Suspected Arsonists Set St. Mary’s Catholic Church Ablaze in Cross River

The Cross River State Police Command has confirmed that officers of the Nigeria Police Force are investigating a suspected arson attack on St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Katchuan Iruan, Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State.

According to ASP Sunday Eitokpah, the state police spokesperson, the attack occurred at about 3:00 a.m. on Thursday, when unknown attackers allegedly set fire to parts of the church building and property. The blaze reportedly destroyed all church records stored in the sacristy and caused extensive damage to parish assets.

In addition to the documents, the attackers torched two vehicles belonging to the parish priest — a Lexus RX 350 Jeep and a Toyota Corolla — parked within the church compound. Police confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and no suspects have been identified so far.

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“The scene has been visited, photographs taken, and the case formally recorded. It has been referred to Okunde Police Station for discreet investigation,” ASP Eitokpah stated, urging the public to provide any information that could help identify the perpetrators.

Local reports indicate that the fire also damaged parts of the church building and possibly some sacred items inside the worship space. Church officials and community members have expressed shock and condemned the attack, emphasizing that it is a direct violation of the sanctity of a place of worship.

Security analysts have warned that attacks on religious institutions in Nigeria are increasingly alarming, highlighting the need for enhanced protection for churches, mosques, and other faith-based facilities. Authorities have assured residents that investigations are being conducted meticulously, and those responsible will face the full force of the law.

Police have appealed to residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies to ensure the protection of religious sites and prevent future incidents.

Suspected Arsonists Set St. Mary’s Catholic Church Ablaze in Cross River

Kano Anti-Corruption Commission Recovers Official Vehicles From Resigned Commissioners

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has recovered official government vehicles from five former commissioners who recently voluntarily resigned from the Kano State Executive Council but allegedly failed to return public assets in their custody.

The recovery exercise was carried out on Thursday by operatives of the commission following what officials described as the continued refusal of the affected former commissioners to hand over government vehicles despite repeated official notices.

Those affected include Ibrahim Umar (Air Vice Marshal, rtd), former Commissioner for Internal Security; Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Commissioner for Youth and Sports; Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata, former Commissioner for Science and Technology; Adamu Aliyu Kibiya; and Nasiru Sani Garo.

Briefing journalists after the operation, the Chairman of the Commission, Sa’idu Yahaya, said the action became inevitable after the former commissioners failed to comply with several formal requests to return government property assigned to them during their tenure.

Yahaya disclosed that the operation was triggered by official complaints and correspondence from the Office of the Secretary to the Kano State Government, which serves as the custodian of all government vehicles. The office reportedly raised concerns over alleged abuse of office and the urgent need to recover state-owned assets following the officials’ resignation.

According to the commission, five vehicles were recovered from the former commissioners. However, Yahaya revealed that only two of the recovered vehicles were the original official vehicles purchased by the Kano State Government.

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“Investigation revealed that three of the official vehicles had allegedly been sold and replaced with other vehicles. We recovered those replacement vehicles as well,” he said.

He added that the commission has launched a full-scale investigation to determine whether the original vehicles were unlawfully disposed of and whether the proceeds were used to procure the replacements or diverted for other purposes.

“Government assets are not personal property. Once an official leaves office, all government vehicles and assets in their custody must be returned immediately. They were advised to comply, but they refused. We followed due process and obtained a valid court order before carrying out this recovery,” Yahaya stated.

The anti-corruption boss dismissed claims that the operation was politically motivated, insisting that the commission acted strictly within its statutory mandate to protect public assets and enforce accountability.

“This is not witch-hunting. It is about safeguarding the resources of the people of Kano State. No individual is above the law, and we will not tolerate the unlawful retention or disposal of government property,” he said.

Yahaya further warned that the commission would sustain active surveillance and routine audits on the use and custody of public assets, stressing that similar enforcement actions would be taken against any serving or former official found to be in breach of asset return regulations.

“Public trust depends on transparency and accountability. We are determined to strengthen both,” he added.

Providing administrative clarification, a retired senior civil servant, Mohammad Tukur, explained that no existing law or policy permits a commissioner to retain an official vehicle after leaving office, whether by resignation or removal.

“Official vehicles are provided strictly for the performance of official duties. There is no legal provision that allows a commissioner to keep a government vehicle at the end of tenure,” he said.

Tukur noted, however, that only the Governor of Kano State retains the discretionary executive power to approve the retention of a vehicle by any official, and such approval must be explicitly granted.

“Under administrative policy, what commissioners are entitled to upon exit are certain allowances, not government vehicles. Even those allowances may not apply in cases of resignation or dismissal,” he explained.

The development is part of a broader asset recovery and accountability drive by Kano State authorities aimed at curbing abuse of office, protecting public resources, and reinforcing discipline within government institutions.

Kano Anti-Corruption Commission Recovers Official Vehicles From Resigned Commissioners

Edo Police Arrest 113 Suspected Kidnappers in Major Overnight Raids

The Edo State Police Command has arrested 113 suspected kidnappers during coordinated security raids across Edo North and Edo Central Senatorial Districts, as part of an intensified crackdown on kidnapping and related criminal networks in the state.

The arrests were confirmed on Thursday in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, who said the operation was carried out in the early hours of the day, at about 3:00 a.m., following actionable intelligence.

According to the statement, security agencies uncovered credible information indicating that ransom payments from kidnapping operations were being coordinated and received at designated locations popularly known as “zangos” in Agbede and Iruekpen.

Acting on the intelligence, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, personally led a joint task force operation involving operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, vigilante groups, and local hunters.

Police said the coordinated raids targeted settlements where suspected kidnappers and their collaborators allegedly converged to receive ransom proceeds, regroup, and blend with unsuspecting members of the public. The operation resulted in the arrest of 113 suspects, all of whom are currently undergoing detailed profiling and interrogation to establish individual levels of involvement.

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The command said suspects found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, adding that investigations are ongoing to uncover wider kidnapping cells, financial channels, and logistics networks operating within and outside Edo State.

Agbonika reaffirmed the command’s determination to sustain an unrelenting and uncompromising offensive against kidnapping syndicates, stressing that the fight would go beyond armed elements hiding in forests to include financial sponsors, informants, and logistics providers.

He assured residents that security agencies would continue to disrupt criminal supply chains, dismantle safe havens, and intensify patrols across flashpoints identified through intelligence reports.

The police operation comes amid heightened public concern following a recent deadly attack in Iduah Kingdom, located in Esan West Local Government Area. Days before the raids, gunmen reportedly attacked the residence of a palace chief, resulting in multiple casualties.

Sources said Chief Jimah Jacob Ogboi was shot at close range during the attack, while his wife sustained severe machete injuries. Two of the chief’s daughters were also reportedly abducted and later killed by their captors, a development that sparked outrage and renewed calls for decisive security action.

A son of the family, identified as Lucky, reportedly said the attack occurred while he was away from home, adding that the assailants struck swiftly before escaping.

Reacting to the developments, the Edo State Police Command urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence, assuring the public that all information shared would be treated with strict confidentiality.

“The Edo State Police Command remains firm, proactive, and battle-ready to safeguard lives and property. There will be no hiding place for kidnappers or their collaborators anywhere in the state,” Agbonika said.

Edo Police Arrest 113 Suspected Kidnappers in Major Overnight Raids