The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has commenced an investigation into a confrontation involving personnel of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) and commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada riders, in the Life Camp area of Abuja.

The incident occurred at about 7pm on Thursday during an enforcement operation aimed at implementing the ban on commercial motorcyclists operating on major roads and routes within the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the FCT Police Command, preliminary findings indicated that the confrontation began after a VIO official attached to a task force constituted by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to enforce the restriction had an altercation with a commercial motorcyclist.

The disagreement reportedly escalated into a confrontation, prompting the intervention of the police and the commencement of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Sanusi, has ordered an immediate and comprehensive investigation to determine what led to the confrontation and establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.

Adeh said the command was aware of the altercation between VIO personnel and commercial motorcyclists in the Life Camp area and had commenced investigations.

She said, “The attention of the FCT Police Command was drawn to an altercation between personnel of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) and commercial motorcyclists (Okada riders) in the Life Camp area of the FCT.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the incident occurred when a VIO personnel attached to a task force constituted by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to enforce the ban on commercial motorcyclists operating on major roads and routes within the FCT had an altercation with a commercial motorcyclist.

The situation subsequently escalated into a confrontation.”

The police said normalcy had since been restored in the area, assuring residents that the situation was under control.

The command urged residents of Life Camp and other parts of the FCT to remain calm and continue with their lawful activities while the investigation continues.

The police further advised residents to remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious persons, movements or activities to the nearest police station.

Residents can also contact the FCT Police Command through its emergency lines on 08032003913 and 08061581938.

The command said further information would be made available as the investigation progresses.

The incident comes amid ongoing enforcement of restrictions on commercial motorcycle operations on major roads and routes within the FCT, with enforcement teams deployed to ensure compliance with the directive.

No fewer than 33 suspected illegal miners are feared dead after being detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

The suspects were arrested during an operation targeting illegal mining activities across the state and were subsequently detained at an NSCDC facility in Minna.

The deaths were discovered in the early hours of Thursday, September 17, 2026, according to the Niger State Command of the NSCDC.

The state Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, confirmed that scores of detained suspects had died, attributing the deaths to a suspected outbreak of disease.

Aniviye disclosed that the command carried out a “burst operation” on September 15 and 16 as part of efforts to clamp down on illegal mining activities in the state.

According to him, the operation resulted in the arrest of scores of suspected illegal miners and the recovery of various exhibits.

He, however, said the situation took a tragic turn in the early hours of Thursday when several of the detained suspects were found dead.

“The operation yielded significant results, with scores of suspected illegal miners arrested and various exhibits recovered.

“However, in the early hours of 17th September, 2026, scores of the detained suspects were found dead, following a suspected outbreak of disease,” the commandant said in a statement.

Aniviye added that the bodies of the deceased had been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination to determine the actual cause of death.

Although the NSCDC has not officially disclosed the number of deceased suspects, a source at the General Hospital, Minna, told PUNCH Online that 33 bodies had been brought to the facility.

The source further said the deaths were suspected to be linked to diphtheria, although this has not been officially confirmed by the NSCDC or medical authorities.

The uncertainty over the exact number of deaths and the cause has heightened concerns among residents and relatives of the detained suspects.

Residents of M.I. Wushishi and Mekunkle, believed to have relatives among those detained, reportedly staged protests on Thursday following the spread of news about the deaths.

Efforts by PUNCH Online to obtain further clarification from the NSCDC spokesman in Niger State, Muhammad Muti, were unsuccessful as calls to his phone were unanswered. Messages sent via SMS and WhatsApp had also not received a response as of the time of filing the report.

The NSCDC command appealed for calm among the families of the deceased and members of the public, urging them to avoid actions that could lead to a breakdown of law and order.

Aniviye said the corps was working with sister security agencies to manage the situation and maintain peace.

He also reaffirmed the commitment of the NSCDC to enforcing human rights standards and complying with international human rights charters.

The development comes amid ongoing concerns over illegal mining activities in Niger State and their associated security, environmental and public health implications.

Further medical examinations are expected to establish the cause of death and provide more clarity on the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the detained suspects.

The Nigerian Army and the Indonesian military are set to deepen bilateral defence cooperation, with both countries seeking to expand professional exchanges, operational collaboration and military training.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening the relationship when he received the Indonesian Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Colonel Aslam Setiawan, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, disclosed this in a statement shared on X on Thursday.

Shaibu described the longstanding military relationship between Nigeria and Indonesia as mutually beneficial, particularly in the areas of professional military education, exchange of operational experience and participation in multinational military exercises.

He stressed the importance of sustained military-to-military engagement in developing a professional, adaptable and combat-ready force capable of responding effectively to evolving security challenges.

The Army Chief called for expanded cooperation in counterinsurgency operations, emerging technologies and other areas of mutual interest between the two countries.

According to him, increased exchange of expertise and technology would strengthen situational awareness, improve operational planning and enhance overall battlefield effectiveness.

Shaibu also highlighted the ongoing expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, noting that the development would require greater investment in infrastructure, training, technology and institutional support.

He said stronger international defence partnerships could contribute to the Nigerian Army’s efforts to build capacity and improve its operational readiness.

In his remarks, Setiawan reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral defence relations with Nigeria.

The Indonesian Defence Attaché said professional military exchanges and multinational exercises provide important platforms for the two countries to share operational knowledge and improve cooperation.

He specifically cited Exercise Super Garuda Shield as one of the multinational exercises offering opportunities to enhance interoperability and exchange operational experience.

The meeting underscored the interest of both countries in sustaining military cooperation through training, professional exchanges, technology and joint participation in multinational exercises.

The renewed engagement comes as the Nigerian Army continues efforts to expand its structure and strengthen its capacity to respond to the country’s evolving security needs.