Headline

Kidnappers Overtake Nigeria’s Capital City

Published

2 years ago

January 20, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The rising spate of criminal invasions, kidnappings and killings in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have become a matter of great concern. The once bubbly city; a conglomeration of ethnicities, global melting point and centre of government is gradually becoming a shadow of its former self with the way unknown gunmen have operated unhindered in the last couple of weeks.

The kidnappers, whose identities have remained unknown, have boldly penetrated residences, market places, highways and even Army barracks to abduct victims with little or no resistance from security agencies, and in scorn of the braggadocio of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

The activities of hoodlums in Abuja today could be a reminiscent of the attacks witnessed in Kaduna in 2023 when the state, arguably the nation’s defence capital, became the beehive of high scale criminal activities. Then, installations and establishments of great military and security presence were attacked, personnel either killed or abducted. In one of the attacks at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), two personnel were killed, and one abducted. Till date, no news of the abductee’s whereabouts have been recorded.

For the benefit of doubt, Kaduna is home to First Division, Nigerian Army; Nigerian Defence Academy; Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji; Nigerian Air Force Base; Air Force Institute of Technology, AFIT; Ground Training Command; the Army Training Depot in Zaria; the Nigerian Military School in Zaria; Defence Industries Corporation, DICON; Nigerian Army School of Artillery in Kachia; Nigerian Navy School of Armament Technology; Command Engineering Depot and Command and Staff College and several other military formations.

Kaduna State is also home to the State Security Service Training Academy, a Police College, the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), in Zaria and Borstal Training College, among others.

Stakeholders have said that the proximity of Kaduna to Abuja may have been responsible for the sudden influx of criminal elements in the FCT, and their brazen attacks and operations attributed to lack of administrative attention as the Minister-in-charge has been accused of channeling his energy to matters of less consequence both within and outside the state.

The kidnappers’ free reign in the nation’s seat of power took a new dimension when on January 14, 2024, four bodies of kidnapped were dumped for recovery at Ida, near Ushafa in Bwari Area Council. The four were out of 10 that were kidnapped from their various residences the weekend before in Kubwa/Dutse area of the territory.

Among the bodies were that of a secondary school student and daughter of Ekiti State-born Chief Legal Officer of the National University Commission (NUC), Folorunsho Ariyo, and a 400 level student of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Nabeeeha Al-kadriyar.

Miss Ariyo was abducted along with her mother and three siblings two Sundays before her remains were recovered while Nabeeeha Al-kadriyar was seized with her father and five of her female siblings in the same axis.

The kidnappers, according to family sources, had demanded the sum of N60 million ransom to release members of the Ariyo family, but they could only raise about N5 million.

“Talks were still ongoing and as at last Friday, we were optimistic of a positive outcome until we were contacted to pick up her body,” the family source said.

The teenage girl has since been buried in Dutse Cemetery, Abuja while the other members of the family have remained with their abductors till date.

As for Nabeeha, another source narrated as follows: “On Tuesday 2nd of January around 9:00pm, kidnappers struck and took away a father and her six children (all girls) at Zuma 1 after Bwari FCT before Veritas University.

“The junior brother that was contacted on distressed call died during the attack. The father was released 48hrs after to bring N60m ransom.

“We were contacted last night Friday 12th Jan around 7pm to bring the money and later called around 10:30pm same night telling us they have killed one of the girls and even described the location for us to pick the corpse.

“While were we at the point of picking up the corpse, they called again raising the ransom to N100m insisting that any attempt in delaying the payment will be met with equal treatment. These are the phone numbers being used by the abductors: 07016250005 0912 391 5983.”

Amnesty International has described the situation in Abuja in particular, and Nigeria in general as ‘epidemic of kidnappings’, calling on the Nigerian authorities to stem the tide as a matter of urgency.

In reaction to an avalanche of complaints and criticisms from the general public however, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said through his X account that, “We have been working on it, but we need some info. We will try our best possible to emplace all necessary measures to rescue them unhurt. But we need to get some info pls. Thanks.”

Also speaking, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said the police have already initiated a comprehensive plan of action, noting that the force was diligently coordinating efforts to address and prevent any further occurrence as all hands are on deck to rescue the victims.

An official statement by the Force Headquarters, and signed by Adejobi, noted that the sensitivity of the situation necessitated discretion and as a result, specific details are being kept confidential to avoid compromising ongoing operations.

“The NPF is actively engaging and contacting individuals crucial to the rescue operations and investigation. The objective is not only to bring perpetrators to justice but also to intensify efforts in rescue operations for victims still in captivity,” he said.

In another development, an Abuja resident simply known as Northern Man on X, narrated how he miraculously escaped being kidnapped in the Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. He however, suffered gunshot wound while navigating his escape.

“I made a miraculous escape from kidnappers on Wednesday with a bullet wound, just outside my estate at Lugbe, en route Penthouse and Elsalem estate, at about 10:00.p.m.

“I was blocked by their car on my lane but courageously reversed, and then drove through them while being shot at. Bullets penetrated the door behind the driver and got me on my left bum.

“Let’s exercise extra caution and avoid night movements, please! These deadly guys are all over the city,” he wrote.

Also, three persons were abducted from an estate behind the Nigerian Army Post-Service Housing Scheme in Kurudu Estate in the FCT. This is the latest in the kidnapping scourge that has hit Abuja.

The Director of Army Public Relations Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu confirmed that the incident happened in the estate at about 9.00 p.m. on Thursday, and troops are presently on search and rescue mission.

According to residents of the estate, gunmen fired gunshots before escaping with their victims.

In their reactions, President Bola Tinubu and Wike summoned separate emergency security meetings, where they mandated to go after the kidnappers, and immediately restore order.

While speaking at a townhall meeting on Friday, Wike further read riot acts to the kidnappers, telling them that their time was up. He boasted that the security apparatuses have arrested the informants of the kidnappers, assuring the residents that normalcy is returning to the capital city, and seeking two additional police divisions in the Gwagwalada area immediately.

“The other day, I was in Bwari and next week, I will go to Kwali. Security is one thing the president promised Nigerians, because his job is to protect lives and property. If we can not protect lives and property, then we have no reason to be in government.

“The president has asked me to assure you that he will not abandon you. So, all these criminals, be ready, your time is up. You know if I say I will do something, I will do it. And now that I am here today, if you know you are an informant or even one of the criminals, the end has come for you.

“I and security agencies will follow you to the point that you will not enter Gwagwalada again. Some of the people giving them information, we have arrested them. If they have not arrested you, it does not mean that we will not arrest you tomorrow or even before we leave this place.

“The CP should work out how we can provide two more police divisions in Gwagwalada. We must do this immediately. It is a security matter and must not be bogged down by bureaucratic bottlenecks.

“The president has given me power to buy more vehicles. By next week, we shall give more vehicles to all police stations. We shall give them modern communication gadgets. The president has said he does not want to hear any story of kidnapping in Abuja again and the security agencies have promised to rise to the occasion.

“We are very serious. We are not playing. But we need your support too because security agencies cannot do this work alone. They need information. When you give them information, they will work better.

“It is not also good to go to the radio to raise ransoms. It is a way of encouraging criminals. We know it is not easy when your people are in captivity but we have to avoid raising ransom. It fuels the activities of kidnappers.

“By Monday, the chairman should bring the letter for me to approve the demolition of uncompleted structures where criminals are hibernating. Do not behave like civil servants. Today is Friday, ensure you bring the letter by Monday and I will be happy to approve it,” he stated.

But in a twist, the FCT Police Command confirmed the arrest of a notorious kidnapper, Chinaza Phillip, by the Kaduna State command of the force.

A statement by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said the suspect was arrested on Thursday and handed over to it on Friday.

She said Mr Phillip is currently in police custody in Abuja.

“The FCT Police Command wishes to confirm the arrest of one Chinaza Phillip, a notorious Abuja kidnapper by police operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command on Thursday 18th January 2024.”

“The suspect has been handed over to FCT Police Command today being Friday 19th January 2024, and currently in police custody,” she said.

The arrest of the notorious kidnapper brings relief to FCT residents, who have been living in fear in the recent past following the upsurge of kidnappings in the territory.

Phillip was arrested he and his gang were transporting their victim, one Segun Akinyemi, from Abuja to Kano following a distress call to Kawo Divisional Police Station.

In a follow up to the arrest, the Police, on Saturday, paraded 16 suspects, including Phillip, terrorizing Bwari Area Council and other parts of the country.

Two of the suspects Idris Isiaku and Dahiru Salihu, were arrested by men of the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT), after the launching of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) by the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, to wipe out terrorists in the FCT.

The suspects who said they have been in Bwari and working as farmers and security guards, say they use the opportunity as security guards to monitor the activities of residents, especially the rich ones, and report to their colleagues in the bush before carrying out the kidnapping.

The suspects also revealed that they get paid after such operations.

Parading the suspects in Abuja, Adejobi said the arrest of the suspects comes in response to the pressing need for enhanced security measures in the nation’s capital.

Adejobi said the launch of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) by the Inspector–General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun at the Force Headquarters comprising highly trained personnel equipped with advanced technology and resources of the force also made it possible for the suspects to arrest the suspect in their various hideouts.

Adejobi maintained that the force would not relent in the fight against crimes and criminality in the country.

The Force PRO said ammunition of all kinds and valuables were recovered during the operations.

He further advised members of the public, especially landlords and caretakers to be wary of who they employ as security guards.

Kidnappings have remained one of the many security challenges facing President Bola Tinubu’s government. Reports say that over 12 persons were killed and 60 kidnapped just one week into the Tinubu presidency.

Respondents told The Boss that Nigerians, especially Abuja residents at this time, live in absolute fear, not knowing what danger lies ahead at any moment.

Headline

Tinubu, Victim of Historical Amnesia – Atiku

Published

1 day ago

April 19, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

True to political permutations, the National Convention of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) amid Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) derecognition and leadership litigation, set a chain reaction in the political space, including a former Vice President and one of the leaders of the ADC, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, berating President Bola Tinubu as lacking a good knowledge of history.

Against all odds, the party went ahead on April 14, to host a Convention, where over 3000 delegates attended, and where the leadership of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary respectively were ratified.

Since the April 14 event, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted in a manner political stakeholders and analysts categorized as panicky with statements from the presidency, and President Bola Tinubu himself. Though these responses were tagged correctional of ill-made utterances by ADC chieftains, observers have however said they portray comments by a team faced with an ultimately new challenge.

At the convention, the secretary of the ADC, Aregbesola, had dismissed Tinubu’s administration and his renewed hope policy as a scam. He lambasted the administration as a government of “scammers”, urging Nigerians to block it from retaining power in 2027.

“If allowed, this regime will continue to chant renewed hope till eternity. We have a duty to stop these scammers from retaining power,” Aregbesola said.

The former vice president followed up the convention statements, accusing Tinubu’s presidency of attempting to subvert democratic principles and silence opposition voices ahead of the 2027 elections, a position that further set the ruling party on edge, eliciting tons of reactions.

Beyond Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga’s criticism of Aregbesola for failing to reflect on his own record before attacking his “former boss and benefactor”, Tinubu himself made remarks against the person’s of the leaders of the ADC and their convention, calling it ‘street convention’.

“Unfortunately, Aregbesola did not undertake any honest self-reflection on his own record in public office — as governor or as Minister of Interior,” Onanuga stated in his statement.

He alleged that Aregbesola’s tenure as governor of Osun State was marked by hardship and poor economic management.

“His eight years as governor of Osun State were characterised by unmitigated hardship for the people. Under his half-baked socialist policies, civil servants went unpaid for months, and those who were paid received only a fraction of their salaries,” Onanuga said.

Tinubu, on his part, while hosting the Hope Renewal Ambassadors, took a swipe at some opposition figures, especially Atiku, ridiculing and questioning their records for criticising his administration, and saying that many of them have held strategic positions in the past without delivering lasting results.

He boldly retorted that “If you look at one of them, no one without history among them – no one without history. The head was the chairman of the privatisation council of Nigeria in this country one time.

“He privatised the steel industry in Delta. Is it working today? No. Is anything they privatised working today? They want to privatise another man’s political party. That one says no.”

Responding therefore, the former Vice President launched a fierce counterattack on Tinubu, accusing him of hypocrisy, historical distortion, and political desperation.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the President’s remarks as a “reckless tirade” that reflects “a troubling pattern of hypocrisy and historical amnesia.”

The statement began with “Atiku Abubakar’s attention has been drawn to the latest reckless tirade by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—a performance that exposes not just desperation, but a troubling pattern of hypocrisy and historical amnesia.”

Atiku expressed surprise that a leader facing persistent scrutiny over his own credentials would attempt to discredit others with what he described as well-documented records of public service.

On the issue of privatisation, Atiku’s camp argued that Tinubu’s criticism does not stand up to scrutiny, noting that the President had previously opposed reforms he now appears to be implementing.

The statement maintained that Atiku had long advocated the privatisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the sale of refineries to credible private investors—a position it claimed Tinubu resisted at the time.

It, however, alleged that the current administration is now overseeing a system that has effectively commercialised the national oil company “without transparency, clear valuation, or accountability.”

“This is not reform; it is privatisation without accountability,” the statement said.

Defending Atiku’s economic legacy, the statement cited several companies as examples of the success of the privatisation programme he supervised, including Oando Plc (formerly Unipetrol), Conoil Plc, African Petroleum (now Ardova Plc), Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals, Benue Cement Company, and Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

The statement also took a swipe at the President’s intellectual posture, suggesting that his comments reflect a failure to engage with documented history on Nigeria’s economic reforms.

“It is not our fault that the President does not and cannot read,” the statement said, while also referencing past controversies surrounding Tinubu’s academic records.

It added that Tinubu’s remarks could only have been made in disregard of publicly available records and credible accounts of the privatisation process.

“You cannot oppose reform when it demands courage and then execute a shadow version of it in power,” the statement added.

Atiku’s camp further criticised the tone of the President’s remarks, arguing that resorting to mockery reflects a deeper leadership concern.

“The President’s attempt to reduce a serious economic legacy to ridicule underscores a leadership more comfortable with insults than with facts,” it stated.

The statement also highlighted the current economic situation in the country, pointing to rising cost of living, inflation, and insecurity as evidence of policy failure.

“Across the country, families are skipping meals, businesses are shutting down, and citizens are struggling under the weight of inflation and declining purchasing power. What has been presented as reform has translated into hardship without relief,” it said.

The statement concluded by asserting that Atiku’s record remains “clear, documented, and defensible,” while noting that unresolved public concerns about the President’s background persist.

“A leader who has not fully addressed questions about his own background should exercise restraint before casting aspersions on others,” it added.

The statement ended with a cautionary note: “Nigerians are watching.”

While the ADC is fighting for their life, and an opportunity to feature on the ballot during the 2027 general elections, and APC solidifying their grip on the political space, the atmosphere still exudes evidence of palpable tension. The APC maintains that they are on homerun to victory, ADC counters that nothing will save the ruling party from being defeated in the coming elections.

But as it stands today, both parties are locked in battle of wits recreating the tension and bad blood that was the hallmark of the 2015, and to a large extent, the 2023 elections.

But on April 22, the Supreme Court will rule on the leadership of the ADC; this will set the motion to the credibility of the ADC to participate in the 2027 election.

But fears pervade the political terrain as Tinubu made veiled reference to the judiciary while mocking Atiku and other leaders of the ADC.

“We cannot submit to the disobedience of unlawful orders in court. We must embrace the judiciary, whether it favours us or it doesn’t, we submit to this principle of democracy, separation of powers and understanding of the dynamics of it and the nation that Nigeria is,” Tinubu had said, insinuating that the ADC had gone against the judiciary.

The coming week will determine in totality the direction the 2027 situation will take.

Headline

Supreme Court Fixes April 22 for Hearing in ADC Leadership Crisis

Published

6 days ago

April 14, 2026

Eric

The Supreme Court has scheduled hearing for April 22 in the appeal filed by the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, in relation to the leadership dispute in the party.

Mark’s appeal is against the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which dismissed his appeal against the September 4, 2025 ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja refusing to grant some injunctive reliefs contained in an ex-parte application filed by a chieftain of the party, Nafiu Bala Gombe.

A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba chose the date on Tuesday after granting accelerated hearing in the appeal marked: SC/CV/180/2026.

The court ordered Mark’s lawyer, Jibril Okutepa (SAN) to file the appellant’s brief and serve on Wednesday.

It ordered the respondents to each file and serve on the appellant, a respondent’s brief within three days of being served with the appellant’s brief.

The appellant, according to the court, is to file a reply brief, if needs be, within one day of being served with the respondents’ briefs.

Headline

Amid Denials, ADC Reportedly Secures Rainbow Event Centre As Venue for National Convention

Published

7 days ago

April 13, 2026

Eric

Baring any last minute change, the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National chairman and National Secretary respectively will hold the party’s National convention at the National Rainbow Event Centre in Garki on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has being denied two venues without any cogent reasons despite early arrangements, according to sources.

First, it was alleged that the Abuja Transcorp Hilton Hotels, which was initially approached, turned down the ADC request to use it’s facility.

The ADC, having sensed sabotage, has kept the Rainbow Event Center under rap as it’s definite venue.

The last National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party was held at the same venue.

Located adjacent the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters, the event centre will host the second NEC meeting of the ADC and it’s forthcoming national convention.

According to The Guardian’ report, the ADC leadership has communicated the venue to state chapters with the caveat not to escalate it.

The ADC is in a battle of survival against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and has approached the Supreme Court for intervention.

The INEC national chairman Prof Joash Amupitan has suspended recognition of the David Mark-led ADC rendering a leadership vacuum in the party.

INEC said it’s decision was on the basis of an Appeal Court pronouncement that ordered statusquo ante-bellum be maintained.

Reports say that why the venue is being quietly decorated moderately for the event, the ADC intends to fully move in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Guardian