Fresh revelations from the lawyer of human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu have intensified the swirling online controversy over his alleged diversion of ransom funds in a high-stakes kidnapping case in Edo State.
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As social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), erupt with videos, accusations, and defenses, the narrative shared by Delta State Governor’s aide Ossai Ovie Success on Facebook paints a picture of sophisticated tracking tactics gone awry, police procedural disputes, and a desperate push to rescue the sole remaining victim: the abducted husband’s life hanging in the balance.
The drama unfolded after the November 22 abduction of a pregnant woman, Aisha Segiru (also referred to as Mrs. Wahab in some reports), and her husband from their home in Aviele community near Auchi. Kidnappers initially demanded ₦50 million, negotiated down to ₦20 million through crowdfunding efforts. Gwamnishu, founder of the Safe City Volunteer Foundation, volunteered as a mediator, leveraging his experience in anti-kidnapping operations along Edo Delta borders. But what began as a rescue bid has devolved into a public feud, with family members accusing him of pocketing ₦5.4 million claims that exploded online on Thursday, December 5.
In the account circulating widely, Gwamnishu’s lawyer detailed a covert strategy to embed a tracking chip in the ransom bundle: real cash was partially swapped with “prototype look-alike money” to accommodate the device, which cannot be inserted into genuine notes. The displaced funds, the lawyer insisted, are routinely returned post-rescue to avoid alerting criminals.
“A relative of the abducted couple was allegedly present during the preparation of the ransom money but later denied seeing the process,” the narration stated, shared verbatim by Ossai on his Facebook page. During the midnight bush delivery, masked bandits seized the package and freed only the pregnant woman, leaving her husband captive — a partial success marred by the incomplete payment, per family claims.
Gwamnishu reportedly escorted the family to Auchi Police Station, where he explained the tracking method amid questions over the shortfall. He then surrendered the withheld ₦5.4 million to officers before departing. Undeterred, he voluntarily reported to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Benin for debriefing.
Here, tensions peaked: Police allegedly requested Gwamnishu “act as though he was returning the money” for evidentiary photos, later drafting a search warrant falsely claiming recovery from his hotel room a fabrication the lawyer vehemently rejected, leading to Gwamnishu’s detention. “The widely circulated claim of a 14-day detention order never happened,” the account asserted. As of Saturday, Gwamnishu remains remanded in Benin Prison, with social media influencer VeryDarkMan (VDM) claiming credit for pushing his arrest after a “thorough investigation.”
The lawyer emphasized the chip’s ongoing activity: “Gwamnishu is willing to assist the Police in tracing the kidnappers’ location and securing the release of the remaining victim.” With the disputed ₦5.4 million now in police custody, the narrative questions the uproar’s focus: “Why has attention shifted to the activist rather than moving into the bush to rescue the abducted man?”
X has been a tinderbox since Thursday, flooded with viral videos from family spokesman Dr. Abdul Ganiyu Oseni (@Abdulganiyu0se1), who branded Gwamnishu a “thief” for risking lives by tampering with countable funds. Oseni alleged Gwamnishu pocketed the sum and only returned it under pressure at the station, prompting calls for prosecution.
Gwamnishu fired back in a Facebook video, denying theft outright: “Nobody stole any money from anywhere. I only went there to save lives… I informed the authorities who brought me to Edo State and who understand better the strategy.” He accused detractors of a smear campaign, warning that full disclosure could endanger the captive husband or tip off kidnappers. “They praise you when you succeed and crucify you when a mission doesn’t go as planned,” he lamented.
Enter VDM (Martins Vincent Otse), whose videos amplified the family’s side, including footage of Gwamnishu allegedly returning funds. “I pushed for his arrest… Harrison has always had issues with financial accountability,” VDM declared, expressing disappointment in the activist’s “weakness: MONEY.” He denied jealousy, insisting it was about truth, and noted Gwamnishu’s truck was impounded at a station.
Supporters, however, rallied: One X user decried Nigeria’s chaos, questioning why a volunteer mediator faces scrutiny while the husband languishes. Another highlighted Gwamnishu’s fee-free negotiation from ₦50M to ₦20M, calling the backlash misguided. Hashtags like #HarrisonGwamnishu and #EdoKidnap trended, with posts amassing thousands of views.
The lawyer’s post hinted at ulterior motives: “Bad blood” between Gwamnishu and “some powers that be,” exacerbated by his past controversies, including prior financial probes. Barrister Favour Ajuebor echoed this, blasting VDM’s role and vowing action by Monday: “Why record Harrison ab initio if there wasn’t something scripted?” He posed six pointed questions, from the family’s rescue priorities to the remand’s legitimacy.
The saga spotlights Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis, where civilians like Gwamnishu fill voids left by overstretched security. The lawyer lambasted this “increasing reliance on private citizens to interface with dangerous criminal groups, while security agencies remain on the sidelines.” He accused the family of favoring “online narratives over rescue operations” and urged police to lead any bush incursions warning Gwamnishu against returning: “The police should take full control.”
Gwamnishu, who insists his role was limited to tracking and tech support not negotiation or fund handling called for an independent probe by journalists or agencies like the DSS. “Despite previous shortcomings, he should not be condemned unless a competent court finds him guilty,” the lawyer added.
As of press time, Edo State Police Command has not responded to inquiries.
In a nation weary of insecurity, this case equal parts heroism and suspicion raises uncomfortable truths: Who polices the rescuers when the state falters? For Gwamnishu, once hailed for forest raids with security forces, the line between savior and suspect has blurred perilously.
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