The Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) deployed to restore peace in Plateau State said its troops had neutralised some three notorious bandits and recovered weapons in the Wase Local Government Area of the state.
This was as the Kwara State Police Command, weekend, said about 37 suspects, who had been terrorising the people of the state for various crimes activities for the past few weeks have been arrested by the operatives of the command.
Also, a member of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation and representing Edu/Moro/Patigi federal constituency of Kwara State, Hon. Ahmed Adamu Saba, has raised the alarm over cases of incessant attacks by bandits and kidnappers in his constituency.
But a group of stakeholders from Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, has issued a communiqué calling on the government to intervene in the escalating insecurity in the area, and halt the swirling political endorsements for now.
A statement signed by the media information officer of OPSH, Major Samson Zhakom, stated that, “In the early hours of 31st May 2025, troops of 3 Division/OPSH acting on credible intelligence conducted offensive operations at hideouts belonging to criminal elements along the fringes of Pinau Village in Wase Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State.
“During the operation, troops made contact with criminal elements terrorising the general area including Pinau-Gimbi road.
“In an exchange of fire, troops overwhelmed the criminals with superior firepower, and neutralised three of the bandits while others fled with gunshot wounds as indicated by the blood stains along their withdrawal routes.
“Troops combed the general area and recovered one AK-47 rifle and one AK-47 magazine. The recovered weapon is in custody for further action and troops are conducting follow-up operations to intercept the fleeing criminals.
“Troops will consolidate on this success, with a view to strengthening their operational capability for more robust combat operations in dealing decisively with criminals in the Joint Operations Area.”
Police Arrest 37 Suspects in Kwara
Kwara State Police Command, weekend, said about 37 suspects terrorising the people of the state for various crimes have been arrested by the operatives of the command.
The state police commissioner, Mr. Adekimi Ojo, stated this in Ilorin during a media chat on security breakthrough in the state.
He said out of the 37 arrested suspects, eight suspects were arrested in connection with the alleged missing two months old child in the state.
“The incident happened on May 25, 2025, at Zango area of Ilorin, the State capital. One Aishat Tahiru of No 9, Maiduku area, Zango, in Ilorin reported at Kulende police station a disturbing case of a missing child.
“Aishat stated that at about 21:30 hours, while observing her evening prayers, she left her two months old baby Adam Tahiru asleep on the sofa in her room. Shortly after, she instructed her daughter, Mariam, to check on her, but to her dismay, the child was nowhere to be found.
“An alarm was raised immediately prompting neighbours to conduct a search around the vicinity, but despite efforts, the baby could not be located. The matter was subsequently escalated and transferred to the state criminal investigation department, SCID, Ilorin on May 27, 2025 for in-depth investigation,” he said.
The police commissioner said during the course of the investigation, the lifeless body of baby Adam Tahiru, was discovered in a well within the same community. Following intelligence gathering and preliminary findings, eight suspects were arrested and are currently undergoing rigorous interrogation at the state CID,” he added.
Other suspects were arrested for criminal conspiracy, receiving stolen property, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, criminal conspiracy, aiding and abetting, culpable homicide, house breaking, among others.
House Member Raises the Alarm over Incessant Bandits, Kidnappers’ Attacks
A member of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, representing Edu/Moro/Patigi federal constituency of Kwara State, Hon. Ahmed Adamu Saba, has raised the alarm over cases of attacks of bandits and kidnappers in his federal constituency.
Saba, therefore, urged the leadership of security agencies in the country to rise to the ugly development as the attacks had continued to take toll on the people of the constituency in the past few weeks.
Speaking with newsmen on the state of the nation in Ilorin, Hon. Saba, who stated that, he has been deeply traumatised and saddened about the development, commiserated with the families, relations and friends of the victims.
He said, “Almost two weeks ago in Tashagi community, in Edu Local Government Area, a Cattle rearer was killed in his residence, while five of his children abducted by the gunmen are nowhere to be found.”
Apart from this, the lawmaker stated that, “In Gbugbu community, along Ndeji road, another community, a petrol dealer, who was kidnapped with his manager by gunmen have not been released more than two weeks after their abduction.
“The duo victims have paid N100million as ransom to their abductees, but they are yet to be released from their den and still demanded for another N50million before they could be released from their den.”
Agatu Stakeholders Warn against Political Endorsement over Worsening Security
A group of stakeholders from Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, has issued a communiqué calling on the government to intervene in the escalating insecurity in the area.
The stakeholders, comprising community leaders, youth representatives, and women groups, met in Otukpo, to discuss the prevailing insecurity and its impact on the community.
They expressed deep concern over the persistent attacks, killings, displacement of innocent citizens, and destruction of farmlands and property by criminal elements and suspected herdsmen.
The group urged the Federal and Benue State Governments, relevant security agencies, and humanitarian organisations to deploy adequate security personnel to vulnerable communities and provide relief materials to affected persons.
“We call on the government to take immediate action to address the insecurity in Agatu,” the stakeholders said in the communiqué, adding: “The people of Agatu are suffering, and it is the responsibility of the government to protect them.”
They enjoined political actors to shun endorsement of candidates for 2027 elections, stressing that all political actors should come together to find lasting solutions to security challenges bedeviling the area.
Hammed Shittu, Seriki Adinoyi and Onuminya Innocent
Follow us on:
