The Nigeria Police have launched manhunt on kidnappers of two a German Archeologists. The Germans were kidnapped in the early hours of Wednesday by unknown gunmen in Janjala area of Kaduna state. The gunmen allegedly kidnapped Prof. Peter Breunig, Mr. Johannes Behringer and killed two locals. To however forestall future incident, the Police have asked foreigners to request and obtain police escorts to protect them any time they are embarking on research, mining, and related endeavours outside the towns and cities across the country. The police noted that the researchers went to escavation site with locales instead of the police escort assigned to them. The police however noted that efforts are being made to search and rescue the two victims unhurt and arrest the pepetrators. On the efforts made, the Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood said yesterday in Abuja: "The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris concerned with the unfortunate incident of the kidnap of the two German Archeologist, in an excavation site at Janjala area of Kagarko LGA of Kaduna, deployed Special Police Forces comprising the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), the Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU), the Anti Kidnapping Unit, the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), the Police Mobile Force, Police Surveillance Helicopters and Special Investigation Team on kidnapping and terrorism Cases under the Command of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations to Janjala Village under Kagarko LGA of Kaduna State to search and rescue the two Germans unhurt and arrest the perpetrators. "The team is already on the ground working in synergy with the Kaduna State Police Command and the local indigenes of towns and surrounding villages where these German Archaeologists were kidnapped. Moshood further expalined: "Though the two Germans archaeologists have Police officers attached to them for their protection at the NOK Archaeology Research Project Centre, they did not go with the Policemen to the excavation site where they were kidnapped. " Two locals in the company of the German archaeologists were killed during the kidnap attack. The Force Spokesman also noted the special forces and police investigators deployed are in contact with the colleagues of the victims and have provided additonal security for their safety. To also achieve prompt result, the DIG in charge of Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department has also been mandated to cordinate the investigation aspect of the operations. On the proliferation of arms and how it has increased the rate of kidnapping, Moshood said: "the IGP has directed that senior police officers should mop up arms and ammunition from unlawful hands. "We have the prohibited firearms and the ones that people can use for gaming and others that are restricted but even then, they are suppose to obtain licence. He said they should mop it up. "The crisis within the sub-region is a problem to Nigeria because there is conflict in Libya, part of Sudan, we equally have in Central African Republic and we have problems of insurgency. We are mindful of these facts and that is why the IGP has directed that the arms be mopped up. On whether the kidnappers have contacted families of the victims, the police said: "the IGP acted promptly because the kidnap was done early hours of Wednesday and as I speak, Police helicopter is on ground surveying, combing all the mountainous difficult terrain to ensure that we rescue these victims. "For the purpose of the safety of the victims, I won't divulge what we have achieved so far so that we can have success without delay. The IG has howver assured that they would be rescued alive. A source close to the investigation told The Nation that kidnappers are yet to contact families of the victims. He said : "the team are already in Kaduna and we are still working on tracking the kidnappers. The kidnappers are yet to contact us or families of the victims and that is what is stalling us".
Tag: kidnappers
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Police launches manhunt on kidnappers of Germans
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Suspected kidnappers abduct Umuahia businessman
An Umuahia businessman, Mr. Onyekachi Okwuodu, has been abducted by gunmen.
Okwuodu was reportedly kidnapped about 9 p.m. on Tuesday in his home at Ajata Okwuru-Ibeku, near Umuahia, Abia State capital.
Speaking to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday, a relation of the victim said the hoodlums ambushed the victim near his home.
“They ambushed him around his home. When he was trying to park his car, they swooped on him and forced him into their Volkswagen Passat vehicle,” the source said.
He told NAN the hoodlums took away their victim’s car with his family.
The source said they later abandoned the family and vehicle, but escaped with Okwuodu.
He said the hoodlums shot dead the leader of a vigilance group at Ukome Isieke-Ibeku village, while trying to escape.
The Nation learnt the hoodlums demanding N20 million ransom from the Okwuodu family.
Police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed the incident to NAN on the phone.
He, however, said the command was yet to get details.
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How I freed my hubby from kidnappers, by wife
•Man needs N1m for arm surgery
An expectant mother, Mrs Sandra Aguveso yesterday relieved what she went through to facilitate the release of her husband by kidnappers last January 26.
She said she trekked several kilometres into Epe forest to drop the ransom cash, bought recharge cards and beverages so that the kidnappers won’t kill her husband, Jonathan Aguveso, 43.
Aguveso, a Minister at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), was shot on his left arm on January 19, before he and three workers were whisked away from Eliasa Farm, Epe.
According to the woman, Aguveso had gone to the farm around 9am to buy eggs, which they usually supplied to their customers, but was kidnapped, shot and taken into the forest.
Aguveso has been on admission at a hospital since January 26, with doctors battling to save his arms.
Twelve steel balls were removed from the arm by a local doctor before he was taken to a specialist hospital where two more pellets were found on the right side.
Aguveso is expected to undergo series of surgeries and spend at least three months in the hospital.
Mrs Aguveso appealed help to underwrite the about N1 million hospital bill.
She said: “We have done the first surgery and the doctor charged N850,000. I was only able to pay N400,000. Then, to remove the other two pellets discovered on his right arm, the doctor said it’ll cost us N70,000. There’s another surgery he said we have to do in three months and that one would cost N500,000. Then, the cost of staying in the hospital per night is N2,500 and we have to be there for three months. Everything is over a million. I am appealing to Nigerians to assist us because we don’t have money. I have used up our savings already.”
Mrs. Aguveso said the kidnappers asked for N15million for her husband’s release, but collected N500,000 which she borrowed.
She was asked to take the money to somewhere in Epe, but when she got there, the kidnappers told her to pick a motorcycle and proceed to Igbodu.
She said: “The motorcyclist who took me to the area refused to stop when I sighted the clothe the kidnappers had asked me to stop by along Epe-Igbodu road. Instead, he drove to the nearest community by the roundabout and raised the alarm that I was working with kidnappers. I couldn’t tell him my mission since the kidnappers had threatened to kill my husband, come to my house and finish my entire family if I said anything.
“So, I was just begging that I am not a kidnapper and don’t know them. That I was looking for someone and it was the person who asked me to stop there. That I don’t know what the man was talking about. The bike man now left me at the roundabout, collected his money and left.
“The kidnappers were calling and asked me to start trekking down until I got to the clothe before branching into the forest. I trekked several kilometers before I got there. I was afraid but saving my husband’s life was my priority. I wrapped the N500,000 ransom I was able to generate into farm clothes and dressed like a farmer so that no one would accost me on the road and collect the money.
“When I got to the clothe, I couldn’t branch because vehicles were passing. I didn’t want them to say I led spies or police to them. So, I explained to them that I would have to pass the place a bit and then return after the vehicles had gone, which I did.
“When I entered the forest, I walked until I came to an underbridge, where I heard gunshots. There, I saw two men. One of them was fair. They didn’t wear mask and they were holding guns. They asked me to stop there and I did.
“They had told me to buy malt, liquid milk, Sprite and Seven Up drinks, which I did. They also told me to buy cigarette but I begged them that I was a Minister and it would be against my faith to buy it. But that I can monetise the cigarette when I get there. They also asked me to buy recharge card of N3,000, which I did.
“So, when I got there, I dropped the things with them. But as I bent down to drop the money, I saw about seven other armed men inside a boat. They told me to turn back that I would meet my husband on the road. But when I got to Epe roundabout without seeing my husband, I called the number they were using to call me. The number is registered on Truecaller as VM Abiodun.
“They picked and told me to go home. I now asked if my husband would be able to get home and that what if he didn’t have transport fare but they said I should go home that they would give him transport. That he was still weak from the gunshot injury and was receiving treatment.
“So, on the seventh day, the farm owner called my brother-in-law to ask if we have seen my husband because they have been released. We said no and became worried. This was around 6pm. I was crying and wondering what might have happened to him but around 9pm, someone knocked on the door and when we opened, it was my husband.”
Mrs. Aguveso said she quickly went in search of a hospital that can treat the gunshot injury since the bullet has been inside his body for seven days.
She said her husband disclosed that he hasn’t drink water for six days and that the kidnappers warned him to not drink water until the bullet was removed.
“He said they also gave him a local concoction to drink in order to stop the effect of the bullet. That we should get a hospital or a nurse to treat him properly. But neither the hospital I went to nor the private nurse agreed to attend to him without police report. They said they won’t treat him.
“I had to contact the Divisional Police Officer and he told the nurse to treat my husband that we would get the report in the morning. When we got it, we were directed to a doctor who extracts bullet locally and he removed the steel balls. From there, we went to Epe General Hospital but when their surgeon wasn’t forthcoming, we were referred to the specialist hospital where he’s been all the while.” -
OPC joins military in manhunt for kidnappers
Smarting from some of its members’ death in kidnappers hands, the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) yesterday joined the military to flush out some of its criminals from the Lagos-Ogun creeks.
The Nigerian Army on Monday launched an onslaught against kidnappers after Lieutenant Gyang was abducted at Ijedodo in Abule Ado, a Lagos suburb.
An OPC Coordinator, Akeem Lawal, was injured in an attack by militants last weekend.
A statement by Yinka Oguntimehin, spokesman for the Gani Adams OPC faction, said the group had run out of patience and was ready to take the war to the militants.
He said: “We are taking no more chances. I think our tolerance has been mistaken for cowardice and it is time to act. Now we are ready to join hands with the relevant Nigerian forces to smoke out all militants that have constituted themselves as the tail troubling the dog of Lagosians all these while. We have already moved into action, and they shall all be smoked out and dealt with, in no time.”
It was gathered that over 20 armed militants stormed Ijedodo on Friday night and dragged the Lieutenant into their speedboat after engaging the soldiers there in a gun duel.
Operatives of Operation Awatse, a task force headed by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC) Rear Admiral Fergusson Bobai have since taken over the various entry and exit points into the creeks.
There were sporadic gunshots at Festac throughout Monday and in the early hours of yesterday forcing residents to remain indoors.
A fisherman, said he noticed suspicious movements when he came to inspect his fishing net.
He said: “I was coming to inspect my fishing net when I noticed some suspicious movements. One speed boat was at the shore with a man pretending to be carrying out repairs on it.
“Then all of a sudden, my fears were confirmed following deafening gun shots. As that was going on, I saw a soldier being dragged into the speed boat that I assumed was faulty and they sped off shooting.” -
Kidnappers free CDA chief
•Police quiz suspected opc member
Kidnappers yesterday freed Mr Dayo Adekoya, four days after he was taken from his Isheri North GRA home of Lagos State.
Adekoya, secretary of the residents’ association, was dropped by the canal near his home, around 3am after the kidnappers collected an undisclosed ransom from his family.
He has been taken to an undisclosed hospital for screening.
Details about his release were sketchy last night. His family and fellow landlords declined to speak. It was learnt that the police have warned them against speaking to the press.
The kidnappers stormed the doctor’s home in the wee hours of last Thursday shooting sporadically, leaving three persons dead and two others injured.
They subsequently contacted the victim’s wife and demanded N50million, an amount they insisted on until Sunday evening.
An Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) member is being quizzed by security operatives over the kidnap.
The landlords are worried over the incessant kidnapping in the estate, which they noted had made many to flee their homes.
A landlord, Nurudeen Adeyemo, said it should be contained for the residents’ safety.
He said: “We appeal to the government to help dredge the canal to make it easy for patrol. The hoodlums behind the abduction of residents know this and they are using it to their advantage.”
Another resident, Bayo Jamiu said: “I will like to appreciate God for reuniting Dayo with his family. It has been four days of traumatic experience for those of us who reside in the estate and nightmarish for his family.”
“The way the armed men stormed the estate and were shooting on the day of the incident got me terribly scared. Those of us who stayed behind after the attack kept night vigil, because I do not know if the criminals will come back. But today I have cause to say Lord I thank you.”
The estate’s chairman, Remi Osijo declined comments on the release, urging the reporter to contact the police.
He said: “I only know that he has been freed. That’s what I heard. Besides, I have been asked to not speak to anybody. The police are in a better position to give you the information you require. Please contact the police. I can only tell you that I have not been able to reach the wife since then. Her number hasn’t been going through and no one has really told us anything.”
Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni confirmed that the man has been released, adding that efforts were on to apprehend the culprits.
Owoseni who declined to give details of Adekoya’s release and if ransom was paid, stated that security forces were concluding plans to carry out an operation in the area, assuring that the culprits would face the full wrath of the law when apprehended to serve as deterrence.
“The man is healthy. He’s reunited with his family and they are thankful to the police. The residents are also thankful that the police were able to quickly mobilize to disrupt the kidnappers’ plan, which was to abduct more people.”
Giving details on the planned operation, the command’s spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police (SP) said: “We conducted threat analysis with the Nigerian Army to ascertain if residents of the estate are under any form of danger but could not find any. It is our duty to protect the people, no matter how difficult a terrain is. Very soon, the Nigerian Airforce will carry out aerial patrol of the area, while the navy would patrol the creeks.” -
Ambode orders manhunt for kidnappers
Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday asked the police to launch a manhunt for the kidnappers.
In a statement, Information and Strategy Commissioner Steve Ayorinde, said the governor urged the police to move “decisively and promptly” to arrest the kidnappers.
Ambode commiserated with the families of the slain security guards, saying the government is working with security agencies to ensure the victims release.
Ayorinde said: “A while ago, the police commissioner confirmed that police has commenced investigation as well as put in place necessary rescue operation to ensure the release of the victim.
“While the state government commiserates with the families of the three dead estate security guards, it will leave no stone unturned to ensure that lives and property of residents in the state are protected.”
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Ambode okays death sentence for kidnappers in Lagos
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday signed into law the anti-kidnapping bill recently passed by the State House of Assembly, with a pledge to ensure its full implementation to eradicate kidnapping once and for all in the State.
The Prohibition of the Act of Kidnapping Law imposes a penalty of life imprisonment on kidnapping for ransom. The law also stipulates that where a victim dies in the course of kidnap, the suspect is liable on conviction to death.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held at Lagos House in Ikeja, Governor Ambode said the spate of kidnapping in the State had gotten to a level that required decisive action from government, hence the need for the enactment of the law to send serious message to perpetrators of such heinous crime.
He said aside the enactment of the law, the State Government was also putting in place appropriate measures particularly in the schools and other vulnerable targets to prevent kidnapping and other security breaches.
The Governor said: “Security is of utmost importance to our administration and we are confident that this law will serve as a deterrent to anybody who may desire to engage in this wicked act within the boundaries of Lagos.
“Why we use this law to address the challenge and punish the criminals, we are also putting in place appropriate measures particularly in our schools and other vulnerable targets to prevent security breaches and it is important that we ensure that everything we do in respect of this anti-kidnapping law is in good faith and good spirit to eradicate the issue of kidnapping once and for all in the State.”
Governor Ambode assured that the justice system would be activated to execute the anti-kidnapping law to the letter to ensure that any criminal caught is subjected to the full wrath of the law.
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Kidnappers demand N10m ransom for Catholic priest
The parish priest of St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Eku in Ethiope East council area of Delta State, Rev. Fr. Joseph Oghenekevwe Ojakorotu, has been kidnapped.
The clergy was reportedly forced out of his vehicle along the Eku-Sapele Road Friday afternoon while on his way to Sapele, around Dafinone Plantation.
The kidnappers were said to have abandoned his vehicle in the middle of the road.
Reliable sources informed our correspondent yesterday evening the kidnappers had established contacts with some of his parishioners and demanded a N10 million ransom for his release.
“The kidnappers have reached out to some parishioners this afternoon and insisted that the Father won’t be released if we don’t pay the N10 million ransom,” a source said yesterday evening.
When contacted, spokesman of the Delta state police command, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, told our correspondent police operatives were already on the trail of the kidnappers.
He said the main concern of the men was to rescue unhurt before going after perpetrators for arrest and prosecution.
“Our men are on the case already and what I can assure you of is that we shall not let these criminals succeed.
“Our primary concern is to get the Reverend Father out unhurt first. Then we shall ensure to arrest the criminals and get them prosecuted. They shall not go unpunished in this case,” Aniamaka assured.
Rev Fr Ojakorotu is the second Catholic priest to be abducted in Delta state in the last four months.
Rev. Fr. Paul Irikefe, a lecturer at the SS Peter and Paul Catholic Major Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan, was kidnapped around Warri/Effurun metropolis last September.
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Kidnappers free Turkish school pupils, officials
Three pupils and five employees of the Nigerian Tulip International Colleges (NTIC) kidnapped two weeks ago from the school premises near Lagos, have been freed.
They were released at about 8:45pm and have been reunited with their families. -
Kidnappers fail to release pupils, others after collecting ransom
Distraught parents and relatives of the kidnapped Nigerian Turkish International Colleges (NTIC) are wondering what next after their hope of reuniting with their loved ones was dashed at the weekend.
The kidnappers, who stormed the school premises, snatching away three children and five members of the staff, were said to have promised to release the victims on Friday night.
Their promise, it was gathered, was sequel to the over N10million ransom the kidnappers allegedly collected from the victims’ relatives.
It was learnt that the kidnappers had ordered the relatives to drop the ransom at designated points on Friday. They were later told where to pick up their relatives.
But the kidnappers reneged on the agreement on allegation that some of the relatives brought security operatives to the designated places.
While some were asked to go to certain locations in Ogun and Ondo states, others were directed to wait at Agboju, on the Badagry Expressway around 9pm on Friday.
They were also warned not to receive any telephone call, except theirs while at the designated points.
Having disappointed them on Friday, it was gathered that the kidnappers told the parents the children would be returned on Saturday night.
The parents, it was gathered, pleaded with the police to stay off the matter, insisting that since they had paid the ransom, they were only interested in having their children back.
A woman, who pleaded not to be named for security reasons, said her family paid N5million on Friday.
She said: “What else do they want us to do? We paid N5 million and yet they have refused to release my little girl. This is the ninth day and the longest of all such incidents in schools ever witnessed. Is this a repeat of Chibok girls abduction?
“The most annoying part is that the Ogun State government seems to be adamant over this. Apart from the day the Deputy Governor visited the school and assured us that they would be released, nothing has been heard from the government.
“One would have expected that such kidnap in a foreign school should be given the needed attention, so as to redeem our image internationally, but no! They have left us to our fate because it is not their children that are involved.
“The police keep assuring us that they would release them. How long do they want us to wait, for eternity?”
The police said they were hopeful the girls would be rescued in a few days time.
According to the spokesman for Ogun command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), security forces are closing in the kidnappers.
He said: “We are very optimistic. We believe that we would rescue the girls soon. It is not true that we have not been talking with the parents. How can we abandon them? It will be unfair for any parent to say so because it is far from the truth. The only thing is that we can not reveal the strategy we are taking because that may jeopardise our efforts.”