metro

Bandits Abduct Zamfara LG Chairman, Kill Four Security Operatives

Published

2 months ago

July 25, 2026

Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Hon. Nura Umar Bungudu (also known as Nura Abdullahi)

Bandits Abduct Zamfara LG Chairman, Kill Four Security Operatives

Suspected bandits have abducted the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Hon. Nura Umar Bungudu (also known as Nura Abdullahi), following a deadly night attack on his residence that claimed the lives of four security operatives. The incident occurred around 11:40 p.m. on Thursday when heavily armed gunmen reportedly invaded Bungudu town, located less than 20 kilometres from the Zamfara State capital, Gusau, and headed directly to the council chairman’s residence in the Zango area. The attackers, who came in large numbers and were equipped with sophisticated weapons, overwhelmed the security personnel stationed at the residence before abducting the chairman and members of his family, leaving the community in shock and fear.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the security team mounted a resistance but was unable to repel the attackers because of the superior firepower deployed by the gunmen. The victims have been identified as Inspector Basiru Lawal, Police Constable Hamza Muhammad, and two vigilantes, Nura ADC and Ibrahim Baare, all of whom lost their lives in the line of duty. Additionally, Bello Abdullahi, a former treasurer in the state Ministry of Finance, sustained injuries during the raid and is currently receiving medical treatment. “The bandits came into the town determined to carry out their mission. The chairman’s security team put up resistance, but they were outgunned,” the resident said. “They killed two policemen and two vigilantes, including one volunteer vigilante who had been actively helping to protect the town from bandit attacks,” he added, highlighting the bravery of the fallen security personnel.

According to the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, troops’ prompt intervention forced the terrorists to abandon five of the chairman’s family members, comprising two of his children, his mother, wife, and a relative, who were successfully rescued from the clutches of the abductors. However, the terrorists narrowly escaped into the surrounding bushes with the chairman, leaving behind the rescued family members who were taken to a safe location for medical evaluation and debriefing. “They kidnapped the chairman along with his wife and children, but security personnel later rescued some of the children. Unfortunately, the chairman was taken away,” the resident said, expressing relief that at least some family members were saved while lamenting the chairman’s continued captivity.

READ ALSO:

Beyond the chairman and his family, the gunmen also abducted Halliru Soja, a staff member of the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, and Hussaini Naira, a POS operator, during the same attack, bringing the total number of abductees to at least three individuals in addition to the chairman. Security operatives who responded to the incident pursued the gunmen and reportedly rescued several of the children, but the chairman and the other abductees remain in captivity, with their whereabouts still unknown. The abduction of multiple individuals has heightened anxiety in the community, with residents fearing further attacks and calling on the government to take decisive action.

Following the incident, the Theatre Command activated a coordinated search-and-rescue operation involving troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and local vigilantes, demonstrating a multi-agency approach to addressing the security crisis. Security forces are currently conducting deliberate operations at the suspected location of the terrorists, aimed at safely rescuing the abducted chairman and other victims, with intelligence gathering and tactical manoeuvres underway. The Theatre Command has deployed all available resources in the ongoing operation and remains in close coordination with participating security agencies to ensure a swift and successful outcome. The Command assures the Government and people of Zamfara State that every lawful and operational measure is being taken to achieve a successful outcome, urging patience and cooperation from the public. Despite the mobilisation of reinforcement teams, they arrived after the attackers had already escaped, underscoring the challenges security forces face in responding to such rapid and well-coordinated attacks. “The security personnel tried their best, but by the time reinforcements got there, the bandits had already executed their plan and escaped,” the resident said, acknowledging the difficulties security forces encounter in combating banditry.

READ ALSO:

The resident attributed the recurring attacks in the area to the sophisticated weapons allegedly possessed by the bandits and the activities of informants who aid their operations, pointing to a well-organised criminal network operating in the region. “They don’t give any warning before attacking. They come heavily armed and in large numbers. Despite the efforts of security forces, they still managed to escape with the chairman,” he added, expressing frustration at the bandits’ ability to evade capture. He called on the government and security agencies to improve security across Bungudu and other vulnerable communities in Zamfara State, emphasising the urgent need for enhanced protection. “Our people resisted alongside the security forces, but the bandits overpowered them. They carry sophisticated weapons that ordinary people cannot match. We appeal to the authorities to do more to protect lives and property,” he said, speaking on behalf of a community that has endured repeated attacks.

Bungudu LGA, located about 21 kilometres from the state capital, Gusau, is frequently targeted by bandits who kidnap for ransom and attack security outposts, making it one of the hotspots of insecurity in Zamfara State. In April, armed bandits riding more than 50 motorcycles invaded Yarkatsinan Laka, a village in the area, attacking a local security outpost and a clinic, killing two police officers, two health workers, and a patient, demonstrating the persistent threat facing the community. The latest abduction of the council chairman underscores the audacity of the bandits and the urgent need for a comprehensive security strategy to address the root causes of banditry in the state. The Theatre Command has appealed to members of the public to remain calm, continue with their lawful activities and provide credible information through established security channels that may assist the ongoing operation, emphasising the importance of community cooperation in the fight against insecurity. “The Theatre remains resolute in its mandate to protect lives and property and will continue working with sister security agencies until the abducted chairman is safely reunited with his family and the perpetrators are brought to justice,” the statement concluded, reaffirming the commitment of security forces to ending the scourge of banditry in Zamfara State. Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Zamfara State Police Command were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, were not returned at the time of this report, leaving the public awaiting further official updates on the ongoing rescue operation.

Bandits Abduct Zamfara LG Chairman, Kill Four Security Operatives

Related Topics:Bandits LG Chairman Zamfara

Up Next

Police deny IGP Olatunji Disu issued shoot-on-sight order for illegal firearm carriers

Don't Miss

Expose Criminals Among You or Face Consequences, Bago Tells Fulani Leaders

metro

How I Sold My Twins for N300,000, Stole 13 Other Children — Suspect

Published

1 hour ago

September 8, 2026

Trends Admin

How I Sold My Twins for N300,000, Stole 13 Other Children — Suspect

A 50-year-old suspected child trafficker, Adejoke Popoola, has confessed to selling a newborn boy and a set of twins she gave birth to before stealing at least 13 other children for onward sale, in a case that has uncovered an interstate trafficking syndicate operating across Oyo, Ogun and Delta States.

Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, made the startling disclosure on Monday while speaking with journalists at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters in Ibadan, following her arrest on August 4. She claimed she had been involved in the alleged activities since October 2024, after her herb-selling business was gutted by fire, which she said pushed her into the illicit trade as a means of survival.

Popoola stated that she sold a newborn baby boy and a set of male twins, with the twins sold to a clinic in Ogeere for ₦300,000. She said she sometimes received between N80,000 and N120,000 for other children, and up to N900,000 for some victims, depending on the age and gender of the child. “God blessed me with the gift of pregnancy. Anytime a man has sex with me twice, I get pregnant, and it is always difficult to abort,” she said. “I have sold two sets of children, a newborn boy and twins as well, last year. I sold the twins to … clinic; she also resells them to her customers in Lagos. She has a baby industry. When the owner of the pregnancy rejects the pregnancy, that is when I sell.” Popoola, who said she has seven children of her own aged between six and 34, added that she became involved in the alleged operation after meeting a woman she identified as Oluwakemi, who she said operated a “baby industry” and supplied children to buyers in Lagos, revealing the existence of a well-organized trafficking network.

The suspect also admitted to stealing children through various deceptive methods. She explained that she would sometimes disguise herself as a prospective tenant to gain access to homes before taking children when their parents were not around. “I steal babies. I will go to their place and say I want to rent a house. Then, if I do not see anyone, if I see their children, I will just steal their children,” she said. Popoola claimed that a woman she worked with at Ogeere Market taught her how to steal children, providing her with the skills and confidence to carry out the abductions. She further alleged that she sometimes posed as a spiritualist, targeting parents with children living with disabilities, preying on their desperation for healing. “Parents bring their disabled children to me because they cannot talk, sit, or walk. So, I will promise them that I can help them to heal, then I will go and pick another person’s child for them,” she said, revealing a particularly cruel method of operation.

READ ALSO:

One of the most chilling incidents she recounted involved the abduction of three-year-old Ifakunle Ifagbenro during an Egungun festival in Oyo Town on June 29. She said she travelled to the festival two days earlier, joined the family during prayers and even contributed money to gain their trust before volunteering to carry the boy during the procession. “When the Egungun left, the boy told his mother that he did not want to stay at home and wanted to join the procession. So, I volunteered to help hold the boy,” she said. “I joined them for the procession and, in the evening, I picked up the boy, laid him on my back and ran away with him.” She claimed she received N900,000 for selling Ifagbenlo, making him one of her most lucrative targets.

Popoola claimed that of the children she allegedly kidnapped, six had died while 17 were rescued by police. The deceased children were identified as Musharaf Lawal Tajudeen, two; Greatness Adeagbo, five; Sainat Amoo, two; Taiwo Usman, two; Daniel Solomon Olayinka, seven; and Miracle Olaniyi, four. She explained that some of the children died due to illness or neglect while in custody, while others reportedly succumbed to the harsh conditions in which they were kept.

The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, said the investigation began with a petition dated July 29, 2026, submitted by Popoola herself over allegations including conspiracy, cyberbullying, threat to life and defamation. Detectives later linked the case to the disappearance of Ifakunle during the masquerade festival, as video footage from the event showed Popoola carrying the child moments before he vanished. Popoola was arrested on August 4, and her statement provided the first major breakthrough in dismantling the syndicate. She allegedly named Adekanbi Janet, also known as Hosanna, as her accomplice. Janet was arrested in Mowe, Ogun State, where four children and two pregnant young women were rescued from her custody, revealing the scale of the operation.

READ ALSO:

The investigation later extended to Agbor, Delta State, where four children allegedly stolen from Oyo State were rescued from persons suspected to have bought them. Two suspects, Christopher Joy, 48, and Rosemary Jesse, 53, were arrested and allegedly confessed to involvement in the trafficking network, confirming the interstate dimension of the criminal enterprise. The investigation also uncovered an alleged ritual dimension, with suspects confessing that children who died in custody were sold to ritualists. This led to the arrest of Muritala Fasasi, an Islamic cleric, and Yakubu Azeez, a herbalist, who were allegedly involved in purchasing the bodies of deceased children for ritual purposes.

The police said it has so far rescued 17 children and arrested seven suspects in connection with the investigation. The rescued children include Ifakunle Ifagbenro, 3; Musibau Olasupo, 5; Sulaimon Osamo, 7; Murina Fidaus, 3; Aminat Yusuf, 3; Taiwo Olamilekan, 3; an infant aged nine days; Rafiat Waheed Babalola, 2; Quwiyat Alade, 5; Rejoice Divine, 3; Alhaji Divine, 5; Eniolorunda, 3; Victoria, 3; Isoma Prince, 3; Roqeeba, 4; Boluwatife Odedeyi, 3; and Ireoluwa Elizabeth Olapade, 7. The CP urged parents and guardians whose children recently went missing to visit the command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, to identify the rescued children and facilitate their reunification with their families, as some of the children have yet to be claimed.

How I Sold My Twins for N300,000, Stole 13 Other Children — Suspect

metro

No More Embassy Visits: Step-by-Step Guide to Nigeria’s Contactless Passport Renewal

Published

2 hours ago

September 8, 2026

Trends Admin

No More Embassy Visits: Step-by-Step Guide to Nigeria’s Contactless Passport Renewal

The Nigerian Immigration Service has launched a fully digital passport renewal system, allowing eligible Nigerians abroad to complete the process remotely without visiting an embassy for biometric enrolment. Processing time has reportedly dropped to between five days and two weeks.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially rolled out its Contactless Passport Application System, a digital platform designed to make passport renewal faster, easier and more convenient for eligible Nigerians in the diaspora. Under the new system, applicants can complete and track their applications online without visiting an embassy for biometric enrolment, using their National Identification Number (NIN) and date of birth for secure identity verification. The system has been met with widespread praise from Nigerians abroad, who say the reform has effectively ended years of frustrating delays and cumbersome procedures that previously forced applicants to wait for months and travel long distances. A Nigerian community leader in Birmingham, Timileyin Gbenga, described the difference as “night and day,” noting that renewal times have dropped from more than six months to less than two weeks, with some applicants even reporting receiving their passports within five days.

To begin the process, applicants are required to visit the official NIS Passport Application portal. Select “Continue” on the welcome page, then click “Apply for Renewal or Re-issue” to start the application. The portal is the only official channel for initiating the contactless renewal process, and applicants should ensure they are using the correct website to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

READ ALSO:

Applicants should create an account and verify their identity using their National Identification Number (NIN) and date of birth. After successful verification, they must complete the application form, select their preferred processing embassy or high commission, and upload all required supporting documents, which typically include passport photographs, proof of residence abroad, and copies of the current passport data page.

After completing the form and uploading documents, applicants must pay the passport booklet fee for their selected passport type, with fees varying depending on the number of pages and processing speed chosen. Upon successful payment, they will receive an Application ID and Reference Number, which should be kept safe as these details will be needed throughout the application process. Applicants are advised to save these numbers in multiple locations to avoid losing access to their application.

After submitting the application, applicants can choose between a regular physical appointment and the new contactless passport renewal service. Those who qualify should select “Opt in for Contactless” under the application status or appointment section of the portal. A guide explaining the process will then be provided, walking applicants through the remaining steps of the digital renewal process.

The next step involves downloading the NIS Mobile App, which is available for download on official app stores for both Android and iOS devices. Within the app, applicants should log in or create a profile, select “Passport Application Services,” and then choose “Passport Biometrics Enrolment.” They will need to enter their Application ID and Reference Number into the app to link their mobile enrolment to their existing application.

The app will first check whether they are eligible for the contactless process. If eligible, they will be guided through capturing their facial image and fingerprints directly on their phone before submitting the biometrics for review. The app uses advanced liveness detection technology to ensure the captured face is real and not a photograph or video replay, adding an extra layer of security to prevent identity fraud.

READ ALSO:

Once the biometrics have been reviewed successfully and the applicant is confirmed eligible, they will be asked to pay the contactless service fee, which covers the cost of the enhanced digital processing. After payment, applicants should complete the liveness verification and submit their biometric details electronically, finalizing the digital portion of the application.

The NIS clarified that the contactless option is not available to every applicant. Applicants who are found ineligible after verification will be required to return to the application portal and schedule a physical appointment at their chosen Nigerian embassy or high commission. “If the response is INELIGIBLE, then it means the applicant should return to the landing page of the portal to book a physical appointment at the Embassy/High Commission,” the Service stated, ensuring that all applicants understand the available alternatives.

Even after completing the online and biometric processes, applicants will still need to print their completed application form, passport payment receipt, and biometric payment receipt. These documents, along with their current Nigerian passport, should be placed inside a self-addressed return envelope and mailed to the embassy or high commission handling the application. This step is essential to facilitate passport production and return, and applicants should ensure their return envelope has sufficient postage to avoid delivery delays.

Applicants can begin tracking the status of their passport about two weeks after submission through either the tracking portal or the NIS Mobile App. The NIS advised applicants to monitor the progress of their passport renewal after submission using the online passport tracking platform, which provides real-time updates on the status of their application from processing to dispatch.

The NIS has clarified that Nigerians abroad do not need a valid passport to travel back to Nigeria. According to the agency, Nigerians can return home with an expired passport and renew it after arriving in the country. This clarification comes as many Nigerians in the diaspora prepare for end-of-year trips home, with the NIS encouraging those travelling during the December season to take advantage of their stay in Nigeria to process passport renewal, potentially bypassing the international processing system entirely.

The Federal Government has deployed a dedicated Passport Intervention Team from the NIS headquarters to the United Kingdom to process and clear all pending, new, and renewal passport applications. The NIS confirmed that the contactless passport application platform remains fully operational alongside the intervention exercise, ensuring that applicants have multiple pathways to secure their travel documents.

Applicants are advised to use only official Nigerian Immigration Service channels when applying for or renewing their passports to avoid fraud. The NIS Mobile App is available for download on official app stores, and all user information is securely encrypted and handled in compliance with international standards, giving applicants peace of mind that their personal data is protected throughout the process.

No More Embassy Visits: Step-by-Step Guide to Nigeria’s Contactless Passport Renewal

metro

Lagos police arrest four suspected robbers, recover 25 phones in Mushin

Published

2 hours ago

September 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Lagos police arrest four suspected robbers, recover 25 phones in Mushin

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four suspected members of an alleged armed robbery syndicate operating around the Iju-Ishaga and Oke-Aro areas of Lagos State, recovering 25 mobile phones and other items during a raid on their hideout.

The suspects were arrested at their alleged hideout in Idi-Oro, Mushin, following what the police described as credible intelligence and sustained surveillance by operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).

The suspects were identified as Damilare Oluwatobi, 28; Lekan Adenuga, 30; Haruna Sheriff, 22; and David Balogun, 24.

According to the police, the operation followed intelligence gathered on the activities of the alleged robbery syndicate, which was reportedly linked to criminal operations in parts of Lagos.

During a search of the hideout, VCRU operatives recovered 25 mobile phones, two laptop computers, gold jewellery, including a necklace and earrings, and three cutlasses.

The police described the arrests as a significant development in efforts to tackle armed robbery and violent crime in Lagos, while investigations continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the recovered items and identify their owners.

READ ALSO:

The suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting investigators with the ongoing investigation. The Command also said efforts were being intensified to apprehend other suspected members of the alleged syndicate who may be connected to the criminal activities.

The development was confirmed by the Lagos State Police spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, who said the suspects were arrested by operatives of the VCRU following sustained intelligence gathering.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, commended the VCRU operatives for their swift response and intelligence-led approach, describing the operation as part of the Command’s broader efforts to dismantle criminal networks across the state.

Fatai reaffirmed the police commitment to protecting residents and tackling criminal activities, particularly armed robbery and other violent crimes.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the police through the Command’s emergency lines.

The police listed the emergency contacts as 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, 08080193432 (Marine), and 09168630929.

The latest arrests come as the Lagos Police Command continues to rely on intelligence-led operations to identify and disrupt criminal groups operating across the state.

The four suspects remain in custody while the investigation continues, with the police expected to determine the extent of their alleged involvement and pursue other individuals suspected to be connected to the syndicate.