Tragedy struck on Saturday along the Kabba-Lokoja Road in Kogi State as nine individuals, including two women, four men, and two female students, were kidnapped while en route to Lokoja for a church convention.
The abduction occurred around 4:30 p.m. when the passengers, all members of the Jehovah’s Witness community, were intercepted by unknown assailants and taken into the nearby forest.
According to reports, the victims had departed from the Kingdom Hall in Kabba and were traveling together for the convention in Lokoja.
Elupo Eliazer, the husband of one of the victims, disclosed to journalists that the kidnappers had contacted the family to communicate their demands.
“They initially demanded N30 million but later reduced it to N2.6 million after negotiation,” Eliazer revealed.
Eliazer, who is also a person with a disability, explained that he and his wife were initially traveling together but had to split into different vehicles due to space constraints. Tragically, the vehicle carrying his wife was among those abducted.
Upon reaching the location where the abduction took place, Eliazer found that all passengers from the bus had been taken into the bush. The kidnappers reportedly warned them against involving the police.
The incident has sparked widespread concern and calls for urgent action to secure the safe release of the abducted individuals and apprehend those responsible for the heinous act.
Authorities are yet to provide further details on the ongoing investigation into the abduction, while the families of the victims anxiously await any developments in the situation.
