TheNewsGuru

Tag: Kidnappers

  • Suspected kidnappers attack Police station, abduct nursing mother in Adamawa

    Suspected kidnappers attack Police station, abduct nursing mother in Adamawa

    Suspected kidnappers have attacked Ngurore Police station in Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa and abducted a nursing mother in the area.

    DSP Sulaiman Nguroje, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, who confirmed the development on Sunday, said the criminal gang attacked the station at about 2 a. m on Sunday, but no casualty was recorded.

    “The suspected kidnappers targeted one Alhaji Umaru of Nasarawo B, a resident of Ngurore town in Yola South LGA.

    “The criminals separated into two groups; one attacked the Police station to divert the attention of security operatives, while other group attacked Alhaji Umaru’s house and kidnapped his wife, Hauwa Umaru, and her daughter.

    “The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Mohammed Barde, has ordered the deployment of operational asset including Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Crack Squad and Anti-Kidnapping units to Ngurore,” he said.

    Nguroje explained that the operational units were expected to carry out confidence-boosting patrols within the hotspots in coordinated operations to rescue the kidnapped victims and apprehend the culprits.

    He said the commissioner assured that the command was committed to working with other patriotic stakeholders toward restoring public order in Ngurore and other parts of the state.

    He said the Head of the Police Intervention Team, SP Babagana Abubakar, was already on ground to coordinate Police investigative operation and rescue response.

    He called on citizens to go about their normal businesses in peaceful and law abiding manner, and report any suspicious person(s) around their neighbourhood to security agencies.

  • Police rescue 6 kidnapped victims in Kaduna

    Police rescue 6 kidnapped victims in Kaduna

    The Police Command in Kaduna State, says its operatives have rescued six kidnapped victims, along Barde/Keffi Road in Kafanchan Local Government Area (LGA), of the state.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Jalige, confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday in Kaduna.

    Jalige said that on Oct. 5, operatives of the command, on receipt of report of a kidnapping incident that occurred on Oct. 4, at about 18:30hrs, along Barde/Keffi Road, “cautiously and tactically trailed and caught up with the bandits in the forest.”

    He said the operatives engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon their victims and scampered into the forest with bullet wounds.

    He said six of the kidnapped victims were successfully rescued unhurt.

    Jalige said that the victims had been debriefed and subsequently reunited with their respective families.

    “Concerted efforts are on high gear with a view to apprehending the fleeing bandits,” he said.

    The PRO also said the officers, alongside the army Operation Puff Adder II, on Oct. 2, acting on credible intelligence stormed Yadi forest in Fatika District of Giwa LGA, and engaged bandits in a fierce gun battle.

    He said one of the criminals was neutralised, while others fled with varying degrees of bullet injuries into the forest.

    He said the operatives recovered one AK 49 rifle, loaded with 31 rounds of 7.62 X 39mm live ammunition, one locally made rifle with one 12-guage polymer cased shotgun shell.

    He said the precision and gallantry exhibited by the officers that left the bandits in disarray were exemplary.

    “The command is calling on members of the public, especially medical practitioners, to report any person found with suspected bullet injury in the said axis for prompt action,” he said.

    Jalige said in a similar incident, the police also arrested three suspected bandits on Oct .2, and recovered a submachine gun.

    “Operatives of the command attached to Saminaka Divisional Headquarters in Lere LGA, on Oct. 2, at about 03:30hrs, acting on a credible information, carefully raided Kuwait Hotel, located in Unguwan Bawa, Saminaka, and arrested three suspects.

    “During a search of their rooms, the following items were recovered; one submachine gun (SMG) loaded with one round of 9mm live ammunition and a Department of State Services Identity Card.

    “The suspects are currently undergoing investigation and will be charged to court on completion of same,” he said.

    Jalige disclosed further that the command on Oct 5,also received an information that one Superintendent of Police was seen around Mamadi Layout Rigachikun Kaduna, making illegal arrest and extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public.

    “On receipt of the information, officers were immediately mobilised to the area and succeeded in arresting one fake police officer parading himself as SP Usman Magaji, and criminally dispossessing innocent persons of their legitimate earnings.

    “Upon investigation, two sets of neon blue police uniforms were found in his possession.

    “The suspect has since confessed to the crime and will be charged to court on completion of investigation.

    “The command is, therefore, calling on the public to report any of such persons to the nearest police formation,” he said.

    Jalige said, the command also on the same date, while investigating a case of armed robbery, arrested one suspect and recovered a complete police uniform bearing the name Pius Philips with an inspectorate cadre’s rank.

    “During the course of investigation, the suspect confessed to have been using the uniform for some nefarious activities.

    “The suspect will be charged to court after completion of investigation,” he said.

    The PPRO said the above successes were not unconnected with the renewed commitment and cordial relationships between the police and communities in the area of information sharing.

    According to the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Mudassiru Abdullahi, appreciates the gesture.

    He urged the officers to be civil with their host communities so that the command could leverage on the renewed vigour to safeguard lives and property of law abiding citizens of the state.

  • How two women fetched, carried guns for kidnappers in Kaduna [+Photo]

    How two women fetched, carried guns for kidnappers in Kaduna [+Photo]

    Two women have been arrested for their involvement in the illegal possession and illicit sale of prohibited firearms.

    The Nigeria Police Force arrested Hafsat Adamu, 24, and Aisha Ibrahim, 30, alongside nine others for aiding and perpetrating violent crimes including kidnapping and armed robbery in the north-western region of the country.

    A statement signed by the spokesperson of the force, Frank Mba, revealed that the 11-man- syndicate relied on the women to carry out their operations.

    According to the police, the suspects rely on them to “transport their weapons from one point to another, taking advantage of the innocuous look and sentiments associated with their gender”.

    Meanwhile, the police said they also arrested a trans-national car theft syndicate specialized in stealing cars from Nigeria and smuggling the same to the Niger Republic and other neighboring countries.

    The statement revealed that a total of 15 cars were recovered as well as two jamming devices used by the suspects in moving the stolen vehicles undetected.

    According to the statement, the police recently arrested a total of 34 suspects including 32-male and 2-female were arrested.

    Also, it recovered 11 high-calibre grenades, 11 sophisticated firearms and 389 AK-47 ammunition, amongst others.

    “All the suspects will be charged to court on conclusion of investigations,” the statement read.

  • Kidnappers bursted while collecting ransom in Ogun

    Kidnappers bursted while collecting ransom in Ogun

    The police authorities in Ogun State have arrested two suspected kidnappers while they were trying to collect ransom.

    In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, the suspects were identified as Muhammed Abubakar and Clinton Niche.

    They were said to have been apprehended following a report lodged at the Agbara Area command by one Stephen Ajibili who said that his seven-year-old son was abducted by unknown persons while he was sent on an errand.

    The victim’s father had claimed that the abductors had called him and demanded one million naira to secure his son’s release.

    “Consequent upon the report, the acting Area Commander Agbara, CSP Kayode Shedrack, quickly mobilised his detectives to embark on a technical and intelligence-based investigation to unravel those behind the dastardly act,” the statement partly read.

    “The efforts of the detectives paid off when the suspects who had directed the victim’s parents to drop the ransom somewhere were ambushed and apprehended by the police detectives. The suspects subsequently led the policemen to a bush where the innocent young boy was tied to a tree by his abductors.”

    Upon interrogation, the suspects informed the police that they are three in number, but the remaining member of their gang was the person watching over their victim while they came out to collect the ransom.

    The police spokesman explained that the other suspect took to his heels after discovering that his two accomplices have been arrested.

    The acting Commissioner of Police, DCP Abiodun Alamutu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the Anti-Kidnapping Section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for discreet investigation.

    He also directed that the fleeing member of the gang be hunted and brought to justice within the shortest possible period.

  • Police arrest 2 suspected kidnappers while picking ransom money in Ogun

    Police arrest 2 suspected kidnappers while picking ransom money in Ogun

    The Police Command in Ogun have arrested two suspected kidnappers, Mohammed Abubakar, 42, and Clinton Niche, 18, while trying to collect ransom money at Agbara area of the state.

    The Police Spokesman in Ogun, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, said this on Monday in a statement issued to newsmen in Ota, Ogun.

    According to him. the suspects were arrested on Oct. 3.

    Oyeyemi explained that the two suspects were arrested following a report lodged at Agbara area command by one Stephen Ajibili, who reported that his seven years old son, Daniel Ajibili, had been kidnapped.

    He added that his son was abducted by unknown persons while he was sent on an errand by his mother at about 11.20 a.m on the fateful day.

    Ajibili stated further that the abductors had called him and demanded for the sum of N1 million, if he wants his son released.

    “Consequently upon the report, the Acting Area Commander Agbara, CSP Kayode Shedrack, quickly mobilised his detectives to embark on technical and intelligence based investigation to unravel those behind the dastardly act.

    “The efforts of the detectives paid off when the suspects who had directed the victim’s parents to drop the ransom money somewhere were ambushed and apprehended by the police detectives.

    “The suspects subsequently led the policemen to a bush where the innocent young boy was tied to a three by his abductors.

    “On interrogation, the suspects informed the police that they are three in number, but the remaining member of their gang was the person watching over their victim while they came out to collect the ransom.

    “Having discovered that his two accomplices have been arrested, he took to flight immediately,” he stated.

    Meanwhile, the Acting Commissioner of Police, DCP Abiodun Alamutu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to anti-kidnapping section of the state criminal investigation and intelligence department for discreet investigation.

    He also directed that the fleeing member of the gang be hunted for and brought to justice within the shortest possible period.

  • Bandits, kidnappers are also terrorists – Senator Bulkachuwa

    Bandits, kidnappers are also terrorists – Senator Bulkachuwa

    Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa says bandits, kidnappers and other violent groups troubling the country are no different from terrorists.

    “We gave them the name bandit probably to just soft pedal because terrorism in the international arena is regarded as the most heinous crime that any group of people can engage in,” the senator said on a monitored Channels Television programme on Sunday.

    “They are terrorists in reality. What else are they? Anybody that does not allow people rest, what is he?”

    The Senator is one of the latest high-profile Nigerians to have joined calls for bandits and their sponsors to be tagged as terrorists.

    Earlier on Sunday, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana called on the media and Nigerians to stop referring to the criminals as bandits, insisting that they are terrorists.

    According to him, the government was “quick to proscribe” those who kidnapped students from Chibok in Borno State, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and others as terrorists but has continued to treat banditry “lightly”.

    “But for reasons best known to the Federal Government,” he said, “the criminal elements who are currently involved in the brutal killing of innocent people and abduction of thousands of people including primary school pupils in the North West Zone are called bandits and not terrorists.”

    The lawmaker concurred with the human rights activist.

    “It is just giving them their right name,” he said, days after the House of Representatives and the Senate urged President Muhammadu Buhari to brand bandits and their sponsors as terrorists.

    “They should be declared terrorists. After all, who is a terrorist and who is a bandit?”

    According to the lawmaker representing Bauchi North, both bandits and kidnappers should be tagged as terrorists. This, he believes, will help in the fight against criminality in the country.

    “The bandits, the kidnappers, they are all terrorists,” he maintained. “They should be declared same so that whichever country they go to, they would be regarded as such.”

  • Police arrest 3 kidnap suspects in Niger

    Police arrest 3 kidnap suspects in Niger

    The police command in Niger has arrested three suspects over alleged kidnapping in Nasko Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    Mr Monday Kuryas, the state Commissioner of Police disclosed this in Minna on Sunday.

    “On Oct. 2 at about 0900 hours, the Divisional Police Officer Nasko Division mobilised a team of policemen and members of vigilance group numbering about 97 for a raid at kidnappers hideout located in Manini, Isana and Etere forest in Nasko LGA.

    “Three suspects were arrested after the raid, they include one Abubakar, Aliyu Abubakar and Mohamed Aliyu.

    “The suspects confessed to have kidnapped one Alhaji Mohammed Bariki of Magaman Daji village, Nasko LGA where they collected N5 million ransom and one Usman Maiyana of Ibana village Nasko LGA where they collected N 3 million as ransom.

    “The sum of N 100,000 was recovered from them which was part of the ransom,” he said.

    Kuryas said that the command has deployed an anti kidnap squad to the area to ensure the arrest of others at large and recover their arms.

    “We appeal strongly for more working support and cooperation from members of the public who should give us intelligence information that could aid in apprehending miscreants in their midst.

    “We are battle ready to confront any persons or group of miscreants undermining the peace of our state, through well- coordinated security approach to enhance peaceful coexistence among our people,’’ Kuryas said.

  • Kidnapping: Reps to probe NYSC over handbook advising corps members to pay ransom when abducted

    Kidnapping: Reps to probe NYSC over handbook advising corps members to pay ransom when abducted

    Emman Ovuakporie

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday mandated the committee on youth development to investigate item 65(e ) of the National Youth Service Corps handbook which gives members security tips incase of kidnap cases.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports Rep Ndudi Elumelu the opposition leader raised the motion under matters of urgent national importance at plenary describing the section which advised Corps members to inform their families to make ransom available in case they fall victim to kidnap as “embarrassing ”

    Elumelu insists the inclusion of that section shows a complete collapse in the security architecture of the country which calls for worry and that it is against the provisions of Section 19 of the Public Officers Protection Act.

    Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, referred the house to a refutal made by the management of the NYSC which the sponsor of the motion immediately countered as he came armed with a copy of the NYSC handbook reading out what the security Tips actually stated.

    TNG recalls that Section 65(e)of the NYSC handbook had surfaced in a section of the media over the weekend, generating a lot of reactions and raising concerns to Nigerians.

    The NYSC initially denied it but immediately copies of the handbook started circulating in the social media networks, the withdrawal was withdrawn.

     

  • Police arrest 5 kidnappers, kill 1 in Kaduna

    Police arrest 5 kidnappers, kill 1 in Kaduna

    The Police Command in Kaduna State said its operatives have arrested five suspected kidnappers.

    The command also said that another suspect was killed in a botched kidnap attempt in Zaria on Monday.

    The Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige made the development known in a statement on Monday in Kaduna.

    Jalige said the command on Sept. 26, at about 0300hrs acted on credible intelligence to the fact that an 18 seater bus was conveying suspected rustled cows heading to yet to be identified destination along Barde–Keffi Road.

    “Based on the information, operatives of the command attached to Kafanchan Division swung into action and intercepted the said vehicle and arrested the five suspects.

    “Among the suspects arrested is a notorious kidnapper, who has been on the command’s wanted list and the 13 rustled cows was recovered from him,” he said.

    Jalige said that in the course of investigation, the suspects confessed to the crime while the owner of the cows was identified from Uddah Village and the cattles were handed over to him.

    The PPRO also disclosed that the officers foiled a kidnap attempt by one of the bandits.

    “On Sept. 27, at 0030hrs the command received a distress call through the Divisional Police Officer, Zaria City that some bandits in large number invaded the residence of one person at Nagoyi Quarters, Zaria in their desperate attempt to kidnap the occupant of the house.

    “On getting the information, a team of police men alongside members of vigilante services led by the DPO rushed to the area and engaged the bandits in a gun duel.

    “As a result, one bandit was neutralised while others took to their heels with bullet wounds abandoning their mission,” he said.

    He said that the corpse of the bandit has been deposited at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Teaching Hospital, Shika.

    Jalige urged the public to report any person with suspected bullet injury to the nearest police formation for prompt action.

  • After initial denials, NYSC admits publication asking corps members to be friendly with, pay ransom to kidnappers in dangerous zones

    After initial denials, NYSC admits publication asking corps members to be friendly with, pay ransom to kidnappers in dangerous zones

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have admitted after initial rebuttals that copies of its pamphlets containing security tips for staff and corps members contain a clause that advises corps members to prepare for ransom payment when and if abducted.

    The scheme explained that it discovered that there different versions of the pamphlet are in circulation.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports on Thursday, the page containing the advice for the corps and staff on reaching out to the family and friends when plying such routes it described as “high risk” had flooded the social media.

    The handbook, which is titled; “Security Awareness and Education Handbook For Corps Members and Staff,” on its page 56, advised both corps members and (and staff) travelling on “high-risk” roads to alert their “family members, friends and colleagues to have someone on hand to pay off the ransom that could be demanded” in case they are kidnapped.

    The document lists such roads to include “Abuja-Kaduna, Abuja-Lokoja-Okene, or Aba-Port Harcourt” roads.

    The document is produced by Watchcon Security Consultancy Services – a private security outfit, in collaboration with the headquarters of the National Youths Service Corps.

    The pamphlet, on page 57, advises both the staff and corps members on how to conduct themselves when kidnapped, saying; “Do not antagonise your captors, be polite and operate with reasonable regards.”

    It also advises the corps members and its staff to show reasonable cooperation to the abductors, and that they should “establish personal relationship with your abductors as soon as possible.”

    It further added; “The kidnappers may ask for contact persons, do not mention your place of work, but your close friends and parents. They will reach them to negotiate for your release.

    “Advise your friends involved in the negotiations, they should be friendly with the captors.

    “Take no risk by attempting to escape,” even as it urges abductees not to attempt to be a hero making making efforts to escape.

    “Make no statement to the media after your release without official clearance but share your experience with close associates,” it further counsels.

    Initial denial

    However, sequel to the discovery of the clause in the publication and the attendant criticisms particularly on social media, the NYSC in a statement issued earlier on Friday described the clause in circulation as the handiwork of mischief-makers.

    The statement reads in part; “The attention of Management of the National Youth Service Corps has been drawn to a fake release making the rounds on the social media to the effect that Corps Members travelling on ” high risk roads” should alert their families, friends and colleagues in order to have somebody to pay off the ransom that could be demanded in the event of being kidnapped.

    “Management wishes to emphatically state that the clause mischievously quoted is not embedded in NYSC Security Tips pamphlet which was put together by a highly respected retired security expert.

    “Management wishes to appeal to the general public to always clarify issues with the Scheme.”

    The organisation, therefore, advises Nigerians to always verify things before sharing them on social media, saying it “has offices in all the states of the federation, as well as the 774 Local Government Areas in the country for enquiries.”

    “Please, be wary of falling prey to the antics of mischief makers out to ridicule the Scheme,” it added.

    Investigations in progress

    TNG reports that in its admittance, the organisation, however, noted that it realised that different copies of the pamphlets are in circulation with some containing the clause and others not.

    “We realised different copies are in circulation. We are investigating,” the NYSC spokesperson, Adenike Adeyemi told Premium Times in a terse message upon the paper’s inquiry.