Emir of Yashikira, Kwara North Senatorial District, Alhaji Umar Seriki Usman, has said seven abducted members of his royal family were released on Wednesday by armed bandits.

In a chat with DAILY POST on Friday, the monarch disclosed that three of his wives and four children were among those released by the bandits who invaded his palace early this year.

He said the press conference by youths of the community in Abuja drew the attention of the Federal Government to the development in Yashikira, which led to the rescue operation.

“We thank God and appreciate the federal and state governments for the release of the abductees.

“Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State made a representation to the Federal Government, which did not work until our youths in Abuja addressed the press conference, which drew the attention of the government to the situation on the ground.”

Asked if ransom was paid for the release of the kidnap victims, Umar Seriki said he could not confirm, though “we know the release of the victims was not free as the bandits demanded N150m for each of the captives, while there was no exchange of gunshots before their release by the bandits.”

The monarch appealed to concerned authorities to secure the community because the bandits are still around in the area.

“We are all happy about the development, but nobody feels secure because they are still with us and we don’t know them,” he added.

A man has been arrested in Adamawa State for allegedly killing his father and dumping his corpse in a well.

The Adamawa State Police Command on Friday named 40-year-old Peter Sinamai of Sangere, Gombi Local Government Area, as the suspect in connection with the alleged killing of his biological father.

The command said its operatives arrested the suspect after receiving a report detailing the crime.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, emphasised that preliminary investigations confirmed that the suspect allegedly killed his father and dumped the body in a well within the neighbourhood.

He said the state Commissioner of Police, CP Kabiru Umar Hassan, had ordered a thorough investigation into the matter to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“The corpse has been recovered and deposited at the mortuary for autopsy,” Nguroje stated.

He assured that the suspect would be charged in court after the completion of the investigation.

The Kano State Police Command has warned residents of some communities in Dawakin Tofa and Ungogo local government areas to stay away from a designated shooting range as the Nigeria Customs Service Training College, Goron Dutse, conducts a live ammunition exercise.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the command advised residents of Dambazau, Gangaren Dutse, Tumfafi, Kakurum, Dandalama and other nearby communities to keep away from the exercise area during the stated hours.

According to the statement, the exercise is scheduled to take place at Hawan Kalibawa, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area, from Sunday, August 9, to Thursday, August 13, 2026.

“The exercise will be conducted daily between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm throughout the five-day period,” the statement said.

The police also advised residents not to panic if they hear gunshots, explaining that the sounds would be from the scheduled training exercise.

“The Command urges residents not to panic upon hearing the sound of gunshots, as these are scheduled and controlled training exercises,” the statement said.

The police said necessary safety and security measures had been put in place to protect lives and property before, during and after the exercise.

The command appealed to residents to cooperate with security personnel and observe the warning throughout the exercise period.