Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Suspected kidnappers have demanded N50m for the release of two visually impaired persons abducted along Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State while returning to Jos from a training programme in Benue State.
The victims, a man and a woman, were among nine persons selected to participate in the training. Seven other occupants of the vehicle escaped when the kidnappers intercepted them on Monday night.
The Chairman of the Plateau State chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Shindol Aaron, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with journalists in Jos on Tuesday.
Aaron explained that the nine participants had travelled from Jos to Benue State but were forced to return after receiving information that the training had been postponed.
He said the abduction occurred at about 8pm on Monday while they were making their way back to Jos.
He said, “They were selected to attend a training in Benue State and from what I gathered, they took off from Jos, and along the way, they got information that the event had been postponed to another day and they were asked to return to their station.
“So, it was on their way back to Jos that they encountered some kidnappers who abducted them. They were nine in the vehicle. Seven of them escaped, and two were abducted. So, right now, we have a male and a lady in their custody,” he said.
The association chairman disclosed that he had received information that the abductors were demanding ransom, although he had not personally spoken with them.
He added that the incident had been reported to security agencies, while the vehicle’s driver also visited a police station to formally report the abduction.
“We have reported the incident to the security agents, and we are trying to see how they could be released. The driver of the vehicle also went to the police station to report,” he said.
Another member of the association, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that the kidnappers had contacted the victims’ associates and demanded N50m for their release.
“The kidnappers have reached out, and they are demanding N50m before they could free the two persons in their custody. Where do they want us to get the money from?” the member said.
Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Plateau State Police Command’s spokesperson, Alabo Alfred, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
