Activist Harrison Gwamnishu, abducted Edo couple’s family face-off over ransom diversion allegation

Picture collage of activist Harrison Gwamnishu and the abducted couple. Credit: GistReel

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A self-proclaimed security mediator and activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, has been accused of stealing from the crowdfunded ransom meant to secure a couple, Mr and Mrs Segiru, who were kidnapped at their residence in Aviele community near Auchi, Edo State, on November 22, 2025.

According to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity but is privy to the matter, Gwamnishu allegedly contacted Abdulganiyu Oseni, the elder brother of the kidnapped wife, to help mediate in the release of the couple through his Safe City Volunteer Foundation.

He condemned the act and also called for the intervention of the Federal Government and the Edo State Government in securing the release of the couple after learning that the kidnappers were requesting N50 million as ransom.

The activist had previously used his foundation, which he described as “a registered not-for-profit organisation responsible for supporting security agencies with technical and media coverage showing their efforts in curbing crime,” to advocate for the release of kidnapped victims along the borders of Edo and Delta states.

He sometimes posts videos on his social media showing him and security personnel combing the forest for criminals, including kidnappers, while wielding recovered rifles from most operations.

However, in a new twist, Oseni, in a claim on his X handle, #Abdulganiyu0se1, on Thursday, said he had personally asked Gwamnishu if he charges for his help in raising a ransom, which he declined to, saying “his help is free”.

He continued that the activist had received N20 million ransom and additional N50,000 crowdfunded by the family to secure the release of the couple, but it was allegedly diverted for the activist’s personal use.

“This is the face of a thief. Harrison stole from the ransom my family laboured for over 10 days to raise. 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. As it stands, he’s on the run.

“He admitted and remitted N5.4m to the Auchi Area Police Command before he fled. His car is currently being detained at the same police station. Nigerians are evil people. Tf do you steal ransom for the lives of a couple?” he wrote.

He insisted that the activist was a “thief” who risked the couple’s lives despite being told that the kidnappers would count the money sent to them.

“He’s a thief. Say it as it is. He was told that these people would count this money. He knew, and he still refused the ransom money. Risking people’s lives. He’s a thief, and there is no sugarcoating,” he added.

Reacting to the allegation in a multiple lengthy Facebook post on Friday, Gwamnishu denied the claim, saying that the kidnappers demanded N50 million ransom from the family, and they negotiated with them and raised N20 million.

He added that he travelled to Auchi on his own to assist, without discussing or receiving payment, while maintaining that his role was to track the ransom using technology to help authorities locate the kidnappers, and did not involve taking any money.

He wrote, “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 for the kidnappers, and the kidnappers told them that they would free only the woman because they were begging that she was 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 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.”

Clarifying on why only the wife was released without the husband, the activist said it was because the kidnappers made an allegation that the ransom of N20 million that the family pleaded for was incomplete.

“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 to determine whether it was below N20 million or above. They said the kidnappers only told them the money wasn’t complete and they should go.

“They returned 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 would work on the money, but how it’s going to happen is not supposed to be reviewed by anyone.”

Gwamnishu said he would prefer to remain silent to protect the safety of the man who is still in captivity while inviting authorities, including journalists, to investigate the incident, and that he is open to a public inquiry by the police, the Department of State Services, and the military.

When our correspondent contacted the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, on Saturday, he promised to get back once he had the complete reports of the incident.

“I will get back to you as soon as I get the facts of the incident,” he said.

Meanwhile, a check by PUNCH Online revealed that Gwamnishu’s Safe City Volunteer Foundation was registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission on September 5, 2025, as a foundation-based association.

Adekunle, a fellow of Data and Solutions Journalism, has over four years experience with competences in data journalism and investigations.

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