The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kidnap

  • Two members of Southeast kidnap gang shot dead

    A combined team of policemen from the Aba Area Command and Zone 9 on Tuesday shot dead two members of a kidnap gang, who have been terrorising Southeast residents and people of neighbouring states.

    Other members of the gang, who escaped with bullet wounds after a gun duel with the police, were said to have been placed on a manhunt list.

    They were said to be members of the gang, which abducted an oil business magnate living on Patrick Avenue, off Faulks Road.

    Two cars, a Passat CL model with registration number MHA 25 BA; Camry LE model with number plate SSM 491 AA; N285, 000; and 39 rounds of live ammunition were recovered by the police.

    Aba Police Area Commander Rabiu Dayi said his men intercepted members of the gang at a mechanic workshop on the Aba Owerri Road, Abayi, Aba.

    He said: “One of our men was at the mechanic workshop to repair his vehicle. He suspected movements and alerted us. We stormed the place and arrested seven suspects. The mechanic is a member of the gang.

    “We also discovered a cartridge with 39 rounds of live ammunition. They took us to a forest where they hid their guns. These cars were what they used in conveying their victims.

    “Aba residents have been complaining of a golden colour Camry car used by the kidnappers to abduct their victims. They used a Sport Utility Vehicle, a Golf car and an L300 bus. We are still searching for the gang leader and other members.”

    The area commander added that the gang was responsible for kidnapping in the Southeast and Southsouth.

    He said the gang engaged policemen in a gun duel during a visit to their hideout at Mgboko, Eziama village in Obingwa Local Government.

    “They have their hideout in a forest at Mgboko Eziama village. When we stormed the place, they fired gunshots and damaged our operational vehicle. Some of our men were injured.

    “We urge Aba residents to report anyone with bullet wounds to the police. They should be vigilant and report suspected movements to the police.”

  • Gunmen abduct Bini traditional ruler

    The Iyase (Prime Minister) of Udo, near Benin, Mr. Patrick Igbinedu, was on Wednesday abducted by unknown gunmen.
    Sources at the Iyase’s Palace told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that the monarch was abducted by some armed fierce looking young men.
    They said the Iyase was playing the game of draught in his palace when he was abducted and driven away in an Audi car to an unknown destination at about 6 p.m. on Sept. 11.
    The sources said that Igbinedu is the elder brother of one of the wives of the Oba of Benin, Solomon Erediauwa.
    Confirming the report, the Chairman of Ovia South-West Local Government Area, Mr. Morrison Oggunrobe-Ovia, said the council was working with the police in Iguobazuwa, the administrative headquarters of the council, to secure the release of the traditional ruler.
    According to Oggunrobe-Ovia, the abductors are yet to make any ransom demand.
    The Public Relations Officer of the Edo Police Command, DSP Moses Eguavvoen, could not be reached as at the time of filing in this report, but a competence source who prefer to remain anonymous, confirmed the story.

     

  • Group seeks Ozekhome’s release

    The Lagos State chapter of Weppa Wanno of Edo State has called for the release of Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), kidnapped by gunmen last Friday.

    In a statement, the group’s President, Chief Jacob Egietseme Idinye, described the incident as painful, adding that the development is also an indication that the country lacks adequate security.

    It said: “We received with shock, the news of the kidnap of Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) on the Benin–Auchi Road. Though Chief Ozekhome is a Nigerian, like others who have been previously kidnapped in all parts of the country, this incident was least expected when the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, the body of lawyers are converging on Cross River for their conference.

    “To us in Weppa Wanno, the lawyer is so important to us as well as other Nigerians who have benefited from his struggles to liberate us from yolks of oppression during the military era and now.’’

    The group went on: “The incidence as callous as it is, shows that this is one kidnap too many in our country and also this expressed the poor state of security in our country. It also highlights the reason why this ‘ugly trade’ be tackled by the government to save our country from this dangerous trend.

    “We are appealing to the kidnappers to kindly consider that Chief Ozekhome has a family that rely on him, and by extension the country as a whole. I also appeal to them not to harm him in anyway so that he can re-unite with his family.”

     

  • Man held for ‘attempted kidnap’

    A 25-year-old man, Tosin Ajayi, was yesterday arrested by officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, for “attempting to kidnap” Benjamin Okizi (14).

    Tosin, who lives at No.2, Idemo Street in Ado Ekiti, is being held at the NSCDC headquarters.

    Tosin and another suspect at large allegedly stopped Benjamin, who was said to be running an errand for his mother in Adebayo, and started questioning him.

    They allegedly took the money the boy had on him and were about forcing him on a motorcycle when passers-by, including Benjamin’s mother’s landlady, intervened.

    Tosin was arrested but the other suspect escaped.

  • Kidnap victim narrates ordeal

    An octogenarian that was abducted in Ondo State, Pa. Akinyele Akerele, has narrated his ordeal in the hands of the kidnappers.

    Akerele, a former President of the Bread Bakers’ Association in the state, was abducted near his home in Igbobini by gunmen.

    Narrating his ordeal to reporters, Akerele said his abductors blindfolded him and took him by sea to Sapele in Delta State.

    He said: “As soon as we got to Sapele, they removed the blindfold because it was useless then. They fed me just gari for the whole month. I was beaten mercilessly, especially when money was not forthcoming.

    “I did not know I would survive it. I had never suffered as much as I did in the last one month in the kidnappers den. I was kept in a dirty place on the water. They changed positions every two weeks.

    “The police rescued me. I was shocked when the police identified me and told me it was over.”

    The police have arrested seven suspected kidnappers in connection with the abduction.

    Police spokesman Wole Ogodo gave the names of the suspects as David Iteli, a.k.a Police; Meetin Ebi; Omosola Olorujuwon, a.k.a Jarule; Owei Yanboh; Toyin Asuluwon Emisa, a.k.a Minister; Oluwafemi Asogbon and Austin Shbija.

  • Police rescue 4 kidnapped expatriates in Port Harcourt

    THE police in Rivers State have rescued four kidnapped expatriates.

    Those rescued were: Vadym Shytov and Oleksiv Ishmyetvev (Ukrainians) as well as Obaya Marak (from Kiribati), Mikhail Teresgji (Russian).

    They were kidnapped 100 nautical miles off the coast of Bayelsa State on April 22 and sighted around Borikiri, Port Harcourt two days ago.

    Men of the Anti-Kidnap Unit (AKU) of the Rivers Police Command quickly mobilised and rescued the victims in good health condition.

    The Rivers Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu, received the freed hostages and handed them over to an official of the company, Larry Etete.

    He said investigations were in progress to apprehend the kidnappers.

  • 24 arrested for alleged kidnap of doctor, woman

    Twenty four suspects have been arrested by the police in Ebonyi State for the alleged kidnap of Dr. Pius Manyike and Lydia Uduma.

    Manyike, a consultant paediatrician with the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, was kidnapped on May 5 at 15A, Owerri Street, Abakaliki, when he was driving into his private hospital.

    Ms Uduma was kidnapped on May 9 at her home at Oso Edda in Afikpo South Local Government.

    At a briefing yesterday in Abakaliki, the state capital, police spokesman Sylvester Igbo said Manyike was rescued by the police in a forest at Ohaukwu Local Government; Ms Uduma was rescued in a bush at Amasiri in Afikpo North Local Government.

    His words: ”The command has arrested 24 suspects in connection with the kidnap of both victims and the suspects would soon be charged to court.

    “They are still assisting the police in its investigations.”

    The spokesman said no ransom was paid to secure the release of the doctor, adding that five suspects are helping the police in the investigation.

    “Lydia Uduma of Oso Edda in Afikpo South Local Government, who was kidnapped in her house, was rescued on May 19 at Amasiri bush in Afikpo North Local Government.

    “The victim was rescued without any ransom paid as 19 suspects were also arrested,” he added.

    In a related development, the police also arrested a gang of robbers who on May 18 robbed Dr. Emmanuel Agha and his wife of their laptop, five phones, one wedding ring, one wrist watch, a bank card and N110,000.

    The suspects, according to Igbo, had threatened to kidnap their victims unless N1 million was paid on a stipulated day.

    They were arrested by the police on Afikpo Road, opposite Chiboy Motors, when they came for the money.

    Igbo said: “As the money was dropped, the suspects who appeared to collect it were surprised when security operatives showed up.

    “On sighting the police, they opened fire thereby compelling the police to return fire.

    “During the gun duel, one of the suspects, who was later identified as Elias Abuchi (26) of Amaeka in Ezza South Local Government, was injured.

    “Obinna Opoke(22) of Agbaja Unuhu Abakaliki in Abakaliki Local Government was arrested and ‘confessed’ to the crime

     

    “Items recovered from them include one bank card, one wedding ring with other belongings, one locally made double barrel pistol, one digital camera and one microscope.”

  • Who is Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour?

    Who is Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour?

    Like her husband, Bode, Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, who was kidnapped on Friday along with her daughter and driver in Edo State, is a lawyer.

    She is an alumnus of the University of Lagos where she got her first degree and masters in Law (LLB) and (LLM).She obtained another Masters degree in International Peace and Security at the University of London.

    She also has an international practice diploma in arbitration and is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and Chartered Arbitrator; CEDR (UK) Accredited Mediator; member of the Court of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), The Hague, the Netherlands; member of the Board of the Lagos Court of Arbitration; member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and a member of the International Maritime Conciliation and Mediation Panel (IMCAM).

    She is the second Vice Chairperson of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in England (Nigeria branch), and immediate past President of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria. She was the pioneer Chairperson of the Nigerian Bar Association section on business law, arbitration committee.

    Doyin’s expertise has been recognised in publications such as the arbitration chapter of Who’s Who Legal Nigeria 2009.

    She is listed in the 8th edition of Guide to the World’s Leading Commercial Arbitration Experts [Expert Guide] as one of the preeminent professionals in the world.

    She was voted Chairperson of the Year Arbitration/ADR Committee (2006 and 2009) – Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law.

    She was a member of the National Committee on the Reform and Harmonisation of Arbitration/ADR Laws in Nigeria and currently serves as a board member of the Lagos Court of Arbitration as well as a member, Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague, The Netherlands.

  • Driver’s family to Edo lawmaker:We suspect foul play in our son’s kidnap

    Driver’s family to Edo lawmaker:We suspect foul play in our son’s kidnap

    Their accusation is borne out of illiteracy—Lawmaker 

    Felicia Igbinovia is currently in agony. At the corner of the gate leading to the Edo State House of Assembly, she sat weeping inconsolably. At times, she would jump up running around shouting for whoever cares to prevail on Hon. Victor Edoror to bring her husband back. She has joined her husband’s family to lead a three-day protest to the Assembly Complex over the whereabouts of her husband, Victor.

    Her husband is a civil servant attached to Hon. Edoror who is representing Esan Central Constituency in the house. Edoror is a first-term lawmaker elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    On Sunday February 3, Hon. Edoror called Victor to take him to a function at his constituency and on their way back, unknown gunmen waylaid them and abducted the lawmaker and his driver at Irrua, administrative headquarters of Esan Central.

    Two weeks later, Hon. Edoror was released but his driver is yet to be seen or heard from. The kidnappers are not calling to make any ransom demand. A lawmaker told The Nation that the kidnappers never mentioned the driver during the period of negotiation for the release of Hon. Edoror.

    The questions on the lips of Victor’s family are: Where is our son? If he were killed, where is his body?

    A three-day protest by the family members to the premises of the Edo State House of Assembly paralysed activities at the complex as workers were locked out for several hours before policemen intervened and restored order.

    The family said they are suspecting foul play about the fate of their son, alleging that the lawmaker is not showing enough concern to ensure the release of their son.

    Placards carried by the family members had inscriptions such as: ‘Edoror, bring back our son’; ‘Where is our son, your driver?’ ‘Tell us what you have done to our son’. ‘Why are you silent on our son’s release?’

    Felicia alleged that Edoror asked security officials to chase her away when she went to demand the whereabouts of her husband.

    She said: “Edoror called my husband on Saturday to take him to Irrua, that one of his relatives had an accident. Since that day, I have been waiting for my husband and I have not seen him. I asked the lawmaker, he said he didn’t see my husband, that they were kept in different places. They came to my house three times asking me not to worry, that if the lawmaker is released, my husband would also be released.

    “I am not sure this is kidnapping anymore. I went to his house to demand for my husband but he asked his security details to drive me away. One threatened to shoot me and I dared him to shoot.

    “He does not call us. He said the kidnappers gave him a cell phone and N3,000 but that he cannot make calls with the phone except the kidnappers called him.”

    An elder brother of the driver, Osahon, said the lawmaker has refused to meet with them over their missing brother.

    Reacting, however, Hon. Edoror said it was uncivilised and myopic of the family to accuse him of using his driver for rituals. He said the kidnappers were yet to contact him or make any demand for the release of his driver.

    Edoror explained that the kidnappers took his driver away in his yet-to-be registered official vehicle, adding that the kidnappers, did not mention his driver during his two weeks’ ordeal in their den.

    He said he heard gunshots while in the kidnappers’ jeep and they told him that his driver had been shot.

    According to him, “I have been putting heads together with the family to look for what to do. The kidnappers are not calling. They are not asking for anything.

    “The accusation that I have used their son for rituals is borne out of illiteracy. It is uncivilised. Look at my hands, I was tied for two weeks. I was kept in a cubicle and couldn’t stand straight. I sympathise with the family. I don’t want to believe that the driver was a part of my kidnapping. He is very close to me. I took him as my younger brother. I attend to his private needs. The security agencies should determine whether he was one of them or not.

    “The truth is that it is myopic for them to think that I am a ritualist. How can I use somebody for rituals?  In no distant time, the truth will come out. I have known the driver for three months now. I am an open person. When I was with the kidnappers, they never discussed about my driver. What surprised me was that the kidnappers told me I wasted their time because I had a little delay.

    “When the incident happened, the driver drove towards the kidnappers’ vehicle that had blocked us. He parked the car and ran out towards them holding his head. I was shocked at the way the driver surrendered to them easily. I was dumbfounded. I thought, how could the driver run out of the vehicle?

    They took him away to the other car and left me in the jeep. They put him in my car and the other car. They were eight all of them armed with assault rifles. I cannot do thanksgiving now because I have not seen my driver.”

    It was gathered that Governor Adams Oshiomhole has mandated the Directorate of the State Security Services and the State Police Command to resolve the kidnap saga and rescue the driver.

  • Three kidnap suspects arrested in Enugu

    •‘Car thief’ held in Calabar

    The Anti-Kidnap Unit of the Enugu State Police Command has arrested three robbery and kidnap suspects.

    The suspects, Onyema Ugwueze, Ejike Oduh and Sunday Simon Paul, were arrested at a relaxation park, where fake N500 notes were allegedly found on them.

    Police spokesman Ebere Amaraizu said interrogation of suspects revealed that Oduh belongs to a gang known as Dragon Lord and that his real name is Amos Anene Ezema.

    The suspect, he said, allegedly confessed to the killing of Sunday Elisha in Nsukka, a juju priest known as Ojenamuo and participated in the alleged kidnap of a cleric.

    Amaraizu said the suspects were helping the police with their investigation.

    In Cross River State, the police have arrested a suspected member of a gang of car thieves in Calabar.

    A statement by police spokesman John Umoh said the suspect was arrested after a failed attempt at snatching a car.

    According to the statement, two stolen vehicles were recovered.

    It reads: “On February 23, at about 1110 hours, a one taxi driver, Daniel Okon, reported at the Federal Housing Police Station that four men hired him to take them somewhere.

    “On getting to a street in GRA 1, one of them brought out a locally-made pistol and ordered him out of the vehicle and they drove off.

    “He raised the alarm which attracted the police patrol team in the area.

    “The police pursued the robbers, leading to the arrest of one of them.

    “The car and a locally made pistol were recovered from the robber.

    “ Also recovered was the operation vehicle of the gang, a Mazda car, which was suspected to have been stolen.”