Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the death of three suspected kidnappers linked to the abduction of students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, Ogun State, following a gun battle with security operatives.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this on Sunday in a statement detailing recent operational successes recorded by the police and other security agencies across the country.

According to Iniedu, the victims were rescued unhurt after sustained pressure was mounted on the kidnappers by security operatives. He said personnel from the police Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Department of State Services, DSS, subsequently tracked the suspects to their hideout.

The operation reportedly resulted in a confrontation between the security forces and the kidnappers. Three of the suspects were killed during the exchange of gunfire, while others managed to escape with injuries.

Iniedu stated that six students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic who had been abducted at Ipara were eventually freed without injuries.

“Anti-Kidnapping and DSS operatives subsequently stormed the kidnappers’ hideout and engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel. Three kidnappers were neutralised, while others escaped with gunshot wounds,” he said.

The police spokesman said operatives recovered an AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine, three mobile phones and N2.3m during the operation.

He added that the State Criminal Investigation Department had commenced further investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the abduction and identify other suspects who may have been involved.

The development follows an earlier assurance by Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, that criminal elements would not be allowed to operate freely in the state.

Abiodun had spoken after the rescue of the five students and two other residents, declaring that his administration remained committed to safeguarding lives and property across Ogun.

The governor, who addressed journalists at his Oke-Mosan office in Abeokuta alongside security chiefs and some of the rescued victims, attributed the successful operation to the coordinated efforts of multiple security and local protection agencies.

According to him, the operation involved the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Ogun State Security Network Agency, also known as the Amotekun Corps, as well as local vigilantes and hunters.

Abiodun also revealed that the operation was strengthened by the deployment of a police helicopter after the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, approved its use for aerial surveillance.

He said the helicopter played an important role in supporting the ground operation and ultimately contributed to the successful rescue of the abducted students and other victims.

Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have neutralised an armed militia member and recovered two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles following an attack and heavy gunfire in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident occurred on Sunday, August 9, 2026, following reports of suspicious movements around the bushes linking Kantoma, Bwom and Jakatai communities.

According to security sources available to counter-terrorism expert Zagazola Makama, the troops stationed at Maraban Kantoma received a distress call from local youth leaders at about 3:51 p.m., reporting the movement of unidentified persons in the adjoining bushes.

The situation reportedly escalated when armed militia members attacked Rangai community in Mangu Halle District, firing sporadically.

Troops from the NYSC camp immediately responded to the distress call and moved to confront the attackers.

At about the same time, a joint clearance and show-of-force team operating under Operation RAINBOW, led by its coordinator, was travelling from Mangun towards Jos when residents at Jakatai reportedly alerted the team to the developing security situation.

The team diverted towards Jakatai and engaged the armed elements, while troops operating along the Kantoma axis reportedly came under heavy gunfire from the militia members.

The troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray.

During the exchange, one militia member was reportedly neutralised inside Jakatai community, while others fled in different directions.

Two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles were subsequently recovered by the troops—one from the neutralised suspect and another reportedly abandoned by a fleeing attacker.

“The troops responded immediately to the distress call and engaged the attackers, preventing the violence from spreading to neighbouring communities,” the sources said.

The body of the neutralised suspect was later deposited at the Barkin Ladi General Hospital mortuary, while the security team continued its movement towards Jos.

However, shortly after the attack was repelled, civil unrest reportedly broke out in Jakatai, where youths and women barricaded the Mangu-Jos Highway, disrupting traffic and temporarily affecting public order.

Following the development, the Commander, Sector 8, directed troops to reopen the highway and disperse the protesters. The troops subsequently conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the Rangai general area.

“The immediate priority was to reopen the highway, restore the free movement of traffic and prevent further escalation of the situation,” a security source said.

The incident has once again highlighted the volatile security situation in parts of Plateau State, particularly in areas where armed groups continue to pose threats to communities and security personnel.

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested two suspected collaborators of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP.

A counter-terrorism expert, Zagazola Makama, made this known in a statement posted on X.

Makama said the suspects were arrested during a stop-and-search operation along the Mandaragirau-Sabon Gari Road in Borno State.

He further stated that the troops arrested the suspects identified as Adamu Abdullahi, 20, and Buba Ibrahim, 18, at about 10:30 am on Sunday, August 9.

According to him, the troops reportedly recovered N131,300 in cash from the suspects during the operation.

The security expert further pointed out that the two men reportedly claimed to be herders, but were arrested on suspicion of collaborating with terrorist elements and involvement in cattle rustling activities.

He added that after their arrest, they were taken into military custody for further investigation and necessary legal action.

“The arrest forms part of ongoing efforts by troops of Operation HADIN KAI and Operation DESERT SANITY V to identify and disrupt individuals suspected of providing support to terrorist groups operating across Borno State.

“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have continued to pay particular attention to movements along major routes and rural corridors, where terrorist collaborators and criminal networks may exploit civilian activities to facilitate logistics, intelligence gathering or movement,” he said.