12 persons kidnapped in Kogi, kidnappers demand N18m

NO fewer than 12 persons were on Sunday evening kidnapped along with the Itobe-Ajegu community in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The kidnappers, according to a source, are demanding the sum of N1.5million for each of the victims. At this rate, the whole amount being demanded the release of the 12 victims comes to N18million.

It was gathered that the abductees boarded a Toyota Hiace bus belonging to a transport service with registration number KSF 19 XZ from Warri in Delta State on Sunday morning with 16 passengers heading to Anyigba in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

A source who pleaded anonymity revealed that the bus left Warri with 16 passengers, adding that four passengers alighted at Okene, while 12 persons were left on the vehicle including the driver.

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The vehicle was said to have run into the kidnappers along the road in-between Itobe and Ajegu in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The driver, who was able to escape being kidnapped, reported the matter to the police at the Itobe division.

The source also disclosed that the abductors were initially demanding N30 million ransom to free the victims.

But as of Tuesday morning, the kidnappers had reduced the ransom to N1.5 million per victim.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kogi State Police Command, DSP William Ayah, said the kidnapping occurred at Itobe, saying the police could not ascertain the number of the kidnapped victims.

He, however, disclosed that the anti-robbery squad was already on the ground to rescue the victims.