Activist At The Centre of Kidnapping Scandal, As Family Accuses Him of Ransom Diversion
In Edo State, the disappearance of a couple has taken a dramatic turn with claims that a man who intervened as a mediator misappropriated part of the ransom meant to secure their release. The couple, Mr and Mrs Segiru, were abducted on 22 November 2025 at their home in Aviele community near Auchi. Their family had launched a crowdfunding appeal, raising twenty million naira plus an additional fifty thousand naira to meet the kidnappers' demand of fifty million naira. Into the situation stepped Harrison Gwamnishu, a self-described activist and mediator. Using his organization, Safe City Volunteer Foundation, Gwamnishu had offered voluntary help, liaising with security agencies to free abducted victims. According to the brother of the kidnapped woman, Gwamnishu allegedly diverted the funds. "This is the face of a thief," he wrote on social media, accusing the activist of pocketing the ransom and only returning five point four million naira to the police before going on the run. In response, Gwamnishu denied any wrongdoing. In a video and public statement, he said, "My intervention was strictly technical. I never received any payment. I used tracking technology and stayed silent to protect the safety of the still captive husband." He invited the authorities and the media to launch a full investigation into the incident. At present, the police have not confirmed the claim. The Public Relations Officer of the state command said the investigation is ongoing and promised to respond once the facts are clear. The case has stirred public outrage and intense debate, raising difficult questions over the role of private mediators in kidnappings and whether crowdfunded rescue efforts can be safeguarded from exploitation.
| 2025-12-06 19:13:39