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Tag kidnapping

  • Mar, Thu, 2020
Defence/Security

Kidnapping: NMA embarks on indefinite strike in C/River

Kidnapping
By George Odok
Calabar, March 12, 2020 (NAN) The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Cross River has embarked on an indefinite strike over the kidnapp of the wife of their colleague, Mrs Christian Ekanem, a staff of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.

In a communique, jointly signed on Thursday in Calabar, by the Chairman of NMA in Cross River, Dr Agam Ayuk, and the Secretary, Dr Ezoke Epoke, NMA said the victim was kidnapped on Macrh 10 by unknown gunmen.

The Association disclosed that from 2017 to date, no fewer than 15 medical doctors and their dependents have been kidnapped within the state.

Ayuk explained that the decision to embark on the strike followed the position taken by the Association after an Emergency General Meeting held on Jan. 8, 2018.

According to him, the position held that “the NMA in Cross River will henceforth withdraw all medical services without any notice anytime a Doctor or Dependents are taken captive in future”.

He lamented that the perpetrators have struck again, thereby adding untold hardship and emotional distress to the family and the Association.

“The unfortunate incident of the kidnap of the wife of a member of NMA is worrisome. She was kidnapped at her home in Satellite Town in Calabar on Macrh 10, 2020.

“The NMA in Cross River is not unmindful of the impact of the withdrawal of medical services on the good people of Cross River.

“However, we cannot continue to save lives while we are under constant threat by armed bandits and kidnappers.

“NMA in Cross River has proceeded on a total and indefinite withdrawal of medical services in both the private, public and institutional hospitals in the state.

“This include University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Federal Neuro Psychiatry Hospital, General Hospital, Medical Centres, Mission Hospitals and Private Clinics with immediate effects,” he said.

He added that the action would continue until the wife of their colleague, Prof. Emmanuel Ekanem, is released.

He called on the state government and security agencies to expedite action and ensure the unconditional release of all victims currently in the captivity of kidnappers

“The Association hereby call on Gov. Ben Ayade as the Chief Security Officer of the state to ensure the security of lives and properties in the state.

“The Association is also calling on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police to declare a state of emergency on security in Cross River by mobilising human and material resources to curtail the increasing spate of insecurity within the state,” he said. (NAN)
GNO/ISMA
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

  • Feb, Tue, 2020
Judiciary

Gombe Assembly passes kidnapping, abduction prohibition bill

Bill

By Ibrahim Kado

Gombe, Feb. 25, 2020 (NAN) Gombe State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed into law a bill for the prohibition of kidnapping, abduction of persons and other related matters.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the legislation followed the adoption of a report by the House Committee on Judiciary which studied the bill.

The Committee recommended death penalty for those found guilty of kidnapping and abduction, while those aiding and abating the crime are to face life imprisonment.

It also recommended 10-years imprisonment for those found to be engage in fabricating information on kidnapping and abduction.

Chairman of the Committee, Mr Ranbi Ayala, representing Billiri East State Constituency, presented the report on the bill at the plenary on Tuesday in Gombe.

Ayala said: “The committee recommend that whoever kidnap or abduct by any other means in order that such person may be killed.

“Or may be so disposed of as to be put in danger of being killed or with intent to demand ransom shall be punished with death.

“Whoever instigates attempt to kidnap or abduct any person and in such attempt does any act towards kidnapping or abduction shall be punished with imprisonment for life without option of fine”.

Ayala added that whoever give and fabricate information on kidnapping or abduction intending to instill fear or for financial gain out of it shall be punished with 10 years imprisonment without option of fine.

House Leader, Markus Samuel, representing Pero Shonge State Constituency, moved the motion for the third reading of the bill, and seconded by Ranbi Ayala.

Speaker, Abubakar Ibrahim, noted that the issue of kidnapping and abduction has became an issue of concern in the state.

While the commending the committee for a job well done, said that when the bill is signed by the governor, the punishment would serve as a deterrent to perpetrators and others. (NAN)
IMK/RSA

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Edited by Rabiu Sani Ali

General news

Lafia Chief Imam urges govt to tackle kidnapping

By Sunday John
Kidnapping
Lafia, April 27, 2019 (NAN) Malam Dahiru Dalhatu, the Chief Imam of Lafia Central Mosque, has called on Nasarawa State Government to tackle the rising spate of kidnapping in the state.

The cleric made the call on Saturday in Lafia during the thanksgiving prayer of a victim of kidnapping who recently regained freedom after paying an undisclosed amount as ransom.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the victim, Malama Yahanasu Suleiman, the wife of Mr Suleiman Abubakar, the state Chairman of Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ), who was kidnapped on March 27 and regained freedom on March 28.

Represented by Malam Kabiru Darhiru, the priest said that the increasing rate of kidnapping and other criminality in the state needed urgent measures to avoid escalation.

“The number one duty of government is to protect lives and property, therefore the government must rise up to its responsibility in order to give the people a sense of security.

“Apart from increasing rate of kidnapping, attacks in communities, arm robbery and other criminality is on the increase hence the need for urgent measures to be taken,” the Imam added.

Speaking on behalf of the family, the husband of the kidnapped victim, expressed gratitude to God for saving his wife and all those who supported them in kind and in cash during the traumatic moment.

He therefore prayed God to continue to protect his family against reoccurrence of the ugly incident. (NAN)
SDJ/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

Kidnapping: Nasarawa residents demand military base

Kidnapping: Nasarawa residents demand military base
By Awayi Kuje
Abductions
Garaku (Nasarawa State), March 29, 2019 (NAN) Some residents of Garaku in Nasarawa State have called for the establishment of a military base to curb incessant kidnappings and armed robbery along Keffi/Garaku/Akwanga road.
They said that the establishment of a military base along the route would help curtail the activities of criminals and criminality in the area.
Some of the residents, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Garaku, also called on the state government and security agencies to provide 24 hours surveillance across the rural areas in order to tackle the insecurity.
Mr John Andrew, a resident of Garaku, said that the spate of insecurity in parts of the state had become worrisome hence the need for the federal government to establish a permanent military base along the Keffi-Akwanga highway.
He said that there was need to beef up security and ensure 24 hours police patrol along the roads in order to achieve peace in the area and the state at large.
“The incessant armed robbery attacks, kidnappings in communities especially along Keffi/Akwanga road had become a serious concern not only to the residents of this area but to the entire state.
“Just yesterday, we heard that kidnappers attacked some journalists, kidnapping the wife of the Nasarawa State Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, among others, that are also kidnapped.
“It is in view of this that I want to urge government to establish the military base to curtail these activities,’’ he said.
He also called on the people of the area to be security conscious and to report any suspicious movement of persons or groups to appropriate authorities for necessary action.
Another resident, Mrs Grace Dauda, also said: “Insecurity is a treat not only to the health of the women but it is also a threat to the health of the entire community and the state at large.”
“The activities of armed robbers and kidnappers have created fear in people especially women because some of the kidnappers and armed robbers usually rape their female victims.
“Beefing up security along this road will not only help in curtailing the activities of armed robbers but will also help in checking the influx of criminal elements who will want to disguise as good people in the area,” he said.
She said that no nation or society could develop with high rate of crime, rancour and confusion, adding that the security challenges facing the state and some parts of the country had already affected the lives and socio-economic development of the country negatively.
Malam Abubakar Isah, another resident, said that the insecurity in the state was not only embarrassing but unfortunate and uncalled for, hence the need for government to beef up security in the state.
He condemned the attack and kidnapping of a journalist’s wife among others along the Garaku/Gudi road on March 27.
NAN recalls that on March 27, unidentified gunmen allegedly attacked Suleiman Abubakar, Chairman of the Correspondents’ chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Nasarawa State and abducted his wife, Yahanasu Abubakar.
Suleiman told NAN that the incident happened at about 7 p.m. along Gudi-Garaku road in Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.
According to Suleiman, the gunmen shot at the union bus they were travelling in from Keffi, where his wife went to register at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp.
He said the bus ran into a ditch after being shot at while the gunmen swopped on them, took his wife, the wife of a former state assembly member, whom they gave a lift as well as two other women from another vehicle during the attack.
Meanwhile, ASP Samaila Usman, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, said the command had mobilised officers to the area to search and rescue the abducted women. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

Two Pakistanis Kidnapped in Calabar yet to be released

Two Pakistanis Kidnapped  in Calabar yet to be released

NAN-H-

Kidnapping

By Biola Lawal

Abuja, Aug. 18, 2017 (NAN) Two Pakistani nationals kidnapped in Calabar since 13 August are yet to be released, reliable family and company sources informed the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

The Sources said that the two men, whose names were given as Azeem Alikhan and Rehan Siddique,  were employees of a private marine company, J.Marine Logistics Limited, operating in Cross River State, and had been in Nigeria for about four years.

“They were kidnapped in the morning hours of Sunday, August 13,” the sources told NAN and appealed to the abductors to release the victims.

According to the sources, “the abductors are yet to establish contact with anyone over the victims,”. (NAN)

Bl/

Health

NYSC trains 133 inspectors on ways to tackle insurgency, kidnapping

 

NAN-H-40

NYSC

By Yashim Katurak

Abuja, Feb. 27, 2017 (NAN) The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), on Monday commenced a four-day training exercise for its inspectors on ways to tackle insurgency, kidnapping and other challenges.

The training, which is being held at the NYSC orientation camp in Abuja, will also focus on how to handle the rising cases of rejection of corps members by employees.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), also reports that the exercise, which is for inspectors in northern states, has the theme: “Capacity Building for NYSC Inspectors In The Face Of Emerging Challenges In Corps Administration”.

In a speech to flag-off the activity, Brig.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, the NYSC Director-General, said that the training was aimed at empowering the scheme’s officials on ways to deal with “formidable operational challenges caused by corps population explosion”.

“We specifically want to take them through ways to meet challenges like corps rejection, insurgency and kidnapping.

“These issues have, in recent times, become regular occurrences that the scheme and its officers have had to grapple with, hence the need to train officers.

“In the face of these challenges, this training is designed to update knowledge and equip officers sufficiently, so as to be on top of demands from such responsibilities at all times.”

He said that the training would sharpen and improve the appraisal skills of participants, improve the performance level of NYSC inspectors and boost the self-confidence of inspectors.

“That self confidence is necessary for optimal performance of their duties,” Kazaure pointed out.

Earlier, Mrs. Victoria Okakwu, NYSC Director, Corps Welfare and Inspectorate, had described the NYSC scheme as a dynamic organisation dealing with the educated segment of the youth population.

Okakwu said that it was necessary to ensure that officers, who were administrators and charged with the responsibility of policy implementation at the grass root, were adequately trained for their roles.

“This workshop has been packaged for 133 inspectors to upgrade their skills and techniques for optimal performance,” Okakwu said.

Mr Abdulrazak Salawu, the FCT NYSC Coordinator, urged the management to extend the training programme to other cadres of staff as every employee of the scheme was first and foremost an inspector. (NAN)

KRY/ETS

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Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

Defence/Security

Audio Attached: Association wants FG to prioritise security of Nigerian child

NAN-DS-1

Security

By Olayinka Olawale

Lagos, Jan. 30, 2017 (NAN) The National Parents/Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has advised the Federal Government to make the security of the Nigerian child a top priority in 2017.

 

The Deputy President II of the association, Mr Adeolu Ogunbanjo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday that the advice had become necessary in view of the need for parents to safeguard the lives of their children.

 

Cue in audio (Ogunbanjo)

 

“Nigerian parents are looking out for a situation where their children are secure in various schools particularly in view of the frequent kidnapping and all that.

 

“Again, government should fulfil all the promises it made concerning the education of the Nigerian child.

 

“Government should live up to its promises; whatever agreement it entered into with our tertiary institutions in 2009, it should live up to it, rather than re-negotiate it.

 

“The government has got to sort issues out with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Non-Academic Staff Union, and the Senior Staff Association Nigerian Universities, so that education can be worthwhile.

 

“Many people are now being careful about sending their children to public tertiary institutions because for a four year programme, they end up spending seven to eight years.

 

“So, government must live up to its billing or whatever promise it must have made to them.

 

“Thank God they are now re-negotiating, but let’s hope that this will stop incessant strike we are experiencing in the education sector.’’

 

Cue out audio

 

It will be recalled that on April 14, 2014, more than 200 girls were abducted from the Government Secondary School, Chibok, while boys were hacked to death.

 

Till date some have not been seen, while those released or rescued have horrid stories to tell.

Today, cultism in the country’s tertiary institutions has led to mayhem and killing of students, thereby leading to the incarceration and expulsion of both guilty and innocent students.

 

A UNICEF report has indicated that violent attacks have adversely affected education in the North East.

 

The report says that violence and the Boko Haram conflict in the region have kept many children out of the classroom for more than a year, putting them at risk of dropping out of school.

 

Hundreds of schools have been attacked, looted or burned by Boko Haram with the violence leading to the closure of more than 2,000 schools in Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon. (NAN)

OOG/AIB/LAB/YEE

Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Lydia Beshel/Emmanuel Yashim

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