The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abductors

  • Abductors of Katsina Rep demand N10m ransom

    Abductors of Katsina Rep demand N10m ransom

    Abductors of a House of Representatives member Alhaji Sani Bello, yesterday demanded N10million to free him.

    Bello was kidnapped on Tuesday near Gobirawa near Birni-Gwari in Kaduna State.

    The 52-year-old legislator, who has been living in Kaduna State for many years is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He once served as Chairman of Mashi Local Government.

    A tweet from Aviation Minister(State) Hadi Sirika (@hadisirika) first announced the unfortunate incident.

    A respected indigene of Gobirawa near Birni-Gwari  where Alhaji Bello lives, told The Nation on condition of anonymity that the legislator was ambushed and kidnapped on his way to the farm.

    The informant told The Nation on the telephone last night: “He was abducted around 5pm on Tuesday but it usually takes much time for people who are about one and a half hours away in Kaduna city to hear about things happening to us here.

    “On Wednesday (yesterday) evening, around 5pm, we heard from the kidnappers for the first time and they demanded that N6million be paid as ransom within two hours.

    “Two hours afterwards, they demanded that N10 million must be paid immediately but we are trying to negotiate it downwards now.

    The kidnappers called one of their victim’s best friends to make their demands known and we are now praying that God would touch the hearts of his abductors to ensure a safe return.”

    The area where Bello’s kidnappers abducted him had been under the threat of highway robbers, cattle-rustlers and other criminal elements for years but lately, the Nigerian Army, Kaduna State government and various security agencies have dislocated the criminal elements.

  • Ambode: we’ll rescue Oniba from his abductors

    Ambode: we’ll rescue Oniba from his abductors

    Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode has said everything is being done to rescue the abducted Oniba of Iba, Oba Yushau Goriola Oseni.

    The governor presided over an emergency Security Council meeting on Monday attended by heads of security agencies in the state. He said efforts were on to make kidnapping a thing of the past in the state.

    Briefing reporters at the end of the meeting, Police chief, Fatai Owoseni said government and the security agencies were bothered about kidnapping, adding that efforts are on to rescue all those kidnapped recently including Oba Oseni.

    “What we want to assure the people is that we are putting efforts together to ensure that not just the monarch is rescued but also other victims of kidnapping and we will bring those criminals to justice,” Owoseni said.

    The emergency security council meeting, he said, was to appraise security issues.

    On kidnapping, Owoseni said: “All of us are bothered. As the people are bothered, government is bothered and law enforcement institutions are bothered. We are looking at the issue of kidnapping and the only thing we can tell the good people in Lagos is that government is doing everything possible and is deploying all arsenal of the state towards ensuring that we put a stop to all these and at the same time seize this opportunity to tell the fellows engaging in these activities to channel their energy to lawful conduct because there is no excuse to say that because they cannot vandalise the pipelines again, that is why they are resorting to all these soft targets kidnapping.

    “They should divert their energy into productive use. The government has opened up lots of opportunities for people that want to access soft loans for small scale businesses and industries; the Bank of Industry (BoI) for instance is there, they have been putting up adverts, let them have a change of mind, drop their weapons, access these funds that government at the state and federal levels had created and for those of them that have certificates and saying that yes we have stopped bunkering and there is no other thing for us to do, there are platforms that have been created by government for them to be meaningfully employed.”

    Also yesterday Deputy Governor Idiat Oluranti Adebule appealed to the abductors to release the monarch.

    Addressing reporters in Lagos, Dr Adebule said the monarch would be rescued soon and be re united with his family and subjects.

    As custodians of traditional norms and institution, she said, royal fathers deserved honour and respect from the citizenry, adding that the state is working with the security operatives to rescue of the monarch.

    Dr Adebule urged law enforcement agencies to ensure that the monarch is rescued unhurt.

    “To the law enforcement agencies, we know they are trying which is why we have being enjoying peace in Lagos state, but they need to step up their intelligence gathering to fast track the rescue of the monarch,” she said.

  • 19 year-old girl escapes from abductors

    Nineteen year-old girl, Miss Moyinoluwa Abdulkareem, who was allegedly kidnapped by a motorcyclist, popularly called Okada rider, in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State last Friday has been found.

    She was found on Sunday evening on Idanre road in Akure after escaping from the den of her kidnappers.

    Moyinoluwa, who is a student of Prospect High School, Owo, was abducted by the rider of an Okada, which she boarded after writing her National Examination Council (NECO) examination to do transaction in one of the new generation banks in the town.

    The motorcyclist was said to have diverted into a bush after seeing a police checkpoint ahead.

    Moyinoluwa had since reunited with his family hale and hearty.

    She told The Nation that it was a divine intervention that made her to be courageous to utilise a slim chance to beat her abductors when they forgot to lock the door of the room where she and others victims were kept.

    Moyinoluwa said the motorcyclist handed her over to his collaborators, who had waited in a car after he was given an envelope.

    She met two pregnant women and two young boys she suspected were also victims.

    The girl added that her abductors drove along Akure road and diverted to Ilu Abo. They spent over 30 minutes before arriving at the isolated building, where she finally escaped through unknown bush parts, which took her to Idanre road in Akure.

    Police spokesman Mr. Femi Joseph said the command has commenced investigation into the matter.

    He added that a special squad is on the trail of the suspected criminals.

    Joseph advised the public to always be security conscious, especially before boarding a commercial vehicle and motorcycle.

  • Ex-Ogun deputy speaker urges Nigerians to beg wife’s, daughter’s abductors

    A worried former Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Dr. Tokunbo Oshin, yesterday urged Nigerians to prevail on the kidnappers of his wife, Nofisat Oshin, and daughter, Miss Afolabi Oshin, to free them from captivity.

    Oshin, who rued their continued detention, said he was helpless about the plights of his wife and daughter in the hands of the abductors, hence his appeals to Nigerians to plead with them to set them free.

    The ex -deputy Speaker from 2003 – 2007,  who spoke with The Nation on phone, was silent on whether any step has been taken regarding the N150 million demanded by the abductors.

    He, however, noted that the people still holding his loved ones captive, occasionally leaves a little window of opportunity to enable him to speak with his wife and daughter through the telephone.

    Nofisat, who is the director of Information, Odogbolu Local Government Council, and her 15-year-old daughter were abducted about two weeks ago around 8pm, at the entrance of their Imoru home in Ijebu-Ode.

    They were whisked away to unknown destination at gun-point.

    And since their abduction, their whereabouts remained unknown, just as a pall of uncertainty also surrounds when they will regain freedom.

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, has appealed to the state government and the security agencies to intensify efforts towards locating and freeing Oshin’s wife and daughter from their captors.

  • Abductors free Kwara APC chairman, secretary

    Abductors free Kwara APC chairman, secretary

    Kwara State chairman and secretary of the All Progressives Congress ( APC)  Ishola Balogun- Fulani and Chief Bode Adekanye have  regained their freedom.

    They were rescued by  policemen of the Kogi State Command. The abductors had earlier demanded for N50 million.

    The APC chiefs were reportedly snatched away on Friday morning at Lokoja-Okene road while returning from Abuja.

    It was gathered that the families of APC chiefs offered to pay the abductors N10 million and they accepted.

    “In fact, our people are on their ways to Okene- Lokoja axis for a possible location of the abductors’ hideout with a view to pay the ransom and secure the release of our chairman and secretary,” a close aide of one of the victims said.

    Reacting to the development, Kwara state Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has decried the kidnap of the APC chiefs.

    The governor described the reported kidnap as atrocious, despicable and unfortunate.

    Governor Ahmed in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, urged security agencies in the country to ensure early rescue of the APC chiefs.

    The governor promised the readiness to render required assistance to security agencies to ensure both men regain their freedom.

    He urged anybody with useful information that could lead to the rescue of the men to avail security agencies such vital information.

     

  • Abductors demand N50m ransom for comedian’s wife

    The gunmen who abducted the wife of a popular stand-up comedian and politician, Mr Mike Ogbolosingha, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Sunday have demanded N50 million ransom.

    The Ogbolosinghas hail from Bayelsa State but have been residing in Eliparanwon, Port Harcourt, for some time.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Port Harcourt, Ogbolosingha said six gunmen stormed his home on Sunday and abducted his wife, Chime.

    He said the kidnappers also took some valuables from the house.

    Mike said at the time of this report, that the kidnappers had not established contact with him or any member of his family.

    While pleading with the abductors to release his wife unconditionally, he also said that he had alerted the Police of the incident.

    He said: “Six kidnappers came to my house. I was coming back from Bayelsa to Port Harcourt when I got a call that my wife had been kidnapped. They broke into my house, took away every valuable and still went with my wife.

    “I am begging for the release of my wife. The kidnappers have not called me or any member of the family since the incident on Sunday. They should please release my wife, I am begging those holding her.”

    Mike is also a former Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State when Dr Goodluck Jonathan was the Governor of the State.

    But the police could not confirm the story at the time of filing this report last night.

    A senior police officer, who did not want his name in print, said the command was aware of the incident and had begun investigation into the matter.

     

  • My abductors treated me well – Jonathan’s foster father

    My abductors treated me well – Jonathan’s foster father

    Chief Inegite Jonathan, 72, uncle and foster father to former president Goodluck Jonathan, said yesterday that  his abductors treated him ‘well’.

    “I was properly taken care of by the kidnappers. I ate three square meals daily, my drugs were administered on me appropriately by the boys,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Chief Jonathan was abducted by gunmen on February 17, after a previous kidnap.

    Jonathan’s foster father added that he was never blind folded, a privilege that was not accorded other kidnap victims.

    He said the kidnappers even directed other kidnapped victims to pay him homage as the only person that was untouchable in the camp.

    He said before they started treating him well, they argued between themselves from his house but on getting to the camp they resolved their issue.

    He was freed on March 23, after 35 days in captivity.

    However, the Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Mr Asinim Butswat, said details of the release were not available.

    Former president Jonathan had told the Police that he would not succumb to the demand for ransom.

    Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience, visited the chief shortly after his release.

  • Abductors of Edo Magistrate yet to demand ransom

    Kidnappers of a senior magistrate in Edo State simply identified as Hassana are yet to demand ransom payment.

    Hassana and two others were abducted on Tuesday along the Benin-Auchi express road while she was going to her station at Ehor, headquarters of Uhunmwode local government.

    Her police orderly whose name was given as Marcus was shot and is still receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

    Family sources of the Magistrate confirmed to reporters that the kidnappers were yet to contact the family.

    Meanwhile, police has intensified efforts to secure the release of the Magistrate.

  • Abductors demand N200m to free Lagos schoolgirls

    Abductors demand N200m to free Lagos schoolgirls

    The kidnappers of three girls from Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary (BMJS) have demanded N200 million ransom.

    Timilehin Olisa, Tofunmi Popoolaniyan and Deborah Akinayo, all SS2 students, were snatched away from their classroom at about 9:30pm on Monday during prep.

    Timilehin, it was learnt, is the daughter of Ven. Victor Ayo Olusa, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos Anglican School Management Board.

    The kidnappers, contacted the distraught father of one of the girls on Tuesday, demanding N200 million for the three girls, The Nation learnt.

    They were said to have got his telephone number from his daughter, and allegedly said their target was the school.

    It was learnt that the criminals’ first call to the man was ended abruptly and they called him again to pass on their message.

    This development was said to have provoked an emergency meeting between the school’s management, the victims’ anxious parents and security agencies, led by Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni, which lasted till the early hours of Wednesday.

    Three other meetings were held between 11am and 4:15pm with the school authorities and security agents.

    The Nation learnt that security agencies may have identified the abductors’ location. Teams of military personnel, the police and the Department of State Service (DSS) and the local vigilante group, known as Oyabo, have been deployed in the area.

    Parents and teachers have intensified prayers for the release of the girls. Lessons did not start yesterday until past 10am.

    All was normal on the premises, save for the heavy presence of security men around the administrative block and outside the school gate.

    Some parents who spoke on condition of anonymity blamed the management of the school for lack of adequate security.

    They said on various occasions, the management was advised to raise the fence at the School of Science and Technology, but the suggestion was ignored.

    But the school principal, Venerable Olaoluwa Adeyemi who looked very disturbed, vented his anger on reporters who he accused of sabotaging rescue efforts.

    Adeyemi, pressed by reporters to comment on the incident, said: “The girls have not been found till this moment and why do you want me to start addressing the press? Is that the only job we are going to do all day? People are busy searching for the girls while you are busy asking questions.

    “You cannot keep disturbing us here; all you need do is to join us in prayers. Honestly, you people are not helping matters. In fact, you’re adding to the problem by disturbing what people could have done at the right time.

    “The deputy governor was here and we recounted the whole issue in her presence and the press men asked various questions. Both the Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Commissioner of Police have addressed the press but for everybody to be coming here as if this place is a pilgrimage is not good enough.”

  • Abductors of Delta monarch demands N50m ransom

    Abductors of Delta monarch demands N50m ransom

    The abductors of the Odion-Ologbo, the traditional ruler of Olomoro Kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, have demanded N50 million ransom.

    King Josiah Umukoro, the Aghaza 1, was abducted last Friday by a gang of armed men as he arrived in his office at 7:30am.

    His abduction occurred less than a week after another monarch, Obi Akaeze Edward, Ofulue III, the king of Ubulu-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area, was kidnapped.

    Confirming the N50 million ransom, the spokesperson for Delta State Police Command, Celestina Kalu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), noted that although there had not been much lead on the matter, the kidnappers had contacted the family, demanding N50 million ransom.

    Kalu said: “There is no new lead yet on his whereabouts. But the kidnappers have reached the family, demanding N50 million ransom.”

    Also, the Urhobo Traditional Rulers Council has called for the unconditional release of the monarch.

    The council condemned the monarch’s abduction, describing it as an aberration.

    The Chairman of Urhobo Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Ovie Richard Layeguen Ogbon, Ogoni-Oghoro I, JP, the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, spoke yesterday with reporters.

    The 99-year-old monarch said: “It is an aberration for the kidnappers to abduct a monarch, a revered king. We, the Urhobo traditional rulers in Delta State, cannot take this…”

    “The abduction of the Olomoro is highly condemnable as we just lost the king of Ubulu-Uku through kidnap. It means our security, as traditional rulers, is not guaranteed in the state.

    “We demand the immediate and unconditional release of the Olomoro by his abductors. Whoever touches a king touches a representative of God’s authority.

    “We call on the security operatives to tighten security around the kings henceforth, as we have become a soft target. We call on the state government not to be tired in the war against criminality.

    “This kidnap of another king has left a bad taste in our mouths. We call on the abductors to release him unharmed; God will forgive them if they do so. The abductors should know that royalty is not what one toils with, as there are grave consequences in such act.”