Senator Ishaku Abbo has alleged security forces are aware of the hideouts of bandits that killed his uncle at Muchalla ward in Mubi local government area of Adamawa.
The gunmen killed his uncle in the early hours of Saturday and made away with his step mother during the invasion of the family’s residence.
The senator, who is undergoing investigation over alleged assault of a lady in an Abuja sex toy shop, alleged military and police personnel know the kidnappers’ hideout, which he claimed is two kilometres outside Mubi town.
He alleged the security forces have curiously failed to dislodge the criminals.
In his statement to journalists in Abuja on Saturday evening, Senator Abbo said that about thirteen gunmen wielding Ak-47 rifles killed his uncle.
“About 13 gunmen armed with AK 47, invaded my family house around 1 am on Saturday and shot my uncle dead.
Read Also: Just in: Kidnappers kill Sen Abbo’s uncle, abduct stepmother
“They dragged my father and brothers out of their rooms and went after my stepmother when they were told that my biological mother was late.
“They took the poor woman away and left behind, her 11 day-old child; my stepmother is still with the kidnappers now and the kidnappers have called me with a Cameroonian MTN number but they are yet to demand ransom.”
“The Federal Government, the military and the police are not doing enough in the aspect of insecurity in this country.
“The security agencies and the military know the hideouts of the criminals but they will not go after them.
“Of what use is the Army barracks and the Mobile Police base in Mubi when they cannot enter two kilometres into the bush and dislodge the kidnappers?
“The kidnappers are using the ransom they are collecting to fund terrorism in this country, that’s just the truth,” Senator Abbo stated.
Tag: Kidnappers
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Security forces know hideout of my uncle’s killers – Senator Abbo
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Just In: Kidnappers kill Sen Abbo’s uncle, abduct stepmother
Kidnappers have killed an uncle of Sen Ishaku Abbo and taken away his stepmother.
A witness said the kidnappers stormed Abbo’s country home in the early hours of Saturday and killed Abbo’s uncle for raising alarm as they were taking away the senator’s stepmother identified as Rifikatu Ishaku.
The development will further distress Abbo, the senator representing Adamawa North District in the National Assembly, battling the embarrassment of being rebuked nationwide for slapping a woman in an Abuja sex toy shop.
The witness to the killing and abduction story said the gunmen struck the family house of the senator in Muchalla ward of Mubi North Local Government Area of the state around 1am on Saturday and seized Madam Rifikatu Ishaku, who had a child a couple of weeks ago.
The witness explained on arriving Muchala, the gunmen went straight to Abbo’s family house and abducted the stepmother.
He said as they were taking her away, Abbo’s uncle came out of his room and shouted on sighting the gunmen.
”The gunmen opened fire on him (the uncle), leading to his death, and they went away with the victim unchallenged,” the witness said.
Confirming the incident, the Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer, Sulaiman Nguroje, put the time of the incident at just before the dawn of Saturday, and assured that efforts were being made to get at the gunmen and free Abbo’s uncle.
He said the Commissioner of Police had since deployed specially trained anti-kidnapping officials and they were on the trail of the kidnappers.
The killing and kidnapping in Abbo’s household is coming barely a week after a Permanent Secretary in the Adamawa State Civil Service was kidnapped and a N25 million ransom later demanded. -
Policemen collecting money for bail not different from kidnappers – Lagos CP
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Zubairu Muazu, on Tuesday inaugurated a statement-taking room for the CID Panti, Yaba, warning that policemen collecting money for bail were not different from kidnappers and would not be spared.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the facility was provided by the Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (RoLAC) Programme managed by the British Council and funded by European Union.
At the inauguration on Tuesday, Muazu commended RoLAC for the initiative, noting that statement-taking was important in police investigation
The commissioner said that statement-taking was the foundation of police investigation.
He said the facility was important to police operations, assuring the British Council that it would be put to effective use.
The Lagos police boss warned officers men of the command against corrupt activities, saying that anyone caught would be decisively dealt with.
“I advise that we stay far away from corruption. It gives us bad name as it is unprofessional and unethical
He cautioned them against collecting money for bail.
“We have always said bail is free and we mean it. I keep saying that any policeman who collects money for bail is not different from a kidnapper. The only difference is that everyone knows where you kept the suspects.
“The country is hard and we need the people more than they need us. Let us stay far from corruption,” he said.
Muazu commended DCP Yetunde Longe in charge of the CID for diligence.
He assured members of the public that the facility would be utilised effectively.
Commenting, DCP Longe said the CID was prepared to embrace world best practices in investigation.
She commended ROLAC for donating equipment and training officers attached to the department.
“This will in no small measure add value to our productivity. I want to assure the CP, the donor and other stakeholders that this facility will be judiciously utilised for the intended purpose.
“The vision and mission of the I-G, Mohammed Adamu, to ensure diligent investigations is a task that must be accomplished,” she said.
The Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs Titilayo Shitta-Bay, said she was delighted to witness the inauguration, noting that the facility was important to police investigations.
She said that there had been issues with the manner in which statements were being taken from suspects.
She noted that the Administration of Criminal Justice Laws, 2015, mandated recording of statements.
Mrs Ajibola Ijimakinwa, the Lagos State Programme Coordinator of RoLAC, said that the programme was aimed at enhancing good governance, curbing corruption and ensuring that police cases would have successful prosecution.
“This is why we work and partner with the police to ensure critical laws are adhered to.
“We are looking at setting up more statement-taking rooms in Lagos as we look forward to the effective use of the facility,” she said.
NAN reports that the three-room facility has investigating/statement taking rooms and a monitoring centre where police officers investigating cases are monitored. -
JUST IN: Police arrest kidnappers operating along Ibadan-Ife Expressway
The kidnappers operating around Ikire and other communities in Ibadan-Ife expressway have been arrested.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 11, Mr Leye Oyebade, disclosed this at the ongoing Southwest security summit in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Zone 11 comprises Oyo, Osun and Ondo states.
Oyebade made the revelation while explaining that security agencies were not overwhelmed by the security challenges in the region.
He added that those who kidnapped Prof. Adegbehingbe of the Obafemi Awolowo University have also been arrested.
He said police decided against publicizing their successes on those arrests for security reasons.
He was responding to claims by the governors that police were overwhelmed by the level of insecurity in the country.
The Ikire segment of the Ibadan-Ife expressway has become notorious for kidnapping in the last few months thereby instilling fear in motorists and commuters.
The kidnap of Prof. Adegbehingbe also reinforced the fear thereby causing outrage over the level of insecurity in Southwest.
The outrage was partly responsible for the security summit.
While commending the governors for supporting police operations in their various states, Oyebade insisted that more support, especially in the area of vehicles and technology, will further enhance the ability of the force to offer a more effective policing.
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Buhari seeks death penalty for kidnappers, others
Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari (APC-Oyo North) on Sunday recommended capital punishment for kidnapping and other forms of violent crimes in order to tackle growing insecurity in the country.
Buhari told newsmen in Ibadan that the spate of kidnapping and killings across the country would continue unabated if such a drastic measure was not taken.
Buhari was the former Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cybercrime, in the 8th National Assembly.
The lawmaker lamented the upsurge in kidnappings and killings across the country, saying violent crimes were becoming a lucrative business for those involved.
“These heinous crimes against humanity have gone beyond the normal Fulani herdsmen attacks and have become a real trade for those who engage in them.
“Let me be honest with you, the situation is nationwide and very worrisome. I believe and I am afraid because Nigerians themselves are yet to take drastic measures.
“I believe by the time anyone caught in the act faces death penalty other people will learn and stop.
”Kidnappers have been arrested, nothing has been done to them. I believe taking them to court is a longer process,’’ he said.
He recalled how increasing rate of drug peddling was stemmed in the 80s through drastic measure, adding that lots of people abandoned the trade as soon as government made those caught in the act to face the firing squad.
The lawmaker said that the absence of such punitive measure give those involved in the recent inhuman activities liberty to continue recruiting young people.
”Today, going to Saudi Arabia, Bangkok, Singapore or India with drugs or to commit other forms of crime attracts death penalty and such had to an extent stemmed the trend.
“Nigerians are very stubborn people; they won’t change except there is a deterrent. These people collect cash from victims and take it to banks but the banks have not been reporting receipt of strange money accounts,” he said.
He called on Nigerians to collaborate with security agencies by providing them vital information on strange persons and movements around them.
Buhari recalled the recent abduction of a former minister’s son in Oyo State, noting that the hoodlums could not have operated without information.
“I am sure some people would have supplied information to the culprits on the movement of the former minister’s son and the location of his farm.
”Nobody will tell me that Fulani herdsmen came from Niger Republic to abduct him without information,’’ he said.
The lawmaker also called on the current administration do the needful, saying the major function of any government was security of lives and properties.
He gave an assurance that the National Assembly would deliberate on the insecurity in the country when it reconvened, adding that it would seek expert opinion and give the necessary backing.
Buhari further cautioned Nigerians against politicisation of whatever measures were evolved to stem the trend, saying insecurity knows no political party, tribe, religion or status.
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Reign of kidnappers, insurgents will soon come to an end – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Saturday, in Katsina State, declared that the days of bandits, kidnappers and insurgents in Nigeria were numbered.
He insisted that his administration would overpower them wherever they operate in the country.
He gave the assurance in his address at the fourth convocation of the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State.
President Buhari, who is a visitor to the University, said the war on bandits and kidnappers involved a lot of covert operations, many of which were not known to members of the public.
Buhari, who was represented at the occasion by Kano State former deputy governor, Professor Hafiz Abubakar said, “I want to reassure the people of Katsina State and indeed all the other states of the federation that the climate of fear being orchestrated by bandits, kidnappers and insurgents would soon come to an end.
“We are bent on subduing the situation and creating the environment for lawful citizens to go about their legitimate businesses without fear or molestation.
“The war against bandits and kidnappers involves a lot of covert operations that are not easily accessible to the citizens. But I want to assure you that we are winning the war and by the grace of God, not in the far future. ”
President Buhari also challenged universities in the country to come up with new strategies to generate revenue internally, pointing out that funding the institutions has become a challenge.
He said, “The high cost of funding university activities cannot be borne by government alone. In this regard, I want to urge and encourage our universities to look inwards for more constructive ways of generating internal revenue through research that will attract research grants, establishment of consultancy services, poultry and fisheries farms, hotels, animal husbandry, partnering with the private sector etc”
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Man hires kidnappers to abduct parents
Two persons, Akpos Jonny, aged 35 and Samson Oturu aged 31, have been arrested for planning to kidnap one Mr. Okundaye Austine and his wife.
They were said to have plotted to carry out the operation at No 25, Akhigbe Street, Usen quarters, Egor local government area.
Police sources said they were on the trail of a son of the victim, Kingsley, who allegedly hired the kidnappers to abduct his mother
Akpos said they were arrested while taking photographs of the victim.
He said, “Somebody told us to kidnap his person. I went there and was taking photographs of the man when he noticed me. That was how I was arrested.”
Police Commissioner, Damallam Abubakar, said the suspects confessed that they were hired by Kingsley to kidnap his mother.
He said efforts were on to arrest fleeing Kingsley.
The police also arrested one Joseph Christopher of Ugun Community in Ebelle who allegedly killed his three years old daughter, Dominion.
Joseph was said to have taken his daughter to a farm where he stated and strangulated her to death.
Danmallam said Joseph has confessed to the crime.
He said the suspects would soon be charged to court when investigation has been concluded.
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Abducted APC chairman solicits amnesty for kidnappers
The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Mr. Donatus Nwankpa, is calling on governments to consider granting amnesty to kidnappers across the country as part of strategies to check kidnapping.
Nwankpa who just regained freedom from abductors told The Nation that punitive measures are not enough to address the problem. “We have to look for a way, not just the operational or punitive aspects; we should also look for a way to positively engage them in order to give them some sense of belonging.
“We need to reassure them that their lives are not yet over. To some of them, they have already given up; they don’t believe that they have hope again. In the course of being there, I discovered that they have their off moments. In those off moments, you don’t talk to them; but in sober moments, you can engage them. All we need to do is to create a social programme that will recover our stray and erring youths.
“What is happening to the ex-militants should be extended to them. Amnesty is a positive engagement. Some of them can be sent outside this country because they can no longer do all these N30,000 minimum wage jobs. They need psychologists and counselors to talk to them. One of the areas that we are failing in this country is that the counseling department of various institutions have failed,” he said.
Nwankpa was seized in Umuahia, the state capital on January 28, about 12 hours to the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari in the state for his campaign. Describing the moments before his abduction, the APC chairman said “we had just finished giving people responsibilities in Umuahia and I felt that it was necessary that I should know the state of preparation at the arena (Enyimba Stadium) where the president would be hosted.
“We agreed to visit the arena to see things for ourselves and make adjustments where necessary to ensure a hitch-free exercise. Unfortunately, as we were driving down, we ran into hoodlums. They took us into the bush where they ransacked and took everything that they could find on us and later blindfolded us. While one of us escaped, they took me and the other person to a location. Later, they allowed the other person go as he was badly injured. They knew that I am the APC chairman and that I was going to receive Mr. President the next day,” he said.
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Kidnappers release Wike’s aide
Dr Anugbum Onuoha,the Special Adviser to Governor Nyesom Wike on Lands and Survey who was abducted on Friday, January 18 in a hotel on Ada George road in Port Harcourt by armed men dressed in military fatigue has regained his freedom.
He was released last night.
Sir Wobo Kingsley, a close friend of the Anugbum Onuoha’s family and the Zonal Coordinator of Noble Knights of the Niger Delta North of the Anglican Communion for Anugbum Onuoha confirmed that “Onuoha has regained freedom and hale and hearty and reunited with his family.”
He didn’t give further details as to whether ransom was paid and how much.
Onuoha was on Friday abducted by gunmen in military uniform at a hotel along Ada George Road Port Harcourt.
The abductors forced him into a waiting vehicle and zoomed off to an unknown destination .
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Nnamdi Omoni, assured that detectives had intensified efforts toward ensuring his release.
Omoni specifically said that security agents had since been combing the creeks and bushes to try and locate the whereabouts of Onuoha .
He said the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Usman Belel, had ordered a manhunt for the abductors as soon as he got wind of the incident.
It was not clear as at press time, the role played by the security agents, especially the Police in securing freedom for the governor’s aide.
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BREAKING: Gunmen kidnap Wike’s SA, Onuoha
The Rivers State Police Command have confirmed the Kidnap of the Senior Special Adviser to Governor Nyesom Wike on Lands and Survey, Chief Anugbom Onuoha.
Onuoha was kidnapped Thursday night by heavily armed gunmen after exchange of gunfire at his Hotel around Ada George area of Port Harcourt.
The gunmen, it was gathered overpowered 4 armed Mobile Police officers attached to the SA who is a strong ally of Governor Wike.
Confirming the kidnap, Spokesman for the Command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni said the gunmen had military uniforms.
Omoni in the statement said, “This is unfortunate, and as a command, we are touched by this development and will go all out to ensure his speedy and timely release.
“The CP has given a marching order to all the Tactical Units, including the IGP Monitoring Unit to work round the clock and ensure that the victim is released in record time.
“Contacts have been made with Sister Security Agencies and other security stakeholders in this direction.
“The Command wishes to appeal to members of the public, to avail us with useful information that can lead to his unconditional release.”