NPF Arrests Four Banditry Suspects, Recovers AK-47 Rifles, Ammunition

The Nigeria Police Force, through the Force Intelligence Department – Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS), has recorded a significant operational success with the arrest of four (4) suspected bandits and the recovery of firearms and ammunition in Kaduna State.

The suspects Abdumumini Abubakar (40), Maikano Gambo (47), Saleh Thompson (47), and Oyonyi Odango (40), were arrested on 7th March 2026 in Tayu, Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, following credible intelligence.

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Items recovered from the suspects include four (4) AK-47 rifles with magazines, eighty (80) rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, and one (1) locally fabricated pistol with twenty (20) rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are linked to banditry and related violent criminal activities within the region.

Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the criminal network and recover additional weapons.

NPF Arrests Four Banditry Suspects

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, commends the operatives for their professionalism and reiterates the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to combating banditry and ensuring the safety of lives and property across the country.

DCP ANTHONY OKON PLACID psc(+) mni
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
27th April, 2026

Government Heightens COVID-19 Surveillance In Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom government has activated heightened COVID-19 surveillance following confirmation of a new outbreak in a neighbouring state.

The Akwa Ibom government has activated heightened COVID-19 surveillance following confirmation of a new outbreak in a neighbouring state.

Health commissioner Ekem Emmanuel made this known in a statement in Uyo on Monday.

Mr Emmanuel said Governor Umo Eno directed the ministry to activate heightened surveillance across all entry points, health facilities, and communities to forestall any outbreak.

”Disease surveillance officers and rapid response teams have been placed on red alert to promptly detect and manage any suspected cases. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and adhere strictly to public health guidelines.

“Citizens are also advised to observe preventive measures, including regular handwashing with soap and water or the use of alcohol-based sanitisers, and wearing face masks in crowded or enclosed spaces.

“Citizens are also advised to avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals, refrain from handshakes and physical greetings and seek prompt medical attention if symptoms such as fever, cough, or difficulty in breathing occur,” he said.

The commissioner urged healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion and adhere strictly to infection prevention and control protocols. He said the ministry would strengthen collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and other relevant partners to ensure effective monitoring and coordinated response.

COVID-19

Mr Emmanuel reassured residents that the government was committed to safeguarding public health. The commissioner urged the public to rely solely on verified information from the Ministry of Health and to avoid spreading unverified reports that could cause unnecessary panic.

Mr Emmanuel said an enquiries desk had been set up at the ministry with designated helplines available to assist members of the public.

Nigerian Navy Flags Off Exercise Obangame Express 2026, Reinforces Maritime Security In The Gulf Of Guinea

The Nigerian Navy on Sunday, 26 April 2026, formally flagged off Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS 2026 (OE 26), a multinational maritime exercise aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, enhancing maritime domain awareness, and improving collective capacity to combat maritime threats within the Gulf of Guinea.

The flag-off ceremony, held onboard NNS IKENNE, was conducted by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Admiralty Medal, who was represented by the Chief of Operations, Rear Admiral Patrick Effah.

Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS 2026, conducted with support from the United States Africa Command, is a multinational initiative involving over 30 participating nations. The exercise is designed to enhance interoperability among navies and maritime security agencies across West and Central Africa, while addressing transnational maritime crimes such as piracy, sea robbery, crude oil theft, illegal fishing, and trafficking.

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The 5-day exercise, scheduled from 26 to 30 April 2026, features the deployment of 9 Nigerian Navy ships, 2 helicopters, maritime domain awareness assets, and Special Boat Service (SBS) elements. It also includes active participation from key national agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

(EFCC), and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), thereby reinforcing inter-agency synergy.

In his remarks, the CNS described the exercise as a critical platform for fostering unity of effort, improving information sharing, and enhancing maritime awareness across the region. He emphasized that the essence of OE 26 lies in building trust, strengthening interoperability, and developing the operational capacity of participating forces to respond effectively to evolving maritime threats.

The CNS further noted that the exercise is deliberately structured to sharpen operational readiness, enhance interdiction capabilities, and test response mechanisms through realistic, scenario-based engagements, including counter-piracy operations, anti-trafficking drills, illegal fishing interdictions, search and rescue missions, and visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) procedures.

Nigerian Navy

Highlighting Nigeria’s progress in maritime security, Vice Admiral Abbas referenced the country’s removal from the International Maritime Bureau’s list of piracy-prone countries in 2022, attributing the achievement to sustained collaboration with regional and international partners, as well as initiatives such as OBANGAME EXPRESS.

He also underscored the strategic importance of securing the Gulf of Guinea, noting that the region remains vital to global trade, energy security, and economic stability.

Additionally, the CNS highlighted that Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS 2026 coincides with the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary, reflecting seven decades of dedication to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and contributing to regional peace and security.