The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gunmen

  • Gunmen kidnap father of oil magnate in Benue

    Gunmen kidnap father of oil magnate in Benue

    Exactly one year after he was kidnapped but rescued by the police, gunmen have again kidnapped Atser Kyausu, the octogenarian father of Makurdi based oil businessman.
    When Kyausu was kidnapped last year, at his Vandeikya local Government country home, the then late Special Adviser to  the governor Mr. Denen Igbana, led a crack  team of security men who rescue him.
    He was rescused in Kwande local government and the gang leader shot and killed.  Three other members of the gang were arrested ,charged to court and remanded in Makurdi prison .
    The Police Public Relation Officer DSP, Moses Yamu, told The Nation that the gunmen stormed the house  of the victim, Atser in a red Toyota car popular called dog nyash.
    ” They bunddled him into the vehicle and drove away on the 28 December, and since then his whereabouts has remained unknown “
    At press time, the gunmen were yet to contact the family or make their demand for ransom ,but there was  likely hood they would soon demand for ransom soon.
    At Kyabiz filling station located on Makurdi – Otukpo road,  the son of the victim , popularly known by his business name Kyabiz told The Nation that he was devastated and appealed to the kidnappers to release his father as he was sick.
    The police spokesman however said security men have launched a manhunt for the gunmen.

  • Gunmen kill woman in Aba for resisting kidnap

    For daring to resist being kidnapped, a woman has been shot dead by her would-be abductors in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State.

    Mrs. Ifeyinwa Morah was shot by her assailants as she returned to her residence at about 7pm last week.

    The deceased was said to have been confronted by gun wielding men who had apparently laid an ambush for her as she arrived from her husband’s gas plant located on the Aba-Umuahia-Enugu Expressway.

    The hoodlums, The Nation gathered, ordered her out of the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) she was driving, and enter theirs. She refused.

    Angered by her courage, the hoodlums rained bullets on her, jumped into her car and drove off.

    Sympathizers rushed to her aid but she later died on account of excessive loss of blood, according to an eyewitness in the neighbourhood.

    It was also gathered that a few days before her death, Mrs. Morah had gone shopping for the Christmas which she had planned to celebrate in the village.

    Mr. Geoffrey Ogbonna, spokesman for the State police command said yesterday he was not aware of the incident.

  • Gunmen snatch seven weeks old baby

    Gunmen snatch seven weeks old baby

    Three armed men on Wednesday snatched a seven weeks old baby at Okungbowa Street, Uselu quarters in Egor local government area.

    The men were said to have stormed the residence and asked everybody to lie down at gun point before snatching the baby.

    Mother of the baby, Ruth Okungbowa, said the incident happened at about 8pm.

    Ruth said she was surprised when the gunmen left and she was told it was her baby that they took.

    According to her, “I was just finishing eating and my sister was carrying the baby. Suddenly three men entered the house with gun. Two were with us inside, while the one was with my sister.

    “After they left, I heard my sister crying that they have taken the baby away. They escaped with a car and my brother used bicycle to purse them.”

    Her father, Mr. Albert Okungbowa, said he asked his daughter to bring the sick baby because two previous babies his daughter had died.

    He said he was surprised that the father of the baby did not show much concern when they informed him about the incident.

    When contacted, father of the baby, Osayomore Igbineweka, said news about his stolen baby was still strange to him.

    He said he was yet to believe the story as his wife was supposed to have returned home.

    “I have told my wife to come back him but she did not. The story is still strange to me. I beg God to make them bring my baby back.”

    When contacted for comments, Edo Police Public Relations officer, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, said he would have to get clearance from his boss to discuss the incident on the phone.

  • Gunmen kidnap monarch’s wife, principal in Bayelsa

    Gunmen kidnap monarch’s wife, principal in Bayelsa

    Unidentified gunmen at the weekend stormed the Ayakoro community in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State and kidnapped Mrs Tina Inegbagha, the wife of the community’s Paramount Ruler, Righteous Inegbagha.

    It was gathered that the gunmen, who shot sporadically into the air, also abducted the Principal of the Government Craft Development Centre, Ayakoro, Mr. Egbele Jack, who hails from Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state.

    It was gathered that the victims were whisked away on Saturday by the gunmen, who were said to have come “in a fairly large number”.

    Sources from the community said the assailants struck around 2am with three AK47 rifles, machetes and other weapons.

    A member of the monarch’s family, who spoke in confidence, said the gunmen operated in the community for two hours, looting properties and other valuables worth millions of naira.

    He said some community members mobilised to rescue the situation but that they could not because the kidnappers were fully armed.

    A son of the paramount ruler, who narrated his ordeal, said he was beaten to a pulp by the gunmen when he accosted them.

    “When they came in through the window, they were asking of my father. I told them, he travelled but they asked me to take them to where he kept his money. I told them, I was not aware of any money in the house.

    “They descended on me and started beating me with machetes. My mother heard their voices and came out. They seized and asked her to take them to my father’s room.

    “They ransacked the room, scattered documents searching for money. They carried a generator in and took my mother away. They threatened to shoot me if I tried to stop them”, he said.

    Also the wife of the kidnapped principal, Mrs. Arila, who cried for her husband’s release, said they broke the door to their living room, gained access to her husband’s room and took him away.

  • Gunmen abduct monarch’s wife, principal in Bayelsa

    Gunmen abduct monarch’s wife, principal in Bayelsa

    Unidentified gunmen at the weekend stormed the Ayakoro community in Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa State and kidnapped Mrs. Tina, wife of the community’s paramount ruler, Righteous Inegbagha.

    The gunmen also abducted the Principal of the Government Craft Development Centre, Ayakoro, Mr. Egbele Jack, who hails from Ekeremor local government area of the state.

    It was gathered that the victims were taken away to an unknown destination by the hoodlums on Saturday.

    Sources from the community said the assailants disrupted the peace of the community at about 2:00 a.m. when they struck with three AK47 rifles, machetes and other weapons.

    A member of the monarch’s family, who spoke in confidence, said the gunmen operated in the community for over two hours and looted properties and other valuables worth millions of naira.

    A son of the paramount ruler, who narrated his ordeal, said he was beaten to a pulp by the hoodlums when he accosted them.

    “When they came in through the window, they were asking of my father. I told them, he traveled but they asked me to take them to where he kept his money. I told them, I was not aware of any money in the house.

    “They descended on me and started beating me merciless with machetes. My mother heard their voices and unknowingly came out. They seized and asked her to take them to my father’s room.

    “They ransacked the room, scattered documents and searched for money. They carried a generator in and took my mother away. They threatened to shoot me if I move to stop them,” he said.

     

  • Gunmen kill banker in Warri

    A banker in Warri, Delta State, Obaro Oji, was, on Tuesday night killed by suspected assassins around Ekpan Bridge.

    Although details of the incident were sketchy yesterday, sources said the deceased was cornered around the bridge, close to NNPC Housing Complex, between Warri South and Uvwie councils.

    They said the man was allegedly killed about 8 pm by the suspects, who reportedly chased him to the spot and shot him. They did not take his car.

    “The man was trailed there by the killers and on catching up with him, they just shot him dead and left him without taking anything from him or his car,” the source said.

    Police spokesman Andrew Aniamaka said the deceased had been reported missing.

    “He was initially declared missing by his family on that Tuesday because his family reported to the police that they were looking for him.

    “He was found in a pool of blood this morning (Wednesday) and the police contacted his family with the information. The family joined the police in the evacuation of his body,” Aniamaka

  • ICYMI: Unknown gunmen invade Magu’s house, kill policeman

    ICYMI: Unknown gunmen invade Magu’s house, kill policeman

    Unknown gunmen on Tuesday night invaded the bungalow farmhouse of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu and killed a policeman.

    It was learnt that the gunmen stormed the farmhouse in Karshi in the Federal Capital Territory at about 10pm and exchanged fire with the policemen on sentry.

    A police Sergeant was hit and he died instantly.

    This is the second time that the same the house will be attacked by unknown elements.

    The last 10 months had been tough for Magu because of his refusal to bow to pressure from some high-profile suspects and Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs).

    Following threats, security was beefed up for Magu and his immediate family leading to the deployment of policemen to the uncompleted bungalow in Karshi.

    Some suspected elements had also been prowling the family’s house in the Borno State capital and issuing threats to the woman.

    This latest attack came barely 48 hours after Magu said the anti-corruption will be a do-or-die affair.

    Speaking on Monday after a walk to mark the anti-corruption Day, Magu said: “For those of us on this side; in the anti-corruption agencies of government, in the media, and civil society, the dagger is drawn and I believe I am speaking the mind of everyone on this side that we intend to neither retreat nor surrender in our noble intention to cure our country of the evils of corruption.

    “For us as a country, the fight against corruption is a ‘do or die’ affair; we have to win the battle or die trying.

    Details later…

  • Gunmen kill ex-commissioner in Bayelsa

    Gunmen kill ex-commissioner in Bayelsa

    Two unidentified gunmen have killed a former Commissioner for Trade and Investment in Bayelsa State, Mr. Ayakeme Masa.

    It was gathered that Masa was killed in his house in Yenagoa, the state capital, on Sunday morning at about 6.30am in the presence of his wife.

    It was learnt that a family member opened the door for the gunmen unknown to him that they were hoodlums on an evil mission.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said when they entered the living room, the assailants exchanged hot words with their victim and later shot him.

    “They didn’t take anything from the house. A family member opened the door for them. When the victim came out and saw them in the living room, there was an argument and the hoodlums shot him. They took nothing. Immediately they killed him, they fled the house”, he said.

    It was gathered that Masa was immediately rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, where he died on Monday evening.

    The hospital was said to have carried out an operation to remove the bullet from his body but, he reportedly died after going through the medical procedure.

    The Police spokesman, Mr. Asinim Butswat, said the police had intensified investigations to arrest the hoodlums.

    Masa was one of the first set of commissioners appointed by Governor Seriake Dickson during his first term in office in 2012.

    He was also the first to be sacked as a commissioner in the first major cabinet reshuffle carried out by Dickson in 2014.

    Butswat said: “Some gunmen came to his house and they were having some arguments. They shot him on Sunday morning at about 6.30am.

    “Two persons were involved in the killing. He was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa. I have confirmed and they said he died on Monday night.

    “The police are doing everything possible to get to the root of the matter. The hoodlums will surely be arrested to account for their crime”.

  • Gunmen shoot female AIT reporter

    Gunmen shoot female AIT reporter

    Unknown gunmen have shot a reporter with the Africa Independent Television (AIT), Miss Owe Patience, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    The victim was reportedly shot at close range along Edepie area by her assailants, who dispossessed her of her mobile phones, cash and other valuables.

    Owei, who covers the Government House, was attacked at about 10.30pm on Friday while returning home from a church service, Shilloh 2017, organised by the Living Faith Church also known as Winners Chapel,.

    It was learnt that the suspected armed robbers shot her in the back after collecting her phones and handbag, leaving her in the pool of her blood.

    It was gathered that she was unconscious and in a critical condition.

    Some journalists and members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), who visited her at the State Government House hospital, where she was rushed to for treatment lamented her condition saying she could not talk.

    A Good Samaritan, who rushed her to the hospital, narrated how the journalist was shot.

    The source, who identified himself as Bokoru said: “Last night (Friday night) at about 10:40pm, I had an urgent call from James Baridi a few metres from my house. When I went it was the fresh scene of a rather violent robbery.

    “A girl I would later identity as an AIT staff was laying half-conscious in a pool of her blood. Witnesses said it was a lone gunman who had trailed her from Shiloh.

    “Just in front of her house he showed her the gun, took her phone, jewellery and cash. But the animal didn’t end there. He took steps backwards and shot her at close range even as she gave him no problems.

    “Her landlady, James and I rushed her to Tobis Hospital at Akenfa. To our surprise … They would not save her life except we provide a police report and a wholesome amount.

    “We took her to another hospital at Igbogene, the people here were humans and they commenced treatment instantly including fresh pounds of blood.

    “By morning we realised we needed to contact her family, but how? She lives alone and her phones were gone. In the area no one knows much about her except that she’s a journalist for AIT. We also reported the matter to the Akenfa police division

    “For a start, I called NUJ Bayelsa scribe Ebiowei Lawal who called her office. It’s been a very long day. Patience Owe will make it and we have God to thank. Our prayers will remain with her”.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the development and said the police were investigating.

  • Gunmen kill two policemen in Nasarawa

    Gunmen kill two policemen in Nasarawa

    Gunmen killed two policemen in Nasarawa State on the Akwanga -Keffi federal highway, it was learnt yesterday.

    Police spokesman Kennedy Idirisu confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia.

    According to Idrisu, the policemen were stationed at Kubere village, some few kilometres from Gudi, on the Akwanga-Keffi highway, when the gunmen attacked them from the bush.

    He said the command had deployed officers from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the mobile police detachment alongside the vigilance group to comb the forest for the suspects.

    According to him, the spot had been identified as a flashpoint for kidnapping and other crimes, hence the decision by the command to station its officers in the area.

    Idrisu said the command will not be deterred from performing its constitutional responsibility of protecting life and property.

    His words: “The hoodlums, by this act, wanted to dampen the morale of the police, as we approach the yuletide, so they can have their way.

    “However, the command remains resolute and determined to tackle crime as the Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Uba-Kura, has ordered the deployment of more officers and men to identify flash points across the state.”

    Gunmen have attacked Dong and Lawaru villages in Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State, it was learnt yesterday.

    Commissioner for Information and Strategy Ahmad Sajoh, who confirmed the incident, described it as “unfortunate”.

    Sajoh said the government held an emergency security meeting on the incident and took measures to contain the situation.

    He added that military personnel and policemen have been deployed to contain the attackers.

    “I can’t tell the number of casualties for now as security men are still there chasing the attackers,” he said.

    Police spokesman Othman Abubakar said mobile policemen, soldiers, Air Force and other security personnel from sister security agencies had been deployed to contain the situation.

    Abubakar added that extra highway patrol teams were drafted on the Yola–Numan–Gombe road to ensure safety of travellers.

    Residents of Numan, the third largest town in Adamawa, are fleeing for safety as rumours continue to spread that the attackers are heading towards them.