The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gunmen

  • Kidnappers demand N20m to release Ikeja Council Clerk

    Kidnappers demand N20m to release Ikeja Council Clerk

    Gunmen Wednesday kidnapped the Clerk, Ikeja Local Government House, Shamsideen Omotayo.

    Omotayo was whisked away by his kidnappers at Imota, Ikorodu, while he was going to work.

    It was gathered that the kidnappers had already established contact with the local government head of administration, Mrs. Mosunmola Otaiku-Okoka.

    According to the council’s spokesman, Bello Onilegbale, concerted efforts were being made by security agencies to rescue the Clerk.

    He said: “This is to inform the public of the Ikeja Local Government clerk, Omotayo Shamsideen’s abduction by some notorious kidnappers at the early hours of Wednesday, August 2, on his way to work.

    “He has however been allowed to speak with his immediate boss and they are requesting for N20million as ransom. Concerted efforts are on to meet up with their demands.”

    Contacted, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA) media officer, Afolabi Olawale also confirmed the incident.

  • Gunmen abduct two lawyers in Rivers

    Two lawyers, who are executive members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in Rivers State have been kidnapped while returning from Abuja.

    It was gathered that the victims were kidnapped around Isiokpo community in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

    The bus owned by a transportation company, which was taking passengers to Port Harcourt from Abuja, was hijacked at Isiokpo but later released after the two lawyers were kidnapped.

    Confirming the incident yesterday,the Chairman JUSUN in  Rivers State, Mr. George Sokari, called for the unconditional release of the two victims.

    Sokari said : “Comr. Ibim Opusunju, the Vice Chairman of JUSUN and Comr. Carol Tolofari, the Secretary of the union, were kidnapped on Sunday even around 5p.m. on their way coming to Port Harcourt at Isiokpo after they have attended the National Executive meeting of JUSUN in Abuja.

    “They left Abuja Sunday morning and they were already in Rivers State around Isiokpo when some persons stopped the vehicle and picked these comrades.

    “We are yet to get contact from anywhere or any information of their whereabouts. The company that owns the vehicle that they boarded informed us that the comrades were kidnapped. They confirmed to us that one of their buses was hijacked and later released but that some people were taken away from the bus.

    “When they went through their manifest which was written before the vehicle left Abuja we discovered that the names of the two  of our members were there. The police are aware and they are also doing their best.

    “We are appealing to the abductors to please release them unconditionally, because their mothers, wives and children are crying.”

    The Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police said the police have intensified efforts to ensure the lawyers were freed unconditionally.

    Omoni said: “The police are aware of the incident. All hands are on the deck to ensure that the kidnap victims are released unconditionally. We have deployed units of our men to commence search.”

  • Gunmen kill mother, son in Delta fishing port

    Gunmen kill mother, son in Delta fishing port

    A 48-year old fisherwoman, Anetorufa Mokor and her son Timi Enai, have been killed in the Ayakoromo creeks, Burutu council area of Delta, by unknown gunmen late night Monday.

    Although the incident occurred around Egolegbene Creek, still within the Ayakoromo axis, while the victims were preparing to launch into the waters for an evening expedition, the development had heightened tension in the main Ayakoromo community.

    According to community sources, the mother and son, who were known to regularly embark on fishing expeditions around the Egolegbene fishing port, met their sudden death when the killers, conveyed in a high-powered speedboat, stormed the fishing port, shot at them several times and drown their corpses.

    “They were in their fishing camp along Egolegbene creek, preparing to embark on the evening’s fishing expedition when they met their deaths. The tragic incident occurred Tuesday around 10pm”, a community source, who did not want to be named narrated.

    Confirming and condemning the incident the National President of Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative (IPDI), Austin Ozobo, who hails from the area, said the corpses of the deceased had been recovered from the creek and called on security agents to swing to action and bring perpetrators to justice.

    “The corpses have been recovered from the river. There was no crisis in the community before the killing. We are shocked by this senseless killing and the community has been thrown into tension. The incident has been reported to the police in Burutu. We want the perpetrators of this hideous act uncovered”, Ozobo said.

    Efforts to get an official confirmation and developments on the matter were unsuccessful as all calls put across to the Police Public Relations Officer of the Delta state police command, Andrew Aniamaka (DSP), went unanswered.

  • Gunmen abduct principal’s wife, demand N3m ransom

    Gunmen abduct principal’s wife, demand N3m ransom

    Gunmen at the weekend abducted Mrs. Edith Pereowei  wife of Mr. Moron Pereowei, the Principal of Gbanrainowei Grammar School, Okolobiri, Bayelsa State.

    It was gathered the woman was abducted at about 2.03am at the weekend at their residence in Azikoro Village, Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.

    The hoodlums, said to be numbering 12, gained access into the house of their victim by smashing the window of the building.

    The kidnappers were said to have first gained access into the room of Edith’s younger brother who they held at gunpoint and used to lure the couple out of their room.

    The hoodlums were said to have shot at the house repeatedly after luring the couple out of their room.

    They were said to have shot their victim on the leg before whisking her away to an unknown place.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said two of the gunmen went inside for the operation while 10 others were outside.

    He said the abductors ransacked the house and made away with money and other valuables before whisking their victim to an unknown destination.

    He said: ”The hoodlums came in early in the morning on Friday. They broke in through the window as they could not gain access to the rooms because of the security of the doors.

    “They used his wife’s brother to make them come out. At a gun point, they (husband and wife) opened their doors and gate and came out.

    ”The bullet fired at the house touched the wife on the leg. They took the wife and left the husband.

    “About 12 of them came for the operation. Ten persons were outside, while two were in the house.”

    He said the family established contact with the kidnappers, who demanded N3m ransom for the victim’s release.

    The source added: ”The family of the victim (Edith) has been discussing with them.

    “The abductors said they should come with N3m. The family even talked to the Principal’s wife.”

    The source said the matter was reported to police, adding that the victim was in her 40s and hailed from Sampou in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA of the state.

    Efforts to get the reaction of the spokesman for the Bayelsa State Police Command, Asinim Butswat, proved abortive.

  • Gunmen shoot detective probing judges, others

    Gunmen shoot detective probing judges, others

    EFCC investigator receives treatment for gunshot wounds

    Gunmen have shot a top Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigator,  Mr. Austin Okwor.

    The victim was said to be handling some “sensitive” cases, including those of some judicial officers.

    But the EFCC said Okwor, who escaped death by the whiskers, was responding to treatment. He had been receiving threat messages before the incident.

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the anti-graft agency, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the incident had been reported to the police for investigation.

    The statement said:  “A top investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on June 24, 2017 escaped death by the whiskers when gunmen opened fire on him  in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    “Mr. Austin  Okwor, an operative in the Property Fraud Section of the EFCC Zonal office in Port Harcourt, had closed late for the day and as he left office, he was suddenly accosted by a gang of daredevil hoodlums who opened fire on him.

    “Luckily for him, he was able to shake off his assailants but not without sustaining some bullet wounds as they kept firing at him. He was rushed to a private hospital in Port Harcourt where he is  receiving treatment.

    “According to Ishaq Salihu, Head of the Zonal office, the incident has already been reported to the Police in Port Harcourt.

    “Okwor is one of the operatives investigating some sensitive cases, including that pertaining to corrupt judicial officials.

    “Before the incident, the officer had been receiving threat messages. One of such messages, which he received sometime in May 2017, was reported to the Police.

    “This incident underlines the hazards which operatives of the Commission are daily exposed to in the discharge of their duties.

    “In 2010, precisely September 14, the head of the Commission’s Forensic Unit, Abdullahi Muazu, was shot and killed by unknown gunmen in Kaduna.

    “Six months earlier, a team of prosecutors returning to Enugu after a court appearance in Owerri, Imo State was attacked by gunmen who opened fire on them. Sergeant Eze Edoga, the police escort, was cut down while a senior counsel with the Commission, Joseph Uzor, was critically wounded but survived.”

  • Gunmen release abducted Rep

    A HOUSE of Representatives member, Garba Durbunde (representing Takai/Sumaila Federal Constituency), who was reportedly kidnapped at about 5pm yesterday, has been released.

    Durbunde was said to have been abducted at Jere – Abuja Road in Kaduna State on his way from Kano to Abuja.

    His legislative aide Tunde Abela confirmed the release last night.

    Sources said he was released after his abductors collected ransom.

    It was learnt that his colleagues, including the House leadership, mobilised funds to get him released.

    It was gathered that his colleaguesstarted clandestine arrangements to ensure that Durbunde was released unhurt after the news of his abduction got to the National Assembly.

    Though nothing was said about the issue at plenary, lawmakers that The Nation spoke with condemned the incident.

    It was learnt that the lawmaker was on his way to Kano yesterday when he was kidnapped by the gunmen.

    It was learnt that members from Kano State Caucus also worked on how to ensure the release of the member in safe condition.

    They were said to have relocated to a venue outside the National Assembly to co-ordinate efforts.

    Kano State confirmed the kidnapping of Durbunde.

    Information Commissioner Mallam Garba Mohammed, in a statement, said Governor Abdullahi Ganduje was shocked about the incident, especially at this period of Ramadan.

    The statement called on the police and other security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the lawmaker.

    When contacted, spokesman of Kaduna State Police CommandAliyu Usman told The Nationthe commandwould get back to reporters.

  • Gunmen ‘kill’ union chief in Sogunle

    Gunmen ‘kill’ union chief in Sogunle

    Thugs loyal to a politician in Sogunle near Oshodi yesterday allegedly shot dead the Chairman of motorcycle riders association simply identified as Hamburger

    It was gathered that the gunmen early yesterday stormed Olori and adjoining streets in Sogunle shooting sporadically.

    The shootings escalated to Bolade Oshodi, forcing traders to hurriedly shut their shops.

    In anger, motorcyclists in the area were said to have gone on the rampage, attacking those suspected to be political thugs.

    It took the intervention of riot, Metro and Sogunle Division policemen to restore normalcy.

    A trader said:  “I came to my shop at Olori Street and suddenly there was pandemonium. I had to quickly lock up and run away. Other traders, residents and passersby ran as we heard gunshots.

    “The fighting started because of the local government election primaries. We heard that the gunmen shot Hamburger on the head. He was rushed to the hospital and we fear he is dead.”

    The command’s spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said efforts were on to arrest those involved.

  • Gunmen kill patient in hospital

    Gunmen have invaded the General Hospital in Bomadi, Bomadi L.G.A killing a patient.

    The killing, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, The Nation learnt caused pandemonium in the hospital as patients, doctors and nurses scampered for safety.

    The gunmen suspected to be cultist trailed the victim to the hospital where he was receiving treatment.

    The Nation gathered that the patient may be member of a rival cult group.

    It was learnt that there was a clash between rival cult groups earlier in the town during which some victims were rushed to the hospital, while one of the victims was murdered.  Another escaped before the arrival of hoodlums.

    Delta Police spokesman, DSP Andy Aniamaka said the police was investigating the incident

  • Gunmen kill police sergeant in front of Bayelsa police station

    Gunmen kill police sergeant in front of Bayelsa police station

    There was confusion in Sagbama Police Station, Sagbama, Bayelsa State, at the weekend, following the killing of a policeman in front of the station by unidentified gunmen operating in the area.

    The policeman, a sergeant, whose name could not be determined, was reportedly shot dead at about 8:30pm by the gunmen, who were said to be riding across the station on a gateway motorcycle.

    The hoodlums said to be two in number, however, escaped before the policemen at the station could recover from the commotion caused by the incident.

    Sources said the fleeing gunmen shot at a group of policemen in front of the station but that the bullet hit the sergeant killing him at the spot.

    One of the sources, who spoke in confidence, said the incident created panic and tension in the area and wondered why the colleagues of the deceased policeman could not go after the killer hoodlums.

    “We heard gunshots from the direction of the police station. It was not certain what was going on but residents took cover for safety.

    “It was late we were told that hoodlums riding on a motorcycle killed a policeman and escaped. How could they escape after killing the policeman in front of a police station?” He said.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Butswat Asinim, confirmed the incident saying the police were looking for the hoodlums.

    He said: “The policeman was killed in Sunday at about 8:30pm in front of the Sagabma Police Station by two unknown gunmen on unregistered motorcycle.

    “We are working to establish the motive behind the dastardly act because they didn’t stop. We recovered the rifle of the dead policeman. They shot at the policemen and zoomed off but we have swung into action and some people have volunteered useful information”.

  • Gunmen kidnap six Igbonla College pupils

    Gunmen kidnap six Igbonla College pupils

    Gunmen suspected to be militants Thursday kidnapped six pupils at Government Model College, Igbonla, Epe, a Lagos hinterland.

    The children were whisked away barely one week after the kidnappers wrote the school to notify the management they would strike.

    Thursday’s kidnap was the second in the school since October, where four pupils and two teachers were taken into the Abeokuta forest through Epe lake by the militants.

    It was gathered that the gunmen were clad in police uniforms and some of them were hooded.

    According to sources, the militant have maintained visible presence in Epe for over two weeks.

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    Residents said for about three days, they have suffered continuous strikes from the gunmen, adding that two people including a poultry farmer, who notified soldiers of their activities, have been killed.

    They were said to have been patrolling the waterways and even challenged security operatives to a gun duel in a bit to distract them and waste their ammunition.

    However, the operatives, residents said did not give to the militants display and successfully foiled their plot to kidnap some students on Wednesday.

    Undeterred, the gunmen said to be clad in black attires and hooded stormed the school again around 6am, and took away 10 students from senior school.

    They were said to have profiled the students on their way out and eventually released four of them, who said their patents were farmers, poor, late or phone numbers unknown.

    After letting the four children go, the gunmen took the other six including four in SS1 and two in SS2.

    Some of the students who spoke with The Nation said there were torrents of bullets on their hostel roofs since Wednesday night.

    They said the kidnappers have been attempting to enter but were always kept at bay by policemen, who engaged them in gun battle.

    At the school Thursday, angry parents protested the restriction of their wards to the hostels, insisting they must be taken home.

    It was gathered that the kidnappers attempted to gain entrance into the school premises through the rear-fence after firing shots to scare the students but were intercepted by policemen on guard.

    The parents, who frowned at the school’s inability to provide adequate security, said they would not return their wards unless their demands were met.

    RELATED: Gunmen abduct six pupils in Lagos

     

    According to the parents, they had asked the school to clear the bushes, erect a formidable fence, put a police post by the creek and also station an armoured tank there, but none was done.

    They lamented that the school’s fence was weak, adding that the gunmen were able to break the wall with a log because of the feebleness of the walls.

    Mrs. Riskat Odunukan, whose son was released after he told them his father was a farmer said she thought it was a dream.

    She said: “I have two children in the school. They took one of them but after questioning them, he told them his father was late and his mother a farmer. So, they left him. I received a call from another parent about the incident. The school did not tell us anything. We called them and they said they were in control.

    “The kidnappers broke the fence. They used a log to create a passage. It is because the fence is weak that is why it was possible for them to break in. Go through the school and you would find bushes. The security is porous.

    “The last time I came into the school, security men were just two and they are usually at the gate. They don’t patrol. We told the school to provide adequate security the last time the incident happened but they didn’t listen. We need armoured tank stationed by the creek, a police station. They need to demolish the whole fence and erect a stronger and very high one. They are supposed to have CCTV cameras everywhere in this premises but they don’t.”

    A parent whose son was kidnapped was lamenting that they boy be provided. The devastated father said the school management had promised the children would be released, adding that they were told to inform the school whenever the kidnappers contacted them.

    He said: “I came to the school to take my son away. He’s the only one I have in the school. They pacified us to relax that they would be released. But when? A child is not a goat that one can just live like that. I was called by another parent while I was at my shop.”

    Mrs. Amirat Alamorieda said the kidnappers took the students away when the soldiers guiding the school just left.

    She said: “They took 10 of the children but released four after questioning them. They came when the soldiers guiding the school had left. It was around 6am. And it seems they targeted when the security personnel would leave. The kidnappers knew their timing.

    “The school should release our children for us. We are not saying we won’t return them but we want permanent security.  When they secure the place, we would return our kids.”

    Efforts to get the school authorities to comment failed, as officials said there was directive from the state government that no one should speak to reporters on the issue.

    The Permanent Secretary Education, who was at the scene, also declined comment.