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Military Might Unleashed: Nigerian Soldiers Dismantle Kidnap Gang, Free Police Officers in Daring Operation

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Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have successfully rescued 11 individuals—among them two serving police inspectors—from suspected kidnappers during a high-stakes operation in Benue State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The rescue mission, which took place at Tse-Ahur and Chito communities in Ukum Local Government Area, was disclosed on Monday in Makurdi by the OPWS Force Commander, Major General Moses Gara.

General Gara confirmed that two suspects were apprehended during the raid and are currently being interrogated. He said the victims—comprising four females and seven males—have received medical care and will be reunited with their families after proper documentation.

According to him, the simultaneous operations were executed at the identified hideouts in Ukum LGA, while Sector 3 troops stationed at Gindin Mangoro in Wukari LGA of neighbouring Taraba State acted as a strategic block to intercept fleeing insurgents.

Weapons and ammunition recovered from the operation include four FN rifles, three G3 rifles, four AK-47 rifles, one PKT machine gun, one locally made dane gun, fifteen AK-47 magazines, three FN rifle magazines, and 31 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition. Additionally, troops seized 184 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm ammunition, one pistol magazine, five smoke canisters, and several fetish charms believed to be used by the kidnappers.

Preliminary investigations revealed that one of the arrested suspects was responsible for managing the group’s armory, while the second served as a security guard for the kidnapped victims.

General Gara noted that the operation was conducted between Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3, and was led by Commander of Sector 1, Colonel Kolawole Bukoye, with aerial support from the OPWS Air Component covering Benue and parts of Taraba.

He said the mission was necessitated by a spike in kidnapping incidents in the Sankera axis—an area covering Kastina-Ala, Ukum, and Logo LGAs—and was aimed at flushing out criminal elements and restoring peace.

The OPWS commander expressed gratitude to the Chief of Defence Staff and other Service Chiefs for their continued support, particularly in deploying additional personnel to the operation. He assured the public that troops would sustain the momentum to secure Benue, Taraba, and Nasarawa States.

Among the rescued victims was Inspector John Ngbede of the Numan Divisional Police Station, Adamawa Command. He recounted being abducted on June 16 while traveling between Zaki Biam and Wukari. “We were stopped by men in military uniforms who took us to an unknown location. I spent 48 days in captivity. They collected N3.5 million from me but still refused to let me go,” he said.

Another victim, Inspector Odah Patrick of the Rivers State Police Command, shared that he was abducted on July 14 while traveling through Abakaliki into Benue for medical treatment. “They took N3 million from me but held me for 16 days until OPWS rescued us,” he narrated.

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Tears For A Titan: Family Unveils Emotional Three-Day Funeral Plan For Iconic Actor Kola Oyewo!.

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The funeral arrangements for the celebrated Nigerian actor, theatre scholar, and traditional ruler, Chief Dr. Adekola Gabriel Oyewo (Kola Oyewo), have been finalized by his family, with interment scheduled for Friday, August 7, 2026, in Osun State. The veteran actor passed away at age 80, leaving behind a legacy as a prominent figure in stage, television, and academia.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The three-day farewell, organized by the Balogun Oyekola Oyewo Memorial Committee, follows this schedule:

  • Wednesday, August 5, 2026: A wake-keep and service of songs will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Igboya, Ile-Ife.

  • Thursday, August 6, 2026: A commendation mass is scheduled at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, followed by an artistes’ night at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Oduduwa Hall. An exhibition celebrating his works and photographs will also open at the Pit Theatre, African Studies Building, OAU, running through Friday.

  • Friday, August 7, 2026: After a morning departure from his residence, a requiem mass will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oba-Ile. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at 12:45 p.m. at Labaluyegbe Villa, followed by a reception at Aderonmu Grammar School Field.

The Bangbola Oyewo family of the Ese-Ola Royal House remembered him as a beloved family man, traditional leader, and an inspiration to generations of theatre practitioners. His passing is regarded as the end of an era for the Nigerian theatre community, where he served as an Associate Professor of Drama and a long-standing mentor.

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Nation In Shock! Herders’ King Brutally Murdered: Cops Race Against Time To Catch Killers!.

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Authorities have initiated a comprehensive investigation into the murder of Risku Mohammed, the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), and his associate, Yakubu Isa. The two men were reportedly ambushed by unidentified attackers near Ahimeni in the Okodu area while traveling back from a peace summit in Otukpo.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Benue State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, condemned the act as a “senseless and criminal” effort to destabilize local peace and security. Through PPRO DSP Udeme Edet, the Commissioner announced that tactical and intelligence teams have been mobilized to hunt down the perpetrators. CP Nwadiogbu has urged the public to avoid spreading rumors or pursuing vigilante justice, instead appealing for any useful information to be shared with the police to assist in the swift arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

Option 2: Concise News Style

Police in Benue State are hunting for the gunmen who killed MACBAN State Chairman Risku Mohammed and Yakubu Isa. The victims were attacked near Ahimeni in the Okodu area while returning from a peace meeting in Otukpo.

State Commissioner of Police Cletus Nwadiogbu denounced the killings and vowed that the command would “leave no stone unturned” in bringing the culprits to justice. Tactical units have been deployed to the area to track down the assailants. The Commissioner extended his condolences to the bereaved families and called on residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and to report any leads to the nearest police station. He reiterated the command’s firm commitment to ensuring the safety of all citizens and holding the criminals accountable.

Option 3: Action-Oriented

Following the tragic assassination of Benue MACBAN Chairman Risku Mohammed and Yakubu Isa, the State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation. The victims were killed by unknown assailants near Ahimeni, Okodu, following a peace engagement in Otukpo.

Commissioner of Police Cletus Nwadiogbu has directed tactical and intelligence units to track down and arrest the attackers immediately. In a public statement, the command emphasized that such criminal acts will not be tolerated and that every effort is being made to secure justice for the victims. The public is encouraged to assist the investigation by reporting any relevant information through official channels and is cautioned against fueling tensions by sharing unverified reports.

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Currency Watch: Dollar Holds Firm Against Naira At ₦1,378 Amid Economic Uncertainty!.

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On June 26, 2026, the dollar-to-naira exchange rate at the Lagos parallel market, commonly referred to as the black market, saw sellers offering the dollar at ₦1402, while buyers were purchasing it at ₦1391, according to Bureau De Change (BDC) sources. It is important to note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not officially recognize this market and advises individuals to conduct foreign exchange transactions through their respective banks.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Additionally, the CBN’s official rates for the same period ranged from a high of ₦1385 to a low of ₦1376. Please be aware that actual transaction prices may vary and might differ from the figures provided in this report.

Exchange Rate Summary (June 26, 2026)

  • Parallel Market (Selling): ₦1402

  • Parallel Market (Buying): ₦1391

  • CBN Official Rates: ₦1376 – ₦1385

What specific aspect of the current foreign exchange market or its impact on consumer trends would you like to discuss further?

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