Crime
Kidnapping epidemic: Fundraising for ransom persists, Ekiti pupils’ families pay N15m
Despite warnings by the Federal Government against crowd-funding for ransoms, the practice has continued to gain ground with the abductees and their families raising funds from relatives, friends, and social media to secure the release of kidnapped victims.
Ekiti Gov visits released pupils, teachers
Families of abductees said on Sunday that they disregarded the government’s warning because they feared the victims might be killed or harmed if they failed to pay the ransom.
In Ekiti State, pupils and teachers of Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, Emure Ekiti, who were abducted last week, regained their freedom in the early hours of Sunday.
Some parents and other relatives of the victims said the kidnappers freed the abductees after collecting N15m and other items including fried rice, malt drinks, energy drinks, and cigarettes.
Although the Proprietor of the school, Gabriel Adesanya, confirmed to one of our correspondents that a ransom was paid, he did not specify the actual amount paid.
In reaction to the wave of abductions in Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos, and many other states, the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, had a few weeks ago warned relatives of kidnapped victims against engaging in crowd-funding and paying ransom to kidnappers.
The minister, who spoke after a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and the service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, admitted that the kidnapping was high within the Federal Capital Territory area councils.
Reacting to the issue of crowd-funding to pay ransom, Badaru said, “We all know that there is an existing law against the payment of ransom. So, it is very sad for people to go over the internet and radio asking for donations to pay ransom.’’
The Nigeria Police Force had similarly admonished Nigerians against crowd-funding for ransom, especially on social media.
The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, in a post via his official X handle on January 2, described it as criminal and warned Nigerians against the practice.
“Crowd-funding for ransom payment is criminal. It’s dangerous and should not be encouraged. Let’s stop making kidnapping a thriving and lucrative business in Nigeria. This tweet is deeper than you think. It’s not about dragging me or the police. We seriously need to discourage this,” Edafe posted.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, also said the practice undermined security and contributed to the abduction spree in the country.
In an interview with Channels TV on February 1, Adejobi pointed out that ransom payment was a crime in Nigeria.
“It got to a stage where somebody did crowd-funding on social media; this will not help us in any way. It is criminal. It is not allowed. It is condemned. Even the Federal Government condemned it. Crowd-funding is not allowed,” he said.
Families justify payment
However, the families of abductees justified the act, stating that they paid ransoms to secure the lives of their loved ones.
Confirming that he raised funds through crowd-funding to secure his release, a kidnapped victim in Zamfara State who gave his name as Mohammed Shehu, told The PUNCH on Sunday that he was asked by bandits to pay N20m ransom but the amount was later reduced to N10m.
Shehu, an indigene of Magami town of the Gusau Local Government Area in Zamfara State, said he sold his house and other valuables but could only raise N5.3m, adding that his family and friends had to look for the remaining balance of N4.7m to get his freedom.
According to him, his family members and other people had to contribute to make sure that the amount was paid, as the bandits gave a seven-day ultimatum.
He said, “When I was kidnapped on the Gusau-Sokoto road and taken to the forest, the bandits leader reached out to my family and told them to pay N20m as ransom. However, after the negotiation, the amount was reduced to N10m.
“I told the family to sell off my house and other things so that they could raise the amount and pay because I was being punished by the kidnappers. After the sale of my house and other valuables, the sum of N5.3m was realised and taken to the bandits, but they insisted that the balance of N4.7m must be paid or they would kill me.
“My family members had to go begging to get the money and that was how I was released by the bandits.”
Many Katsina victims and their families explained how ransoms were raised to get their freedom from kidnappers.
They revealed that families, friends, colleagues, and top government officials contributed to raising the ransoms demanded by their captors before they were released.
Colleagues raise funds
A retired top official of the National Broadcast Commission said members of his family, the traditional ruler in his area as well as colleagues contributed the ransom that was paid to his captors to ensure his release and that of his daughter.
The retired officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “Bandits kidnapped my daughter and me a few months ago. Members of my family, the traditional ruler of my community, friends, and colleagues contributed the ransom that was paid to ensure our release.”
Kidnapped victims in Delta State narrated how money was raised by their relatives, friends, and church members to pay the ransom.
A friend of a kidnapped victim in the Bonsaac area of Asaba, the Delta State capital, who did not want his name in print, told one of our correspondents that he was able to mobilise other friends to contribute money for his release.
He said, “I was actually at the man (victim)’s shop when I received a call that my friend was kidnapped. And immediately, I left the shop so that his wife would not find out what was going on. Then I moved to a barber’s shop to continue the negotiation with the kidnappers.
“After a while, they called the man’s wife and that’s how the woman got to know and she started looking for me, and I later told her that I left their shop because of the news.
“We started negotiating with them from N5m to N1m. All of us, both friends and relatives contributed to raising the ransom which I took to Nkwere-ezunnka in Anambra State before he was released.”
Wilson said, “I remember that after we were released, my mom told me she had to contact her siblings, friends, and church members for help. Some of my cousins raised the alarm on social media, particularly Facebook, and to their contact lists on WhatsApp, asking friends to help raise the money. My mom even had to sell the generator.’’
“I do not know if I support the law or not. But you know Nigeria, you can’t be sure that the police will take you seriously even if you report it. I mean, while they are investigating, your loved one could be dying, if not dead.
“Try explaining the illegality of crowd-funding to someone who probably lost more than one loved one is difficult, sometimes even after paying a heavy ransom. Anybody would do anything to save his or her family,” he stressed.
Abbas Al-Kadriyar, an uncle to the five Al-Kadriyar girls, whose kidnap had led to a nationwide outcry against kidnappings in the country, stated that “everybody contributed to securing the release of my nieces while they were in captivity.’’
He added that the government should ensure the security of lives and property, if it wanted to curb crowd-funding for ransom, noting the threats that were made against his family while they were in captivity.
“The family did their own. Our own (fund) could not sustain us, so the public helped. Everybody, all Nigerians was involved, including Christians, Muslims, religious organisations, individuals, friends, and family. Everybody contributed,” he revealed.
Speaking further, Al-Kadriyar added, “If I am losing a family, if any of us is losing their family members, and you are being asked to bring ransom, are you going to bring it or not? If the lives and properties of citizens are well taken care of, nobody will go and be paying a ransom.
“We were on the verge of losing our family members; the threat was there that they were going to be killed. We were asked to bring money, they gave us an ultimatum, and there was a threat that if we did not bring it, they would drop (kill) one each day.
“So, yes, the law is there, let it take its course. But before the law saves us, are our lives safe? That is the primary objective of the government, the security of lives and property. If it is well secured, then there will be no need for anybody to even go after kidnapping or asking for ransom,” he reasoned.
In Ekiti State, one of the parents of the kidnapped victims, Adebisi Jegede, confirmed that ransom was paid to the kidnappers.
Five pupils of Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, Emure Ekiti, and four staff members were kidnapped on January 29 on Emuro-Eporo road after closing hours.
Jegede, in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, said, “A ransom was paid to the kidnappers and the money raised was around the N15m they demanded. I was not the one that counted the money but it was around that amount.”
Also, a man, whose wife and son were among the kidnapped persons, said that N15m ransom and some other items were handed over to the kidnappers in an expansive forest before the abductees were released to them.
The man, who spoke anonymously for fear of being abducted, said, “Nine persons were kidnapped. But eight persons were released, we didn’t see the ninth person. The kidnapped persons told us after their release that the gunmen shot the driver dead.
“It gave us a lot of problems to see the kidnappers. When we first entered the forest, we spent about two hours without seeing them. We had to go forth and back before we saw the kidnappers.
“When we eventually saw them, they took us into the bush far away from where we parked the motorcycle that we took there. We gave them what they demanded and they released the kidnapped persons to us.
“We gave them N15m and the food items they asked us to buy for them – eight packs of fried rice with chicken and drinks – can malt drink, fearless energy drink, bullet energy drink, cigarettes, and other drinkable things. As they collected the money and the items, they said we should run.”
Slain Kwara monarch
In Kwara State, the families of the slain Olukoro of Koro-Ekiti, Oba Olusegun Aremu-Cole, are in panic mode following the N40m ransom demanded by the abductors of the monarch’s widow.
The royal father was assassinated by suspected gunmen in his palace in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State on Thursday night while his wife and another lady were abducted.
The gunmen had reached out to the monarch’s family for payment of N100m which was reduced to N40m.
A usually reliable security source, who does not want his name in print told The PUNCH on Sunday that five suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing.
Another suspect was also apprehended on Sunday in Eruku and was found with foreign currency.
“Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing of Koro-Ekiti monarch. The Inspector-General of Police has deployed a special anti-terrorist team to comb Ekiti forests while a detachment of Nigerian Army has also been deployed to Koro to search for the two kidnapped victims,” the source said.
The Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Ejire-Adeyemi Adetoun, however, claimed no arrest had been made in connection with the incident.
But the chairman of the Transition Implementation Committee in Ekiti LGA, Chief Kehinde Bayode, confirmed that a suspect was apprehended in Eruku on Sunday.
He said, “The arrested suspect was found with foreign currency and I had got in touch with the Divisional Police Officer in the area not to release the suspect.”
Bayode, while speaking on efforts made to free the abducted wife of the monarch and the lady held with her, said “The kidnappers had got in touch with the family demanding N100m ransom which has now been reduced to N40m.
“We are still negotiating with them and right now, I’m on my way to Koro to get the latest information on the negotiation. We will continue to brief you as the situation unfolds and we will keep you posted.”
PUNCH
Okwudili Ndiwe, popularly known as Derico Nwamama, was a notorious Nigerian armed robber and serial killer who terrorized parts of Anambra State, particularly Onitsha and its environs, between 2000 and 2001. He became one of Nigeria’s most feared criminals because of his gang’s involvement in armed robberies, killings, and attacks on police officers and civilians. Reports from the time attributed more than 100 civilian deaths and the killing of numerous police officers to his gang, though some figures vary by source.
Derico reportedly began as a street urchin and pickpocket before graduating to violent armed robbery. His activities created widespread fear across southeastern Nigeria, leading traders and residents to demand stronger action against criminal gangs.
In July 2001, he was captured by the Bakassi Boys after the group was invited to help tackle violent crime in Anambra State. Rather than being handed over to the police for trial, he was publicly executed by beheading in Onitsha, an act that drew both public approval from some residents and strong condemnation from human rights organizations because it was an extrajudicial killing.
Derico’s story remains one of the most infamous episodes in Nigeria’s criminal history and is often cited in discussions about crime, vigilantism, and the rule of law in the country.
Derico’s reign of terror lasted only about a year (2000–2001), but it left a lasting mark on Anambra State. Some accounts are well documented, while others have become part of local folklore, so it’s important to distinguish between verified facts and widely repeated stories.
Some of his most notorious escapades include:
The Upper Iweka luxury bus massacre (December 2000): This is considered his most infamous crime. His gang reportedly stopped a Lagos-bound luxury bus at Upper Iweka in Onitsha, robbed the passengers, and then executed most of them. Reports say about 55 of the 59 passengers were killed, with only a handful surviving.
Repeated bank robberies: Derico’s gang carried out daring raids on banks in Onitsha, escaping with millions of naira at a time when police struggled to stop them.
Killing of police officers: He was blamed for the deaths of around 25 police officers, often attacking patrol teams and police checkpoints. His gang became notorious for directly confronting law enforcement rather than avoiding them.
The killing of Chiejina: According to widely circulated accounts, Derico was once allied with another feared criminal, Chiejina. After Chiejina allegedly murdered Derico’s father, Derico tracked him down and shot him dead, ending his rival’s reign before becoming the dominant crime boss himself. This story is widely recounted but is based largely on historical narratives rather than court records.
Control through fear: Traders, transporters, and residents in Onitsha, Nkpor, Nnewi, Ihiala, and nearby towns reportedly lived in fear of his gang. Some accounts claim he would send advance warnings before attacks to demonstrate that security agencies could not stop him.
His downfall came in July 2001 when the Bakassi Boys captured him near the Niger Bridge after an intelligence-led operation. Six days later, he was publicly beheaded in Onitsha without trial, an extrajudicial execution that was celebrated by many residents but condemned by human rights groups.
He was beheaded by Bakassi at the public square at Ochanja Market Onitsha on July 9, 2001.
Crime
Traditional rulers indispensable partners in community policing, security management – CP Giwa
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Mamman Giwa, says traditional rulers remain indispensable partners in community policing and grassroots security management.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, on Saturday in Enugu after the commissioner’s stakeholders’ engagement visit to the leadership of Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council on Friday.
The commissioner noted that traditional rulers are indispensable and imperative in grassroots security matters due to their closeness to the people and understanding of the security dynamics within their communities.
He emphasised that the command would continue to leverage their support in intelligence gathering, crime prevention, conflict resolution, and the prompt reporting of suspicious activities.
According to him, the command is reaffirming its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the traditional institution in the fight against crime and criminality across the state.
Responding to questions from the traditional rulers, the commissioner pledged to continue to accord them due respect and recognition as custodians of peace and order in their communities.
He appreciated their continued support in promoting peace and security across the state.
The state police boss urged them to sustain their partnership with the police by encouraging residents to remain law-abiding and security-conscious.
Speaking, the Council, led by its Chairman, Igwe Samuel Asadu, appreciated the commissioner for the visit and commended his pragmatic leadership in combating crime and enhancing public safety in the state.
Describing him as “God-sent,” the traditional rulers offered him their royal blessings and prayed for his continued success.
They reaffirmed the council’s commitment to supporting police initiatives that promote peace and security across the state.
Also present at the engagement were the Council’s Deputy Chairman, Igwe Julius Nnaji; the Council’s Public Relations Officer, Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu; and Chairmen of the various Local Government Traditional Rulers’ Councils.
Others are: the Council’s former Chairman, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, and its First Grand Patron, Igwe Abel Nwobodo.
The engagement underscores the commissioner’s commitment to sustained collaboration with critical stakeholders to advance community policing, public trust-building, proactive crime prevention, and the maintenance of law and order.
Onanuga disclosed this in a post on his X handle, saying, “Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies.”
He later revealed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services, while several others were neutralised.
He also dismissed reports that the victims were freed through a prisoner exchange, stating that there was “no quid pro quo” because one of the terrorist kingpins whose release had been demanded by the kidnappers remains on trial for alleged terrorism-related offences.
The announcement caps months of denials, protests and false alarms since gunmen stormed three schools in the area on May 15, abducting 46 pupils, students and teachers.
Here is how the 56-day saga unfolded.
May 15: The attack
Armed men numbering in the dozens, some dressed in military fatigues and riding motorcycles, stormed three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, near Ogbomoso — Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.
They opened fire before seizing pupils, students and teachers, including a toddler aged two. At least one person was killed during the raid.
Governor Seyi Makinde later confirmed that seven students were abducted from Community Grammar School, while 18 children and seven teachers were taken from Baptist Nursery and Primary.
In total, 39 pupils and seven teachers — 46 victims — were confirmed abducted, including the school principal, Folawe Alamu.
President Bola Tinubu condemned the attack as barbaric and vowed a rescue operation, with the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, dispatching more detectives to Oyo State to lead a technology-driven operation.
Late May: The beheading of Michael Oyedokun
Mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun was beheaded by his captors in a video that sparked nationwide condemnation and hardened public anger toward the government’s handling of the crisis. The killing was reportedly intended to deter security operatives closing in on the kidnappers’ camp.
Tinubu approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State and directed a specialised rescue unit to intensify operations.
Around this time, reports emerged that the kidnappers had opened communication channels with the state government, demanding the release of two detained Boko Haram/Ansaru commanders, Mahmud Usman (“Abu Bara’a”) and his deputy Abubakar Abba, as a condition for freeing the victims.
June 1: NUT declares indefinite strike
The Nigeria Union of Teachers ordered all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw services indefinitely, demanding the government secure the victims’ release before schools reopened. Solidarity rallies followed across state capitals on June 2.
Early-mid June: Fake “release” claims proliferate
At least three separate waves of misinformation falsely claimed the victims had been freed.. Oyo Police and the state government repeatedly and firmly debunked each claim, while fact-checkers (Africa Check) intervened publicly.
Late June: Ransom allegations, pressure campaigns
Social media activist VeryDarkMan (Martins Otse) led protests to the Oyo governor’s office. The Oyo government, through Commissioner for Information Dotun Oyelade, repeatedly denied any ransom payment. Civil society groups, including Socialist Labour, accused the government of complacency and demanded accountability.
July 2: NUT suspends strike
After roughly a month of industrial action, the NUT called off its strike, citing government assurances that efforts to secure the victims’ release were intensifying, and citing concern for pupils’ lost academic time.
July 8-9: Defence minister confirms standoff over use of force
Defence Minister Christopher Musa disclosed that the kidnappers had threatened to kill the captives if security forces attempted a forceful rescue, explaining the extended timeline and the shift toward a negotiated approach. Army Chief Waidi Shaibu said troops were making “tremendous progress” and had identified associates of the kidnappers.
July 10: Freedom, at last
Onanuga announced that all the kidnapped pupils and teachers had been rescued by security agencies, bringing the 56-day ordeal to an end.
He disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation and are currently in DSS custody, while some others were neutralised.
While the victims’ rescue brings an end to the 56-day ordeal, security agencies are expected to provide a comprehensive account of the operation, including details of the arrests and the circumstances surrounding the rescue.
A suspected thief has been arrested for allegedly stealing electrical bulbs and other fittings from a classroom at the Federal University of Education, Pankshin, Plateau State.
The suspect was apprehended on Wednesday by the university’s security personnel during a heavy downpour. The institution’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Charles Nda Homsuk, confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that security operatives swiftly foiled the alleged theft and recovered the stolen electrical items.
According to Homsuk, the suspect has been handed over to the appropriate law enforcement authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution.
He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property on campus through proactive security measures.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Noel Wannang, commended the Chief Security Officer, Wing Commander Paul Maimako Yusuf (retd.), and members of the university’s security unit for their vigilance and professionalism. He said their prompt response prevented the theft and underscored the effectiveness of the institution’s security architecture.
The Chief Security Officer also praised the university security personnel, hunters engaged for night patrols, and other stakeholders for their collaborative efforts in strengthening campus security.
He urged students, staff, and members of the university community to remain law-abiding and promptly report suspicious individuals, unusual movements, or any security threats to the institution’s Security Department.
He explained that the kidnappers were using the children as leverage to secure the release of their commanders in military custody.
“For whatever reason, they are looking for leverage because we have some of their commanders with us and they feel taking these kids and holding them to ransom will make us release their commander.
The minister’s comments come nearly eight weeks after gunmen abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and two other schools in Esinle, in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state, on May 15.
Speaking further on measures to curb banditry and kidnapping, Musa backed the death penalty for perpetrators, saying weak laws had emboldened criminals.
“I think we should do that. There must be deterrence. The laws are soft, and that’s why people take advantage. If they know once you commit an offence, there must be punishment,” he added.
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