TheNewsGuru

Tag: Kidnap

  • Gunmen kidnap PDP chieftain in Kebbi

    Suspected gunmen have kidnapped Alhaji Dan Musa Ribah, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kebbi State. The incident happened in Ribah town in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of the state.

    It was learnt that the victim, who had just defected from the ruling party All Progressives Congress (APC) to PDP, was kidnapped in his house, at 3am on Sunday by unknown men in police uniform. The incident was witnessed by his family members.

    Ribah shares border with Zamfara State where bandits attacked villagers recently.

    A member of the family who confirmed this to newsmen on condition of anonymity said: “The incident happened at 3am on Sunday. “Unknown gunmen who wore police uniforms stormed Alhaji Dan Musa’s house and took him away.

    “Till now, we don’t know his whereabouts. He was abducted right before his wives and children and taken to an unknown destination.

    “We are pleading with security agencies in the state to investigate the matter as people of Ribah are living in palpable fear now.”

    Another family member, Issa Musa Ribah, who spoke to newsmen on phone about the incident said: “We don’t know where they came from, but they looked like security men. We want justice; they should rescue our father for us.”

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Kebbi State police command, DSP Danjuma Possi, acknowledged that the command had been officially briefed and promised to get back to newsmen on Monday immediately they received more information on the incident.

  • Insecurity: Reps condemn kidnap of four Reverend Sisters

    Insecurity: Reps condemn kidnap of four Reverend Sisters

    From Jonas Ike, Abuja.

    The House of Representatives yesterday condemned the spate of insecurity in the country and particularly deplored the recent kidnap of four Reverend Sisters of Medical Missionaries of Mary (MMM) in Delta State.

    The House has therefore urged the relevant security officers to intensify efforts at the rescue of the abductees and to apprehend and prosecute the criminals who perpetrated the act.

    These are resolutions taken after the adoption of a motion titled: ‘Kidnap of Four Reverend Sisters in Delta State’ sponsored by Hon.Rapheal Igbokwe (Imo, APC) on the floor of the House.

    Igbokwe in his lead debate on the motion regrettedly noted the recent spate of kidnapping in Delta State where four Reverend Sisters of the Medical Missionaries of Mary (MMM) were abducted by unknown gunmen.

    He further expressed worries that there are numerous attacks and Kidnap of clergymen and religious leaders in many parts of the country adding that they are capable of exacerbating existing tensions in the nation.

    He added that it so regrettable that despite numerous unprovoked attacks on citizens, herdsmen are still bearing weapons and government seems helpless to tame these gunmen.

    He said: ” aware that if the kidnapped is not rescued, it would lead to loss of lives of the affected persons and heighten religious tensions”.

    He mentioned some of the kidnap victims who ultimately paid the supreme sacrifice as late Rev Fr.Jude Ebom, Rev.Fr Cyraicius Onukwo,Rev.Fr Louis Odudu and the two catholic priests murdered in Benue State among others.

    He subsequently asked the House to condemn these dastardly acts and further asked the green chamber to urge the Inspector-General of Police IGP Ibrahim Idris to take necessary steps to rescue the kidnapped sisters.

    Speaking in support, Hon. Serguis Ogun (Edo, PDP) said that the Nigeria Police has failed in its responsibility to protect the citizenry asking rethorically ” why is the Police asking for N27 billion just for election”.

    Also in his contributions, Hon Ogene Egoh (Lagos, PDP) said that the Police has become complicit in some of these cases of kidnapping in the country.

    Some other lawmakers as Hon.Shuaibu Abdrahman (Adamawa, APC) Hon. Chukwuka Onyema (Anambra, PDP) and Hon. Sani Abdu (Bauchi, PDP) also deplored the level of insecurity in the country, urging the relevant security agents to step up their intelligence gathering efforts to tackle these challenges.

    Consequently, the House presided by the Speaker Hon. Yakubu Dogara put the motion to vote and it was adopted with a voice vote.

    The Speaker further urged the Inspector-General of Police IGP to take necessary steps to rescue the kidnapped religious sisters and mandated the Committee on Police Affairs to ensure compliance to the resolutions.


  • Gunmen kidnap traditional ruler in Plateau

    Unidentified gunmen have kidnapped Mr. David Dongbam, a second class traditional ruler of Dorock Kingdom in Shandam Local Government Area of Plateau State, the Police have said.

    Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Terna Tyopev, who stated this on Tuesday, said that Dongbam was abducted at his residence in Shandam on Monday night.

    “Yesterday, at about 10pm, we received information that unknown gunmen stormed the residence of the Longdorock, Mr David Dongbam, a second-class chief of Dorock Kingdom of Shandam LGA and took him to unknown destination.

    “On receipt of the information, we immediately formed a search-and-rescue team which is working assiduously to rescue the traditional ruler unhurt,” Tyopev told News Agency of Nigeria in Jos.

    The PPRO said the command would update members of the public on developments on the issue, adding that efforts were on to rescue the monarch.

  • Dubious wife fakes own kidnap, demands N15m ransom from husband

    Dubious wife fakes own kidnap, demands N15m ransom from husband

    The police in Lagos have arrested a woman, Hadijat Kabir, for allegedly faking her own kidnap to defraud her husband of N15 million.

    The police said Mrs. Kabir and her suspected co-conspirators committed the act at Ado-Odo, Ota local government area of Ogun State where she was supposedly being held.

    Edgar Imohimi, the state commissioner of police, said while the suspects were hiding in Ado-Odo, they made several calls to Muraino Kabir asking him to pay a ransom of N15 million to secure his wife’s freedom.

    Mr Imohimi told reporters during a press briefing at the Lagos State police command headquarters, Ikeja, that Mrs Kabir confessed during interrogation that she planned the fake kidnap with the help of the other suspects.

    “Prior to the arrest of Mrs Kabir and her team of conspirators, Alhaji Muraino Kabir filed a report at Ikotun police station that his wife, Hadijat Kabir, and his 18 year old daughter who has psychiatric issues, were kidnapped on their way to the psychiatric hospital at Oshodi Lagos,” he said.

    He said based on the report of Mr. Kabir, the Anti-Kidnapping Squad began investigating the alleged crime and soon discovered that it was planned.

    Speaking to reporters, Mrs Kabir corroborated the police chief’s story of what happened, adding that she did it because her husband did not give her money despite being rich.

    “I kept myself in place, no one kidnapped me. I did it because I needed money, I asked my husband for a sum of ₦500,000 but he refused. He has different companies and many houses here in Lagos and he doesn’t give me money,” she said.

    Mrs Kabir said despite being married to her husband for 27 years with four children between them, Mr Muraino was not taking good care of her.

    One of the arrested suspects, Ahmed Kudus, said he did not take part in planning the fake kidnap but merely helped his brother, another suspect to make phone calls.

    “I didn’t know Hadijat Kabir before, I met her when she came to meet my brother, Ahmed Lukman about five days ago. She mentioned that she wanted to take her child for treatment and I suggested a hospital but she said the situation of the child is beyond hospital matter and that she needed to go to an herbalist.

    “Later, I heard my brother talking to someone on the phone demanding money, while Hadijat was crying in pretense. I helped by collecting the phone to tell the man to give them the money they asked for.”

    Mr Imohimi added that investigation into the case was still ongoing as they police are still working to arrest other fleeing suspects.”

  • Alleged kidnap: Dino Melaye provides evidence of Police statement

    Following his alleged kidnap, Senator Dino Melaye has provided evidence of Police statement that the matter of his kidnap was statutorily reported to the Nigerian Police.

    TheNewsGuru reports Senator Melaye was allegedly kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Thursday morning with the Police saying they are not aware of the development.

    “One is appalled that police will deny the reportage of my attack by my brother yesterday morning. This is the statement of my brother,” Melaye stated with a snapshot of the police statement posted on his official Twitter handle.

    “My name is Melaye Moses of No 4 Oando Close, Wuse Zone, Abuja. I am 37 years old. My brother, Sen. Dino Melaye and I were travelling to attend the ongoing court case in Lokoja.

    “Just few metres from Gwagwalada, we were attacked by some armed men who blocked the road by the edge of the road started shooting at our vehicles as a result of this our cars started turning back I followed same.

    “This happened around 8:00-8:10am but I started slowing down when I noticed movement on the other side of the road. Then I could not see my brother’s vehicle behind. I tried all his numbers and the driver’s own.

    “They both not going through. I started calling my family members and drove straight to Police station to report the matter,” the police statement as signed by Moses Melaye on Thursday read.

    TheNewsGuru reports it was Moses, the Senator’s brother, who informed Senator Ben Bruce, who then escalated the matter.

    “I have just been informed by Moses Melaye, @dino_melaye’s brother, that Dino has been abducted by unknown persons in a Toyota Sienna that blocked their car and overpowered them on their way to Kogi to answer to Dino’s court case. Lets be on the watch out. Will keep you updated,” Bruce tweeted on Thursday morning.

    The alleged abduction forestalled his arraignment on Thursday.

    The Police, in a statement by Police spokesperson Jimoh Moshood, said the Force Headquarters only read of the news of Mr Melaye in the media, but has no unique details about the development.

    “The Nigeria Police Force have not received any complaint or report in any of its Police Stations or Divisions throughout the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) or any other State of the Federation of the kidnap of Senator Dino Melaye from any of his family member, friend, associate or staff to indicate that the Senator has been kidnapped.

    “The attention of the police was drawn to the report of the purported kidnap of Senator Dino Melaye in some sections of the media,” Mr Moshood, an acting deputy police commissioner, said.

    The spokesperson, however, said investigation would be conducted into the matter, urging anyone with actionable information to pass such to authorities.

    The police have “commenced investigation into the purported kidnap of Senator Dino Melaye, and wish (sic) to implore any of his family members, relatives or friends who witnessed the kidnap or have information about the purported kidnap of the senator to report the incident at the nearest police station to assist the police in the investigation,” Mr Moshood said.

    The statement contradicted what Gideon Ayodele, a spokesperson for Mr Melaye, had earlier issued to newsmen.

    The aide said the police in Gwagwalada, a suburb of Abuja, were informed about the alleged kidnap on Thursday morning.

    Meanwhile, TheNewsGuru reports the Senator had on Friday morning, barely 24 hours after, regained freedom, and returned from what he referred to as “the wilderness”.

    “I thank God once again for escaping another dangerous attack. I also thank Nigerians for their prayers and show of Love. Spent 11 hours in the wilderness traumatized but God preserved me. God is the best and in whom ONLY I trust. They will continue to try. WE SHALL OVERCOME,” Melaye tweeted shortly after his release.

     

  • Police dismiss 4 SARS operatives for masterminding kidnap, robbery of ‘Bishop’

    AIG Adamu Ibrahim, in charge of Zone 2 Command, has approved the dismissal of four policemen attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos State, over an alleged kidnap, robbery of a clergyman, Chukwudi Godwin Odionye, popularly referred to as ‘Bishop’.

    CSP Dolapo Badmus, the Zone’s spokesperson, confirmed the dismissal on Sunday in Lagos.

    According to Badmus, the dismissed officers are Sgt. Adeoye Adekunle; Sgt. Adekitan Adebowale; Sgt. Agbi Lucky and Sgt. Odighe Hehosa.

    She said that the four policemen were dismissed and subsequently charged to court for armed robbery, kidnapping, unlawful detention, intimidation and threatening violence.

    Badmus said that the panel recommended them for dismissal based on the report of the investigation carried out on a petition against them.

    She said that a petition was written against them by Mr Chukwudi Godwin Odionye, popularly referred to as ‘Bishop’ on May 2, 2018.

    “The petitioner stated that on June 4, 2017, he was in his house around Alagbado area of the state when four armed men stormed his house to effect his arrest on the allegation of performing ‘FAKE’ miracles.

    “He stated that after his arrest, he was taken to one hotel at Agege where he was detained and threatened to be killed if he fails to cooperate.

    “He explained further that the following day, June 5, 2017, he was taken to the bank where he was made to transfer N7 million to the account of one of the operatives.

    “On receipt of the petition, the AIG ordered investigation into the case.

    “On the strength of investigation, it was revealed that no proper police procedure for investigation was followed in Mr Chukwudi’s arrest.

    “The four SARS operatives actually abducted the man from his house and unlawfully detained him in the hotel under the guard of the suspects for personal gain,” Badmus said.

    She reiterated the AIG’s directive that the force would not tolerate any act of misconduct, which undermines the value of international best practices of the police.

  • Gunmen free kidnapped PDP chief

    After spending about four day in kidnappers’ den, the Ekiti State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Financial Secretary, Kayode Oni, has regained his freedom.

    Recall that Oni was abducted on Saturday at a location between Efon and Erio on his way to Aramoko, the headquarters of Ekiti West Local Government.

    The PDP chieftain was returning from Efon where he had supervised the conduct of the party’s local government congress.

    The local government congress was part of the process leading to the party’s governorship primary slated for May 8.

    Oni’s captors contacted family members and demanded a ransom of N30 million.

    Ekiti PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jackson Adebayo confirmed the release of Oni to reporters yesterday.

    Adebayo said Oni was set free by his abductors on Tuesday night.

    He was however silent on whether any ransom was paid by the party or the victim’s family before he was released.

    Adebayo said the party is happy that Oni returned home unhurt and reunited with his family.

     

  • Panic as gunmen kidnap two NDDC contractors in Bayelsa

    Suspected gunmen on Tuesday kidnapped two contractors working on one of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, projects in Otuogiri Community, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

    Confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Bayelsa Police Command, Asinim Butswat, said in Yenagoa that police had arrested the accomplice and that he was undergoing interrogation.

    Lucky Moses, one of the Community Development Committee executives in the community, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the gunmen stormed the area in the early hours of Tuesday.

    “The gunmen came and began to exchange gun fire with soldiers before whisking away their targets.

    “The victims were two but one was released on the spot, while the other was whisked into a waiting speed boat which zoomed off to an unknown destination.

    “The community caught the accomplice who confessed that he gave information to the abductors; the accomplice has been handed over to security operatives,” Mr. Moses said.

     

  • Update on the attempted kidnap of actress Dorcas Shola Fapson by Taxify driver

    Following reports of actress Dorcas Shola-Fapson of an attempted kidnap and rape by a Taxify driver, the driver in question has come out to give his version of the incident calling the ‘Shuga’ actress a liar.

    Henry claims the actress did not want to disclose the destination she was headed and after questioning her ‘politely’ several times, decides to park and ask her to come down. According to him, Dorcas refused and starting making phone calls and subsequently spraying pepper spray into his eyes before running away.

     

    However, Dorcas responded to the Henry’s story by releasing snippets of the her encounter and escape from Henry.

    In the video, Dorcas is seen spraying pepper spray into his eyes while she screams and fight off her attacker.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BeZFvXBlvUY/?taken-by=the_commentsection

    Yesterday, Fapson had shared details of the sad incident on her Snapchat revealing how pepper spray saved her from an attempted kidnap and rape by a Taxify driver. She also said the the driver locked the doors of the car and drove her to a “random house” making attempts to drag her into the house.

    Taxify has since released a statement after the incident saying the issue had been reported to the police and investigations are ongoing. Also, the driver’s access to the platform has been deactivated.

     

    Read Also: Actress cries out over alleged kidnap by Taxify driver

  • How we tracked, killed kidnap kingpin, Don Waney – DSS

    How we tracked, killed kidnap kingpin, Don Waney – DSS

    A top official of the Department of State Security on Wednesday revealed how Don Waney, kidnap kingpin was tracked to his hideout in Enugu.

    Waney allegedly masterminded the killings of 23 worshipers on New Year’s Day, in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers.
    The source told the News Agency of Nigeria on condition of anonymity on Wednesday that the operation that led to his death was successful and averted further bloodshed in the state.

    The informant said the decision to swoop on Waney was taken after he ordered his men to carry out killings of innocent residents of Omoku town.

    The informant said: “We intercepted Waney’s phone conversation he had with one of his lieutenant in which he ordered them to attack schools, hospitals, places of worship, marketplaces and other targets.

    “The killing and maiming of innocent residents of Omoku, including specific targets were scheduled to take place on January 8.

    “When we heard their plan to execute innocent citizens – which to us was the last straw – we decided to inform the Army about a joint operation to avert the killings.

    “This eventually led to the joint operation at his hideout in Enugu leading to his death and that of his two gang members.”

    The DSS operative said that Waney was under intense DSS surveillance for over a year.

    The source said the New Year killings started after Waney sent some of his members to assassinate his third-in-command; but failed after the target escaped his apartment with gunshot wounds.

    According to the source, the killer squad later killed his wife and other close relatives and, thereafter, proceeded to kill five other persons over an existing feud with one of the gang members.

    The source said: “Some of the people who were killed died from stray bullets during the operation by the murderous gang.

    “It was easy to monitor Waney because we had our agent on a constant watch that gave us in-depth knowledge of his where about and activities.

    “Waney had companies that he used as fronts. He used one of these companies to front for surveillance jobs and leak repairs for a major oil company.

    “We know where his family stayed; we know that his boys camped at a forest in Imo state from where they usually launched their operation.

    “Waney was always hiding in Enugu and Ogoja (Cross River). He bought a car in Imo state and took it to Enugu – as part of his plans to change his identity.” NAN learned that the ash coloured Lexus ES330 salon car is currently parked at DSS premises in Port Harcourt.

    The source said that Waney had more than 30 active fighters and many volunteers who allegedly worked for top politicians in the state.

    It said that Waney’s accounts at First Bank and Unity Bank had been frozen and would be forfeited to the Federal Government at the end of the investigation.

    He added: “The banks are fully cooperating with an ongoing investigation which would unravel his financial transactions from the time the accounts where opened.”
    NAN learned the deceased militant leader had more than N700 million at some undisclosed banks which is currently being monitored.

    Waney and his second-in-command, Ikechukwu Adiele, and another suspected gang member, Lucky Ode were killed by security forces in Enugu and their corpses paraded at 6 Division Nigerian Army Port Harcourt on January 7.

    Waney and his gang members received amnesty from the Rivers Government in 2016 but later reneged on the terms of the amnesty deal.