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Imo: Family Alleges Police Neglect as Gunmen Abduct Inspector on Official Duty

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Zamfara Police Rescue 9 Travellers, Arrest Arms Courier After Gun Battle With Bandits

Imo: Family Alleges Police Neglect as Gunmen Abduct Inspector on Official Duty

The family of a police inspector allegedly kidnapped while on official duty in Imo State has accused the state police command of failing to take meaningful steps towards securing his release.

Inspector Eku Egim Eku was reportedly abducted by armed men on Monday, May 25, 2026, while travelling to Orlu, where he had been assigned to provide security services at a financial institution. According to family members, the officer was officially drafted by his unit command to provide armed security escort and bank guard services at a financial institution in Orlu town—a geographic zone that has been heavily criminalized by violent separatist gunmen and rogue militia cells. The inspector was intercepted midway through his journey by the gunmen, disarmed, and dragged into the dense forests characteristically used by terrorists as operational bases in the state.

Speaking on the incident, a family member expressed frustration over what he described as the lack of response from the Imo State Police Command since the incident occurred. According to information gathered, the officer was deployed by his unit to undertake bank guard duties in Orlu, an area that has witnessed repeated security challenges in recent years. During the journey, he was allegedly intercepted by gunmen, disarmed and taken away.

“One inspector, EKU EGIM EKU, has been kidnapped by armed terrorists in Imo State,” the victim’s brother cried out. “The said inspector is my brother. He was kidnapped on Monday while on his way to Orlu in Imo State for a bank guard duty.”

The family further alleged that despite several appeals, they have received no assistance from the police authorities in the state. Speaking to SaharaReporters on Saturday, May 30, a direct sibling of the abducted officer exposed how the family’s frantic appeals for assistance from the state police command have been completely stonewalled. The distraught family members accused the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, of showing absolute “indifference” and refusing to deploy tactical search-and-rescue teams to track down the kidnappers.

“All efforts from us the family proved abortive as the command is totally not willing to offer any support,” the heartbroken sibling claimed on Saturday.

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The relative claimed that five days after the abduction, the family had yet to receive updates or assurances regarding efforts to locate and rescue the officer. The most damning aspect of the officer’s disappearance, according to the family, is the alleged refusal of the top brass of the Imo State Police Command to acknowledge the incident or initiate standard hostage-rescue protocols, leaving the family entirely at the mercy of non-state actors.

Attempts to obtain the reaction of the Imo State Police Command were unsuccessful. All efforts by SaharaReporters to speak with the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Henry Okoye, regarding the incident were completely unsuccessful. The command’s spokesperson did not answer multiple phone calls placed to his mobile line and failed to respond to a detailed text message seeking his comment on the development as of the time of filing this report.

Orlu and surrounding communities have experienced recurring security incidents in recent years, with security personnel among those targeted in attacks by armed groups operating in parts of the area. The Orlu senatorial district of Imo State has degenerated into a high-risk zone for uniform-wearing security personnel. Dozens of soldiers, police operatives, and civil defense corps members have been killed, decapitated, or vanished without a trace along this axis over the past few years.

This incident has again drawn attention to the security challenges facing the Orlu axis of Imo State, an area that has witnessed repeated attacks on security personnel and public institutions in recent years. Security observers have previously raised concerns about the safety measures available to officers deployed to high-risk locations, urging authorities to strengthen operational support and surveillance capabilities to reduce their exposure to attacks.

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Security analysts have repeatedly criticised the police hierarchy for failing to provide adequate armored transport or tactical air surveillance for personnel deployed to high-risk zones like Orlu, effectively leaving lower-ranking officers vulnerable to well-armed ambush squads. They have consistently warned about the dangers confronting officers deployed to volatile areas, urging authorities to improve operational support, intelligence gathering and protection measures for personnel working in high-risk zones.

The abduction of Inspector Eku comes amid a broader pattern of violent incidents targeting security personnel and civilians in Imo State. Just days earlier, on May 30, 2026, unidentified gunmen killed at least eight people, including security personnel, in Abacheke community, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of the state. The attackers reportedly stormed a checkpoint within the community and opened fire, causing residents to flee for their lives.

On May 13, 2026, gunmen also attempted an abduction along the Umuokwo Ihiagwa/Eziobodo Road in Owerri West LGA, an area that hosts the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO). That operation failed following a swift response by police operatives, local vigilante groups, and community members who mobilised in large numbers. In response to that incident, the Commissioner of Police for Imo State, CP Audu Garba Bosso, ordered the deployment of the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) , alongside other tactical and intelligence assets, to the affected area.

Despite these security challenges, the Imo State Police Command has recorded some successes in recent months. In March 2026, the command announced the arrest of 75 suspects linked to various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, and cultism, with recoveries including three AK-47 rifles, three magazines, 65 rounds of live ammunition, two locally made pistols, one Beretta pistol, and six stolen motorcycles. In February 2026, the command arrested 15 suspects over alleged offences ranging from kidnapping, murder, and armed robbery to cultism, child trafficking, and terrorism-related activities linked to IPOB/ESN, recovering 10 firearms including four AK-47 rifles and 260 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, in March 2026, police operatives neutralized a suspected terrorist and recovered arms following an attack on Adapalm in Ohaji/Egbema local government area.

However, critics argue that these tactical successes have not translated into sustained security for officers on routine assignments like bank guard duties. The abduction of Inspector Eku highlights the persistent vulnerability of police personnel operating in high-risk areas of the state.

Security experts have also raised concerns about the lack of official acknowledgment of the incident by the police command. The family’s allegation that the Commissioner of Police has shown “indifference” to their pleas suggests a breakdown in communication between the command and the families of officers serving in dangerous postings.

As of the time of this report, no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction of Inspector Eku Egim Eku, and his whereabouts remain unknown. The Imo State Police Command has not issued any official statement on the incident. The family continues to appeal to the authorities for urgent intervention to secure the officer’s release.

Imo: Family Alleges Police Neglect as Gunmen Abduct Inspector on Official Duty

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Borno: Troops kill 26 Boko Haram fighters, destroy 10 motorcycles in Kukawa

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August 29, 2026

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Borno: Troops kill 26 Boko Haram fighters, destroy 10 motorcycles in Kukawa

Borno: Troops kill 26 Boko Haram fighters, destroy 10 motorcycles in Kukawa

At least 26 Boko Haram fighters have been killed and 10 motorcycles destroyed after troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion repelled an attack on their position in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The attack occurred at about 10:50pm on Friday, August 28, 2026, according to the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni.

In a statement issued in Maiduguri on Saturday, Goni said the attackers launched an assault on the military position but were met with direct and indirect fire from the troops.

The military response reportedly forced the fighters to retreat towards the Cross Kauwa axis, with several of them killed during the encounter while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

Troops subsequently conducted an exploitation of the area and recovered some of the bodies of the fighters killed during the confrontation.

As the fleeing terrorists attempted to withdraw from the area, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai was deployed to track and engage them.

Goni said the operation was conducted despite challenging weather conditions, with military aircraft locating a group of the fleeing fighters taking cover under trees.

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The air component subsequently carried out a strike that reportedly killed an estimated 10 terrorists.

The operation was further supported by Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

According to Goni, the surveillance assets tracked about 20 motorcycles carrying fleeing terrorists towards the Tunbuns/Kangarwa axis.

The intelligence enabled the Air Component to conduct a follow-up precision strike, which reportedly killed an additional 15 terrorists and destroyed 10 motorcycles.

Ground troops continued operations in the area and reportedly killed another terrorist during subsequent exploitation.

They also recovered two motorcycles, assorted ammunition and other logistics items, according to the military.

The coordinated ground and air operations were aimed at preventing the attackers from regrouping after the failed assault and disrupting their ability to move fighters and supplies around the area.

The military said the operation further degraded the terrorists’ mobility and fighting capability, while denying them the opportunity to reorganise and launch another attack.

Following the engagement, troops were reportedly replenished by air with essential combat supplies to enable them to sustain the operation and maintain pressure on terrorist elements.

Four military personnel sustained injuries during the confrontation. However, the military said none of the injuries was life-threatening.

The wounded personnel were evacuated by air for medical treatment and were reported to be in stable condition.

Troops have since commenced reorganisation and extensive exploitation of the area, while battle-damage assessment remains ongoing.

Goni said the successful defence of the Kukawa military position demonstrated the ability of Operation Hadin Kai to integrate ground forces, air assets and intelligence capabilities in responding to terrorist threats.

The latest operation also underscores the strategic importance of Kukawa and the Cross Kauwa axis, which are located within the wider Lake Chad Basin security theatre where insurgent groups have continued to operate.

The area has witnessed repeated counter-insurgency operations as Nigerian forces and the Multinational Joint Task Force work to restrict the movement of Boko Haram and Islamic State-linked fighters around the Lake Chad region.

The Nigerian military has increasingly relied on a combination of ground operations, airstrikes and intelligence-led surveillance to track terrorist movements, disrupt their logistics and prevent attacks on military positions and communities in Borno.

The military said it would sustain offensive operations and intelligence-led surveillance aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities, denying them freedom of action and protecting communities across the North-East.

The casualty figures released by the military represent its assessment of the operation. Independent verification of the reported number of terrorists killed was not immediately available.

Borno: Troops kill 26 Boko Haram fighters, destroy 10 motorcycles in Kukawa

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Police Rescue Two Colombian Women Held Captive by Trafficking Syndicate in Lagos

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August 29, 2026

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Police Rescue Two Colombian Women Held Captive by Trafficking Syndicate in Lagos

Police Rescue Two Colombian Women Held Captive by Trafficking Syndicate in Lagos

LAGOS, Nigeria – Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the National Central Bureau (NCB) of INTERPOL, Lagos Annex, have rescued two Colombian nationals who were allegedly lured to Nigeria and held captive by a human trafficking syndicate. The victims, identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa, were rescued following actionable intelligence received from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. This operation marks a significant victory in the ongoing fight against transnational organized crime and human trafficking, demonstrating the effectiveness of international law enforcement cooperation between Nigeria and Colombia.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed the details of the operation in a statement released on Saturday, August 29, 2026. According to the statement, the two women were “fraudulently lured to Nigeria, held against their will, and had their travel documents confiscated” by some Chinese nationals, who are currently at large. Upon receipt of the intelligence from INTERPOL-NCB Bogotá, police operatives promptly launched a covert tracking operation, locating the hideout in Lagos where both victims were safely rescued on the same day. The statement read in part, “Upon receipt of the intelligence, police operatives promptly launched a covert tracking operation, locating the hideout in Lagos where both victims were safely rescued on the same day.” According to police, the suspects fled the location when they noticed the approaching operatives. “The fleeing suspects abandoned the location upon sighting the approaching team, and efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest all members of the syndicate,” the statement said. The police have assured the public that efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and dismantle the trafficking network.

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The police said the rescued Colombian nationals are currently in safe custody and receiving necessary support, including medical care and counseling services to help them recover from their traumatic experience. The statement further disclosed that the Colombian Embassy in Accra is working in close collaboration with the National Central Bureau to secure hotel accommodations for the victims and arrange emergency travel documents to ensure their safe return to Bogotá. The embassy’s involvement underscores the importance of diplomatic cooperation in handling cross-border trafficking cases and ensuring that victims are not re-victimized by bureaucratic hurdles.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to safeguarding the lives and property of all residents within the country, while deepening collaboration with international law enforcement partners to combat cross-border crimes. The statement said Disu “reaffirms the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to safeguarding the lives and property of all residents within the country, while deepening collaboration with international law enforcement partners to combat cross-border crimes.” The police said efforts had been intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects and dismantle the trafficking network.

This rescue operation highlights the growing challenge of transnational human trafficking in Nigeria, which serves as both a source, transit, and destination country for victims. According to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Nigeria has seen an increase in cases involving foreign nationals being trafficked into the country for forced labor, sexual exploitation, and other forms of modern slavery. The involvement of Chinese nationals in this case points to the international nature of trafficking syndicates operating in the country. The police have called on members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies, as community cooperation remains vital in combating these crimes.

Police Rescue Two Colombian Women Held Captive by Trafficking Syndicate in Lagos

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Zamfara Police Rescue 9 Travellers, Arrest Arms Courier After Gun Battle With Bandits

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August 29, 2026

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Zamfara Police Rescue 9 Travellers, Arrest Arms Courier After Gun Battle With Bandits

Zamfara Police Rescue 9 Travellers, Arrest Arms Courier After Gun Battle With Bandits

TASAFE, Zamfara State – The Zamfara State Police Command has rescued nine travellers who were trapped in a bandit attack along the Gusau-Funtua Federal Highway in Tsafe Local Government Area, following a fierce gun battle between security forces and the assailants. The police also arrested a suspected arms courier and recovered 11 locally fabricated AK-47 rifles in a separate operation along the same highway on Friday, August 28, 2026.

The incident occurred at about 1:20 pm when the Tsafe Divisional Police Headquarters received reports of heavy gunshots around the Kwanoni-Gidan Giye axis of the highway. According to a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, suspected bandits had intercepted two vehicles and attacked their occupants. One of the vehicles was a Sharon mini-bus, with registration number KWL 742 ZY, driven by Lawal Dauda of Zaria Local Government Area, Kaduna State, which was conveying seven passengers from Gusau to Zaria. The second vehicle, an unregistered bus driven by Haruna Alhaji Nasiru of Danja LGA, Katsina State, was carrying his son, Sanusi Haruna, and transporting dry cassava from Sokoto to Funtua. The police said the Tsafe Divisional Police Officer, alongside operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and military personnel under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, immediately moved to the scene after receiving the distress call. The security forces engaged the bandits in a gun battle, forcing them to abandon the attack and flee towards the mountainous outskirts of Tsafe town. “Some of the bandits are believed to have sustained gunshot wounds,” the statement said. All nine occupants of the two vehicles were rescued unharmed.

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In a separate operation at about 5:30 pm the same day, VCRU operatives arrested a 50-year-old man, Khalid Umar, who was allegedly conveying 11 locally fabricated AK-47 rifles. Umar, who is from Bawa Ganga Village in Tsafe LGA, was intercepted along the Funtua-Tsafe Federal Highway following credible intelligence. According to the police, a preliminary investigation showed that the suspect was allegedly conveying the firearms from Shuwaki Village in Bakori LGA of Katsina State to Bawa Ganga in Zamfara. The suspect is currently in police custody, while the recovered firearms have been secured for further investigation. The police said the investigation would determine the source and intended recipients of the weapons and identify other persons connected with their procurement and movement.

Friday’s rescue operation comes just days after a more deadly attack on the same highway. On Tuesday, August 25, 2026, a large group of heavily armed bandits blocked the Gusau-Funtua Federal Highway near Unguwar Chida Village, Tsafe LGA, and opened fire on motorists and passengers. During that attack, eight travellers were killed, including the driver of a Sharon vehicle and seven passengers, while eight others were abducted and nine sustained gunshot injuries. Security forces later pursued that same group of bandits and engaged them in a gun battle, resulting in the neutralisation of 17 suspected bandits, according to police. Several others reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds. The police and military were still conducting operations to track the fleeing members of the gang and rescue the abducted passengers as of Thursday.

The command assured motorists and residents that it would sustain joint patrols and intelligence-led operations along major highways and other vulnerable areas in the state. The statement said joint patrols comprising the police, military, Community Protection Guards, hunters and local vigilantes have been deployed along the highway and other vulnerable locations. It said the measures were aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action and ensuring the safety of travellers. The Commissioner of Police has directed operatives to sustain the ongoing search-and-rescue operations with renewed determination to secure the release of the abducted passengers and bring the fleeing bandits to justice.

 

Zamfara Police Rescue 9 Travellers, Arrest Arms Courier After Gun Battle With Bandits

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