Perm sec kidnapped in Niger State – Daily Trust
November 10, 2009 by Bunmi Awolusi
Permanent Secretary in the Niger State Ministry of Youth Affairs Alhaji Adamu Umar was kidnapped by unknown persons along the Suleja/ Diko expressway yesterday. The perm sec’s kidnap came only weeks after the release of Secretary to the Kaduna State Government Mr. Waje Yayok, who was kidnapped in Kaduna and subsequently taken to Warri in Delta State.
The permanent secretary, who was on his way back to Minna after attending a Masters degree course program at the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, was said to have been abducted within Kaduna State territory.
This is the second high-profile kidnap case in Niger State this year. Four months ago, Mrs. Rachael Omeize and her daughter Deborah Omeize were kidnapped from their residence in Minna.
According to Hajiya Maimuna Umar, wife of the kidnapped man, her husband called her around 9 pm on Sunday to tell her of his plight, adding that after speaking to him briefly, the kidnappers snatched the phone from him and asked her to arrange a ransom payment of N30 million. She said that after ordering her to remain close to her phone for further instructions, the kidnappers switched off the line.
Niger State Police Command’s public relations officer (PPRO) Richard Oguche said yesterday that two units of armed policemen have been sent out to track the kidnappers. He said the police learnt that the abducted permanent secretary has been taken to Zaria in his car by six people who are holding him hostage.
