The Borno Police Command have confirmed the arrest of two Internally Displaced Persons for allegedly beating a 72-year-old man to death in Ngala Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Nahun Daso, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Maiduguri on Monday, that the incident occurred at the ‘ISS IDP camp’ in Ngala on Saturday.
He said that the suspects, identified as Modu Mohammed, 25, and Annami Modu, 32, conspired and attacked the victim, Abba Mustapha, with sticks over allegations of witchcraft.
“The suspects accused the victim of bewitching the wife of one of them and causing her ill health.
“They beat him up in his house at the camp,” the spokesman said.
He added that policemen at the camp rescued the victim and rushed him to the General Hospital in Ngala, where he was confirmed dead by medical personnel.
According to him, the suspects were arrested at the scene, and the police have also recovered some exhibits.
Daso said the corpse of the deceased was released to his family for burial in line with Islamic rites after an autopsy.
He said the Criminal Investigation Department, Maiduguri, had begun an investigation into the matter.
PUNCH Online had reported that Zulum’s administration had resettled 6,000 displaced families in Dikwa and Mafa Local Government Areas.
He made this known during a visit to the Muna IDP camp in Maiduguri, which shelters over 11,000 families and remains one of the largest in the state.
Nigeria continues to grapple with the humanitarian fallout of insurgency in the North-East, where millions have been displaced from their homes.
Borno State, the epicentre of the conflict, hosts some of the largest camps for internally displaced persons.
The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed that a commuter bus belonging to Big Joe Ventures Ltd was attacked on Friday, and all twelve occupants were abducted.
However, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, revealed that the police, in collaboration with the military, managed to rescue eight of the victims, while efforts are ongoing to locate and rescue the remaining four still held by the kidnappers.
A statement issued by the command late on Friday evening in response to an enquiry confirmed the abduction but noted that about eight of the victims were rescued, with the police and army searching for the remaining four.
The statement reads, “Kidnappers attacked a Big Joe Ventures Ltd Toyota Hiace commuter bus (Edo FUG 13 XY) along Okene–Auchi road. During the incident, the kidnappers abducted all 12 passengers commuting from Abuja to Benin in Edo State.”
He said that subsequently, the DPO Okene Division, CSP Nasir Muhammad, immediately mobilised police personnel in conjunction with the military and vigilantes in pursuit of the kidnappers.
He added, “In the process, eight victims, including the driver, were rescued, while efforts are still underway to rescue the remaining four victims and possibly arrest the perpetrators.”
On September 12, 2025, PUNCH Online reported that troops of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, in conjunction with Hybrid Forces and local vigilantes, rescued 17 kidnapped victims, including 13 adults and four children.
This was contained in a statement issued by the acting assistant director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi.
The Kwara State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has intercepted a vehicle transporting 127 bags of suspected cannabis concealed under tubers of yam.
The interception took place on Friday, around 4pm along the Babanla–Oreke–Oke-Ode axis during a joint operation involving the police, operatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigeria Forest Security Service, and local vigilantes.
Two suspects, Dan-Teni Haruna and Rabiu Ibrahim, both from Saliku in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State, were arrested in connection with the cannabis smuggling.
According to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, cannabis remains the most abused illicit drug in Nigeria, with seizures running into thousands of tonnes annually.
In a related breakthrough, three men identified as Mohammed Abubakar and Hussain, both from Tsaragi, and Tukur Ibrahim, a suspected notorious kidnapper, were also arrested for their roles in the invasion of Babanla.
On 8 August 2025, gunmen attacked Babanla, targeting a police station, looting shops, and causing fatalities.
Confirming the development in a statement on Saturday, the spokesperson of the command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, quoted the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, as commending the synergy that led to the arrests.
“This success is a result of effective collaboration between the police, the NSA operatives, the Nigeria Forest Security Service, and local vigilante groups,” Ojo said.
He vowed that criminal activities would not be tolerated in the state.
“We are determined to maintain security across Kwara. Let it be known that Kwara State will not be a safe haven for criminal elements,” the CP warned.
Ejire-Adeyemi added that the suspects are currently undergoing discreet investigation and will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of the process.
The Edo State Special Security Squad has dismantled five suspected kidnappers’ camps in Edo North Senatorial District following a major bush-combing operation in the Ekeke Erah Forest, Owan East Local Government Area.
In a statement by Governor Monday Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Monday Itua, the operation, carried out on Thursday and Friday, was coordinated by the Governor’s Principal Security Officer in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, local vigilantes, and other security agencies.
Operatives reportedly trekked nearly five kilometres deep into the forest between Afuze and Ora, where the camps were uncovered and destroyed.
A member of the squad, Eribo Ewanta, said after the six-hour exercise that evidence confirmed the camps were still in active use.
“We discovered five camps with clear indications that their occupants had only just fled. We found fire still burning and a pot of food left on the fire. This confirms the presence of suspected kidnappers in the area,” Ewanta said.
He explained that the operation escalated into an exchange of gunfire at a riverbank, as suspected kidnappers, apparently alerted to the presence of security personnel, attempted to evade capture. He also noted evidence of cattle grazing in the forest, raising suspicion that the hideouts may have been linked to armed herdsmen.
“We engaged the suspects in a serious gun duel, but they escaped deeper into the forest. Nevertheless, we are on their trail. Their camps have been dismantled and destroyed. Edo State will no longer provide a haven for criminal elements,” he declared.
Ewanta assured residents that the exercise was part of ongoing efforts to flush out kidnappers and violent groups from the state.
“We are battle-ready. The directive of the Governor is clear: Edo must be free of criminal elements. We will pursue them relentlessly until they are apprehended.”
He also commended Governor Okpebholo for his commitment to fortifying security, noting that the administration’s coordinated strategy is restoring public confidence and sending a clear message to criminal gangs.
The clampdown comes against the backdrop of persistent insecurity in Edo and neighbouring states. Kidnapping and cult-related violence have remained major threats, particularly along the Benin-Auchi axis.
In September, police rescued 16 abducted travellers along the highway, while earlier this year the ESSC arrested 18 suspected kidnappers and armed robbers near an army checkpoint along the same route. https://punchng.com/edo-security-outfit-arrests-18-suspected-kidnappers/ https://punchng.com/kidnappers-abduct-travellers-in-edo-police-rescue-16/
Since assuming office in 2024, Okpebholo has prioritised security by launching the Edo State Special Security Squad, codenamed Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers.
The outfit has since led raids on criminal hideouts, arrested suspects, demolished buildings used by cultists or kidnappers, and targeted the heads of cult groups to weaken their networks.
Kidnapping and cult-related violence have remained persistent security threats in Edo and neighbouring states in recent years.
The International Paralympic Committee on Saturday decided to lift a partial suspension of Russia and Belarus imposed since Moscow’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
This decision, taken at the IPC’s general assembly meeting in Seoul, opens the way for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their own flags at the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games next year.
However, competition in the six sports on the programme is governed by international federations that have so far maintained a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes.
To be eligible, each athlete must have an active licence for the 2025/26 season from their international federations for para Alpine skiing, para cross-country skiing, para snowboarding, para biathlon, para ice hockey and wheelchair curling, which have currently suspended both countries.
The partial suspension was adopted by the IPC General Assembly in 2023, authorising Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games under a neutral flag and strict neutrality conditions.
The IPC had excluded the Russian and Belarusian Paralympic Committees from the Beijing 2022 Games.
The IPC’s latest decision comes eight days after the International Olympic Committee authorised the presence of Russian and Belarusian athletes at the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games under a neutral flag and strict neutrality conditions.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has lauded the donation of a newly built canine facility by the German government, stating that it will strengthen Nigeria’s fight against illicit drugs.
The Agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), stated this on Friday at the commissioning of the modern canine complex in Lagos.
According to a statement issued in Abuja by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the German government’s intervention demonstrates the importance it attaches to supporting Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign.
Marwa assured stakeholders that the provision of the facility would significantly boost the Agency’s capacity to fulfil its core mandate.
“The quality of the infrastructure at the new NDLEA dog facility is commendable. It speaks volumes of the commitment, goodwill and tenacity of our partners,” he said.
He commended the German government for its support over the years, noting that the Canine Unit had played a critical role in several successful operations, including the seizure of 74.119kg of captagon at Apapa Port in 2021.
While acknowledging the progress made, Marwa stressed that more work is required to sustain the current level of operational excellence.
“This newly commissioned facility will, without doubt, provide a comfortable and dignified environment that will motivate our Canine Unit personnel to discharge their duties effectively,” he said.
Marwa highlighted that NDLEA’s sniffer dogs have been instrumental in the seizure of more than 17.9 metric tonnes of illicit substances since their deployment, but that poor infrastructure had previously limited the Unit’s capacity.
He noted that the construction of the new complex, sponsored by the German Federal Criminal Police through its Liaison Office, commenced in August 2024 and was delivered on schedule.
The NDLEA boss expressed gratitude to German Consul General Daniel Krull, and officials of the German Federal Criminal Police for their role in the project.
In his remarks, Krull said NDLEA’s success benefits not only Nigeria but also Germany and the wider region.
“The amazing work of your Agency under your leadership is important for Nigeria, for the region, and for Germany. I encourage all members of NDLEA to keep up the good spirit,” he said.
Similarly, Mr Florian Bulow, Deputy Head of Section IZ14, BKA Berlin, described the collaboration with NDLEA as one of the longest-running projects in police capacity building.
“Like in a marriage, cooperation needs trust. We share the same goals and values in the fight against drug smuggling and abuse, and our long-standing teamwork has yielded these achievements,” he added.
The NDLEA has intensified its anti-drug campaign under the leadership of Marwa, recording record seizures and high-profile arrests in recent years.
The Canine Unit, established to detect concealed narcotics, has become a critical component of its operations at airports, seaports, and land borders.
In spite of vehicular and human restrictions on Mapo Hall, venue of the installation of Senator Rasidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadan, hundreds of vendors beat security to display their wares around the vicinity of the event.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that petty traders, as early as 6.30a.m., arrived at the venue to beat security agents to display their goods.
Some petty traders invested in printing pictures of the new Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, on T-shirts, key holders, calendars, wrist bands, and large frames to make quick profits from the teeming crowd that wished to be identified with the celebration.
Also, food vendors, snacks, and soft drinks sellers who secured spots close to the venue were seen making brisk sales in the carnival-like atmosphere of Mapo Hall.
A food vendor, Mrs Idiat Adeyemo, said that she had been cooking continuously since early hours of the day due to demand for different kinds of food by people.
A soft drink vendor, Miss Grace Emmanuel, said that she increased the price of her drinks a little above the normal price because she sourced ice blocks to make the drinks cold for customers.
“I need to add the extra cost of an ice block to make a little profit, “she said
Another group of people who made quick money at the event were traditional drummers, who stood guard outside, singing praises of dignitaries entering the venue for some token.
NAN reports that Ladoja, who turned 81 on Thursday, emerged as Olubadan from the civil line of the Chieftaincy line.
Before his nomination to the throne, he was the Otun Olubadan and ascended to the Olubadan position after the demise of his predecessor, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, on July 7.
A sighting of a suspected drone briefly shuttered a Danish airport on Friday for the second time in a few hours, after the country’s prime minister said the flights were part of “hybrid attacks” that may be linked to Russia.
Drones have been seen flying over several Danish airports since Wednesday, causing one of them to close for hours, after a sighting earlier this week prompted Copenhagen airport to shut down.
That followed a similar incident in Norway, drone incursions in Polish and Romanian territory and the violation of Estonian airspace by Russian fighter jets, which raised tensions in light of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
“Over recent days, Denmark has been the victim of hybrid attacks,” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a video message on social media on Thursday — referring to a form of unconventional warfare.
She warned that such drone flights “could multiply”.
Investigators said they had so far failed to identify those responsible, but Frederiksen stressed: “There is one main country that poses a threat to Europe’s security, and it is Russia.”
Moscow said Thursday it “firmly rejects” any suggestion that it was involved in the Danish incidents. Its embassy in Copenhagen called them “a staged provocation”, in a post on social media.
Denmark’s Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard earlier said the aim of the attack was “to spread fear, create division and frighten us”.
He added that Copenhagen would acquire new enhanced capabilities to “detect” and “neutralise drones”.
Denmark will on Friday join other EU countries, mostly along the eastern border with Russia, in the first talks on proposals to build a “wall” of anti-drone defences in the face of the tensions with Moscow.
– Russia sabotage warning –
Drones were spotted on Wednesday and early Thursday at airports in Aalborg, Esbjerg, Sonderborg and at the Skrydstrup air base before leaving on their own, police said.
Aalborg airport, located in northern Denmark, was initially shut down for several hours, and closed again for about an hour from late Thursday into early Friday morning due to another suspected sighting.
“It was not possible to take down the drones, which flew over a very large area over a couple of hours,” North Jutland chief police inspector Jesper Bojgaard Madsen said about the initial Aalborg incident.
The head of Denmark’s military intelligence, Thomas Ahrenkiel, told a news conference the service had not been able to identify who was behind the drones.
But intelligence chief Finn Borch said: “The risk of Russian sabotage in Denmark is high.”
Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told a news conference the flights appeared to be “the work of a professional actor… such a systematic operation in so many locations at virtually the same time”.
He said it had posed “no direct military threat” to Denmark.
Frederiksen said Thursday that she had spoken with NATO chief Mark Rutte about the incidents.
Lund Poulsen said the government had yet to decide whether to invoke NATO’s Article 4, under which any member state can call urgent talks when it feels its “territorial integrity, political independence or security” are at risk.
French President Emmanuel Macron said his country stood ready “to contribute to the security of Danish airspace”.
Copenhagen is set to host a summit of European Union leaders next week.
– ‘Feel rather insecure’ –
Police said investigations were under way with the Danish intelligence service and the armed forces.
The drone activity shook some in Denmark, including 85-year-old Birgit Larsen.
“I feel rather insecure. I live in a country where there has been peace since 1945. I am not really used to thinking about war,” she told AFP in central Copenhagen.
Others were less concerned.
“It’s probably Russia, you know, testing the borders of Europe. They fly close to the borders and stuff and try to provoke, but not threaten,” said 48-year-old Torsten Froling.
The drone flights came after Denmark announced it would acquire long-range precision weapons for the first time, as Russia would pose a threat “for years to come”.
A 30-year-old man, Mutawakilu Ibrahim, has been arrested by the Kano State Police Command for allegedly stabbing his grandparents to death during a heated argument over food at their residence in Kofar Dawanau Quarters, Dala Local Government Area of the state.
According to a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, the incident occurred on Thursday morning, around 9:30 am, and was promptly reported at the Dala Divisional Police Headquarters.
The suspect, believed to be under the influence of intoxicants at the time of the attack, allegedly used a knife to inflict multiple stab wounds on his grandfather, Muhammad Dansokoto, 75, and grandmother, Hadiza Tasidi, 65, following a disagreement over food.
The victims were rushed to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano, where medical personnel confirmed them dead on arrival.
Their bodies were examined and subsequently released to family members for burial in line with Islamic rites.
In response to the tragedy, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Homicide Section, for a discreet investigation.
“The suspect will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation,” the police spokesperson added.
Kano State, Nigeria’s most populous state, has witnessed an increase in reported cases of violent crimes within family settings in recent years.
Security experts and community leaders have often linked such incidents to drug abuse, mental health challenges, and rising economic hardship, which put pressure on family relationships.
The use of illicit substances, particularly among youths and young adults in Kano, has been a recurring concern.
Authorities and civil society groups have repeatedly warned that drug abuse often fuels violent behaviour and domestic disputes, sometimes leading to fatal outcomes.
A Delta Airlines flight en route from Lagos, Nigeria, to Atlanta, United States, was forced to make an emergency diversion to Accra, Ghana, following a fire incident in the aircraft’s oven.
According to the spokesperson for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, on Thursday, the incident occurred on Tuesday, 23 September, affecting Flight DL055, which had departed from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
He said airline officials confirmed that while the fire was swiftly contained and posed no threat to passengers, the delay caused the crew to exceed their expected duty time, making them unable to continue the journey as scheduled.
Following the unscheduled landing in Accra, the airline initiated rebooking arrangements for stranded passengers. Some were accommodated on a Delta Accra-New York service the same evening, with further passengers rebooked on the following night’s flight.
He said, “However, some passengers were rebooked on the airline’s Accra-New York flight the same evening, and this effort was repeated on Wednesday night for additional passengers.
“Flight DL055 LOS – ATL finally departed from Accra today, 25 September 2025, at approximately 1200 hrs.”
In a related development, Delta Airlines also cancelled its inbound flight ATL-LOS (Atlanta to Lagos) for Thursday, 25 September.
Though passengers were said to have been informed in advance, “The airline provided hotel accommodations and ground transport for those who still reported to the airport.”
To mitigate the disruption, the airline rebooked 23 affected passengers on Air France, while others were scheduled to travel via British Airways, KLM, and Lufthansa.
The remaining passengers will be airlifted on Delta’s regularly scheduled flight tomorrow, 26 September, at 11:40 a.m.
He added, “Regarding today’s 25 September 2025 ATL – LOS arrival cancellation, although passengers were duly informed about the cancellation, the airline accommodated those who arrived at the airport by providing transportation to hotels as reported in the flight disruption this morning.
“Twenty-three passengers had been rebooked on Air France, while others would be airlifted on British Airways, KLM, and Lufthansa Airlines. The remaining passengers are scheduled to depart on the airline’s scheduled flight tomorrow, 26 September 2025, at 1140 hrs.
Contrary to earlier reports, the Air France flight from Lagos has not been cancelled and is expected to operate at 01:30 a.m.
“Air France flight has not been cancelled as speculated, but would operate at 0130 hrs. Kindly note that I am attending meetings in Montreal, but I have had to constantly leave the hall to make calls and get feedback.
“Follow-up continues. While wishing you safe travels, do not hesitate to reach out to me if there is a further need to,” Achimugu added.
