Fire has gutted 10 shops at the Katsina Central Market, also known as Fatima Baika Market, in the early hours of Tuesday.

Some traders attributed the incident to a solar-powered electricity inverter, alleging that it sparked the blaze that quickly spread through parts of the market.

The spokesperson of the Katsina State Fire Service, Rabe Audi, confirmed the incident in a statement, saying a distress call was received shortly after the fire started, prompting firefighters to swiftly mobilise to the scene.

He said the prompt response helped to prevent the fire from spreading to other sections of the market, adding that seven nearby shops and several goods were successfully saved.

According to him, 10 shops were completely destroyed in the inferno before it was brought under control.

The affected shops reportedly included those dealing in food items, beverages, textiles, curtains and other assorted goods, while a Peugeot 406 vehicle was also among properties rescued from the fire.

Rabe Audi noted that the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but advised members of the public, especially users of solar inverter systems, to ensure proper installation and maintenance to prevent similar incidents.

He assured that a full assessment of the damage would be conducted to determine the extent of losses recorded in the market.

The combined team of security operatives have arrested three suspected kidnappers after they were identified by victims in Jattu market, in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

DAILY POST reports that the suspects were arrested by the combined team of operatives of Edo State Police Command, Jattu Division and the State security outfit codename, Edo State Security Corps, ESSC.

The spokesperson of the Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem disclosed this to newsmen in Benin City.

Ikoedem gave the names of the suspects as Nura Dahiru,  22, Ibrahim Yakubu, 25 and Abubakar Inusa, 23.

She said two of the suspects were identified by one Mrs Ibrahim Jemila, and one other as members of the kidnapping gang responsible for their abduction. 

According to her, on the 15th May, 2026, at about 17:50 hours, the Divisional Police Officer, Jattu Division, received credible information that one of the suspected kidnappers of one Ibrahim Jemila ‘f’, who was abducted and later released on 13th May, 2026, had been sighted at Jattu Market. 

“Acting swiftly on the information, operatives of the Division mobilised in collaboration with members of the Edo State Security Corps to the location where three suspects were arrested.

“In the course of investigation, two of the suspects, Nura Dahiru and Ibrahim Yakubu, have been positively identified by Jemila and one other as members of the kidnapping gang responsible for their abduction”, she said.

Ikoedem described the arrest as another breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes in the State by the Command.

Three suspected illegal miners transporting solid minerals believed to be lithium ore without valid documents have been apprehended by the Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The state commandant of NSCDC, Abbas Nda Mohammed, while briefing newsmen on Tuesday gave the names of the suspects as Musa Abdullahi, 45, Aliyu Ibrahim, 20, and Ishaq Ibrahim, 51, all from Keffi in Nasarawa State, saying that they were apprehended during an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Mines and Steel Unit attached to the Command’s Special Patrol Team.

He said, “The operation formed part of the corps’ renewed crackdown on illegal mining and economic sabotage in the state.”

Abbas explained that the suspects were arrested on the Jebba Expressway in the Okolowo area of Ilorin at about 10 p.m. on Friday.

His men, he said, intercepted a truck bearing registration number DKA 990 XJ, Kaduna State, conveying about 36 tonnes of substances suspected to be lithium ore.

Preliminary investigations, according to the state commander of NSCDC, showed that the suspects failed to provide valid mining licences, waybills or any legal documents authorising the possession and transportation of the mineral resources.

He said that investigations were ongoing to ascertain the actual source and ownership of the minerals, identify other persons connected to the transaction and determine the mining company involved, assuring that the suspects will be prosecuted in accordance with the law upon conclusion of the investigation.

Abbas expressed the corps’ determination to safeguarding critical national assets, pointing out that the command will intensify operations against illegal mining and other criminal activities across the state.