Tag: Kidnapping

Katsina: UNICEF demands unconditional release of abducted children

Aminu Imam

The United Nations Children Fund, (UNICEF), has demanded an immediate and unconditional release of 21 children abducted last Sunday by armed bandits at a farm in Mairuwa community, in Faskari local government area of Katsina State. UNICEF, in an issued statement by its Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Cristian Munduate, described the abduction as an attack on the posterity of Nigeria, thus demanding immediate actions by all relevant stakeholders that would culminate in the return of the abducted children. She expressed concern that the tragic incident is another indication of the…

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Katsina: Bandits abduct 39 children, demand N30m as ransom

Aminu Imam

Some terrorists on Sunday abducted over 40 persons, including 39 children working on a farm in Faskari local government area of Katsina State. Three days after the abduction, the terrorists are now demanding N30 million as ransom. They also stated that they wanted to have a dialogue with the owner of the farm where the victims were abducted and vowed not to release the captives until either of the demands are met. The victims are from different villages in Faskari and Funtua local government areas of the State. It was…

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“We’re now involved in kidnapping, arms deal, others because of poor salaries, welfare” Army personnel writes Buhari

Aminu Imam

Demands improved conditions A soldier of the Nigerian Army, who identified himself as Sergeant Isma’ila Ukwuhcodu, has lamented the poor salaries of junior army personnel in the country, disclosing that to meet financial needs, soldiers now got involved in illegal duties, sabotage, arms and ammunition deal, armed robbery and kidnapping while calling on the Federal Government to attend to their plight. The soldier, in an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, alleged that they pay for essential items, which the military ought to provide, out of their meagre…

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Insecurity: Panic in Katsina community, as terrorists demand N250m ransom for 43 kidnapped residents

Aminu Imam

Residents of Bakiyawa village, in Batagarawa area of Katsina State, have been thrown into panic after terrorists who abducted 43 residents of the village reportedly demanded N250 million as ransom to release the abductees. Recall that the terrorists invaded the community on Wednesday, September 14, killed four residents, abducted forty-four victims, looted several shops and rustled cattle. According to one Zaharadden Tukur, whose father Tukur Makeri was one of the four residents killed, said he has now unwittingly become the breadwinner of a family of 11 children and two wives.…

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‘Why kidnappers still demand ransom via phone calls despite NIN-SIM card linkage’ Pantami

Aminu Imam

The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, has said there had been a notable drop in the number of calls by fraudsters to unsuspecting phone users since the linking of SIM cards with the National Identification Number, (NIN), began. The Minister stated this in Umuahia, Abia State, during the ‘World National Identify Day’ celebration, said that that although kidnappers and terrorists still negotiate for ransom using phone calls, significant gains have been recorded. Pantami, represented by the Director of Research and Development at the National Information Technology…

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Kaduna: Despite N7m ransom payment by family, terrorists threaten to kill abducted Birnin-Gwari DPO

Aminu Imam

…Demands N200m A family member of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) who was kidnapped by terrorists on his way to assume duty in Birnin-Gwari, in Kaduna State, has raised the alarm that the bandits have vowed to kill him if their demand of N200m  is not met soon. It was gathered that his colleagues mobilised N5m ransom, while his friends mobilised another N2 million making the total amount of N7m and it was sent to them. However, a family source who spoke to newsmen yesterday, said/ Now, the person who…

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32 burial guests kidnapped in Ondo

Aminu Imam

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted 32 persons around the Ifon area in Ose local government area of Ondo State. The victims were said to be returning from a burial ceremony in Edo State. It was learnt that the abduction took place on Saturday. It is yet to be confirmed if the kidnappers have made contact with the victims families. Ondo Police spokesman, SP Fumilayo Odunlami, who confirmed the abduction, said operatives of the police and the Army had begun combing the forest to rescue the victims. The State Commander…

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Bandits kidnap senior police intelligence officers on Abuja highway

Aminu Imam

Armed bandits have abducted two senior police intelligence officers who were travelling along the highway between Abuja and Kogi State during the week, according to sources.  The officers were reportedly seized while on a reconnaissance mission in Kogi, where violent insurgents have claimed responsibility for killings and abductions in recent weeks. The officers were said to be on a critical investigation assignment to Kogi when they were seized by bandits on August 23, but the Police leadership allegedly hushed the crisis to avoid another public agitation over the countrys insecurity. According…

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Ransom payment fuelling terrorism, says Presidency

Aminu Imam

The Presidency has faulted the payment of ransom to secure the release of persons kidnapped by bandits and terrorists, saying such payments worsen the insecurity in the country. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the Buhari-led administration had fulfilled his campaign promises, especially on the economy, security and anti-corruption. Shehu stated this while featuring on a television programme on Monday. When asked if the President had been able to solve the problems he promised his government would solve after getting to power,…

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Scores of kidnapped kids rescued by Police in underground of Ondo church

Aminu Imam

Scores of children were allegedly found in an underground apartment of a church in the Valentino Area of Ondo town, Ondo State, on Friday evening. It was gathered that the children were allegedly kidnapped and kept in the underground apartment of the church. A source said the victims were over 50 while the police had rescued them and arrested the pastor and some members of the church. In a viral video, the children were seen in a patrol vehicle of the police who took them to the police station. In…

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