Metro

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

Published

2 years 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

Two Jailed For 26 Months Over N8.56bn Bank Cyber Fraud In Lagos

Published

6 hours ago

November 19, 2025

Editor

Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja, has convicted and sentenced two men; Hamza Zakaria and Nurudeen Ibrahim, to 26 months imprisonment each for their involvement in an N8.56 billion fraud.

The duo were found guilty of gaining unauthorised access to the computer systems of a new-generation bank.

They were initially arraigned on May 2, 2025, alongside other suspects, on a four-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Their charges bordered on conspiracy, stealing, and unlawful access to a computer system, offences contrary to Sections 409 and 331 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2011.

Both defendants had earlier pleaded not guilty.

However, they changed their plea after the EFCC presented amended charges, enabling the court to convict and sentence them based on the updated information.

During the review of the case, EFCC counsel Muhammad Bashir called an operative of the Commission, Airende Monday, who presented documents that were admitted into evidence.

Delivering judgment, Justice Oshodi ruled:
“I find the defendants guilty in the two-count amended information, and I convict them accordingly. This is the judgment of the court.”

The court imposed eight months imprisonment on count one and one year and six months on count two.

The sentences are to run concurrently, with an option of a N50,000 fine.

According to the EFCC, Zakaria, Ibrahim and others still at large conspired in January 2025 to illegally access and manipulate Wema Bank’s computer systems and servers, transferring and retaining criminal proceeds derived from the breach.

Metro

Police Arrest Suspected Organ Harvester, Rescue Four Victims

Published

9 hours ago

November 19, 2025

Editor

A notorious organ harvest suspect is in police custody over an attempt to buy the kidneys of four victims in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

Confirming the development in a press conference yesterday, the Commissioner of Police, Shettima Jauro, said the suspect, Mr Maro Ebojoh, 40, was arrested by officials of Yahaya Sabo Motor Park, Bukan Sidi in Lafia while perfecting his plans to harvest organs of his targets.

The CP said Nasarawa police operatives deployed to the area arrested him and further investigation revealed that Umar Barau, 25, Suleman Alhaji-Garba, 20, Williams Dadung, 32, and Stanley Ezekiel 27, were lured with promise to receive N2 million each after the deal is sealed.
He said the four victims were sent to a hospital in Abuja to be screened for fitness for the removal of their kidneys.

“The command detailed operatives to the facility where the organ harvest was to take place. On arrival, the victims were placed on medical rest in a hotel to calm the blood pressure of one of the victims before the operation.

“The victims confessed that the suspect promised them N2 million each after the initial N500,000 initial deposit by the suspect,” he said.

According to the CP, the suspect confessed to the crime, stating that he procured a donor for another client two months ago where he received N1 million, and paid the victim N2.5 million.

In another development, nine criminal suspects were arrested in connection with gang-related robbery at night within Mararaba and environs.

The CP said their modus operandi include, attacking residents, stealing mobile phones and transferring funds from their victim’s bank account before selling the device to unsuspecting buyers.

He said that the suspects confessed to the crimes and admitted to carrying out operation at the Uke Karu where the son of serving police officer was killed.

Shettima urged the public to remain vigilant and cautious, particularly against individuals who disguise as genuine organ donor solicitors but only interested in the financial gains, moreso as the festive season is fast approaching.

Nasarawa is among the states in the North where organ harvest is rampant among young people. Most victims of organ harvest are poor citizens who engage themselves in menial jobs to survive.

Metro

Lagos Begins Clearance Of Tejuosho Market

Published

9 hours ago

November 19, 2025

Editor

Lagos State government, through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, yesterday, began clearance of Tejuosho Market in Yaba, Lagos State

The clearance operation is aimed at restoring sanity and upholding environmental standards in the area. The ministry said the operation was in line with the THEMES+ agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to make the state cleaner and habitable for business.

Commissioner for the Envir onment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said public spaces must remain orderly, safe and free from obstruction, and that the ministry would continue to enforce the law and ensure compliance with environmental regulations across Lagos.

Speaking with The Guardian, Head, Public Affairs and Advocacy Unit, the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) popularly known as KAI, Ajayi Lukman, said the agency received petitions against the traders three months ago and and engaged them in different occasions to leave the road but all the engagement did not yield fruit.

He said: “They didn’t turn a new leaf despite series of engagements and advocacy, and we decided to dislodge them today (November 18, 2028). The traders left their shops to move to walkways and setbacks. They also closed two lanes and left one for motorists. They converted the road into market without recourse

“Their excos came around to apologise. But no going back on our operation.”

The Corps Marshal, Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (rtd), said residents must continue to make Lagos habitable and cleaner for business via monitoring of all environs.

He noted the resolve of the agency towards eradicating the nefarious acts perpetuated by environmentally-insensitive individuals as he bemoaned the negative impact posed to public health.

Cole also emphasised how open urination, defecation and improper refuse disposal contributed to the sub-par air quality in some parts of the state.