Observers Times

Tag: Gunmen

  • Gunmen Abduct Relative of Former Power Minister in Ibadan

    Gunmen Abduct Relative of Former Power Minister in Ibadan

    The wife and twin children of the younger brother of the former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 gubernatorial hopeful in Oyo State, Bayo Adelabu, have been kidnapped in Ibadan, the state capital.

    An eyewitness told PUNCH Online that the incident took place on Wednesday in the Challenge area of Ibadan South West Local Government Area of the state.

    Confirming the incident, one of Mr Adelabu’s media aides, Femi Awogboro, said: “The wife of Adelabu’s younger brother (Laide), together with her twins (Peter and Paul), were kidnapped this morning (Wednesday) by unknown gunmen at Elewura, Challenge, Ibadan.

    “The family members were heading out this morning from Elewura to join the expressway when they were attacked and bundled away by the unknown kidnappers,” he explained.

    The PUNCH reports that more than 40 teachers and students were kidnapped on Friday, 15 May 2026, during a co-ordinated attack at Ahoro-Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

    It will also be recalled that a chieftain of the APC in the state, Wale Oriade, was abducted by armed men in Ibadan, the state capital, in December 2025.

    It was understood that the incident occurred around 7:06 pm at his office, located at PJ Square Shopping Complex, beside the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited station, Elewure, along Iyana Ajanla, Akala Expressway, New Garage, Ibadan.

    Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived in a blue Micra vehicle with two occupants – a driver and an armed man – who forcibly seized Oriade and drove him away in the same vehicle.

    “The nature of the attack and the precision with which it was carried out have caused deep concern within his community,” the eyewitness said.

    Reacting in a text message sent to Crime Reporters Oyo on Wednesday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said: “I cannot independently verify this for now, but please hold on.”

  • Gunmen Abduct Kano LGA Secretary

    Gunmen Abduct Kano LGA Secretary

    The Kano State Police Command on Saturday confirmed the abduction of Hamza Durya, secretary of the Kibiya Local Government Area of the state, by gunmen.

    The state commissioner of police, Ibrahim Bakori, told journalists in a telephone interview on Saturday that the command’s anti-kidnapping squad, the area commander, and the DPO have been fully mobilised to rescue the victim.

    He said the victim was abducted at his residence in the Durya village of Kibiya Local Government Area, and all hands are on deck to rescue him safely.

    The commissioner appealed to residents, especially rural dwellers, to volunteer credible information to aid the deployment of rescue personnel.

    (NAN)

  • Gunmen Open Fire on Catholic Priest In Imo On Christmas Day

    Gunmen Open Fire on Catholic Priest In Imo On Christmas Day

    Gunmen suspected to be fleeing an undisclosed incident on Christmas Day shot an assistant parish priest of Saint Kelvin Catholic Church, Ogbaku, in the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.

    The priest, whose identity had yet to be officially confirmed as of press time, was reportedly shot at about 8am on Christmas Day while approaching the church gate for morning Mass.

    A source, who pleaded anonymity, said the priest was hit in the right hand, adding that the assailant was not seen at the scene.
    According to the source, the gunmen appeared to have fired from a concealed and distant location, making it difficult for anyone around to identify the shooter.

    The priest was said to have been rushed to an undisclosed hospital, where he is currently receiving medical care. Prayers are reportedly ongoing for his recovery.

    The source narrated the incident thus: “The shooting happened on Christmas day when everyone was in a joyous mood.

    “The priest was trying to enter the gate for the morning mass but we just heard a sound and the next thing, he was in pains that he had been shot.

  • Gunmen Abducts Kogi Monarch, Oba David Wada

    Gunmen Abducts Kogi Monarch, Oba David Wada

    Armed men have kidnapped Oba David Wada, the traditional ruler and district head of Bagaji Odo in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State.

    The monarch was seized on Monday evening while returning from a traditional council meeting in Abejukolo, the headquarters of Omala LGA.

    According to witnesses, the ruler was riding on a motorcycle when he ran into an ambush at Ojuwo Ugweche. The attackers reportedly dragged him into the bush at gunpoint.

    The spot where he was taken is infamous for abductions. Locals say it is often guarded by vigilantes and security operatives, but none were present at the time of the attack.

    Confirming the incident, the paramount ruler of Omala, Onu Ife, Boniface Musa, appealed to security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of Oba Wada.

    Police spokesperson SP Williams Aya also confirmed the abduction. He said security operatives, hunters and vigilante groups have been deployed to comb the forests in search of the monarch.

    As of the time of filing this report, the abductors had yet to make contact with the ruler’s family.

    The incident comes less than two weeks after two clergymen were abducted by gunmen along the Itobe axis in Kogi East.