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A Competition and Consumer Protection (CCP) tribunal sitting in Abuja has restrained MultiChoice Nigeria Limited from increasing its tariffs and cost of products and services the cable reports.
A three-member tribunal, presided over by Thomas Okosun, gave the order on Wednesday following an ex parte application moved by Festus Onifade, a legal practitioner, on behalf of himself and the coalition of Nigeria consumers.
Other members of the tribunal include Sola Salako Ajulo and Ibrahim El-Yakubu.
While MultiChoice Nigeria Limited is the first defendant, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) is the second respondent.
The suit marked CCPT/OP/1/2022 was filed on March 29.
Onifade had prayed the court for “an order of interim injunction restraining the 1st defendants/respondents, either by itself, agents, representatives, officers or privies, howsoever described, from carrying out the impending increase in tariffs and cost of its products and services intended to take effect from April 1, 2022, until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed before this tribunal.
“An order of the honourable tribunal mandating the 1st defendant/respondents to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
“And for such further order or other orders as this honourable tribunal may deem fit to make in the circumstance.”
After hearing the motion ex parte, the tribunal granted the applicant’s prayers.
The matter was adjourned to April 11 for the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The tribunal also directed that all parties in the suit must appear before the tribunal on the next date.
On Wednesday, the senate asked Multichoice to reduce the prices of its DStv and GOtv packages owing to the prevailing economic circumstances of the country.
Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged Muslims across the country to look out for this year’s Ramadan moon after sunset on Friday.
Director of Administration of the council, Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu, said this in a statement in Abuja.
“Consequent upon the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1443 AH immediately after sunset on Friday, April 1st, which is equivalent to 29th Sha’aban 1443 AH.
“If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, then His Eminence would declare Saturday, 2nd April as the first day of Ramadan 1443 AH.
“If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Sunday, 3rd April, automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1443 AH,” the statement read.
The council prays that Allah spares the lives of every Muslim to participate in the ibaadah (worship) exercise and to maximize the benefits therein.
It also urged Muslims to contact the established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, and also some members of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) to report a credible and positive sighting of the Crescent of Ramadan 1443 AH.
The council added that one of the special devotional activities in the month of Ramadan is Tafsir, which is meant to enlighten humanity, particularly Muslims, on the treasures and blessings of the Quranic messages.
The council enjoins all Muslims to be more prayerful unto Allah, especially in this month of (Ramadan), to help the country, the world in general and leaders in particular to overcome the current challenges confronting them.
“Furthermore, the council urges Muslims and non-Muslims alike to be vigilant and take extra security and health measures to protect ourselves, loved ones and neighbours.”
“Fasting brothers and sisters should ensure they have enough rest and consume sufficient fluid after each day’s fast,” the statement read.
He listed established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, members of the NMSC who can be contacted for information and clarification to include Sheikh Dahir Bauchi (08036121311), Karibullah Kabara (08035537382), Simwal Usman Jibrin (08033140010), Salihu Yaaqub (07032558231), Jafar Abubakar (08020878075), Alhaji Abdullahi Umar (08037020607), J.M. Kaura (08067050641), Bashir Aliyu Umar (08036509363), and
Abdur Rasheed Mayaleke (08035050804).
Others are Dr Ganiy I. Agbaje (08028327463), Gafar M. Kuforiji (08033545208), Usman El-Nafaty, (08062870892), Ibrahim Zubairu Salihu (08038522693), Z. I. Oboh Oseni (08033574431), Nurudeen Asunogie (08033533012), Bala Lau (08037008805), Sani Yahaya Jingir (08065687545), AbdurRahman Ahmad (08023141752), Sulaiman Gumi (08033139153), Yusuf Nwoha (08030966956), Kamil K. Oloso (08023098661), and Yahaya Boyi (08030413634), among others.
A deaf and dumb man simply identified as Peter has allegedly raped his two nieces who lived with their grandmother in Lagos, according to a vanguard report.
One of her niece, an 11-year-old girl reportedly died of complications sustained at his hands for subjecting her to sexual abuse in the Alimosho area of Lagos.
Family sources revealed that Peter had consistently defiled the little girl and her elder sister, who live with their grandmother.
It was learnt that the girl became very sick due to the constant sexual abuse she suffered from her uncle.
According to her aunt,the young girl died on March 22 after she was taken to a hospital.
Before her death, the girl, in a video recording, revealed that her uncle, Peter, was responsible for her plight.
According to her, her ordeal began when she caught her deaf and dumb uncle molesting her elder sister.
Surprisingly, her elder sister told their uncle to do the same to the girl so that she won’t speak out.
Her aunt drew the attention of Coordinator of Advocates for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network (ACVPN) Mr. Ebenezer Omejalille, to the issue.
He said: “Peace was very sick for some time while she was still with her grandmother.
“When her grandmother realised she could no longer cope with her deteriorating health condition, she reached out to me.
“So I took her in on March 20. While she was with me I discovered she had been severely sexually abused when she excreted on herself.
“I had to pet her for her to open up. Eventually, she opened up to me about how her uncle would always molest her.”
Explaining further, the aunt said that the girl died, her father noticed that whenever he visited his children at their grandma’s place, he observed that she was always moody.
He would think she needed money.
Her father complained each time he wanted to take his daughters, his mother is always screaming to the extent neighbours would intervene and appealed to him to leave his daughters.
However, the abuse continued unabated till she developed health complications that eventually led to her death.
Lamenting the rise in domestic violence and sexual abuse of girls despite efforts by government and rights groups to halt the menace, Ebenezer Omejalille, Coordinator of ACVPN, called for the immediate arrest of the perpetrator.
The United States embassy says the drop box service or interview waiver for persons renewing visas in the country is now available in Abuja according to a cable report.
The development comes months after the US lifted the suspension on drop box visa applications — the suspension had lasted for 32 months.
In a statement on Wednesday, the embassy said the programme, which started in Lagos in February, will take effect in Abuja from March 30.
ELIGIBILITY
According to the embassy, you are eligible for the process if:
The visa is B1/B2, F, M, J (academic only), H, L, or C1/D (combined only);
The applicant previously received a US non-immigrant visa that expired within the last 24 months, or will expire in the next three months from the date of application;
The previous visa was issued in Nigeria;
The previous visa was a full validity, multiple entry visa;
The applicant is applying for the same visa classification as the prior approved visa;
The applicant has never been arrested or convicted of any crime in the United States (even if they later received a pardon or waiver);
The applicant has never worked without authorisation or overstayed in the United States; and
The applicant has not had any significant life changes.
The embassy said “a parent’s qualifications cannot extend to a child”, adding that the number of applicants who will be accepted “may initially be limited”.
“Qualified applicants seeking to utilize this no-interview program must set an appointment for document review online at ustraveldocs.com/ng,” the statement reads.
“On the date and time of the appointment, the applicant must drop off all necessary documents at the address specified in their appointment letter: DS-160 confirmation page; a valid passport and previous passports containing the most recent visa to the present; I-20 and I-901 SEVIS receipt, DS-2019 (if applicable); new passport photo; copy of parent’s visa (if minor).
“Applicants will not have access to their passport until processing is completed. Processing times may vary but are expected to be up to two months. In cases where an interview is deemed necessary, the embassy will return the passport and notify the applicant to set an appointment to appear in person.
“Application fees will remain the same and can be found at travel.state.gov. ($160 USD for non-petition-based non-immigrant visas, and $190 USD for petition-based non-immigrant visa categories).
“Third parties unaffiliated with the U.S. Embassy Abuja may seek to take advantage of various visa services to target visa applicants with fraudulent offers or claims.”
The embassy added that more information on the process can be found on “travel.state.gov.ng.usembassy.gov/visas/, and ustraveldocs.com/ng.”
Applicants are also expected to fill forms and schedule appointments by themselves.
At least seven bodies were recovered and about a dozen people were missing after a boat carrying mostly women and children capsized in Niger State on Wednesday, residents said in a Reuters report.
Two residents in Guni village in the state said the passengers on the boat were trying to escape from gunmen who had attacked their village in the Munya local government area.
Gangs known locally as bandits have been terrorising areas of northern Nigeria in recent years, forcing thousands to flee and perpetrating mass kidnappings for ransom.
Guni resident Kabiru Musa told Reuters by phone that his wife and 7-year-old child were among more than 20 people who boarded the wooden boat and they were missing.
"When we heard information that armed bandits were heading to our village, we immediately put our families on a boat in order to escape. Unfortunately, their boat capsized in the middle of the river," he said.
Waziri Mu'azu, a primary school teacher who was part of the rescue team, said the victims were crossing to the other side of the Guni-Zumba River when the boat capsized. Seven bodies had been recovered so far, he said.
A Niger police spokesman did not respond to calls and text messages on his phone seeking comment.
..declares governorship ambition
Lauretta Fagbohun, Ogun
A former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Oladipupo Adebutu has promised to save Ogun residents from the wilderness of sufferings brought about by what he referred to as 'bad governance of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC'.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Chieftain and the Lisa Aje Egba, stated this while declaring his intention to vie for the position of governor of Ogun State come 2023, at the Ake Palace ground on Wednesday.
Governor Nyesom Wike who last week declared his 2023 presidential ambition as well as the former governor of Ekiti State, Former Governor Ayodele Fayose were among top PDP leaders who graced the occasion.
Chief Oladipupo Adebutu disclosed that his desire to take over the rein of leadership from the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government in the state come next year was due to the ruling party’s bad governance and poor performance in every area.
Adebutu described himself as the Joshua that has the capacity to lead the residents of the state out of the wilderness of suffering imposed on them by the APC-led government.
He said “time is now to say enough is enough for all the sufferings the APC government has brought on the people. Luckily our party is now devoid of rancour, the party is solid and united as ever. We have gone through the wilderness and I am now the Joshua that will lead the people to the promised land.
“The APC government has no doubt failed woefully, this is a government that lacks human kindness, no infrastructure, no light, no road, there is so much hunger in the land, no one is safe either, killings and kidnapping everywhere. All these we shall tackle headlong when PDP is back to power come 2023. It is on this note that I am telling you that our Ward to Ward Campaign begins next week Tuesday because we must bring back the smiles to the faces of our people”.
Fayose in his short remark described Chief Adebutu as a dependable leader who has all it takes to take Ogun State to higher height urging the party members as well as the residents of the state to see to the success of his governorship ambition in 2023.
The former governor of Ekiti State equally demanded that the opposition party’s presidential candidate must come from the south saying that “President Buhari who represent the north will by next year be completing his tenure of eight years, it is just normal to have the next president from the south, that is what is the best for our great party”.
Gov Wike of Rivers State also described Adebutu as an highly resourceful politician who would fly higher the PDP flag if given the opportunity to lead the state come 2023 calling for more support and cooperation to bring his governorship dream to reality.
Wike who also said that it was the turn of the South to produce the next president for the country disclosed further that he remains that man of courage who has all it takes to wrestle power from the APC government come 2023.
He said “there is no disputing the fact that APC has failed woefully, there is hunger and insecurity everywhere, people can’t go anywhere. I have the capacity to take APC head on. You must have a courageous leader to fix some of these challenges, a leader that can inspire and take the country to greater height.I have the capacity to take the country out of the woods. I am call Mr Project, I want to do same for the country”
The State Chairman of the party, Alhaji Sikirulai Ogundele, disclosed that the party has heard the cries of the residents of the state owing to bad governance of the APC led government.
He said now that Chief Adebutu has taken up the challenge to liberate the people come 2023, he is now calling for the support of the people to bring this dream to pass.
Other PDP aspirants who graced the Ocassion included Chief Olumide Aderinokun, Chief Toyin Amuzu, TA, Asiwaju Bola Oluwole, Barrister Taiwo Shote, Sakiru Sanusi and Lukman Adeleye among others.
Lauretta Fagbohun, Ogun
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike along with the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, on Wednesday stormed Ogun State to give their support to Oladipupo Adebutu while declaring his intention to bid for the Governorship seat of the state.
This follows Adebutu's purchase of the expression of interest and nomination forms at the National Headquarters of the party in Abuja.
The former Federal lawmaker officially declared his intention at the Ake Palace ground to contest for the governorship seat of the state come 2023.
Wike and Fayose who are party leaders of the Peoples' Democratic Party joined thousands of party members in Ogun State to give solidarity to one of their own.
It would be recalled that Segun Sowunmi of the same PDP had earlier shown interest to bid for the same position about some weeks ago, in an open declaration at the Panseke area of Abeokuta.
The event is still on-going as at the time of filing this report.
More details soon
Several passengers who boarded the train that was attacked on Monday night are yet to be accounted for, according to Kaduna State government.
Terrorists bombed a section of the Kaduna-Abuja rail track, forcing the train, which departed Abuja at 6pm on Monday to derail.
After that, they opened fire on passengers, abducting some and killing others.
In the latest update on the rescue operation, Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said while eight corpses had been recovered, 26 people who were injured were receiving treatment.
He said according to the record obtained from the Nigerian Railway Corporation, 362 persons boarded the train.
“Kaduna State Government has received from the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), the detailed passenger manifest for the Abuja-Kaduna train service AK9 which was attacked by terrorists on Monday.
“According to the documents received, 398 passengers bought tickets for the trip, but 362 were validated as having boarded the train through the recognized turnstile.
“The passenger manifest does not include NRC staff and security officials who were on board.
“Furthermore, security agencies have reported that eight bodies were recovered and 26 persons were injured during the attack. Investigations are still ongoing to ascertain the status of the passengers who were on board the train and remain unaccounted for at the time of this update. Search operations are also being sustained.”
Four persons, including a pastor of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, were reportedly killed in separate attacks on some communities in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State according to a punch report.
Two women were reportedly shot dead by suspected herders on their farm on Monday.
The Deeper Life pastor, identified as John Ajav, was said to have been killed on Tuesday by suspected herders on his way to the local government headquarters at Gbamjinba to attend a religious function.
The pastor’s murder was made known on the verified Facebook account of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Tivlumn Nyitse, on Tuesday.
Nyitse wrote, “A very sad day for me and the entire Ikyen Gbuusu family. We lost John Torbee Ajav this morning to some Fulani marauders, who shot him on his way to Gbajimba to attend a religious function.
“The late John was a pastor with the Deeper Life Bible Church, Umenger. May the Lord receive his soul with mercy.”
Confirming the killings, Chairman, Guma Local Government Area, Caleb Aba, said there were separate attacks where four people were killed between Monday and Tuesday.
Aba stated, “On Monday, three persons – two females and a man – went to harvest locust beans on their farm at Nyivir and were shot.
“Also this morning (Tuesday), a pastor, who was going to Gbamjinba, was killed around Waku village.”
Efforts to confirm the two incidents from the state police command were not successful as calls put across to the Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, rang out and she did not respond to messages sent to her mobile telephone.
Suspected hoodlums have allegedly abducted a former Chairman of the Federated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council, Julius Osahon, and several others.
Osahon is The Guardian correspondent in Bayelsa.
A source said the journalist and the others, numbering about 17, were abducted on Monday evening in Ewreni community on the East-West Road in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The source said the gunmen shot the driver of the vehicle in which the journalists and the others were travelling.
“The gunmen have reportedly established contact with the journalist’s wife and are demanding N5 million ransom for his release,” the source said.
Meanwhile, a survivor of the attack, Lucky Egboyi, told journalists in Warri that they were returning from Bayelsa when they ran into the hoodlums who were operating on the road.
Egboyi, a Warri-based lawyer, said the hoodlums shot the driver of their vehicle before abducting the passengers.
“It was a narrow escape for me and a few others because we had to run into the bush,” he said.
Police spokesperson in Delta State, Bright Edafe, declined to comment on the incident when contacted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
“I will get back to you,” Edafe, a deputy superintendent of police, said in a response to an inquiry from a NAN reporter.
Abduction-for-ransom by criminal gangs has become one of the most prevalent crimes in Nigeria, rendering most of the nation’s highways unsafe for travellers.
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There is confusion presently among indigenes and residents of Ibadan, Oyo State over the promotion of two Mogajis as Jagun Balogun of Ibadan land, daily post has reported.
The title of Mogaji is synonymous with a family head.
Each Mogaji who wished to become the Olubadan is promoted to either Jagun Balogun or Jagun Olubadan and from there, move from one step to the other to become Olubadan.
However, it was gathered on Tuesday that two separate letters have been issued to two Mogajis from two different families to become Jagun Balogun.
The title of Jagun Balogun is meant for one person, but two people have been issued letters of appointment, the development which is causing serious confusion in the ancient city.
Investigations revealed that Chief Remi Ibrahim Babalola and Dotun Sanusi have been issued letters of appointment as Jagun Balogun of Ibadanland.
The situation is currently causing confusion among the indigenes and residents.
The two letters obtained on Tuesday had sparked heated arguments.
The letter issued to Dotun Sanusi was signed by the Secretary of the Olubadan Advisory Council. Sanusi is currently the Mojaji of the Olugbade family in Oja’ba area of Ibadan.
Another letter was issued to Remi Ibrahim Babalola and it was personally signed by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun.
Babalola is currently the Mogaji of Ogidi compound, Ajegede in Oke Ofa Atipe area of Ibadan.
However, one of the sources close to the Olubadan palace said the two letters would soon be withdrawn.
“They will withdraw the two letters. Three letters have been issued, one of them do not have controversy, but the two that have controversy will be withdrawn along with the third one”.
Another close personality to the Olubadan described the development as ‘administrative’ lapses. “It is an administrative lapse. The Olubadan will soon speak on the matter”.
Terrorists have again attacked Gidan train Station along the Abuja-Kaduna rail track.
Sources say the terrorists may have planted IEDs on the tracks forcing the train heading to Abuja from Kaduna to a stop.
This is the second attack within 24 hours along the same axis. Numbers of those injured and killed in the fresh attack are yet to be ascertained as at the time of filing this report.
At least seven persons were killed when terrorists attacked a train at Dutse village on Monday.
A young medical doctor, Megafu Chinelo, who was killed on Monday in the Abuja-Kaduna train attack was meant to travel out of the country on Friday, one of her friends has told Sahara Reporters.
It was earlier reported how bandits attacked the train which was on its way to Kaduna from Abuja on Monday night.
The gunmen were said to have blown up the rail track after which they launched an attack on the passengers.
The dentist was one of the over 970 passengers on board when the terrorists attacked the train.
Shortly after the attack, Chinelo took to her Twitter page at 9:43 pm asking Nigerians to pray for her.
“I’m in the train. I have been shot please pray for me,” she had tweeted.
Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, a friend of the deceased said, “Dr Chinelo was making an honest living, she was working at St Gerald's hospital in Kaduna, she wanted more for herself and processed her papers to leave this hell-hole.
“She resigned last month to leave the country this Friday then this happened. Nigeria why???”
Another friend of the deceased said, “Yes, it’s true, though I don’t know when she was meant to leave. May her soul Rest In Peace.”
The Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, has suspended its Abuja-Kaduna train service after terrorists blew off its train on Monday night, killing and injuring some passengers in the process.
The NRC made the announcement in a terse statement on its Twitter page.
In the ill-fated train, many are feared kidnapped and two confirmed dead, while others sustained injuries during the attack.
The NRC wrote on Tuesday, “Dear passengers, due to unforeseen circumstances, train operations along the Abuja-Kaduna route has been temporarily suspended.
“Further communication would be given in due course.”
A former Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, was among the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers who was shot by terrorists on Monday evening.
SaharaReporters learnt that Wakkala was shot on the leg and currently hospitalised.
Sources also confirmed to SaharaReporters that out of 15 patients brought to St. Gerald's Catholic Hospital in Kaduna, two had been confirmed dead, including a lady medical doctor with the hospital.
“A former Deputy Governor of Zamfara Malam Ibrahim Wakkala was equally shot on the leg. Out of 15 patients brought to St. Gerald's Catholic Hospital, two are dead including a lady medical Doctor with St Gerald.
“Two females moved to 44 Reference Hospital because of bullet wounds; they could not be treated at St Gerald's,” the source said.
On Monday night it was also reported that Muhammad Amin Mahmood, an aspirant in the just-concluded National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Northwest Zonal Youth Leadership, was shot during the attack on Monday.
The politician was on board the train and was one of those shot during the train ride which was heading to Kaduna from Abuja.
However, as of the time of filing this report, it was not clear how critical his injuries were or if he would survive.
Two cleaners and workers of the attacked Abuja-Kaduna train identified as Loretta and Abdul were confirmed dead.
There are at least 970 passengers on board the train, according to official sources familiar with the train service.
Armed persons Monday evening attacked a Kaduna-bound train carrying hundreds of passengers.
The train, which left Abuja at about 6 p.m., was attacked between Katari and Rijana.
Kaduna State Government confirmed the attack but said it was successfully repelled.
One of the passengers aboard the train, Anas Iro-Danmusa, took to Facebook to solicit for prayers for those in the train.
He said the armed persons planted explosives on the rail which damaged the train’s engines.
“Please this is an emergency. We are inside train at the moment. Kidnappers planted explosives and the train engines have been ruined. We are helpless. Abuja to Kaduna train. Gunshots still being fired right around us. We are just under the seats praying to God while waiting for help. Since 8pm we have been here. Btw Katari to Rijana. I am a living witness,” he posted.
His first post was around 9:07 p.m
According to him, the bandits had surrounded the train and made efforts to enter the coaches but the doors were not opening.
“Please, spread the news. We need help. Gunshots,” he posted.
Over an hour after his first post, Mr Danmusa said soldiers had arrived and repelled the attack.
Also, one Adam Hayatu took to Twitter to, quoting a passenger onboard the train, announce that passengers had been saved by security agents.
“Alhamdulillahi! The military have secured the train. Thank you DSS, thank you Kaduna CP, Thank you Samuel Aruwan, thank you DMI and all the classified persons who answered our calls without hesitation and actually acted upon it. God bless Nigeria and everyone.”
Daily Nigerian reported that there were 970 passengers onboard the train.
“All the passengers are currently lying on the floor of the train. The bandits are shooting sporadically. We are in serious danger,” a passenger told Daily Nigerian.
Kaduna police command spokesman, Mohammed Jalige, did not respond to calls and SMS sent to him on the attack.
However, Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna commissioner for internal security and home affairs, later confirmed the development in a statement.
According to him, several passengers sustained injuries, while security operatives are currently conducting “rescue efforts”.
Two persons - a cleaners and a worker of the attacked Abuja-Kaduna train - have been confirmed dead.
The two persons identified as Loretta and Abdul are confirmed to be the only casualty for now, in the fierce late night attack on the train.
Unofficial sources said also that some security personnel and passengers have been killed by the rampaging terrorists but their names have yet to be released.
This is not the first time bandits are attacking Abuja-Kaduna train. Last October, the bandits destroyed a portion of the rail track with explosives which disrupted the journey.
Managing director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria, confirmed that the explosives planted had damaged the track.
The Abuja-Kaduna train is very popular as it is considered safe compared to the road that has witnessed several attacks by armed persons.
The latest attack on the train may, however, cause many passengers to have a rethink.
Kaduna is one of the states most affected by banditry in North-west Nigeria with thousands of people killed or kidnapped in recent years.