The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abductors

  • My abductors tied my eyes for nine days – Businessman

    My abductors tied my eyes for nine days – Businessman

    A businessman, Mr. Chukwudi Obi, on Tuesday told an Enugu High Court that three suspects abducted him and tied his face with cloth for nine days.

    Narrating the incident, Obi said that the suspects followed him as he left a restaurant and dragged him into a vehicle and took him to an unknown place with a gun pointed at him.

    He said that they collected his valuables which included a wristwatch, a wedding ring, a chain and money and later covered his face.

    The victim said that they kept him in a room for nine days without food and water, adding that they tied his legs and hands and were slapping him with a cutlass as he screamed for help. Obi said that the suspects later demanded for N80 million ransom from his family but settled for N5 million after negotiations.

    He said that it was in the process of collecting the money that his elder brother identified one of the suspects while he identified another one through his voice.

    He said that the suspects took him in a car booth on the ninth day, handed him a naira note and dropped him in a bush where he managed to untie himself.

    Obi said that he crawled till he got to a road where a motorcyclist took him to Eke in Udi Local Government Area.

    The suspects, Ejike Ezenabo, Paul Okwudili and Chidi Okereke pleaded not guilty to the charges bothering on robbery and unlawful detention of the victim. Justice Catherine Nwobodo adjourned the matter till Feb. 29 for continuation of hearing.

     

  • CBN worker freed from abductors’ custody

    CBN worker freed from abductors’ custody

    Abductors have released Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) worker Nelson Amuwa after about one week in their custody.

    Amuwa was kidnapped by three gun-totting men on January 15 at about 10.30pm off Channels Avenue, River Bank Estate near OPIC Estate in Ogun State.

    The abductors hit his car with theirs, drawing him out before grabbing and driving away in their car. They later called his brother to demand N15 million ransom.

    He was let off by his abductors at the weekend after an undisclosed amount had been paid.

  • Abductors of CBN worker demand N15 million

    Abductors of a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) worker Nelson Amuwa have demanded a ransom of N15 million.

    Amuwa was kidnapped on Friday at about 10.30pm off Channels Avenue, River Bank Estate, near Opic Estate in Ogun State.

    The three gun-totting men forced Amuwa out of his car. They left the engine running. His two phones were not taken.

    The abductors later called his brother to demand N15 million ransom. The case, which  was reported at the Ojodu police station, is said to have been transferred to the Eleweran Police Headquarters in Abeokuta .

  • APC to PDP: look elsewhere for governor’s sister’s abductors

    APC to PDP: look elsewhere for governor’s sister’s abductors

    The Bayelsa State All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) allegation that it masterminded the abduction of Nancy Dickson, the younger sister to Governor Seriake Dickson, is the most stupid statement by anybody.

    In a statement by the Director of Media and Publicity of the Sylva/Igiri Campaign Organisation (SICO), Chief Nathan Egba, APC urged the PDP to look elsewhere for Nancy’s abductors.

    The statement sympathised with the Dickson’s family and condemned the kidnap of the 26-year-old woman.

    It condemned what it described as the irresponsible statement from the PDP campaign spokesman, Jonathan Obuebite.

  • Living in the fear of abductors

    SIR: Recently, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae was abducted and an alleged ransom of about N50 million was paid for his freedom from his abductors. Although two Fulani herdsmen were later arrested by the Department of States Security (DSS) officials in connection to the abduction; the trauma incurred on the person abducted as well as friends and families remains indelible that it would have been better avoided. Across the country, the nightmare on who the next victim could be thrives and makes one wonder if our security institutions are responsible in their obligation to protect the lives of the Nigerian citizens at large.

    Kidnapping has become endemic in our country today because it appears to be an alternative, quick and “cool” way to eke out a living next to oil vandalism. The rate of this inhumane activity is so high that even the wife of a journalist was deemed a prospective “victim”. Gone are the days when foreigners were the core targets; now, the elites are the focus while children and aged men and women are not left out.

    But a cursory look at this budding menace reveals that there is never a smoke without a fire. As our tertiary institutions religiously churn out thousands of graduates on a yearly basis; unemployment is paraded at its peak, and the survival of the fittest principle dares jobless youths to dance to the rhythm of crime and societal ills. The inability to secure good jobs coupled with mounting responsibilities has made many to resort to criminal activities which kidnapping is no exemption.

    Also, poverty is a propelling force that tempts people to find shelter in kidnapping. The mind-boggling ransoms prompts a tremendous leap in the abductors social strata. A consuming desire to escape poverty has eroded the cause of morality in sourcing for wealth.

    War must therefore be declared against this societal threat. The government must not relent in its efforts to the end. Anti-kidnapping agencies must be equipped with due training and intelligence. Also, payment of ransoms should be discouraged as obtained in other developed climes so as to serve as a deterrent to people in search for a criminal but lucrative source of income.

     

    • Modupe Elegushi,

    Lagos.

  • Abductors of Rivers teachers demand N25m ransom

    The abductors of two teachers, a labourer and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member from Rundele High School, Rundele, in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, have demanded N25 million for their release.

    The leaders of Agba-Ndele community yesterday confirmed the abductors’ demand for the ransom, which was reportedly made through the school’s deputy head Anthony Ovodo and a community leader, Chief Christian Iroanwuri.

    But Rundele residents, through the chairman of their Community Development Committee (CDC), Elder Ikechi Chimezie, said they could not afford such a huge amount of money, because of the current harsh economic reality.

    He urged the abductors to release their victims unconditionally, adding that none of them or community leaders had sufficient cash to pay the ransom.

    Some NYSC members told our reporter at the Batch “C” passing-out parade in Port Harcourt, the state capital, that the abduction of their colleagues in Rivers State was becoming too frequent.

    They called for the unconditional release of their colleague.

    A corps member and an Accountancy graduate, Emmanuel Baba, said: “I felt so sad when we heard about the kidnap (of our colleague). We were counting and jubilating when the news broke. We are praying to God and calling on the kidnappers to release our colleague unconditionally.”

    Another corps member and Mathematics graduate, Ononogbo Chibuike, said: “The government should provide tight security at corps members’ lodge. Sometimes, they post us to places where we cannot understand the security challenges.

    “I want to beg the government to assist in the rescue of the kidnapped corps member.”

  • Abductors of Rivers teachers demand N25million ransom

    The abductors of two teachers of Rundele High School including an NYSC member who was suppose to pass- out Thursday and the school labourer in Emohua Local government of Rivers State have demanded a whopping ransom of N25million for the four people under their custody.

    The leaders of Agba-Ndele Community Thursday confirmed the news of the ransom which they said was made through the Vice Principal of Rundele High School, Mr. Anthony Ovodo and Chief Christian Iroanwuri.

    But the community which spoke through the Chairman, Community Development Committee (CDC) Elder Ikechi Chimezie said the community cannot get such a huge amount of money considering the harsh economic condition of the people.

    He pleaded with the kidnappers to consider the plight of the victims and release them unconditionally, adding that none of the victims or community leaders has enough cash to pay such huge amount of ransom.

    Some of the NYSC members who spoke to The Nation Thursday during batch C passing-out parade in Port Harcourt said the issue of abduction of corps members serving in Rivers State is becoming alarming. They however demanded for unconditional release of their colleague.

    A corps member, Emmanuel Baba, Accounting graduate said, “I felt so sad when we heard about the news of his kidnap. We were doing counting and everybody was jubilating when the news broke. We are praying to God and calling on the kidnappers to release our colleague unconditionally.”

    Another corps member, Ononogbo Chibuike, a Mathematics graduate said, “The government should provide adequate security in all the corpers’ lodge. Sometimes they post us to places where we cannot understand their security challenges. I want to beg the government to assist in the release of the kidnapped corps member.

    But Nigerian Democratic Awareness Forum, a non- governmental organization in the state said the NYSC state Secretariat has not show any seriousness in creating awareness about the kidnapped corps member.

    The leader of the group, Comrade Prince Obiajunwo Dike stated this while reacting on the abduction the corps member.

    He accused the NYSC state Director of showing lackadaisical attitude over what he described as a serious matter.

    “We are not happy over the nonchalant attitude of the NYSC state directorate; they have done nothing to create awareness to the public or the government for the freedom of the corps member serving in Rivers State. We will not take it for granted if by this weekend NYSC fails to show a serious concern.”

  • DSS presents suspected abductors of Falae

    DSS presents suspected abductors of Falae

    The Department of State Service (DSS) on Monday presented two suspected abductors of Chief Olu Falae, a former presidential aspirant, to newsmen in Abuja.

    It would be recalled that Falae, who was also a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Minister of Finance, was abducted at his farm at Ilado village, Akure, Ondo state on Sept. 21 by armed men and released days later.

    Presenting the suspects, Mr Abdullahi Garba, an operative of the service, said that the suspects were arrested on Oct. 5 at J. Zebra hotel in Lokoja.

    He said that the abductors’ action was not targeted at Falae as a statesman and prominent Yoruba leader, adding that they were mere criminals.

    Garba enjoined Nigerians to shun attempts by mischief makers to give the incident an ethnic coloration to cause disaffection among the populace.

    “To this effect, this service wishes to appeal to all Nigerians to be law-abiding and responsible in their commentary on sensitive issues affecting national security.”

    He warned that the service would not hesitate to deal with anybody, no matter how highly placed, in accordance with the law.

    Garba stressed that efforts were being intensified to ensure that all those involved in the criminal act were brought to justice.

    The suspects, who admitted committing the crime, said that they carried it out in conjunction with one Dantijo, who ran away with the N5 million ransom paid to secure his freedom.

  • Police arrest Falae’s suspected abductors

    Police arrest Falae’s suspected abductors

    Five of the suspected abductors of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, have been arrested.

    Falae was kidnapped on his farm, three weeks ago, at Ilado Village in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

    The elder statesman was released four days later.

    Family sources confirmed that three of the hoodlums were arrested in Niger State last Sunday; two others were picked up at the weekend.

    It was gathered that the suspects are in the custody of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the State Police Command, Akure, the state capital.

    Policemen are still on the trail of the other fleeing suspects.

    A source said: “Five of them were arrested, three in Niger State on Sunday. Two others were arrested somewhere I cannot say for now but the suspects are in SARS custody.

    “The police are still searching for the other seven suspects and I am sure they too will be arrested very soon.”

    Police spokesman Femi Joseph said the kidnap of the former Minister of Finance was being handled by the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase.

    He said: “I don’t know anything about the issue again; it is the IG who has taken over the issue because it is a national issue.

    “He is likely to brief the press about the development today.”

  • Falae: abductors vowed to grab me again if I talk

    Falae: abductors vowed to grab me again if I talk

    ‘I was let go day after ransom
    was collected’

    A former Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, said yesterday that he paid ransom to his abductors before his release last week.

    He provided shocking details of how he was starved, made to trek kilometres and forced to sleep on leaves while it rained.

    The former presidential candidate said he was kidnapped on his birthday by six Fulani herdsmen last Monday at his Ilado farm on the outskirts of Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    Speaking to reporters at his home in Akure, Falae said the armed hoodlums threatened to kill him every 30 minutes, until they received information that the ransom had been paid. He did not state how much was paid to the abductors, who initially asked for N100 million, which they reduced to N90 million. A family member said they could raise only N2 million.

    Falae, 77, said: “There were six of them with three or four guns and every half an hour or so they will say, ‘Baba we are going to kill you, if you don’t give us money we are going to kill you.

    “On Wednesday, one of them said we are leaving here on Thursday morning. Since we cannot leave you here alone, if we don’t get what we want we are going to kill you.

    “And they said they gave me until 3pm. I thank God that at 21 minutes before 3pm, one of them came and said ‘the money don complete’.”

    Reliving his ordeal, he said: “When the hoodlums came, they slashed me with their cutlasses, they said I was not cooperating. And they dragged me barefooted into the bush.

    “After dragging me around for about two hours, they stopped somewhere for us to rest and there they asked me to phone my wife and tell her that I have been kidnapped and taken out of Ondo State, which was a lie.

    “About 2.30pm on Monday, we started walking with very few stops until 2am the following morning. I guess I must have covered a minimum of 15 kilometers.

    “That morning, I did not take anything. So all day, I had no food, no water and I walked close to 15km. How I survived I cannot really remember. I had no food in my stomach, I had no shoes, my clothes were torn.

    “At a point, one of them gave me a pair of slippers. Later, they called for a motorcycle. The motorcyclist took me away. I had no clue where we were going. Finally, they dumped me somewhere, where I was, until I was released on Thursday.

    “In that place, we all slept on leaves. Unfortunately, it rained in the night and I was drenched. One of them brought a small umbrella to cover my head, but the rest of my body was not.

    “They offered me bread, but I told them I could not eat it. I demanded for a bottle of coke, which was what I drank every day to have energy and to continue with the march, because we were always moving.

    “They were changing locations two to three times a day. I suspect it was to prevent the police from tracing them.”

    The ex-finance minister said although the confirmation of the payment of ransom was made on Wednesday afternoon, he was not allowed to go until Thursday morning.

    “So the following morning, they said I should go. One of them took ropes to stitch my buba, which was tattered.

    “So when I came out of the bush, I found a motorcyclist, who gave me a lift to Owo.

    “The place was about 10km from Owo town. The place was between Owo and Ifon. And I walked to that place. I guess we must have trekked about 25km.

    “Miraculously, I was not tired, I was not hungry and I was not afraid of them at all. Each time they said, ‘Baba we will kill you,’ I will tell them, ‘no, insha Allah, you will not kill me’.

    “I did not break down, but I want to tell you that when I got back home I became completely exhausted.

    “But I am now 80 per cent fit and I know in the next few days I will be 100 per cent again.”

    The 77-year-old warned that such attack should not be allowed to happen again as it could result to even graver consequences.

    “It is not because of me. As for me, I am a very humble person, but by virtue of what God has made me and the status He has given me, it is an insult to our race that a man like me could be abducted by a bunch of hoodlums.”

    He added: “By the way, one of them told me ‘Baba, if after you leave us you talk nonsense I will come and catch you again’. That is the kind of insult I received.”

    Asked if the kidnappers were illiterates, Falae replied: “Only two of them could speak some English. They were between 25 and 35. They were Fulani but they spoke Hausa.”

    Falae said it was likely his ordeal was closely connected to his conflict with Fulani herdsmen, who consistently grazed on his farm.

    “The cattle rearers have been giving me a hard time for the past two or three years. Because I have a dam on the farm, so they like to bring their cattle there to drink water, then they eat my crops.

    “This time they ate up my maize farm. We took pictures, and it was videoed, the police went there. They were asked to pay compensation, they begged and paid half and we accepted it.

    “That was about two months ago. Whether it was one of them who went to bring his brothers to come and deal ‘with this wicked man’, I don’t know. It is plausible.

    “My view is that this is my home. I have not gone to farm on anyone’s territory. This is my home where I was born. I have every right to farm here and live in peace here. So, this is totally unacceptable.

    “I once told the commissioner of police that if he cannot protect us and protect my farm, then I will protect myself. There will be self-help, if government fails to protect its citizens.

    “It would have been unfortunate if that were to happen. The IG met me and assured me that they will give us protection.

    “I hope that we  in Ondo State and in Yoruba land would consult to ensure that we enhance our protection. We cannot be slaves in our own territory.”

    The former SGF said he was not surprised that the police could not trace and arrest the kidnappers because of the manner of their movement and operation.

    “These fellows were permanently on the move. Day and night they were walking. Through farm lands, through water, through swamps…they were scared, they knew they could be traced with GPS, that was why they were running around all the time.

    “I was not surprised at all that the police could not trace them before they decided to let me go.”