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I Got N5m Out Of N160m Ransom Collected For Kidnap Of Two Bankers — John Ewa

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A former worker with a new generation bank, John Ewa, who was arrested by policemen for alleged kidnapping, has said that he was given N5 million out of the N160 million collected from the kidnap of two bankers.

It was earlier reported that Ewa, popularly known as John Lion, was arrested in Abuja by policemen from Bayelsa State.

Ewa, who was paraded at the headquarters of the Bayelsa State Police Command alongside other members of his gang, told newsmen that he was involved in the kidnap of only two bankers: Akeem Olushola on December 8, 2020, and Danjuma Emeje on June 30, 2022.

He said he only showed the gang members the Yenagoa homes of the two victims, adding that he knew Omeje while working in his bank as a cleaner before he resigned in 2003.

He said: “We were just driving and I showed them.

“I said: ‘This is my former boss’ house.’

“That was it.”

Ewa said while he received N1.5 million for the kidnap of Olushola, he was given N3.5 million for that of Omeje.

It was revealed by the gang members that while Olushola parted with N100 million, Omeje paid N60 million.

However, the person who brought the N100 million collected from Olushola was said to have removed N20 million from the ransom.

The Commissioner, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Ben Okolo, paraded the suspect at the Police Officers’ Mess in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Okolo also paraded no fewer than 10 other suspects, who were arrested for crimes bordering on alleged cultism, murder, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms, and pipeline vandalism.

Ewa was paraded alongside three members of his gang, whom the police identified as Emmanuel Angase, Innocent Kingsley, and Timi Werikumo.

He said Ewa, Angase, Kingsley, and Werikumo were apprehended “through painstaking investigation,” while another suspect, Gbalipre Gamage, was at large.

Okolo said: “This gang has been responsible for over 10 high profile kidnappings in the state over seven years.

“On December 8, 2020, one Akeeb Olushola, 48, the manager of a new generation bank, was kidnapped at his residence at Old Commissioners Quarters, Opolo.

“He was released on December 12 after paying a ransom of N80 million.

“Similarly, Danjuma Omeje, 41, the manager of a new generation bank in Yenagoa, was kidnapped at his residence at Okaka, Yenagoa, on July 30, 2022.

“He was released on July 14, 2022, after paying a ransom of N60 million: N30 million cash (in Naira) and US dollar equivalent of N30 million.”

Okolo noted that Ewa was known for his flamboyant lifestyle on social media, adding that he confessed to the kidnap of Olushola, Nancy Keme Dickson on December 26, 2015, Chinonso Eze, and other Igbo businessmen.

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JUST IN: Ebonyi Governor Suspends Health, Housing Commissioners

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The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has suspended the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, and his counterpart in Housing and Urban Development, Francis Ori.

The suspensions occurred on Monday during the State Executive Council meeting in Abakaliki, the state capital.

A statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor, on Tuesday morning, read, “Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health respectively.”

Reports suggest that the suspensions may be linked to the alleged theft of government property by officials in the Ministry of Health and the reported underperformance of the Housing and Urban Development commissioner, particularly regarding his poor management of the Amaeze Housing Scheme in the Ishielu Local Government Area.

It is also recalled that the governor visited the health ministry’s premises on Saturday night, where six officials were allegedly caught diverting government materials. He subsequently ordered their arrest and prosecution.

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BREAKING: Finally, Port Harcourt Refinery Begins Production

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After multiple delays, the Port Harcourt refinery has begun fuel production.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited confirmed this on Tuesday.

NNPCL spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, stated that truck loading would begin today.

“Port Harcourt Refinery begins production. Truck loading starts today, Tuesday,” Soneye said.

 

More to come…

 

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Driving Excellence In Hospitality And Tourism: Minister Musawa Meets NIHOTOUR’s New DG [PHOTOS]

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The Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., welcomed Dr. Abisoye Fagade, the newly appointed Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), to her office in Abuja. This meeting reflected the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with its parastatal to advance tourism development and drive growth in the creative economy.

During the visit, Dr. Fagade reaffirmed NIHOTOUR’s dedication to its mandate of building a skilled and globally competitive workforce in the hospitality and tourism sectors. He expressed his readiness to align NIHOTOUR’s programs with the Ministry’s strategic objectives to create opportunities for economic diversification, job creation, and sustainable growth.

The Honourable Minister acknowledged NIHOTOUR’s vital role in enhancing capacity building and professional development across the tourism and creative industries. She emphasized the importance of a unified approach to delivering on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes innovation, youth empowerment, and economic transformation.

This engagement signals the beginning of a strengthened partnership aimed at driving the growth, sustainability, and promotion of tourism, hospitality, and the creative economy. By working collaboratively, the Ministry and NIHOTOUR are poised to showcase Nigeria’s unique cultural heritage and position the nation as a leader in tourism and creative innovation.

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