PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — A criminal conspiracy took an unprecedented turn in Rivers State when a gang of kidnappers turned against the man who had hired them to abduct his own siblings, taking him hostage instead.
The mastermind, identified as Adawari Samuel Ogolo, is currently being held in an undisclosed hideout by the very syndicate he contracted to kidnap his elder brother, Tammy Samuel Ogolo, and his sister.
A Failed Betrayal
Sources reveal that Adawari was finalizing the logistical details and coordination for the double abduction during a clandestine meeting with the armed gang in Port Harcourt. The plot backfired when the criminals abruptly aborted the contract and turned their weapons on Adawari.
The abductors reportedly rejected the assignment after discovering the identity of the intended target, stating that the elder brother, Tammy, is “a good man with a kind heart” who is well-regarded for his benevolence. The gang subsequently seized Adawari and drove him away to an unknown destination.
Pastoral Family Targeted
Adawari is the first son of the second wife of Senior Pastor Samuel Ogolo, the General Overseer of a prominent new-generation church based in the Rivers State capital.
Following the abduction of the mastermind, the syndicate established contact with the pastoral family. Rather than proceeding with the initial extortion plot against the younger siblings, the kidnappers are now demanding a ₦10 million ransom from the family to secure Adawari’s release.
Security and Legal Implications
The bizarre incident has triggered widespread reactions across Rivers State, highlighting the complex internal dynamics of local kidnapping syndicates.
Security personnel are tracking the gang’s communication lines to locate the hideout. Legal analysts note that if Adawari is rescued alive by law enforcement, he will transition from a victim to a prime suspect, facing severe prosecution under state anti-kidnapping laws for orchestrating the initial criminal plot.
