Category: Crime

Bokkos, Plateau State — At least 14 people, including women and infants, were killed on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in a brutal ambush by suspected Fulani bandits along Chirang Road in Mangor District, shortly after leaving the popular Bokkos weekly market. According to eyewitnesses who spoke to Daily Watch Nigeria, the victims had just concluded their trading activities in Bokkos town and were on their way home when armed attackers suddenly blocked the road and opened fire on the vehicle they were travelling in. Several passengers were reportedly killed instantly, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries. A survivor who requested anonymity described the horrifying scene: “The gunmen were heavily armed. They came out of nowhere, blocked the road, and started shooting without any warning.” The incident was confirmed in a statement on Friday by the Chairman of the Bokkos Cultural Development Forum (BCDF), Farmasum Fuddang. He expressed deep shock that the attack occurred despite ongoing peace and reconciliation efforts between farming and herding communities in the area. “The victims were returning from the weekly market in Bokkos town when their vehicle was ambushed. Victims included women and little babies,” Fuddang said. He criticized the persistent violence in the region, which continues despite several interventions aimed at fostering peaceful coexistence. Fuddang also openly accused Fulani militias of being behind the ambush, alleging that the attack was part of a broader attempt to take control of Bokkos Local Government Area, widely known as Nigeria’s potato production hub. “This violence occurs despite various so-called peace and reconciliation efforts,” he stated. “It is clear to us who is behind this, and we must not remain silent.” The attack has reignited tensions in a region long plagued by recurring violence between herders and farming communities. Security agencies are yet to release an official statement on the incident, but residents are calling for urgent government intervention to prevent further bloodshed.

A new report by Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited has revealed that at least 1,111 Nigerians werekilled and 276 abducted by terrorists, bandits, and other armed groups across the country in June 2025, despite a noticeable decline in overall security incidents compared to the previous month. According to the report, security incidents fell significantly by 48.04%, dropping from 895 in May to 465 in June. Fatalities also declined by 14.27%, from 1,296 in May to 1,111 in June, while abductions dropped sharply by 74.59%, from 1,086 to 276. However, civilian casualties remained alarmingly high, making up 72.37% (804 deaths) of the total fatalities recorded in June. The report cited farmer-herder clashes as a major driver of deaths in the North-Central region, while the North-West recorded the highest number of abductions, accounting for 72.10% of the total kidnapped victims. For the second quarter (Q2) of 2025, the report noted a slight 1.95% decrease in security incidents compared to Q1 (2,359 in Q1 vs. 2,313 in Q2). Despite the drop in incidents, fatalities rose by 5.66% — from 3,301 in Q1 to 3,499 in Q2. Fatality spikes were particularly high in the North-Central (+34.97%), North-West (+5.36%), and North-East (+12.04%) regions. Abductions in Q2 decreased by 11.45%, with 2,540 reported cases compared to 2,862 in Q1. All three northern regions experienced notable declines in kidnapping cases during the period. In the first half of 2025, Nigeria recorded 4,672 security incidents, marking a 9.21% increase compared to the first half of 2024. Fatalities in the same period surged to 6,800 — a 13.67% rise from H2 2024 and a staggering 19.11% increase from H1 2024. Zamfara State emerged as the most affected in terms of both killings and abductions, recording 1,088 deaths and 1,755 kidnappings within the six-month period. The report highlighted the ongoing threats in the North-West and North-East regions from armed non-state actors, including ideological insurgents and bandits. It also flagged increasing violence in the North-Central zone, especially in Niger, Benue, Plateau, and Kwara states, with frequent armed attacks, abductions, and raids on rural communities. The grim statistics come amid mounting pressure on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to address the country’s deteriorating security landscape.

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested two factory workers in connection with the gruesome murder of a Chinese national, Mr. Chen Wang, in Ogere, Ogun State, following an extensive multi-state investigation. Wang, an employee of WH Great Resource Ltd., was found dead in his office on January 12, 2025, with multiple stab wounds. His killing triggered a high-level investigation led by the Force Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) and the Ogun State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). The suspects, identified as 25-year-old Yunusa Abdullahi from Borno State and 20-year-old Peace Keno Danlami from Taraba State, were reportedly lovers who took advantage of reduced staffing on the day of the incident. Police say the duo disabled the factory’s security systems before accessing Wang’s office, where they allegedly stabbed him to death. According to a statement issued Tuesday by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the suspects also stole keys to Wang’s residence, broke into his home, and fled the state with stolen money. “After months of technical surveillance and digital forensics, operatives tracked the suspects to Jos, Plateau State, where they were arrested on July 14, 2025, allegedly living under false identities,” Adejobi said. Inspector General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended the Ogun State Police Command, the TIU, and all detectives involved in the case, describing their efforts as “diligent, professional, and relentless.” He also reassured both Nigerian citizens and the international community of the police’s commitment to ensuring safety and justice through intelligence-led policing. The suspects are currently in custody and will be formally charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN, currently executing Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A, have intercepted a suspected kidnapper with a cache of arms and N13.7 million in cash along the Wamba–Jos Road in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The arrest, which occurred on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, followed a snap checkpoint operation mounted at Agameti, according to Major Samson Zhakom, spokesperson for the military operation. During the routine stop-and-search, troops intercepted a Volkswagen vehicle with three occupants. However, two of the individuals quickly exited the car and fled on foot before reaching the checkpoint. Upon inspection, the remaining suspect was found with two AK-47 rifles, two magazines, 30 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, three mobile phones, a knife, a football, assorted charms, a torchlight, and a large sum of cash amounting to ₦13,742,000. Bullet holes and bloodstains were also discovered on the vehicle, raising further suspicion. The suspect reportedly attempted to bribe the troops at the scene but was rebuffed and taken into custody. “During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being involved in a series of kidnappings along the Jos–Makurdi Road and agreed to lead troops to the gang’s hideout,” Major Zhakom said. “However, in a failed attempt to escape, he tried to disarm the soldiers and was neutralised.” Troops have since launched follow-up operations to apprehend the fleeing suspects and dismantle the entire criminal network. Major Zhakom reaffirmed the military’s commitment to protecting citizens and ridding the region of criminal elements.

Mayo-Belwa, Adamawa State — A tragic incident has sparked nationwide outrage after a Nigerian soldier allegedly beat a phone technician to death over a delayed repair for his girlfriend’s mobile phone. The victim, Alkasum Ibrahim, was reportedly attacked by Lance Corporal Ahmada A., after the soldier’s girlfriend complained about the delay in fixing her phone. According to witnesses, the soldier stormed the phone repair shop in Mayo-Belwa and severely assaulted Alkasum, leaving him unconscious. He later died from his injuries. The disturbing incident has triggered widespread condemnation, with many Nigerians demanding swift justice and an end to the unchecked abuse of power by military personnel.

The Nigeria Police Force has arraigned Abubakar Mohammed Aboki, a Nigerian national recently extradited from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), before the Federal High Court in Abuja over his alleged involvement in a high-profile $307,500 fraud case. The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that Aboki was arraigned on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, following the conclusion of a thorough police investigation. Aboki is facing a six-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery, and money laundering. The charges stem from allegations that he defrauded an international automobile dealer by falsely claiming to facilitate the shipment of luxury vehicles from Dubai to Nigeria. “Investigations revealed that the suspect diverted the funds for personal use and issued a forged bill of lading to deceive the complainant,” the statement noted. The court has ordered that Aboki be remanded at the Nigeria Correctional Service facility in Keffi, Nasarawa State, pending the hearing of his bail application on July 17, 2025. Recall that on May 25, 2025, the police had confirmed his successful extradition from Dubai, after the conclusion of a coordinated international operation. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to fighting transnational crime and ensuring diligent prosecution of criminal cases. “The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in strengthening international cooperation and ensuring justice is served in cases of cross-border fraud,” Adejobi added.