Kidnappers killed 20 victims in my presence – Anambra native doctor – Newstrends
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Kidnappers killed 20 victims in my presence – Anambra native doctor

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2 years ago

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Kidnappers killed 20 victims in my presence – Anambra native doctor

A native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu, freed by kidnappers in Anambra State, said on Saturday that he witnessed the killing of about 20 other victims by the kidnappers.

The native doctor, popularly called Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki, was kidnapped at his Triple P Hotel in Oba, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State at about 11:30 pm on Sunday, July 23.

Narrating his ordeal, Nwangwu disclosed that he would have escaped from the kidnappers’ den if he wanted to but that his abductors would have killed more people if he left.

Sunday PUNCH gathered that the native doctor was released by his abductors in the early hours of Saturday after they collected an undisclosed amount as ransom.

The Anambra State Police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed his release to journalists on Saturday.

However, Ikenga did not disclose the actual amount paid as ransom, stating that the abductors reached out to the native doctor’s colleagues and friends and some money was paid to them before he was freed.

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He added, “Yes, he has been released this morning (Saturday). We are waiting to debrief him, with a view to getting his experience and clue of who the abductors are, so that we can go after them.

“I have the information that his abductors contacted friends and relatives and demanded some millions. I also have information that his abductors were demanding some specific amount but I have not gotten the accurate figure.

“According to speculations, they said it’s between N200m and N300m. We are making efforts to get in touch with him and get accurate information surrounding his abduction.”

A source also informed our correspondent that Nwangwu’s friends pooled money together in order to pay his ransom.

The source said, “He was released very early this morning (Saturday). He is currently celebrating with his friends and well-wishers in his house in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area. His friends rallied round and raised the money for the abductors, but they demanded an additional N50m, which was also delivered to them before he was released.”

Recounting his experience in the hands of his abductors, Nwangwu said, “This whole thing is related to sit-at-home and they mentioned names of more people they will take, but it’s not something I can say now.

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“They killed many in my presence. They killed up to 20 people before me. I did not take anyone’s money, they just came to kidnap and their target were people who have money. They wanted to kidnap as many as 50 people from my hotel that day, but I rather followed them.”

The native doctor said two of his security men were killed while he was abducted.

He stated, “While I was in the kidnappers’ den, I listened to the radio and saw how people were saying all kinds of rubbish, so I decided to set the records straight.

“What really happened was that I was there (at home) that day, at around 11:30pm when someone named Okey Japan called me and said they were at my hotel, and that they were spending money, and had spent close to N300,000, and that they wanted me to be around.

“I obliged them and drove to the hotel in my new car. I was there, and not up to 30 minutes, gunshots rented the air. People started running helter-skelter. I now went out to see what was happening and the people started shooting at me.

“They killed two of my security men. I don’t want to reveal much now, but I know that two things can only save a man. If your charms don’t save you, your money will save you. Anyone who has charms should have money. The people took me into their car.”

He said if he wanted to run away, he would have done so but that he had seen those that were shot and that if he left, they would kill many people.

Nwangwu said he decided to follow his abductors in order to save people’s lives and prove that his hands were clean.

Kidnappers killed 20 victims in my presence – Anambra native doctor

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Outrage over video of police officers collecting cash from Chinese man

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23 hours ago

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April 16, 2025

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Outrage over video of police officers collecting cash from Chinese man

A video currently making the rounds on social media has triggered widespread criticism and public outrage, after it showed several Nigerian police officers allegedly receiving N5,000 each from a Chinese man and his family.

In the viral footage, the uniformed officers are seen lining up in an orderly fashion as the Chinese man distributes cash to each of them.

The incident has stirred heated reactions online, with many Nigerians calling it a blatant display of unprofessionalism and a disgrace to the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force.

Human rights activists and anti-corruption advocates have condemned the act, describing it as unethical and damaging to the already fragile reputation of law enforcement in the country.

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When contacted by Vanguard, Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said he was unaware of the viral video or the incident.

Similarly, the Lagos State Police Command distanced itself from the footage. Its spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, clarified that the incident did not occur in Lagos, contrary to claims circulating online.

Public figures have also weighed in. Omoyele Sowore, former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), described the video as “shameful” and called for the removal of the IGP.

“This is why I keep saying illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun must leave the police force. It is the shame of the nation,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

Popular social commentator and human rights activist Martins Victor Otse, also known as VeryDarkBlackMan, called the act “disgraceful, disrespectful, and degrading,” urging the police leadership to address the matter transparently.

The incident has intensified calls for accountability, with many Nigerians demanding disciplinary action and systemic reforms to restore public confidence in the police force.

 

Outrage over video of police officers collecting cash from Chinese man

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Nigerians lose N1.3tn as ponzi scheme CBEX collapses

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23 hours ago

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April 16, 2025

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Nigerians lose N1.3tn as ponzi scheme CBEX collapses

Thousands of Nigerians face financial ruin after the collapse of CBEX, a digital investment platform accused of running a Ponzi scheme that allegedly vanished with over ₦1.3 trillion ($850 million USD). The fallout has sparked widespread distress, with victims sharing devastating stories on social media.

One investor, quoted in a transcribed audio obtained by Daily Sun, described being lured by a friend’s promise of a 100% return on a $100 Bitcoin investment within 35-40 days. Initially wary due to past scams, she was reassured after visiting CBEX’s Egbeda office, where a supposed EFCC certificate suggested legitimacy. “I visited the office only to see even a kind of a certificate from EFCC that they are aware of these people, that they are not scammers and the rest of them. So that convinced me into investing $100,” she said.

Despite her caution, limiting her investment to $100, her funds vanished when withdrawals were halted. “As my investment matured last week Monday, I planned to withdraw it this week. Only for us to wake up yesterday, 14th of April, around 5 p.m., all the money in our account has vanished,” she recounted. Other reports cite losses of up to ₦3 million, with one man allegedly writing a suicide note after investing his home and borrowed funds. The audio claimed, “About three people have been reported dead. So many attempted suicide because of this Ponzi scheme.”

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The scale of the alleged fraud has raised questions about regulatory oversight. The anonymous victim asked, “The question now is to the authorities, where are they, when Nigerians are injecting this kind of money in this kind of investment?” CBEX’s offices in Egbeda and Ikeja added a veneer of credibility.

Financial experts noted the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has long warned against Ponzi schemes promising unrealistic returns. A Lagos-based forex broker, @Obobanj, tweeted, “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has long warned citizens about the dangers of Ponzi schemes, cautioning against investments that promise unrealistic returns. Despite this, platforms like CBEX continue to attract large followings, often collapsing without warning and leaving chaos in their wake.”

Social media reactions on X range from sympathy to criticism. “Nigerians don’t learn,” tweeted @ricky_chiekezie, reflecting frustration over repeated scams. The victim’s despair was palpable: “God, oh, God, oh, what have I done to deserve this? Huh? What have I gotten myself into? God, please help me. Hey, whoa. CBEX has finally killed me, oh.”

As victims reel, calls grow for authorities to investigate CBEX and hold perpetrators accountable. The forex broker emphasized, “The collapse serves as a reminder of the critical need for financial literacy and vigilance in the face of seemingly lucrative investment opportunities.”

Nigerians lose N1.3tn as ponzi scheme CBEX collapses

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Stop promoting risky coins, unlicensed platforms, SEC warns influencers

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23 hours ago

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April 16, 2025

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Stop promoting risky coins, unlicensed platforms, SEC warns influencers

Following the sudden collapse of CBEX crypto trading platform, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned celebrities and influencers against endorsing or promoting unregistered digital asset platforms and meme coins.

After users lost access to their funds in CBEX, aggrieved ‘investors’ looted the office of Smart Treasure (ST Team), an arm of the cypto trading platform in Ibadan.

It is against this background that Emomotimi Agama, Director-General (DG) of SEC, spoke against the promotion of unregistered digital asset platforms and meme coins by influencers.

Citing the provisions of the Investments and Securities Act 2025 recently signed by President Bola Tinubu, Agama said the act established clear rules and regulations for digital asset platforms, including registration requirements to promote transparency and trust.

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According to him, this allows SEC to crack down on illicit activities, such as ponzi schemes, pump and dump tokens, and unregistered exchanges.

He said, “It is important that even for celebrities, we must be cautious around what we do. Becoming influencers or introducing meme coins that do not mean well for the generality of Nigerians are not going to be tolerated.

“The ISA 2025 is intended to promote FinTech growth and innovation, specifically within the Digital Asset space, while ensuring regulatory compliance.

“However, I want to say this very clearly. If it is not registered, it is illegal. The law will be enforced.”

Stop promoting risky coins, unlicensed platforms, SEC warns influencers

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