metro
Christmas tragedy: Bandits attack Benue communities, kill 12, abduct 7 children
Christmas tragedy: Bandits attack Benue communities, kill 12, abduct 7 children
Fear has gripped the residents of Yaav and Mbakyol council wards in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State after suspected armed bandits, believed to be herdsmen, invaded the communities on Christmas Day.
The attack claimed the lives of over 12 people and saw seven children abducted.
Lawrence Akerigba, a resident of the now-deserted Mbadura council ward, who has sought refuge in Jato-Aka, shared details of the tragedy in a phone conversation.
He revealed that the attackers abducted seven children, with the oldest being just six years old and the youngest only two.
According to him, “The attackers invaded Yaav and Mbakyol councill wards of Turan community at about 4pm when most residents were at home with their families enjoying the cool breeze of the yuletide, killing 12, injuring scores, and abducted children while others were still missing.
“On Christmas day evening, eight young boys who are also taking refuge in Jato-Aka town which is Yaav council wards were sent by their parents to bring some crops from the farm so as to prepare food for the family on the Boxing Day and on their way, they met the attackers who opened fire on them, killing one person while the remaining seven who escaped with gunshot injuries are receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
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Akerigba also disclosed that there is sustained attack by bandits on the community after the burial of Wantaregh Paul Unongo, adding that out of the five council wards in the Turan community, four have been deserted for over 10 years due to sustained attacks by bandits suspected to be armed herdsmen.
“I am from Mbadura Council ward here in Turan Community of Kwande LG, but all of us have left our communities, we are now taking refuge in Jato-Aka town for fear of the unknown, and it seems the government has totally forgotten that his people are going through hell here, nobody is coming to our rescue, no relief materials, even as many were celebrating we were just hearing and the sudden attack on the already traumatised communities.
He said, “Our young people are combining the bushes around because as we talk now, many people are still missing including women and children, 9 corpses were picked at the scene of the attack while three were recovered from the surrounding bushes, search is still on and there is the likelihood that more corpses will be recovered.
“What we are calling for now is for the government to make our communities safe to enable us go back to our ancestral homes to continue with our farming to feed our families and pay our childrens school fees, because from all indications, it seems the security here are helpless. These bandits come with more sophisticated weapons, since yesterday 4pm and today almost 11am now no security personnel has come here to access the situation and give the people hope, those who lost their loved ones are just crying since yesterday
Akerigba gave the names of the slain victims to include Vanen Iorvihi, Mike Azege, Anyisa Akpa, Ausa Imbior, orwua Abur Hwande,.Iornumbe Tse, Zaki Ashivor Mbailuve Tyohemba,Terhemba Tyohemba Jim Ierkwagh and Ijeyol Ierkwagh.
He however said the number was still counting, adding that the search team was still searching for those missing in the bush.
Efforts to speak with the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene proved abortive as she was neither replying to text messages nor picking calls.
Christmas tragedy: Bandits attack Benue communities, kill 12, abduct 7 children
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metro
NDLEA Arrests Woman With 266 Rounds of Live AK-47 Ammunition on Abuja-Kaduna Expressway
NDLEA Arrests Woman With 266 Rounds of Live AK-47 Ammunition on Abuja-Kaduna Expressway
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a woman identified as Aisha Isah after allegedly recovering 266 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition from her along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.
The suspect was reportedly arrested at a toll gate during a patrol operation by NDLEA operatives along the busy highway.
The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the arrest in a statement issued on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
According to the statement, the ammunition recovered from the woman consisted of 266 live rounds meant for an AK-47 rifle.
However, the NDLEA did not disclose where the suspect was travelling from, her intended destination or the circumstances surrounding the possession and transportation of the ammunition.
The arrest comes amid intensified security operations across the country, particularly along major highways and other routes suspected to be used for the movement of illicit substances and other prohibited items.
In a related operation, NDLEA operatives arrested a 68-year-old man, identified as Ifeanyi Egwolonwu, at Gwargwaje in Zaria, Kaduna State, along the Zaria-Kano Expressway.
The suspect was allegedly found with 2,770 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 100 ampoules of diazepam injection, 11,000 tablets of diazepam and 4,500 tablets of Exol-5.
The agency also reported several arrests and major drug seizures in different parts of the country as part of its ongoing operations against drug trafficking and related criminal activities.
The NDLEA has yet to provide further details about the investigation into the alleged ammunition possession by Aisha Isah.
NDLEA Arrests Woman With 266 Rounds of Live AK-47 Ammunition on Abuja-Kaduna Expressway
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metro
How 40 Motorcycles-Riding Bandits Ambushed, Brutalised Six Kwara Security Operatives
How 40 Motorcycles-Riding Bandits Ambushed, Brutalised Six Kwara Security Operatives
Suspected bandits have reportedly ambushed and brutalised six members of the Iru Ekun Security Network in Bani community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The attack occurred as the operatives were returning from a meeting in Kaiama town, shortly before reaching Bani community.
The chairman of the private security organisation, Isiak Olayiwola, disclosed details of the incident, describing the attack as heartbreaking and a disturbing development for community-based security efforts in the state.
According to Olayiwola, the six operatives were travelling back to Bani when between 30 and 40 motorcycles carrying armed men suddenly emerged and launched an attack on them.
He said the attackers were heavily armed with AK-47 rifles and other weapons, adding that the security operatives had only two firearms among them for personal protection.
Olayiwola explained that his men were not on a mission to confront any armed group but were simply returning from their meeting when they were ambushed.
He said, “They were returning from a meeting in Kaiama town to Bani when they were ambushed on their way back.”
The security chief added that the attackers opened fire on the operatives shortly before they entered the community.
He expressed gratitude that none of the six members was killed during the attack, attributing their survival to divine intervention.
A video of the incident, which surfaced on October 26, showed the captured operatives sitting on the ground with their hands tied behind their backs while armed men interrogated them.
In the footage, the captors repeatedly questioned the victims about their membership of the Iru Ekun Security Network and their activities in Bani community.
One of the armed men was heard challenging the operatives over what he described as their refusal to heed earlier warnings against associating with the security organisation or accommodating its members in the community.
One of the captives, identified as Jelili Alagbere, who was wearing an Iru Ekun-branded shirt, was questioned about his involvement in the organisation.
Another captive, Yusuf Alagbere, reportedly identified himself as a hunter, explaining that he had been invited by some individuals known as the Elere boys.
A third captive, identified as Rafiu, was also questioned about his identity and connection with the security outfit.
An elderly man among the captives, however, denied belonging to the organisation, insisting that he was not an Iru Ekun member.
Towards the end of the recording, the armed men reportedly asked the captives whether they would continue participating in the organisation’s activities. The victims were heard responding in the negative.
Olayiwola subsequently identified one of the suspected attackers as Sardauna, alleging that he was among those who participated in the shooting and personally recorded the interrogation.
He claimed that Sardauna was holding the phone and conducting the questioning while also opening fire on the security operatives.
The chairman said the video eventually found its way to the security organisation, although the person who recorded it was allegedly unaware that it would reach them.
Meanwhile, Olayiwola commended the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, for his efforts towards securing the rescue of the six operatives.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about the security situation in parts of Kwara State, particularly the dangers confronting local security groups involved in protecting vulnerable communities against armed attacks and kidnapping.
The development also highlights the growing risks faced by community-based security operatives operating in areas where heavily armed criminal groups reportedly maintain a presence.
How 40 Motorcycles-Riding Bandits Ambushed, Brutalised Six Kwara Security Operatives
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‘My Only Hope’: Mother Mourns Son Found Beheaded in Cross River
‘My Only Hope’: Mother Mourns Son Found Beheaded in Cross River
The body of a 14-year-old boy, identified simply as Ogar, has been discovered without his head in a river at Yahe community in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The tragic discovery followed the teenager’s disappearance from home, leaving his family and residents of the community in shock.
According to a report by Vanguard, Ogar was last seen on Friday afternoon after returning from school. He reportedly left home shortly after having his meal but failed to return.
His mother, Agnes, said the family became worried when they could not find him and subsequently organised a search.
However, their search ended in tragedy on Saturday afternoon when the boy’s body was discovered in the Yahe River, about one kilometre from the community.
The grieving mother, who reportedly lost her husband three years ago, lamented that her son was her only source of hope.
“I don’t know who did this wicked act to me — my only source of hope after his father died three years ago. His body without the head was found at the river,” she said.
Agnes expressed confusion over how her son ended up in the river, explaining that the water was usually dirty and brownish at this time of the year and was not commonly used for swimming or washing clothes.
She also said she could not establish whether someone had taken the teenager to the river or how he got there.
A classmate of the deceased, identified as Jacob, reportedly said Ogar did not inform him or their other friends that he intended to go anywhere with anybody.
He added that he only learnt about the tragedy after news emerged that the teenager’s body had been discovered.
Meanwhile, a source at the Yahe Police Station confirmed that the incident was being investigated.
The police source, however, declined to provide further details, explaining that the Divisional Police Officer was away in Calabar.
“I can tell you we are investigating the matter,” the source said.
The circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death, including the whereabouts of his missing head and the identity of those responsible, remain unclear.
Residents are awaiting further details from the police as investigations continue.
‘My Only Hope’: Mother Mourns Son Found Beheaded in Cross River
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