Why I Deducted N5.4m from Ransom Paid for Release of Kidnapped Edo Couple; Gwaminshu Reveals

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Harrison Gwaminshu, the embattled human rights activist, has provided an explanation for the N5.4 million ransom he deducted in order to free a man and his pregnant wife who were abducted in Edo state.

Gwaminshu was detained by the police earlier this week on suspicion of embezzling the ransom money given to him in exchange for the release of the couple who were abducted last month from their home in the Aviele hamlet, which is close to Auchi in Edo.

The kidnappers had sought N50 million in ransom to free them, according to a NPO report.

According to reports, the victims’ family had raised the ransom and gave it to Gwaminshu, who then allegedly took money out to pay his gang.

Contrary to popular belief, Ossai Ovie, an activist’s friend, revealed that he spoke with Gwaminshu’s attorney on Saturday.

According to Ovie, the attorney told Sheriff Oborevworie, the governor of Delta State, about Gwaminshu’s confession.

Ovie revealed in his Facebook page confession that Gwaminshu had taken the money as part of his strategy, which included obtaining a prototype that resembled banknotes and inserting a chip to track the kidnappers.

“So before ransom is paid they remove a huge part of the money and replace it with the prototype money because the chip can only sit well on the fake money. The removed money will be given back to the family after a successful operation.

“That he did this in the presence of the family member who was in the room with him. Now, the family member was called to answer, and he claimed that Harrison was backing him and so he didn’t see what he was doing. Hmmm na so Harrison back thick to occupy and cover all the space that you couldn’t see abi? Na God go judge you.

“When he entered the bush at midnight to deliver the ransom the bandits were all wearing mask despite the fact that everywhere was very dark they were pointing guns and torchlights at him and other victims’ family who also entered the bush with him to pay ransom for the release of their loved ones.

“There are other kidnapped victims who are in the custody of the bandits.

“After he gave them the ransom only the pregnant woman was released to him, and the man was begging for forgiveness from his younger brother according to him he was saying that his brother should forgive him.

“Remember that this couple were kindnapped from their home…. Could it be an insider job???

“It was this same brother that first raise the alarm that the money was not complete. 1+1=“

“After the operation they went to the police station in Auchi to give report.

“Harrison when confronted about the money hesitated to tell them about his modus operandi, but when the family started threatening him, he told them and the police how he operates and he was asked to bring the money.

“He went to his hotel room took the money he kept aside and handed it over to the police in Auchi, Edo State that same day before leaving the town.” Ovie wrote.

The media assistant also revealed that Gwaminshu had begged not to post any information on social media, a request that the kidnapped man’s family disregarded by accusing the activist of embezzling the ransom money.

Ovie revealed that Gwaminshu willingly turned himself in to the police and returned the money, refuting the assertion that he was taken into custody.

“Harrison begged that none of this should enter social media until after the man had been released but shockingly, the family went on social media and the dragging started. They claimed he was on the run and his car was seized by the police.

“Harrison then made a rebuttal to state that no money was taken (he didn’t go into details), his car was not seized by the police but rather he left his car there for safety as the people were already threatening him and he didn’t want them to trail him and injure him on his way home.

“Harrison went on his own to SCID EDO COMMAND at Benin city for further investigation and the police there brought out the money and made him act like he was returning it so they can snap him and which they did. A Money he had returned in Auchi voluntarily suddenly became a tool of amusement for them.

“After that, they prepared a search warrant claiming that they searched his hotel room at Auchi and recovered the money and were forcing him to sign the warrant and he refused.

“Now after 48 hours of the hand over they want him to sign a warrant that it was them that recovered the money. At that point his Lawyer vehemently refused him signing that warrant and he was locked up in the police cell.

“The 14 days remained that is flying on social media by propagandist NEVER HAPPENED.

“Harrison inserted a chip inside a prototype money that was mixed with the ransom paid for the release of the pregnant woman and according to him, the chip is still very active cos from his system he can still see where the kidnappers are, and he is willing to assist the police track the bandits down and release the Man.

“But instead of talking about how to go into the bush and face the bandits, they are all focused on Harrison. The “5.4m is with the police so why can’t the police or the family of the man go into the bush to rescue the man?” Ovie added.

However, he counseled Gwaminshu to let the police handle the man’s rescue instead of trying to save him.

Ovie claimed that his rivals and a few powerful individuals were behind the conspiracy against the activist.

“On my own I will advise Harrison to not enter that bush again. He should allow the police do their work.

“I understand the bad blood between him and some powers that be and competitors in the game and that’s why the whole thing is looking somehow and he is being judged by his past ugly shortcomings.

“However, person no dey bad finish and so i will hang on to the one good Harrison has done in his life and until a court of competent jurisdiction finds him guilty… i will not throw him under the bus.

“It’s very shameful that a private citizen is the one who interfaces with bandits while the police sit in their office. The family be playing with their brother’s life.”

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