The Katsina State Police Command has uncovered a kidnapping syndicate involving a 14-year-old girl who allegedly conspired with three accomplices to stage the abduction of her four-year-old sister, as well as fake her own kidnapping, in a bid to extort ransom from their family. The Command’s spokesman, Abubakar Sadiq, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing on the Command’s operations for May. According to Sadiq, the case was first reported on February 20, 2025, by one Alhaji Badamasi Bala of Madaci Yan Nono Quarters, Katsina. He informed the police that both his daughters, aged 14 and 4, had been kidnapped. The abductors had demanded a ransom of N50 million for their release. Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Shehu, immediately tasked the Command’s anti-kidnapping unit with investigating the incident. A thorough investigation was promptly launched. According to him, “About four months from the date of the kidnapping, the eldest daughter surfaced. When questioned, she confessed to having conspired with three others to kidnap her 4-year-old sister and faked her own kidnapping.” The police spokesman said the other suspects – aged 25, 19 and 16 – were subsequently arrested, and the four-year-old victim was rescued unharmed. He added that they all confessed to the offence. In the course of the investigation, one live round of 7.62mm ammunition was recovered from the possession of the ‘syndicate’. The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, Shehu, commended the officers’ efforts and urged the public to continue supporting crime-fighting efforts by reporting suspicious activities for prompt and decisive action.

The Delta State Police Command has arrested a three-man interstate kidnapping syndicate. In a statement released on Tuesday in Warri, the command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, said the suspects were apprehended on Friday by the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT). Edafe explained that, acting on credible intelligence, the operatives tracked the suspects to Port Harcourt, where the first suspect was arrested. During interrogation, he led the police to the residence of the gang's coordinator and leader in Port Harcourt. The gang leader is reportedly responsible for coordinating multiple kidnapping syndicates across the South-South and South-East regions. “On May 16, 2025, operatives of the CP – SAT successfully dismantled a notorious interstate kidnap syndicate that had been operating in Delta, Rivers, Imo and Enugu State. “The operatives trailed the suspects to Port Harcourt, where they arrested a 21-year-old member of the syndicate in the Elelenwo area of the state. “Upon interrogation, the suspect led a police team to the arrest of their gang leader and coordinator at the same area in Port Harcourt. “The suspected gang leader coordinates the various syndicates within the South South and South East regions,” Edafe said. The command’s image maker said that further investigation led to the arrest of a 38-year-old suspect in his residence at the Oil Mill area in Port Harcourt, alleging that the suspect spearheads their criminal operations in the Enugu State axis He further stated that upon further investigation, the suspects led operatives to a bush on the Ughelli – Ozoro Road where assorted weapons belonging to them were recovered. The command’s spokesperson stated that the recovered weapons included an AK-47 rifle loaded with 23 rounds of live ammunition and a pump-action gun with seven live cartridges.

A 16-year-old boy in Delta State tragically shot and killed his younger sister while handling their father's firearm. The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident in a statement on X. The father, who described himself as a hunter, admitted that his son often played with the weapon. Edafe’s post reads: “I pray and hope I don’t have to bring this kind of report to you again because it’s so sad. The father claimed he is a hunter, his 16-year-old son, who always plays with his dad’s gun on this Faithful day, was playing with the gun, shot and killed his younger sister.” The police have not disclosed the identities of those involved or provided further details regarding the circumstances of the shooting.

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have apprehended a woman who allegedly drugged the mother of a two-month-old baby boy with juice and abducted the child. The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olufemi Abaniwonda, disclosed this during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Asaba yesterday, confirming that the baby has since been rescued and reunited with his parents. According to Abaniwonda, the child’s mother had dozed off after consuming drug-laced juice while traveling with the suspect from Koko to Warri on a business trip. “On 7/4/2025 at about 1000 hours, the DPO of Ekpan Police Station received a complaint that a woman (name withheld), aged 20, had embarked on a business trip on 16 February 2025 with one Mrs. Joy from Koko to Warri, Delta,” Abaniwonda said. He stated that while they were on their way, Mrs. Joy drugged the mother of the child with juice. The mother fell asleep, and the suspect made away with her two-month-old baby boy. Abaniwonda said the DPO of Ekpan Police Station, acting on the information received, launched an intelligence-led investigation, trailed, and arrested the 49-year-old suspect. He said, “After discreet interrogation, the suspect confessed that she was indeed the one who stole the baby. “The baby, who is now five months old, has been rescued and handed over to his parents. The suspect is in custody, and investigation is ongoing.”

A coordinated operation by the 181 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Oleh and personnel of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd. has led to the arrest of a vacuum truck involved in illegal crude oil extraction at Well 3, Olomoro, located in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State. Reports indicate the truck, which once belonged to Engr. Daniel Omoyibo (popularly known as Damotech), had been handed over to the driver, Mr. Matthew Ojomikre, who is now being held at the 181 Battalion’s Forward Operating Base in Oleh. During interrogation, the driver claimed his company was contracted by Heritage Energy Operational Services Ltd. to evacuate sludge from the well. However, he failed to present any formal approval or documentation, which previously accompanied such operations. Until recently, Heritage Energy had issued crude and condensate trucking permits to both the Nigerian Army and Tantita Security Services to ensure transparent monitoring from loading sites to discharge points. In response, officers from Tantita, the Nigerian Army, and Heritage Energy collected samples from the truck for laboratory testing and verification. Preliminary findings from the driver’s confession revealed he had illegally extracted crude oil under the guise of sludge evacuation. Authorities also disclosed that the same vehicle has been linked to prior unauthorized crude evacuations in the Isoko area. Both the driver, the truck, and its contents remain in military custody as investigations continue, with possible prosecution to follow.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the results of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). However, the Board has withheld 39,834 results due to alleged irregularities and ongoing investigations. In a statement issued earlier today, JAMB’s Registrar disclosed that the withheld results are under review as part of the Board's efforts to uphold the integrity of the examination process. The Registrar explained that these results were flagged due to suspicions of malpractice, including impersonation, use of prohibited devices, and other violations of examination protocols. Candidates who sat for the examination can now check their results through JAMB's official online portal or via the SMS service provided. Those whose results are withheld will be notified of their status and any required next steps in due course. JAMB reassured the public of its commitment to transparency and fairness in the conduct of its examinations. The Board also encouraged candidates to adhere strictly to examination rules to avoid complications in future assessments. Further updates are expected as investigations progress.

An 18-year-old apprentice has reportedly impregnated 10 girls within just five months, including his master’s daughter and a salesgirl in Anambra State. According to reports, he was initially sent to learn a trade, but within three months, he allegedly impregnated both his boss’s daughter and the salesgirl—an act that led to his dismissal from the apprenticeship. The Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare in Anambra State, Ify Obinabo, revealed this during a live social media broadcast on Wednesday. Obinabo further stated that the situation worsened after the boy returned to his village. She said, “I want advice from the public because this one is beyond my capacity. “This boy was sent to learn a trade at the age of 18 and three months of apprenticeship, and he impregnated his master’s daughter and his salesgirl. He was sent packing. Two months after that, he impregnated eight other girls in the village.” Obinabo also said the boy’s mother came to her office to report the issue. According to her, the mother said, “‘Anytime I see a girl coming towards our house nowadays, my heart would jump, please, I need help.'” Obinabo said, “This matter is beyond me, the reason I want the public to help me come up with a solution. Is it spiritual?” She said she asked the boy how he was able to convince the girls. “I asked the boy the magic he uses in luring the girls to bed, but he told me he always tells them that he loves them and would like to marry them any time he acquires wealth. “This problem is beyond me because of the boy’s age and the number of pregnant girls involved; that’s why I need help to solve it.” Obinabo did not mention the name of the boy, his mother, or their community, but she called on the public to suggest solutions.

Grief and shock have swept through nursing communities in both the United Kingdom and Nigeria following the sudden death of Nigerian nurse Nnena Miriam, who lived in Leeds. According to Fellow Nurses Africa, an organization supporting African nurses, her lifeless body was found in her apartment by UK police after she was reported missing. Concerns were raised when she failed to appear at work and did not respond to calls from friends. Alarmed by her unusual silence, a close friend eventually filed a missing person report, prompting the police discovery. In an official statement released on Wednesday, Fellow Nurses Africa expressed sorrow over the loss: “It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that we report the sudden passing of one of our own, Nnena Miriam, a dedicated and professional nurse based in Leeds, United Kingdom. “Nurse Miriam was found dead in her room earlier this week under heartbreaking circumstances. According to reports, her last shift was on Sunday of last week. “Alarm bells were raised when her close friend tried reaching out to her repeatedly from that Sunday without success. Growing increasingly worried, the friend filed a missing person report—only for the police to later discover her lifeless body in her apartment.” It was also revealed that Miriam had recently returned to the UK after travelling to Nigeria for her introduction ceremony, a customary step ahead of her traditional marriage. “Tuesday, April 29, was meant to be her special day — a day of joy, celebration, and new beginnings,” the statement continued. “Instead, her sudden death has left colleagues and loved ones overwhelmed with unspeakable grief and unanswered questions.” Her colleagues remembered her as a compassionate and resilient professional who dedicated herself fully to her work. “Her untimely passing is a profound loss to the healthcare family she served with pride and to the many patients whose lives she touched with care and compassion. “As the investigation continues, we join the family, friends, and the global African nursing community in mourning this tragic loss,” the organisation added.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced the arrest of 22 Nigerians linked to a widespread sextortion scheme. According to the FBI, these scams have tragically resulted in the suicides of over 20 teenage boys in the United States since 2021. The arrests were made under Operation Artemis—a major international crackdown involving law enforcement from Nigeria, the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K. The suspects were taken into custody after nearly two years of investigating sextortion rings targeting teen boys on social media. This was revealed in an official statement on the FBI’s website. The agency explained that the suspects posed as young women online to lure victims into sending sexually explicit images, which were later used to blackmail them for money under the threat of public exposure. “In many cases, even after payments were made, the threats continued—pushing some victims to tragic ends,” the statement added. Speaking on the development, Special Agent Karen R., who coordinated the Bureau’s involvement, said: “This is not a victimless crime. These are real children suffering real consequences.”

Tension has gripped Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State following the reported abduction of four children on Sunday, allegedly by suspected child traffickers. PUNCH Metro learned that two of the victims, Ebube and Miracle, are siblings. The incident reportedly occurred in the Umuokwe quarters of the town, where residents have accused three women—who recently secured emergency accommodation in the area—of being behind the act. Sources in the community alleged that the women lured the children from their homes under the guise of taking them to buy biscuits from a nearby shop. “It was when the children could not be seen around the compound that neighbours expressed concern. “By the time the neighbours visited the ladies’ apartment, the room was empty as neither the occupants nor the children could be found,” sources stated. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the State Command, SP Bright Edafe on Sunday confirmed the incident, adding that landlady of the compound has been arrested and in detention. He said, “The children were abducted three days after the women rented the apartment. “It is true; the problem is that there is no link. They just came and said they wanted to rent an apartment and the landlady gave it to them with no details, no name, no phone number, no agreement and after three days they carried four children. “The landlady has been arrested because her actions are suspicious.”