Category: Crime Diary

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Troops of Operation HADIN KAI say they have repelled a coordinated attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on the Headquarters of 27 Brigade and the Buni Gari checkpoint in northeastern Nigeria.

According to a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, the attack occurred in the early hours of Thursday, May 8, at about 2:00 a.m.

The military said the insurgents launched the assault from multiple directions under the cover of darkness in an attempt to overwhelm troops stationed in Buni Gari.

The statement noted that the attackers initially advanced from the western flank before reinforcing from the southern axis along Ganinga Junction and later from the south-western flank.

However, troops reportedly resisted the attack with sustained firepower and tactical counter-operations, forcing the insurgents to retreat.

The military claimed that no fewer than 50 suspected terrorists were killed during the encounter, including casualties inflicted through coordinated air interdiction operations conducted by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI.

According to the statement, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support enabled precision strikes on fleeing insurgents along their withdrawal routes.

The military added that several bodies were recovered within the area, while intelligence reports indicated that additional casualties were discovered along escape routes around Gashua, Azare and Kamuya.

Recovered items from the operation reportedly include eight AK-47 rifles, two General Purpose Machine Guns, two Rocket-Propelled Grenade tubes, five RPG bombs, three RPG chargers, ammunition boxes, loaded magazines, bandoliers and improvised explosive device canisters.

Troops, alongside volunteer forces, are said to be carrying out follow-up operations in the area to track fleeing insurgents and prevent regrouping.

The military also disclosed that some equipment, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and gun trucks, sustained minor damage during the confrontation.

It further confirmed that two soldiers were killed during the operation, while wounded personnel are currently receiving medical treatment.

Operation HADIN KAI described the fallen soldiers as gallant personnel who demonstrated courage and commitment in defending the country against insurgent attacks.

The military maintained that ongoing operations in the North-East continue to place sustained pressure on terrorist groups operating within the region.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to investigate a military airstrike that allegedly killed more than 100 civilians at Tumfa market in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

In a statement issued on Monday, the rights organisation said the incident occurred on Sunday, May 10, during activities at the weekly market.

According to Amnesty International, residents reported seeing military jets hovering over the area around noon before the aircraft allegedly returned about 2:00 p.m. and bombarded the market.

The organisation claimed that more bodies were still being recovered from the scene, while some victims reportedly died on their way to the hospital.

“Dozens of people injured are currently receiving treatment at the general hospitals of Zurmi and Shinkafi. Eyewitnesses said many of those killed are women and girls,” the statement said.

Amnesty International compared the incident to an earlier airstrike in April at Jilli, a border community between Borno State and Yobe State, where it alleged that over 100 civilians were killed during a military operation targeting a weekly market.

The organisation argued that such incidents reflect a growing pattern of civilian casualties linked to the conflict involving armed groups, bandits and military operations in northern Nigeria.

“Launching air raids is not a legitimate law enforcement method by anyone’s standard. Such reckless use of deadly force is unlawful, outrageous and lays bare the Nigerian military’s disregard for civilian lives,” Amnesty International stated.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Armed Forces had not issued an official response to the allegations.

KATSINA, Nigeria (NPA) — Troops of Sector 2 Joint Task Force, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have intensified offensive operations against terrorists and criminal syndicates in parts of Katsina State, killing three suspected terrorists, recovering 175 rustled livestock and arresting six alleged drug peddlers.

The operations were carried out across Matazu, Musawa, Kankia, Dutsin-Ma and Malumfashi Local Government Areas on May 9, according to a statement issued on Saturday by Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force.

The Nigerian Army said troops of the 171 Battalion deployed at the Forward Operating Base FUDMA launched an ambush along the Matazu–Dutsin-Ma axis following intelligence reports that terrorists were fleeing from recent military offensives in Dikawa.

During the operation, troops engaged the suspects in a gun battle, neutralising three alleged terrorists.

The military said items recovered from the scene included two AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, one motorcycle, three cutlasses and assorted charms.

In a separate clearance operation targeting terrorist hideouts in Matazu, Musawa, and Kankia LGAs, troops supported by the Katsina State Community Watch Corps raided suspected enclaves in Torcachi, Giginya and Tashar Ganji villages.

According to the statement signed by Hassan Abdullahi, Lieutenant Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, the terrorists abandoned their camps and fled due to sustained military pressure.

Troops subsequently recovered 175 rustled livestock, which the military said would be handed over to the appropriate authorities in Matazu Local Government Area.

Meanwhile, troops of the Forward Operating Base Malumfashi, in collaboration with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), conducted a raid at Kauyan Dawo in Malumfashi LGA.

The operation led to the arrest of six suspected drug dealers identified as Sani Rabiu, Umar Nasiru, Abulkubus Aminu, Abdullahi Halilu, Abubakar Rabiu and Abubakar Dahiru.

Recovered substances included 82.5 grams of suspected Cannabis Sativa, 15.7 grams of Exol-5 and 1.8 grams of D5.

The suspects and the recovered substances have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Malumfashi Area Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive operations against criminal elements across the North-West and urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information.

OYO, Nigeria (NPA) — The Oyo State Police Command has announced a breakthrough in its fight against crime, with the arrest of an eight-man motorcycle theft syndicate in Kishi town and the recovery of four stolen Bajaj motorcycles.

According to a statement signed by DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, Police Public Relations Officer, the operation was carried out on May 8, 2026, at about 8:30 p.m., following credible intelligence that a group of individuals were in possession of stolen motorcycles.

Swiftly mobilising, operatives attached to the Kishi Division arrested the suspects: Akeem Kehinde (20), Rasaq Muhideen (35), Jimoh Musakiru (28), Ganiyu Saheed (30), Iliasu Abdullahi (25), Owonikoko Nurudeen (27), Mukaila Ibrahim (26), and Badmos Awwal (26).

Preliminary investigations confirmed the recovery of four stolen motorcycles, strengthening the intelligence received. Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to their involvement in the theft and unlawful possession, while further investigations are ongoing to trace the rightful owners and uncover the syndicate’s wider network.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbemiga, commended the operatives for their professionalism and swift response, while also appreciating the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for his strategic leadership and support in strengthening public safety.

The Command urged residents to continue supporting the police through prompt intelligence sharing and community cooperation, stressing that effective policing thrives on mutual trust. It reassured the public of its unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property across Oyo State, encouraging citizens to remain vigilant and law-abiding.

ABUJA, Nigeria — Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the killing of at least 12 people during what it described as a “horrific midnight attack” on Ngbra-Zongo village in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State in the country’s northcentral.

In a statement issued on Friday, the rights organisation said 10 other persons were currently receiving treatment for gunshot injuries sustained during the attack.

According to Amnesty International, the victims included pregnant women and children.

“The victims include pregnant women and children. Entire families were locked up in rooms of their homes and slaughtered one by one,” the organisation stated.

Amnesty International accused the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of failing to effectively address Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.

“The utter failure of President Bola Tinubu’s government to address widespread insecurity is costing lives. While the government of Tinubu is claiming to be tackling the endemic security crisis, the death toll tells a different story,” the statement added.

The organisation warned that Plateau State was becoming increasingly unsafe, with repeated attacks on rural and urban communities forcing residents to live in fear.

“Many communities are dotted with mass graves of people killed by gunmen on rampage,” Amnesty said.

The rights group further accused Nigerian authorities of repeatedly failing residents of Plateau State, noting that recurring attacks by armed groups had deprived thousands of people of their rights to life, liberty, physical safety and livelihood.

Amnesty International called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts aimed at ending the violence and ensuring accountability for those responsible.

The organisation also demanded justice and adequate compensation for victims and survivors of the attacks.

“Victims and survivors must be given adequate reparation,” the statement concluded.

ASABA, Nigeria (NPA) —Operatives of the Buffalo Patrol Team of the Delta State Police Command have arrested three-armed suspects and recovered two pump-action guns loaded with seven live cartridges during a stop-and-search operation at the Head Bridge in Asaba.

According to a statement today, issued by SP. Bright Edafe, Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, the operation was carried out on May 6, 2026, at about 7:06 p.m. while officers were conducting routine security checks at the bridge linking Delta State and Anambra State.

Police said the operatives intercepted a black Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep with registration number ABJ 254 CD for routine inspection.

The occupants of the vehicle were identified as Chukwu Emeka Okeke, 30; Ndudo Tochukwu, 37; and Oraka Kaosiso Chukwu, 34.

According to the police, officers conducted a detailed search of the vehicle based on reasonable suspicion, during which two pump-action guns and seven rounds of live cartridges were allegedly recovered.

The suspects were immediately arrested and taken into custody, while investigations into the matter are ongoing.

The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the operatives for what he described as their vigilance and professionalism.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to proactive policing and intelligence-driven operations aimed at combating the movement of illegal arms and other criminal activities across the state.