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Tag: Osayomore Joseph

  • I died, resurrected in kidnappers den, says ace musician

    I died, resurrected in kidnappers den, says ace musician

    Edo ace musician and social critic, Mr. Osayomore Joseph, has released more details about his experiences in the hands of his kidnappers in his latest album, “30 days and 30 nights in the evil forest”.

    The album was launched in Benin City on Sunday.

    Osayomore said he died and resurrected in the den of kidnappers.

    It would be recalled that Osayomore was abducted by gunmen on October 3 and released on November 2, while his wife was shot.

    In the album, Osayomore told his abductors that he can never be poor again no matter how much ransom that was collected from him.

    In the latest album, Osayomore said he was nicknamed ‘Container’ in the forest by his abductors.

    Osayomore said the word ‘Container’ means money to his abductors and urged the Ijaws to stop kidnapping activities in the state.

    He said it was wrong for the Ijaws to leave fishing in the waters and come to land to kidnap Benins for ransom payment.

    Narrating how he sustained injury on his leg, he said his captors took him on a bike for two hours and while on the bike, the tank fell on his leg.

    Despite the injuries to his leg, he said the kidnappers gave him the beating of his life.

    Osayomore further warned Ijaws not to incur the wrath of the Benin Monarch in the track “Aisiokuoba” adding that it was an aberration for his abductors to call themselves freedom fighters.

    “I was put in prison for criticising the government and now this boys that took me said they are freedom fighters. Who is fighting for freedom?

    “My experience in the hands of the kidnappers was horrible. I felt like someone who died and came back to life,” he said.

    Edo Commissioner of Police Edo State,  Babatunde Kokumo said he was disturbed when he heard of the kidnap of the music maestro.

    The CP said, “when I heard of the story of his kidnap, I was disturbed that the kidnappers, possibly, might not know the personality that they had kidnapped.

    “But bye and large, we thank God. I do not want to start revealing the activities and efforts of the police. But we thank God almighty today that he (Osayomore) is alive to entertain all of us.”

  • Osayomore to release ’30 days and 30 nights in evil forest’

    Osayomore to release ’30 days and 30 nights in evil forest’

    Edo ace musician and social critic, Osayomore Joseph, is set to release a new musical album detailing his experience in the den of kidnappers.

    The album is titled ’30 days and 30 nights in evil forest’.

    Read Also: Edo musician Osayomore freed by abductors  

    He was abducted by gunmen on October 3 and released on November 2.

    His wife was shot by his abductors who are yet to be arrested.

    He was said to have spent two weeks in intensive care unit after he was released.

    Osayomore looked pale and walked with the aid of working stick when he visited the State Police Commissioner, Babatunde Kokumo, to hint him about the album launch on December 17.

    He said the album is to tell his story about how he was treated by his abductors.

  • Police deploys tactical team to secure release of ex-DPO

    Police deploys tactical team to secure release of ex-DPO

    Edo State Police Command said it has deployed tactical team to secure release of an octogenarian and retired Superintendent of Police, Chief James Omafuaire.

    Chief Omafuaire was abducted alongside his wife, Victoria, at his Ikpeshi Quarry site in Akoko Edo local government area of Edo.

    Edo police spokesman, DSP Moses Nkombe, who confirmed the abduction, said the police had deployed tactical team in collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters to secure release of Chief Omafuaire.

    He assured that the entire forest in the area would be combed.

    It would be recalled that kidnappings have been on the increase in Edo State in the last two months.

    A musician, Osayomore Joseph, who was abducted on October 3 is yet to be released.

  • ‘We are still negotiating with my father’s abductors’

    ‘We are still negotiating with my father’s abductors’

    One of the  sons of Edo ace musician, Joseph Osayomore, who was abducted on September 28 has said that the family was still negotiating with the abductors.

    The son identified as Oriri took to his facebook page on Sunday to give update about the condition of his father.

    He said they have spoken to his father and he seemed to be in good condition.

    According to the facebook message, “Thanks to everyone for reaching out to us. As of today OCT 14 9pm Nigerian time, Epa(Osayomore Joseph) has still not been released.

    “We have contact with him, he is fine. We are still negotiating his release Ransom. Thank you for all the encouragement, it is helping the family go through this trying period. We are Looking forward to great news in the coming days. Keep the prayers coming. You can always send me a message to confirm any news about Epa on this platform. Thank you, No weapon formed against us shall prosper.”

  • NBA threatens to withdraw services from kidnappers, armed robbers

    NBA threatens to withdraw services from kidnappers, armed robbers

    Benin branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has threatened not to represent kidnappers and armed robbery suspects in the state if Edo ace musician, Osayomore Joseph and the Executive Director of Ogba Zoo and Nature Parks, Mr. Andy Ehanire were not released immediately.

    In a communique signed by its chairman, Barr. Ede Asenoguan and Secretary, Osazuwa Omonuwa and made available to newsmen, the NBA condemned the spate of insecurity in the state.

    It said plans were on to convene a security summit where all relevant stakeholder will converge to brainstorm and fashion out the way forward.

    The NBA urged the state police command to “sharpen their strategies with a view to adequately confronting the security challenge being foisted on the state by clandestine activities of these hoodlums and their collaborators.

    “Those responsible for the kidnap and continued abduction of Mr Ehanire and Ambassador Osayomore Joseph should release them immediately and unconditionally.

    “That the Bar shall be forced to resume the withdrawal of her services to kidnap and armed robbery suspects in the state if the situation does not improve. That concerted efforts of all other security agencies in the state should work in tandem with the Edo state Police Command to confront these twin evil of kidnapping and armed robbery currently ravaging the peace of the state.

    “That all residents of the state should be sensitive and ready to assist all the security agencies with relevant information in order to flush out the activities of these criminal minded persons in our midst”.

  • Three suspects arrested over killing of UNIBEN Professor

    Three suspects arrested over killing of UNIBEN Professor

    Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing of a Professor in the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Paul Otasowie of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering.

    The killing of Prof. Otasowie on Wednesday night is coming 24 hours after Edo ace musician, Osayomore Joseph, was abducted by gunmen.

    Rising insecurity situation in the state has heightened fears among residents in the state as several persons have been kidnapped in the past two weeks.

    Sources said late Otasowie was killed after the gunmen failed to kidnap him at his residence at Siluko Road in Oredo local government area.

    Another source said Prof. Otasowie was shot dead by the armed men in front of his residence while coming down from his storey building.

    The deceased was a former director of UNIBEN’s Industrial Training and Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme.

    Spokesman for the university, Mr. Michael Osasuyi, who confirmed the killing said the institution was yet to get full details of the killing.

    He said, “We lost him (Otasowie) Thursday. We are trying to gather the right information now (because) we are getting different versions.

    “The first version said that it was an assassination (while) the second version said that it was armed robbery, that he was inside a car and they shot him.”

    “For now, the university cannot ascertain what has transpired. But we are sending delegates now to the house to meet with the family.

    “We commiserate with the family and it is a big blow to the university. He was one of the persons who have ensured that work is done and done well.

    “The vice-chancellor, Prof. Orunmwense is saddened with this development. We just wish that this insecurity in Edo State is looked into. Just recently, (Joseph) Osayomore was kidnapped.

    “The level of insecurity now is becoming something else. The vice-chancellor commiserates with the family and the school is mourning,” the spokesman added.

    Edo police spokesman, DSP Moses Nkombe, said three suspects have been arrested in connection to the killing of Prof. Otasowie.

    DSP Nkombe stated that the police received distressed call from neighbours in the area and when policemen got the scene, they found the Professor already dead.

    Nkombe said nothing was taken from the late Otasowie.

    On the abduction of Managing Director of Ogba Zoo and Nature Park Dr. Andy Ehanire and Osayomore, DSP Nkombe assured that the police would soon rescue them.

    He said all efforts were being put into securing their release.

  • Gunmen abduct ace musician, Osayomore Joseph, shoot wife

    Gunmen abduct ace musician, Osayomore Joseph, shoot wife

    Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a popular musician and social critic, Ambassador Osayomore Joseph.

    His wife whose name could not be ascertained as at press time was said to been shot in the head.

    Osayomore was kidnapped at about 10pm at Orovie village off Upper Ekewan road in Egor local government area.

    On September 24, three policemen stationed at the Ogba Zoo and Nature Park were killed by kidnappers while the Managing Director of the Zoo, Dr. Andy Ehanire was abducted.

    Andy, a brother to the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, is yet to be released by his abductors.

    On September 27, the Parish Priest of St. Benedict Church, Iddo 2, Okpella of Auchi Diocese, Fr. Lawrence Adorolo was abducted along Auchi-Okene highway while returning from Igarra in Akoko-Edo local government area.

    He was released two days later after the Catholic authorities refused to pay ransom.

    Reacting to the abduction of Osayomore, Edo Police spokesman, DSP Moses Nkombe, said police received report about the abduction at about 11pm.

    DSP Nkombe said security operatives have been drafted to hot spots across the state.

    He assured that the police would do its best to secure the release of Osayomore.

  • Edo Police Command arrests 207 suspects in three months

    Edo Police Command arrests 207 suspects in three months

    The Edo Command of the Nigerian Police Force says it arrested no fewer than 207 suspects for various criminal activities between July and September.

    The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Haliru Gwandu made this known on Wednesday in Benin in an interview.

    Gwandu said that 12 vehicles, 35 assorted arms with 143 live cartridges were recovered from the suspects within the period under review.

    The police commissioner explained that the command had received 38 reports on armed robbery and arrested 90 suspects.

    He said that so far, 22 of the armed robbery cases were in court while nine were under investigation.

    The police chief also said 31 suspected kidnappers allegedly involved in 17 abductions were arrested during the period.

    Gwandu further said that 57 suspected cultists were nabbed during the period, out of which 31 were charged to court and 26 cases still under investigation.

    “In the case of murder, we have 26 reported cases, 16 suspects arrested, nine charged to court, 22 victims and 26 cases under investigation”, he said.

    The police commissioner said the command had also arrested three suspects in a case of human trafficking involving a victim.

    He stressed that the command was committed to fighting crime and bringing it to the barest minimum in the state.

    Gwandu attributed the achievements recorded by the command in the last three months to the determination of the personnel to tackle all forms of criminal activities in the state.

    Meanwhile, two prominent people in the state, Mr Andy Ehanire, a brother to the Minister of state for Health, and Chief Osayomore Joseph, a social crusader and musician, are still being held by kidnappers.

    Ehanire was kidnapped a fortnight ago, while Joseph was abducted this Wednesday from his residence in Benin.