Police rescue abducted woman, 78, arrest three

The police in Imo have rescued a 78 year-old-woman from the clutches of kidnappers three of whom were arrested during the rescue operation.

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Adisa Bolanta, made the announcement in Owerri on Monday at the Police Command Headquarters where the suspects were paraded.

The victim, Mrs Christiana Okere, was kidnapped at her home in Ngor Okpala on the December 18 and taken to Iguruta in Rivers State.

The victim was held in Iguruta until December 28 when she was rescued by the Anti-kidnapping Unit of the state CID.

In the process, two men and one woman, suspected to have kidnapped the woman were arrested.

The commissioner said the suspects were arrested after a member of their gang disclosed the location of their hideout in Rivers.

The kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N20 million from the son of their victim before she would be released.

The police also paraded two men and a woman, suspected to be part of the gang responsible for the abduction of Nollywood actress, Nkiru Sylvanus.

Other suspects similarly paraded were those held in connection with the kidnapping of the four-year old daughter of the Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Blyden Amajirionwu.

The commissioner warned against use of sirens by people not entitled to use sirens, saying that such vehicles would be impounded.

Meanwhile, the family of Alhaji Jalo Ganga, the Gombe lawmaker who was kidnapped on Sunday in Gombe, has resorted to praying and fasting for his release.

The elder brother of the legislator, Alhaji Yayaji Ahmed-Ganga, made this known while speaking with newsmen in Gombe on Monday.

He said family and friends of the legislator embarked on prayer to seek God’s intervention in the kidnapping which had put friends and relations of the legislator in a pathetic situation.

He said the family had not had any communication with their brother and appealed to the kidnappers to release him.

Ahmed-Ganga, however, debunked media reports that his brother had been released by his captors.

Also, the police have refuted the media report which said the kidnapped lawmaker had gained his freedom and had reunited with his family in Gombe.

Police Public Relations Officer Fwaje Atajiri told newsmen in Gombe on Monday that the report was ``false, callous and mischievous and meant to disrupt investigation”.

Atajiri called on members of the Ganga family and the public to remain calm as the police were doing everything possible to locate the legislator’s whereabouts and release him.

``We are on top of the situation and doing our best to locate his whereabouts,” he said, adding the police had not communicated with his captors.

Ganga, representing Gombe North in the state assembly and Chairman, House Committee on Finance, was kidnapped around 5 a.m. while he was going for his morning prayers.

We must not lose hope in God, Obasanjo advises Nigerians

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday advised Nigerians not to lose hope in God. Obasanajo gave the advice in Kaduna when he paid a condolence visit to Gov. Mukhtar Yero and members of the State Council of Chiefs over the demise of former Governor Patrick Yakowa.

He described Yakowa's death as sudden, adding that the late governor was a ``bridge builder'' who struggled to secure and develop the state during his tenure.

Obasanjo said Nigerians must not feel desolute, but rather trust and appreciate God at all times.

``We must not mourn or lose hope like unbelievers because we believe in the ultimate goodness of God,’’ he said.

Obasanjo congratulated the new governor, urging him to continue with the good work of his predecessor.

He commended traditional, religious and other political leaders in the state for the smooth and peaceful transmission of power to Gov. Yero.

Responding, Vice-President Namadi Sambo expressed appreciation to Obasanjo for the visit.

Sambo said the demise was a great loss not only to the family, but to the entire country.

He urged traditional leaders and the entire people of the state to support the new governor, in order to continue with the legacies of Yakowa.

The Chairman of the Council of Chiefs and Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris declared the support of members of the council to the new administration.

Shehu assured the governor that the traditional leaders would cooperate and support him in discharging his duties, especially in securing, uniting and developing the state.

He advised Yero to continue with the legacies of the late governor, as it would aid in achieving the transformation agenda of the state.