Police Arrest Suspect Over Killing at Naming Ceremony In Oyo

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a suspect in connection with the killing of Suleiman Haruna during a naming ceremony in Oyo State, as security operatives recorded arrests, weapons recoveries and the rescue of 21 abducted persons, including 14 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, across several states.

The suspect, identified as Yusuff Muhammed, was arrested following a fatal machete attack on Haruna during a naming ceremony in Oyo State on August 31, according to the police.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a state-by-state executive summary of the force’s operational successes for September 1, 2026, signed on Tuesday in Abuja.

Iniedu said police operatives, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Okaka, visited the scene of the incident and the hospital as part of investigations into the killing.

The suspect was subsequently arrested and is being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Ibadan.

The police also reported a separate violent incident in Mapo, Ibadan, where a youth clash involving gunfire left one person dead and another injured.

Three suspects were arrested in connection with the incident, while operatives recovered a pump-action rifle, two empty cartridges and one live cartridge.

In Kogi State, the police and other security agencies rescued 21 abducted victims, including 14 NYSC corps members, after engaging their captors in a gun battle.

The operation took place in a forest behind Agumi on August 31, with security forces using superior firepower to force the kidnappers to flee.

The rescued victims, comprising 14 corps members and seven other persons, were debriefed and their statements obtained. Those who sustained injuries were taken to hospital for treatment.

In Zamfara State, security forces also rescued all passengers abducted after armed bandits intercepted a passenger truck and set the vehicle ablaze.

The police said operatives engaged the attackers in a gun duel, forcing them to retreat into the forest with suspected gunshot injuries, while all the abducted passengers were rescued unhurt.

Security personnel in Katsina State similarly foiled an attempted cattle-rustling operation at Sha’iskawa Village and later engaged the fleeing bandits at Karofawa Village.

The police said the attackers were overpowered and flushed out, with some believed to have sustained gunshot injuries. No casualty or loss of property was recorded.

In Plateau State, police operatives arrested a suspected member of a criminal gang, Buba Abdulkarim, during a sting operation at Gwaram Village in Wase Local Government Area.

One AK-47 rifle loaded with two rounds of 7.62mm ammunition was recovered from the suspect, while efforts were continuing to arrest other members of the group.

Two suspects were also arrested in Umuahia, Abia State, following intelligence about a group allegedly planning criminal activities in the area.

Police operatives recovered a locally made pistol concealed inside a Chevrolet vehicle during the operation at Bonny Street.

In Bayelsa State, police recovered a locally made revolver pistol loaded with three rounds of ammunition after armed persons invaded a residence while looking for a particular individual.

The suspects fled when they sighted the police team, with one abandoning a black handbag containing the firearm, a power bank and a lighter.

Meanwhile, Ogun State Police Command arrested two suspects, Victor Obilor and Kabiru Umar, over alleged defilement of a nine-year-old girl and indecent assault of an 11-year-old girl.

The police said detectives commenced investigation after receiving reports of the incidents, while the victims were taken to hospital for medical examination.

In Rivers State, the police said calm had been restored following a protest demanding justice over a fatal shooting incident.

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, addressed the protesters and assured them that justice would be pursued, after which they dispersed peacefully.

The command also commenced an Orderly Room trial against the affected police personnel and issued a query to the team leader.

The police further reported the successful security coverage of the North-Central Regional Security Summit held at the Benue State Government House, Makurdi, with senior government and security officials in attendance.

It said the event ended peacefully under adequate police protection.