Gunmen in Enugu have abducted an official of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Emeason Chima. Chima, a member of RS4.211, Ugbokolo unit of the agency, was kidnapped on Saturday near Maduka University in Nsukka, Enugu State.
The gunmen are demanding a ransom of N50 million for the release of the victim, as confirmed by a senior FRSC official in the state who spoke to SaharaReporters on the condition of anonymity. Chima was driving alone in his car when he was ambushed and taken.
An internal memo within the agency revealed that the kidnappers, using the officer’s phone, have demanded the ransom. Emmanuel Al-Hassan, the Ugbokolo unit commander, stated in the memo, “The Command Is In Receipt Of Information About The Kidnap Of SRMA Emeason Chima.” The incident occurred on the road after Maduka University through OPI junction in Enugu State.
Security has been worsening in the South-East part of the country, with a rise in attacks by non-state actors. These gunmen have kidnapped individuals, taken large sums of ransom, and even resorted to violence in some cases.
Government officials, military personnel, police officers, and others have all been targets of these attacks in the region. The Nigerian government has blamed the pro-Biafra group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), for the attacks, although the group has consistently denied any involvement in them.