Bandits Kidnap Kwara Monarch, Wife, Aide in Overnight Palace Attack

Suspected bandits have abducted a traditional ruler, his wife, and another resident following a late-night attack on Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The monarch, Oba Salman Aweda, who was recently elevated by the Kwara State Government, was among those kidnapped when armed attackers stormed his palace around 1:40 a.m. on Saturday.

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen arrived in large numbers, firing sporadically to scare residents before whisking away the monarch, his wife, and one other victim to an unknown destination.

A resident who spoke on the incident said the attackers operated freely despite the late hour, leaving the community in fear.

“It happened around 1 a.m. in Olayinka. His wife and one other person were also taken. The monarch is one of those recently graded,” the source said.

Another resident described the raid as swift and terrifying, noting that no resistance could be mounted against the heavily armed attackers.

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“The bandits came heavily armed around 1:40 a.m. and took the monarch away. There was fear everywhere,” the resident added.

Confirming the attack, the Olora of Ora, Oba Rilwan Yekini, said the incident reflects worsening insecurity in neighbouring communities, warning that rural settlements are increasingly under threat.

“Just yesterday before dawn, kidnappers struck at Olayinka village and abducted the monarch and two others. Even Ora is no longer safe,” he said.

He called on the Federal Government to strengthen security operations in the area, stressing that local vigilante groups and security personnel need more support to respond effectively.

The Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Hadji Abdulrasheed Yusuf, described the incident as distressing, confirming that a joint search-and-rescue operation had been launched.

According to him, security operatives, local vigilantes, and forest guards have begun combing surrounding forests and communities in efforts to rescue the victims.

“We are deeply concerned and are taking swift and decisive action in collaboration with security agencies,” Yusuf said.

He urged residents to remain calm and assist security agencies with credible intelligence to aid ongoing operations.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Police Command said efforts have been intensified to track down the kidnappers. The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, noted that security operatives are closing in on the suspects, although he expressed concern over possible insider collaboration.

“The kidnappers have gone into hiding because of the ongoing onslaught against them. The challenge is the activities of local collaborators, but we are on their trail,” he said.

The incident adds to a growing wave of abductions in parts of Kwara North and South, where rural communities and traditional institutions have increasingly become targets of armed groups.

Authorities say operations are ongoing as security forces intensify efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted victims.

Bandits Kidnap Kwara Monarch, Wife, Aide in Overnight Palace Attack

Police Nab Inspector Over Robbery, Killing of Fuel Attendant

A serving police inspector, identified as Jido Ahmed, and another yet-to-be-identified suspect have been linked to the armed robbery and killing of a fuel attendant, Jibrin Inuwa, in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at a petrol station behind the BCG Motor Park, where the suspects reportedly arrived on a motorcycle without covering their faces.

Eyewitness accounts said the suspects initially posed as customers and even purchased fuel before suddenly pulling out firearms and announcing a robbery.

One eyewitness said the suspects, one of whom wore a Mobile Police uniform, threatened to shoot anyone who resisted.

“They pulled out their guns and started threatening to shoot everybody if the fuel attendant did not cooperate. While the attendant hesitated, one of them shot him in the chest,” the witness said.

The victim, 20-year-old Jibrin Inuwa of Garun Mallam, was rushed to the General Hospital in Kontagora, where he was confirmed dead. His body was later released to his family for burial according to Islamic rites.

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According to a security source, police operatives from the Nigeria Police Force ‘A’ Division in Kontagora responded swiftly to a distress call and trailed the suspects to the Dadin-Kowa area, where a gun duel ensued.

During the exchange of fire, one of the suspects was shot in the leg, disarmed, and arrested. He was later identified as Inspector Jido Ahmed, attached to the 61 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Kontagora, but on special duty in Agwara LGA.

An AK-47 rifle with 12 rounds of ammunition was reportedly recovered from him.

The second suspect escaped with injuries and is currently being tracked by security operatives.

The spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident, saying the officer was critically injured during the shootout and later died while receiving treatment.

“Further investigation into the unfortunate incident is ongoing, and efforts to arrest the fleeing suspect have been intensified,” he said.

The police command described the incident as unfortunate and assured that a full-scale investigation has been launched to uncover the circumstances surrounding the officer’s involvement in the robbery and killing.

The case has sparked renewed concerns over criminal infiltration within security agencies and growing calls for stricter internal monitoring and disciplinary action.

Authorities say more details will be released as investigations continue.

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Police Arrest Seven Over Otukpo Kidnapping, Dispel UTME Candidates’ Kidnap Claim

The Nigeria Police Force in Benue State have detained seven suspects in connection with the abduction of passengers during an attack along the Otukpo axis on April 15.

The arrests were confirmed in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Edet Udeme, and made available to journalists in Makurdi on Saturday.

According to the statement, the arrests followed a coordinated search-and-rescue operation involving the police and other security agencies in Amla Forest and surrounding communities, where the suspected kidnappers were tracked.

Security operatives also reportedly rescued some of the victims during the operation. However, the police did not disclose the exact number of persons rescued, noting that those recovered are currently receiving medical attention.

“Further intelligence gathered in the course of the operation led to the arrest of seven suspects, who are currently in police custody while investigation is ongoing,” the statement said.

The Command also dismissed reports circulating in some media platforms suggesting that the victims were part of a convoy transporting candidates for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

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It clarified that the victims were passengers in a Makurdi-bound commercial bus and not part of any organised UTME examination convoy.

“The command states that this claim is incorrect, as the victims were not confirmed to be part of any organized UTME-bound student convoy but passengers in a Makurdi-bound bus,” DSP Udeme stated.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ifeanyi Emenari, assured residents that efforts are ongoing in collaboration with other security agencies to rescue remaining victims and dismantle criminal networks operating in the area.

He also urged members of the public to support security operations by providing credible and timely information that could aid ongoing investigations and rescue missions.

The incident highlights continued security challenges in parts of Benue State, where kidnapping for ransom has remained a recurring concern along major travel routes and rural corridors.

Authorities say operations in the affected forested areas are still ongoing as part of broader efforts to curb violent crime and restore confidence in the state’s transport routes.

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