In a chilling incident that unfolded along the Kabba/Obajana/Lokoja Road in Kogi State, gunmen abducted nine travellers in Oshokoshoko last Saturday between 4 pm and 5 pm. The victims, comprising two students, three women, and four men, had embarked on their journey from the Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall in Kabba.
Elupo Eliazer, a person with a disability, revealed that his wife was among the victims. Speaking about the harrowing experience, Eliazer recounted that the kidnappers initially demanded a staggering N30 million as ransom. However, after negotiations, the amount was later reduced to N2.6 million.
The victims, including Eliazer's wife, were en route to attend a church convention scheduled for Lokoja. Eliazer explained, "My wife and I were travelling to attend our church convention scheduled for Lokoja, but I decided to follow a different vehicle as the Toyota could not contain all of us, else I would have been in the car with her."
Tragically, the vehicle carrying Eliazer's wife was ahead of his own, but by the time his vehicle reached the spot, all the occupants of the targeted vehicle had been led into the bush by the abductors.
The desperate situation prompted a call for action, and Eliazer and his family are now facing the daunting task of raising the demanded ransom to secure the release of his kidnapped wife and the other victims.
Despite efforts to gather information, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, has yet to provide details on the incident. Concerns are mounting as residents await updates on the unfolding tragedy, hoping for a swift and safe resolution to the abduction crisis in Kogi State
