List Of Kidnapped And Rescued Nigeria Politicians 2022

Nigeria ranks among the kidnapping hotspots of the world. It is said to be a land of mysteries with too many unexplained and unexplainable phenomena. 

Mysterious social occurrences defying logic and common sense happen in everyday national life. 

One of the mysteries of today’s Nigeria is the flourishing kidnap-for-ransom enterprise, which has assumed an industrial dimension and the status of a sub-sector of the economy. 

According to research over 2500 people were kidnapped in Nigeria in the first half of 2021 alone. The figure for January 2022 has been reported as over 560 civilians, students, and Politicians.

The culture of kidnapping is common in Nigeria. Nigeria has experienced a significant increase in kidnappings for both political reasons and financial gain in recent years.

The situation on the ground seems to be getting out of hand without any improvement even though governments have been promising to tackle the problem. Since Kidnappers now target politicians and demand a huge amount of money. 

Below are records of Kidnapped politicians rescued by crime fighters (Police, DSS) and families.

(1) Dr. Nkemi Nicholas Nshe 

Photo: Kidnapped - (January 1, 2022 - Released by his abductors after spending 11 days in their custody)

Dr. NKemi Nicholas Nshe - A former governorship aspirant in the 2019 election in Plateau State

Nshe is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, who served as Chairman of Shendam Local Government Area of the state at different periods in the past. 

According to Punch report, He was kidnapped at his residence in the council area in the early hours of New Year's Day.

Dr. NKemi Nshe was forcefully kidnapped from his Shendam residence in the early hours of Saturday the New Year day, January 1, 2022. It was in the night that the gunmen came to his house and whisked him away.

kidnappers called the family members through the phone number of the son and demanded N100 million ransom which they later reduced to N50 million. 

Nicholas Nshe was released by his abductors after spending 11 days in their custody.

There was no information on whether or not ransom was paid before he regained freedom.

(2) Federal Otokito

Photo: Kidnapped - (January 20, 2022 - Regained his freedom days after he was kidnapped)

Federal Otokito - The Bayelsa commissioner for industry, trade and investment, was abducted by gunmen on January 20, 2022. 

According to reports, Otokito was kidnapped at his home in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state and regained his freedom days after he was kidnapped.

There was no information on whether or not ransom was paid before he regained freedom.

(3) Jephthah Yekorogha

Photo: Kidnapped - (January 24th, 2022 - regained his freedom 15days in captivity)

Jephthah Yekorogha - A prominent politician and businessman in his 50s was kidnapped at about 8.30 pm on Monday, 24th January 2022, in front of his house gate at Biogbolo, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, by four gunmen in black uniform, at gunpoint, seized him in his car and forced him into their vehicle and zoomed off.

Yekorogha was finally released Monday, February 7, 2022, by kidnappers after 15 days in captivity.

There was no information on whether or not ransom was paid before he regained freedom.

(4) Hon. Anthony Duke

Photo: Kidnapped - (January 25th, 2022 - Rescued by The Nasarawa state police command)

Hon. Anthony Duke - A former councilor in Calabar south was abducted in Kutimin Shinkafa by unidentified gunmen on 25th January 2022.

According to online reports, Hon. Anthony Duke was rescued by The Nasarawa state police command.

The police command said that the hoodlums escaped into the forest in different directions with varying degrees of injuries and the victim was rescued unhurt by the Police.

(5) Hajiya Laure Maikunu

Photo: Kidnapped - (6th June 2022 - Rescued by DSS barely 24 hours after she was abducted)

Hajiya Laure Maikunu - The aged mother of Kano Central Senatorial candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was kidnapped by gunmen in the early hours of Monday 6th June 2022 at her Zaura village in Ungogo Local Council of Kano State.

Kano State Police command confirmed that barely 24 hours after, the mother of the business mogul was rescued by operatives of the Department of State Service DSS at a location in Jigawa State.

(6) Godwin Aigbogun

Photo: Kidnapped - (July 18th, 2022 - escaped from his abductors’ den on 20th July 2022)

Godwin Aigbogun - Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ugu ward in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, Godwin Aigbogun, was abducted by gunmen on Monday, July 18th, 2022 while returning from his farm in Ologbo-nugu village.

The kidnappers were said to have demanded N5 million ransom from his family after Aigbogun was abducted on his way back to his village.

According to online reports, Mr. Godwin Aigbogun, was said to have later escaped from his abductors’ den on 20th July 2022.

(7) Chief Mukaila Bello

Photo: Kidnapped - (August 4, 2022 - Released by Abductors on the 6th of August, 2022)

Chief Mukaila Bello - The traditional head of lku quarters in lkare Akoko area of Ondo state was kidnapped at about 6:30 p.m, around Ago-Yeye, along Owo/Ikare Road on August 4, 2022, after the driver conveying him with (House of Assembly candidate Yèyé Gbafinro and a community leader, Bashiru Adekile) was shot in the head.

The abductors had demanded N200 million from the families of the victims, but they negotiated it down to N4 million.

Then the community raised the money, which a relative of one of the victims took to the kidnappers before the victims were released on the 6th of August, 2022.

However, police nabbed the kidnappers and paraded them.

(8) Mohammed Yakubu Lawal

Photo: Kidnapped - (7th August 2022 - Released by Abductors on the 12th August 2022)

Mohammed Yakubu Lawal - The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism was Kidnapped on 7th August 2022 in his hometown, Eggon.

The terrorists who kidnapped the Commissioner in his hometown, Eggon, had demanded N100 million ransom for his release.

However, it is not certain whether the N100 million ransom was paid to the assailants before he was released on 12th August 2022.

(9) Ibrahim Tafashiya

Photo: Kidnapped - (3rd September 2022 - Rescued by Police Officers in Kankia)

Ibrahim Tafashiya - Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, House of Assembly Candidate for the 2023 general elections was kidnapped by terrorists on Saturday 3rd September 2022 in Kastina.

According to an online report, The police were alerted of the abduction, prompting the Divisional Police Officer for Kankia, Superintendent Ilyasu Ibrahim, and his team to block the exit route of the terrorists and engage them in a gun duel following which Tafashiya was rescued.

(10) Chief Frank Ozue 

Photo: Kidnapped - (11th September 2022 - Released by Abductors on the 14 September 2022)

Chief Frank Ozue - Vice Chairman of Isoko North council area of Delta State, was kidnapped on Sunday 11th September 2022.

Chief Frank Ozue was ambushed at Ogor Town, Ughelli North Local Government Area.

It was gathered that the vice chairman was later released on Wednesday night 14 September 2022 after spending three days with his abductors.

His family was said to have parted with N7 million to secure his release.

(11) Dr. Dan Shere

Photo: Kidnapped - (27th of October, 2022 - Released by Abductors on 29th of October, 2022)

Dr. Dan Shere - The former Secretary to the Enugu State Government was abducted on Thursday 27th October 2022 alongside other road users and passengers. 

Dr. Dan Shere was later set free by his abductors on Saturday evening 29th of October, 2022.

There was no information on whether or not ransom was paid before he regained freedom.

(12) Mr. Moses Egbodo

Photo: Kidnapped - (24th of October, 2022 - Released by Abductors on 29th October 2022)

Mr. Moses Egbodo - The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Obi state constituency in next year’s election into the Benue State House of Assembly, was kidnapped on Monday 24th of October, 2022.

According to online reports, Egbodo was kidnapped around 5 pm, between Aliade and Otukpo, while returning from Makurdi to Otukpo where he lives. 

The abducted PDP candidate later regained his freedom on Saturday 29th October 2022, after a ransom of N3 million was paid to his abductors.

(13) Hon. Musa Markus Masoyi

Photo: Kidnapped - (21 November 2022 - Released by Abductors on 4th of December, 2022)

Hon. Musa Markus Masoyi - A young politician in Bogoro local government area of Bauchi State was abducted on Tuesday, November 21, 2022.

According to online reports, The abductors were said to have contacted the family of the victim and demanded the sum of N100 million as ransom.

Reports monitored from the area revealed that Masoyi arrived home at about midnight on Sunday 4th of December, 2022 to the embrace of his family members, friends, well-wishers, and others expressing gratitude to God and to all who stood by him while the drama lasted.

There was no information on whether or not ransom was paid before he regained freedom