Metro

‘Other Motorists Refused To Help’, Kidnap Victim Narrates Ordeal

Published

1 year ago

December 27, 2023

A victim of kidnapping, Mrs Adefunke Ale, has narrated her experience when she was kidnapped at Amurin on Akure/Owo Road in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State on her way to Akure.

Ale told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Akure that, she was ambushed by eight suspected kidnappers on Oct. 15, on her way to Akure from Owo.

According to her, she was with her brother, Mr Yemi Ogunmolasuyi, who was driving the car in which they were traveling.

She explained that the kidnappers, who did not cover their faces, were armed with AK-47 rifles.

According to her, the kidnappers said they targeted her in order to collect huge ransom from her son, Mr Akeem Olugosi, living in the United States of America (USA).

“We were waylaid by four kidnappers at Amurin on the road and another set of four kidnappers were at the back of the car.

“They shot at our car and we had to park and all the car doors opened.

“Four of them guided me to the bush and another set of four guided my elder brother also to the bush, ” she said.

She said that on sighting a mud portion in the bush, she fell flat on the mud because of tiredness.

“They had to drag me and in the process, I sustained some wounds on my legs.

“While being dragged, one of them asked them to carry me and they had already removed my footwear and had taken my bag, which contained many valuables: international passport, driver’s license, cell phones, national identity card, ATM card and a smaller bag, ” Ale said.

Ale said that motorists plying the road could not wait to render any help to her.

She stated that it was some policemen who rescued her and took her to the hospital for medical care.

“I could not stand up and I had to crawl until I reached the roadside.

“There was a heavy traffic hold-up on the road because our vehicle had double-crossed the road, ” she explained.

Ale said that all attempts to ask for help from motorists did not yield any positive result, adding that she was there for almost 30 minutes before some boys came out from the bush opposite the area.

“I appealed to them to carry me but in the process, policemen arrived and I told them that the kidnappers had taken my brother away and the police said that they would carry me to their station to report.

“When we got to Emure-Ile Police Station, the DPO there asked them to quickly take me to the Federal Medical Centre in Owo ( FMC) for medical treatment, ” she said.

According to her, her brother spent six days with the kidnappers because they initially asked for N100 million as ransom.

Ale appealed to the government at all levels to find a lasting solution to the menace of kidnapping on Nigerian roads.

According to her, she was encumbered by fear of traveling since the incident.
(NAN)

Metro

NDLEA Destroys Cannabis Farms, Arrests 39 Suspects In Edo

Published

1 hour ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed two cannabis farms, arrested 39 suspected drug traffickers, and seized over 1.3 tonnes of illicit drugs in May.

Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, the State Commander of the agency, disclosed this on Monday in Benin while presenting his first monthly operational scorecard.

Ofoyeju said those arrested included 18 males and 21 females.

He said that the two cannabis farms, measuring a combined 0.783 hectares, were located in Uzebba and Ohosu forests across Owan West and Ovia South West Local Government Areas, respectively.

He said that the Uzebba farm covered 0.266 hectares while the Ohosu farm spanned 0.517 hectares.

Ofoyeju noted that the major highlight of the operation was the interception of 74 and a half bags of cannabis sativa weighing 1,115 kilograms at Oke community in Ohunwude Local Government Area, following an intelligence report.

“The two suspects arrested in connection with the seizure are a 33-year-old Isaac Israel from Abak Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom, and a 19-year-old Precious Zion from Ogba Local Government Area in Rivers.

“In a separate raid at the Oluku area of Benin City, an 18-year-old Nigerien, Mohammed Isah, was also arrested for an unlawful possession of various drugs.

“The drugs are four grams of methamphetamine, 54 grams of cannabis sativa, six grams of tramadol tablets (100 milligrams), and 28 grams of Exol-5 tablets,” he said.

The NDLEA commander linked drug trafficking to rising violent crimes in the state.

He said the activity undermined public safety, investment opportunities, and placed heavy burdens on the law enforcement and the healthcare system.

“Drug control is germane to Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s fight against kidnapping and cultism in the state.

“The Edo Command of the agency will continue to work assiduously in ensuring a safe and secure society for all,” Ofoyeju said.

He reaffirmed the mandate given to him by the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired), to dismantle cannabis cultivation syndicates and expand the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.

Ofoyeju called for immediate and coordinated efforts to combat the risks associated with drug trafficking and abuse.

He also advocated proactive strategies and improved resource allocation to address drug and drug-related problems.

Metro

Police Rescue Robbery Suspect From Irate Mob, Recover Pistol In Enugu

Published

2 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

The police command in Enugu State has rescued an armed robbery suspect from irate mob and recovered a locally made pistol from him.

The command Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement on Monday in Enugu, said that the suspect (names withheld) was rescued from the mob on June 8, at about 8p.m. within the Independence Layout, Enugu.

Ndukwe said that the feat was achieved through credible intelligence by a combined team of police operatives from the Independence Layout Division, Anti-Cultism Squad, working in collaboration with members of the Neighbourhood Watch.

“A locally fabricated pistol was recovered from him, while his cohorts reportedly fled the scene.

“The suspect, who sustained severe injuries inflicted by the irate mob, is currently receiving medical treatment.

“He (allegedly) confessed to being a member of the Black Axe Confraternity, while discreet investigations are ongoing to apprehend his fleeing accomplices,” he said.

Ndukwe said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had commended the swift and collaborative efforts of the police operatives and community members that led to the arrest and recovery.

He said that the commissioner, however, strongly cautioned against mob actions and jungle justice, adding that such acts undermined proper investigation and the delivery of justice in criminal cases.

Metro

Retired Army Major Dies In Kidnappers’ Den After N10m Ransom Payment

Published

2 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

A retired Army Major, Joe Ajayi, who was kidnapped at his residence in Odo-Ape, Kabba-Bunu local government area of Kogi State a few weeks ago, has died in the kidnappers’ den despite a ransom of N10 million paid for his rescue.

Major Ajayi was kidnapped on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from his residence around 11:30pm by gunmen who shot sporadically.

According to Vanguard, the initial demands of N50 million ransom by the abductors lingered for long when the family could not pay; this resulted in his health deteriorating, as he had no means to get his medication.

It was gathered that the kidnappers informed the family that their plea for his medication to be forwarded to him will come at an extra cost, a concession that couldn’t be met by the family.

However, as soon as the abductors discovered that Ajayi couldn’t survive, they reduced the ransom to ₦10 million naira.

A source in the community said that the Ajayi family, believing he was still alive, quickly agreed to pay the ten million naira for his rescue.

“Once the ransom was paid, the kidnappers directed the family to where they would find him, only for them to meet his (Ajayi’s) lifeless body.”

The retired army officer’s remains has been deposited at Kabba Specialist Hospital mortuary.

Kidnapping has surged in the state for a while now, with the abduction of a first-class monarch, Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Oba Okoloke in Yagba West Local Government Area, who was in the same way abducted from his home in early May. He’s yet to be released either.

However, the governor of the state, Ahmed Usman Ododo, speaking at the Eid ground last Sallah in Okene, appealed to residents to remain calm, as efforts to rid the criminal elements out of the state are already yielding positive interest.