The police have arrested several criminals terrorising citizens along the Kaduna-Abuja road axis from January 2024 to date, including those who masterminded the attack on Greenfield University and that of Southern Kaduna, where a seminarian and the church were burnt to ashes.

Parading the suspects during his visit to Kaduna Police Command on Thursday, Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the arrest of the mastermind followed painstaking efforts to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.

He said, “Under the directive of the Inspector General of Police, a helicopter has been deployed to serve as an escort for trains using the route, providing aerial support for the ground troops from the armed forces, police, and other security agencies deployed along the corridor, as well as a proactive measure to prevent attacks and act as a first responder in the event of any untoward incidents.”

“This proactive measure has proven instrumental in enhancing security along the corridor, ultimately safeguarding the lives and property of commuters and residents of the adjourning communities along the route.”

“During this period, our proactive measures and relentless pursuit of criminal elements have resulted in remarkable outcomes, including the arrest of 81 armed robbery suspects, 40 kidnap suspects, 73 murder/homicide suspects, 36 rape suspects, 22 suspects involved in cult-related crimes, and 28 suspects engaged in other criminal activities,” he said.

He explained that they have “successfully recovered 16 firearms of various types, along with 226 ammunitions of diverse calibers. Additionally, our operations have led to the retrieval of 28 stolen vehicles, over 200 harmful weapons, and 600 bags of fertilizer.

“A total of three million, three hundred and fifty thousand Naira (N3,350,000) only, previously paid as ransom to kidnappers, has been successfully recovered, while our swift and coordinated efforts have resulted in the safe rescue of 158 kidnapped victims, all of whom have been reunited with their families unharmed.”

“These achievements include the arrest of Mande, leader of the kidnapping syndicate. On January 12, 2024, police operatives attached to the anti-kidnapping unit of Kaduna State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), based on credible information, swooped in and arrested one Ibrahim Abdullahi, aka MANDE, at the Abuja-Kaduna Road flyover by Rido Junction.

The suspect confessed to being the leader of a kidnap syndicate terrorising the Kaduna-Abuja highway, ranked among other criminals like Dogo Gide and Bello Turji. He had participated in various kidnapping incidents, including the kidnapping incident at Green Field University, and he participated in almost all the kidnappings along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.”

He said on February 29, 2024, “vigilant operatives of the Kaduna Command Monitoring Unit conducted a well-coordinated operation at the residence of a suspected kidnapper, one Adamu Abdulwahab, in Ganga Uku Village, Mararaban Jos, which resulted in the apprehension of the suspect and recovery of crucial exhibits, including 1 fabricated cartridge revolver rifle, 1 fabricated pistol, 2 Dane guns, 6 live cartridges, 1 discharged GPRG ammunition, 7 discharged cartridges, 2 SIM cards, 2 TECNO handsets, and 1 bloodstained cutlass.

“It was revealed during investigation that 35-year-old Adamu Abdulwahab, in connivance with other suspects who are currently at large, had kidnapped one Samaila Abdullahi, aged 40, of Keke Kingdom, Mararaban Jos, on February 13, 2024, and forcefully taken him to an unknown destination. Efforts is being intensified to locate and rescue the victim.”

According to him, “On April 7, 2024, police operatives were attached to the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS). Abuja, in collaboration with Operation Yaki operatives in Kaduna Command, arrested one Abubakar Umar, aged 20 years, of Bagega Village via Anka LGA of Zamfara State, in possession of four hundred and sixty (60) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition concealed inside a stabiliser box at Zaria City Kaduna, with a mission to deliver it to one Doctor Dan Sadi of Bagega for onward transfer to a notorious bandit known as Ladan, who is expected to receive the ammunition. The suspects are being rounded up and will be prosecuted accordingly.

“On 12th February, 2024, suspected bandit/gun runner Adamu Shuaibu, aged 35, from Dumale Village under Jere L.G.A. of Kaduna State, was arrested following reliable information available to the police on his involvement in criminal activities within the state, including the supply of arms and ammunition to other criminal suspects. One (1) AK-47 rifle with breach no. 1970/TY 1938 and an empty magazine was recovered from his custody.”

“On September 7, 2023, at about 2030 hrs, the Officer in Charge of Fadan Kamanta, Zonkwa, alerted authorities of a distressing situation at St. Raphael Catholic Church, Kamantan, where suspected kidnappers had launched an attack. Due to the urgency of the situation, police operatives, in collaboration with military personnel, swiftly mobilized to the scene.

“Regrettably, the suspects had already set ablaze the priest’s residence before the arrival of the authorities. Despite the valiant efforts of operatives, one seminarian, Stephen Naaman, tragically lost his life in the inferno, and property worth millions of Naira, including a Honda vehicle and a motorcycle, was consumed by the fire.

“However, due to diligence and tireless pursuit of the issue by the police, on March 22, 2024, one Yakubu Saidu, the mastermind and leader of the notorious kidnapping gang, was apprehended, and he confessed to his involvement in the heinous crime.”

The Lagos State Government says it has discovered another illegal settlement under the Osborne Bridge in Ikoyi area of the State.

This is coming less than three days after the government uncovered 86 rooms under the Dolphin Bridge where tenants paid N250,000 rent annually.

Commissioner for the Environment, Tokunbo Wahab disclosed this on his X handle on Thursday.

He said the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), popularly known as Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) had begun immediate clearance operation.

“Another illegal settlement was discovered under the Osborne Bridge, Ikoyi. Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps @LAGESCOfficial (KAI) commenced immediate clearance operation,” he tweeted.

On the Dolphin bridge incident, Wahab said “A total number of 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10, and a container used for different illegal activities were discovered under the Dolphin Estate bridge.

“They have all been removed by the enforcement team of Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. 18 individuals squatting illegally under the bridge leading from Dolphin Estate were arrested yesterday 30th of April, 2024 by the officials from the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps. The illegal shanties have been dismantled this morning.”

Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment said the bridge has hitherto housed 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10.

“Squatters there have been paying an average rent of N250k p.a. Continuation of the removal of abode under Dolphin bridge. 11 more persons were arrested.

1. Anambra State Government has arrested one Uzochukwu Okoli for giving out his underage daughter’s hand in marriage. Okoli was apprehended after his daughter reported to the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare about the ill-treatment being meted out to her by her father and the man he forced her to marry.

2. The Army has taken a significant step to prevent the killing of its troops through ambush by terrorists and bandits. On Thursday, Chief of Army Staff, COAS Lt-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, hinted at the plan to take delivery of Mine-resistant Ambush-Protected, MRAP, vehicles in the next few weeks. This is to ensure safety of its personnel in the battle against terrorists and economic saboteurs.

3. Lagos State contributes N41 trillion (20 per cent) to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Ope George, has said. According to him, despite many challenges, such as COVID-19 and EndSARS protest, the state has devised strategies to keep its economy afloat and boost investor confidence.

4. The suspected mastermind of the March 28, 2022, Kaduna-Abuja train attack, Ibrahim Abdullahi (aka Mande), and his accomplice, Auwal Ayuba, were on Thursday paraded by the Police. Also paraded were others believed to be terrorising motorists and passengers plying the Kaduna-Abuja Highway and residents within the axis.

5. Former Katsina State governor, Ibrahim Shema has defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC. Alhaji Shema was governor in the Northwest State between 2007 and 2015, under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

6. Suspected bandits have attacked Maraban Agyaro where they abducted the village heads of Kakangi and Kisaya villages, and killed eight villagers in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The attackers invaded the area around 8 am on Thursday, during which they also abducted four farmers who were on their respective farms.

7. A yet to be identified police officer has gunned down a Lagos resident who prevented him from jumping queue to buy fuel at a Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, filling station at Obalende, in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State. Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the officer who shot the victim has been identified.

8. Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday said President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms of the past one year “saved the life of the nation”. He described them as necessary given the poor state of Nigeria when he assumed office on May 29, 2023.

9. The Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, on Thursday, commenced sitting on a N100bn lawsuit filed by indigenes of Okuama community in Ughelli North Local Government Area against the Nigeria Army, challenging the military invasion and destruction of the community.

10. Governors on Thursday sounded a note of caution to workers against unduly high expectations from the minimum wage negotiations. States will pay only implementable and sustainable wages, they said, but expressed commitment to improved salaries for workers.