Mother, teacher allegedly stage son’s kidnapping, demand N15m ransom from father

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a 34-year-old mother, her two-year-old son’s lesson teacher and another alleged accomplice over a purported staged kidnapping in Jos, Plateau State, involving a N15 million ransom demand.

The suspects were identified as Nansik Wuyep Sule, Catherine Davou and Luka Emmanuel Butdam. They were paraded on Wednesday at the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) headquarters in Abuja, where the police gave details of the investigation into the alleged abduction.

According to the police, the suspects allegedly orchestrated the disappearance of two-year-old Rito Jesse Daviu and created the impression that the child had been kidnapped by unknown persons.

The toddler was reported missing on July 19, 2026, around Behind Bishop’s House in Sabon Barki, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Following the report, police operatives deployed human and technical intelligence to determine what happened to the child and identify those responsible.

The investigation reportedly yielded a breakthrough on July 23 when operatives from the Mine Special Duty unit in Jos, led by ASP Sarauta Mohammed, arrested Sule.

Police said information obtained during the investigation led detectives to the other suspects and helped uncover the alleged circumstances surrounding the child’s disappearance.

Speaking during the briefing, DCP Adamu Muazu said Davou allegedly became aware of Sule’s financial difficulties and suggested kidnapping as a way of raising money.

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Muazu said the initial plan allegedly involved kidnapping Sule. However, Davou reportedly proposed abducting her two-year-old son instead, believing the child’s father would be more likely to pay a substantial ransom for his safe return.

The police alleged that Davou subsequently went to the child’s paternal grandmother’s residence, where she used balloons to lure the toddler before taking him away.

The child was allegedly moved to a location around Behind Grandsreal in the Zawan District of Jos South, where he was kept while the suspects allegedly sustained the impression that he had been abducted.

The suspects subsequently demanded N15 million from the family for the child’s release and allegedly contacted his grandmother, pressuring her to persuade her son to pay the ransom.

Butdam was also allegedly involved in communicating with the grandmother through a hidden telephone number, according to the police.

Investigators said the use of the concealed number was allegedly intended to prevent the suspects from being identified and to maintain the appearance of a genuine kidnapping.

The suspects later allegedly changed their communication method and obtained another SIM card in an attempt to frustrate efforts by investigators to trace them.

Police detectives, however, continued analysing the communications while gathering intelligence around the case.

The grandmother reportedly became suspicious after receiving a voicemail in which the voice allegedly sounded unusual. Her concerns subsequently contributed to the investigation into the authenticity of the kidnapping.

According to the police, investigators eventually traced the suspects’ communications, established links between them and located the child.

The two-year-old was rescued from the location where he had allegedly been held and taken to a hospital for medical attention.

He was subsequently handed over to his biological father.

The police described the operation as an intelligence-led investigation, combining human intelligence with technical methods to establish the circumstances surrounding the child’s disappearance and locate him safely.

The three suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue into the alleged kidnapping, conspiracy and ransom demand.

Investigators are expected to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged scheme and determine the individual roles played by the suspects.

The case has drawn attention to the challenges faced by law enforcement in investigating reported kidnappings, particularly where investigators must establish whether an alleged abduction was carried out by external criminals or staged by individuals known to the victim.

The police allegations against the suspects have not been established in court. They remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.

Mother, teacher allegedly stage son’s kidnapping, demand N15m ransom from father

Tinubu mourns Eagle Online publisher Dotun Oladipo

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mourned the death of veteran journalist and The Eagle Online publisher, Dotun Oladipo, describing his passing as a painful loss to the Nigerian media industry and the country.

Oladipo, a former PUNCH Newspapers political editor, died on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the age of 56.

The President’s condolence message was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Tinubu commended Oladipo’s contributions to political journalism and digital media, noting his years of reporting and efforts to provide Nigerians with credible information through both traditional and online platforms.

The President said Oladipo’s career demonstrated the important role of the media in strengthening democracy by keeping citizens informed, holding public officials accountable and creating platforms for public discussion.

“Dotun Oladipo’s death at the age of 56 is a painful loss to the Nigerian media community and to our nation. He was a committed journalist who devoted significant years of his life to informing the public and contributing to the development of our democracy,” Tinubu said.

The President also acknowledged Oladipo’s contribution to the development of online journalism in Nigeria through The Eagle Online, which he founded after years of experience in mainstream journalism.

Oladipo built a career across several major Nigerian newspapers, including Nigerian Tribune, Nigerian Compass, The Sun and PUNCH Newspapers. At PUNCH, he served as a political editor and became known for his extensive coverage of Nigerian politics and public affairs.

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He later ventured into digital publishing and became the publisher of The Eagle Online, using his experience in traditional journalism to establish a presence in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding online news sector.

Beyond his publishing career, Oladipo played an important role in professional media organisations. He served as president of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) from 2017 to 2021, during a period when online journalism was becoming increasingly influential in Nigeria’s media landscape.

His colleagues and members of the wider media community have continued to pay tribute to the late journalist, remembering him for his contributions to journalism, digital publishing and professional media development.

The President extended his condolences to Oladipo’s family, colleagues, friends and members of GOCOP, saying his contributions to Nigerian journalism would not be forgotten.

“His contributions to political journalism and the digital media space will not be forgotten. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues in GOCOP, and friends. I pray that Almighty God will grant him eternal rest and give his loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” Tinubu said.

Oladipo’s death has also prompted tributes from media organisations, journalists and public officials who described his passing as a significant loss to the Nigerian journalism community.

His death at 56 marks the loss of a journalist who spent decades reporting on national affairs and contributing to the transition from traditional newspaper journalism to Nigeria’s increasingly digital media environment.

Tinubu mourns Eagle Online publisher Dotun Oladipo

Borgu attacks: NSCIA demands urgent rescue of abducted Muslim worshippers

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has condemned the deadly terrorist attacks in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, demanding the immediate rescue of residents still held captive and stronger security measures to prevent further attacks.

The council described the reported killing and abduction of civilians, including Muslim worshippers, as barbaric and unacceptable, urging the Federal Government to treat the situation as a national security emergency.

The attacks reportedly occurred on August 21, 2026, across Gbeji (Gidan-Zana), Kpenya, Giyan Gbasu and Dekara communities in Borgu Local Government Area.

In a statement signed by its Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, the NSCIA said about 30 people were reportedly killed, while several others were injured and dozens abducted.

The council said the attack on Dekara was particularly disturbing because armed attackers reportedly entered the Central Mosque during Jumu’at prayers and abducted more than 60 worshippers.

However, casualty and abduction figures have varied in reports, with authorities continuing to establish the full extent of the attacks. The Niger State Police Command initially said it could not confirm the number of people abducted, while a joint security operation was deployed to the affected communities.

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The NSCIA, under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, said the incident represented an attack not only on innocent Nigerians but also on the sanctity of worship and the right of citizens to practise their religion without fear.

The council also cautioned against presenting Nigeria’s security crisis as an attack on one particular religious community, noting that armed groups have continued to target Nigerians across different faiths and communities.

The latest violence has heightened concerns about the security situation around Kainji Lake National Park and surrounding forest corridors, which have repeatedly been linked to armed groups and kidnapping activities.

The Niger State Government said security agencies had been mobilised following the attacks to assess the situation, pursue the perpetrators and facilitate the rescue of abducted residents.

Governor Umaru Bago also urged residents and members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could undermine security operations or create further panic.

The attacks have also raised concerns because they occurred shortly after a major security operation in the same general area.

On August 5, security forces reportedly rescued 308 abducted people from the Kainji Lake National Park forest. The victims included 163 people abducted from Woro in Kwara State and 145 from communities in Borgu, Niger State.

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The NSCIA commended the security forces for the rescue operation but said the latest attacks raised questions about the sustainability of the security gains and the ability of armed groups to return to vulnerable communities.

The council consequently called on the Federal Government to urgently review security arrangements across Niger and Kwara states and adjoining border communities, particularly around Kainji Lake National Park and other forest corridors.

It demanded the immediate deployment of adequate resources to locate and rescue all remaining captives, stressing that their safe return must be treated as a national priority.

The NSCIA also called for increased aerial surveillance, intelligence gathering, early-warning systems and coordinated ground operations to prevent armed groups from exploiting remote terrain.

It urged authorities to provide security personnel deployed to vulnerable areas with adequate equipment, logistics and operational support.

The council further called for stronger cooperation among state governments, traditional rulers, religious leaders, local communities and security agencies, including the proper regulation and integration of lawful community vigilante groups into broader community-protection efforts.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also directed security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue victims of the mass abduction in Niger State.

The NSCIA urged the President, the National Security Council, the Ministries of Defence and Interior and other relevant agencies to treat the Borgu attacks with urgency and ensure that those responsible are identified and prosecuted.

The council also called for longer-term measures to prevent armed groups from using forests and remote communities as bases for kidnapping and attacks.

The NSCIA condoled with families who lost loved ones, prayed for the recovery of those injured and urged relatives of the abducted victims to remain hopeful while rescue efforts continue.

It also appealed to Muslims in Niger State and across Nigeria to remain steadfast while encouraging all Nigerians to support efforts aimed at restoring peace and protecting vulnerable communities.

The Borgu attacks have further highlighted the security challenges confronting rural communities in north-central Nigeria, where residents continue to face threats from kidnapping, armed attacks and displacement.

The NSCIA maintained that Nigerians have a right to security, justice and freedom of worship, urging authorities to combine immediate rescue operations with sustained measures to prevent similar attacks.

Borgu attacks: NSCIA demands urgent rescue of abducted Muslim worshippers