metro
Abductors of Lagos trader demand ransom in dollars
- Release victim but vow to come back for balance
An abducted Lagos-based Igbo businessman, Timothy Uche, has regained freedom some days after his family was made pay ransom in dollars.
Uche, who deals in different kinds of electronics, was kidnapped in the Ejigbo area of Lagos State last Friday.
His abductors, a gang of four kidnappers, had waylaid him in the Iyana-Ejigbo area and fired several shots at his car. He waa dragged out of the vehicle and whisked away to an unknown destination.
The gunshots made everyone around the area, including tricycle riders, to scamper for safety.
It was gathered that as soon as he was taken away, his telephone lines were immediately switched off.
He could neither be reached through his lines nor did the kidnappers call any member of his family for over 48 hours.
It was learnt that after the incident was reported at the Ejigbo police station, the DPO deployed a tracking system which indicated that Uche had been taken away through Liasu and LASU roads.
His abductors later called Uche’s wife on Sunday and demanded N70 million naira ransom for the release of his husband.
Eventually, after a lot of plea, the kidnappers agreed to take N5 million.
While the family and friends of Uche were gathering the money, the captors placed a clause that the N5 million value must be converted to United States Dollars.
The family members started running around to raise the money and convert it to dollars.
News broke on Tuesday morning that Uche was released.
Uche narrated his ordeal to Credible News correspondent who visited him.
”I was kidnapped on Friday, March 10, 2023, around 9:30pm, when I closed from my shop situated on Ifoshi Road, close to Iyana Ejigbo, Lagos.
”On that fateful day, three armed men and a ‘pregnant woman’ shot sporadically at my car when I entered it to make a U-turn to pick up my children, who were still in the store waiting for me. The next thing I saw was people and tricycle riders running for safety. I was left alone at this point.
”They shot at the front, back, and sides of my car to ensure that I cannot escape. They even fired a bullet at my seat, which burned the upholstery of the seat but didn’t touch me. But to my greatest surprise, none of these bullets touched. At that point, the abductors whisked me away to an unknown destination.
”They drove through Egbe, Idimu, and Liasu roads to an apartment in the Ayobo area of Lagos State, where I was kept for three days. While I was struggling with them in their vehicle, they used knives on me and the gun which could not penetrate. ”There were bruises on me but the knives could not penetrate. I had bruises, but my clothes did not tear. One of them even cut through my signet but the knife could not enter me. If not God, who could have done it for me?
“For the three days, I spent in their custody, I was fed and medically treated.
“This is the third time these kidnappers have come for me. The last one was two months ago. While I was in the kidnappers’ den, one of them said they had been monitoring me since Monday of the same week.
“On Sunday, one of the kidnappers used my phone to call my wife, demanding N70 million in ransom. When they discovered that she could not raise the money, they agreed to N15 million, and when they observed that the money was not available, they requested N5 million, stressing that they would come for the balance later.”
Asked if those that kidnapped him were Igbo or Yoruba. Uche said they spoke in English each time they were together. “I also heard two or three of them communicating in the Igbo language at other times. I later found out that one of the kidnappers who dressed like a pregnant female is actually a male.
“But, before I was released, one of the kidnappers tapped at me where I was praying and said: ”It is okay, your prayers have been answered. Let us do what we want to do and leave here. But you must promise to give us the balance.’ They told me that they will still come back for me.’
“When the ransom was paid, I was blindfolded by my abductors, who dropped me somewhere at Ayobo on Tuesday, where my family members came to pick me up. My phone is presently with the kidnappers.”
metro
Just in: Senate Committee wants Senator Natasha suspended for six months, apologise to Akpabio
Just in: Senate Committee wants Senator Natasha suspended for six months, apologise to Akpabio
The Senate Committee on Ethics has recommended that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan be suspended for six months over controversy around her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The committee on Thursday also advised that the Kogi Central senator should apologise to the Senate for disrespecting the institution.
It recommended the withdrawal of her salary and security details during the suspension period.
Earlier, Akpoti-Uduaghan had through her constituents led by Zubairu Yakubu submitted another sexual harassment petition against Akpabio during plenary.
Akpabio directed her to formally lay the petition before the Senate at 12:38pm.
The petition was then referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), with a mandate to report back within four weeks.
This move follows a similar petition Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted the previous day, which sparked controversy.
Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) had raised a point of order, citing Senate Standing Order 40, arguing that the matter was sub judice due to an ongoing court case involving Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ekaette Akpabio, the Senate President’s wife.
He also contended that the petition should not be considered since Akpoti-Uduaghan had personally signed it.
metro
Steel factory explosion injures seven in Ogun
Steel factory explosion injures seven in Ogun
The Ogun State Police Command has begun an investigation into an explosion at Quantum Steel, located along the Sagamu-Ikorodu Road in Ogijo, which left seven workers, including three expatriates, severely injured.
The explosion, which occurred on Wednesday, was reported at the Ogijo Police Division by a staff member of the company, Joseph Adewale.
Those injured include four Nigerians—Daniel Bala, 28; Mutiu Olajide, 39; Godwin Solomon, 27; and Maduabuchi Onwe, 27—as well as three expatriates, Ajun Kumar, 37; Chandan Kumar, 50; and Rakash Kumar, 30.
Omolola Odutola, the state police public relations officer, confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday, saying the explosion was caused by machinery failure.
The statement read, “According to the report, on March 2, 2025, at about 6:30 pm, a blast from one of the factory’s machines resulted in severe injuries to seven individuals, including both Nigerian and expatriate workers.
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“All the injured victims were rushed to Rolayo Hospital in Ikorodu, Lagos, where they are currently receiving treatment and responding well.”
Odutola stated that investigators went to the location, made an initial examination, and documented evidence, including photographs. She also stated that a thorough investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause of the explosion and ensure compliance with industrial safety standards.
The police department also asked businesses and sectors to emphasize worker safety to avoid similar incidents.
Steel factory explosion injures seven in Ogun
metro
Soldiers invade Ikeja Electric offices in Lagos, attack workers
Soldiers invade Ikeja Electric offices in Lagos, attack workers
Some military personnel on Thursday morning stormed the head office of an electricity distribution company, Ikeja Electric and other offices in Lagos and assaulted its workers.
Newstrends learnt the personnel in uniform forced their way into the Ikeja Electric office on Ago Palace Way, Okota, Isolo, Lagos and Alausa, Ikeja.
Videos were shared online showing the military personnel wielding arms, destroying offices, locking up some workers, which crippled operations in the company.
Some seven staff members were seen kneeling while the military personnel assaulted others.
A similar occurrence reportedly took place at the Ikeja Electric head office in Ikeja.
The assault on Thursday instilled fear among the company workers including senior staff members, with many hiding for safety.
Some said they had decided to stay away as those who resumed early for work on Thursday could not be reached on the phones.
There are fears that many of them were attacked, wounded and hospitalised.
There were reports earlier that Ikeja Electric disconnected the power supply to the Nigerian Air Force logistics base in Ikeja.
There has been growing tension between Ikeja Electric and the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, over the disconnection of power supply, which many fear may escalate.
The Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, has been without power for two weeks following its disconnection by Ikeja Electric over an unpaid debt running into millions of naira.
An agreement was reportedly struck for the Nigerian Air Force to pay a monthly sum of N60 million to ensure a daily electricity supply of 10 to 12 hours to the base.
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