Following a scuffle between operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and illegal miners, an NSCDC personnel was shot dead in Korokpa Village, Niger State.

Confirming the killing in a statement on Thursday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Abubakar M.R. Muti, said the incident occurred on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at about 2 pm, when operatives of the NSCDC Mining Marshal were attacked by suspected illegal miners who resisted enforcement.

According to the statement, the officers called for reinforcement, and during the operation, one officer was shot in the head.

“He was rushed to hospital but died from his injuries,” the statement said.

The state commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, condemned the attack and described the deceased as a patriotic and courageous officer, adding that the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, was working to arrest those responsible.

The statement urged residents to provide useful information to help curb illegal mining in the state.

The Bauchi State Police Command, in collaboration with local security outfits and hunters, has raided a suspected kidnappers’ camp at Yalwan Mball Mountain in Mball Ward, Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of the state.

The operation, carried out on Wednesday, followed credible intelligence that one of the fleeing suspected kidnappers had been sighted in the area with a motorcycle.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying operatives of the Bununu Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, alongside members of Danga Security and Special Hunters, stormed the hideout.

He said the suspected kidnappers opened fire on sighting the security team but were forced to flee into the bush after the operatives returned fire.

According to him, the security team recovered a Boxer motorcycle allegedly used for criminal operations, three sets of operational uniforms and other items believed to belong to the fleeing suspects.

Habib said one suspect, identified as 37-year-old Muhammadu Sale, was subsequently arrested in connection with the crime.

He added that the suspect is now in police custody and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation and prosecution.

The spokesperson said surveillance and monitoring had been intensified in the area, which he said remained relatively calm.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the operatives and local security outfits for their gallantry and cooperation.

He urged residents to continue providing the police with timely and credible information to support the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.

A 56-year-old pastor and author from Louisiana, United States, has been convicted of stealing over $340,000 from two churches where he ministered.

The pastor, Dale Sanders, used the money to fund gambling and other personal expenses.

Sanders was found guilty on a 25-count federal indictment, which included charges of wire fraud, access device fraud, and obstruction of a federal investigation, following a five-day jury trial, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Prosecutors said Sanders, a resident of Kenner, withdrew money from one church’s bank accounts and transferred the funds for his personal use to support lavish spending, including gambling, dining, and living expenses.

According to his social media profiles, Sanders served as pastor of Fifth African Baptist Church in New Orleans and Second New Guide Missionary Baptist Church in Metairie.

Authorities also said he used a church debit card to make unauthorized personal purchases and obtained cash, goods, and services worth more than $340,000.

The fraudulent activities were said to have taken place between April 2020 and April 2024.

Prosecutors further alleged that Sanders submitted a falsified record in response to a federal grand jury subpoena during the investigation.

After he was indicted in April, Sanders shared a video on his social media pages asking members of his congregation to pray for both him and what he described as his “enemy.”

He is also the author of the book Strut Your Stutter, in which he encourages readers to “be peacock proud of whoever you are and whatever you’re working with.”

Sanders faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release after completing his prison term, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 for each count.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 13.