A season of kidnapping.

As we are approaching the end of the year, recent headlines in our news are pointing to a new season of kidnapping. 

Below are some of the headlines in September:

• Gunmen kidnap businesswoman in Lagos
• Indian engineer abducted, released 10 days later
• Gunmen kidnap Bauchi PDP chieftain
• Delta lawmaker's wife kidnapped
• Gunmen kidnap Edo businessman’s children, kill aides
• Three arrested for kidnapping, killing Lagos businessman

13.09.12 - Gunmen kidnap businesswoman in Lagos

Morenike Popoola was kidnapped Wednesday night around 9:30 -10 in Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos on her way home. Her car, a wine-coloured Toyota Corolla Sports car was also taken, but was recovered very early Thursday morning around Kirikiri. Morenike's abductors demanded for N10million but she has since returned safe and sound to her family.

23.09.12 - Indian engineer abducted, released 10 days later

An Indian abducted by armed men in Nigeria where he had been employed as an engineer in a construction firm, was on Monday released after being in captivity for over ten days, his family said.

44-year old Rajimon, working in the firm at Uromi in Edo state of Nigeria and kidnapped on September 13, contacted his wife and father and informed them about his release.

Rajimon has reported to the nearby police station at Uromi and is staying at a friend's house. He told the family that there was no harassment from the abductors who provided him food and other facilities.

The abductors had contacted the company officials demanding a ransom for his release though it was not clear whether the ransom was paid.

24.09.12 - Gunmen kidnap Bauchi PDP chieftain

Unknown gunmen on Monday kidnapped a Peoples Democratic Party chieftain in Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Sade, and killed his bodyguard.

Sade, who is also a former chairman of the Bauchi State Fertiliser Distribution Committee, was seized by the hoodlums from his residence on Railway Road in Bauchi at 5a.m in his way to attend the Fajr (morning) prayer at a nearby mosque.

He was forced into a vehicle and driven away, just as his bodyguard was shot dead.

24.09.12 - Delta lawmaker's wife kidnapped

Wife of Mr. Kenneth Preyor, member representing Bomadi State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Mrs. Campaign Preyor, has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

Mrs. Preyor was abducted at Kpakiama community, Bomadi  Local Government Area of the state on Saturday night.

Sources said the heavily-armed kidnappers had stormed the Kpakiama country home of the legislator with intent to abduct him, but had to whisk his wife away in a waiting speed boat when it was discovered that he was not at home.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Mr. Charles Muka, said no ransom had been demanded as the abductors were yet to open any channel of communication.

Saying that the command was determined follow the development to the letter with a view to bringing those involved to book, Muka said the incident was an exceptional case.

24.09.12 - Gunmen kidnap Edo businessman’s children, kill aides

Gunmen killed the driver of a businessman in Benin, Edo State, Oseyawe Iyamu,
and took away two of his children. Witnesses said the gunmen shot the driver as he taking the children to school.

25.09.12 - Three arrested for kidnapping, killing Lagos businessman

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested three men -Ogbuesor Sadiq, Abdulwahab Mutairu and Adenola Lanre- for the alleged kidnap and murder of a businessman, Akinsanjo Akinlade.

Akinlade was alleged murdered in Ogijo, a border town between Lagos and Ogun states on August 31, 2012.

According to police authorities, the suspects kidnapped, killed Akinlade and dumped his body in Ogijo.

It was learnt that the suspects ransacked their victim’s apartment and dispossessed him of jewellery, laptop and other valuables.

The suspects later abducted the man, drove him in his car to an unknown destination from where they called his wife to demand for a ransom of N200,000.