The Nation Newspaper

Tag: kidnappers

  • Jonathan’s foster father released

    Chief Inengite Nitabai, the kidnapped septuagenarian uncle and foster father to former President Goodluck Jonathan has been released by his abductors.

    Details of his release were still sketchy at the time of filing this report.

    Nitabai, the former university lecturer, who was kidnapped on February 17, was said to have regained his freedom on Tuesday evening.

    A security source, Nitabai, a community leader in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, was freed and had re-united with his family.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Asinim Butswat confirmed the development but said he had no details.

     

  • Kidnappers need activist lawyers too

    SIR: The vehement castigation of President Muhammadu Buhari on account of violation of the fundamental rights of corrupt suspects is spurious as it is suspicious.

    The activist lawyers some in the ranking of Senior Advocate of Nigeria would always use the legal wisecrack that underscores the innocence of any suspect until such suspect is proven guilty to castigate the president.

    One is left in stitches by the activists’ use of the arrest and subsequent release of the PDP Publicity Secretary to upbraid the president.

    It is easy to notice a wide variance between activism bequeathed by the likes of late Gani Fawehinmi and the current suspicious template where the so-called activists would rather queue behind corrupt individuals to offer legal services.

    One then wonders why none of these activists have considered it apropos to render the same service in defence of kidnappers and the armed robbers whose fundamental human rights are also at stake.

    Gani Fawehinmi of blessed memory would not defend corrupt individuals against the state.

    The constitutional provision that allows individuals to enforce their fundamental rights against EFCC and challenge any detention without trial is enough to insulate the president from any blame traceable to the discretional powers of EFCC.

    As we speak, most individuals currently being prosecuted by the EFCC have their freedoms unabridged.

    The unwarranted vituperations against the president in the name of activism have more political coloration than a patriotic inclination to radicalism as it were.

    The truth is that the kidnappers and other malefactors have not committed any offence worse than those orthodox with the celebrated corrupt individuals, but the incestuous possession of stolen funds by corrupt individuals is a big attraction to our pernicious activists.

    • Bukola Ajisola,

    Victoria Island, Lagos.

  • Navy floods N’Delta waterways with gunboats 

    Navy floods N’Delta waterways with gunboats 

    The Nigerian Navy, in a three-day operation, paraded all its gunboats, war ships and other movable arsenals on waterways located within the Areas of Responsibility (AoR) of the Central Naval Command (CNC).

    The navy in an apparent move to show its strength dominated the waterways with its presence and sent signals to oil thieves, kidnappers, pirates, pipeline vandals and other maritime criminals of its readiness to deal with them.

    In the operation codenamed, “Exercise Projector”, the navy vowed to intensify its patrols, tackle all forms of economic crimes and fight illegalities in its operational areas in the Niger Delta region.

    The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command (CNC), Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman regretted that maritime crimes led to significant loss in revenue accruable to the government.

    He also said that the damage of strategic oil installations had impacted negatively on the economy and security.

    But he said the navy was capable of demystifying the creeks and dislodging miscreants from their hideouts.

    “There shall be no hideouts for these miscreants anymore in short time in our operational domains”, he said.

    He noted that the country had continued to look for permanent solutions to the challenges of illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism in Niger Delta communities.

    The FOC said the concluded exercise was a strategy ordered by the Chief Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas to identify the hideouts of criminals and flush them out.

    He insisted that the exercise would suppress the activities of criminals whose actions had negatively affected the economy and the environment.

    He said the zero tolerance to oil theft the Navy had maintained over time yielded positive results in the oil sector.

    According to him the navy would embarked on regular patrols of waterways in its operational areas to block the entire maritime space to reduce criminalities in the creeks.

    The FOC further said that the command acquired 15 gunboats to enforce to undertake operations in the Niger Delta communities and warned criminals and sea robbers to stay clear from its operational areas.

    He said: “We are going to enforce the patrol of Niger Delta creeks, blocking the entire maritime space to reduce criminal activities and smoke criminals out from their hideouts.

    “The Navy has decided to make the business of crude oil theft and the waterways unattractive for criminals.”

    He, however, appealed for support from community heads, operators of oil companies asking them to report suspicious characters and activities to the command.

  • Life imprisonment for kidnappers

    Life imprisonment for kidnappers

    The Oyo State House of Assembly has passed the Oyo State Kidnapping Prohibition bill 2015, which attract life imprisonment for anyone involved in kidnapping.

    It was presented by the Chairman on Judiciary and Justice, Solomon Akande, at the plenary yesterday, which was presided over by the Speaker, Michael Adeyemo.

    The bill stipulates that anyone convicted of kidnapping will get life imprisonment, anyone who aids kidnapping will be imprisoned for 20 years, anyone who harbours kidnapped persons or provides instrument for kidnapping will get 10 years imprisonment.

    Also, anyone who lies about being kidnapped will get seven years imprisonment.

  • Kidnappers abduct Magistrate, two others in Edo

    Kidnappers abduct Magistrate, two others in Edo

    Kidnappers operating along Benin-Auchi express road on Wednesday abducted a serving Senior Magistrate simply identified as Hassana.

    The police orderly of Hassana whose name was given as Marcus was shot and currently receiving treatment.

    Family sources said Hassana was going to Ehor, headquarters of Uhunmwode Local Government when she and two others were abducted.

    The source said the kidnappers randomly picked motorists along the road and whisked them away.

    It was learnt that after Hassana orderly was shot, he driver managed to drive the vehicle into an earth road which led to a village where he thought they would be safe.

    But the kidnappers struck again and took the Magistrate away.

    As at press time, no contact has been made to her family.

    A police source the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, has already directed the Commissioner of Police in the state, Chris Ezike to ensure the immediate release of the abducted persons and arrest of the abductors.

    Spokesman for the police, DSP Abiodun Osifo, confirmed the abduction and said policemen were already combing the bush with a view to releasing the victims.

  • Kidnapped Lagos school girls freed

    Kidnapped Lagos school girls freed

    The three girls kidnapped from Babington Macurlay Junior Seminary (BMJS) Ikorodu, have regained freedom.
    Oluwatimehin Olusa, Tofunmi Popoolaniyan and Deborah Akinayo were abducted from their classroom on Monday night by suspected pipeline vandals.
    It was gathered that the girls were rescued at about 9:45am on Sunday by a team led by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni.
    Their rescue came two days after the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase deployed the Special Intelligence Response Team (SIRT) to compliment the efforts of the Lagos State Command.
    The Nation also gathered that three of the suspects have been arrested and currently at the command’s headquarters in Ikeja.
    Among the suspects was one Emmanuel Arikiti, identified as a kingpin and two others who allegedly registered the Sim Card that was used to contact the girls’ parents for ransom.
    A police source who disclosed that security agents had earlier infiltrated the gang and arrested their parents in a bid to force the hand of the kidnappers, added that the criminals gave up because of too much pressure on them.
    “After Arikiti was arrested, the father of two of the criminals, volunteered to go into the Adamo creeks to speak with the others.
    “He went with a canoe after Arikiti gave the police exact location of the girls. When he got to the creeks, he appealed to their baser nature, while informing them that the police have arrested one of their gang members.
    “He also told them that if they dont release the girls, that the police had stationed their helicopters for aerial bombardment. Seeing no other way out, the suspects quickly took the girls to Igbo-Okuta Bridge, Imota, dropped them their and called in anonymously,” said the source.
    Confirming their release, Owoseni:
    “Yes the girls have been rescued. I am with them and about to hand them over to thier principal and parents. In continuation of our search for the girls, I received information that they were sighted at Imota area of Ikorodu. I went there to pick them up in my car and they are safe in police custody.
    “There were rescued about 9.44am today (Sunday). I can confirm that some of the suspects were arrested. We are not aware if ransom was paid.”
    Owoseni who slept in the area said he was driving around Ikorodu in his car when he got a telephone call that the girls were sighted at Imota.
    “They were rescued by the Imota police division. I carried the girls in my car and took them to the school to reunite them with their parents and loved ones. The girls are fine but we will not be exposing them to the media as a result of their age (14 years).
    “They have gone to shower and after that, their parents will be brought to brief you people,” he said.

  • Kidnappers of Lagos schoolgirls reduce ransom

    Kidnappers of Lagos schoolgirls reduce ransom

    Indications emerged yesterday that the kidnappers of three schoolgirls of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary (BMJS), Ikorodu, Lagos might have reduced the ransom amount.

    Timilehin Olusa, Tofunmi Popoolaniyan and Deborah Akinayo were kidnapped from the classrooms on Monday night.

    It was learnt that the criminals who made another contact at about 2a.m with one of the victims’ parents, reduced the amount to N10million from the N200million they initially demanded.

    Some parents who were at the school premises to see their wards told our reporter yesterday that they were briefed by the authorities that negotiations were ongoing and that the girls were healthy.

    This development however contradicts earlier claims that one of the girls had taken ill.

    Father of one of the kidnapped girls Ven Victor Ayo Olusa, said they are praying for their release.

    The cleric, who is also the Executive Secretary, Lagos Anglican School Management Board, which oversees the running of the schools owned by the Anglican communion, including BMJS, said: “The update is that they are still in the kidnappers den and we are trusting God; and the church is praying and the security agencies are working.  We are putting our faith in God.”

    It was learnt that the abductors also gave the school specific location to drop the agreed ransom.

    According to the parents who refused to be named, the school was hopeful and prayers were been intensified “so that God will touch the kidnappers to release the girls unhurt.”

    They said the security forces had advised the school authority to be calm and avoid giving out information on the issue because some of the kidnappers might be hanging around to give feedback those suspected to be hiding in the creeks.

    Sources said the criminals might have taken the girls to the Arepo Creeks. But this could not be confirmed

    It was also learnt that Inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase has deployed the Quick Response Team (QRT),to join the Lagos Police team to rescue the girls.

    “We came to see our children. They told us that they were negotiating. They did tell us what has been offered nor what was agreed on. But the school assured that the abducted girls are well and will return safely,” said one of the parents..

  • Abducted school girls: Kidnappers demand N200million ransom

    Abducted school girls: Kidnappers demand N200million ransom

    The kidnappers of three girls from Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary (BMJS) have demanded N200 million as ransom.

    Timilehin Olisa, Tofunmi Popoolaniyan and Deborah Akinayo, all SS2 students were whisked away at about 9:30pm on Monday from their classroom while they were having prep.

    Timilehin, it was learnt is the daughter of the State’s Anglican School Management Board.

    It was learnt that the kidnappers contacted the father of one of the girls on Tuesday, demanding N200 million in exchange of the three students.

    They were said to have gotten the number of the man they contacted from his daughter, and allegedly made it known that their target was the school.

    It was learnt that the criminals’ first call to the man was ended abruptly and they called him again to pass their massage.

    This development was said to have provoked an emergency meeting between the school’s management, victims’ parents and security agencies led by the Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni, which lasted till the early hours of Wednesday.

    Three other meetings were held between 11am and 4:15pm with the school authorities, the combat squads and heads of intelligence agencies.

    However, it could not be ascertained if the school would negotiate with the kidnappers, although they were expecting their call at the time of filing this report.

    Meanwhile The Nation learnt that security agencies have been completely surrounded the school.

    It was gathered that the suspects’ location have been identified and several crack teams of military personnel, police and DSS and the local vigilante group known as ‘Oyabo’ have been deployed into their hideout.

    The Nation also learnt that the criminals were still within Lagos and shocked to a corner.

    It was learnt that the parents and teachers have intensified prayers for the release of the girls, just as academic activities did not start until past 10am.

    As at 4pm, normalcy has however returned to the premises, save for the heavy presence of security men around the administrative block and outside the school gate.
    Some parents who spoke on condition of anonymity blamed the management of the school for lack of adequate security.

    They said on various occasions, the school management was advised to raise the school fence at the School of Science and Technology, but their suggestion was ignored.

    But the school principal, Venerable Olaoluwa Adeyemi who looked very disturbed vented his anger on reporters whom he accused of sabotaging rescue efforts.

    CP Owoseni also put forward the same line of argument, telling journalists who were within the premises to go as information will be communicated to them in due time.

    Adeyemi exploded after several pressures from reporters on him to comment on the issue.

    He said: “The girls have not been found till this moment and why do you want me to start addressing the press? Is that the only job we are going to do all day? People are busy searching for the girls while you are busy asking questions.

    “You cannot keep disturbing us here all you need do is to join us in prayers. Honestly, you people are not helping matters. Infact, you’re adding to the problem by disturbing what people could have done at the right time.

    “The Deputy governor was here and we recounted the whole issue in her presence and the press men asked various questions. Both the Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Commissioner of Police has addressed the press but for everybody to be coming here as if this place is a pilgrimage area is not good enough.

    “Let us respect people and the situation, let us look for solution but everybody just want something they will go out there and broadcast the wrong thing even Channels Television did not report the right thing.”

  • Anger as Dickson’s sister suffers in kidnappers’ den 45 days after

    Anger as Dickson’s sister suffers in kidnappers’ den 45 days after

    There was anger in Bayelsa State, Saturday, as Nancy Keme Dickson, the abducted younger sister to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, remained in kidnappers’ den for about 45 days.

    Most residents who spoke to our correspondent said it was unbelievable that a governor’s sister could spend such number of days in captivity.

    While some of them said it was inexcusable for the governor to allow his sister to languish in the company of notorious criminals, others urged the abductors to set the lady free on compassionate grounds.

    Nancy, 26, said to be the last child of the Dickson’s family, was abducted on December 19, 2015 by unidentified gunmen.

    The student of the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), was kidnapped at her shop located in Okaka Road, Yenagoa, the state capital.

    The gunmen who reportedly drove in an ash Lexus Jeep, trailed her to her shop and whisked her away to an unknown place at about 2:50pm.

    Her shop is located in a building housing the office of the Bayelsa Volunteers, an army of youths working for the state government to assist security agencies in bursting crime.

    Nancy was abducted after the December 5, 2015 governorship election and a few weeks to the January 9 supplementary poll, which Dickson won and became reelected for a second term.

    Her travails appeared to have been forgotten until The Nation recently published a report reawakening public consciousness on the matter.

    A top security source who spoke in confidence said security agencies in the state totally forgot the matter until they read the report.

    He said the governor mentioned it during the state Security Council Meeting that was held on Monday.

    “The report reawakened the consciousness of security commanders on the matter. At the last security council meeting, the governor mentioned the case of his sister.

    “But he said he would not pay ransom to the kidnappers. He, however, did not give the security commander a marching order to secure the freedom of his sister,” he said.

    It was, however, learnt that a first attempt through a negotiating team to set Nancy free was tragic as the kidnappers reportedly collected money from a member of the team, set his car ablaze and threatened to kill him.

    The kidnappers were said to have held the negotiator hostage for about a week before releasing him.

    A resident of Yenagoa who identified himself simply as Peter urged the governor to handle his sister’s case as an emergency.

    “We know that the governor has always spoken against paying ransom, but when a matter gets to this level, the governor can play along, retrieve his sister first and then go after the kidnappers as the Chief Security Officer of the state.

    “The health of Nancy should be paramount now because she must have been subjected to inhuman treatments because she is a young and attractive lady,” he said.

    An aide to the governor on Social Media, Mr. John Idumange, appealed to the kidnappers to release Nancy unconditionally.

    Idumange said: “Miss Nancy Dickson was kidnapped about seven weeks ago. We have made inexorable efforts to appeal to her kidnappers to release the girl unconditionally. As a student, this has already destroyed her academic career.

    “Once more, we wish to express our deep concern about this kidnap saga. This is one kidnap too many. We do not know those who have done this evil deed, but God is watching. We passionately appeal to the kidnappers to release her unconditionally.

    “She must have been traumatized to the point of overkill and enough of this inhumanity to her persons.”

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Butswat Asinim, said the police were doing their best to free the lady.

  • RSUST VC begs kidnappers to free don

    The Acting Vice Chancellor, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Prof Blessing Didia, has appealed to the abductors of Prof Michael Ogburia to release him unconditionally.

    Didia said Ogburia, who is the Director, Centre for Continuing Education of the institution, was kidnapped immediately he concluded the burial of his late father. He pleaded with the abductors to free the victim considering that he is mourning.

    “Armed men have kidnapped our Director of Centre for Continuing Education, Prof Ogburia. And we are pleading with the gunmen to please release him unconditionally.  He had just finished the burial rite of his father and we don’t think that he can stand another stress,” he said.

    Ogburia, who hails from Elele, in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, was abducted on Monday by unknown gunmen at Elele community.