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BREAKING: ₦1m ransom paid for my release, says kidnapped corper

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2 years ago

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Brig Gen Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed, NYSC DG

BREAKING: ₦1m ransom paid for my release, says kidnapped corper 

A National Youth Service Corps member, Miss Esther Akande, with Call-up No.: NYSC/IFE/2023/201810 (Batch B stream 2), who was kidnapped on Wednesday, August 16, while on her way to the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Magaji Dan Yanusa Keffi, Nasarawa State, and released on Saturday, August 19, has revealed that the sum of ₦1 million was paid to secure her freedom from her abductors.

Family sources had confirmed to The PUNCH on Saturday that the kidnappers demanded a ransom of ₦1million, adding that the police were nonchalant about the situation, while the NYSC urged the family to play along and pay the ransom.

However, Miss Esther in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents on Wednesday, gave the full details of her abduction and subsequent release.

Esther said, “I was on my way to camp there, because our bus, our car (driver), actually handed us over to another car (driver) at Lokoja. So, he dropped us off. So we entered another car and continued the journey from there. As we were about to enter, I think, Abaji, these people, we just met them on the road, asked us to stop.

“They started shooting the car, and before we knew it, the driver was shot. The person beside him was shot also. So I think the driver was shot in the head. The other person was shot and he died on that spot immediately. So we were tried to escape from the car because the car actually turned upside down and smoke was coming out of it.

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“So we were trying to escape because we feared the car might catch fire. As we were about to escape, I was dragged out from the car by these men. And they dragged me into the bush and later I saw them drag another lady that was in the car too into the bush too. Then, the other two that were in the car, I don’t know how they managed to escape. I don’t know. So that was how it happened. We were in the bush for four days. They tortured us,” she said.

When asked about her release, Esther revealed, “I spent four days. From Wednesday, I was released on Saturday. The incident happened on Wednesday. They released me on Saturday after collecting money from my parents. So, they actually requested money. At first, they were requesting N300m. Later, it was reduced to N100 million. Then after begging, it was later reduced to ₦1million.

“They asked my dad to bring the money to Abaji. So, I don’t know how it happened there, because I know they delayed him, he was there since 12pm, but they attended to him by 9pm. So after they collected the money, they later released me.”

She further explained that she was taken to the NYSC camp from there and she received treatment. She further added that although her aunty informed the police, she wasn’t taken into custody after her release. The police weren’t involved in the transaction process as well.

However, when contacted, the NYSC Director, Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, denied the payment of the ₦1million ransom to the kidnappers, claiming that she was released following pleas and the combined efforts of security agencies and the NYSC.

“The important thing is that she’s out of their hands now, and she’s not hurt. She’s in the orientation camp now with her colleagues. It took the combined efforts of security men and pleading for her to be released. We at the NYSC worked with security agencies to ensure that she was released. We’re not aware that any ransom was paid,” Megwa said.

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Also, Esther’s father, Mr Akande, who is also a pastor, denied the payment of ransom to the kidnappers, despite contrary revelation by his daughter, the victim.

“No ransom was paid. We didn’t pay any ransom. They requested it (the ransom), but we begged them, we prayed, and at last, my daughter was released. The only thing I can say is that, the transport there and everything was done, but about the paying of this and that (ransom), I can’t say that was done,” Pastor Akande said.

Also, confirming Esther’s narration, a family source privy to the development told one of our correspondents that the victim was only released following the payment of the ₦1million ransom.

“She was released on Saturday night after the ransom was paid. Although the NYSC was duly informed, we only reached out to the police once, as we were later advised (by the kidnappers) not to involve the security agencies.

“It was later taken up by the school authority – the higher institution she graduated from – Adeyemi College of Education. Corps members, undergraduates and staff members from the school helped raise over half of the ₦1million ransom,” the source revealed.

Reacting to the denial by the NYSC, the source added, “The question should be, is it possible for the police and other security agencies to get a victim from kidnappers and not arrest the kidnappers?

“It is either they’re arrested, or they collect the money. So, how come she was released and they were not arrested? The family had to travel down from here to go give them the money. The kidnappers even gave an ultimatum. I don’t need to deny it, especially now that she has been released.”

BREAKING: ₦1m ransom paid for my release, says kidnapped corper

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Ekiti court sentences 2 men to death for robbery, kidnapping

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8 minutes ago

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April 14, 2025

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Ekiti court sentences 2 men to death for robbery, kidnapping

A High Court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, has sentenced two men to death by hanging for their involvement in armed robbery and kidnapping.

The convicts identified as 42 year old Onileowo Rotimi, 42 year old Adetola Ayodele were brought before Justice Bamidele Omotoso, on Monday, April 14 on charges of conspiracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping.

The charge read, “The convicts on 7th October, 2016 at Abuta Omuo Ekiti did conspire to commit armed robbery, when they robbed one Mrs Ajibola Oyelola and on the same date and place, also conspired to kidnap the victim.

“The offences are contrary to sections 516, 402 and 403 (A) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012, also Section 3 (a)(b) of the Ekiti State Kidnapping and Terrorism (prohibition) Laws, 2015.”

The victim gave a detailed account of what transpired while testifying in court.

She said, “I was cooking in the kitchen around 8.30pm, suddenly I saw five gunmen in the living room, they asked of my husband, they said he offended their boss and they are here to kill him and since he was not at home, they collected my car key and a sum of N78,000 I have at home.

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They blindfolded me and also tied my hands, I was ordered to lay face down at the back seat. Before I entered the car, I saw my gateman where his hands and legs were tied with rope. I was taken to an unknown place inside bush, I was with them for eight days.

“They called my husband on the fourth day and demanded for a ransom of N40m, but my husband was able to raise and pay N600,000 gathered from friends and families before I was released.

“They were not masked throughout the time in the bush, I saw their faces clearly.”

To support his case, the prosecutor, Akinola Abon, presented four witnesses and submitted the defendants’ statements as evidence.

The defendants, speaking through their attorney, admitted that they met and became friends while in prison before committing the alleged crimes.

They did not call any witnesses.

While delivering the judgment, Justice Bamidele Omotoso said, “The prosecution has fruitfully proved the case of conspiracy, kidnapping and armed robbery against the defendants.

“Consequently, the defendants are found guilty of all the offences as charged.

“For kidnapping, the defendants are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment and for armed robbery, the defendants are to be hanged by the neck until they are dead, may God have mercy on your souls.”

Ekiti court sentences 2 men to death for robbery, kidnapping

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Troops rescue 16 kidnapped passengers in Plateau

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23 minutes ago

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April 14, 2025

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Nigerian military troops

Troops rescue 16 kidnapped passengers in Plateau

Troops of the 3 Division Nigerian Army and Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) have successfully rescued 16 passengers who were kidnapped along the Jos-Mangu Road in Plateau State.

The rescue operation began when troops, conducting Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A, discovered an abandoned vehicle on the roadside at Mararraban Kantoma in Mangu Local Government Area. Suspicious that the vehicle had been used in a kidnapping, the troops launched a search in the surrounding bushes.

Their swift action led to the rescue of the 16 victims, who were found unharmed.

He explained that the kidnappers, on sighting the troops, opened fire, but the troops overwhelmed the criminals with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon the victims and fled.

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The statement added that troops exploited the general area and rescued all 16 abducted passengers, which included six children.

OPSH further maintained that troops administered first aid to some of the rescued victims who sustained minor injuries during the incident.

He pointed out that the Troops escorted the victims to safety to continue their journey to Jos metropolis.

Meanwhile, OPSH troops were on the lookout for the fleeing kidnappers suspected to have sustained gunshot wounds during the gun duel.

OPSH reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property within the Joint Operations Area, while troops remained motivated to deny miscreants freedom of action.

 

Troops rescue 16 kidnapped passengers in Plateau

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Court remands Portable over inability to meet bail conditions

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36 minutes ago

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April 14, 2025

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Musician Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable

Court remands Portable over inability to meet bail conditions

Controversial Nigerian musician, Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, has been remanded in the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin, Kwara State, after failing to meet the stringent bail conditions set by an Upper Area Court in the state.

This follows Portable’s appearance in court on Monday where he faced charges of defamation of character, filed against him by veteran Fuji musician Akorede Saheed, widely known as Saheed Osupa.

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The singer’s legal troubles stem from allegations that he made insulting remarks against Osupa, which the latter claims have tarnished his reputation.

The ‘zazoo-zeh’ crooner, however, received bail of N1 million and other stringent bail conditions, including providing two sureties in like sum.

According to the court’s directive, one of the sureties must be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, while the other must be a property owner within a Government Reserved Area in Ilorin, supported by a valid Certificate of Occupancy.

Court remands Portable over inability to meet bail conditions

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