Lifestyle

Two kidnap suspects killed in Kogi- Police

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The police, in conjunction with a vigilance group, on Monday rescued one kidnap victim as they neutralised two suspected kidnappers in Kogi.

The Kogi police command’s spokesman, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, disclosed this in a statement.Mr Ovye-Aya said the successful operation complied with the directive of police commissioner Onuoha Bethrand to tackle criminals.

“The is part of the measures by the police to deny criminals a safe haven in the Kogi. The operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to Ife-Olukotun in an intelligence-led operation rescued one kidnapped victim neutralised two (suspected) kidnappers and recovered one AK-49 rifle with 14 rounds of live ammunition,” said the statement.

The police added,

“This was consequent upon a report that some hoodlums invaded the camp of one Yahaya of Igbo-Ero in Ife-Olukotun and kidnapped him and another victim, who they later released after robbing him of one ram.”

The statement revealed that the “hoodlums, on sighting the joint team, opened fire on them (security operatives), and a gun duel ensued, during which two suspected kidnappers were neutralised, and the victim was rescued.”

It said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.

Lifestyle

Gunmen kidnap Kogi monarch and wife

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Suspected gunmen have kidnapped the Oba of Idofin, Shedrack Durojaiye Obibeni, and his wife in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi.

They were kidnapped along Makutu-Idofin road in Kogi State at about 5 pm on Monday, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria.

Confirming the incident, Mr Abdulrasak Asiru, Yagba East Local Government Council Chairman described it as “very shocking” and “sad”.

Asiru said that he was still in shock over the incident which had not happened in the area for almost two years.

“I as the council chairman and the people of Yagba East are in great shock over the kidnap of our respected Oba and his wife this evening.

“This is because we in this LGA have a very robust security architecture keeping vigil and warding off criminal elements away from us.

“This incident was well planned by the kidnappers because from what I learnt, the Oba and his wife only moved out to see something, and in less than 10 minutes that incident happened.

“We smell a rat over this sad incident and we are not resting until we get to the criminal elements who did this dastardly act and rescue our traditional ruler and his wife,” he said.

The council boss said that already alerts and messages have been sent to all the traditional rulers and community leaders in Okun land to be vigilant and conduct a thorough search for the rescue of the couple.

Asiru said: “As we speak, our hunters and vigilante group are already out into the bushes searching for the criminals so as to rescue our Oba and his wife as soon as possible.”

However, the Kogi Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, said he was yet to be briefed by the DPO of the affected area on the incident.

Lifestyle

Pastor and 20 others kidnapped as bandits raid villages in Kaduna

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Armed bandits raided villages in Kagarko, Kaduna State and kidnapped 20 persons including a pastor.

This is coming barely a week after bandits invaded the palace of Emir of Kagarko and kidnapped his nine children and grandchildren.

A resident of Kagarko, Ishaka Bala, who confirmed the incident to Daily Trust on Sunday, May 14, 2023, said it happened last Friday night, May 12, when the gunmen in their large numbers raided Kago, Tsauni-Abe, Doguwa and Akoti villages.

He said the bandits invaded some houses amid sporadic gunshots and whisked away the pastor and 21 others.

“The bandits however did not succeed when they invaded Doguwa village as vigilantes engaged them in a shootout in which a vigilante sustained injuries,” he said.

The Secretary to the Emir of Kagarko, Yahaya Ibrahim, who also confirmed the latest incident, said he received information of the attacks on Saturday.

Lifestyle

Ex-Nasarawa deputy governor regains freedom after N4m ransom

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Former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Prof Onje Gye-Wado, who was abducted in the early hours of April 7, has been released after a ransom of N4 million was paid.

The professor of law was kidnapped from his country home in Rinza, near Wamba, headquarters of Wamba local government area of the state.

His kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N70 million, but the family negotiated down to N2 million and later N3.5 million, before eventually paying N4 million.

Nasarawa State Police Commissioner, Nansel Nimyel, confirmed the release of the former deputy governor, Channels Television reports.

After his release, Prof Gye-Wado was taken back to the Palace of the paramount ruler of Wamba, Oriye Rindre, Justice Lawal Musa Nagogo.

Lifestyle, Politics

Kaduna government confirms kidnap of 10 students

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The Kaduna state government says it has received preliminary reports from security agencies on the kidnapping of about 10 students in Kachia Local Government Area.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday in Kaduna.

Mr Aruwan said that according to preliminary reports about 10 students of Government Secondary School, Awon (a day secondary school) were kidnapped on Monday.

“The exact location of the incident is yet to be ascertained but detailed reports being awaited will clarify whether the incident occurred within the school premises or elsewhere.

“The government will issue a public statement accordingly, when these reports are received,” he said.

Politics

Gunmen kidnap Immigration officer and two others on Ikom-Calabar highway

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Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted an Assistant Superintendent of Nigeria Immigration Service, Imojara Godwin, in Cross River State.

Imojara was kidnapped alongside YPP Deputy Governorship candidate, Prince Agbor and one Egbung Sandra, on Thursday afternoon, March 16, 2023, while he was travelling on the Ikom-Calabar highway to Ogoja where he was posted for Saturday’s governorship election.

The Immigration officer was amongst other travellers in a Toyota Corolla vehicle when the kidnappers struck and whisked him and two others away.

It was gathered that the abductors have demanded N50 million naira as ransom before the officer would be released.

“An Assistant Superintendent of Immigration (ASI) Imojara Godwin Imojara was kidnapped in Biase while on his way to Ogoja from Calabar yesterday. He left Calabar at about 3:14pm and was kidnapped at about 3:30pm. He was going for special election duty,” a source said.

Spokesperson of the Cross River State Police Command, Irene Ugbo confirmed the development, adding that they are working to ensure the release of the victims.

“The CP Election has directed that drastic action be taken. It is being worked on. Let us hope and pray that before tomorrow (Saturday), everything will be fine.” the PPRO said.

Politics

Gunmen kidnap Accord assembly candidate in Rivers state

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The Accord Party candidate for the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area Constituency 2 in the Rivers State House of Assembly for the March 18 election, Chukwudi Ogbonna, has been kidnapped by gunmen.

Punch reported that Ogbonna was kidnaped while driving in his car at Rumuigbo, near Port Harcourt on Monday night.

The gunmen reportedly forced him to stop and whisked him away with his car.

His cousin, Ifeaka Nwakiri who confirmed the abduction said;

“They took him with his Mercedes car. We have reported the matter at the Kala Police station.”

Lifestyle

Gunmen kidnap 15 NYSC corp members in Anambra

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Barely four days after gunmen killed three policemen working with the governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa at Iseke in Ihiala local government area of Anambra State on their way to Abia State, gunmen again on Tuesday kidnapped 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the same community.

Iseke is a border community with Orsu local government area of Imo State, which had become a safe haven for gunmen operating in Imo State and parts of Ihiala in Anambra State.

It was gathered that the NYSC members, who had completed their three weeks orientation programme in Imo State, were travelling to Lagos when they were abducted by the hoodlums at a popular filling station along Onitsha- Owerri roay in Ihiala.

According to a source in the area, the vehicle conveying the corps members was forced to divert towards the dreaded Ihiala – Orlu road and ended up at Iseke where the gunmen held the corps members hostage.

It was further gathered that when the hoodlums noticed that they were being trailed by security operatives, they abandoned their captives and fled.Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident, adding that the 15 corps members had since been rescued unhurt.

A statement by the PPRO read;

“Anambra State Police operatives, responding to a distress call along Iseke -Ihiala road, rescued unhurt 15 abducted corps members from NYSC Orientation Camp, Eziama-Obaire, Nkwerre, LGA of Imo State.

“Information reveals that the corps members finished their three weeks orientation programme on Tuesday and were en route to Lagos before their vehicle was intercepted at Total Filing Station junction in Ihiala by yet-to-be identified armed men in unmarked white Toyota Hilux.

“The corps members’ vehicle was diverted to Iseke, along Ihiala-Orlu expressway where the gunmen held them hostage. The armed men, noticing that they were being followed by Police operatives, abandoned the corps members and zoomed off with the Toyota Hiace bus with Reg Nos: EPE 353 YE conveying the NYSC members.”

The PPRO explained that the corps members had been debriefed by police operatives, adding that necessary arrangements had been made to convey them back to their destinations

Politics

Representative member’s aide kidnapped in Cross River

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Kenneth Abang, a legislative aide to a House of Representatives member representing Boki-Ikom Federal Constituency in Cross River, has been kidnapped.

Mr Abang, an aide to Rep. Chris Agibe, was abducted in the Betem community in the Biase Local Government Area of Cross River.

He was kidnapped alongside his relative, Eunice Abang, on January 30.

Mr Abang’s friend, Fidelis Ekpah, in a telephone interview on Tuesday in Calabar, said the aide was travelling to his home town in the Boki Local Government Area when he was abducted.

Mr Ekpah explained that Mr Abang was travelling to prepare for his late father’s burial, scheduled for February 3 and 4.

“Mr Kenneth Abang has been kidnapped along the Calabar-Biase highway while travelling to Boki to make preparations for his father’s burial.

“He was kidnapped alongside his relative, Miss Eunice Abang. They took them away and abandoned his car by the roadside.

“This is a double tragedy for us. We were already planning for his father’s burial before this ugly incident occurred.

“I want to appeal to the police, the army, civil defence and the department of state service to come to our aid and rescue our brother and his relative,” Mr Ekpah said.

The spokeswoman of the Cross River State Police Command, Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the abduction in a telephone interview, said efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims.

“The deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations has drafted our men to the area to ensure the release of Abang and his relation,” she said.

Lifestyle, Politics

Police confirm kidnap and murder of Osun chief

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The Osun State Police Cmmand has confirmed the the kidnap and murder of Chief Oladepo Asaolu, the Babaloja of Ora-Igbomina, Oke-Ila Local Government Area of the state.

Spokesperson of the command, Yemisi Opalola, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, October 9, said four suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder.

“At about 2230hrs one Oladepo Olasunkanmi ‘M’ of Kereja Area Ora-Igbomina under the Oke-Ika Police Division reported that his father Chief Oladepo Asaolu left his house at Kereja Ora-Igbomina at about 0500hrs of 05/10/2022 with an unknown commercial motorcyclist and yet to return home after four (4) days,” the statement read.

“Upon intelligence-led investigation, the arrest of the motorcyclist was made. He revealed the forest where the victim was killed and dumped.

“The DPO led a team of policemen and some vigilante men in search of the victim in Akisa forest Ora-Igbomina where the victim has a farm, together with Sunday Johnson (motorcyclist), the suspect to where the victim was found already decomposing,”

The statement revealed that the arrest of Sunday Johnson has led to the arrest of three other suspects who have already confessed to being involved in the kidnap and killing of the victim.

The PPRO said the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for investigation.

He added that arrangements were in progress to move the decomposing body of Chief Asaolu to the nearest morgue.

Lifestyle

Terrorists kidnap unspecified number of people along Brinin-Gwari-Kaduna highway

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Terrorists have kidnapped an unspecified number of motorists along Kuriga and Manini, near Udawa, along Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna highway on Monday.

Ibrahim Abubakar Nagwari, Chairman, Brinin-Gwari Vanguards for security and good governance, in a statement on Monday, explained that, “Today 31st May, 2022, terrorists along Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna highway intercepted a convoy of motorists, with security escorts between Kuriga and Manini near Udawa.”

He said they abducted an unspecified number of people and took them into the bush.”

He further explained that, “in the last four days, terrorists laid siege on motorists on Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna highway, abducting as well as killing and wounding many innocent citizens, yet our people are reduced to silent mode with no reportage of the ugly situation nor any move by the authorities to show concern on the deteriorating security around Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna highway,” he lamented.

The chairman stated that on Monday, eight vehicles were set ablaze by the terrorists, saying that unaccounted number of innocent motorists mostly women and children were waylaid into the bush by the terrorists for ransom.

He explained that with all the security challenges the people were going through, no politician cared to visit Birnin-Gwari to either see delegates, but rather called delegates to Kaduna for consultations.

Lifestyle

CAN to Buhari: Order immediate rescue of kidnapped Methodist Prelate, two others

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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Monday asked the President Muhammadu Buhari, to facilitate the rescue of the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Samuel Uche and two others from kidnappers’ den.

Uche was reportedly abducted on Sunday in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State along with the Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark, the Methodist Bishop of Owerri, and the Prelate’s Chaplain by unknown gunmen suspected to be armed herders.

Recall that bandits have kidnapped at least 10 clerics in 2022 alone and none was rescued by the security agencies. In two instances, the victims were killed by their captors.

In a statement released on Monday and signed by the Special Assistant, Media and Communications, to the CAN President, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, the apex Christian body urged Buhari to direct the security agencies to free the Methodist Prelate and his companions immediately.

The statement reads in part, “We condemn the abduction of the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche and two others in strong terms and call on President Muhammadu Buhari to give an express order to the security agencies to free them immediately and stop the incessant abduction of clerics and other innocent Nigerians forthwith.

“If a great Servant of God of Uche’s calibre could be kidnapped like a three-year old baby on a major road without any resistance from the Police, it speaks volume of what our security architecture has become.

“This is no more a country one can be proud. No reasonable government can continue to leave the citizens in a terrible state of insecurity as we are presently. This situation is not good for our nation at all.

“We, once again, call on President Muhammadu Buhari to do all within his powers to get these servants of God released very soon and unhurt.”

CAN also said the Buhari administration must redeem its image of widespread insecurity by bringing sanity to the violence before leaving office.

“To those who are holding these Servants of God, we appeal to them to let go of them because they are not responsible for whatever reasons that made them criminals.

“We call on Christians and other well meaning Nigerians to join us in praying for their release immediately,” CAN added.

Politics

Bandits kill eight people, kidnap ten in Kaduna

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Kaduna State was thrown into further mayhem as suspected bandits reportedly killed eight people and abducted four female members of the Anglican Church at Kasuwan Magani in the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Ripples Nigeria also gathered that six occupants of a vehicle were kidnapped by the bandits along the Kaduna-Kachia road on Tuesday, April 6.

This was confirmed by the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, in a statement on Tuesday.

Furthermore, the Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria confirmed the abduction of its members, saying the abductors were demanding a N100m ransom.

The latest kidnapping came 12 days after their counterparts from the Redeemed Christian Church of God were abducted on the same road.

According to Aruwan, the bandits barricaded the Kaduna-Kachia road around Kadanye village in the Kajuru LG and opened fire on a bus as well as a truck carrying firewood.

Aruwan gave the names of those killed as Alfred Makinde (the driver of the bus), Abdulrahman Dela, Dauda Adamu, Umar Dauda, and Abdulrasheed Musa while the injured three were Murtala Ibrahim, Ali Manager, and Abdullahi (full name unknown).

Similarly, he said bandits barricaded the Kaduna-Kachia road at the Doka axis of the Kajuru LGA and shot at a truck, killing the driver.

He said, “Eight killed, four injured by bandits in Kajuru and Kachia local government areas.

On a sad note, security agencies have reported the killing of eight persons in separate incidents in Kajuru and Kachia local government areas.

“In one incident, bandits barricaded the Kaduna-Kachia road around Kadanye village in the Kajuru LGA and opened fire on a bus, as well as a truck carrying firewood.”

Politics

Three kidnap victims freed in Ogun

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Three kidnap victims have regained their freedom in Ogun State, an official disclosed.

The police in Ogun State said they have rescued three victims of a kidnap syndicate who were abducted.

The victims identified as Jibril Afolabi, Amusat Taofeek, and Balikis Mohammed were kidnapped along the Siun-Ajura road in Ogere Remo area of the state.

Ogun police spokesperson, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who made this known on Friday, said they were travelling from Ilorin to Owode Egbado when some gunmen stopped them and dragged them into the bush while other passengers escaped.

Mr Oyeyemi said the rescue operation was made possible via a combined effort with the local vigilantes and hunters, adding that no ransom was paid.

Politics

Bandits reportedly invade FAAN quarters, kidnap nine in Kaduna

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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) quarters in Kaduna, was reportedly attacked in the early hours of Saturday by unknown gunmen.

It was learnt that the bandits breached the security of the quarters through the perimeter fence and broke into homes of various aviation industry personnel at about 12:30am.

Those kidnapped included a family of six and three others.

It was also gathered that the military personnel around the area engaged the bandits in a gun battle, as the bandits made away with their victims.

As at the timing of filing this report, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, was unavailable to confirm the incident.

Politics

Kidnap of 317 Zamfara schoolgirls girls a vile abduction –Pope Francis

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The head of the Roman Catholic church, Pope Francis has described the abduction of 317 school girls in Zamfara State by bandits as a “vile” abduction.

Pope Francis made the comments on Sunday during his weekly Sunday Angelus address to the Catholic faithful on Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican.

He also prayed for the release of the schoolgirls who were kidnapped from their hostels in Government Girls Junior Secondary School in Jangebe, Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State by suspected bandits.

He said; “I join the bishops of Nigeria in condemning this vile abduction of 317 young girls.

“Let us pray for these girls, so that they may return home quickly,” Pope Francis added.

Entertainment

Police arrests members of kidnap gang specializing in abducting, raping women

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Five member of a notorious kidnap gang who specialize in abducting women and girls, sexually abusing them and obtaining ransom from their families, have been arrested by the police in Rivers State.

The Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CP Frank Mba, who confirmed the arrest of the suspects on Sunday in a statement, said the five suspects were arrested by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), following a “massive manhunt for the perpetrators of the recent trend of abduction of women in some states in the South-South parts of the country, especially Port Harcourt and its environs.”

In the statement, Mba said:

“The victims are subjected to series of sexual abuses and ransom demanded from their families before their release.”

The Force PRO gave the names of the suspects as “Osinachi Ngwakwe, 22, from Ubaka Community in Umuahia South local government area of Abia State, Sammy Junior Inordee, alias T-Boy, 27, from Gwarra Community in Khana local government area of Rivers State.

“Others are Epo-Bari Nwolu, 26, from Ogale Community in Eleme local government area of Rivers State, Yabari Gbarale, 29, from Gwara community, Khana local government area of Rivers State and Barine Yilda, alias Albino or Yellow, 30, from Gwara community, Khana local government area of Rivers State.

“Investigations reveal that the suspects target lone female drivers of posh cars as they drive out of offices, shopping malls or any vulnerable places.

“They, thereafter, trail them to lonely roads, abduct and take them to their criminal hideouts, where they sexually abuse them and demand ransom from their families before their release. They also sell off their exotic cars,” the statement from CP Mba said.

He added that items recovered from the suspects included four AK47 rifles, one double barrel shotgun and sets of military camouflage uniforms suspected to have been illegally acquired, which they wear to beat security checks.“Effort is being intensified to arrest other fleeing gang members and recover more weapons and stolen vehicles used by the suspects for their operations,” he said.

World News

Bandits kill 7, kidnap 3 in Kaduna villages.

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Seven people have been killed in a bandit attack in Katarma general area of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The bandits also attacked Unguwar Tagwaye Doka in Kuriga Ward, also of Chikun local government where they kidnapped three people.

Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan who  confirmed the incident said security agencies are conducting investigations at the affected locations.

Aruwan disclosed that they are awaiting official reports and other details on the incidents.

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