Gunmen have abducted three relatives of Ahmed Ajobe, a former editor at the Daily Trust newspaper, along the Ankpa-Adoka-Makurdi road in Kogi state.
The victims, including Ajobe’s younger sister, Halimtu-Sadiya Tahir, were seized on Thursday while returning from Awo community market.They had reportedly gone to purchase items for the seven-day funeral rites of the journalist’s late mother, according to a family friend.
“The kidnappers contacted the family on Friday afternoon, demanding N50 million ($64,000) as ransom,” the family friend told reporters.
“Negotiations are ongoing, but no payment has been made yet, and the victims remain in captivity.”
Kogi state police spokesperson, William Aya, confirmed the incident, stating that officers have been deployed to rescue the victims.
“We are making every effort to ensure their safe return,” Aya said.