Tag Archives: abduction

Zamfara Governor Orders Investigation Into Abduction.

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Governor Yari of Zamfara has ordered full investigation into the circumstances that led to Friday’s abduction of over 40 persons by gunmen in Maru Local Government Area of the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara, and made available to newsmen in Gusau on Friday.

Dosara also said that the governor had ordered an immediate investigation into the activities of the bandits in the state with a view to restoring peace in the area.

Eye witnesses told reporters that the gunmen numbering over 100 stopped three Toyota Canters carrying passengers from Dansadau to Dankurmi and diverted the vehicles at gunpoint to an unknown destination.

It was gathered that the hoodlums took away all the passengers , except one woman who they spared alongside her three-year-old son and told her to report back what happened.

The woman was said to have reported back to Dansadau that the bandits would not release the hostages until the governor released their cows numbering over 400 which were recovered from them by security men recently, within seven days.

A joint security patrol had recovered the rustled cows from the criminals during which seven members of the gang were also killed near Bindin village of Maru local government.

Shortly after the abduction of the villagers, a team of mobile policemen went on a rescue mission but the bandits shot and killed two of them and also went away with a third.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Muhammad Shehu, said already a joint security patrol was on trail of the bandits, assuring that they would soon be arrested.

Tricycle Rider Abducts, Turns 15-yr-old Girl to Sex Slave

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Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS of the Lagos State Police Command, weekend, rescued a 15-year-old girl, who was allegedly abducted and turned into a sex slave by a tricycle operator in Agege area of Lagos.

Arrested alongside the suspect, identified as Dada Azeez, 28, was an alleged accomplice, Wasiu Agunbiade, in whose apartment the teenager was initially kept. The rescued teenager (names withheld), had N58,000 on her when she was abducted on October 5.

The money belonged to her aunt, Mrs Gbemisola. She was, however, trailed to a one-room apartment at 7, Oseni Street, Danjuma Cinema area of Agege. The abduction saga took another twist after the suspect, Azeez, 28, claimed that the teenager was his girlfriend.

He told the operatives that he had been in a clandestine relationship with the teenager since last year, claiming he abducted her because her aunt was against the relationship. According to Azeez, “we started having a secret affair about a year ago.

But her sister frowned at our relationship when she got to know. I bought her a phone through which we communicated, and instructed her to keep it away from her aunt.

“Whenever she intended to visit me, she would call and I would describe our meeting place for her. Then I thought it would be better for her to elope with me and started working on her psyche by buying her gifts to lure her into accepting to move in with me.

“The day I made up my mind to abduct her coincided with the day she was sent on an errand. I did not know she was with such an amount of money. I only wanted to take her far away from her guardian for not supporting our relationship.”

Her story

The teenager alleged that she was used as a sex machine during her stay in Azeez’s hideout, saying she agreed to elope with him out of ignorance.

According to her, “he forcefully had sex with me on the first day of my arrival and since then, he had been having sex with me without wearing the condom.

He slept with me anywhere, including at his friends’ place where he hid me for weeks.

“I succumbed to him because I could not go back home. He collected the N58,000, which was a thrift contribution I was going to give to the owner. He fed me three times a day with the money.”

I didn’t know she was abducted – Accomplice

On his part, the alleged accomplice, Agunbiade, admitted that the teenager was kept in his apartment for just a night, claiming he never knew she was abducted.

He said: “If I had known she was abducted, I would have advised him to return her to the parents. I never believed he could commit such crime.

“He begged me to accommodate them for one night in my room. They left my place the following day to somewhere else. I regretted allowing them to pass the night in my place.”
Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmus, said the suspects and the rescued girl had been transferred to the Agege Divisional Police, where the case was initially reported before the RRS took it up.

She warned parents and guardians against exposing their wards and children to social vices in their environment.

BBOG Group To Hold World Conference On Day 900 Of Chibok Girls’ Abduction

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The #BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) group has revealed that it will hold a world press conference in September, to commemorate the day 900 of the Chibok girls abduction on September 30, 2016.

In a statement signed by the leaders of the group, Aisha Yesufu and Dr Oby Ezekwesili called on Nigerians and  across the world, to join the group in th commemoration of the day.

“We hereby announce our decision to hold a World Press Conference on Friday, September 30th 2016 – the 900th day of the abduction of our #ChibokGirls.

“Critical areas to be covered during the Press Conference include a chronicle of events and messages, our body of demands and a formal response to the Federal Government’s Press Briefing of Friday, September 16th, 2016.

“We call on all citizens and our friends in the media, from within Nigeria and across the world, to join us,” it said.

Recall that the group has pleaded with the federal government to act fast and rescue the 218 abducted Chibok girls even as 900 days of their abduction approaches.

During it’s sit-out, one of the leaders of the group, Aisha Yesufu  expressed sadness that the girls were still in the hands of their abductors and lamented on the suffering they must have been going through in the hands of their captors.

Yesufu urged the federal government to stop all excuses or delay and bring about result by rescuing the girls whose family are anxiously waiting for them.

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http://www.leadership.ng/chibokgirls/551640/day-900-of-abduction-bbog-group-to-hold-world-conference

Man Docked Over Abduction Of Teenage Girl In Lagos

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A 36-year-old man, Ezechi Uwazie who allegedly abducted a 17-year-old girl, has appeared before a Surulere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

The accused is facing a two-count charge of abduction and fraud.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Christopher Okoliko, told the court that the accused committed the offences with others still at large at Suru-Alaba in Orile-Iganmu area of Lagos on Aug.19 at 12.00 p.m.

According to him, the accused walked up to the girl and presented himself as an importer, who is in search of the place where his goods are kept.

“The girl, who was sent to the bank by her boss, described how he can get to Cele Bus Stop in Okota, Lagos.

“The man insisted that she should take him to the place claiming that he was new in Lagos.

“Suddenly, a man, who is also an accomplice, came to meet the girl, pretending that he did not know the man, suggested that they should accompany the man to the place.

“The girl became unconscious and accepted the offer and they boarded a bus heading to Cele Bus Stop.

“When they alighted from the bus, they told the girl that they should take a bus heading to Ejigbo, but the girl insisted that she cannot help again.

“When they were at Cele Bus Stop, a man, who noticed that something was fishy, went to a nearby police station to report,’’ Okoliko said.

“In the course of the argument, the accomplice pretending to be a Good Samaritan saw the man coming with a policeman and absconded.

“The `fake importer’ was immediately arrested.’’

The offences contravened Sections 141 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The Magistrate, Mrs. M.I. Dan-Oni, granted the accused bail in the sum of 200,000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.

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Man docked over abduction of teenage girl in Lagos

We Still Await Committee On Chibok Girls’ Abduction- Community

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Indigenes of Chibok community under the aegis of  Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA) have called on President Muhammadu Buhari  to fulfil his promise of  setting up a committee that will investigate the abduction of the Chibok school girls on April 14, 2014.

While briefing the press, the chairman of the association, Tsambido Hosea-Abana stated that during the community’s visit to the president, on July 8, 2015, he had promised to set up a committee to unravel the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the girls adding that the committee was yet to be set up for over a year after.

Hosea-Abana added that the investigative committee will help to avoid a repeat of such ugly occurrences in the community or anywhere else in the country and to resolve once and for all the unanswered questions surrounding the abduction.

“On January 14, 2016, the Chibok Community along with the parents, Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group and others paid visit to Mr. President to re-engage with him after the first meeting of July 8, 2015.

“We were elated by promises he made to us.  One of these is that an investigation committee was to be set up to unravel the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the girls.

“We the affected community felt and believed that this will finally create the opportunity to unravel the mystery surrounding the abduction for two main reasons;  to avoid a repeat of such ugly occurrences in the community or elsewhere; and to resolve once and for all the unanswered questions surrounding the abduction.

“We are still awaiting the constitution of the committee and we assure the Presidency that we shall render all assistance and cooperation the committee needs from us towards achieving its objectives,” it said.

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http://www.leadership.ng/chibokgirls/545209/we-still-await-committee-on-chibok-girls-abduction-community

Abduction Of Minors: NGE Seeks Strong Policies To Protect Rights Of Under-Age Girls

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The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has called on the Federal Government to come up with strong policies to protect the rights of under-age girls in the country.

 

This is contained in a communiqué at the end of its 2016 first quarterly Standing Committee meeting held at the weekend in Abuja.

 

It said that the call became necessary due to the rising cases of abduction and abuse of minors nationwide.

 

“Government should adopt very strong policies that would protect the rights of children, and in particular under-age girls, in the light of the rising cases of abductions and abuse of minors across the country,’’ the guild said in a communiqué.

The communiqué is jointly signed by its President, Malam Garba Deen Muhammad and Assistant General Secretary, Mary Atolagbe.

 

It called for the immediate closure of all JAMB centres that lacked the capacity to ensure seamless conduct of its computer-based examinationss to ensure credibility of the exercise.

 

“The guild expresses serious disappointment over the poor conduct of the last JAMB computer-based examinations, describing it as a national embarrassment capable of truncating the destinies of future leaders.

“The guild, therefore, implores government to immediately halt the approval of centres that lack the capacity to ensure seamless conduct of such examinations.’’

It expressed concern over the state of the Nigerian media, stressing that the prevailing economic challenges had negatively affected the performance output of the traditional media.

 

“The guild further notes with concern that the media industry, like most other sectors, is suffocating under the prevailing economic challenges, which poses a threat to the survival of traditional media in particular and credible information dissemination.

“It, therefore, asks the government to review policies that impede the operations of the media in order to sustain democracy and avoid job losses.’’

 

Reviewing the state of the Nigerian economy, the guild urged government to fast-track the diversification process of the nation’s economy to prioritise on the development of the agriculture and mining sectors.

“The guild notes that the current economic challenges facing the country have made the need to diversify the Nigerian economy more compelling.

“It urges government to quickly evolve very clear and productive policies on mining, as well as make agriculture more attractive through the provision of soft loans and other incentives that would facilitate the development of the agricultural sector,’’ it stressed.

 

The guild passed a vote of confidence on its President, Garba Deen Muhammad and deferred discussion on the possibility of change in leadership of the guild following his appointment as Group General Manager (Public Affairs) Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

 

The guild also agreed that it would discuss the matter during the next Standing Committee meeting scheduled for between May and June.

 

The guild acknowledged the recent changes in the status of its leadership and unanimously agreed on a handover plan that will culminate in a change of baton at its next Standing Committee Meeting.

 

The meeting was attended by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in his capacity as the NGE’s former President and Fellow of the guild.

 

(NAN)

Sokoto Girl Abduction: Family, Friends To Meet Police, Governor’s Aide Today

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The family and friends of Patience Paul, a 15-year old girl who was allegedly abducted and forced into a marriage in Sokoto, will meet with the police this morning.

Isaac Paul, the girl’s brother, said over the phone that they would also meet with Imam Imam, Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s spokesperson.

“The meeting is holding by 10 a.m. at the police headquarters in Sokoto,” Mr. Paul, 28, said.

The Sokoto State government on Thursday launched an ?investigation into the alleged abduction and forced marriage of Miss Paul.

Mr. Imam said on Thursday that the government had been unable to contact the victim’s family to shed more light on the allegation.

“In the interim, the Human Rights Commission was asked to present an interim report and update the public with all information as it becomes available,” Mr. Imam said.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Abduction: 14-Yr-old Ese Oruru Allegedly 5 Months Pregnant

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14 year old Ese Rita Oruru, the Bayelsa born girl child who was abducted by Yunusa Dahiru, alias Yellow but rescued by the Police in Kano, has been discovered to be about 5 months pregnant.

 

It was gathered that the white Hijab dress she wore on her arrival from Kano on Tuesday, was used to conceal the pregnancy even though her physical condition and looks created a suspicion.

 

According to reports by Vanguard, it was the condition in which Police authorities discovered about Ese that informed the IGP, Solomon Arase’s directive that she should be handed over to the Gender and Child Protection Unit and later, a team from the Medical Department of the Force to carry out a comprehensive medical examination of the girl-child at the Police Medical Facility in Area 1, Garki.

 

Upon certifying her medical status and emotional state, Vanguard gathered that the Inspector General of Police feeling uncomfortable with the transport arrangement of the mother that they return by road, cancelled the arrangement and directed that both Ese and her mother be flown to Yenegoa by air.

 

Meanwhile, the IGP has directed the Bayelsa State Police Command to take over investigation in the child violence offense saga because according to sources, the offense was committed in Bayelsa which is the place of residence of the abductor, Yunusa Dahiru.

 

Consequently, Vanguard was told the Yunusa will be moved to Yenegoa to face interrogation and prosecution for kidnapping and child abuse as well as violence
against a girl-child.

 

Credit : Vanguard

Boko Haram Plans Abduction For Ransom, FG Warns

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has warned that Boko Haram terrorists are planning to abduct pupils, students or foreigners in a desperate effort to raise funds through ransom.

According to the government, the terrorists have been put on the run by the military but they are in dare need of food, medical and arms supply.

In a statement issued by the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, in Abuja on Friday, said that the planned abduction is in line with the terrorists’ new modus operandi of focusing on soft targets, having been routed from their stronghold and their capacity to stage spectacular attacks substantially degraded.

Credit: ChannelsTV

Man Linked To Chibok Girls’ Abduction Arrested

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Nigerian troops have arrested a businessman accused of “participating actively” in Boko Haram’s mass abduction of nearly 300 schoolgirls from the northeastern town of Chibok last year, Nigeria’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

Spokesman Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade said Babuji Ya’ari headed a “terrorists’ intelligence cell” for the Islamic extremists while masquerading as a member of the self-defense Youth Vigilante Group. That news confirms suspicions that the vigilantes have been infiltrated by Boko Haram.

Soldiers have told the Associated Press that some of their comrades also belong to Nigeria’s homegrown Islamic extremist group.

“The arrest of the businessman… has also yielded some vital information and facilitated the arrest of other members of the terrorists’ intelligence cell who are women,” Olukolade said in a statement Tuesday night. He did not say when the arrests were made or how many people were arrested.

He alleged that Ya’ari has coordinated several deadly attacks since 2011 on the northeastern city of Maiduguri, the birthplace of Boko Haram, and spearheaded the May 2014 assassination of the emir of Gwoza, a religious and traditional ruler who was targeted for speaking out against Boko Haram’s extremism.

One arrested woman, Hafsat Bako, confessed to coordinating the payroll for operatives paid a minimum of 10,000 naira (about $50) a job, the defense ministry statement said.

Read More: cbsnews

Gov. Shettima Is Culpable For Chibok Girls’ Abduction, Says Fani-Kayode

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PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation on Tuesday insisted that Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State is culpable in the April 2014 abduction of over 200 girls from Government Secondary School, Chibok, by Boko Haram insurgents.

The Director of Media and Publicity of the campaign organisation, Femi Fani-Kayode, alleged that the governor, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Muhammadu Buhari and the party’s spokesperson, Lai Mohammed knew the whereabouts of the missing girls.

Mr. Shettima, however, denied the allegation, saying no one should take Mr. Fani-Kayode serious as he “is one Nigerian that is physically an adult but mentally an infant. We all know that going into exchange with an infant is like having a dialogue with the blind, deaf and dumb.”

Read More: PremiumTimes

Gunmen Demand N60m Ransom Abducted American Missionary

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An American missionary, Rev. Phyllis Sortor, running an elementary school in Nigeria was abducted from her workplace in Kogi State.

The Police said the five kidnappers had tabled N60 million ransom demand. The kidnappers were “unknown gunmen…(who) came into the school premises shooting sporadically to scare away people before taking (the hostage) away into the bush”, the police spokesperson added. He added that the gunmen came through the hill at the back of the school and forcibly pulled her out from her office. “The abductors scaled over the fence with her. They all disappeared through the hill.”

The Free Methodist Church in a statement on its website said it received a report on Monday morning that the Rev. Sortor was kidnapped. The message from Bishop David Kendall said the U.S. Embassy had been notified and the State Department and the FBI were working with local authorities to find and rescue her.

Read More: dailypost.ng

Chibok: What Really Happened Last April

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Despite coming from a poor home in the desperately poor village of Jajeel in Borno State, Hannatu Ishaku, 16, always had big dreams. As early as when she was 10, she promised herself that she would be the first lawyer from her village, something that made her parents happy.

Today, however, her parents’ happiness has evaporated because Hannatu’s bold dream looks like it is dead. Grief, anger and regret have replaced happiness in their home.

Hannatu is one of over 200 girls who were kidnapped by members of the outlawed Boko Haram sect from the Government Girls’ Secondary School, GGSS, Chibok, on April 14, 2014.

For the Ishaku family, it was a double loss. Also abducted was Hannatu’s cousin, Anthonia Yohanna, 18, who lived with the family for years.

Adamu Ishaku, the patriarch of the family, spoke to our reporter shortly before last Christmas. He looked frail and sad-eyed, apparent consequences of the trauma her daughter’s abduction has brought on him.

“The five of us lived together,” Ishaku said. “Now it’s just me, my wife, and her brother. Without those two, the house is empty.”

Ishaku’s wife looks worse. The unfortunate event has sapped her of vitality. The little energy she has left was expended on weeping as she spoke with the reporter. Her daughter’s dream of becoming a lawyer no longer matters. What matters is for her to see Hannatu.

“I just want my daughter. I am not interested in her going to school anymore,” she said dejectedly in a tone that betrayed hope, not expectation.

What really happened in Chibok?

The world woke up one morning last April to the shocking news of the kidnap of over 200 girls who were writing their West African Examination Council, WAEC, examination at the GGSS, Chibok, Borno State.

Investigations by the icirnigeria.org in Chibok showed that there had been a lot of misrepresentation of facts about the kidnap of the girls.

Read More: elombah.com

Boko Haram Abducts 60 in Cameroon

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Boko Haram fighters kidnapped at least 60 people in a deadly attack in northern Cameroon on Sunday, police said, in the latest cross-border raid by the Nigeria-based Islamist group.

It came a day after neighbouring Chad deployed troops to combat Boko Haram in Cameroon and Nigeria, as part of a regional bid to combat the insurgents. The militants “burst into two villages in the Tourou area… They torched houses and left with around 60 people. Most of them were women and children,” a police officer told AFP.

He said the attack had “left some people dead” without giving an exact toll, adding that the Cameroon army had “launched an operation” in the wake of the assault.

It is the largest abduction ever carried out in Cameroon’s Far North region by Boko Haram and comes amid mounting fears the group is expanding its operations into neighbouring countries.

Credit: Yahoo News