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Tag: Kidnapp

  • Five major abductions that rocked Nigeria in 2022

    Five major abductions that rocked Nigeria in 2022

    The year 2022 has been filled with series of events that have shocked Nigerians. Several events from the political sector, entertainment as well as security sectors among other sectors of the country, happened in the year 2022, which affected Nigerians in one way or the other.

    Thenewsguru.com taking a look into the year brings you some of the shocking abductions that happened in the year 2022.

    The year 2022 experienced heightened security issues, that put the competence of our security agencies to the test, drawing speculation and criticism against the Nigerian security agencies. However, some of these abductees were rescued by security agencies, why some have resorted to leaving their faith in God. Below is a list of the major abductions that shock Nigerians in the year 2022;

    Kaduna train Attack:

    On 28 March 2022, a Passenger train was attacked in Katari, Kaduna State. The attack came as a huge shock to Nigerians and was recorded as one of the biggest attacks on a passenger train in Nigeria.

    The attack left, several persons injured, over eight persons dead and sixty-two persons abducted.

    Zamfara:

    20 November 2022, some communities in the Northern part of Zamfara state Nigeria, were greeted with the worst Nightmare of their life, as gunmen raided communities, and abducted over 100 persons.

    It was reported that 40 people were abducted from Kanwa village in the Zurmi local government area of Zamfara state, a further 37 people, mostly women and children, were abducted from Kwabre community in the same local government area, and finally, no fewer than 38 people were abducted In Yankaba and Gidan Goga, communities of the Maradun local government area, kidnapped while working on their farms.

    Nsukka:

    There is no greater joy for parents than knowing that their wards are resuming back in school, following a long strike by ASUU that halted the academic activities of their wards.

    However, the joy of some parents were caught short, as their children were welcomed by a horrific incident, worse than the ASUU strike.

    On the 23 of October 2022, some students of the University of Nsukka were abducted by gunmen along the Ugwuogo-Nike/Opi/Nsukka road in Enugu state, while returning back to campus.

    It was reported that the Police swung into action, upon receiving the news of the ugly events.

    Kwara:

    The Nigeria Police force suffered a loss on the 2nd of July 2022, as Inspector, Adebayo Adeforiti, was gunned down and a Chinese National Kidnapped. It was gathered that the incident happened at CGC construction company along Shao/Oloru Expressway.

    Niger:

    In June 2022, seven Chinese nationals were reportedly kidnapped at the Shiroro mining site in Niger State.

    These kidnapped Chinese nationals were reportedly rescued by Nigerian military operation, Special Forces (SF) under the 271 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Detachment, Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, on 17 December 2022 in Kaduna State.

  • Gunmen abduct four, injure one in C/River

    Gunmen abduct four, injure one in C/River

    Mrs Rose Bassey, a former Accountant General of Cross River, was abducted on Tuesday along with three others at Uyanga axis of the Calabar-Ogoja highway.

    They were abducted by gunmen who laid siege on that axis of the busy highway by shooting at the traveling motorists to force them to stop.

    Nigerian standard reports that a popular evangelist in the state, Edim Edim Omin, was also shot during the process.

    The evangelist, who escaped with bullet wounds, is said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in the state.

    The incident is coming barely 24 hours after the state police Command said it has deployed tactical team, including Anti-Cultism and Kidnapping Squads, to that axis of the highway to safeguard motorists and commuters plying the highway.

    Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the state Police Command, SP Irene Ugbo, confirmed the Tuesday’s incident and said the Command is working to see that the four abducted persons were released unharmed.

    She reiterated that the Command is working to see that normalcy returns to that axis of the highway.

    “It is a sad reality for us and as I speak with you, the Commissioner of Police is heading to that axis to assess the situation of things himself,” she stated.

    It would be recalled that the Uyanga-Ikomita axis of the Calabar-Ogoja highway have become notorious for kidnappers in the past two months.

    No fewer than 20 persons, including two medical doctors in the state, have been abducted at that axis of the highway.

    The abduction of the medical doctors led to industrial action by the State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) that demanded for their release unhurt.

  • Kidnapp: Evans to open defence in victim’s suit over ransom

    Justice Kayode Ogunjobi of the Lagos High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square has adjourned the case of convicted kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, also known as Evans, to open his defence till July 13, 2022.

    Justice Kayode adjourned the case on Wednesday, following the prayers of the defence counsel led by Maxwell Chukwuemeka, who pleaded with the court that he had filed two applications – a motion for change of counsel and a motion for amendment of the defendant’s statement of defence.

    Chukwuemeka was seeking to represent the defendant.

    A kidnapped victim, Chief Donatus Dunu, had in 2018 filed a suit demanding the return of the sum of £223,000 he paid as ransom while in the custody of Evans.

    The claimant is also demanding N50 million as damages.

    The claimant’s counsel, Mr D. O. Obiora, told the court that the defendant has been changing counsel and did not oppose the applications.

    Obiora said the court delivered a ruling on May 23, granting leave for the defendant to file its statement of defence. He continued that the defendant is seeking leave to amend its defence, which it has yet to file.

    However, Justice Ogunjobi granted the two applications.

    The judge stated that “This matter has suffered several adjournments. The delay is hurting everybody and putting the state at their expense.

    “We have been here since 2018 till 2022, at the instance of the defendant. I awarded a cost of N2.5 million because the delay was unwarranted.

    “If there is a further delay, I will award another cost because I don’t see why you have an application to amend your statement of defence and you didn’t come with the amended statement to file it.”

    The justice adjourned the case until July 13 for the defence to open its case.

    The claimant had instituted the suit on May 16, 2018, and served the defendant through the Comptroller General of Prison, Kirikiri maximum prison Lagos.

    The defendant was initially represented by a lawyer in March 2019 and was accorded every opportunity to defend the suit but failed to do so.

    However, when the claimant closed his case on March 3, 2022, the defendant came back seeking leave of court to defend himself.

  • Police rescue 11 kidnapped victims, recover vehicle in Delta

    Police rescue 11 kidnapped victims, recover vehicle in Delta

    The police in Delta have rescued 11 kidnapped victims and recovered the vehicle they were traveling in, in the state.

    The spokesman of the command, DSP Bright Edafe, said this in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Warri.

    Edafe said the incident happened on Sunday, Nov. 14, when the victims were traveling from Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area to Ughelli.

    He said that the victims were rescued by the police patrol team in collaboration with the vigilance group and local hunters following a tip off.

    “On Nov. 14, 2021 at about 7:36 p.m., acting on information that hoodlums numbering about five wearing Army camouflage uniform and armed with AK-47 rifles attacked the victims.

    “That the hoodlums came out of the bush at Idu Roundabout in the Ozoro/ Ughelli expressway, opened fire on a Toyota Sienna bus with registration number: SMK 185 FU conveying passengers from Ozoro to Ughelli.

    “The DPO, Oleh Division, SP Paul Oboware, immediately mobilised and led a combined Police patrol team, vigilante and hunters to the scene.

    “They condoned off and combed the surrounding bushes and the suspected kidnappers, while sensing danger, consequently abandoned the 11 victims and fled,” he said.

    Edafe said that the victims were rescued unhurt adding that the vehicle was recovered while effort was ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

    He also said that the Police Commissioner (CP), Mr Ari Ali, had directed all officers and men of the command to be on red alert and ensure that their areas of responsibilities were well policed.

    The police spokesman said that in line with the CP’s order, patrol teams had been deployed to the highways to ensure safety on the roads.

    He quoted the CP as thanking the state government and members of the public for their support in tackling security challenges in the state.

  • Police rescue 100 kidnapped victims in Zamfara

    Police rescue 100 kidnapped victims in Zamfara

    The police command in Zamfara has successfully rescued 100 kidnapped victims from bandits at Kabaro forest in Maru Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    This is contained in a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Muhammad Shehu in Gusau on Tuesday.

    Shehu said that the rescue was done in collaboration with the state Ministry for Security and Home Affairs.

    “Some recalcitrant bandits stormed Manawa village in Mutunji District of Dansadau Emirate in Maru LGA on June 8, and abducted 100 villagers including nursing mothers, males and children.

    “The victims who were in custody of their abductors for 42 days, were released without ransom and will be medically checked and debriefed before being reunited with their respective families.

    “The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Hussaini Rabiu, has warned the recalcitrant bandits to renounce criminalities and embrace peace or face the full wrath of the law.

    “He has assured of sustenance of kinetic and non kinetic approach to successfully end the menace of kidnapping in the state,” he said.

    Shehu added: “The command uses this medium to call on the good people of the state to support the police and other security agencies with credible information about the hideout, movements and other activities of criminal elements,” he said.

  • Police confirm abduction of Nasarawa APC chairman

    Police confirm abduction of Nasarawa APC chairman

    The Police Command in Nasarawa State has confirmed the abduction of the state chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr Philip Shekwo, by gunmen on Saturday.

    Mr Bola Longe, Commissioner of Police in the state, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Sunday in Lafia.

    Longe said that the APC chairman was abducted from his residence in Bukan-Sidi, Lafia around 11 p.m. on Saturday.

    Longe said the police had been deployed to comb the various forests and flashpoints in the state to ensure the rescue of the APC chieftain.

  • No ransom was paid on 26 kidnapped girls – Zamfara insists

    No ransom was paid on 26 kidnapped girls – Zamfara insists

    Zamfara government has maintained its position that no ransom was paid to secure the release of 26 girls kidnapped from Faskari local government area of Katsina State.

    Speaking at a media briefing in Gusau on Tuesday, Zailani Bappa, Special Adviser on Media to Gov. Bello Matawalle said: “we wish to make it categorically clear that the release of the 26 girls was made possible through peace initiative of the state government.

    “Right from the negotiation with the bandits who held the captives in Zamfara bushes to the time they were unconditionally released, the government of Zamfara felt it was saving the lives of Nigerians and not minding where they hailed from.

    “Fortunately some parents of the victims who were not happy with the information that N6.6 million was collected from them for the release of the girls are here to tell the press the truth,’’

    One of the victims’ parents who drove to Gusau along with seven of the girls to speak on the matter, Mallam Abdulkarim Musa said “we do not even know the man who addressed the press in Katsina on Monday claiming to be our village head and that we raised such a huge amount for the release of our children.

    “We shall ever remain grateful to the Bello Matawalle-led administration in Zamfara for saving our children over whom we had even lost hope after they were kidnapped from our village, Dan-Aji in Katsina State.

    “The gunmen killed people and burnt houses and properties when they invaded our village and took away the girls about 10 days ago, but thank God that they have all been saved now.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Matawalle announced rescuing the girls unconditionally from bandits last Friday.

    He subsequently directed the Zamfara Commissioner of Security and Home Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Dauran to take and hand them over to the governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Masari.

    Thereafter, social media platforms were awash with claims that the victims were not rescued by Zamfara government which compelled the government to arrange Tuesday’s media briefing on the matter.

  • Officials discover 14 bodies after 15 were kidnapped in eastern Congo

    Officials discover 14 bodies after 15 were kidnapped in eastern Congo

    Officials said on Tuesday that 14 bodies were found in the north-eastern city of Beni in Congo, five days after suspected rebels kidnapped 15 people, officials said on Tuesday.

    “The death toll has reached 14 bodies,” the spokesman for the mayor of Beni, Zachee Mathina, said, indicating that now all 15 people abducted during an attack on the town on Aug. 2 had been found dead.

    On Aug. 2, another body had already been found in a remote area of Beni, according to Mathina.

    The rebels attacked Beni and kidnapped 15 people after they had been pushed back by the army.

    The Allied Democratic Forces, a Ugandan rebel group that has operated in the region since 1995, are believed to be behind the attack and kidnapping.

    The group is responsible for the deaths of more than 1,500 people and 800 kidnappings since 2014, according to local civil society organisations.

    Beni lies west of the Virunga National Park and the Rwenzori Mountains, close to the Uganda border.

    Xinhua/NAN

  • Nigerian Navy rescues four kidnapped Chinese in Ondo

    The Nigerian Navy in Lagos on Thursday said it rescued four Chinese men from kidnappers around Igbokoda area of Ondo State.

    The Flag Officer Commanding, FOC, Western Naval Command, Sylvanus Abbah, told journalists in Lagos that the four victims were abducted on board a fishing trawler within the Lagos waters on December 14.

    According to him, operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT rescued the abducted Chinese nationals from a militant camp in the riverine area of Ondo State.

    He said that after the abduction, the kidnappers took their victims in a speed boat to Igbokoda, Ondo State the same day.

    “Naval operatives attached to Forward Operations Base (FOB) who sighted the kidnappers as they were entering Igbokoda gave them a hot pursuit.

    “The kidnappers opened fire on the naval gunboat.

    “There was a fierce gun battle between the suspects and the naval men and the hoodlums abandoned their boats and fled on foot through the creeks,” he said.

    Mr. Abbah said that the naval men went after the suspects who later abandoned the four Chinese men and fled.

    “Presently efforts are ongoing to arrest the suspects.

    “The Chinese sustained bullet wounds during the gun battle and they have been treated and are in stable condition,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Acting Chinese Consul General in Nigeria, Mr Guan Zhonggi, who paid a thank you visit to the FOC, commended the navy for its prompt intervention.

    He said that the four Chinese men regained their freedom because of the swift action of the naval men.

     

    (NAN)

  • Two policemen, naval personnel, 15 others arrested for kidnap, robbery in Kogi

    Two serving policemen and a naval personnel were among 18 kidnap and armed robbery suspects paraded before newsmen on Monday by the Kogi State Police Command.

    The state police Commissioner , Ali Janga, while parading the suspects in Lokoja, identified the policemen as Cpl Suleiman Isiaka and Cpl Ibrahim James while the naval personnel was Ordinary Seaman Bature Habila of the Western Naval Command.

    The trio, along with three other suspects, were arrested on Oct. 5 for attempting to kidnap a five-year-old boy at Ayangba, he said.

    He said that the suspects came into Kogi State in a chartered commercial bus driven by one Daniel John who is also in police custody.

    Mr. Janga said that Mr. John was to be paid N100, 000 for his service.

    The Commissioner said that suspects were rounded up in their hotel room at Ayangba before they could carry out the kidnap of the boy.

    According to Mr. Janga, 11 rifles , including four AK-47, three pump action, four pistols, hundreds of magazines and a bus are among the items recovered from the suspects.

    Speaking with newsmen, one of the policemen, Mr. Isiaka said that he, Messrs James and Habila had on Oct. 4 left Bauchi State where they were serving in “Operation Safe Haven” in Tafawa Balewa local government to come for the operation in Ayangba.

    Mr. Suleiman said that he recruited Messrs. James and Habila for the business, adding that it was another suspect, Sheu Agba , that contacted him.

    Also speaking Sheu Agba , 36, said that he was forced to adopt the kidnap option because he needed N10,000 urgently to treat his stomach ulcer.

    Mr. Agba said that he approached his cousin, Ukubile Akowe, repeatedly for the money but he declined.

    He said that he later approached Cpl Isiaka for the money who in the process introduced the idea of kidnapping to him.

    Also paraded foralleged kidnapping by the police were duo of Isah Suleiman , a student of College of Education, Ankpa and Musa Mohammed , a businessman.

    They were alleged to have kidnapped the Chief Imam of Enabo quarters in Ankpa and collected a ransom of N1 million from his relations.

    Messrs Suleiman and Mohammed were said to have committed the offence in February this year along with two other who are now at large.

    Mr. Suleiman admitted committing the offence while Mohammed said he decided to participate in the crime to recoup the N320,000 collected from him by armed robbers on Adogo -Okene Road in December last year.

    Mr. Mohammed, who claimed to be a dealer in electronics in Ankpa, said that he was travelling to buy electronics when he was robbed.

    Also paraded was one Omeke Amaechi, who was arrested on Ogugu – Ette Road on Sept. 30 while escaping with a snatched motorcycle.

    Mr. Amaechi, who hails from Nssuka, Enugu State, was said to have, along with his senior brother Chijioke Omeke, on the fateful day snatched the motorcycle from one Yahaya Mohammed who they later killed.