The Digest:
Activist and security mediator Harrison Gwamnishu is at the centre of a fierce dispute after being accused of diverting part of a crowdfunded ransom meant to secure an abducted couple in Edo State. The family alleges he stole from the N20 million payment, while Gwamnishu denies wrongdoing, stating his role was only to track the ransom using technology.
Key Points:
- Activist Harrison Gwamnishu is accused of stealing a N20 million ransom raised for a kidnapped Edo couple.
- The couple, Mr and Mrs Segiru, were abducted from their Aviele home near Auchi on November 22.
- The wife's brother, Abdulganiyu Oseni, claims Gwamnishu diverted funds and fled after remitting only N5.4 million to the police.
- Gwamnishu denies handling the money, saying his role is to technologically track ransoms to aid security forces.
- He states the kidnappers released only the wife, alleging the ransom was incomplete.
- The activist has invited the police, DSS, and military to investigate the allegations publicly.
- Edo State Police PPRO Moses Yamu said he would provide details after receiving full reports.
- Gwamnishu’s Safe City Volunteer Foundation was registered with the CAC in September 2025.
This controversy casts a harsh light on the perilous, unregulated space of private crisis negotiation and crowdfunded ransoms in Nigeria’s kidnapping epidemic.
Sources: Punch Newspapers, family statements, Harrison Gwamnishu's social media.
