European stocks slumped at the open Monday after US President Donald Trump said he would impose EU tariffs after launching trade wars with Canada, China and Mexico.

The Paris and Frankfurt stock markets initially shed more than two per cent, driven down by heavy losses for automakers, while London’s drop was less sharp after Trump indicated that Britain would likely avoid immediate tariffs.

Around 20 minutes after the open, markets were slightly firmer, with Frankfurt down 1.6 per cent and London losing one per cent.

Europe’s losses along with falls for the euro and British pound come after Asian stock markets and the yen mostly tanked Monday.

“The outlook for global equities just got much gloomier,” forecast Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG.

“We can expect investors to sell first and ask questions later… Hiding places are likely to be few and far between, and for the moment it looks like the dollar is the only winner,” he noted.

Tragedy struck in the Shendai community, the Quaanpan Local Government Area of Plateau State, as kidnappers killed one person and abducted four others in an attack.

It was learnt that the incident occurred on Saturday, leaving residents in a state of shock and fear.

According to reports, the kidnappers stormed the residence of their victims, shooting and killing one person before abducting four others.

The Chairman of Quaan-Pan Local Government Area, Christopher Manship, confirmed the attack in a statement released on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Danaan Sylvanus.

The chairman expressed concern over the increasing rate of kidnapping and other criminal activities in the area, calling for the release of the abducted persons.

“The Executive Chairman of QuaanPan Local Government Council, Christopher Audu Manship, is condoling with the people of the Shendai community in Namu over the death of one person and is calling on security agencies to ensure the safe release of the abducted victims,” the statement read.

The council chairman reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens and pledged to collaborate with security agencies to facilitate the prompt and safe rescue of the abducted victims.

The statement also disclosed that the chairman has embarked on a fact-finding mission to the affected areas, accompanied by security operatives led by Lt. Col. Ogunrinde Soji and his team, to gain a deeper understanding of the incident and its aftermath.

He said that during the visit, the council boss, who was also with top local government officials, four councillors of Namu District, and the DPO of the Namu Police Division, assessed the security situation on the ground and evaluated the affected communities.

He also paid condolences to the families of the deceased and the families of the abducted victims, offering words of comfort and reassurance.

The statement added that Lt. Col. Soji reiterated the military’s pledge to investigate the incident thoroughly, rescue the abducted victims, and ensure the safety and security of the affected communities.

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has said some Nigerians complain of corruption but support corrupt leaders in various ways when they are prosecuted.

Speaking at the weekend in Abuja during a visit by officials of the Centre for Crisis Communication, led by Chris Olukolade, the EFCC boss pointed out the contradiction in public attitude, nothing that while Nigerians decry corruption, they often support and defend corrupt leaders when they are prosecuted.

“Everybody is crying that Nigerians are corrupt, that the system is corrupt, that corruption is killing us and destroying our system, but when we investigate high profile cases and arraign people in court, the same people will carry placards and be supporting corrupt leaders.

“It doesn’t show that we are serious about this fight, the fight is supposed to be a collaborative effort,” he said.

Olukoyede noted that the fight against corruption required collaboration between the government and the citizens, adding that true progress requires a collective commitment to integrity and accountability.

He stated that corruption remained the biggest obstacle to national development.

“One of the major problems in Nigeria which when tackled, will make under-development a thing of the past, is corruption and financial crimes,” he said.

Olukoyede reiterated the EFCC’s commitment to combating financial crimes within the ambit of the law and called for greater public collaboration in the fight against corruption.

The anti-graft agency, he said, would work with the CCC and other like-minded groups to enhance strategic communication and public awareness about integrity and accountability.

The EFCC recently dismissed 27 of its officers for misconduct and fraudulent activities.

The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said in January that the dismissals followed recommendations from the EFCC Staff Disciplinary Committee, which were ratified by the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested 32-year-old Joshua Simeon for stealing a five-year-old child at the Nkpor Central Park, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

Simeon, a native of Ohaozara in Ebonyi State, was arrested while fleeing with the child after forcibly taking her away from her parents living in Umuota Village Obosi, in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

This was disclosed in a press statement issued by the command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Sunday.

Ikenga said police operatives attached to the Ogidi Area Command, acting on credible information arrested the suspects on Saturday.

He said, “Police operatives attached to the Ogidi Area Command acting on credible information on February 1, 2025, by 4 pm arrested one Joshua Simeon, ‘M’, aged 32 years from Ohaozara in Ebonyi State at the Nkpor Central Park, Idemili North Local Government Area.

“The team also recovered a five-year-old girl, Nkemdilim Jacob, allegedly taken away by the suspect from her parents living in Umuota Village Obosi, idemili North Local Government Area.

“The suspect had already boarded a commercial vehicle and was en route to an unknown destination when he was arrested.”

According to him, the suspect is in custody and currently undergoing interrogation to ascertain his motives and determine whether this incident is part of a larger child trafficking network.

“Efforts are also ongoing to reach out to the parents/relatives of the recovered child for possible reunion.

“The command is committed to protecting vulnerable members of the society, to combat child abduction/trafficking and to ensure the safety and well-being of all children in the State,” he added.

Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has vowed to return to the octagon despite suffering his third consecutive defeat and second career knockout loss against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250 in Saudi Arabia.

The Nigerian-born New Zealander took to social media after the devastating second-round TKO loss, displaying his characteristic resilience.

“As real as it gets, @ufc. Rolled the dice…snake eyes. I’ll be back, gone to get some milk,” Adesanya wrote.

The 35-year-old entered the bout looking to snap his first-ever consecutive losing streak, having lost his title to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 before suffering another defeat to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 last August.

However, his comeback bid was violently halted by the surging French contender.

Despite starting well with a series of hard low kicks that rattled Imavov’s lead leg, Adesanya found himself in trouble late in the first round when his opponent landed a stiff shovel hook that snapped his head back.

The former champion also absorbed a huge right hand in the closing moments but appeared to weather the storm.

The end came swiftly after the second round began as Imavov, who entered the contest on a three-fight winning streak, dropped Adesanya with a massive right hand.

The Dagestani-born fighter followed up with a left uppercut and a barrage of ground strikes, forcing referee Marc Goddard to stop the contest.

The loss marks the first time Adesanya has competed without a UFC championship on the line in six years and 12 fights. His professional record now stands at 24 wins with 16 knockouts and four defeats in his 13-year MMA career.

Three of those defeats have come in the space of just 12 months.

Prior to the fight, Adesanya had dismissed concerns about his future, telling Stake.com, “I’m always in the title picture. That’s because I’m Israel Adesanya, and I’ve done so much in this game.”

The defeat has sparked mixed reactions from fans, with some calling for his retirement while others remain supportive of the former champion.

“Izzy, you got nothing left to prove brother! Leave the game. I know you still physically got it but you know you don’t have the fire for it anymore. Your mind isn’t in it,” fan Primal Jay wrote on X.

Another fan, @contrarianturk, added, “You will always be a legend, time to hang it up.”

However, Joe Sobran offered a different perspective saying, “Always a champion, already a legend and probably the most well liked UFC superstar of the people I know.

“It’s one thing to like a guy, it’s another to admire how they handle the ups and downs of life.”

While some fans pleaded for his retirement, others praised his performance and encouraged him to continue.

“You looked sharp tonight. Great reactions, great movement, and absolutely terrific anti-wrestling. You got caught slipping after an interruption. Everyone gets caught. It’s part of the game. Rest up & get straight back to it. You’ve gone nowhere, champ!” Ciana Flow commented.

Kevin Bones praised Adesanya’s sportsmanship stating, “You got caught. That’s the game. It’s always a pleasure to watch you perform. Being humble in defeat is a big lesson to these younger guys.”

The former champion had made significant changes to his preparation ahead of the fight, which headlined UFC’s second event in Saudi Arabia and would regret that it wasn’t enough to secure the win.

For Imavov (15-4), it was the biggest victory of his career, potentially putting him in line for a title shot following previous wins over Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier and Brendan Allen.

While Adesanya’s future remains uncertain, particularly after recently sparking speculation by jokingly referring to himself as a “gatekeeper” in the sport, his resilient response suggests the former champion isn’t ready to walk away just yet.

“Keep your head up, champ. We true fans know you’re legend,” fan Angelo Wong wrote, echoing the sentiments of many who believe ‘The Last Stylebender’ still has more to offer in the octagon.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have saved the life of a 59-year-old businessman, Chijioke Igbokwe, after he underwent emergency surgery to remove 57 out of 81 pellets of cocaine stuck in his stomach.

The surgery, an exploratory laparotomy, was performed after Igbokwe spent seven days struggling to excrete the illicit substance, which he had ingested in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

A statement on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said

Igbokwe was arrested on January 26, 2025, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos during the inward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

He added that a body scan conducted by the NDLEA officers revealed that he had ingested illicit drugs, noting that he was immediately placed under excretion observation at the agency’s medical facility.

Babafemi said, “Investigation revealed that Igbokwe who claims to be into cloth business at the Arena, Oshodi area of Lagos, departed Lagos on January 22, to Addis Ababa where he ingested the 81 wraps of cocaine the following day, January 23, and boarded a flight to Beirut, Lebanon to deliver the illicit consignment for a fee of $3,000.

“Upon his arrival in Beirut, he said he was refused entry because he had less than $2,000, the amount required to grant him entry. He was then deported to Addis Ababa where he attempted excreting the illicit drugs but could not. He thereafter proceeded to Lagos on Saturday, January 25, with the consignment in his bowel. He was however arrested upon his arrival at the Lagos airport by the NDLEA officers on January 26.

“After five days under excretion observation, he could only expel 24 pellets following initial medical intervention at the agency’s medical facility and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

With the clock ticking for him and the complication of other underlying medical conditions, the suspect was eventually admitted at the tertiary facility where he had to undergo exploratory laparotomy to extract the remaining 57 wraps of cocaine stuck in his stomach after his wife and brother endorsed the necessary consent forms on Thursday, January 30.”

Babafemi stated that in total, the NDLEA recovered 81 cocaine pellets weighing 1.943 kilograms from his body.

In another operation, Babafemi said the NDLEA operatives intercepted a 2,000-kilogram shipment of Ghanaian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, at Lekki beach on January 29.

He added that two suspects, Sunday Awoyede and Christopher Cletus, were arrested while attempting to load the drugs into a truck.

“Another suspect, Lawal Idris Olasunkanmi, was also arrested the same day with 55kg skunk during a raid at his base in the Mushin area of Lagos,” Babafemi added.

A 25-year-old woman was on Friday rescued from a suspected ritualist after she was found unconscious with her hands and legs tied to a chair and mouth taped in the bathroom of an Abuja hotel.

In a statement on Sunday, spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Josephine Adeh, said the incident happened on Friday, in Wuse, adding that the suspect was at large.

“The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has successfully rescued a young woman from the clutches of a suspected armed robber and ritualist, launching an immediate manhunt for the fleeing suspect,” said Ms Adeh.

Mrs Adeh stated that the command swung into action after receiving a distress call from the hotel earlier in the day, at approximately 11:30 a.m., about a suspicious activity in one of their rooms.

She said operatives arrived the scene and “discovered a 25-year-old woman, Promise Eze, from Ebonyi State, tied to a small chair with her mouth covered in plaster. She added, “She was found unconscious and in distress. Officers acted immediately, freeing her from captivity and rushing her to Wuse District Hospital, where she was resuscitated.”

Stating that preliminary investigation revealed that the case was a disturbing pattern of deception and violence, the command, in the statement noted that the victim had checked into the hotel on Thursday at 7am with a man who identified himself as Emmanuel Okoro from Lagos State.

The statement indicated, “However, during police questioning, the victim disclosed that she had met the suspect online, where he introduced himself under the alias Michael Prince, claiming to be an oil company employee based in Delta State. Initially, he invited her to Delta, but after she declined, they agreed to meet in Abuja. Tragically, what was meant to be an innocent meeting turned into a harrowing ordeal. The suspect allegedly brandished a dagger, using it to threaten and subdue the victim before restraining her by tying her hands and legs and taping her mouth shut inside the bathroom. He then fled the scene, stealing her two mobile phones. Alarmingly, before escaping, the victim overheard him speaking to suspected accomplices over the phone, informing them that he was on his way to regroup before returning to the hotel to “finish the job.”

Assuring that a full-scale manhunt for the fleeing suspect had been launched to ensure his immediate arrest, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, condemned the violent act and urged residents, especially young women, to be cautious when meeting individuals they do not know personally.

He also called on anyone with relevant information that could lead to the suspect’s arrest to immediately contact the police through mobile number 08032003913 and 08107314192.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has imposed a 25 per cent tariff on imports from the United States in retaliatory response to President Donald Trump announcing similar tariffs on Canadian goods.

Mr Trump also imposed a 10 per cent tariff on energy imports with enforcement of the tariffs set to commence on Tuesday.

“Tonight, I am announcing Canada will be responding to the US trade action with 25% trade tariffs against $155 billion worth of American goods,” Mr Trudeau said during a press conference on Saturday.

Executing one of the notices he gave before his inauguration, Mr Trump unveiled a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico as well as an additional 10 per cent tariff on goods from China as part of efforts to combat fentanyl and migrants’ influx.

“Today, I have implemented a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada (10% on Canadian Energy), and a 10% additional Tariff on China,” Mr Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Mr Trump accused Canada, Mexico and China of complicit in the large influx of drugs and undocumented migrants into the United States. The three countries, however, denied the claim.

During the press conference, Mr Trudeau played down the allegation, noting that less than one per cent of drugs and undocumented immigrants trafficked into the United States came through the Canadian border and reiterated that Canada would respond accordingly.

President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, also rejected the accusation, posting on X that the country “categorically rejects the White House’s slander against the Mexican government for having alliances with criminal organisations.”

Ms Sheinbaum noted that she had directed the Secretary of Economy to “implement plan B that we have been working on, which includes tariff and non-tariff measures in defence of Mexico’s interests.”

Meanwhile, the Chinese government through its ministry of commerce in a statement threaten to sue the United States government with the World Trade Organisation.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intercepted a consignment of 2,000 kg of Indian hemp known as skunk or Ghanaian Loud, produced in Ghana.

NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Babafemi said that NDLEA operatives in Lagos on Wednesday, January 29 recovered the consignments at Lekki beach.

He said that two suspects were arrested while attempting to load them in a truck.

He stated, “The suspects, the skunk shipment and the van were immediately taken into custody.”

According to Mr Babafemi, another suspect was also arrested the same day with 55kg skunk during a raid at his base in Mushin area of Lagos.

Mr Babafemi quoted the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd) as applauding the Lagos State Strategic Command for blocking the huge consignment of skunk from coming into the country.

Mr Babafemi noted that the NDLEA commands and formations across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, sensitisation lectures and advocacy visits to worship centres, schools, workplaces, palaces of traditional rulers and communities.

“Instances include WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of Grand Light Model School, Ata Udosung, Akwa Ibom; Community Grammar School, Iganna, Iwajowa LGA, Oyo State; Ebute Afuye Primary School, Epe, Lagos State.

“Others are Akwakuma Girls Secondary School, Owerri, Imo State; and the Federal Government College, Kebbe, Sokoto State, while the Kogi State command of the agency paid a WADA advocacy visit to Attah of Igala, HRH Mathew Opaluwa Oguche at his palace in Idah, among others ” he said.

The Oyo State Fire Service on Sunday said it recovered the body of a 45-year-old man from a well at First Women Estate in Akala area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The General Manager of the Fire Service, Yemi Akinyinka, confirmed the incident in a statement in Ibadan.

Mr Akinyinka said personnel of the service received a distress call about the incident on Friday at 2:11 p.m through a telephone call from one Yusuf.

According to him, firefighters responded to the distress call by rushing to the scene of the incident.

He said, “On getting there, it was discovered that a man was trapped inside the well while working beneath.’’

He, however, said the corpse of the 45-year-old man was recovered from inside the well and handed over to his relatives.

Mr Akinyinka said that personnel of the Amotekun Corps from Oluyole Command led by one Akanbi Kabiru were also at the scene of the incident to give a helping hand.

In another development, the general manager said his personnel also responded to a fire incident at Salim Complex , Alafia Estate, in Akobo area of Ibadan on Saturday.

He said the incident, which was caused by electricity surge, affected one of a twin two-bedroom flat in the estate.

Mr Akinyinka said that fire fighters swiftly curtailed the fire from spreading to other parts of the building with no casualty recorded.

He advised members of the public to always switch off and unplug electrical appliances when not in use.

About 30 passengers have died in an auto crash at the popular Onipetesi area on the Ore/Lagos highway in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

It was learnt that the accident occurred on Saturday. .

Witnesses said that the accident involved two articulated vehicles that collided after the drivers drove against traffic to avoid traffic on the route.

One of the witnesses, Bayo Adefarati, disclosed that 28 people were burnt beyond recognition while two others, rescued from the scene, died on their way to the hospital.

“The two commercial buses collided and burst into flames, resulting in the deaths of the passengers. The drivers drove against traffic to avoid traffic on the road. And they were even at a high speed. Both vehicles were loaded with passengers. I counted 30 occupants, and two of them died while on the way to the hospital. It was the timely effort of the road safety and concern motorists that reduced the casualty figure. If not, we would have recorded more casualties,” Mr Adefarati told The Gazette.

The state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Samuel Ibitoye, who confirmed the accident through a statement on Sunday, said 30 persons died in the accident.

“A total of 28 persons were burnt beyond recognition while two others died while being taken to the hospital for treatment, and two survivors are now receiving treatment,” Mr Ibitoye said in the copy of the statement.

He blamed impatience on the part of the drivers for the head-on collision, stressing that investigation showed that they drove against the traffic.

According to Mr Ibitoye, the corpses have been deposited at the hospital’s morgue.

Urging passengers travelling on the highway to always speak out against unsafe driving practices, he cautioned drivers to avoid reckless driving and ensure proper vehicle maintenance.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 59-year-old businessman, Chijioke Igbokwe for ingesting 81 pellets of cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

The disclosure is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Babafemi said that the suspect had undergone a surgery, exploratory laparotomy, to let out 57 out of 81 pellets of cocaine stuck in his stomach.

This, he said, was after seven days of ingesting the illicit substance in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

He said that Mr Igbokwe was arrested by operatives of the NDLEA, at the arrival hall of the MMIA, during the inward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight on Sunday, January, 26.

He added that the suspect who was promptly taken for body scan, which revealed illicit drugs in his system was soon after taken into NDLEA custody for excretion observation.

According to Mr Babafemi, investigation revealed that Mr Igbokwe who claims to be into cloth business at Arena, Oshodi area of Lagos, departed Lagos on January 22 to Addis Ababa.

This, he said, was where he ingested the 81 wraps of cocaine the following day January 23 and boarded a flight to Beirut, Lebanon to deliver the illicit consignment for a fee of $3,000.

Mr Babafemi stated, “Upon his arrival in Beirut, he said he was refused entry because he had less than $2,000, the amount required to grant him entry. He was then deported to Addis Ababa where he attempted excreting the illicit drugs but could not. He thereafter proceeded to Lagos on Saturday, January 25 with the consignment in his bowel. He was however arrested upon his arrival at the Lagos airport by NDLEA officers on January 26. After five days under excretion observation, he could only expel 24 pellets following initial medical intervention at the agency’s medical facility and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

“With the clock ticking for him and the complication of other underlying medical conditions, the suspect was eventually admitted at the tertiary facility. This was where he had to undergo exploratory laparotomy to extract the remaining 57 wraps of cocaine stuck in his stomach after his wife and brother endorsed the necessary consent forms on Thursday, January 30. In all, a total of 81 pellets of the Class A drug with a gross weight of 1.943 kilograms were recovered from his stomach.’’

Mr Babafemi quoted the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd) as commending the officers and men of the MMIA strategic command for their vigilance and professionalism in handling Mr Igbokwe’s case

Mr Marwa warned those involved in the illicit drug trade that they were not only destroying the lives of others, but equally putting their own lives at great risk.

The police command in Kano has arrested the wife and some associates of a suspected Chadian terrorist, Ahmad Adam Abba, who is wanted for masterminding the killing of 17 people in his country.

The arrests were made on the eve of the National Tijjaniyya Maulud ceremony at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano last week.

The state commissioner of police, Salman Garba, said this while speaking with journalists in Kano on Friday.

He said Mr Abba, still at large, was planning to set up a terrorist base in Kano.

Mr Garba said the police had also apprehended three of the suspect’s associates, including his wife, another Chadian named Jibrin Mohammed, and one Nigerian.

“Acting on one of the intelligence reports, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were recovered with discreet investigations in progress.

“The wanted Chadian suspected terrorist escaped out of Nigeria, and we have successfully apprehended three of the suspect’s associates, including his wife, another Chadian named Jibrin Mohammed, 42 years old and a Nigerian.

“They were arrested following a thorough investigation and intelligence-led policing and are currently in custody with investigation ongoing,” he said.

The commissioner said in addition to the latest arrests, the police command had intensified intelligence-gathering efforts across the state.

“Our teams are collaborating closely with other intelligence agencies and the communities to ensure that we are working hand-in-hand to identify any suspicious activities and individuals who may pose a security threat to our society,” he said.

He said patrols, surveillance, and other measures had been intensified in known to be vulnerable to criminals.

Mr Garba also said the command, through its public relations unit, would continue to conduct awareness programmes to educate the public on the importance of reporting suspicious activities.

“It is vital that we foster trust and cooperation between the police and the communities we serve as this partnership is essential in combating crime and preventing likely emerging security threats,” he added.

The gospel film community and fans are mourning the loss of Moses Korede Are, beloved actor and star of the popular Abattoir series, known to many as Baba Gbenro.

The actor was laid to rest in a heartfelt ceremony attended by family, friends, and well-wishers who gathered to celebrate his life and legacy.

The ceremony, which took place on Friday, saw attendees dressed in white and blue, a symbol of peace and respect.

The moving event was captured in photos shared by a Christian video podcast, Zion Kulture, on X.

The images capture mourners gathered around his gravesite, paying their respects.

Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have arrested several members of a four-man syndicate that specialises in robbing bank customers.

The syndicate also uses locally fabricated master keys to gain unauthorised access to their victims’ vehicles.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, Ahmed Wakil, the gang targets bank customers across Bauchi, Borno, and Kano states.

The arrested members include Mustapha Bukar, 42; Mustapha Abubakar, 47; and Habibu Tijjani, 30. The fourth member, who is the gang leader, is currently at large.

“The modus operandi of the suspects involves monitoring bank customers who withdraw substantial amounts of money with the intention of robbing them. They utilise locally fabricated master keys, known as ‘Chori,’ to gain unauthorised access to their victims’ vehicles and properties.

“On January 28, 2025, operatives from the State Intelligence Department (SID), acting on credible intelligence, apprehended the syndicate, which specialises in targeting bank customers across Bauchi, Borno, and Kano states. A thorough investigation revealed that on January 27, 2025, at around 5 pm, the suspects observed a 43-year-old businessman (name withheld) leaving FCMB Bank in Bauchi after withdrawing a substantial sum for his business operations.

“The suspects followed him to his residence, positioning their vehicles strategically as they awaited his exit, intending to rob him of his funds. Upon realising he was being followed, the victim contacted his family to open the gate and secure his vehicle. He then informed the police about the suspicious activities, which led to the apprehension of three suspects.

“During the investigation, all apprehended suspects confessed to their involvement and provided crucial information that will aid in the capture of the ringleader, who is still at large,” the statement partly read.

The statement added that items recovered from the suspects included three locally fabricated master keys and two Toyota Honda saloon vehicles.

It also noted that the suspects specifically targeted individuals who had withdrawn money from banks, trailing them to their destinations.

“Once the victims parked their vehicles, the suspects used the fabricated keys to unlawfully access the cars. The suspects indicated that Honda vehicles are particularly susceptible due to weak locking mechanisms.”

The State Commissioner of Police, Auwal Muhammad, urged residents to exercise vigilance when leaving banks, avoid parking in isolated areas, refrain from carrying large sums of money in public, and report any suspicious activities near banks, financial institutions, or residential areas to the police.

The Chairman, Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. George Chima, has been kidnapped.

Chima was said to have been abducted on Friday from his Okigwe residence in Imo State while playing host to some guests.

According to a family source, the ABSIEC Chairman was playing host to some lecturers from Abia State University, Uturu in his Okigwe residence when the gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, numbering four, stormed the house, harassed his visitors and seized him.

The police spokesperson in the state, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the development to our correspondent.

He said the police are on the trail of the kidnappers.

He said “Yes, we are aware of the kidnap of the Prof and we have commenced investigations.

“As I speak to you now, the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, personally led the team of police to Okigwe.

“The police are assuring all that we will catch the kidnappers,” Okoye said.

Operatives of the Niger State Police Command have nabbed 12 suspected vandals who specialise in stealing the state government’s property.

The suspects were found in possession of about three rolls of aluminium conductors, which the Niger State Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun said cover about 80 kilometres.

Abiodun also revealed that the suspects have confessed to breaking two concrete poles as they removed the iron rod in the poles for sale.

According to the PPRO, “In view of the infrastructural facility upgrade within Minna and other parts of the state, it was observed that some miscreants were using the opportunity to vandalise and steal government property.

“Consequently, on January 24 and 25, 2025, the Police operatives of Minna Area Command arrested the following suspects:

Shamsudeen Ibrahim, 19 years; Abba Shuaibu, 24 years and Faisal Aliyu,18 years, all of Limawa, Minna.

“The three suspects were arrested with street light cables, diggers, hammers, and cutter at the Limawa area of Minna. Others are: Khalid Shehu, 18 years of Sabon-Gari Minna; Ibrahim Lawal, 21 years of Sabon-Gari Minna; Gambo Umar, 18 years of Tunga Minna; Mohammed Lawal, 24 years of Hospital Road, Minna, and Magaji Garba, 31 years, receiver from Kwangila, Minna,” Abiodun stated.

The spokesman said they were arrested with some quantities of burnt electric armoured cable, and all the suspects were under investigation in SCID Minna.

Abiodun said other suspects, Ibrahim Aliyu, 32 years; Kabiru Adamu, 35 years; Mohammed Alfa, 23 years; all of Tunga Minna, and Basiru Hamidu, 28 years, a receiver at Masuga were also nabbed

“Earlier, on January 7, 2025, Police operatives attached to ‘A’ Division Kontagora based on credible information received, arrested four other suspects;

“The suspects were arrested at Masuga village, via Rijau-Kontagora road for vandalising a large quantity of aluminium conductors. They were found in possession of about three rolls of aluminium conductors, which cover about 80 kilometres.

“The suspects also confessed to the breaking of two concrete poles, as they removed the iron rod in the poles for sale,” Abiodun stated

A suspected vandal was electrocuted while attempting to steal electricity infrastructure belonging to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company in the Asokoro area of the Federal Capital Territory.

The FCT Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that officers recovered the suspect’s lifeless body near step-down electricity lines at Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro, on Wednesday, January 30, 2025.

According to a statement on Thursday by the FCT Police spokesman, Josephine Adeh, officers responded to a distress call and discovered tools allegedly used for the attempted vandalism.

She added that while the deceased suspect was found at the scene, an accomplice managed to escape before the police arrived.

“On January 30, 2025, FCT Police operatives responded to a distress call put through to the Command’s Control Room and discovered a lifeless body near step-down electricity lines at Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro.

“Tools used for the attempted vandalism were also recovered, while his accomplice had already fled,” Adeh stated.

Adeh issued a stern warning against vandalising public assets, stressing that such acts would not be tolerated in the FCT.

“The FCT Police Command strongly warns against engaging in such criminal activities, emphasizing that vandalism of public infrastructure is a serious offence.

“Security operatives remain on high alert to apprehend perpetrators and ensure the protection of critical national assets,” she added.

The Federal Government has donated N30 million to the family of renowned National Flag designer, late Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi, two years after his demise.

The Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, accompanied by the Oyo State Director of the agency, Olukemi Afolayan, made the official presentation of the cheque on behalf of the Federal Government at the Elebu in Ibadan residence of the late National hero on Thursday.

The late Akinkunmi died on August 29, 2023, at the age of 87.

On September 4, 2023, President Bola Tinubu sent a government delegation led by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Malagi, on a condolence visit where it pledged to give the late Nigerian hero a national burial and financial support to the family.

The NOA DG said, “The donation of N30 million to the family of renowned National Flag designer was not to pay for the services of the late legend but to support his family in appreciation of his contributions to the country.”

One of the deceased sons, Akinwunmi Akinkunmi, expressed gratitude to Tinubu for the gesture.

Eighteen bodies with no survivors have been recovered so far from the site of the aircraft collision near the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport outside Washington.

CBS News reported on Thursday, citing a police official.

On Wednesday, a military helicopter reportedly operated by the U.S. Army collided with a passenger jet approaching to land at Ronald Reagan International Airport in Washington, D.C.

Both aircraft were believed to have crashed into the Potomac River near the airport.

A large number of rescuers are currently on the scene searching for survivors.

Later, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that a PSA Airlines jet collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to the airport.