•Gunmen abduct three cops in Delta, Abia varsity DVC, Oyo park manager
•Ex-generals link kidnapping resurgence to release of ex-bandits by FG
Daredevil kidnappers have continued to unleash terror on citizens in different parts of the country in defiance of security arrangements put in place to tackle the issue of abduction for ransom, which has lately assumed the level of commercial transactions.
For instance, three riot police inspectors were kidnapped on Friday evening in the Ohoror community, off the East-West Road, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, while gunmen, on Saturday, kidnapped the Oyo State Chairman, of the Tipper, Lorry and Quarry Park Management System, Alhaji Akeem Akintola.
Similarly, on Saturday, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu, Prof Godwin Emezue, was abducted from a petrol station at Umuekwule, Amachara, a community in the Umuahia South Local Government Area of the state.
This is as the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State, Mr Philip Aivoji, who was abducted on Thursday on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, is still being held by his captors, who have reportedly asked for N200m ransom.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Akintola, popularly known as KUSO, was kidnapped from his residence in the Ajiboye area, Omi Apata, Ibadan.
The gunmen reportedly stormed Akintola’s residence in the early hours of Saturday and forcefully took him to an unknown destination.
Efforts by Sunday PUNCH to confirm the incident from the Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, SP Adewale Osifeso, proved abortive. Several calls put across to his mobile telephone were not taken, while text and WhatsApp messages sent to him were not replied to as of the time of going to press.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that three riot policemen attached to the Police Mobile Force 51, Oghara, were abducted in the Ohoror community Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State by suspected Fulani herdsmen. The victims, who are inspectors, were members of a team deployed in the area on a security patrol operation.
It was also gathered that the suspected kidnappers also carted away the AK-47 service rifles of the police officers before marching them into the bush.
A senior security official told journalists in Warri on Friday night, “While they were at the nipping point, a young man simply identified as Moses Progress (22), from the Uwheru community, came to inform the team that he was dispossessed of his mobile phone and money by suspected Fulani herdsmen under a nearby bridge while performing rituals to the river goddess.”
Consequently, the leader of the patrol team detailed the three inspectors, armed with their AK-47 rifles, to follow the complainant to the scene.
It was gathered that while waiting for the return of the three inspectors, the remaining members of the team later saw the complainant on top of a speeding motorcycle without the cops.
The source added, “He was stopped to inquire about the three police officers who went with him. It was at that juncture that he told the team that when they got to the scene, they were attacked by six herdsmen and he managed to escape, while the policemen ran in different directions.
“When he told our men that he did not know the whereabouts of the police officers who went with him, there was no other option but to arrest him and the team called for backup.”
The Police Public Relations Officer for the command, DSP Bright Edafe, could not be reached for comments on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
However, a senior police officer at the command headquarters confirmed the incident, noting that frantic efforts were being made to rescue the officers from their abductors.
The Abia State Police Command confirmed the abduction of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of ABSU, Prof Emelue, in a statement on Saturday.
A statement by the command spokesperson, Maureen Chinaka, said the incident happened around 9.30 pm on Friday.
Chinaka explained that Emezue was abducted from his vehicle and in the company of his wife around 7 pm on Friday.
According to the statement, the incident occurred while the DVC was buying petrol from a filling station in Umuekwu Amachara, near Umuahia.
The statement added, “The hoodlums confiscated his wife’s ATM card, dragged him into a Lexus SUV and drove away with him.
“The command is deploying resources and assets, including intelligence and technical aid, towards unravelling the crime and safely rescuing the victim from his captors.
“We urge Abia people to remain calm and continue their legitimate activities, while maintaining vigilance and being security conscious.”
PDP on Aivoji
Meanwhile, the PDP has demanded the immediate release of its Lagos State chapter chairman, Mr Philip Aivoji, who was abducted on Thursday.
Aivoji was abducted on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on his way to Lagos from Ibadan after a party assignment.
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Saturday, expressed concern about Aivoji’s well-being and safety, especially considering his age.
Ologunagba condemned the spate of kidnap for ransom, mindless killings, attacks on communities and other acts of terrorism across the country.
He said the ugly trend called for urgent action by President Bola Tinubu to ensure the release of all those held in kidnappers’ dens in various parts of the country.
Ologunagba stated, “Our party however appreciates and commends the efforts of our gallant men and women in uniform for their patriotism, courage and determination in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and other social. This is despite daunting challenges.
“The PDP charges the security high command to take urgent steps to secure the release of Aivoji and all other Nigerians trapped in abductors’ camps in various parts of the country.”
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command on Saturday gave details of Aivoji’s abduction, saying efforts had been intensified to secure his release.
In a statement by its spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola, the command explained that the PDP chairman was the only one taken away by the abductors as its men engaged the hoodlums in gunfire, which led to the escape of nine of the victims.
The statement read in part, “The Divisional Police Officer of Isara Division…successfully rescued nine out of 10 persons from the suspected kidnappers following a report received on the 25th of January, 2024 at about 1900hrs that suspected hoodlums emerged from the bush near Bamboo area of Ogun State, inward Lagos State, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that the yet-to-be-identified gunmen barricaded the highway with articulated vehicles, blocking oncoming motorist and started firing indiscriminately, causing a state of commotion and panic, which made motorists to abandon their vehicles and fled for safety into the bush.
“Based on the information, the Divisional Police Officer and his team swiftly raced to the scene together with an Army patrol team on transit, rapidly returning gunfire, which aided the escape of nine kidnapped victims, who later rejoined their vehicles and continued their journey.
“A white Mazda bus registered as LSR 288 XE was slightly damaged, while Eunice Afolake Osalusi ‘f’, Erinfolami Samuel ‘m’, Obafemi Da Altantra ‘m’ and Adeyinka Matthew ‘m’ sustained non-life threatening bullet injuries in their escape attempts; they are recuperating and stable in hospital.
“Sadly, one Bilikisu Kazeem ‘f’, aged 37, gave up the ghost before getting to the hospital. Her remains were immediately collected by her relatives, who were conveying her to the hospital and who declined any autopsy examination by the police.”
The statement added that Aivoji, whose identity was later given by those rescued earlier, was still being held captive, but noted that covert operations were in place to ensure his release.
It added, “The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations has mobilised tactical commanders on joint operations with other security agencies on the directives of the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, on a tracking mission to ensure that the victim, Philip Aivoji, is rescued unhurt.
“Further updates will be made available to members of the public and motorists are advised to travel safely without panic or fear of attack as CP Abiodun Alamutu is resolute to bring the perpetrators in this instant case to justice.”
Wike warns kidnappers
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has warned kidnappers and their informants in the territory to either repent or die at the hands of security agents.
Wike gave the warning on Saturday during the final leg of his security town hall meetings with stakeholders of the area councils at the Kuje Area Council town hall, Kuje town.
The minister also enjoined residents to give their support to security agencies by providing relevant information that would lead to the apprehension of kidnappers and criminals in the FCT.
Wike also stated that his administration would fight insecurity head-on, noting that he had directed the council chairman to set up vigilante groups and profile the members.
He added, “We are going to tackle insecurity head-on. These bandits and criminals, their time is up. I know some of the criminal informants are here listening to me, and if you are an informant, you will die the same way those people you are informing will die.
“You have the opportunity of repenting today or else you are gone. Nobody will pity you. You have seen what the security agencies have been doing in the past few days. That is to show you that it is not business as usual.”
13 suspects arrested
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on Saturday announced the arrest of 13 suspects for unlawful possession of arms, explosives and ammunition.
The Corps Commandant General, NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, revealed this while briefing journalists on Saturday at the NSCDC headquarters, Abuja.
Audi explained that the suspects were arrested in groups and some individually in different locations across the country.
He said that some of them were involved in vandalism of public infrastructure and assets, and other nefarious activities.
Audi, represented by NSCDC spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, said the arrests were made by the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, in synergy with other security agencies.
He added that five of the suspects were arrested for selling firearms and ammunition to bandits and kidnappers.
Bandits’ kingpin nabbed
Also on Saturday, the Nigerian Army said its troops neutralised 10 terrorists and arrested a bandits’ kingpin in clearance operations in the North-West region.
It also said troops apprehended arms smugglers and recovered ammunition during raids in Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Katsina states.
The Information Officer, Joint Task Force, Operation Hadarin Daji, Captain Yagata Ibrahim, said this in a statement on Saturday in Gusau.
Ibrahim said the troops recorded tremendous successes in coordinated dry season clearance operations in the affected states.
He said, “In a recent clearance operation conducted on January 26, the troops cleared and destroyed terrorists’ enclaves at Pada, Matso-Matso and Yurlumu villages in the Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
“During the operation, seven terrorists were neutralised, while others escaped with severe gunshot wounds.
“On the same day, OPHD troops in Zamfara on fighting patrol neutralised two terrorists at Getso and Ubaka villages under the Maru LGA.
“The troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one magazine and 7.62mm special ammunition and two motorcycles.”
Similarly, troops of 6 Brigade, Jalingo, on Friday night, engaged in a fierce battle with bandits in the Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State and recovered some weapons in the process.
This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Jalingo by the Public Relations Officer of the brigade, Lt. Olabodunde Oni.
Oni stated that the attack occurred following the sound of gunshots near a disputed land along Tsukundi Road.
Ex-soldiers on kidnapping
Meanwhile, some ex-officers of the Nigerian military, civil society organisations, and security experts have linked the reintegration of ex-terrorists and bandits into society to rising cases of kidnapping in the country.
A former Army Intelligence Officer, Col. Hassan Stan-Labo (retd.), said, “In everything we do as a country, the guiding force must be that the national interest is well protected. Our national interest will be informed by our objectives. When we go fighting terrorism, for heaven’s sake, given what we have seen with terrorism in other climes, we know that terrorism cannot be fought like conventional warfare.
“To a greater extent, the enemy has to be eliminated. If we don’t eliminate the enemy, in most cases, he lives among us and continues his criminality. Before you know what, he will look back and start all over again the things you thought you had taken care of.
“There must not be a sentiment to come into play. This is purely because of national interests.
“The repercussion now is that when we bring back elements like this saying they are repentant; how much repentant are they? Stories abound already about how they have left the bush and went into their various communities to cause trouble and continue criminality and kidnapping.”
A retired Army captain, Aliyu Umar Babangida, who also is Chief Executive Officer of Goldwater Rivers and Consulting Limited, accused the Federal Government of pampering terrorists by the way it was handling the fight against insecurity in the country.
He said, “With modern technology available to track the whereabouts of terrorists, whether in Sambisa Forest or any other hideout within the Nigerian territory, the Federal Government should not be held hostage by terrorists for any reason.
“The Federal Government should go brutal against the bandits by executing some of them openly to create fear in their camp and also to show them who the boss is.”
An ex-General, who was a member of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group but refused to be named for personal reasons, said the spate of kidnapping and criminality in the country would continue to increase if nothing was done about the terrorists.
“Of course, these kidnappings will continue if the government is not decisive. They must not pamper these criminals. The Army must show that it is responsible to maintain its territorial integrity before these criminals overrun us,” he said.
A former director of the Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, said, “I have always maintained that ‘repentant’ terrorists should not be reintegrated into society. We are still fighting the war, and there is not an end to it. When the government said they are rehabilitating repentant terrorists, what about the people they have killed and the lives they have destroyed?
“Was it not one of these so-called ‘repentant terrorists’ who killed Ali Ndume’s uncle? It is problematic on the part of the government to say that they are reintegrating people back into society and they are still killing people.”
The Executive Director of the Transition Monitoring Group, Mr Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani), said, “We are very concerned about the whole policy of de-radicalisation of these terrorists by the Federal Government. The programme that the government has started comes with a huge worry and concern because the communities that have been destroyed and bastardised, and the thousands that have been killed have not been rehabilitated.
“There has not been any compensation or reconciliation, and now we are saying we want to rehabilitate the same people who wreaked this havoc. The first thing the government should do is to rehabilitate those communities that have been destroyed before we can talk about de-radicalisation or rehabilitation of the terrorists.
“These are the same people who are increasing the rate of kidnapping and killings all over the country. The whole programme is faulty. It is like they are pampering these terrorists and even releasing them back into society. They will certainly do more wickedness and atrocities and cause more harm to Nigerians.”
The founder of the Act for Positive Transformation Initiative, Tolu Babaleye said, “Our government is not serious. How can somebody who has killed, kidnapped, collected ransom, and affected people’s lives, and upon arresting such, take him through the process of rehabilitation? Somebody who is a criminal, there is nothing you can do to take him out of that criminality. So, the best thing is for you to allow the law to take its course on anyone who commits a crime.
“If someone kidnaps another and the victim is killed, he should face the court when he is arrested, and if the court pronounces him guilty, he should be sentenced to death. And a situation where they were kidnapped and no life was lost, if they are caught, they should be given life imprisonment. So the question of integrating such people back into society is a wrong policy, annoying, and risky to society. It is as if some people just want terrorism to continue, that is why we are having such policies.”
A security expert, Nnamdi Chive, said, “I don’t have any data that there is any ex-terrorist who is integrated back into the society and turned against the state. But in any case, there is a programme called the radicalisation programme at the office of the National Security Adviser that seeks to de-radicalise these individuals before they are integrated into society. It is an ongoing programme and I believe that society, the government and even rehabilitated individuals will work together to make the society a better place.”
- Additional reports by DANIEL AYANTOYE and DELE OGUNYEMI
