UK-Returned Engineer Arrested After Killing Neighbour's Son in Bengaluru Extortion Plot
A UK-returned MTech graduate was arrested in Bengaluru after he allegedly kidnapped and murdered his former neighbour's 13-year-old son in an attempted extortion plot.
Bengaluru Kidnapping and Murder
Wala Bhaskar Reddy and accomplice Edukondalu lured 13-year-old Prajwal with promises of buying firecrackers and teaching him to drive, then took him to isolated spots where they struck him with a wooden log and rained bricks on him, killing him. [1] Reddy planned to send a pre-killing video of the boy to his realtor father demanding Rs 1 crore to repay family debts of Rs 3 crore; Edukondalu remains at large. [1] The Reddys and the family of M Prajwal, a Class VIII student, were neighbours in Yelahanka before the latter moved to another lane in the locality. [1] On Wednesday, Bhaskar allegedly picked up Prajwal near his house in his compact SUV, telling him they would buy firecrackers and promising to teach the boy how to drive. [1] According to police, Bhaskar and Edukondalu drove Prajwal to an isolated spot, made a video of him in their custody and struck the boy on the head with a wooden log, leaving him unconscious. [1] The accused then moved Prajwal to another deserted site and rained bricks on the boy, bludgeoning him to death. [1] The duo stood on a compound wall and rained hollow bricks on the boy. [1] Police said the accused had planned to send Prajwal’s video, recorded before the killing, to his family and demand ransom. [1] Edukondalu is a private school bus cleaner and agreed after money was offered. [1] Following the boy’s death, he left the scene and Bhaskar decided to take Prajwal’s body to Nellore in Andhra Pradesh and dispose it there. [1] He wrapped the body in an abandoned and torn mattress found at the site and then placed it in the SUV’s boot. [1] However, it was while transporting the body that Reddy’s plan began to unravel. [1] Police said he was inebriated when he rammed the SUV into an electric pole. [1] He continued driving before crashing into two cars parked outside an apartment complex near Chikkajala. [1] Hearing the impact, security personnel and residents rushed out and caught Reddy. [1] Suspecting that he was drunk, they searched the vehicle and discovered the boy’s body in the boot. [1] Preliminary investigations revealed that the boy’s father, Manohar, and Bhaskar Reddy were neighbours for some years. [1] There is no enmity between the two families, nor are they business rivals. [1] The boy had a craze for cars and the accused took advantage of it and lured him, said deputy commissioner of police (North East division) G K Mithun Kumar. [1] Police are questioning Bhaskar to determine other reasons he kidnapped and killed Prajwal. [1]
Mumbai Stabbing Spree
In a separate Mumbai incident, 30-year-old Rizwaan Qureshi fatally stabbed 15-year-old Bunty Khan in the neck after the boy refused to give him money, then stabbed another man before being caught and beaten by locals. [2] The lane was caked in blood as police carted away a blood-soaked Rizwaan Qureshi. [2] Police added that Qureshi was set to attack a third individual with the knife but locals caught him before he could do so and gave him a sound thrashing. [2] The incident occurred around 10.30 am at New Collector’s Compound, Malwani. [2] Qureshi had come to Mumbai 10 days ago and had been staying in Malwani. [2] On Friday, he was asking for money and approached a shop in Gate no 6 area. [2] A 15-year-old boy, Bunty Khan, was at the shop. [2] Khan’s father runs his catering business from the shop, while the family lives on the first floor of the structure. [2] Police said Qureshi asked Khan for some money and a glass of water. [2] The teen responded that he could fetch water but would not give him any money. [2] When the teen got some water, Qureshi slashed him on the neck with a knife. [2] The teen suffered deep injuries and bled profusely. [2] Qureshi then ventured further in the same lane and knifed a pedestrian, Chetan Patel, without any provocation. [2] Patel was also slashed on the neck. [2] Thereafter, Qureshi turned towards another house and was preparing to attack his third target. [2] But before he could do so, bystanders summoned the courage to catch hold of him. [2] They then proceeded to thrash him. [2] The Malwani police were summoned and Qureshi was handed over to them. [2] Khan and Patel were rushed to a govt hospital. [2] However, Khan died due to the nature of injuries suffered. [2] Patel was given treatment and is stable. [2] A native of UP, Qureshi had lived in Malwani in the past before moving to Pune and later to Hyderabad. [2] He used to do odd jobs, including selling sarees. [2] Police are trying to establish the motive. [2] They suspect Qureshi may have lost his cool after being denied money. [2] Investigators will also verify if he is suffering from any mental health issues. [2] Police registered a case of murder against Qureshi. [2]
Kano Activist Killing
Nigerian authorities arrested two suspects in the murder of social media commentator Ibrahim Shagamu, who had expressed fears for his safety over his political criticism; a foundation has urged a broad probe. [3] Shagamu was brutally murdered at his residence in Gaida Quarters, Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state at about 11:30 pm on September 8. [3] Before his death, Shagamu operated a social media platform known as “Dan Shagamu International,” where he discussed political, security and social issues in the country. [3] In a petition signed by FDJ Senior Counsel, Festus Ogun, dated September 11, 2026, the foundation noted that prior to his death, Shagamu had repeatedly expressed fears for his safety and raised concerns with the Kano State Government, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and the police. [3] The circumstances surrounding his death raise questions that go beyond identifying those who physically carried out the attack. [3] Justice for Shagamu requires more than the prosecution of those who carried out the physical attack. [3] It requires an investigation capable of answering why a vocal citizen who used his platform to participate in public discourse was targeted and killed. [3] Social advocacy and public-interest commentary, online or offline, should not expose citizens to lethal danger. [3] Nigerians must be able to criticise government, discuss insecurity and demand accountability online without becoming targets of violence. [3] Social media has become an important space for Nigerians to participate in public affairs, criticise government, discuss insecurity, raise concerns about social conditions and demand accountability from public institutions. [3] Those who use these platforms to contribute to public discourse must be able to do so without fear that their speech will make them targets of physical violence. [3] FDJ called on the Kano State Police Command to identify, arrest and prosecute all persons responsible for the murder, including anyone who may have planned, facilitated, financed or otherwise participated in the crime. [3] The foundation also called for a probe into the previous threats and fears reportedly expressed by Shagamu. [3] It further urged the police to provide the public with appropriate information on the progress of the investigation. [3] When contacted on Thursday, the Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Kigawa, said two suspects had been arrested and that investigation was ongoing on the case. [3] Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident and investigation is in progress. [3] Update of the investigation will be made known to the public after completion of investigation. [3]
Tijuana Drone Interdiction
Mexican Army, using US intelligence, downed a criminal group's monitoring drone in Tijuana and arrested its operator during a joint binational anti-drone operation. [4] After receiving information from U.S. officials, the Mexican Army successfully deactivated a drone that crossed the border into Tijuana and arrested the operator in Mexican territory. [4] The Defense Ministry provided details of the Monday operation, explaining that the drone was being used by a criminal group to monitor human trafficking routes. [4] The drone operator was apprehended and found to be in possession of a handgun, ammunition and the aircraft control system. [4] Defensa said the Tijuana operation resulted from information-sharing with U.S. Customs and Border Protection after its representatives met with CBP agents in the border city. [4] On Friday, Defense Minister General Ricardo Trevilla confirmed that four drones have been disabled as a result of Operation High Eagle, a joint, binational anti-drone security operation being carried out in the Tijuana-San Diego border area. [4] The current deployment featuring approximately 800 military personnel from both countries encompasses a 5-kilometer area. [4] It relies on ground patrols and the use of anti-drone equipment capable of inhibiting these types of aircraft within a 3-kilometer radius. [4] Trevilla said representatives from both countries met on Tuesday to assess the results of Operation High Eagle. [4] The second phase of the operation, which began on Sept. 7, is scheduled to end on Sept. 21. [4]
Niger State Miner Deaths
Thirty-seven people went into NSCDC custody and came out dead. [5] The 37 persons were reportedly arrested on September 15 and 16 during NSCDC operations targeting suspected illegal and artisanal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State and subsequently detained in Minna. [5] Following the deaths, protesters took to the streets of Minna. [5] Security forces reportedly deployed tear gas and opened fire as demonstrations continued. [5] There are reports that security forces responded with live ammunition. [5] The answer to deaths in custody cannot be more deaths on the streets. [5] A survivor alleged that a substance resembling perfume was sprayed inside an overcrowded cell shortly before some detainees began collapsing. [5] The survivor said 17 people were initially held in the cell before more detainees were brought in and that the detainees complained about the heat and cramped conditions. [5] Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has confirmed that 37 detainees died in NSCDC custody and ordered an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. [5] The Federal Government has also ordered a full investigation and suspended the NSCDC commandant in the state pending the outcome of the probe. [5] The NSCDC has said the cause of death has not been established and that medical and laboratory examinations are required. [5]
Ongoing Investigations
Police are on the lookout for Edukondalu. [1] Police are trying to establish the motive in the Mumbai case. [2] The foundation urged the police to provide the public with appropriate information on the progress of the investigation in Kano. [3] The second phase of the Tijuana operation is scheduled to end on Sept. 21. [4] SERAP urged the UN special rapporteurs to communicate with the Nigerian Government over the reported deaths and the reported killing and shooting of protesters in Minna. [5] The organisation called for an independent, impartial, prompt, thorough, effective and transparent investigation into the deaths in custody. [5]
What to watch next: Police searches continue for the remaining accomplice in Bengaluru while motive inquiries proceed in Mumbai, Kano authorities complete their probe into the activist killing, the binational anti-drone operation in Tijuana runs through Sept. 21, and UN rapporteurs consider intervention on the Niger State custody deaths.
