The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kidnapping

  • Afe Babalola, Ewi, others for meeting on herdsmen killings, kidnapping

    A pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, the Yoruba Ko’ya Movement, will on June 14 hold an interactive session with vigilantes and hunters on how to checkmate renewed cases of kidnapping and destruction of farm lands by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Ekiti State.

    The group said it will inaugurate the Lagos State chapter of its steering committee at the event and donate security gadgets, such as patrol vans, raincoats, boots, torchlights and whistles to the vigilante and hunters.

    In a statement yesterday in Lagos, Yoruba Ko’ya’s National Director of Organisation and Publicity Maxwell Adeyemi Adeleye said the parley will examine the effects of attacks by Fulani herdsmen on food security and safety of lives and property.

    The statement also said it will examine the causes of herdsmen and farmers crisis in Ekiti State.

    The event, which will be chaired by the Alaaye of Efon Alaaye Kingdom, Oba Emmanuel Adesanya Aladejare, will discuss the options of managing Fulani herdsmen and the crisis they cause to farmers and the effects of their actions on food security.

    The statement also said the group was worried by recent cases of kidnapping around Ekiti and Osun State boundary.

    It stressed that the parley is meant to protect Ekiti State and Yoruba land from being encircled by rampaging Fulani herdsmen.

    The statement said keynote speakers for the event are: the founder of Afe Babalola University in Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola; the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe; seasoned media entrepreneur and Co-founder of Yoruba Ko’ya Movement, Otunba ‘Deji Osibogun; the Iyaloja of Ekiti State, Mrs Waje Oso and others.

    The event, which will hold at Dave Hotel Event Hall, Adebayo, Ado-Ekiti, will start at 10 a.m.

  • Man docked for kidnapping three female students

    The Police in Ekiti State have arraigned a 28-year-old man, Kayode Seun, at an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court over allegedly  kidnapping three female students.
    The defendant of no fixed addresss is standing trial on a count charge of kidnap.
    The prosecutor, Sgt. Oriyomi  Akinwale, told the Court that the defendant and others still at large, committed the offence on May 2 in Ayetoro  Ekiti.
    He alleged that the defendant and others at large kidnapped thre three female students, one Adebisi  Tayo, Ogunleye  Temiloluwa and Deborah Yusuf in  the bush and tied them on a tree.
    Akinwale said the police rescued the students in the bush and they were ‎returned back to their parents.
    He said the offence contravened Section 371 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap C16 Laws of Ekiti State 2012.
    The prosecutor asked the Court for adjournment to enable him to study the case file and present his witnesses.
    The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
    His counsel, Mr Emmanuel Adedeji, urged the Court to grant him bail, with a promise that he would not jump bail.
    The prosecutor opposed the bail application, saying the accused may not show up in Court if granted bail, because it took the police extra effort before he could be arrested.
    The Magistrate, Mrs Modupe Afeniforo, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum, the two sureties must be a level 10 civil servants.
    Afeniforo adjourned the case until June 12 for hearing.

  • Breaking: Three condemned to death in Bayelsa for kidnapping 

    A State High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has sentenced three accused persons to death either by firing squad or hanging for their complicity in the kidnapping of Mr Duncan Eke.

    The victim was abducted at Igbedi community, Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area of the state.

    Eke, retired manager of Exxon Mobil was kidnapped on January 24, 2016 when gunmen stormed the Anglican Church at Igebdi community.

    The kidnappers also shot the presiding priest Revd Ezekiel Obata before whisking away their target.

    A ransom of about N20m was paid for the release of Eke, but the police were arrested three suspects Austine Nimite, Dengiyefa Doupere and Korinnake Mark for aiding the crime while while another suspect Dakolo Jackson fled.

    The three accused persons were  charged  on two count of conspiracy punishable under section 5(1) of the kidnapping and Allied Offences  Law Bayelsa state, 2013 and kidnapping punishable under section 2 of the Kidnapping and Allied Offences Law, Bayelsa state, 2013

    Justice Ineikade Eradiri of the Kaiama judicial division who was first assigned the case by the Chief Judge refused to conduct the proceedings on the grounds of his relationship with Eke.

    But the matter was transfered to Justice Nayai Aganaba.

    The prosecution team produced four witnesses in court including the victim, Eke who told the Judge how he was blindfolded and kept in the kidnappers den for 21 days.

    He said he was released after he paid advanced ransom of N10m and full payment of N20m when he rejoined his family.

    Justice Aganaba in his judgement found the accused guilty for aiding and abetting the kidnap of Eke and sentenced them to death either by firing squad or death by hanging.

    Read Also: Police arrest 19 kidnapping, robbery suspects

  • Police arrest 19 kidnapping, robbery suspects

    Niger State Police Command has arrested 16 suspected cattle rustlers, kidnappers and robbers.

    Spokesman Muhammadu Abubakar said yesterday in a statement in Minna that two suspected kidnappers were arrested with three AK 47 rifles, eight rounds of ammunition, two empty magazines, Army uniform, 14 cows, 20 sheep, 11 goats, one Gionee phone and one Infinix phone at Mashegu and Borgu local governments.

    He said six suspected robbers were nabbed for robbing Alhaji Idris Zugurma of Mashegu Local Government.

    “The police recovered three locally-made pistols, 11 cartridges, wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and charms from the suspects.

    “We have arrested two suspected robbers and recovered a Toyota Carina car registered as GGE 925 APP,’’ Abubakar said.

    He said three suspects were arrested for criminal conspiracy and robbery in Minna, adding that the police recovered an Acura MDX Sport Utility Vehicle marked MNA 435 JB.

    “We have nabbed three suspects at Sabon Wuse in Tafa Local Government for unlawful possession of firearm and attempt to commit murder,’’ the spokesman said.

    He said the command arrested three suspects in New Bussa and recovered two motorcycles and weapons.

  • We made over N100m from kidnapping, says herdsman

    •Rescued victim narrates ordeal

    A herdsman, who the police claimed has been to prison several times, has said  his gang made over N100 million from kidnapping.

    An AK47 rifle with breech number KO340119 and 10 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered from him.

    The  herdsman, whose name was given as Muritala Umaru, was said to have been responsible for kidnapping in parts of Edo and neighbouring states.

    He sang like a canary when he was paraded before reporters at the police headquarters.

    Umaru said he became a kidnapper four years ago in Okenne, Kogi State and had participated in several kidnapping across Edo State.

    He said he had cattle, adding that his gang had 10 AK47 rifles with which they carried out kidnapping.

    He said it was somebody he described as a ‘Chief’ from an Edo community who gave them identities of their victims.

    The kidnapper said they realised N10 million from one of their victims, pledging to cooperate with the police.

    On what happened to some of their victims, he said it was his boss that was responsible for the killing of victims who refused to cooperate.

    Umaru said: “I am married. I stay in Auchi, but I was born in Lokoja. I am into kidnapping. I have been a kidnapper for four years. I started in Lokoja. I have kidnapped over 50 persons. We kidnapped them when they were travelling. One man gave us target. I collected N3 million in our last operation. It is my boss that kills people. He had killed many people. We operate in Auchi, Ekpoma, Okenne and other places.

    Police Commissioner Babatunde Kokumo described Umaru as a kidnapper who disguised as an herder.

    “The man has been in an out of prison. He has kidnapped in Edo and other states. The prison official he kidnapped identified him.”

    A welder, who was on Monday  rescued from kidnappers’ den at Afuze in Owan East Local Government, Mr. Idirisu Mohammed, has identified a herdsman, Abubakar Ilyasu, as one of his abductors.

    He said he was rescued before Abubakar returned.

    His words: “I am 51 years old. I am a farmer and a welder. On Monday  morning, I was taking my workers to the farm. At Warrake road near Afuze, I saw herdsmen come out of the bush. They had guns. They collected our phones and used cutlass to attack us. They took us to the bush. It was a vigilance group, hunters and police who rescued me. They ran away and abandoned me when the rescued team shot at them.

    “This one that was nabbed was sent to buy food. Before he returned, the rescued team arrived and the food was with him.”

    Abubakar said he left his cattle to buy food when he was arrested.

  • Four nabbed for kidnapping, armed robbery in Edo

    Men of the Edo State Police Command have arrested three persons for kidnapping and armed robbery.

    Three of the suspects, Daniel Kolade, Amos Oja and Osaro Oja had threatened to kidnap one Reuben Eghobor if the sum of N1m was not paid to them.

    They were said to have provided a Zenith bank account where the money would be deposited.

    State Police Commissioner, Babatunde Kokumo, said the suspects were arrested through diligence investigation and information supplied by members of the public.

    Kokumo listed items recovered from the suspects to include one Ak-47 rifle, one pump action gun, two double barrel guns, two dane guns and 16 live ammunition.

    He said the fourth suspect, David Ajiri was nabbed after their victim they shot and left for dead survived.

    The Edo police boss explained David and his gang had robbed one Jackson Okuomoise of his Lexus SUV marked BEN 330 TA and other valuables.

    He said the suspects shot their victim’s friend, Onyeka Uche and left him to die but Onyeka survived.

    Kokumo said it was narrative of Onyeka that led to the arrest of David.

    He said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

    Read Also: Police parade 40 for car snatching, robbery

  • Video of Evans confessing to kidnapping shown in court

    Two Compact Discs (CDs) showing video recordings of suspected billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike (aka Evans)’s confessions were played yesterday at an Ikeja Special  Offences Court.

    The video recordings beamed on the wall of the court room before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo showed Evans confessing to kidnapping and armed robberies within and outside Lagos State.

    The clips from the video were played while the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Titi Shitta-Bey, was leading a witness, Inspector Idowu Haruna, in evidence in-chief.

    Evans is standing trial  with co-defendant, Victor Aduba, on four-counts of kidnapping of Sylvanus Ahanonu Afia and for unlawful possession of firearms.

    Ms  Shitta-Bey had requested the court to tender the  two CDs containing the confessions of Evans in the matter.

    She had also requested that a  portion of the videos be played  to prove  its authenticity to the defence team.

    In the video, Evans wears a red T-shirt, sits on a leather settee in a room and confesses his crimes to Haruna.

    He is giving details of his family background, how he ran away from home, went into armed robbery and later kidnapping. Evans is occasionally smiling as he narrates his escapades in bank robberies and  kidnapping. He says the ransom collected ranged from $250,000 to $1 million, depending on his victim.

    Haruna, a policeman with 14 years’ experience in the police, told the court how he came in contact with the defendants while serving as a member of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Intelligence Response Team.

    He said the defendants were arrested for the kidnap of one person in February 14, last year.

    “That victim was taken to their hideout in Igando, a Lagos suburb, and kept there for a month till he escaped.

    “Through covert operations, we arrested Evans and, during interrogations, he mentioned Victor Aduba,” Haruna said.

    He said Evans, during interrogation, gave the police the names and information about the people he had kidnapped in Lagos and in other states.

    “He (Evans) confessed that on June 28,  2014, at Saka Street in Amuwo-Odofin in Lagos, he was armed with a AK-47 gun and kidnapped Mr Sylvanus Ahanonu and took him to their hideout in a Danfo bus.

    “After holding the victim for nine weeks, the abductors contacted his family, demanding $2 million. They negotiated  with his family and they agreed to pay $420,000,” he said.

    Haruna said the money was paid by instalments.

    The policeman added that after  Sylvanus regained his freedom, he gave a statement to the police. His (Sylvanus) wife,  Chinyemere, who negotiated his release, and his brother, Dominic, who dropped off the ransom, all volunteered statements.

    “Evans was cautioned in English language and his statement recorded by our video recorder, which took records of the interview.  “He  was taken to DSP Phillip, a superior officer, and his statement was recorded, Haruna said.

    The statements of Sylvanus, Chinyemere and Dominic were tendered in evidence  by the DPP and the CDs containing the confessions of Evans were played in the courtroom.

    The DPP requested the court to admit the CDs and a certificate on the recordings in evidence.

    But Mr Olukoya Ogungbeje,  Evans’ defence counsel, requested for time to study the recordings and compare the copy of the CDs served on them with what was played in court.

    He said the defence team would also need time to study the certificate, which he said was served on them in the court.

    Ogungbeje said: “My Lord, we will be requesting for time to call our technical experts to examine the CDs played in court  today as well as the certificate of identification served on us in open court.”

    Also, during proceedings, Mr Emmanuel Ochai, counsel to Aduba,  complained about how Kirikiri Prisons officials eavesdropped on the conversations between the defence counsel and their clients.

    Replying Ochai’s complaint,  Justice  Taiwo cautioned the prison wardens.

    He said: “You are not supposed to be overhearing when the lawyers are conferring with the defendants. Stand at a safe and reasonable distance, so long as you can observe the defendants.

    “Please, allow justice to be done in this case.”

    Ogungbeje had brought an application challenging the amended charge against the defendants.

    According to him,  the additional evidence was overreaching and insufficient to sustain the charge. Dismissing Ogungbeje’s application, Justice Taiwo said the application lacked merit.

    She adjourned the matter till April 23 for continuation.

  • Fed Govt: kidnapping is evil

    Fed Govt: kidnapping is evil

    The Federal Government has described kidnapping as evil.

    Secretary to Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha spoke during a stakeholders’ roundtable on improving bail process in the country organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms.

    He said: “With regard to cases of kidnappings, this administration has taken immediate short-term measures to combat this new evil that has crept into our societies. Tighter police methods, swift and severe punishment for those proved to be engaged in kidnapping has been put in place.”

    Mustapha, who was represented by Permanent Secretary, General Services, Olusegun Adekunle, noted that many Nigerians had misunderstood the process of bail in the country.

    He said the Federal Government was making efforts to ensure that complaints were responded to on time by the police.

    He said: “In line with one of the principles of democratic policing, Mr. President has ensured that complaints received from the public are treated within the shortest possible time. Also, in our effort to give boost to the current administration’s war on corruption, the police X-squad has been strengthened to tackle corruption and abuse of office with the police force.

    “The current administration is making concerted efforts to establish at least one police forensic laboratory in each of the six geo-political zones to enhance their investigation capacity and also establish database in all police station.”

    Its director-general, Dasuki Arabi, said the roundtable came at the right time when the federal government is trying to ensure effective service delivery by the Nigerian Police Force.

    “It is my fervent hope that at the end, the BPSR findings and lessons learnt from our study on mapping the process of obtaining bail at the police stations will help improve the bail process,” he said.

     

  • ‘Kidnapping, cultism rampant in my domain’

    The Chairman of Esit Eket Local Government of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Iniobong Robson, has said kidnapping and cultism are rampant in his domain.

    He said eight of 10 young men are either cultists or kidnappers, and sometimes both.

    Robson spoke at the weekend when Police Commissioner Samuel Adeyemi led top officers on a familiarisation/sensitisation tour to the council.

    He said the rate of cultism and kidnapping was becoming alarming and threatening residents.

    The chairman said business could not survive in an environment where crimes thrived.

    The police commissioner told the council chairman that his officers and men would not spare anyone involved in cultism.

    He said the tour was based on reports of increased crime rates.

    Adeyemi said the police could salvage the situation, but he wanted the cooperation of the council.

    He cautioned youths to desist from crimes and cultism.

  • Army launches operation in Kaduna, Niger

    Army launches operation in Kaduna, Niger

    The 1 Division in Kaduna State has launched a special operation in parts of Kaduna and Niger states to tackle kidnapping, robbery and cattle rustling.

    The operation, code named ‘Karamin Goro’, will  cover Minna-Birnin, Gwari-Pandogari and Minna-Sarkin Pawa general area, a statement by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Muhammad Dole, said yesterday.

    Dole said the operation involved the Air Force, Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    His words: “These criminals use the thick forests as hideouts and major highways as staging areas to perpetuate their nefarious activities.

    “As a result of their dastardly acts, some remote villages were completely deserted, as residents abandoned their ancestral domains for safety.

    “In response to these re-emerging security concerns, the Division launched Operation Karamin Goro to clear the remnants of the criminals from their bases and ensure the safety of life, properties and safe movement of the people.”

    Dole said arrangements and measures have been put in place to ensure safe passage of persons, motorists and their property along the areas of operation.

    He solicited the understanding, cooperation and support of the public to ensure a successful operation.