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Tag: Kidnap

  • Police nab kidnap kingpins that abducted Channels TV Staff

    Police nab kidnap kingpins that abducted Channels TV Staff

    From Jonas Ike, Abuja

    In line with the commitment of the Inspector-Genreral of Police IGP’s Adamu Mohammed to curb all forms of crimes and criminality, especially incidences of kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country, Police Operatives attached to Operation Puff Adder, acting on intelligence has arrested three (3) notorious persons involved in the kidnap of Channels Television’s staff, Mr. Friday Okeregbe.

    The suspects: Hanniel Patrick ‘m’ 29years from Akwa Ibom State, Abdulwahab Isah ‘m’ 28years and Salisu Mohammed ‘M’ 32years both from Kogi State have made useful statement to the Police.

    Meanwhile, investigation reveals that Mr. Friday Okeregbe was not originally the intended target of the vicious criminals. However, on that fateful day, 22nd March, 2019, at 07:45PM, he was kidnapped when the kidnappers saw him parking his vehicle at a location in Lugbe, Abuja.

    Investigation further reveals that the victim was taken to the kidnappers’ den somewhere in Karimo, Abuja and kept incommunicado afterwards.

    The Police have also recovered from the kidnappers a locally made revolver gun, three (3) live AK47 ammunitions, a battle axe, phones and masks with which they blindfold their victims. Effort is being intensified to arrest other members of the gang still at large.

    Meanwhile, the IGP has reassured the general public that the Police and other security agencies are doing everything humanly possible to tame the challenges of kidnapping and other heinous crimes across the Country. He however enjoins them to always avail the Police with useful information that will help in realizing these objectives

  • BREAKING: Kidnapped Lagos Fire Service Director, others regain freedom

    BREAKING: Kidnapped Lagos Fire Service Director, others regain freedom

    Kidnapped Director of Lagos State Fire Service Rasaki Musibau and six others have been released, the police said Wednesday morning.

    They were released at about 11:45pm inside the forest where the kidnappers kept them by a joint security force.

    Recall that the victims were kidnapped at about 8pm on April 6 along the Ikorodu-Epe Expressway while on their way to Lagos.

    Spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command, DSP Bala Elkana, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday morning.

    According to Elkana, the victims were released unhurt and have been reunited with their families.

    “The victims have since reunited with their families. The command’s tactical teams are still in the creeks and forests combating the hoodlums.

    Water-tight security measures are emplaced across the state to forestall future occurrence. “The command deeply appreciate the supports of Lagos State Government and the good people of Lagos who stood by us and also provided useful information that facilitated the prompt rescue of the victims. Together we will continue to make Lagos State one of the safest states in Nigeria,” he said.

  • Gunmen kidnap Lagos Fire Service director, six others

    Gunmen kidnap Lagos Fire Service director, six others

    Kidnappers on Saturday night abducted the Lagos State Fire Service Acting Director Rasaki Musibau and six others at Ejirin, along the Epe-Itoikin road, Ikorodu.

    Among those kidnapped is the personal assistant to the vice chairman of Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Area.

    The incident, it was gathered, occurred while the fire chief and others were returning to Lagos from Epe.

    According to a report by The Nation, the kidnappers had blocked the Itoikin bridge, ambushing occupants of a Sienna, Corolla and a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

    According to an eyewitness, the incident happened around 3pm. The fire service chief and other people were ordered to alight from their vehicles and were whisked away.

    He said the incident occurred in the evening.

    “They (the kidnappers) didn’t take anything from the vehicles. The Fire Service acting director’s vehicle was there with his phone. We saw three vehicles at the spot. We were told that the kidnappers were just stopping vehicles on the road at Ejirin and after occupants of the three vehicles were taken, they hurriedly left the scene,” he said.

    He doubted if the kidnappers knew Musibau before abducting him.

    “They could have ransacked his vehicle and taken his phones away if they knew he is the Fire Service acting director,” he said.

    Another resident said the abducted personal assistant to the vice chairman of Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Area drove his boss’ vehicle.

    “The kidnappers might have thought it was the council’s vice chairman, unknown to them that the person driving the vehicle is the chairman’s aide. I think the man took his boss’ vehicle to a party. He was returning to Ejirin before he was abducted,” he said.

    According to him, the kidnappers left two children of some of the women abducted on the scene of the incident.

    Some residents alleged that occupants of an interstate bus were also kidnapped after the vehicle dropped off some passengers along the road and bystanders, pretending to be waiting for a bus to Lagos, entered.

    A resident said the interstate bus had stopped to drop off a passenger at Ejirin, adding that some other persons standing on the road joined the vehicle en route to Lagos.

    “It happened on Saturday evening. It was around 7pm. It was one of these instate buses that ply that route. The bus stopped to drop off passengers and some people entered.

    “But unknown to the driver and passengers, those who entered the bus were kidnappers and they took them to an unknown destination.

    “It was a separate incident from that of the fire service director. The man and some others were coming from Epe to Lagos when the kidnappers ambushed them and took them away. This area is gradually turning to something else.

    “We are worried because we know how bad it was then when farmers and their employees were being kidnapped daily. These boys are gradually starting again.

    “We are calling on the authorities to act fast before it is too late,” said the source.

    But the police denied that any commercial bus was involved, saying the total number of those affected were seven occupants of a Toyota Sienna, Corolla and an Opel SUV.

    Saturday’s kidnap has sent shivers down the spines of residents of the axis who have for some time experienced respite from incessant kidnappings and armed banditry.

    Prior to the latest incident, it was gathered that the Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman, Samson Ajijedidun, was kidnapped by the criminals on March 1 and only released after a ransom was paid.

    Some workers and senior staff of the Fire Service were yesterday seen at the Alausa fire service office.

    Their convergence may not be unconnected with the kidnap of their boss.

    None of them was ready to speak with reporters or anybody that does not belong to the service.

    They were seen discussing the incident in hushed tones.

    Contacted, Fire Service Chief Public Affairs Officer Bola Ajao’s phone was switched off.

    Messages sent to her phone were not answered.

    Police spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said seven persons, including the fire service boss, were kidnapped from three vehicles around 8pm on Saturday.

    Elkana said: “They are seven persons, not nine. They were not in a bus. We are just coming from the scene now. The Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, visited the scene. They were in three vehicles, Toyota Sienna, Toyota Corolla and Opel SUV. We searched and saw some items belonging to the victims, one of them is the Lagos Fire Service director.

    “Investigation has begun into this incident. The CP has also deployed Special Forces and tasked the Command’s Anti kidnapping Unit to ensure that they rescue the seven persons abducted by some hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers at about 8pm along Iwoye bridge, Itokin-Epe road, Ikorodu.

    “The CP in the company of Tactical Units Commanders visited the crime scene in the early hours of today (yesterday) and assured the family of the victims that the command is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that the victims are rescued unhurt.

    “Those abducted include Rasaki Musibau, Mufutau Adams, Funmilayo Adelumo, Asiogu Martha, Lasisi Muka and two others. Vehicles recovered from the scene include Toyota Sienna, Toyota Corolla and Opel SUV.

    “The command assures Lagosians of their safety at all times, as it has intensified patrols and surveillance along Itokin-Epe road, Ketu, Eredo and other major highways in the state.”

  • Gunmen kidnap Atiku’s spokesman on eve of presidential election

    Gunmen kidnap Atiku’s spokesman on eve of presidential election

    Some suspected gunmen have on Friday evening kidnapped Austin Okai, Atiku’s presidential spokesperson for Kogi State.

    Okai was reportedly abducted in his residence in Abuja by the heavily armed gunmen.

    The gunmen were said to have stormed his residence and flashed ID cards believed to be for the personnel of the Department of State Service (DSS) and whisked him away.

    His whereabouts is yet to be unknown at the time of publishing this report.

    Nigeria heads to the polls on Saturday to elect their president and members of the National Assembly.

    Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are the major contenders for the presidential election.

  • Gunmen kidnap two Bowen varsity workers

    Two members of staff of the Bowen University, Iwo, in Osun State were reportedly abducted by gunmen last night.

    The victims were allegedly abducted at Ile-Ogbo junction on the Iwo-Osogbo Road.

    It was gathered that the yet-to-be identified victims by the authorities of the university, were abruptly stopped by the armed men in their car before they were marched into the bush.

    The third victim, who reportedly escaped from the gunmen, were said to have been shot and reportedly sustained a first-degree injury on his leg.

    He is said to be presently lying critically ill at an undisclosed hospital in Iwo.

    Spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command Mrs. Folashade Odoro, in telephone chat, said policemen were presently combing the area to apprehend the culprits and rescue those who were kidnapped.

    She said: “Yes, two people were kidnapped, and our men are already in the bush trying to rescue the victims and apprehend the abductors.”

    More details soon…

  • Police rescue 20 kidnap victims in Edo

    Police rescue 20 kidnap victims in Edo

    The Police Command in Edo, on Friday said it rescued no fewer than 20 kidnap victims across the state in the last two weeks.

    Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Olusegun Odumosu, disclosed this in Benin while briefing journalists on the command’s achievements during the period.

    Odumosu also revealed that 83 suspects were arrested for various crimes in the state, adding that 55 of them were held in connection with cultism, and 15 suspects for armed robbery.

    He said that 11 suspects were arrested for alleged murder, and that the murder suspects included five persons arrested in connection with the murder of a police officer in Benin metropolis on Saturday.

    He added that 10 arms and ammunitions and 55 live cartridges were recovered from suspects during the period.

    “Also recovered within the period were six vehicles, two battle axes and cash of N200, 800.”

    Odumosu said that some of the suspects had been charged to court, while cases of others were still being investigated preparatory for prosecution.

    He, however, advised people with domestic staff to put the staff under watch, saying that the issue of pants and pad rituals were gradually creeping into the state.

    According to him, so far, one suspect has been arrested and the suspect has made confessional statement.

     

  • How I will tackle insurgence, kidnapping – New Police IG

    How I will tackle insurgence, kidnapping – New Police IG

    The new acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has said he will adopt a fresh strategy to tackle the insecurity challenges facing Nigeria.

    The new police chief said this Tuesday while speaking with State House correspondents after he was decorated with his new rank by President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Adamu, who thanked Buhari for appointing him, said he knew that there were security challenges to be tackled in the country.

    ”Issues of kidnapping, abduction and other security challenges. From the strategies put in place by the former IGP, we will restrategise and make sure that we tackle these challenges squarely,” he said.

    Adamu also spoke about the forthcoming general elections and said adequate arrangements have already been made by his predecessor to make sure that free and fair and credible elections take place in Nigeria.

    ”We are going to build upon the strategies put in place to make sure that we have hitch-free elections in the country,” he said.

    The new IG also assured political parties participating in the election that as professionals, the police “are going to stick by the rules, we are going to do the right thing”.

    ”We will not go outside the ethics of our job to do things that are untoward. Everybody will be given level-playing ground to play his or her politics, ” he said.

    The former IG, Ibrahim Idris, who also spoke briefly, advised his successor to go round the whole country and “adopt measures to ensure that the Nigerian Police Force give maximum protection to lives and property”.

    The new chief, Mr Adamu, hails from Lafia, Nasarawa State, and holds a bachelors in Geography.

    He enlisted into the police on February 1, 1986, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.

    He attended senior officer courses on law enforcement, crime prevention, control and management within and outside Nigeria.

    Before his appointment Tuesday, he was a directing staff at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos, Plateau State.

    He was also a commissioner of police in Ekiti and Enugu States and also Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 5 Police Command Headquarters, Benin, Edo State.

     

  • 20 caregivers kidnapped in Katsina

    An Islamic group has announced the abduction of 20 members of its First Aid Group (FAG) in Katsina.

    The Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS) said the victims were kidnapped on December 23 in Jibiya Local Government Area of Katsina State.

    Sani Jingir, the National Chairman of the ‘Ulama’ Council of the group, disclosed the incident to journalists on Sunday, at a press conference held at the headquarters of the group in Jos.

    The Ulama Council is the highest spiritual organ of the religious organisation.

    The victims were on their way back to their destination in Sokoto State, after attending a first aid camp in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State, Mr Jingir said.

    “Our members of the First Aid Group from Sokoto state on their way home were kidnapped after they have left Jibya in Katsina State before they entered Zamfara State.

    “The kidnappers peacefully stopped them, took them out of their bus, before moving them into the bush. Their bus was abandoned and we were able to retrieve it,” he said.

    The cleric expressed shock that the incident happened to caregivers. He told journalists that President Buhari had called him to express sympathy about the kidnap.

    When asked if the kidnappers have contacted the group, Mr Jingir said so far no one has contacted them.

    “As at the time of this conference, nobody has contacted us. It is very unfortunate.

    “I urge the kidnappers to fear Allah, they should know that the hostages were only first aiders, nobody is paying them salary, they only render help to people,” he added.

    Kidnapping for ransom has increased in many parts of Nigeria including states like Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Ondo and Ekiti.

    The police are yet to speak on the kidnap of the caregivers.

  • NBA cautions members against defending kidnap suspects

    NBA cautions members against defending kidnap suspects

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Owo branch, has urged Ondo State and the Federal Governments to declare a state of emergency on kidnapping on roads in Owo and across the country.

    Its Chairman, Mr. Tajudeen Olutope Ahmed, said its members were worried about insecurity in Owo.

    Ahmed, who stated this in a statement made available to newsmen said the branch had vowed not to defend kidnap suspects.

    He said the news of “armed gangs, gun running and kidnapping are now ubiquitous in every nook and cranny of the ancient city”.

    According to him, all the major roads that lead to Owo “are infested with all forms of criminally minded men”.

    Ahmed said: “We call on the Government of Ondo State and that of the Federal Government to complement the efforts of the police authorities in securing the roads.

    “It is not in contention that security is a key component of the fundamental objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy of Government as enshrined in Section 14 (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as altered).

    “By the provisions of the above quoted section of the constitution, ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government’.

    “On our part, we hereby declare that no lawyer from our branch shall henceforth, defend anybody that is accused of kidnapping a fellow citizen. Kidnapping is a heinous crime. It is a horrendous offence in all ramifications. It is a grievous wrong against humanity.

    “It is on this note that we hereby invite the government of Ondo State and that of the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on kidnapping on Owo roads and that of the entire federation.”

    The lawyer noted further that men of the underworld, regularly masquerade as “pseudo policemen, pseudo soldiers or Fulani herdsmen”, to kidnap people “from all the roads that lead to Owo.”

    He added: “A recent case of kidnapping was the one carried out on Owo–Akure expressway at Amurin Village. The commando-like operation, which led to the abduction of five citizens, including a heavily pregnant woman, was executed by some unknown men at about the closing hours of the day when civil servants were returning to Akure.

    “NBA Owo is worried and disturbed that the police could not give a correct account of the citizens that were kidnapped on the Owo-Akure express way. While eye witnesses said the victims were five, – three Federal Medical Centre Owo staffers and two Rufus Giwa Polytechnic workers “ the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) was reported in a newspaper to have put the number of the kidnapped victims at two individuals.

    “As much as possible, the police are required under the law to investigate crime and prosecute felons. How can the police that is lacking in the needed skill to investigate crime be able to nib crimes in the bud?

    “As lawyers and advocates of justice, rule of law and human rights; we view the incessant kidnap of citizens in Owo axis as violation of human rights of citizens to freedom of movement, personal liberty and respect for the dignity of human persons as guaranteed by Sections 41, 35 and 34 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as altered).”

    The NBA chief noted that one of the branch’s members was once abducted and that “the kidnappings ad ifinitum in Owo and her environs”, indicated a total collapse of security in Owo and the triumph of kidnapping and armed gangsters.

    Ahmed said: “As social engineers fighting against all societal problems, we as lawyers cannot keep silent when the security situation of our society is at its lowest ebb.

    “What is more? We now carry out our duties as ministers in the Temple of Justice with apprehension. Travelling from one court to another by lawyers and judges has now become an uphill task.”

    He urged the police to “wake up to the present security challenge in Owo. “This is not the time to slumber. It is not the time to be supine as well. Police must, as a matter of necessity, be at alert to the security situation in Owo and her environs. To this end, we suggest that the idea of mounting police check points, which are nothing but avenues to take bribes from commuters, should be reviewed.

    “Constant police patrol of the roads should be embarked on. In this way police will be able to foil any attempt by the men of underworld from showcasing their dare-devil skills on the roads.”

  • Prophet stage-managed kidnap of his church members

    Prophet stage-managed kidnap of his church members

    A Prophet has admitted to the stage-managing of his church members’ kidnapping because he needed money badly. It was alleged that Prophet Godwin Ayenugha operated in connivance with some accomplices.

    The 48-year-old father of five is the founder of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, the Gethesema Zion Church in Igbokoda area of Ondo State. He was said to have shared the proceeds of the operations with his accomplices.

    The alleged tactic reportedly paid off as the church was soon bristling to the brim and “signs and wonder” happened on daily basis while word about the church got to neighboring council areas where people, in search of miracle, also trooped to the place.

    According to the source, sometime later, some elders of the church, allegedly at the prompting of the prophet, started picking on affluent members, one after the other, and sending text messages to them to announce that they will be kidnapped and, to avoid this, they should pay various sums of money.

    The panicky members, it was learnt, would run to Ayenugha for counselling and he would volunteer to step into the matter by helping them in the negotiations with the kidnappers on how and where to pay ransom

    It was gathered that the alleged stage-managed kidnap business went on for a while and the prophet and his accomplices smiled to the bank.

    His words,

    “l was broke and had nothing on me. So I asked lbukun to be sending text messages to some identified members of the church that kidnappers were coming to abduct them. “I regret my action but the devil pushed me into it. I first restricted the devil but when hunger crept in and I needed money badly, I succumbed to the devil. I am sorry for taking advantage of members of my congregation.

    “We stage-managed everything to get some money from him because I know he is a rich member of my church. “ I had earlier informed the victim that he should be prayerful to avoid being kidnapped again. And because he believes in me, he gave me money in order to organised a prayer session for him.

    “I am very close to the victim and I have been working and praying for him for some time but I was financially down and had to think of how to get money from him.

    “I asked one of my church members to text him and one other person to inform other members that we were coming to kidnap them. I knew they will come to me for spiritual assistance and I eventually collected N150, 000 from Omosaye and the other person paid N60, 000.”

    “I did not have knowledge of his first kidnap because I was away to Cameroun but I intended to kidnap him to get cash because I needed money so badly to feed my family.” His alleged accomplice, Adetigha, admitted sending the text messages on the instruction of the prophet. Adetigha said he was given N25, 000 as his share from their last operation.