Crime
Army Deploys Equipment Against Bandits, Terrorists
The Nigerian Army has deployed cutting-edge equipment for operations around the nation in an effort to combat instability, according to Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff.
The purpose of deploying sophisticated equipment, the Army said, was to strengthen the fight against terrorists, bandits, and other criminal forces that fomenting instability in Nigeria.
Lt. Gen. Lagbaja, represented by the Garrison Officer Commander 8 Division, Maj Gen Godwin Mutkut, assured at a media chat organised by the Nigerian Army civil-military cooperation, in Sokoto on Wednesday, that the Nigerian Army would continue to implement robust strategies that span relevant measures across kinetic and non-kinetic lines of operations.
He said, “I am glad to state that the Nigerian Army has taken delivery of some modern equipment and other combat enablers while the provisions of more have been finalised.
“The new additions to our operational capacity have been deployed and their effects are been witnessed across various theatres of operations.
“In consonance with my command philosophy, measures have been emplaced to ensure that our troops are well trained and motivated to adequately discharge their constitutional responsibilities.
“The culmination of these efforts is increasing tempo in all our operations and some remarkable success across the theatres.”
The COAS also emphasised that the desire to ensure the quick resolution of the security challenges necessitated the deployment of Nigerian Army troops across various theatres in all geopolitical zones in the country.
He said the deployment was carefully done to deal with the multiplicity of security challenges in the respective regions.
“It is important to state that the activities of non-state actors that seek to undermine the security, well-being and collective prosperity of our country would be highly degraded and almost non-existent without the collaboration of some unpatriotic and unscrupulous persons in the society.”
He, however, called on the media not to unconsciously provide non-state actors the oxygen to thrive by propagating their nefarious activities.
“This is because terrorists, insurgents, and other deviants seek attention and thrive on propaganda and rain of fear on well-meaning citizens.
“It is our collective efforts that would guarantee the effective decimation of insecurity and restoration of peace in our society.”
He, however, explained that the essence and desire for peace and security also require the proper harnessing of the collective strength of all well-meaning individuals and organisations.
Lt. Gen. Lagbaja further explained that the best strategy to deal with contemporary security challenges in the country encompasses the collective strength of all individuals, organisation synergising in a whole-of-nation approach to defeat the common enemy of the nation.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for his continuous strategic guidance and unwavering support to the Nigerian Army since his assumption of office.
Also speaking, the Chief of civil-military affairs, Major General Nosakhare Ugbo, said the objectives of the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat include providing the means to propagate military activities to the general public as well as engaging with the media to strengthen and foster mutually beneficial ideas.
“As an aspect of the Nigerian army’s non-kinetic line of operation, the Military-Media relation is considered crucial and must be kept agile through frequent engagements.
“Accordingly, the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Quarterly Media Chat is one of the several ways of promoting collaboration between the Army and media towards nation development. It is envisaged that this gathering will provide the opportunity for the Nigerian Army and media executives and experts gathered here to interact on mutually beneficial issues.”
Crime
Oyo Police Arrest Suspected Serial Burglar, Recover Stolen Items Worth ₦16.2m
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected serial burglar, Nasiru Abiodun, over multiple burglary incidents in the Ejiooku/Iyana Offa area of Ibadan, recovering stolen property estimated at ₦16.22 million.
The Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, November 1, 2026, by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka.
According to the statement, the suspect was arrested on October 31, 2026, at about 9:45 a.m. following a report from concerned residents of Oyewole Zone 2, Ile-Igbon, in the Ejiooku/Iyana Offa area.
SEE ALSO: Ebola: IGP Warns Nigerians Against Contact With Suspected Patients’ Body Fluids
Operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Maku Base, reportedly apprehended Abiodun at a residential apartment with a sack containing house cables and other valuable items estimated at ₦3 million.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to burgling four different residential apartments within the area, carting away house cables, mobile phones, motorcycle batteries and other household valuables.
The police put the total estimated value of items stolen from the four apartments at ₦16.22 million, adding that some of the stolen property had already been recovered from the suspect.
Following his confession, operatives visited the identified crime scenes to establish relevant facts and advance the investigation.
The Command said efforts had been intensified to recover the remaining stolen items and apprehend other individuals suspected of receiving the stolen property.
It also appealed to residents of Ejiooku/Iyana Offa, Ile-Igbon and adjoining communities who may have experienced burglaries recently to report such incidents to the nearest police station or the Maku Base of the VCRU.
The appeal, according to the police, is aimed at identifying other possible victims and facilitating the recovery of additional stolen property.
The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, reiterated the Command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities through proactive policing, intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with members of the public.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly provide credible information that could assist the police in preventing and detecting crime.
The police provided the Oyo State Call Response Centre toll-free number, 615, and the Command’s control room numbers, 08081768614 and 07055495413, for emergency reports.
Crime
Navy Uncovers 132,000 Litres of Stolen Crude Oil in Bonny
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered 132,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Allison community, Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State.
This was detailed in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, in which he disclosed that the Forward Operating Base Bonny discovered the stolen crude oil under Operation Delta Sentinel, following actionable intelligence.
He said the operation uncovered 10 dugout pits, adding that the site and the recovered products were handled in accordance with extant regulations.
“The operation reinforces the importance of intelligence-led action in identifying concealed petroleum stockpiles and disrupting the infrastructure that enables crude oil theft and the unauthorised movement of petroleum products.
“The Nigerian Navy will sustain efforts to locate and dismantle illegal refining infrastructure and disrupt the networks facilitating crude oil theft across the Niger Delta,” the statement said.
READ ALSO: FCT Motorists, Commuters Divided over NNPC Petrol Discount
The Navy urged community leaders, residents, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to promptly report crude oil theft, illegal refining, suspicious petroleum storage and the unauthorised movement of petroleum products to the nearest security agency.
Timely, credible information, the statement said, could enable swift intervention and prevent illicit activities from expanding.
“Safeguarding the nation’s critical petroleum assets requires vigilance and active cooperation between security agencies and the communities they serve. The Navy therefore urges the public to remain alert and support lawful efforts to protect national resources,” Folorunsho concluded.
Crime
Delta Police Arrest School Bus Driver Over Alleged Kidnap, Rape of 14-Year-Old Student
The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old school bus driver, Onome Lucky Ughagha, over the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a 14-year-old female student in Sapele, after reportedly collecting ₦503,000 in ransom from the victim’s father.
The suspect was arrested on October 23, 2026, following investigations into the incident, which was reported to the Sapele Area Command on October 20 by the victim’s father.
The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, and dated October 25, 2026.
SEE ALSO: JUST IN: Ex-Delta Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan Is Dead
According to the police, the father alleged that the suspect abducted his daughter while she was preparing to leave for school. The suspect reportedly contacted him afterward, demanded ₦503,000 and threatened to kill the minor if the ransom was not paid.
After the payment was made, the victim was allegedly abandoned along Oton Road in Sapele, where she was reunited with her family in a traumatised condition, with indications of sexual assault.
Following the report, operatives of the Sapele Area Command commenced investigations, while the victim was taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment.
The police also invited the school’s principal and vice principal for questioning as investigations continued.
The suspect reportedly abandoned the school bus and fled after the incident. However, acting on credible intelligence, police operatives traced him to his hideout in the Ajimele area of Sapele, where he was arrested on October 23.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to his involvement in the crime, according to the police.
The command said arrangements were underway to transfer him to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba for further investigation.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Samuel E. Erale, condemned the alleged crime and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting children from violence and exploitation.
The commissioner reiterated the command’s commitment to “protecting children from all forms of violence and exploitation.”
He also assured the public that “investigations will be thorough and that anyone found culpable will be brought to justice.”
Erale further called on school authorities, parents and transport operators to exercise greater vigilance in safeguarding children, stressing that “the safety of every child entrusted to their care must remain paramount.”





