Two police officers have been killed during a security operation that led to the rescue of nine kidnapped victims in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Kaduna State Police Command said the victims were rescued after security operatives responded to intelligence reports that armed bandits had abducted several farmers in Unguwan Sa’idu village on June 24.

 According to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, police personnel, including operatives of the Police Mobile Force and the Kaduna Vigilance Service, were mobilised to the area, where they engaged the bandits in a gun battle. 

The superior firepower of the security team forced the bandits to flee into nearby bushes, abandoning their captives. 

The operatives subsequently rescued nine victims, who were found tied up and left behind by the attackers.

 However, tragedy struck as the security team returned from the operation.

 The officers were ambushed by suspected bandits who had laid in wait along the route,two policemen sustained fatal gunshot wounds and died in the line of duty. 

The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, CP Rabiu Muhammad, commiserated with the families and colleagues of the slain officers, describing them as heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the nation. 

The police said investigation and tactical operations were ongoing to apprehend those responsible for the attack.

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested four suspected drug peddlers during a raid on a suspected drug distribution point in Magumeri town, Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State.

This was made known in a post on X by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region.

Zagazola noted that the operation was conducted at about 1:08 p.m. on June 24 by troops of the 109 Special Forces Battalion as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal networks fueling insurgency and other violent crimes in the North-East.

According to him, the suspects were identified as Alhaji Bukar, 30; Rawagana Abubakar, 19; Abubakar Mallam, 34; and Abbani Aisami, 21.

He added that items recovered during the operation included 164 wraps of cannabis, 38 wraps of Erinmore, one card of Tramadol tablets, 101 white tablets identified as Hyxul and 38 bottles of Exiplon syrup.

Others include four containers of Diamond Rubber Solution, and two litres of methylene chloride, a dangerous inhalant commonly referred to as “Suck and Die.”

The security expert further said that troops also recovered two Android mobile phones, one Itel phone, one Tecno phone, a Bluetooth speaker, an earpiece and 129 gas lighters.

“The suspects are currently in the custody of the 109 Special Forces Battalion for further investigation and possible prosecution.

“The operation forms part of sustained efforts by Operation HADIN KAI to dismantle drug trafficking networks believed to facilitate terrorist activities by supplying illicit substances and logistics to criminal elements operating within the theatre,” he said.

Family of 14-year-old Ezekiel Olapade has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, demanding the immediate arrest, investigation and prosecution of eight individuals alleged to have been involved in the fatal shooting of a teenager in Ilobu, Osun State.

The petition, dated June 23, 2026, was submitted through the family’s solicitors, Law Corridor, following the killing of the teenager during a shooting incident on Sunday, June 21 in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area.

According to the petition, Kareem Saheed, popularly known as “Tanfeani”, was named as the principal suspect alongside Ganiyu Habeeb Olaide, Alani Odedowo, Yekini Ismaila, also known as “Ayan”, Afeez Abass, alias “SS”, Adejumo Habeeb, alias “Jama”, Afeez Yekini, alias “Feleru”, and Oyeladun Muideen, also known as “Akilapa Okinin”.

The petition followed widespread concern over the teenager’s death after he was reportedly struck by a stray bullet when armed men allegedly opened fire near the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat in Ilobu.

Eyewitnesses had earlier alleged that the attackers advanced towards a palm wine joint opposite the council secretariat and opened fire after spotting a man wearing a cap bearing the colours of a political party.

The deceased, whose mother reportedly owned the palm wine joint, was said not to have been the intended target of the attack.

In the petition, the solicitors stated that the family, eyewitnesses and other members of the community identified the named suspects as individuals who allegedly participated in the attack.

“Our clients have informed us that following the incident, they, other eyewitnesses and members of the community identified the above-named persons as individuals alleged to have participated in the attack which resulted in the death of the deceased,” the petition stated.

The lawyers added, “Our clients have also provided us with photographs of the identified suspects together with other materials which they believe will assist the Nigeria Police Force in its investigation.”

The petition urged the Inspector-General of Police to commence a “comprehensive, impartial and professional criminal investigation into the incident and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with the law.”

The solicitors stated that the killing had left the family “devastated and has equally shaken the conscience of the people of Osun State. Delays in arresting the suspects could jeopardise evidence and expose witnesses to intimidation.”

The Osun State Police Command had earlier confirmed that the teenager died after being struck by a bullet during the shooting, while another victim sustained injuries and was taken to hospital. 

Police also disclosed that the alleged leader of the attackers and other suspects remained at large, with efforts continuing to apprehend them.