crime

Kwara Bandits Demand N500m for Five Abducted Workers

Published

10 months ago

December 30, 2025

Kwara bandits demand N500m ransom for five kidnapped road construction workers, prompting families to appeal for urgent government intervention

Ilorin, Kwara State Suspected bandits have demanded a ransom of N500 million for the release of five road construction workers abducted on December 15, 2025, from a Kwara State Government project along Sabaja/Owa-Onire Road in Isin Local Government Area.

Also read: Kwara Governor urges collective action to boost state security

The victims Ademola Afolabi, Abdullahi Lade, Emmanuel Okuwadare Kayode, Fatai Akin, and their driver Yusuf were seized at around 11:40 am, according to the families, who described the workers as innocent and law-abiding contributors to state development.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, Mr Dare Boyinbogun, representing the families, lamented the emotional and financial strain the abduction has caused.

“Since that moment, our lives have been suspended between hope and despair. They demanded the sum of 500m from us. How are we going to raise that?” he said.

Boyinbogun appealed to the state government and security agencies to intensify rescue efforts, urging that the case be treated as a top-priority emergency.

He emphasised the urgent needs of the victims’ families, including psychological support and welfare assistance.

One of the wives, Idayat Lade, revealed that the trauma had already caused her to lose a baby.

“Please let them release our husbands to us. We want them alive,” she pleaded tearfully.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has directed the police to apprehend hoodlums who recently attacked women protesting near the under-construction Government House in Ilorin, stressing that peaceful protest is a democratic right.

A statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, said the government remains committed to security and has increased the deployment of armed forest guards and personnel to combat kidnappers and terrorists across the state.

Also read: Kwara governor denies sponsoring bandits, backs security summit

The families continue to urge the bandits to release the workers unharmed while calling for immediate government intervention to secure their safe return.

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crime

Police Arrest Convicted Drug Dealer, Rescue 14-Year-Old Boy in Bauchi

Published

9 hours ago

October 27, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Bauchi drug dealer arrest leads to the rescue of a 14-year-old boy allegedly used as a drug courier and the recovery of suspected illicit substances

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer and rescued a 14-year-old boy who was allegedly being used to deliver illicit drugs in the state.

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The command said operatives of its Violent Crimes Response Unit intercepted the teenager during a routine patrol and recovered a granular whitish substance suspected to be methamphetamine.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to Habib, the operatives, led by the unit’s officer-in-charge, intercepted the minor, identified as Samuel Nkemakolan Kosi, at about 11 am on October 26, 2026, while he was allegedly on his way to deliver the suspected drug, also known as Ice, to a customer.

The statement said the teenager told investigators that he had been sent by Samuel Ogochukwu, a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery.

“Upon interrogation, the minor confessed that he was sent by one Samuel Ogochukwu, 22 years old, a convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery,” Habib said.

Following the information, detectives traced Ogochukwu to his location and arrested him.

A search of the suspect’s shop and residence reportedly led to the recovery of 3.5 grammes of a substance suspected to be methamphetamine, 17 sachets of 100mg tramadol capsules, five sachets of 300mg pregabalin capsules and seven sachets of diazepam.

The police also recovered 12 Exol tablets, two wraps of a substance known as Yellow Boys and one sachet of Shine Shine Leather.

Habib said the principal suspect told investigators that he received supplies of illicit drugs through waybills from Onitsha, Anambra State.

The police spokesman added that the 14-year-old had been handled in accordance with juvenile best practices and would be reunited with his family after counselling.

“The 14-year-old minor has been handled in line with juvenile best practices and will be reunited with his family after counselling, while the principal suspect will be charged to court upon completion of investigation,” the statement said.

The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the operatives for their work and urged the public to remain alert to criminal activity.

According to Habib, the commissioner said four major drug busts and subsequent convictions recorded within 10 days demonstrated the command’s continued efforts to combat drug trafficking.