GUNMEN DEMAND #80 MILLION RANSOM FOR SENATOR ARISE

Gunmen who kidnaped a Former Senator representing Ekiti North Senatorial District, Mr Ayo Arise, have demanded a ransom of N80 million before he is released.

Mr Arise was kidnapped alongside his driver on Sunday evening along the Okene-Abuja highway while returning to Abuja from Oye Ekiti, his country-home.

The politician was said to have been traveling in his Mercedez Jeep when the gunmen struck by accosting his vehicle and ferried him into the bush.

The APC chieftain was said to have attended a ceremony at Ikere Ekiti on Saturday, where a chieftaincy title was conferred on the Assistant Inspector General of Police (rtd), Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin.

Arise was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatization between 2007 and 2011 on the platform of the PDP but later defected to the All Progressives Congress(APC) due to some alleged differences with Governor Ayodele Fayose prior to 2015 general elections.

One of his closest allies, who pleaded anonymity confirmed that the abductors contacted the family but they (the family) have now called on relevant agencies to intervene.

"Yes, he visited Ekiti state on Saturday before returning to Abuja.

"When we wanted to establish contact with him, we could not. The last time I called him was around 6pm, so the kidnap must have taken place around 7 pm.

"They have contacted us and demanded a sum of N80m ransom. We are worried because we don't know his situation.

"The family is working hard to secure his release and we have contacted all the relevant agencies including the police to come to our aid," he said.

Comments

EMIR OF KASTINA TELLS PRESIDENT BUHARI TO SIGN PEACE CORPS BILL

The Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Usman, has declared support for the Peace Corps bill passed by the National Assembly. The bill, which seeks to turn the Peace Corps, a non-government organisation, into a government paramilitary agency, has elicited mixed reactions from Nigerians. Proponents see it as an avenue to create jobs for thousands of youth while critics describe as a duplication of functions already being performed by existing agencies and creation of another bureaucracy at a time the country is finding it difficult to pay workers' salaries. The bill was opposed by existing military and security institutions in Nigeria and the Peace Corps leader Dickson Akoh is currently being prosecuted for alleged fraud. Apart from lawmakers, the bill is also supported by some prominent Nigerians including the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, who also asked Mr. Buhari to sign to it. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Katsina emir made a similar call on the president on Thursda...

AKEREDOLU, KEKEMEKE AND OTHERS BID MRS FAGUNWA GOODBYE

Read President Buhari’s Christmas Message To Nigerians

I felicitate with all Nigerians, especially our Christian brothers and sisters, on the joyous occasion of this year's Christmas.On this occasion of the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, let us all rededicate ourselves to the virtues of peace, love, honesty, justice, equity, piety, humility and service to others which he taught.There can be no doubt that a greater manifestation of these virtues and ideals in our lives will immensely help us to become a more united, peaceful, secure and progressive nation.Let us also reach out in love and compassion to fellow Nigerians who are in distress at this periodof our nation's history.I particularly urge you all to remember victims of terrorism and insurgency in the country, especially Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).The Federal Government will continue to collaborate with state governments and other stakeholders to ease the harsh conditions in IDP camps, while the ultimate objective remains to quickly put an end to insurgen...

9JATRAFFIC

Search This Blog