A pastor with Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel) in Calabar, Cross River State, Pastor Seyi Adekunle, who was abducted last Saturday by unknown gunmen was released yesterday.
Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Hogan Bassey confirmed this yesterday.
According to him, no ransom was paid and three suspects have been arrested.
A source told our reporter yesterday evening that the pastor was taken to the outskirts of Calabar at midnight by his abductors and asked to go find his way from there.
A Catholic priest has been abducted in Ido-Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
Rev Emmanuel Akingbade, the parish priest of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, was kidnapped by a three-man gang from his house on Tuesday night.
The kidnappers are said to be demanding N20 million ransom.
The abduction has led to youths protest in the community.
The protesters blocked the highway that passes through the town with used tyres, logs of wood and other objects, demanding the priest’s release.
The irate protesters wondered why the town was being targeted by kidnappers as many people have been abducted in the community and its environs.
Many motorists plying the Ifaki-Ido-Otun Road either parked or turned back so as not to be caught in the protest.
Akingbade, who is also a lawyer, was born on September 9, 1971. He was ordained on July 18, 1998.
The cleric is also the Assistant Director, Justice, Development and Peace Initiative (JDPI) of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti.
The Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Bishop Felix Ajakaye said the kidnappers ordered one of the occupants in the priest’s house to lead them to the cleric’s room.
Bishop Ajakaye said the Commissioner of Police, Etop John James, has been informed.
According to him, the kidnappers made away with the priest’s laptop, mobile phone and an undisclosed amount of money.
He described the incident as “very sad and devastating”, adding that the church has not been able to contact the abductors.
“They told the priest that some amount of money had been paid for his life, except if he could pay them N20million.
“They asked him to put on any cloth he likes and drove him away, since then we have not been able to contact him,” Bishop Ajakaye said.
Police spokesman Alberto Adeyemi said the command is working to free the priest.
Adeyemi said: “We are aware of it and we are following it up.
“The DPO in Ido informed the command about the incident and we are trying our best to get him released.”
Governor Ayo Fayose has described the kidnapping as a challenge to the state.
His Chief Press Secretary , Idowu Adelusi quoted the governor, in a broadcast, as saying plans were underway to rid the state of kidnappers,
Fayose, who emphasised that the modalities of dealing with kidnapping was different from other crimes, appealed to the people to remain peaceful.
He said there must be cooperation to ensure peace reigns in the state.
The governor confirmed that the kidnap suspects earlier arrested were still in police custody.
According to him, kidnapping goes beyond political matters.
He promised to give N2 million to anyone who can provide useful information that could lead to the arrest of the kidnappers.
The governor said there would be police checkpoints at strategic places.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, Mr. Israel Mark, who was kidnapped last week by unidentified gunmen has been released.
Mark was kidnapped last Monday near his residence on Ozumba Street, Aba, while returning from work.
A source who pleaded for anonymity said the PDP chieftain was dropped at an undisclosed location in Osisioma, some kilometers away from the commercial city.
In a related development, Police officers from Ndiegoro Division last week foiled the attempted kidnap of an Aba based lawyer, Emeka Uwakolam.
It was gathered that the abductors whisked the lawyer away in his Mercedes ML 320 but were double-crossed by a police patrol at the Ndiegoro jurisdiction.
Police spokesman Ezekiel Onyeke, confirming the incident said the police engaged the hoodlums in a cross fire and overpowered them. The hoodlums however pushed their victim out of the car and escaped.
Onyeke said persons hit by stray bullet were recuperating in an undisclosed hospital in Aba, adding that Uwakolam’s car had been recovered from where it was abandoned at Abayi Community Hall.
He added that a Honda Element with blood stains was recovered.
A middle-aged woman, Mrs. Opeyemi Adeniran and her daughter, Oyinkansola have been kidnapped in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State.
They were kidnapped on Friday around 8:00pm at their residence on Plot 4, Lodi 2, Apooyin Street, Lodi 2, Academy, Odo-ona in Elewe.
It was gathered that the abductors made away with Mrs. Adeniran, fondly called Mummy Mathew and Oyin baby, in an Ash colour Volkwagen Golf 3 car with registration number FKJ 238 BD.
Confirming the incident, her brother who simply identified himself as Mr. Banjo said: “The family had been battling with the situation since yesterday (Friday night).”
He also informed that a formal report had been lodged at Orita-Challenge police station.
As at yesterday, her friends were sharing useful information that might help in locating her on their social media account, especially on Facebook.
The Public Relations Officers, Oyo State Police Command, DSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, could not be reached on his mobile telephone.
A short message service (SMS) also sent to his line was not replied as at the time of going to press.
Malam Ayuba Ibeto, younger brother of Niger State deputy governor, Ahmed Ibeto, was kidnapped at about 10 pm on Friday at Ibeto, Magama Local Government Area of the state.
He was taken away from the deputy governor’s family house by a six-man armed gang.
A source close to the deputy governor said the kidnappers sporadically shot into the air on arrival at the Ibeto’s in a Golf car and a Toyota Hilux van to scare away people who might want to confront them, before seizing their target.
The hoodlums later called the mother of the victim by phone demanding an undisclosed ransom.
It was gathered that Ayuba pleaded with his kidnappers yesterday morning to speak with his aged sick mother but was turned down.
“Instead, the kidnappers used Ayuba’s phone to call his mother and told her that her son was safe but they told the old woman all they needed was money,” the source said.
Attempts by the family to call Ayuba’s line later failed as his captors had switched off as at the time of filling this report.
Contacted, the state police command spokesperson, DSP Ibrahim Gambari said the police were not aware of the incident.
According to him: “I am not aware of any such incident but I will investigate”.
Efforts to get the deputy governor failed to yield result as he refused to pick our reporter’s calls.
A businessman identified as Josiah Alaobi has been reportedly kidnapped in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State by unknown gunmen.
Alaobi, a building material dealer in Ariaria International market was said to have been kidnapped at 147 Chinyere Avenue, off Faulks road Aba by yet to be identified gunmen who were trailing him.
An unconfirmed report has it that the abductors were demanding undisclosed amount of cash which it was not clear whether they have paid as at the time of this report.
It was learnt that the matter has been reported to the Ariaria Police Division.
In another development, the mystery surrounding the sudden death of a pregnant 20-year-old lady identified as Akudo Michael from Umuocham village, Abia State is yet to be unraveled by the police in Isiala Ngwa police division.
Unconfirmed report has it that the deceased had been away from the village for a while and have allegedly been living with a man, whose identity was yet unknown.
It was gathered that on that fateful day, the villagers met her lifeless body dumped in a particular part of the community by unknown person.
Members of the family were yet to be contacted for comments, but a source in the area said that the matter has been reported at the Isiala Ngwa Police Division.
No official comments from the police as at the time of this report.
•Gunmen abduct man
Six gunmen at the weekend invaded the home of a man, simply identified as Mr. Amankwo at Amaorji in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, Aba in Abia State and kidnapped his eight-month-old son, Chima.
Sources said the kidnappers, who arrived in a red car, took the baby from his cot.
The abductors’ two mobile phones were allegedly picked up on the scene of the incident.
Also, a resident of Aba was reportedly kidnapped at the weekend.
It was learnt the victim, Nnanna Ngwakwe, was snatched about 7:45pm at 10, Akwarandu Street, opposite a filling station on Ikot Ekpene Road, Ehere, Aba.
It was yet to be established whether they have contacted the victim’s family.
The kidnapped wife of Pastor Chris Aniamaka of the Dominion City, Kpirikpiri, Abakaliki, Mrs. Ifeanyi Aniamaka, has been released after four days in captivity.
It was learnt that no ransom was paid.
Speaking with The Nation, Pastor Aniamaka said he was happy about the release of his wife, adding that he was happy to reunite with her.
His words: “I’m grateful to God for the release of my wife. It wasn’t easy. I thank the brethren, who prayed day and night for my wife’s release.
“I also thank the security agents, especially Commissioner of Police Maigari Dikko and the SSS personnel for their contributions towards my wife’s release.”
Investigation showed that the victim was rescued near Oriuzor in Ezza North Local Government. The kidnappers did not molest her when she was in captivity.
SANs, others seek colleague’s release
There is outrage in the land over the kidnap of former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Okey Wali (SAN).
Wali was kidnapped at about 9pm on Saturday in Port Harcourt.
NBA, in a statement by its president Augustine Alegeh (SAN), said: “ The Nigerian Bar Association has just received shocking news that the 26th President, Okey Wali (SAN) was on Saturday 11th October, 2014 at about 9pm kidnapped by unknown persons in Port Harcourt.
“Wali is a man of peace who has not only contributed immensely to the enthronement of rule of law and protection of human rights, but also to the development of our Nation.
“It is, therefore, saddening that he should become a kidnap victim. This sad event is yet another reminder of the state of insecurity in which all Nigerians live.
“The NBA calls on the Federal Government to step up efforts to fulfill its primary constitutional role of providing for the welfare and security of all Nigerians.
“We passionately appeal to his abductors for his immediate and safe release to his family.”
There is no demand for ransom yet.
The men of the Rivers Police Command, headed by Dan Bature, immediately swung into action and recovered Wali’s car, which was abandonned at the Ozuoba Junction on NTA-Choba Road in Port Harcourt, while still on trail of the kidnappers.
It was learnt that the kidnappers trailed Wali, a Rivers indigene, to Ozuoba Junction, stopped in front of his vehicle, shot into the air many times to scare other motorists and passersby in the densely-populated Ikwerre community and dragged him out of his car into their steaming vehicle and sped off to Choba River, beside UNIPORT, where he was whisked away in a speed boat to an unknown destination.
Rivers police spokesman Muhammad Kidaya Ahmad, who confirmed the kidnap of the ex-NBA President by telephone, assured that efforts were being made to ensure his early release unhurt, while expressing optimism that the gunmen would soon be apprehended and prosecuted, to serve as a deterrent to other criminally-minded people.
Ahmad said: “Okey Wali was kidnapped while going home, sometime in the early hours of last night. As soon as the police got the information of his abduction, we swung into action. His vehicle was recovered at Ozuoba. We are still on their trail, with a view of rescuing him safely and possible apprehension of his abductors.”
The Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) yesterday added its voice to the call on security agencies to secure Wali’s release.
The group’s Vice President, Emeka Obegolu said, in a statement, that PALU received the news of Wali’s kidnap “with a sense of foreboding.”
It urged security agencies in the country “to ensure the immediate release of this committed African Bar leader and his safe return to his family.
“We call on his abductors to spare Okey Wali SAN from harm as his voice has remained constant against all the evils besieging Nigeria and the African continent. We join his family and the NBA in prayers for his safe homecoming,” PALU said.
Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) and former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja, Monday Ubani have urged the federal government and the Rivers state government not leave any stone unturned in securing the release of the former of the association , Mr. Okey Wali (SAN) from the custody of the kidnappers.
In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday, Falana said all hands must be on deck in combating the menace of abduction, armed robbery, terrorism and other violent crimes plaguing the society adding “these crimes should be fought and defeated like the Ebola virus. Apart from mobilizing security forces to end these dangerous crimes the government should fight illiteracy and unemployment in the country”. He advised the leadership of the NBA to go beyond the usual issuance of a press statement in demanding for the immediate release of the senior lawyer from the custody of the kidnappers. He recalled that when Kayode Ajulo and Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN were kidnapped in the Federal Capital Territory and Edo state respectively, he called on the NBA “to embark on a symbolic protest with a view to compelling the federal government to halt the obscene commercialization in the liberty of unarmed Nigerians and foreigners alike by human traffickers. But the Wali-led NBA ignored my call”.
He noted that since then, hundreds of people have been kidnapped in Rivers, Bayelsa and other states of the Federation. “In the north east zone women and girls have been seized and subjected to serial rape by their abductors. While the fundamental rights of abducted persons to life, liberty, dignity and freedom of movement were being violated by criminal gangs the NBA felt totally unperturbed. “Even the barbaric assassination of lawyers and the primitive abduction of over 270 Chibok girls in Borno state did not worry the NBA. As it is now crystal clear that no citizen is safe in any part of the country, lawyers can no longer maintain questionable silence in the face of the from massive violations of the human rights of the people by lawless individuals”, he stated.
The erudite lawyer stated, “having abdicated it’s responsibility of securing the life and property of every citizen the Federal Government has left the families and friends of the victims of abductions to pay ransom to secure their release from custody. Sadly, some of the kidnapped persons lost their lives. Henceforth, the NBA must institute actions praying the courts to compel the Federal Government to refund any ransom paid for the release of any abducted person. More importantly, the NBA should embark on urgent measures designed to compel the Federal Government to actualize section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of a Nigeria which stipulates that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”, he said.
Ubani , in his reaction, described as highly condemnable the abduction of the immediate past President of the association, Okey Wali (SAN).
Ubani wondered why Wali, who according to him is not a politician, could be kidnapped.
“Wali’s abduction is highly condemnable. I plead for his release. The abductors should spare the country and legal profession the agony of any pain and loss. The man is not a politician and does not have the kind of money they may be demanding. They should release him unconditionally and promptly too”, he pleaded.
To the first female NBA President, Dame Prisicilia Kuye, Wali’s abduction is a terrible thing which the government must stop.
She called on the government to put in place stiffer punishment for kidnappers and ensure the laws are fully implemented.
“The problem in this country is that we do not implement laws. If an example could be set with three or four people, the menace of kidnapping will stop.
“What has Wali done? Why kidnap him? This is also a threat to the judicial system especially if one recalls the Ekiti State saga, where a serving judge was beaten and his cloth torn.
“With the way things are going, there is every possibility of anarchy. I urge the Inspector General of Police to look into these issues and get the suspects apprehended.
“Also, I plead with Wali’s abductors to release him. The government should also create jobs for unemployed youths in order to reduce the menace,” she said.
Former Attorney ýGeneral and Commissioner of Justice, Edo State, Dr. Ossgie Obayuwana, called on Nigerians to engage in civil disobedience in order to compel the government to meet its basic responsibility of securing lives and properties.
He described Nigeria as a failed state running on auto-pilot.
“I call on the Nigerian people to engage in civil disobedience ý until the state can assure us, her citizens of the protection of our lives and properties.
“The state has disarmed us and still not doing anything to provide protection for us; how can such a state expect us to continue to be loyal to it and pay taxes?
“We should defer such a state until they realise that this matter is serious. When Goodluck Jonathan’s uncle was kidnapped, did that arouse the importance to put in place an effective police force? It did not. They just negotiated and got him released.
“This is a country where we had a judge kidnapped and his finger chopped off as a bargaining chip.
“The whole situation is evidence of a failed state because it shows the state has failed in its fundamental obligation of protecting lives and properties.
“When you call ýfor help from the police, there is no assurance you will get protection. Nigeria is on auto-pilot. You cannot be talking about democracy when its basics have been abused with impunity.
“Our police and military are overwhelmed. I am not surprised it is Wali because it could have been anybody at anytime. The only people who enjoy some measure of protection are those in political offices. Perhaps, the executive but they tooo are not save because their relations are not spared.
“It is a fundamental challenge and the question all these poses to the Nigerian people is what to do to get the state to meet its obligation to the people? There is need for a new revolution to get the state to meet its fundamental obligations.
“People should revolt to get the government to meet its responsibility to the citizens as foundation to pay taxes,” he said.
Constitutional lawyer Norrison Quakers (SAN)ý said Wali’s abduction is a pointer to the security challenge in the nation.
“How do we explain the kidnapping of a thorough bred professional. If a former President of an association such as the NBA can be kidnapped at gun point, who then is safe?
“Government should immediately address the multifarious security issues, so that professionals can criss-cross the nation contributing their quota to societal development and encourage external investment.
“The spate of abduction is too rampant and frequent. The constitutional responsibility of government in terms of security must not only be seen to be done but must in fact be done, said Quakers.
Freedom came at the weekend for Ebonyi State Dr Chester Onuora, four days after he was abducted in Abakaliki, the state capital, by four gunmen.
Onuora was reportedly taken from his Holy Trinity Hospital in Abakaliki when he was rounding off for the day.
A source close to his family said the abductors tied his hands and feet, blindfolded him and took him to an uncompleted building near neighbouring Enugu State.
The source added: “When they brought him to the uncompleted building, he slumped. This caused panic among his abductors to the extent that they bought drugs and forcefully administered them on him.”