Crime
Two Sentenced To Death For Kidnapping In Taraba
In a verdict delivered on Friday, Taraba High Court 1, under the leadership of Chief Judge Justice Joel Agya, handed down a death sentence by hanging to Yusufa Adamu and Adamu Abdullahi for the 2019 kidnapping of Balkisu Kambe and Maryam Musa in Gashaka Local Government Area.
Additionally, the court found the duo guilty of criminal conspiracy and illegal possession of firearms, sentencing them to 10 years in prison for each offense without the possibility of a fine.
The judge declared that the sentences for conspiracy and firearm possession are effective from the year of the convicts’ arrest and detention in 2019.
Furthermore, the court noted that the defendants individually confessed to the kidnapping incidents: Balkisu Kambe in Angwan America, Baruwa, on September 29, 2019, and Maryam Musa in Serti on September 2, 2019, in Gashaka Local Government Area.
The confessions also revealed their involvement in collecting ransom during these incidents.
The judge highlighted that Kambe, one of the victims, identified the defendants as part of the gang that kidnapped her when they couldn’t locate her husband in his room on that day.
The convicts, according to the judge, revealed their identities after taking their victim into the bush for two days, during which her husband sent them a ransom of N1,000,000.
The court ruled “Based on Section 3, Paragraph 8 of the Kidnapping and Abduction Law of Taraba 2019, I hereby sentence you to death by hanging on the neck, may God have mercy on your souls.
“You however, have the right to apply to the Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy for the sentence to be commuted to life imprisonment, especially since no life was lost in the process of kidnapping.”
Prosecution counsel Mr. Samson Gimba praised the judgment, considering it sound and commendable.
Conversely, Counsel to the convicts, Mr. Mahanar Puki, made an allocutus plea, appealing for mercy before the sentencing.
Puki emphasized that the convicts were first-time offenders and demonstrated remorse throughout the trial period.
Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Taraba After Sustained Pressure
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of three kidnapped victims in Taraba State following sustained pressure mounted by its rescue teams.
The victims were identified as Otuwe Torhumba, 37; Kenneth Nyiutse, 35; and Michael Emmanuel, 27.
The Force made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in its 24-hour operational update covering security operations recorded across the country on October 2.
ALSO READ: 2027: Ogun Police Begins Early Election Security Preparations, Warns Against Political Violence
According to the Police, “Due to sustained pressure by Police rescue teams, three of five kidnapped victims — Otuwe Torhumba (37), Kenneth Nyiutse (35) and Michael Emmanuel (27) — were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.”
The Police said the three victims were rescued unharmed and subsequently reunited with their families.
The Force did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the abduction or the whereabouts of the remaining two victims in the operational summary.
The case is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Jalingo.
The rescue was among several operational successes recorded by the Nigeria Police Force during the reporting period.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of an 86-year-old man and his son after they were allegedly detained by suspected members of the Axe Men confraternity in Cross River State.
The victims, identified as Dominic Columbus Udoh, 86, and his son, Emmanuel Columbus Udoh, 40, were rescued by Police operatives on Friday, October 2, 2026.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across the country.
SEE ALSO: Benue: Police Repel Bandit Ambush, Recover Locally Fabricated Gun
According to the Force, Police operatives were mobilised to the scene after receiving information that suspected Axe Men confraternity cultists had unlawfully detained the two men.
The Police said the suspected cultists fled from the scene when operatives arrived.
The Force stated that officers, with assistance from neighbours, “forced open the locked apartment,” where the two victims were found.
According to the Police, both victims had sustained facial and chest injuries.
They were subsequently rescued and conveyed to the Police Hospital for medical treatment.
The Police said the incident is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Calabar.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed that personnel of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) repelled an ambush by suspected bandits along the Amaafu-Abaji Road in Benue State.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 2, 2026, during a routine patrol by the security personnel along the road.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across different states.
SEE MORE: 2027: Ogun Police Begins Early Election Security Preparations, Warns Against Political Violence
According to the Police, “Personnel of Operation Zenda JTF on routine patrol along Amaafu-Abaji Road successfully repelled an ambush by bandits, neutralizing one suspect and recovering his locally fabricated gun.”
The Police added that other members of the group fled into the surrounding bushes following the encounter.
It further stated that “No Police casualty was recorded” during the operation.
The recovered firearm was subsequently taken as part of the evidence from the operation as investigations continue.
The Police said the case has been placed under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Makurdi.
The Police Force continues to urge members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and useful information that can assist ongoing operations against criminal elements.
Domestic Flight delays, Cancellations Compound Air Travellers’ Woes
2027 Election Might Witness Voter-Apathy as Registered Voters Shun PVC Collection
TCN Restores Power Supply to Katampe Substation After Shiroro Line Fault
2027 Elections: FG Warns Politicians Against Promises on Fuel Subsidy
PETROAN Expects Fuel Discount to Combat Inflation
Kaduna Moves to Clear 5-Year Promotion Backlog for 24,000 Teachers
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
