Activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, has responded after he was accused of diverting N20 million the family members of a couple abducted in Edo state raised as ransom for their release.
The couple, a pregnant woman and her husband., were abducted a few weeks ago and have been in captivity since then. The abductors initially demanded for N50 million ransom but the family negotiated it to N20 million. Last week, Harrison who has been in contact with the family members and working closely with them, shared a video of the couple from the kidnappers den appealing to Nigerians to come to their aid. The distraught husband mentioned that the abductors have threatened to sleep with his wife if the ransom is not paid.
However a few days later, On Wednesday, December 3, a man came online to accuse Harrison of diverting some of the money raised for the ransom of the abducted couple. He alleged that the couple raised N20 million, handed it over to Harrison for him to help hand it over to the abductors. He alleged that the abductors claimed the N20 million that was brought was incomplete and so they released only the pregnant wife. He claimed Harrison never mentioned anything about him keeping some money back until the abductors informed him it was incomplete. He claimed that when asked how much he removed, Harrison said he didn’t know. He claimed it was later discovered that Harrison removed N5.4 million from the ransom money.
Responding to the allegations, Harrison denied any of such claims. He stated that he told the family members that he would remove some money from the ransom but would not disclose the intention behind it for security reasons.
The Kidnappers demanded N50,000,000 from the family and the family negotiated with them. I don’t negotiate with kidnappers, my assistance is to follow them up using Tech which the Police, Military and local vigilantes are aware of.
The family raised N20,000,000 to the kidnappers and the kidnappers told them that they will free only the woman because they were begging that she’s pregnant. The family told me the kidnappers insisted on freeing only the woman.
On Monday, I received a phone call from them saying the kidnappers are requesting for N20,000,000 and I asked them for the two of them or just the woman. They said for the two.
My work is to follow up with the money so we can get a real time location and get the military to the exact location as we’ve done in the past with evidence to back it up.
They took the money to the kidnappers and they released only the woman and didn’t release the man. THE PEOPLE THAT WENT SAID THE MONEY WAS NOT COUNTED BY THE KIDNAPPERS TO KNOW IF IS BELOW N20,000,000 or above. They said the kidnappers only told them the money wasn’t complete and they should go.
They returned back and started a blame game and right in DPO Auchi’s office i explained to them the strategies and plans we use. They said why didn’t I tell them I said I did cos I remember telling them we will work on the money but how its going to happen is what is not supposed to be reviewed to anyone.
I have informed the authorities who brought me to Edo State and who understand better the strategy and I did not steal any money as alleged. I am open to investigation and the findings should be made public.”
Watch a video of the man making the allegation and Harrison responding below
