Nasarawa Dep Gov’s Attackers Kidnap 12, Demand N15m Ransom
BY AHMED TUKUR, LAFIA – The bandits who recently attacked the convoy of Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Emmanuel Akabe, killing three police officers and two civilians, have finally contacted families of the kidnapped victims during the incident.
The bandits, who kidnapped about 12 persons travelling in a Toyota Picnic Bus, have contacted families of the driver of the vehicle, Moyi Oshafu, demanding 15 million Naira ransom for their release.
The kidnappers had attacked and taken the victims away before the Deputy Governor’s police escort arrived to engage them in a shootout that led to the unfortunate lost of lives.
Among the kidnapped victims are Mr Gwanjere Simeon Yakubu – Revenue Officer Nasarawa Eggon Local Government; Akatiki David Abuson – a married woman and Moyi Oshafu – driver of the vehicle.
A family member, Nuhu Oshafu, who confirmed the abduction of his brother, Moyi Oshafu, said the bandits have contacted them demanding for N15 million before their release from captivity.
“They have contacted us demanding for 15 million Naira. He was driving a Toyota Picnic bus when he was kidnapped”, Nuhu saidt
Forefront learnt that even after killing the three police officers in the Deputy Governor’s convoy and two other civilians, the kidnappers were around for about 20 minutes before leaving the incident scene without any security intervention.
Numbering over 40, the bandits had blocked the road for over two hours, operating and robbing innocent motorists and passengers of their valuables.
Our correspondent however gathered that currently, there is a remarkable improvement and increase in surveillance activities along the axis, with personnel of the Nigerian Police seen on duty in different locations.
Forefront recalled that the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule had promised to ensure safety for the citizens in the state and bring the perpetuators to justice.
Governor Sule, who presided over a Joint Security Council
meeting at Government House, Lafia, told journalists that the top echelon of the nation’s security agencies have been duly communicated on the unfortunate incident and emerging security challenges.
According to him, security personnel are being deployed to fish out the criminal elements and bring them to book.
Available pictures of the deceased officers and victims showed they were shot mostly in the upper part of their body, involved in the shootings may clearly be professional criminals.
