Gunmen abduct Ondo Perm. Sec. in Kogi

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Sunday abducted the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Hospital Management Board, Dr Niran Ikuomola,on his way to Abuja.

Ikuomola was said to be kidnapped with his driver along the Lokoja/Abuja expressway by the gunmen who laid ambush for him and drove the two victims to an unknown destination.

Confirming the development, the Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NBA), Dr Roland Arohunmolase, said the Permanent Secretary and his driver were abducted by the hoodlums in Kogi state.

Arohunmolase explained that one of the kidnappers contacted the family of the abducted Permanent Secretary to confirm the abduction of the Permanent Secretary and his driver in their den.

He said that the abductors demanded for the sum N70million to secure the release of the two victims in their custody but said the family has not open negotiation with them.

He said “Dr Ikuomola was abducted yesterday (Sunday) with his driver on the Lokoja -Abuja road while on his way to Abuja for an official function.

“The kidnappers have contacted us this morning (Monday) by demanding for the sum of N70 million before he could be released to his family”

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ondo State, Femi Joseph, said he could not confirm the abduction of Ikuomola and his driver but affirmed that the incident did not take place in the state.

Joseph said since the incident occurred outside the jurisdiction of Ondo State Police Command, the police officers in Kogi state would take up the matter.

Joseph said “I am not yet aware, although, it is outside our jurisdiction but am sure some of our colleagues (police) in Kogi state would have taken prompt action on it.”

He assured that the police are determined to root out crime in the society to ensure protection of lives and properties and assured that the criminals would soon be nabbed.