…the gunmen are asking for N100 million for their release.
MAKURDI, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Gunmen yesterday morning abducted six travellers, including four members of the Ansaarudeen Islamic Society, along the Naka-Makurdi road in Benue State, demanding N100 million for their release.
The victims were reportedly travelling in a convoy when their vehicle was intercepted around Kula village, roughly 20 minutes from Makurdi.
A family member of one of the abducted persons, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident happened shortly after the group departed Naka in the early hours.
“My God, I have always heard about kidnappings, but now it is clear to me that it is real. Four of our Ansaarudeen members were kidnapped this morning along the Makurdi-Naka road, and the gunmen are asking for N100 million for their release. We are currently at the mosque praying for them,” the source said.
According to the source, the travellers, three men and three women had left Ilorin on Monday. They reportedly arrived late, stayed overnight, and resumed their journey around 5 a.m., only to be ambushed by gunmen who abducted them.
He disclosed that the gunmen contacted the families about two hours after the incident, demanding the N100 million ransom.
Chairman of Gwer West Local Government Area, Mr. Victor Ormin, who confirmed the abduction, said, “I have confirmed the abduction of the people. I was told that they left Naka around 5 a.m. this morning in a convoy before they ran into bandits who abducted some of them.”
He added that the incident occurred along the Naka-Makurdi road, near Makurdi, but he could not immediately confirm the exact number of abducted victims.
Meanwhile, families of the victims have begun efforts to secure their release.
“We are already discussing and negotiating on how to raise the money. It is not easy, but we are praying and hoping they return safely,” said the husband of one of the victims.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, had not responded to enquiries about the incident at the time of this report.
