The Yobe State Police Command has arrested a suspect linked to the theft of a commercial tricycle after allegedly intoxicating its rider and fleeing with the vehicle.

Police spokesperson, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, said the incident occurred on July 23 in Potiskum when the suspect, posing as a passenger, allegedly gave a 25-year-old tricycle rider a suspected intoxicating substance while being conveyed to Dubai, Garin Dala.

“The rider became unconscious, enabling the suspect to flee with the tricycle to an unknown destination,” the statement said.

The victim was rushed to the State Specialist Hospital, Potiskum, where he is responding to treatment.

The statement added that coordinated intelligence-sharing with neighbouring states led to the interception of the suspect and recovery of the stolen tricycle at a security checkpoint in Gaya LGA in Kano State.

Commissioner of Police, CP Usman Kanfani Jibrin, commended the security agencies involved and directed a thorough investigation to identify and arrest any accomplices.

He also cautioned commercial transport operators, saying, “Operators are strongly urged not to be lured by unusually high transport fares offered by suspicious passengers and should never accept drinks, food items, medications or any consumables from strangers while on duty.”

Troops of the Nigerian Army have foiled a suspected kidnapping and armed robbery attempt along the Jere–Bwari Expressway in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, rescuing a victim unhurt.

This is contained in a statement by security expert, Zagazola Makama on X.

Makama said the incident occurred at about 2:45 a.m. on July 25, when troops of 102 Guards Battalion deployed at Jere responded to credible intelligence on an ongoing armed robbery and possible kidnapping along the highway.

According to him, the troops swiftly mobilised to the scene and, on sighting the approaching soldiers, the suspected armed robbers fled into nearby bushes, abandoning their victim.

The security expert noted that the victim was successfully rescued by the troops without further harm, while efforts have been intensified to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

He added that the prompt response by the troops prevented what could have resulted in a successful abduction and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to ensuring the safety of commuters along major highways in and around the Federal Capital Territory.

Abia State Environmental Mobile Court ini Umuahia, on Saturday, convicted and fined 52 persons out of the 64 offenders that were arrested on Saturday during the State’s environmental monthly clean up exercise.

The offenders, who were arrested in various parts of Umuahia between 7 am and 10 am by officials for trading and loitering, were arrained at the Mobile Court sitting inside the Umuahia High Court complex, for allegedly contravening the Abia State Basic Environmental Laws.

In his ruling, the Presiding Magistrate, O.C. Ibekwe, after listening to 64 arrested persons, convicted 52 of them and directed them to pay fines to the State government.

The court also discharged nine persons after discovering them to be sick, students heading for exams or workers on essential duties.

Three other arrested offenders were ordered by the Mobile Court to carry out community services in Umuahia, as a correctional action.

Speaking earlier with journalists after monitoring some markets, drainage and waste disposal points in Umuahia, Abia State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna, appealed to Abia residents to support the clean environment initiatives of Governor Alex Otti.

Ogbonna, who was represented by Ikechukwu Oriuwa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, disclosed that a Neighbourhood Environmental Watch would be established in the State to deepen cleaner environmental activities in Abia communities.

The initiative, he said, would further prevent indiscriminate dumping of refuse and to discourage other harmful practices to the environment.