Daily Digest Online

A 22-year-old truck driver in Akure, Ondo State, has been arrested by police for allegedly masterminding his own kidnapping and defrauding his family of a 1.5 million Naira ransom. Tobi Oluwatuyi was apprehended by detectives from the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad after staging the abduction with the help of two friends in the Ilu Abo area. How the Scheme Unraveled Police sources indicate Oluwatuyi and his accomplices planned the hoax to extort money from his own family. The unsuspecting family paid the ₦1.5 million ransom, believing he had been genuinely abducted. The plot was exposed before the trio could enjoy the proceeds, thanks to information provided by concerned citizens who alerted the authorities. Police Response and Warning The state police spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, confirmed the arrests, stating the incident was a "calculated attempt by the trio to obtain money fraudulently." He noted that all suspects have co...

In a startling revelation that exposes a critical vulnerability in Nigeria's security strategy, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has detailed how criminal gangs use sophisticated communication tricks to operate with impunity in the country's vast unconnected areas. The federal government, now aware of this gap, is responding with a massive infrastructure project aimed at literally connecting the dots to combat insecurity. The "Tower Hopping" Tactic During an appearance on Channels Television's Politics Today, Minister Tijani explained that the common assumption—that bandits use unregistered SIM cards—is not the primary issue. Instead, these criminal networks have adopted a more technical method to avoid detection. "They were not using the normal towers; they bounce calls off multiple towers," Tijani stated. This technique, effectively "hopping" a signal across several cell tow...

KADUNA STATE, Nigeria — Terrorists have released a chilling new photograph of the wife and daughter of an Anglican priest they murdered last month, escalating fears for the hostages' safety and demonstrating a shocking new level of psychological warfare. The image, which began circulating online Wednesday, shows Sarah Achi and her daughter seated on the ground in an undisclosed location, with a gunman pointing a rifle directly at them. The release of this graphic photo marks a disturbing intensification in a kidnapping case that has already ended in tragedy. A Family Targeted: A Priest Murdered, His Family Held The ordeal began on October 28, 2025, when armed men stormed the family residence in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. They abducted Venerable Edwin Achi, his wife Sarah, and their daughter. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of ₦200 million and threatened to kill their captives. Tragically, they executed their threat against...

The Nigerian Presidency has clarified why security agencies struggle to trace armed bandits who openly boast about their crimes on platforms like TikTok, attributing the challenge to the criminals' use of unregistered satellite and foreign cellular networks. The explanation was offered by Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, during a recent interview with Nigeria Info radio. He was questioned on why authorities can swiftly track citizens for critical social media posts but seem unable to locate bandits flaunting ransom money online. Bwala outlined a clear technological divide. He stated that within Nigeria, a regulatory framework exists where internet service providers (ISPs) operate under local jurisdiction, allowing security agencies to trace users through their IP addresses. However, this system fails when criminals use services outside this sphere. “If you are using Starlink, we cannot trace it becau...

Intelligence-led operation in Jebba uncovers healthcare professional allegedly aiding criminal networks. In a significant breakthrough, Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has apprehended a licensed medical doctor for his alleged role in supporting kidnapping gangs terrorizing parts of Kwara State. The arrest followed a targeted interception in the Jebba area, based on precise intelligence regarding the movement of supplies to criminal elements. According to security officials, the doctor was caught transporting medical provisions from Sokoto State intended for kidnappers operating within Kwara. This development suggests that recent security operations have been effective, leaving some gang members wounded and in urgent need of care. “These criminal networks are becoming increasingly desperate for medical assistance following sustained engagements with security forces,” a DSS official stated. The situation has prompted a security advisory for health fac...

Several residents abducted during brazen attacks in two Enugu State communities have been freed after a substantial ransom was paid to their captors, an event that has intensified local protests over what citizens describe as government inaction and a complete breakdown of security. Multiple victims of recent kidnappings in Enugu State have been released following the payment of a significant ransom to their abductors, highlighting the growing reliance on community-led negotiations in the face of perceived state failure. The victims, taken from the Ezimo and Obollo-Eke communities in Udenu Local Government Area during coordinated attacks last weekend, were reportedly freed near the Benue State border on Thursday evening.  According to local sources, their release came after a "handsome ransom" was paid, with no intervention from government or security agencies. After being freed, the victims were taken to the Orokamu Police Station in Benue State befor...

Prominent Nigerian human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu has been accused by an X (formerly Twitter) user of diverting part of a ₦20 million ransom intended for the release of his sister and brother-in-law who are being held captive. Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu is facing serious public allegations of misusing funds meant to secure the release of kidnapped family members. The accusation was made by an X user, @Abdulganiyu0se1, who claimed Gwamnishu received a ₦20 million ransom plus an additional ₦50,000 but diverted a portion of the money instead of using it for its intended purpose. In response, Gwamnishu addressed the claims in a lengthy Facebook post, stating he had chosen silence primarily to ensure the safety of the male victim still in captivity. He wrote, “The only reason I am staying silent is because of the safety of the man still in captivity. But since the family who are supposed to protect their brother are accusing me falsely, is it ...

Five students abducted from a satellite campus of Rivers State University earlier this week have been rescued unharmed in a joint security operation, the state police command confirmed Thursday. Security forces in Rivers State have successfully rescued five students of Rivers State University who were kidnapped from their off-campus residences in Emuoha Local Government Area on Tuesday. According to a statement from the state police spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the rescue operation was conducted early Thursday morning at Rumuodogo 2 community. The operation involved police tactical teams collaborating with other security agencies and local community support. The rescued students—Prince London, Azubuike Kelechukwu, Elizabeth Aniete, Onyebuchi Precious, and London Sampson—have been taken to a hospital for medical examination. All were reported to be unharmed. The abduction had triggered panic and protests among the student body, leading the univ...

Newly confirmed Defence Minister General Christopher Musa (rtd) has declared a firm stance against negotiating with armed criminal groups, stating that such deals compromise national security and only allow insurgents time to rearm, according to his testimony during the Senate screening process. In a decisive policy declaration, newly confirmed Defence Minister General Christopher Musa (rtd) has ruled out any negotiation with bandits or terrorists, framing such engagements as a critical security error. During his confirmation hearing before the Senate on Wednesday, the former Chief of Defence Staff asserted that past negotiations have consistently failed, serving only as a tactical pause for armed groups to regroup and strengthen. "If you negotiate with them, they will never abide by it. It’s just a moment for them to buy time, acquire more arms, and return to strike," Musa stated, as reported by Leadership newspaper. He emphasized that his...

Four people are dead following a violent confrontation in Kogi State that began with a bandit attack and escalated into a fatal clash between community youths and security operatives who responded to the scene. A fresh attack by suspected bandits on the Irunda Ile community in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State on Wednesday morning has resulted in four deaths after a tense confrontation between local youths and police. According to community leader David Oni Sunday, the Bobagunwa of Irunda Isanlu, bandits killed two local vigilantes during the initial assault. When security forces arrived, youths from the community protested, demanding that officers pursue the assailants into the bush. The situation deteriorated into a violent clash, leading police to open fire. "In all, four people were killed in our village this morning. Two vigilantes were killed by the bandits and two other persons mistakenly killed by the police," Sunday stated. The Ko...