Nigeria: Harrison Gwamnishu and the Edo kidnapping ransom dispute

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

A fresh wave of claims and counter‑claims has surrounded human‑rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu following a ransom‑delivery operation for a kidnapped couple in Edo State. The controversy began after a relative of the victims accused Gwamnishu of withholding part of the ransom, prompting a flood of online accusations that he “ran away” with the money  

 kidnappers involves mixing real cash with prototype notes that contain a tracking chip. Because the chip cannot be placed in genuine currency, a portion of the cash is removed, held temporarily, and later returned to the family after a successful rescue  

According to the lawyer’s account, the ransom was delivered in the bush at night. Masked bandits took the money and released only the pregnant woman, leaving her husband still captive. After the handover, Gwamnishu escorted the family to the Auchi police station, explained the tracking procedure, and handed over the removed cash to officers before leaving town. He later presented himself at the Edo State Police Command in Benin for further clarification  

The police have been asked to “act as though he was returning the money” for documentation, and a search warrant was allegedly prepared claiming the cash was recovered from Gwamnishu’s hotel room—a claim the lawyer rejected, leading to Gwamnishu’s brief detention. The lawyer insists the alleged 14‑day detention never occurred and that the tracking chip remains active, with Gwamnishu willing to assist authorities in locating the kidnappers and securing the husband’s release  

The lawyer also criticized the growing reliance on private citizens to negotiate with criminal groups while security agencies stay on the sidelines, and accused the victims’ family of prioritizing online narratives over rescue efforts. He urged Gwamnishu not to return to the bush and called for the police to take full control of the operation.

As of the latest report, the Edo State Police Command has not issued a detailed statement, and the investigation remains ongoing. The disputed N5.4 million is said to be in police custody, and the activist maintains his innocence pending a formal court finding.