Armed assailants who kidnapped six officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Obajana area of Kogi State have demanded N50million in exchange for the victims.
The kidnap victims were said to be returning in the early hours of Sunday, March 19 from Kupa North and South in Lokoja Local Government Area of the state when they came under attack.
At a press briefing on Monday in Lokoja, an Assistant Presiding Officer II, (APO II) in the March 18th Kogi House of Assembly election, Babalola Oluwatobi Peter, said his sister who was part of those kidnapped on that fateful day is still being held by her kidnappers, with five others.
Peter said those still in captivity include, two corps members, Abdulrahaman Raji and Muhammed Maimunat, and four other INEC ad-hoc staff members: Opara Tina, Florence Shayo Ajayi, Oyaniran Atinuke Ruth and one Blessing.
He explained further that the kidnappers kept calling them with different numbers, demanding N50million to save the victims from being killed.
“You cannot call them, but they can only call you. They even told us to send them a recharge card which we did, just because we don’t want them to hurt my sister and every other victim in their custody,” Peter said.
Also, a husband of one of the abducted victims, Olawafemi Olakanmi, said he last spoke to his wife (Florence Shayo Ajayi) around was around 12am before the incident occurred.
“I have not slept since my wife was kidnapped on 19th March 2023. I only call on God to set my wife free,” he added.
The six vehicles carrying electoral officers came under fire at Obajana between 1am-2am by the kidnappers.
“The first vehicle was able to move away, while the second vehicle that I was in mistakenly hit the culvert and could not move again.
“The third vehicle hit us at the back. We have three police officers, only one was armed.
“The armed police officer instructed us to pull off our white shirt and run for our dear life. After everyone was running for their life, I discovered that I didn’t see my sister Oyaniran Atinuke Ruth again.
“Those people that were kidnaped were directly from our bus. Then, we told the security agency and INEC that we are still looking for six people, including my sister. They said we should not worry that we will find them. Up till now, nothing has been done. They contacted us recently, demanding N50m.”
Peter urged the government and security agents to collaborate and secure the release of the abducted victims to spare their families and loved ones the agony of the traumatic experience.
Nonetheless, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state police command, SP William Ovye Aya, released a statement to journalists stating that 96 individuals were rescued by the police, three sustained injuries, and two victims remain unaccounted for.
Despite several attempts to contact the PPRO for further information on the matter, his phone line was inaccessible at the time of filing this report.