Tag: Kidnapped

In a twist of events, kidnappers in Kaduna State have released Pastor Samson Ali, a 30-year-old cleric with the Evangelical Church Winning All, but detained the ransom bearer, Yusuf Ambi.

Ali was abducted from his home in Mararaba Aboro, Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on April 8, 2025, just two weeks after being posted to the church.

The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N100m before agreeing to an undisclosed amount of money.

According to sources, a joint security team, including the Nigerian Army, police, and the Department of State Services was deployed to rescue the pastor.

However, after negotiations, the kidnappers released Ali, but detained Ambi, who had gone to deliver the ransom.

The kidnappers have reportedly been demanding more money or concessions in exchange for Ambi’s release.

The incident has sparked reactions online, with some expressing concern about the security situation in Kaduna State, while others have called on the government to take more effective measures to address kidnapping and banditry in the region.

“Kidnapping has become a lucrative business in Nigeria, and it’s high time the government took decisive action to address this menace,” said a concerned citizen.

The police authorities in Kaduna State have yet to confirm the kidnapping and release as there was no response to a call and message sent to the state Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, as of the time of filing this report.

However, sources indicate that investigations were ongoing to apprehend the kidnappers and secure Ambi’s release.

The ECWA community has expressed relief at the release of Pastor Ali, but prayed for Ambi’s safety.

“We are grateful that Pastor Ali has been released, but we are worried about the detention of our brother, Yusuf Shehu Ambi,” said a church official who crave anonymity.

Armed militants took more than 450 train passengers hostage and wounded the train driver in an attack on Tuesday in Pakistan’s volatile southwestern Balochistan province, officials said.

In a statement claiming the the assault, the Baloch liberation Army (BLA) said gunmen bombed the railway track and took control of the train in remote Sibi district.

“Over 450 passengers onboard are being held hostage by gunmen,” Muhammad Kashif, a senior railway government official in Quetta, the capital of the province, told AFP.

A senior police official from the area bordering Sibi, who asked not be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said that “the train remains stuck just before a tunnel surrounded by mountains”.

The area where the train is halted is a mountainous region making it easier for militants to have hideouts and plan attacks.

An emergency has been imposed in the surrounding hospitals according to a senior police official.

AFP

Four female students of the Joseph Saawuaan Tarka Federal University, Makurdi, formerly known as Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, have been reportedly abducted by gunmen.

Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Sewuese Anene, noted that investigation and rescue efforts have begun.

Also speaking on the situation, a senior staff member in the school, who did not want to be named said the students were going for night study when they were kidnapped between their hostels and the reading point at the North Core area of the school campus.

Meanwhile, the news of the kidnap of the female students have sparked wild protests from students of the Joseph Saawuaan Tarka Federal University, Makurdi.

The students in their numbers marched around the school with tree branches in their hands demanding immediate action from the school authorities.

TREND REPORTERS learnt that the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Isaac Itodo, is yet to respond to any inquiry with little information on what is being done to assure the students of their safety.

Kidnappers have killed a Nigerian Army non-commissioned officer, Abdulfatai Odutola, over a delay in ransom payment of N20million.

Recall that Odutola, a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO), was abducted on February 15, 2025, along the Abuja-Jos highway.

He was reportedly travelling to Yola, the Adamawa State capital, at the time of the incident.

His kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N20 million for his release.

A military internal memo earlier had reflected that, “Pls information reaching me now from this sldr whisky that MWO Abdulfatai Odutola (CC 23 BDE Yola) was kidnapped yesterday along Abuja-Jos Road, while returning to Yola. He left Ilorin on Friday 14th of Feb 2025 and slept at Abuja. He continued his movement from Abuja yesterday b4 the incident happened to him.

“Currently they are demanding N20,000,0000 for his release. Pse appropriate authority should help the sldr.”

However, another internal memo revealed that the body of the senior personnel has been recovered.

“Information reaching us now from Yola is that the above MWO Abdulfatai Odutola’s body was discovered by police from Jos forest killed by his kidnappers after passing deadline for payment of 20 million naira ransom payment demanded by his kidnappers. Also his car was discovered. Kindly take action.”

Recall that Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists killed three army personnel during an attack on a military base in Borno State.

The terrorists reportedly attacked the military facility in Isige town, Gwoza Local Government Area, for several hours.

According to a source, the terrorists destroyed several buildings and stole two gun trucks during the assault.

“There was an attack recently in Borno, one Staff Sergeant with two private soldiers were killed. However, the army authorities are silent over the attack which happened at a base in Isige Town, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

“They burnt one military vehicle while they went away with two gun trucks, later reinforcement came from nearby unit but then the Boko Haram fighters have left,” the source said.