A young man from Delta State in the oil rich Niger Delta region in Nigeria has been arrested after he conspired with his friend to fake a kidnapping to get money from his family in order to be able to travel abroad, the young man was seen in a video the alleged kidnapper sent to his family, threatened to be killed with a cutlass placed on his neck by the suspected fake kidnapper who is also a native and indigene of Delta State but faked his voice to sound like an Hausa Fulani man from Northern Nigeria, according to one of the popular human rights activists against insecurity in the West Africa country, Harrison Gwamnishu, the two suspects were arrested inside the bush after intelligence gathering indicated that the kidnapping was not genuine, adding that they were not mobilized by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, the Senator, representing Delta North Senatorial zone who had said in a press statement that the “father of the supposed victim, together with two members of the Idumuje Ugboko community, reached out to me, I also spoke with the victim’s brothers, as well as the police in Issele-Uku and Asaba, in addition, I contacted and mobilized the Idumuje Ugboko Vigilante group and held discussions with my police contacts in Asaba, giving clear instructions to track the kidnappers and ensure the safe rescue of the victim, throughout the operation, I received tracking updates and was kept informed of the rescue movements from Asaba to Issele-Uku until the eventual arrests were made”, in an earlier post, Harrison Gwamnishu had said that; “for clarity, I do not know who he claims he mobilized for a rescue mission, I also do not know what he meant by saying he mobilized the Police and Local Vigilantes, I personally fueled three vehicles, paid other logistics for the operation he’s claiming he mobilized”.
According to the popular human rights and life defender, Harrison Gwamnishu; “On Sunday 16th August 2025, an alarm was raised that a man had been kidnapped at Onicha-Ugbo, Aniocha North Local government area, Delta State.
Immediately, the Police Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit Asaba, led by the OC, swung into action working tirelessly with a team of Military officers from 63 Brigade Asaba, the (Nigeria Forest Security Service), NFSS, and Delta State Government House trackers, advanced to Issele-Uku to rescue the alleged victim.
After hours of coordinated intelligence gathering, it was discovered that the incident was not a genuine abduction but a case of self-kidnapping. The location was secured, and the two suspects behind the act were arrested and are now in custody.
We sincerely thank the officers and men of the 63 Brigade Asaba, the OC and officers of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit and the NFSS for their resilience, sacrifice, and dedication to keeping our communities safe.
Special appreciation also goes to His Excellency Right Honourable Sheriff Oborevwori, Executive Governor of Delta State, for standing firmly behind security operations.
As we commend these gallant men and women, we must also stress the need for greater support. The security teams involved in this operation need stronger logistics, equipment, and resources to sustain their work and extend their coverage across Delta State. With such support, we can replicate this success Statewide and ensure no community is left vulnerable.
Finally, NeVER for any reason refuse to report a suspected case of kidnapping. Every report matters”, Harrison Gwamnishu stated.
In a statement on Saturday, Senator Ned Munir Nwoko said; “I recently received a distress call from a parent whose son was said to have been kidnapped, with a viral video showing him in the forest of Aniocha North. I immediately mobilized the police and local vigilante for rescue, only for investigations to reveal that the young man staged his own kidnap. This is a reckless and criminal act, alien to the values of our people in Delta North, and it must not be allowed to take root.
Staged kidnappings traumatize families, waste vital security resources, erode public trust, and trivialize the suffering of genuine victims. I therefore urge security agencies to ensure the culprits face the full weight of the law, to send a clear message that such deceit has no place in our society. As Senator representing Delta North, I remain committed to safeguarding our communities, supporting security agencies, and ensuring that peace and trust prevail among our people”.
Shortly after the senator issued the statement, Harrison Gwamnishu responded and said: “Please, if you have time, kindly visit Senator Ned’s comment section and leave a message.
For clarity, I do not know who he claims he mobilized for a rescue mission. I also do not know what he meant by saying he mobilized the Police and Local Vigilantes. I personally fueled three vehicles, paid other logistics for the operation he’s claiming he mobilized.
The truth is simple: we went for the operation on our own working with the victim’s family. Senator Prince Ned Nwoko neither sent us nor mobilized us in any way. I have to put the record straight because some members of our team are already feeling that I was paid by NeD and chose not to extend anything to them.
For the sake of truth and to protect the morale of our selfless members who risk their lives daily, I humbly plead that he should re-issue his press statement. This will prevent any form of discouragement among the men and women who sacrifice so much without expecting personal gain.
To be clear: NoNE of us was mobilized for this rescue mission. And if indeed he claims he did, then he should kindly present the evidence.Those who were directly involved in this successful operation include: Officers from the Police Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad Asaba. Soldiers from the 63 Brigade Asaba. A tracker from Government House Asaba. Operatives from (Nigeria Forest Security Service), NFSS. And my humble self and two anonymous fellows who choose to hide their identity.
We remain committed to saving lives, not chasing headlines. I urge all stakeholders, leaders, and well-meaning Deltans to continue supporting the work we do. Together, we can make our communities safer for everyone.
I remember pleading with the well-to-do in our communities to empower their local Vigilante. The time is no longer tomorrow—the time is now. Call home, stand with them, and assist them. Our Vigilantes need every support they can get to overpower what lies ahead.
At this very moment, there are more than five different teams of armed kidnappers operating within Aniocha/Oshimili. This is not hearsay—it is based on the number of persons kidnapped in different locations.
Shockingly, one of these gangs operating around Otulu/Issele-Azagba is even led by a woman, yes a woman. The man who escaped two days ago can testify to this.
Do not be deceived—just because your community has not yet been attacked does not mean you are safe. Your town might already be marked as their ransom collection point.
PlEASE, GuARD YoUR CoMMUNITIES. Nobody will protect your home better than you. We remain out here, doing our best to help—but this fight requires all of us. Stand up now before it becomes too late”, Harrison Gwamnishu reacted.
The Senator, Ned Nwoko quickly re-issued a statement and said that; “My attention has been drawn to certain comments questioning my earlier statement regarding the recent kidnapping incident.
What I wrote and posted was exactly what happened. When there are critical issues like kidnapping and I am contacted by those directly affected, I take whatever steps I consider necessary to ensure the matter is resolved safely.
It is not unusual for different agencies, groups, and individuals to be working on the same issue at the same time, sometimes without even being aware of each other’s involvement. That was precisely the case here.
In this case, the father of the supposed victim, together with two members of the Idumuje Ugboko community, reached out to me. I also spoke with the victim’s brothers, as well as the police in Issele-Uku and Asaba. In addition, I contacted and mobilized the Idumuje Ugboko Vigilante group and held discussions with my police contacts in Asaba, giving clear instructions to track the kidnappers and ensure the safe rescue of the victim. Throughout the operation, I received tracking updates and was kept informed of the rescue movements from Asaba to Issele-Uku until the eventual arrests were made.
I acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of others who were involved at different points, including Harrison Gwamnishu, the military, the police, and every operative who contributed to the successful resolution of this unfortunate saga.
Kidnapping is a serious crime, and my only concern is always to ensure that lives are saved and communities are safer”.
Harrison Gwamnishu in a statement that seems to accept the Senator’s clarification, said; “Thank you, Distinguished Senator Prince Ned Nwoko, for your clarification and for openly acknowledging the work we do. Your recognition means a lot to us and strengthens our resolve to keep serving our people selflessly. We remain committed to this cause. Thank you once again”.