Security Operatives Rescue Eight Passengers In Kogi, Four Still In Captivity

Eight kidnapped passengers in Kogi State have been rescued by security personnel.

On Saturday in Lokoja, the Kogi State Police Command gave journalists confirmation of this.

Twelve travelers were abducted along Okene – Auchi road on Friday, according to William Aya, the Command’s spokesperson.

Also available: Second-In-Command Kogi: Soldiers Kill Bandits

When the kidnappers fled along Okene-Obwohli and abducted all the twelve passengers on the Big Joe Toyota Hiace commuter bus with the registration number Edo FUG 13 XY, the victims were traveling in Benin City, Edo state.

The Divisional Police Office (DPO) in charge of the Okene division, Nasir Muhammad, quickly launched a manhunt in response to the command’s spokesman, citing the prompt action of the divisional police office (DPO) in collaboration with the military and vigilante organizations, which led to the rescue of eight out of the 12 abducted victims, including the vehicle’s driver.

NGE Slams Govt Intimidation, Urges Journalists To Shun Fake News

The government must abstain from intimidating journalists with oppressive laws, according to the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

The NGE urged the government to always uphold the Freedom of Information Act by freely providing journalists with information requested and, in response, aligning itself with the UN Universal Day for Access to Information in a statement to mark World News Day.

SERAP Sue Gov Bago, NBC Over Threat On Niger Radio Station, and  

We take note of the challenges that journalism as a profession in Nigeria faces, particularly the growing push to restrict press freedom and freedom of expression as we observe World News Day.

The statement signed by its president, Eze Anaba, and general secretary, Onuohe Ukeh, on Saturday, partially read, “We use this opportunity to urge the government at all levels and individuals to stop using repressive laws, including the Cybercrime (Prohibition and Prevention, etc.) Act, to harass and intimidate journalists,” partially read.

It reiterated its commitment to upholding high standards of editorial leadership and upholding press freedom while describing World News Day, which is a global initiative that celebrates the importance of fact-based journalism in our societies.

As they reaffirm their commitment to promoting high quality journalism and protecting journalists’ freedom of expression, the guild praised journalists from Nigeria and around the world who tirelessly bring the truth to Nigerians.

However, it urged journalists to “uphold the canons of journalism, including accuracy, fairness, objectivity, and facts,” while dispensing with fake news, misinformation, &nbsp, disinformation, and propaganda.

Read more about Badegi Radio Licence in Nigeria here.

The NGE pledged to stand up for journalists’ rights, advance high ethical standards in our noble profession, and stand firm against any attempt to harass and intimidate journalists or impede journalism, using any means.

We urge Nigerians to pick the right combination of journalism and truth, keeping in mind that fact-based journalism is the foundation of a prosperous democracy. Citizens can get accurate and trustworthy information from fact-based journalism, which makes them wiser choices.

Cannabis Concealed Under Yam Tubers Intercepted In Kwara

A vehicle loaded with tubers of yams was discovered by the Kwara State Police Command in collaboration with Operatives of the National Security Advisor (NSA), the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS), and vigilante organizations.

The state’s Police Command’s SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the police public relations officer, said the development was yet another significant advance in the fight against crime and illicit drug trafficking in a statement released on Saturday.

The vehicle was intercepted as a result of the joint operation that was carried out on September 26, 2025 at around 1600 hrs along the Babanla–Oreke–Oke-Ode axis. ‎

In connection with the smuggling of marijuana, two men, Dan-Teni Haruna and Rabiu Ibrahim, both from Saliku, Magama Local Government Area of Niger State, were detained.

Read more about 16 Plateau government-rescued trafficked children.

In a related development, the agents detained notorious kidnapper Tukur Ibrahim and Mohammed Abubakar Hussain from Tsaragi, both of whom are alleged to have been involved in Babanla’s invasion on August 8, 2025.

The suspects will be arraigned in court following a quiet investigation.

The team’s effective collaboration was commended by CP Adekimi Ojo, the Kwara State Command’s Commissioner of Police.

16 Trafficked Children Rescued By Plateau Govt

16 children were brought back to life after being trafficked from Bassa Local Government Area to Anambra State, according to the Plateau State government.

Caroline Dafur, the commissioner for women’s affairs and social development in Jos, claimed the children were trafficked from Plateau to Anambra State, noting that the suspect responsible for the crime had been detained.

Dafur referred to the rescue as a significant step in the fight against child trafficking and emphasized that the government is devoted to protecting the rights of the underprivileged.

She said, “This rescue is a triumph over trauma, resilience, and hope restored in a world where the innocence of childhood should be preserved.”

The commissioner urged the public to report suspicious activity and to remain vigilant.

Say something if you see something. We can put an end to Plateau State’s child trafficking, she continued.

READ MORE: Security Forces Destroy Kidnappers Den in Edo Forest

Miriam Riti, the wife of the council chairman, stated that measures had been taken to ensure the children’s well-being, including medical checks, school enrollment, and monitoring through community leaders, when she received the children on behalf of the Bassa local government.

Mrs. Asabe Agidi, the mother of one of the rescued children, claimed she had been misled into believing that her child was living in a better place.

She said, “I’m happy to have my daughter back, and I’ll take care of her with what I have.”

Security Forces Dismantle Kidnappers Den In Edo Forest

Following a massive bush-combing operation in Ekeke Erah Forest, Owan East Local Government Area, Edo State Special Security Squad, codenamed “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers,” has taken down five suspected kidnapper camps in Edo North Senatorial District.

The Nigerian Army, local vigilante organizations, and other sister security organizations were involved in the operation, which was coordinated by the Principal Security Officer (PSO) to Governor Monday Okpebholo.

Security operatives traveled nearly five kilometers deep into the forest between Afuze and Ora, where the camps were discovered and later destroyed, according to a statement from the governor’s press secretary, Fred Itua, on Saturday.

After the six-hour exercise, Squad member Eribo Ewanta reported that signs of recent activity indicated that the camps were still in use.

We found five camps, all of which had clearly indicated that the people who had just fled. A pot of food was left on the fire and the fire was still burning. He said that this confirms the presence of alleged kidnappers in this region.

Read more about the mining pit collapse in Zamfara that many people fear are dead.

The team claimed that as suspected kidnappers allegedly received an alert to the security incursion, they tried to avoid being captured by an exchange of gunfire at a riverbank. The forest’s evidence of cattle grazing further skewed the possibility that the hideouts had a connection to armed herdsmen.

The suspects were involved in a violent gunfight, but they escaped deeper into the woods. We are still on their side, though. Their concentration camps have been razed and destroyed. Ewanta stated that Edo State will no longer be a haven for criminals.

He assured Edo residents that the operation was just the start of long-term efforts to remove kidnappers and other violent organizations from the state.

“We’re prepared for battle.” The Governor’s directive is clear: Edo must be free of all forms of crime. We’ll keep trying until we catch them.

Establish Special Courts For Corruption Cases, Gov Sule Tells NASS

Abdullahi Sule, the governor of Nasarawa State, has demanded that special courts be set up in the state to handle corruption cases.

At the Combined Passout Parade of 404 Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) cadets held at the Nigeria Police Mobile Force Training College in Ende Hills, Akwanga Local Government Area, Governor Sule made the call on Friday.

He praised the EFCC’s rigorous training and accomplishments in the anti-corruption fight, which resulted in more than 4, 000 convictions last year.

He expressed concern, however, that delays in the justice system were putting off the work’s potential.

Governor Sule argued that cases frequently took too long, putting the EFCC in jeopardy and putting people facing corruption charges at risk of escaping justice.

He emphasized that the establishment of a special court would expedite the hearing and determination of corruption cases, which is particularly relevant given the country’s ongoing constitutional review process.

According to him, the National Assembly has a chance to consider and pass significant reforms to strengthen national institutions as a result of the ongoing review.

“I urge the members of the National Assembly to think about setting up a special court to investigate corruption cases in the nation. Once we accomplish that, we can have a happy country.

We are aware that some of us who have lived abroad have perceived us as if we are not serious. The world will start to take us seriously once we have been found guilty in managing these kinds of cases, he said.

Governor Sule expressed confidence that a serious and effective judiciary will significantly improve Nigeria’s standing on the global stage and demonstrate that it is committed to combating corruption.

It’s difficult to combat crime in Nigeria, particularly corruption. The EFCC alone managed to indict over 4000 people last year. In Nigeria, the commission is currently handling about 18, 000 corruption cases.

They also have thousands of ongoing investigations that have not yet been filed in court. He claimed that there are “many thousand petitions being submitted to the commission that are not yet being processed.”

He thanked the 110 detective inspectors and 294 detective superintendents for their perseverance and successful training.

According to him, Nigeria’s prospects are brighter with the new cadets’ displays of discipline and excellence during the graduation ceremony.

Read more about the mining pit collapse in Zamfara that many people fear are dead.

He also praised Ola Olukoyede, the EFCC’s chairman, for his commitment to integrity, and urged the National Assembly to take this additional step to advance the fight against corruption.

“I also want to commend the EFCC’s chairman and management for their commitment to Nigerian values. In fact, our president has a faith in Nigeria, which is the inspiration behind the change of the national anthem. so that every Nigerian can enjoy pride in their country and receive equal opportunities.

“It’s not simple to fight crime in Nigeria, especially corruption,” said one journalist. The EFCC alone managed to indict over 4000 people last year. managing about 18 000 corruption cases in Nigeria.

They also have thousands of ongoing investigations that have not yet been filed in court. There are several thousand petitions that need to be submitted to the commission. Please prepare yourself for this assignment for the benefit of Nigeria before proceeding.

Ola Olukoyede, the executive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), earlier in his remarks, alleged that new cadets must be disciplined and upholding the principles of integrity in the course of their responsibilities as EFCC officers.