The Nation Newspaper

Tag: arrested

  • Ex-Zamfara Gov, Sani, arrested, released in Kaduna

    Ex-Zamfara Gov, Sani, arrested, released in Kaduna

    Police quiz him over APC comments

    Former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Ahmed Sani, was yesterday arrested by the police in Kaduna and detained for four hours for allegedly making an inciting statement on a Radio Nigeria Hausa phone-in programme, Hanu Dayawa.

    The lawmaker had said leaders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) will stage a peaceful demonstration at the Eagle Square in Abuja if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) refused to register the party.

    However, the State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Adenaike denied that the senator was arrested. He said he was merely invited to clarify a statement he made on radio.

    He accused journalists of “blowing nothing out of proportion.”

    He said “If you put yourself in my shoes, you are the commissioner of police of a state, and you start getting calls from concerned citizens of the state that somebody has made an inciting statement on the radio, will you go to burukutu (local brew) joint and start drinking? You have to make a move.

    “All I did was to go the radio house. And I met the distinguished Senator and I said, ‘Please, I want to know what you said.’ He said, ‘No problem, let me finish.’ And I will come with you to the office. This is what has transpired. And I am surprised that people are saying many things. ‘CP has arrested him,’ that CP has orders from Abuja. The distinguished senator is not under arrest. The Senator is not under arrest!

    “All we did was to find out what he said. And he said they were going to go on a peaceful demonstration. And I said, define what you mean by peaceful demonstration, considering that Kaduna State is a volatile state.

    “I don’t what anything to happen in my domain. Am completely satisfied with what he has said. And he is free to go. There was no directive from anywhere. We were doing things on our own”.

    The former Senator who was apparently released to the Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly save newsmen copies of his release however made his statement to the police.

    The statement reads in parts: “Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Kaduna invited me for a phone-in programme which took place today (9th March 2013) at 10am and ended at 12pm.

    “I was asked if there is any move not to register our new party, the APC, what can we do? And my response was that if we met all legal requirements and INEC refused to register us, we shall embark on peaceful protest to INEC until we are registered. Then, the moderator asked me what I meant by peaceful protest? I responded by saying just like it happened in Egypt.

    “We can go to Eagle Square together with Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau and others to mobilize people without using any weapon for a peaceful protest until our party is registered.

    “The police asked me, assuming our peaceful protest is not yielding the desired result, what do we do next? And my answer to the question was that, we are practising democracy in Nigeria. If the president of Egypt can yield to the pressure of his people in a peaceful protest, I am sure that with the integrity of Prof. Jega that I know personally, he will yield to the people’s pressure and make sure so long as we met the requirements, we are registered.

    “The police further asked that, knowing the security situation in Kaduna and that being a PDP state, don’t I think that some people may read meaning to it or try to make mischief? My answer to this question is that , we are talking of registration of a political party and the process has not even been completed and there is no attempt by INEC because we have not even applied for registration.

    “However, I am surprised to be invited by the police because the programme was carried live and as a former governor and Chief Security Officer of Zamfara State, a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I will never call for violence, never participate in violence and never support violence in Nigeria, my dear country.

    “For the eight years I served in Zamfara State as governor, even with the implementation of Sharia, there was never violence between Muslims and Christians because of my firm belief in peaceful coexistence. So, whoever called the CP from Abuja is the one trying to be mischevous and cause crisis in Nigeria”.

  • ‘Prophet’ arrested with human parts

    A ‘prophet’ with the Star Glory Church has been arrested with an accomplice for allegedly being in possession of fresh human parts.

    They were arrested by policemen from Ikotun Police Station with the parts which were concealed inside a bag.

    The policemen were on patrol around the area on Saturday when they accosted two men carrying a Ghana must go bag and a polythene bag dripping with blood.

    The policemen were said to have requested to know the content of the bag, but instead of showing them, one of the suspects suddenly took to his heels.

    Police sources disclosed that the suspect’s action aroused suspicion. The police therefore insisted on knowing what was inside the bag.

    It was learnt that reluctantly, the remaining suspect opened the bag and the content shocked all those who were around. It was filled with fresh human parts and two blood-filled plastic containers.

    In the bag were five human fingers, heart, liver, kidney and intestines, all concealed inside a plastic filled with water.

    The various parts were tied in separate polythene bags which were all put inside the Ghana must go bag.

    The arrested suspect, Kunle Olaide, claimed that the bag was given to him by his friend who escaped.

    Olaide and his fleeing partner, slept in a church the previous night.

    He said he was coming from the church in Egbe area of the state when they were accosted.

    Olaide’s confessional statement later led to the arrest of the church’s prophet.

    The suspects are being detained at the homicide section of the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Yaba.

  • 10 RSUST ASUU members arrested

    Ten members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) in Port Harcourt were yesterday detained at the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

    The ASUU members, who had been on strike since August 13 last year, were meeting at RSUST’s Engineering Drawing Room (EDR), when policemen from the Mile Three Police Station swooped on them.

    The lecturers are protesting the reappointment of Prof. Barineme Fakae as Vice-Chancellor.

    RSUST’s ASUU Chairman Dr. Felix Igwe yesterday in a telephone interview decried the arrest.

    Igwe said RSUST’s law on the appointment and reappointment of a VC must be adhered to.

    The ASUU Chairman said the lecturers would continue with the strike, until Governor Rotimi Amaechi reverses Fakae’s reappointment.

    The VC was accused of masterminding the arrest, but he denied the allegation.

    Fakae, who spoke through RSUST’s spokesman Des Wosu, pleaded with the striking lecturers to return to work.

    He said 85 per cent of lecturers have started teaching.

    Police spokesman Ben Ugwuegbulam said the lecturers have been released.

    Ugwuegbulam said: “The RSUST’s lecturers were conducting themselves in a disorderly manner and they were about being attacked by the students.

    “So, we had to take them to protective custody, to avoid another Aluu incident.

    “Mile Three police station is directly opposite RSUST’s main gate.

    “If the lecturers were asked to stay at the station, the students might still mobilise to attack them.

    “We put in our best to save them from danger.”

    The ASUU chairman, however, maintained that the lecturers never conducted themselves in a disorderly manner.

    He said the lecturers have been released but were asked to report at the commissioner’s office today.

  • 10 suspected pipelines, cables vandals arrested

    The Plateau Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 10 suspected NITEL cables and petroleum pipelines’ vandals.

    The arrest followed a water- tight security mounted around the facilities in the state.

    The Commandant of NSCDC, Mr. Vincent Bature, who spoke at the weekend in Jos, said: “The suspects were arrested at Dengi in Kanam Local Government and Gurun in Bassa Local Government.

    “Eight were caught vandalising NITEL cables and two were arrested scooping oil from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipelines in Bassa, Jos.”

    Among those arrested was a woman, who served as a marketer of copper wires.

    Bature said the suspects would soon be arraigned, adding that the command had set up a task force comprising 60 military and paramilitary personnel to guard the pipelines.

    Said he: “We have identified 50 flash points where vandals scoop fuel. The task force will guard the points to enable the NNPC begin the pumping of fuel through the pipelines without any hitch.”

    The NSCDC Commandant urged community leaders to caution their people, especially the youth, to desist from vandalising government’s property.

  • STF: we’ve arrested Dantong’s suspected killers

    The Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crises, code named Operation Safe Haven, has arrested the suspected killers of the late Senator Gyang Dantong, James Gyang Fulani and 65 others who died during gun attacks in Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Ggovernment Areas of Plateau State last July.

    The late Dantong was the senator representing Plateau North. The late Fulani represented Barkin Ladi Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly.

    They were killed during a mass burial for 65 victims killed in Mase, Riyom Local Government.

    The STF had been on the trail of the killers.

    Addressing reporters at the STF headquarters in Jos yesterday, STF spokesman Capt Salisu Mustapha said: “On July 7, 2012, some gunmen carried out coordinated attacks on some villages in Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State. These led to loss of lives and properties. The incident precipitated a lot of rumours as regards the number of casualties and the extent of damage.

    “In a swift reaction, the STF conducted series of operations in the areas. Several arrests were made and arms were recovered.

    “The weapons recovered include three AK-47 rifles, 14 locally made pistols, a sub-machine gun, six locally made shotguns, a locally made single barrel long gun and 516 live rounds of 7.62mm NATO firearm.

    “Other weapons recovered are 534 live rounds of 7.62mm (SP), 170 live cartridges, four AK-47 magazines, seven locally made magazines, a Browning pistol magazines, expended cartridges, an empty Bondalier, four spears, 22 arrows, a sword, a dagger and three cutlasses.

    “Following the operation carried out to apprehend the perpetrators of the attacks, new strategies were introduced to enhance the operational capabilities of the STF troops with a view to enhancing security in Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Governments. This led to the arrest of 21 suspects. Some other arrests were made by the operatives of the Nigerian Police and other security agencies.

    “After preliminary investigations by the STF, three of the 21 suspects arrested by the STF were handed over to the Plateau State Police Command while one other was handed over to State Security Service (SSS) for further action. The remaining 16 suspects arrested by the STF are on open arrest while investigation to ascertain their level of involvement is still ongoing.

    “In the meantime, the three suspects, who were handed over to the police by STF, are currently undergoing trials at the Plateau State High Court in Barkin Ladi. Also, two others arrested in separate operations by the police are equally being tried at the same court.

    “Meanwhile, the suspect we handed over to the State Director of the SSS has equally been charged to court. The suspects were arrested at Botto village in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State following intelligence report…”

  • Five suspected vandals arrested

    Five persons suspected to be involved in vandalising pipelines in Orhionmwon Local Government of Edo State have been arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    They were arrested when men of the NSCDC carried out a raid on a warehouse at Abudu, headquarters of Orhionmwon local council.

    NSCDC State Commandant Chike Ikpeamu said yesterday that over 5,000 litres of petroleum products found at the warehouse were destroyed.

    Chike said a power generating set and an additional 1,000 litres of petroleum products were recovered.

    He said the suspects fled on sighting his men but that five were arrested.

     

  • Okonjo-Iweala’s mother: 63 arrested in military raid

    Okonjo-Iweala’s mother: 63 arrested in military raid

    WITH 63 suspects arrested yesterday by the military, the battle to free Prof. Kamene Okonjo, the kidnapped 82-year-old mother of Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is getting more serious.

    Two policemen had earlier been arrested. Besides, a man was picked up immediately after Mrs Okonjo’s abduction on Sunday in her home in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State.

    Delta Police Commissioner Ikechukwu Aduba said yesterday that “insider collaboration” was suspected in the crime.

    “Yesterday, the Four Brigade raided Ogwashi-Ukwu in search of Mama” army spokeswoman Roseline Managbe told Reuters.

    “Those arrested are being questioned,” she added.

    Managbe confirmed that two Lebanese men working for the construction company, Setraco, were abducted on Tuesday in Delta State by gunmen who killed a soldier protecting them.

    “It could be my turn tomorrow,” said Tony Agwu, who lives near Okonjo’s house.

    “It’s a terrible situation down here. The security agents in the Delta are compromised,” he added, voicing the widely held view that security forces are often complicit.

    December is believed to be the most dangerous month for kidnapping when criminals need money to buy Christmas presents.

    “Everybody else learned that you don’t pick the most high profile. It’s not worth it. This might not end well for them,” Agwu said.

    A security source in Delta State said Mrs. Okonjo was involved in local politics and snatching her may have been a scare tactic.

    Delta police chief Aduba said as a result of suspected insider collaboration, investigation is being extended to members of the victim’s family, including palace guards.

    Aduba said the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ogwashi-Uku, will also be investigated for any obvious lapses.

    He expressed regret at the kidnap, saying the police and other security agencies have been fully mobilised to ensure her early release.

    Aduba, who spoke to reporters in Asaba, the state capital, said the SARS team, acting on a tip-off, arrested three suspects after they were trailed to a black spot within the metropolis.

    He identified the suspects as Uchenna Ugo, John Adaeze and Samson Okoro.

    Items recovered are one locally made revolver pistol and 17 rounds of live ammunition.

    According to Aduba, efforts are on to identify the intended target and arrest other gang members.

    He said operatives arrested two suspects with explosives in a mission to blow up Otorogu Gas Plant, Ughelli South Local Government.

    Aduba said two suspects, John Orere and Godwin Anoke, were arrested.

    The police boss said an 11-man gang dispossessed Ejakpaghene Baron of his belongings worth N1.643, 500 million, including a laptop valued at N103, 000 and a Honda Accord car valued at N1.3 million and N280,000.

    Other items include a handset worth N50, 000, a neck chain valued at N7, 000 and a wrist watch.

    He said the police acting on a tip-off in collaboration with the local vigilance group arrested five suspects, Peter Idowu, Apkomedaye Emmanuel, Eriga Omovoro, Nyariviro Osio and Isaac Okpogbodu.

    Also a former Vice-Chairman of Okpe Local Government of Delta State, John Ikwarsi has been kidnapped in Adeje, Warri/Sapele Road, Okpe Local Government.

    The kidnap suspects were said to have demanded N4 million.

    The family could not be reached for comments.

    A prominent Warri, Delta State lawyer, Mr. Casely Omon-Irabor, was yesterday arrested in connection with a kidnap case.

    Omon-Irabor, who is the coordinator of Human Rights Defenders, was picked up in Warri barely 24 hours after he facilitated the surrender of over 100 former members of the late John Togo-led Niger Delta Liberation Force.

    Police sources said he was arrested while attempting to bribe the police with N700,000 to facilitate the release of a kidnap suspect.

    Police Public Relations Officer in the state command, Mr. Charles Muka, hinted that the lawyer’s arrest was in connection with high profile kidnapping cases. It was not clear if he was specifically linked with Prof Okonjo’s kidnap.

    Muka, who spoke to newsmen on telephone, said: “Yes we have him (Omon-Irabor) in custody. He was negotiating for the release of a kidnap suspect. He wanted to bribe a policeman to release the suspect so the policeman played along with him and he took the money N700, 000 cash alongside with the family members of the suspect to the house of the policeman. So, that was why he was arrested and he is being interrogated.”

    “Moreso, he said he knows 30 percent of kidnappers in the state and he would continue to defend them,” the police spokesperson added.

    Attempts to speak with the lawyer last night were unsuccessful as his mobile phone was switched off.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • 10 arrested over abduction of Rotimi’s wife  

    10 arrested over abduction of Rotimi’s wife  

    THE Oyo State Police Command yesterday intensified its search for the abductors of Mrs Titilayo Rotimi, wife of the former military governor of the defunct Western State, Gen Oluwole Rotimi (rtd).

    It arrested 10 suspects, believed to be employees of Messrs AOP Logistics Limited

    Mrs Rotimi was kidnapped at about 6:30 pm on Monday by some gunmen at her AOP Logistics Limited, located at Alakia, on the Ibadan-Ife Expressway. She is the Managing Director of the logistic firm servicing Nigerian Breweries PLC. The firm has been operating in Ibadan for nine years.

    Among those arrested are the firm’s General Manager (GM), Mr Omini Ikpi, Chief Security Officer (CSO), Mr Usman Illiasu, three security men and five others.

    The development has created panic amongst the company’s workforce.

    When The Nation visited the haulage firm yesterday, the few remaining workers at the firm were apprehensive on the suspision of being hunted by the police.

    The police narrated how the GM and their other colleagues were arrested and taken to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

    They explained that other drivers arriving from tours have been parking their trailers without anyone able to load and transact business.

    The situation has crippled business activities in the firm while workers tactically flee to avoid being arrested.

    Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mr Ayodele Lanade confirmed the arrest.

    He said five people were arrested yesterday in addition to five suspects arrested on Tuesday.

    According to him, the suspects have being undergoing interrogation at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), even as the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) was undertaking internal investigation of the case.

    The PPRO added that security has been fortified in her house and office with regular patrols of police vehicles in the two locations.

    Lanade said: “As we speak, we have arrested a total number of 10 persons. Five of them were arrested on Dec 11, while the other five were arrested on Wednesday.

    “I can assure you that serious investigations are going on by both the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).”

    When asked if any member of staff of the victim was among those arrested, Lanade said that such information could not be presently divulged.

    “I cannot tell you all that you may wish to know in order not to impede ongoing investigation.”

    The victim was kidnapped around 6:30 pm on Monday in front of her husband’s company, AOK Logistics Limited, located on Old Ife Road in Ibadan.

    She was said to have been abducted by four armed men while she was leaving her office at the close of work.

    The incident was reported at Egbeda Police Station. The case was transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

    Lanade said the victim was driving away in her black Mercedes Benz car when she was accosted.

    “According to the reports we gathered, two security men attached to her company removed the barricade on the gate for her car to drive out of the office complex.

    “In the process, two armed men approached and ordered the driver to stop the car at gun point.

    “A green Nissan Primera suddenly reversed and blocked her car while she was ordered to get into the Nissan car.

    “ The manner of abduction was strange when compared to similar cases of kidnapping.

    “We found out that there is a rift between the woman and her workers over three months salary which led to agitation by the aggrieved workers,’’ he said.

  • Okonjo-Iweala’s mother: Two policemen arrested

    Okonjo-Iweala’s mother: Two policemen arrested

    Family, Mark plead for minister’s mum’s release

    Two policemen have been arrested for the abduction of Prof. Kamene Okonjo, Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s mother, Delta police chief Ikechukwu Aduba said yesterday.

    Besides, the abductors are said to have contacted the family. Details of the conversation with the family remained unknown last night.

    The family made an emotional appeal to the kidnappers to free Mrs. Okonjo, saying the 82-year-old grandmother was frail in health.

    Mrs Okonjo was abducted on Sunday from her home in Ogwuachi-Uku, Delta State.

    The police had earlier arrested a suspect, who had just left the palace when the hoodlums stormed the place and kidnapped Mrs. Okonjo.

    Aduba said: “We are not aware of any ransom and we will never support the payment of ransom”.

    “For those who believe in the force, we have always rescued their victims unhurt without the payment of ransom. A case in point is the son of the SSG who was rescued without ransom and several other cases.

    “We cannot cover up anybody; investigations were carried out and the two police officers who were supposed to be on duty are now in detention,’’ he said.

    Aduba said that there were usually insiders in every kidnapping and bank robbery, among others.

    He said the police had strengthened its artillery, which led to the arrest of 20 armed kidnapers in the past few days.

    “For me, we have been doing our best, the state criminal investigation and the State Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) have been able to round up 20 kidnappers of four separate gang.

    “We rescued some victims yesterday at Akukwu-Igbo in Oshimili North Local Government Area.

    “Also Thursday last week, we intercepted a gang of kidnappers that were heading toward Ogwashi-Uku and we recovered their guns.

    “There is a 24-hour patrol in this state and within five minutes of getting distress a call we are there, the kidnap of the Queen is an unfortunate incident,’’ Aduba said.

    The commissioner reiterated that those with “hostage value’’ should be very careful and watch their backs.

    He advised them to endeavour to report any suspicious movement around them.

    He said that security was the responsibility of all, not only for the police force.

    “Around lunch time on Sunday, some gunmen came to the compound and forced the gate open and took my mother away. The family is upset and traumatised,” the minister’s younger brother, Onyema Okonjo, told Reuters at the house.

    “To abduct a grandmother more than 80 years old is sad. We appeal to them to release her as soon as possible because her health condition is not good,” Onyema added.

    Senate President David Mark yesterday urged the abductors to release Mrs. Okonjo.

    In a passionate appeal, Mark urged them to honour the time-tested biblical injunction that “we should honour our parents and, by extension, those who are old enough to be our parents”.

    In a statement by his Media Adviser Kola Ologbodiyan, Mark said abduction of any Nigerian is condemnable, adding that the abduction is an attack on Nigeria’s international reputation.

    Urging the police to ensure the safe release of Mrs. Okonjo, the Senate President said the abductors should be brought to book. “Abductions are causing the nation’s reputation grave harm in the comity of nations,” he said.

    Minister of Police Affairs Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd) has instructed Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar to deploy Special Police Officers from the Force headquarters, Abuja to assist in locating and freeing Prof. Okonjo from her captors.

    Speaking at the opening of a two-day workshop on ‘Budgeting for Effective Policing in Nigeria ’, the minister said: “It is a very disturbing issue. In unraveling this matter, the police must take into cognizance that we have a role to let others know that such incidents will be given equal treatment. It could have been the mother of anybody’.

    “Already, the IGP has deployed his men and they are working round the clock on the issue. The IG is on top of the situation. However, I have instructed the IGP to deploy specialist officers from Abuja if need be, to help in fishing out the culprits”.

    The palace of the Obi of Ogwuashi-Uku has been surrounded by policemen since the abduction on Sunday.

    Police said someone purporting to be one of the kidnappers phoned on Monday to make some demands, but it was impossible to say whether the call was genuine.

    “We have to identify the source of the call … Anybody can make spurious calls and demands,” said Delta State police spokesman Sergie Ezegam, without giving details of who was contacted or what was demanded.

    “We still don’t know the reason for her abduction. What we know is that this is a crime, the woman’s life is in danger and we are making frantic efforts to rescue her,” he added.

    Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has received threats in the past, her special adviser Paul Nwabuikwu said on Sunday.

    Security operatives have continued to lay a siege to Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State where the Queen Mother of the kingdom was kidnapped.

    Security operatives were all over the palace yesterday. Residents in the neighbourhood were restless.

     

  • Okonjo-Iweala’s mum’s kidnap: Suspect arrested

    Okonjo-Iweala’s mum’s kidnap: Suspect arrested

    SECURITY agents were battling all yesterday to find the unknown gunmen who kidnapped Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s mother.

    Prof. Kamene Okonjo, 82, was kidnapped by eight gunmen who stormed the Ogbe-Ofu palace of the traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku in Delta State in two cars shortly before 2pm.

    The octogenarian Professor of Medicine is the wife of the traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku, Prof Chukwuka Aninshi Okonjo, who was not in town at the time of the incident.

    Delta State police spokesman Charles Muka said: “Yes, we have got the information on the kidnap. We also have information that will lead to the arrest of the hoodlums.”

    The minister confirmed the kidnapping of her mother. A statement last night by her Special Adviser Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, entitled: “Abduction of Prof. (Mrs) Okonjo” said: “Earlier today, Professor (Mrs) Kamene Okonjo, wife of Professor Chukuka Okonjo, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku and mother of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was abducted from her home in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State.

    “At this point, it is difficult to say whether those behind this action are the same people who have made threats against the Coordinating Minister in the recent past or other elements with hostile motives.

    “No possibility can be ruled out at this point.

    “This is obviously a very difficult time for the entire Okonjo family. But the family is hopeful of a positive outcome as it fervently prays for the quick and safe return of the matriarch.”

    The police said it had arrested a man who allegedly left the compound a few minutes before the incident took place.

    The man was said to have informed the housemaid that he was in the palace to take the queen mother somewhere in the town.

    It was gathered that the kidnappers, numbering about 10, were lurking around the palace, until the woman and her maid came down to serve workers at the gate soft drinks.

    An eye witness account said as soon as she came down from the main building towards the gate, the criminals moved in from the gate, grabbed her and pushed her into a waiting Golf Volkswagen car.

    “The abductors were heavily armed. They were about 10. They held up the men fixing the interlocking tiles and asked them to lie face down. Immediately they saw her, they bundled her into the waiting Golf car. Another car was parked outside,” the witness said.

    One of them went upstairs to collect the octogenarian’s handbag. The eyewitness said another maid, who saw the kidnappers upstairs, hid herself in the Kitchen.

    The suspected kidnapper informed his accomplices that there was no one else in the house. They zoomed off with Mrs Okonjo.

    At the palace yesterday, the atmosphere was gloomy. Sympathisers, including members of the community’s vigilance group, were discussing the development.