Crime Watch

BREAKING: Soludo Exposes Mastermind of Kidnapping For Ransom In South East (PHOTO)

Soludo said kidnapping is currently a business that is more lucrative than drugs and oil.

Governor Soludo has exposed the mastermind of kidnapping for ransom in the South East.

 

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State on Saturday disclosed that arrested Finland-based self-acclaimed Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa “has continued kidnapping for ransom”.

 

Soludo said kidnapping is currently a business that is more lucrative than drugs and oil.

 

The governor who spoke in Awka, the state capital, said before he became governor, eight local government areas in the state were being controlled by gunmen.

 

ALSO: FG, State, Local Governments Smile To Bank For N1.424trn FAAC January Disbursement

Soludo also recalled how his father was kidnapped in 2009.

 

He said: “Kidnapping is not new, my father had been kidnapped as far back as 2009. GU Okeke, Pokobros and many others have fallen victim too.

 

“Before I assumed office, about eight local government areas were being controlled by gunmen.

“They killed policemen and collected guns, attacked and burnt down police stations and went into the bush to label themselves liberators.

 

Simon Ekpa

 

“We came in and went to work and cleared them and we recovered the eight local government areas that were under siege. These gangs claim to be Biafra freedom fighters. IPOB has dissociated themselves from it, but one Simon Ekpa has continued kidnapping for ransom.

 

“Kidnapping for ransom is now the most lucrative enterprise, even more lucrative than drugs and oil. For every one naira reported as payment for ransom, five to six naira was not reported.

 

“With a culture that celebrates wealth without craft, even the kidnappers amongst us are now celebrated. Idolatry which these criminals have converted to have become the fastest growing religion in the South-East. Nothing is sacred to them anymore.”

NewsOnline Nigeria

Recent Posts

  • Profiles & Biographies

Ayobami Celebrates Tokunbo Wahab at 54 for Leadership, Mentorship and Public Service Impact

Ayobami has celebrated Tokunbo Wahab at 54 for Leadership, Mentorship and Public Service Impact.  …

1 day ago
  • Brands & Marketing

Union Bank Marks 2026 International Day of the Boy Child with School Outreach in Lagos

Union Bank has marked 2026 International Day of the Boy Child with School Outreach in…

2 days ago
  • Brands & Marketing

Sterling Financial Deepens Market Confidence as Assets Cross ₦4tn, Profit Jumps 53% in Q1 2026

Sterling Financial has deepened market confidence as assets cross ₦4tn and profit jumped 53% in…

2 days ago
  • Politics
  • Top Stories

Tinubu Presidency Knocks Peter Obi Over Rwanda Trip Comments, Says Diplomacy Not ‘Reality TV’

Tinubu Presidency has knocked Peter Obi over Rwanda trip comments.   NewsOnline Nigeria reports that…

2 days ago
  • Top Stories
  • World

Tinubu Confirms Killing of Top ISIS Leader Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki in Joint Nigeria-US Military Operation

President Tinubu has confirmed the killing of top ISIS Leader Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki in joint Nigeria-US…

2 days ago
  • Headline

APC Releases Full List of ‘Not Cleared’ House of Reps Aspirants Ahead of 2027 Primaries

APC has released full list of ‘not cleared’ House of Reps aspirants ahead of 2027…

2 days ago