TheNewsGuru

Tag: Kidnap

  • Police place N5m bounty on fleeing kidnapping suspects in Ekiti

    Police place N5m bounty on fleeing kidnapping suspects in Ekiti

    The Ekiti State Police Command has placed N5 million as reward for genuine information on the whereabouts of four suspects over alleged kidnapping in the state.

    ASP Sunday Abutu, the command’s spokesperson in a statement on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti, gave the names of the fleeing suspects as Banji Akeem, Samuel Ebira, Dele Jimoh and Dayo Igwe.

    Abutu said the four now at large were mentioned as gang members by other arrested suspects currently in police custody.

    According to him, the suspects were involved in the abduction of prominent Ekiti citizens in the last two years.

    “The suspects already arrested mentioned one Banji Akeem a.k.a Oro, who was earlier arrested by the RRS operatives for the offence of armed robbery.

    “They also mentioned one Samuel a.k.a Samuel Ebira, Jimoh Dele a.k.a Dele Petim, Dayo a.k.a Dayo Igwe and Johnson a.k.a Yellow Okada who are presently at large as other members of their gang,” he said.

    Abutu, said the suspects were arrested through the relentless efforts of the men of the command.

    According to him, the arrested suspects had confessed that they had been involved in various kidnappings in the state.

    “They confirmed to be the brain behind the abduction of one Olowo Bola of Ipoti-Ekiti and the late Chief Abiodun Ajayi, who died from the injuries sustained while he jumped from the kidnappers vehicle, earlier this year, in Ado Ekiti,” he said.

    The PPRO explained that the suspects usually kept their victims in the house of late Chief Ogunremi, located around Water Works in Ado-Ekiti or sometimes Ayere, a forest in Kogi.

    He listed Items recovered from the suspects to include, one Toyota Corolla car, 13 rounds of live cartridges and two locally made double-barrel guns.

    Abutu said that efforts were on to arrest other members of the gang who were at large, hence the N5 million reward for useful information that could lead to their arrest.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the command had on Monday paraded four suspected abductors of a petroleum dealer in Ekiti, Alhaji Suleiman Akinbami and wife of late Surveyor-General of the state, Mrs. Dapo Osalusi.

    The suspects was also alleged to have also kidnapped another victim, Olowo Bolaji in Ipoti-Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area of the state.

    Abutu while parading the suspects said they were arrested by a team of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the command.

    He said the suspects included the food supplier to the alleged kidnappers and a vulcaniser, who was their informant.

    The command thanked residents who provided the information that led to the initial arrests, promising not to relent in ridding the state of crime.

    “The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Unit of the Police Command in Ekiti has continued its raid and war against kidnapping with another breakthrough recorded in the arrest and parade of four suspected kidnappers.

    “They were apprehended in connection with the abduction of a petroleum dealer, Alhaji Suleiman Akinbami in Ado-Ekiti on Jan. 10.

    “The suspects during interrogations confessed to have actively participated in the abduction of the wife of former Ekiti State Surveyor-General, Mrs. Dapo Osalusi and another victim, Olowo Bolaji in Ipoti-Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area of the state,” Abutu explained.

  • Kidnapped Edo pupils regain freedom after N6m ransom

    Kidnapped Edo pupils regain freedom after N6m ransom

    Two female pupils of Gloryland Group of Schools, Igarra in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, have been freed.

    The pupils were released after the parents paid N6 million ransom. The kidnappers first demanded N100 million after the incident on Tuesday.

    It was gathered that the primary school pupils were released unhurt. A family member, who spoke with newsmen in confidence, said the two girls had rejoined their family.
    The siblings were abducted while returning from school to their home in Auchi. Their vehicle was intercepted at gunpoint at 5:35 p.m. along Igarra-Auchi Road, near Ikpeshi in Akoko-Edo council.

    The two pupils of were abducted on Tuesday by gunmen at about 5:35 pm along Igarra-Auchi Road, near Ikpeshi, Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo

    The vehicle conveying pupils, who are siblings with some other school, was intercepted at gun point and the abductors dragged them from the vehicle into the bush.

    The spokesman of Police Command in Edo, Kontongs Bello confirmed the incident, saying the police operatives, soldiers and vigilantes were already combing the bush in an effort to rescue the abducted kids.

    Bello, a Superintendent of Police, said two of the students were kidnapped, though efforts “are on to rescue them unhurt. Men of the Nigeria Police, Soldiers and vigilantes are already combing the bush to rescue the students.”

  • Gunmen kidnap 4 women in Suleja

    Gunmen kidnap 4 women in Suleja

    The Police Command in Niger on Thursday confirmed the abduction of four women by gunmen at Haske Dabara community, Agwan Gwari Kwamba of Suleja Local Government Area of the State.

    The Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Monday Kuryas, who confirmed the incident in Minna said: “Yes it has happened at about 1 a.m. last night and already anti-kidnapping team, the army and vigilante had been deployed to rescue the victims.

    “We will do everything humanly possible to apprehend all those miscreants undermining the peaceful coexistence among residents.

    “I am appealing to residents, especially rural dwellers, to come forward with credible information on movement of strange faces among them to the nearest security personnel for necessary security action”.

    The commissioner solicited more working support by coming forward with intelligence information that could aid the security personnel deployed across the state in the ongoing fight against kidnapping, banditry and other criminal elements in the state.

    An eyewitness said the gunmen entered the community at about 12.46 a.m. with gunshots that scared the residents.

  • Bandits invade secondary school, kidnap Vice Principal in Abuja

    Bandits invade secondary school, kidnap Vice Principal in Abuja

    An unknown armed group has reportedly invaded a junior secondary school in Yebu, Kwali Council of Abuja and abducted its Vice-principal, Mohammed Nuhu.

    The armed men abducted Nuhu after they had successfully invaded the staff quarters of the school.

    Reports of the incident which took place four days ago, only got to the media on Wednesday.

    The assailants were said to have gained entry into the premises using sophisticated weapons. They reportedly attacked the security personnel manning the gate, reports Daily Trust.

    Stephen Knabayi, the chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) wing of the Nigeria Union Teachers (NUT) also confirmed the abduction.

    The report came 24 hours after gunmen abducted three senior members of the University of Abuja staff and three of their family members from the university’s staff quarters in Giri.

  • [+Video] How over 20 gunmen invaded, kidnapped six persons in UNIABUJA’s staff quarters

    [+Video] How over 20 gunmen invaded, kidnapped six persons in UNIABUJA’s staff quarters

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) has obtained more insights on how gunmen numbering 20 in the early hours of Tuesday invaded the University of Abuja Staff Quarters, located in the Giri area of the Federal Capital Territory and abducted six persons.

    According to some of the senior management staff varsity’s quarters disclosed to newsmen that the gunmen gained access to the university staff quarters located in the Giri area of the Federal Capital Territory from the east end of the permanent site of the university, close to the mountains.

    It was further gathered that the gunmen, numbering 20, pulled down the fence and attacked houses around the area.

    Watch video of some of the staffers who spoke on the ugly incident:

     

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    “They came in through the fence, attacked the houses that are near the fence towards the bushy side of the permanent site; the side that is facing the hills that is where they came in.

    “The eastern side of the staff quarters is surrounded by bush and you have to travel very far and approach those hills that is how they came.

    “They came in with heavy guns and were shooting all over. They stationed themselves in strategic places in the quarter and were shooting in the air and the guns were so heavy.

    “Those places where they have problem entering; places where there are burglar proofs, they shot at those places.”

    Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah had in 2020 complained about the presence of bandits in the university community.

    The VC in a statement issued by the Head, Information and University Relations, Dr. Habib Yakoob said staff and students were “living in fear of bandits.”

    Na’Allah had said: “The truth is that this great university is in trouble right now. I say this because we have all sorts of people who are living on the campus, who are using the land without respect for the environment.

    “It is worse now because bandits are coming in and taking over land both within staff residences and outside.

    “Our students are being attacked; we are living in fear of bandits. Some of the indigenes give land to these bandits without really knowing them, some don’t even ask for permission, they just take over. I can tell you that on many occasions, we have had clashes.”

  • Gunmen kidnap Abuja chief imam, two sons

    Gunmen kidnap Abuja chief imam, two sons

    Scores of gunmen have abducted Abdullahi Abubakar Gbedako, the Chief Imam of Yangoji Central Mosque in Kwali Area Council, Abuja.

    His two sons, Aliyu Usman Abubakar, 22 and Ibrahim Abubakar, 11, were also abducted with him.

    They were all nabbed at the imam’s home in Abuja around 11:47 pm on Friday.

    A family member of the chief imam, who preferred anonymity, disclosed that a contact has been established.

    The kidnappers, he said, are demanding for N10 million as ransom.

    Spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, DSP Adeh Josephine, confirmed the kidnap of the imam and his two sons on Monday.

    She said investigations are ongoing and efforts are on by the police and vigilante to rescue the victims.

    “The FCT police commissioner, CP Sunday Babaji, urged members of Yangoji community to remain calm and provide information that would help the police in arresting the suspects,” she said.

  • Army foils kidnap of Catholic Bishop In Imo

    Army foils kidnap of Catholic Bishop In Imo

    An attempt to kidnap the Catholic Bishop of Orlu Diocese in Imo State, His Lordship Most Rev Dr Augustine Ukwuoma, has been foiled by the Nigerian Army.

    A yet-to-be identified gunmen reportedly invaded the priest’s residence in the early hours of Sunday but failed to abduct him as troops of ‘Exercise Golden DAWN’ thwarted the operation.

    Pictures of the attack show that the criminals destroyed the burglary proof on the window and damaged one of the doors in the house. An expended shell casing from a double-barreled gun was also seen on the floor.

    A statement signed the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General
    Onyema Nwachukwu, said the priest and his secretary are safe and that the attackers ran away when the soldiers arrived the scene.

    “Troops of Exercise Golden DAWN Sector 3 have foiled an attempted kidnap and robbery of his Lordship Most Rev Dr Augustine Ukwuoma at the Orlu Diocesan Catholic Secretariat, BSC Road Orlu Imo State.

    “The troops in response to a distress call at about 2:30am today, Sunday 31st October 2021, swiftly moved to the scene forcing the assailants to take to their heels thereby abandoning their mission. The Bishop, his Secretary and Assistant Secretary are safe and unhurt.

    “Troops will continue to deny freedom of action to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), its affiliate the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and other criminal gangs operating within the sector especially as the elections in Anambra State draws nearer and during the yuletide season.

    “Members of the public are advised to report suspicious movement of criminals as well as hide out of the outlawed IPOB/ESN to law enforcement agencies as the group is only out to intimidate, steal and kidnap for ransom law-abiding citizens,” said the army.

  • Bandits kidnap over 30 travellers in Rafi, Niger State

    Bandits kidnap over 30 travellers in Rafi, Niger State

    Over 30 passengers have been allegedly abducted by armed bandits at Garun-Gabas in Rafi Local Government Council of Niger State.

    It was gathered that the victims were abducted Wednesday afternoon along the Zungeru-Garin-Gabas highway on three separate vehicles.

    TheNewsGuru learnt that they were traveling in an 18-seater bus and two other vehicles when they ran into the gunmen.

    According to eyewitness account, the bandits obstructed the road shooting sporadically into the air to scare villagers who scampered to various directions before whisking the passengers away to an unknown location..

    A resident of the area who did not want the name mentioned, said after abduction the travellers the bandits in large numbers ran into the Kundu forest in Rafi to rustle cattles.

    The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, when contacted, promised to get back, but is yet to do so as at the time of filing in this report.

     

  • Mikel opens up on being kidnapped before Chelsea move

    Mikel opens up on being kidnapped before Chelsea move

    Former Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel, has cleared the air on rumours that he was kidnapped before moving to Stamford Bridge from Lyn in 2006.

    Chelsea battled Manchester United to sign Mikel, despite the midfielder having signed a pre-contract with the Red Devils during Sir Alex Ferguson’s regime.

    Lyn had started rumours that Mikel was missing as the club’s general manager Morgan Andersen reported him missing.

    Speaking on the development, Mikel told The Athletic, “Yes, there was talk of that.

    “Look, I wasn’t really kidnapped. I was just staying away from the public eye, away from the press, making sure no one knew where I was.

    “But there was a public announcement in Norway that, if anyone saw me, they should report it to the police, so we had to go and hide. Obviously, United were trying to get hold of me. So was Lyn. There were some tough times. It was like a movie.”

  • BBNaija: My family was kidnapped, sought asylum to escape death – Cross

    BBNaija: My family was kidnapped, sought asylum to escape death – Cross

    BBNaija 2021 star, Cross has revealed how his family was kidnapped following his father’s demise.

    Cross, during an Instagram live session, said he was kidnapped alongside his mother and siblings and had to seek asylum in the United States to protect themselves.

    The BBNaija star said this while narrating the horrible experience he and his family passed through shortly after his father’s death..

    “After my dad’s death we were kidnapped and they tried to kill my mother so she thought the best situation for us to be safe was to flee and seek asylum in a different country.

    “That exposed me to the ups and downs of life and shaped me to be who I am today but I’ve recovered from the kidnap trauma,” Cross said.

    Cross also noted that the trauma he faced while seeking refuge in a foreign country made him who he is today.

    Cross’s mother is Pastor Uji Grace Okonkwo while his father is the late Ezego of Ihiala.