The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Saturday lost one of its officers while another is battling for his life after they reportedly jumped into the River Ethiope while pursuing fleeing suspects in Obiaruku, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State.

The drug enforcement operation, however, turned fatal after the body of one of the officers was later recovered from the river.

The suspect and others being pursued reportedly escaped through the river.

Report quote community sources, as saying that a suspected drug offender who had reportedly been apprehended on the other side of the river jumped into the water while being taken towards the River Ethiope Bridge in an attempt to escape.

The officers pursuing the suspect subsequently entered the river in an effort to apprehend him. One of the officers reportedly drowned, while another was rescued and taken to a hospital for medical attention.

Community sources said traditional rites associated with drowning incidents in Obiaruku were performed before the remains were released to the relevant authorities.

Report said the rites included the provision of a goat and other items.

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old student, Emmanuel Ejim, in connection with a viral video allegedly showing suspected cult members firing gunshots from a moving vehicle in Calabar.

The Command, in a statement signed by its Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said the incident occurred in the early hours of September 17, 2026, prompting Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, to direct the immediate identification and arrest of those involved.

According to the police, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, and operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) commenced an intelligence-led operation at about 11:30 p.m. on September 17.

The operation, the Command said, led to the identification and tracking of the vehicle captured in the viral footage and the subsequent arrest of its driver.

The information obtained from the driver reportedly helped the police trace Ejim to a hotel in Calabar, where he was arrested.

The police identified Ejim as a student of the University of Cross River (UNICROSS) and said he allegedly identified himself during questioning as a leader of the Vikings Confraternity.

He allegedly admitted being the person seen firing the shots in the viral video.

The suspect also allegedly told investigators that he participated in a sign-out activity on the day of the incident and that another suspected member of the group handed him the pistol allegedly used in the shooting.

The Command said efforts had been intensified to identify and arrest other persons linked to the incident, adding that the circumstances surrounding the possession of the firearm and movement of the vehicle remained under investigation.

The Commissioner of Police directed that the investigation be conducted professionally and comprehensively, with anyone found to have participated in or facilitated the alleged act brought before the law.

The Command warned that the unlawful discharge of firearms in public places constituted a serious security concern and urged residents to report suspicious movements, possession of firearms and cult-related activities to the police.

Terrorists, locally dubbed as bandits, have attacked the residence of the Sarkin Fulani of Betuwa in Gulbin Boka, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting the traditional leader, his son and another family member. 

Report says the attack occurred on Friday night when the assailants reportedly stormed the community and invaded the residence of the traditional leader.

Meanwhile, the attackers abducted the Sarkin Fulani, his son and another member of the family before fleeing the area.

The incident was confirmed on Saturday by a security alert platform Bakatsine, which reported that bandits had attacked the residence of the Sarkin Fulani of Betuwa in Gulbin Boka, Mariga LGA.

“Last night, bandits reportedly attacked the residence of the Sarkin Fulani of Betuwa in Gulbin Boka, Mariga LGA of Niger State,” Bakatsine said in the security alert.

“According to local sources, the bandits stormed the residence during the night and abducted the traditional leader, his son, and another family member before fleeing.”

The latest attack has raised concerns over the security situation in Mariga and surrounding communities, where residents remain vulnerable to attacks and abductions by armed groups.

The identities and whereabouts of the abducted victims were not immediately known.

There was also no immediate information on whether security agencies had launched an operation to rescue the victims or apprehend the attackers.

The incident comes amid persistent security challenges in parts of Niger State, particularly rural communities that have faced attacks and abductions by suspected bandits.