Kidnappers in Nigeria Demand N150m for Six Abducted Defence Ministry Directors

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

Kidnappers in Nigeria Demand N150m for Six Abducted Defence Ministry Directors

Kidnappers holding six senior directors of the Federal Ministry of Defence have demanded N150 million for their release, according to fresh details about the incident.

The officials were abducted on November 10 along the Kabba–Lokoja highway in Kogi State while travelling from Lagos to Abuja for a Directorate-level promotion examination.

Sources described the attack as a coordinated ambush by armed men who blocked the road and whisked the officials away.

A relative of one of the victims said the ransom request had left the families overwhelmed.

“We are still traumatised by what happened. Now they want N150 million for all six of them. How can we possibly raise such an amount? We only beg for their safe return,” the family member said.

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, in a statement signed by its President, Shehu Mohammed, and Secretary-General, Joshua Apebo, condemned the abduction and reassured staff that efforts were underway to secure the victims’ release.

The union identified the kidnapped officials as Mrs Ngozi Ibeziakor, Mrs C. Emeribe, Mrs Helen Ezeakor, Mrs C. Ladoye, Mrs J. Onwuzurike and Mrs Catherine Essien, all senior members of the association and staff of Command Day Secondary School, Ojo, Lagos.

According to the ASCSN, the Ministry of Defence has activated a coordinated response and is working with security agencies and relevant stakeholders to ensure the safe return of the six officials.

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Chioma Ndukwu

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