LOKOJA — Nine travelers on the Kabba-Lokoja Road in Kogi State have been abducted, including two women, four men, and two female students.
The incident occurred last Saturday around 4:30 p.m. when passengers, who were en route from Kabba to Lokoja for a church convention, were intercepted and taken into the bush.
The victims, all members of the Jehovah’s Witness community, had departed from the Kingdom Hall in Kabba.
Mr. Elupo Eliazer, the husband of one of the victims, disclosed that the kidnappers have contacted the family with their demands.
“They initially demanded N30 million but later reduced it to N2.6 million after negotiation,” Eliazer stated. “My wife and I were traveling to attend our church convention in Lokoja, but I opted to take a different vehicle as the Toyota bus couldn’t accommodate all of us. Otherwise, I would have been in the car with her.”
Eliazer, who is a person with a disability, explained that the vehicle his wife traveled in was ahead of the one he was in. However, by the time his vehicle reached the location, all occupants of the bus had already been taken into the bush.
The kidnappers warned against involving or informing the police.
The Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya, promised to provide further details upon inquiry.