TheNewsGuru

Tag: Kidnap

  • Edo train kidnap: Minister directs NRC to establish host community committee

    Edo train kidnap: Minister directs NRC to establish host community committee

    Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, has directed the management of Nigerian Railways Corporation (NRC) to establish a host community relations committee in all train stations across the country.

    Adegoroye gave the directive in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, on Monday in Abuja.

    The minister was quoted to have issued the directive shortly after his assessment visit to Tom Ikimi Train Station in Igueben, Edo, where some passengers were kidnapped on Saturday.

    Adegoroye, who held a meeting with security operatives at the station, directed the management of the NRC to immediately establish a Nigerian Railway Corporation Host Community Relations.

    According to him, the committee will help in reinforcing communal vigilance and security of the train tracks, stations and passengers all over the country.

    Adegoroye said this was one of the strategic decisions arrived at the operational meeting he held with stakeholders at Igueben Station to forestall further occurrence of such dastardly act in future.

    “First of all, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, I want to express our sympathy to the families, relations and friends of those who were kidnapped by these terrorists, these bandits.

    “We have decided that because these stations are located in certain communities all over the country, it is in the best interest of those host communities to ensure these federal government investments are protected.

    “That is why it is important for us to work hand in hand with the host communities,” he said.

    According to the minister, the station will not be shut down because of the incident as the Federal Government will neither be cowed nor intimidated by bandits.

    “I can assure you that the Federal Government and Nigerian Railway Corporation remain undeterred. And that is why we will continue to operate this rail service; we’re not going to stop.

    “All we need to do is to ensure that we cross our t’s and dot our I’s regarding the safety of our people, the passengers,” he said.

    Adegoroye was on the assessment visit in company of the Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Mr Fidet Okhiria and other top officials of the Federal Ministry of Transportation.

  • Edo train kidnap: Commissioner confirms 31 missing, one suspect arrested

    Edo train kidnap: Commissioner confirms 31 missing, one suspect arrested

    The Edo Commissioner of Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare on Sunday confirmed that 31 intending passengers were kidnapped at Igueben train station in Edo on Saturday.

    The passengers were said to be waiting for a 4 p.m. train from Igueben to Warri when the kidnappers struck, shooting sporadically, abducting passengers and leaving many injured.

    Nehikhare told newsmen in Benin that one abducted passenger escaped from the kidnappers, while the police had arrested one of the suspects.

    He said, “The kidnap is the most difficult occurrence in the state currently. Few armed men who came with vehicles at about 4 p.m. started shooting sporadically at the Igueben train station.

    “Kidnapping 32 while many others were injured. They came with cars but took their victims into the bush on foot.

    “The police in collaboration with the vigilante and hunters started combing the bush almost immediately.

    “One suspect has been arrested and he is helping the police in their investigation.

    “The Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, visited the scene of the crime this morning to have an on the spot assessment of what has happened.

    “We are pleased to say that one suspect has been arrested. We congratulate the police and the Edo security network for the swiftness which they attended to the security breech,” Nehikhare said.

    According to him, “we sympathise with the families of the victims and hope that this is the last we will have such daring people invading government infrastructure”.

    Nehikhare also disclosed that the state government was up-to-date with the payment of pension to retired workers and was currently expending one-third of its personnel cost on pension payments.

    “We make available N100 million monthly to pay gratuity to those retirees with serious medical challenges. We paid over N1 billion last year and we have also budgeted another N1 billion for 2023.

    “We are constrained to believe that the protests in the past over pension were politically instigated,” he said.

  • How police foiled attempted kidnap of Plateau speaker

    How police foiled attempted kidnap of Plateau speaker

    The Police Command in Plateau has foiled an attempt by gunmen to kidnap Mr. Yakubu Sanda, the Speaker, Plateau House of Assembly.

    DSP Alfred Alabo, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Jos.

    According to Alabo, the incident occurred on Friday night at the speaker’s residence at Federal low-cost, Jos South Local Government Area of the state.

    The PPRO said it took the bravery of the security men on guard at the speaker’s residence and the timely intervention of other police men from the Rantya Division to foil the attempt.

    ”On Friday, at about 11:20 p.m. while the Speaker arrived at his residence at Federal Low-cost in Jos-south, three unidentified gunmen operating in an ash coloured CRV Jeep, trailed him to his residence and attempted to enter his house to kidnap him.

    ”But their mission was made impossible by the intrepid police officers on guard duty, and the timely response of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Rantya Division, SP Ayuba Iliya and his men, who joined forces with the men on guard duty and repelled the evil act.

    ”However, the command is making concerted effort to track down the fleeing suspects and get them arrested,” he said.

    Alabo said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Bartholomew Onyeka, who vowed to stem the tide of criminal activities in the state, thanked members of the public for volunteering timely information on security breach in their various communities to the Police for prompt action.

    He urged the residents to go about their lawful businesses as the Police were already doing a lot to ensure the safety of all.

  • Police rescue 3 kidnap victims, recover weapons in Delta

    Police rescue 3 kidnap victims, recover weapons in Delta

    The Police Command in Delta said it rescued three kidnapped victims and recovered weapons in two separate operations in the state.

    The spokesman of the command, DSP Bright Edafe, told newsmen on Sunday in Warri that the victims were rescued by the police operatives attached to the Orerokpe Division in Okpe Local Government Area of the state.

    He said that the police team was on a visibility patrol duty on the Warri/Sapele Road by Okuvo and Egborede Communities on Saturday when the incident happened.

    “The police operatives sighted some persons being dragged into the bush and suspected that they may have been kidnapped.

    “So, they trailed them into the bush. The hoodlums, upon realising that the policemen were closing in on them, opened fire on the team, and the policemen equally responded,” he said.

    According to Edafe, the hoodlums, who could not withstand the firepower of the operatives, abandoned the victims and escaped.

    He said that they were rescued unhurt and had since reunited with their families while manhunt for the fleeing suspect was ongoing.

    On the recovered weapon, Edafe said that the police operatives attached to ‘A’ Division, Warri recovered a locally made cut-to-size pistol concealed in a handbag.

    He that the policemen were
    on a stop-and-search duty on Friday at the front of Daudu Police Outpost, Kpesu Community in Warri South, when they sighted a tricycle driving against traffic.

    “In an attempt to stop them, the suspects dangerously maneuvered the tricycle and escaped, but in the process, a black handbag fell from the tricycle.

    “Upon searching the bag, one locally made cut-to-size pistol
    was recovered. Efforts to arrest the fleeing suspects is ongoing,” Edafe said.

  • Terror as bandits invade Sokoto communities, killed many and kidnapped 50

    Terror as bandits invade Sokoto communities, killed many and kidnapped 50

    Many residents have been killed and at least 50 others kidnapped by bandits during attacks on several communities in Sokoto State.

    It was gathered that some of the communities attacked are located in Goronyo, Gada and Sabon Birni Local Government Areas of the state.

    The bandits were said to have invaded the communities in large numbers, shooting sporadically, and causing many residents to sustain various degrees of injuries.

    In a chat, a resident of Sabon Birni LGA, Lukman Iliyasu, said the attacks took place between Monday and Wednesday.

    He said the communities were invaded for three days over failure to meet the compulsory peace levy on them, adding that several people were killed and others were kidnapped during the attacks.

    In his words: “The attack started from Monday to Wednesday. The affected villages are in Goronyo, Gada and Sabon Birni LGAs. The villages that were attacked yesterday in Sabon Birni are Dan Gari where seven people were killed and dozens were kidnapped, in Kurawa two people were killed and several others were abducted, then Gumozo village, three residents were killed and many others were kidnapped.

    “They were about to invade Gatawa village when security operatives engaged them and I learned that a number of the bandits were killed in the process. The bandits killed many people and took away more than 50 people from some villages. You know how they operate, they invaded different communities on separate days. They have been attacking Sabon Birni for a long time now. They even imposed a compulsory peace levy on our communities.

    “This is the second year we have been placed on a compulsory peace payment. They said they will not allow our farmers to go to farms and cultivate or harvest food produce.

    “Last year, they imposed N3 million on Sabon Birni due to our large population but we could only pay N1.5 million. This year, we were asked to pay N2 million because of the reduction in population as many people have been killed and several others have been displaced but we only paid N1 million to them.”
    Many residents have been killed and ay least 50 others kidnapped by bandits during attacks on several communities in Sokoto State. It was gathered that some of the communities attacked are located in Goronyo, Gada and Sabon Birni Local Government Areas of the state. The bandits were said to have invaded the communities in large numbers, shooting sporadically, and causing many residents to sustain various degrees of injuries. In a chat, a resident of Sabon Birni LGA, Lukman Iliyasu, said the attacks took place between Monday and Wednesday. He said the communities were invaded for three days over failure to meet the compulsory peace levy on them, adding that several people were killed and others were kidnapped during the attacks.
    Confirming the incident, a member of the Sokoto House of Assembly, Kabir Dauda, in a radio interview, said among the 50 persons abducted are women and children.

    According to the lawmaker, some of the injured persons are in a specialist hospital, some are in Goronyo, while others are in Gada community.

    Dauda said the victims are still in captivity and the bandits have demanded N5 million for the release of one person.

    The lawmaker, however, called on relevant authorities to deploy more security operatives to the communities, saying nothing has been done to protect the locals.

    He said: “Two months ago, the security situation reduced but currently, the situation is more heightened than it used to be. Currently, we have over 50 residents that are being held captive by the bandits. In the process of the attack, some people sustained gunshot Injuries.

    “Some of the injured persons are in a specialist hospital, some are in Goronyo, while others are in Gada. Those are some of the villages they invaded. The incidents all occurred within one week. They kept coming every day for three consecutive days. All these happened last week.

    “They invaded Basana, they killed some people and abducted some, they also attacked Tsitse, Balakozo, they took children and several others, they invaded Karangiya and abducted three people and also shot several others. They also attacked Garin Hashimu, killed some residents and also went away with many people.

    “Altogether, the people they abducted that I can confirm are 50 persons taken from different villages. Currently, many residents including women and children, are with the bandits. We don’t have enough security operatives to help the residents because the issue is still prevailing.”

  • Police went undercover to foil plot to kidnap health minister

    Police went undercover to foil plot to kidnap health minister

    A group that plotted to kidnap German Health Minister, Karl Lauterbach, was infiltrated by an undercover officer, a court decision revealed on Monday.

    The man was deployed immediately to the environment of the accused between November 2021 and April, according to a German Federal Supreme Court ruling.

    The agent from the Rhineland-Palatinate state criminal investigation office had attended meetings of the group, and had been involved in chats via the messenger service Telegram.

    Four men, who allegedly formed the core of the group, have been in custody since mid-April.

    The federal prosecutor’s office said that it took over the investigation a short time later.

    It, however, accused the group of planning a nationwide blackout and a political coup along side the Lauterbach kidnapping.

    The reason for the referral to Supreme Court was a regular detention review at the beginning of November.

    Meanwhile, all four of the accused men were kept in custody.

  • Gunmen kill 2, abduct 7 others in Niger community

    Gunmen kill 2, abduct 7 others in Niger community

    The Police Command in Niger has confirmed the killing of two residents and abduction of seven others by gunmen in Gulu village of Lapai Local Government Area of the state.

    Mr. Wasiu Abiodun, the Command’s spokesman, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Minna.

    Abiodun said that on Oct.18 at about 0200 hours, the gunmen invaded Gulu General Hospital, Lapai LGA, fired some gunshots, and went to the staff quarters where they killed two persons.

    He said that the gunmen also abducted eight persons including a medical doctor from the quarters.

    The police spokesman further said that the assailants later abandoned one of the abducted persons, a female, with her two-year-old baby.

    He said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Ogundele Ayodeje, has however led a reinforcement team from Minna to the area for an on-the-spot assessment.

    Abiodun added that armed security personnel and other tactical teams along with vigilante group members had been deployed to the area to ensure the successful rescue of the victims.

    He said that investigation had already commenced, in order to apprehend the abductors and rescue the victims.

  • Police arrest 4 over alleged abduction attempt in Lagos

    Police arrest 4 over alleged abduction attempt in Lagos

    The Police Command in Lagos State has confirmed the arrest of four middle-aged persons, including three women, over an alleged attempt to abduct a 10-year-old girl.

    The command’s spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest via his verified Twitter handle on Friday.

    Hundeyin said the Divisional Police officer in charge of Ketu in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos, got a report about the attempted abduction on Wednesday at about 3.00 p.m.

    He said the report revealed that three women who were between the ages of 45 and 64, and a 61-year-old man, who claimed to be an estate agent, were suspected to be child abductors.

    “The reporter said that the four suspects accosted her 10 years old daughter along Ikosi Road Ketu.

    “She said the suspects allegedly dispossessed her daughter of her valuables and attempted to abduct and take her to an unknown destination.

    “In the process, an angry mob who sensed their criminal act challenged and beat them thoroughly,” he said.

    The image maker said based on the report, a team of policemen was mobilised to the scene and rescued the victim.

    Hundeyin said the suspects were taken into protective custody.

    He said investigation into the matter had been initiated and was progressing.

  • Monarch to spend 15yrs in jail for faking kidnap

    Monarch to spend 15yrs in jail for faking kidnap

    A Lagos High Court in Ikeja has sentenced the dethroned Baale of Shangisha in the Magodo area of the state, Mutiu Ogundare, to 15 years imprisonment for faking his kidnap.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the trial judge, Justice Hakeem Oshodi, sentenced the monarch on Tuesday.

    The convict was first remanded on July 16, 2017, by an Ogba magistrate’s court, Ikeja, for faking his kidnap.

    Mutiu was tried alongside his wife, Abolanle, and brother, Opeyemi Mohammed.

    They were arraigned on three counts bordering on conspiracy, breach of peace and fake kidnapping.

    The court had on June 15 discharged and acquitted Abolanle, saying she had no link to the offences.

    Mutiu’s brother, Mohammed, was also sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for the same offence.

    The first convict’s counsel, Olarewaju Ajanaku, who represented his lawyer, Dr Muniz Banire, in his allocutus, begged the court to temper justice with mercy.

    Ajanaku said the convict had turned a new leaf and he did not think through his action when he committed the offences.

    The second defence counsel, Dr Olayinka Owoeye, also in his allocutus, said the convict had learnt his lessons.

    The state prosecutor, Jubril Kareem, urged the court to apply the provisions of the law to sentence the convicts.

    The judge held, “I have considered the allocutus of the defence counsel. However, it is in the view of this court that the defendants showed no remorse during the trial.

    “In fact, the first defendant tried to buy his way out of the court. A lesson has to be taught to serve as a deterrent to others.

    “The defendants are hereby sentenced to 10 years on count one without an option of fine; one year on count two with an option of N200,000 fine, and 15 years on count three without an option of fine.

    “The sentences shall run concurrently from the day they were arrested.”

    Mutiu was alleged to have on July 5, 2017 “put himself forward to be kidnapped for the purpose of causing breach of public peace” contrary to Section 5 of the Kidnapping Prohibition Law of Lagos State 2017.

  • Abductors release police Inspector, 2 others kidnapped in Ogun

    Abductors release police Inspector, 2 others kidnapped in Ogun

    Police in Ogun says a police Inspector and two others kidnapped on Wednesday at Waasinmi on the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway have regained their freedom.

    The Police spokesman in the state, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, stated in Abeokuta on Friday that kidnappers operating in military camouflage abducted the victims at Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state.

    “The victims regained their freedom at about 9:45 p.m. on Thursday and have since been reunited with their families.

    “The kidnappers came under intensive pressure and aggressive trailing by the police and were left with no choice other than to release the captives,’’ he stated.

    Oyeyemi added that the Commissioner of Police in Ogun, Mr Lanre Bankole had directed that no stone should be left unturned in ensuring that the kidnappers were all arrested and brought to book.