Edo State Police Command has arrested two men for allegedly orchestrating a fake kidnap scheme aimed at extorting N4 million from the family members of one of the suspects.

The suspects, identified as Lucky Alabi, 48, and Taiye Enahoro, 37, both from Uneme Akpama Community, were apprehended by operatives attached to the Igarra Division following what police described as intelligence-driven investigations.

Confirming the development in a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikioedem, said detectives uncovered the alleged plan after acting on credible intelligence.

According to the command, preliminary investigations revealed that the fake abduction plot was allegedly carried out on June 23, 2026, when one of the suspects reportedly contacted Alabi’s relatives and demanded ransom for his supposed release.

“The Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that on 26th June, 2026, at about 1030hrs, operatives of Igarra Division arrested two suspects, Lucky Alabi ‘M’, 48 years, and Taiye Enahoro ‘M’, 37 years, both of Uneme Akpama Community, for conspiring to stage the fake kidnapping of Lucky Alabi,” the statement read.

“Acting on credible intelligence and through diligent investigative efforts, police operatives uncovered the deception and successfully arrested both suspects as preliminary investigation reveals that the criminal plan was executed on 23rd June, 2026, when Taiye Enahoro allegedly placed several telephone calls to relatives of Lucky Alabi, falsely claiming that Alabi had been kidnapped and demanding the sum of N4,000,000 as ransom for his release.”

The police disclosed that both suspects had allegedly confessed to their roles in the incident and would be charged to court upon the completion of investigations.

“The suspects have confessed to their respective roles in the staged kidnapping and will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation,” the statement added.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Monday Agbonika, warned residents against engaging in criminal deception, particularly staged kidnappings intended to extort money from unsuspecting relatives.

“The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Monday Agbonika, warns members of the public against engaging in any form of criminal deception, including staging kidnappings to extort money from unsuspecting relatives.

“The command reiterates its commitment to ensuring all persons involved in criminal acts are brought to justice,” the statement quoted the CP as saying.

The command also advised residents to remain vigilant and continue cooperating with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities promptly.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a man suspected of working for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) over an alleged plot to attack two military bases in Borno State.

The suspect, identified as Muhammad Shuaibu, was arrested by troops of the 212 Battalion at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Chabbol after intelligence reports pointed to a planned terrorist attack.

According to military sources quoted by counter-insurgency and security expert Zagazola Makama, the suspect was apprehended during a routine patrol about 500 metres from the anti-vehicle ditch protecting the military base.

The arrest followed what the military described as “credible human intelligence” about an impending attack.

Preliminary investigations reportedly linked the suspect to a planned attack on the 199 Special Forces Battalion, also known as Mosquito Camp, and the Forward Operating Base in Chabbol.

Military sources said the suspect admitted during questioning that an attack had been planned and claimed the terrorists intended to proceed with the operation despite his arrest.

The military said the arrest enabled troops to tighten security around the targeted bases and strengthen their defences against any possible attack.

The suspect has been handed over to the 7 Military Intelligence Brigade for further investigation.

The arrest is part of Operation Hadin Kai’s ongoing intelligence-led efforts to disrupt terrorist activities, dismantle insurgent networks, and enhance the security of military formations across Nigeria’s North-East.

The Federal Road Safety Corps, Katsina Sector Command, has confirmed that eight travellers have died in a fatal road accident, while 17 others sustained various degrees of injuries along the Funtua-Katsina Highway in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.

It said the accident occurred at about 1:32 pm on Sunday at Layin Kukah along the Funtua–Katsina Road, involving a Toyota Hiace commercial bus with registration number 14B 92 TR and an unregistered Bajaj tricycle.

According to a First Information Report issued by the command’s Public Education Officer, DRC Shamsudeen Babajo, “The crash involved a total of 25 persons. Seventeen sustained varying degrees of injuries, while eight persons lost their lives.”

According to the statement, the accident was caused by wrong overtaking. It added that information about the crash was received at about 1:34 pm, while the rescue team arrived at the scene at approximately 2:04 pm, recording a response time of 30 minutes.

“The rescue team conducted the rescue operation in collaboration with the Community Watch Corps (C-Watch). The victims and the corpses were taken to Bakori Comprehensive Hospital for medical attention and further check-up, while the corpses were subsequently transferred to General Hospital, Funtua,” Babajo said.