Gunmen abduct two visually impaired persons in Plateau, demand N50m ransom

Gunmen have abducted two persons with visual impairment in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, with the kidnappers demanding N50 million for their release.

The victims, a man and a woman, were among nine people travelling in a vehicle after attending a training programme in Benue State.

The group was returning to Jos on Monday night after receiving information that the programme had been postponed when they encountered the attackers.

The Chairman of the Plateau State chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Shindol Aaron, confirmed the incident.

He said seven of the passengers escaped during the attack, while the gunmen took the remaining two.

“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,” Aaron said.

He explained that the group had initially travelled from Jos to Benue for the training but decided to return after learning that the event would no longer hold as scheduled.

“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,” he added.

Aaron said the incident occurred around 8pm in Riyom LGA and that the abductors had contacted someone to discuss the victims’ release.

Although he said he had not spoken directly with the kidnappers, he confirmed that the matter had been reported to security agencies.

“We have reported the incident to the security agents, and we are trying to see how they could be released,” he said.

Another member of the association, Ishaya Ayuba Danjatau, disclosed that the kidnappers had demanded N50 million for the release of the victims.

“The kidnappers have reached out, and they are demanding N50 million before they can free the two persons in their custody.

“Where do they want us to get the money from?” he said.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Plateau State Police Command spokesman, DSP Alabo Alfred, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

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