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Tag: Kidnapping

  • Kidnapping: Wike orders Council Chairman to set up, profile vigilance groups

    Kidnapping: Wike orders Council Chairman to set up, profile vigilance groups

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has ordered the six Area Council Chairmen to set up vigilance groups and also profile members of the groups.

    Wike gave the order during a strategic security meeting with members of the FCT Council of Chiefs and the council chairmen.

    Wike promised that the Administration would continue to work with the traditional rulers in ensuring foolproof security for the nation’s capital.

    He said, “We have asked all the Area Councils to set up vigilance teams and we believe that those vigilance teams won’t be the ones perpetrating the crimes.”

    “Therefore, they must be profiled so that they are known. Who are they? Are they from our communities? So that we won’t say we want to solve a problem and then cause another one. They (chairmen) will have to do that with you (traditional rulers).”

    “We have told the police and other security agencies to itemise all their needs and we are going to meet them so that our people can sleep comfortably with their eyes closed.”

    The minister stated that the meeting with traditional rulers and the council chairmen is to enable c
    them work in synergy and on the same page.
    “If there are things you think we should do too, we are willing to partner with you so that the challenges we are facing now will be a thing of the past. ”

    “You must work hard because insecurity is not written on anybody’s face. Anyone can be a victim and that is why we must do everything possible to ensure that our subjects are not victims of these criminals.”

    “We are not folding our hands we are not sleeping. We are working 24 hours round the clock.”

    “Again, you would have heard that we are demolishing shanties. You know criminals won’t want to live in known houses. They commit crimes and run to shanties that can’t be easily traced. So, we will continue to demolish shanties. You need to support us. You don’t allow people to bring propaganda. There is nothing like that.”

    Meanwhile,Wike reiterated his commitment to roll out buses in order to reduce the incidences of ‘one chance’ or taxi robberies in the territory.

    “Very soon we are going to roll out our buses which will be painted in Abuja colours and we won’t allow taxis that are not painted in our colours to operate so that this issue of one chance can be eliminated”, he stated.

    He disclosed that before President Bola Tinubu departed for France on Wednesday, he had asked him to inform the traditional rulers that government was doing all within its powers to secure the nation.

    “We sincerely thank all of you for your concerns and efforts. Before Mr President departed this afternoon he said I should inform you that the government is doing all within its powers to curb insecurity.”

    Already, the government has shown strength and courage in fighting insecurity across the country.

    “This is the FCT where many Nigerians want to come to and stay and so we are more concerned because when the capital is threatened, the whole country is threatened. So, we are very serious with security. We are not sleeping. We are working 24 hours.”

    “We have met with the councils and we have told them the little we need which is information to be able to help security agencies that are directly involved in the fight against criminalities. Nobody would say there is anywhere in this world no matter how developed that has no form of insecurity or the other. ”

    The only difference is that it is either nipped in the bud or you are sure that if it happens the criminals are caught. But that is not an excuse for us. We are ready to ensure it doesn’t happen or when it happens, the perpetrators are arrested and made to face the wrath of the law, he emphasized.

    “The president has given us series of approvals to make sure that security agencies are fully equipped to fight this crime and we cannot do this alone without your support. You have a role to play in securing your domains. You know those around your domain. If there are unfamiliar faces, you can let the council chairmen know, so as to report to my office so that actions can be taken”, he added.

    The Ona of Abaji and Chairman, FCT Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa who said the minister was not new to governance or to Abuja, expressed optimism in his ability to turn around the fortunes of the territory.

    “You are not new in Abuja and we trust you that you are going to change the story of Abuja by God’s grace.”

    “Continue with what you are doing and we are backing you”, the Ona assured.

  • Kidnapping: Wike to procure more vehicles, charges Area Councils to strengthen vigilance teams

    Kidnapping: Wike to procure more vehicles, charges Area Councils to strengthen vigilance teams

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has disclosed that his administration has concluded plans to procure more security vehicles to tackle the spade of kidnappings.

    This was as he charged the six Area Council Chairmen to strengthen the local vigilante groups by ensuring that their needs are adequately met.

    Wike spoke on Tuesday at a security town hall meeting with stakeholders and residents of Kwali Area Council in Kwali town, Abuja.

    The minister who promised swift deployment of the vehicles, also urged the councils to provide more motorcycles for the vigilance teams.

    He said, “I have listened to the chairman, who has virtually requested for everything, but he has not told me what he has done.”

    “For me, whatever that is going to bring development or improve security, the government has no hesitation. The president has directed me to let you know he feels your pains and that is why he has said I must go and see all the councils, talk to them and tackle insecurity headlong.”

    “I can assure you that in a matter of days you will be hearing positive stories. We are ready to support our security agencies with whatever they need to ensure that our people can sleep with their two eyes closed.”

    “We have almost concluded procurement of vehicles for security agencies. We are going to provide the councils with motorcycles to support the vigilance teams so that they can get information and assist the security agencies.”

    Speaking further the minister said,”Our youths, we have directed the council chairmen to ensure that the vigilance teams are well taken care of. We need information from you because without information, the security agencies would have little or nothing to do. If you give them information on time, they will make sure that bad things don’t happen.”

    On the issue of some bad roads fueling kidnapping, the minister asked the council chairman to recommend two more roads in addition to the earlier ones recommended to the FCT Administration for reconstruction.

    Wike encouraged the residents that the President Bola Tinubu administration would not abandon the people of FCT.

    According to him, every year before submitting any budget proposal to the National Assembly, he would meet with traditional rulers and the people to get their inputs by way of getting them to recommend people-oriented projects that can be incorporated into the budget.

    “We will not abandon you. We will make sure we develop the Area Councils. Before the end of the tenure of President Tinubu, you will see a lot of infrastructure going on in the Area Councils, he assured.

    “Every year before we submit our budget to the NASS, we will come to you, the traditional rulers and the people to ask you what your infrastructure needs so that we can include them in the budget. We won’t abandon any project.”

    If we don’t have the money we won’t embark on any project”, he stated.

    Earlier, the Kwali Area Council Chairman, Danladi Chiya had listed several challenges facing the Council and asked for the establishment of a police division in Gwako as well as a military base in another part of the council.

    He said, “We have a lot of challenges security-wise. Indeed, we have challenges because of the hills surrounding Kwali. There are bad roads that the bad guys also use to abduct people.”

    ” The roads are not motorable. Come to our aid to help put the roads in good shape. That will help reduce incidences of kidnapping.”

    “We also require further military presence. We have vast lands. We need more police stations especially in Gwako which has become a haven for these bad elements.”

    “We will write to your office because there is another road that has been abandoned by the contractors. Wherever they discover that the roads are not good, they use such spots as hideouts.”

    “Our people are prepared to chase them, but for the bad roads.”

    “Then our stadium in Kwali, the bad boys have turned it into a hideout. There is little we could do about the stadium because it is an FCDA project.”

    “We also need motorcycles for the vigilance teams. I have given them some before but we need more and therefore I seek your intervention in this regard, Chiya appealed.

  • Sokoto Police Command Arrested Nine In Connection With Banditry, Kidnapping, Criminal Conspiracy, Others

    Sokoto Police Command Arrested Nine In Connection With Banditry, Kidnapping, Criminal Conspiracy, Others

    By Muhammad Ibrahim , Sokoto

    Addressing newsmen on the crime situation and achievements in some parts of the state, the state Commissioner of Police Muhammad Usaini Gumel said nine suspects were arrested on various criminal of fences as kidnapping, extortion, criminal conspiracy and other related crimes. 

    Parading the suspects at the Command Headquarters, Gumel said at Tambuwal local government, a group of kidnappers arrested a 55 year old man demanding N3m but eventually killed him and his father who went to pay the ransom.

    The suspect who was arrested alongside two others was in possession of AK47, 47 rounds of ammunition, one Techno handset and UBA Bank account number belonging to Peter Egbwuniwe Eboka.

    Other items found at Eboka’s residence include operational wears and a vest of charms.

    He further explained that report from ARKILLA Police Station led to the arrest of kidnappers who robbed a ladys’ handset valued at N90, 000.

    In a related development, in Wamakko local government, a group of five robbers ransacked a house and carted away with N800, 000 unfortunately one of them, Aliyu Muhammad who sustained injury during the operation was arrest while seeking for treatment.

    Similarly, crimes were reported from Sokoto North LGA where one Arinze Onyeka attacked a lady at gun point snatching her Tecno Pro handset valued at N45, 000.

    Mr.Arinze who collaborated with Stanley Ebuka has similarly attacked another  victim in Sokoto metropolis and collected his Infinix handset worth N90, 000.

    Gumel also explained the criminal offenses the occurred at Isa and Rabah LGAs where bandits were arrested with guns, Police uniform and ID cards adding that most of the suspects are presently in their custody awaiting Court cases while others are at large.

     He called on the fortunate people of the state to come and identify the 96 sheep and 3 cows recovered from bandits and commend vigilante groups who supported police during the operation. 

  • Oyo Deploys Security Operatives to Ipapo/Iseyin Over Kidnapping

    Oyo Deploys Security Operatives to Ipapo/Iseyin Over Kidnapping

    The Oyo State Government has deployed a security team to Ipapo/Iseyin axis in the Oyo North Senatorial District, following the abduction of some farmers by unknown gunmen on Saturday.

    The state government appealed to the people of Ipapo to be calm in the wake of fresh abduction of the four persons.

    In a statement on Sunday, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi said a security team comprising police and the military has been dispatched to support the existing security architecture in the area.

    He stated that though the ugly incident happened outside the State Farm Settlement (Ipapo/Iseyin), the Oyo State Government prioritizes the protection of life and properties of every resident of the State, farmers inclusive. 

    According to the statement, which was signed by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, the government “pledges to take every step to safely return those abducted to their loved ones”.

    “The military team is expected to join the operation that is planned to not only rescue the victims but also ensure that appropriate actions are taken against the perpetrators,” the statement by the Commissioner for Information read.

    “It is in pursuant of this that all security agencies in the State including the Nigerian Army have been mobilized to the area and are in hot pursuit of the criminals”, he said.

    He assured all that the State Government is collaborating with security agencies to rescue the abductees within shortest possible time and prevent re-occurrence of the sad event.

  • Insurgency, Kidnapping and Other Crimes in the North East To End Soon

    Insurgency, Kidnapping and Other Crimes in the North East To End Soon

    …Theatre Commander

    From Dauda R Pam-Maiduguri.

    The Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) Maj-Gen. Christopher Musa has said that insurgency, kidnappings and other related crimes in the north east may come to an end this year.

    Over 50,800 Boko Haram repentant terrorists and their families, he said, have surrendered to the Nigerian Army in Borno and Yobe states.

    The Theatre Commander disclosed this, Friday, in a parley with journalists in Maiduguri, while reeling out strategies to end the war that claimed many lifes and property in the region.

    Also reeled out were pictorial evidence of a professional military fight against terrorism, with the neutralization of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram terrorists this year.

    “Our approach of professionalism to end this war is yielding results”, adding that the narratives are fast changing to the excitements of security agencies to end the 13-year war in the six affected states of the north east..

    According to him, the morale of officers and soldiers have been raised to meet the deadline of war in Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Taraba, Gombe and Yobe states.

    Major Gen. Christopher Musa argued that the Army and its Air and Maritime Components alongside other security agencies charged with the responsibility of prosecuting the war in the Northeast; will continue to synergize and warned the troops not to relent; until all the nooks and crannies of the theatre of war are cleared of terrorists and kidnappers.

    On the profiling of the repentant terrorists’, he said that their profiling is being carried and none of them is being released into their communities.

    “We identify the fighters whenever they surrender and separate them before presenting them to the different camps”,
    assuring that none of the combatants will be released until the Federal Government takes the final decision on their respective status

    On the death of Abubakar Shekau, the Boko Haram leader, led to serious infight and struggles for new leadership of terrorism and further disclosed that the ISWAP group, with the aid of foreign mercenaries, wanted to coerce the Shekau’s people to join them contrary to their ideology, aims and objectives which led to infighting that spread into the forest and the Lake Chad region.

    The Theatre Command Intelligence Coordinator, Col. Obinna Azuikpe, also said that there were 81 attacks of Boko Haram and ISWAP in the first quarter of this year.

    “Our troops and other security forces were able to confront the insurgents in the hideouts of forest and Lake Chad region,” he said.

    Col. Azuikpe added that troops under Operation Desert Sanity conducted 9,163 patrols, 5,553 ambushes and 1,006 clearance operations. He said a total of 126 Boko Haram and ISWAP were neutralised in recent operations. the TC said the welfare of troops will continue to receive due attention. He said the Army is implementing new measures on troops rotation.

    “What we’re seeing with regards to the success stories; if we continue the way we’re doing now, God willing, this year, we will put this (war) to an end”.

  • Sokoto Police Command Arrests 53 In Connection With Banditry, Kidnapping

    Sokoto Police Command Arrests 53 In Connection With Banditry, Kidnapping

    By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto

    Addressing newsmen while parading the 53 persons in connection with banditry and kidnapping in the 15 communities of Sokoto state, the Deputy Inspector General in charge of Operations DIG Zaki Ahmad said 37 persons are kidnappers while 20 are directly connected with banditry and kidnapping.

    Zaki added that Operation Sahara Storm and in the fight against kidnapping, banditry and other forms of cases of criminalities recorded tremendous achievements and therefore worthy of commendation.

    “In the ongoing, the operation raided bandits camp at Illela, Gudu, Rabah, Isa, Tangaza and Goronyo among others.

    ” All the suspected bandits are linked to the notorious gang leader, Bello Turji as all of them confessed to their complicity in the crime in the crime of banditry “,Zaki averred.

    He further explained that investigation into the case is still ongoing and suspects would be charged to Court as soon as investigation is completed.

    Some of the items recovered from them include Pentabeta injections, RBG guns, launcher, solar power banks as well as matches, motorcycles, military uniform, saphies, ammunitions and better guns and 150 cows.

    One of the suspects, Musa Muhammad Kamarawa said he had bought over N28m war Pontiac only failed to import the product into the country.

  • Cyber Crime Expert, General Adeka task Govt. To Put An End To Kidnapping, Banditry

    Cyber Crime Expert, General Adeka task Govt. To Put An End To Kidnapping, Banditry

    From Leo Nzwanke, Lafia

    Cyber Crime Expert, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Adeka (rtd) , has called on government to do more in the area of security by caging the sponsors of all forms of insecurity in the country.

    By doing this he said will go a long way in tackling insecurity by bringing it to the bearest minimum.

    Adeka disclosed this on Friday while speaking with newsmen during the unveiling of Mosque in Lafia the Nasarawa State Capital.

    The Cyber Crime Expert while speaking on the efforts of security operatives in tackling the activities of bandits, kidnappers and other forms of terrorism, also called for all hands to be on deck especially in security information in order to tackle the situation in the country.

    ” What we are doing we are not fighting the conventional war, we are fighting a terrorist war.

    ” A terrorist war is not a war where the enemies are identified, you will not know them, they will strike and run away.

    ” What I will advice is that intelligence should be the leading light of every security operation.

    ” I will advise those in- charge of security management to make sure that all their operations are intelligent driven so that the collateral will be minimal and the enemies will find it more tough.

    ” Secondly, it is not enough to chase the foot soldiers (criminals) living their sponsors because the foot solidiers need resources and these resources are provided by the sponsors.

    ” So those providing these weapons and supporting to maintain these weapons and ammunition with resources including cash, government should make all efforts to get them identified and cage them. It will be more effective than chasing the criminals while their sponsors are there providing more support

    “if you killed 1000 bandits or terrorists is not good to be as effective as caging 10 sponsors of terrorism” Rtd General Adeka said.

    Adeka has commended the military and other security agencies in combating crime in the country.

    ” The military is doing the best it can, given the limited resources at its disposal supported by other security agencies,” he said.

    The Islamic Scholar has assured of his determination to preach the message of unity, peace and oneness to its followers as the Chief Imam of the new mosque for the overall development of the area, the State and the country at large .

  • Ekiti Police Arrest Six for Kidnapping, Rape, Defilement

    Ekiti Police Arrest Six for Kidnapping, Rape, Defilement

    The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested six suspects in connection with alleged cases of kidnapping, rape, and defilement, which have become rampant in the recently.

    The state Police Commissioner, Mr. Babatunde Mobayo, at a parade conducted in Ado Ekiti yesterday said the men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on September 19, 2021 at about 07:30p.m. arrested suspects, Abu Tobi, Falodun Ojo, Ogundele Tope and Adams Saheed for allegedly kidnapping Oyetuyi Taiwo and Ibitoyi Pelumi.

    Mobayo, represented by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Sunday Abutu, said the suspects were arrested at Soludero hotel, Isan-Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area of the state. “It was gathered that on September 18, 2021, Abu Tobi, Falodun Ojo and Ogundele Tope left Ayede-Ekiti on an unregistered Boxer Bajaj motorcycle and arrived at Isan-Ekiti at about 3:30p.m. and settled at a drinking joint very close to Soludero Hotel where their targets had lodged.

    They also invited one Adams Saheed to join them before carrying out their plan.

    “At about 08:30 p.m. of the same day, the suspects moved into the hotel and abducted the two victims after which they started demanding a ransom of N20 million from the family of the victims.

    “Thorough investigation led to the arrest of Abu Tobi and Falodun Ojo and the subsequent arrest of Ogundele Tope and Adams Saheed. One unregistered Boxer Bajaj motorcycle was also recovered from the suspects,” Mobayo said.

    The commissioner of police also revealed the arrest of one Ibrahim Hassan on September 19, 2021, at about 06:10p.m. for allegedly abducting two victims on Ayebode-Odo/Ayede-Ekiti road with his gang, assuring the state that others at large would be nabbed and brought to justice.

    Mobayo also paraded an 18-year-old

    Oluwaseun for allegedly defiling a three- year old child.

    According to him, “Investigation revealed that the suspect lured the victim into his room on August 6, 2021, at about 3:50p.m. where he had carnal knowledge of her. The victim was thereafter taken to the hospital for medical examination and treatment.

    “The expert opinion proves that there was a penetration in the private part of the victim. Meanwhile, further investigation revealed that when the grandmother of the victim heard about the incident, she demanded the sum of N50,000 from the parents of the suspect for amicable settlement of the case.

    “The said money was paid to her and she converted it into her personal use. She was also arrested and shall be charged to court alongside the suspect for compounding felony and defilement respectively.”

  • Police arrest 84 suspects for Kidnapping, Banditry, others

    Police arrest 84 suspects for Kidnapping, Banditry, others

    The Police has said that no fewer than eighty-four suspects have been arrested for illegal manufacturing and distribution of vehicle number plates, banditry, robbery, kidnapping, and homicide-related cases.

    Mr Frank Mba, the Force Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in Abuja at a news briefing on Wednesday.

    Mba said some of the suspects were arrested for alleged gun running, illicit possession of weapons, unlawful possession of firearms and other offences.

    He said the suspects, including three females, were arrested in different parts of the country in April and May.

    Mba said the arrests were major achievements recorded by the police key operational and investigative units, the Intelligence Response Team and the Special Tactical Squad.

    According to him, the achievements had nothing to do with other landmarks, investigative and operational breakthroughs at the various zones and state commands across the country.

    Mba said that 45 assorted firearms, consisting of one GPMG rifle, 17 AK-47 rifles, 20 locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, two pump actions and three single barrel guns were recovered from the suspects.

    He noted that other exhibits recovered from the suspects were 9,899 live ammunition, consisting largely of AK-47 and GPMG live ammunition.

    Mba said kidnap syndicates operating between the borders of Sokoto State and the Republic of Niger were among the suspects.

    He said the suspects had carried out several operations on both sides of the border.

    Mba said that the check revealed that the leader was also a convict from the Republic of Niger.

    He said that two suspects, including a student of the University of Jos, were arrested over culpable homicide.

    Mba said that three suspects were arrested for manufacturing and distributing illegal vehicle number plates.

    He said all the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.

  • Insecurity: Prosecuting Kidnapping, Banditry Not FG’s Responsibility – Lai Mohammed

    Insecurity: Prosecuting Kidnapping, Banditry Not FG’s Responsibility – Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed has asked the People’s Democratic Party to hold state governments, including those headed by members of the party, accountable for the prosecution of banditry and kidnapping cases.

    According to him, banditry and kidnapping are not federal offenses.

    The Minister made the remark at a press conference on Tuesday.

    He was responding to statements credited to the PDP blaming the Federal Government for the rising insecurity in the country.

    The PDP leadership had held a press conference on Monday, decrying the level of insecurity in the country and demanding that the federal government tackle the issues headlong.

    Mr. Mohammed, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, said it was unfortunate that the opposition party has not recognised the efforts by the current administration on the matter including the town hall meeting held in Kaduna where a ten-point action plan was drawn.

    He said the PDP press conference was just a play to the gallery and further accused the party of trying to play politics with issues of national security.