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
Tinubu, Gov Yusuf asked to resolve Kano Emirate crisis
Tinubu, Gov Yusuf asked to resolve Kano Emirate crisis
A group, One Kano Agenda(OKA), has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Abba Yusuf to facilitate peaceful dialogue among the stakeholders to resolve the current Emirship crisis in Kano.
The Director-General of the group, Amb. Abbas Abdullahi, who made the call while addressing a press conference at the NUJ press centre, Kano, on Sunday, also urged Northern Elders to encourage peaceful dialogue over the matter.
“We respectfully appeal to His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and His Excellency the Governor of Kano State and the respected elders of Arewa to take a proactive role in encouraging peaceful dialogue among all relevant stakeholders.
“National peace begins with local harmony and the restoration of calm in Kano is a matter of national interest.
“A prompt non partisan mediation effort will go a long way in maintaining mutual respect between state and federal institutions and protecting our traditional values,” Abdullahi said.
READ ALSO:
- JUST IN: Two rescued in Lagos building collapse
- Salah stars again as Liverpool move closer to Premier League title
- Police bust car theft syndicate in Abuja, arrest suspects
The group also called for peace and unity among residents of the state in the wake of the Emirship tussle.
It emphasized the need for all stakeholders “to put Kano first and avoid divisions that could harm the state’s social fabric.
“We are gathered here because we believe that Kano must come first before political differences, personal ambitions or any divisive agenda.
“Recent developments around the Emirate issue have stirred tensions, sparked public debates and regrettably fueled discord among our people.
“While discussions on matters of history and tradition are important, we must be careful not to allow misinformation or political manipulation to erode the unity we have built over generations,” it said.
The group warned against any attempt to politicize the Emirate issue and emphasized the importance of respecting the state’s traditional institution.
It urged all stakeholders, including youth, civil society groups, and religious leaders “to rise above divisions and work towards peace and unity.”
Tinubu, Gov Yusuf asked to resolve Kano Emirate crisis
metro
JUST IN: Two rescued in Lagos building collapse
JUST IN: Two rescued in Lagos building collapse
Two persons have been rescued after a three-storey building collapsed in Lagos Island.
The building said to be under construction, caved in Sunday afternoon at 4, Agarawu Street, Lagos Island.
The victims were said to have been trapped when the building collapsed and were only extricated from the rubble by emergency workers who rushed them to the hospital.
READ ALSO:
- Salah stars again as Liverpool move closer to Premier League title
- Police bust car theft syndicate in Abuja, arrest suspects
- Troops foil attacks on Bokkos, recover heavy arms in Plateau
Confirming the incident, the Lagos Police Command said no life was lost.
Spokesman, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the site had been cordoned off by responders, adding that there was calm in the neighbourhood.
He said the relevant agencies would probe the cause of the collapse.
JUST IN: Two rescued in Lagos building collapse
metro
Police bust car theft syndicate in Abuja, arrest suspects
Police bust car theft syndicate in Abuja, arrest suspects
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has dismantled a notorious car theft syndicate operating in Abuja, recovering two stolen vehicles and arresting three key members of the gang.
The suspects reportedly confessed to refurbishing stolen vehicles, altering their colours, and reselling them as newer models to unsuspecting buyers.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
“On April 11, 2025, following a distress call received by the Durumi Division regarding the theft of a gold-coloured 2005 Toyota Corolla (registration number KUJ 208 DA) from a residence, operatives swiftly launched an investigation,” she stated.
The stolen vehicle was tracked to a workshop in Durumi, where it was undergoing illegal refurbishment. The car’s colour was already being changed in an attempt to conceal its identity and prepare it for quick resale.
READ ALSO:
- Troops foil attacks on Bokkos, recover heavy arms in Plateau
- NDLEA exposes Malaysian returnee with hard drugs concealed in music speakers
- JUST IN: Release files on Tinubu, US judge orders FBI, DEA
Further searches at the workshop led to the recovery of another red Toyota Corolla (registration number GWA 844 CK), which had earlier been reported stolen from a residence in Jikwoyi.
Three suspects were arrested at the scene: Steven Musa, David Dalyol (a painter) and Ibrahim Mohammed (a mechanic).
During interrogation, the trio confessed to being part of a larger car theft syndicate operating across Wuse, Central Area, Jikwoyi, and Bwari within the FCT. They admitted to stealing multiple vehicles, refurbishing them, and selling them off as upgraded models.
The suspects remain in police custody and will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao S. Adewale, commended the swift action of the officers involved and urged residents to install vehicle tracking systems and anti-theft devices to enhance recovery efforts in the event of a theft.
Police bust car theft syndicate in Abuja, arrest suspects
-
metro2 days agoKidnapping: Our lives are hanging by a thread, residents of Igbogbo-Baiyeku communities in Lagos cry out
-
International2 days agoUS announces new visa requirements for Nigerian applicants
-
International1 day agoUS embassy announces new visa interview requirements for Nigerian applicants
-
Sports1 day agoBreaking: Former Super Eagles coach Christian Chukwu passes away at 74
-
Sports3 days agoCristiano Ronaldo ventures into movie industry, unveils new studio
-
metro2 days agoIbadan Pastor ends 30-year-marriage over sex dispute with wife
-
Politics2 days agoAtiku leads Tambuwal, El-Rufai, others to Buhari as 2027 election draws near
-
metro2 days agoKemi Olunloyo angry, disowns family after father’s death