Police Rescue Three Kidnapped AAU Students, Neutralise Suspect in Fierce Gun Battle

The Edo State Police Command, in a coordinated joint operation with the Nigerian Army, the Edo State Security Corps, and local hunters, has successfully rescued three students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, who were abducted by gunmen in the Esan West Local Government Area of the state.

The students were kidnapped on Sunday, July 12, 2026, during a brazen attack in the Ujemen G.T. Extension area of Ekpoma. The rescued students were identified as Praise Obagbalu, 18; Favour Okoroji, 21; and Balogun Precious, 19. Tragically, a 24-year-old 300-level undergraduate, Peter Ekpen Adolor, was murdered during the assault. According to police findings, Adolor attempted to open a hostel gate to investigate a distress scream outside and was shot in the abdomen by one of the assailants. He was rushed to Eguavoen Hospital, Ekpoma, where he was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.

The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, revealed the news on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Nigeria Police Divisional Headquarters in Ekpoma. Represented by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, the commissioner stated that the command received a distress alert at about 9:00 p.m. on the day of the incident indicating that armed individuals believed to be kidnappers had assaulted the area and abducted the students. Upon receipt of the report, the commissioner promptly ordered the deployment of tactical teams and nearby police divisions for a collaborative rescue mission that included the Nigerian Army, the Edo State Security Corps, and local hunters. The team subsequently conducted coordinated bush-combing and intelligence-led operations aimed at rescuing the hostages unharmed and apprehending the perpetrators.

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The rescue mission took place in the early hours of Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at about 6:00 a.m., when the joint security team located the kidnappers’ hideout in Erah Forest. Security forces engaged the suspects in a fierce gun battle, with the superior tactical response of the operatives forcing the kidnappers to abandon their captives and flee. One suspected kidnapper was neutralised during the operation, while another was apprehended with serious gunshot injuries. The three kidnapped students were rescued alive and rushed to the hospital for medical attention. According to the police, the operation resulted in the seizure of three AK-47 rifles with magazines, 36 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, five mobile phones, two power banks, one Red Cross bag, and one charger.

The commissioner stated that operations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the notorious gang that specialised in kidnapping in Ekpoma and its environs, ensuring that they are brought to justice. He commended the bravery, professionalism, and resilience of officers and personnel of the Edo State Police Command, the Nigerian Army, the Edo State Security Corps, and local hunters whose joint efforts led to the successful operation. He also appreciated the support of the Edo State Government and members of the public for providing timely and credible information that aided the operation.

Addressing journalists after their rescue, the three students recounted that they were held deep inside the forest by their captors, who repeatedly moved them from one location to another while demanding that they contact their relatives to raise ransom. They expressed gratitude to the joint security team, stating that they were eventually rescued without any ransom being paid.

Police Rescue Three Kidnapped AAU Students, Neutralise Suspect in Fierce Gun Battle

How police tracked, arrested alleged PFIPC DG in Osun village

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-proclaimed Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), in Osun State, hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest over alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation.

Adeyemi was apprehended during a coordinated security operation at a village in Ijesaland, where he had reportedly gone into hiding. Security sources said the operation was carried out by the Police IRT after intelligence gathered by the Department of State Services (DSS), which had tracked his movements for about five days before handing over the operation to the police.

The Osun State Police Command confirmed the arrest, stating that Adeyemi had been taken into custody and was being transported to Abuja to face prosecution.

His arrest came shortly after Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court granted an application by police prosecutor Wisdom Madaki, directing security agencies to arrest and produce Adeyemi before the court after he repeatedly failed to appear for his arraignment.

The defendant is expected to answer an eight-count charge bordering on alleged criminal conspiracy, forgery, fraud and impersonation in a case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, the prosecution informed the court that the matter had been adjourned several times due to Adeyemi’s repeated absence.

“My lord, this is the fifth time this case is coming up, and all the adjournments have been at the instance of the defendant,” the police lawyer told the court while urging the judge to issue a bench warrant under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

However, Adeyemi’s lawyer, Genesis Francis, opposed the application, arguing that his client had stayed away from court because of alleged threats to his life.

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According to the defence counsel, Adeyemi had previously appeared in court but later withdrew from public view after receiving what he described as credible threats to his safety.

After considering submissions from both parties, Justice Umar held that the defendant had failed to appear before the court on four consecutive occasions and consequently ordered his arrest. The judge fixed September 30, 2026, for Adeyemi’s arraignment.

Police investigations into the matter began after the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, headed by Femi Gbajabiamila, petitioned the Inspector-General of Police on October 17, 2025, over the alleged circulation of forged presidential appointment letters purportedly issued from the office.

According to investigators, preliminary findings indicated that the forged documents contained fake signatures, official seals, reference numbers and the Nigerian Coat of Arms, and were allegedly used to recruit individuals into the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an organisation the Presidency has consistently maintained does not legally exist.

Investigators further alleged that Adeyemi presented himself as the Director-General of the council and operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Abuja, giving the impression that the organisation was an official Federal Government agency.

Police also claimed that forged government documents linked to the council were allegedly used to open several bank accounts, including one associated with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Investigators, however, said there was no evidence that public funds were paid into the accounts.

Among those expected to testify during the trial are Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, officials of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), senior police officers and other witnesses connected to the investigation.

Before his arrest, Adeyemi told Channels Television that he was not evading security agencies but had deliberately withdrawn from public view because of alleged threats to his life.

“I am not hiding. I am only fearing for my life because I have it on good authority that my life is in danger. There have been several attempts on my life,” he said.

Adeyemi also repeated his claim that he paid ₦400 million to secure his appointment as Director-General of the council, alleging that those who provided the money later petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after the controversy surrounding the PFIPC emerged.

He has consistently denied allegations that the PFIPC is a non-existent organisation and has called on President Bola Tinubu to establish an independent investigative panel comprising representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), ICPC, EFCC, civil society organisations, international partners and the media to investigate the controversy, including claims relating to an alleged ₦1.3 billion budget provision linked to the council.

Adeyemi further claimed that his decision to remain out of public view was influenced by the death of Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, whom he described as a key intermediary in the PFIPC matter. Tanimola reportedly died in a fire incident at a hotel in Abuja, although authorities have not publicly linked the death to the ongoing investigation.

The arrest marks a significant development in the high-profile PFIPC investigation, with attention now shifting to Adeyemi’s arraignment and the commencement of trial in what has become one of the most closely watched alleged forgery and impersonation cases involving purported government appointments.

How police tracked, arrested alleged PFIPC DG in Osun village

UK-based Nigerian caregiver dies by suicide as coroner cites prolonged mental health struggles

A United Kingdom coroner’s court has ruled that Beatrice Solomon, a 27-year-old Nigerian caregiver who relocated to the UK on a skilled worker visa, died by suicide after battling prolonged mental health challenges linked to personal difficulties.

The tragic case, heard at a coroner’s inquest in Stoke-on-Trent, has renewed concerns over the mental health pressures faced by some migrants adjusting to life in a new country.

Beatrice moved from Nigeria to the UK in November 2023 to work as a caregiver. She was living with her husband, Damian Michael Butler, and their young son at their home on Norris Road, Stanfield, Stoke-on-Trent.

According to evidence presented during the inquest, the incident occurred on March 4, 2026. Butler told the court that he left home at about 4:30 p.m. for his delivery job before returning approximately two hours later to use the bathroom, where he found his wife unresponsive.

Emergency responders and police officers arrived at the scene shortly after an emergency call was made. However, Beatrice was pronounced dead at 6:21 p.m.

Police investigations found no evidence of foul play or third-party involvement, prompting a coroner’s inquest into the circumstances surrounding her death.

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During the hearing, Butler revealed that his wife had experienced significant mental health challenges over the previous year, which he attributed to ongoing issues involving Stoke-on-Trent City Council. However, the inquest did not conclude that the council was legally responsible for her death.

He also disclosed that he later discovered Beatrice had made two previous attempts to take her own life, information he said he had not known before the tragedy.

A post-mortem examination carried out by Dr. Jones concluded that the medical cause of death was oxygen deprivation.

Delivering her verdict, Coroner Li Hammond-Naylor ruled that Beatrice died by suicide.

“It is clear to me that Beatrice had researched and planned how to take her life. I can only extend my sincere condolences to Beatrice’s family and friends,” the coroner said.

Beatrice is survived by her husband, their son and her siblings.

The tragedy has once again highlighted the mental health challenges that some migrants may face while adapting to life abroad. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), migrants can experience increased risks of mental health conditions due to a combination of factors, including separation from loved ones, financial pressures, uncertainty about the future, discrimination, language barriers and difficulties accessing healthcare services.

The WHO has called for stronger mental health support systems, culturally appropriate healthcare services and timely interventions to help migrants experiencing emotional or psychological distress. Mental health experts also say early access to professional care, strong family support and community engagement remain critical in preventing mental health crises among vulnerable populations.

UK-based Nigerian caregiver dies by suicide as coroner cites prolonged mental health struggles