NSCDC Officer: Killer Demands ₦30m To Free Hostages

NSCDC Officer Killer Demands ₦30m To Free Hostages
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The sum of ₦30 million has been demanded as ransom for the release of three hostages who were abducted by suspected gunmen – as earlier reported, the assailants shot and killed Segun Ayebulu an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

While traveling to his hometown, Ogbe, Kogi State The NSCDC officer tragically got shot along Oke Ako-Irele Ekiti road – he was confirmed dead following the attack. Three other passengers traveling with were kidnapped.

The deceased uncle informed reporters in Ado Ekiti, ‘The abductors contacted the family this evening and demanded N30million to secure the release of the victims.’

‘The three abductees were younger brother of the late NSCDC officer, five-year-old child of the deceased and 11 year-old child of the slain officer’s elder brother while two others in the car escaped.’

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‘They called this evening demanding N30million naira. We heard the voices of the abductees with them. The younger brother of the slain NSCDC officer appealed to us from the kndnappers’ den that we should do something urgently for their release that the way they were being tortured was unbearable.’

‘On our side, the demand is on the high side, there is no way the family and even communities can raise it, so we are still negotiating that it should be brought down’ he noted

‘There were six persons in the car, the NSCDC officer was killed, two escaped and three were whisked away. Those abducted are the younger brother of the deceased, and two children aged 11 years and five years old. The three are still in the custody of the gunmen.’

‘When I received information that the officer was killed, we immediately mobilized hunters in the community, fortunately, I saw a military man and when I told him what happened, he said I should take him to the military outpost so that they could mobilize, which I did.’

‘On my way back riding on my motorbike, I could sight two children in the bush not far away from the scene, I was trying to have a proper view when suddenly I saw an armed man who pointed gun at me and fired a shot. I escaped dead probably because my appointed date had not come. God saved me.’

‘When I got to where the soldiers were, I told them I was the one who was shot perhaps they heard a gunshot. So, soldiers and hunters rushed to the place, but before they could get there, the gunmen had taken the children away’.

A source who asked to be anonymous said, ‘I do not know what appeal to make again because it has been happening on the same spot. All the efforts that we are making, it is either the government cautions us not to take laws into our hands or don’t do this and when the need arises, we will not see them’.

In addition, Michael Ogungbemi, Chairman of the Ajoni LCDA, stated that the LCDA had deployed its security network, Exterminating Bandits at the Borders of Rural Ajoni Communities, to start searching the forests, particularly the area.

‘They are in the forest now with the military. I hope they will be able to have positive result out of this combing’.

Tolu Afolabi, NSCDC Public Relations Officer Ekiti State Command, disclosed that some personnel have been deployed to the community. He also noted that police authorities in the Kogi and Kwara states have been reached to ensure that the abductees are safely rescued from the ruthless control of these perpetrators.

Africa Daily News, New York

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