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Kidnappers demand N100m ransom to release Kaduna doctor, husband
Kidnappers demand N100m ransom to release Kaduna doctor, husband
Kidnappers of Kaduna-based ophthalmologist, Ganiya Olawale-Popoola; her husband, Nurudeen Popola, and their guest, AbdulMugniy Folaranmi, are demanding a N100m ransom for their release from captivity, one month after the abduction.
Despite family efforts to negotiate a reduction, the abductors remain firm on the N100m demand.
The incident occurred on December 27, 2023, when gunmen allegedly broke into the ophthalmologist’s residence at the National Eye Centre Quarters in Kaduna, kidnapping the doctor, her Air Force officer husband, and their 16-year-old guest.
The kidnappers contacted the family on the fourth day, demanding the specified ransom for the victims’ release.
The kidnappers allegedly threatened to kill the couple if the N100m was not paid before January 18.
The family source disclosed that the kidnappers reached out to the family on Friday insisting that they would kill the victims if the ransom was not paid.
The source said, “The kidnappers reached out to us on Friday. Anytime they reached out, they asked one of the victims who understood Hausa and English to speak with us. They insisted that they were not going back on the N100m ransom.
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“We have pleaded with them to even consider collecting N20m which the family was able to raise but they refused. Everyone in the family is in a state of confusion as to what could be done.”
The source further stated that when the family reached out to the Air Force and police authorities, they were told that they were working to secure their release without getting the victims hurt while appealing to the necessary authorities to help secure the release of their family.
“We have reached out to the police and the Air force but what they kept telling us was that they were working to get them released from their abductors. They (the police and Air Force) told us that they had been careful not to get the victims injured while rescuing them.
“We are appealing as a family to the Nigerian government to help us secure the release of our family members. It has been over a month since they were abducted and we are exhausted as a family. There is no way we can raise the N100m ransom the kidnappers are demanding,” the source said.
When contacted on Monday, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, said the command was making efforts to get the abductees released without casualties.
“There are lots of kidnapping cases that we recorded in recent times. We have been able to rescue some of the victims and arrest some of the kidnappers. The police are not relenting in making sure that all the abducted victims are rescued from their abductors but we want to make sure there is no casualty while we are rescuing them,” Hassan disclosed.
Kidnappers demand N100m ransom to release Kaduna doctor, husband
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14-Year-Old British-Nigerian Boy, Fatally Shot in London
14-Year-Old British-Nigerian Boy, Fatally Shot in London
A 14-year-old British-Nigerian boy, identified as Eghosa Ogbebor, has been fatally shot in the Woolwich area of London, prompting a major police investigation and the arrest of three teenagers. The tragic incident has sparked shock and grief in the local community and among the Nigerian diaspora in the UK.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that officers responded to reports of a shooting on Lord Warwick Street at around 3:40 p.m. on Thursday, 2 April, near Woolwich Dockyard. Emergency responders attempted to save the boy’s life, but he was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Police have identified the suspects as two teenage boys aged 14 and 16 and an 18-year-old man, all of whom have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody. Detectives are urging members of the public with information, CCTV footage, or dashcam recordings to come forward to assist with ongoing inquiries.
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Detective Chief Inspector Lucie Card, leading the investigation, expressed condolences to Eghosa’s family, stating that they are being supported by specialist officers and have requested privacy during this difficult time. She acknowledged the concern the incident has caused across Woolwich and confirmed an increased police presence in the area to reassure residents.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with multiple gunshots heard and panic among pedestrians in the vicinity. The shooting took place near local community areas, heightening the shock and fear among residents.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, condemned the killing and emphasized that “there is absolutely no place for this heartbreaking violence in our city.” He confirmed close collaboration with the police to ensure safety and support for the community.
This tragic event highlights ongoing concerns about youth violence in London and the urgent need for community-based interventions to prevent such senseless acts. Authorities have promised a thorough investigation and are working to uncover the circumstances that led to the death of the young British-Nigerian boy.
14-Year-Old British-Nigerian Boy, Fatally Shot in London
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Gunmen Attack Zamfara Governor’s Aide Convoy, Escape Unhurt
Gunmen Attack Zamfara Governor’s Aide Convoy, Escape Unhurt
Gunmen on Thursday evening ambushed the convoy of Mouktar Lugga, Chief of Staff to the Governor of Zamfara State, in a brazen attack along the Funtua–Gusau highway.
The incident occurred at about 6:16 p.m. near Kucheri village as Lugga was returning to Gusau from an official engagement in Funtua.
According to security and local sources, the attackers—suspected to be armed bandits—launched a coordinated ambush from both sides of the road, opening heavy gunfire on the convoy in what appeared to be a targeted assault.
The vehicle conveying Lugga, his driver, and two other occupants came under direct attack, with bullets reportedly hitting the windscreen. One of the shots narrowly missed the driver, while another assailant attempted to fire at close range but his weapon malfunctioned.
Despite the intensity of the нападение, the driver maintained control and successfully navigated the vehicle out of the kill zone, preventing what could have been a fatal outcome. All occupants escaped unhurt.
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Security sources said the convoy had minimal escort at the time of the incident, raising concerns about the vulnerability of public officials travelling along high-risk routes in the North-West.
Following the attack, security operatives launched a search operation in surrounding bush areas, while patrols along the Funtua–Gusau corridor were intensified to prevent further incidents.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement, but government sources confirmed that Lugga is safe and has since returned to base.
The highway where the attack occurred is known for frequent bandit ambushes, kidnappings, and armed robberies, linking parts of Zamfara and Katsina states—two regions heavily affected by criminal gangs.
Security analysts note that such attacks are often carried out by loosely organised armed groups seeking to kidnap high-profile individuals for ransom or to assert territorial control.
The latest incident underscores the persistent insecurity in Zamfara State, despite ongoing military operations and recent deployments aimed at securing major roads and rural communities.
Authorities have urged commuters to exercise caution, avoid night travel where possible, and report suspicious movements to security agencies as efforts continue to restore safety across the region.
Gunmen Attack Zamfara Governor’s Aide Convoy, Escape Unhurt
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NAF Airstrike Destroys Terrorist Enclave, Kills Scores of ISWAP Fighters in Borno
NAF Airstrike Destroys Terrorist Enclave, Kills Scores of ISWAP Fighters in Borno
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified its counter-insurgency campaign in Nigeria’s North-East, carrying out a precision airstrike that destroyed a terrorist enclave and killed several fighters linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province in Borno State.
The operation targeted Kangarwa in the northern Tumbuns axis—an area long regarded as a stronghold for insurgent groups operating around the Lake Chad basin.
In a statement issued on Friday, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, said the strike was conducted by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai on April 1 at about 12:05 p.m.
According to him, the mission followed credible intelligence reports indicating increased террорист activity in the area. Subsequent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions confirmed the presence and movement of fighters within the enclave prior to the strike.
“The precision strike was carried out based on credible intelligence, reinforced by earlier ISR missions which confirmed the massing of terrorists and sustained hostile activity within the enclave,” Ejodame said.
“Following positive identification and target confirmation, NAF air assets conducted successive aggressive strike passes, delivering accurate fires on the identified locations.”
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He added that the bombardment obliterated key structures, including command posts and logistics hubs, significantly degrading the operational capacity of the террорист network.
“The strike neutralised scores of fighters, destroyed critical infrastructure, and left the enclave severely degraded, with its operational utility significantly diminished,” he said.
Military sources indicated that Kangarwa serves as a strategic transit and coordination hub for insurgents moving across the Tumbuns and Lake Chad fringes. The destruction of the enclave is expected to disrupt planned attacks and weaken supply chains for fighters in the region.
The NAF spokesman further noted that the operation has created favourable conditions for ground forces to advance and conduct clearance operations, as troops of Operation Hadin Kai continue to sustain pressure on fleeing insurgents.
He stressed that the strike dealt a significant blow to ISWAP elements, particularly affecting their command structure and mobility.
“The operation is assessed to have eliminated several ISWAP fighters with devastating impact, while the enclave’s command and support structure suffered a major setback,” Ejodame stated.
Security analysts say the latest strike highlights improved coordination between air and ground forces, a strategy increasingly adopted by the Nigerian military to dismantle insurgent networks more effectively.
The renewed offensive comes amid sustained efforts by the Armed Forces to clear террорист enclaves across Borno and the wider North-East, where insurgency has persisted for over a decade.
Authorities reaffirmed that air interdiction missions and ground assaults will continue in a bid to eliminate remaining террорист elements and restore lasting stability to affected communities.
NAF Airstrike Destroys Terrorist Enclave, Kills Scores of ISWAP Fighters in Borno
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