TheNewsGuru

Tag: Abductors

  • Just in: Finally, Borno Judge regains freedom after two months in abductors den

    Just in: Finally, Borno Judge regains freedom after two months in abductors den

    Finally, Borno State High Court Judge, Haruna Mshelia, held captive since June, has regained freedom.

    Recall Mshelia was taken by suspected Boko Haram members on June 24 while traveling from Biu to Maiduguri with his wife, driver, and police escort. During the abduction, his police escort was killed.

    The judge’s release was confirmed through a message on a Borno lawyers’ WhatsApp group, which stated, “Alhamdulillah, we have just received the news of Justice Haruna Mshelia’s release.”

    According to Premium Times, only Judge Mshelia was freed; his wife and driver are still being held. The message urged continued prayers for their safe return.

    Details regarding the conditions of Mshelia’s release, including whether a ransom was paid, remain unclear. The police have not yet issued a statement on the matter.

    Chairman of the NBA Maiduguri branch, Hamza Zannah, verified Mshelia’s release to Humangle.

    Judge Mshelia, who transitioned from private legal practice to the Borno State Judiciary in May 2012, was one of two judges selected from private practitioners in the state.

    Borno is severely impacted by Boko Haram, making it one of Nigeria’s most terrorized states. The group’s actions have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and forced many others to flee.

  • 8 female students escape from abductors in Kaduna

    8 female students escape from abductors in Kaduna

    The eight female students kidnapped on their way to school on April 3, in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have escaped from their abductors.

    The development was confirmed by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, in a statement on Tuesday in Kaduna.

    Aruwan said the students escaped from a thick forest along Kaduna-Niger boundary and walked for days before arriving at a location where they were harboured.

    According to him, the government was subsequently alerted and the girls were evacuated by soldiers of 1 Division Nigerian Army and brought to Kaduna.

    “It was credibly gathered that the terrorists were combing forests in the area to recapture the students.

    “The students have been safely evacuated to a military facility where they are presently receiving medical attention,” Aruwan added.

    He said Gov. Nasir El-Rufai has praised the students for demonstrating sheer courage and resilience in escaping from captivity.

    “The governor admonished them to view the horrific experience as a turning point, and pursue their education with renewed vigour for a purposeful future.

    “The governor also commended the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division, Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Akinjobi for the prompt evacuation of the students.”

  • Abducted Kogi Poly female students regain freedom in Ondo

    Abducted Kogi Poly female students regain freedom in Ondo

    Abductors have freed four students of the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, after being  held in captivity for few days in Ondo state.

    The students namely Florence Obadero, Oreoluwa Aregbesola, Ifeoluwa Ahmed, and Omotoyosi Olarotimi, were released on Wednesday evening after spending five days in the abductor’s den.

    It was gathered that the four of them were released after their families paid ransom to the abductors.

    Meanwhile, the exact figure paid cannot be ascertained as of the time filing this report.

    Findings show that the victims were abducted last week Friday while returning to their hometown of Ajowa-Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government for Christmas.

    When the car they were riding in became stuck at the Ago Jinadu axis of the road, the gunmen kidnapped the students, all female, along the Akunnu-Ajowa highway in Akoko.

    An undisclosed sum was said to have been paid to ensure the students’ release, according to Soji Ogedengbe, a former majority leader in the Akoko North West Local Council.

    The entire Ajowa community, according to Ogedengbe, erupted in celebration when word of the victims’ release spread in the town.

    The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the incident but didn’t say if ransom was paid or not.

     

  • Female Polytechnic student, abducted, killed in Ogun state

    Female Polytechnic student, abducted, killed in Ogun state

    Happiness Odeh, a student of the  Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, who was abducted a few weeks ago has been reportedly killed by her abductors.

    She had recently won the MISS MAPOLY beauty contest in early August.

    The ND2 student of Mass Communication was said to have been kidnapped on her way to Ipara, in Ode Remo on Tuesday evening

    It was gathered that the beauty queen was kidnapped along Iperu road by some unknown persons who it was gathered, raped her before killing her in cold blood.

    The MAPOLY students Union government has confirmed the incident.

    According to a statement signed by the Students Union President, Sodiq Ajani, and the Public Relations Officer, Joy Okolie, the deceased was kidnapped three days ago while going to visit a movie location.

    “Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Students Union (MAPSU) announces the untimely death of Miss Happiness Odeh, a Mass Communication student of MAPOLY.

    “According to reports, she was abducted along Iperu road to her destination. The deceased left Abeokuta three days ago to visit a movie location at Ipara, Ode-Remo, with the consent of her parents.

    “Contrary to the rumours flying around, her death is not related to her status as the new Miss MAPOLY. She won the award on the 3rd of August and the movie location she attended has nothing to do with the beauty pageantry on campus.

    “We commiserate with her family, friends, and colleagues. May Almighty God grant us all the fortitude to bear this painful loss. Continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord,” the statement read.

    Speaking with our correspondent on Saturday, the Students Union President said the murderers took away the victim’s phone.

    According to him, the police have commenced investigations, making efforts to get the assailants arrested.

    Ajani informed that the body of the slain student had been deposited at the morgue of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu.

    “It was so pathetic. The kidnappers killed her and went away with her phone. Her body was found inside the bush along Iperu road. The body has been deposited at the mortuary. We were at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, yesterday with the parents. May God rest her soul,” he said

     

  • AGN president, Rollas gives update on the abduction of two Nollywood actors

    AGN president, Rollas gives update on the abduction of two Nollywood actors

    Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), president Emeka Rollas, has given an update on the abduction of two members of the body.

    Recall that veteran actress and actor, Cynthia Okereke and Clemson Cornel, were abducted sometimes last week.

    According to Rollas, the abductors of Okereke and Cornel have requested a ransom of $100,000.

    “They have made contact and they are demanding the sum of $100,000 in ransom,” Rollas stated.

    Rochas had initially said the body wasn’t sure if it was an abduction case or not.

    Rollas, however, stated in another statement, “We have not confirmed the kidnap as it were. The only thing we know is that all the money in Cynthia Okereke’s account was cleared on Friday morning.

    “We are expecting to get a kind of signal from the people holding them hostage to know whether it is a kidnap or not.”

    The statement initially issued by Chinda-Coker reads, “The two members were suspected of having been kidnapped, which has increased fear amongst members about the safety of actors filming in the country.

    “Because of this sad development, the National President of the Guild, Ejezie Emeka Rollas, has instructed all actors to avoid going to the outskirts of cities to film except full security cover is provided to ensure their safety.”

    According to Monalisa Chinda, the veterans were reported missing after their family members confirmed they didn’t come back from a film location at Ozalla Town, Enugu State.

    She further revealed in her statement that the National President of Actors Guild, Emeka Rollas, has asked members to avoid going to the outskirts of cities to film except full security is provided to ensure safety.

    In the meantime, Rollas has appealed to all members of the guild and the public to pray for the safe return of their missing colleagues.

  • Kaduna-Abuja train: Terrorists demand N100million ransom to release abductees

    Kaduna-Abuja train: Terrorists demand N100million ransom to release abductees

    Terrorists who attacked the Kaduna-Abuja bound train on March 28, 2022 have place a 100 million naira ransom on each of the 43 remaining abductees still in their custody.

    The families of the victims still in custody have been contacted since last week , a source said.

    This development is coming few days after the Kuje correctional center was attacked and many terrorists inmates were freed by scores of gunmen.

    The Islamic State West Africa Province claimed responsibility for the attack in a viral video 24 hours later.

    During the attack, over 300 Boko Haram fighters, convicted criminals and other inmates were released by the terrorists who overwhelmed the security operatives guarding the facility.

    Meanwhile, the Federal Government had since released the names and photos of the freed 64 terrorists and their names uploaded on the database of interpol.

    ISWAP had initially contacted the FG asking for favours in exchange of abducted persons in their custody.

    As part of their demands, they requested the release of 15 terrorist commanders, their children detained by the military and an undisclosed amount of cash.

    On June 12, the terrorists released 11 hostages after 75 days in captivity, while another seven regained their freedom on Saturday.

    The victims were reportedly released through the assistance of the Publisher of Kaduna-based Desert Herald newspaper, Mallam Tukur Mamu, who has been negotiating with the militants.

    Giving an update on the situation on Sunday, a family member of the abducted victims, who didn’t want his name in print, told newsmen that the terrorists were asking each family to cough up N100m ransom for the release of their loved ones.

    The source said the seven victims that were released on Saturday paid an undisclosed amount.

    He said, “It is money that is still delaying the release of the others. The terrorists are demanding ransom now. We heard the last set paid money. They (terrorists) have reached out to us as regards the payment of ransom.

    “The situation now is that if you have your money, your loved ones would be freed. They have pegged the ransom at N100m. It is just unfortunate.”

    Another family member said they were told that the terrorists were no longer interested in negotiating with the Federal Government, saying that N100m was required to free those in captivity.

    He said they were still pleading with the terrorists to reduce the ransom as some of them could not afford the huge amount.

    He noted, “My loved one has not been released, those that were released paid N100m. I don’t have that kind of money. The kidnappers got in touch with us. They said they were no longer negotiating with the Federal Government. Getting N100m is the dilemma many of us don’t have.”

  • Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack: Bandits threaten to slaughter victims

    Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack: Bandits threaten to slaughter victims

    Ansaru terrorists, the bandit group, which  has claimed responsibility for the attack and abduction of Kaduna-Abuja train passengers in early March, has  threatened to slaughter the remaining 51 victims still in their custody.

    Recall that Tukur Mamu, who is a publisher  has been serving as  negotiator between the bandits and the Federal Government and he recently  informed the families and the public of how the abductees are being bitten by snakes and reptiles.

    He later confirmed that one of the victims was shot, as a warning to hasten the response to the agreement between the Federal Government and the bandits.

    However, in an audio in circulation, which is believed to be a voice of one of the group members,  threatened to slaughter the victims because the government failed to negotiate  their release.

    Meanwhile, Mamu has confirmed to newsmen that the audio is real adding that Wednesday June 6th  has been picked to carry out the threats.

    According to him, they became provoked on Monday after giving us another opportunity.

    “I was crying and pleading with them that since there is a delay from the government, they should discuss with the family members directly to negotiate the victims’ release.

    “Based on the plea, they agreed to negotiate directly with the victims’ families.

    “But they said they are giving us till Wednesday, that if there was nothing concrete from those that are interested in the negotiation, they will start slaughtering some of the victims,” he said.

  • Kaduna Catholic priest killed by terrorists buried without corpse (PHOTO)

    A 48-year-old Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Joseph Bako Aketeh, who died in his abductor’s custody in Kaduna state has been laid to rest without his corpse on Tuesday, June 7.

     

    The funeral mass was held at St. John’s Catholic Church Kudenda in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where he was the parish priest.

     

    During the burial, the Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, said he has never performed a funeral mass without a corpse before.

     

    The Catholic Archbishop expressed hope that they hoped to see the bones of Reverend Father Aketeh one day.

     

    He said: “This is the first time I am presiding over a funeral mass without the corpse, we hope that one day we would be able to see even if it is his bones.

     

    “Nigerians are worn out due to weeping, our eyes could no longer produce tears. Bandits are terrorising with impunity. Does our government really care about our pains? Something is happening, they have failed us.

     

    “Nigeria is a country where citizens are treated unequally because of religion and ethnicity. Vices has become a value in our country.”

     

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) recalls that the abducted Catholic Priest died in the hands of his abductors eight weeks after he was kidnapped.

     

    Rev Fr. Joseph was abducted by gunmen from his residence in Kudenda community of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on March 8, 2022.

     

    The Catholic priest was kidnapped along with his brother, Sunday Bako, on March 8 when bandits invaded the parish and killed one security guard.

     

    Although it was not immediately confirmed whether ransom was demanded and paid before he was killed.

     

    He was said to have died in the terrorist’s den between April 18 and 19, but his death was not confirmed until Wednesday, May 11.

     

    His death was announced by the Chancellor, Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna, Rev Fr. Christian Okewu Emanuel, who said he was ill before the abduction and his abductors did not allow him to go with his drugs, adding that. Bako died between April 18 and 20, 2022.

     

    He said Fr. Joseph, 48 was kidnapped from his residence, in St John Catholic Church Kudenda, where he was serving as Parish Priest, on the 8th March, 2022.

     

    “His own brother was killed there in his presence and after his brother was killed his condition worsened and he died,” he said.

     

    He further added that the Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, has communicated his deepest sympathies to Fr. Bako’s immediate family and the entire Catholic Community of St John Kudenda; and assured them of his fraternal closeness and prayers.

     

    See photos from the funeral below:

    CatholicCatholic

  • Insecurity: Christian cleric, Samuel Kanu abducted in Abia state

    A Christian cleric, the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria,His Eminence, Samuel Kanu Uche has been reportedly kidnapped when plying the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway,n Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State on Sunday.

    It was gathered that the kidnappers took him alongside Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark, the Methodist Bishop of Owerri and the Prelate’s Chaplain.

    The clergymen were kidnapped in the afternoon while they were on their way from a programme in the council area.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in Abia, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed the incident

    He mentioned that the police are working with other security agents to rescue the priest and others taken away with him.

    According to him, the police Command solicited credible information from the public toward their rescue.

  • Kidnappers of Abuja-Kaduna train passengers release pictures of 62 victims

    Kidnappers of Abuja-Kaduna train passengers release pictures of 62 victims

    Four pictures of 62 kidnapped victims of an attacked Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28 have been released by their abductors.

     

    In the pictures released on Tuesday, 62 of the kidnapped victims are seen in four groups.

     

    The first photo has 23 persons, including five children (two females and three males) and 18 women.

     

    Among them is the 85-year-old woman said to be diabetic.

     

    The second photo shows 17 men, including a foreigner.

     

    The third photo shows six of the victims sitting, one of whom has a bandage wrapped on his right leg.

     

    The fourth photo shows 16 people.

     

    It is the third time the terrorists would release evidence that their captives are alive.

     

    The first photo was released during the release of Managing Director of Bank of Agriculture, Alwan Ali-Hassan.

     

    The other was a video showing victims begging the government to grant the terrorists’ demands.

     

    It was reported after the attack that 68 captives were with the bandits, including 41 women, 22 men and five children.

     

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is unsure of the exact number of those abducted.

     

    The terrorists used clothes to block the background on the photographs as the abductees sat on a tarpaulin.

     

    They blew up rail tracks on the Abuja-Kaduna route during the attack, killing eight passengers. No fewer than 41 people were injured.

     

    Ali-Hassan, who is the only released captive released so far, had told those who visited him that they were subjected to five days of trekking from the attack scene to a forest in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.