Nation
Kidnappers Collected N5m Before Our Release-Rescued Corps Members
The abducted corps members from Ondo State who were released by the kidnappers last Monday said the family of each of the victims paid a sum of N1 million before they were set free.
The five victims, who include four corps members and one artisan, were kidnapped by the bandits at about 11 pm last Thursday at Omi Alafa Village in Ifon, Ose Local Government Area, and dragged the victims into the forest.
The corps members were said to be going back home after the three-week National Youth Service Corps Orientation camp in Enugu and Abia States. It was gathered that the driver and one passenger sitting in front of the vehicle were shot dead by the bandits.
Narrating their ordeal in the incident, one of the corps members, Patience Andrew, said the bandits contacted their families and demanded a sum of N30 million each for ransom but after much negotiation they agreed to collect N1 million.
She described the four days experience in the den of the bandits as horrible and hellish, saying they were beaten black and blue by the kidnappers while they were given garri and dirty water to eat once a day.
Andrew said, “We boarded a bus from Abia State to Onitsha, but our driver was not fast enough, one of the park drivers took us to where we boarded another bus going to Akure, we got there around 2 pm but the driver did not take off immediately, so we left Onitsha park around 5 pm with nine passengers in a Sienna bus. We got to Ondo state around 10 pm and that was when the incident happened. They flashed a torch light on the driver and the driver said “Oga I no see you”.
“They just shot him twice the moment he made that statement and the woman sitting next to him was killed. One guy too was butchered, two people died and we don’t know about the guy that was butchered because he ran away. Then they brought us out of the vehicle and took us inside the bush, we trekked from past 10 pm till around 7 am the following day in the bush, the kidnappers were five in number and their age range should be around 25 years. They were speaking the Hausa/Fulani language and they had one interpreter.
“They tortured us and we were only given garri and water once a day. At first, they asked for N30 million per person but as the negotiation was going they brought it down to N3million, so they now asked us to bring in N1 million each. We slept inside the bush throughout the day, we heard the bark of a dog and the sound of a cow in the bush and we also passed through farmland when we were coming out, and we didn’t meet anybody on the road then our brothers came with what (N1million).
According to her, some of the items demanded by the bandits and were taken to them included, three packs of Hollandia yogurt, two loaves of bread, one carton of Peak milk, one pack of malt, bottles of Fearless drink, one pack of cigarette and 10 packs of cooked rice and chicken and N1million each totaling N5million.
The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami, in a statement, said the victims were abandoned before the police picked them up and took them to the Police Medical Services Owo briefly before reuniting them with their families.
She said, “ The command this day on the 22nd of July has found victims of the Ose/Ifon area kidnap which occurred on 18th July, 2024. The victims were abandoned by their assailants after the police mounted pressure on the kidnappers.
“Policemen drawn from the tactical squad led by the Area Commander of Owo, ACP Olufemi Awoyale continuous combing of the Bush with sustained technical support frustrated the assailants and were forced to abandon the victims at Oyinbo/ Sanusi Camp.”
Nation
MAN Begs FG To Slash Interest Rates On Loans
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has appealed to the Federal Government to urgently direct the Central Bank of Nigeria to drastically reduce interest rates on industrial loans.
Speaking at the 10th Annual General Meeting of Kwara/Kogi axis of the Association held in Ilorin, Kwara State, yesterday, the outgone chairman, Ramon Bioku, lamented the present interest rate on business loans given to its members by banks
He stated the rate should be further reduced to one per cent.
The theme of the meeting was “Tackling the Challenges of Manufacturing Sector: A Win-Win for Government and Local Manufacturers.
“The CBN should also direct DMBs (Commercial Banks) to reduce interest rates on industrial loans. The Interest rates charged on Industrial Loans and other loans released as COVID-19 palliatives should be significantly reduced further to one per cent,” Bioku said.
He also urged the Bank of industry to approve and urgently roll out further reductions in its lending rates to industries, asking the CBN to wave many conditions for its foreign exchange policies to local manufacturers.
“CBN should widen the window of Foreign Exchange to Local Industries”, he said.
In his speech, read by the state commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Damilola Yusuf Adelodun, Kwara State Governor declared the state’s continual support for MAN to boost the economy of the state.
The governor promised that the state government would continue to create a conducive environment for the manufacturers in the state.
Nation
Angry Youths Attack Rep In Bauchi Accuse Lawmaker Of Poor Representation
The member representing Ningi/Warji Federal Constituency of Bauchi State in the House of Representatives, Adamu Hashimu Ranga, narrowly escaped being mobbed by angry youths who allegedly attacked his convoy in Ningi.
The Tide’s source reports that Ranga, who was elected in 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had attended the burial of the late Emir of Ningi, Muhammadu Yunusa Danyaya, last Sunday along with other prominent figures from the Ningi Emirate Council.
However, during the event, some youths of his constituency expressed their displeasure with his representation, accusing him of neglecting them since his election and relocation to Abuja.
The youths began chanting “Ba mu yi, ba mu yi” in Hausa, which translates to ‘We don’t want you’, while throwing sand and stones at the lawmaker as he was leaving the late Emir’s palace around 5:42 pm.
The Tide’s source gathered that all efforts to calm the youths proved futile as the attack continued. The attack escalated as the lawmaker approached his vehicle, resulting in severe damage to the car, with the windows, windscreen and rear mirrors shattered.
An eyewitness, in a phone interview with newsmen, described the incident as unfortunate.
He said, “I came out of the palace deeply saddened by the Emir’s demise, only to see youths throwing sand and stones at a car. When I moved closer, I realised it was our representative being attacked.”
He added that the youths had mobilised upon seeing the lawmaker, positioning themselves near his car and starting the attack as soon as he was leaving the palace.
It was further gathered that it took the intervention of security operatives for the lawmaker to be driven away from the scene.
Efforts to reach the Rep, Adamu Hashim Ranga, for comments were unsuccessful as at the time of writing this report.
Recall that the lawmaker’s constituents had also attempted to recall him from the National Assembly. It took the intervention of the late Emir of Ningi and others for them to stop collecting signatures to that effect.
Nation
Philanthropist Bags UN Peace Award
An Omuma-based philanthropist in Rivers State, Chief Obed Ndukwu has been bestowed with an award of Eminent Peace Ambassador by the International Association of World Peace Advocates.
Chief Ndukwu is the Och. Ala Umunwaka and Girigiri Bu Ugwu Eze 1 of Omuma.
Speaking during the presentation of the award, Amb. George Ojade explained that the Award of Eminent Peace Ambassador presented to a traditional ruler, is an appointment for him to continue his humanitarian services to his people and foster peace in the global community and among the traditional council in the society.
Also speaking, Dr. Emeka Okanu, who represented the world peace spokesperson of the association, Emmanuel Nkweke, said the prestigious title was bestowed upon Chief Ndukwu in recognition of his unwavering commitment to promoting peace and harmony both locally and internationally. “As a well-respected figure in his community and beyond, he has dedicated his life to fostering understanding and cooperation among diverse groups,” he said.
During the ceremony, Chief Ndukwu seized the opportunity to address the youths, emphasising the importance of peaceful protests and dialogue in addressing global issues.
He encouraged the younger generation to come together under one umbrella to work towards positive change, rather than resorting to violence or divisiveness.
Dr Okanu also commended Chief Ndukwu for his good works and recognition of the global system.
“His Eminence Chief Ndukwu’s words of wisdom and call for unity have resonated with many, inspiring hope and optimism for a brighter future. As a global diplomat and peace ambassador, he continues to lead by example, demonstrating the power of compassion, empathy, and cooperation in building a more harmonious world,” he said.
-
News4 days ago
Fubara’s Assistance To SMEs, Yielding Fruits -RIMA Boss
-
Politics4 days ago
Obio/Akpor ‘Simplified’ Non-Indigenes Pass Confidence Vote On Fubara
-
Rivers4 days ago
RIVCHPP Partners RIMA As Acting Executive Secretary Records Another Milestone
-
News4 days ago
Fubara Vows To Curb Sea Piracy In Rivers …Advises Residents To Give Accurate Information To Security Agencies
-
News4 days ago
Commissioner Drums Support For Fubara
-
Business4 days ago
Expert Harps On Female Entrepreneurs’ Well-Being For Biz Success
-
Rivers4 days ago
Insects Not Our Enemy, Don Declares
-
News4 days ago
Wike’s Threats Unbridled, Irresponsible -PDP Govs …Restate Support For Fubara