Gunmen kidnap three Kaduna pastors, demand N100m

Members of the Taraya Ekklesiyoyin Kristi A Nigeria (Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria, TEKAN), have been thrown into confusion following the kidnapping of their President, Dr. Emmanuel Dziggau.

Police Inspector General, Solomon Arase

Dziggau was said to have been kidnapped on Monday along with his deputy, Rev. Illiya Anto, and a retired reverend in the church, Yakubu Dzarma.

Anto was later released on health grounds.

TEKAN General Secretary, Rev. Moses Ebuga, told newsmen in Jos on Tuesday that the three men were kidnapped in Kaduna.

Dziggau is also the president of Haddiyar Ekklesiya Kristi A Nigeria (United Church of Christ in Nigeria) and the TEKAN/ECWA bloc leader in the Christian Association of Nigeria.

The three men were said to have been kidnapped at the church crusade ground along the Kaduna-Abuja highway on Monday morning.

It was learnt that the masked gunmen stormed the crusade ground and picked the three men while other church members fled.

The General Secretary of the church and one of the eyewitnesses, Rev Jibrailu Wobiya, who confirmed the abduction to one of our correspondents, said Dziggau and some members were at the area to clear the crusade ground for a forthcoming church programme.

Ebuga called on the Federal Government and security operatives to do everything possible to ensure the safety of the clergymen.

He said the kidnappers had contacted him and demanded a ransom of N100m.

Ebuga described the abduction of the clerics as shocking, calling for their immediate release.

He said the three men might have been kidnapped because of the oncoming CAN national election.

He added, “We are not ignorant of the recent scheming against the Nigerian church with regard to the upcoming CAN national election, where the leaders have become the subject of attacks, particularly the leadership of TEKAN/ECWA bloc in CAN.

“As a body, we are calling on the government to do everything possible to ensure the safety of the leaders,  unearth their whereabouts and to have the perpetrators fished out.

Ebuga called on the TEKAN churches and the Nigerian church to rise up in prayer against the ugly development, asking them to pray that God would expose the sponsors and perpetrators of the kidnapping.

The Kaduna State Police Command had yet to confirm the kidnapping of the pastors on Tuesday.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Abubakar Zubairu, did not return repeated telephone calls to his mobile.

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Kaduna State, Rev. George Dodo, described the pastors’ abduction as “unpleasant and shocking.”

The CAN’s chairman, while confirming the incident, said he just heard of the “unpleasant” development on Tuesday, calling on security agencies to do all they could to unmask the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

Dodo stated, “I heard about it this afternoon; it is an unpleasant news, a shocking news to everybody. Government should put in motion all its security apparatus to ensure the liberation of those abducted.”

The spokesman for the Northern States CAN, Rev. Josesph Hayab,  condemned the abduction of the clerics.

He called on the kidnappers to release the three men unconditionally or be prepared to incur the wrath of God.

Gunmen kidnap three Kaduna pastors, demand N100m

Ikorodu kidnap: Parent admits paying N5.6m ransom

Facts have emerged that the parents of the three students of Babington Junior Seminary School, Ikorodu, Lagos, who were abducted on February 25, 2016, paid N5.6m ransom to the kidnappers.

The father of one of the victims, Venerable Olusa Ayo, revealed in his statement to the police, that the kidnappers initially demanded N200m for the release of the girls.

He said the abductors, however, after agreeing to collect N15m, made him merry-go-round to ensure he was not being followed by security agents.

He said, “On the morning of March 1, at about 11am, I received a call through which my daughter informed me about the abduction. She said three students, including herself were abducted at gunpoint in the midst of sporadic shooting. She further advised me to contact the school authorities.

Facts have emerged that the parents of the three students of Babington Junior Seminary School, Ikorodu, Lagos, who were abducted on February 25, 2016, paid N5.6m ransom to the kidnappers.

The father of one of the victims, Venerable Olusa Ayo, revealed in his statement to the police, that the kidnappers initially demanded N200m for the release of the girls.

He said the abductors, however, after agreeing to collect N15m, made him merry-go-round to ensure he was not being followed by security agents.

He said, “On the morning of March 1, at about 11am, I received a call through which my daughter informed me about the abduction. She said three students, including herself were abducted at gunpoint in the midst of sporadic shooting. She further advised me to contact the school authorities.

Ikorodu kidnap: Parent admits paying N5.6m ransom

LG Chairman Kidnapped, Killed, 48 Hours after Swearing in

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Newly appointed transition committee chairman of Jos East local government area of Plateau state, Mr Hosea Azi, was killed on Saturday in a ghastly motor accident alongside his kidnappers near Keffi, along Abuja road as his abductors were escaping with him.

A source close to the deceased said he was kidnapped at Miango road, in Kufang, Jos South Local Government Area of the state, and as they escaped with him their car had an accident near Keffi in Nasarawa State, killing Azi and some of his abductors.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abuh Emmanuel, confirmed the development, but added that he was waiting for detailed information from the DPO in charge of the area.

Another family source said two of the suspects, who suffered serious injuries in the accident, confessed to the crime while receiving treatment in an unnamed hospital.

The spokesman of the Specal Task Force (STF) on Jos crisis, Capt Ikedichi Iweha, who also confirmed the incident, simply said the deceased died in an accident around Nasarawa State on his way to Abuja.

MORE TO FOLLOW

LG Chairman Kidnapped, Killed, 48 Hours after Swearing in

Former presidential candidate kidnapped in Kogi

ABUJA: A former Presidential candidate and National Chairman of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, Alhaji Ganiyu Galadima has been reported kidnapped at Obajana in Kogi State.

The ACPN nominated Chief Galadima as its presidential flag bearer in the just concluded March 28, 2015 presidential election, but returned to man the affairs of the party shortly after he lost to president Muhammadu Buhari.

Vanguard gathered that the ACPN chairman was picked by his abductors after Obajana in Osaro, Kogi State while on his way to Ilorin, the Kwara State capital to attend the burial of one of his elder brothers.

Confirming the development, the National Chairman of Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, Chief Peter Ojonugwa Ameh, said, yes, “My colleague has been kidnapped.”

Ameh, who is also the Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, disclosed via a text message that, “My colleague, the National chairman and former presidential candidate of ACPN, in 2015 general election, Alhaji Ganiyu Galadima has been kidnapped.”

“He was kidnapped today in Osaro in Kogi State on his way from Abuja to attend the burial ceremony of one of his elder brothers in Ilorin,” he said.

He revealed further that “Report reaching us has it that his abductors have made contact with his family and they are demanding for N40 million ransom.”

Former presidential candidate kidnapped in Kogi

Bring Falae home safely - Buhari orders the Police

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed Inspector-General of Police Solomon Arase and other security agencies to take all necessary action to ensure the safe and speedy rescue of Chief Olu Falae, who was abducted from his farm on Monday.

Olu Falae

He also condemned the “callous and reprehensible” kidnapping of the 77-year-old former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and an elder statesman.

The president called for constant updates from the police and security agencies on efforts to rescue Chief Falae. He denounced the recurring incidents of criminal abductions across the country.

Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, assured Chief Falae’s family, friends and other concerned Nigerians that the Federal Government will do all within its powers to ensure his swift release.

The president assured Nigerians that ongoing efforts to significantly enhance the security of lives and property in the country will continue apace and that under his leadership, Nigerians, irrespective of their status, will no longer be left at the mercy of criminal elements.

The Ondo State police urged the family of the elder statesman not to pay any ransom as demanded by his abductors.

The abductors slashed N10 million off the N100 million they initially demanded.

A family source said on Tuesday that they had only been able to raise N2 million.

Police Spokesman Wole Ogodo said police will not support the idea of paying ransom before the release of the elder statesmen.

Ogodo noted that  the police’s rescue team led by Commissioner of Police  Mike Ogbodu, was working hard at rescuing Falae alive.

While the rescue mission is ongoing, a 70-year-old pastor in charge of the Apostolic Church in Ilepa, Ikare-Akoko, was yesterday kidnapped along the Auga-Akunnu road in Akoko Norh East local government area of the state.

The suspected gunmen demanded N16million as ransom.

The Divisional Police Officer (DP0) in Akoko North East, Musiliu Sogbade, confirmed the abduction.

Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the local government, Alhaji Azees Umar, urged the security agents to rescue the cleric.

Also yesterday, the headship of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) called for divine intervention in Falae’s abduction

At the Standing Committee Meeting (SCM) of the Church held at the St. David Anglican Cathedral, Ijomu, Akure chaired by the Primate of All Nigeria, Rev. Nicholas Okoh, the church expressed dismay over the development.

The SCM is made up of Archbishops from various Provinces and over 80 Bishops from across Anglican Dioceses across the country.

Chief Falae is the Chairman, Local Organising Commitee(LOC) for the Conference hosted by the Akure Diocese.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state also warned against politicisation of the abduction of the elder statesman.

The APC said those imputing politics into the kidnap of Chief Falae should rather join hands with family, friends and the good people of Ondo state to pray for the safe release of Chief Falae.

Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Mr. Abayomi Adesanya, said people should rather pray for the release of the elder statesman.

“We don’t even need to blame anybody for now, we should all pray for the release of Chief Falae, it is important that at this point in time for all and sundry join hands and look beyond political differences to make efforts that “Baba” is released.

“Chief Falae’s kidnap is an unfortunate situation, but using it for political discourse is bad and inhuman. Let’s pray to God to ensure his release safe and alive” the APC said.

The National Association Nigerian Students (NANS) gave kidnappers 48 hours to free Falae.

A statement signed by NANS Vice President on national affairs, Gbenga Ayenuro, condemned the abduction.

“NANS condemns in its totality and entirety the abduction of Falae.

“It is disheartening, pathetic, appalling that the elder statesman who has been contributing immensely to the advancement of the socio-political landscape of the country and a dogged fighter working assiduously for tranquility and national unity across ethnic lines in Nigeria can be abducted by evil men.

“The nation at large should join hands to prevent and counter terrorism and incessant rise in abduction cases in the country,” the statement said.

Farmers in Ondo state have also threatened to wage war against the Fulani herdsmen in the state.

The Ondo State Agricultural Commodities Association issued the threat at the Stakeholders’ Meeting on OSACA Micro-finance Bank held at the Fadama Hall, Ministry of Agriculture, Alagbaka, Akure.

The group gave a seven-day ultimatum to the government to secure the release of the elder statesman, who is an elder of the association .

“What we are saying is that the abduction of Chief Falae is unacceptable to we farmers in Ondo state and the Southwest. We therefore give a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government to secure the release of Chief Falae, if he is not released within the next seven day, the farmers in Ondo State will take action that will have a national impact.

“We should not forget the Agbekoya war in the old Oyo State.”

Former Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Kingsley Kuku, also called for an unconditional release of Chief Falae, saying the abduction of the septuagenarian politician is “absurd and barbaric considering the age and background of the former Minister for Finance”

In a statement, he called on the relevant security agencies to expedite action towards securing Falae’s freedom.

Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement, by its Director of Publicity Ayo Fadaka, expressed worry over the criminal incursion of the herdsmen into the state.

“We use this opportunity to call on the law enforcement agencies to do all in their power to apprehend and bring to justice those responsible for this indecent assault on the person and status of Chief Olu Falae.

“We also want to emphasise that, tackling these types of crimes by every state can only be possible if the much needed restructuring of our federalism is prosecuted with urgency as this will give every state the constitutional power to organise and control its own security as it obtains in other notable federalism around the world.

“The current constitution describes governors as Chief Security Officers without any security organisation directly under their controls.

“The issue of State Police is a desire that must be met at once as many challenges hitherto unknown in our clime is now in force, and the appropriate response to them is if every state can fashion how its territory is secured.

“Nigeria can no longer pretend that the security tactics and format of the 19th century will effectively address the challenges of this century. We urge those holding Chief Falae to release him forthwith and also call on the security agencies to upscale their act, locate and release Chief Falae immediately.”

Bring Falae home safely - Buhari orders the Police

Kidnapped Ondo regent rescued in Edo

The kidnapped Regent of Akungba Akoko in Ondo State, Princess Oluwatoyin Omosowon, has been rescued by security agents.

Omosowon was reportedly rescued on Tuesday by a combined team of police and State Security Service.

The regent and three of her aides were, on June 2, 2015, abducted by gunmen while on their way to attend an event at the Federal University of Technology, Akure. Two of her aides had regained their freedom, leaving the regent and one other aide in the custody of the kidnappers.

Though the details of the event were still sketchy as of the time of filing this report, a family source, Mr. Adesuyi Clement, told our correspondent on the telephone that the regent was rescued somewhere in Edo State by security agents.

“I can confirm to you that she has been rescued somewhere in Edo State by men of the State Security Services and the Police. We are at the palace now waiting for them,” he said.

Details later. . .

Kidnapped Ondo regent rescued in Edo

Man killed, Nurse kidnapped in Ekiti

A yet to be identified man and an indigene of Ido Ekiti has been killed in a Wednesday kidnap operation of a senior Nurse working with the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, Mrs Margaret Aladeneka.

Mrs Margaret Aladeneka The Nation

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Majekodunmi Ayodele, who revealed this on Thursday to journalists also raised the alarm over Wednesday invasion by some youth who accused the hospital of not giving preference to indigenes in employment exercise.

Ayodele alleged that the youths under the platform of Ido Youths Vanguard pelted the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ilori Faboro, with pure water sachet for  mediating in the issue.

He stated that Mrs Aladeneka, who hailed from Akwa Ibom State but married to an indigene of Ondo State was abducted on Sunday along Ipere –Iludun-Ido road while traveling on the bad and lonely road with her husband.

He said another occupant of the vehicle, whose identity was not revealed was killed during the operation, giving an indication that the assailants were members of the Ido community who feared the victim could identify them.

Ayodele called on the Commissioner of Police, Mr Joshua Ibine, and Director of the State Security Service, Mr Duke Fubara, to tighten security around the hospital for safety of his staff.

“Up untill now, no telephone call has been received from the kidnappers and this calls for serious concern. Her whereabouts is unknown. But her husband was brought here because after the incident his blood pressure had risen. We have succeeded in stabilising him but he has yet to be discharged.”

Ayodele said, “Whatever we are doing here is being guided by the regulations of the Federal Character Commission. We have a quota to fill. But as we speak, Ekiti and particularly Ido Ekiti, had overshot its quota and even the FCC ought to prosecute us for this.

“In the employment of the staff on grade levels 1-6, people of Ido Ekiti were being given over 75 % consideration . We also patronise their artisans as well. So, employment  here is primarily based on your relevance.”

The Nigerian Medical Association, Ekiti State, has also raised the alarm over incessant harassment and attacks of doctors and other health workers in the state.

Man killed, Nurse kidnapped in Ekiti

Ribadu’s brother kidnapped in Yola

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

Gunmen on Sunday kidnapped Mallam Sani Ribadu, a junior brother of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

Nuhu Ribadu

A source said Sani was kidnapped in his farm along Fufore, about 15kilometres to Yola. There were fears the abduction might not be unconnected with politics.

Ribadu is one of the leading contenders for the governorship seat of the state said to be enjoying the support of the major stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party in Abuja and Yola.

Sani is said to have been seized during a routine inspection visit to his farm on Sunday.

But there was suspicion of political motives last night because Sani was rated as “central to the campaign coordination of the ex-EFCC chairman.”

Apart from being a former chairman of Yola South Local Government Area, Sani Ribadu was also a former member of Adamawa State House of Assembly.

“The ex-LGA chairman was abducted and his car left intact on the farm. We cannot locate his whereabouts,” a source hinted last night.

“Apart from alerting the police, a search team has been put in place.”

“We are suspecting that he might have been targeted. But it is too early to draw any conclusion.”

The Special Assistant on Media to the ex-EFCC chairman, Mallam Abdulazeez Abdulazeez, who spoke with our correspondent at about 10pm, said: “It is true that some gunmen kidnapped Oga’s brother or cousin to put it in better perspective.”

– See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/ribadus-brother-kidnapped-yola/#sthash.SwxmuLHe.dpuf

Ribadu’s brother kidnapped in Yola

Woman who stole co-tenant’s child is a ‘prayer warrior’ –Neighbours

Rosemary Chukwu had become a sort of nuisance to her neighbours. Many times, they had complained about her praying habit.

“She would shout and scream and make noise while praying. She makes everybody uncomfortable. That is what everybody knows about her here. This is why we are still in shock about what she did,” said one of her neighbours at 33, Omo Ologede area in Majidun, Lagos.

But what Chukwu is currently embroiled in is simply shocking for the neighbours.

The woman allegedly stole the seven-year-old child of her neighbour, Mrs. Gloria Emeka. In fact, our correspondent learnt from neighbours who caught her in the act that the timely intervention of security agents saved her from being lynched.

When our correspondent visited Omo Ologede on Wednesday, it was noticed that Chukwu and parents of the kidnapped child were co-tenants.

Another neighbour in the same compound, Biola Odunsin, narrated how he, in conjunction with other neighbours, caught Chukwu.

He said, “It was around 6.30am today (Wednesday), when the mother of the child raised the alarm that she could not find her son, Emmanuel.

“We all rallied around her to find out what happened. She informed us that she had sent him to fetch water from the well in the compound. She raised the alarm because her son took too long and when she went to the well, she only saw the empty bucket the boy took there.

“While we were looking for the child, Rosemary (Chukwu) even came out to join in searching for the child as well. She was pitying her mother, showing concern and asking us to check some other parts of the compound.”

One of the neighbours who also took part in the search for the child, told Saturday PUNCH that Chukwu even asked him to see whether the child was in another compound not far from the house.

Two other neighbours named Yakubu and Vincent told our correspondent that they entered the well where the child was sent to fetch water.

“We entered the well to see if the boy fell inside but we found nothing,” they said.

But while the search for the child was going on, Chukwu was said to have gone inside her apartment and came out with a large luggage.

“She carried the luggage on her head and passed by us as we searched for the child. She said she needed to drop the bag somewhere and that she would come to join the search later,” Odunsin said.

But a suspicious woman, the wife of the landlord of the house, alerted the search party, telling them to search the bag Chukwu had on her head before she was allowed to leave.

When the residents called after her to tell her to bring the bag for a check, she reportedly began to run. But a moment later, she was caught.

“We immediately opened the bag and inside was Emmanuel with a cloth used to gag him. The child would have died because he could not speak again. We tried hard before we could resuscitate him,” Odunsi explained.

However, the infuriated neighbours descended on Chukwu and while they were beating her, she screamed out that they should spare her because she was only a messenger.

“Pastor Ernest sent me! Please don’t kill me, Pastor Ernest sent me o!” she was reported to have told the party of residents.

Then Chukwu took the party to the church of the pastor who she claimed sent her, which turned out to be Pastor Ernest Nwankwo of the Holy Family Happy Family Ministry (House of Mercy), Majidun.

One of the residents who took Chukwu to the church said by the time they got there, the pastor was nowhere to be found. She was later handed over to the police who took her away.

A photograph of Chukwu obtained by our correspondent showed a plump, fair complexioned woman with a motherly face. She is said to have four children – two boys and two girls.

Neighbours said they had not seen her husband, as he was usually away from home even though they are still together.

When our correspondent visited the church on Wednesday, a crowd of residents had besieged the place, barely kept at bay by some sternly looking policemen who were said to have prevented the church from being burnt down earlier by angry residents.

Despite this, some youths had succeeded in entering the church before the police came and seized hundreds of audio CDs of an album recorded by the pastor.

The youths publicly and excitedly sold the CDs on the Ikorodu Road to motorists and passers-by for N50 each.

The policemen rebuffed every attempt to gain access to the empty church, while residents of houses nearby could not provide any information about the whereabouts of the pastor.

Some residents who pleaded anonymity informed Saturday PUNCH that the church was not a conventional one.

“They don’t hold service on Sundays, only on Tuesday and Thursday. The pastor claims to treat mad men,” one of them told our correspondent.

An eyewitness, who entered the church before police intervention, said when they stormed the church earlier, they met a man with his hands and legs shackled in chains.

“I am not a mad man. Please help me! I was taken from around Redeemed Church Camp on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Pastor Ernest kept me here. There were many of us but they usually come to take away,” the man, who gave his name as Onuora Okeke, was reported to have said. The man also revealed to the people that he was from Anambra State and had been locked up in the church since 2012. Our correspondent learnt the man was taken away by the police.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, said the Chukwu would soon be transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba for investigation.

She also confirmed that the pastor of the church has not been found.

Our correspondent attempted to contact the Nwankwo through two phone numbers found on his church’s website but none of them were available as of press time.

 

Copyright – Punch Newspaper

Viewed 1 times
Woman who stole co-tenant’s child is a ‘prayer warrior’ –Neighbours