Business
Ondo Police Foil Two Kidnap Attempts in Owo, Rescue Victims and Family Members
BY SUNDAY SAMUEL—The Ondo State Police Command under the proactive leadership of CP Felix Ohagwu psc, mnips, mspsp has successfully foiled two separate kidnap attempts in Owo Local Government Area of the State, rescuing all victims involved and forcing the fleeing criminals to abandon their mission following swift and coordinated security operations.
The incidents, which occurred within a few hours of each other on Sunday, 21st June, 2026, underscore the Command’s proactive operational readiness and the effectiveness of ongoing efforts aimed at combating kidnapping and other violent crimes across the State.
The first incident occurred at about 7:05 p.m. when the Police received a distress call indicating that a six-man armed kidnapping gang had stormed the residence of Pastor Taiwo Taiwo, Chairman of Ojana New Area, Owo, with the intention of abducting him. Acting promptly on the information, the Divisional Police Officer, B Division, Owo, mobilized and led a patrol team to the scene.
Upon arrival, the operatives encountered the armed assailants, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The superior tactical response and determination of the Police operatives forced the criminals to retreat into the surrounding bush, abandoning their plan. The intended victim and his family members were successfully rescued unharmed and subsequently relocated to a safer location for enhanced security and protection.
In a related development later that same night, at about 11:10 p.m., another armed gang attacked one Daniel Ologun, a 39-year-old resident of Gbegun Community along Alhaja Camp, off Housing Estate, Owo. During the attack, the victim sustained a gunshot wound to his left leg while the assailants forcefully took his wife, Mrs. Taibat Ologun, aged 34 years, and their two young children, aged four and two years respectively, into the bush.
Upon receiving information about the incident, the Police immediately launched a rescue operation. The rapid deployment of operatives and sustained pressure mounted on the fleeing kidnappers disrupted their movement and compelled them to abandon the Mr Daniel Ologun. In a coordinated search-and-rescue effort involving the Police and personnel of the Nigerian Army, Mrs. Ologun and her two children were later successfully rescued unhurt from the assailants who escaped with gunshot injurieat about 1:50 a.m.
The injured victim was promptly taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, where he is currently receiving medical attention and responding positively to treatment.
Meanwhile, joint security teams comprising Police operatives and military personnel have intensified bush-combing operations in the affected areas and adjoining forests with a view to apprehending the fleeing suspects and dismantling any criminal hideouts within the axis. Efforts are ongoing to track down all members of the criminal gangs involved in the attacks and bring them to justice.
CP Felix Ohagwu, psc, mnips, mspsp, has directed that the rescued victims be immediately debriefed to obtain additional information that may assist ongoing investigations and intelligence-gathering efforts aimed at identifying and apprehending the fleeing suspects. Afterwhich all rescued victims be reunited with their families while ensuring that necessary security measures are put in place for their continued safety and well-being.
The CP commends the bravery and swift response of the operatives involved in both operations, as well as the support of the Nigerian Army and members of the public who provided timely information that aided the successful rescue missions.
The post Ondo Police Foil Two Kidnap Attempts in Owo, Rescue Victims and Family Members appeared first on Business Today NG.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted approval-in-principle to JP Morgan to set up a merchant in the country.
The move eases the path for the US largest bank to expand its services – payments, lending, trade finance and corporate banking – in Nigeria, where it has operated a representative office for years.
JP Morgan Merchant Bank Nigeria Limited plans to run wholesale banking, capital markets and advisory services, Michael Akuka, the CBN’s director of corporate communications and investor relations, said in a statement on Friday.
The approval-in-principle is the first phase of the licensing process, and does not translate into an ultimate banking permit.
JP Morgan needs to clear further regulatory hurdles such as incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commission and operational approvals before it can commence operations, the regulator stated.
The push comes amidst hordes of banking sector reforms in Africa’s most populous country, aimed at bolstering the financial system, enhancing market confidence and boosting resilience.
According to the statement, the CBN also approved the nomination of Adedapo Olagunju as the managing director of the bank and Latter Kevin George, Nzelu Chinedum Izunwanne and Syed Gabriel Murtaza as non-executive directors.
“Our objective is to build a financial system that is stable, competitive and internationally connected, one that commands confidence and can effectively support investment and economic growth,” said CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso.
READ ALSO: CBN outlines market infrastructure supporting Nigeria–China financial flows at Beijing investor forum
“We are encouraged by the growing interest of international financial institutions in Nigeria. Our focus remains on sustaining the reforms, strengthening the credibility of our markets and creating an environment in which both domestic and international institutions can participate and thrive,” he added.
On Tuesday, Bloomberg, citing sources with knowledge of the deal, reported that JP Morgan was on course to secure a banking licence in the country after depositing N50 billion ($38 million) with the CBN.
It noted that the bank hopes to receive the licence by year-end or in early 2027, provided it is able to obtain all the requisite approvals
P Morgan’s presence in Nigeria dates back to 1961, when Chase Manhattan Bank, which later evolved into JP Morgan Chase & Co., opened a branch in Lagos, providing a wide range of commercial banking services to local businesses and individuals.
A year earlier, Chase International Investment Corporation, a unit of Chase Manhattan Bank, served as the lead partner in organising Nigerian Textile Mills in Lagos, regarded as the first major private industrial project with an American interest in Nigeria.
Discover more from Premium Times Nigeria
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
The Bank of Industry (BOI) said it will expand financing for agriculture, local healthcare manufacturing and digital businesses in 2027.
The bank stated this as it seeks to consolidate the gains of its 2025–2027 corporate strategy and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial development.
The bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Olasupo Olusi, disclosed the plan on Thursday at a meeting in Lagos, where he outlined the bank’s priorities for the final year of the strategy.
Mr Olusi said BOI would work with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment on the National Industrial Finance Compact to attract more long-term capital into Nigeria’s industrial sector.
He also said the bank would deploy its new European Investment Bank facilities to agriculture and local healthcare manufacturing to increase domestic production of food and medicines.
The funding includes €85 million secured from the European Investment Bank for agriculture and another €50 million for healthcare manufacturing in 2026, as part of more than €2.2 billion in new funding the bank has secured for Nigerian industry since 2024.
READ ALSO: BOI supports 1.68m jobs as lending rises 26% to ₦644.9 billion
“We will deploy our new European Investment Bank facilities into agriculture and local healthcare manufacturing, so that Nigeria produces more of the food and medicines it consumes,” he said.
The bank also plans to expand its information and communications technology (ICT) and digital economy portfolio through the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme.
Mr Olusi said the initiatives formed part of the bank’s efforts to consolidate its achievements and meet the targets of its 2025–2027 corporate strategy.
“2027 is the final year of our strategy, and our task is to consolidate and meet every target we set,” the BOI boss, Mr Olusi, said.
BOI said it disbursed N644.9 billion in 2025, reaching 12,501 businesses and supporting 1.68 million jobs.
Discover more from Premium Times Nigeria
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
-
News2 days agoObi, Kwankwaso to hold Middle Belt Youth, Village Hall Meeting in Jos
-
Business4 days ago
How Your Side Hustle Income Ends Up in Your RSA
-
News3 days ago
Blacksmith hits unicorn valuation after Sequoia leads Series C
-
Entertainment2 days ago
FOGMMON PLATEAU CONGRATULATES EJIDIKE UGOCHUKWU (𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙡 𝙅𝙞𝙙) ON HIS APPOINTMENT AS NATIONAL PRESIDENT
