After exhausting peaceful options, residents of Ike-Onicha in Onicha-Ukwuani, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, have invoked traditional deities against suspected herdsmen.

The herdsmen were accused of invading their farmlands and threatening the community’s livelihood.

Community Secretary, Ogbuiji Augustine Chukwuma, said repeated efforts to persuade the herders to leave failed, prompting the elders to invoke the gods of the land.

The community alleged that armed herders established a camp between Ike-Onicha and Ogbagu about four weeks ago, forcing farmers, especially women, to abandon their farms for fear of kidnapping, rape, and attacks.

He lamented that crops had been destroyed several times, leaving residents hungry and unable to sustain themselves.

Confirming the development, Delta North Livestock Management Committee Coordinator, Matthew Ujene, said his team investigated the complaint, discovered an illegal camp in the forest, and dismantled it after the herder allegedly refused to vacate the area.

Ujene disclosed that the matter has been escalated to the local government chairman, who has scheduled a security meeting for next week, while reiterating the need for strict enforcement of Delta State’s ban on open grazing to prevent a recurrence.

The combined operatives of the Edo State Police Command, the Nigerian Army, the Edo State Security Corps, ESSC, and local hunters have neutralised one of the suspected kidnappers who killed a 24-year-old 300-level student of the Department of Anatomy, Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma, identified as Peter Ekpen Adolor.

The combined team of security operatives also arrested one of the suspected kidnappers and rescued three of their victims.

DAILY POST recalls that the student was shot dead on Sunday night, July 12, 2026, by the suspects at his off-campus residence.

The Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Benin City.

Ikoedem said the operation was carried out by tactical teams deployed by the command and nearby police divisions, including the Ekpoma Division.

She said the teams were detailed for a joint rescue mission in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC), and local hunters.

She said the joint security team located the kidnappers’ hideout in Erah Forest and engaged the criminals in a fierce gun battle.

The command’s spokesperson added that during the gun duel, the superior tactical response of the security operatives forced the kidnappers to abandon their captives and flee.

She, however, added that three female Ambrose Alli University students who were abducted by the suspects were rescued.

She gave the names of the rescued victims as Favour Okoroje, 21; Balogun Precious, 19; and Praise Obagbalu, 18.

She said the victims were successfully rescued alive and rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

Ikoedem further disclosed that three AK-47 rifles with magazines, 36 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, five mobile phones, two power banks, one Red Cross bag, and one charger were recovered from the suspects during the operation.

According to her, on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at about 9:00 p.m., the Divisional Police Officer of Iruekpen Division received a distress report that armed men suspected to be kidnappers had attacked at Ujemen G.T. Extension, Ekpoma.

“Following a distress scream outside a hostel gate in Ekpoma, one Peter Ekpen Adolor, a 24-year-old 300-level student of Ambrose Alli University, attempted to open the gate to ascertain the situation. In the process, he was shot in the abdomen by one of the armed assailants.

“He was rushed to Eguaven Hospital, Ekpoma, where he was unfortunately confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.

“The attackers also abducted three persons, all students of Ambrose Alli University, before escaping into the nearby bush.

“Upon receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police immediately ordered the deployment of tactical teams and nearby police divisions, including the Ekpoma Division, which were detailed for a joint rescue mission in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC), and local hunters.

“The team subsequently conducted coordinated bush-combing and intelligence-led operations aimed at rescuing the hostages unharmed and apprehending the perpetrators.

“I am pleased to inform you that those sustained efforts paid off in the early hours of today, July 14, 2026, at about 6:00 a.m., when the joint security team located the kidnappers’ hideout in Erah Forest and engaged the criminals in a fierce gun battle,” she said.

“The superior tactical response of the security operatives forced the kidnappers to abandon their captives and flee.

“During the operation, the three kidnapped Ambrose Alli University students, Favour Okoroje (21), Balogun Precious (19), and Praise Obagbalu (18)—were successfully rescued alive and rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

“The operation also led to the recovery of three AK-47 rifles with magazines, 36 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, five mobile phones, two power banks, one Red Cross bag, and one charger,” she said.

She explained that one of the suspected kidnappers was neutralised, while another was apprehended with serious gunshot injuries.

She stated that operations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the notorious gang that specialises in kidnapping in Ekpoma and its environs.

Meanwhile, Monday Agbonika, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the command, commended the security operatives for their bravery, professionalism, and resilience, whose collective efforts made the successful operation possible.

Agbonika, however, commiserated with the family of the slain student, the management of Ambrose Alli University, fellow students, and all those affected by the tragic incident.

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old suspected bandit who was allegedly on his way to deliver ammunition and other items to bandits operating in the bush.

The arrest was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa.

According to the statement, the suspect, Mohammed Isah Haruna of Dan Dinshe Yamma Quarters in Dala Local Government Area, was arrested on Saturday at about 6 pm in Rimaye Village, Bichi Local Government Area.

The police said officers attached to the Bichi Division acted on credible information from a resident who reported seeing a man wearing what appeared to be a military uniform.

Working with members of the Rimawa community, the officers intercepted the suspect and searched his bag.

“During the search, the police recovered an AK-47 magazine loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition, 79 additional rounds of AK-47 ammunition, two sets of suspected military uniforms, three military caps, a suspected fake military identity card, a pair of desert boots, four ATM cards, and other personal identification documents,” the statement revealed.

According to the police, the suspect confessed during interrogation that he was in the area to deliver the recovered items to bandits hiding in the bush.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended members of the Rimawa community for promptly alerting the police, saying their action contributed to the success of the operation.

“This arrest underscores the importance of community partnership in policing. We appreciate the Rimawa Community and all good people of Kano for their support. Security is a collective responsibility,” Bakori said.

The police said the suspect remains in custody while investigations continue to identify and arrest other members of the suspected criminal network.

The command added that the case will be charged in court after investigations are completed.

It also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains vital in the fight against crime across the state.