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INSECURITY: Wike places N20m bounty on two wanted Abuja kidnappers
By Francesca Hangeior
The Minister, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Nyesom Wike has put a N20 million bounty on two wanted kidnappers, Dahiru Adamu and Abu Ibrahim, who has allegedly been terrorising the nation’s capital.
This was as he ordered police officers to fish out the kidnappers, dead or alive.
He stated this on Wednesday when he met the FCT Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, during a parade of 23 criminal suspects, at the FCT Police Command Headquarters, Garki, Abuja.
He noted that his administration would not give criminals breathing space just as they’ve not been giving FCT residents breathing space.
Seven other members of the kidnapping gang – Usman Muhazu, Aliyu Muhammed, Auwal Lahiru, Rabiu Sani, Madina Abubakar, Jonah Elimelechi, and Saminu Idris; have been arrested by a combined team of operatives of the Utako Divisional Headquarters and the Anti-Kidnapping team, following credible intelligence.
They were arrested in Pyankasa, Tudun Wada, and Ketti village, FCT, in connection to the kidnap of 14 notable persons in the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking on Wednesday, while calling on the attention of the CP, Wike said, “You’re still looking for two amongst them, right? Okay, I will put money on them. I have placed a N20 million bounty on the two of them. Anyone who finds them would get the N20 million.
“Fish them out, dead or alive. We will not give them breathing space just as they’ve not been giving us breathing space,” the Minister added.
Speaking earlier, CP Igweh noted, “Seven members of a kidnapping gang, Usman Muhazu, Aliyu Muhammed, Auwal Lahiru, Rabiu Sani, Madina Abubakar, Jonah Elimelechi, Saminu Idris, have been arrested by a combined team of operatives of the Utako Divisional Headquarters and the Anti-Kidnapping team, following credible intelligence.
“They were arrested in Pyankasa, Tudun Wada and Ketti village, FCT, in connection to the kidnap of 14 notable persons in the Federal Capital Territory. They were arrested by operatives of the Utako Divisional Headquarters and the Anti-Kidnapping team, following credible intelligence.
“However, we are still looking for two remaining members of the gang, Dahiru Adamu and Abu Ibrahim whose wives were arrested while they were about to receive a N9 million ransom on behalf of their husbands who are on the run.
“Members of this gang of kidnappers who have been giving the FCT sleepless nights and are on the wanted list of the command for a long time, have now been arrested. They are responsible for the kidnapping of five victims in Federal Mortgage Housing Estate, Kabusa, three persons at Ketti village, Fulani residence of Alhaji Sani.”
The police boss added that “the abduction of a woman and her gate man in Kabusa Estate, one Mr Sunday Zakwai and four others. They equally killed a district head. And two staff members were kidnapped at the Defence Estate, Kabusa.”
During the parade, the CP noted that a total of 23 suspects were arrested, while ₦9 million, six AK-47 rifles, bulletproof vests, and a locally-fabricated walkie-talkie, were recovered from them.
Igweh added, “A total of 23 suspects were arrested, while ₦9million, six AK-47 riffles, bulletproof vests, and a locally-fabricated walkie-talkie, were recovered from them.
“Aside from the seven suspected kidnappers arrested, we also arrested some -one-chance suspects, and others for various offences. On February 11, at about 4:00 pm, the operatives of the FCT Police Command attached to Mabushi Divisional Headquarters, in the continued fight against criminality arrested eight notorious armed robbery suspects terrorising the FCT.
“The arrested suspects are; Auwal Yusuf (an ex-convict), Ismail Hudu, Sylvester Poto and Abdusalam Mamuda, Sunday Udoma aka Akido, Ifeoma Ngoze-Obodo, Muhammed Telegbe aka Chocolate, Sarah Mohammed-Telegbe.
“Acting on credible intelligence, the suspects who are responsible for several one-chance activities in the past were trailed to Central Area in an attempt to rob some innocent residents and were promptly arrested. The suspects confessed to using toy guns and knives to scare their victims to illegally obtain from them. The suspects will be charged to court soon.”
Kidnapping and banditry have become a menace in the country as bandits have abducted several Nigerians and received ransoms in millions.
In January 2024, operatives of the Special Intervention Squad, Federal Capital Territory Police Command, neutralised three notorious bandits in a forest within the Bwari area of Abuja.
Within the same month, a kidnap kingpin identified as Janari, who was said to have masterminded several kidnappings within Kaduna State and Abuja, alongside some of his foot soldiers were killed during operations conducted by the air component of Operation Whirl Punch in Kaduna state.
An Ikeja Special Offences Court has scheduled May 4, 2026, to deliver its ruling on whether an extra-judicial statement made by co-defendant Henry Omoile will be admitted as evidence in the ongoing trial involving former Godwin Emefiele.
The statement in question was allegedly made by Omoile, who is standing trial alongside Emefiele. Presiding judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, fixed the date after both the prosecution and defence teams adopted their final written addresses during a trial-within-trial session.
The hearing is focused on determining whether Omoile’s statement was given voluntarily and is therefore admissible in court.
Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge bordering on alleged gratification, corrupt practices, and abuse of office, involving transactions estimated at $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.
Omoile, meanwhile, is standing trial on a three-count charge relating to alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts connected to dealings with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Counsel to Omoile, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adeyinka Kotoye, argued that the statement should be rejected on the grounds that it was not voluntarily made. He cited provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, stressing the importance of video-recorded interrogations to ensure transparency.
The defence also raised concerns over possible coercion, inducement, and lack of proper legal representation during the recording of the statement.
Similarly, counsel to Emefiele, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), urged the court to discountenance the statement, arguing under the Evidence Act that any involuntary confession is inadmissible.
However, Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), maintained that the statement was properly obtained in line with legal procedures, adding that although it was not video-recorded, it was made in the presence of Omoile’s lawyer.
He further argued that the contents of the statement do not support claims of coercion, noting that Omoile did not implicate Emefiele and denied the allegations against himself.
After hearing all submissions, Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter for ruling on May 4, 2026, while also fixing June 26 and June 30, 2026, for continuation of the substantive trial.
Nine kingmakers of Ijebu-Ode have been re-invited by the Ogun State Police Command to appear at the command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, next Monday and Tuesday over fresh allegations of bribery and financial inducement in the selection of the new Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland.
The development marks the second time the kingmakers are being summoned by the police on the matter.
Recall that the Ogun State Government, in January 2026, suspended the selection process through a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat.
The suspension followed petitions from security agencies and other stakeholders.
The kingmakers were first invited by the Ogun State Police Command in February over similar accusations of cash inducement. However, the probe was later dropped following the intervention of superior authorities.
In the latest development, the nine kingmakers have been re-invited through a letter dated April 17, 2026, signed by Gbenga Adeoye, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
One of the kingmakers, the Kakanfo of Ijebuland, Chief Abimbola Okenla, confirmed the invitation.
He disclosed that four of them are expected to appear on Monday, April 21, 2026, while the remaining five are scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, 2026.
Chief Okenla described the repeated invitations as a distraction, insisting that the allegations are unfounded.
“It’s true that the Ogun State Police Command has invited the kingmakers to the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta.
Four of us are to be there on Monday while the remaining five will be there on Tuesday,” he said.
“None of us is happy with this frequent invitation by the security agencies over unfounded allegations. The people of Ijebuland are equally not happy about it because it is becoming more of a distraction.”
The Kakanfo appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers to conclude the selection process without further delay.
“We are only pleading with Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers to do their job and complete the assignment of picking the next Awujale of Ijebuland without any further delay,” he added.
Parts of the police invitation letter read:
“In continuation of the aforementioned case under investigation, you are kindly requested to report at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on [Monday/Tuesday] April 21/22, 2026 at 1000hrs for an interview with the Commissioner of Police, through the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department.
“This is a fact-finding invitation pursuant to the investigative powers conferred on the Nigeria Police by the combined provisions of Section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 4(a) of the Police Act 2020.
“Your presence is therefore required to assist in advancing the course of criminal justice delivery and fairness. Should you require any clarification, kindly contact 08038455857. Please take note that you are at liberty to come along with your lawyer.”
Nigerian-American singer, David Adedeji Adeleke popularly known as Davido has commended Nigerian businessman Aliko Mohammed Dangote for his style of living.
According to him, the owner of Dangote cement is a different kind of billionaire.
He said unlike other billionaires who always buy luxury cars and show off, Mr. Aliko buys two cars every 8 years.
Speaking in an interview, Davido stated that the businessman always tells him to save his money.
“Uncle Aliko is a different kind of a billionaire, Uncle Aliko buys like two cars every 8 years. He is different ” Davido said.
“Anytime he sees me he just says one thing, save your money. There is nothing more he tells me than save your money.” He added.
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