Morning recap: Police warn terrorists spying on schools, Police recover another corpse as Accord chieftain buried in Osun, other top stories - Punch Newspapers
The Nigeria Police Force has warned of intelligence indicating that terrorists and informants are conducting surveillance on schools, NYSC orientation camps, places of worship and other vulnerable locations for possible coordinated attacks. A special report has detailed how kidnappers across Northern Nigeria have built a ransom economy, with families forced to sell property, pay millions of naira, motorcycles and other supplies to free loved ones, while an estimated N7.78bn was paid in ransom between July 2025 and June 2026. Osun State Police have recovered another corpse from the Mayfair Motor Park in Ile-Ife, bringing to two the number of people killed in the shooting that claimed the life of Accord Party chieftain Olalekan Oyeyemi, who has been buried. Five South Africa-based Nigerians extradited to the United States over alleged romance scams and money laundering face a combined maximum of up to 100 years in prison if convicted. And Anambra State Police have arrested a 32-year-old mother, Ogechi Ofoma, for allegedly brutalising her seven-year-old daughter with a hot knife after the child was accused of taking meat from a pot. Below are details of these and other top stories: 1. Terrorists, informants spying on schools, other targets – Police The police have circulated a nationwide security alert warning of increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks on schools, places of worship and NYSC camps as the 2026/2027 academic session resumes. Intelligence points to the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau. The NSCDC says it has doubled its intelligence network around learning institutions. Read Here: https://punchng.com/terrorists-informants-spying-on-schools-other-targets-police/ 2. Ransom economy: How kidnappers turn northern families’ pain into profit From Kebbi to Zamfara, Kwara and Sokoto, families are selling farms, vehicles and property and delivering cash, motorcycles, food and recharge cards to free abducted relatives. SBM Intelligence estimates 7,825 people were abducted nationwide between July 2025 and June 2026, with N7.78bn paid in ransom. Payment does not always guarantee survival. Read Here: https://punchng.com/ransom-economy-how-kidnappers-turn-northern-families-pain-into-profit/ 3. Osun shooting: Police recover another corpse, slain Accord chieftain buried Police have recovered a second body from the Mayfair Motor Park in Ile-Ife following the shooting that killed Accord Party chieftain Olalekan Oyeyemi, popularly known as Emir Ajagungbade. His remains have been buried in Osogbo according to traditional rites. The park has been shut and the case transferred to the State CID. Read Here: https://punchng.com/osun-shooting-police-recover-another-corpse-slain-accord-chieftain-buried/ 4. Five S’Africa-based Nigerians face 100 years in US jail Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Edosa Osagiede, Osariemen Eric Clement, Collins Owhofasa Otughwor and Musa Mudashiru have been extradited from South Africa to the United States over alleged wire fraud and money laundering linked to romance scams that defrauded American women of more than $6m. They are accused of being leaders of a Black Axe zone in Cape Town. Read Here: https://punchng.com/five-safrica-based-nigerians-face-100-years-in-us-jail/ 5. Anambra mother arrested for brutalising seven-year-old daughter Police and the Ministry of Women Affairs have arrested Ogechi Ofoma for allegedly using a hot knife to injure her seven-year-old daughter, Oluebube, in Awada-Obosi. The child was rescued by community security personnel and residents. The Commissioner of Police has ordered collaboration to ensure the victim receives medical care and protection. Read Here: https://punchng.com/anambra-mother-arrested-for-brutalising-seven-year-old-daughter/ Fawzi Kehinde Fawzi is a journalist and subeditor covering a wide range of beats including politics, metro, and international news, among others. He also optimises stories for digital audiences.
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