Crime
Abductors Of A’Ibom NYSC Members Seek Additional Ransom
Kidnappers who had previously received N13 million in ransom from the families of eight Akwa Ibom State graduates, abducted in Zamfara State while en route to the NYSC Orientation Camp in Sokoto State, are now demanding an additional N200 million.
The victims, who were initially taken captive on August 17, have endured 26 days in the hands of their abductors.
In the midst of this ordeal, the families of the victims have turned to fasting and prayer, seeking divine intervention in the fate of their loved ones.
A source, who wished to remain anonymous but is a sibling of one of the victims, revealed that the kidnappers are also insisting on N200 million more as ransom for the release of the seven corps members and the Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus driver currently in their custody.
The source, said: “We don’t know how we are going to raise that kind of money. Everybody was shocked when two parents, who have been over there since the incident happened told us that after they released the balance N8 million (to make up N13 million ransom negotiated) they waited for long for the kidnappers to release our brothers and sisters, but they didn’t.
“They said instead, the kidnappers contacted them to demand N200 million ransom. We have paid N13 million already. First, we paid N5 million, later N8 million to make up the N13 million. Some parents sold their lands, some even collected loan to raise the N13 million.
“We have not received any help from government. We found it difficult to raise that N13 million. So, how are we going to raise this fresh ransom of N200 million? We have deliberately kept this development from my mother. I don’t think that poor widow will survive if she hears this. We are suffering and helpless.”
A different perspective from a relative closely linked to the parents of one of the victims revealed heightened worry. The families were notified on Monday that their children’s health was deteriorating due to the harsh conditions of their captivity.
The woman who could not hide her anguish, lamented: “In fact all the parents and their family members have resorted to fasting and prayers. Our children in captivity told us to pray for them, that they are very weak.
“As we speak, I just returned from church. We are believing in God to help us bring back our children. God will not fail us. The parents don’t have that kind of money those people are demanding. Where would they get that kind of money?”
Recall that last week, following the initial payment of N5 million from the initially negotiated ransom of N13 million by the families, the kidnappers set a deadline of September 6 for the remaining N8 million to be paid.
When the distraught families were unable to meet this deadline, the captors extended the grace period to September 9, 2023, in response to the pleas of the victims’ parents who requested more time to gather the outstanding N8 million.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has condemned the burning of Ilesa High Court 2 building by yet to be identified criminals, describing the arson as “an unjustifiable attack on the state judiciary”.
The incident which happened overnight led to the destruction of court sensitive documents and exhibits with the entire building largely burnt to the ground.
It was gathered that the state fire service was mobilised to the scene but the havoc was already over by the time of their arrival. There are indications that files relating to sensitive court cases were destroyed.
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Gov Adeleke in the statement directed thorough investigation into the incident as well as beefing up security across all court premises in the state.
He stated, “Thorough investigation must be conducted by the security agencies to apprehend the suspects and ensure they face the consequences of their actions. I further direct security agencies to beef up surveillance across the various court buildings.
“Additionally, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice is to join hands with the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure for the immediate rehabilitation of the burnt down building.”
Gov Adeleke described the attack as a threat to democracy and noted that the judiciary remains the stabilizer and critical arbiter of the democratic process, urging support rather than attack for the judiciary.
Fear and anxiety have spread across the Ogwashi-Uku community in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State following the abduction of four children by suspected child traffickers.
The incident occurred on Sunday in the Umuokwe quarters, where two of the victims — identified as siblings, Ebube and Miracle — were reportedly taken by three unidentified women.
The women had only recently moved into the area after securing emergency accommodation.
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Community sources said the suspects lured the children from their homes under the pretense of buying them biscuits from a nearby shop.
“It was when the children could not be seen around the compound that neighbours expressed concern,” a resident said.
“By the time the neighbours visited the ladies’ apartment, the room was empty as neither the occupants nor the children could be found.”
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, said the landlady who rented out the room to the suspects has been arrested and is currently in custody.
“The children were abducted three days after the women rented the apartment,” Edafe stated.
“It is true; the problem is that there is no link. They just came and said they wanted to rent an apartment and the landlady gave it to them with no details, no name, no phone number, no agreement, and after three days they carried four children. The landlady has been arrested because her actions are suspicious.”
Security agencies have launched a manhunt for the suspects, while the community remains on alert as the search for the missing children continues.
Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, popularly known as ‘Killaboi,’ has been extradited to Nigeria from Doha, Qatar, to face trial for the alleged murder of 21-year-old university student Augusta Onuwabhagbe.
The Nigeria Police confirmed his arrival in the country in the early hours of Saturday, following months of international manhunt and collaborative efforts involving INTERPOL, the Federal Ministry of Justice, Qatari authorities, and the Nigerian Police.
Nnayereugo, who had been declared wanted in October 2023, was accused of killing Onuwabhagbe—a first-class student of Lead City University, Ibadan—on July 13, 2023, at his residence in Ajah, Lagos.
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“The Nigeria Police Force has successfully completed the extradition of Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, male, widely known as ‘Killaboi,’ from Doha, Qatar to Nigeria,” a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, read.
The extradition was initiated following a petition from the family of the deceased on September 29, 2024, which triggered INTERPOL NCB Abuja’s involvement.
After the murder, the suspect fled the country and released a video online purporting to confess to the crime — a move police described as “a deceptive strategy to derail investigative efforts.”
Following his declaration as wanted by the Lagos State Police Command, an INTERPOL Red Notice was issued.
He was eventually arrested in Sierra Leone under the alias “Kanu Princeton Samuel” on October 20, 2023, but escaped custody in a prison break the following month.
Authorities tracked the fugitive’s movements across West Africa, East Asia, and the Middle East before he resurfaced in Doha on January 24, 2025, living under the false name “Toure Abdoulaye” with a fake Guinean passport.
In February, Qatari authorities arrested him after advanced biometric verification confirmed his identity. The Nigerian government’s extradition request was later approved.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, praised the international cooperation that led to Nnayereugo’s return.
“The synergy amongst nations is vital to curb trans-border crimes,” the IGP said, while assuring Nigerians that the fugitive will face diligent prosecution.
Nnayereugo’s case had earlier drawn widespread attention, with the Lagos State Police issuing a public alert for information on his whereabouts.
At the time, the police described him as a 26-year-old, 5’9″ tall, dark-complexioned man from Abia State who spoke English, Igbo, and Pidgin English fluently.
The Nigeria Police have reiterated their commitment to justice, assuring the public that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure accountability.
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