NEWS
Nigerian Army Rescues 31 Kidnap Victims, Arrests 17 Suspects
In the course of coordinated operations across several states in the last 24 hours, the Nigerian Army rescued 31 kidnapped victims, arrested 17 criminal suspects and recovered two pump-action guns with five rounds of ammunition.
This was detailed in a statement on Saturday, in which the Army revealed that the gains were recorded as sustained offensive pressure forced criminal elements to flee on contact, allowing troops to consolidate positions and protect civilians.
“In Zamfara State, troops of 1 Brigade Combat Team 5 at Forward Operating Base Moriki, in collaboration with local hunters, responded to a distress call on the kidnapping of residents of Kadage Village, Maradun Local Government Area,” the statement said.
It added, “On sighting the troops, the terrorists abandoned 25 kidnapped victims and fled. The victims were rescued, the area was exploited without further contact, and all rescued persons were safely reunited with their families in Moriki town.”
According to the Army, troops of 63 Brigade in Delta State, acting on intelligence, arrested a suspected cultist and kidnapper terrorising Ezuokwu Community in Oshimili North Local Government Area, alongside 11 accomplices.
“Subsequent raids in Ite-Ego Community led to the arrest of a herbalist and the recovery of two pump-action guns and five cartridges
“Additionally, a suspected drug peddler was apprehended with crystal methamphetamine (ice), smoking pipes and Indian hemp. All suspects and exhibits are currently in military custody for further action,” the statement said.
In Kogi State, the Army said troops of 12 Brigade conducted fighting patrols from Obajana and Kabba Patrol Bases to Ankomi Village and the Adankolo general area of Lokoja Local Government Area on January 1, 2026, rescuing five kidnapped victims from abandoned settlements.
“During the exploitation of the area, two decomposed bodies were discovered. One has been evacuated, while efforts are ongoing to recover the other,” the statement added.
It further disclosed that on December 31, 2025, the same brigade responded to reports of a road blockage along Ayere–Kabba Road in Ijumu Local Government Area.
“Troops engaged suspected violent extremists who fled into the bushes, rescued an injured driver, recovered his vehicle and evacuated him to St. Joseph Hospital, Kabba,” the Army said, adding that troops continue to dominate the route with aggressive patrols.
In Kaduna State, the statement said troops of Sector 5, Operation Enduring Peace, acting on credible intelligence on January 1, 2026, apprehended a suspected kidnapper at Jagindi Kagom Village in Jema’a Local Government Area.
In a related development, in Nasarawa State, troops of Sector 2, Operation Whirl Stroke, arrested two suspected kidnappers hibernating around Kadarko in Keana Local Government Area and handed them over to the Nigerian Police, Keana Division, for prosecution.
“In Taraba State, troops of Sector 3, Operation Whirl Stroke, responded to a kidnapping incident at the Abong general area of Kurmi Local Government Area and successfully rescued one kidnapped victim, who has since been reunited with his family,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its resolve, the Nigerian Army said it “remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting lives and property across the country.”
ALSO READ: Edo Community In Shock As Gunmen Abduct Doctor, Brother
“Through timely intelligence, joint community efforts and sustained offensive operations, troops will continue to deny criminals freedom of action,” the statement said, urging citizens to support security forces with credible information.
NEWS
DPRP Slashes PMS to ₦1,165/Litre, Diesel to ₦1,570/Litre
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) has announced a reduction in the ex-depot prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel).
A company statement on Wednesday has it that the price reduction, which is part of reaffirmation of the company’s commitment to providing affordable, high-quality petroleum products to the Nigerian market is effective Thursday 6th of August, 2026.
Under the new pricing structure, the refinery has reduced the ex-depot price of PMS to N1,165 per litre, down from N1,215 per litre, representing a reduction of N50 per litre. Similarly, the ex-depot price of Diesel has been reduced to N1,570 per litre from N1,650 per litre, amounting to a decrease of N80 per litre.
ALSO READ: NLNG: How Cooking Gas Offtakers Greed Fuel Scarcity, High Prices
The price review reflects Dangote Refinery’s ongoing efforts to enhance energy affordability, improve access to refined petroleum products, and support economic activities across Nigeria. The refinery remains committed to ensuring stable supply while leveraging operational efficiencies to deliver value to consumers, businesses, and stakeholders.
As Africa’s largest refinery, Dangote Petroleum Refinery continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s energy security, reducing reliance on imports, and supporting the nation’s economic development through the supply of world-class petroleum products.
The company reaffirmed its dedication to contributing to the growth of the Nigerian economy and passing on the benefits of improved operational efficiencies to consumers whenever market conditions permit.
NEWS
Wrong-Way Crane Leaves Three Dead, Three Injured in Ogun Auto Crash
Three people have lost their lives, while three others sustained varying degrees of injuries following a tragic road accident involving a crane and a truck along the Sagamu-Benin Expressway in Ogun State.
The fatal crash occurred at about 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday near Babcock Junction in Ikenne Local Government Area.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, said the accident involved a white Mercedes-Benz truck with registration number LG 59 BLF and a yellow crane without a registration number.
SEE ALSO: Gas Explosion Kills 16 In Fatal Ogun Auto Crash
According to Akinbiyi, preliminary investigations showed that the crane was travelling against traffic at excessive speed when it collided head-on with the oncoming truck.
He disclosed that six people—three males and three females—were involved in the crash.
“A total of three persons, comprising two males and one female, lost their lives, while three male victims sustained varying degrees of injuries,” Akinbiyi said.
He added that emergency responders from TRACE, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force, and a rescue team known as “Papa Oscar” swiftly arrived at the scene to rescue victims and manage the situation.
The injured victims were taken to the Babcock University Teaching Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) morgue in Sagamu.
To ease traffic flow, authorities diverted vehicles from Delabo Junction to the second carriageway as efforts continued to evacuate the damaged vehicles from the highway.
Akinbiyi commiserated with the families of the deceased and cautioned motorists against dangerous traffic violations.
“Motorists should avoid route violation and driving against traffic, considering the grave consequences associated with such dangerous acts,” he said.
NEWS
Businessman Alleges Paying PFIPC DG ₦400m To Secure Gov’t Contract
A businessman, Gbenga Collins, has told the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) that he paid ₦400 million to the council’s embattled Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi, to facilitate the award of a government contract.
Collins made the allegation on Wednesday while testifying before the committee probing the establishment and operations of the controversial council.
According to the businessman, he travelled to Abuja where he was officially received by Adeyemi in what he described as an atmosphere befitting the head of a government agency, a development that convinced him the council was legitimate.
SEE ALSO: PFIPCgate: Wike Fires Back at Opposition Over Calls to Sack Gbajabiamila
He told lawmakers that Adeyemi later handed him a contract award letter, the scope of work, and an agreement authorising his company to execute the renovation and furnishing of the Director-General’s official residence.
“He gave me a contract award letter, the scope of work and, at the same time, the agreement with my company to execute that refurbishment project and asked me to pay the sum of ₦400 million for the facilitation of that project to show my strength that I would be able to handle it and that it would also fast-track the mobilisation for the contract,” Collins told the committee.
Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Yusuf Gagdi, disclosed that Adeyemi’s continued absence from the hearings was because he is currently in police custody and is also being investigated by anti-graft agencies.
Gagdi further revealed that the committee intends to meet with Adeyemi discreetly as part of its ongoing investigation.
As part of the probe, the committee also summoned the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) over the alleged use of official Federal Government number plates on vehicles linked to the disputed council.
The House panel is investigating allegations that the PFIPC operated without lawful authority despite being captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The probe followed allegations by Adeyemi that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, demanded 48 per cent of the council’s proposed ₦27.3 billion take-off grant. Adeyemi also alleged that the Chief of Staff received ₦400 million through a proxy and later requested an additional ₦200 million to facilitate presidential approvals.
Gbajabiamila has denied all the allegations, maintaining that he has no personal, official or professional relationship with Adeyemi.
He also rejected claims that he demanded or received money, interfered with investigations, or had any connection to allegations surrounding the death of Babatunde Tanimola or an alleged assassination attempt on Adeyemi.
Following the allegations, President Bola Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the matter.
The House of Representatives subsequently constituted a 12-member ad hoc committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the establishment of the PFIPC, how it was included in the 2026 Appropriation Act, and the alleged allocation of about ₦1.3 billion to the council.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, had earlier informed the committee that none of the funds appropriated for the PFIPC had been released or spent because the statutory conditions required for their disbursement and utilisation were never met.





