Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command on Sunday night engaged some criminal elements suspected to be kidnappers in a gun battle in Owo town, Owo Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, who confirmed this in a statement on Monday, said the gun battle ensued in the area following an attempt by a six-man kidnappers to abduct the Chairman of Ojana New Area, Pastor Taiwo Taiwo.

According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 7:05 p.m. when the command received a distress call about the activities of the criminal elements.

The PPRO said the assailants subsequently abandoned their plans, leading to the rescue of the intended victim and his family.

The statement reads, “At about 7:05 p.m. when the Police received a distress call indicating that a six-man armed kidnapping gang had stormed the residence of Pastor Taiwo Taiwo, Chairman of Ojana New Area, Owo, with the intention of abducting him.

“Acting promptly on the information, the Divisional Police Officer, B Division, Owo, mobilized and led a patrol team to the scene.

“Upon arrival, the operatives encountered the armed assailants, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

“The superior tactical response and determination of the police operatives forced the criminals to retreat into the surrounding bush, abandoning their plan.

“The intended victim and his family members were successfully rescued and unharmed and subsequently relocated to a safer location for enhanced security and protection”.

A serving Police officer has been declared missing just as over 20 people were killed and several others injured following an attack on Kawel village of Mushere Chiefdom in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday night.

Conflict journalist, Masara Kim, who confirmed the invasion of the community in a post he shared on social media on Monday morning, said the assailants, who were positively identified as Fulani militias numbering over 100, stormed the village at about 10:30pm after residents had retired for the night.

According to Kim, the attackers, armed with sophisticated weapons, easily overpowered the local youths providing security for the community and went from house to house, shooting sleeping residents.

He added that many of the people who were killed were slaughtered on their beds, while some who managed to escape from their houses were either mowed down or shot at as they tried to escape into the bushes with gunshot wounds.

A member of the community, Adams Ayuba, who spoke to DAILY POST on Monday morning, said the attack came after a security alert had warned of an impending invasion, but reports to security agencies were not taken seriously.

“The Fulani militias and their sponsors highly coordinated this attack. Though I don’t stay in the village, I was informed that a few days ago, there was a security alert following sightings of many Fulani people gathering around the outskirts of the village. 

“Our people duly informed security agencies of the sighting, but instead of dispatching personnel to the village, the security operatives did nothing of such. The bandits invaded our village last night (Sunday), going from house to house and killed well over 20 people. 

“I also heard one of our youths, a police officer who attempted to fight back, has been missing. We don’t know if he was killed, kidnapped, or had managed to escape,” Ayuba said.

Another member of the community, Patience Ibrahim, wrote on social media, saying she lost four family members in the attack.

“My in-laws were killed in this very attack. Four people in the same family were killed in one house. God, this is too much. And people are supporting these evil acts for their selfish political interest! May this same evil visit you and wipe out your entire clan.” 

The Plateau State Police Command and the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, OPEP, are yet to release official statements on the attack at the time of this report.

The Nigerian army has said that its troops of Sector 1, Joint Task Force North West Operation Fansan Yamma, JTF NW OPFY, have achieved significant operational successes through a series of coordinated efforts across Kaduna State.

The army reported that it has disrupted criminal activities, apprehended suspected bandits, recovered stolen livestock, and restored public order in the affected communities.

A statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force (North West) Operation Fansan Yamma, indicated that on June 20, 2026, troops acted promptly on credible intelligence regarding cattle rustling activities in a community within Kaduna State.

The statement detailed that the troops engaged with the fleeing criminals, resulting in a firefight that neutralized two suspected bandits and led to the recovery of weapons, ammunition, and other items, along with the rustled livestock.

It emphasized that this swift intervention disrupted the criminal operation and facilitated the recovery of the stolen animals. Unfortunately, one civilian lost his life during the incident due to the actions of the bandits.

Furthermore, the army reported that in another successful operation on 20 June 2026, its troops intercepted two suspected bandits during a night patrol. A thorough examination of the suspects uncovered incriminating digital materials that linked them to terrorist and bandit activities.

“The suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation,” the statement said.

The army said that in similarly, on 21 June 2026, troops conducting a fighting patrol encountered armed criminals who came under pressure and retreated into the surrounding bush. 

“Maintaining aggressive pursuit, the troops successfully apprehended two suspected bandit scouts and recovered motorcycles, communication devices containing incriminating evidence. Preliminary findings indicate the suspects’ involvement in criminal activities, while investigations are ongoing,” the statement added.

In a separate development on the same day, the army said that its troops responded promptly to a civil disturbance at Mararraba community in Kaduna State, following the tragic mob killing of a female suspect accused of child trafficking. 

“The violent crowd subsequently attempted to attack public infrastructure and obstruct a major highway before the timely arrival of security forces.

“Troops swiftly restored law and order, dispersed the mob, secured critical facilities and ensured the uninterrupted movement of commuters while maintaining a visible presence to prevent any further breakdown of public order,” it said.