At least six residents of Kutaho Village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State have reportedly been killed by bandits despite the payment of ransom by members of the community in a desperate bid to secure their release.

The victims were among several residents abducted when heavily armed attackers invaded the Southern Kaduna community on February 9, 2026.

Sources familiar with the incident identified those killed as Friday Agama, Kunama Dogo, Monday Tanko, Lami Williams, a man identified only as Pawpaw’s brother, and another captive known as Catchiest, who reportedly died after enduring severe torture while in captivity.

According to the sources, Friday Agama was allegedly the first hostage executed by the kidnappers during the months-long ordeal.

Despite the tragic loss, four of the abducted residents were eventually released by the bandits.

Two of the survivors, Williams Ishaya and Iliya Dauda, are currently receiving medical treatment in Kachia for injuries and trauma sustained during their captivity.

Two other victims, identified as Shedrack and Daniel Ganga, also regained their freedom and were reportedly returning home when news of their release emerged.

Residents described the incident as devastating, revealing that the community had raised a substantial ransom through donations and the sale of personal belongings in the hope of securing the safe return of all those kidnapped.

The latest development has renewed concerns over the worsening security situation in Southern Kaduna, with residents questioning the effectiveness of ongoing efforts to combat banditry and safeguard vulnerable rural communities.

Community leaders called on the Federal Government and security agencies to strengthen rescue operations, improve security across affected communities, and ensure those responsible for the killings are apprehended and brought to justice.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kaduna State Police Command had not released an official statement regarding the reported deaths or the release of the surviving victims.

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has been arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations of certificate forgery.

The former minister was reportedly apprehended on Wednesday morning at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu while preparing to board a private jet bound for Abuja.

According to security sources, the arrest was carried out by the DSS following a request from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The sources disclosed that after his arrest, Nnaji was handed over to the anti-corruption agency for further investigation.

The development comes amid an ongoing investigation into allegations of certificate forgery involving the former minister.

According to the sources, the ICPC had previously invited Nnaji on several occasions in connection with petitions relating to the management of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology during his tenure.

They added that after the former minister allegedly failed to honour the invitations, the commission sought the assistance of the DSS to facilitate his arrest.

Nnaji resigned from office in October last year under circumstances that generated public attention.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the DSS nor the ICPC had issued an official statement on the arrest.

The Lagos State Government has urged residents to stop dumping refuse on roads and into drainage channels, warning that such practices worsen flooding across the state during heavy rainfall.

The government said flash flooding remains an unavoidable reality because of Lagos’ coastal location, but insisted that its impact can be significantly reduced through proper waste disposal, continuous investment in drainage infrastructure and effective environmental management.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, explained that while flooding cannot be entirely eliminated in a coastal city like Lagos, the state is focused on minimising its effects.

“Must we always get flooded? I will tell you no. But can we realistically, as a coastal state, avoid flash flooding? I will tell you no.

“So, what do we do? There must be a balance. We must mitigate the impact of our realities,” Wahab said.

The commissioner noted that Lagos’ coastal geography makes it particularly vulnerable to heavy rainfall, rising sea levels and temporary flooding, stressing that public cooperation is essential in tackling the problem.

According to him, indiscriminate disposal of refuse remains one of the major causes of blocked drainage channels, as waste is often washed into drains during rainfall, preventing the free flow of stormwater.

Wahab said residents must recognise and confront the environmental realities associated with living in a coastal state instead of ignoring them.

“People tried to run away from the elephant in the room. And what is the elephant? The elephant in the room is: Lagos is a coastal state, and we’re exposed to the vagaries of climate change; we can’t run away from it,” he said.

He explained that some parts of Lagos are located below sea level, making them especially vulnerable to flash floods during periods of intense rainfall and high tides.

According to Wahab, rising sea levels linked to climate change often delay the discharge of stormwater into the sea, resulting in temporary flooding in several communities.

“Some parts of Lagos are below sea level, and once there’s climate change, there’s excessive rain. There’s excessive heat, and there’s tidal lock, because there’s a sea level rise.

“Once the sea level is up, your stormwater naturally will not discharge. It will hold back for maybe one or two hours. And that’s why we say to Lagosians: please, don’t panic. This water will recede within one or two hours,”the commissioner noted.

Wahab added that the state government has continued to invest in resilient infrastructure aimed at improving flood management and reducing the effects of extreme weather events.

“On our part, we’ve provided resilient infrastructure statewide, and we’re still providing the same,” he noted.

The commissioner reiterated that although flash flooding cannot be completely prevented in a coastal city like Lagos, consistent investment in drainage systems and responsible environmental practices by residents will help minimise its impact.

His remarks come after widespread flash flooding affected several parts of Lagos over the past two weeks.

In response to the flooding, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the immediate dredging and maintenance of 28 additional primary drainage channels across the state as part of efforts to strengthen flood control measures.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, permission to present evidence of her acquittal by the Southwark Crown Court in the United Kingdom as part of her ongoing legal battle to recover forfeited assets.

Justice Inyang Ekwo approved the application after it was moved by Diezani’s counsel, Godwin Iyinbor, and was not opposed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The application sought the court’s permission to introduce fresh evidence relating to the judgment delivered by the UK court, which cleared the former minister of criminal bribery allegations.

On June 17, the Southwark Crown Court discharged and acquitted Alison-Madueke of the bribery charges brought against her in the United Kingdom.

The former minister is currently pursuing a case before the Federal High Court seeking the return of assets previously forfeited.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, both parties regularised the court processes they had filed.

Iyinbor subsequently requested leave to move a motion on notice filed on June 25, asking the court to allow the filing of a further or supplementary affidavit.

According to him, the affidavit was necessary to bring before the court the “fresh and material development” arising from Alison-Madueke’s acquittal by the UK court.

He also asked the court to deem the supplementary affidavit as properly filed.

Counsel to the EFCC, Mofesomo Oyetibo, confirmed that the anti-graft agency had been served with the application.

Although Oyetibo remarked that the application appeared intended to delay the proceedings, he informed the court that the EFCC would not oppose the request.

Following the submissions, Justice Ekwo granted the application as requested.

The judge adjourned the matter until October 6 for hearing.

He further directed that on the next hearing date, the court would hear both the EFCC’s preliminary objection and the substantive suit together.