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Tag: Kidnappers

  • Kogi hunters gun down two kidnappers while collecting ransom from victims’ families

    Kogi hunters gun down two kidnappers while collecting ransom from victims’ families

    Two kidnappers operating in Kogi State were gunned down in the early hours of Tuesday while collecting ransom from the families of their victims from one of the neighboring states.

    Following an actionable intelligence report, professional hunters in the Okehi Local Government Area of state ambushed the kidnappers who came out in the Abobo area behind the Nigerian Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe, to collect the ransom demanded before the release of their victims.

    Two of the three kidnappers were killed in the process while one escaped into the bush with gunshot wounds. The captives were also freed in course of the operation.

    Speaking to newsmen, the Divisional Police Officer, Okehi Local Government Area, Mr. Ovanja Yakubu said men of the Nigerian Police in his division have been drafted to join the professional hunters to fetch out the third kidnapper dead or alive.

    In his reaction, the Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed, maintained that the state cannot accommodate any criminal who wants to deprive the people of their peace.

    The governor said he was elected and sworn-in to protect the lives and property of the people and will ensure such a covenant is kept for posterity.

    He commended the professional hunters and the conventional security agencies in the state for their tireless efforts in rooting out criminal elements from the state.

  • Vigilantes arrest two kidnappers, recover guns on Abuja-Lokoja Road

    Vigilantes arrest two kidnappers, recover guns on Abuja-Lokoja Road

    Vigilantes and hunters have arrested two kidnappers and recovered an AK47 and a pump-action rifle near Koton-Karfe, along the Abuja-Lokoja expressway.

    Both men were arrested in a fierce gun battle with vigilantes and hunters at a forest near Idu village on Thursday around 5.42pm as they attempted to attack motorists on the highway.

    A member of the vigilante, who preferred anonymity, said the two men were among kidnap gangs that have been terrorising motorists along Idu – Ahoko axis on the highway.

    According to him, the vigilantes and hunters who were on patrol along the highway were alerted and immediately mobilized to engaged them, in which he said two of the kidnappers were arrested, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

    It was learnt that Kogi state commisioner for Solid minerals, Eng Abubakar Bashir Gegu, and senior special assistant to the state governor on special duties, Rilwanu Bala Eteh, who are natives of the area, led the operation after they received a distress call.

    The senior special assistant to the governor on special duties, Rilwanu Bala Eteh, who spoke over to newsmen on the incident said the two kidnappers were apprehended after series of coordinated attacks in a forest along Abuja-Lokoja highway.

    He said two guns, machetes and axe were recovered from the kidnappers and handed over to security agents in Lokoja.

    The spokesman of the Kogi state police command, DSP Williams Ovye Aya, could not be reached to confirm the arrest as at the time this report was filed.

  • BREAKING: Gunmen free kidnapped attendant in hijacked Ondo school bus

    BREAKING: Gunmen free kidnapped attendant in hijacked Ondo school bus

    Gunmen, who hijacked a school bus on Thursday morning in Oba Ile, Akure North local government of Ondo State, have released the abducted female staff.

    It was gathered the gunmen missed their target as no pupil was inside the bus when they struck.

    The gunmen, who rode on motorcycles, had crossed the bus belonging to Chimola School around 6:45am when the driver was on a routine of picking pupils.

    They had driven the bus to a bush after Ilara Mokin before they asked the abducted bus attendant to start running.

    Narrating her ordeal, the staff who gave her name as Omolayo Ojo, said she saw the abductors blocked them and brought out a gun and a battle axe.

    She said they dragged the driver out but took her along as they drove away.

    Ojo stated when they got to the bush, they asked her to cooperate and requested about her name and her father’s.

    She said they asked her to start running she didn’t know her way.

    According to her: “I saw one brought out gun and the other brought out battle axe. The driver was dragged out they pressed my face down so I didn’t know the route they took.

    “When they got to the bush, they brought me down, asked about my name and asked me to cooperate.

    “They later told me to run without looking back. I met an old woman who showed me the way to a road.

    “An Okada rider gave me N500 and showed me the way to town from where I took a transport to Akure.

    Principal of the school, Mrs. Akinde Bolatito, said the driver narrated to her what happened at the police station where he was still being questioned.

    “Omolayo has been working with us for over two years. She said they drove her into the bush. She was not tampered with. No hurt on her body.

    “There was no pupil inside the bus. It was an empty bus. This has been their normal runs. We have never had any issue with our bus or our staff.

    “Our children are in good hands. The police are on it.”

  • Tension in Abuja community as kidnappers hold sway

    Tension in Abuja community as kidnappers hold sway

    Some residents of Kubwa, a satellite town in the Federal Capital Territory on Wednesday expressed fears over kidnappings.

    A cross section of people, who spoke on the activities of kidnappers in the area said the issue was becoming worrisome.

    A civil servant, Fidelis Nwanchukwu, said Abuja was no longer safe as everybody now lived in fear.

    “At home, one is unsafe. To board commercial vehicles, one has to be very careful because you do not know who is who.

    “Besides kidnappers disguising as commercial drivers, the issue of one-chance robbers is nothing to write home about,” he said.

    He called on the security agencies to step up effort on surveillance and intelligence gathering in order to checkmate the increasing rate of insecurity in the nation’s capital.

    James Olaide, a private school teacher who resides in Kubwa, said due to the cases of kidnapping in his area, there was a time he thought of leaving Abuja for his home town in Ogun with his family.

    “But is my state too free from this criminal act?

    “Day in, day out, these criminals are becoming more daring. This is not the time for blame game; all hands must be on deck to tackle this menace,” Olaide urged.

    A spare part seller in Kubwa, Charles Okafor, who said media report about kidnapping cases in Abuja was disturbing, added that there were other unreported cases.

    “My advice is everybody should be security conscious. When you see something, say something. Let’s share information, especially with security agencies.

    “Everybody is struggling to make ends meet but some people are out there looking for who to kidnap, who to rob and even kill to make a living,” he said.

    For Aisha Hassan, a business woman, “the situation is getting out of control.”

    She said: “O I am no longer having rest of mind any time I take my children to school.

    “I live in Kubwa and my children’s school is along Arab Road. Even though I take them to school and bring them back every day, I am always anxious about their safety with all that is happening in Abuja now.”

    She said some schools in the FCT had adjusted their time to ensure that students close early as a result of the prevailing security challenge.

    Aisha urged parents to always keep a close watch on their children to avoid being lured by strangers.

    On Feb. 3, gunmen abducted a journalist at his house in the Arab Road Area of Kubwa, Abuja. The kidnappers also attacked his neighbours and went away with the two sons of a widow.

    Also on Feb. 26, five-man gang kidnapped a man and his brother-in-law at Gbazango Extension also in Kubwa. The armed men shot three vigilante members, who attempted to foil the operation.

    Again, on March 24, an armed group abducted four persons in Kiyi Village, Kuje, whisking away the four residents to an unknown destination.

    On April 1, gunmen abducted a resident of the Pegi Community in Kuje Area Council. The victim was returning from work when he was kidnapped.

    Although many of these victims had regained their freedom, the latest in the kidnapping case was the one that took place at Byazhin in Kubwa on May 21. Two residents of the area were abducted and the kidnappers demanded for a N10 million ransom each before reducing it to N1 million for each abductee.

    After spending five days in kidnappers’ den, the Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, Mariam Yusuf, confirmed the development , saying the personnel had launched a strategic operation to rescue the victims unhurt and trail the suspects.

  • Repentant kidnapers surrender arms in Adamawa

    Repentant kidnapers surrender arms in Adamawa

    The Commissioner of Police (CP), Adamawa, Mr Aliyu Alhaji, on Tuesday, said two repentant kidnappers had surrendered their arms to the police command in the state.

    Addressing a news conference in Yola, Alhaji said that the repentant kidnapers surrendered two G3 refiles with breach number 58607 and 52007 with five rounds of live ammunitions.

    According to him, the command is still investigating the circumstances surrounding the men being in possession of the rifles and assured residents in the state of security of lives and property.

    He appealed to other kidnapers to repent before their eventual arrest.

    Alhaji further said from March to May 25, the operatives of the command arrested 52 suspects, who were members of various criminal gangs in the state.

    He added that the exhibits recovered include 20 prohibited fire arms, 1,000 rounds of live ammunitions, five cartridges and other items worth N3 million.

    “From March to date, the command embarked on raiding of criminals’ hideout and black spots which led to the recovery of 50.70 kilograms of weeds suspected to be marijuana.

    “Others are diazepam, tramadol, rubber solutions, exzole and other hard drugs all valued about N3 million”, he said.

    The commissioner said that the recovered intoxicants that are not exhibits before the court would be handed over to NDLEA for necessary action.

  • We know where kidnappers are, only being careful – Lai Mohammed

    We know where kidnappers are, only being careful – Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has guaranteed Nigerians that the Federal Government is handling the problem of insecurity in the country.

    He said the suggestion in some quarters that the government was naïve was unfounded, adding that the result of government’s efforts would soon be evident.

    The minister spoke on Tuesday during a press briefing in Lagos.

    He said, “It is no longer news that our dear nation is facing security challenges. However, I have read comments saying the Federal Government is overwhelmed and doesn’t have a clue as to how to tackle the challenges. Some have even gone as far as suggesting a truncation of the democratic order, a clearly treasonable stance.

    “Well, I am here today to assure all Nigerians that while the government acknowledges the security challenges we face at this time, from terrorism to kidnapping, banditry and farmer-herder conflict, it is definitely not overwhelmed and indeed it has the wherewithal, as you will see in the days ahead, to confront the challenges headlong and restore law and order, peace and security.

    Mohammed stated that the government indeed knew the hideouts of kidnappers, adding that security agencies were only being careful to avoid civilian casualties.

     

    “One of the most difficult things to do, for a democratically-elected government, is to use the instruments of coercion against its own people. For example, while the nation’s military have superior firepower over the rag tag band of Boko Haram and ISWA, the terrorists most often than not operate among the populace, either in our villages or towns, hence the military, in tackling them, is usually careful to avoid collateral damage.

    “The same applies to the kidnappers who abduct our school children. Usually, the location of the kidnappers is not unknown to security forces, but they still have to exercise caution in order not to hurt the same children they are trying to rescue. Despite these inhibitions, the security forces have the wherewithal to decisively tackle the challenges,” he added.

     

  • Police shoot 3 kidnappers dead in fierce gun-battle, rescue 7 victims

    Police shoot 3 kidnappers dead in fierce gun-battle, rescue 7 victims

    The tactical team of Edo State Police Command and the local vigilante operatives, have rescued seven kidnapped victims, killing three of the kidnappers in the processes.

    The victims were rescued at the notorious Ahor axis, along Benin bypass, where 13 victims were rescued last Saturday.

    This was disclosed Monday night, in a statement endorsed by the State Police Command’s spokesman, SP Kontongs Bello.

    The statement noted that the rescue operation was “in continuation of the bush/forest combing, as promised by the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Phillip Aliyu Ogbadu.

    “The combined team encountered the kidnappers at Ahor axis, engaged them in a fierce gun battle killing three of the kidnappers and rescued 7 kidnapped victims,” it added.

    Bello expressed CP Ogbadu’s assurance to continue to sustain the tempo, even as he promised not to relent until he rids the state of kidnappers and other criminals.

    The victims who were abducted between 7th and 8th May, were traveling from Ondo State to Onitsha, in Anambra State, and Onitsha to Lagos.

    “The Commissioner of Police sought collaboration and partnership of stakeholders, through information sharing, especially those around Ahor community and environs.

  • Two notorious kidnappers gunned down in Kogi shooting

    Two notorious kidnappers gunned down in Kogi shooting

    Two notorious kidnappers Monday Mimiko and Abu Billi have been gunned down in Kogi State during intensive gun-battle with security forces and vigilantes.

    Mimiko alias Aneni the law and Billi alias Don German died during crossfire with security personnel while two others escaped with gunshot wounds.

    The kidnappers were said to have been operating and terrorising communities in Dekina Local Government Area of the State for long.

    In the process, three kidnapped victims were rescued.

    Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello commended the exploit of the security forces and the vigilantes for arresting some of the notorious kidnappers.

    Bello, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Mohammed, on Sunday, said the successful fight against criminals in the state is also coming at a time when insecurity is heightened in some parts of the country.

    The governor said the gang of notorious kidnappers operating in Dekina Area Council met their waterloo on Saturday on Idah Road.

    He added that the repel by the Joint Taskforce of Neighborhood watch, vigilantes, hunters and other security agents led to the death of the gang members as three captives were release.

    “The kidnappers, whose names were Monday Mimiko alias Aneni the law and Abu Billi alias Don German died during crossfire with security personnel while two others escaped with gunshot wounds.

    “The security team also freed three persons kidnapped by the gang during operation around Egume.

    “The criminals had been terrorising the Okura axis of Dekina LGA for years engaging in kidnapping and armed robbery,” he said.

    Confirming the report, Dekina LGA Chairman, Mr Ishaq Okolo, said that he was aware of the operation, noting that the security operatives were acting on the instruction of the governor.

    The governor had directed security agents to fish out criminal elements wherever they are in the society.

    Okolo urged members of the public to give useful information about criminals to the security agencies, noting that all hands must be on deck to ensure a crime-free society.

  • Kidnappers kill boy after collecting N5m ransom from his parents

    Kidnappers kill boy after collecting N5m ransom from his parents

    A boy kidnapped from his parents’ home in a Kaduna suburb was found dead, seven days after he was taken and N5 million ransom paid for his release.

    Muhammad Kabir, the victim, who was taken from Badarawa suburb of Kaduna North local government area, is believed to have been killed by his kidnappers.

    Reports indicate a neighbour connived with another resident, an ex-military personnel, to kidnap the boy.

    peanwhile, Police have arrested three people, including the said neighbour, in connection with the kidnap and murder of Kabir.

    It was gathered that immediately the boy was declared missing, a search for him was done for days before a call came in from the kidnappers demanding N50m, and then later reduced the amount to N35m before finally agreeing to N5m.

    Abdulrahman Kabir Magayaki, a brother to the victim, told newsmen that the late Kabir was taken away from their house to Zaria from there to Kano State where his body was retrieved after the ransom was paid.

    “One of the suspects that took the boy away was our neighbour while the ex-military personnel was also a resident in the community. They took him to Zaria from there to Kano where his body was retrieved inside drainage after they collected 5 million naira ransom,” he said.

    He said the victim’s body was brought back to Kaduna and buried according to Islamic rites on Saturday.

    Another resident said the victim must have been killed after he recognised the faces of his abductors since they are all living in the area.

    Kaduna State Police Command Spokesman ASP Mohammed Jalige who confirmed the incident said the three suspects confessed to the crime but said he cannot comment on the military background of one of the suspects until investigation is concluded.

  • Police arrest suspected kidnappers of Ogun monarch, OOU Students

    Police arrest suspected kidnappers of Ogun monarch, OOU Students

    The police authorities have arrested some suspected kidnappers of a community leader, Chief Tajudeen Omotayo and some students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ayetoro in Ogun State.

    While the two female OOU students were abducted on March 14 at their hostel, the monarch was kidnapped on March 20 on his way from a meeting in Ijebu-Ode.

    However, he was later released after an undisclosed amount was paid to the kidnappers.

    The Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, paraded the suspects on Wednesday at the headquarters of the Ogun State Police Command in Abeokuta.

    He said that the suspects confessed that they were behind the kidnap of a doctor and a nurse on the Abeokuta-Imeko Road.

    The suspects – Umaru Usman, Mohammed Bello, and Babuga Abubakar – were said to have confessed to a series of kidnap cases in the Ayetoro, Olorunda, and Imeko areas.

    “They confessed that a female doctor and a nurse have kidnapped on the 7th of April 2021 along with Olubo village along Abeokuta -Imeko road by them,” he said.

    “They also confessed to kidnapping one Mrs. Yemi Ojedapo at Olodo village, who painfully, they had to kill because she recognized them.

    “One Babuga Abubakar who is their informant confessed that he supplied information on victims to the gang for ease of operation.”

    Also paraded were Nura Bello and his partner Abubakar Bello, whom the police boss said they confessed to the abduction of the Chief and also to several cases of kidnapping in the Ijebu area.

    The police also paraded a suspected kidnapper who sold an AK-47 rifle to an undercover police operative for ₦1m.