A first class traditional ruler and Adogu of Eganyi in Ajaokuta local government area of Kogi state, Alhaji Mohammed Adembe has been kidnapped.
He was reportedly kidnapped Tuesday evening by yet- to- be identified persons along Okene-Eganyi road.
The incident happened some 72 hours after another first class monarch and Emir of Kajuru in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna state, Alhaji Hassan Adamu, was kidnapped and released about 24 hours after.
The kidnap of the Kogi monarch also came barely three days after the abduction of Managing Director of AZECO Pharmaceutical Company at Ozuwaya in Okene, Kogi Central Senatorial District, Pharmacist AbdulAzeez Obajimoh.
A source who spoke to journalist son the telephone, said the royal father who was alone in his car, left Okene town around 4pm Tuesday for Eganyi community and was abducted between Ebiya and Eganyi.
And as a follow-up, the kidnappers reached out to the family at about 1.00 pm Wednesday and demanded a N30 million ransom to secure his release.
Confirming the incident, the state’s Police Public Relation Officer, Kogi Mr William Ayah, said the command had deployed special squad to trail the abductors.
He called on the general public to assist the police with useful information to enable security agents rescue the royal father.
Bandits in Niger
In a related development, bandits killed one person, abducted five others and rustled 32 cows in Angwar Rimi in Yakila village area, Guna District of Rafi local government area of Niger state.
The bandits, numbering 18, were reported to have invaded the village at about 2am Wednesday morning riding on nine motor bikes.
It was gathered that the bandits compelled the abductees to move the rustled cows, a development that worried residents of the area.
It was also learnt that two people injured during the attack were rushed to General Hospital Wushishi.
The village head of Rafin Gora in the district, Alhaji Sallau Bangui Danladi confirmed the latest attack on the community to Blueprint in Minna.
He identified the victim killed by the bandits as Hamza Boka, describing him as “a dedicated and dependable promising young man loved by all.”
The royal father said the bandits also compelled the abducted five villagers to help in moving the rustled cows away.
“We are worried and disturbed that what the bandits now do is to abducts owners of the cattle and use them to rustle the cows. That way, the cows will surely move on the instruction of the original owners. This is sad,” the monarch said.
He said that the gunmen had earlier made two failed attacks on the same village Monday and Tuesday nights before coming back Wednesday more prepared.
He appealed to the Niger state Commissioner of Police and the Brigade Commander in the state to establish operational base in the area
A witness who pleaded anonymity told Blueprint the bandits had been coming and leaving the village through same route for the past three consecutive days.
“On Monday 22 bandits came using 11 motorcycles while 18 of them came on nine bikes on Tuesday. It is unfortunate that we do not have police and other security agencies to protect us.”
Gov sad over crimes
But the state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has expressed sadness over the increasing acts of banditry and kidnapping in the state, assuring however that government was making concerted effort to halt the trend.
The governor made this known at the inauguration of a 21- kilometre Suleja-Abuchi-Izom double coated surface dressed rural road Wednesday.
He decried the havoc been inflicted on helpless communities across the state which, according to him, had hampered agricultural activities in some areas.
“I am deeply saddened by acts of kidnapping and banditry in some areas of the state which is hindering economic activities. But we are making concerted effort with security agencies to ensure that every one go about their daily routine safely,” the governor said.
He appreciated security agencies for their sacrifice, assuring them of the continuous support of his administration in eliminating criminality in the state.
The governor said his administration was committed to improving the agricultural values chain to empower local farmers.
2 soldiers slain in Enugu
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has announced that gunmen suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the vigilante arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Tuesday killed two soldiers on duty at Uzo-Uwani local government area of Enugu state.
The slain soldiers were part of the troops deployed to check the activities of gunmen at Adani community in the local government.
Director Army Public Relations Onyema Nwachukwu disclosed this in a statement Wednesday in Abuja.
He said troops were able to repeal the attack that would have claimed more lives.
Angered by the incident, the Army spokesman enjoined the general public to assist the Army to track the fleeing gunmen.
Nwachukwu said: “Nigerian Army troops deployed to checkmate the activities of gunmen at Adani community of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, yesterday 13 July, 2021, repelled Eastern Security Network (ESN) gun attack on troops’ location at Iggah/Asaba checkpoint.
“Sadly, during the fire fight that ensued, two soldiers paid the supreme price. Troops are currently on the trail of the criminals.
“We assure the general public of our commitment to provide adequate security in the general area in collaboration with other security agencies.
“We also urge members of the public to complement the effort of the security agencies by remaining law abiding and provide useful information on the fleeing gunmen.”
