The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gunmen

  • Gunmen kidnap 81-year-old father of Bayelsa lawmaker

    Gunmen kidnap 81-year-old father of Bayelsa lawmaker

    Four gunmen operating along the waterways of Bayelsa State have abducted Chief W.G. Watson Iti, the octogenarian father of a member of the state House of Assembly, Chief Alfred Watson.

    The victim, who hails from Okpoama kingdom, Brass Local Government Area, was reportedly whisked away  yesterday morning while he was conveying the body of his deceased wife for burial.

    It was gathered that the incident happened at about 9.25am along the Okpoama-Egweama waterways of the local government area.

    The octogenarian was said to be conveying the remains of his wife from Okpoama mortuary to Egweama, the deceased maternal home for burial as customs demand, when the gunmen struck.

    A source who spoke in confidence said: “Watson is a respected chief in Okpoama kingdom. His wife died and her body was deposited at the Okpoama mortuary.

    “On Saturday, he was taking the body to his wife maternal home at Egweama which was about seven minutes away from Okpoama when gunmen attacked them.

    “The gunmen were four and they were operating on a 75horsepower boat. The chief was traveling with the casket bearing his wife’s body on a 115 horsepower speedboat. The gunmen shot four times at them and forced them to stop.”

    The source said on approaching the boat, the gunmen gave the boat driver machete cuts, stole handsets and other valuables of boat’s occupants and whisked Pa Watson away to an unknown location.

    Confirming the incident, the lawmaker asked the kidnappers to release his father unconditionally alleging that the abductors “were within.”

    He vowed to pay no ransom to the abductors adding that efforts were being made to locate his father and the kidnappers.

    He said: “I am asking them to release my father unconditionally because it was something done by people within. How can you kidnap an old man who was going to bury his dead wife?”

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Butswat Asinim, confirmed the incident and said the police were investigating the development.

  • Gunmen kidnap Uniport lecturer

    …Demands N2m ransom

    A Lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Dr. Reginald Ohiri has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

    Dr. Ohiri was reportedly kidnapped from his resident in Aluu, UNIPORT host Community Monday night.

    The state Police command could not confirm the incident as at the time of filing this report, Tuesday evening, but the Public Relation Officer of the University, Dr. Williams Wodi said it was true, but said details of the abduction was still sketchy to him as at the time of confirmation.

    But sources said his kidnappers have contacted the family members and placed a demand for N2 million to let the University Don off the hooks.

    His family members could also not be reached for their reactions.

    It was learnt that they intended to maintain sealed lips on the abduction, and probably also didn’t want to involve the security agencies.

    UNIPORT have witnessed several cases of abduction of its Lecturers in the past few years, especially last year.

     

  • Inspector, three others killed as gunmen attack bank customer

    Inspector, three others killed as gunmen attack bank customer

    •Police arrest suspect

    Some gunmen yesterday killed a police Inspector and a civilian on Okunola Street in Idimu, Lagos.

    The Inspector was shot while he was withdrawing money from an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) at a bank.

    Two of the robbers were killed while fleeing on their motorcycle. One, who was identified as Gaffaru Ismail was arrested by Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives and mobile policemen in the area.

    It was gathered that the gunmen had robbed a bank customer of the money which he withdrew inside the banking hall.

    The gunmen, numbering four, were said to have stormed the area around 11am and went straight to the said customer who was leaving the bank.

    It was learnt that they had successfully fleeced their victim and were escaping when they sighted the Inspector using the ATM and shot him on the head, apparently to stop him from engaging them.

    The Nation gathered that people around rushed the Inspector to a hospital where he was confirmed dead, while other policemen stationed at the bank called for reinforcement.

    Although one of the suspects escaped, the police team that chased the others gunned down two and arrested one of them alive.

    Their motorcycles, as well as two guns were recovered from them.

    The suspect who were initially taken to the Area M command in Idimu, was later transferred to the command headquarters with the recovered items in two vans marked BDG158EE and KWL424NS

    A police source said the armed robbers have an insider source at the bank.

    “There is someone in the bank who usually informs them when a customer comes to collect huge money. The way they came, it was clear that they had information and knew exactly who to target

    “The suspect that was arrested was the one who shot the Inspector,” he said.

    Police spokesperson Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP) said the case has been transferred to Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for appropriate action.

  • Woman escapes death after gang-rape

    Woman escapes death after gang-rape

    A 45-year-old woman was on Sunday gang-raped and tortured by gunmen in Abakaliki.

    The victim told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that a group of armed men numbering about five, forcefully pulled her from the commercial tricycle (Keke) which she boarded.

    According to her, the gunmen subsequently forced her into the Keke they boarded and drove-off alongside two motorcycles they hired.

    “They took me to a swampy bush behind the San Diego Hotel, Kpirikpiri, Abakaliki, where they gang-raped, tortured and abandoned me thinking I was dead.

    “A good Samaritan came to my rescue and informed the police who took me to a hospital where I was placed on intensive medication,” she said.

    She said the attack was premeditated, alleging that the gunmen might had been hired by her estranged husband who hailed from Enugu.

    “I reported him at the Family Law Centre, Abakaliki, over his incessant assault and inhuman treatment which causes me deep physical and emotional trauma.

    “During the last sitting of the Centre’s court, he boasted that my case with him will end when I am ‘eliminated’.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Ebonyi Police Command, DSP George Okafor, who confirmed the story, assured that the command would get to the root of the matter.

    “No arrest has been made so far on the issue, as we are currently concentrating on saving the woman’s life.

    “Investigations into the matter will, however, be pursued to its logical conclusion, to apprehend and prosecute the culprits,” he said.

  • Gunmen abduct nine in Ikorodu

    Gunmen abduct nine in Ikorodu

    .Police: we’re not aware of incident

    Gunmen have abducted nine persons in Ishawo near Ikorodu, Lagos in their latest onslaught on the community.

    The dastardly act occurred on Sunday, while people were returning from church.

    A woman, who claimed that her brother was among the victims, said the gunmen were increasing in number and attacking areas close to the creeks.

    She appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to come to their rescue, saying the security agents deployed in the areas were ineffective.

    “Those who need to intervene should please do so. Residents of Ishawo, Ikorodu are not safe. The policemen put there haven’t been effective. My older brother has been kidnapped. I need prayers of everyone please. This is happening at Ishawo, Agric in Ikorodu. They are increasing in number and attacking areas close to river outlets. It could be another area soon if nothing is done.”

    Police spokesperson Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP), said she was unaware of the incident.

    “The command is not aware of any kidnapping in Ikorodu on Sunday. No report has been made at the police station. Besides, there is heavy presence of police and soldiers in that area,” she said.

    A 49-year-old man, who came to Lagos from Warri, in Delta State, on July 3 has been declared missing.

    Hope Ejerovbo was said to have left his niece’s residence in Ajah for a walk on July 4 but never returned home.

    He was said to have come to Lagos to facilitate his trip to the United Kingdom (UK) to reunite with his wife and three children.

    No one has contacted his family for ransom.

    Ejerovbo’s phones have also not been reachable.

    According to his niece’s husband, Ejerovbo was last seen around 7am last July 4 near the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

    He said: “He decided to take a walk down the street to familiarise himself with the environment and never returned. He is an easy-going man, very thorough and does not have many friends. I saw him when I came out of my room in the morning and he said he was going to take a walk down the street. I believed it would be a short walk because he does not really know this area. In fact, it was my wife who opened the gate for him and that was the last we saw of him. At around 8:30am, we became worried about his whereabouts. We tried calling his mobile phone and discovered it was switched off and that got us extremely worried. I stepped out and searched the whole neighbourhood till noon but did not find him. I then went to the police station to report him missing”

    Ejerovbo, it was gathered, is fluent in Urhobo and English. He is over five feet tall and dark in complexion.

    Badmos enjoined the public for information that could lead to finding him or phone 08033027655, 09033213393.

  • Ajimobi places N5m bounty on Oyo lawmaker’s killers

    Ajimobi places N5m bounty on Oyo lawmaker’s killers

    The Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has placed a N5million bounty on the heads of the three gunmen responsible for the gruesome murder of a member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Gideon Aremu.

    A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, on Thursday, in Ibadan, announced the reward for any member of the public with credible information that might lead to the arrest of the criminals.

    Ajimobi appealed to members of the public in possession of any useful information to immediately contact the following telephone numbers: 0802 343 1079, 0803 653 6581, with assurances that such tips would be treated in the utmost confidence.

    Aremu represented Oorelope constituency in the House of Assembly until he was murdered on July 1 by three gunmen that allegedly trailed him on motorcycle.

    The governor said that he was still saddened by the ghastly incident that shattered the serenity the state had enjoyed in the past five years and would be prepared to reward anybody with clues that would assist the police to apprehend the culprits and their sponsors.

    Ajimobi said, “This is to further demonstrate the government’s commitment to the ongoing investigation of the immediate and remote causes of the murder of the parliamentarian who was allegedly gunned down in front of his home in Alakia, Ibadan.

    “The governor, once again, wishes to reiterate his administration’s relentless pursuit and defence of the security of lives and properties of all citizens of Oyo State, without let or hindrance.

    “The government wishes to assure such volunteers of absolute secrecy, confidentiality and protection of the law. Please, help to find those behind the murder of Hon. Gideon Aremu so that he and his family can get justice, and on time too.”

    Ajimobi promised members of the public that the police and other security agencies would not relent in their efforts at maintaining peace and orderliness, and assured the deceased family that a crack team of homicide detectives were already working hard to apprehend the suspects.

    He advised residents to embrace community policing by working with law enforcement agencies to curb crimes in the society and arrest suspected criminals before they wreak havoc.

  • Gunmen kidnap monarch Ondo

    A traditional ruler in Irele local government area of Ondo state, the Laragunsin of Iyasan community, Oba Abiodun Oyewumi has been reportedly kidnapped.

    The Nation learnt that the kidnappers, numbering 10 allegedly stormed the monarch’s palace on Monday night and operated for 30 minutes before taking him away.

    Since then, no contact has been made with his family by his abductors on what ransom should be paid for his release.

    A palace source said the hoodlums came into the village through Owena River which serves as boundary between Ondo and Edo state around 10.30pm and went straight to the palace where they demanded for the king.

    Irele Council Chairman, Hon Sanmi Elumaro, who confirmed the incident said the kidnappers numbering about 10 came into the town through the waterways and headed to the palace.

    He noted that the abdutors were fullly armed as no one in the community could challenge them until they finished their operations in the village.

    Elumaro said he could not say whether or not the kidnapping has to do with the chieftaincy dispute in the town as the monarch was properly installed as the monarch despite the legal tussle over the throne.

    The council boss said since the abduction, the Navy and the Police in the riverine area have been on the trail of the suspected kidnappers.

    The Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Mr Femi Joseph also confirmed the abduction of the monarch.

    He however said investigation has begun to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.

    Joseph added that reporters would be briefed as soon as there is any breakthrough in the investigation.

  • Gunmen abduct Labenese

    Gunmen abduct Labenese

    Gunmen yesterday abducted a Labenese along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos.

    The man identified as Ayman El Dens was whisked away by the armed men suspected to be kidnappers at about 1pm.

    It was gathered the victim, an employee of Granebury Construction Company, was with his co-workers at the Epe Township Expansion Project’s site when the gunmen struck and forced him into their vehicle.

    The Nation learnt that aerial surveillance has been launched in Epe for a possible location of the hostage, just as an armoured tank has been positioned in the area.

    A young man, @Nate-PG took to social media to announce the disappearance of his father on that same road.

    While urging people to keep circulating his father’s picture until he’s found, he explained that the man was last seen on Monday around Lekki.

    Confirming the abduction of the Labenese, police spokesman Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent, said investigation had commenced.

    She added that the police were making efforts to ensure his safe rescue and arrest the criminals.

     

  • Gunmen kidnap Abia Poly medical director 

    Gunmen kidnap Abia Poly medical director 

    Unknown gunmen have reportedly kidnapped the Medical Director (MD) of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, identified as Dr. Eze Nwokocha at the commercial nerve of the state.

    The incident, Nation gathered took place on Sunday evening at about 7pm around Allwell Crescent near Aba Fire Service.

    Though information on his kidnap were sketchy, sources said that the medical doctor was going back from a village meeting in the city when the hoodlums believed to be trailing him struck and whisked away to an unknown destination.

    Family members were yet to be reached as at the time of filing this report, but it was however gathered that efforts were being intensified by Police and other security agencies to ensure that Nwokocha, an indigene of Abiriba in Ohafia Local Government Area was rescued unharmed and without any payment of ransom.

    In another development, a crack team of police detectives from Ogbor Hill Police Division, Aba are currently investigating a reported case of homicide which was committed in Aba based lawyer’s apartment.

    Unconfirmed reports have it that the child of the lawyer said to be between six to eight years old erroneously killed a female house help in their house with his father’s pistol.

    The lawyer’s child was said to have picked the father’s gun from his bedroom thinking that it was a toy gun not knowing that the gun was loaded.

    According to a source who pleaded anonymity, “the child pointed the gun at the maid and playfully said, ‘I will kill you’ and on pulling the trigger, the gun went off and shot at the house help.”

    The matter was said to have been transferred to the state CID for further investigation on the matter.

    But when contacted on his mobile phone, the state PPRO (Police Public Relations Officer), ASP Ogbonnaya Nta said that the kidnap matter was yet to be reported at the police station even as he confirmed the case of homicide even though he said that the report available to him has it that the made committed suicide.

  • Gunmen kill four in Kaduna

    Gunmen kill four in Kaduna

    Gunmen have killed four persons and left about six others injured in Gurguzu village, close to Maguzawa, a suburb of Rigasa in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    About 500 persons have been displaced and are taking refuge in a primary school at Rigasa, following the Monday evening incident.

    The gunmen invaded a farm around 6pm and killed those found there.

    Briefing reporters after a Security Council meeting, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Tijjani Abdullahi said: “Around 5.50pm yesterday (Monday), gunmen invaded Gurguzu on bike and killed four farmers. Four others were injured in the attack. They have been taken to the hospital.

    “We immediately deployed our men to the area. Calm has returned and our men are patrolling the place.”

    Chairman, Interim Management Committee of Igabi council, Jabir Khamis said about 500 people from the village are displaced and government is taking care of them.

    The government has asked the people to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses, as it has launched a manhunt on the killers.