Crime

Kidnappers demand N500m for five abducted Kwara road workers

Published

7 months ago

December 30, 2025

Bandits have demanded a ransom of N500 million for the release of five road construction workers kidnapped in Kwara State.

It was reported that the workers were abducted on December 15, 2025, at a Kwara State Government road construction site along the Sabaja/Owa-Onire Road in Isin Local Government Area.

Speaking with journalists on Monday in Ilorin, the families, led by Mr Dare Boyinbogun, accused the state government of neglect and said the kidnappers had contacted them with the huge ransom demand.

Boyinbogun recalled that the suspected bandits invaded the construction site at about 11:40 am, whisking away Ademola Afolabi, Abdullahi Lade, Emmanuel Okuwadare Kayode, Fatai Akin, and their driver, Yusuf.

“Since that moment, our lives have been suspended between hope and despair. They demanded the sum of 500m from us. How are we going to raise that?” he lamented.

According to him, the victims were innocent workers contributing to the development of Kwara State and Nigeria.

“They were not criminals or adventurers. They went to work believing they would return home safely. Instead, their families have been thrown into anguish and despair,” he added.

While acknowledging the efforts of the police and other security agencies, Boyinbogun stressed that time was running out.

“Every passing hour deepens the trauma of the families, especially the wives, children and elderly parents who depend entirely on these men for survival.

“Many of these families have no other source of income. Beyond fear for their lives, there is now hunger, psychological distress and total uncertainty,” he said.

The families, including wives and children of the abducted workers, appealed to the Kwara State Government and security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and treat the abduction as a top-priority emergency.

“We are appealing to the government to come to our aid. The government needs to establish direct communication with the affected families, provide welfare support and counselling, and strengthen security along construction corridors and rural roads to prevent further attacks,” he said.

Appealing directly to the abductors, Boyinbogun said, “These men are fathers, sons and brothers. Please release them unharmed.”

One of the wives, Idayat Lade, in tears, has pleaded for the release of her husband.

“Please let them release our husbands to us. We want them alive,” she cried, revealing that she had lost a baby due to the emotional trauma caused by the abduction.

Meanwhile, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has ordered the police to fish out hoodlums who attacked women protesters near the under-construction Government House in Ilorin.

A viral video obtained showed suspected hoodlums assaulting women who were protesting near the Government House gate during the Christmas holiday.

In a statement on Monday, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, said AbdulRazaq expressed outrage over the incident, describing the attack as unacceptable.

“Peaceful protest is a democratic right. The women are within their rights to express their views. We distance ourselves from the incident, as it does not represent our values as a government,” the statement read.

The governor directed the police to identify and prosecute those responsible, adding that the government was not relenting on security.

Ajakaye noted that the governor had recently led the passing-out parade of armed forest guards tasked with flushing out kidnappers and terrorists from forests across the state, alongside increased deployment of security personnel to protect communities.

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Post Views: 450

Crime

PHOTOS: Two Nigerians sentenced to 7 years imprisonment for armed robbery in Kuwait

Published

45 minutes ago

July 21, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Two Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to seven years in prison for armed robbery in Kuwait.

The Kuwait General Department of Criminal Investigation in Ahmadi Governorate arrested the two individuals over alleged involvement in an armed robbery and theft of a currency exchange shop in Mahboula, in January 2025.

The Court of Appeal on Monday, July 20, 2026 upheld the imprisonment of the defendants for seven years and six months in connection with the robbery and theft.

The Second Circuit of the Court of Appeal, headed by Counselor Nasr Salem Al-Haid and comprising Counselors Mutaib Al-Aradhi and Saud Al-Sane, upheld the ruling against members of a Nigerian gang involved in the robbery and theft of the money exchange shop.

The Public Prosecution had charged the first four defendants with stealing money from the exchange shop, with the second defendant using a fake gun and enabling the third and fourth defendants to steal the money with the assistance of the first defendant.

The fifth defendant was charged with participating with the defendants, agreeing to commit the crime, helping them conceal the stolen goods, and supplying them with the money obtained from the robbery and theft.

The Criminal Court had sentenced the first and fifth defendants in person, while the remaining defendants were sentenced in absentia.

The court had initially sentenced the first four defendants to seven years’ imprisonment and the fifth defendant to six months’ imprisonment after amending the description and charges.

The Court of Appeal later upheld the ruling, according to a report published by Al Rai newspaper.

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Crime

PHOTOS: Cross River police arrest alleged fake doctor for operating illegal mobile clinic

Published

1 hour ago

July 21, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested one Udeme Emmanuel Ekpeme, “m”aged 39, over allegations of impersonation, obtaining money by false pretence, and the unlawful use of medical equipment.

The suspect was arrested by Police officers attached to Uwanse Division ,Calabar South following a complaint lodged by Mrs. Edemawan Samuel, 45, who alleged that the suspect falsely presented himself as a medical doctor and fraudulently obtained the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) from her under the false promise of securing employment for her children at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).

Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect allegedly used the false representation to deceive the complainant into parting with the money. Relevant exhibits believed to be connected to the case were recovered during the investigation, and the suspect is currently in police custody.

Confirming his arrest to newsmen, the spokesperson of the command, ASP Eitokpah Akata, said state Commissioner of Police, has directed that a thorough investigation be carried out to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case and determine whether there are other victims. Akata added that upon the conclusion of investigations, the suspect will be charged to court if sufficient evidence is established.

He mentioned that the command is actively conducting a discreet investigation into the matter to uncover the full extent of the suspect’s activities and identify any other possible victims or accomplices. Members of the public are assured that further updates will be provided as investigations progress.

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Crime

PHOTOS: NSCDC uncovers alleged fake university, rescues 106 youths in Badagry

Published

1 hour ago

July 21, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Badagry Area Command, has uncovered an alleged fake university operating from a three-bedroom apartment in Ilado, Olorunda Local Council Development Area, of Lagos State, and rescued 106 youths allegedly lured into the scheme. AkwaIbom News

The Corps also arrested the alleged proprietor of the institution, which reportedly recruited young people from different parts of Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries with promises of admission into a foreign university.

The operation, carried out in the early hours of Monday after days of intelligence gathering and covert surveillance, exposed what security officials described as an alleged fraudulent academic and recruitment scheme.

The youths, mostly aged between 19 and 24, were taken into protective custody by the NSCDC for profiling and further investigation.

Confirming their arrest to newsmen, the Badagry Area Commander of the NSCDC, Chief Superintendent Gbenga Ekunola, said the operation followed credible intelligence received by the command on activities at the apartment.

“We got reliable intelligence about the activities going on there. Our officers monitored the place for days before moving in. We have arrested the proprietor, who is assisting with our investigation, while the students have been taken into our protective custody.”

Preliminary investigations indicated that unsuspecting young people were allegedly persuaded to pay admission and processing fees after being promised admission into a foreign tertiary institution.

The victims reportedly paid between N200,000 and N1.5 million, while some foreign nationals and other participants allegedly paid between $400 and $500.

However, the alleged admission scheme reportedly came with a recruitment condition, with participants encouraged to bring in more people in return for commissions.

The arrangement allegedly operated like a chain marketing or Ponzi scheme, with participants promised increasing financial rewards based on the number of new students they recruited.