Bauchi Police Arrest Stepfather for Alleged Defilement of 8-Month-Old Baby

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Balarabe Adamu over the alleged sexual abuse of his eight-month-old stepdaughter in Toro Local Government Area of the state.

The incident was reportedly reported on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at about 5:34 pm. According to a statement issued late Thursday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, Adamu, who resides in Lame, Toro LGA, allegedly defiled the infant after the child was brought to his residence by his wife. The baby was subsequently taken to the General Hospital, Toro, for medical examination and treatment, the police said.

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Following the report, operatives of the Gumau Police Division visited the scene and arrested the suspect. The police said Adamu remains in custody while investigation into the alleged offence continues. The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged abuse and assured that the command would ensure justice for the victim. Aliyu directed that the case be thoroughly investigated and that the suspect be charged to court upon completion of the investigation in accordance with the law.

The mother of the baby has reportedly appealed to authorities to ensure justice is served, expressing shock and distress over the incident. The command reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on sexual violence and child abuse, urging parents, guardians and community leaders to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities involving children to the police. The police said further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.

Bauchi Police Arrest Stepfather for Alleged Defilement of 8-Month-Old Baby

Niger Police Arrest Six in Kidnap Syndicate Using Fake Lifts to Abduct Victims

Police uncover a syndicate operating across four states that lured victims with offers of rides before drugging and abducting them for ransom.

The Niger State Police Command has arrested six suspected members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate allegedly operating along the Suleja and Kontagora axes, with links to Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states. The suspects were identified as Amira Yusuf, 23, from Kano State; Abdullahi Garba, 40, from Sokoto State; Ibrahim Mohammed, 37, from Kano State; Maijida Abubakar, 26, from Kano State; Abdullahi Sani, 40, from Zamfara State; and Bello Shehu, 22, from Sokoto State.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the investigation began after a case of criminal conspiracy and suspected kidnapping was reported at the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Minna, on May 14, 2026. The breakthrough followed a kidnapping report involving a woman and her infant who were allegedly abducted by unknown hoodlums in Suleja on February 7, 2026, while the woman was on her way to the market.

Two days after the abduction, the victim’s relatives reportedly received a call from an unknown number demanding N50 million ransom for her release. The relatives allegedly raised N9.5 million, which was paid in instalments into three different bank accounts bearing different names. Despite the payment, the victim was not released and the abductors allegedly threatened to kill her.

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The victim eventually managed to escape, leaving behind personal belongings, including her mobile phone and ATM card. Police said the suspects subsequently exploited the abandoned banking details to demand N10.5 million ransom from another woman who was abducted in Shagari, Sokoto State, while travelling to visit her husband in the Kontagora area of Niger State.

Following the report, detectives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit commenced an investigation and analysed the bank accounts through which ransom payments had allegedly been made. The investigation led to the arrest of Amira Yusuf Aliyu, 23, in Kano State on July 2. During interrogation, police said Amira claimed she had been deceived by one Mustapha Yusuf, the alleged leader of the syndicate who is currently at large. According to the police, Amira alleged that Mustapha lured her to Sokoto under the pretext of introducing her to his family ahead of marriage, but subsequently abducted her and used her bank account details to demand ransom from her parents.

Further investigation led to the arrest of Abdullahi Garba, also known as Zidane, 40, of Sokoto State, on July 26. Garba was reportedly arrested at the residence where Amira was allegedly held following her abduction. The police said Garba admitted knowledge of the incident but claimed that Mustapha had also deceived him into believing that Amira was his fiancée and allegedly used his phone to communicate with her parents without his knowledge.

The investigation also resulted in the arrests of Ibrahim Mohammed Kote, 37, and Maijida Abubakar Yusuf, 26, both from Kano State, on August 7 and 10 respectively. Police said findings showed that Ibrahim was the brother-in-law of the alleged kingpin and had stood as surety for Mustapha when he was arrested and detained by another security agency in Kano. Maijida, who police identified as Mustapha’s wife and an alleged member of the syndicate, was also accused of allowing her bank account to be used to receive several ransom payments. According to the police, Maijida confessed to receiving ransom payments and allegedly disclosed that proceeds from the criminal activities were used to purchase a Honda Civic vehicle, renovate her room and acquire household items.

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Another alleged senior member of the syndicate, Abdullahi Sani, also known as Samaila Atulu, 40, from Zamfara State, was arrested in Zaria on August 19. The police said assorted charms were recovered from Sani during a search. During interrogation, Sani allegedly confessed to using the charms to defraud members of the public under the guise of providing spiritual assistance. He also allegedly admitted arranging with Mustapha for some of his clients to be kidnapped. Police said Sani was later identified during an identification parade at the command headquarters by one of the victims, who pointed to him as one of those allegedly involved in the abduction of her and her baby in Suleja.

The sixth suspect, Bello Shehu, 22, of Gangam Village in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State, was arrested in connection with the disappearance of the second victim. Police said Shehu was reasonably suspected of providing information about the victim’s whereabouts to Mustapha, whom he allegedly knew.

The command said investigations had so far led to the arrest of the six suspects, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend Mustapha Yusuf, identified as the alleged leader of the syndicate, and two other members known as Jafar and Fatima. The suspects are currently in police custody and undergoing further investigation and interrogation. The police said the investigation would continue until all relevant evidence was recovered, after which the suspects would be charged to court for prosecution.

This comes as the Niger State Government and police intensify efforts to combat kidnapping in the state. In July 2026, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago launched the Police Command’s 218-member Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and commissioned 12 operational vehicles to strengthen the fight against banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state. The unit comprises specially selected officers drawn from tactical formations and police divisions across the state, who have undergone intensive training in modern policing, operational procedures and human rights.

The command assured residents of its commitment to dismantling criminal networks and protecting lives and property across the state. It also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in tracking down kidnappers and other violent criminals.

Niger Police Arrest Six in Kidnap Syndicate Using Fake Lifts to Abduct Victims

KC Luxury: Court orders NDLEA to produce socialite over continued detention

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to produce socialite and businessman Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury, before the court as he challenges his continued detention by the anti-narcotics agency.

Justice Friday Ogazi issued the order after KC Luxury, through his lawyer, A. Labi-Lawal, SAN, filed an application seeking the enforcement of his fundamental rights.

The court also directed the NDLEA to respond within five days to the application challenging the legality of KC Luxury’s continued detention and to explain why he should not be released or granted bail.

The matter has been adjourned until September 9, 2026, for the hearing of the substantive application.

KC Luxury was arrested by NDLEA operatives on August 13, 2026, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while preparing to travel to Paris.

His arrest followed the agency’s investigation into the seizure of 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine, which the NDLEA linked to an alleged international drug trafficking network.

The agency said the cocaine was intercepted in a consignment processed through a courier company in Lagos and allegedly destined for markets in the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.

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NDLEA officials have maintained that the investigation is focused not only on the seized cocaine but also on identifying other members and associates of the alleged trafficking network.

The agency has reportedly linked KC Luxury to the investigation and said foreign currencies and expensive jewellery were found in his possession at the time of his arrest.

However, KC Luxury has denied wrongdoing and is challenging the circumstances surrounding his arrest and detention.

Through his legal team, he is asking the court to declare his continued detention without a formal criminal charge a violation of his constitutional rights to personal liberty.

He is seeking an order for his immediate release or, alternatively, an order granting him bail on terms considered appropriate by the court.

KC Luxury also alleged that NDLEA operatives searched his residence at Movamo Court, Banana Island, Lagos, after his arrest without presenting a search warrant to him or members of his family.

He claimed that the search did not yield any incriminating substance or evidence linking him to drug trafficking.

The socialite further alleged that the operatives seized his iPhone 15 and demanded the password to the device.

According to his application, he was allegedly threatened with physical harm if he refused to provide access to the phone.

He argued that the device contained private information belonging to him and his wife and that the search of the phone allegedly failed to uncover narcotics-related communications or transactions.

KC Luxury also accused the agency of taking and circulating photographs and videos of him while he was in custody.

He argued that the alleged publication portrayed him as a criminal before any criminal trial or conviction, which he said amounted to a violation of his rights to privacy and dignity.

The applicant is seeking financial compensation over the alleged violations.

Among the reliefs reportedly sought are N100 million in damages over the alleged recording and circulation of his photographs and videos, N50 million over his alleged unlawful arrest and detention, and another N40 million over the alleged invasion of his home and telephone privacy.

He has also asked the court to order the NDLEA to return several properties allegedly seized during the investigation.

The items reportedly include €8,000, £3,000, luxury wristwatches, designer bags, an iPhone 15, a Lexus RX350 and a 2024 Toyota Hilux.

KC Luxury maintains that the properties were not purchased with proceeds from drug trafficking or any other criminal activity.

He has also raised concerns about his health, alleging that he suffers from severe asthma and requires medical attention.

The socialite told the court that he has strong family and business ties in Nigeria and is willing to surrender his international passport and comply with any bail conditions imposed by the court.

The latest proceedings come after another Federal High Court judge, Justice Akintayo Aluko, reportedly granted the NDLEA a 30-day extension to continue investigating KC Luxury’s alleged connection with the cocaine seizure.

The earlier detention-extension order and the latest fundamental-rights proceedings concern different aspects of the case.

While the earlier order allowed the NDLEA additional time for its investigation, Justice Ogazi’s latest proceedings focus on KC Luxury’s challenge to the legality of his continued detention and his request for release or bail.

The court’s latest order does not determine whether KC Luxury committed any drug-related offence.

It also does not amount to a declaration of innocence or guilt. Rather, it requires the NDLEA to respond to the legal challenge and produce him before the court as directed.

The NDLEA has continued to maintain that its investigation concerns a major international cocaine trafficking operation and that the 184.5kg seizure is connected to a wider network allegedly involved in moving illicit drugs through Nigeria.

The agency is expected to respond to KC Luxury’s application within the period specified by the court.

The case will return to court on September 9, 2026, when further proceedings are expected to provide more clarity on the circumstances surrounding KC Luxury’s arrest, the basis for his continued detention and the status of the NDLEA investigation.

Until the allegations are proven before a competent court, KC Luxury remains presumed innocent.

KC Luxury: Court orders NDLEA to produce socialite over continued detention