Police Report Five Dead, Multiple Arrests, Kidnap Rescues Across 10 States

The Nigeria Police Force has reported five deaths in a boat mishap in Niger State, alongside several arrests, kidnapping rescues and other major operational developments across the country in the past 48 hours.

In a post on its X page, the Force said its latest operational summary covered incidents recorded across 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory, including cases of kidnapping, murder, banditry, drowning and culpable homicide.

In Niger State, police operatives recovered the bodies of five people after a canoe capsized in Kudi River, Shaba Woshi Village, Katcha Local Government Area, on August 15. The bodies were recovered and later buried according to Islamic rites, while the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Minna, commenced an investigation.

In Taraba State, two suspects were arrested in the Maraba Kunini area of Lau Local Government Area following intelligence linking them to a kidnapping and murder case. Police said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects were allegedly involved in the abduction of two people and the fatal shooting of two others at Jimlari Village.

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Police operatives and vigilantes in Imo State also rescued two kidnapped victims from a forest where they were being held hostage. The operation led to a gun battle in which two suspected kidnappers were reportedly neutralised, while others escaped with gunshot injuries. One vigilante was fatally wounded during the encounter.

In Kano State, police arrested a suspect and recovered a firearm following a shooting at a wedding ceremony in Tudun Yola Bajallabe on August 16. Four victims were taken to hospital for treatment, but one was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

Osun State police detectives are investigating the discovery of the body of an unidentified woman inside a church premises in the Obelewo area of Osogbo. The Force said preliminary findings indicated that the woman had been killed and her left wrist severed. Her remains were deposited at a mortuary for autopsy.

In the Federal Capital Territory, three suspects were arrested following the death of a security guard after an altercation with neighbours in Dawaki. Police said the victim was taken to a health centre, where he was pronounced dead, with no visible injuries found on his body.

Bauchi State police also reported a bandit attack in Sabon Jiri Village, Duguri District, where one person was shot dead and another abducted. Police patrol teams, local hunters and vigilantes have launched operations to rescue the victim and apprehend the attackers.

In Adamawa State, police arrested a suspect following the alleged killing of a woman at a hotel in Girei Local Government Area. The suspect reportedly confessed to involvement in the crime, while the weapon allegedly used was recovered.

The police also reported the death of a 14-year-old boy who drowned in a canal behind Millennium Park in the FCT while attempting to retrieve his shoe during rainfall. His body was recovered and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police said his father declined an autopsy and requested the release of the remains for burial.

In Benue State, five kidnapped passengers, including a four-year-old child, were rescued along the Ankpechi–Omutela highway following a gun battle between police tactical teams, other security personnel and local vigilantes and the abductors. One of the rescued victims sustained a gunshot injury and was taken for medical treatment.

The police said investigations into the various incidents are ongoing through the relevant State Criminal Investigation Departments and the Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja.