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Not less than twelve (12) persons traveling in a ‘Toyota Picnic Bus’ were kidnapped on Tuesday along the Abuja-Lafia express road by gunmen, Forefront reports.
According to the report, family of the driver, Moyi Oshafu, have been contacted, demanding N15 million ransom for their release.
The gunmen also killed a civilian (press), three (3) police officers attached to the convoy of Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, deputy governor of Nasarawa State and a pilot driver.
The kidnappers had attacked and taken the victims away before the Deputy Governor’s police escort arrived to engage them in a shootout that led to the unfortunate lost of lives.
Among the kidnapped victims are Mr Gwanjere Simeon Yakubu, Revenue Officer Nasarawa Eggon Local Government; Akatiki David Abuson – a married woman and Moyi Oshafu – driver of the vehicle.
A family member, Nuhu Oshafu, who confirmed the abduction of his brother, Moyi Oshafu, said the suspected bandits have contacted them demanding for N15 million as ransom before their release from captivity.
“They have contacted us demanding for 15 million Naira. He was driving a Toyota Picnic bus when he was kidnapped”, Nuhu said.
Speaking over the incident, Governor Abdullahi A. Sule said the attackers who blocked the express road for over two hours, operating and robbing motorists and passengers alike were about 40 in numbers.
Sule reassured residents of the state of adequate security and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“They were up to 40; they killed the policemen, three of them and one other person.
“But, my deputy, he is okay; he came back safe and doing fine,” the govenor was quoted by Punch as saying.
Meanwhile, the police has increased surveillance along the axis with its personnel seen on duty at different strategic locations.
The kidnappers had attacked and taken the victims away before the Deputy Governor’s police escort arrived to engage them in a shootout that led to the unfortunate lost of lives.
Among the kidnapped victims are Mr Gwanjere Simeon Yakubu, Revenue Officer Nasarawa Eggon Local Government; Akatiki David Abuson – a married woman and Moyi Oshafu – driver of the vehicle.
A family member, Nuhu Oshafu, who confirmed the abduction of his brother, Moyi Oshafu, said the suspected bandits have contacted them demanding for N15 million as ransom before their release from captivity.
“They have contacted us demanding for 15 million Naira. He was driving a Toyota Picnic bus when he was kidnapped”, Nuhu said.
Speaking over the incident, Governor Abdullahi A. Sule said the attackers who blocked the express road for over two hours, operating and robbing motorists and passengers alike were about 40 in numbers.
Sule reassured residents of the state of adequate security and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“They were up to 40; they killed the policemen, three of them and one other person.
“But, my deputy, he is okay; he came back safe and doing fine,” the govenor was quoted by Punch as saying.
Meanwhile, the police has increased surveillance along the axis with its personnel seen on duty at different strategic locations.
