Tag: Kidnap

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Convicted Billionaire Kidnapper Evans, Accomplice In Crime Opt For Plea Bargain

The convicted billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans facing attempted murder has approached the Lagos State High Court, in Ikeja for settlement.

Evans alongside his co-defendant Joseph Emeka, facing murder, and attempted kidnap has opted for the option of a plea bargain.

The state prosecution counsel, Mr. Yusuf Sule, on Thursday, 16 May, 2024  informed the court about the plea bargain option after the case was called for the re-arraignment before Justice Adenike Coker.

Evans and his co-defendant are to be re-arraigned on an amended five-counts bordering on murder, attempt to murder, and conspiracy to commit felony to wit: kidnapping and attempt to murder.

Sule informed the court that the case was for re-arraignment but he was aware the defendant had applied for a plea bargain.

The prosecutor, however, said that the plea bargain terms were being considered by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN).

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Man Abducts, kills Six-Year-Old Cousin In Kaduna After Collecting N8m Ransom

By Babatunde Solanke

Residents of Zaria in Kaduna State were on Sunday, 12 are currently in a mourning  mood following the arrest of one AbdulAzeez Idris, who allegedly abducted and killed his six-year-old cousin, Aisha Dahiru.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, while confirming the case, said Dahiru was kidnapped while on her way to Islamiya school (Qur’anic school).

Hassan disclosed that the six-year-old was killed after being recognised by the cousin while hostage.

This was despite the abductee collecting a N8m ransom through an unknown caller, according to the police spokesman

Hassan, who said the incident happened on February 12, 2024, noted that the case had since been referred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the SCID Kaduna, after the victim’s father, Saidu Dahiru, lodged the complaint.

The police chief in a statement, said, “On February 12, 2024, at about 1:00 hrs, Mr. Saidu Dahiru, father of the victim, a resident of Angwan Juma’a, Zaria, reported to the Zaria City Police Station that his daughter, Aisha Saidu, a six-year-old female, went missing on her way to Islamiyya school.

“According to Mr. Dahiru,  Aisha was allegedly abducted by her cousin, Abdulazeez Idris, also residing in Angwan Juma’a, Zaria. Following her disappearance, Dahiru received a phone call from an unknown individual, later identified as the perpetrator, demanding a ransom of N8m for her safe return.

“The case was transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of SCID, Kaduna, where they traced and arrested the perpetrator, identified as Abdulazeez Idris, in Makarfi Local Government.

“The suspect confessed to the heinous crime, admitting to slaying the innocent child by brutally slashing her neck with a razor blade on the account that she recognised him and then went on to dispose of her lifeless body in a well.”

The police spokesman quoted the state Commissioner of Police,  Audu Ali, as assuring members of the public that the case would be diligently investigated to ensure that justice was served for Aisha Saidu and her grieving family.

According to Hassan, the suspect will be charged in court as soon as the investigation is completed.

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Son, 18, Fakes Own Kidnap To Extort Money From Father In Jigawa

By Akeem Oduyoye

An 18-year-old boy, Safiyanu Lawan, is currently cooling -off in one of the cells of the Jigawa Police command for allegedly faking his own abduction in a bid to extort money from his father.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, who confirmed the development, said the incident happened on 19/04/2024 at about 1430hrs, when one Alhaji Lawan Dankoli of Kiyawa LGA reported at State Intelligence Department (SID) Dutse that on 17/04/2024, his son, Safiyanu Lawan went out for shopping in preparation for school resumption but has not returned back.

He added that, later on the same date, at about 2320hrs, an unknown person called him severally with an unknown number and threatened that his son Safiyanu has been kidnapped.

According to Adam, on receipt of the information, a team of Policemen attached to State Intelligence Department (SID) Dutse swung into action and visited the scene of crime where a 27 years old man, identified as Abdulrazak Salisu of Zango quarters, Kiyawa LGA, was arrested in connection with the case.

He explained that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to have known where the said Safiyanu was hiding and that they conspired together in order to collect money from the father.

The Police spokesman said the team swiftly moved to the location and arrested the acclaimed victim (Safiyanu Lawan), just as he also added that investigation is ongoing, while the suspects will be arraigned for prosecution.

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Three To Die By Hanging In Edo For Kidnapping, Murder

By Alfred Ifemosu

The Edo State High Court, Benin City presided over by Justice Irele-Ifijeh has sentenced three persons to death by hanging for armed robbery, kidnapping and Murder of one Ephraim Akhere.

The convicts namely Solomon Abuede, James Monday and Kelvin Edward were sentenced to death for armed robbery, kidnapping and the murder of Ephraim Akhere in Ihumudumun quarters in Ekpoma, the headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State

Justice Ifijeh, also sentenced one Oviasogie Sunday, alias Alhaji of Kano to life imprisonment for receiving an Infinity Jeep with registration number EFR 218 FB, property of the late Ephraim which was stolen after the murder.

The convicts were among the six persons arraigned before Justice Irele-Ifijeh in suit number: HEK/25c/24 on a six-count charge of armed robbery, kidnapping, conspiracy and receipt of stolen property.

The court, however, discharged two others accused, David Williams and Monday Ozomo for lack of evidence linking them to the armed robbery and kidnapping.

In her judgment, Justice Ifijeh ruled that the kidnappers rode on a motorcycle, armed with dangerous weapons, kidnapped their victims and asked Ephraim, the driver and Sandra to move to the back seat and lower their heads while Solomon took over the driver’s seat.

The Judge averred that the convicts thereafter drove to the bank while two of them stayed with their victims inside the car.

She added that the other went to the bank with Ephraim’s ATM card to withdraw money from his account.

She posited that after the withdrawal, the convicts were said to have driven to an uncompleted building where one of them named Solomon Abuede threw Ephraim into a well after giving him rat poison to swallow, while the girl was given the option of jumping into the well or eating the rat poison.

The judge, further said that Solomon who provided the rat poison later spared the girl’s life but raped her instead.

The judge further added that James Monday who was said to have provided the gun used for the operation and Monday Ozomo took the Infinity Jeep and two other stolen vehicles to Kano where Oviasogie paid N420,000 for the Infinity Jeep out of the agreed N500,000

In a 91-page judgment, Justice Irele-Ifijeh said the confessional statements of Solomon Abuede, James Monday and Kelvin Edward that they participated in the armed robbery were corroborated by the evidence of one Sandra, a prosecution witness who was in the same vehicle and kidnapped along with the late Ephraim.

The judge, who said the offences were committed on June 13, 2024, averred that the conviction of the three persons was in line with Section 3 of the Kidnapping Prohibition Amendment Law of Edo State 2013 and the Armed Robbery and Firearms Act.

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Gunmen Kidnap Channels TV Reporter On His Way Home In Rivers

By Akeem Oduyoye

A journalist working for Channels Television in Rivers State, Joshua Rogers, has been abducted by gunmen at his residence in Rumuosi, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State.

Rogers was kidnapped on Thursday night at about 9 pm after he was reportedly trailed to his residence after he closed from work.

His attackers reportedly accosted him at gunpoint, whisking him away in his car.

Rogers, who is the Government House correspondent for Channels Television, had on Thursday covered an event in Ndoni, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni LGA of the state, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara commissioned a primary healthcare centre built and donated to the state by former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili.

It was gathered that the hoodlums had contacted his wife, demanding N30 million as ransom.

As at the time of filing this report, the Rivers State Police Command has yet to comment on the development.

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Breaking: Gunmen Storm Zamfara Mosque, Abduct Dozen Of Worshippers

By Babatunde Solanke

Gunmen on Tuesday attacked a mosque in Gusau, capital of Zamfara State, and kidnapped scores of worshippers.

It was gathered that the attack was carried out when Muslim faithful were observing the famous congregational prayer, Tahajjud.

Tahajjud is a special prayer being observed by Muslims every last 10 days of the holy month of Ramadan.

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Gunmen kill Nine Out Of 50 Abductees In Captive

By Babatunde Solanke

Gunmen who abducted 50 people from the Madaka Market in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State have reportedly killed nine of the abductees.

It was gathered that apart from the 22 earlier killed during the attack, nine more persons abducted have been killed.

The victims, mostly women, were abducted last Thursday and were being transported to the adjoining forest of the Allawa area when the bandits executed the brutal killings.

According to the district head of Madaka, Isah Bawale Madaka, seven people were killed in Kukoki village while moving into the forest, with an additional two individuals losing their lives en route.

 “In Kukoki village while going into the forest around Shiroro local government area of Niger State they killed seven people and killed additional two people while moving towards the forest,” he said.

Madaka also stated that over 30 bodies have been buried so far, raising questions about the bandits’ motives as they have not demanded ransom for the abducted individuals.

He stated that for the past few days, he had tried to keep tabs on the route of the bandits and how to ensure the safety of the people abducted.

The Emir of Kalgara, Alhaji Ahmed Attahiru Gunna, and Hon Ismaila Modibbo, the representative of Rafi/Shiroro/Munya Federal Constituency, visited the injured victims to offer support and condolences.

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Jubilation Galore In Kaduna As 137 Freed Schoolchildren Arrive Government House

By Akeem oduyoye

Joy and jubilation enveloped the whole of Kaduna State on Monday 2025 as the 137 schoolchildren abducted from Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area of  State, who were released on Sunday, arrived at the Government House in Kaduna.

Recall that on Sunday, the Kaduna State Government announced the release of the schoolchildren.

This was contained in a statement signed by the state governor, Uba Sani.

 “I wish to announce that our Kuriga school children have been released, ”Sani said in the statement

However, the governor explained that 137 schoolchildren were abducted on March 7, 2024, and not 287 schoolchildren, as was previously reported.

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Terrorist Who Abducted Kaduna 286 Kaduna Students, Staff; Demand N1bn Ransom, Vow To Kill Abductees In 20 Days

By Ranti Thomas

Terrorists, who kidnapped over 286 students and staff in Kaduna State, have demanded a total of N1 billion ($620,432) for their release, just as they vowed to kill victims within 20 days if their demand is not meet on time.

According to Reuters, a community leader, Jubril Aminu, who acts as a spokesman for the families of the hostages, said he received a call on his phone from the kidnappers on Tuesday, 12 March, 2024.

“They made a total of a N1 billion ransom demand for all the pupils, students and staff of the school,” Aminu said.

“They gave an ultimatum to pay the ransom within 20 days, effective from the date of the kidnap. They said they will kill all the students and the staff if the ransom demand is not met.”

An elected official from the Kuriga Ward municipal council, Idris Ibrahim, also confirmed the ransom demand and the amount.

“Yes, the kidnappers called the community through Jubril Aminu’s number and made the demand,” he said.

“They called from a hidden number but the authorities are working on getting the number.”

He added that the security forces were taking “adequate measures” to secure the release of the students.

The Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs in Kaduna State, Samuel Aruwan, did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the kidnappers’ demands.

Spokespersons for President Bola Tinubu and the army also did not respond to requests for comment.

The Minister of information, Mohammed Idris, told reporters on Wednesday that Tinubu’s position on the kidnappings in Kuriga was that security forces should secure the hostages’ release without any ransom.

Recall that the school children, some older students and members of the school staff, were abducted on March 7 in the town of Kuriga, Kaduna State.

The incident is the first mass kidnapping in the country since 2021.

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Gunmen Attack Passenger Bus, Take Away 15 People Including Children, Women

By Ranti Thomas

Gunmen on Tuesday attacked an 18-seater bus conveying passengers from Zaki/Biam in Benue State to Maihura in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State and took away at least 15 persons, including women and children

It was gathered that the incident happened at Gankwe village along the Donga- Mararaban-Baissa road in the Donga Local Government Area of the state.

Narrating the incident to newsmen, the driver of the bus, Mr. Mpuuga Mbaave, who escaped death by the whiskers with machete cut wounds, said the armed men in vigilante uniform attacked his bus.

“I loaded 18 passengers from Zaki/Biam in Benue State to Maihura in Taraba state, and on our way close to Mararaba, I saw many people in Vigilante uniform. I suspected something was wrong, so I parked the vehicle.

“One of the villagers who was passing by told me that I should proceed. According to him, two members of the Vigilante personnel were killed by kidnappers, and the vigilante came to carry their corpses.

“As I moved closer, some of the Vigilante personnel started shouting, ‘kill all of them,’ kill all of them,’ it’s their people (Tiv) that killed our members, and they started attacking the passengers and cutting them with machetes,

“They ordered the passengers out of the bus, forced them to lie facedown. I refused to come down, but when I discovered that it was getting out of hand, I decided to jump out of the bus and ran away. My conductor too followed me. They came after us cutting us with a machete, but we ran for our dear lives,” he narrated.

Confirming the development, the Chairman of Doonga Local Government Council, Hon. Ezra Voka, said he was already in the nearby forest searching for the missing persons.

“Please my friend, I am already in the bush in search of the missing people. We cannot talk much now till when I get more information from here,” he said.