Our reporter
Three relatives of Malam Ahmed Ajobe, a former editor of Daily Trust, were abducted on Thursday by gunmen along the Ankpa-Adoka-Makurdi Road in Kogi State.
The victims, including Ajobe’s younger sister, Halimtu-Sadiya Tahir, were returning from a market in Awo, Ankpa Local Government Area, when the incident occurred.
The abductors are reportedly demanding a ransom of N50 million for the release of the victims.
Kogi State Police Command spokesman, William Aya, confirmed the abduction on Friday and stated that security efforts were underway to rescue the victims. Aya disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer in the area had deployed personnel to track down the kidnappers. Additionally, Commissioner of Police Bethrand Onuoha has ordered the tactical team to reinforce local efforts.
“We are committed to ensuring the victims are safely rescued and the perpetrators brought to justice,” Aya assured.
The abduction adds to the challenges facing the Ajobe family, as they were in the process of organising the seven-day prayer for Ajobe’s late mother, Malama Aishetu Tahir, who passed away on Sunday following an illness.
A family friend, speaking anonymously, confirmed the ransom demand. “The kidnappers contacted the family on Friday, demanding N50 million,” he said. “Negotiations are on-going, but no amount has been paid so far, and the victims remain in captivity.”
The kidnapping has heightened concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the region, particularly on the Ankpa-Adoka-Makurdi Road, notorious for frequent attacks by criminal elements.
Residents and community leaders have called on the government to intensify efforts to improve road infrastructure and deploy more security personnel to curb the rising wave of abductions and violent crimes in the area.
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