Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have arrested a suspected kidnapper while attempting to collect a ₦200,000 ransom from a female resident of Nasarawa State.

The suspect, identified as Mukaila Iliyasu, was apprehended at Akwaba in Eggon Local Government Area of the state during a joint intelligence-led operation involving troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, and DSS operatives.

The arrest followed intelligence reports that the suspect had allegedly threatened to abduct a woman unless she paid him ₦200,000.

The Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Whirl Stroke, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement.

According to the statement, DSS operatives alerted the military to the threat on October 29, prompting the deployment of security personnel to track down the suspect and prevent the planned abduction.

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In a coordinated operation, a soldier reportedly went undercover and posed as the person assigned to deliver the ransom.

The suspect was subsequently arrested while collecting the money, with operatives recovering the sum of ₦200,000 believed to be the ransom demanded from the intended victim.

The military described the operation as a successful intelligence-driven intervention that prevented a possible kidnapping and demonstrated the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration in tackling criminal activities.

Following his arrest, Iliyasu was handed over to the DSS for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke and General Officer Commanding, 5 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Moses Kolo Gara, commended the troops and DSS operatives for their professionalism, courage and effective coordination.

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Gara urged security personnel to sustain their collaboration and strengthen intelligence sharing to combat kidnapping and other security threats across their areas of responsibility.

He also emphasised the importance of continued cooperation among security agencies in protecting lives, securing communities and maintaining peace in the region.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a Benue-based pastor, Edwin Nwabueze, and his alleged accomplice, Sadiq Jamiu, in connection with the theft of a Toyota Camry in Abuja.
The vehicle was reportedly stolen at UTC Plaza in Garki, prompting a police investigation that led to the arrest of Nwabueze at his residence on October 27, 2026.
In a statement issued on Friday, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, disclosed that Nwabueze identified himself as a pastor with Salvation Power Bible Ministry in the North Bank area of Benue State.
The suspect, who hails from Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, reportedly led police operatives to another location where Jamiu was subsequently arrested.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that Nwabueze had previously been arrested by the Benue State Police Command in connection with vehicle theft cases.
The command further alleged that both suspects belonged to an interstate car theft syndicate specialising in stealing and selling vehicles across different states.
Police authorities said investigations were ongoing to uncover the full extent of the syndicate’s activities and track down other members currently at large.
The suspects remain in police custody and are expected to be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The family of a 46-year-old Ondo State businessman, Kayode Akinbolusere, popularly known as Tolufe, has raised suspicions over the circumstances surrounding his death, calling on security agencies to investigate claims that he may have been forced to record a farewell video before his demise.
Akinbolusere, who owned Esther Estate in Ondo State, was reportedly found dead in his office in Igba on Thursday after allegedly ingesting a poisonous substance.
Before his death, the businessman reportedly recorded a video in which he reflected on his personal struggles, acknowledged his wife’s support over the years and expressed his intention to leave his properties to her and their three children residing in Canada.

In the footage, which subsequently circulated on social media, Akinbolusere maintained that he was making the declaration voluntarily and had not been pressured by anyone.

He recalled starting his business from scratch and praised his wife, Esther, for standing by him during difficult times, particularly when he worked as a barber.

However, the deceased’s uncle, Femi Akinbolusere, has questioned the circumstances surrounding the recording, suggesting that his nephew’s statements and mannerisms raised serious concerns.

Speaking with newsmen, Femi wondered why the businessman repeatedly spoke about surrendering his properties, alleging that he might have been acting under duress.

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He urged investigators to critically examine the footage to establish whether another person was present or exerting pressure on the deceased.

The grieving uncle further demanded an autopsy to determine the actual cause of death, insisting that the family deserved answers.

According to him, the circumstances surrounding the incident were too suspicious to be dismissed without a comprehensive investigation.

He also called on the police to question individuals who might have information about the businessman’s final moments, including his wife.

Police Recover Suspected Poison Bottles, Rule Out Visible Signs of Violence

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Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has confirmed that an investigation has commenced into the incident.

In a statement issued on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed that the businessman, a resident of Road 7, Housing Estate, Igba, was discovered dead in his office beside BOVAS Petrol Station at approximately 3 p.m. on Thursday.

According to the police, operatives from the Bolorunduro Division visited the scene following a report of the incident and recovered two empty bottles suspected to have contained Sniper insecticide from a nearby bush.

The command also acknowledged the existence of the viral video in which the deceased reportedly lamented his personal difficulties.

Police said his remains had been evacuated to the State Hospital Morgue for preservation and further examination.

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Although preliminary examination revealed no visible injuries or signs of violence on his body, the command maintained that investigations were ongoing.

The family’s allegations of possible coercion have not been independently established, while the precise circumstances surrounding Akinbolusere’s death remain under investigation.

A disagreement over a sharp rent increase has reportedly turned violent in Benin City, Edo State, after a tenant allegedly smashed his landlord’s head during a confrontation.
The incident followed a dispute over renovation work carried out by the tenant at his own expense to improve the apartment for his business.
In a video shared online by Edo TV on Friday, October 30, the tenant narrated how the disagreement began when his landlord questioned him over tiling work done on the property.
According to him, the landlord subsequently demanded additional payment for the renovation before increasing his annual rent from N300,000 to N1 million, representing an increase of over 233 per cent.
The tenant alleged that the disagreement escalated into a physical confrontation after the landlord slapped him, prompting him to retaliate.
“He slapped me first and out of my defence, I smashed his head. It wasn’t intentional,” the tenant claimed.
The landlord reportedly sustained serious head injuries during the altercation.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over landlord-tenant disputes, particularly disagreements involving arbitrary rent increases and improvements undertaken by tenants at their own expense.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no confirmation of police intervention or whether any arrest had been made in connection with the incident.

Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has reportedly been rushed to hospital following a violent attack by suspected political thugs in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Friday.
The attack, which reportedly occurred at Tawakal’tu Restaurants and Catering Services, left several members of Sowore’s entourage, including his brother, with suspected machete injuries.
Eyewitnesses alleged that armed men stormed the restaurant, attacked Sowore and members of his campaign team, and briefly abducted the activist before he was reportedly taken to hospital.
Sources linked the attackers to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), further alleging that the Department of State Services (DSS) provided information about Sowore’s location.
However, these allegations have not been independently verified.
One source claimed that Sowore was rushed to hospital after the incident, although details surrounding his reported abduction, subsequent release and the extent of his injuries remained unclear as of press time.
The attack reportedly triggered panic at the restaurant, forcing customers and other occupants to flee for safety. Several people were said to have sustained injuries during the disturbance.
Sowore’s Team Accuses DSS
Reacting to the incident, Sowore’s media team accused the DSS of compromising his security by allegedly disclosing his exact location to the attackers.
In a statement posted on his official X account, the team described the assailants as government-sponsored thugs and vowed that the attack would not deter Sowore’s political activities.
The African Action Congress had earlier raised concerns over his whereabouts, calling on the Ekiti State Governor, the Inspector-General of Police and the state Commissioner of Police to urgently establish his location and guarantee his safety.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rex Elanu, the party demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of those behind the attack.
The AAC further warned that it would mobilise a mass protest at the Ekiti State Government House should security authorities fail to take decisive action.
Similarly, Sowore’s campaign organisation called on the Nigeria Police Force, DSS, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant authorities to intervene.
The incident occurred during Sowore’s visit to Ekiti State for political activities ahead of the 2027 general election.
On Thursday, October 29, his defence counsel informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that the activist was in Ekiti for campaign engagements. The court subsequently adjourned his ongoing cyberbullying trial until November 3, 2026.
Meanwhile, the police have reportedly confirmed that an attack occurred but disputed claims that Sowore was abducted.
As of the time of filing this report, the circumstances surrounding the incident, the identities of the attackers and the extent of the victims’ injuries had yet to be independently established.