The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abduction

  • Ex-militants decry Ondo abduction

    Ex-militants decry Ondo abduction

    Repentant militants in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have berated those behind the robbery and an attempted abduction of expatriate contractors in the riverine community.

    A statement by some ex-militant groups, under the aegis of Concerned Militant Generals (CMG) in Ilaje, condemned the act.

    The “Generals” pledged to assist security agencies to apprehend those behind the attempted abduction.

    CMG members expressed their readiness and desire to maintain peace.

    There was, recently, an attempted kidnap of some foreign contractors at Abereke.

    The incident led to a bloody clash among the abductors, soldiers and Naval officers.

    The repentant “Generals” said: “Four of the suspected armed robbers involved during the operation have already been arrested. We wonder why they have not been interrogated and disclosed the whereabouts of the other suspects who escaped arrest.

    “We gathered that some top politicians sponsoring the suspects in Ilaje Local Government Area have perfected plans to bail the four detained suspects. This is why they have not been prosecuted.

    “We rescued the foreigners and took them to the hospital. We will not relent in our efforts for their recovery and to nail the culprits. It will be a slap on the face of our lives if these persistent issues don’t end.

  • Police confirm ex-minister’s abduction in Nasarawa

    The police command in Nasarawa State has confirmed the abduction of a former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Hussaini Akwanga.

    He served during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, but was removed on December 4, 2003, following an alleged $214 million national identity card scam.

    Spokesman Kennedy Idirisu, who confirmed the abduction in Lafia yesterday, said Akwanga was kidnapped by gunmen on his farm on Wamba Road, Akwanga on August 22.

    Akwanga town is about 46km north of Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State.

    Idirisu said on receiving information on the abduction, Police Commissioner Mr. Abubakar Sadiq-Bello mobilised policemen, led by the deputy commissioner in charge of operations to search for the abducted former minister.

    “As we speak, the commissioner himself has gone to Akwanga to boost the rescue operation, to ensure the victim is released unhurt.”

    Idirisu reiterated the commitment of the command to rid the state of kidnappers and other criminals.

    Meanwhile, a family source told NAN that the kidnappers had contacted them, demanding an unspecified amount as ransom.

    On May 6, the mother and sister of a member of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Kassim Mohammed, were abducted in Akwanga.

     

  • Borno’s abduction, atrocious, cowardly – Osinbajo

    Borno’s abduction, atrocious, cowardly – Osinbajo

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday condemned the atrocious and cowardly abduction of women which occurred recently in Borno State.

    He sympathises with the families of the abducted women, and assures that the Federal Government will spare no efforts to ensure the safe and speedy return of all the victims.

    The Acting President, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, has therefore directed Nigeria’s military and intelligence agencies to take all necessary steps including coordinating with our international partners to rescue the abducted women, as well as to ensure further tightening of security in and around Borno State.

    The Buhari presidency assured that the ongoing efforts of security agencies, including the establishment of additional military and police bases in parts of the country, as well as the improved intelligence gathering will continue, and commends some of the recent significant breakthroughs in combating kidnapping and banditry in the country.

  • Senator condemns abduction

    Senator ‘Gbenga Ashafa yesterday condemned the abduction of six pupils at the Model college in Igbonla, Epe.

    Ashafa,who rrepresents Lagos East District, described the kidnap as callous; promising that the perpetrators would be brought to book.

    In a statement, the senator urged residents to be security conscious and report suspicious movements within their neighbourhoods to the police.

    The statement reads: “My heart is heavy as I commiserate with the parents, members of staff and students of Lagos State Model Secondary School In Igbonla, Epe. This is particularly so, considering the fact that this is the second time that this incident is happening in the same school.

    “I have been in touch with the school through my constituency office and I am aware that the Lagos State Government has alerted the security agencies which are currently working assiduously to ensure that the students are recovered safely in record time while also securing the perimeters of the school in order to guarantee the safety of the remaining students.

    “I am confident that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will do all it takes to ensure the safe return of our students while developing a lasting solution to the recurring incidence of kidnapping in our schools around Lagos.

    “On our part, we have consistently interfaced with the security agencies on the issue of security within our Senatorial district. We have also been able to assist some of the schools in the district, including the Lagos State Model Secondary School Igbonla, Epe with security gadgets to aid the internal security of the school.”

     

  • Police confirm expatriates’, poly proprietor’s abduction

    Police confirm expatriates’, poly proprietor’s abduction

    Akwa Ibom State Police Command yesterday confirmed the abduction of two expatriates from their hotel in Eket, Eket Local Government, on Sunday.
    It said the Proprietor of Sure Foundation Polytechnic, Ukanafun, Dr. Idongesit Udom, was kidnapped same day in a church.
    Police spokesman Chukwu Okechukwu told reporters in Uyo the command had begun investigation.
    He said the police had no information on the identities, workplaces and nationalities of the expatriates.
    “We are working hard to ensure their release.”
    Okechukwu said Police Commissioner Mr. Donald Awunah had led a team of senior officers to Eket and its environs to secure the expatriates’ release.
    Said he: “We are aware of the incidents. I assure you that efforts are on to rescue them.
    “The police commissioner and senior officers are on ground in Eket and its environs searching for the expatriates and even the man from Ukanafun.”

  • Army denies abduction of 22 women in Pulka

    •Dog foils attack on wedding

    The Army has denied reports that 22 women were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents after an attack on Pulka town in Borno State.

    According to the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman Kukasheka, the report is false and misleading. He called on the public to disregard the report, adding that Pulka is fortified by security agents.

    “The attention of the Army has been drawn to a story circulating on Social Media and some mainstream media that suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Pulka and abducted 22 women, attributing it to an unidentified Bulama as source.

    “We wish to state that the report is false and should be ignored. For the avoidance of doubt, Pulka and environs is heavily fortified and there has been no security breach. Media houses are pleased requested to always cross check their facts before publishing or broadcasting,” the statement read.

    A dog reportedly averted a suicide attack at a wedding in Belbelo community in Jere Local Government.

    A statement by the police spokesman Victor Isuku said the wedding was underway when a female suicide bomber attempted to infiltrate proceedings but was attacked by the watchdog, compelling her to detonate her explosives, which caused her death and the dogs’.

    The statement reads: “Information received today (yesterday) at about 07.33hrs said a female suicide bomber attempted to infiltrate a wedding at Belbelo community in Jere council. She was prevented by a watchdog, so she detonated her explosives, killing herself and the dog.

    “No other casualty was recorded and normalcy has been restored.”

  • Why abduction persists, by Lagos lawyers

    Some lawyers in Lagos believe the rate of unemployment, bad morals and inadequate security contribute significantly to the recurrent cases of kidnapping experienced in the country.

    The lawyers spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

    “There is no particular region today in the country that is free from kidnapping. The economic reality today is that people are losing their jobs and a lot of people are not even employed.

    “The high level of unemployment should give the government serious concern, because if you are idle, you become the devil’s workshop,’’ Mr Monday Ubani, one of the lawyers, said.

    He said unemployed youth could easily be recruited to carry out nefarious activities that were detrimental to the development of the country.

    ”The government should ensure adequate employment is created to reduce the issue of kidnappers in the country.

    ”The government should also ensure that the country is well policed with necessary equipment,” Ubani told NAN.

    The lawyer, who gave tips on how to avoid being kidnapped, said people needed to be more security conscious of their environment.

    ”Watch the people you live with in your neighborhood and mind the kind of information you give out to people, because the information could be detrimental to your safety.

    “Also, watch how you boast. Know your relations well, because successful kidnapping cannot be complete without an insider,” he said.

    Another lawyer, Mr Kayode Ademiluyi, identified bad morals as part of the factors contributing to the rising cases of kidnapping.

    ”Apart from the economy that is not too good, when children are not brought up with good values, they tend to join bad gangs,” he said.

    Ademiluyi called on the government to increase the level of security in the country and urged individuals to be security conscious and alert.

    Also speaking on the issue, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa urged the government to engage the youth and adopt the use of technology to stem the tide of kidnapping in the country.

    Mr Kayode Akinsola, another lawyer, urged the police to be more proactive and enjoined everyone to continue to pray for the country’s economy to be back in good shape.

    He, however, commended the government for its efforts at fighting kidnapping in the country.

    Lagos, one of the latest to do so, imposes penalties that include death for offenders, where a victim dies in the hands of his abductors, and life imprisonment for kidnapping for ransom.

     

  • Three men remanded over alleged abduction, assault

    NGudu Upper Area Court, Abuja has ordered the remand of three men – James Ani, Onoka James and Douglas Saidu, in prison custody for alleged abduction and assault
    The judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, ordered their remand after the prosecution opposed the oral application for their bail.
    Kagarko ordered the remand till March 21, adding that their bail should come by way of motion.
    Ani, 28, a businessman, James, 40, also a businessman, and Saidu, 52, a public servant, are standing trial on a 5-count charge of joint act, impersonating, abduction, assault and theft.
    They all denied the charges brought against them.
    The prosecutor, Mr Joshua Ayanna, told the court that one Adum Dennis of Kabusa, reported the matter at Apo Police Station on February 1.
    Ayanna said the complainant alleged that the three defendants came to his shop, claiming to be military personnel in a red Toyota car whose registration number was unknown.
    He said they forced him into the car and took him to an uncompleted building after Abacha Barracks, and started beating him with horse whip all over his body.
    “They threatened to kill him if he dare put up any resistance,” Ayanna said.
    He added that in the process, they forcefully collected N120,000 from his pocket.
    According to the prosecutor, “they forced him to sign an agreement to be paying the sum of N5,000 to one of the defendants, Mr Ani every month with effect from the date.”
    He said that during police investigation, they could not give account of their actions.
    The prosecutor said the offence was contrary to Sections 79, 132, 273, 265 and 397 of the Penal Code.

  • Court detains man for contempt, abduction of own children

    An Ikorodu Customary Court on Monday in Lagos, ordered one Isreal Linus to be detained for allegedly kidnapping his two children, after the court had their custody to his wife.

    President of the Court, Mrs Omolara Abiola, had in 2016 awarded the custody of the two children to Mrs Israel Mary after noting that her husband of 14 years was irresponsible.

    Abiola ordered the 42-year-old husband to be detained for contempt of court, having been warned not to take the children away from their mother.

    “Linus absconded with the children since Dec. 2016, he was traced and accosted at Ikeja area of Lagos in Jan. 2017.

    “He kept the children in a hidden place and had been maltreating them, he also refused to enrol them in school.

    “It was the children that secretly informed their mother of their whereabouts through a phone call,” she explained.

    Abiola, however, ordered the husband never to visit their residence till the final decision of the court.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the 35-year-old wife, who resides at Lowa St., in Ikorodu area of Lagos had approached the court seeking dissolution of her marriage, accusing the husband of irresponsibility and battery.

    The court granted her tequest and dissolved the marriage after efforts at reconciliation proved abortive.

    In the ruling, the court granted the woman, custody of the children and said the father can only visit the children at reasonable time of the day.

    The case was adjourned till March 17, for further hearing.

  • Nigerian killed, another abducted in South Africa–Union

    The Nigerian community in South Africa on Sunday confirmed the death of a Nigerian and the abduction of another member in that country.

    Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, the President of Nigeria Union, South Africa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Pretoria that both incidents had been reported to the Nigerian Mission in that country.

    He alleged that one Victor Nnadi, a native of Orlu in Imo , was suffocated to death on Thursday by the Metropolitan Police in Cape Town.

    Anyene claimed that eye witnesses saw the police handcuff the victim and suffocated him to death.

    “ When the people saw what happened, they raised an alarm and confronted the police.

    “ The union`s chapter in Cape Town is already on top of the situation and trying its best to facilitate the release of the detained brother of the deceased,” he said.

    Anyene, however, urged the Federal Government to persuade the South African government to put measures in place to stop the killing of Nigerians.

    The union , he said, also got information on Dec. 24 that one Austin Agunwa, a native of Umuawulu, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra, was abducted by unidentified persons at Rustenburg, North West Province.

    He said Nigerians in the province raised a search team which later found the victim`s car abandoned, after a crash near a bridge.

    Anyene, however, said the vehicle had no blood stain.

    “ As we speak, we don’t know his whereabouts and nobody has claimed responsibility for his abduction.

    “ We have directed the union`s chapter in the area to report the incident to the police and open a case on the missing Nigerian,” he said.

    Anyene also said that the union`s national body would liaise with Nigeria’s High Commission to visit Rustenburg over the incident.

    “ We have also advised our people to be calm and remain law abiding as the union and the Nigerian Mission are handling the situation,” he said. (NAN)