Prominent human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu on Friday rejected accusations of misappropriating part of a N20 million ransom paid to secure the release of a kidnapped couple in Edo State, insisting his involvement was solely to assist security forces with tracking technology.
The dispute centres on the November 22 abduction of Mr and Mrs Segiru from their home in Aviele community near Auchi, where gunmen demanded an initial N50 million.
The couple’s family crowdfunded N20 million plus an extra N50,000, leading to the wife’s release – reportedly pregnant at the time – while her husband remains in captivity after kidnappers claimed the payment was incomplete.
Abdulganiyu Oseni, the wife’s elder brother, levelled direct allegations against Gwamnishu on social media.
“This is the face of a thief. Harrison stole from the ransom my family laboured for over 10 days to raise,” Oseni posted on X. “He was given N20m plus an extra 50k for poorly counted money. He stole from the ransom to free up my sister and her husband.”
Oseni added: “He’s a thief. Say it as it is. He knew, and he still refused the ransom money. Risking people’s lives. He’s a thief, and there is no sugarcoating.”
Gwamnishu, founder of the recently registered Safe City Volunteer Foundation, countered in a detailed Facebook response, explaining his role.
“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,” he wrote. “The family raised N20,000,000 for the kidnappers, and the kidnappers told them that they would free only the woman because they were begging that she was pregnant.”
He described the handover: “They took the money to the kidnappers, and they released only the woman and didn’t release the man. The people who went said the kidnappers did not count the money… They said the kidnappers only told them the money wasn’t complete and they should go.”
Gwamnishu admitted remitting N5.4 million to the Auchi Area Police Command amid the fallout, with his vehicle detained there, but maintained no theft occurred and invited probes by police, the Department of State Services, and military authorities.
The Edo State Police spokesperson, Moses Yamu, said: “I will get back to you as soon as I get the facts of the incident.”
Social media influencer VeryDarkMan claimed credit for pushing authorities to detain Gwamnishu briefly in Benin, though the activist’s current status remains unclear.
The case highlights risks in informal mediation during Nigeria’s rampant kidnappings, particularly in northern and central regions, where families often resort to private negotiators amid distrust in official channels.
No charges have been filed as investigations continue.
