TheNewsGuru

Tag: Kidnapped

  • INSECURITY! Popular music producer Jude Nnam aka ‘Ancestor’ Kidnapped In Anambra

    INSECURITY! Popular music producer Jude Nnam aka ‘Ancestor’ Kidnapped In Anambra

    Jude Nnam, the famous Nigerian Christian music producer, has been kidnapped.

    Nnam, also known as ‘Ancestor,’ is the National Music Director for the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and a member of the National Liturgical Commission, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN).

    He was allegedly kidnapped on Thursday evening around 6 p.m. in Umunnachi, Anambra State.

    The music icon is said to have traveled to Anambra for a church function.

    A Catholic priest, Rev Fr Augustine Mario, shared the sad news of Nnam’s kidnap on his Facebook page on Friday.

    “Please kindly keep Sir Dr. Jude Nnam (Ancestor) in your prayers.

    He was allegedly kidnapped yesterday evening around 6 p.m. in Umunnachi, Anambra State

    Sir Jude Nnam is the CAN National Music Director and Member of the National Liturgical Commission, CSN, etc.

    “May God grant him safety and quick release from his abductors. Amen”

    —Augustine Mario

    Another Catholic priest also confirmed Nnam was abducted when he posted on his Facebook page: “If this is true, then it is a huge shame. I’m simply tired of this unfortunate space called Nigeria.

    Why this type of pain and frustration now?

    Anyway, I just hope this isn’t true.

    Jude Nnam Ancestor!

    It is well. Fada Mentor.”

    The music maestro recently celebrated his 50th birthday anniversary.

    Nnam also ministered at the ‘Unusual Praise 2024’ held at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, last week

  • Gunmen demand N300m ransom to free kidnapped female Judge, sons, kill eldest child over delay

    Gunmen demand N300m ransom to free kidnapped female Judge, sons, kill eldest child over delay

    A Customary Court female Judge, Janet Galadima, and her four children have been abducted by gunmen suspected to be terrorists.

    The incident happened on night of Sunday, June 23, 2024.

    The victims were abducted at their residence in Mahuta, Kaduna State, North-West Nigeria.

    The judge’s husband, a medical doctor, was away on duty at the time of the incident, it was gathered.

    According to a series of posts by Twitter user @I_Am_Ilemona on Tuesday, the abductors of Judge Janet Galadima and her children are demanding a ransom of N300 million in exchange for their safe release.

    “This phone call I just took broke my heart. The wife & 4 sons of a friend’s friend were kidnapped a few days ago in Kaduna. The kidnappers asked for a N300m ransom (which he doesn’t have), or they’ll kill his children.

    “They killed his first son today. My heart is heavy.

    “They dropped his boy’s body somewhere and told him to go get his lifeless boy. The boy was 14. They told him it’s a warning. They said they’ll kill the others. The surviving children are 12, 9 & 6,” he wrote.

    The incident was confirmed to journalists in a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the House of Justice, Barr. Gloria Mabeiam Ballason Esq, on Wednesday.

    The lawyer noted that the abductors were reportedly about 15 in number.

    Ballason explained that they took their captives hostage and demanded a huge sum as ransom, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.

    “Gloria Mabeiam Ballason Esq. has condemned the abduction of a Customary Court Judge, His Worship (HW) Janet Galadima, and her four children as well as the grisly murder of her 14-year-old son by the terrorists,” it stated.

    Ballason revealed that the terrorists brutally killed the judge’s 14-year-old son when their ransom demands were not met. Ballason vehemently denounced the heinous abduction and murder, emphasizing that judicial officers, as stipulated in Article 7 of the UN Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary, have the right to protection and adequate security to perform their duties without fear or intimidation.

    The lawyer added that the Nigerian State has a Constitutional mandate under Section 33 and 14 (2)b of the 1999 Constitution to guarantee and ensure the safety of the Judge, her family and all citizens.

    According to the statement, Ballason described the murder of Victor, the 14-year-old son of the Judge as ‘grisly and blood curdling’, stating that no parent deserved the horror of watching their child being killed in such cold, callous manner.

    Ballason called on the Nigerian security agencies, Governor of Kaduna state, Nigerian Bar Association and the Judiciary to rise to the urgency of the moment for the protection of lives of His Worship, Janet Galadima and her children and to ensure justice is served.

    Meanwhile, ASP Mansir Hassan, the spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command, confirmed the incident on Wednesday evening, stating that the police have escalated their efforts to rescue the abducted family members.

    “We are trying our best to rescue the victims,” he said.

  • Just In: Channels TV Reporter abducted by gunmen, demand N30m ransom

    Just In: Channels TV Reporter abducted by gunmen, demand N30m ransom

    Gunmen have abducted Channels Television reporter in Rivers State, Mr. Joshua Rogers.

    Rogers was reportedly seized by the gunmen around 9pm on Thursday, close to his residence at Rumuosi in Port Harcourt.

    He was taken way to an unknown destination.

    The reporter was said to be driving his official Channels Television branded car when the hoodlums accosted, pointed a gun at him and took him away in the same vehicle.

    Rogers was said to be returning from his official assignment in the Government House after a trip to Andoni for a government event when the incident happened.

    Already, the gunmen were said to have contacted his wife and demanded a N30million ransom for his release.

    His cameraman confirmed the incident and appealed to his abductors to set him free unconditionally.

  • Just in: Bandits release abducted female student of Federal varsity Katsina after 45 days

    Just in: Bandits release abducted female student of Federal varsity Katsina after 45 days

    Finally, one of the abducted female students from the Federal University Dutsin-Ma in Katsina State has regained freedom after enduring over 45 days in captivity.

    It was gathered that Muhammad Fatima Ruqqayat was released by the terrorists following the payment of a hefty ransom, exceeding N4 million, contributed by her family and the school management.

    The initial abduction involved at least five female students taken from the university hostel in the North-West region. Identified students hailed from various states—Kwara, Kano, and Niger State.

    Earlier reports indicated that despite an initial ransom of about N2.5 million paid by the victims’ families, the terrorists had persisted in holding the students captive, demanding additional payments from both the government and the university authorities.

    “They (the terrorists) are demanding another ransom from both the government and the school management,” a relation of the victims had said at that time.

  • How abducted UNTH doctor escaped after abductors fell asleep – NMA

    How abducted UNTH doctor escaped after abductors fell asleep – NMA

    The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has confirmed the escape of an abducted resident doctor, Orockarrah Orock, attached to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State.

    It was learnt that Mr Orock, attached to the anaesthesia department of the UNTH, was kidnapped on Saturday night within the hospital premises while on call duty.

    The NMA chairman in Enugu State, Celestine Ugwoke, confirmed to journalists in Enugu on Monday that Mr Orock escaped after the kidnappers were satisfied with the ransom offered by his wife and went to have a “nice time with their weeds and spirits and fell into a deep sleep”.

    He explained that the kidnapped doctor managed to escape from the location where he was held captive by the kidnappers. Mr Ugwoke said the doctor emerged from captivity near the Four Corner Junction along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

    “He called his wife, who called the UNTH chief security officer, who picked him up at midnight on Saturday. We are profoundly grateful to God for his miraculous escape,” he said.

    The chairman lamented that doctors have become endangered professionals in the state, as kidnappers always target them, especially those working in tertiary health institutions.

    “We are really in trouble as doctors are now their target, and we are living in fear as the kidnappers now chase us as if they are chasing rats,” he said.

    The chairman said that any more abductions of any doctor at UNTH would downplay medics in the teaching hospital, adding that this warning would be extended to other tertiary hospitals in the state.

    Mr Ugwoke said that the association would be meeting with the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UNTH to mandate that he release security protocols for the hospital to ensure the safety of all doctors, management staff, and patients.

    “As an association, we have previously met the state’s Commissioner for Health and the Commissioner of Police about the spate of insecurity our members face even in the discharge of their life-saving professional duties.

    “All efforts through official letters and other means to pay a courtesy call on Governor Peter Mbah and intimate him on the vital issue of doctors’ security in the state had proved abortive.

    “Maybe the government wants doctors to leave their duty posts and carry placards to the Enugu Government House before listening to us. This will be very bad if allowed to drag to this point,” he said.

    Efforts made to get the spokesperson for Enugu State Police Command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, to speak on the matter proved abortive, as he did not pick up several calls made to his cellphone.

  • Two wives of LG boss abducted in Jigawa

    Two wives of LG boss abducted in Jigawa

    Unidentified gunmen have kidnapped two wives of the Chairman of Kiyawa Local Government Council in Jigawa State.

    A resident stated that the incident occurred at the weekend when the hoodlums invaded Kiyawa town and gained entrance to the chairman’s residence, subsequently abducting the two wives.

    The source said the suspected criminals fired gunshots into the air, causing panic and confusion in the town.

    He revealed that one of the abducted wives is heavily pregnant and due to deliver at any moment.

    The spokesperson of the Jigawa State Police Command, SP Lawal Shisu Adam, confirmed the incident.

    He said the incident took place Friday night after they had caused fear among the locals with their indiscriminate gunshots.

    SP Adam also indicated that there were no reported injuries during the incident.

    He stated, “Upon receiving information about the abduction, the state police command deployed a special police unit to rescue the victims and apprehend the suspected criminals.”

    A source within the family also told Dailypost that, to date, the kidnappers have not made any contact with the family.

  • Tension as gunmen storm Abuja estate, disorganise security systems, kidnap 3

    Tension as gunmen storm Abuja estate, disorganise security systems, kidnap 3

    Again, unidentified gunmen have stormed Grow Homes Estate along Kuchibiyi in the Kubwa area of the Federal Capital Territory and kidnapped three persons.

    Recall that this is happening barely eight months after gunmen attacked the estate and abducted nine persons.

    The recent incident, which took place around 9pm on Thursday night, had a couple and another man taken from separate apartments in the estate.

    It was gathered that the gunmen escaped through the bush track which links the community to another village.

    A security source at the estate, who insisted on anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press, said after storming the area around 9pm, the gunmen shot sporadically into the air to scare people away.

    Narrating how the incident happened, the source said: “On Thursday around 9pm, we (vigilante) heard a gunshot. After hearing the sound, we and some Nigeria Mobile Police (MOPOL) officers searched around to locate it.

    “On our way, we saw one of us. He told us they were kidnappers, numbering over 20. He was shot in his hand. At that point, we heard another gunshot. They were shooting at us, while the officers were shooting too.

    “We had to stop the counter attack because of their number. They took away three persons; a couple and a man. The kidnappers haven’t contacted anyone yet.”

    A resident of the area, Bello Mohammed, said the kidnappers disconnected the alert systems of the houses attacked before whisking their victims away.

    When contacted, Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT, said is yet to confirm the development in Kubwa.

  • Suspended UNICAL don not kidnapped, but arrested by security agency – Police

    Suspended UNICAL don not kidnapped, but arrested by security agency – Police

    Police in Cross River on Thursday debunked alleged abduction of Prof. Cyril Ndifon, suspended Professor of Law and Dean of  Faculty of Law, University of Calabar.

    Police spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo, stated in Calabar that Ndifon was not kidnapped but was picked up by government security agents.

    She noted that the rumoured abduction was aimed at causing panic.

    “Police hereby state that Prof. Ndifon was not kidnapped as speculated, but arrested by a government security agency for interrogation.

    “Police also advise members of the public to disregard information on social media platforms about the purported abduction as it is subversive.

    “It is misleading and a calculated attempt to cause panic or breach of the peace enjoyed in the state,’’ Ugbo stated.

    She assured that the police would get to the source of the “obnoxious rumour’’.

    The professor’s son, David Ndifon, had earlier told newsmen that gunmen invaded their residence at Akpabuyo in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River and fired gunshots sporadically before taking the professor away.

    He said the incident happened between the 11 p.m. on Wednesday and the early hours of Thursday.

    “We have been trying our best and making necessary calls to ensure his safe return,’’ David had said.

    The university placed Ndifon on suspension over allegations bordering on sexual harassment of students, among others.

  • Operation Hadarin neutralised 10 bandits, rescued nine kidnapped victims in Zamfara

    Operation Hadarin neutralised 10 bandits, rescued nine kidnapped victims in Zamfara

    Operation Hadarin troops in the early hours of Tuesday rescued eight kidnapped victims and neutralised nine armed bandits in Zamfara.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports this was in a recent coordinated operation by troops of Sector 1 Operation Hadarin Daji in Zamfara state during the early hours of 8th August 2023.

    Troops of Forward Operating Base Danmarke acting on a credible information on armed Bandits movement with some kidnapped victims from Sokoto state through Gadazaima village in Zamfara state.

    The troops immediately mobilized for an offensive ambush operation within the village and made contact with the armed bandits that lasted for hours.

    Due to the troops fire power superiority which forced the Bandits to abandon the kidnapped victims and withdraw in disarray.

    During the gun duel, 10 armed bandits were neutralized while unconfirmed numbers of them fled with gunshot wounds.

    Additionally, in an attempt to escape troops onslaught, several of the bandits drowned in a swampy river while 2 were captured alive during pursuit by the troops.

    Consequently, after the encounter 6 AK 47 Rifles, 1PKT Machine Gun and 5 Magazines. Others include; 20 rounds of 7.62MM Special ammunition, 3 Mobile phones, 2 Solar Panels, 1 sewing machine were captured from the Bandits. Also, a sum of N2,410,000 recovered.

    The 9 rescued victims who are all from Sokoto state were successfully rescued. Unfortunately, 1 female abducted victim was killed by the Bandits during the fire fight.

    All rescued victims were handed over to the appropriate authority to reunite them with their families.

  • JUST IN: Rampaging kidnappers abduct Nasarawa monarch, wife

    JUST IN: Rampaging kidnappers abduct Nasarawa monarch, wife

    Rampaging kidnappers have abducted King of Gurku community in the Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, HRH Jibril Mamman Waziri, alongside his wife, Hajiya Sa’adatu Waziri.

    It was gathered that the gunmen invaded the Monarchs palace on Sunday night, August 6, 2023, abducted the First-Class Royal father and his wife and took them to an unknown destination.

    A resident of the community, who pleaded anonymity, said the incident happened at about 10 pm when residents of the community had gone to bed in their respective houses.

    He said, “It was around 10 pm when the sad incident occurred. The gunmen who came in their numbers, abducted the Chief and his wife. They did not get any help from the security agencies that was why the gunmen were able to take them away.

    We are calling on the Police and other security agencies to urgently intervene in the matter so that they can be released as soon as possible.”

    Also confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Ramhan Nansel, said efforts are ongoing to rescue the chief and his wife unhurt.

    He said, “I wish to confirm that around 10pm of August 6 2023, a distress call was received by the Nasarawa State Police command that the palace of the Chief of Gurku town located 10 kilometers away from Mararaba main town in a mountainous area, was invaded by men suspected to be kidnappers.

    “Upon receipt of the information, the Commissioner of Police, Maiyaki Baba, deployed a combined team of police operatives in collaboration with vigilante groups to the scene.

    “Upon arrival, it was discovered that the Chief and his wife were abducted to an unknown destination. The surrounding bushes and the mountains were combed but all efforts to get them proved abortive.

    The Commissioner of police has further deployed additional men of the tactical teams; the anti-kidnapping unit, and officers from the Karu area command to the scene in order to rescue the Chief and his wife unhurt.”