The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ransom

  • Abducted Ondo monarch to pay N5m ransom to kidnappers

    Abducted Ondo monarch to pay N5m ransom to kidnappers

    Suspected gunmen behind the abduction of Oniyani of Iyani-Akoko in Ondo state, Oba Joel Daodu have reportedly reduced the ransom to guarantee the release of the monarch from N15m earlier demanded to N5m, family sources have revealed.

    The monarch was seized by his abductors on Saturday evening near Oba-Akoko along Owo-Ikare road while in transit.

    Already, residents of Iyani-Akoko are in prayer sessions to God to intercede in prompt release of the monarch from captivity.

    It was also alleged that Oba Daodu was kidnapped alongside one of his prominent chiefs, identified as John Afelumo.As at press time,their whereabouts were yet unknown.

    Reactions have trailed the abduction of the royal father and his Chief.

    According to a frontline traditional ruler in the state, the Akala of Ikaram -Akoko, Oba Andrew Momodu,it was an abomination to abduct a traditional ruler.

    He pointed out that Monarchs are the custodians of tradition and representatives of the creator of the universe, which should not be treated in such ridiculous manner.

    Akala urged government to recruit more police to protect lives and properties.

    He also called for immediate release of Oba Daodu and his chief without any condition attached.

    The Olisupare of Supare-Akoko, Oba Adejoro Omosogbon called for military deployment to Owo-Ikare road,which according to him is now an haven of kidnappers and men of the underworld.

  • Police arrest four suspected kidnappers

    Police arrest four suspected kidnappers

    The Nigeria Police Force said it had arrested four suspected members of a vicious Kidnap for Ransom gang in Abuja and Kano, respectively.

    The suspects are: Uche Obiora, Michael Ishaku, Raphael Dauda and Mohammed Haruna, whose room was used to keep the victims for nine days at Mpape Quaters in the FCT.

    Force Spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, a Chief Superintendent of Police, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

    Moshood said that items recovered from them include, one Operational, Abuja colour Mazda, with reg No. SNK 891 TM, one AK 49 rifle and 59 7.65 mm live ammunition.

    He said that the suspects were arrested with the assistance of the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Tactical Squad.

    He said the suspects confessed to the crime and admitted to have collected N1 million ransom money before releasing their victims.

    The Force Spokesman said investigation was being intensified to arrest the other fleeing members of the syndicate.

    In a related development, the Nigeria Police Force said it had also arrested three suspects for conspiracy and car snatching.

    The suspects are: Ibrahim Mohammad, Surajo Yakubu and Danlami Musa.

    The spokesman said items recovered from them include, a Peugeot 406, Toyota Camry Golden colour,Toyota corolla, Green colour and Honda Civic black color.

    He said that the suspects who confessed to be members of a car snatching syndicate were arrested on Jan. 28, and they specialised in “drugging” drivers using soft drinks.

    Moshood said Investigation was being intensified to arrest the remaining gang members, adding that the suspects would be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.

    He said that other suspects arrested by the police included, one John Jumare 35, of buggai village in Chukun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and Uche Maxcillenous, 35.

    The spokesman said Jumare and Maxcillenous were arrested for being in possession of unlawful firearms and ammunition and
    receiving stolen cars, respectively.

    He said three locally made Rifles with 51 rounds of 7.65 mm were recovered from Jumare and a Honda Hennessey 2000 model and two Honda Civic cars of 1996 models were recovered from Maxcillenous, respectively.

    He said the suspects who confessed to committing the crimes would be charged to court on completion of investigation.

     

  • We won’t allow anyone hold Nigeria to ransom, says Osinbajo

    We won’t allow anyone hold Nigeria to ransom, says Osinbajo

    THE Federal Government said yesterday it would not allow anybody to hold Nigeria to ransom under any guise.
    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, who said this, added that the government was intensifying dialogue with stakeholders in the Niger Delta with a view to addressing security challenges in the region.
    He restated the government’s commitment to making the business environment more conducive for local businesses to thrive by speeding up the process of formulation and implementation of strategies.
    Osinbajo, who spoke at the 16th edition of the National Productivity Day and conferment of National Productivity Order of Merit Award on some individuals and corporate bodies, said the government was committed to its promise on the fight against terrorism, anti-corruption and the development of the economy to create jobs.
    His words: “Boko Haram has been defeated and its members are only resorting to cowardly attacks on soft targets, killing innocent men, women and children. Despite this, the residents of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, including several neighbouring states, are now going about their daily business in relative safety.
    “Besides Boko Haram, a new insurgency has arisen in the form of blowing up gas and oil pipelines by groups of Niger Delta militants. This administration will not allow them to hold the country to ransom. While security is being beefed up in the areas, we shall intensify our on-going dialogue with the various stakeholders in the region.”
    Restating the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s commitment to the country and the citizenry, Osinbajo said: “We are working tirelessly and will continue to do so with hard work, diligence and honesty. Delivery may be a bit slow, but the promised change will come in no distant time.
    “Our economy is no doubt currently facing serious challenges. Before now, the economy had been purely monolithic having relied solely on oil as its major source of revenue.
    “The dwindling oil prices and the disruption in supply occasioned by the insecurity in the Niger Delta made us to realise the urgent need for diversification of our economy with emphasis on sectors that will improve employment prospects for our young people.”
    Osinbajo urged entrepreneurs to take advantage of the new opportunities to grow businesses, create jobs and wealth for themselves and the nation.
    He said: “Nigeria’s current youth unemployment crisis has been attributed to lack of job, skills and experience. I am happy to note that the inclusion of entrepreneurship education in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme enables the corps members to acquire skills in specific areas of interest.
    “This not only makes them self-reliant and employers of labour; but also prepares them for value added work life. The Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is providing N2.5 billion facility for the Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP).
    “Specifically, Corps members with good business ideas and entrepreneurial skills will have access to the loan at single digit interest. It is my expectation that this programme, in addition to other ongoing interventionist programmes, will help to combat youth unemployment.”
    He listed the payment of the N5, 000 monthly allowance to one million poorest and most vulnerable citizens, the recruitment of 500,000 unemployed graduates and the proposed training for 375,000 others without degrees, as some efforts of the government to reduce unemployment.

  • Kidnappers fail to release pupils, others after collecting ransom

    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.”

  • Gunmen abduct Kogi traditional ruler, demand N20m ransom

    Some unknown gunmen have abducted a traditional ruler in Kogi, a family source said in Lokoja on Sunday.

    The monarch, whose name was given as Alhaji Isah Achuja, the Ohi of Ajaokuta, was returning from Lokoja, the state capital, on Saturday when his vehicle was intercepted on the Lokoja-Ajaokuta road at gunpoint and the ruler taken to an unknown destination.

    A member of the royal family, who did not want his name in print, told newsmen that an aide to the traditional ruler and his driver narrowly escaped being hit by the bullets of the abductors.

    He said the abductors had already contacted the family and demanded a N20 million ransom.

    Contacted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the State Police Command’s spokesman, ASP Williams Aya, said the incident had not been reported to the command.

    He, however, promised that police would swing into action in a bid to to rescue the monarch as soon as the details of the abduction were available.(NAN)

  • Ransom

    Ransom

    •Should that be the key to taming kidnappings?

    The Margaret Emefiele kidnap, from which the police recovered N14.7 million from abductors, shows again how the kidnap phenomenon has grown into a sophisticated, though illicit, industry.

    Mrs Emefiele is the spouse of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.  Coming from the checkered track of the kidnapping of the mother of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, finance minister and coordinating minister for the economy under President Goodluck Jonathan, it is getting uncomfortably clear that even the high and the mighty are not safe from the scourge.

    Indeed, to the Nigerian high net-worth, Poke Toholo’s theory appears to apply.  Poke Toholo was the fictional villain, in James Hardley Chase’s crime bestseller, Want To Stay Alive? who announced he had found the formula to open the pockets of the rich — and the spoilt. Fear!

    For the kidnappers, therefore, raw fear appears the lethal hook, by which they can prise money from their victims — and the richer the victim, the better.

    However, the law enforcement agencies, whose onerous chore is to spring kidnap victims from their abductors, appear to have made their peace with the inevitability of ransom. Ransom, after all, is the nourishment from which the crime grows and fattens.

    That was clear from the Margaret Emefiele kidnap. News reports talk of security agencies’ retrieval of huge ransom money, rather than the usual claim (hardly believed by anyone) that the kidnap victims were freed without any ransom.

    Even then, the actual ransom paid (even as bait) was kept under wraps, so it is not impossible that some of the yet-to-be-arrested members of the Emefiele kidnap gang, could well escape with their share of the loot.

    To many strict law-and-order minds, the very notion that the security agencies pay kidnappers ransom, for any motive whatsoever, is evidence of failure.

    But is it? To start with, the police and the Department of Security Services (DSS) are no magicians. It is best kidnappings are averted.  But if that is not the case, then someone has to play, at least temporarily, to the rogue rule of the kidnappers, to ensure the safety of the victims in their vicious grip.

    But with the right technology, handing kidnappers money could well be the first deliberate step in foiling the crime. So, the first step is for the Nigerian state to build the capacity to track these criminals, even as they hold their victims. That technology is available; and the security agencies should invest in it.

    Then, a fool-proof capacity to track and recover the money. Again, such tracking devices are available.  But what could be missing, in the mix, is stemming the penchant to panic, with the victims’ families rushing to strike own deals with the criminals.

    While such panicky moves have led to the release of some victims, though with the families losing huge money, some families have ended up losing their money and the life of the kidnapped, in other cases. Such cases of double jeopardy are just too grim to contemplate. Yet, they sometimes happen.

    So, even as Nigerian security agencies invest in tracking devices, they must scale up public enlightenment on the trauma of kidnap. Families must be coached to stay calm, alert the security agencies and do as they advise. If people can rein in their panic, the battle against kidnapping would have been half-won.

    In the final analysis, kidnappings are best averted. That means more security consciousness, on the individual, family and corporate levels. So, everyone, household or corporate, must be far more conscious of, and be schooled in safety and security.

    But as prevention is always better than cure, a sounder economy, better job opportunities and general prosperity would, other things being equal, reduce the rate of general crime, and bring down the incidence of kidnapping. The government should therefore intensify its economy-recovery tactics and strategies.

    That, however, would be in the middle or even long run. Even with the present economic morass, the government should show kidnappers that kidnapping is futile by ensuring, effective tracking and recovery.

  • Suspected militants kidnap two children in Lagos 

    Suspected militants kidnap two children in Lagos 

    Suspected militants on Tuesday night abducted two children of same mother at the Igando area of Lagos State.

    The children aged six and eight were allegedly kidnapped at Ojo Olorunfemi Street while playing with their mates at their residence, 43, Oje Olorunfemi street.

    It was gathered that the kidnappers might have been led by a barber on the street, (DeClassic Barbing Salon owner), who has been arrested by policemen in Igando.

    His arrest was sequel to allegations from other children who disclosed that he was seen talking to the kids before their disappearance from the playground.

    The Nation gathered that the abduction of the children prompted security operatives currently engaged in Operation AWATSE to comb the entire with the hope of rescuing them.

    Although the kids were yet to be found, a security source disclosed that five suspects, including two militants were arrested at Igando and Isheri-Osun.

    When The Nation visited the family’s residence, the children’s parents were said to have gone to the police station.

    However, The Nation’s reporter who went to the station was not allowed in.

    A gateman who gave his name as Oseni said: “We did not hear of any ransom. The thing is that the parents are keeping the whole matter under wrap for their own safety because we are not even sure if it was an organized crime for just kidnapping children. I have been a gateman here for six years now and I have never witnessed any kidnap here.

    “This is the first and I hope we never get a repeat. I think the kidnapper took those children through the adjoining gate on the street because if he had taken them through the main street, people would have raised an alarm. Problem is none of us really knows this barber since he just moved into the street not long ago. I know the woman more. She hawks corn in the area.”

  • ‘How we shared N15.1million ransom from monarch’s abduction’

    ‘How we shared N15.1million ransom from monarch’s abduction’

    Isaiah Ododomu, one of the suspected abductors of the Oniba of Iba, Oba Goriola Oseni’s has narrated how the gang shared the N15.1 million ransoms collected for the monarch’s release.

    Oba Oseni was kidnapped on July 16 in his palace. The kidnappers shot a guard, Sunday Okanlawon and the monarch’s younger wife.

    Okanlawon later died of gun shot wounds.

    Ododomu and Toba Forejo, both from Ondo State, were paraded by the police at the State House, Ikeja, yesterday.

    Narrating how they kidnapped the monarch, Ododomu said nine people went to the palace to kidnap the Oba on that fateful day.

    Some of the names, he gave, are Toba, Igodo, Mighty, Folly and Sam.

    He said Micah, who is a leader did not go with them because “he has a babe with him at home.”

    The suspect explained that they were armed with two AK-47 rifles and three pump action guns for the operation.2

    According to him, “Toba, Igodo, Mighty and others went to kidnap the king, after which they demanded for N500 million. It was later reduced to N40 million. They were given N12 million. After that we gathered and shared the money.

    “All our senior people got the lion share of the money. They gave Toba N1 million, and Micah, collected N2.5 million and so on; for me, they gave me N100, 000.

    “I later travelled and when I came back, there was now an argument as to the sharing formula and later some other guys were saying they will not leave the king but the children of the king continued begging. I told them that we should collect any amount and decamp because they can arrest us. Because of me, they agreed to collect N3.1 million. They later brought N3.1 million. The family dropped the money at Igbeyin Adun waterside around Barrack side out of which I was given N100,000.  Our base is Ishekemo creek in Ikotun. Toba and the others shared the remaining money.”

    Ododomu said he was the one who paddled the monarch on the water to Iba. Others fled on sensing danger and he was arrested.

    Ododomu, who said he was into bunking, explained that since the bunkering business had been stopped, they decided to go into kidnapping.

    “I am a bunkering man, when this government stopped the bunkering business, our leaders formed another group and we started kidnapping to manage ourselves. I am a married man and I don’t have any job to cater for my family. When we started the kidnapping business, whenever we collected N500,000, they will give me N20,000.

    Ferejo confirmed that nine people participated in the monarch’s saying that he was arrested at Iyana School area.

    Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode vowed that those involved in the monarch’s abduction would be punished in accordance with the law.

    Ambode, in a statement read by the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, said the kidnap of a monarch in Yorubaland was a sacrilege.

    He hailed the police, saying the investigation has been painstaking and purposeful to ensure that the kidnappers were apprehended.

    “Permit me to state that the kidnap of an Oba in Yoruba land is a sacrilege and a complete desecration of the cultural values of the Yoruba people that must not go unpunished,” he said.

    According to him, “the arrest of the suspect is a clear warning to criminal elements that the state government value and cherish the Yoruba tradition and will leave no stone unturned to ensure that it is protected.”

    He also commended the ongoing operation Awatse designed to flush out militants and criminals that have been terrorising riverine communities in the state.

    “This operation is yielding desirable results and will continue until those criminal activities are completely stamped out,” he said.

    Commissioner of Police (CP) Mr. Fatai Owoseni, said:” We have always reiterated that it is not about whether ransom was paid or not. If it is about ransom, suspects would not be arrested. And what I would say is that pressure by the Lagos Command, and the special team of the Inspector-General of Police from Abuja paid off. The most important thing is that Kabiyesi is in his palace.

    “As to his state of health, I was with Kabiyesi till about 12 midnight and I can tell you emphatically that Kabiyesi is hale and hearty and he is very strong, and nothing is wrong with him.

    “What we want to do is to thank and appreciate the understanding of the family. They have been cooperative with us to get the Kabiyesi out of the hands of his abductors hale and hearty.”

  • N150m ransom demanded for abducted Ogun council official, daughter

    The Director of Information in Odogbolu Local Government Area, Ogun State, Mrs. Bola Oshin, 53, and her daughter have been kidnapped.

    They were abducted around 6p.m. at Molipa, Ijebu-Ode in her black Kia Sorento Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with registration number Ogun JGB 456 AA.

    An aide, Mr. Paul Awode, said the kidnappers demanded N150 million ransom from Mrs. Oshin’s family.

    The aide told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Ijebu-Ode that Mrs. Oshin and her teenage daughter went missing on Thursday in Ijebu-Ode.

    The council chief’s husband, Dr. Tokunbo Oshin, who was worried about the condition his wife and daughter were in, declined to speak with NAN when contacted.

    Oshin’s SUV was said to have been recovered after it was abandoned at Idowa in the town on the same day.

    The family aide added that the police had since been informed about the incident and they were investigating the case to determine the Oshins’ whereabouts.

    He said the kidnappers had affirmed that Oshin and daughter were safe and in good condition, though they did not allow the family to speak with them.

    Police spokesman DSP Muyiwa Adejobi told NAN that the kidnappers had opened a line of communication.

    Adejobi then asked for calm and assured that the police were doing everything they could do to ensure the safe return of Oshin and her daughter.

  • Presidency denies $50m ransom for chibok girls

    Presidency denies $50m ransom for chibok girls

    Nigeria’s information minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has denied the report making the rounds that l the Islamist militant group Boko Haram is demanding $50 million from the government as ransom before releasing the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

    Mohammed said ransom reports are not new in an interview with the Voice of America.

    “It appears we have several versions of this report. The one that we heard was from a source that (Boko Haram) wants to release 10 of these girls for 1 million euros.

    “But the most important thing is that we’ve gone through this route before, and until and when we establish the credibility of this source and the truth behind it, the government will not be in a hurry to make a statement. However, government is using its own channels to authenticate the credibility of this source,” he said.

    Mohammed said accusations that the Buhari administration appears not to be doing enough to secure the release of the more than 200 Chibok girls is not fair.

    “No day passes without the issue of the kidnapped girls not being at the front burner. But these are highly security and intelligence issues, which cannot always be discussed openly,” he said.

    “But I can assure you that for this government, the return of these girls is what is going to bring the final closure on the Boko Haram terrorism and we are working very hard, daily on it.”

    Mohammed’s remarks came after the government announced it has made significant progress in the fight against Boko Haram.

    The administration said it has “technically” defeated Boko Haram. But critics say the militants continued attacks unarmed civilians, including the use of suicide bombers, shows Boko Haram remains potent, despite the government’s reports.

    “Those who say that are being very unfair to us,” Mohammed said.

    “We inherited a very bad situation where the trail had gone cold, despite that every day we send out reports, we receive [information] some of them are phony some of them are just there to excoriate government.

    “But the truth of the matter is that it’s not a matter that the government is taking lightly. Those who want a daily report on what we are doing, of course in security that does not happen. But we have channels of information in which we make available on a need to know basis,” he said.

    Mohammed said Nigeria’s military has been able to wrestle control of territories previously under the control of the Boko Haram militants. He also said the militants have been dislodged from their fortresses, including their main operation center in the Sambisa Forest.

    “What we have today is cowardly attacks on soft targets. … And Nigeria has moved on from that and we are now concentrating very much on the rehabilitation, resettlement of those who are displaced. And I think the fact that one of the most wanted persons all over the world was captured without even firing a shot last week. … I think, is evidence so far of Nigeria’s success in dealing with terrorism,” he said.