By Our Reporter

A Nigerian soldier, operating undercover and disguised as a ransom courier, has outsmarted a suspected kidnapper by delivering the ₦200,000 allegedly demanded from a female victim before arresting him in a coordinated sting operation.

The suspect, identified as Mukaila Iliyasu, was arrested while receiving the money during an intelligence-led operation conducted by troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The operation also led to the recovery of the ₦200,000 allegedly demanded by the suspect, who had reportedly threatened to abduct the female victim if she failed to meet his demand.

In a statement issued at the weekend, the Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, said the operation followed intelligence provided by DSS operatives.

According to the statement, the DSS alerted troops on October 29, 2026, to an incident involving an adult female resident who was allegedly threatened by Iliyasu.

The suspect was said to have demanded ₦200,000 from the woman, threatening to abduct her if she failed to pay the money.

Following the report, troops and DSS operatives coordinated an anti-kidnapping operation to apprehend him.

The statement said a soldier, acting in disguise, posed as the person delivering the demanded ransom and successfully handed the money to the suspect, who was arrested while receiving it.

It added that the suspect was subsequently handed over to the DSS for further investigation and possible prosecution.

“The operation was successfully conducted with precision and professionalism,” the statement said.

The Force Commander, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE and General Officer Commanding 5 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Moses Kolo Gara, commended the troops and DSS operatives for their professionalism, gallantry and effective inter-agency collaboration.

Gara urged the security personnel to sustain their intelligence-sharing framework and operational cooperation to strengthen efforts against kidnapping and other security threats within the Joint Operations Area.

*** 2 insecticide bottles recovered

By Our Reporter with agency report

A 46-year-old businessman and owner of Esther Estate in Ondo State, Kayode Akinbolusere, popularly known as Tolufe, has died in a suspected suicide at his office in Igba town.

Akinbolusere reportedly died on Thursday, October 29, after allegedly ingesting a poisonous substance believed to be Sniper insecticide.

Before his death, the businessman reportedly recorded a video in which he spoke about his personal struggles and announced his decision to bequeath his properties to his wife, Esther, and their three children, who are based in Canada.

In the video, he said the decision was entirely his, explaining that nobody pressured him into making the will. He also acknowledged his wife’s support and sacrifices throughout his entrepreneurial journey.

He said: “I am doing this video on behalf of my family. I, Akinbolusere Kayode, am doing my will on my properties. I am doing this on my own; nobody put pressure on me. I woke up and left for work, leaving my family at home.

“The first and second machines I was using at work developed a fault. I was imagining what was happening. When I started my business, I started from scratch and was very transparent about it.

“My wife knew how I suffered. She didn’t trouble me. I will all my properties to my wife, Akinbolusere Esther, who hails from Ekiti, and my three children who are in Canada.

“My (wife) stood by me when I had nothing and never for once wronged me. She was very supportive when I had nothing, especially when I was working as a barber. I was the one who destroyed everything with carelessness,” Kayode stated.

Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Command said it had commenced an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the businessman’s death.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Friday.

According to the statement, the deceased, who lived at Road 7, Housing Estate, Igba, was found dead in his office beside BOVAS Petrol Station in Igba town at about 3pm on Thursday.

The statement read, “The Ondo State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Felix Ohagwu, has commenced an investigation into the suspected suicide of a 46-year-old man, identified as Akinbolusere Kayode, popularly known as Tolufe, who reportedly died in his office in Igba Town, Ondo State, on Thursday, 29th October 2026.

“The incident was reported following information received from members of the public that the deceased, a resident of Road 7, Housing Estate, Igba, had died in his office located beside BOVAS Petrol Station, Igba Town, at about 1500hrs on the said date.

“Upon receipt of the information, police operatives attached to Bolorunduro Division visited the scene, where two empty bottles suspected to have contained Sniper insecticide were recovered from nearby bush.

“Preliminary findings also revealed that the deceased had allegedly recorded a video before his death, which has since circulated on social media, in which he reportedly lamented about his life struggles.

“His remains were subsequently evacuated and deposited at the State Hospital Morgue for preservation and further examination. No foul play or visible marks of violence were observed on his body at the time of examination.”

The police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu, had directed a comprehensive investigation into the incident to determine the actual cause of death.

The commissioner also appealed to members of the public to avoid speculation while investigations were ongoing.

He further encouraged people facing emotional distress, marital difficulties or other personal challenges to seek appropriate support and assistance rather than take actions that could put their lives at risk.

By our reporter

Suspected bandits have killed a prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahaya Masussuka, at his residence in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State.

One of the cleric’s brothers, Zahradden Surajo Abbas, confirmed the incident to journalists.

He said the attack occurred at around 9 p.m. at the entrance to the cleric’s residence, where the assailants reportedly opened fire on him and a friend.

Following the attack, both victims were rushed to Dutsin-Ma Hospital for emergency medical treatment but were later confirmed dead.

The motive behind the killing remains unclear, as no further details have emerged regarding the circumstances surrounding the attack.

The incident has plunged the Dutsin-Ma community into mourning, particularly among Sheikh Yahaya Masussuka’s followers and others who knew him.