Relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia have undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, shifting from diplomatic tension under former President Joe Biden to a much closer partnership under President Donald Trump.
The relationship, once strained by disagreements over human rights and the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, has evolved into one centred on economic investment, regional security and strategic cooperation.
Four years ago, then-President Joe Biden’s meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was marked by an awkward fist bump that symbolised the uneasy ties between Washington and Riyadh.
Before taking office, Biden had pledged to make Saudi Arabia a “pariah” after US intelligence concluded that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had personally ordered the killing and dismemberment of Saudi journalist and government critic Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey.
However, the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war dramatically altered global energy markets, sending oil prices sharply higher and forcing the United States to seek closer engagement with Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter.
As energy prices surged, the Biden administration looked to Riyadh for support in stabilising global oil supplies. Although the two leaders later met again and exchanged a formal handshake, efforts to rebuild a strong diplomatic relationship progressed slowly.
Since returning to the White House, President Donald Trump has taken a different approach by actively strengthening ties with Saudi Arabia and its leadership.
One of Trump’s earliest major overseas visits after his return to office was to Saudi Arabia in May 2025, where Saudi companies reportedly committed to invest $600 billion in the United States.
The relationship continued to deepen in November when Trump welcomed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House with a high-profile ceremony that included a personal greeting on a red carpet, a military flyover and a tour of the presidential residence.
Trump has repeatedly spoken positively about Saudi Arabia’s leadership and often praised the kingdom’s role as a key strategic partner.
The US president has also frequently claimed that King Salman bin Abdulaziz told him the United States was “a dead country” during Biden’s presidency, using the remark to contrast his administration’s foreign policy with that of his predecessor.
Despite the growing partnership between Washington and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has recently faced increasing regional security challenges.
In recent months, the kingdom has found itself under the threat of Iranian attacks, while disruptions to its energy exports have intensified following US military strikes on Iran, adding another layer of complexity to the evolving relationship between the two allies.
The Federal Government has approved a reduction in the fees charged for the assessment and ranking of textbooks, a move designed to ease financial pressure on publishers and authors ahead of the rollout of the National Textbook Ranking System.
The revised charges are expected to encourage greater participation in the textbook evaluation process before the new policy takes effect in September 2026.
The development was announced in a statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Salisu Shehu, and released to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to NERDC, the cost of textbook assessment has been reduced from ₦2,000 to ₦1,500 per page, while the fee for ranking textbooks has been lowered from ₦1 million to ₦750,000 per title.
The Council directed publishers and authors submitting textbooks for assessment to begin making payments based on the newly approved rates with immediate effect.
NERDC also assured stakeholders that publishers who had already paid the previous assessment fee of ₦2,000 per pagewould receive refunds for the excess amount paid. The Council said details of the refund process would be communicated in due course.
The agency urged publishers, authors and other stakeholders in the book industry to comply fully with the revised payment structure.
The fee reduction comes ahead of the implementation of the Federal Government’s National Textbook Ranking System, an initiative introduced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, to improve the quality and standardisation of instructional materials used in Nigerian schools.
Under the policy, which takes effect from September 2026, only textbooks that have been assessed, approved and ranked by NERDC will be permitted for use in classrooms, while unranked textbooks will be prohibited.
The Minister of Education explained that the initiative is intended to tackle the growing number of textbooks in circulation and ensure that teachers and students have access only to learning materials that meet national curriculum standards and quality requirements.
He also clarified that while NERDC would continue to carry out its statutory responsibility of approving textbooks for use in Nigerian schools, approval alone would no longer qualify a textbook for classroom use.
Under the new framework, every approved textbook will undergo a structured national assessment and ranking process conducted by expert committees. The evaluation is expected to identify and recommend the most suitable, high-quality and curriculum-compliant textbooks for each subject and level of education across the country.
Morocco foreign ministry has expressed concern over the death of a Moroccan national during a police arrest in Bologna, Italy, and has called for a “thorough investigation” into the incident.
Abderrahim Fakir, who was born in Morocco, died on Sunday after officers were summoned to the Pilastro neighbourhood on the outskirts of the northern Italian city to respond to a man acting aggressively and damaging a vehicle.
In a statement issued Tuesday night, Morocco’s ministry demanded that authorities provide a full account of the circumstances surrounding the death and that accountability be established.
The death sparked anti-police protests in Bologna on Monday, during which dozens of officers were injured. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called for a complete investigation into the incident and condemned the violent clashes that followed.
Ukraine has carried out another wave of drone strikes targeting warehouses owned by Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries, leaving at least 15 people injured and forcing workers to evacuate two major logistics hubs.
The latest attacks come just days after Ukrainian drones struck other Wildberries facilities in Tambov and Elektrostal, where eight people were reportedly killed.
According to Wildberries founder Tatyana Kim and regional officials, logistics centres in Krasnodar and Nevinnomyssk in Russia’s Stavropol region were hit during overnight attacks, disrupting operations at the company’s facilities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the strikes, saying the targeted sites were linked to Russia’s military supply chain.
“Ukraine had hit logistics hubs in the Krasnodar and Stavropol regions involved in providing the Russian army with drone components, navigation equipment and other gear,” Zelensky said on Wednesday.
Following the attacks, Wildberries evacuated workers from the affected warehouses.
Reacting to the incident, the company’s founder, Tatyana Kim, condemned the attacks and expressed concern for employees.
“There are no words to describe all the feelings and emotions caused by the attacks on ordinary people, on our employees, on us, who are simply doing our jobs,” she wrote on Telegram.
“But these situations demonstrate the most important thing: we must continue to do what we do for the benefit of people.”
Authorities in Stavropol said five people sustained injuries at the Nevinnomyssk warehouse complex and were treated as outpatients.
In Krasnodar, Governor Veniamin Kondratyev confirmed that ten people were injured after drones struck another warehouse complex, with three victims reported to be in serious condition.
BBC Verify analysed available footage and confirmed fires at both logistics centres.
Reports of the attacks began shortly after midnight GMT, with Russia’s state news agency TASS reporting that air defence systems had been activated in Nevinnomyssk before videos showing massive explosions and fires surfaced online.
Footage from the scenes showed extensive fires engulfing warehouse buildings while thick black smoke billowed into the sky.
Governor Kondratyev described the overnight assault on Krasnodar as a “massive attack,” adding that drone debris struck a company facility in Armavir, killing one employee.
He also confirmed that an oil depot caught fire during the strikes, while fragments from intercepted drones damaged two apartment buildings in Krasnodar and two homes in Dinskaya village. No civilian injuries were reported from those incidents.
Zelensky also claimed Ukrainian forces targeted an oil depot, a tanker and four cargo vessels belonging to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet operating in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.
Russia has relied on a “shadow fleet” to move oil exports while attempting to bypass international sanctions imposed after the country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The latest attacks mark the second time in less than a week that Wildberries’ logistics infrastructure has been targeted.
Satellite imagery released after the earlier strikes showed extensive destruction at the company’s warehouse complex in Elektrostal, near Moscow, where several buildings were completely destroyed by fire.
Serhii Kuzan, chairman of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Centre, previously told the BBC that Wildberries had become a logistics channel for military-related purchases.
“The primary rationale for striking Wildberries’ warehouses is to disrupt Russian logistics and the supply of dual-use goods, critical electronics, sanctioned goods and the like to the Russian army and Russian arms manufacturers,” he said.
“The collateral damage from such strikes could also have a serious impact on the Russian economy, as well as a psychological effect on Russian society and, likely, on continued support for the war.”
Unlike Amazon, Wildberries and its competitor Ozon primarily operate as online marketplaces, connecting independent merchants with customers while providing storage, delivery and payment processing services.
The repeated attacks have disrupted the livelihoods of hundreds of small business owners who depend on the platform.
One seller, identified only as Elena, told BBC Russian that the clothing she sells was destroyed in the strikes, leaving her without a source of income.
“If there are more strikes, I probably won’t manage. It’s terrifying to keep loading my goods into what feels like a furnace,” she said.
Przemyslaw Frankowski has hailed former Galatasaray team-mate Victor Osimhen as one of the best strikers in the world, placing the Nigeria international alongside Erling Haaland and Harry Kane in football’s elite bracket.
The Stade Rennais loanee, who played alongside Osimhen in Turkey, said the Super Eagles forward’s relentless hunger for goals sets him apart from his peers. Osimhen has built his reputation as one of Europe’s premier marksmen following a productive spell in the Super Lig, and Frankowski believes his influence now rivals the game’s biggest names.
“Osimhen, a world-class striker, maybe in the top five. The way he’s always prepared for the game, the hunger he has to score goals, is also impressive. I could go on and on about him,” Frankowski said in an interview with onet.
Despite the endorsement, Osimhen remains a divisive figure in transfer circles. He finished last season with 22 goals and eight assists across all competitions, a record that speaks for itself, yet questions persist over whether his style suits every top club. His aerial strength and aggressive pressing make him difficult to handle for defenders, though debate continues over the polish of his overall technique.
Frankowski maintains that the self-belief players like Osimhen carry is exactly what a top dressing room needs.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrsky after days of political tension and public protests that followed the removal of former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
The Ukrainian leader announced that Joint Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapaty will take over as the country’s new army chief.
Syrsky, 60, had led Ukraine’s armed forces since 2024 and was regarded as one of the country’s most experienced military commanders, having played a key role in defending Kyiv during the early stages of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
His dismissal follows growing controversy surrounding the departure of the widely admired, technology-driven Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who claimed Syrsky blocked key military reforms and influenced the decision that led to his removal.
“I have decided that the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be Mykhailo Drapaty,” Zelensky said in a post on Telegram.
“I am grateful to Oleksandr Syrsky and to each of our warriors for Ukraine’s strong frontline positions.”
Questions over Syrsky’s future intensified last week after Zelensky removed Fedorov just six months after appointing him to lead the defence ministry.
Fedorov, 35, had gained widespread recognition for his efforts to modernise Ukraine’s military through technological innovation. Following his dismissal, he accused Syrsky of frustrating his reform agenda and pressuring Zelensky to remove him from office, allegations the former army chief denied.
The dispute exposed uncommon divisions between Ukraine’s political leadership and military establishment at a time when Kyiv has managed to slow Russian advances on the battlefield.
In recent months, Ukrainian forces have significantly reduced the pace of Russia’s territorial gains while carrying out long-range strikes on Russian oil facilities, which Kyiv says are helping to finance Moscow’s military campaign.
Drapaty, who now becomes Ukraine’s new Commander-in-Chief, is a decorated major general with extensive battlefield experience. He previously commanded Ukraine’s Ground Forces and fought against Russian-backed separatists during the conflict in the Donbas region.
He is widely known in Ukraine for a video that allegedly showed him driving an armoured vehicle through a separatist checkpoint in Mariupol during clashes between government troops and pro-Russian militias in 2014.
Reacting to his appointment, Drapaty expressed gratitude to President Zelensky.
“Serving Ukraine has always been an honour for me, and during the war for independence it means absolute responsibility,” he wrote on Facebook.
“Glory to the nation. Death to the enemies.”
Former Defence Minister Fedorov welcomed the appointment, describing it as a positive development for Ukraine’s military.
“This is a breath of fresh air and a new hope in the struggle of free people for freedom and justice,” he wrote on social media.
Fedorov’s dismissal last Wednesday triggered demonstrations across Ukraine, with thousands calling for reforms within the armed forces and demanding Syrsky’s removal.
Although President Zelensky had initially resisted pressure to dismiss Syrsky, analysts noted that the former commander had increasingly faced criticism over battlefield casualties, procurement delays, military equipment issues and the pace of reforms.
Unlike Syrsky’s predecessor, Valery Zaluzhny, whose popularity posed political challenges, analysts believe Syrsky was viewed more as a career military officer than a political rival.
With Drapaty’s appointment, Ukraine now has its third Commander-in-Chief since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Meanwhile, both Ukraine and Russia have continued to intensify aerial attacks, with the United Nations reporting a rise in civilian casualties in Ukraine in recent months.
Manchester City have come out as the largest beneficiaries of FIFA’s Club Benefits Programme for the 2026 World Cup, pocketing an estimated $4.4 million for releasing players to the tournament, according to figures compiled by The Athletic.
The Premier League champions lead the list ahead of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, with payouts tied to how many players each club sent to the tournament and how deep those players ran in the competition.
FIFA’s Club Benefits Programme compensates clubs for making players available for international duty during the World Cup, with payments calculated based on the number of days spent with national teams, covering both preparation camps and the tournament itself.
Barcelona finished second on $3.9 million, with Bayern Munich third on $3.4 million. Arsenal took fourth spot with $3.3 million, narrowly ahead of Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid, who both collected $3.2 million.
Crystal Palace rounded out a strong showing with $2.7 million, edging out Manchester United and Real Madrid, who each received $2.6 million. AC Milan completed the top 10 with $2.4 million.
Top 10 Clubs By FIFA World Cup Payout:
Manchester City (England) – $4.4 million
Barcelona (Spain) – $3.9 million
Bayern Munich (Germany) – $3.4 million
Arsenal (England) – $3.3 million
Paris Saint-Germain (France) – $3.2 million
Atletico Madrid (Spain) – $3.2 million
Crystal Palace (England) – $2.7 million
Manchester United (England) – $2.6 million
Real Madrid (Spain) – $2.6 million
AC Milan (Italy) – $2.4 million
The Athletic notes the figures are estimates drawn from FIFA’s distribution formula set out in Circular No. 1965, which governs how funds are allocated to clubs under the Club Benefits Programme.
Anthony Taylor has officially ended one of the most distinguished refereeing careers in modern football, bringing the curtain down on more than two decades as one of England’s leading match officials.
The 47-year-old announced his retirement from elite refereeing after officiating his final match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending a career that saw him oversee more than 800 matches, major domestic cup finals, UEFA competitions, European Championships and two FIFA World Cups.
His retirement comes after years of operating under intense scrutiny, with Taylor admitting that the demands of elite officiating ultimately influenced his decision to step away from the game.
“Officiating at the elite level has been an immense privilege, but the pressure is intense and the scrutiny is constant.”
Who Is Anthony Taylor?
Anthony Taylor is an English former professional football referee who spent more than 20 years officiating at the highest level of the game.
Widely regarded as one of England’s most experienced officials, Taylor officiated 831 matches during his career, including 432 Premier League fixtures and 163 international matches. He became one of the few referees trusted with some of football’s biggest occasions, including FIFA World Cups, UEFA European Championships and major domestic cup finals.
Early Life
Anthony Taylor was born on 20 October 1978 in Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester, England.
Growing up in Manchester, Taylor developed an early passion for football. Rather than pursuing a playing career, he became interested in refereeing while still young and gradually worked his way through England’s officiating ranks.
Education
Taylor has largely kept details about his educational background private. Unlike many professional footballers whose academic histories are well documented, the former referee has never publicly spoken extensively about his schooling or university education.
Before becoming a full-time referee, however, he worked as a prison officer, a profession that demanded discipline, communication and decision-making under pressure, qualities that later became central to his refereeing career.
Career Before Becoming A Referee
Prior to becoming a professional football referee, Anthony Taylor served as a prison officer.
He balanced his work while progressing through England’s refereeing structure before eventually committing fully to officiating after earning promotion into the professional ranks.
How Anthony Taylor Became A Professional Referee
Taylor’s rise through English football was gradual.
He joined the Football League referees list at the beginning of the 2006–07 season, consistently impressing with his performances.
His rapid development earned him promotion to the Premier League Select Group of Referees in 2010, where he quickly established himself among England’s top officials.
Premier League Career
Anthony Taylor spent 16 seasons officiating Premier League football.
During that period he:
Officiated 432 Premier League matches
Took charge of every major English domestic cup final
Became one of the most regularly appointed referees for high-profile league fixtures
Earned a reputation for fitness, consistency and calm decision-making under pressure.
Major Domestic Finals
Taylor officiated virtually every major domestic football event in England, including:
2015 League Cup Final
2015 FA Community Shield
2017 FA Cup Final
2018 Championship Play-off Final
2020 FA Cup Final
Notably, he became the first referee in well over a century to officiate two FA Cup finals within three years.
FIFA and International Career
Anthony Taylor spent 14 years on FIFA’s International Referees List.
His international appointments included:
FIFA World Cup 2022
FIFA World Cup 2026
UEFA Euro 2020
UEFA Euro 2024
FIFA Club World Cup (2022 and 2025)
Across his international career, he officiated 163 international matches.
UEFA Career Highlights
Taylor was selected for several of Europe’s biggest football matches, including:
UEFA Super Cup (2020)
UEFA Nations League Final (2021)
UEFA Europa League Final (2023)
UEFA Champions League Semi-final (2024)
Before reaching elite status, he also worked as an additional assistant referee during UEFA finals in earlier years.
Christian Eriksen Incident At Euro 2020
One of the defining moments of Taylor’s career came during Denmark’s Euro 2020 match against Finland, when Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch after suffering cardiac arrest.
Taylor received widespread praise for immediately stopping play and allowing medical personnel unrestricted access to the field, actions credited with helping create the conditions for Eriksen’s life-saving treatment.
Many football observers described his handling of the emergency as exemplary.
José Mourinho Europa League Controversy
Despite numerous accolades, Taylor’s career was not without controversy.
Following the 2023 UEFA Europa League Final between Sevilla and Roma, then Roma manager José Mourinho publicly criticised the referee.
After the match Mourinho confronted Taylor in a car park and later referred to him as a “disgrace.”
UEFA subsequently suspended Mourinho over the incident.
Taylor and his family were later subjected to abuse while travelling through Budapest Airport after the match, an episode he later described as one of the worst experiences of his career.
Speaking About Referee Abuse
In an interview before his retirement, Taylor reflected on the increasing abuse directed at referees.
Discussing the aftermath of the Europa League final, he explained that the experience affected not only him but also his family.
He stressed that officials often face criticism even when no significant mistakes are made, highlighting the growing challenges elite referees encounter.
Why Anthony Taylor Retired
Taylor announced his retirement immediately after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Explaining his decision, he said:
“Officiating at the elite level has been an immense privilege, but the pressure is intense and the scrutiny is constant.”
“The time is now right to step aside and look forward to transitioning to the next chapter of my career.”
His final professional match was Spain’s 1-0 victory over Portugal in the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Reuters)
Howard Webb Pays Tribute
Howard Webb, Chief Refereeing Officer at Pro Ref, praised Taylor’s contribution to football.
According to Webb:
“Anthony has been a fantastic servant to the game over many years, both domestically and on the international stage.”
He also noted that Taylor’s professionalism and willingness to mentor younger officials made him a role model within English football.
Anthony Taylor’s Career In Numbers
Age at retirement: 47
Total matches officiated: 831
Premier League matches: 432
English professional matches: 668
International matches: 163
FIFA International Referee: 14 years
FIFA World Cups: 2022 and 2026
UEFA European Championships: 2020 and 2024
A Career That Shaped Modern Refereeing
Anthony Taylor leaves football as one of England’s most recognisable referees. Throughout his career, he officiated some of the sport’s biggest fixtures while navigating enormous public scrutiny.
His journey from prison officer to World Cup referee stands as one of the most remarkable officiating careers in English football, and his influence is expected to continue through mentoring and future roles within the game after retirement.
The House of Representatives has called for a comprehensive assessment of the losses suffered by Nigerians following recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa, while urging the Federal Government to pursue compensation and stronger protection for affected citizens.
Lawmakers said the investigation should capture the number of casualties, the extent of economic losses and properties abandoned by Nigerians who were forced to flee the violence.
They also urged the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic engagements with South Africa, explore legal options and strengthen bilateral cooperation to guarantee the safety and protection of Nigerians living in the country.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the lawmaker representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Babajimi Benson, during Tuesday’s plenary presided over by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.
The motion mandates the House Committees on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs to document the human and economic losses recorded during the attacks, compile an inventory of abandoned properties and recommend diplomatic and legal measures that would improve the protection of Nigerians residing in South Africa.
Lawmakers maintained that carrying out a detailed assessment of the attacks would provide the government with accurate data needed to support affected Nigerians while strengthening the country’s response to similar incidents in the future.
“There’s Hate In The Atmosphere”, Nigerian Returnee Recounts Xenophobic Experience In South Africa.
During the same plenary, the House also considered a motion seeking a comprehensive audit of all assets seized, forfeited and recovered by the Federal Government since May 29, 1999.
The motion, sponsored by Ibe Osonwa, who represents Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia State, proposed the creation of a national digital registry for recovered assets as well as the establishment of an ad hoc committee to improve transparency, accountability and legislative oversight in the management of recovered assets.
The House also received the report of its Constitution Review Committee on the proposed establishment of state police.
Lawmakers further considered reports relating to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund budgets, while several bills advanced through different stages of legislative consideration.
Meanwhile, shortly after plenary, the House Ad Hoc Committee investigating the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) expressed dissatisfaction over the failure of some heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to honour its summons.
The committee also faulted the absence of the Minister of Finance, who was represented by a ministry official, insisting that invited public officials must appear before the panel in person or risk further legislative action.
Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, warned that the panel would not tolerate disregard for its directives.
The committee also summoned the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Security Adviser to explain how the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council allegedly continued to operate despite questions surrounding its legitimacy.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has announced that officers accused of extorting the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) at a checkpoint in Abuja will face prosecution if found guilty.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abuja, assuring residents that the officers involved are already in custody and undergoing investigation.
He stated that the command would ensure justice is served without bias, stressing that any officer found culpable would face dismissal and criminal prosecution.
“The affected officers are in custody, investigations are ongoing, and more arrests may follow. Those who deserve to be dismissed will be dismissed, while all those found culpable will be prosecuted,” Sanusi said.
The commissioner urged residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies, noting that effective policing depends on strong collaboration between the police and members of the public.
Sanusi also highlighted recent successes recorded by the command, including the arrest of a suspected logistics supplier to kidnapping gangs operating within and around the Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, investigations into the July 8 kidnapping incident at Yellow House in Mpape led operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to arrest Umaru, popularly known as “Danda,” a native of Zamfara State, at Gadabiu village in neighbouring Niger State on July 10.
Police alleged that the suspect served as a major supplier of hard drugs, logistics materials and other items used by the kidnapping syndicate.
Following his arrest, operatives raided three hideouts linked to the gang in Niger State, recovering 25 cards of 225mg tramadol, 30 cards of 100mg tramadol, suspected cocaine, cannabis tablets, dried cannabis leaves, two bottles containing 500 Embazol tablets each, a digital weighing scale, two ATM cards, two bags, two earpods, ₦250,000 cash and an AK-47 rifle.
The police also rescued a kidnapped victim in the Karshi area of the FCT, recovering a locally painted Makarov pistol, a dagger, military camouflage clothing and assorted charms during the operation.
In another breakthrough, officers arrested four suspected car thieves identified as Ibrahim Ismail, Ahmad Umar, Riskwa Shehu and Umar Abubakar for allegedly targeting Bolt and Uber drivers.
Investigators said the suspects posed as legitimate passengers by booking rides through e-hailing platforms before attacking drivers and stealing their vehicles and valuables.
Recovered from the suspects were an ash-coloured Toyota RAV4 with registration number YAB 240 DL and a grey Honda Civic bearing registration number ABC 72 JP.
The command also paraded several suspects linked to armed robbery, kidnapping and “one chance” robberies. Those arrested include Orji Chibueze, 35; Chibuike Odo, 33; and Chibuikem Stanley, 36.
Police recovered several exhibits from the suspects, including a wig, screwdriver, scissors, knife, suspected cannabis, three mobile phones, a cap and a rope.
Sanusi further revealed that on July 19, officers attached to the Nyanya Division responded to a distress call reporting an armed robbery at Area A, Nyanya.
Upon arrival, officers found five armed men attacking a resident, Mr Linus, after allegedly digging through the perimeter of his shop to gain access to his home.
The suspects reportedly opened fire on the responding officers, who returned fire, injuring two of the attackers and rescuing the victim.
A trail of blood later led officers to the arrest of 20-year-old Abdulrahman Ismail.
Recovered from the suspects’ hideout were bloodstained clothing, a toy gun, digging equipment, two machetes, a military belt, jewellery, a counterfeit ₦1,000 note, assorted charms, an MTN SIM card and identity documents.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Jamilu Yahaya, 25, for allegedly harbouring the suspects, while another suspect, Junaidu Usman, a chemist, was apprehended for allegedly treating one of the fleeing gang members, Danlami Abubakar, who remains at large.
Sanusi confirmed that all suspects would be arraigned in court after investigations are completed.
The commissioner also disclosed that the command had recovered five vehicles stolen within the FCT from various locations across the country, adding that while some have been returned to their owners, others are yet to be claimed.
Reaffirming the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, Sanusi urged residents to remain alert and promptly report suspicious activities.
“Security is a shared responsibility. If you see something, say something. The FCT will not be a safe haven for criminals,” he assured.
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