The Nigerian military on Monday narrated how troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA, supported by Nigerian Air Force, rescued Mrs. Amina Abubakar, wife of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information (DDI), from the den of bandits.

The rescue came after weeks of gruelling search-and-rescue operations launched after Mrs. Abubakar was abducted along with her husband by armed bandits, the military said.

The military said the troops continued to pressure the criminal group through a series of offensive operations and intelligence-driven missions to locate the kidnappers and free the victim.

Director Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said troops made contact with the bandits at Tunga Village during one of the operations, which was the breakthrough.

The military said the bandits shot Mrs Abubakar and left her behind before fleeing when the troops closed in on their position and came under overwhelming pressure from the security forces.

The troops immediately cordoned off the area and rescued the victim, thereby ending her ordeal of captivity.

She was evacuated from the scene and taken to a military hospital for urgent medical care.

Mrs Abubakar is responding well to treatment and remains under close medical supervision, the Armed Forces said.

The military leadership has further assured that all the required support is being extended to her and her family to ensure her complete recovery.

The late Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Defence spokesman and a senior military officer, and his wife were abducted in an incident that raised concerns and condemnation across the board.

Following the abduction, troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA intensified efforts to track down the kidnappers with ground operations, aerial surveillance and support from the Nigerian Air Force.

The armed forces would intensify their operations to track down and neutralize those behind the abduction and continue to rid Katsina State and other parts of the country of terrorists and bandits, the Armed Forces said, quoting Major General Uba.

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The presidency has dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu has yet to make any public statement on the kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oyo State by bandits.

The claim was denied in a statement by the Special Assistant on Social Media to President Tinubu, Dada Olusegun, on his 𝕏 Account on Tuesday.

He assured that Tinubu has not only made a public statement but is also being regularly briefed and updated on the rescue of the victims.

The clarification came in response to a netizen, who identified himself as Thepentane_ on 𝕏, who claimed that President Tinubu has not made any statement eleven days after the Oyo incident.

However, Olusegun dismissed the claim, warning against outright untruth.

I understand the justified anger over the kidnapping of the students but please don’t demean to outright falsehood.

“The president has made a public statement and has been receiving briefings on rescue updates on this incident since it started,” the presidential aide wrote.

Meanwhile, suspected gunmen who abducted students and teachers in Ahoro Esinele community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, have reportedly opened communication with the state government, demanding for ransom.

The abductors were said to have taken away 39 students and seven teachers during the attack, while teacher Michael Oyedokun was said to have been killed.

Sources who spoke with Vanguard on the development said indirect negotiations were ongoing, but the amount demanded by the kidnappers was being kept under wraps.

The kidnappers had contacted the victims asking for ransom, according to multiple sources.

One source said details were being handled discreetly.

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The Oyo State Police Command has denied the report that pupils, students and teachers abducted during last Friday’s attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state have been rescued.

The command said that the victims were still in captivity, adding that security agencies were stepping up efforts to secure their release and arrest those behind the attack.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Ibadan, the state capital.

Members of the public were asked to ignore rumours that the abducted victims had regained their freedom.

The statement read, “The Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that the abducted students, pupils and teachers in Orire Local Government Area are yet to be released, as intensive efforts by security agencies are ongoing to ensure their safe rescue and the arrest of the perpetrators of the criminal act.

“The Command hereby debunks the rumour making the rounds that the victims have been rescued.

The police called on residents to remain calm and cooperate with the ongoing joint security operation.

The command also warned against circulating unverified information, saying fake news could lead to panic and hinder security efforts.

“The public is urged to remain calm, support the ongoing efforts of the joint security team and cross-check every piece of information before disseminating it.

“The proliferation of fake news and misinformation only leads to unnecessary panic, increases tension and diverts scarce security resources that are critically needed for ongoing operations,” the statement said.

Police told residents they would provide updates that were verified as the situation developed.

“The Command assures the good people of Oyo State that updates and verified facts will be made available as the situation unfolds.

“Those seeking clarification or true information are advised to contact the Police Public Relations Officer or the Command’s control room through the numbers below.

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The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu has visited Oyo State following the unfortunate attack and abduction incident that occurred in Oriire Local Government Area of the State in the early hours of Friday, 15th May, 2026.

The IGP said he was “deeply saddened” by the incident and “extended heartfelt condolences” to the families of the attack victims.

The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP Ojo Adekimi, who was on the visit with him, said the strategic closeness of the Oriire axis to communities bordering Kwara State necessitated his presence. Also on the visit was the Commissioner of Police, Schools Protection Squad, CP Abayomi Shogunle.

During the visit, the Inspector-General also met with the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga and other security stakeholders. He was given operational briefings on the ongoing rescue efforts and security deployments across the affected communities.

The IGP assured residents, parents and guardians that the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, has intensified coordinated search and rescue operations, intelligence gathering and tactical deployments for safe return of all abducted victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The attack, he condemned, was barbaric and unacceptable. He reiterated that no effort would be spared in restoring normalcy to the affected communities.

The Inspector-General also directed the deployment of more tactical and intelligence assets to beef-up the ongoing operations in the area and adjoining forests.

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Thirty-one churchgoers who had been kidnapped during an Easter service were freed when the Nigerian Army stopped a terrorist attack on Ariko hamlet in Kachia Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

According to reports, the attackers invaded the neighborhood and targeted three churches in a coordinated attack that caused numerous casualties and interfered with religious activity.

The event reportedly claimed the lives of five persons.

In a statement published on its verified X feed, the Nigerian Army Headquarters confirmed the occurrence, stating that troops reacted quickly to a distress call from the region.

According to the statement, “a distress call reporting the abduction of worshippers during an Easter service at an ECWA Church in Ariko Village prompted the troops’ quick response.”

“As soon as they received the information, the troops mobilized to the scene.” They pursued the escaping terrorists with the help and direction of Ariko community members and engaged the offenders in a violent battle, overpowering them with superior weaponry, according to the statement.

It further stated that the attackers were forced to flee while abandoning their victims due to persistent pressure from the military.

“The terrorists were forced to abandon 31 hostages, including one injured victim who is currently receiving medical attention, due to the mounting pressure from the advancing troops.”

However, the statement expressed regret that five individuals died in the incident despite the successful rescue effort.

Unfortunately, the bodies of five victims who had already been murdered by terrorists were also found at the scene.

According to the statement, “blood trails along their escape routes indicate that the terrorists are thought to have suffered significant casualties.”

“Troops have since intensified pursuit operations to track the fleeing elements to their enclaves, with ongoing efforts aimed at rescuing any remaining captives and ensuring the perpetrators are brought to justice,” the Army continued.

“More troops have been sent to the area to bolster ongoing operations, improve security presence, and prevent further threats to lives and property in order to consolidate the gains recorded.”

The Army reaffirmed its dedication to national security.

“Troops are unwavering in their determination to continue offensive operations against all threats to national security.”

Additionally, it emphasized that maintaining collective vigilance is still essential to attaining long-term peace and stability and called on the people to assist security authorities with timely and reliable information.

In the meantime, some suspects have been detained by the Taraba State Police Command in relation to the murders of three police officers and the Tor Damisa vigilante commander in the state’s Donga Local Government Area.

Following the arrest of the suspects—Suleman Abdullahi, 30, and Idris Kauri, 33—who are allegedly from Akente village in the same Donga LGA, a number of meetings with pertinent parties and intelligence gathering took place.

Following the suspects’ parading at the state Police Command, Morkwap S. Dongshal, the state Commissioner of Police who assumed control of the Command soon after the tragic incident, told reporters that the three service weapons belonging to the deceased police officers had also been found.

The CP further disclosed that the Command is pursuing other suspects who are currently at large, promising to make sure they are captured wherever they may be hiding in Nigeria.

The police said that the suspects provided helpful information that will help the Command locate further suspects.

Similarly, during a stop-and-search operation, the Command apprehended two suspects who had 304 rounds of live ammunition.

The suspects, Job Davi, who is from Toungo LGA in Adamawa State, and Torme Terzugwe, 39, of Kwande LGA in Benue State, were captured at Yonko village in Zing LGA.

They were stopped while traveling to Ganye LGA in Adamawa State on an unregistered motorcycle. The case is still being investigated.Because

The CP has taken numerous aggressive measures to stop the resurgence of violent attacks in some areas of the state, especially in the southern region, since Sinhe took office just a week ago.

He specifically traveled to Kofai Ahmadu and Chanchanji in Takum LG, A, which has recently seen a number of violent incidents. There, he spoke with important security players, such as traditional rulers, community leaders, and young leaders.

The CP relocated from Takum, Dongshal, to Tor Damisa in Donga LGA, where the local vigilante leader and police officers were slain in an ambush a few days prior.

Some of the perpetrators in the horrible act were arrested when the Cheld ada met with Tse Kwe Tor Damisa, the traditional ruler of the area, at Tor Damisa.

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On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, a sand pit used to make bricks collapsed in Ridawa village in Kano State, resulting in the deaths of several brick workers.

According to reports, the event happened in the Ghari Local Government Area as workers were excavating a deep hole for the production of bricks. The pit abruptly collapsed, burying numerous people under the rubble.

According to eyewitnesses, the collapse caused panic in the neighborhood as neighbors and coworkers raced to the scene in a last-ditch effort to save those who were trapped.

The victims were reportedly working deep inside the hole when the construction suddenly collapsed, burying them beneath sand mounds.

Sani Bala, the member for the Ghari/Tsanyawa Federal Constituency, verified the event and stated that initial indications indicated that roughly ten people may still be trapped beneath.

In order to assist ongoing rescue efforts, he urged the appropriate authorities to act immediately.

“To save those who are still trapped, we urgently need help.” Although the community is making every effort, expert rescue assistance is needed, he stated.

In a race against time to find those buried alive, residents and rescue personnel were still sifting through the debris as of the time this report was filed.

However, there were still a number of victims who needed to be rescued, which raised concerns that the death toll might increase dramatically.

Locals bemoaned the fact that these kinds of incidents frequently occur on rural brick-making sites, where employees frequently work in dangerous environments without proper safety precautions or supervision.

According to reports, the catastrophe has left the town in mourning, and although rescue attempts continue, families are anxiously awaiting word of their loved ones.

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Personnel from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder in Port Harcourt have successfully rescued over 99 passengers aboard a local market boat from potential drowning in the Ukuma River, located in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The boat, known as ‘Blood of Jesus,’ was transporting passengers and goods worth millions of naira from Port Harcourt to Akuku-Toru LGA on Tuesday when it collided with a barge on the river. The impact caused significant structural damage to the boat.

Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Cajethan Nnabuchi Aniaku, confirmed in a statement issued by Lieutenant Commander Bridget Bebia, Base Information Officer, that no lives were lost in the accident. He also confirmed that most of the passengers’ goods were recovered and are securely stored onboard.

According to the statement, the collision occurred around 10:55 AM on April 29, 2025, at Tuma area, approximately 300 meters from Naval Security Station (NSS) 035 in Degema. The NNS Pathfinder personnel, assisted by four additional Navy Gunboats, launched a coordinated and successful search and rescue operation under difficult conditions. Their swift and organized response ensured that all 99 passengers were safely rescued without injury or fatalities.

Commodore Aniaku praised the personnel for their quick action, noting their bravery in preventing a potential maritime disaster. He commended the team for their exceptional composure during the rescue operation and their prompt response, which helped protect both lives and valuable cargo.

In closing, Commodore Aniaku reiterated the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to maintaining the security and safety of mariners under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla.

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Three female students from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University of Agriculture in Makurdi were abducted, however their release has been confirmed by the Benue State Police Command.

In a news update posted on 𝕏 on Thursday, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) initially announced their release.
According to the report, on February 25, 2025, the students were kidnapped as they were leaving university for a night study session.

The four abducted students from the Federal University of Agriculture, popularly known as J.S. Tarka University, in Benue State were being rescued, the Nigeria Police had promised after the incident.
In a statement released on Thursday, February 27, 2025, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, reaffirmed this.

In order to address the security concerns, the university administration announced a one-week midterm vacation.

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A day after the kidnapping, an internal document signed by Registrar Dr. John David and headed “Security Situation on Campus” was released to convey this information.

Prior calls for increased attempts to gain the students’ release had come from Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

They haven’t yet disclosed the specifics of their independence, though.

The post Just In: Police Confirm Freedom of Abducted Benue University Students appeared first on TheNigerian.