Court Sentences Three Men to Death for Kidnapping Catholic Priests in Adamawa

The High Court of Adamawa State has sentenced three men to death for kidnapping two Catholic priests in February 2025, bringing to seven the number of death sentences reportedly secured by the Department of State Services (DSS) in 2026.
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The convicts, Taledo Demiel, Namomai Medan and Mikaila Yusuf, were sentenced on Thursday by Justice Christopher Mapeo after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy to commit kidnapping, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery, harbouring kidnapped persons and negotiating to receive ransom.

The case involved the abduction of Reverend Fathers Matthew Dutsemi and Abraham Sauman, according to a report by conflict reporter and counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama.

The judgment adds to a series of death sentences reportedly secured in different courts across Nigeria in 2026 in cases involving kidnapping, terrorism, armed violence and the killing of civilians.

On May 20, 2026, an Ekiti State High Court sentenced two men, Ibrahim Abubakar and Abdullahi Abubakar, to death by hanging for kidnapping.

On June 3, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced four men to death by hanging for their involvement in the June 2022 massacre of worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.

The four convicts were identified as Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Alqasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik and Abdulkareem Idris.

On June 15, a Katsina State High Court sentenced Hauwa’u Mukhtar, a female arms courier, to death by hanging.

The following day, June 16, a Kogi State High Court sentenced Jibrin Halilu to death by hanging for kidnapping and murdering his neighbour in Obajana, an industrial town in the state.

On June 22, a Sokoto State High Court sentenced three men, namely Muhammed Yusuf Sallau, Jabbi Ahlaji Yale and Kabiru Muhammed, to death by hanging for terrorism and transporting arms.

More recently, on September 28, 2026, a Sokoto State High Court sentenced Ibrahim Usman, popularly known as Dan Iyali, to death by hanging over his involvement in the killing of three kidnapped persons in the state.

Court

The latest judgment highlights ongoing efforts to prosecute serious security-related offences, particularly kidnapping for ransom, which continues to threaten communities and religious institutions in parts of Nigeria.

Intelligence and law enforcement agencies, including the DSS, play roles in investigating security-related offences and supporting prosecutions.

However, death sentences remain subject to applicable legal processes, including any available appeals and constitutional requirements governing their implementation in Nigeria.
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ICPC, Xinhua News Agency Strengthen Partnership on Anti-Corruption, Public Enlightenment

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has received a delegation from Xinhua News Agency, China’s state news agency, on a courtesy visit to explore collaboration and partnership opportunities in anti-corruption efforts, capacity building, public enlightenment and strategic communication.
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The delegation comprised Mr. Gui Tao, Deputy President of Xinhua in Africa; Ms. Wang Qi, Senior Editor, Xinhua Africa Regional Bureau; Ms. Liu Jiaqi, Editor, Xinhua Africa Regional Bureau; Mr. Hong Zehua, Abuja Bureau Chief; and Mr. Olatunji Saliu, English News Editor for Nigeria and Liberia.

ICPC

The engagement focused on strengthening collaboration in public communication, enhancing public awareness and building capacity to support the shared goal of curbing corruption and promoting transparency and accountability.

The proposed partnership underscores the importance of strategic media engagement in amplifying anti-corruption messages, promoting public participation and fostering a culture of integrity.

@chinaxinhuanews
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2027 Elections: NPF Begins Training of 10,000 Officers As IGP Charges Personnel on Neutrality, Professionalism

With the 2027 General Elections less than three months away, the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), has commenced the training of 10,000 Police officers nationwide on election security management, with the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, directing personnel to remain neutral, professional and accountable throughout the electoral process.
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The five-day programme, formally declared open today Thursday, 22 October 2026, at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja, is being implemented across designated centres and focuses on election security management, crowd control, conflict prevention, rules of engagement, human rights, intelligence gathering and lawful response to election-related incidents. The first phase brings together officers across 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with the training designed to ensure uniform operational standards ahead of nationwide deployment.

Addressing participants, the IGP stressed that security is the foundation of a credible election and that officers deployed for election duties must protect voters, electoral officials and the process without fear or favour. He warned that any officer who compromises the neutrality of the Force would be held accountable, while directing Commands to strengthen intelligence gathering, operational planning and inter-agency coordination, particularly in areas affected by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.

The IGP also warned against political violence, voter intimidation, ballot-box snatching, vote-buying and other electoral offences, stressing that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. He further announced that a dedicated 24-hour complaints line would be made available for members of the public to report misconduct by personnel on election duty, while urging political parties, candidates and supporters to campaign peacefully and encouraging the media and civil society to verify information before dissemination.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Alhaji Mohammed Sheidu, reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to supporting Police preparedness through training, operational equipment and mobility, noting that the initiative is aimed at producing officers who are disciplined, impartial and responsive throughout the electoral process.

The ceremony was attended by Rear Admiral Sadiq Malaja, mni, OFR (Rtd.), representing the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission; Mr Afam O. Okeke, General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association; Brigadier General J.A. Ifeanyi, representing the Chief of Army Staff; Group Captain Yakubu Yusuf, representing the Chief of Air Staff; DCG Zakari Ibrahim, representing the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; Alhaji Mohammed Sheidu, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Police Trust Fund; as well as members of the Force Management Team and other senior Police officers.

IGP Disu

The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to sustained training, intelligence-led planning, inter-agency collaboration and professional, neutral policing towards providing a safe and secure environment for Nigerians to exercise their electoral rights during the 2027 General Elections.

CSP ANI INIEDU, anipr
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
22nd October 2026
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