Suspected bandits have attacked the residence of the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, Dr. Aminu Yusuf, killing his security guard and abducting several residents during coordinated raids across the town.

Crisis reporter covering the North-West region, Bakatsine, disclosed the incident in a post shared via his X handle, saying the attack occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.

According to Bakatsine, the gunmen invaded Kaura Namoda at about 1:00 a.m. and targeted the rector’s residence, where they shot dead his security guard, identified as Isah Yankaba.

Yusuf reportedly escaped with his wife and daughter by scaling the perimeter fence of the residence.

He was said to have sustained a leg injury while fleeing.

Bakatsine further stated that the gunmen later stormed Hayin Baguso, where they abducted the wife and daughter of a resident identified simply as Ibrahim.

An attempt to invade the residence of businessman, Alhaji Salisu Azaria was, however, foiled after security personnel responded promptly, forcing the assailants to flee.

Bakatsine added that the armed men later moved to the Low-Cost area of Kaura Namoda, where they abducted a university lecturer, Dr. Namadina Hamza, before escaping.

As of the time of filing this report, the Zamfara State Police Command had yet to officially comment on the incident.

The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested three suspects in separate fraud-related cases involving more than N22 million, recovered 36 ATM cards allegedly used for banking fraud, and retrieved a stolen motorcycle abandoned by fleeing robbery suspects during a series of operations across the state.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Lawan Shiisu Adam, detectives also recovered a revolver pistol loaded with four live rounds of ammunition and two expended shells after suspected motorcycle robbers abandoned the weapon while fleeing from the police.

One of the major arrests followed an investigation into an alleged criminal breach of trust reported at the Dutse Divisional Police Headquarters on July 5.

The statement said Hafsatu Usman of Dutse Local Government Area was entrusted with N10.5 million but allegedly absconded with the money.

“Through intelligence gathering and technical investigation, the suspect’s phone was successfully tracked, leading to her arrest in Gombe State,” the statement affirmed.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Dutse, for further investigation and prosecution.

In another case, detectives attached to Gumel Division uncovered what police described as a sophisticated fraud syndicate following a complaint by Ado Muhammad of Jobi in Maigatari Local Government Area.

Investigators alleged that fraudsters posing as spiritual money-makers on WhatsApp deceived the complainant’s wife, who resides in Saudi Arabia, into transferring N12.923 million through multiple bank accounts.

Police said investigations led to the arrest of 21-year-old Ismail Adam Abdullahi of Hayin Ojo, Bakin Dogo Quarters, Zaria, Kaduna State.

According to the statement, “the suspect reportedly confessed during interrogation,” adding that the matter had also been transferred to the SCID for discreet investigation and prosecution.

In a separate operation, officers attached to Kazaure Division arrested 27-year-old Kassim Ali of Gyadi-Gyadi Quarters, Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State, following a distress call from Access Bank on July 9.

Police alleged that the suspect tampered with a female customer’s ATM card and fraudulently withdrew money from her account.

The command said investigations revealed that the suspect and an accomplice, who is still at large, specialised in carrying out similar crimes at banks.

“A search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of 36 ATM cards belonging to various banks,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, police operatives attached to Gwaram Division foiled an attempt to steal a motorcycle after responding to reports of an unconscious man lying in a pool of blood along the New Gwaram-Kila Road in the early hours of July 16.

The victim, identified as 22-year-old Abdullahi Garba of Falai Village in Gwaram Local Government Area, was allegedly attacked by two passengers who struck him on the head with a hammer before fleeing with his motorcycle.

According to the police, the suspects abandoned the motorcycle and a revolver pistol loaded with four live rounds and two expended shells after they were pursued by responding officers.

The victim was rushed to hospital and is responding to treatment, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.

Security operatives have arrested a wanted Boko Haram spy in Monguno, Borno State, in connection with the recent terrorist attack on Cross Kauwa.

This is contained in a statement posted on X by security expert, Zagazola Makama.

Makama said the suspect, identified as Abulfatahi, was apprehended on July 27 during an intelligence-led operation following efforts to track members of a terrorist intelligence network operating in the area.

He disclosed that two other members of the same network had earlier been arrested and transferred to the Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre (JIFC) for further investigation.

During preliminary interrogation, Abulfatahi reportedly confessed to working for a Boko Haram commander identified as Akilu, who is said to control terrorist activities in Dabar Masara and Garin Mace.

According to him, the suspect admitted to collecting taxes on behalf of the terrorist leader and facilitating the selection of individuals for abduction around Monguno.

Investigators also recovered two telephone numbers allegedly linked to Akilu from the suspect’s mobile phone as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle the terrorist network.

The security expert said security agencies are conducting further investigations to identify additional collaborators, establish the full extent of the network’s activities, and support ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the Lake Chad region.

“A comprehensive investigation report is expected to be submitted upon the conclusion of the ongoing inquiry,” he said.