The Nation Newspaper

Tag: regain freedom

  • Four abducted Catholic priests regain freedom

    FOUR Catholic priests who were abducted on Tuesday by unknown persons in Delta have regained their freedom, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    The Nigeria Police, Delta Command, confirmed yesterday that the priests were rescued near Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state.

    According to the Police Commissioner, Muhammad Mustafa, the victims were rescued on Friday evening at a location he did not disclose.

    The victims were: Rev. Fathers Victor Adigboluja of the Ijebu Ode Diocese; Anthony Otegbola, Abeokuta Diocese; Joseph Ediae, Benin Archdiocese; and Emmanuel Obadjere, Warri Diocese.

    They were said to have been on their way to the Seminary of All Saints Uhiele-Ekpoma in Edo on November 6 when they were kidnapped.

    The police boss, who earlier said that one of the suspects had been apprehended in connection with the crime, also assured that the police command was trailing the others.

    He assured that the other suspects would be arrested and prosecuted.

    “They were rescued on Friday and we are on the trail of the other suspects. We do not encourage ransom, so no ransom was paid,” Mustafa said.

    A reliable source told NAN that the priests were taken to Benin City for medical attention immediately they regained their freedom.

    According to the source the priests were escorted to Benin City by the joint police and military team that rescued them.

    The captors had earlier demanded for N4 million as ransom to effect their release.

  • Abducted Ondo siblings regain freedom

    There was jubilation yesterday in Ora Quarters of Ajowa, Akoko Northwest Local Government Area of Ondo State, when the two siblings of the Olusa family, who were abducted by gunmen on their way to neighbouring Akunu town five days ago, were released.

    Their freedom came after payment of an unspecified ransom.

    The family’s spokesperson Alhaji Busari Olusa said they were released in far-away Ayanran Forest in Edo State.

    The Ajowa community had been in mourning mood in the last five days.

    They prayed and fasted for the safety of their sons.

    Olusa thanked security agents, the media and Ajowa community for standing by them during the ordeal.

    He urged government to find lasting solution to incessant embarrassment and kidnapping in Akoko land.

  • Methodist priest, two others regain freedom

    The Methodist Church Presbyter of Aagba Circuit, Very Rev. Kayode Akande and two other members from Osogbo Diocese of the church regained their freedom yesterday.

    Akande and the two others simply identified as Mr. Bankole and Mr. Omodunbi were kidnapped on Sunday at about 7pm at Telemu along Iwo-Osogbo Road in Osun State by suspected herdsmen. They were returning from a church programme in Ile-Ogbo, the headquarters of Irewole local government of Osun State.

    It was not clear whether ransom was paid before they were released.

    The three men were yesterday released to the Bishop of Osogbo Diocese, Rt. Revd. Amos Ogunrinde.

    On Monday, the kidnappers were said to have demanded N20 million ransom from Akande’s wife to pave the way for his release.

  • Otun Olubadan’s twins freed

    •’N10m ransom paid’

    The twins of the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Lekan Balogun, have been freed.

    A source alleged that their abductors released them after collecting N10 million ransom.

    The children were kidnapped with their mother last week, but she was pushed out of their vehicle after her SIM card was seized.

    The children were freed on Monday evening.

    Police spokesman Adekunle Ajisebutu told The Nation yesterday that the children had been released.

    He said the command would arrest the abductors.

    When asked if ransom was paid to secure the release of the children, he declined comment.

    Pressed further, he said: “I can confirm to you that the children have been released by the abductors. However, we are making efforts to arrest the culprits. I’m not aware of any ransom paid; I can’t confirm that. I will not make further comments, which can jeopardise investigations.”

    The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1, has paid visited Oba Balogun.

    He said the kidnappers would be brought to justice.

    Represented by his younger brother, 80-year-old Ambali, the first-class monarch described the incident as wicked and ungodly.

    Also on the delegation was the Personal Assistant and Director of Media and Public Affairs to the Olubadan, Mr. Adeola Oloko .

    Senator Rashidi Ladoja yesterday sympathised with Oba Balogun on phone.

    His Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Lanre Latinwo, said Ladoja had been away from Ibadan since last Thursday.

     

  • Kidnappers free Lagos teachers, pupils

    Kidnappers free Lagos teachers, pupils

    THE four pupils and two teachers kidnapped last Thursday at the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla in Epe, have regained their freedom.
    The pupils – Abu, Emmanuel Okonkwo, Jeremiah Ruth, Isaac Adebisi – Vice Principal, Junior School, AO Oyesola and English teacher, Lukman Oyerinde, who were kidnapped at about 8am at the school premises were released around 10:30pm, it was learnt last night.
    Details of their release or whether they paid ransom, could not be ascertained at press time
    The kidnappers who initially demanded N120 million, reviewed the amount to N3.5m on Sunday.
    Mr. Oluwafemi Adebisi, an elated father of one of the victims, confirmed that his son was back home and in good health.
    “I thank God for everything. My son has been released to us. He is in good health. God is wonderful,” he said.
    A police source who hinted on the release of the victims, said no arrest had been made.

  • Alleged police attackers regain freedom

    Alleged police attackers regain freedom

    The four men who allegedly beat up a policeman and stole his phone at Itamaga junction in Ikorodu, on March 11, got their freedom yesterday when an Ikorodu Magistrate’s Court struck out the case against them for want of diligent prosecution.

    Ayomide Emmanuel and three others now at large were accused of assaulting Inspector Ikudaisi Gbenga of the Sagamu Road Police Station at about 10:30pm on the same day, with a sharp object, thereby injured him and stole his handset valued at N4, 000.

    The police preferred a two-count charge of stealing and assault against them, punishable under Sections 172 and 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State.

    When the case was mentioned, the prosecutor, Police Corporal Mary Ajiteru, informed the court that the complainant was a police inspector and was away on duty. Her other witness was also unavailable, so she requested for an adjournment.

    Magistrate Adejumoke Olagbegi-Adelabu said her records showed that the complainant had never put in an appearance since the case was brought to court, adding that the complainant’s job was not an excuse for his failure to appear even once since the trial began. The case was struck out for want of diligent prosecution.

     

  • Two men regain freedom after spending 10 years in prison

    Justice S.D. Bage of Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, has discharged two convicted men, Sopurochi Obed, 24, and Oto-Bong Sunday Edet, after spending 10 years in jail.

    Obed and Oto – Bong were first  arrested and  arraigned at Ebute Metta Magistrate Court before Magistrate Nwankawo on two-count charge of arm robbery and conspiracy

    Obed was 14 years old, while Oto bong was 27 when they were arraigned in court.

    They were alleged of robbing one Praise Lawani of N54,000, a digital Kodak camera, worth #60,000; Motorola handset, N16000 and two kitchen knives and cutlass, valued at N300000.

    They were first arraigned on 30th of September2004, before Chief Magistrate Nwankawo. The matter was later transferred to the High Court in Lagos before Justice M.A. Dada, who found them guilty in 2009.

    They spent the first three years at Ikoyi prison, and were later transferred to Kirikiri prison where they spent the last seven years.