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Police arrest 84 notorious criminal suspects in special operations —-foil kidnap attempt on Catholic Bishop in Zaria

Owolola Adebola
Following the ongoing implementation of a robust security action plan to protect citizens and critical national infrastructure across the country, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, have arrested a total of eighty-four (84) notorious criminal suspects within the past month.
A total of forty-five (45) sophisticated firearms and ammunition including 1-GPMG, 1-LAR rifle, 17-AK47 rifles, 2-Pump Action rifles, 20- locally fabricated firearms, 3-single barrel guns, 9899- live ammunition of different calibres, 80-fake vehicle number plates, 1- Toyota Camry with Reg. No. AA 792 HJA and 1-Toyota Corolla LE with Reg. No. QAP 622 AA, were recovered from the suspects in the operations.

The suspects were arrested for their involvement in series of violent crimes including terrorism, banditry, kidnap for ransom, possession, and proliferation of illegal weapons, armed robbery, unlawful production of vehicle number plates, etc.

While many of the suspects were arrested in follow-up on cases of violent crimes under investigation, many others were arrested after being subdued following a gun duel with the police who took the battle to the doorsteps of the criminals.

Notably amongst the cases was the arrest of four (4) members of a notorious criminal gang responsible for carrying out some of the high-profile kidnaps for ransom operations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kaduna, Niger, Katsina, Bauchi, and Plateau States.

The suspects are Umar Abdullahi ‘m’ 40yrs of kali Kura village, Giwa LGA, Kaduna State, Yusuf Tanimu ‘m’ 23yrs of Kurena, Zaria, Kaduna State, Mamuda Suleiman ‘m’ 40yrs of Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, and Abubakar Yaro ‘m’ 38yrs from Wase village, Plateau State.
Investigations revealed that the gang is linked to series of kidnap for ransom crimes including the kidnapping of some senior staff of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, family members of notable political appointees, and business entrepreneurs in Kaduna State and other contiguous State.
Investigations revealed that the suspects were at an advanced stage of operationalizing their plans to kidnap a Catholic Bishop in Zaria when they were apprehended.
 Investigations further revealed that the gang, in addition to their kidnapping enterprise, also supplies arms and ammunition to Bandits at Birnin Gwarri, Kaduna State, Niger, Katsina, and Zamfara States.
One (1) General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), two (2) AK47 rifles, six thousand, five hundred and nine (6,509) live ammunition were recovered from the syndicate during the operation.
Similarly, the police team arrested a seven-man criminal syndicate that specializes in the manufacturing and supplies of locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and ammunition to bandits in forests along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway and funtua – kankara expressway in Katisina State.
The suspects are; Dung Michael ‘m’ 26yrs, Dung James ‘m’ 29yrs, Bulus Iliya ‘m’ 25yrs, Markus Danladi ‘m’ 25yrs, Danjuma Dachu ‘m’ 25yrs all from Jos South and Samaila Abdullahi ‘m’ 45yrs from Toro in Bauchi State, Maek Danladi ‘m’ 30yrs from Chukum, Kaduna State.
 In a similar vein, one Abubakar Mohammed a.k.a Mallam Buzu from Mali who is a transnational gun-runner was arrested by the Police team in Tsamiya, a border town between Benin Republic and Nigeria. He was arrested with a GPMG ammunition chain drive with a holding capacity of 1,600 rounds of ammunition.
In addition, three (3) suspects responsible for the production of fake vehicle number plates including a replica of number plates of government, diplomatic and security agencies were arrested.
Investigations revealed that the suspects supply the number plates to criminal elements who use the same to beat security checks during their operations. A total of eighty (80) fake number plates were recovered from the gang.

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, while affirming that the kinetic and non-kinetic approaches targeted at re-ordering security in the country are already yielding positive results, reassured citizens of the renewed commitment of the Force to the fight against crimes and criminality.

He called for sustained support for the Police and the security community as efforts are being intensified to enhance public safety, peace and security.

All the suspects will be charged to court on completion of investigations

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Tompolo pays glowing tribute to Wike on his 58th birthday.

Funso OLOJO 
High Chief  Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has eulogised the uncommon courage, resilience and unwavering sense of duty of Barrister Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory(FCT), describing these attributes as those that align with the Tantita’s objectives and work ethic.
Tompolo, the Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, make this observation in his message to Wike on his 58th birthday, where he paid a glowing tribute to the FCT Minister.
According to him, Wike’s  public life is a reflection of courage, conviction and an unwavering sense of duty.
Tompolo said Wike’s journey through public service—marked by legal brilliance, political audacity and firm decision-making—has consistently demonstrated that true leadership is defined by impact, not rhetoric.
He noted that from Wike’s formative years in public administration through his tenure as Governor of Rivers State and now as FCT Minister, his performance has remained anchored on results, resilience and a relentless commitment to public good.
“In the Federal Capital Territory, your presence is already being massively felt.
” The renewed focus on infrastructure, order, and accountability speaks to a hands-on leadership style that understands Abuja’s symbolic and practical importance to Nigeria’s unity and governance,” Tompolo said.
The TSSNL founder commended Wike for recognising the intrinsic connection between security, development and national stability, stressing that the minister’s insistence on law, order and institutional discipline aligns strongly with Tantita’s mission of protecting critical assets and fostering a safe environment for sustainable growth.
He added that Wike’s reputation as “Mr. Project” was well-earned, given his consistent record of performance and the courage to take difficult decisions when duty demanded it.
“In moments that demand firmness, you have chosen responsibility over convenience, standing by your convictions even when the path was difficult,” he said.
Tompolo prayed for renewed strength, sharper vision and continued success for the minister as he marks another year, expressing confidence that Wike’s service would continue to leave a lasting imprint on national development.
“Please accept my sincere best wishes for good health, wisdom, and continued success. May the years ahead bring fulfilment and further contributions to the progress and unity of Nigeria,” he added.
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Nigeria denies ownership of detained vessel

VLCC SKIPPER
Funso OLOJO 
 The management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has clarified the status of a tanker vessel, MT SKIPPER, currently intercepted and detained by the United States Coast Guard(USCG) over alleged oil theft and other transnational crimes.
According to the statement from the Nigeria’s maritime industry apex regulatory agency, the vessel , Very Large Crude Carrier,is not a Nigerian – flagged vessel while its purported owners, Thomarose Global Ventures Limited, are not registered with NIMASA as a shipping company.
“An analysis of the vessel’s movement, monitored through the Agency’s Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence (C4i) Centre, shows that the vessel was last sighted in Nigerian waters on 1st July 2024.

“After departing Nigerian waters, the vessel continued on its international voyage pattern and was tracked operating in the Arabian Sea (Asia) and later in the Caribbean region, where the U.S. interdiction eventually took place.

“Records indicate that SKIPPER which was formerly owned by Triton Navigation Corp, has undergone multiple name changes over time.

“The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders, including U.S. authorities, in the ongoing investigations. He emphasized that criminality will not be tolerated in Nigerian waters” NIMASA stated in a public statement.

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Adeniyi, Akutah, Fakolade, Warredi, Maiwada headline 10th anniversary of seminar for maritime journalists in Lagos 

Funso OLOJO 
First Mediacon media group, the convener of the annual seminar for maritime journalists, has lined up an array of industry’s stakeholders to sharpen the intellectual capacity of maritime journalists at this year’s workshop.
The annual event, which is the 10th edition this year, holds December 17th, 2025 in Lagos.
According to the organisers of the programme, the cream of the maritime industry have been lined up to engage the industry’s media in intellectual discussions that will deepen the knowledge of its practitioners in digital trade facilitation, regulatory efficiency and the economic reforms.
Key speakers at the event include the Comptroller- General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Barrister Akutah Ukeyima who is expected to deliver the keynote address, Mr Tola Fakolade, Director of the National Single Window, Mr Warredi Eniosuoh, who is expected to chair the event and Deputy Comptroller of Customs and the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada.
Maiwada is expected to deliver a practical training on “Data Analysis for Effective Maritime Reporting”
According to Mr. Sesan Onileimo, CEO of First Mediacon Network Limited and convener of the seminar, “the past decade has proven that accurate, data-driven journalism is vital to the growth of the maritime economy.
“This platform empowers journalists with the tools to properly analyse reforms, interrogate investments and provide the business community with credible information.”
Now in its tenth year, the seminar has become a major business intelligence platform, equipping maritime journalists with the technical insight required to analyse policy decisions, market trends and operational performance within the nation’s blue economy.
Over the years, it has helped strengthen the information value chain that supports investment decisions across ports, logistics, shipping, and inland trade corridors.
This year’s edition comes at a time when Nigeria’s maritime economy is undergoing significant transformation, driven by digitalisation, regulatory restructuring and demand for greater operational transparency.
Marking a decade of consistent impact, the organisers reaffirm their commitment to strengthening the professional capacity of the maritime media, while promoting a more transparent, efficient and investment-friendly maritime environment.
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