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Tag: Kidnap

  • Police rescue 11 kidnap victims in Abuja

    Police rescue 11 kidnap victims in Abuja

    The Police command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has rescued 11 kidnap victims in Gwargwada community in Kuje Area Council of the territory.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the FCT, DSP Josephine Adeh, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

    She said the victims, kidnapped on Feb. 17, were rescued on Saturday following prompt response by operatives of the command to the report of the abduction.

    According to her, upon receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the FCT), Mr Babaji Sunday, ordered massive manhunt for the perpetrators and the rescue operation of the victims.

    She said the prompt tactical and intelligence driven special operation by police operatives led to rescue of all the abducted victims unhurt.

    Adeh said intelligence at the disposal of the Command uncovered the criminals den in a forest within Kuje area of the FCT.

    She said police operatives were already combing the forests to arrest the criminal elements and rescue other victims.

    Adeh said the rescued victims were already undergoing medical evaluations and would be reunited with their families as soon as confirmed medically stable.

    The command’s spokesperson pledged the commitment of the command to combat crimes and criminality in the FCT.

    She, however, called on residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with the Police, especially in the areas of prompt and useful information on any suspicious occurrence.

  • Warri CTU police foils kidnap, victim rescued unhurt

    Warri CTU police foils kidnap, victim rescued unhurt

    Policemen attached to Counter Terrorism Unit, CTU, Base 5 Warri, who were on escort duty, have rescued a kidnap victim, from a 23-year-old suspected kidnapper, Onwuka Kelly.

    The victim was rescued unhurt at Ekrokpe Community, in Ethiope-East Local Government Area of Delta State.

    The police also recovered one cut to size double barrel gun, one cut to size single barrel gun and one live cartridge from the suspect.

    The Delta State Police Command, led by CP Ari Muhammed Ali, confirmed the report in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe.

    Edafe explained that the suspect and others stormed the community and abducted the victim, along with his Toyota Corolla car.

    He noted that the Divisional Police Officer, DPO in Otu-Jeremi Division swiftly detailed patrol teams after he got information that a man was kidnapped.

    According to him, “The Police patrol team went on their trail but before their arrival, policemen attached to Counter Terrorism Unit, Base 5 Warri, who were escorting their principal coincidentally ran into the hoodlums.

    “They trailed the hoodlums to Ekrokpe community. The hoodlums upon sighting the police, shot at them and the team retaliated.”

    DSP Edafe said investigation was ongoing into the matter.

  • Gunmen kidnap Catholic priest in Kaduna

    Gunmen kidnap Catholic priest in Kaduna

    The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, has confirmed the abduction of one of its priests, Rev. Fr. Joseph Shekari of St Monica’s Catholic Church, Ikulu Parish.

    Ikulu parsh is in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    In a statement on Monday, the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okolo, said Shekari was kidnapped at about 11.30 p.m. on Sunday from his residence.

    Okolo solicited for prayers, saying that the Church would do everything legally possible to secure the priest quick and safe release.

    “May Jesus crucified on the cross, listen to our prayers and hasten the unconditional release of His priest and all others kidnapped,’’ he said.

    He, however, cautioned members and residents of the area against taking the laws into their hands following the abduction.

  • Family of kidnapped ex-president Jonathan’s cousin plead for his unconditional release

    Family of kidnapped ex-president Jonathan’s cousin plead for his unconditional release

    The family of Mr Japhtah Yekorogha, a cousin of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, abducted on Jan. 24, have, on Thursday, appealed to his abductors to release him unconditionally.

    The appeal is contained in a statement by Mr Azibaola Robert, younger brother to the kidnapped victim made available to newsmen in Yenagoa.

    The statement signed by Mr Austin Ekeinde, Media Aide to Robert, founder of Zeetin Engineering, noted that the family appreciated the concern of well meaning members of the public.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yekorogha was whisked away on Monday night from his Yenagoa residence by unidentified gunmen to an unknown destination.

    “Our elder brother, Mr. Jephthah Robert Yekorogha, was kidnapped at about 8:40pm on Monday, 24th January, 2022, in front of his house gate at Biogbolo, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, by four ‘gunmen’ in black uniform, who, at gunpoint, seized him and forced him into their vehicle and zoomed off.

    “This incident was reported to the law-enforcement agencies immediately it happened and is receiving maximum attention.

    “We want to thank all well-meaning Nigerians, who by way of calls, text messages and visits had stood by us since the incident occurred. We ask for the support of the public on any lead for the quick release of our brother.

    “In particular, we express our appreciation to the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State, and the State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) for their determined assistance.

    “We appeal to the abductors of our brother to immediately release him unconditionally, without harm; and turn a new leaf for the peace, security and prosperity of Bayelsa State,” the statement read in part.

    Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment, Mr Federal Otokito, who was abducted on Jan 20, was freed on Jan 24

  • DSS denies alleged kidnap of officials in Abuja

    DSS denies alleged kidnap of officials in Abuja

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has said none of its personnel was abducted in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja on Saturday.

    Spokesman of the Service, Dr Peter Afunanya, said this while reacting to an online report that bandits attacked the Abaji community in Abuja and abducted some personnel.

    Afunanya tersely responded in a WhatsApp group, “Not true. No DSS personnel was abducted in Abaji or anywhere in the FCT.”

  • Abia man masterminds kidnap, gruesome murder of wife over multiple inheritances

    Abia man masterminds kidnap, gruesome murder of wife over multiple inheritances

    Operatives of the Nigeria Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have arrested four suspects in connection with the abduction and gruesome killing of the Mrs Nneka Nwanyi-Sunday Emeh Kalu who was earlier reported missing and later found dead in a cassava farm on August 29, 2021, in Ngugworo Community in Nguzu Edda in Afikpo South, Ebonyi State.

    The suspects arrested are; Irem Ifeanyi Mbah, Igwe Anya Chima, Okorie Okam and Emeh Kalu – the husband of the deceased and the principal suspect. The suspects are within the age bracket of 25 – 40 years and all natives of Nguzu Edda village in Afikpo South Local Council Area of Ebonyi State.

    Police spokesman, CP Frank Mba stated on Wednesday that investigations into the death of the victim followed complaints received from the people of Ngugworo community, Ebonyi State, a border town to Abia State where the victim resided when the decomposing body of the late Mrs Kalu was discovered in their community.

    The discrete investigations carried out by the police team led to the arrest of the four suspects. It was discovered that Emeh Kalu – the husband of the deceased, in a bid to fraudulently and hastily ‘inherit’ his wife’s numerous assets including landed property, houses, money in bank and thriving business, etc, procured the services of five (5) other criminal elements to stage the abduction of his wife by luring her to meet him at a junction to pick up somethings for the house.

    Investigations further revealed how the criminals strangled her to death after obtaining necessary information on the whereabouts of title documents and other relevant papers of her possessions.

    Efforts are being intensified to arrest other suspects and persons indicted in the matter with a view to concluding the investigations.

    The Force, while condoling the family of the deceased for the unfortunate loss, enjoined families and relatives to be their “brother’s keeper” and provide prompt information to the Police that would assist in proactively containing crimes and all forms of gender-based violence.

    CP Frank Mba disclosed that all the suspects would be arraigned in court on completion of the investigation.

  • Shiekh Gumi opens up on brother’s alleged kidnap by bandits

    Shiekh Gumi opens up on brother’s alleged kidnap by bandits

    Sheikh Ahmed Gumi has dismissed reports that his brother was kidnapped by bandits.

    The controversial cleric in a statement signed on his behalf described the reports as mischievous, misleading and diversionary.

  • 83 days after, Police not aware of Agbasimalo, Anambra LP Gov candidate’s kidnap

    83 days after, Police not aware of Agbasimalo, Anambra LP Gov candidate’s kidnap

    From Chuks Collins, Awka

    Angry supporters of the Labour Party (LP) Anambra State Governorship candidate in the just concluded November 6, 2021 poll, Mr. Obiora Agbasimalo has blocked the Governor’s office in Awka in bitter protest of the abduction of their candidate by unknown gunmen.

    Mrs Eucharia Agbasimalo, wife of the abducted candidate also amidst tears narrated her pains that “more than 83 days after, no one has been able to tell me and my children was has happened to my husband, their father.

    “Now police has denied receiving any formal report or complaint on the matter. Am indeed heartbroken as I don’t know what to believe, at all!”

    The protest which shocked many citizens of the state was coming almost 90 days after the abduction occurred. Though the location of the abduction was not disclosed, journalists learnt it occurred around Orlu area of Imo state.

    Curiously, the police authorities has disclosed they were not informed of the situation ever since, as the state police command spokesperson, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, in an interview on the update said the Command under CP Echeng Echeng, was yet to be briefed on the incident.

    No one could answer if the abductors has so far established any contact or communication with the family or the party since then.

    It was disclosed also that Mr Agbasimalo was kidnaped alongside one of his police orderlies. No mention was equally mentioned of the position of the police officer, and whether the police high command was aware and if his monthly salary was still being paid and to whom.

    But the supporters of the young banker turned politician have appealed to all arms of security operatives nationwide to intensify action at liberating him.

    Anambra’s Gov Willie Obiano, was also beseeched to use his good offices to get him off the hook at once. They were urged to see it as a call to duty as it has lingered for too long, so as to protect his life from danger, and not to treat it as a mere political matter.

    There has been wild speculations in political circles and his community about whether it was a political bait or business gone awry.

    Comrade Stanley Okoli, who addressed them on behalf of the party supporters from across the 21 local government areas of the state, appealed to government, Civil Society Organisations and well-known individuals, said their protest would continue until the candidate was found.

  • Evans, five others to know fate in 2022 four years after arrest

    Evans, five others to know fate in 2022 four years after arrest

    The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has fixed February 25, 2022, to deliver judgment in the case of alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, also known as, Evans and five others charged with conspiracy and kidnapping.

    Justice Hakeem Oshodi fixed the date after lawyers to Evans and his co-defendants argued and adopted their final written addresses on Friday. The suspect was arrested in June 2017.

    The Lagos State government had arraigned Evans alongside Uche Amadi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi, and Victor Aduba for allegedly kidnapping the Managing Director of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Limited, Donatus Dunu February 14, 2017.

    Evans is also facing similar charges before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo and Justice Adedayo Akintoye of the same court.

    All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    While arguing his final written address, Evans’ lawyer, Victor Opara, urged the court to discharge and acquit his client of the crimes.

    Opara argued that there was no direct evidence linking Evans to the alleged crimes and that the alleged victim of the crime did not identify the defendant as the perpetrator of the crimes.

    “The victim said he was blindfolded throughout his 88-day ordeal, he did not state to the court in his testimony that he could physically identify Evans,” he said. “There is also the fatality of the prosecution’s case that there was no identification parade to identify the first defendant (Evans).

    “There was no evidence before your lordship to show that PW2 (Dunu) had a clear opportunity of identifying the first defendant.”

    But the prosecutor, Adebayo Haroun, urged the court to convict the defendants as charged, saying “when a man has confessed to a crime, you do not need an identification parade”.

    “There is direct evidence of PW2 (Dunu) testifying of how he was kidnapped, how he escaped, and the roles each of the defendants played,” he submitted.

    “We have circumstantial evidence linking the first defendant (Evans) to the crime, and we also have confessional statements and video recordings of him. We urge your lordship to convict the defendants as charged.”

    The prosecution had alleged that Dunu was kidnapped on Ilupeju Road in Lagos State and the defendants collected 223,000 euros as ransom from his family.

    It closed its case against the defendants on January 10, 2020, after presenting four witnesses, including Dunu.

    The defence, on the other hand, closed its case on August 3, 2020, after the six defendants testified.

  • Gunmen kidnap school principal, teachers in Ondo

    Gunmen kidnap school principal, teachers in Ondo

    Some gunmen allegedly abducted no fewer than five persons along Auga-Ise Road in Akoko East Local Government Area of Ondo State on Thursday evening.

    The victims include, the principal of the Auga Community Grammar School , Joshua Adeyemi; the Vice Principal, Ifedayo Yesufu; a teacher of the school, Mrs Oloyede Bukola; as well as two NPower teachers in the school; Adagunodo Funmilayo and Mrs Blessing Okeke.

    According to a source, the five victims were in Toyota Corolla car with registration no LSD 297 AH when the hoodlums accosted them on the road and abducted them into the forest .

    However, it was gathered that one of the victims, Blessing Okeke, who was pregnant was released following her condition but the rest were still in the custody of the bandits.

    The wife of the kidnapped school principal, Hellen Adeyemi, said it was Okeke that broke the news to her saying her husband’s vehicle was abandoned on the spot where they were kidnapped.

    Adeyemi, as at the time of filing this report, said the kidnapers had not contacted the family on ransom.

    Confirming the incident, the Divisional Police Officer for Ikare Division, Oladutoye Akinwande disclosed that police had removed the abandoned car
    while his men had commenced combing of the forest to apprend the criminals and free the victims.