The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory has confirmed the killing of a security operative in a violent attack by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria.

In a statement on Friday in Abuja, the Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed that 19 suspects had been arrested in connection with the attack, which occurred around the Banex Plaza area of Wuse 2 in Abuja.

Adeh stated that at about 2:20 p.m. on Friday, the command received a distress call regarding a violent assault on security personnel by members of the proscribed IMN.

According to her, members of the group were armed with firearms, cutlasses, catapults, sticks, stones, petrol bombs, and other lethal weapons.

“Upon swift deployment to the scene, police and security personnel encountered intense gunfire from the attackers, resulting in serious injuries to three security operatives.

“They were promptly transported to the National Hospital, where one was pronounced dead,” she said.

Adeh confirmed that normalcy had been restored in the area, adding that investigations were ongoing to ensure all perpetrators were brought to justice.

She noted that the Commissioner of Police in charge of the FCT, Mr Ajao Adewale, had condemned the unprovoked attack on security operatives by members of the proscribed group.

The CP stated that steps were being taken to apprehend those responsible for the heinous act, warning that attacks on security operatives would not be tolerated.

Adewale urged FCT residents to remain calm, cooperate with law enforcement agencies, and report suspicious activities to the command on 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, or 08028940883.

NAN

The police in Benue State have confirmed the death of 12 bandits and one police officer, Inspector Terfa Anyiatse, in Buruku Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement issued late Wednesday, the spokesperson for the state command, Catherine Anene, said the Operation Zenda Joint Task force members embarked on raids across the state when the encounter with the gunmen occurred.

It read, “On 19/3/2025 at about 0200hrs, while some of the operatives were on their way to a criminal hideout at Agwabi, Tombo ward, Buruku Local Government Area, they ran into an ambush laid by the bandits who engaged the police in a fierce gun duel.

“In response, the police countered the ambush with more superior firepower that subdued the gang.

“At the end of the crossfire, 12 bandits were neutralised while others escaped. The injured bandits were taken to the hospital where they were confirmed dead and deposited at the hospital morgue.

“Items recovered from them include; three AK-47 rifles, six rounds of live ammunition, camouflage uniforms and assorted charms.”

The PPRO stated further, “Unfortunately, one of the police team members, Inspector Terfa Anyiatse, sustained a gunshot injury and was eventually confirmed dead by a doctor. His corpse has also been deposited at the morgue.”

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The Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, late Thursday, confirmed the abduction of the ex-Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brgd. Gen. Maharazu Tsiga (retd.), in Tsiga village, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, on Thursday.

According to Sadiq, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, he said, “He was abducted alongside 5 others. Efforts are being intensified in collaboration with sister security agencies and all relevant stakeholders to ensure their unhurt rescue”.

However, the Punch earlier reported that bandits had reportedly kidnapped the former NYSC Director General alongside nine others in Tsiga village in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, in the early hours of Thursday.

Bandits abduct ex-NYSC DG, others in Katsina 

The bandits attacked at 12.30 am on Thursday, as eyewitness reports have it that the armed hoodlums stormed the community, shooting sporadically to scare residents.

The bandits also killed one person and abducted at least nine others, even as they were said to have ransacked several homes, carting away valuables.

A source from the Tsiga community told our correspondent through telephone conversations on condition of anonymity that the bandits had about a three-hour operation as they shot two persons.

“They came into our village and operated for about three hours. They shot two people in the process. From the look of things, General Tsiga was their target because none of his family members were kidnapped. I said this because he lives with his family there. After they picked him, they also picked others alongside the general.

“Our community has been left in shock, especially over the kidnap of the former NYSC DG, who is a well-respected leader and philanthropist and a core gentleman. We pray for Allah to bring him back to us safe”, according to the source.

Also, a close ally who is familiar with the Army operation in Katsina State who spoke off camera with our correspondent said the 17 Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General Babatunde Omopariola, has since deployed his men to scan the bushes around the State to rescue the retired Army General and others unharmed.

“Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General Babatunde Omopariola, has been in the bush since the night of the incident.”

The Kwara State Police Command on Sunday confirmed the abduction of two siblings and a wife in Owoyale village, Agbamu in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The trio identified as Alhaji Moshood and Alhaji Abdulkazeem Owoyale (siblings) and a woman believed to be the wife of Moshood was reportedly kidnapped in their house at about 10 pm on Saturday.

The Kwara South Elders Security Network which also confirmed the abduction said the vigilante group and the police had been combing the forest in Kwara, Ekiti and Osun states in search of the kidnapped victims since Sunday morning.

“The vigilante and men from security agencies have been combing the forest in Ekiti, Oke-Ero, Ifelodun, Irepodun in Kwara state, Ifedayo and Ila local governments in Osun and Eda Oniyo council area in Ekiti State since Sunday morning but we are yet to see them”, a coordinator of the outfit who did not want his name in print told our correspondent in a telephone conversation on Sunday.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement signed on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Victor Olaiya, on Sunday, confirmed that the three people were abducted on Saturday night and taken to an unknown destination.

“The Kwara State Police Command is aware of an unfortunate kidnap incident that occurred on February 1, 2025, at about 2200 hours. It was reported that unknown armed men stormed the Owoyale village along Oro-agbamu Road and forcefully whisked three persons to an unknown location.

“Alhaji Moshood and Alhaji Abdulkazeem Owoyale (siblings), and the wife to Alhaji Moshood were forcefully taken from their house,” she stated.

The statement further noted that the police alongside the vigilante/hunter groups had swung into action combing the forest to rescue the three victims unhurt and apprehend the criminals behind this act.

“Further developments on the outcome will be communicated as it progresses”, the police stated.