Crime - Abia ThinkTank News

Feb

2026

Bandits Kill 32 Farmers, Abduct Many, Set Houses Ablaze In Niger State

Bandits Kill 32 Farmers, Abduct Many, Set Houses Ablaze In Niger State Bandits have killed no fewer than 32 farmers in a series of attacks on Tugan-Makeri, Konsoko, and Pissa communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. Residents told our correspondent that the first attack occurred at Tunga-Makeri in Konkoso Ward around 3:00 a.m., during which six people were killed. They said the bandits later invaded Konsoko and Pissa at about 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, shooting sporadically. In the attacks, 26 people were reportedly killed and several buildings, including a police outpost, were set ablaze. Sources added that…

Feb

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

El-Rufai Accuses Ribadu Of Ordering His Arrest, Claims NSA’s Phone Tapped

Crime, News Flash, Politics

El-Rufai Accuses Ribadu Of Ordering His Arrest, Claims NSA’s Phone Tapped The former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, ordered his arrest and is behind the alleged attempt to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday. Speaking on Friday in an interview with Arise Television, the former governor claimed that Mr Ribadu personally ordered his arrest. AttNews earlier reported that Mr El-Rufai was involved in a heated verbal exchange with security operatives at the Abuja airport, shortly after his arrival in the country. According to eyewitness accounts,…

Feb

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

Gunmen Kidnap Nine Worshippers During Church Vigil In Benue

Crime, News Flash, Religion, Security

Gunmen Kidnap Nine Worshippers During Church Vigil In Benue The Benue State police command has confirmed the abduction of nine worshippers at Saint John’s Catholic Church, Ojije, in the Utonkon District of Ado Local Government Area of the state. The victims were reportedly kidnapped on Sunday night while attending a vigil on the church premises, as gunmen stormed the area and whisked them away. Udeme Edet, the police spokesperson for the Benue police command, confirmed the incident to journalists on Monday, saying the Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, had deployed tactical units to rescue the abducted worshippers. According to Ms…

Feb

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

Catholic Priest Burnt Alive Inside His Car By Armed Bandits In Taraba

Crime, Northern Nigeria, Religion

Catholic Priest Burnt Alive Inside His Car By Armed Bandits In Taraba Rev. Fr. David Tanko, who was ordained a Catholic priest in 2008 for the Catholic Diocese of Jalingo in Northeastern Nigeria, was burned alive by armed bandits together with his vehicle. This horrific attack took place in Kufai Amadu, Takum, Taraba State. He body was burnt beyond recognition. According to reports, the priest was on his way to a meeting to mediate and reconcile the Tiv and Jukun tribes when he was attacked. The residents who witnessed the ugly incident described his death as a martyr of the…

Feb

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

‘I Was Supposed To Be Shot In Failed Coup Against President Tinubu’ – Defence Minister

Armed Forces, Crime, FGN, News Flash

‘I Was Supposed To Be Shot In Failed Coup Against Tinubu’ – Defence Minister The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has said there were plans to shoot him in the failed coup against President Bola Tinubu. AttNews recalls that in October 2025, the military arrested sixteen officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations. After an initial denial, the Director, Major General Samaila Uba, in a statement, disclosed that findings have identified several officers accused of a plot to overthrow the government, which is inconsistent with the ethics, values, and professional standards required of members of the…

Jan

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

Facts About Military Colonel Who Allegedly Plotted Coup To Overthrow President Tinubu’s Government

Armed Forces, Crime, Presidency

Facts About Military Colonel Who Allegedly Plotted Coup To Overthrow Tinubu’s Govt Mohammed Ma’aji, a Nigerian military colonel, has been reported to be the face behind the foiled coup aimed at toppling President Bola Tinubu’s government. AttNews reports that there was an attempted coup in the country in October 2025, creating tension across the country. Although authorities earlier denied the report, the Defence Headquarters admitted on Monday, January 26 that about sixteen military officers plotted to overthrow the current administration. Colonel M. A. Ma’aji was number one in the list of 16 indicted officers released on Monday by the panel…

Jan

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

Man Chooses 1-Year Imprisonment Instead Of Refunding N1.5 Billion Mistakenly Paid Into His Account

CBN/Commercial Banking, Crime, Judiciary, News Flash

Man Chooses 1-Year Imprisonment Instead Of Refunding ₦1.5 Billion Mistakenly Paid Into His Account A Nigerian man has sparked widespread reactions online after reportedly choosing to serve a one-year jail term rather than refund ₦1.5 billion mistakenly credited to his First Bank account. The incident was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by user @arhermadd, who identified the man as Ogo Ehosa Kingsley. According to the post, Kingsley allegedly diverted the funds for personal use after the erroneous credit hit his account between June and November 2025. The matter was taken up by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which…

Jan

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

DHQ Finally Confirms Coup Attempt, Indicted Officers To Face Military Trial

Armed Forces, Crime, News Flash

DHQ Finally Confirms Coup Attempt, Indicted Officers To Face Military Trial The Defence Headquarters on Monday said investigations into alleged misconduct by some officers revealed claims of a plot to overthrow the government. In October 2025, the DHQ announced the arrest of 16 officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations. Sahara Reporters reported on October 18 that the officers — ranging in rank from Captain to Brigadier General — were arrested by the Defence Intelligence Agency for allegedly holding secret meetings to topple the government. The platform also linked the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day…

Jan

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

Police Arrest Man For Conducting Illegal INEC Voters’ Registration In Abia

Abia State, Crime, News Flash, Politics

Police Arrest Man For Conducting Illegal INEC Voters’ Registration In Abia Personnel of the Abia State Command of the Nigerian Police Force have arrested a 47-year-old man, identified as Chukwuemeka Nwaobilor, for having the voters’ registration machine of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Nwaobilor was arrested at a football field in Mbawsi, Isiala Ngwa North local government area of the state, with an INEC registration machine that was meant for the registration of voters in Isiala Ngwa South local government area. Unconfirmed reports noted that Nwaobilor, a staff member of INEC who works in Isiala Ngwa South, was alleged…

Jan

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

177 Names Of Kidnapped Kaduna Christian Worshippers Revealed (Full List)

Crime, Religion

177 Names Of Kidnapped Kaduna Christian Worshippers Revealed(Full List) The identities of 177 worshippers abducted from churches in Kaduna State have emerged. Gunmen attacked three churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area, during Sunday service. Worshippers were taken from ECWA Church and Cherubim and Seraphim Church (Churches 1 and 2). Residents said more than 100 people were abducted in what they described as a coordinated attack. The incident occurred barely a week after the community reportedly paid ₦2.6 million to secure the release of 20 residents who had been kidnapped earlier, raising fresh concerns among locals. On Monday,…