Chinese expatriate kidnapped at Kwara mining site still held captive
Forty-seven days after gunmen abducted a Chinese expatriate at a mining site in Oreke-Oke, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, the victim is yet to regain freedom, Daily Trust has learned. The kidnapped expatriate, Mr. Sam Xie Wie, was taken alongside a Nigerian co-worker, David Adenaiye, during a deadly ambush by the assailants on […]
Forty-seven days after gunmen abducted a Chinese expatriate at a mining site in Oreke-Oke, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, the victim is yet to regain freedom, Daily Trust has learned.
The kidnapped expatriate, Mr. Sam Xie Wie, was taken alongside a Nigerian co-worker, David Adenaiye, during a deadly ambush by the assailants on June 4, 2025. The attack tragically resulted in the deaths of two police escorts, ASP Haruna Watsai and Inspector Tukur Ogah, who were attached to the 45 PMF, Abuja.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the abductors reportedly contacted the Chinese victim’s associate, demanding a ₦1 billion ransom for the release of both captives.
Police Efforts and Chinese Involvement
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Speaking with Daily Trust on the ongoing efforts to rescue the victims, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, stated that security agencies are still actively working on the case. “The effort to locate the Chinese man kidnapped in Oreke-Oke is still ongoing,” the CP confirmed.
He also addressed reports of Chinese operatives storming a forest in the area as part of a private rescue mission. “On the issue that the Chinese invaded the forest, there was nothing like that,” Ojo said. He did, however, confirm that “The only thing is that a Chinese commissioner of police attached to their embassy visited Ilorin and was in my office, and two days later left for Abuja,” without detailing his engagements while in Ilorin.
A senior police officer, who was part of the initial response effort, confided in our correspondent that a team of Chinese operatives did arrive in Kwara shortly after the incident. “Upon arrival, they insisted on visiting the crime scene despite the late hour. Inside the Oreke forest, they examined the area, collected samples and maintained strict observation.”
“By the time we returned to Ilorin that night, it was already past midnight. The operatives have since left for China but promised to return soon. We are still expecting them back, while our own search and rescue operations are ongoing,” the officer revealed.