Ofure Akhigbe
The family of an abducted Edo couple and a security activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, are locked in a public dispute following allegations of ransom diversion, with the latest exchange unfolding on Friday, December 5, 2025.
Mr and Mrs Segiru were kidnapped on November 22, 2025, at their residence in Aviele community near Auchi, Edo State.
A source close to the family said Gwamnishu contacted Abdulganiyu Oseni, elder brother of the kidnapped woman, and offered to mediate through his Safe City Volunteer Foundation. After learning that the kidnappers demanded N50 million as ransom, the activist reportedly called for government intervention to secure the couple’s release.
Oseni, in a post on his X handle on Thursday, alleged that Gwamnishu assured the family he would not charge for his services but later collected N20 million ransom and an additional N50,000, which he allegedly diverted for personal use.
“This is the face of a thief. Harrison stole from the ransom my family laboured for over 10 days to raise. He was given N20 million plus an extra N50,000. He admitted and remitted N5.4 million to the Auchi Area Police Command before he fled. His car is currently being detained at the station,” Oseni wrote.
He further alleged that Gwamnishu’s actions endangered the couple’s lives, noting that the kidnappers had warned that the ransom would be carefully counted.
However, in a lengthy Facebook post on Friday, Gwamnishu denied the allegations, insisting that he neither handled nor diverted any ransom money. He said the kidnappers initially demanded N50 million, which the family negotiated down to N20 million.
“The family raised N20 million. I do not negotiate with kidnappers; my role is to track ransom movement using technology in collaboration with security agencies,” he stated.
He added that the kidnappers later insisted on releasing only the woman, allegedly because they found the ransom incomplete. While the wife was released, the husband remains in captivity.
Gwamnishu also said he travelled to Auchi at his own expense to assist in the operation and denied receiving any payment for his involvement. He invited the police, the Department of State Services and the military to investigate the matter.
When contacted on Saturday, December 6, 2025, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, said he was yet to receive full details of the incident.
“I will get back to you as soon as I get the complete report,” he said.