DPO Killed in Katsina Gun Duel With Bandits 

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) was fatally shot by suspected bandits during a gunfight in Katsina State as security personnel responded to a distress call about cattle rustling and armed attacks. The incident marks another deadly encounter in the ongoing fight against banditry in northern Nigeria.

According to the Katsina State Police Command, the attack unfolded on Friday afternoon, February 13, 2026, at about 2 p.m. in Magaje Village, Rimi Local Government Area. Security operatives received reports that suspected bandits armed with dangerous weapons had launched an attack in the community, rustling livestock and firing shots sporadically.

In response to the distress call, the DPO of Rimi, CSP Muhammad Sani‑Kabir, mobilised officers from neighbouring divisions and worked with military personnel to track the suspects and recover the rustled animals. When the team caught up with the armed bandits at the outskirts of the village, a gun duel ensued.

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While the joint operation successfully neutralised three suspected bandits and recovered the stolen livestock, CSP Sani‑Kabir was tragically shot and killed during the exchange of fire. One other police officer sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he is reportedly responding to treatment.

The Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Bello Shehu, mourned the slain officer, describing him as a professional and dedicated police leader whose actions demonstrated bravery and a strong commitment to public safety. Shehu also expressed condolences to the DPO’s family, friends, and colleagues.

Authorities have launched a manhunt for any remaining attackers, and additional security reinforcement has been deployed to bolster efforts to protect residents and stabilise affected communities.

The incident underscores the persistent challenge of banditry and cattle rustling in Katsina State and the Northwest region, where armed criminal groups frequently ambush security forces, abduct civilians, and raid villages. Recent attacks across the state, including ambushes that killed other police officers, have heightened concerns about the safety of rural patrols and response teams.

Local leaders and security experts have called for enhanced intelligence, better equipment, and stronger collaboration between security agencies and communities to prevent such deadly confrontations and improve protection for both officers and civilians.

DPO Killed in Katsina Gun Duel With Bandits 

Kannywood Actress Samha Inuwa Jailed for Defacing ₦1,000 Note in Kano

A popular Kannywood actress, Saadatu Mohammed Inuwa, known professionally as Samha, has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Kano for mutilating the Nigerian currency, specifically a ₦1,000 note. The verdict reinforces Nigeria’s strict laws against naira abuse and the legal consequences of disrespecting the national currency.

The judgment was delivered on Friday, February 13, 2026, by Justice S.M. Shuaibu after Inuwa pleaded guilty to the one‑count charge filed under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007. The incident reportedly occurred in 2022 when she allegedly used a naira note to wipe her nose, an act deemed illegal under Nigerian law.

The prosecution, led by counsel Musa Isah, presented the facts of the case to the court following Inuwa’s admission of guilt. While the actress asked for leniency, the court imposed the six‑month sentence but allowed an option to pay a fine of ₦200,000 instead of serving jail time.

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The case gained nationwide attention after a video circulated on social media showing Samha allegedly soiling the ₦1,000 note. The footage prompted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intervene. EFCC operatives from its Kano Zonal Directorate arrested her on February 3, 2026, following the viral clip.

Under Nigerian law, mutilating or defacing the naira — including tearing, spraying, stamping, soiling, or otherwise damaging the currency — is prohibited. Offenders can face imprisonment, fines, or both, as outlined in the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007. In recent years, the EFCC has intensified enforcement against currency abuse, prosecuting several individuals, including high-profile figures, to protect the integrity of the Nigerian naira.

Samha Inuwa’s conviction serves as a warning to the public, particularly celebrities and influencers, about the legal repercussions of disrespecting Nigeria’s currency. The ruling highlights authorities’ commitment to enforcing laws governing the proper handling of legal tender and maintaining public confidence in the nation’s financial system.

Kannywood Actress Samha Inuwa Jailed for Defacing ₦1,000 Note in Kano

Man Allegedly Kills Brother in Rivers Over Witchcraft Accusation

A shocking murder has rocked Ofeh community in Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State, where a man, identified as Nwalozie Chiwendu, allegedly killed his elder brother, Chidiebere Isaiah, after accusing him of witchcraft and “blocking his success.”

The incident reportedly occurred around 4 p.m. on Thursday, when the suspect, armed with a cutlass, confronted his elder brother over perceived interference in his personal and professional life. Eyewitnesses said the argument quickly escalated into violence, leaving the victim with multiple machete wounds. Social media posts circulating online showed Isaiah’s body lying in a pool of blood before he was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Chima Chinonso, Youth President of Ofeh community, described the incident as “very unfortunate,” recounting how the community first learned about the attack.

“Yesterday evening, I got a call from people in my community about a sad incident involving two brothers from the same compound. The story is that the younger one, carrying a cutlass, butchered his elder brother. Before people could intervene, he ran after committing the act,” Chima said.

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Residents attempted to rush the victim to the hospital, but he died en route. The deceased’s remains were later deposited in the mortuary with the permission of the police. Chima also urged residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands as investigations continue.

The Rivers State Police Command, through spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident and stated that a manhunt has been launched to apprehend the suspect. She explained that initial reports suggest the suspect believed his brother’s alleged witchcraft was preventing his success. Police investigations are ongoing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the killing.

The suspect reportedly fled the scene immediately after the attack, and the community, alongside security agencies, is actively searching for him. Authorities have warned residents against taking personal action, stressing that the matter should be resolved within the legal framework.

This tragic event has reignited conversations about the dangers of superstitious beliefs, family disputes, and the consequences of unresolved conflicts in local communities. Experts warn that cultural beliefs, when combined with personal animosity, can escalate into fatal domestic violence.

Man Allegedly Kills Brother in Rivers Over Witchcraft Accusation