IBADAN – The Oyo State Government has denied reports claiming payment of ransom was made to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted by bandits in Oriire Local Government Area.
Residents of Kungabokun and Paze, two communities in the Byazhin district on the outskirts of Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, have narrated their horrific experiences following successive attacks by a gang of kidnappers.
In operations occurring just a week apart, at least 16 persons were abducted across three separate incidents.
During the raids, the bandits reportedly stole cooking pots and oil before sending an account number to the victims’ families to demand ransom payments.
In Kungabokun, gunmen attacked the home of a retired military captain and abducted his three children. They also raided a nearby poultry farm, killing a security guard before abducting three farm workers.
Furthermore, the gunmen attacked a herder’s hamlet, kidnapping two housewives and a teenage girl who was visiting the family to assist her sister, a nursing mother.
In the neighboring Paze community, attackers raided the home of a pastor and abducted his four children.
Information gathered suggests that a week after the incident, all victims—except those taken from the herder’s hamlet—were rescued last Thursday. This was the result of a joint security operation conducted near the boundary between the FCT and Kaduna State.
A staff member from the affected farm, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said he was invited to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Byazhin. There, he was informed that his three “boys” (workers) had been rescued and was instructed to go to Lungi Barracks in Abuja to receive them.
He further stated that five rifles—including four AK-47s and a gun stolen from the slain vigilante—were recovered.
Four of the attackers were reportedly killed during the rescue mission. The rescued workers were taken to a hospital for medical attention before reuniting with their families, many of whom reside outside the FCT.
A community in fear
A visit to the pastor’s house in Paze revealed an empty home with the gates locked; neighbors say the family has not returned since the abduction of the children.
One resident, who witnessed the attack around 9pm, recalled seeing men in face masks.
He alerted the local vigilante group, who responded quickly but were met with heavy gunfire.
“The vigilante team was lucky to be able to withdraw successfully,” the resident said.
The gunmen proceeded to abduct several other residents, including a commercial motorcyclist and his two passengers.
Bullet holes were visible on a church signboard nearby, marking the violence of the night.
While grateful for the successful rescue, the resident lamented that many people are now fleeing the area in fear.
While many have been freed, the families of the two housewives and the teenage girl taken from the herder’s hamlet in Kungabokun are still struggling.
A resident, Dalha Sulaiman recounted the 1am raid on Friday: “They pointed a gun at my face and threatened to shoot. They kicked me out of my room and forced me to lead them to my brother’s home. They abducted my second wife and my elder brother’s wife.”
Sulaiman noted that the gunmen stole a cooking pot and oil as they left. The kidnappers initially demanded N40 million for the three victims but eventually lowered the demand to N2 million. “They sent account details and asked us to pay into it,” Sulaiman added, noting that the family is currently pleading with the captors to accept N1.5 million.
Bandits who kidnapped 14 worshippers from a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West LGA of Kogi State, have issued a two-day ultimatum, demanding a reduced ransom of ₦200 million. The initial demand was reportedly ₦500 million.
The abduction occurred on November 30, 2025, when the attackers raided the newly established church during a service. The 14 hostages include the presiding pastor, Orlando, seven members of his household (including six children), a three-week-old baby, and a four-month-old infant.
A video circulating online captures the desperate plea of the pastor’s family as the deadline nears. Four women, including the elderly wife of the abducted pastor, were seen kneeling and imploring Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo for urgent intervention.
The elderly woman implored: “Please, come to our rescue. The amount the kidnappers are demanding is beyond our means.”
While the families lamented a lack of public statement, the Kogi State Government had confirmed the attack and launched security operations immediately, stressing its stance not to negotiate with bandits.
Troops of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army Lokoja confirmed the rescue of six kidnapped victims on December 3, 2025, due to sustained military pressure. However, the fate of the remaining eight hostages, including Pastor Orlando and the children, remains critical as the ransom deadline approaches.
ABUJA- A security analyst, Dr Bulama Bukarti, has dismissed the recent claims by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, that the Federal Government pays ransom and provides supplies to armed groups terrorising the country.
El-Rufai had alleged during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, that government’s complicity was worsening insecurity in the country.
But reacting during his weekly live programme, Bukarti described the claims as “politics without any element of truth.”
According to him, there is no law or policy that permits the government to fund or support bandits.
He said ransom payments that make headlines were usually raised by victims’ families or communities.
Bukarti further explained that Nigeria’s security challenges were beyond battlefield strategy.
He linked them instead to systemic corruption which he described as the “biggest enabler of terrorist activities.”
Bukarti also cautioned against making unsubstantiated allegations against sitting presidents, recalling that similar claims had been levelled against past heads of state.
Clarifying how the military operates, the analyst stressed that only the president can issue directives for military action.
He said governors, ministers, and even the National Security Adviser lack such powers.
The chain of command, he explained, runs from the president to the Chief of Army Staff and down to field commanders.
Bukarti said addressing Nigeria’s insecurity will require sustained collaboration between citizens, government and security agencies, anchored on a determined effort to curb corruption.(NAN)
Three abducted residents of Kusheka and Kabene communities in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have been killed by bandits despite ransom payment.
The Surubu Community Development Association condemned the k!lling of three residents, describing the incident as tragic and deeply disturbing.
In a statement obtained by the Punch on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, the association’s National Public Relations Officer, Caleb Magaji, lamented the worsening security situation in the area.
Magaji said the victims were abducted on March 22, 2025, while going about their daily activities. Despite the payment of a huge ransom, their bodies were discovered in the forest by the military during a search operation on the night of March 24.
The deceased were identified as Obadiah Dangana, Emmanuel Moses, popularly known as Bobbling Guy, and Danjuma Sardauna, all from Kusheka and Kabene communities in Kumana Chiefdom
“This tragic incident is not isolated. Our land, alongside other communities in Kumana and Kauru Local Government, continues to suffer from recurring attacks. Many of our people remain in captivity in the forest, even after huge sums have been paid as ransom,” the statement read.
“We call on the government and security agencies at all levels to intensify efforts to restore peace to our land by bringing the perpetrators to justice and securing the release of those still held captive.”
The association acknowledged the government’s intervention, particularly the recent establishment of a Forward Operating Base in Kauru. However, it urged authorities to deploy military checkpoints in Kusheka, Kabene, and Geshere to improve security and ensure a rapid response to attacks
“The frequent attacks on many communities, especially in Kumana, are deeply concerning and require stronger commitment from the government at all levels,” the statement added.
“We remain committed to advocating for peace, security, and justice for our people. We urge all community members to stay vigilant and cooperate with security agencies in efforts to restore normalcy.”
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted Mr Yakubu Alkali, the proprietor of Mochu Memorial Clinic, from his residence in Moroa, Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night, according to a family source who spoke to newsmen.
The family source revealed that the abductors have contacted the family, demanding a N58 million ransom for his release.
Efforts to reach local police for comment have been unsuccessful as of press time.
Mr Alkali is widely known for his philanthropic work both locally and beyond.
A 19-year-old Nigerian student, Anas Zubairu, has been murdered by suspected kidnappers in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, despite his family paying a ransom of N17 million for his release.
Zubairu, a student at a Moroccan university, was home for the holidays and visiting his family in the Project Quarters area when he was abducted last Friday evening around 6 pm.
According to reports, the young man had just parked his car and was securing the gate when the assailants, who had been hiding nearby, shot him in the left shoulder before taking him to an undisclosed location.
A close relative, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the kidnappers contacted the family five days after the abduction, demanding a ransom of N30 million. After negotiations, the amount was reduced to N17 million, which the family managed to raise and pay.
Despite paying the ransom, the family received the devastating news two days later that Zubairu had been killed. The kidnappers ceased all communication after the ransom was paid and later informed the family of his death early on Sunday morning.
Anas Zubairu’s aunt, Halima Jabiru, a former Commissioner for Women Affairs in Nasarawa State, confirmed that the family had paid the ransom, only to have their worst fears realized when they learned of his murder.
When contacted for confirmation, the Police Public Relations Officer for Nasarawa State, DSP Ramhan Nansel, stated that the command was not aware of the incident.
Kidnapped Nigerian Afro pop singer, Emuemu Oghala Goodnews, popularly known as Gnewzy, has revealed the amount paid for his release.
According to reports Gnewzy was abducted in April 2024, along Eklat road in Ughelli, Delta state. While Obas9ice, his manager and brother narrowly escaped the kidnap.
The abductors contacted Dilly Umenyiora, his record label’s CEO, via mail demanding a $200,000 ransom.
The singer was released on May 3.
However, narrating his ordeal during an interview with HipTV, Gnewzy revealed that $200,000 was paid for his freedom.
He also disclosed that his abductors were dressed in police uniforms.
“They actually paid a ransom of about $200,000. I actually went for a radio tour in Delta State. Which is the state where I came from, Ugheli precisely. After the whole tour, to round it up, it was a Sunday, so I said let me just put up a little listening party.
“And we all got ready for the party, I performed. We left for the apartment that we were in. After a while, my brother said he wanted to pick somebody up. I was like let me go with you.
“We went to where we wanted to pick the person and the person was no longer willing to follow us. On our way home around a U-turn, the men on police uniforms just ran on us and were like come down.
“So we got to one certain point. They stopped and dragged my brother out. And told him they were going to shoot him. He was told to run into the bush or else they would shoot him.
“We were thinking someone was trying to use me to get to my label boss.
“They then covered my face with something. They did not beat me. They gave me food and told me not to do anything funny or else they would fuck me up.”
Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested five suspected kidnappers over the alleged killing of an abducted victim, Smart Nwashiri, 29, after collecting N200,000 ransom.
The Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye disclosed this while parading the suspects before newsmen in Benin City.
Adegboye gave the names of the suspects as Goodluck Ojieh, 37, (gang leader), Lucky Enagbonmien, 37, Victory Okoro, 32, Sunday Ernest, 32, and Daniel Udi, 29.
He said the suspects committed the crime in Ologbo community in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, near Benin City.
The commissioner told newsmen that the suspects, who hail from Delta State but reside in Edo State, lured the victim into their hideout on the pretence of selling vehicle parts to him.
He said the suspects were tracked and arrested in Delta State after a high-driven investigation.
“The victim was lured on June 17, 2024, by the gang leader to a location at the Ologbo area where the other gang members were waiting, on the pretext that they wanted to sell a vehicle catalyst (aka “Indomie”) to him.
“The victim has been a serial receiver of this item and other stolen items from the suspects,” he said.
The CP said the suspects conspired, kidnapped the victim, and demanded a ransom of N1 million but ended up collecting N200,000 before using a dagger to kill him.
He added that they later buried the victim in a shallow grave, in a bid to cover their crime.
Adegboye said the corpse and motorcycle of the murdered victim have been recovered.
He added that the suspects have confessed to the crime, noting that they would be charged in court as soon as the investigation is concluded.
In an interview with journalists, the gang leader said they decided to kill the victim to avoid being caught because the man knew them.
Suspected bandits, who kidnapped a female judge and her four children in Kaduna State, have demanded for N300m, after killing her eldest son.
The judge and her sons were reportedly abducted at their residence in the Mahuta area of Kaduna on 23 June.
The kidnappers, numbering up to 15, stormed the residence of the judge at night when her husband, Dr. Musa Gimba Dutse, a medical doctor, was away on duty.
However, a human rights lawyer, and Chief Executive Officer of the House of Justice, Gloria Ballason, on Wednesday, confirmed in a statement that the kidnappers have threatened to kill her remaining sons if the ransom was not paid in time.
Ballason said the abductors killed the 14-year-old son of the judge in captivity when the family couldn’t pay the demanded ransom.
According to her, the boy, identified as Victor Gimba, the first son of the judge, was shot dead on July 2.
“The abductors, reported to have been about 15, took their captives hostage and demanded a huge sum as ransom.
“On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, the terrorists shot dead Victor Gimba, the first child of the judge, when the ransom demanded could not be obtained,” she said.
She also called for the protection of the judge and her family, urging the government, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and security agencies to take urgent action and ensure the judge and her children are rescued.
Similarly, the state chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association has issued a statement condemning the incident, while urging the security agencies to rise to the occasion.
NMA’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Shuaibu Joga, expressed shock that the first son was killed to force payment of the said sum.
He said the NMA would be calling for an emergency SEC meeting on Thursday and a press conference to further call on the authorities to expedite action on securing their immediate release and also for the release of their other doctors kidnapped 6 months ago.
“Following the incident, we visited the husband and interacted with him and he informed us that the kidnappers had made a demand of N300 million to secure their release.
“While the security agencies had been informed and negotiations with the kidnappers were ongoing, we received the shocking news today that the first son was killed to force payment of the said sum.
“In response, we are calling for an emergency SEC meeting today and a press conference to further call on the authorities to expedite action on securing their immediate release and also the release of our other doctor kidnapped 6 months ago.
“We call for calm from members and request all to stay safe while we engage the necessary security organs to end this needless wanton evil,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the state government or the state police command.
