The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abductors

  • Falae seeks more arrests as abductors get life jail

    Falae seeks more arrests as abductors get life jail

    Ex-SGF hails judgment

    IT was judgment day yesterday for the abductors of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Chief Olu Falae. They were sentenced to life imprisonment for kidnapping and armed robbery by the Ondo State High Court, sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
    Falae was abducted on September 21, 2015 by some herdsmen during his 77th birthday at his Ilado farm in Akure North Local Government Area.
    The Akure high chief, who was released four days after paying N5 million ransom, yesterday urged security operatives to go after two members of the gang still at large.
    The convicts are: Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibrahim, Masahudu Muhammed, Idris Lawal and two others.
    The charges against them reads: “That you, Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed, Idris Lawal and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did give information for the purpose of kidnapping and abducting Chief Samuel Oluyemi Falae.
    “Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did aid the kidnapping and abduction of Chief Samuel Oluyemi Falae.
    “Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did kidnap Chief Oluyemi Falae, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and did not release him until N5,000,000 ransom was paid.
    “Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did conspire to commit a felony to wit armed robbery.
    “Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did rob Chief Olu Falae of N15, 000 and his handset while armed with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.”
    The offence, according to the Ondo State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs. Adeyemi Kuti, is contrary to Section 2 of the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Law, 5(1)(a) of the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Laws, Section3(11)(b) of the Anti-Kidnapping and Abduction Law, Section 6(b) of the Robbery and Firearms(Special Provision) Act,Cap R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Section 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act,Cap R11, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
    When the five-count charge was read to the convicts on the first date of their arraignment, they all pleaded not guilty.
    When the case came up yesterday for judgment after several adjournments, Justice Williams Olamide said it had been proven beyond reasonable doubt that the convicts committed the crime with the evidence tendered before him.
    Justice Olamide also said that during the hearing of the matter, the victim (Falae) identified three of the convicts as those who kidnapped him and threatened to kill him if he failed to pay the ransom while in their custody.
    He thereafter sentenced seven of them to life imprisonment.
    The DPP hailed the judgment, saying justice had been given to the victim. But, counsel to the seven convicts, Abdulrahman Yusuf, from the Legal Aid Council (LAC), said he would obtain the judgment, study it, and determine whether to appeal or not.
    In his reaction published in Premium Times, Falae hailed the life sentence handed down to five of the kidnappers, and urged the police to go after those at large.
    The paper reports: “I think the police should not close the case, because so many of them are still at large. The police should go after them and ensure they are brought to justice.”
    He also said that the sentence was appropriate as he was opposed to capital punishment.
    “No one should take anybody’s life, not even the state,” Mr. Falae said. “Such criminals should be put away in prison for life.”
    Recounting his ordeal at the hands of the kidnappers, Falae said: “The boys put me through a terrible time. They starved me and threatened me with their swords; they tore my clothes and made me walk long distances for four days.
    “I thank God I did not die during the period. It was a harrowing experience.”
    Pointing out that it was the business of the security agencies to stamp out kidnapping from the country, Falae said yesterday’s judgment should encourage security agencies to go after other kidnappers across the country.
    He said: “The country is becoming one of the most unsafe countries of the world. These kidnappers will stop a vehicle on the highway and abduct the passengers, and this is becoming rampant. We have investors coming into the country; they won’t come if we don’t do something about this.”

  • Abductors demand N20m ransom for seized woman in Rivers

    •Another victim’s whereabouts unknown

    Gunmen have abducted a woman, Mrs. Theresa Enyinda, from Omukworoga village in Omerelu community of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
    She was taken to an unknown place on Sunday.
    The same day, gunmen abducted Mr. Fortune Ogbumgbada at Rumualogu community in Obio/Akpor Local Government.
    The incidents, it was learnt, caused panic among residents of both communities.
    A resident of Omukworoga, Assor Innocent, said the bandits invaded the community from the bushes and seized their victim.
    Innocent said: “She was kidnapped in her house at 1 p.m on Sunday. Some policemen have interrogated those around to know what happened.
    “The hoodlums have established contacts with the family of the victim. They are demanding N20 million ransom, saying one of the women’s children is in Dubai and that the family could provide the ransom.
    “Hoodlums have taken over our farm roads and the Government Secondary School. They use an area of the hostel that is dilapidated for their operation.
    They rape girls, steal and molest men daily. We are calling on security operatives to come to our aid.”
    Also, the family of Ogbumgbada said it had not been contacted by abductors of its member.
    Ogbumgbada, who was abducted at Rumualogu community, was returning home from church.
    His wife, who was on the passenger’s seat, was shot. She is in hospital.
    An older brother to the victim, who did not want to be named but claimed to have witnessed the incident, said the hoodlums began to trail his brother immediately he drove out of the church premises.
    He begged the abductors to release Ogbumgbada unconditionally.
    The distraught brother said the family had not established contact with the abductors.
    Police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), promised to reach the District Police Officers (DPO) in those areas and get back to our correspondent yesterday.
    He did not.

  • Abductors of Kogi monarch demand N20m ransom

    Abductors of the paramount ruler of Ajaokuta, Kogi State, the Ohi of Ajaokuta, Alhaji Musa Isah Achuja, have demanded a ransom of N20 million, it was learnt yesterday.

    Achuja was said to be returning home on December 31 when he was kidnapped on the Lokoja-Ajaokuta road.

    A relative, who pleaded for anonymity, said his driver and aide escaped.

    Police spokesperson Williams Aya said the incident was yet to be reported.

    He, however, said the police will act immediately to rescue the monarch once the command is abreast with the details.

  • Abductors demand N20m ransom to release cleric

    Abductors of Rev. Jude Onyebadi of the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku in Delta State have demanded N20 million ransom for his release.
    Onyebadi, who is the Parish Priest of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church at Issele-Azagba, was kidnapped last Friday at his pineapple farm between Ubulu-Uku and Issele-Uku communities by three gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
    A renowned philanthropist, Onyebadi, has one of the biggest commercial pineapple farms in the state.
    Sources said the cleric was dragged into the bush by his abductors.
    The operation was said to have lasted a few minutes.
    The hoodlums reportedly opened negotiations with a bosom friend of the victim and initially demanded for N50 million before reducing it to N20 million, following further negotiations.
    But the Director of Communications of the diocese, Rev. Charles Uganwa, said the church would not pay any ransom to the abductors.
    Also, the police command assured that the cleric would soon be freed.
    It urged the church and all those connected with him to cooperate with security operatives.
    Police spokesman Andrew Aniamaka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said his men were closing in on the hoodlums.
    He said: “We are combing the bushes and, very soon, he will be freed. I can assure you that we are monitoring the kidnappers who keep shifting from one location to the other. But no matter how they may try to hide, we will get them.
    “We are not just going to rescue the victim. We will also ensure that the hoodlums are arrested and brought to justice.”

  • Abductors mistook Hirse for Daura, says witness

    Abductors mistook Hirse for Daura, says witness

    •Police working to free him 

    An eyewitness in the kidnap of former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bagudu Hirse, has said the abduction was “like a scene in a horror movie”.
    Mr. Samuel Pukat, an Abuja-based businessman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos that he was with Hirse when the gunmen attacked.
    “We were in Kaduna and decided to pay a condolence visit to Alhaji Mamman Daura on the death of the former Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki.
    “We arrived at Daura’s house about 9 am but we were told Daura travelled, and as we made to drive out after signing the condolence register, Daura’s younger brother came out and told us to wait for him.
    “About the same time, two vehicles, on fast speed, drove into the compound and gunmen in masks jumped out and headed directly for Hirse.
    “My feeling is that they mistook him for Daura because both seem to have the same stature and wear their caps the same way,” he said.
    Pukat said the men, after instilling fear in everyone at sight, grabbed Hirse by his babariga, pushed him into one of the cars and drove off.
    “Everyone was terrified; we were all fear-stricken and by the time we recovered, Hirse was gone and we were dumbfounded,” he added.
    According to him, the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, later appeared and called for more security cover around the house.
    Pukat confirmed that the abductors contacted Hirse’s relations.
    “The first time they called me; it was Hirse’s voice I heard on the phone before the abductors took over,” he said.
    Pukat, however, refused to give details of his discussions with the abductors but said the family embarked on prayers for his release and safe return.
    The police have said they were working to track the gunmen and rescue Hirse unhurt.
    Police spokesman Aliyu Usman said: “The command will not sit and allow criminals take laws into their hands. We will ensure we arrest those criminals and they will face the law.
    “We are committed to protecting life and property of the people. We also appeal to the public for  information that will lead to arrest of the criminals.”

  • Why abductors succeed, by Police boss

    Why abductors succeed, by Police boss

    Kogi State Commissioner of Police Abdullahi Chafe has called for a value reorientation among Nigerians to reduce the allure for what they consider the ‘good life’.

    This, according to him, could bring kidnapping in the state to its minimum.

    Chafe made the call in Lokoja at the weekend when he received members of the Correspondent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi council, in his office.

    He urged parents and other opinion moulders to be steadfast, noting that many kidnap cases were done with the connivance of the families of victims to extort money.

    “Most of the kidnapping we have are local; local in the sense that it is majorly conspiracy from insiders. They equally resorted to picking up elderly people whose children are doing well outside the state to get money from them,” he said.

    He explained that kidnapping and robbery have reduced by 70 per cent as a result of efficient collaboration between the government and the police, saying large cache of arms has been recovered from hoodlums.

  • Abductors reduce ransom to N3.5m

    There were reports last night that one of the six victims kidnapped at Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, might have taken ill.

    It was gathered that the kidnappers contacted the family of the sick victim at about 5pm yesterday, demanding N3.5 million ransom.

    The Nation learnt that one of the kidnappers, who made the call, assured the family that a nurse was caring for the sick captive.

    It was gathered that the family was asked to pay up the N3.5 million in order for the victim to be released, as the kidnappers were said to have refused to reduce the amount further.

    A relative of the victim said: “My sister was contacted again yesterday and after much plea, they told her to go and get N3.5 million. The strange caller promised to call again and inform her where she would drop the money. He also informed her that our relative was sick. At that stage, my sister could not speak anymore.

    “I collected the phone from her but when he heard my voice he cut the line. He told her that our relative’s temperature was high and was also shivering. My sister begged in tears to speak with our relative and when she did, he begged pleaded that we should do everything possible to secure his release.

    “At a point, our relative burst out in tears. He wanted to say something but the phone was collected from him. The caller assured my sister that a nurse was at the verge of administering medication on him. He also assured that none of them was maltreated but that their wrath would be incurred if any of the families tried to play smart.”

  • ‘Abductors collected N16m to free kidnapped Lagos, Ogun landlords’

    ‘Abductors collected N16m to free kidnapped Lagos, Ogun landlords’

    • Police dispute claim

    Three abducted landlords at Oshorun Heritage Estate, during a fitness exercise, their trainer and some farmers kidnapped last weekend In Isheri and Epe areas of Ogun and Lagos States have been freed.

    Kennedy Ucheagwu, Dr. Omololu Bello, Fidelis Esang and trainer Olalere Olawale, as well as Toyosi Aboderin, Ogechi Maku, Toju Amorighoye, and six-month-old Funniyi Tayo Lawal were freed by their abductors in the wee hours of yesterday.

    Although the gunmen, suspected to be Niger Delta militants had allegedly demanded N1.2 billion for the freedom of the four Isheri victims, it was learnt that they eventually collected N16million ransom.

    The Nation learnt that the ransom was paid at about 10pm by a group of men, who went close to the island where the victims were held and deposited the amount at a designated spot.

    It was learnt that the victims were then dropped off at a place near the estate as agreed by the kidnappers at about 12am, while the Epe farmers, were said to have returned home into the waiting arms of their family members around 1:30am.

    The Nation gathered that the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army and the Air Force have been combing the bushes and gathering footages of the kidnappers.

    It was learnt that the service provider (Etisalat) whose simcard was used in contacting relatives for ransom was tracked and the name, pictures and other vital information of the leader of the gang was revealed.

    He was said to be a young man buy with affluence as he allegedly owns a huge mansion with several exotic cars.

    Also revealed was the identity of the lady who ran errand like buying food and other basic things for the gang and hostages.

    It was however learnt that the security operatives were unable to use force on the kidnappers since the victims were still in their custody.

    At the estate yesterday, residents rejoiced over the safe return of the victims, urging that security be beefed up in the area to avoid recurrence.

    They said the victims were sighted at about 11:45pm near the creek by vigilantes who thought they were criminals.

    “The local vigilantes wanted to shoot but the victims told them that they were those kidnapped last Saturday. The vigilantes then used their motorcycles to take them to their homes one after the other,” said a resident.

    They urged the police to equip its marine unit, as well as establish a post within the neighbourhood, expressing fears that they gunmen could strike again.

    The Nation gathered that the victims were taken to an isolated island, where the militants ensured that they were ‘comfortable’.

    A resident who refused to be named, said victims and all those aware of the ransom were warned by the police to not mention it, adding that they were told that admitting to it could attract more danger to the estate.

    At Dr. Bello’s residence which houses a training school, journalists were denied access, as people trooped in to show their solidarity.

     

  • I spent 14 days in the bush preaching to my abductors

    I spent 14 days in the bush preaching to my abductors

    James Enyidah, popularly known as EyiJesus, is a pastor with the Assemblies of God. He was abducted by unknown gunmen on August 3. He was with them for 14 days. He spoke with PRECIOUS DIKEWOHA on his ordeal.

    When your abductors knew you were a pastor, what were their reactions?

    Yes, I did.  I told them that I am a pastor with the Assemblies of God, that I am fondly called Enyi Jesus, a   name given to me from heaven by my heavenly father. I also told them that I am the author of the book titled the   ‘Efficacy of Blood of Jesus’, that I don’t have money. I was in Assemblies of God in Eneka, Obio/Akpor Local government   before I was posted to Ubima in Ikwerre Local government Area of Rivers State. And after the introduction, they calmed down a little.

    How did your kidnap happen?

    It was on Wednesday, 3rd of August 2016. I got information that one of my members was arrested by the military while he was sleeping in his uncle’s house. To sympathise with them as their pastor I had to follow them to their family house at Omukpalukwu.  When I got there, they told me that he was arrested at gunpoint. Immediately, I took my vehicle to search for him with other members of my church and that of his family were four. We went to some checkpoints of military officers on Omegwa and we reported to them.  The captains called all his men to ask them if they arrested anybody; they said none of the officers participated in any raid in Ubima. Then I left there to Isiokpo in search of the arrested member of my church and they said the same thing that they were not aware. The officers at Isiokpo also went as far as searching their cells to see if he was there. We also went to the military camp at Elele. After searching round and we didn’t see him, I went back home to park my car. But towards the evening time, one of my church members called me that they found out where he was detained, and I took two members of my church to follow me. As we were going along Elele Isiokpo road, I saw some men shooting gun in front of my car. And when I looked back, I saw other men with pump action; then I applied the break because I didn’t want to run. When they came to me,I told them who I was; they dragged me out of the vehicle and took my phone, the other person gave me a sign that I should raise my hand. When the army heard the gunshot, they started coming but before they could reach there, they had already dragged me into the bush.

    At that point, what did you do?

    The first thing I did was to start speaking Ikwerre language to them because I knew some of them are Ikwerre boys, but they pretended and told me that they were not hearing what I was speaking. The next thing they did was to hit me with the head of the gun and blood started coming out.  Then I shouted. I flashed my Identity card for them to know who they were maltreating.

    Were you blindfolded?

    They took me to the bush and that was where they told me they were kidnappers. I stayed there for fourteen days. They attended to me but I was still blindfolded. They told me they weren’t after me, but after politicians who handed the gun to them and I should pass the message. But since I was there, the only thing needed was money, they also took care of me by giving me water, food and clothing to prevent mosquitoes, we stayed there for a while waiting for the money from my church members but to no avail until my elder brother told them he had N300,000 which was in contrast to their initial agreement of N20m. They later asked for N10m which I told them was not possible. Even in that situation, I preached to them and some repented. Some said if they could get enough money, they would drop the gun and start a business. They asked me to bring whatever amount of money I had.

    Did God reveal to you what was going to happen before the incident?

    There had been a lot of revelations to me initially by God to preach to these people and I had seen it as a way through which God wanted me to save souls. But I didn’t know it would be through kidnapping because the thought of going to the bush to preach was not a welcome idea. And could only happen through kidnapping  and even when I  saw myself in the dream scoring goals which I told them that very soon I  would win and God would send his angels to come with Bible. That is what I was ministering inside the bush and I even saw spilled blood and I told God I didn’t want bloodshed. And that I  wasn’t after destroying souls, but saving souls and  when I  get out, I  would not involve the police or army and would only allow God to do that which pleases Him because He doesn’t like bloodshed.

    Why did you decide to be preaching to them to become good persons after all they did to you?

    I went through rigorous sufferings, especially when they tied my hands, and there were times when we all went hungry due to the fact that the money expected was not forth coming.  They complained bitterly and even threatened to waste me and asked what kind of God I served. Whenever their girlfriends called they would tell them that they were in the church with their pastor. Sometimes they would give me phone to preach to their girlfriends. And I pitied those girls because they didn’t know the kind of job their boyfriends are doing. Amongst the bad ones, there were also good ones, and they also asked for my forgiveness when they brought me out.  They threatened to shoot my legs, and I said I would use my legs to preach the word of God. From there I started telling them about Bible. I am  in charge of a local church  and I  told them that I didn’t  have that much and what was in my  account was not up to N30,000.  There are ministers who have millions, which they confirmed when they saw my alert messages from my banks. I also told them how I used my personal money to do things for the church by buying them plot of land and fencing the church with my own personal money. Mind you, I stayed for fourteen days without the church (headquarters) raising money after promising to do so and some persons who may even know them (kidnappers) even called to ask them to release the pastor. I was released after raising the money which my wife went to deliver after being instructed to come alone  and she was about eight months pregnant.   When she came, they asked her what she was wearing and the people, who collected the money from her, covered their faces, took her phone and gave her the SIM card.

  • Abductors free Bayelsa lawmaker’s dad

    Abductors of Chief W. G. Watson, the 81-year-old father of a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Chief Alfred Watson, have freed him.

    The lawmaker confirmed this last night in a terse statement in Yenagoa, the state capital, that his father was released in good condition at 3 p.m.

    But he did not say whether or not a ransom was paid to the hoodlums before his father was released.

    Two people linked to the abduction of the octogenarian were arrested and handed over to the police, following investigations by the lawmaker and some youths.

    The suspects were detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the police command where they were said to have made useful statements.

    The octogenarian chief of Okpoama Kingdom was abducted on August 5 at 9.25 a.m by gunmen who operated on a speedboat.

    The octogenarian was said to be conveying the remains of his wife from Okpoama mortuary to Egweama, the deceased’s maternal home for burial, as customs demand, when the gunmen struck.

    The abductors reportedly fired four gunshots, attacked the boat driver with machetes and stole valuables belonging to those occupying the casket-bearing speedboat before whisking the old man away to an unknown location.

    The profiles of the two arrested suspects and the evidence against them indicated that the dastardly act was masterminded by those close to the family.

    The kidnappers earlier demanded N70million ransom but later reduced it to N5.5million with a request that the money should be supported by two gallons of fuel and three bottles of Chelsea gin.