Metro

How I Fought Kidnappers With Bare Hands – Female Traveller

Published

3 years ago

December 19, 2022

Editor

A female traveller in Plateau State, Lucy Jeremiah, who was abducted by a nine-member kidnap gang on Monday, narrated how she, alongside other victims fought the kidnappers with bare hands to escape from the bush, where they were held captives.

It was learnt that the kidnappers had abducted Jeremiah alongside four other victims while they were travelling in a vehicle to Jos, Plateau State, from Abuja on Thursday.

The female victim who was still in trauma told The PUNCH in Jos on Monday at the Plateau State Police Command Headquarters where she was recuperating that she handed her life to God before she summoned the courage to fight the kidnappers with all her strength as she was not willing to follow the assailants to their final destination.

Jeremiah said, “What happened was that, we were coming back from Abuja to Jos in a vehicle last Thursday. On getting to Government Science School, Kuru, in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, around 6pm, though I was sleeping in the vehicle, I woke up when the vehicle suddenly stopped. When I woke up, I saw a man wielding a gun. He opened the door and said we should give him our phones.

“He collected all our phones and money. He thereafter selected four of us in the vehicle and marched us into the bush. The kidnappers numbering nine asked us to call our parents on phone and demanded N5 million each. After we made the calls, they took us farther into the bush, and out of the four persons, I was the only female among them.”

The female victim further said, “As we were going deeper into the bush, I asked my fellow kidnap victims that we should organise our escape, but they were so afraid of the idea and they said they could not do anything because they were not with any weapon to fight the kidnappers, who were with a gun, knife and other weapons. By this time, some of the kidnappers who were initially nine had left leaving four of them with us. As we marched deeper into the bush, two of the four kidnappers left were trailing behind while the two others with the gun and knife were the ones leading us in the front.

“Again, at this time, I told my co-victims that we should do something and that I will not follow the kidnappers anymore farther into the bush to wherever they were taking us, and that God would be in control. I also told them what to do as I suggested to them that I would be the first person to grab the kidnapper carrying the gun while they should come to my assistance if anything happened and that was what I did. So, when I grabbed the kidnapper with the gun, the other kidnapper holding a knife rushed forward and wanted to stab me in the stomach. But as I turned, he missed his target…”

The female victim could not continue with the interview as she broke down crying.

However, the Spokesman for the state Police Command, Alabo Alfred, confirmed the incident saying that the other kidnap victims who were rescued by the police alongside the female victim had been taken to the hospital for treatment.

The PPRO said, “We have four victims that were rescued and it happened somewhere in Barkin Ladi LGA of the state on December 15. A team of police detectives traced them to Kassa forest in the Barkin Ladi LGA where they came in contact with the kidnap victims including Lucy Jeremiah and three others. She (Lucy Jeremiah) was found unconscious with a deep cut in her leg and the other victims were taken to the hospital for treatment and we are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended.”

Metro

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

8 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.