Metro

Kidnapped Vigilante Commandant Regains Freedom After N5m Ransom

Published

3 years ago

December 27, 2022

The newly-elected President-General of Ukwulu Town Union, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, Christopher Uba, has revealed that the community’s vigilante commandant who was recently abducted has regained freedom from his abductors after the payment of N5 million ransom.

The vigilante commandant, Kachy Ilodigwe, was reportedly kidnapped by about four gunmen in November, while returning from a church activity when the armed men double-crossed him with their car and whisked him away.

Uba, while speaking to journalists shortly after he was declared the winner of the election at the Community Civil Centre, Ukwulu, on Tuesday, said the vigilante commandant was released after the payment of the ransom.

He said it was not yet clear why Ilodigwe was kidnapped, adding that after he regained his freedom, he was attacked again and shot by gunmen few days later.

He said the commandant was currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

The PG used the occasion to alert the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and the security operatives over the increasing rate of gunmen and herdsmen attacks in the community on a daily basis.

According to him, the activities of gunmen and herdsmen in the Ukwulu community, has been in the increase.

Anambra traders accuse market leader of N1.6m extortion
He also called on members of the community to report any suspicious persons, movement, object as well as suspicious gathering in their neighbourhoods.

He said, “Our people, especially, the women no longer go to their farms again to avoid being raped and killed. Our people living outside the community no longer come home during festive seasons.

“There are fears everywhere in the community. As I speak to you now, the corpse of a girl recently kidnapped and murdered by the dreaded killers few days ago is still lying in the mortuary. We are calling for help.

“I wish to inform members of the community, particularly the youths, tri-cyclists and taxi drivers as well as other members of the public to be weary about the antics of the criminal elements in the area.

“Members of the community are further reminded on the need to be security conscious and report any suspicious movement and threat to peace in their place of worship, market, yard to the police or sister security agencies in the nearest security post in the area.”

Uba, equally appealed to Soludo, Zone 13 Police Headquarters, the State Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, and other security outfits in the state to urgently deployed security personnel to dismantle the gunmen and killer herdsmen settlements in the area.

PUNCH

Metro

BREAKING: Bodies Of 8 Missing Policemen Recovered In Benue

Published

23 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Lifeless bodies of the eight policemen who were declared missing after a deadly attack on security operatives at Agu Centre, on the border of Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State, have been recovered.

Dr Justin Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA disclosed this to reporters in Makurdi on Monday.

According to him, “this brings the number of officers killed to 11 (10 policemen and one BSCPG)”.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday, when a team of security operatives came under the attack of armed invaders.

Three personnel were immediately confirmed dead while eight others were declared missing.

Metro

Police Arrest Three Kidnappers Over ₦6.9m Ransom, Victim’s Murder

Published

24 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested three suspected kidnappers who allegedly killed one of their victims after collecting N6.9 million ransom.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Iringe-Koko identified the suspects as Hassan Mohammed (20) of Wandigah Town, Mandagali, Borno State; Bello Abubakar (25) of Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State; and Yusuf Ahmed (23) of Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.

She said the arrests followed an investigation into the abduction of Humphrey Wagbara of Igwuruta-Atali.

According to the PPRO, the suspects also kidnapped one Mercy Chinyere on September 12, 2025, at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of N3,500,000 before releasing her.

The statement read, “On 26th August, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a distressing report, suggesting the kidnapping of one Humphrey Wagbara, m of Igwuruta-Atali.

“Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annexe, acting on this information and in a daring and coordinated operation on 19th September, 2025, at about 0200hrs arrested three suspects at different locations in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the State in connection with the kidnapping of the victim.”

Iringe-Koko said during interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the State.

Among their past kidnappings are those of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, where they collected a ransom of N6,900,000 before killing the victim.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one G-3 rifle with Breech Number 10398, one magazine, one Itel phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara, a kidnapped victim, three short daggers, one jack knife and one stainless short knife,” Rivers police imagemaker said.

Iringe-Koko added that the suspects and exhibits remain in police custody while detectives track other fleeing members of the syndicate and search for additional weapons.

The Command said it arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

According to Iringe-Koko, George committed the offence on September 6, 2025, after luring the minor while she was sent on an errand by her aunt.