23rd June, 2022
Richard Elesho
The security of Kogi State was violated again on Tuesday, by gunmen. They abducted seven passengers including a lawyer and a medical doctor who were travelling along the Itobe-Ajaokuta road.
The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident, which it explained, happened at about 2pm. The victims were whisked into the bush, while many others were injured.
According to an eyewitness, the gunmen laid siege on the said road for hours, shooting sporadically. The unsuspecting travellers walked into their waiting hands.
The source further said among those abducted were Mr Joe Abba, his wife and one Barrister Abba Aduojo, who were returning from a burial in a village near Alloma in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.
Also abducted is a yet-to-be-identified doctor said to be on his way back to Lokoja from an official assignment to the Prince Abubakar Audu University, Ayingba.
“They were kidnapped at gunpoint around 2 pm, my friend’s wife was shot in the leg and is presently recuperating at Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja”, said a relative of one of the victims.
The State Police command confirmed the incident on Thursday in Lokoja.
According to the State Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, William Ovye Aya, the command got winds of the attack of the hoodlums and drafted the men of the Rapid Response Squad operating in the area to their rescue.
“Seven persons were abducted to the bush; six people were rescued with bullet wounds and six vehicles were recovered at the scene of the incident,” he said.
Aya said the police is working round the clock, along with other security agencies to secure the release of the victims and force the criminals on the path of justice.