society
From Tap to Tragedy: How Poverty and Failures of Security Turned Two Palm-Wine Tappers into Victims of Ransom Killers.
From Tap to Tragedy: How Poverty and Failures of Security Turned Two Palm-Wine Tappers into Victims of Ransom Killers.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
“One killed after his family (who could only raise ₦10,000) tried to negotiate; a survivor’s testimony exposes a brutal economy of abduction and the human cost of state neglect.”
On a humid Thursday in late November 2025, two men climbed the same palm they had climbed for years to tap the sweet, living sap that feeds villages across the Niger Delta. Their trade is ancient, harmless and humble. What happened next (abduction, brutal bargaining and the merciless execution of one of the men after his family offered the only money they had, ₦10,000) reads like the darkest possible mirror held up to a failing social contract: when the state cannot protect its people, criminal markets thrive and ordinary lives become disposable.
The facts of the case are stark and chilling. Activists and community search teams, led on the ground by Harrison Gwamnishu, told rescuers that the two palm-wine tappers were seized in Emuhu, near Agbor in Delta State. A coordinated search that included local vigilantes, military personnel and police recovered one man alive in Urhonigbe, Edo State; the other had been executed by his captors. According to the survivor’s account, the family attempted to negotiate with the kidnappers but could only muster ₦10,000, an amount the abductors rejected before shooting their captive.
This killing is not an isolated cruelty. It is the local face of a national (and in some places transnational) economy in which kidnappers turn human lives into assets to be liquidated for cash. Over the past decade, kidnapping in Nigeria has mutated from political hostage-taking into an industrialized, decentralized business model that preys on rich and poor alike. What used to target expatriates or wealthy elites now regularly entraps rural workers, students and commuters, the very people least able to pay. Analysts and investigative reporting trace this evolution back to the Niger Delta militancy of the 1990s and 2000s; after formal militancy declined, many former fighters and criminal entrepreneurs shifted to kidnapping for ransom, which quickly proved more lucrative and less politically risky.
There are two interconnected dynamics at work that make incidents like the Emuhu abduction so deadly. First is the brutal arithmetic of poverty: families with no savings or social safety nets are forced to bargain with criminals from positions of abject weakness. Second is the erosion of effective state capability (intelligence, policing, rapid response) so that criminal groups can operate with near impunity. Nigeria’s own security officials have acknowledged gaps in human intelligence and logistical reach; generals and analysts point to poor information flow from communities and stretched resources across vast forested areas that provide cover for kidnappers. Those structural failures convert a modest ransom plea into a death sentence.
Listen to the human testimony. The rescued palm-wine tapper described how his colleague’s family produced the only cash they had (TEN THOUSAND NAIRA) and how the captors rejected it and executed the man. The survivor’s words are not simply anecdote; they are documentary proof of a market logic in which the value of human life is measured in naira and where poverty hands the executioner both MOTIVE and LEVERAGE. Activists who helped coordinate the search deplored the tragedy and warned that the Delta–Edo forest corridor is becoming an increasingly dangerous conduit for armed gangs.
Experts who study Nigerian insecurity say the solution cannot be only tougher raids or short-term operations. The SaharaWeeklyNG.com and other analysts underline an important truth: kidnapping has flourished because it pays, and because accountability is weak. Business models adapt; outlaw entrepreneurs respond to returns. When ransom is collected with impunity and kidnappers remain largely unprosecuted, criminality scales. That is why, some analysts argue, narrow militarized responses without simultaneous social and economic remediation will only produce temporary rescues and not systemic safety.
A humane but urgent policy prescription follows from these realities. First: rebuild community intelligence and trust. Security responses must be coordinated with local leaders, vigilante groups and civil society so that early warning is possible and families feel safe to report threats. Second: implement social protection and livelihood programmes targeted at high-risk rural communities and helping families build small savings and access emergency support would reduce the painful bargaining power asymmetry that made ₦10,000 the sum that sealed a man’s fate. Third: deliver accountable justice and dismantle ransom syndicates through sustained investigations and prosecutions so that kidnapping no longer appears to be a low-risk, high-reward business. Fourth: provide trauma support for survivors and victims’ families; the psychological damage to communities is long-term and corrosive. These are not abstract recommendations: they are the obvious steps a responsible state must take to restore the minimum of public safety.
There is fierce debate about ransom policy. Some governments and analysts advocate strict bans on ransom payments, arguing that money fuels criminal networks; others point out the immediate moral obligation families and communities feel to save lives are often by paying. Nigeria has wrestled with this dilemma in law and public debate; whatever the legal regime, enforcement without community support can backfire, while a blanket ban without realistic alternative support risks condemning hostages to death. The Emuhu case demonstrates the tragic dilemma: families that cannot pay face atrocity, while those who can pay may inadvertently fund future crimes.
Beyond policy, this story is a moral indictment. A nation that allows a palm-wine tapper to be murdered after his family produces the only cash in their pockets is failing the most basic responsibilities of governance. The scene is both painfully specific and horribly symbolic: the palm tree that sustained a smallholder’s work becomes a site of extortion and murder. For readers and leaders alike, the question must be not only how to punish those responsible, but how to protect the vulnerable in the first place. That requires political will, budgetary commitment and leadership that recognises security as a public good, not merely a campaign talking point.
Finally, there is the human call. Security agencies, civil society and media must keep the spotlight on these cases so they do not fade into the background noise of daily violence. Families must be supported (financially, legally and psychologically) and perpetrators must be hunted without favour. If Nigeria is serious about reversing the lucrative trade in human suffering, it must combine immediate rescue capacity with longer-term economic inclusion, judicial accountability and local empowerment. Only then will the next generation of palm-wine tappers climb trees without fearing that the act of their labour will be their last.
The murdered man is more than a statistic. He had a name, a family, a daily rhythm that began and ended with honest labour. The shame of his death (over a sum so small it could not even buy a market basket) should shame every institution that claims to protect citizens. Let his story be a CATALYST for CHANGE: not RHETORIC, but concrete programmes that make poverty less lethal and make criminal markets less profitable. That is the measure of a society’s humanity.
Reporting for this article relied on eyewitness accounts and local activist reports from Emuhu and Agbor, Delta State; coverage from Sahara Reporters and local news outlets; and analysis from international reporting on Nigeria’s kidnapping economy.
George Omagbemi Sylvester is a freelance journalist focusing on politics and security in West Africa. Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com.
society
Stop Means Stop”: Legal Experts Warn Ignoring ‘Stop’ During Intimate Acts Can Be Criminally Punishable
“Stop Means Stop”: Legal Experts Warn Ignoring ‘Stop’ During Intimate Acts Can Be Criminally Punishable
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG
“Grounded in international law and consent principles, legal authorities stress that continuing sexual activity after a partner withdraws consent may constitute sexual assault and lead to imprisonment.”
A growing body of legal interpretation and expert opinion reaffirm that consent in intimate encounters is not a one-off event but an ongoing requirement; withdrawn at any time by either participant. Legal practitioners and rights advocates are increasingly warning that if one partner clearly says “stop” during sexual activity and the other continues, this conduct can constitute a criminal offence with significant penalties, including imprisonment.
Consent must be “a voluntary agreement to engage in the sexual activity in question,” and crucially can be revoked at any stage. Once a partner expresses withdrawal of consent (by words like “stop” or by unmistakable conduct) the other party is legally obligated to cease all activity immediately. Failure to respect this is widely recognised in multiple legal jurisdictions as sexual assault or rape.
Professor Deborah Rhode, a prominent authority on legal ethics, has stated: “Respect for autonomy and bodily integrity lies at the core of consent law. Ignoring a partner’s withdrawal of consent undermines basic personal freedoms and is treated as a serious offence in criminal law.”
According to experts, this legal principle is not limited to strangers but applies equally to long-term partners and spouses. The Criminal Code in many countries explicitly rejects implied or blanket consent based on relationship status.
Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney has similarly emphasised that clear communication and mutual agreement are essential, and that “once consent is withdrawn, any continued sexual activity crosses the line into criminal conduct.”
This means that in places where consent law is well-established, ignoring an explicit “stop” can lead to charges of sexual assault, with courts interpreting such conduct as a violation of an individual’s autonomy and dignity.
The issue has gained media and legal attention in recent years across numerous jurisdictions (including Canada, parts of Europe, and reform discussions in U.S. states) as courts and legislatures clarify that sexual consent is continuous and revocable at any time. Although no globally consolidated database exists of individual cases tied specifically to a news report on this warning, reputable legal frameworks consistently reinforce that continuing after “stop” is unlawful.
The subject engages legal scholars, criminal law practitioners, human rights experts, and statutory bodies advocating sexual violence prevention. Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors may pursue charges when clear evidence shows that consent was withdrawn and ignored.
In practice, consent frameworks require that the person initiating or continuing sexual activity take reasonable steps to ensure ongoing affirmation of willingness. Silence, passive behaviour, or failure to stop when asked cannot substitute for ongoing consent.
In summary, the legal maxim is clear: verbal or unambiguous withdrawal of consent must be respected. Ignoring it shifts the encounter from consensual to criminal, potentially resulting in serious legal consequences including imprisonment.
Lagos Family Property Dispute Turns Violent After Death of Chief Omotayo Ojo
By Ifeoma Ikem
A festering family dispute over property has escalated into a series of violent attacks in Lagos, leaving residents of a contested apartment in fear for their safety.
Mrs. Omotayo-Ojo-Alolagbe (Nee Omotayo-Ojo) the third child and first daughter of the late Omotayo Ojo, has alleged repeated assaults and destruction of property by her siblings from her father’s other marriages.
According to her account, hostility against her began while her father was still alive, allegedly fueled by the affection and support he showed her. She claimed that tensions worsened after his death in 2019.
Mrs. Alolagbe stated that her late father had given her a particular apartment during his lifetime, assuring her she would not suffer hardship, especially after her husband left the marriage. She said the property became her primary source of livelihood and shelter.
However, she alleged that her siblings had sold off several other family properties and were determined to dispossess her of the apartment allocated to her by their father.
The dispute reportedly turned violent on Nov. 15, 2025, when unknown persons allegedly attacked the building. She said the incident prompted her to petition the Chief Judge of Lagos State and the Commissioner of Police.
Despite the pending legal proceedings, she alleged that another attack occurred on Jan. 21, 2026. During that incident, parts of the building were vandalised, including the walkway and the main gate, which was reportedly removed.
A third attack was said to have taken place on Feb.18, 2026, during which the roof, gates, and sections of the walkway were allegedly dismantled. Residents were reportedly assaulted, and some were allegedly forced to part with money under duress.
Tenants in the apartment complex are said to be living in fear amid the repeated invasions, expressing concern over their safety and uncertainty about further violence.
Mrs. Alolagbe alleged that the attacks were led by a man identified as Mr. Alliu, popularly known as aka “Champion,” whom she described as a political thug. She claimed he arrived with a group of about 50 men, allegedly brandishing weapons and breaking bottles to intimidate residents.
She further alleged that the group boasted of connections with senior police officers, politicians in Lagos State, and even the presidency, claiming they were untouchable.
According to her, some arrests were initially made following the incidents, but the suspects were later released. She expressed concern that the alleged perpetrators continue to threaten her, making it difficult for her to move freely.
She also disclosed that during a meeting on Feb. 23, 2026, an Area Commander reportedly told her that little could be done because the matter was already before a court of law.
The development has raised concerns about the enforcement of law and order in civil disputes that degenerate into violence, particularly when court cases are pending.
As tensions persist, residents and observers are calling on relevant authorities to ensure the safety of lives and properties ,while allowing the courts to determine ownership and bring lasting resolution to the dispute.
Adron Homes Introduces Special Ramadan Offer with Discounts and Gift Rewards
As the holy month of Ramadan inspires reflection, sacrifice, and generosity, Adron Homes and Properties Limited has unveiled its special Ramadan Promo, encouraging families, investors, and aspiring homeowners to move beyond seasonal gestures and embrace property ownership as a lasting investment in their future.
The company stated that the Ramadan campaign, running from January 20th to April 6th, 2026, is designed to help Nigerians build long-term value and stability through accessible real estate opportunities. The initiative offers generous discounts, flexible payment structures, and meaningful Ramadan-themed gifts across its estates and housing projects nationwide.
Under the promo structure, clients enjoy a 30% discount on land purchases alongside a convenient 36-month flexible payment plan, making ownership more affordable and stress-free.
In the spirit of the season, the company has also attached thoughtful rewards to qualifying payments. Clients who pay ₦200,000 receive a Provision Hamper to support their household during the fasting period, while those who pay ₦400,000 receive an Automated Prayer Mat to enhance their spiritual experience throughout Ramadan.
According to the company, the Ramadan Promo reflects its commitment to aligning lifestyle, faith, and financial growth, enabling Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to secure appreciating assets while observing a season centered on discipline and forward planning.
Reiterating its dedication to secure land titles, prime locations, and affordable pricing, Adron Homes urged prospective buyers to take advantage of the limited-time Ramadan campaign to build a future grounded in stability, prosperity, and generational wealth.
This promo covers estates located in Lagos, Shimawa, Sagamu, Atan–Ota, Papalanto, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Osun, Ekiti, Abuja, Nasarawa, and Niger states.
As Ramadan calls for purposeful living and wise decisions, Adron Homes is redefining the season, transforming reflection into investment and faith into a lasting legacy.
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