HOW GUNMEN KIDNAPPED MONGUNO

. Abductors demand ransom – Son

The gunmen who kidnapped Shettima Ali Monguno at the Mafoni Juma’at mosque in Maiduguri fired several gunshots into the air to disperse the people before fleeing with the 92-year-old elder statesman, witnesses said.
Though no group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, many are blaming it on the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, also known as Boko Haram, whose members have been enmeshed in series of kidnappings in the last few months.
Worshippers at the Mafoni Mosque, which is situated in the heart of Maiduguri metropolis, said Monguno, who once lived in the area,  has been  patronizing the mosque for decades and the abductors had carefully perfected their plan and executed it without resistance.
Despite the high concentration of Boko Haram insurgents in Mafoni, the elder statesman has maintained close contacts with his extended family members, friends, neighbours and acquaintances, who are still living there. 

Weekly Trust gathered that Monguno was kidnapped minutes before 2pm, shortly after the Friday congregational prayers, by a four -man gang which whisked him into a waiting vehicle and disappeared. 
A witness said the Friday congregation, with large concentration of old women and children, burst into tears when the elder statesman was seized from the hands of some people who were helping him to get to his private car.  
Monguno has been an advocate of peaceful resolution to the Boko Haram crisis. “(He) referred to the insurgents as Yaana (i.e. sons of Borno), and has been appealing to them to stop violence and champion their course through peaceful means,” said one of the sources. 
Demand for ransom
“The abductors got in touch and they put my father through on the phone, he spoke to us and said that he was fine. They made a ransom demand,” the ex-minister’s son, Abubakar Ali Monguno told AFP, declining to give a figure.
Weekly Trust also heard from other sources close to the family and government that the kidnappers have demanded for “huge ransom” but did not say the exact amount. 
“The family is in contact with the abductors…they wanted large sum of money but our major concern is the safety of the old man who is extremely frail because of old age,” the source said.
Spokesman of the Borno Elders Forum, Dr Bulama Mali Gubio last night told Weekly Trust that elder statesman Shettima Ali Monguno was not released as at 10.45pm, but there is optimism that the abductors will let the old man go.
“We believe he (Monguno) will be released soon. Communication has been established and the old man has spoken with his wife and son. He is in stable condition, though it is a fact that going by his age, he must be traumatized by the abduction,” Gubio said.
Mafoni is one of the red spots in Maiduguri where fightings had ensued severally between operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and suspected members of Boko Haram that led to the killing of many people and burning of houses and business outlets.
At a time, the whole settlement was deserted. Even now, many residents had refused to return to their houses. But Monguno continues to go to the mosque every Friday to interact with hundreds of children and adults, some of whom named after him.
The elder statesman now lives in a dwarf fenced twin duplex house, guarded by local aged guardsmen in the GRA close to the Government House. He has no formal security and attends public and private functions with only his driver and one of his private aides.
Shettima deeply touched
Meanwhile, Governor Kashim Shettima yesterday expressed shock and dismay over the abduction of Monguno, whom he said has dedicated the whole of his life to humanity.
The governor, who visited the house of the elder statesman, held meetings with security chiefs, members of the Borno Elders Forum (BEF) and family members of the old man.
Sources at the Government House said Shettima has also reached out to the Presidency.
The governor, who spoke to newsmen at the house of Monguno before the commencement of his meeting with key stakeholders, said he was very optimistic that by Allah’s will, the elder will regain his freedom.
At the meeting, Weekly Trust learnt, Shettima wondered why the 92-year-old man who has dedicated his life to helping orphans, widows, vulnerable children in the society; offering scholarships, building schools, feeding the poor and even advocating for peaceful negotiation and amnesty for members of the Boko Haram could be abducted in a broad day light.
“I strongly believe that the age and the unmatchable philanthropic disposition of this man (Monguno) should serve as immunity for him against the excesses of everybody,” Shettima reportedly said during a meeting and prayer session with Monguno’s family members. 
Credible government sources also said Shettima is making various contacts to ensure the release of Monguno without jeopardizing the old man’s safety.
Members of the Borno Elders Forum (BEF) also met with Governor Kashim Shettima as well as security chiefs in the state over the abduction Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno in Maiduguri yesterday.
Ambassador Gaji Galtimari, who once headed the Presidential Committee on Insecurity in the North East, confirmed to journalists that Monguno has been kidnapped before the meeting commenced. He, however, declined to speak further.
Weekly Trust reports that operatives of the JTF have already taken over the residence of the elder statesman at the GRA, making it difficult for sympathizers to have access to the once “free entry and exit” house.
Journalists saw soldiers, policemen, SSS and other security operatives in and outside the house. Before now, it is very common to see old women and students trooping to Monguno’s house for various reasons. 
From bombing to kidnapping
The JTF was yet to issue any statement on the kidnapping of Monguno as at press time, but last week, it warned that the Boko Haram has perfected plans on kidnapping notable figures to augment their purse.
A statement by JTF’s spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa, reads in part: “Security measures adopted by the JTF make it difficult or impossible for Boko Haram terrorists and other criminals to conduct successful bank robbery operations in Borno State. 
“Consequently, intelligence available to the Task Force has indicated that Boko Haram terrorists had resolved to concentrate more on kidnappings than robbery. They alleged that kidnapping is more lucrative, less dangerous and requires short time to plan and execute. Similarly, a special kidnapping squad has been earmarked and tasked by Boko Haram sect to kidnap persons who could be wealthy relation, politicians, businessman/woman, traditional ruler, senior civil servants and foreigners alike.
“The Task Force wishes to alert members of the public of this trend, urge all to be wary and continue to be security conscious at all times. The public are advised to avoid or be very sensitive to strangers and friends that have not been in contact for long. Additionally, members of the public are also warned to avoid isolated areas and shun meetings or friendship organized through telephones or social media,” the statement said.
A week ago, the General Manager of Borno Water Board Alhaji Baba Gujbawu was kidnapped at his Maiduguri residence at gunpoint and bundled into a waiting vehicle by a four man gang who took him to unknown destination.
Cases of kidnappings are now rampant in Maiduguri and environs. In February, this year a university lecturer, Dr. Abba Kagu, was kidnapped. Just last week, Boko Haram was paid more than $3m (about N500m) before releasing seven members of a French family, according to a confidential report seen by Reuters news agency. The report did not say who paid the money and both France and Cameroon denied paying a ransom.
‘Fearless and sincere’
Born in 1926, Monguno had his education in Nigeria and abroad. He was a member of the Nigerian Parliament in 1959; education secretary and councilor for education, works and social welfare in Maiduguri between 1959 and 1965. Monguno was Federal minister for Air Force and internal affair 1965-66; federal commissioner for trade and industries 1967-71  and minister mines and power, petroleum and energy 1972-75. He once held the rotating presidency of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 1972.
Monguno, a fearless and outspoken individual, who comments on virtually every national issue, is the chairman of the Borno Elders Forum (BEF) and meetings are mostly held at his residence. During the recent visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Maiduguri over the protracted Boko Haram crisis, Monguno, who many say is as fearless as he is sincere in his words, faulted the president who said the insurgents are faceless and deserve no amnesty and insisted on dialogue with members of the sect.
“To be frank, Mr. President, but for dialogue, you wouldn’t have become the President of this country today. Our founding fathers who got together and begged the British government to hand over the reins of government had to sit together and forget their differences and agreed that if given, we will live together in harmony, we will respect each other.
“Mr. President, sometimes we wonder whether you are running a military government, a democracy or something called diarchy. We can hardly put our finger on what type of government you are running, Mr. President. We hope the labours of our heroes past shall not be in vain.
“Mr. President, I should advise you to relate more with the governments of northern Nigeria...I have a feeling that there is something like misunderstanding between you Mr. President who has the responsibility of running the entire country and the governors of 19 northern states. We have told them too to always be together,” Monguno said.

Source: Daily Trust