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Man hires kidnappers, kills brother’s son after collecting N300000 ransom
A 34-year-old man, Faruq Seidu, allegedly contracted three men to abduct his brother’s seven-year-old child, AbdulMalik Musa, and killed him after collecting a ransom of N300,000.
The deceased was reportedly kidnapped last Wednesday from his parents’ residence at Sabo Ilupeju, Abeokuta, Ogun State, by the syndicate in connivance with Seidu.
Seidu and the suspected kidnappers, Hassan Hussein, 30; Habib Nurah, 24; and Muhammed Bello, 42, were arrested by men of the state police command and paraded on Monday at the crime scene, beside the Ogun River, Lafenwa, Abeokuta, where the boy was allegedly strangled and thrown into the river.
The suspects took the police to the crime scene, where the remains of the boy were found floating on the water.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who paraded the suspects, described the incident as man’s inhumanity to a fellow man.
He said investigation revealed that Seidu contracted his three friends to execute the heinous act because of the refusal of his brother, the father of the deceased, Abdul-hammed Musa, to give him money to marry a third wife.
Oyeyemi explained that Seidu and his accomplices had initially demanded N5m ransom, but later reduced it to N300,000 due to the plea by the victim’s father.
According to the PPRO, the incident happened on December 11, 2019, when the parents reported at the Sabo Police Station in Ilupeju, Abeokuta, that the boy had been kidnapped.
Oyeyemi said AbdulMalik was killed because he recognised his uncle, Seidu, who was afraid of being exposed.
He stated, “This is a breakthrough in respect of an abduction and murder; what happened here is the height of man’s inhumanity to man.
“On December 11, 2019, a case of abduction was reported at the Sabo Division in Ilupeju, Abeokuta.
“About 24 hours later, the kidnappers made a request for N5m and we asked the family to play along with them and later they agreed to take N300,000 and after payment, they still killed the boy and threw his corpse in the river.
“I want to appeal to members of the public to trust nobody, because if a brother could do this to his brother, then who can be trusted?
“But, I want to sound a serious warning to criminals in the state and I will be borrowing from the words of the governor, who he said hell fire would be more conducive for criminals than Ogun State.”
The prime suspect, Seidu, claimed to be innocent of the crime.
“I never asked anyone to kidnap my brother’s son, I only saw this one (pointing to another suspect) with the boy on a motorcycle, but I never discussed anything with them; I only greeted them and left,” he stated.
Seidu’s regular motorcyclist, Hussein, however, faulted him by claiming that he contracted them to abduct the boy before he personally killed him on the grounds that he recognised him.
Hussein said while pointing at Seidu, “He is a brother to Alhaji (the deceased boy’s father). He said he wanted to marry a new wife and Alhaji did not want to give him money; so, he asked us to kidnap the boy.
“After Alhaji gave us the ransom, Seidu came and said he was going to kill his nephew, because the boy recognised him and I asked him why, but he never answered me.
“When Seidu collected the ransom, he handed it over to me after he had removed N5,500.
“He wants to marry a new wife after he lost his first wife and divorced the second.
“The boy knew Seidu very well; whenever he was in the boy’s house, AbdulMalik would run to greet him. He gave him biscuit before he took him away on the day of the kidnap.
“He told me that he would kill the boy and he threw his corpse into the river from the bridge.”
When asked where he was when the boy was killed, Hussein claimed that he did not follow Seidu, adding that he was only informed by the boy’s uncle after he had killed him.
Copyright PUNCH.
A new video has emerged showing two men reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, pleading for assistance to secure their release.
One of the captives, former Biu Local Government Area Chairman Hassan Biu Miringa, revealed that their abductors are demanding a $300,000 ransom.
Miringa said he and another individual were taken in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the militants.
In the video shared by Zagazola Makama, Miringa introduced himself, saying: “I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former Chairman of Biu Local Government from 2020 to 2022. Four years after my tenure, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa about two weeks ago. Alhamdulillah, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives.”
He added that negotiations with the kidnappers had been underway, with some preliminary agreements reportedly reached.
“We have engaged them on four separate occasions and reached an understanding. We appeal to our leaders, especially Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur, the National Assembly representative for Biu, Kwaya, and Shani Hon. Betera Aliyu, as well as our community leaders, to temper justice with mercy and assist us. We are their children and have been working together,” Miringa said.
He confirmed the ransom demand, explaining that each captive is expected to pay $150,000, totaling $300,000 for their freedom, and pleaded for urgent intervention to reunite with their families.
The video highlights ongoing concerns over kidnappings and insecurity in southern Borno State, which have persisted despite government efforts to curb insurgent activity in the region.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.
Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.
The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.
Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.
Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.
The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.
According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.
“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.
The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.
Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.
The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.
“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”
It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.
JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.
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