are urged to report cases of abuse to the nearest police station,” Nguroje advised.

Security forces have rescued 16 kidnapped victims, including four children, during an operation against suspected bandits in Kogi State.

The victims were abducted on August 9 after suspected bandits attacked commuters along the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe roads in Ofu Local Government Area.

According to intelligence sources who spoke to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the security forces received information at about 11:30 am on August 10 that the victims had been seen around Adumu community in Dekina Local Government Area.

Following the information, troops of the 21 Battalion and personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard, working with the Nigeria Police, local vigilantes and hybrid forces, launched a search-and-rescue operation.

The security forces later located the suspected kidnappers and engaged them in a gun battle.

The pressure forced the kidnappers to abandon the victims and flee into the surrounding area.

However, one member of the hybrid forces was killed during the gun battle, while a police officer was injured.

The rescued victims comprised six men, six women and four children.

The victims have been handed over to the Nigeria Police, Ajaokuta Division, for further action.

Meanwhile, security forces are continuing efforts to track down the fleeing kidnappers.

The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested a 58-year-old grandfather and eight others for alleged drugs peddling in the state.

The Edo State Commander of Narcotics, Dr Mitchell Ofoyeju who disclosed this to newsmen in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City said the suspects were apprehended across various hot spots in the state. 

Ofoyeju gave the statistics of the arrested suspects to include five males and four females respectively.

He said the arrested grandfather, identified as Musa Muhammed from Bauchi State was caught with cannabis sativa, 280 grams, Loud 35 grams, Colorado, 1.4 grams.

He also disclosed that a 17-year-old Anna Agbona 17 years old, from Edo State, was caught with 25 grams of Tramado.

Other arrested suspects are Ebere Anthony, 55, from Delta, with Cannabis sativa 1.5kg; Gift Oliseyenum, 31, from Delta with Cannabis sativa 74 grams, Loud 45 grams, Colorado 2.5 grams, methamphetamine 4.7 grams.

“Boniface George, 27,  from Delta, found with Cannabis sativa: 195 grams; and Muzamilu Mustapha, 28, from Katsina with Loud: 40 grams, and Cannabis sativa: 80 grams.

“Faustina Peter, 27, and Chucks Odili, 36, both from Delta, were found with Loud 35 grams, Colorado 10 grams and methamphetamine 0.8 grams.

“Anna Agbona, 17, from Edo State, with Tramado: 25 grams; and Julius Enebuli, 42, from Delta with Cannabis sativa: 1 kilogram, Loud: 65 grams, and Colorado: 15 grams.

Ofoyeju who commended the personnel of the Command noted that the substantial impact of the operation in the ongoing battle against narcotics in the state. 

He emphasised that the fight against drug trafficking remains a top priority for the agency and assured the public of ongoing investigations into drug-related activities and diligent prosecution within the state. 

“These arrests and drug seizures do not only highlight the efforts of law enforcement but also signify the increasing need for community involvement in reporting illicit activities, as the agency continues its mission to rid the society of drug-related issues,” he said.