The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gunmen kidnap

  • JUST IN: Gunmen kidnap four in Abuja community, injure others

    JUST IN: Gunmen kidnap four in Abuja community, injure others

    Residents of Dakwa, DeiDei a community along the Zuba, Suleja road in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja were thrown into confusion and fear when gunmen invaded the area between 12 and 1:30 am on Sunday, resulting in the kidnapping of four people and leaving many others injured.

    An eyewitness, Moses Chukwuma told our correspondent that the suspected bandits launched their operation from the Rufaida area in Dakwa, moving towards a popular filling station known as ‘Buy filling Station’ and down to Hasmos School.

    He said the incursion sparked a serious gun battle between the vigilantes and the bandits, culminating in the abduction of four individuals.

    Cukwuma said: “As I speak at 9 am this Sunday morning, there is a significant military presence and other senior police officers in Dakwa, assessing what happened during the night,” the eyewitness reported.

    “We did our best to alert the necessary security forces, but all efforts could not prevent the kidnappings”.

    A resident, who pleaded anonymity while recounting hearing intense gunfire, said she was too frightened to leave her home.

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    She noted that the gun battle lasted for nearly 30 minutes.

    Another resident, Bala Usman, who also spoke confirmed the incident and appealed to the government to enhance security measures to protect the lives and property of residents of the community.

    He urged his fellow residents to maintain communication with security authorities when necessary, adding that constant patrol of security operatives especially the police is highly recommended to forestall further attack.

    All efforts to get the reaction of the FCT police command were futile as calls and messages put across to the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josphine Adeh were not responded to.

    Residents of the area are still in fear over the sad incident.

  • Gunmen kidnap six Osun College of Tech workers

    Gunmen on Tuesday evening kidnapped six workers of the Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke.

    The Nation learnt that during the kidnap, the hoodlums killed one of the victims, while one later regained freedom.

    The search for the four others has begun.

    It was gathered that the victims were ambushed on their way home after work at a spot called Eti-Oni, near Agric and Onibonje area, along Ijebu-Jesa Road.

    The deceased, a non-academic worker, Emmanuel Olaniyi, was shot dead by the abductors when he attempted to escape.

    The institution, in a statement yesterday by its spokesperson, Wale Oyekanmi, listed the kidnapped victims as Mr. Olaleye Olalekan (Business Administration Department),  Adeyeoluwa Bankole (Head of Civil Engineering department), Dr. Jesuola Ajibola (Director, OSCOTECH Ventures), Adenreti Chukwu (Secretary of Civil Engineering department), Rachael Onyinocha Akinboboye (OSCOTECH Microfinance Bank) and a yet to be identified worker.

    In a phone interview, Police Commissioner Mr. Fimihan Adeoye said officers and men had been deployed in the area to rescue the remaining victims.

    The Nation learnt that the gunmen had called the institution for ransom, which was not disclosed for security reason.

  • Again, gunmen kidnap 23 travellers on  Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna road

    Bandits, operating in Birnin-Gwari axis of Kaduna State yesterday kidnapped 23 travellers including a nursing mother.

    Five vehicles were raided by the marauders, according to a commercial driver, Mohamed Kebi, who escaped from the scene of the kidnapping.

    Kebi said: “At least five vehicles were intercepted by  the  kidnappers along Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna road around 11.00am this morning  (yesterday).

    ”At least 23 people were kidnapped, including a nursing mother and one other kid. “The incident occurred at Kwanar-tsauni between Udawa and Labi.”

    He said that though security along the Funtua road has improved lately, “we want the government to also provide maximum security to other routes that are haven of kidnappers.”

  • Gunmen kidnap 64-year-old Bayelsa monarch’s brother

    A 64-year-old former employee of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Mr Mozilla Agara, has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen. Agara is the younger brother to the paramount ruler of Kolokuma Kingdom, King Mozi Anya Agara, in Koklokuma/ Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    It was learnt that the gunmen, numbering five, disguised as respectable politicians to carry out their criminal act. They were said to have stormed the residence of their victim at Olobiri and later whisked him away to an unknown place.

    A close relation of the victim who confirmed the incident, Amaran Suoyo, said the victim’s vehicle was later recovered at the Odi area of the local government council. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr. Akighbe Alex, said the police chased the kidnappers to the Odi waterfront where the gunmen escaped through a waiting speedboat.

  • Gunmen kidnap Bayelsa Speaker’s 90-yr-old mother-in-law

    Gunmen kidnap Bayelsa Speaker’s 90-yr-old mother-in-law

    Unknown gunmen yesterday kidnapped  the 90-year old mother-in-law of the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr. Kombowei Benson.

    The victim, identified simply as Obololo, was seized  from  her Korokorosei home at about 2am by the hoodlums who reportedly rode on a speedboat.

    They then fled the town  in   the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

    The incident has thrown  residents   into panic.

    A   source in the community said of the incident: “The gunmen came at about 2am. They shot sporadically before making their way to the woman’s home. We were all afraid because of the sounds of gunshots.

    “They seized her and took her away to an unknown place. They showed no pity at the age of the woman”.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hilary Opara, confirmed the development and said  his men had swung into action.

    Opara, who vowed to make the state uncomfortable for criminals, said the  relevant squad of the police had been ordered to rescue the woman.

    “The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area alerted me early in the morning about the development. It is wicked and we will ensure we rescue the woman”, he said.

  • Gunmen kidnap transporter’s younger brother

    Mr Daniel Okeke, the younger brother to an Onitsha transporter, Chief G. U. Okeke, was yesterday kidnapped in Onitsha, Anambra State.

    Okeke was allegedly kidnapped by gunmen about 7am in front of his home on Amobi Street, Odoakpu area of the town.

    An eyewitness said the five kidnappers arrived the place in a white Mitsubishi bus and went straight for their victim, who lives at the junction between Amobi Street and Modebe Avenue, where they reportedly met and whisked him away in their bus.

    A source said Okeke just woke up and was preparing for the day’s business when the abductors seized him.

    The suspected abductors’ bus was allegedly spotted at Ugwunabamkpa, Onitsha, where they were said to have attempted to snatch another vehicle and probably dump theirs to avoid easy identification.

    Police spokesman Emeka Chukwuemeka, who confirmed the incident, said he had not received official information from Onitsha on the matter.

    Chukwuemeka added that the police command had mobilised its men to track down the kidnappers and release the victim.

    Chief Okeke told reporters on phone that he did not know why the kidnappers targeted his younger brother and what exactly they wanted.

    The transporter said he was concerned about his brother’s safety, adding that the abductors had not contacted the family.

    Chief Okeke was two years ago kidnapped by gunmen but was later released.

    He assisted police in arresting the suspects.

    The matter has led to a legal battle with accusations and counter-accusations between both sides.