Family of abducted Edo couple accuses activist of skimming from N20m ransom

Harrison Gwamnishu, a social media activist, has come under scrutiny after being accused of diverting N4.5 million from the money raised to pay ransom for a kidnapped couple in Edo state.

The couple, identified as Mr and Mrs Segiru, were kidnapped from their residence in Aviele community near Auchi, Edo state, on November 22.

Their abductors initially demanded N50 million, which the family later negotiated down to N20 million.

Gwamnishu, who works as a security mediator through his Safe City Volunteer Foundation, offered to deliver the ransom for real-time tracking with police and vigilantes.

He previously served as senior special assistant on civil society and youth mobilisation to Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta state, until his resignation in April over “government’s failure to act on security issues despite repeated warnings”.

According to AbdulGaniyu Ose, a family member of the victims, the sum of N20,050,000 was handed over to Gwamnishu. But when the money reached the kidnappers, they allegedly claimed it was incomplete, releasing only the wife.

In an X post, Ose alleged that the matter was reported to the area command in Auchi, and that Gwamnishu admitted to taking part of the money, of which he reportedly returned N5.4 million before allegedly fleeing the police station.

This is the face of a thief.
Harrison @HarrisonBbi18 stole from the ransom my family labored for over 10days to raise.

He was given #20m plus extra 50k for poorly counted money.
He stole from the ransom to free up my sister and her husband.

As it stands he's on the run. https://t.co/1ogoaW3MMn pic.twitter.com/KsU6097SW2
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— Dr. O3🩺 (@AbdulGaniyuOse1) December 3, 2025

However, in a rebuttal posted on his X handle, Gwamnishu said the family informed him that N20 million would secure the couple’s release.

“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,” Gwamnishu wrote.

“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.”

LAST POST FROM ME ON THIS ISSUE TILL THE VICTIM IS RELEASED.

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… pic.twitter.com/ORWuZlNOd6
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— Harrison Gwamnishu (@HarrisonBbi18) December 4, 2025