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INSECURITY: Kidnap Kingpin Killed In Gun Battle In Ogun
For the second time in less than one week, operatives of the Ogun State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit have neutralised a suspected kidnap kingpin during an intelligence-led operation in the Orile Ilugun Forest axis along the Abeokuta-Ibadan Expressway.
The operation also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle loaded with 20 rounds of 5.6mm ammunition, N2m suspected to be ransom proceeds, and two mobile phones.
The spokesperson for the state police command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to him, the operation followed the successful rescue of a kidnapping victim who was abducted on May 14, 2026, at Nufats Fuel Station along the Abeokuta-Ibadan Expressway in the Odeda area of the state.
Babaseyi said the victim regained freedom unharmed on May 18 at about 8:30 p.m. after being released by the abductors.
He explained that operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad subsequently intensified intelligence-driven efforts to track down members of the gang responsible for the abduction.
The statement read, “Consequently, on May 19, 2026, at about 6:00 a.m., operatives acting on credible intelligence stormed the kidnappers’ hideout within the Orile-Ilugun Forest axis along the Abeokuta-Ibadan Expressway.
“On sighting the police operatives, the kidnappers opened fire, resulting in a fierce gun duel.
“The operatives responded with superior tactical firepower, leading to the neutralisation of the gang’s kingpin, while other members of the syndicate fled into the forest with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
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“Recovered from the scene were one AK-47 rifle loaded with 20 rounds of 5.6mm ammunition, the sum of N2 million, and two mobile phones.”
Babaseyi added that the corpse of the slain suspect had been deposited at a morgue for autopsy while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing gang members.
The state Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their gallantry, professionalism, and resilience during the operation.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across Ogun State.
The police spokesman also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or criminal activities through the command’s emergency lines.
The latest operation comes days after operatives of the command neutralised two suspected kidnappers and arrested an alleged kidnapping kingpin, Seriki Mohammed Abdullahi, alongside another suspect, Mohammed Bello, during a separate intelligence-led raid.
Items recovered during the earlier operation included an AK-47 rifle loaded with 10 rounds of 5.6mm ammunition, a single-barrel gun, N1.5m suspected to be ransom proceeds, several mobile phones, and a black bag.
The command noted that the earlier operation followed sustained investigations into the abduction of three persons at Ipojo Area, Iperin, via Ijebu Ode, on May 11, 2026.
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Breaking: Nigerian Workers Demand N300,000 Minimum Wage, FG Faces Fresh Salary Pressure
The Federal Workers Forum, FWF, has demanded an immediate increase in the federal minimum wage from N70,000 to N300,000, noting that the current salary structure can no longer sustain civil servants amid Nigeria’s rising cost of living.
The Forum made the demand in a letter dated September 2, 2026, addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly, with the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Justice of Nigeria and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation listed among the recipients.
The workers also proposed a new salary structure that would place the highest-paid Level 17 officer on a monthly salary of N1.5 million, while Level 1 Step 1 workers would earn N300,000.
“We call for justice and immediate wage review now, adjust the federal minimum wage to N300,000 and a maximum wage of N1.5m for the Level 17 officers,” the Forum said.
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The FWF argued that the Federal Government had not fully implemented the 2024 minimum wage agreement, claiming that federal workers had yet to receive the full consequential adjustment and associated allowances.
“It will surprise you to hear that the Federal Government has not fully implemented the new national minimum wage since July 2024. We have been in the battle for full consequential adjustment of the new minimum wage,” it said.
Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in August 2026, demanded an upward review of the minimum wage to N500,000.
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu’s government increased the minimum wage to N70,000 per month from N30,000.
However, the cost of living for many Nigerians has tripled between 2024 and 2026.
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The Federal Government has said Nigeria will never support a military coup or any unconstitutional change of government, following claims that the country backed a failed coup attempt in the Niger Republic.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, made this known in a statement issued on Thursday.
According to the statement, the claims circulating on social media are baseless and misleading.
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria remained committed to democracy, constitutional rule and political stability in West Africa and would not support any attempt to remove a government through unconstitutional means.
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“Nigeria will never support illegality or unconstitutional change of government anywhere, no matter who is involved or which country is concerned,” he said.
The minister also rejected claims that Nigeria, through its membership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), supported or endorsed the military takeover in Niger.
He said the Federal Government had already stated its position on the situation in Niger in an earlier statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 30, 2026.
According to him, Nigeria remains deeply concerned about developments in Niger and wants the country to return peacefully to stability and constitutional order.
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria’s close historical, cultural and fraternal ties with Niger made peace and stability in the neighbouring country particularly important.
“Nigerians at home and abroad should disregard the videos and narratives circulating online, they are intended to create confusion and tarnish Nigeria’s image,” the statement said.
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