TheNewsGuru

Tag: Kidnappings

  • Police apprehend 2 over Anambra kidnappings

    Police apprehend 2 over Anambra kidnappings

    The Police Command in Anambra has confirmed the arrest of two suspects by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad and Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

    The suspects are Celestine, a 52-year-old man, and Jacinta, a 45-year-old woman, both residents of Oba in Idemili South LGA.

    Their arrest was confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday in Onitsha by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.

    Ikenga stated the arrest occurred on 13 April 13,  under the new operation codenamed ‘Udo Ga Chi,’ targeting kidnapping and violent crimes in the state.

    During a search of their residence, police recovered a pump-action gun, seven single-barrel dane guns, and 28 live cartridges, allegedly, from the suspects.

    Acting on fresh information from the suspects, operatives recovered two AK47 rifles and two empty magazines at their hideout in Omasi, Ayamelum LGA.

    The suspects are linked to a kidnap case in Nnewi from July 2024, where N17.5 million was paid as ransom for the victim’s release.

    Ikenga revealed that Celestine allegedly works as a native doctor, creating charms and storing weapons for the criminal gang.

    Jacinta allegedly gathers information about potential victims before the gang strikes, aiding in the planning of their criminal activities.

    The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, reaffirmed the command’s resolve to pursue such cases to their logical end.

    He emphasised the importance of this approach in preventing further criminal acts and ensuring public safety across Anambra.

  • Liverpool forward, Luiz Diaz’s parents kidnapped in Colombia

    Liverpool forward, Luiz Diaz’s parents kidnapped in Colombia

    Liverpool forward, Luiz Diaz faced a personal crisis after his parent were kidnapped  in an incident that has shocked fans and authorities in the South American country.

    It was gathered that the his parents were reportedly abducted in the city of Barrancas, situated in the northern department of La Guajira, Colombia.

    Cilenis Marulanda, Diaz’s mother, was later rescued by the police. The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, confirmed her rescue.

    However, Diaz’s father remains missing, prompting an intensive search by the country’s police.
    The details of the abduction indicate that the parents were taken while driving to their home. Armed assailants on motorbikes intercepted their vehicle and subsequently drove them away from the scene.
    Colombia’s soccer federation expressed its regret over the incident and called on the authorities to do everything in their power to rescue Diaz’s father.

    Luis Diaz, the 26-year-old Liverpool forward, has not yet made a public statement regarding the incident. The news of his parents’ kidnapping has understandably raised concerns and sympathy from fans and fellow athletes around the world.
    The incident is a stark reminder of the security challenges faced by individuals and families in certain regions of Colombia. Diaz’s family remains in the thoughts of many as the search for his father continues.

  • PDP condemns consistent kidnappings, wanton killings in Kaduna State

    PDP condemns consistent kidnappings, wanton killings in Kaduna State

    The Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday condemned consistent kidnappings for ransom and killings of people in the state.

    Its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Abraham Catoh, noted that several innocent citizens had been kidnaped in different parts of the state, while some were killed within their communities or on their farms.

    He urged the state government to redouble efforts at securing lives and property.

    “Amongst those killed lately was the PDP ward chairman of Idon Ward in Kajuru Local Government Area, who was killed at his farm,’’ he stated.

    The PDP also charged the state, the Federal Government, and all security agencies to end terrorism quickly considering that the general elections were around the corner.

    “Rising from a State Working Committee meeting, the party urges security agencies to, as a matter of strategy, set up a 24-hour joint patrol on all major highways and forests in the state.

    “They should also collaborate with neighbouring states to nip terrorism and kidnappings in the bud.

    “The worsening humanitarian crisis due to the multiplier effects of insecurity across the state is a depressing situation in many of the affected communities,’’ Catoh stated.

    The PDP also sympathised with victims and the people who had lost their loved ones to the dastardly acts.

    “The traumatic and psychological effects on the people of Birnin Gwari, Kajuru, Giwa, Igabi, Sanga, Zangon Kataf, and Chikun Local Government Areas are unimaginable.

    “We urge all citizens of goodwill and humanitarian agencies to demonstrate solidarity with these victims and provide support to those affected,’’ Catoh also stated.

  • BREAKING: Ondo traditional ruler, Oniku of Iku kidnapped

    BREAKING: Ondo traditional ruler, Oniku of Iku kidnapped

    The Oniku of Iku, in Ondo State, has been abducted by armed bandits while embarking on a journey in the State.

    Four other subjects were abducted alongside the Ondo traditional ruler.

    Mikaila Bello, the Oniku of Iku in Ikare Akoko, was kidnapped, on Thursday evening travelling back to the town from Akure.

    A source told newsmen that the bandits ambushed the ruler and the other victims along Ago Panu on the Owo-Ikare road.

    “The driver of the vehicle was stabbed by the gunmen, but we were able to rescue him alone and rushed him to the hospital,” said the hunter, who also serves as a vigilante in the area.

    “He is there receiving treatment now with wounds all over his body. Sadly, these people (bandits) are still lurking around our forest in Ondo.”

    The kidnappers had yet to contact the victims’ families or demand a ransom at the time of filing this report.

    Attempts to speak with the  Ondo state Police spokeswoman Funmilayo Odunlami didn’t yield any positive result.

    TNG reports Ondo state has come under incessant attacks in recent times. Iku in Ikare Akoko is about 47 kilometres, 1 hour drive from Owo, where terrorists recently unleashed mayhem on worshippers at St Francis Catholic church.

    Also recently, another attack by suspected terrorists occurred at a construction company site in same Owo.

    It was not immediately clear the connections of the security infringements in the area.

    The State Government and security agencies are yet to release official statements on the recent incident.

  • Unquotable Robert Clarke: Unhelpful Hysteria – Isa Aremu

    Unquotable Robert Clarke: Unhelpful Hysteria – Isa Aremu

    Isa Aremu

    “When men are ruled by fear, they strive to prevent the very changes that will abate it.” – Alan Paton, South African writer

    “When fear comes in the door, logic goes out the window”. -Ina Perlman

    Chief Robert is a respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Clarke, (SAN). Last Sunday he unsettled many of his compatriots inclusive of yours comradely).

    He curiously and magisterially declared ( hold your breath for the slander !) that “Nigeria may not survive the next six months”. While lamenting the spate of insecurity in Nigeria on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the senior lawyer in loud sound and fury declared that , “Many things are happening and I swear by my father’s grave, if care is not taken Nigeria will collapse in six months time.” It is strange that an octogenarian would ever swear for an apocalypse rather than pray for peace.

    It is even a scandal that an elder would swear with a late father resting in perfect peace in the grave. Who then would guide “ our youths the truth to know” (national anthem) when our leaders are as misguided and xenophobic?. The late Fela Kuti in his grave would have exclaimed “Just like that”! It’s really a “ wonder” “ Wonderfulment” as Fela put it in his “Just like that album”. It’s simply unfathomable that a Senior Advocate of Federal Republic of Nigeria would verbally assault a Republic, (without which he and other current fashionable nation- building skeptics would not have been known).

    Paradoxically by his own reminiscence, Chief Robert once disclosed that he “ was .. privileged to be a classmate to the late Fela Ransome-Kuti, later known as Fela Anikulapo Kuti; his brother, the late Beko Ransome-Kuti”. As a fan of the Kuti brothers, particularly Fela and Beko, I bear witness that never in their moments of documented frustrations, did they whimsically give up on Nigeria to the point of wishing and swearing for the collapse of a country of 200 million Africans. On the contrary.

    Up to his death, the legendary, Fela inspired hope for a strong united Nigeria, Africa peaceful and inclusive world. Fela bemoaned with his legendary saxophone the perennial crisis of governance since independence manifesting in serial revelations of “Authority Stealing”, police and military brutality and shortages of water, light and food. But never betrayed faith in a united indivisible, just and fair Nigeria and greater Africa.

    At times like this, certainly Chief late Gani Fawehinmi, ( another SAN like Chief Roberts) just like late Fela Anikulapo Kuti would not have declared a distasteful post dated “collapse” of Nigeria. Fela was not so honored like Chief Roberts who “took the Silk” in the past 15 years, after almost 50 years in rewarding legal practices in Nigeria which on his own account nurtured him from orphanage to an remarkable and enviable position of statesmanship in his own deserved rights. But he was a standing patriot to the end.

    The consolation is that there are once positive quotable quotes of Chief Roberts Clerke beyond last Sunday hysterical outburst. The worthy life and times of Chief Roberts on his own account belie the doomsday hysteria that Nigeria would collapse. Indeed, his profile underscores the fact that Nigeria has come of age, survived two world wars, lowered the British Union Jack flag in 1960 survived unfortunate 3 years civil war with its human devastation, survived prolonged military dictatorship and so far is deepening democratic process in the last two decades with all the challenges of insecurity.

    Of dual British father and “Hausa/Fulani” ( in his own words) , mother, Chief Roberts was born in on July 11, 1938, “later fostered ..to a Yoruba family”, ( in his own words!) attended the best of public primary and secondary schools, graduate schools with scholarships at home and abroad. He was once the lawyer to the late President Shehu Shagari!. At 80, Chief Robert Clarke should be attributed with motivational words for his children and grandchildren in a prosperous, peaceful Africa. Not unhelpful fear and tele-phobia about a doom. As we have seen with the consequences of collapse of former USSR and Libya, collapse of states is better imagined than being experienced. The recent fashionable but unhelpful verbal and physical attacks on Nigeria point to the degeneration of the Nigeria elite in addressing the crisis of nation- building. Certainly it’s time Nigerian elite organizes their thoughts about Nigeria and stopped open agonizing of dubious value.

    There must be a collective realization that we are dealing with legacy problems of underdevelopment, mass poverty and inequality which in turn fuel current youth unemployment and violence of varying dimensions. Yes the current challenges might be “overwhelming” but the solutions are not in anger and addictive baseless fears. I agree with Desmond Mpilo Tutu the South African Anglican cleric and theologian, that “Resentment and anger are bad for your blood pressure and your digestion”. Lest we forget the “ bitter heart devours its owner”. There is a Yoruba received wisdom that we should not “..run the world hastly; Let us not grasp at the rope of wealth impatiently; what should be treated with mature Judgement, let us not treat in a fit of temper” .

    To allude to a collapse of ones country is a slander: we dare not repeat such slander; Compatriots should not even even hear it; for it is the result of unhelpful “hot temper”. Happily, “ a stone thrown in anger never kills a bird! I agree with Jackie Mason, the American Author/Comedian who rightly observed that in the final analysis all “Predictions are preposterous”! Indeed most negative predictions about Nigeria, with the benefits of hind sights are at best absurd and ridiculous, and at worse, foolish and laughable. False predictions about Nigeria include that of the German author, Karl Maier, `a native of Louisville, Kentucky’ who according to his 2000 book `lives in London’ (not Lagos!). In his provocative controversial notorious title; ‘This House Has Fallen’, Karl Maier concluded long before year 2000 that Nigeria would collapse as a nation state!

    In late 1990s, it will be recalled that Nigeria was in the crisis of transition from military dictatorship to democracy with coups and counter coup plots, serial deaths of political notables such as General Shehu Yar Adua, Chief Moshood Abiola and General Sani Abacha.

    The subsequent “sharia” crisis of 2001, 2002, and the serial bloodletting across some major cities of the North increased the noise level of Maier’s predictions. Thank God and resilience of Nigerians, this house called Nigeria has NOT fallen contrary to the doomsday scenario of Karl Maier. Another celebrated false hysteria about Nigeria came from a former American Ambassador to Nigeria (2004 -2007), professor John Campbell. In a hysterical preview of his book entitled; ‘Nigeria: Dancing on the Brink’ he had claimed that “The 2011 elections in Nigeria, scheduled for January 22, pose a threat to the stability of the United States’ most important partner in West Africa.” Of course in 2005, we recall a so-called CIA Report according to which Nigeria would be a failed state in 2015.

    It is again to the eternal resilience of Nigeria and Nigerians that Nigeria weathered the political storms of 2011 and indeed the most challenging of all 2015! The challenge today is that of democratic consolidation, war against banditry and criminality which is only possible with national consensus and solidarity. Notwithstanding the current challenges, Nigeria has shown that like most nation-states, the challenges of development are always there. The issue is the capacity to overcome them. Things may occasionally fall apart, but with determination, things can fall in place.

    Issa Aremu mni

  • How we fuel the wings of abductors – Ozioma Onyenweaku

    How we fuel the wings of abductors – Ozioma Onyenweaku

    Ozioma Onyenweaku

    In the 2000s the Niger Delta Militants hit the street big with the kidnapping of foreign oil workers. That was in a bid to draw attention to the plight of the Niger Delta people over oil spillage in the area. The oil companies in desperate move to rescue their officers offered to pay ransom. Seeing another side to the kidnapping, more and more top officers were abducted, and huge ransom collected. So was set the boom business of kidnapping.

    Following that, anti-kidnapping squad was set up by the Nigeria Police Force in the 2000s to curtail the rising case of kidnapping. Yet the kidnapping rate kept increasing.

    Intelligence Response Team was also created to deal with the threat of kidnapping. Hundreds of Police officers were deployed to man, and patrol the highways particularly those highways that record high kidnapping cases.

    Several states in Nigeria passed into law Bills that outlaw kidnapping and abduction. For example, Ebony State through its Internal Security Enforcement and Related Matters law (CAP 55) prescribes death sentence for the offence of kidnapping; Imo State Anti-kidnapping bill also prescribes death sentence; so also Akwa Ibom state, Rivers State, Enugu State, Delta State and some others.

    “The greatest incentive to crime is the hope of escaping punishment”

    In 2016, Kano State (the first from the region) signed into law a bill recommending execution for kidnappers who are convicted of killing their captives, while those that abducted but did not kill their victims would be jailed for life

    On the Federal level, Nigeria has Nigeria Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 to curb terrorism of any nature, and to promote “the protection of persons and their properties from abuse as well as enhance freedom of others in the same society” The punishment for the offence of kidnapping was put at maximum of 10 years.

    In September 2017 a bill was passed into law outlawing abduction, wrongful restraint or confinement for ransom – “Whoever is guilty of the offence and then results in the death of the victim shall be liable on conviction to be sentenced to death”; and 30-year jail term for anyone who colludes with abductor to receive ransom”. That leaves life imprisonment for the offence of kidnapping that results in no death of the victim.

    With all the machinery in place, Nigeria is overwhelmed by the insecurity occasioned by the activities of the kidnappers and abductors. In 2014 about 276 girls were abducted from their school in Chibok. In February 2018, about 110 school girls, ages of 11 & 19, were kidnapped from Government Girls Science & Technical College, Dapchi in Yobe State. Some others include the Kangara boys, another in Zamfara, and yet another in Niger State. Kidnapping and abduction of school children has become almost a daily affair. So what are we not doing right in the fight against kidnapping and abduction?

    So what fuels the wings of the abductors? We have to look inward and see where we are not getting things right in this area.

    What is our reality? Nigeria has been ‘fighting’ the fight with a kid’s gloves. How on earth does one expect to end abduction when the abductors are romanced, and treated to a King’s banquet! How do we end this menace when the abductors dictate the terms and they are obliged? For instance, about a hundred of the Chibok girls were released in a Prisoner Swap deal between the abductors and the government. In this deal, five Boko Haram Commanders were released in exchange for the hundred young innocent girls. In the case of the Dapchi girls where two of the girls were found dead, 104 of them were freed after the payment of ransom. The recent ones are no exception.

    Here, we are yet to record any bandit arrested for abduction, tried, convicted and sentenced to serve as a deterrent to others. Instead we present ourselves as people condoning the crime of abduction and kidnapping, and as such create enabling environment for it to thrive. Crimes are meant to be punished for. When there is no punishment for a crime, the criminal is emboldened to commit more crime. Like Marcus Tullius Cicero said, “The greatest incentive to crime is the hope of escaping punishment”

    In Nigeria, the abductors do not just hope to escape punishment, they have assured expectation of escaping punishment.

    For us to achieve result in combating abduction/kidnapping, we must review our current anti-kidnapping approach. We have to get our priorities right, and channel efforts and resources towards this cause. For now, we fuel the wings of the abductors.

     

     

     

     

  • Kidnappings: Soldiers should travel by road not rail – Senate

    By Emman Ovuakporie, Abuja
    … insist they should travel by road
    …raise alarm over kidnappers issuing notice to residents
    Disturbed by the spate of kidnappings in the country, the Senate wants soldiers to stop travelling by rail to Kaduna from Abuja since Kidnappers don’t attack them.
    It said kidnappers and bandits have taken over major roads, villages and towns, including the nation’s capital, Abuja.
    This development was sequel to the adoption of a motion, through a point of order, raised by Senator Dino Melaye, PDP, Kogi West, on the growing case of kidnapping along Abuja-Lokoja roads and other parts of the nation.
    Melaye recalled that the number of travelers that had been kidnapped in the last two weeks cant be quantified on that axis. He said eight, 11 and 18 people were recently kidnapped in September alone along that road.
    He explained that “In every part of the country, people are being kidnapped. Security agencies should secure roads across the country. Security agencies should protect the lives of every Nigerian. Something more aggressive must be done.”
    Minority leader of the Senate, Enyinnaya Abaribe, also expressed his frustration. He said he is out of new ideas on how to tackle the issue. He urged security agencies to come up with new ways to tackle the issue.
    “What do we need to do that we have not done. Maybe we need to do something abnormal. But what is that abnormal thing we need to do to solve this problem? Those of us with access to security still travel to Kaduna using the rail. We have abandoned the roads because of kidnapping.
    “All of a sudden, soldiers are not held by kidnappers. This is a serious issue and must be treated with every seriousness,” he said.
    Former governor of Gombe State, Danjuma Goje, revealed how kidnappers recently issued notices to some residents in his state in his state. He said the daredevil kidnappers issued a similar notice in a market in Gombe State.
    He said: “There is no issue disturbing Nigerians more than this issue. It used to be limited to some people. Today, nowhere is safe. Abuja is not safe anymore. They now kidnap in Asokoro.
    “Kidnappers went to the market in Gombe and had the guts to issue notices to people to either meet their demands or they will be kidnapped. Many villages were threatened and the university was almost closed down. They kidnap everyday and this is bad.”
    Worried by the growing menace, the Senate, has for the umpteenth time, called on security agencies to adopt a new approach that will address the growing trend.
    It called on security agencies to adopt new technologies to track activities of kidnappers and bandits carrying out attacks in different parts of the country.
    President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, while intervening, said a new radical approach must be adopted. He said while more funds should be allocated to tackle security concerns, he, however, insisted that the expenditure must be justified.
    “We need to do something differently. The way the security structure is designed, they can’t deliver. Our committees over sighting security agencies should take up this issue and follow it through. Kidnappers and bandits use telephone lines to negotiate. We will be a big more radical. We may give security agencies more funds. They need to give account.
    “We must insist that security agencies must not join the problem. Security agencies should stop dragging the train with us. Let them use the roads. It’s time for our security agencies to go technological. They can deploy drones,” Lawan said.
    It waa also revealed that there are plans to come up with an anti-kidnapping legislation which is expected to be domesticated in states.
  • Inter-Faith group proffers solution to banditry , kidnappings others in Nigeria

    Inter-Faith group proffers solution to banditry , kidnappings others in Nigeria

    The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROP) in Nigeria has proffered the way forward to banditries, kidnappings and other crises in some parts of the country.

    The interfaith group said fervent prayer and fasting remain the only panacea to the nagging menace in Nigeria.

    The group also called on clergymen and women for concerted spiritual efforts towards rendering the evil of kidnapping, ethnic killings and banditry null and void whilst supporting security agencies to carry out their duties towards defeating them.

    Addressing a press conference on Sunday, the group, through one of her leaders , Bishop Prince Jacob Madaki, also warned clergymen and messengers of God who covertly or overtly promote ethnic rife or propagate hate sermons to bolster the activities of killers in the name of politics or religion to desist as it would do the nation no good.

    Full text of his speech at the conference below.

    Shalom to all brethren in the Name of our Gracious Lord! We have just finished the festivities and celebration of Easter, a prime season in the lives of Christendom all over the world. It reminds us of the death and resurrection of our Lord and personal savior, Jesus Christ, who suffered and was crucified for our sinful souls in order to bestow on us eternal life.

    Similarly, we extend the same heart-felt greetings to our Muslim brethren all over Nigeria and indeed, to even traditional or African religion worshippers. We are the same and created in the image of ONE GOD Almighty, whom we worship through different modes, but hope for His salvation on the last day by His mercies. At the National Inter- Faith, there is neither Muslim nor Christians in our midst; but proud citizens of a great nation in search of peace for all of God’s creatures in Nigeria and beyond.

    We have summoned our respected congregation of members of the pen profession to this hall for a very special reason. But before we bare out our minds to the Nigerian public, permit us to formally welcome you in our midst. May the peace of our Heavenly Father, the Almighty God be with you all.

    4. Let us begin straightaway that by all ramifications, we are the least qualified to invite you to listen to us; but we intend to speak to Nigerians and you are the best instruments of conveying this message to our people.

    We understand right from creation that all of us are members of the same family. Though, we may differ in religious sects or worship faiths, creeds or doctrines, but we remain the same brethren.

    So, this message is very important and we believe you may understand with us and forgive us for any lapse observed in the course of this presentation or interaction.

    Without mincing words, our dear country has been blessed by the Almighty God with abundant natural and Human Resources today. Today we have one of the best Presidents in the world and it is clear that those who fear the prosperity of our nation will never go to bed to sleep.
    But today, we are being tormented by evil men and the country is in severe violent conflicts and killings being instigated by some demonic and selfish Nigerians. This is a painful fact known to all of us seated here and the generality of Nigerians in states, communities and homesteads. We cannot pretend about this frustrating reality.

    Whether in Southern or Northern Nigeria, there are choking and consuming crises everywhere in the land, as if we are competing in bloodbath and arson against ourselves. These are avoidable crisis but for politics and tribal differences, many have refused to say the truth and by that the blood-flow has continued.

    Our country’s map is today redesigned and coloured with blood, anguish, pains and awful destructions. Most touchy is the realization that as Nigerians, we are collectively responsible for the widespread and condemnable bloodshed on the land which have clearly reduced our worth before the Creator. Yesterday, it was Boko Haram and all thanks to our military and the President, that has faded from our country’s history and just a little to totally extinguish them. Though we haven’t given our military all it takes but they have continued to do their best.

    God Almighty has reminded us in several Scriptural verses that He shall visit us with pestilence if one hair on the head of any of His beloved son or daughter is removed without His knowledge. But it’s clear we have not heeded to this counsel. And God says, “Peace be unto those who make peace.” Unfortunately, it has never appealed to us, as a people and a nation to be our brothers’ keepers as the Holy Scriptures enjoin us.

    We don’t necessarily need to replay to you or Nigerians, the gory images or scenes of violence and deaths to have our point sink. But suffice it to assert again that our country has become one hellish place to dwell. Have we truly lost our sense of godliness and humanity to very dumbfounding levels of killing and kidnapping ourselves like wild animals in the jungle over minor provocations or disagreements?

    The soul of mother Nigeria is not at peace; it is in ruins! We have compromised our security everywhere. Hundreds of thousands of us have become refugees in our own country. Meanwhile, Nigeria is not at war with any external aggressor. Evil political lords are at war with the wishes of the masses of our country who expressed same in February and returned President Buhari in a landslide victory.

    So, the inspiration and vision we have gotten from God tells us the time has come for all of us to see something greater in the life God has given us freely than the vanities of the earth, we fight and kill ourselves daily to possess or protect. It was through prayers that we first defeated the evil of Boko Haram and God heard our prayers by giving to us President Buhari to donour battle. The Service Chiefs and particularly the Chief of Army Staff who led the war is still around and are working day and night. But they need our prayers and total cooperation to put these evil men to shame.

    How can we explain to God Almighty that we have so devalued the gift of the life in us to the point we have raised and sustained armed banditry, killings by ethnic militias, religious zealots, tribal warlords without defined missions, terrorists or insurgents? How do we feel when we take up arms against ourselves in killings and destructions? Why are the clergy promoting violence on the pulpit, worship or in secret places? North or South, it is the same sad tales that have engulfed Nigeria. The war being instigated by men on the pulpit is worse than what armed men are doing. Evil must not be found amongst us.

    There are a thousand questions we cannot find earthly answers, outside the explanation that the grace of God has deserted us so shamefully, in spite of our profession of religiosity.

    Time has come and is precisely ripe for us to prove to God that His grace has not abandoned us. We do not intend to insult the sensibilities of the followers of any faith; but we have every reason now to believe God’s grace and His special blessings have departed from us. That’s why the land is in turmoil.

    And the cankerworm of crises has more gravely affected us because our political leaders at the state or local government levels through actions or inactions have emboldened it. We sympathize with our brethren in most of the federating states, the deliberate refusal of leaders to carter for our welfare, spurring hunger and or, even the failure to erect alternative disputes resolution mechanisms to curtail the activities of crisis entrepreneurs when they come visiting us at the odd hour in evil designs against ourselves.

    This is unhealthy for the peace, security, development and progress of any country. We cannot triumph even in the sight of God by creating or promoting violence through inter-faith conflicts, ethnic supremacy and such other motivations for killings of ourselves.

    May we seize this opportunity to warn the clergy or messengers of God who covertly or overtly promote ethnic rife or propagate hate sermons to bolster the activities of killers in the name of politics or religion. These acts are not of God and failure to desist, means, they will be randomly exposed and disgraced by Almighty God in no distant time.

    Finally, we appeal to all Nigerians to go down on their kneels in ceaseless fasting and prayers for God to rescue Nigeria from bloodsucking vermins. And it is a clarion call to every genuine religious leader irrespective of denomination or creed to pray for Nigeria and also, urge their congregation to do so. It is their responsibility to give the government a guide to lead the nation to peace and prosperity, not violence, killings and destructions or hate sermons on the pulpit, laced in outward piousness.

    Please assist us convey this message, loud and clear for the Holy Scriptures admonishes in Gen. 6: 11-13 that “the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth”

  • Aremu demands insecurity as impeachable offense, threatens strike over kidnappings, rampant robberies in most States

    Aremu demands insecurity as impeachable offense, threatens strike over kidnappings, rampant robberies in most States

    Organized labour has urged all tiers of government to put an end to what it called “endless wastage of lives of Nigerians including workers and pensioners by criminals and bandits” failing which “…In the fullest of times, workers will be forced to stay at home until workers’ lives are assured and protected.”

    In a tribute at the wake keep of former first Deputy President of the National Union of Textile and Garment Workers, Comrade David Kerigbo Ugondo, in Kaduna on Tuesday, the union’s General Secretary, Comrade Issa Aremu regretted that Nigerians were more secured at independence in 1960, than today adding that “Incidents of Armed robbery and kidnapping, armed attacks at home and along major highways are killing Nigerians more than HIV/AIDS!.”

    Narrating how the late Comrade Ugondo at 67 was brutally gunned down together with three others including a serving army officer by suspected armed robbers during an attack along the notorious Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State two weeks ago, Comrade Aremu observed that humans “are endangered species” in Nigeria which he said was a “shame” and “unacceptable” . The labour leader said it was a paradox that with a serving President, Vice President, the ministers and governors, local government chairmen, including community chiefs as well as security agencies, Nigeria lacked governance with respect to security of lives and properties as contained in 1999 constitution. “Without an official declaration of war, Nigerians daily die in the hands of armed robbers and criminals. Road accidents and incidents have turned homes and workplaces to sudden mourners” lamenting that working men and women, including retirees such as Comrade David Kerigbo Ugondo have all become victims of Violent Crimes in Nigeria”.

    Comrade Issa Aremu who is also a NEC member of NLC said to stem the tide of criminality, it was time to demand for accountability on the part of our rulers. According to him there should be “consequences” for those elected and appointed to protect Nigerians in any security system failures. He said it was time for “Governors who cannot protect lives and properties” to be impeached adding that all governors took oath to implement 1999 constitution “which says primary purpose of governance is security and welfare of citizens”. In similar vain, the labour leader said “Commissioners of police under whose commands robberies occur frequently should be removed and prosecuted for negligence” decrying a situation in which security service agents paid to secure Nigerians looked the other ways while Nigerians were being slaughtered adding that “security officials who prevented and apprehended crimes should be promoted, honored and properly rewarded”. He said 2019 elections should be based on “who is capable of protecting us against untimely deaths whether caused by cholera, Malaria, Typhoid or Kidnappings and armed robberies.”

    The labour leader said Nigeria has lost a huge human capital in the late unionist, who he said symbolized “dignity of labour, peace and unity of the labour movement while alive”. Aremu also demanded for what he called “road governance” in which he said “Commercial bus companies who take their passengers through serial robbery routes, but deliver them to mortuaries instead of their homes should be liable for culpability”. “Transporters must also as a matter of right be responsible for the safety of passengers through full disclosures of routes. They should not lead passengers by the nose to death traps. If they do they should be prosecuted” . The labour leader said: “All transporters should insure their passengers with coverage that must include burials and compensation for the survivors of the passengers in cases of fatal accidents and robberies”. “The casualization of passengers’ lives before and after incidents” he said must stop.

  • Photos: Evans leads detectives to his Igando, Ejigbo dens

    Billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudubem Onwuamadike, a.k.a Evans, who was arrested, recently, by the police for coordinating several high profile kidnappings, yesterday, led police operatives to two houses in Ejigbo and Igando areas of Lagos state, where he kept some of his victims for months.

    Evans revealed during the visit to his Igando hideout, located at Green Street, that he kept five persons including Chief James Uduji and Francis Umeh at the Igando den.

    He stated that he vacated the den when people started suspecting his activities in the area.

    He further disclosed that he rented the apartment in 2014 stating that he kept Francis Umeh for five months in that apartment before he moved to the other house in Ejigbo.

    The kidnap kingpin also took detectives to another bungalow at Orisunmbare by hospital junction in Jakande estate, Lagos where he had another hideout.

    Residents of the areas where Evans operated were shocked that such a thing was happening around them without their knowledge.