Anxiety in Niger as kidnappers release video of abducted travellers, demand N500m ransom
- Many commuters have been kidnapped in Niger state amid rising insecurity in the country
- Their abductors are demanding a staggering N500 million from the government as a ransom
- A video of the travellers begging the government to secure their release has been published by the criminal gang
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In what shot a dart into the counter-insecurity effort in the country, a number of travellers have been abducted by suspected bandits in Niger state.
The travellers were kidnapped on Sunday, February 14, on a highway, with their abductors reportedly demanding a whopping sum of N500 million for their release.
A video of the travellers begging the government to secure their freedom was released by a group of criminals on Tuesday, February 16.
Source: UGC
Legit.ng notes that bandits have embarked on kidnap rampage across the country amid security crises which forced the federal government to change the service chiefs in January.
This publication also notes that Niger has become a new fortress of different gangs of bandits and kidnappers, with the United States also warning that Boko Haram terrorists are now in the state causing mayhem.
A couple of days back, suspected gunmen ambushed commuters who were returning from a wedding in Rijau local government area of the state.
According to Premium Times, the development was confirmed by one Bello Muhammed, a senior official of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Tegina.
Mohammed further revealed that three members of the local security task force who attempted to foil the abduction were instantly killed.
A government official, Mary Berje, later confirmed that “10 out of the recently kidnapped passengers in the Niger State Transport Authority bus returning to Minna from Rijau Local Government have regained their freedom.”
A video of the commuters has now surfaced and one of the gunmen who spoke in Hausa was seen dictating to the victims what to say.
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the Nnewi community of Ekwusigo local government area in Anambra state was plunged into panic following the kidnap of Uruagu-Nnewi, Obi Charles Afam Obi.
The 41-year-old monarch was kidnapped after his vehicle was attacked by his abductors while reportedly returning from a burial ceremony.
The kidnappers reportedly shot sporadically into the air to scare people away before Obi Afam was whisked away.
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Rahaman Abiola is a result-oriented journalist and content writer with a firm grip of over 5-year corporate experience stranding diverse roles in digital & traditional media and social media communication.
A published literary writer, freelancer and public commentator, he has written over 100 essays covering diverse issues on economy, politics and current affairs, entertainment and leadership published in virtually all notable Nigerian national dailies and digital media in Nigeria.
He is a graduate of English Literature, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Follow him on Twitter via @ShugabanR.
Source: Legit.ng
