A gang of four armed men last Friday night kidnapped the son of first Republic Prime Minister, Dr Jhailil Tafawa Balewa in Abuja. Dr. Jhailil is also the leader of one of the Goodluck Jonathan 2011 campaign groups.
The Kidnappers who are still keeping the medical doctor turned politician in their hideout as at the time of filing this report are said to be demanding a ransom of N100m.
According to sources close to the Balewa family, the kidnappers stormed his 29, Ashirk Jarma Street residence in the Jabi area of Abuja at about 7pm all armed with action riffles and took him away after seizing their mobile phones, even as his wife, Mrs Afsat Tafawa Balewa, daughter of one time Premier of Western Region, Chief Samuel Akintola, pleaded with her husband's abductors.
Dr Jhailil Tafawa Balewa said to be a close friend of President Goodluck Jonathan, has been working with a non-political Pressure Group, "GOODLUCK NAKOWA" (GOODLUCK FOR ALL) to drum support for the President to contest the 2011 Presidential elections. He had also led the group to Lagos last Wednesday to interface with Journalists ahead of its formal launch in Abuja September, 8.
Dr Jhalil Tafawa Balewa was said to have purchased his air tickets that Friday, ready to lead the Goodluck Na kowa Group to put up a show at Umuahia, where the State Governor Orji was defecting to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Although efforts to reach the National Secretary of the GoodLuck Na Kowa Group, Mallam Mohammed Bala Abdullahi failed as he was said to have probably gone to the Umuahia Jamboree of the PDP, sources close to the group confirmed that their National Chairman Dr Jhailil Tafawa Balewa had been kidnapped and the kidnappers are demanding 100 million naira ransom.
The source disclosed to LEADERSHIP SUNDAY that the kidnappers gained entrance into the house due to lapses on the part of the security men who allowed them in with out proper scrutiny.
"They immediately ordered everyone to lie face down and so we could not see their faces", he said. He disclosed that the kidnappers took away some money before fleeing with Dr. Jhailil. He disclosed that the kidnappers demanded for N100m, pointing out that the motive for the kidnap could be economic. The source said everything was being done to get the Jhailil released.
FCT police PRO Mr. jimoh Moshood said he was yet to get any details of the kidnap.
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To stop these rampant kidnapping in Nigeria,the Government must bring back public execution of anybody or group that get involved with kidnapping of Innocent Nigerians for ransom or for any reason for that matter.Nigerian people can no longer fold their hands and let these hooligans,secondary school dropouts,University unemployed and political thugs hold the citizenry of this Nation hostage.The Government must stand tall and defend and protect the good people of this Nation "by all means neccessary"The people of this Nation deserve and demand security and protection from their Government and must get it .These kidnapping smelling wicked idiots have no place in this emerging democracy we all are craving to build and cherish for future.Nigerians must again support steps to stampout the massive kidnapping now straggling this Nation.There is no time to give this Nation peace,security and protection the people badly need than now regardless of what is causing these bullies and hooligans think- may be their reasons,they have no right to take the lifes of others or kidnapp others period.If they want to be part of this dream of democracy for Nigeria,they ought be part of the solution not the problem.